The Other Stars:
The Penzance drifted near the edge of the barrier, powerless and defenceless. Suddenly, the ship roared to life and surged clear of the barrier.
"We did it!" Jack exclaimed to the sound of cheering in the bridge. Even Merida smiled at the thought of surviving this mission.
"Doctor to the Bridge," Rupunzel interrupted, "Captain, you need to see this," she continued tearfully.
A look of utmost concerned spread across Hiccup's face as he rushed out of the bridge, silencing the room.
Emily lay on the bio-bed, burns and wounds all over her, with a nurse was monitoring her as Hiccup entered, rushing to her side.
"How is she Doc?" He asked Rapunzel, his voice breaking.
"Not good," she told him gently, "She has severe first degree plasma burns, several fractures and internal bleeding. I have been able to patch up most of it, but she … I am so sorry Captain."
Hiccup turned to the trill.
"Emily," He nudged her, hoping she would wake up. "EMILY!" His scream filling sickbay, tears streaming down his face.
"Just wake up Emily, please," He begged her, but still she lay unmoving on the bed.
"It could take several days before I can have a full diagnosis," Rapunzel told him, before continuing calmly, "Captain, we have a mission to do, you are needed on the bridge."
Hiccup just stared at Dax, eventually nodding and dragging himself away, heading back for the bridge.
"Lieutenant, can we continue on our mission?" She asked him, her voice slightly irritated by all this human emotions. He sighed, continuing to stare at his console.
"Commander Dax sacrificed herself for the good of this crew, we should celebrate, not morn," she said proudly.
"Wish I could have some of that Klingon toughness in me right now," Jack replied miserably.
"Don't we all?" said a dejected voice behind them.
"Is everything alright Captain?" Merida asked.
"No, but we have mission to complete, now that we have full power and an operational warp core," Hiccup snapped, "We need to focus on that, Doctor Corona has reassured me that she will recover," he lied to them, and himself.
"What would you like us to do Captain?" Merida pressed, hoping to get Dax's predicament out of everyone's minds.
"There will be a meeting of the senior staff at 1600 hours tonight, make sure everyone knows," he ordered Merida tiredly before retiring to his ready room.
"Do you think the Captain is alright?" Jack asked aloud.
Merida glanced at the door to his ready room, before shaking her head and continuing her duties.