An Unsatisfactory Report

[Nicolas Lepage 0]

Counsellor Davies had left sickbay ten minutes ago. Nick was still poring over the draft of the report he wanted to send to the Rixians. "Advisable to discontinue genetic engineering," he muttered and then cursed under his breath. Somehow Lepage was not satisfied with the report. Davies and he had been working on it for the better part of the day but something was missing. Something essential. The whole thing sounded like it was just a suggestion. It did not quite convey the urgency he felt regarding the matter.

 

Nick sighed and got up. Walking to the replicator he glanced around sickbay. How he wished he could just forget about the whole Rixian thing and go to treat some patients. After all that's what he was good at, that's why he had become a doctor. He had never enjoyed lab work. He had only wanted to continue research on the Rixian Plague because he couldn't stand giving up and not finding a solution to a problem.

 

"Coffee, black." Lepage grabbed the mug, turned around and leaned against the bulkhead next to the replicator. Why hadn't he listened to his family. He should have become a surgeon and stayed on Earth. There would have been no danger of his ever getting near a lab for the rest of his life. Now he was standing here, irritated, despondent, exhausted and still annoyed with the Captain. What he needed now was a friend, someone he could have a drink with and who'd listen to him abuse Ayers to vent his anger. The only problem was that with all the work he didn't really have time to make friends. "I definitely have to get my priorities straight," he said to himself as he walked back to the desk.

 

Picking up the PADD again Nick was just about to start re-reading the report for what felt like the 100th time. But then he realised that there was simply no use in it. So he tossed the PADD back onto the desk. What the heck he'd just send it and see what happens. As Doctor McKinny had already said, they'd probably have to try several times anyway and this report was a start. It might not be perfect but it was definitely better than nothing. And who knows maybe this very report was already going to change things.

 

Nick laughed humourlessly. "I'm not holding my breath," he said as he leaned back in his chair. He would show the report to DJ when she'd come back from her little chat with the Captain. Until then he should take a short break. He had definitely deserved it.