T'Var provides Rangin with what medical assistance she can at the moment. The doctor is hopeful that those in distress can be healed once their party returns to the ship. She is also very much looking forward to researching this infection and finding a cure.
Collins has mixed feelings regarding her message. And suddenly ... she looks around frantically for a container into which she'll vomit.
If she cannot find an appropriate container, she will run to the back of the shuttle and 'deposit' her 'product' by the gangway so it will be easy to clean once they're on the Yorktown.
"I apologize, all. I just couldn't hold it back any longer." She [closes the container/covers the mess with a cloth], and returns to her chair.
Collins is able to get to the head (toilet) and empty her stomach there, just as Rangin had done earlier.
Dr. T'Var gives Rangin hypospray shots to control his fever and to rehydrate him. They seem to help a little. He remains asleep.
Hayes's message from the Yorktown is text-only, and reads:
To: Ens. Rachel Hayes
Fr: Lt. Lars Dahlquist
I heard from a friend in Communications that you and the boarding party have had a pretty rough time on the Sakathian space station, but that you're headed back to the ship now. I'm sorry for all your troubles, and hope you're OK. I miss you and want to see you again so much. Safe travels and take care of yourself, dear sweet Rachel. Yours, as ever, LARS
Posted with WES's permission.
Propping her elbow against the window ledge behind her, Kylah rests her head against her arm like a pillow and looks out at the stars, wishing she could see them moving faster, faster toward the safety and relative familarity of the Yorktown.
She hears Collins settling back down, and Hayes as well. Those messages from the ship seem to have inspired different reactions from their recipients. She absently wonders what bothered Collins so much, but hasn't the energy to focus on that.
Right now she's realizing just how lonely she is. There will be no messages sent to her, either here on the Meitner or back on the ship when they arrive and return to duty. Today she came close to death--caused it in others, a memory that still haunts her--and yet, if it had reached her, who would mourn? No friends from the Academy, none from Elas, none on the ship yet... or possibly ever, if her stellar record continues apace.
If her siblings received word that she'd been lost while on duty, she supposes they might 'spare a sigh,' to quote some ancient Earth poem she learned at the Academy, but little more. Her young brother and sister were raised to think of her as an embarrassment, a mistaken choice made by their parents in desperation. Kylah tried to love them but she found that love unreturned is hard to maintain. No, they never wrote her at the Academy and would not miss her if she died.
Her Guardian? Kylah almost smiles, albeit grimly. He'd make fine speeches and wear traditional white for a while, anything to garner sympathy, but he'd really be mourning the loss of an asset. A tool. A rung on the ladder of his ever-increasing ambition. At least it is a kind of regard, she admits dryly. Would I be better with none?
This train of thought leads her to accept that if any message awaits her back on the ship, it will be from him.
She closes her eyes. And for the moments before sleep finds her at last, she realizes she's no longer as eager to return to the Yorktown as she thought.
Last edited by choie; 29 Jun 2013 at 02:21 AM.
T'Var checks on Fujishiro, then Collins. The doctor will provide whatever medical care she deems necessary.
"I'm okay, Doctor, thank you." She composes a response to her messages and sends it. She figures they're still far enough away that it'll reach the Yorktown before the shuttle does.
Collins is correct about the speed of a subspace message compared to the shuttle itself.
Fujishiro's condition is poor but unchanged. Rangin is now sleeping a little more soundly, based on his brainwaves. His fever is slightly worse, but Dr. T'Var doesn't think it would be safe to further medicate him.
Pourtash uses the bathroom and then beds down on the deck with a blanket. Waite, Hayes and Delaney slumber on.
The stars stream past the three forward viewports as the shuttle races home.
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 29 Jun 2013 at 08:46 PM.
Zzzzzzzzzz.....
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
Hypnotized by the star streaks, Collins dozes off again.
The hours pass by, then the better part of a day. You each have time to prepare and send your mission reports back to the ship, as ordered. Everyone is able to sleep a bit, but the emergency rations aren't all that appetizing, there's no shower (water or sonic) aboard, Dr. Waite is no more delightful company than he's ever been, and soon you're all more than ready to get out of the cramped shuttlecraft.
