It was far too early for this. The crew of the Skeld was up bright and early thanks to an unexpected cargo drop. Most of the crew was already up and about, getting things ready for the day. All thanks to the annoying chimes of the unmanned MIRA shuttle that’d flagged them down not an hour before. Brown had been assigned to help out in the kitchens and Tan had the lovely job of clearing a clog in the bathrooms. That only left Black and Gray to load up the new shipment. 

Gray had no problems with the heavy shipment crates, tossing them around like they weighed nothing. Black couldn’t help but be impressed by the larger man’s strength. Black himself was quite a bit smaller than the other three ship-hands. Having been brought onto the Skeld for his general knowledge of space and his optimism. He usually didn’t help out with heavy lifting, but seeing as Tan and Brown were already busy. Black had insisted he help, despite his trepidation. 

Orange had said he could help, but everyone knew that the man was getting on in years. He’d been complaining about his joints recently. He’d even started bugging Red about bringing in a coral crewmate to help out with the engineering tasks around the ship. So, Black was adamant that he pick up his self-perceived slack. 

“MIRA never fails to fuck us over.” Gray grunted as he set another crate in place. The grav-cart was nearly overflowing with crates packed full of supplies. Some were nearly bursting with their contents. “Six in the fucking morning, and they decided to make us lift this shit.” He complained. Black chuckled quietly, busy setting up the next grav-cart. 

Gray was tall, buff, and practically dripped with masculinity. Though he had a bit of a temper, he always seemed to have a kind word for Black. Black couldn’t help but admire him. His chiseled features were complimented by dark hair and slate colored eyes. Black, in comparison, was short and on the slightly chubby side of the scale. Curly black hair spilled onto his shoulder and framed his chubby face. His black eyes complimented his pale skin starkly. 

“It could be worse.” Black chimed in as he attempted to lift a smaller crate onto his cart. Though heavy, Black was able to slide it onto the grav-cart with only a little trouble. Gray had already docked the first grav-card and ducked back into the shuttle to help load the second. 

“Please, do tell.” Gray grumbled. 

“Well, at least you aren’t the only one loading this stuff, right?” Black questioned. His dark eyes sparkled with an uncanny mirth despite the early hours. Grey shook his head with a rueful smile, grabbing another heavy crate as he did. 

“Shrimp, I enjoy the company, but you were not built for this kinda work.” Gray replied. Black looked away in embarrassment, as he struggled to set another crate onto the cart. Gray sighed, looking to the ceiling and rubbing his neck. “Really, I enjoy the company, but why don’t you go make sure that the cargo is secure in the ship. I’ll keep loading here, and you can bring in the next grav-cart.” Gray said, giving Black an encouraging smile. 

Black gave a stilted nod and mumbled his agreement before he slipped back onto the Skeld. He thought he heard Gray cursing quietly to himself, but decided to ignore it for now. The short man quickly made his way over to the grav-cart that Gray had filled up already. As he ensured that everything was in its proper places, there was a sudden jolt throughout the ship. Red’s voice suddenly boomed from the comms system.

“Everyone had better hang on tight. We just hit some sort of energy pocket. Think it might be a solar storm of some kind. Shields are holding but it’s gonna get choppy.” Just as Red’s voice faded, the ship shook violently. The crates on the inside of the shuttle had begun to topple from their places. Gray slipped out of the shuttle just before the dominoes had begun to fall. 

“Shit, Gray are you ok?” Black called, struggling to hang on to the grav-cart’s handles. Gray gave a thumbs up, hanging tight to the trash shoot’s lever. 

“I’m fine Squirt, stay put!” He shouted over the crashing noises from the shuttle. “Hope MIRA didn’t send us anything fragile!” The taller man tried to joke as they were jostled about. Black let himself chuckle. The lights began flickering throughout the ship, the only constant light coming from the shuttle. Orange’s voice suddenly came loud and clear from the comms.

“Shit, the storm is messing with the power. I’m working on it, but it’s looking bad…” The older man’s voice was cut off by static as the ship lurched. The power cut out suddenly before emergency lights flooded the room. The grav-cart that Black had been clinging to lurched down as it lost power. He thought he heard Gray shout for him to move, but it was too late. Black looked up to see crates falling towards him. He fell back, shielding his head with his arms, before everything went dark. 

Gray swore violently as the emergency lights flooded the room. Coating everything in a frightening red. He could do nothing from his position as the grav-cart Black had been holding on to suddenly lost power. The crates shifting dangerously.

“Black! Get out of there!” He cried, but it was far too late. Gray watched in horror as the small human was buried under the heavy cargo. He knew just how heavy those crates were. He’d loaded them on himself. While they were nothing for his kind, to a human…

Gray leapt into action, abandoning his flimsy disguise for the aid of his extra limbs. Tentacles sprang from his form as he lifted the crates away and tossed them to the side. The lights flickered to life as he uncovered Black. There was blood, so much blood. His arms were twisted in unnatural ways, as was his leg. A large cut marred the pale human’s forehead, running down across his eye. 

