A Part of Life

[DrDMatthews 0]

"You're kidding!"

      "I wish I was." Debbie looked up just in time to stop Rocco from uttering a string of vulgar profanities.    

      "We're already bursting at the seams! The Starbase is right around the corner! Why can't they take care of it?"

      "They've been quarantined."

      "Quarantined?"  

      Debbie held up her hands in frustration, her voice rising. "I don't know why so don't bother asking. If I did, I would certainly tell you."

      Well, this is great....just great!"

 

      The CMO pushed away from her desk and quickly rose to her feet leaving the chair to bounce off the wall behind her. She clasped her hands tightly in front of her as she rounded the desk and stood directly in front of Rocco Studly.

 

     "What do you know?" asked Rocco softly.

      Debbie shook her head sadly. "For some reason, Starfleet has slapped a quarantine on the Starbase. They refused our request for details. I don't know if this so called quarantine is medical related or some sort of security procedure."

      "We were just there. If it's medical related, shouldn't they tell us what to look out for...just in case we were exposed?"

      "One would think so." She looked at Studly knowingly.

      "You don't think it's medical related?"

      Debbie shook her head. "No, I don't. I think they've locked down the entire base. They're calling it a quarantine so as not to alarm every ship in the sector."

 

      Rocco turned on his heel and paced to the far wall of Debbie's office. It only took him a couple of steps. Debbie remained where she was and waited for her long time assistant to turn around. When he finally did, Studly simply stared at his superior officer. He didn't have to say anything. Debbie knew by the look in his eyes exactly what he was thinking.

 

      "I don't like it either," offered Debbie in a barely audible voice. "But we have to do this. We owe it to the survivors and to the families of those poor souls still over there."

 

      Rocco lifted both hands and gingerly rubbed his temples. "I don't like death."

      "Neither do I. We're in business to save lives. Death implies failure....and failure is hard to accept."

      She took a step closer to her old friend and colleague. "There is precious little atmosphere left on Cairo. Soon, everything on that ship will be frozen solid. We need to move quickly before the environment makes this task even more difficult."

      Rocco nodded but made no effort to move. "It won't take much to prepare cargo bay two.  Brian recorded the location of every body over there so we can probably make do with two teams on the Cairo."

      "I agree. Transport them directly to the morgue. We'll have a team standing by over here to begin working on cause of death and identification."

 

      A long pause followed as the physicians began the difficult task of mentally preparing themselves for the gruesome job ahead. Finally, Rocco moved toward the office door.

      "I'd better get started. I'll let you know when I have the teams assembled."

      "Please do. And one thing more before you go, I think Commander Ridire may know one of them."

      "One of the deceased?"

      "Yes."

      "Why do you think that?"

      "Something he said. Let's try to find out who she is."

      "She? What makes you think it's a she?"

      Debbie shrugged. "The way he said it."

      "Oh this just gets better by the minute," sighed Studly as he approached the door. "I'll see what I can find out. But you may have a better chance than I of uncovering this one."

 

      With that, Rocco Studly and Debbie Matthews entered main Sickbay. Both hesitated a moment and looked around the spacious room, now crowded with patients from the Cairo. These were the fortunate ones, the survivors.

 

      "Rocco, please remember something. A long time ago, someone told me that death is a part of life. How you deal with death is just as important as how you deal with life."

      Studly smiled warmly. "Nice words. Who said that?"

      Debbie shook her head and returned his smile. "I don't remember...but they're good words."

[dr_kmills 0]

Very Good Deb.. Very good..... Nice Log..... Very interesting....

 

- Mills

 

Live Long And Prosper Deb  :(  :)  :)