Rangin's condition deteriorates, his fever worsens and, despite T'Var's best efforts, he slips into a coma.
Several hours later, the comm panel chimes. Kylah opens hailing frequencies and you recognize the Captain's voice at once: "Meitner, this is Yorktown. Drop out of warp; we're five minutes from rendezvous."
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 01 Jul 2013 at 11:17 PM.
T'Var is certain Sickbay is ready and waiting for those in need of medical attention. Caring for the wounded will be her first priority once she's back on the ship. Next will come thorough research of the Sakathian virus and how to defeat it.
The doctor will use whatever leverage she has with Waite to convince him to work with her on this project -- and hopefully come clean about it (which T'Var is certain he has not up to this point).
Collins smiles inwardly and is ready to pounce on the controls if Pourtash is otherwise occupied.
Pourtash disengages the autopilot and drops the shuttle out of warp. Collins is at the ready. As the Yorktown looms ahead, slowing, the helmsman taps a ship-to-ship comm key, saying, "Yorktown, this is Shuttlecraft Meitner. Request permission to approach."
After a brief pause the reply comes back, "Acknowledged, Meitner. Shuttlebay Control here. Welcome back. You're cleared to approach."
"Thank you, Yorktown. Now approaching on course 212 mark 13."
"Acknowledged. Docking clearance code Gamma Theta 76 Victor. Status nominal. Standard approach. Proceed."
Through the three forward viewports, you can see the starship grow more distinct, gradually taking shape against the blackness of space and its rich backdrop of stars. Soon it assumes the distinctive form you know so well, the saucer-shaped primary hull emblazoned atop with the words USS YORKTOWN and NCC-1717. Long twin warp nacelles rise majestically from her secondary hull. Pourtash lines the shuttle up to approach the Shuttlebay at the stern of the secondary hull.
The massive clamshell hangar doors open ponderously and Pourtash takes you straight in, the starship now filling your field of vision. The shuttle smoothly eases over the fantail, past the small elevated control booths to either side, and settles, with hardly a bump, on the rectangular, red-and-yellow landing target painted on the deck. The hangar doors close behind you. The shuttle's outer hull crackles slightly as breathable air rushes back into the bay.
After a minute or so you hear, "Meitner, this is Yorktown. Shuttlebay repressurization is complete. You may now shut down your engines. Stand by for decontamination and quarantine procedures."
"Acknowledged, Control, and thanks again," Pourtash says. "Meitner over and out." He taps the keys to shut down the shuttle's engines, leans back in his chair with a sigh, and rubs his eyes.
"Home sweet home," Delaney says quietly.
"Amen to that," Hayes replies with a nod. "Now... what sort of decon and quarantine procedures should we expect?"
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 03 Jul 2013 at 12:07 AM.
"Given what we've been through? I'd say as thorough as possible" Collins states.
Kylah lets out a lengthy exhale once the ship's engines are off. She says nothing, but looks worriedly over to Rangin and Fujishiro to see how her crewmates are doing.
T'Var nods her agreement with Collins' assessment of the situation. "For our own good and that of the crew, we must do whatever is necessary to ensure everyone's safety."
The doctor lets out a weary sigh.
Last edited by WES; 05 Jul 2013 at 10:26 AM.
The comm panel chimes again, and on the shuttle's small display screen you see the face of the Yorktown's Chief Medical Officer: "This is Dr. Villa. Welcome back, all of you. We'll be beaming Mr. Fujishiro and Mr. Rangin to separate quarantined ORs in Sickbay immediately. The rest of you will be beamed to quarantined guest quarters, scanned and then decontaminated or medically treated, if necessary. Dr. T'Var, Dr. Waite, as soon as I'm sure we can bring you safely into Sickbay to assist us, we will. In the meantime, we'll consult by comm. Any questions?"
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 05 Jul 2013 at 03:18 PM.
"No, Sir, not from me," Collins answers
"I look forward to providing whatever assistance I can," T'Var replies. She gives Waite a stern look.