“Shit, shit shit!” Gray snarled from his elongated snout. He quickly moved the remaining crates away, shifting back into his human disguise. Activating his comms, he growled into them with urgency. “I need medical assistance now! Black was caught under the cargo when the power cut!” He heard White swear before confirming that she was on the way. He could sense Maroon and Pink trying to contact him, but he was too distracted. 

He gently rested Black’s head on his lap, surveying his injuries, and keeping a trained ear on his breathing. Black’s heartbeat was faint, but it was there. That’s what he had to focus on. The violent shaking of the ship came to a halt as White, Purple, and Cyan rushed in with a gurney. White cursed violently as she knelt down and began feeling for Black’s pulse. 

“Shit, it’s weak.” she said, turning to the others. “We need to get him to the med bay and get him prepped for surgery. He’ll need blood and fluids. Cyan, test his blood, ask around for a match, now!” White ordered, prompting Cyan to scoop up a sample of Blood and sprint from the cargo hold. 

“I’ll help move him.” Gray said, his tone leaving no room for argument. White gave a curt nod in reply before she began counting down. At three they hefted Black’s slight form onto the waiting gurney. Instantly the bedding was stained red. They wasted no time, Purple and White running on either side of the gurney as they raced to the med bay. Gray not far behind them. As they passed through the cafeteria, Pink sprinted from the kitchen to follow them. They skid to a halt once there, White rushing to grab the tools she needed. 

“I need you two out while we operate.” She said sternly to Gray and Pink, who had little time to argue before they were ushered through the door. Pink rounded on Gray, glaring. It was rather uncharacteristic for the usually gentle being.

“What the hell happened.” He growled, teeth sharpening a bit.  Pink was a bit taller than Gray, and far bulkier. Though in place of obvious muscle was instead fat. Pink was large in many ways, and his glare was surprisingly imposing. Gray balked at the other Imposter, lost for words at the venom from his usually kind companion. Though when it came to black, all three of the aliens on board were prone to acting out of character. Gray cleared his throat and explained what happened. Pink took the explanation bravely, and only scolded him for implying that Black was weak. 

As they argued, several other crewmates began to make their appearance. Maroon, their fellow imposter, was first on the scene. As tall as Pink, and with a strong presence. It was like staring at a brick wall. His face was cold, but Gray could feel the distress just under the surface. Red, Rose, Green, Orange, Brown, and Tan all rushed to the hall soon after him. Before Maroon could ask, the door suddenly slid open. Cyan stepped out with a clipboard at the ready. 

“We have a problem.” Cyan began, flipping through the clipboard, “Black is O positive. We need someone else with O positive or O negative blood. We don’t have enough stored on board to save him.” He looked pointedly at everyone present. “Anyone?” He asked desperately. Gray shared a look with Maroon and Pink, a telepathic conversation taking place briefly. They didn’t hesitate. All three stepped forward. 

“Great, come on.” Cyan said as he dragged them into med bay before slamming the door shut behind them. Gray felt his blood shift as he changed it to what was needed. They refused to look in the direction that Black was in, forced to hear the horrible sounds of White operating. Maroon turned to Gray as Cyan set up to take their blood. 

“It isn’t your fault.” Maroon said, his stoic demeanor not giving an inch. Gray only gave a stilted nod as he turned away from the second officer. The three of them had been with the crew for a long time. They had become attached. Especially to Black. Gray couldn’t help but feel responsible, he’s the one who sent Black to check on the grav-cart after all. Pink leaned his large frame against Gray in what seemed to be an act of apology. Gray accepted the contact gratefully. 

The procedure didn’t take long on their part. Their blood was taken, bandages were given, and they were ushered out of the med bay with orders to eat and rest. Black was still under the knife. There was nothing more they could do. 

“Do you think it will work?” Pink asked as he led them into the kitchen. Bustling around to make them something quick to eat. Maroon sighed and shrugged, not verbally answering but letting thoughts through their link. Their blood was adaptive, it should work. The three of them ate quietly, worry eating away at them. Hoping desperately for news. 

Black woke with a groan. Everything hurt. He peeked one eye open, blinking at the bright lights. He took stock of himself groggily. His left eye was bandaged along with most of his head. An oxygen mask was affixed to his face. Both of his arms and his right leg were in casts, raised up above the bed by slings. An IV of blood and saline ran to one of his arms. 

“Ow…” He groaned weakly. Instantly Purple was at his side. They quickly checked his vitals and turned to him with a smile. 

“Black, I’m glad you’re awake.” They said cheerfully. “You seem to be reacting to the transfusion well enough.” Purple sat back down in the chair they’d been occupying before Black had spoken. Black looked around, distantly recognizing the med bay. 

“What happened?” He rasped. 

“An accident in the cargo bay.” Purple said, “We ran into a spot of trouble and lost power. The contents of a grav-cart fell on you. Gray pulled you out.” Purple flipped through a chart, Black assumed it was his. “You should try to get some rest, we’ll talk more when you’re feeling better.” Purple smiled as they stood. They pulled the curtains around Black’s bed closed and left. 

Black could feel the thrum of the engines, and the buzzing of the lights. It made his head ache. Black tried his best to relax into his cot. Closing his eyes and letting the sounds of the medical team puttering around lull him back to sleep.