There's Something Going on Here
Posted on Thu Dec 21st, 2017 @ 4:15am by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Edited on on Thu May 31st, 2018 @ 9:56pm
1,526 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Enemy Within
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1
Timeline: MD002 1700 hrs
Tags: SD 71373.1700
Richard sighed as he stopped in front of Commander Malbrooke's office. He tilted his head for a moment and furrowed his brow deeply as if something just struck him and then pressed the door chime.
Tyler was sitting behind his desk reviewing the latest tactical analysis on the Badlands, he cross referenced it with the intelligence report that he received from Beckett to see if any connection could be made. When the chime went off he turned his terminal away from the door. "Come..." he said and when the doors swished open there stood his Chief Medical Officer. "Doctor Ballston, this is a pleasant surprise. What brings you to the bridge?"
"I have some information that should be shared with you," Richard said as he stepped in, "it is in regards to Ensign T'Rish." He took in a deep breath, "I believe she's about to experience her first Pon farr sir."
Tyler's smile ran from his face. "Doctor have seat..." he went and got himself a cup of the strongest coffee that the replicator could muster. "What has led you to this conclusion?" Tyler asked as he sat back down.
"Ensigh T'Rish came to my quarters roughly three quarters of an hour ago," Richard offered, "I wasn't expecting her but I invited her in." He drew in a breath and added, "I offered her a seat which she took and I went to pour her a glass glass of juice, azzian wine, but before I opened the bottle she appeared to loose her equilibrium. She informed me that her thoughts had been more cloudy and she had periods of what I would call vertigo and it had been going on for the past three days. He nodded and tilted his head, "I escorted her to sickbay where an physical examination was performed. Her hormones are elevated and other physical evidence points towards this. It will be her first Commander and she is not bonded nor does she have a partner."
Tyler sighed, ran his fingers through his hair and then took another sip of his caffeinated sludge. "With all due respect doctor, those symptoms could be anything. Before I redirect this vessel from it's crucial mission I need more, I need indisputable proof that it is Pon Faar. And if it is then what can we due. It would take weeks to reach Vulcan from this sector." Tyler leaned forward on his desk. As much as he cared for the Vulcan ensign right now he had a whole crew and a mission to care for.
"There is no need to change any plans Commander," Richard replied, "she has no one she wishes to bond with so other methods will be implicated to keep any threat it might pose in check." He grinned at the commanding officer, "I do understand that it seems as though I have over reacted but I would rather you be kept abreast on this rather than it coming at a worse time when things are far more critical."
"What praytell are these methods that you will employ? Starfleet and Vulcan diplomatic protocol is quite clear." Tyler's brow furrowed he did not want break protocol but it seemed that the doctor had offered a way out.
"Nothing that violates protocol Commander," Richard replied," There are meditation and medical methods of postponing or resolving Pon farr without another individual."
He then took in another breath, "and there is a possibility seeing it is her first and she is a hybrid that this is a false Pon farr, one that is brought on by exposure to an external source that once eliminated will resolve on its own."
"Do we have any theories as to what this external source would be? Also and perhaps more importantly is she fit for duty?" Now Tyler'a cackles were raised, the concern was evident on his face.
"Just one sir," Richard said seeing the look on the Commander's face. He drew in a breath as he chose his words, "I think I may be the problems."
Tyler sighed... "Explain, and I want to know how you arrived at that conclusion..."
Richard nodded, "There are symptoms of real Pon farr that Ensign T'Rish does not currently exhibit. She does not appear to have a virus, no fevear, no headache but her hormone levels are in the proper elevated range. It is not uncommon for the hormone levels to elevate after the other symptoms occur but not before hand." He drew in breath and continued, "the answer as to how I arrived at my conclusion is more from connecting the dots than from evidence. She seems to be attracted to me and she is acting more like a Betazoid around me then a Vulcan when she is around me."
Drawing in another breath the physician added, "I'm sorry Commander. We have spent some time together, nothing inappropriate but over that time she has become less logical around me."
Tyler sighed and ran his hands through his hair again. "Listen what my crew does on their off time is their business. However, I do expect some discretion from my senior officers. That being said this is her first alleged Pon Faar. That being said I would like the Ensign to treat it in accordance to her beliefs. That is however she wants. In the meantime Doc, get looking into what it is that could be causing this if it is a fake Pon Faar. Is she fit for duty?" This is just what he did not need Tyler thought...
"At the moment I feel she is fit for duty but she will need to be evaluated on a daily basis," Richard responded feeling the stings from the commanding officer's words. "I would like to request that Commander Montgomery take over her case. If I do have anything to do with her condition it would be advisable." He drew in a deep breath and added, "with your permission sir I would like to ask her assistance in verifying if my hormones have anything to do with this and what can be done about it."
"Doctor you are my Chief Medical Officer I will relent to what you feel is best in cases like this. However, I cannot have you bowing out when a crew member is in need, regardless of whether you are the cause or not. We are a family and are in this together. That being said, if you would like to bring Commander Montgomery on as a consult that would be more than fine. If it is revealed that you are the cause then Montgomery will take over care of the Ensign, while you work on a way to keep this from happening and from ever happening again. Let there be no dispute you are in charge of this case." Tyler took a gulp of coffee, he did not believe this, but heavy was the brow that wears the crown he said to himself.
Tyler paused and switched his demeanor to one that was bit softer. "I know from your file that your people have had little contact with Vulcans it is possible that this is a mishap of body chemistry. I would like to be informed of her condition daily, and immediately if the Ensign's condition changes and she is no longer fit for duty. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir," Richard replied with a nod surprised he had managed such a slight rebuke, "I will keep you posted."
"Thank you... Have you or anyone from your world experienced this? Triggering of a chemical reaction in another being before..."
Richard shook his head negatively as he responded to Tylor's question, "Commander I am unaware of any incident where this has happened and from the information I have received from the Azzian Board of Health it has never happened."
Tyler smiled and got up from his desk, he walked around the desk and put a hand on the doctor's shoulder. "Then my good doctor consider this a learning experience. Afterall that is what we are here for. To seek out new life and all that jazz..."
Tyler's smile broadened. "It seems our little Vulcan is growing up, and she has her eyes on you. You could do a hell of a lot worse." He said as he chuckled heartily, "...and relax Doc it is only a woman."
The physician took in a deep breath, "just remember Commander I may be bonded to three women but technically I've only grown up myself a few years ago." A faint smile crossed his face, "this whole thing of women being attracted to me is a rather new phenomena and I can't deny I like it."
"Don't we all doctor, don't we all..." Tyler's thoughts drifted briefly to his wife back at Empok Nor. "Well I think there is a lot to cover here so we should get to it..."
A Joint Post By
Commander Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Richard Ballston M.D. PsyD
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
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