Dr. Villa smiles apologetically and says, "You're welcome to call me Doctor or even Miriam, Lt. JG Collins, but not 'Sir,' if you please. One last point: During transport, you'll each pass through the biofilter three times before rematerialization, as an added precaution. Stand by."
Fujishiro and Rangin disappear at once in cascades of transporter energy, then each of you are beamed to separate guest quarters. You each feel a little more woozy than usual after transport, but the aftereffect soon passes. In your temporary quarters, you each find a nurse or medtech - Dr. T'Var is a little surprised to see Dr. Bucci, the virologist, himself - waiting in a full biohazard-protective suit with a medical tricorder and medkit. Each conducts a physical exam, gives you a very thorough scan, and takes samples of various body tissues and fluids (some more invasively than others). They each explain that his or her tricorder will be left in the room to maintain a wide-field continuous scan of your body, which will be monitored in Sickbay. They also point out, beside your bed, a long, thin, flat metal box with three dozen small, evenly-spaced apertures on top - it contains numerous living cell samples, of species from Earth and many other different worlds, some or all of which will react if you're carrying any communicable airborne pathogens.
The Sickbay personnel invite you to shower, change and rest, and then are beamed away - doubtless for further decontamination themselves. You find that you each have full access to the Yorktown's comm system and library computer.
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 07 Jul 2013 at 09:26 PM.
Kylah sits down on the bed, freshly showered but not feeling nearly cleansed after everything they've all been through. She would have preferred a hot, soaking bath instead of just a sonic shower; she misses the sensation of being surrounded by water, hiding underneath for as long as she could hold her breath. It was her favorite luxury back on Elas. After the sweat, tears, ichor, blood and grime that have covered her for far too long, not to mention the horrors still in her mind, Kylah could very gladly soak and hide in this manner for hours.
At least they hadn't had to beam back onto the ship. Before they'd landed back on the Yorktown, Kylah had suddenly remembered that strange transporter engineer who'd given her such an oddly sinister look before beaming onto the station, back when the mission started... a hundred years ago, it feels like. Honestly, after all they've been through, she almost has to laugh at having gotten so upset over what was probably nothing, a misunderstanding of some kind. For all she knew, perhaps the man had dealt with her cousin Elaan at some point. That would have been enough to cause anyone to look on an Elasian with some distrust.
Shaking her head free of the memory, Kylah slips a hand in the pocket of her robe. From within she pulls out the one item she's kept close to her, now tightly wedged in her fingers: the data storage device from Chief Porr. She examines it, glad to finally have a chance to see it in the proper lighting of the ship. Of course it doesn't reveal anything new to her, but still, it's a prize and she suspects it might be of value to the Federation's investigation of this incident. She's also very, very curious to know if Chief Porr has yet noticed that it's missing. If so, that discovery must have been quite a blow to his ego...
Her small, crooked smile fades. He lost his wife, she reminds herself. Forced to leave her behind, never even saw her die. That was the blow he'll not forget. He will likely not be thinking of this device, whatever it is, for a while.
As grim a thought as this is, it means they might have some time before the Sakathians know the data--whatever it is--is in her possession. Or they might know it by now. Considering their secrecy, she doubts the Sakathian government will be pleased. As if their pleasure means anything at this point, she thinks, her chin lifting with indignation.
Still, it's time to learn the secrets of this little device. She moves to the comm system. "Ensign Kylah to Lieutenant Thalen," she says, her voice sounding strange and small in this room. "Are you there, sir?"
Rangin isn't even aware of what is happening.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
After a hot shower, Collins stretches out on the bed and drifts off to sleep.
T'Var advises Dr. Bucci that she has tissue samples of the altered Sakathians as well as data stored on her medical tricorder. She will have him take these to Dr. Villa -- unless they are considered contaminated in any way. The doctor will do what research she can from her current location and remain in contact with Sickbay at regular intervals.
The Yorktown's Communications Officer soon answers. "Thalen here. Welcome back, Ensign Kylah."
