Lt. Schrader was always pleasantly surprised with the sensation of separation and recombining that came with cellular displacement. Four of the five senses were severed instantaneously,
and the sense of feeling became so acute that he could feel the rapid movement of each individual cell. When that movement stopped abruptly, he knew he'd reached his destination.
He opened his eyes, and the first thing that he saw was Nurse Yahbo. Concern played across her beautiful features and Schrader felt lost in her eyes.
"Hey pal, how's it going?"
Startled, Schrader tore his eyes away and looked to where Mr. Jeffy stood at his side.
"Uh, I'm alright, Sir.", the pilot replied, his previous desire quickly replaced by a wave of guilt for his feelings toward the engineering officer's presumed better half.
Jeffy patted the pilot on his injured shoulder. "Got shot again, huh?"
"Oh", she remarked with sympathy, "the same spot. Well, let's get you to sick bay."
Together, the three made their way through the corridors, shortly arriving in the medical department. Nurse Yahbo helped Schrader onto a gurney, stripped off his shirt, and applied a new dressing, as Jeffy
stood outside due to his aversion to the sight of blood.
Schrader studied her every move. "Ma'am", he said after a time, "if ya' don't mind my askin', what's your first name?"
She gave him a shrewd look. "I'm not sure if I should tell you."
"I can understand that.", Schrader replied with an easy smile. "It just seems like fate keeps throwin' us together."
"More like your inability to take cover.", she countered, returning the smile.
"Tell you what", she continued, standing to leave, "next time you come in, shot in that same shoulder, I'll tell you my first name."
"You got yourself a deal!", Schrader replied enthusiastically.
