"Executive Support"
Previous Post: "Life Is Very Persistent"
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Corridor outside Sickbay
Stardate: 60327.1600
Responding to the news that their CEO had someone materialized in Sickbay without anyone's prior knowledge, the Romulan/Terran hybrid had left what she had been doing and rushed to see what had happened. Arriving at the entrance to the medical bay, the XO was forced to push her way through other members of the crew who had been denied access by the new Sec/Tac officer standing in their way. Realizing that everyone had wanted to see this strange happening, the hybrid had been thankful for the warrior's presence.
Looking up at the Nausicaan the Romulan/Terran hybrid both questioned his presence and ordered him to move aside without uttering a single word. The Sec/Tac officer reluctantly moved aside and offered only a simple explanation by saying, "Captain's orders; senior officers only."
Hearing this, the XO could only guess that the rumors were true and that David would be found behind the closed door, but even this knowledge failed to prepare the Romulan/Terran hybrid for what she would find once inside.
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Sickbay
Stardate: 60327.1605
Walking into the room the Romulan/Terran hybrid felt an eerie coldness wrap around her like a ghost, chilling her blood to the point of making her hesitate to go further. Not being a superstitious woman the XO continued her approach of the bed on which she had determined the CEO had been on based on the number of people that had gathered around it.
Stepping next to the CO the Romulan/Terran hybrid saw for the first time the extent of the truth of the rumors that had surrounded the return of their CEO, David's skin appearing almost blue as if he had been frozen. Not wanting to disturb the CMO who was busy taking care of her patient the XO turned to the Captain and whispered, "What happened?"
Taking her eyes off the inanimate body of their CEO, the CO seemed troubled by her own words, more because of the unexplained nature of her response than anything else. "We don't know, Doctor Summers has so far only been able to determine that David is suffering from extreme hypothermia due to exposure to extreme low temperatures. His skin and lungs are also showing clear cellular indications that he was exposed to a vacuum of some sort."
Adding the information she had been given together the XO could only come up with one scenario that would account for both the extreme cold and vacuum to be experienced at the same time. Making this conclusion and envisioning how the CEO could have landed in such a situation though had been two entirely different things. "How and why would he have been exposed to space?"
Looking momentarily pleased that her XO had figured it out so rapidly the CO returned to her unemotional state before attempting to answer the question of the Romulan/Terran hybrid. "That is the question that Ens. Mei is trying to answer. She and Lt. Fairborn are currently reviewing the last available visual records to see if maybe this was intentional."
Finding it hard to believe that David would have become suicidal, even when faced with the prospect of seeing his career as a Starfleet Officer come to an end, the Romulan/Terran hybrid wasted no time to voice her opinion. "With all due respect Sir, I would be far more inclined to believe that this was Richard's fault. David may be a lot of things, but I doubt that he would have consciously wanted to take his own life."
Jumping into the conversation while still taking care of the medical needs of her patient, the CMO pointed out several details of her examination that supported the XO's statement. "The cellular damage to his skin and lungs show a prolonged exposure to extreme conditions. If David had wanted to kill himself I doubt that he would have wanted to make it last to such an extent. I can only guess that someone wanted him to suffer."
Joining the CMO at the bedside of the ANUBIS' CEO, the ship's Cns added her findings to the mix, further supporting the scenario that Lt. Dawson had been the victim and not the instigator. "It may not have anything to do with someone having wanted to hurt David, but maybe because they had found a way to remove the influence of Richard from him."
Suddenly remembering the suggested plan made by Jaycee and En, the CMO abruptly turned to face Ens. Mei with a look of complete disbelief imprinted on her face. "*They* did this to him? Even after we told them not to?"
Looking at the CMO with puzzlement, the CO asked the question that seemed to be on the lips of everyone in the room. 'Who are 'they' Doctor?"
Appearing ready to answer the CMO held her tongue remembering that no traces of the two sisters had been found in the Bio Chemistry Lab rendering the accusation she had been ready to make an empty one as no proof had or would likely be found to support the theory.
Thinking it best to focus on the present situation instead of trying to lay blame, the ship's Cns pointed out the one detail she hoped would in the end make everything all right. "Whoever did this, and for whatever reason, one thing is certain: Richard is gone."
Looking almost upset at the news the Romulan/Terran hybrid quickly reached for Ens. Mei and pulled her aside to that the rest of their conversation would not be overheard by other members of the senior staff present in the room. "Are you certain?"
Not understanding the XO's reaction, the Cns simply nodded before she gathered her thoughts to offer a verbal addition to her observation. "While Lt. Fairborn was reviewing the visual logs, I compared David's brain scans to those on record. Although his current brain activity is extremely weak, actually almost none existent, it does show a remarkable similarity to those when David was not under the influence of Richard. I thought you would have been happy about this?"
Sighing, the Romulan/Terran hybrid glanced over her shoulder at the motionless man on the medical bed before speaking. "I am, but without any proof that Richard was *inside* David we have lost and all hopes of winning the court-martial."
Realizing that the XO was more than likely correct, the Cns joined the Romulan/Terran hybrid in observing the unconscious man offering what little support she could. "I am sure that we will find a way to clear David. This crew is renowned for beating the odds."
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Serena Switt {serena1141@yahoo.com.au}
Lieutenant Commander Serenna 2005 post #461
Executive Officer
USS ANUBIS
