S1E9 The Bright Side of Life

[Rayek trLhoell]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Sickbay

As Soon as Rayek dismissed the crewmen she held up her hand.

"Hold it, no-one is going anywhere until the XO has had chance to review the matter. Please remain here until we hear from him." She ordered crisply before turning to Rayek.

"Do you need any of them right away?" She asked.

Rayek kept his frown from reaching his features, and didn't attempt to argue with her.  Rather he stepped forward to quietly converse with her, ideally in tones that wouldn't reach the waiting men.

"Doctor, we are at yellow-alert. I need my men ready at a moments notice. Yes, they were idiots to attempt such an action at this time, but given the current alert-status I doubt the XO should be pulled from the bridge to deal with this.  Once we have stepped down from alert-status should be soon enough.  But it is your call, ma'am."

[Lizzie Vaughan]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Rayek kept his frown from reaching his features, and didn't attempt to argue with her.  Rather he stepped forward to quietly converse with her, ideally in tones that wouldn't reach the waiting men.

"Doctor, we are at yellow-alert. I need my men ready at a moments notice. Yes, they were idiots to attempt such an action at this time, but given the current alert-status I doubt the XO should be pulled from the bridge to deal with this.  Once we have stepped down from alert-status should be soon enough.  But it is your call, ma'am."

Sickbay

Lizzie thought for a moment.

"If you need them for duty Mr Rayek then they can leave. But I will need to take all their names and provide them to the XO as per protocol. I do need to warn you however that if the XO want's to know why I let them leave I will inform him that I released them at your request and under your supervision. Is that understood?" She asked, knowing that she was in danger of breaking the rules even by allowing that to happen.

[Rayek trLhoell]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Sickbay

Lizzie thought for a moment.

"If you need them for duty Mr Rayek then they can leave. But I will need to take all their names and provide them to the XO as per protocol. I do need to warn you however that if the XO want's to know why I let them leave I will inform him that I released them at your request and under your supervision. Is that understood?" She asked, knowing that she was in danger of breaking the rules even by allowing that to happen.

That the doctor didn't immediately shoot down his suggestion was notable to the Romulan.  He was learning.  Never argue with the doctor. If you wanted something done you had to quietly suggest it with justification, because ultimately she had the power.  As he came to this realization, he wondered why he ever thought Terran women weaker willed than Romulan women?  It certainly wasn't the standard - at least not with Dr. Vaughan.

At her willingness to allow his men to leave, Rayek acknowledged her decision with a slight bow and nod  "I understand and accept responsibility for such. Thank you, Doctor."

As he straightened and looked over the assembled men, he made mental note of who was and was not present, then turned back to the doctor.  "I can provide a list of their names, if you wish to dismiss them now, ma'am"  

[Lizzie Vaughan]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

That the doctor didn't immediately shoot down his suggestion was notable to the Romulan.  He was learning.  Never argue with the doctor. If you wanted something done you had to quietly suggest it with justification, because ultimately she had the power.  As he came to this realization, he wondered why he ever thought Terran women weaker willed than Romulan women?  It certainly wasn't the standard - at least not with Dr. Vaughan.

At her willingness to allow his men to leave, Rayek acknowledged her decision with a slight bow and nod  "I understand and accept responsibility for such. Thank you, Doctor."

As he straightened and looked over the assembled men, he made mental note of who was and was not present, then turned back to the doctor.  "I can provide a list of their names, if you wish to dismiss them now, ma'am"

Sickbay

Lizzie nodded.

"That will be acceptable Mr Rayek." She replied before turning to face the group.

She looked at them for a moment before addressing them.

"I am prepared to dismiss you under the supervision of Mr Rayek. I will also be providing your names to the XO to deal with as he wishes. Do not make me regret this. Dismissed!" she enunciated the final word and watched them closely.

[Bonnie Moors]

[As- Tholian Ambassador]

The Tholian on the viewscreen emitted several more screeches, which the computer translated into a very processed language. "Why is none of your concern. An experiment went wrong. As near as we can tell, in your terms, it would result in a massive Coronal Mass Ejection that we estimate will irradiate any exposed to a deadly degree. We require your assistance in the evacuation of our colony. Our ship has been ordered to escort you to the colony."

