Snippet 4 :-)

"Diagnostics," Peter said, reaching over and handing her a tricorder. "You're on the warp engines with me."

"Sweet! Death. How wonderful." Mel said, taking the tricoder and tapping a few numbers into it. "We're just recording readings today?"

"Nope. Change a' plans," an all-too-familiar Scottish voice broke into their conversation, and Mel cringed as Scotty walked up behind them, shoving a bag at Peter. "There's gonna be an Away mission ta'day. Explorin'. You two are both goin' along."

"Seriously?" Mel said, a bit of panic leaking into her voice. "...can I put on a different shirt first?!"

"Haha, very funny, lassie," Scotty said, giving her a look before turning around and walking off. "Go get ready, you two. The team leaves in an hour."

Peter looked surprised, but pleased. "Wow...I thought it would be at least another few years before we would be assigned on an Away mission!"

"No, no. Peter. You do NOT understand," Mel said frantically, her eyes all but bugging out as she approached him, seizing his - bright...tomato...red... - shirt in her hands. "You have NO idea how much danger we are going to be in. Are you even AWARE of the redshirt mortality rates on these missions?!?"

Peter frowned at her as if she were insane. "What are you talking about? Calm down. You've had too much to drink, remember?" he said, trying to push past her.

"Okay, no, seriously, I think my blood just freeze-dried it all out of my system," Mel said, still holding onto him. "I am NOT kidding, Pete. You're as good as BARBAQUED if you agree to go along."

"What's going on?" Another redshirt, Paul, suddenly came up behind them. "You guys aren't fighting right before the mission are you?"

"Oh, god," Mel gave him a wide-eyed look. "You're going too?!"

"Yeah," Paul said, frowning. "So's Mary. Why?"

Mel thunked her head against the nearest console.

*

"All right, here you are, my dear," Chapel said, handing a slightly dazed Christi the last of her equipment. "That's all you'll need. And don't forget to stick by Dr. McCoy. He may ignore you for the majority of the trip, but he'll turn on a dime and expect you to be there to hand him something, trust me."

"Ummm..." Christi said, shifting the equipment in her hands. "How set is the captain on us going along...?"

"Well, you were on the list, so he must be very set," Chapel said, smiling at her. "You'll do fine. You're one of the handiest people to have around when there's omnicorder work to be done."

Christi gave an uneasy laugh as she slowly went toward the door. "Ummm...do you know who else is going?"

"Why, yes, we have the list right here," Chapel said, looking toward a panel on the wall. "Let's see...Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, Dr. McCoy, Commander Rorek, you, your sister, and three more Engineering recruits."

Christi spun around, her eyes wide. "FOUR redshirts?! Oh you've got to be kidding me..." she put her face in her hands. "Have you people not learned ANYTHING yet?!"

Chapel blinked. "...what?"

"Redshirts DIE." Christi said, giving her an intense look. "How many reported Away mission deaths are redshirts on this ship? Think Chapel THINK!"

Chapel looked disturbed now. "...I...I don't know...I guess..." she swallowed. "...maybe you should tell Captain Kirk?"

"Pfft, he won't listen to me." Christi scoffed, looking at her in desperation. "It has to be you or doctor McCoy."

"Dr. McCoy," Chapel said quickly. "He'd be the one to talk to him any day. But...Christiana...I really don't think anything can be done about it. Just because someone wears a red shirt doesn't mean they're going to die...I mean, think of how many missions Scotty's been on!"

"But has a name," Christi said emphatically. "He's one of the big shots! They don't kill off big shots!!"

Chapel blinked, now even more confused. "...I really don't understand..."

Christi sighed in exasperation and slapped her forehead. "I don't care about the other redshirts I just...Mel is one so I can't let her go."

"Oh," Chapel said, still sounding quite worried. "Well...it was captain's orders...maybe you can mention something to him when you get to the transporter room? I'm sure he...might...understand."

Christi nodded slowly, thinking over her options. "I guess that's the best option...thanks Chapel," she said, giving her a brief smile before turning to head out. "Tell McCoy I've gone to meet the captain!"

"Will do," Chapel called after her helpfully. "Just don't take offense if he swears at you when he sees you again!"