Maztik and Rozwel set to readying their work space for new patients. Reports had come back that a mining expedition hadn’t gone quite as planned. Two of the beles sent out had received injuries. How extensive these injuries were, and which colonists had them, the two healers didn’t know. They worked in tandem though to ensure that the space would provide adequate rest space for the injured colonists, and they had all manner of medicinal and surgical tools clean and ready for any situation.

A large Tark’ee lumbered into the med building, Tanim brought a fresh role of bandages with him. Though he didn’t often help with medical things, he’d been asked to fetch a few supplies that the two doctors were running low on. He set the bandages down on a counter. “Got yer bandages. Anything else you need from me right now docs?”

Maztik opened her mouth to instruct him to put the bandages in the sonic sterilizer. If he was still hanging around, he could do the chores an assistant would typically do. They really needed to find a new medically-minded assistant for their clinic building. Before she was able to insist on his further help though, the two colonists appeared in the doorway.

Rosie and Isaac- two belemoid who specialized in mining, seemed to be the injured colonists in question. Rosie held her paw at an angle, a claw bleeding from the socket, and looking exceptionally painful to walk on. Otherwise, the pink belemoid seemed unharmed. Isaac, on the other hand, had what looked like a stalactite stuck in his rib area.

As the lead physician, Rozwel took charge of the situation. “We only have space for one of you at a time in the back. Rosie would you mind waiting here in the intake room? We can get you some pain medication to take for that paw, and see to Isaac first, so long as there isn’t anything else going on than your claw?” Rosie shook her head and took a seat in a cozy pile of blankets that they had laid out for anyone waiting.

Maztik and Rozwel took up places on either side of Isaac and guided him to the back. Tanim appeared to still be idling by the counter. “Quit standing around and help us get him on the table!” Maztik barked at the Tark’ee. Tanim snapped to attention and hurried over to help support Isaac with Maztik. Rozwel focused on pulling the tools she figured she’d need over and donned her stethoscope.

“On three we hoist him on the table. Ready?” Maztik continued to be rather gruff with Tanim. The Tark’ee didn’t seem to mind though. He respected confidence and straightforward instructions. “One. Two. Three!” They carefully lifted Isaac on the table. He had a brave face through the whole thing, but wasn’t saying much. The blue Bele was in obvious pain. He winced has they laid him on the table on his side, stalactite sticking up. The table doubled as a scale and both colonists quickly stepped back to allow the scale to process Isaac’s weight. Maztik took note of the numbers for the necessary drug calculations that would inevitably need to be done.

Maztik stepped towards the table once more and took a closer look at the piece of stone while Rozwel finished getting her supplies. The stalactite in Isaac’s side seemed to be penetrating near the spine and the very end of the rib cage. It seemed to be in a prime location to miss the lungs thankfully. With any luck, Isaac would just need sutures, antibiotics, and rest.

Rozwel, having donned gloves, carefully palpated around the stalactite. Isaac let out a small groan in pain. “Maztik, I need vitals on him. Tanim, you may want to step out for this next bit. There could be a large amount of blood when we remove this rock.”

Tanim looked slightly relieved and headed towards the door. “Could you take Rosie the pain meds I set on the counter by the door though. Two orange pills. She’ll appreciate that.” Rozwel called back, almost as an afterthought. Managing multiple medical cases at once could be a challenge. Tanim obliged though and took the pills with him as he exited the scene.

“Vitals within normal range, respiration high but to be expected from pain. Do you want buprenorphine?” Maztik reported in to Rozwel. “Yes, standard dose. Run the numbers by me before you give it and grab extra gauze. I don’t think there’s enough in this pack.”

The curly belemoid had a surgical pack opened, even though this wasn’t a true surgery. She carefully began the work of extracting the stone from Isaac’s side, using gauze to soak up blood, and cleaning and debriding the wound as she went. Maztik called out the opioid dose to be confirmed before lifting up Isaac’s lip and adding the pain medication to his gums. The procedure was proceeding as it should.

“You’re lucky this thing is so bulky Isaac.” Rozwel muttered as he continued her work. Maztik took the opportunity to perform another vitals check. “Still stable.” She called out. Rozwel nodded. “The sharper and thinner the stabbing object, the harder it is to stop the bleeding. I know this thing is large and hurts, but it’s better than a sheer slab like a knife. We’ll get you back on your feet in no time.” She wasn’t really sure if he could hear or process what she was saying, but she hoped he would feel some reassurance.