The creature on the screen looked around the room it was in, the atmosphere very different than what the Challenger had. "Our data reports you are an Excelsior class Starship. We will require you convert decks four through twelve, except for critical areas, to your "Class Y", or similar, immediately."

The deal was tricky for the Challenger. They would have, for the first time in recient memory for a starship, relatively unrestricted access to Tholian space, a break from the relentless patrol, and the ability to assist another species and race, which meant better relations with the Federation.

On the downside, they'd be leaving the border relatively unprotected, be sacrificing half the ship to what was literally called "Demon" planet atmosphere, and be going into a situation that could put the Challenger herself at risk. It was a gamble.

[Bridge]

Dylan walked onto the bridge, having been called up. "Report." he said, as he looked around and walked to the fore of the Bridge. He saw the screen. Tholians. It had to be the Tholians.

Bridge

Bonnie listened closely to what the Tholian had to say and frowned as he said it was a coronal mass ejection. 'What are they doing? What could they possibly do which caused that?' Bonnie looked up at the view screen to face the Tholian. "I believe the reason why is our concern if you rrequire our help. If our ship is exposed to the atmosphere, it could damage our ship. Is that not enough to know why?" Bonnie let out a small sigh and turned around as the captain walked onto the bridge.  'I'm a doctor which works in science, not a diplomat.' Bonnie thought as the captain spoke.

"Captain, we've been asked by a Tholian colony to assist in the evacuation of the people on the surface where a scientific experiment has failed and will likely cause a coronal mass ejection." She paused for a minute, turning to the viewscreen and back to the captain. "The planet would become irradiated, so irradiated that everyone would likely die." She paused once again, letting the captain digest the information. "They want us to convert our decks to class y and house the colonists so they aren't irradiated." She finished.

[Rayek trLhoell]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Sickbay

Lizzie nodded.

"That will be acceptable Mr Rayek." She replied before turning to face the group.

She looked at them for a moment before addressing them.

"I am prepared to dismiss you under the supervision of Mr Rayek. I will also be providing your names to the XO to deal with as he wishes. Do not make me regret this. Dismissed!" she enunciated the final word and watched them closely.

As the security crewmen began to hurriedly file out, Rayek took note of one particular individual that often got overlooked.  The man was just that sort - unassuming and forgettable.  "Crewman Tim, a moment if you would," he called out as the rest of the man's associates filed through the Sickbay doors.

The named crewman swallowed nervously and would have blanched if his pallor wasn't already as pale is it could be.  Crewman Arthur Tim cast one last look to his fellow mates before he moved to approach the Romulan. "Sir?"

Rayek looked the man over. "Doctor, I believe you might have overlooked an actual sick patient." Rayek remarked, before addressing the nervous human.  "I bet, you can give insight as to how this incident came to be"

When man merely straightened and shut his mouth - not about to rat out his mates, Rayek nodded.  "Fine.  I'll hypothesize then and I'll watch your reaction to see how close I am to the truth.  You woke this morning feeling ill, not uncommon for you, and your cabinmates -  I'm guessing mostly Burke and Ch'verret - were jealous that you got the 'day off' from another day of idleness.  Then Ch'verret got the idea for you and them to all report in sick - thinking whatever you legitimately have they could claim they picked up from you. Have I started this story off correctly?"

Crewman Tim said nothing, and attempted to stare straight ahead, but Rayek took note of furtively glances at points during his storytelling.

Rayek continued, "Ch'verret thinking himself smart, bragged about the idea to Tominsa and from there this misdemeanor prank to get out of some dull work turned into actual subversion against me.  Am I right?"

Again Crewman Tim said nothing but he looked worried and kept glancing at the doctor, as if she could help call off the Romulan and his all too accurate hypothesis.

Rayek scowled at this point.  "I get that you don't trust me.  Few here on this ship have earned my trust in return, but I respect authority.  Don't let rumors of what I did in engineering fool you.  I was attempting to save the ship and crew.   You and the others, with this stunt, could have put this ship and crew at risk.  We are at yellow-alert on a border-patrol.  Did none of you think to maybe reschedule your little... revolt... for a better time?" He snapped in exasperation.

