Medical Emergency

Posted on Fri Apr 10th, 2026 @ 10:39pm by Lieutenant Commander Deanna Celes & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Samantha Howard & Lieutenant Commander Callie Raven-Grayson

1,177 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Shuttle Incident
Location: USS Washington

The Washington had arrived at the planet Loras and taken up a high orbit. Deanna had functioned as liaison between Sam and Jon to get things prepared for the medical emergency. The ship was as prepared as possible when they arrived. They launched the buoy to ward off anyone and then readied themselves to start the work.

Jon sat in the center seat as those around him did their duty and tended to their stations. He waited for Sam to give him an update on the disease but realized it may be sometime before she did. So he waited and thought if he had missed anything.

Sam meanwhile poured over the data - she'd analysed as much of it as she could in the short space of time - but was somewhat shocked at the limiting nature. Truth be told when everything was going wrong, there was little time to jot down any notes - which then made the next person's job even more difficult. What she really needed was a specimen she could study - from go to whoa - to understand the nature of this bioweapon, if she had any hope of formulating an antidote. She stood, stretching and headed for the bridge, knowing that Jon wasn't going to like what she was going to propose.

Jon motioned Deanna over, "What do you think Deanna? An unfortunate biological incident or deliberate act of terrorism?"

Deanna was sitting in Jon's normal seat. It always felt strange to her sitting here, functioning as XO. She was used to be 2XO, occasionally she commanded the ship, but she was a scientist and operations officer at heart. She enjoyed solving the problems, not leaving it to others to solve. She offered a contemplative look with a slight smile to Jon. She spoke softly so as to not inform everyone of her thoughts, "Biogenic weapons aren't natural, and I fully believe that to be what is being dealt with. It isn't the fact that this is happening concerns me, but the why behind it. Once Sam confirms this an act of bioterrorism, she will begin her work, but we have to discover the ulterior motives."

Jon valued Deanna's insight and advice. "Agreed. i can think of one motive right now. Conquest. Blackmail, pay for a vaccine or die and keep paying as the price gets steeper all the time."

"Conquest, possibly, but unwise. Blackmail, unlikely. You'd have to be quite ignorant to attempt to blackmail a Federation world, even one on the frontier" Deanna replied. She was definitely considering options, "My concern is that this is a diversion for something else."

"Unwise or not. They still need to be considered, evaluated and looked into as far as being plausible." Jon answered.

Sam arrived on the bridge and approached the two officers in the center chair, drawing a deep breath.

"It's not good news, the bio-pathogen isn't native to this planet, and it's killing them - quickly. Problem is when stuff like this happens - the medical staff spend more time trying to save lives than writing notes. The information they sent me is.... very limited. We need to go down there - full hazmat protocols. I need samples, I need to speak to the medical staff, I need to see what's happening - really happening - not what they have time to write down."

Deanna nodded. "I wish there was another way, but I think Sam is right. I'll accompany you, and we should send Callie to assist with information gathering, and Dr. Sakonna has a background in genetics and virology. Dr. Perrim can remain here and assist Shon with any medical preparations that are needed."

Jon hesitated. He knew the need for Sam to be on the surface but Deanna and Callie as well? All the people whose opinion and advice he trusted would be on the surface leaving him to deal with Perrim. To say he wasn't happy would be an understatement.

"What's wrong Jon?" Sam asked, not sure what was eliciting the unhappy expression on his face.

Deanna offered a soft chuckle. "He is dealing with the one of the unseen burdens of command."

Sam looked confused for a moment, then shrugged her shoulders, turning and heading back towards the turbolift to get ready for the away team.

"What?" Jon asked, started then offered a sheepish smile. "You got it Deanna, that and other things." He said guardedly.

Deanna looked to Jon, "I'll let you inform Callie to meet us to get her E.V. suit before we go." She made her way to the turbolift, giving a look to Ibarra and Kuzma which they understood, ready to assist Cmdr Grayson however necessary.

Jon nodded but added. "I'm going to have Callie stay on the ship so she can monitor you and Sam and whomever else you take with you. it also gives me a person whose opinion and advice I trust."

The turbolift closed and it began to move. Deanna looked to Sam, "Besides Sakonna, what else do you need to get from sickbay before we suit up?"

"Biohazard specimen containers, and a backup broad spectrum anti-everything booster hypo. Anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial - it's a last stand if anyone gets compromised. We all need full biosuits, level 10. I know Jon's not gonna let me bring any people back, so we need to gather as much data on this little beastie as we can" Sam explained as the turbolift stopped near sickbay.

Deanna looked at Sakonna as they entered sickbay. "Good news Sakonna, you have been drafted to help solve a global pandemic."

Sakonna arched an eyebrow in true Vulcan form. "Fascinating. I shall prepare my necessary equipment immediately."

As Deanna and Sam exited the bridge, Jon tapped his comm badge. "Callie report to the bridge please."

“On my way” Callie responded as she set off from her office.

30 minutes later the away team stood in the transporter room, biosuits on with only the final seals remaining before they beamed down to the planet.

"Everyone ready?" Sam asked, fastening the pressure seal on her helmet and motioning for Deanna to check it.

Deanna checked her and saw everything was good. She looked back at Sakonna and saw she was ready as well. "Looks like we are ready" she said calmly.

Arriving on the bridge Callie smiled as she walked across to John. “Reporting as requested, what’s going on?”

"Have a seat," Jon replied as Callie stood in front of him. "We're in orbit above Loras. It is being besieged by some unknown illness. It could be a biological weapon. Sam, Deanna and a few other medical personnel are going down in environmental suits to see what they can find out." He paused and then continued, "I need you to monitor them and the situation."

“I can do that, but wouldn’t it be easier if I simply went down with the team?” Callie asked curiously.

Jon shook his head. "I need someone here whose opinion and advice I trust and isn't afraid of being honest."


TBC

 

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