*** Med. Adv, Office * SB Unity***
It was early afternoon and Rangi who had been in one of
the research labs for most of the morning, returned to the
Med Advisors office having decided
to have a short break before beginning work again.
There were a number of padds on her desk, neatly stacked and
awaiting her attention but she postponed reading them and
made herself a small meal instead.
The replicator provided a sandwich and a drink for her and
she carried both the length of her office to the seating
area at the far end, setting down the little tray and taking
a seat opposite the large screen.
The GNN channel was running a story about a bombing in San
Francisco as Rangi raised her glass to her lips.
Actually two bombings she realized as the film changed to
Vulcan and the once beautiful city of ShiKahr.
*** Just Outside Rangi's office ***
"I don't care what your instructions are", Major Cortez said
pointing his finger at the yeoman blocking his way into
Rangi's office. "Now get out of my way before I throw you
out the window".
"Sir...you need permission or...Sir!!" The Yeoman stood
helplessly by as Cortez pushed past her and entered the
office.
She followed him.
The door slid open revealing Summers sitting down with her
lunch in front of her.
"The Bastards hit our home" Cortez said stepping towards
Rangi.
" Ma'am...I'm sorry..." she eyed Cortez. " This person
wouldnt wait."
Rangi glanced quickly back towards the door and seeing who
her un announced visitor was said:
" It's alright..the Major probably forgot to ask."
The Yeoman waited for a second or two then retreated.
" You wanted to see me?" Rangi asked looking up at Cortez as
he drew near.
Richards eyes were glued to the screen displaying the
carnage as it unfolded. "You know why I'm here", he said
without looking
at her.
" Well...I can imagine.." she replied, her attention
returning to the news. "Take a seat." she added.
The news reader was detailing casualty figures, as yet
unconfirmed and talking about the investigation into the
cause of the explosion.
Richard continued to stand.
"Its been two weeks and I've passed every single physical
and test you and your staff could throw at me, I'm ready to
get back to my ship", he said, his eyes still glued
to the screen as the report switched to video footage of San
Francisco.
" No you're not." Rangi replied quietly, not breaking her
attention from the screen.
The report changed to show various dignitaries, all of whom
were believed to be inside the building when the bomb
detonated then the news readers face filled the screen.
"We are returning to ShiKarh." she said then added soberly
"...Some viewers may find the following scenes upsetting."
The camera remained focussed on her for a few moments,
presumably to allow time for people to turn the pictures off
if they did not wish to see them.
Richard paused as the screen showed burned victims and the
rubble of several buildings,
"Damnit Rangi", Cortez shouted pounding his fist on the
chair in front of him. "If you don't let me go, I swear I'm
going to make your work here a living hell", he said glaring
at her, meaning every word of his threat.
This time Rangi raised her head and looked at him.
" Getting into a tantrum like a spoiled child isnt going to
make me change my mind." she said coldly.
She twisted round the better to meet his gaze.
" You know you aren't back to peak fitness." she said. " Its
true you're doing remarkably well but you're not fit for
frontline service...not really...and you know it if you're
honest with yourself."
She turned back to the screen where some person whose name
she had missed was talking about the possibility that the
attacks were linked.
"Well of course they're linked", Richard scoffed his head
responding to the person on the TV. "And I'll bet you a
good bottle of Andorian Ale that the waitress you have
locked up in the civilian hospital isn't just sick with the
fever too",
He glanced back at Rangi.
"There's too many coincidences, especially with that missing
medical team on Aeran 3".
She looked at him sharply.
"What do you mean?" she demanded for he unknowingly had
voiced her own long held thoughts.
Cortez grinned, he finally had Rangi off her guard. Taking
a breath he stepped to the couch and slumped into it,
grabbing half of her sandwich as he did.
"Just because I'm stuck here doesn't mean I'm helpless", he
said taking a bite of her meal.
"A friend of mine was on the team sent to find the missing
doctors", he continued talking with half his mouth full,
"While they still haven't found the doctors they did find
something else", he paused, waiting to see Summers reaction.
" And what might that have been?" she asked slowly, wishing
now that she'd read the reports on her desk and didnt have
to ask him.
*** End Part 1 ***
Major Richard Cortez
C.Sec
USS Chimera
&
Commander Rangi Summers
Med Adv 1st Task Force
CMO SB Unity