"Broken Images"

[Avery Tynte 0]

Lieutenant, Junior Grade Avery Tynte

Assistant Medical Officer

USS Arcadia NCC1742-E

 

Lieutenant, Junior Grade Miranda Porter

Assistant Medical Officer

USS Arcadia NCC1742-E

 

Avery stood there, watching the screen. In just a few moments the results would be back. Miranda and he would know…would know what exactly it was their chief had begun taking, exactly what had brought them to the point of riffling through Andrea's office.

 

Miranda saw the small light on the machine flash. Looking up at Avery she let out a long breath. "Here goes nothing." She tapped a small button and then quickly stopped and looked puzzled at Ty. "I just don't get it, why would she do something like this?"

 

He let out a mournful sigh. "Why does anyone turn to things like these Miranda?" He shrugged. "Pressure can get to us all." And Andrea had been under pressure. Pressure that would have made even a Vulcan crack long ago. He watched as Miranda brought up the results on the small screen.

 

She nodded slightly. "Yeah I know, I just don't get it, I guess." Turning back to the results she brought them up on a small screen that she and Ty stared at for a moment.

 

Miranda tilted her head slightly as she read over the results. "Well at least it is not as bad as it could have been"

 

"True, very true." Avery replied, as he read the results. "Caffeine...." He sighed, "Energy in a ampoule." Then he noticed something. "That's not all though. You see that?" He pointed at a few lines of text on the screen.

 

She looked a little closer at the screen. "Yeah it seems there are slight traces of a morphine like substance. That can't be right." She put the small sample back in the machine "Computer check results again."

 

A slight tone was the computer's response. The tests were run again. The results scrolled across the screen. "Identical..."Avery said slowly...not wanting to believe it. "That is not morphine though. Any ideas?"

 

Miranda stepped back from the machine and sat down on a nearby chair. "It’s a form of narcotic. A close relation to morphine. We should check medical records to see if anything is missing from the supply closet." She closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Then to now one in particular she said, "Yes that is what we should do."

 

Avery leaned against a nearby wall half closing his eyes as well. "You know...we are trained for years. Taught to deal with things like this...taught to help...to heal. But you…your just never are prepared for it so close..." He sighed. "We should check the closets…see what is missing." He repeated, twisting his lips a bit. "That is what we will do."

 

Miranda stood up and crossed to a workstation. She pulled up a supply list and held it out for Ty. "Here is a copy of what should be in there. Let’s see what is missing." She paused and the looked at Ty with a hurt look in her eyes. "More than anything I am upset. I would follow her into hell, but now I can't even... it just hurts."

 

Avery walked over to Miranda, took the list from her and grasped her left arm in his right hand. "This is hell for Andrea. But if we have to burn right along with her, we will pull her back Miranda." Avery had not been here long, true. But he knew...he just knew Andrea was beyond this. And she would get through. They just had to be there, be a friend, an ear...even a crutch if she needed it. He looked Miranda in the eye. "I admit I have not known Andrea as long as you have, but rest assured. Where this goes, I will follow."

 

Miranda nodded slowly. "Yeah, your right." A smile crept across her face. "Hey now aren't I the once suppose to be cheering you up?" She took the padd back from Ty and in a stern voice she said "Since Andrea left me in charge it is my duty to order you to help me look over the medical supplies. We will get through this and be fine."

 

Avery smiled a bit at Miranda's change in demeanor. "Aye aye, ma'am." He motioned towards the supply closets. "Ladies first."