Crewman Tim looked miserable with regret but still said nothing.

Rayek heaved a sigh, "Fine.  Regardless of your medical condition you are choosing to side with the others - you'll reap the same consequence.   He's all yours, doctor."

[Lizzie Vaughan]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

As the security crewmen began to hurriedly file out, Rayek took note of one particular individual that often got overlooked.  The man was just that sort - unassuming and forgettable.  "Crewman Tim, a moment if you would," he called out as the rest of the man's associates filed through the Sickbay doors.

The named crewman swallowed nervously and would have blanched if his pallor wasn't already as pale is it could be.  Crewman Arthur Tim cast one last look to his fellow mates before he moved to approach the Romulan. "Sir?"

Rayek looked the man over. "Doctor, I believe you might have overlooked an actual sick patient." Rayek remarked, before addressing the nervous human.  "I bet, you can give insight as to how this incident came to be"

When man merely straightened and shut his mouth - not about to rat out his mates, Rayek nodded.  "Fine.  I'll hypothesize then and I'll watch your reaction to see how close I am to the truth.  You woke this morning feeling ill, not uncommon for you, and your cabinmates -  I'm guessing mostly Burke and Ch'verret - were jealous that you got the 'day off' from another day of idleness.  Then Ch'verret got the idea for you and them to all report in sick - thinking whatever you legitimately have they could claim they picked up from you. Have I started this story off correctly?"

Crewman Tim said nothing, and attempted to stare straight ahead, but Rayek took note of furtively glances at points during his storytelling.

Rayek continued, "Ch'verret thinking himself smart, bragged about the idea to Tominsa and from there this misdemeanor prank to get out of some dull work turned into actual subversion against me.  Am I right?"

Again Crewman Tim said nothing but he looked worried and kept glancing at the doctor, as if she could help call off the Romulan and his all too accurate hypothesis.

Rayek scowled at this point.  "I get that you don't trust me.  Few here on this ship have earned my trust in return, but I respect authority.  Don't let rumors of what I did in engineering fool you.  I was attempting to save the ship and crew.   You and the others, with this stunt, could have put this ship and crew at risk.  We are at yellow-alert on a border-patrol.  Did none of you think to maybe reschedule your little... revolt... for a better time?" He snapped in exasperation.

Crewman Tim looked miserable with regret but still said nothing.

Rayek heaved a sigh, "Fine.  Regardless of your medical condition you are choosing to side with the others - you'll reap the same consequence.   He's all yours, doctor."

Sickbay

Lizzie nodded, wondering how come she had missed someone with actual symptoms.

"Thank you Mr Rayek." She answered, before opening her tricorder again.

She scanned the crewman and again picked up nothing, confirming she had missed nothing the first time. she then put the tricorder down and looked him in the eye.

"Mr Tim. I can see from a basic visual examination that you are obviously not feeling well, but my tricorder shows nothing. Would you care to hazard a guess on how that could be?" She asked, her tone glacial as she was aware of a possible answer, a device that fed false reading to the tricorders sensor.

The man gulped, but said nothing. Lizzie's eyes hardened. 'So much for miss nice girl!' She thought. She then turned and looked at the duty nurse.

"Put him behind a screen and strip him. I then want a full cavity search. Once you have found this device, let me know so I can then examine him properly. Meanwhile, isolate him just in case." She ordered, her smile positively feral.

She then turned back to Rayek.

"I will have to write this man up Mr Rayek. He has fragrantly disregarded regulations regarding the health and welfare of the crew. I an informing you officially as his supervisor that he is being immediately removed from all duties until further notice. Once I have confirmed what he has and, assuming I have managed to treat him, he will be passed to the Master-at-Arms for detention pending disciplinary review!" She said, trying to stop herself getting worked up.

While she hated malingerers, she was even more infuriated by those who pretended they were not ill but really were, worst of all were the ones who took deliberate measures to stop from being declared sick. She tended to punish those more harshly than any others. She knew others did not understand and more than one senior officer had tried to talk her out of it claiming that they simply wanted to do their duty. Lizzie was of a different opinion, she thought those who denied being ill, placed themselves, their crew and their ship and too much risk.

