Sunday Snippet: Wounded Birds

Had a much calmer week and got caught up on almost everything—including laundry. I can honestly say that hasn't happened for a long time. Multiple work projects are churning along and I'm also getting some writing and creative endeavors accomplished. I've been sleeping a lot better and I'm pretty sure that's playing a big role in lighting the spark.

Or the planets are aligned in a specific pattern and helping me along. Either is possible.

Had a semi-decent viewing week. I got two MasterClass with Roxane Gay lessons viewed and I really like listening to her. She's got some terrific things to say.

Finished up the first season of the Babysitter's Club and thoroughly enjoyed watching. I'm glad there's another season to dive into.

Caught another episode of the Ready Room. Ethan Peck had some great things to say about playing Spock and I'm excited to see him on the new Trek.

Watched two episodes of Chicago Med and hope to finish watching a crossover episode to find out what happens.

Enjoyed another episode of The Snoopy Show. I think I have one more for the first season and then I'll start on the second.

Finished Signora Volpe and loved the first season. I really hope there's more of this show. If not, at least I like where they left things.

Watched the beginning of a Silent Witness two-parter. Loved the setup on this one. Looking forward to finishing up the second half.

Started season twenty-five of Classic Who. The daleks are back and we'll see how things play out in this arc.

Caught another episode of Most Terrifying Places in America. Weirdly, I'm not horrified by any of those locations after this week. Living in my own house is scary at the moment.

Watched another episode of The Mandalorian. I loved this one. Smart heroes make me happy and Mando is very smart. I also enjoyed a few laugh out loud moments and that's a bonus.

Harrow had an interesting episode and I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet. I hate that Harrow has been betraying Nichols and it's going to bite him on the ass. I really like the growth they've had over the past two seasons and I'm not going to be thrilled if they trash that.

Caught another episode of Blue Heelers and finished up a two-parter. I liked the conclusion and the way they resolved the hostage situation.

Also enjoyed two more episodes of Classic Rugrats, both had moments I'd forgotten and I loved catching little details.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Wounded Birds, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

When weeping sickness hits a space carrier hard, pilots Minka Kovak and Channing Santclar are two of the first to go down, which creates a problem since the fleet relies on them to keep the planes in the air. But when the duo gets through the worst of the virus—without killing each other—they end up working from their isolation alcove to shuffle the schedule and fill the flight roster.

And a sneaky peek…

"Where are they?"

Minka winced at the tone of their commanding officer. Shit. We're in for it.

Colonel Gordon Trask entered the alcove wearing a mask. "I want to know how you two brought back a highly contagious bacterial agent thought long eradicated." He pinned both Minka and Channing with his gaze.

Minka stepped up. "Sir, it was my fault." After explaining what happened, the CO made a garbled choking sound.

Minka grimaced. Yep, he's less than thrilled. She wisely kept her mouth shut and didn't share her observation.

Channing made an effort to shoulder some of the responsibility. "Look, sir. We didn't make the best choice down there, but we were allotted thirty minutes of downtime for every two hours of data retrieval."

A good point. But probably not one Trask wanted to hear about right now.

The colonel waved a hand. "So, you two can't keep your hands off each other and used your break time to hook up. Great." He flung his arm outward. "And where did it land you—possibly the whole ship—exactly?"

Minka sighed. "In the shit, sir." No doubt about that one.

Trask snorted. "You're damned right." He glanced up when a masked Doc Nameth poked his head into the alcove. "Everything ready?"

Nameth lifted his chin. "It is. We can move them now."

Trask motioned for Minka and Channing to precede him out of the alcove. A med tech, in full hazmat gear, led them down the empty corridor. Nameth fell into step with Trask behind them.

Trask asked a terse question. "What happens now?"

Nameth had a ready answer. "We get them into isolation, decontaminate the ship to minimize the outbreak then see where we are in twenty-four hours." He paused then added the bad news. "But the contaminate is going to have an effect."

Trask heaved a sigh. "You can't stop it?"

Nameth shook his head. "No. It's going to have to run its course through whoever ends up infected."

Minka turned. "No meds?" Another notch of guilt pierced her conscience.

Nameth snorted. "Oh, yeah. Antibiotics could clear it up but it's not fatal, just a pain in the ass."

The CO gave a nod. "And if you administer antibiotics to the whole crew, there's a chance we'll run out if we need them."

The doc grunted. "Exactly." He shot Minka a look. "You two can suffer without aid, no matter what. Anyone who ends up with severe symptoms will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis." He shrugged. "We'll use what we have to, but not unless it's absolutely necessary."

The med tech stopped outside and isolation chamber and the CO ushered Minka and Channing into the unit.

He stayed outside while the tech sealed them in.

He folded his arms over his chest. "Since you're already down for the count, you'll share this area. Get comfortable. No one is coming in or out until you test negative." The CO rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't be a problem since you like each other so much." Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Minka shot Channing a sideways glance. He immediately grabbed a box of tissues and pulled several out then hopped up on a bed. His eyes were red, his face blotchy, and tears gathered on his lashes. She had no doubt she looked as bad or worse than Channing. Grabbing another box of tissues, she climbed up on the other berth.

Channing rested his shoulders on the upright portion of the cot and turned away from her. Minka didn't blame him. She'd gotten them into this mess … and she regretted talking Channing into getting hot and heavy on the outpost.

It's going to suck being stuck in here with no recourse.

I have a couple of stories where the main characters are stuck in isolation and I love writing them. Something about taking away outside influences and making them face each other and consequences makes me happy.

 

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye