The Tirok Maneuver

XIV

Mac'hla ran their fingers through their hair, muscles and joints aching with every move.

According to McCoy, she had grown 2 inches during the stretch... though this would be resolved once her body fell back into place.

They examined the stretch marks that had formed across their arms. They were covered in the marks but thankfully they would disappear over time.

Jim was the first to visit her. He felt obligated to as he was the Captain of the ship, but also because she had nearly died.

"Lieutenant," he said softly.

Mac'hla looked up from the marks, "Captain."

"I... I can't believe you're alive."

"To be honest, neither can I." they agreed.

He gently cupped their cheek in his hand and sat on the edge of their bed, "How did this happen? How are you still here?"

"I have to admit, Captain, it is mostly a blur. I was beginning to stretch, and I noticed part of the hull fly off and into the hole. There was a flash of light, and I suspect I must have lost consciousness as the energy blew me back."

"But how? How did you survive the blast?"

"I was caught on the first wave of energy. I cannot explain it, as it does not make any sense to me either. I suppose I was simply... lucky."

"I thought Vulcans don't believe in luck." Jim teased.

"Perhaps that should change."

"What injuries have you obtained?" he asked with worry. 

Mac'hla grimaced slightly,"Radiation sickness. Dislocated knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders. My left femur, right tibia, both humerus and pelvis were fractured. Some tendon damage in my legs. 3 ribs were cracked. Some skin tearing. My left lung collapsed... and a few other things" 

"My god," Jim gasped, "How did you survive that?" 

"Our good Doctor is quite talented. He has mended most of my fractures already, however some are taking longer." she said quietly. 

"How did all of that occur? Were you banged up in the shuttle pod?" 

"Once I was trapped in the gravitational pull of the hole, my body began to stretch. As you can imagine, humanoid bodies cannot stretch very much." she explained. 

"That must have been agonizing." 

"It was." they admitted, "But pain is in the mind. Once the delirium hit me after I had escaped the pull I did not feel anything. "

Now that Mac'hla's hair was down, he could see a strange change in it.

He picked up a curl, "Maggie, is your hair graying?"

Mac'hla looked at the hair spilling over her shoulders, "The radiation caused some premature graying. Fortunately it has not turned all of my hair white."

Kirk chuckled, "It suits you."

She twirled a curl between her fingers and hummed, "Thank you, sir."

"Sir... will I be court martialed for attacking Mr. Spock?" she asked.

"As far as StarFleet is concerned, you saved a ship. The means don't matter And as for Spock... he's fine. You're okay, and even though he won't admit it, that's what matters to him."

Mac'hla nodded.

"Maggie!" Chekov shouted, running into sickbay with a grin, "Holy shit! You're alive!"

Mac'hla raised an eyebrow but allowed herself a small smile, "It would appear so."

Pavel wrapped his arms around her tightly and she grunted in pain.

"Sorry," he said, loosening the hug, "Are you okay?

Mac'hla gently rubbed his forearm, "I am just sore. And taller, it would seem. I am now taller than you." they teased.

"There's no way you're taller." Pavel said, creasing his eyebrows.

"You are 5 feet and 6 inches exactly. I am now 5 feet and 6.7 inches."

He looked absolutely horrified at this before Mac'hla added, "But I will return to my normal height once my joints and tendons are healed."

Pavel sighed in relief, "I don't think my ego could handle it if you were taller than me."

Another visitor strode in, arms folded behind his back.

"Lieutenant." Spock said quietly.

"Sir!" Mac'hla jumped from their bed to stand at attention but stumbled and held onto the edge of the bed for support..

"Sit down." he ordered and they did as they were told.

"Sir, I attacked you and–" she began, but was cut off.

"Are you alright?" Spock asked.

Mac'hla blinked, "Am I..?"

"Are you alright?" he asked again.

"I am fine, sir." she said, "Just sore."

He nodded and sat on the other side of her bed across from Kirk.

"You attacked me, violated multiple Starfleet rules and nearly died," he said coldly.

Mac'hla looked down, waiting to hear that she was being discharged from Starfleet.

"And in doing so, you have effectively saved the entire ship and all of its crew. Therefore, I will make no record of the incident."

Mac'hla sighed in relief, "Thank you, sir."

"Your letter. You stated that the ship needed a Commander more than a Botanist." he said.

"Yes, sir. I did."

"Do you realize that this is untrue?" he asked.

"I..."

"Every person on this ship is a part of a whole. If one person leaves then the entirety of the crew needs to shift. Without a botanist, half of our science department would scramble to do your work. Only you are capable of caring for plants and inventing your ingenious creations. Not only do we need a botanist, but we need you." he explained.

"Me?" Mac'hla asked incredulously.

"Mags, you're adored by the crew." Chekov said, "Honestly, I'd be miserable if you weren't around."

"The crew needs you as a person. Not Lieutenant, not head botanist, just Mac'hla." Kirk agreed.

Mac'hla felt emotion bubbling up in her chest, "I apologize for any distress I caused."

"You are alive, Lieutenant. To worry about what has passed is illogical." Spock said, strangely gently.

They nodded, fidgeting with their fingers.

"That trick we pulled... riding the energy wave of a collapsing blackhole– it needs a name." Kirk said, "I was thinking The Tirok Maneuver."

Mac'hla's eyes widened, "The Tirok Maneuver?"

"Well, technically your shuttlepod was the first to ever ride the wave. You came up with the idea of the ship riding it. It only makes sense that it would be named after you. What do you think, Mr. Spock?"

"That seems logical, Captain."

"I think I'll have to bring it up in the report to Starfleet." Jim smiled, "I'm sure they'd love to hear the story of the dauntless Lieutenant sacrificing their life for the crew."

Mac'hla flushed dark green, "Sir, I was only–"

"Don't sell yourself short, Lieutenant." Jim said, squeezing their shoulder, "You saved us. There's no ifs, ands, or buts. We're alivevbecause you were willing to put your life on the line. And I think that deserves recognition."

Mac'hla smiled faintly and pressed a cold hand against Kirk's cheek.

"You saved us, Maggie."