[Rayek trLhoell]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Sickbay

Lizzie nodded, wondering how come she had missed someone with actual symptoms.

"Thank you Mr Rayek." She answered, before opening her tricorder again.

She scanned the crewman and again picked up nothing, confirming she had missed nothing the first time. she then put the tricorder down and looked him in the eye.

"Mr Tim. I can see from a basic visual examination that you are obviously not feeling well, but my tricorder shows nothing. Would you care to hazard a guess on how that could be?" She asked, her tone glacial as she was aware of a possible answer, a device that fed false reading to the tricorders sensor.

The man gulped, but said nothing. Lizzie's eyes hardened. 'So much for miss nice girl!' She thought. She then turned and looked at the duty nurse.

"Put him behind a screen and strip him. I then want a full cavity search. Once you have found this device, let me know so I can then examine him properly. Meanwhile, isolate him just in case." She ordered, her smile positively feral.

She then turned back to Rayek.

"I will have to write this man up Mr Rayek. He has fragrantly disregarded regulations regarding the health and welfare of the crew. I an informing you officially as his supervisor that he is being immediately removed from all duties until further notice. Once I have confirmed what he has and, assuming I have managed to treat him, he will be passed to the Master-at-Arms for detention pending disciplinary review!" She said, trying to stop herself getting worked up.

While she hated malingerers, she was even more infuriated by those who pretended they were not ill but really were, worst of all were the ones who took deliberate measures to stop from being declared sick. She tended to punish those more harshly than any others. She knew others did not understand and more than one senior officer had tried to talk her out of it claiming that they simply wanted to do their duty. Lizzie was of a different opinion, she thought those who denied being ill, placed themselves, their crew and their ship and too much risk.

Rayek had every intention of heading back to Engineering but the look of.. confusion was it?.. on the doctors face had him lingering by the doorway to Sickbay.  When she place the tricorder down after her scan and looked the man in the eye, Rayek knew something was amiss.

Her glacial tone as she questioned him raised an eyebrow.  And here he'd been thinking he was the only one that tone was reserved for;  apparently not.

But the crewman was stupidly stubborn and didn't answer.

Her response to the man's silence was unexpected.  A full cavity seach!?  Rayek winced.  The crewman balked and didn't move from the spot even as the duty nurse took hold of him.  Rayek recalled those all too well from his time on Faicol-lhui.  He understood the man's hesitation.  The feral smile the doctor expressed briefly was rather disturbing on many levels.

Before he had time to consider these more fully she turned to him speaking.  Rayek subconsciously straightened his posture and tugged his shirt taut lest she find fault with him and turn that malicious intent on him.

Rayek blinked in surprise at her words uncertain he understood what infraction the man had done.  "Forgive my ignorance Dr. Vaughan, but what regulation are you accusing Crewman Tim of having 'flagrantly disregarded'?  What exactly are you searching for on him?"  Rayek looked between the crewman who was looking to him for help, and the doctor seeking an answer.

[Lizzie Vaughan]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Rayek had every intention of heading back to Engineering but the look of.. confusion was it?.. on the doctors face had him lingering by the doorway to Sickbay.  When she place the tricorder down after her scan and looked the man in the eye, Rayek knew something was amiss.

Her glacial tone as she questioned him raised an eyebrow.  And here he'd been thinking he was the only one that tone was reserved for;  apparently not.

But the crewman was stupidly stubborn and didn't answer.

Her response to the man's silence was unexpected.  A full cavity seach!?  Rayek winced.  The crewman balked and didn't move from the spot even as the duty nurse took hold of him.  Rayek recalled those all too well from his time on Faicol-lhui.  He understood the man's hesitation.  The feral smile the doctor expressed briefly was rather disturbing on many levels.

Before he had time to consider these more fully she turned to him speaking.  Rayek subconsciously straightened his posture and tugged his shirt taut lest she find fault with him and turn that malicious intent on him.

Rayek blinked in surprise at her words uncertain he understood what infraction the man had done.  "Forgive my ignorance Dr. Vaughan, but what regulation are you accusing Crewman Tim of having 'flagrantly disregarded'?  What exactly are you searching for on him?"  Rayek looked between the crewman who was looking to for help, and the doctor seeking an answer.

