bad news

Posted on Sat Nov 26th, 2022 @ 11:28am by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: Traitor amongst us?
Location: XO’s Quarters
Timeline: After briefing

Tony had not come off duty long ago. She had taken a long relaxing shower and was now on her couch wearing some loose fitting comfy clothes and reading a novel on her PADD.

Arriving at Tony’s quarters, Sky took a deep breath before she reached out and pressed the chime. She wasn’t looking forward to talking to Tony, her friend was stressed enough already. This news was only going to make it worse.

Tony groaned. She got so little time to relax these days that she had really looked forward to an hour on the couch with tea and a good book. But she smiled when she saw Sky on the other side of the door. "Hey come in! Do you want some tea? I have just made some fresh, not from the replicator."

“Sure” Sky smiled as she walked inside, moving across to a chair and taking a seat to wait for Tony to return.

"It's herbal, I hope you like that." Tony called from the kitchen unit.

“That’ll be fine, Thank you” Sky smiled warmly as she called back. “Take a seat when you come back, I have something to tell you.”

"you are not working too hard again, are you?" Tony set down the other mug of tea then settled herself back on the couch.

Sky shook her head. “Just doing what I need to do then I’ll put my feet up.” She paused to sip her tea before putting the mug down and looking at Tony. “Xavier received a call, it seems there was a series of assasination attempts yesterday. It seems Mrs Sorrel senior was out with her son's husband and kids. Marguarite was killed as was one of Pete’s daughters. One of the others is in critical condition. Pete and his husband were with his father yesterday, a bomb went off there. All three are in critical condition in the hospital."

Tony dropped the mug of tea to the floor and just stared at Sky as if it was too much to take in.

Sky offered an understanding gaze. “It’s not all bad news! Frank has been secured on the planet he is serving on. Llewelyn is safe at the academy and the youngest boys are at the ranch of Commodore Thorne Garrison.”

"My...grandmother... niece.. which one, uncle Pete...granddad oh god." It was too big, just too big to take in.

Getting up Sky picked up the mug, the floor cleaning robot was already working on the spilt tea, then she moved over to sit next to Tony. “I know Tony, but you need to be strong right now, we need to keep those of your family here safe, including you.”

"I want this to fucking end." She whispered. "I don't want to be afraid anymore. I don't want to lose anymore..." She started to cry.

Sky gently hugged her friend, this was what she was here for, to help those in pain who needed her. “Let it out, let it all out, I’m not going anywhere.”

Tony kept crying and in the end it looked like she was hyperventilating, completely out of control.

“Tony... look at me.” Sky held onto her friend’s hands. “I want you to slow down your breathing, take deep breaths for me okay, big deep breath in, and let it out slowly.”

Tony tried and it took her a little while to get the hang of it and to slowly bring down her breathing to a more acceptable rate, but she was still far from calm. "I need to get to earth!"

Sky shook her head. “Right now you’re safest here, we have your family members here onboard where they’re safe. Speaking of which they need to be told what’s going on.”

"Oh god. I can't, I can't sky! I can't tell my mum that her mother is dead and her father and brother may die as well, I can't." Tony's panic levels rose again.

“I wasn’t suggesting you tell her.” Sky rose from her seat and walked over to the replicator. Coming back a few moments later with a hypospray in hand. “This is to help you relax, it’ll just calm you down a bit okay?” She gently pressed it to Tony’s neck giving her a small dose. “It won’t make you drowsy.”

"Thank you." After a few seconds it was as if she could breathe again. The tight band across her chest lifted. "It's too much, Sky, too much."

“I know it is my friend” Sky nodded. “Just remember we’re all here for you, plus you have Ren as well. We’re not going to let anything happen to you, or your family members that are onboard. We’ll keep you all safe.”

She snorted. "Try keeping my mum here. She will want to go to earth and do something. Not being cuddled and protected. and poor Ren, it's not good for his ptsd. I will need to tell him."

Sky paused for a moment. “Ren already knows, he was at the briefing about the attacks. You weren’t called for this very reason.”

"Oh... uncle Thorne didn't have the guts to call me or mum or dad." She sounded a little dissapointed. "Is he ok? Ren?"

Sky nodded. “Ren’s handling it, well...like Ren.” She offered a brief smile. “He’s already said he’ll be here for you, he knows how much you need him, and how much he needs you!”

Tony nodded. "He's family, we should not overlook it is hard for him as well." It was so much easier to focus on another's grief.

“Don’t focus all your attention on Ren, you need to grieve for those lost as well.” Sky gave Tony a knowing look. “Don’t think I won’t be watching, because I will. I want to see you on a regular basis, no excuses. I can still rest while I’m talking.”

"You will be too busy. I can take care of myself. Nicky... How are we going to tell Nicky? and Mel and Tas are going to pretend it is not hurting them. Dad ... I don't know what dad will do. Mum.... mum will be a problem." Her mind was spinning thinking of all angles and all that needed to be done even through the sedative.

“Tony...Stop!” Sky gave her friend a caring smile. “It’ll all get sorted, right now you need to stop worrying and get some rest. I want you to go and lie down, I’m staying right here onnthr sofa until Ren gets here.”

"How do you expect me to stay calm. I don't need rest, I need to go do something. Maybe I can trade shifts with Diane and do another shift today."

“No way Tony!” Sky had to be firm, as much as she hated it. “You rest first, or I will remove you from duty.”

"Don't you pull that on me, Sky. You know you would want to work as well. How do you see me resting? They are killing my family one by one! We should probably all leave before they kill my friends on the ship. I can't do this any more, Sky!" She was yelling now.

“Tony stop it!” Sky stood trying to keep an air of calm. “If you keep this up I’ll call security!” She gave Tony a look that said she meant every word. Without any warning she quickly pressed the hypo to Tony’s neck again, giving her the rest of the sedative. “I’m sorry Tony, this is the only way.”

"Sky... what..." She had time for just an accusing look before her legs gave out under her and she collapsed on the couch.

{OFF}