Collins sleeps very well on an actual bed - far more comfortably than on the shuttle.
Rangin has the benefit of the full attention of Dr. Villa, although he doesn't know that. She begins a rehydration and anti-fever round of drugs.
Dr. Bucci downloads T'Var's medical tricorder data to the library computer, but leaves the tricorder with her. He takes the tissue samples for external decontamination and further study. "Thank you, Doctor. These might be very useful indeed," he says, just before being beamed away. "And now, you really should rest."
The sound of Thalen's voice relieves some of Kylah's tension. "Thank you, sir, it is very good to be back," she says. "There is a somewhat awkward matter I need to discuss. I do not know how much of our reports you have read, but no doubt you are fully aware of not just the secretive experiments but the strained political atmosphere we encountered on the Sakathian station. Neither the Sakathians nor the university researchers were forthcoming with the truth."
She looks down at the small technological mystery in her hand. "However, I have in my possession a device, owned by the station's Security Chief, that could answer many questions for us. I... recovered it from him after he'd attacked us and was subsequently stunned. He was having a fit of hysteria, as his wife was very ill," she adds in fairness to Porr--though she realizes Lt. Thalen couldn't possibly care about the circumstances. She shakes her head irritably at herself. "At any rate, one of the other Sakathians told me this is a data storage, calendar and communication device. While we were trying to find a solution to our injured crew and the situation at hand, I tried to access it but apparently it is code-locked." Kylah turns the device over, though by now she's memorized every millimeter of the gadget.
"The reason I mention this to you, and why I kept it in the first place, is that I believe it might be essential to determine if this holds data that might be of use to our medical team and investigators regarding this whole unseemly experiment. Can you recommend the best course of action, sir? Unfortunately it is in quarantine with me, and I do not know if it could seriously be considered a threat to your safety... If it is not, and I can send the device to you or to whomever you recommend, I am sure there are expert engineers who might be able to decode this. I am very good at codes--and I did learn some basics of the Sakathian language--but this technology is beyond my skill level."
She takes a quick inward breath. "Time is slipping by for our crew members, sir, and I also fear that the Sakathians might eventually discover and--and object--to our having this device. So I do hope this will be of use to us in saving lives... and that we can do so quickly, before any--" Kylah tries to think of a diplomatic way to phrase this. "--Before any official objections might make it politically unfeasible for us to access the data."
At last she falls silent, realizing rather belatedly that she's probably been talking poor Lt. Thalen's ears off. After the somewhat enforced silence for the past two days, it's been a relief to express herself freely to someone again--especially someone who, hopefully, does not yet have a dismal view of her. Kylah sits back and waits for her superior officer's reply, exhaling nervously.
T'Var will take Bucci's advice and after a time of brief meditation, will get some rest.
Thalen says, "Thank you for telling me about it, Ensign. Let me have a word with the Captain, and I'll be back in touch." Three minutes later, the bosun's whistle sounds, and Kylah hits the white TALK button. She hears, "Thalen here. I've spoken to the Captain, and she wants Mr. Vargas to have a look. If the codelock can be broken, there might be some useful information for the Medical staff in it. Please put it a meter away from the door, and it will be beamed out, sterilized and examined."
T'Var finds the meditation and rest do her good. She wakes to find she's slept almost nine hours.
Collins wakes up after a long and refreshing sleep, too.
Rangin comes to in a Sickbay operating room to see Dr. Villa peering at him from behind her biohazard-protective suit's clear faceplate. He feels terribly hot and achy, and his throat is very dry. "Mr. Rangin, can you hear me?" the Chief Medical Officer asks.
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 09 Jul 2013 at 09:57 PM.
"Yes, I'll do so at once, sir," Kylah says, a lightness lifting her spirits. She almost trips in her haste to get the device in the appropriate spot, and then hurries back to the panel. "The device is in place, Lieutenant. I should mention, for the record, that the Sakathians call it a thur'lel." She knows its nomenclature won't be of use in decoding the information, but if the Sakathian government asks any questions, the Captain should probably be aware of the object's name.