Sickbay

Lizzie turned to Rayek as he spoke.

"I refer to the regulation of making sure you are fit for duty." She replied. "Part of that is declaring when you feel unwell and getting yourself checked out by a medical professional. This man has not only not declared that he is unwell, but, if my suspicions are correct, he has a small device somewhere about his person that is designed to fool a tricorder into giving a normal readout. Such devices, while not illegal to own, are forbidden to be used by fleet personnel." She finished.

No sooner had she finished speaking when the nurse came over and handed Lizzie a small circular metal device, about 3cm in diameter.

"Is this what you were looking for Doctor?" The Nurse asked.

Lizzie looked at it and nodded.

"It is. May I ask where he hid it?" She enquired.

"Somewhere very uncomfortable and would not have been found without the full search you requested."

"Thank you Hannah." Lizzie replied. "Please give him a check over and confirm what you find."

"Right away Doctor." The nurse replied, heading back behind the screen.

Lizzie turned back to Rayek and held up the device.

"It was as I suspected. Mr Tim will be charged by me and reported to XO to see if he want's to press any further charges. You will have to do without him for a while." She said.

[Rayek trLhoell]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Sickbay

Lizzie turned to Rayek as he spoke.

"I refer to the regulation of making sure you are fit for duty." She replied. "Part of that is declaring when you feel unwell and getting yourself checked out by a medical professional. This man has not only not declared that he is unwell, but, if my suspicions are correct, he has a small device somewhere about his person that is designed to fool a tricorder into giving a normal readout. Such devices, while not illegal to own, are forbidden to be used by fleet personnel." She finished.

No sooner had she finished speaking when the nurse came over and handed Lizzie a small circular metal device, about 3cm in diameter.

"Is this what you were looking for Doctor?" The Nurse asked.

Lizzie looked at it and nodded.

"It is. May I ask where he hid it?" She enquired.

"Somewhere very uncomfortable and would not have been found without the full search you requested."

"Thank you Hannah." Lizzie replied. "Please give him a check over and confirm what you find."

"Right away Doctor." The nurse replied, heading back behind the screen.

Lizzie turned back to Rayek and held up the device.

"It was as I suspected. Mr Tim will be charged by me and reported to XO to see if he want's to press any further charges. You will have to do without him for a while." She said.

Rayek could see this was a subject that the doctor was rather adamant about, so he thought it best to not press her on the issue - at least not at present. She had already released to him 19 of his men when by rights she could have them held as well. He nodded his acknowledgment.  "I see, very well. If there is nothing else, I should see to the others."

[Lizzie Vaughan]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Rayek could see this was a subject that the doctor was rather adamant about, so he thought it best to not press her on the issue - at least not at present. She had already released to him 19 of his men when by rights she could have them held as well. He nodded his acknowledgment.  "I see, very well. If there is nothing else, I should see to the others."

Sickbay

Lizzie nodded at Rayek's reply

"Of course Mr Rayek. Please let me know if Anyone reports similar symptoms. I don't know what it is yet, but it may or may not be infectious." She replied, her mouth in a firm line.

She then headed over to the screens where the nurse was just finishing the scan.

"Well?" She asked.

"It is a simple case of Arethian flu Doctor." The nurse replied, handing over the tricorder so Lizzie could confirm the results.

Lizzie looked at the tricorder and nodded again.

"Very well. Prepare the standard treatment then seal him in the isolation ward, we don't want it spreading." Lizzie ordered.

"Yes Doctor." The nurse replied, preparing and injecting the medication before allowing the man to dress.

By this time the crewman was rather unsteady on his feet and two Techs quickly escorted the crewman into to the isolation ward and sealed him in.

Lizzie then went to her office to write up the reports ready for Kyle when he arrived.

[Rayek trLhoell]

PO2 Rayek
[Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Sickbay

Lizzie nodded at Rayek's reply

"Of course Mr Rayek. Please let me know if Anyone reports similar symptoms. I don't know what it is yet, but it may or may not be infectious." She replied, her mouth in a firm line.

Rayek nodded and offered up his usual, "Yes, ma'am" in reply. Then quickly turned and headed for the doors.

