*** Sickbay * USS Chimera-C ***
After talking to the Captain, Scott stood up, crossed to the
replicator for some coffee then returned to his place and
requested a secure channel to Commodore Guzman SB Unity.
There was a delay and he settled himself more comfortably in
Rangis chair as the SSF Logo remained on the screen in front
of him.
He tapped in his details when requested and the logo
returned, this time slowly revolving in a some clever 3D
effect which, Scott imagined, some designer would have
thought entertaining in a mind numbing sort of way. Scott
drummed his fingers impatiently on the desk top and at the
next request, tapped in his personal code and authorization.
He ran a hand across his chin which, now unshaven, was dark
shadow. Eventually Pakosii appeared on the screen.
As usual, Pakosii's day was filled with dozen of calls
from across the quadrant (even from other quadrants) from
many people – Starfleet, Federation civilian government,
alien power officials, traders, soldiers of fortune and
other folks requesting to speak with the Special Forces 1st
Task Force Commander. His task as aide was to filter those
requests and patch only the really important ones.
This particular call was from the Chimera and since she was
a member of the 1st Task Force and therefore under
Commodore's immediate command, he swiftly turned his
attention to the call.
"Lieutenant Pakosii, office of Special Forces 1st Task
Force Commander" he introduced himself, "how can I help
you?" he finished.
" Scott Fisher AMO USS Chimera-C...acting CMO. I need to
speak with the Commodore 'immediately'." Scott said,
stressing the last word and hoping that Pakosii would notice
the name of the ship and the mention of acting position and
realize that the reason was urgent.
Pakosii was no field officer, no trained marine or killer or
field agent. He had only meager knowledge of engineering,
medical, tactical or other usual Starfleet areas ... he was
rather a beaurocrat. His world were formulars, requests,
schedules and meetings ... what meant that he was half a
politician. He could sense the urgency in Fisher's words
and he knew that Commodore's gf was the CMO on Chimera ...
so he nodded immediately and said: "I understand, I
contact the Commodore, please stand by".
It took less then half a minute before Shane's face
appeared on the screen: "Lieutenant Fisher" Shane said,
"what happened? Where is Rangi?" he asked with deep
concern in his voice.
Scott didnt hesitate but came straight to the point. " I'm
sorry Sir...she's in a stasis unit as of about an hour ago."
Shane was taken unprepared by this ill news. His face went
somewhat white and he asked: "What happened?"
"She complained of feeling unwell a couple of days ago. I
treated her for nausea which she'd had morning and evening
for a few days. She told me though that she'd felt unwell
for a week or more...since before she left Unity. This
afternoon she called me to her office and told me she
couldnt continue as CMO. She was obviously far from well and
we took her to an emergency room."
Now he stopped because the positive news was coming to an
end.
"Her condition deteriorated rapidly Sir. Dr Syrok and
I..were working against something we don't understand
Sir."
Shane shook his head: "Once again and slowly,
Lieutenant" he requested. "You say that Rangi was
feeling unwell for a couple of days and you don't know
what's the reason?"
" Yes Sir." Scott replied." Thats...thats correct. I thought
it was a stomach upset...something of that nature."
"And now her condition is that dangerous that you put her
in stasis? DO I understand you right that is in danger of
dying?" his face was now quite white.
Scott understood the anger that faced him from the screen
though he had somehow expected Shane to take things more
calmly. Later he would ask himself why he had thought that
but now he answered ina level and unhurred tone: " No
sir,...she's in stasis...she wont die."
"What the hell are you for a doctor !?" Shane yelled,
"she complained to you a couple of days ago and you were
not competent enough to help her !?"
Scott had no immediate answer for Shanes accusations were,
in a way, well founded.
" I treated her for what I believed to be the problem Sir. "
he responded "..unfortunately that didnt prove to be the
answer."
Shane took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment.
When he spoke again, the anger in his voice was gone ...
{but where?} "I am sorry, doctor. I am sure you did
everything possible to her Rangi. I ... I apologize"
"No need Sir. I'm sorry that i have to tell you this." Scott
replied.
Shane took a deep breath again and asked: "Could the
ROmulans be involved in this in any way? I have some
references from Intel that Romulans might be interested in
Rangi's life ... or death …"
Shanes words added to the veiled warning that Rojac had
given Scott earlier. It began to fit too well. "There could
be a possibility." he replied slowly but added " I cant say
Sir....honestly...I have no idea what's wrong with her. "
Shane looked down and Scott could guess the helplessness. "
Commodore." he said in a stronger tone and waiting until
Shane looked up then asked :" I need your help. I've
requested details of everything that Rangi ate and
drank...all the replicated snacks and meals. I have to start
there...but I want you to think...was there anything else
that she consumed...anything at all. Did she make a meal
herself? Did you give her...chocolates...or..anything like
that?"
"Hmm … " Shane thougt, "I am not certain, but I
think Rangi had a meal in some restaurant the day she left
UNITY. I was busy and couldn't join her, but I am not sure
where and when. I'll ask Captain Joeleco, our Chief
security to track down Rangi's movement for the last
several days and get in touch with you"
" Another thing Sir...have you or Martin been unwell? Have
either of you experienced anything thats bothered you? I ask
because this began before Rangi left Unity. It didn't
originate aboard Chimera."
Shane shook his head: "No, both of us are all right.
Martin in not on board the UNITY for a week now, but I know
that he was all right even yesterday. I have no health
problem either, so I suppose whatever happened … it
happened to Rangi alone"
Scott gave an inward sigh. It had been too much to hope that
the Commodore or his son had been unwell...not that he
wanted them to be but it could have helped if they had
been.
" It would seem so Sir." he replied sounding a bit deflated.
" I'd appreciate all help that Joeleco can give...and if you
think of anything...anything at all that rangi
did..ate..drank..where she went...anything out of the
ordinary..please tell me. I'm grasping at straws but
hopeful of finding a lead soon." He tried to sound
optimistic.
Shane nodded: "Of course, doctor. I'll contact now
Captain Joeleco and tell my aide that you're green to
contact me at any time. I'd like to ... ask you to report
me any news regarding Rangi's state. Please don't
hesitate to ask for any help or resources you think might be
needed."
======= End of log =======
Lieutenant Scott Fisher
Acting CMO
USS Chimera
&
Commodore Shane Guzman
CO, 1st TF, SSF Command
CO, SB 234: UNITY