Backing away, Kylah sits on the bed and waits for the beam out. She then lies down, realizing how tired she is--and simultaneously, how absurdly pleased she is by Thalen's response. It's the first time in ages that something she's done, or discovered, or even just suggested has been met with a straightforward, unbegrudging "Thank you." Of the countless ways she tried to be of use on the mission, almost all were correct--yet none were accepted without some sort of hesitation or look of displeasure or even harsh words. Even T'Var, as well-meaning as she was, treated Kylah as a raw cadet or misguided yet enthusiastic puppy who had to be disciplined or taught lessons.
I may be raw but I was right, more than any of the others, the exhausted young woman thinks stubbornly, her eyes drifting closed almost against her will. I was right...
The last thing he remembered was huddling up in a blanket on the shuttle floor. The change in location is disturbing and he struggles to put his thoughts in order.
He concentrates on the voice and face in front of him, but the sight of the biohazard suit sends a chill down his aching spine.
"Yes, I can hear you," croaks out Rangin, "how bad is it?"
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var will check in with Sickbay -- find out how Fujishiro and Rangin are doing. The doctor will also ask if there is anything she can do to help at the moment.
Collins calls Sickbay as well "Collins to Dr Villa." when she answers, Jeremi continues, "When will the quarantine end? I feel fine and would like to get back to work"
Kylah drops off to sleep almost as soon as the thur'lel disappears and the transporter whine fades.
Dr. Villa tells Rangin, "You were infected with what, we think, is a mutated variant of the bioengineered Sakathian virus that Dr. Waite and his Miskatonic research team were working on. Fortunately, your body did not respond as a Sakathian's would, and you're in no risk of becoming a... well, of becoming altered as they were. You've run a dangerously high fever and become severely dehydrated, but we're working on both now. Your own Coridanite immune system has already done most of the work in fighting off the virus, frankly. We think the worst is behind you, but it might be several days or even weeks yet before you can return to duty."
Dr. T'Var reaches Dr. Bucci, who tells her much the same as to Rangin. He looks grim when he speaks of Fujishiro, though: "We can't seem to bring her fever down, T'Var, and her brain function is already severely degraded. Her lungs and liver are also damaged, and we don't know why. We have her on life support and she's in no immediate danger of dying, but it's not looking good right now. I'm going to send you some of her protein tyrosine phosphatase readings that've puzzled us; please take a look and let me know what you think." Soon, a very long medical data file appears on the library computer screen.
Dr. Villa is unable to speak to Collins when she calls, but Dr. Bucci can and does. "At this point, Mr. Collins, we're going to keep you in quarantine for at least another eight hours. So far there's no indication that any of your boarding party is either infected or contagious. I understand your impatience, but for you now you'll have to stay put." He smiles a little. "Doctor's orders."
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 10 Jul 2013 at 10:16 PM.
Rangin nods weakly at the response, and also at the news of Fujishiro as well. He asks for a glass of water and something to continue his report on, as he didn't think he finished it.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var asks Dr. Bucci to send these protein readings to Dr. Waite as well. Perhaps he would better understand them and be able to offer some explanations.
T'Var will contact Waite and discuss the readings with him. Together, they may find some answers.
Jeremi flops on the bed, antsy and weary at the same time. Then she sits up and sends two messages. One to the Captain, saying she's available for vid conference at the Captain's convenience; the other message is private.
Rangin didn't ask about Fujishiro, and Dr. Villa didn't tell him; only Dr. T'Var got that report about Fujishiro's condition. Dr. Villa has a nurse give Rangin a long, very cold drink of water, which tastes absolutely wonderful. "You don't have to finish your report now, if you'd rather not," the doctor says, looking a little worried, "but if you really want to, would you rather dictate or type it on a data tablet?"
Dr. Bucci says, "I've already shared the readings with Dr. Waite, and he's just as puzzled as we are... or says he is, anyway." The plump virologist looks skeptical. Waite doesn't answer T'Var's comm paging over the next few hours.
Thalen answers for the starship's commanding officer. "The Captain is going to meet with the entire boarding party, or those who are up to it, soon for a mission debriefing. It'll have to wait until then."