Though he'd enjoyed her company earlier in the lounge, Rayek found himself quite grateful to be making a quick exit from Sickbay.  It was surprising but Rayek could honestly say out of the two, the Captain or Dr. Vaughan, he found the doctor to be much more intimidating. Maybe it was her feral smile after ordering the cavity search?

Rayek shuddered and hurried on his way.

[Lek]

[Engineering]

Lek was monitoring the shield emitters and making sure that as soon as the word went out to raise the shields that they would work at peak efficiency. He absently noticed the doorway open and Ensign Kasey James enter engineering with the permanently etched look of confusion on her face. Lek sighed and called out to her.

"Are you lost ensign?"

Kasey blushed and shuffled over to Lek.

"I was directed to calibrate the ODN network to the auxiliary deuterium pumps, but that whole system is that antique duotronic equipment. They only discussed duotronics at the academy in the context of how they paved the way for isolinear systems."

Lek pinched his nose bridge in pain and thought.

"This woman couldn't provide enough oomox to make up for her complete lack of skill. How did this dunsel get through the academy?"

Out loud, he said.

"As you mentioned, duotronics paved the way for isolinear systems, they operate on the same principles, they just require different tools to do the same thing. Instead of a flux coupler, you need a heterodyning coupler. And before you ask, all tool kits on the Challenger have the tools required to work on both systems. Now, I suggest you get it in motion ensign, the chief is already in a mood and he might feed you into the replicator organic mass storage tank if you keep him waiting."

Kasey blanched and quickly grabbed a tool kit before making herself scarce before Lieutenant Erix could see her.

Lek shook his head as the young ensign left and felt a small sense of sympathy for her.

"The clod doesn't even know that calibrating the ODN network to the auxiliary deuterium pumps is just busy work to keep her from screwing up anything important."

Lek returned to monitoring his station and wondered.

"I wish the bridge would tie us into what's going on up there. We're supposed to be able to provide everything with no information. If we were looped in, we could do so more efficiently."

[Rayek trLhoell]

PO2 Rayek
[Corridors]
With the image of the doctors feral smile haunting his mind, Rayek hurried his way down to Engineering.

[Corridor outside Engineering]
As Rayek came into view of Engineering he noted the two security taking note of his presence. Once more they seemed to tense at his approach, alert, but didn't impede his access to Engineering.  The doors slid open at his approach.

[Engineering]
Once more standing within the ships vital center, Rayek observed the engineers at work, his dark eyes taking note of current activities.  Being the tail end of the Alpha shift, Rayek suspected the Chief Engineer would be in his office.  He counted off in his head the time it took for his presence to be noted.

[Lek]

PO2 Rayek
[Corridors]
With the image of the doctors feral smile haunting his mind, Rayek hurried his way down to Engineering.

[Corridor outside Engineering]
As Rayek came into view of Engineering he noted the two security taking note of his presence. Once more they seemed to tense at his approach, alert, but didn't impede his access to Engineering.  The doors slid open at his approach.

[Engineering]
Once more standing within the ships vital center, Rayek observed the engineers at work, his dark eyes taking note of current activities.  Being the tail end of the Alpha shift, Rayek suspected the Chief Engineer would be in his office.  He counted off in his head the time it took for his presence to be noted.

[Engineering]

This was the part of the job Lek hated the most. Ship was at yellow alert and he had no idea why or what they might have to do. If he had an idea, he could start routing power to a particular system. He could be boosting power to an obvious system like shields or impulse. He could even be prepping the ship for emergency speed, but in this information vacuum, all he could do was sit here and stew.

Lek absently noted the Romulan arrive and it didn't register to him that he'd resumed referring him to the Romulan instead of his name. The conversation in the lounge had made Lek feel 'the Romulan' was no different than the stereotypes of their species and not worth the effort of knowing his name.

He had hoped their mutual pariah status might give them a shared hardship to build a friendship, but if all he wanted was to gather information on the crew to know about their weaknesses rather than to know about them, then that was not a road he was willing to walk.

The Romulan was standing just inside the entrance and waiting to be acknowledged or something. Well, this was Erix's engine room so it was on him to acknowledge visitors. All Lek had to do was sit and stew about being in the dark.... Again.