A Couple Of Questions

[DrDMatthews 0]

Lieutenant Aerso slowly arose from his chair when Debbie re-entered the office. The man was clearly exhausted.

      "As you were, Mr. Aerso, " said Debbie as she took a seat in the chair beside him. When Brian Smith returned from the Cairo, he said Commander Ridire wanted to talk to 'the engineer.'  Debbie needed to find out if this man was the engineer in question.

       "I need to ask you a couple of questions. You may not feel up to it right now, but it's very imporatant."

      "I'm okay."

      He was lying and she knew it.

      "We had a couple of away teams on the Cairo."

      "I know. I met your Chief Engineer."

      Debbie resisted the urge to warn the young Bajoran that not everyone on Reaent was like George McLean. "Yes, I believe it was his team that located you and the others."

      "Have you found any more of us?"

     

      And there it was. The dreaded question. Debbie had known Aerso would ask it sooner or later even if, deep down, he already knew the answer. Debbie drew a breath and managed to look the Bajoran in the eye.

 

      "Shortly before you arrived, two of your crew were transported over....a Klingon and an Andorian. They were both found in a closet. We aren't sure of their identities yet."

      Aerso smiled warmly. "Dargas and Manilan."

      "Excuse me?"

      "They are probably Ensigns Dargas and Manilan. Believe it or not, those two are best friends."

      Debbie wrinkled her brow. "That's an unsual combination."

      The Cario's engineer nodded slowy. "Yes, very unusual. They fight all the time but they're really good friends....always look out for each other.  Are they okay?"

      "They suffered a few burns but we expect full recoveries for both of them. Are they also engineers?"

      "No," replied Aerso, shaking his head. "Security." He shifted uneasily in his chair.  "Were they the only others you found?"

 

      There was no point beating around the bush. "I'm afraid so."

      Lieutenant Aerso said nothing. He took a deep breath and his shoulders slumped a little more. He looked away from Debbie. After a long pause, he commented on one of the framed photos hanging on the far wall.

      "Strange picture for a doctor's office."

      "I know, but I grew up there. I have a lot of fond memories of Utopia. That picture makes me smile every time I look at it. And in my line of work, I need all the smile time I can get."

      "I've been there a couple of times."

      "It's an engineer's paradise."

      "So who in your family was the engineer?"

      "My Grandfather. My Grandparents raised me. I can't begin to tell you how much time I spent in that shipyard. Granddad is retired now but he still hangs out on Utopia with his buddies."

 

      Aerso suddenly turned in his chair and looked at Debbie. "Then maybe you know a little of how I feel right now."

      Debbie leaned back and swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yes, I think I know."

 

      Captains were fond of claiming ownership of their vessels. But everyone aboard, from the CO on down, knew each starship really belonged to her engineers. When a disaster of this magnitude occured, everyone aboard took it personally. But for the engineers, it went way beyond personal. This was a wound so deep and so painful, there were no words in any language to describe it.

 

      Lieutenant Aerso was now experiencing an engineer's worst nightmare. There was no easy cure or quick recovery from this malady. The Bajoran pushed himself to his feet.

      "Something killed my ship. I have to find out what happened."

      Debbie slowly stood and faced the Bajoran. "You appear to be the sole suvivor from engineering. Captain Michaels and Commander Ridire would like to talk to you."

     

      Aerso's face brightened slightly. He seemed amenable to speaking to the Reaent's commanding officers. "And I would like to talk to them. We need to begin this investigation immediately."

      "I'll let them know. In the meantime, wait here."

 

      Debbie walked across the small office toward the door. She hesitated a moment and then turned to again face the Bajoran engineer. "I have one question I'd really like to ask, if you don't mind."

      "Of course, what is it?

      The CMO paused, wondering if it was appropriate for her to discuss this with Aerso. Her curiousity got the best of her in less than 15 seconds.

      "Why are the Cario's starboard cargo bay doors open?"

 

      Lt. Areso looked at her in total disbelief. "They aren't open."

      Debbie bit her lip and nodded slightly. "Yes they are.....over half way open. And it appears something exploded just outside that cargo bay."

 

      The CMO was looking directly at her Bajoran patient. As her words sank in, she witnessed a startling transformation. Gone was the exhaustion and grief so evident in his dark eyes only a moment earlier. Now, he was literally seething.

 

      Aerso muttered something in his native language. Remembering Debbie was present, he quickly apologized.

      "I'm sorry, I meant no offense to you."

      Debbie shurgged. "No offense taken but don't bother translating. I'll call the Captain."