Collins has a quick response to her private message.
In which case:
"No, I'll try finishing off the report, it will give me something to take my mind off how I feel and its not like I have much else do other than rest. I'd better use a data tablet, otherwise my report will be a stream of consciousness followed by snoring." He stops and thinks for a moment. "Could you send a note to everyone from the shuttle letting them know I'm awake and to thank them for getting me out in one piece? ...and...how is Fujishiro, still alive?"
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var will study the protein readings as well as the information regarding reactions to the Sakathian virus and how they differ from race to race. There must be a reason why and T'Var will not rest until she discovers the answer.
She will continue to attempt contact with Waite. He may hold some vital answers to these medical questions. Of course, getting honest answers out of him might take some effort.
Dr. Villa shakes her head and tells Rangin only, "Mr. Fujishiro is quite ill and I'm very worried about her, but we're doing all we can." She gives him a data tablet, and he gets through most of his report before falling asleep again. He finishes it the next morning, when he feels much better.
The boarding party spends another 17 hours in quarantine before Dr. Villa is completely satisfied that they are neither ill nor contagious. It takes Dr. T'Var most of that period of mandatory solitude to review Fujishiro's protein tyrosine phosphatase readings. She sees that they have certain similarities to the malignant transformation seen in some humanoid cancers, but with key differences as to the phosphorylation state. She's never seen anything quite like it. Dr. Waite replies to her repeated pages just long enough to leave a text message that he, too, is puzzled, and has nothing helpful to suggest.
Other than Rangin, you are each free to return to your quarters, and your duties. The Yorktown, you learn, is now en route for Starbase 27, and will arrive there in three days. The shuttlecraft Meitner has been fully sterilized, refueled, and is available for further service.
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 12 Jul 2013 at 09:23 PM.
On her way to her duty station, Collins makes a detour to Sickbay, and seeks out Dr Villa. She quietly tells the doctor she'd like a prenatal check up and makes an appointment for as soon as she is off duty.
Kylah returns to her quarters, more than relieved to find them unoccupied. Changing into a fresh uniform, she takes a look at herself in the mirror for the first time since leaving for the station. Her normally curly dark hair looks lank and the whites of her eyes are as red as the irises are opaque black. She grimaces at herself and, pulling her hair back in a low ponytail, girds her strength and prepares to report to her superior officer.
When she speaks with* Lt. Thalen, she confirms that she's ready for duty and asks where she will be stationed today. She also hesitates and asks if there has been any luck with the thur'lel.
* Or sees? Not sure how she would do this... can't imagine a junior officer strolling up to the bridge just to ask for an assignment, so perhaps she uses her communicator or comm panel?
T'Var heads to Sickbay. She will ask Dr. Villa what specifically she can do to help -- whether it be caring for Fujishiro and Rangin or continuing with her research.
For now, T'Var will leave Waite in peace. He is either unable or unwilling to assist her in finding a solution to the Sakathian virus problem. Or perhaps both?
Dr. Villa asks Collins to return to Sickbay in three hours for a thorough prenatal checkup.
Lt. Thalen, when Kylah reaches him by comm (the correct protocol, since he's on the Bridge, unless there was something she needed to show him in person), asks Kylah to review and categorize nonclassified Starfleet subspace message traffic to and from Starbase 27 for the past two weeks. She can do that in her quarters, or any place with library computer access. He says the thur'lel is still being studied by Security.
Dr. Villa is very pleased to see T'Var again. She asks the Vulcan healer to review Fujishiro's and Rangin's care to date, and make any suggestions. She says, "I'm very pleased by how quickly Rangin is recovering. Unless there's a problem overnight, I think I'll release him from Sickbay tomorrow, but keep him on light duty for three days or so."
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 14 Jul 2013 at 08:29 PM.
