Cascading Echoes

PROLOGUE

Main Sick Bay: Deck 11

"What have you done this time?" Dr. Hugh Culber, the distinguished Chief Medical Officer aboard the U.S.S. Discovery said. The man sprinting toward the sick bay door. "Don't tell me; another training session?"

Entering the room, supported by Cadet Vothi'Cha, Ensign Sylvia Tilly hobbled in. "I bobbed when I should've weaved," she said, wincing as she pointed to the bulge above her ankle, protruding from beneath her workout gear.   

Clicking, with a low series of hisses, Cadet Cha tried to explain. 

"Did you know the Phaeacians' physiology makes them among the strongest species aboard the ship? Their exoskeletons are as hard as steel, and their strength is three times that of a human male?"

"Tilly, I'm a Senior Medical Officer aboard a Federation starship; it's my profession's responsibility to know that, among other things," Dr. Culber stated, examining her leg. "What happened to your leg?"

"We made a bet... well, I made a bet. I thought if I could get Cha off his feet, it would be easier to subdue him. Cha was showing me how to perform a proper Dolosian leg sweep, and I was demonstrating why I'd make a poor security officer."

"You broke your leg in the process," Dr. Culber said, helping Tilly to a bio-bed.

"Sir, I tried to warn her, but she insisted," Cha lamented between clicks and hisses, his native tongue somehow revealing his distress and concern even through the Discovery's universal translator.

Assisting a med tech, placing Tilly on the bio-bed using four of his six appendages, the tall, thin, bug-like alien hissed again. His antennae, protruding from atop his elongated shell-plated head, drooped, indicating a contrite demeanor.

"We'll take it from here, cadet," Dr. Culber said, reaching for his tricorder.

Patting Tilly on the shoulder, speaking entirely in his native tongue, Vothi'Cha prepared to depart.

"I'll see you first thing in the morning," Tilly announced, biting down on her bottom lip as the med tech set her leg. "We'll work on grappling, throws, and escapes."

"Very well, on the morrow," Vothi replied.

"First thing," the red-haired science officer finished, giving a half-smile.

"Sylvia, what's this all about? It's the fourth time in three weeks you've been to sick bay. Let's see, there's the sprained ankle, the broken hand, your left arm, and now this. In all honesty, I may have to inform the captain."

"It's not as bad as it sounds... or looks," Sylvia said, thankful for the numbing property of the med scanner.

"I'll be the judge of that; start talking."

"My Starfleet Academy training aside, I need to get stronger and become a better combatant; be more effective in hand-to-hand techniques."

"Go on, I'm listening."

"The reason Captain Pike overlooks me is he thinks I'm a liability on away missions. He'd never say so, but three months ago, he selected Ensign Thompson to beam down over me, twice! I'd been looking forward to going on world for some time; the flora on Radmir was said to be incredible and I so wanted to see it. Kuma graduated from Starfleet Academy a month behind me and is the youngest officer onboard the ship... in Starfleet, actually, by three years. Quite frankly, he's a subpar science officer... well, not really, but I wish he were. Still, his only advantage over me is the eight ranks he holds in gha'taru martial arts!"

Applying a nano-compression cast to Tilly's leg, Dr. Culber said, "You're looking to become more like Commander Burnham. I think she's rubbing off on you a bit too much?"

"No... yes, but only because she has all the coolest adventures and stories to tell. She's actually been on Quojufir III during sunset; I've only ever seen it in the holo-room. Please, don't misunderstand, I love working with Lieutenant Stamets in the spore lab; it's just that a girl needs physical stimulation from time to time."

"I suppose," Dr. Culber said, programming Tilly's cast. "You know the routine; rest here for two hours, no debate... and Sylvia, be careful what you wish for; you just might get it."