Who Forgot the Benadryl?

Posted on 31 May 2023 @ 3:39pm by Lieutenant Albert Spangler

538 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Outbreak
Location: Antiocian Institute of Research
Timeline: After 'Better With Racing Stripes'

The sneeze startled the two Antiocian researchers; the little human fellow was odd enough to get used to having around, but now he was making noises. They’d considered offering Spangler a bell to wear, so they’d be less likely to trip over him. The Antiocians glanced at each other; aliens, they both thought with a grin.

Albert was feeling a bit self-conscious, given he had to get a step ladder to access portions of the lab he’d been given access to. It seemed his hosts found it amusing as well, which likely contributed to their willingness to give Al a surprising amount of liberty to explore on his own. The little Starfleet guy is so little and cute, what harm could he be? He had spent the first half of the day speaking to the research staff and observing their work. While their actual product was not on the same level of the Cygnus’ Science Department, the Antiocians were certainly capable and clever. Truth be told, Spangler was impressed by the commitment of their staff and the support they clearly received, maybe even a little jealous. Hell, all the equipment seemed to work, even that strange ‘radiation oven.’

The Antiocian scientific liaison managed to sneak up behind Spangler, just as he finished snuffling his nose post-sneeze. She waited patiently as he made the awkward facial movements typical to his symptoms. “Damned allergies.” He turned, questioning how clean a lab could be if some wild allergen was- Al’s eyebrows shot up as he stared directly into the upper abdomen of, what was her name? “Oh. Hello, uh. I didn’t.. have you been standing there long?”

She continued smiling politely. “Not at all. Are you alright, Mr. Spangler? You sounded like you were in some distress.”

Albert took a step back; making eye contact was beginning to hurt his neck. “Oh.. I’m ok. Just.. allergies. Not used to something here.” He paused, the woman still staring politely. “Uh.. Allergies? Are you familiar.. Is that a thing, here? Like..” He waved his hand generally, trying to come up with a way to describe allergies, “Irritation caused by particles..”

She interrupted, getting somewhat accustomed to the human scientists more awkward tendencies, “Yes, that is phenomenon we experience here as well.” She continued, picking up on the other long nosed animal (she’d never heard of an elephant, so the metaphor lacks somewhat) in the room, “My name is Brinnu, by the way.”

“Brinnu.” Albert repeated, thankful for the small mercy. “You can call me Al. My friends do, even some of the ones I like.”

“Al.” Brinnu responded, rolling the word around in her mind. She liked it. “Does that mean I am your friend? Then perhaps friend Al, you would care to join me for a meal? Maybe you would find Antiocian culture to be as rich as our scientific pursuits.”

“I’ll try anything once.” Albert said, quickly following with “Food! I mean..”

The two researchers who witness the encounter shared another look as Albert and his new friend departed. “And they are the advanced ones?”

OFF

A belated post by patient zero himself,

Lieutenant, Junior Grade Albert Spangler
Chief of Science, USS Cygnus
 

 

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