*** Med Advisors Office * SB Unity ***
The decision had been taken and Rangi was not happy.
She had never in her life wanted to be proved wrong more
than she did now and although she understood the conflicts
involved and Shanes more than patient explanations she
couldn't rid herself of an awful foreboding.
Nicolas Sturgeon, the planetary leader of Aeran III had put
his case to Shane very well.
He pointed out that he had already arranged a large
quarantine area and that to extend it would only worry
people unnecessarily.
He stated in no uncertain terms the reason for not allowing
a planetary quarantine pointing out that the economy would
suffer severely and that would cause unrest in the
population.
It could well mean panic if the people thought themselves
trapped with an unknown virus and in all probability mass
hysteria would be the outcome and that ofcourse meant untold
mayhem.
His peace force simply wouldnt be able to cope.
He repeated his request for medical assistance and stated
that his Peace Force was already pushed to enforce the
quarantine already in place and asked for Shanes help with
that too.
Shane had listened to the facts and was about to reply when
Nicolas added more.He gently yet firmly reminded the Admiral
about the Charos VI situation and how the Federation had
ignored the requests for aid.
For her part, Rangi could only base her own request on the
evidence available and supply the information that she had.
The virus was unknown, there had been five isolated
incidents and apart from the first outbreak, noone had died
and the victims were for the most part only unwell for a day
or so at most.
Even to her own ears the request to quarantine an entire
planet sounded unreasonable at best for there was no solid
facts on which to base her fears.
Shane had not dismissed then though.
He said that he trusted her concern but without more medical
proof that Unity was in danger of contamination, he could
not agree with isolating Aeran III.
He assured Nicolas that teams would be sent to help enforce
the quarantine zone and that the medical aid would also be
forthcoming.
This had satisfied the Chief Administrator who said that he
would expect to finalise arrangements within an hour.
When his part of the link had been terminated, Shane had
spoken to Rangi, seeing the worry in her expression and
knowing he had done nothing to alleviate it.
He told her he understood but that he couldnt act on
'feelings'. He needed solid evidence and there was none but
apart from that there was another factor which played a part
too.
The unrest that Nicolas had foreseen would become reality
and with so many men engaged in the war...well.......he
simply didnt have the resources to enforce the planetary
quarantine she wanted.
Rangi had had to accept it and told him she would organise
the medical teams.
She had done this, sending three teams of five.
They were to wear EVA suits and run strict isolation
protocols. Every single detail of their investigation would
be itemised. Nothing was to be overlooked or taken for
granted.
They transported to the planet with a security force and
reported setting up a base.
There was no unrest in the local population and for a day
and half there were no new cases to report but in the middle
of the afternoon on the second day, Rangi replied to a call
from Unity Ops.
+ Summers + she said, half her attention on the padd she was
perusing.
+ Commander...we've lost contact with the medical teams.+
+ What?+ she asked, looking quickly at the screen + Lost
contact? Why? +
+ It's unclear at the moment ma'am...+ the officer replied
+....it seems that there is a dampening field in operation+
Rangi stared at him wordlessly.
+ We're running diagnostics to track the source.+ he added.
+ Keep me informed...and the Admiral too.+ she said.
The officer acknowledged her and the link was closed.
Rangi leaned back in her chair, releasing a long breath.
" Ohhh" she murmured and slowly turned her head to the view
port where a portion of the planet was visible.
*** End Log ***
Commander Rangi Summers
Med Adv. 1st Task Force
CMO SB Unity