Kylah says "Aye, sir," to Lt. Thalen and after a moment's hesitation, heads to the Communications Center belowdecks. On the one hand she's tempted to hole up in her quarters, because the thought of answering any questions from others about what happened on their mission makes her rather queasy. On the other hand... Lt. JG Collins might return at any moment. That possibility makes her queasier. Besides, Kylah knows she needs to become acquainted with her fellow Comm officers, or at least become familiar with the crew. She was feeling lonely back on the Meitner; the answer to that is not to avoid interactions with others, as little luck as she's had with them.
When she reaches the Comm center, she hesitates for a moment in the open doorway, casting her quick gaze around the room before moving forward to let the door close with a whoosh. Having spotted an empty terminal and thus making a bee-line for it, Kylah tries not to notice if anyone is paying any attention to her. At last she's seated, exhales after realizing she hasn't breathed in nearly a minute, and begins her work.
It amazes her how quickly normality has returned. Three days ago she was slaughtering cannibalistic victims of a brutish experiment. Now she's reviewing correspondence. But when Kylah pauses too long to think, she can again smell the humidity, blood and stench in her nostrils as if she's still in that chaotic transporter room on the station. Behind her, the attackers might well be pouring in, unceasing and relentless. Before long, so completely do her memories convince her that the room is full of charging Sakathians, she gasps, swivels around, and jerks up from her chair, hand reaching down for her remaining knife.
The room is cool, narrow and organized. Those surrounding her are Starfleet personnel, her shipmates, all dutifully performing their tasks. And she is standing, looking like a fool, breathing heavily and drawing unwanted attention to herself.
They are gone, she reminds herself shakily, a flush burning her face while she sits and turns her chair back to face the monitor. You know they are gone. You killed them.
She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath of the conditioned, scentless air, then opens her eyes again and continues to work as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 14 Jul 2013 at 08:36 PM.
T'Var informs Dr. Villa that she would like to continue her research regarding the Sakathian virus -- comparing the Sakathian tissue samples with those of Rangin and Fujishiro in an attempt to better understand the similarities -- if any -- and the differences. Perhaps then, a solution might be possible.
"I would appreciate Dr. Bucci's assistance with this," T'Var tells Villa.
There are three other people in the Comm Center on Deck 6, an officer and two techs. The officer is Lt. JG Ade Soerjosoemarno, a stocky, older Indonesian man, who Kylah has met only briefly once before. The relief Communications officer smiles at her and says, "Ens. Kylah, isn't it? Welcome back. I heard your Sakathian mission was pretty hairy. How are you doing?" The techs, both also human, seem intent on their work, and don't look her way.
"Mr. Rangin seems to be on the mend," Dr. Villa tells T'Var, "so I see no reason Dr. Bucci can't work with you. Proceed, and good luck."
Later, when Collins's uneventful watch is complete, Dr. Villa gives her a thorough prenatal checkup. She tells the young Security officer with a big smile, "Everything looks good. The baby is developing nicely, and I see no indication that your experience on the space station has had any negative impact. Are you feeling all right?"
The members of the boarding party each receive messages on their shipboard comm accounts from the Captain's yeoman, asking them to report to the Captain's conference room at 0900 the next morning for a mission debriefing.
Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 01 Aug 2013 at 10:27 PM.
It takes some seconds for her shipmate's greeting to reach through the force of Kylah's concentration. She looks up and sees Soerjosoemarno's pleasantly smiling face. His words are dragged back to her recollection and she realizes he needs an answer.
"Yes, sir, it was a difficult mission." She keeps her voice soft and even, though she cringes inwardly while wondering if he saw her foolish paranoia earlier. "Fortunately I suffered no injuries... no permanent injuries, and am glad to be back at my duties. Thank you for asking, Lieutenant."
Kylah hesitates, then adds, trying to think of anything conversational to add: "I... I've been asked to review the past two weeks' worth of Starfleet subspace message traffic related to Starbase 27. I understand that's where we are headed...?"
The utterly banality of her attempt embarrasses her even as it leaves her lips.
Before responding, Rangin will ask Dr Villa if he will be able to attend or if he is to remain in sickbay, and if so, for how long.
In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.
T'Var looks forward to working with Dr. Bucci on the tissue samples. She is certain there is an answer to this problem.
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