Post 310: The Party is Over

Stardate:70722.1255
Title: The Party is Over
Author: Acting Captain Zanh
Scene: Deck 12
Time: Following "Old Fashioned Holodeck Cuttin' Part Two" and concurrent with "The Spider and the Hornet's Nest"
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Xhian, Salvek and Lair disappeared down the corridor, hurrying on their way to the main computer core on deck fifteen.

Dabin Reece helped N'Dura and Margolis bring the limp form of Micah Samson out through the hole in the holodeck and then down through the Jeffries tube, into the corridor. It took some doing to move the strapping lieutenant through the tight spaces with him being out cold, and they all huffed and puffed as they finally set him down onto the floor.

A moment later, Dr. Trind appeared, with February Grace trailing behind her. "We need to get him to Sickbay," Trind remarked.

Lily T'Ana and Angus MacDougal, who had come out the first hole blasted in the holodeck, assisted in moving the injured scientist. TC Blane stood nearby and also prepared to offer assistance, but was stopped by a voice behind him.

"TC, Sunshine won't come out of the deck. We tried everything. He won't give up looking for you." February said softly, and TC turned, startled.

"What?"

"Your dog. He won't give up looking for you. You have to go get him."

TC shook his head, and moved past the others and back into the Jeffries tube. "My dog," he repeated incredulously. Sunshine really believed he was Blane's dog already and was displaying loyalty without question. Amazing.

TC couldn't help but smile at the thought. "Well, I guess I better get him, then."

"Lily, be sure that Micah doesn't hit his head while you're all shuffling him around." Trind requested. "I'll be right behind you." The doctor waited until the immediate area had cleared of all except Zanh, herself and Grace before speaking again.

"Captain, I need to inform you that it's imperative that Lt. Grace get to Trill, immediately. Her vision has completely failed and I believe that only with care on our homeworld is there a chance of saving it."

"Oh no, Gracie. What happened to you?" Zanh reached out and patted February on the arm. "Can't have our clutch pilot out of commission.
We're currently headed for Trill, and I happen to know someone who is taking a runabout that way soon as we're close enough to the planet. You can hitch a lift. They'll fix you right up, don't worry."

"Thank you, Captain. I apologize for the inconvenience," February stuttered.

"Never you mind, Specs. Just hurry up and get better by the time we get the ship repaired and all is forgiven." Zanh sighed. "What about Samson?"

"He went into the drink and it tried to drown him. Safeties were off apparently." Trind replied.

"Apparently." Zanh really looked at K'Pajek for the first time, as he conferred with some security personnel a ways up the corridor.

"Commander! See to those injuries." Zanh ordered, and K'Pajek moved to raise his hand in protest.

"Don't even. Go. That's an order." Zanh concluded, hands on her hips. The Klingon nodded, and finally retreated toward Sickbay.

"See to him, and Samson please, doctor. Render any aid you can, and if it turns out either needs to go to Trill we can send them along, too."

"I think they'll be all right here, but thank you, Captain. I'll keep you advised." Trind patted February on the back. "You can go back to your quarters, February, for now. I'll come see you and we'll get you to Trill as soon as we can. Can you make sure she gets there?" Trind asked Zanh.

"I'll take care of it." She raised her transceiver and called for security. Everyone who had not been on the holodeck had been recalled to duty when the red alert had sounded earlier, including one Ensign Simon Biggs.

"Biggles, this is Zanh. Meet me on Deck 12- someone needs an escort back to quarters."

[On my way.]

"Zanh to bridge," she opened a channel again.

[Gilmore.]

"I will be returning shortly, just one small detail to see to. Salvek and his team are working on isolating the virus."

[Very well, I await your return. Keep us advised. Gilmore out.]

Up the hallway, as the group carried Micah Samson toward Sickbay, Dabin Reece's brain clicked with a bit of information it had previously overlooked.

"Lily. Hmm." He said to the woman who moved beside him, holding one of Samson's flopping arms. "Lily T'Ana?"

"Yes," Lily counted the pips on Reece's collar. One. Two. Three. "Sir?"

"I'm here to conduct your performance review," Reece said, wiggling his eyebrows. "Let's drop off Rip Van Winkle over here and get down to it. I've got a runabout to catch."

"Will it take long?" Lily asked, feeling a bit unnerved.

"Not any longer than absolutely necessary, I assure you." Reece replied, flipping his bangs back out of his eyes.

They approached Sickbay and found that the doors did not open as they walked over the sensors in the deck. They were forced to set Micah Samson down on the floor yet again. After blowing the security panel out with a phaser and then pulling the emergency release lever, it took every set of hands present to pry the doors apart.

When they finally got inside they found a stunned Dr. McBrayne sitting on the edge of her desk. In her hand there was a laser scalpel and beside her, the remnants of a charred holo-emitter.

"What the hell?" Angus exclaimed as they hoisted Micah onto a bio bed.

"Doctor, are you all right?" Lily asked, rushing over and putting her hand on McBrayne's arm.

"The EMH," McBrayne replied slowly. "It was malfunctioning."

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Zanh Liis
Acting CO
USS Independence NCC-90791