Contagion - Chapter 6

Posted on Sun Aug 27th, 2023 @ 7:54pm by Lieutenant Commander Melanie D’BrooNi- Haistro & Lieutenant JG Lyras
Edited on on Sun Sep 24th, 2023 @ 5:28pm

1,392 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 6 - Point Of Enlightenment
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: After "like shattered glass", prior to the other contagion posts

ON:

"Commander do you have any other symptoms additional to fever?" Mel asked as they headed for the nearest turbo lift.

Tia pondered whether or not to reveal it, but if she was going to sickbay she may as well. "I have been coughing up spots of blood." she admitted. "Maybe a little delirium, but that's probably due to my fever."

Upon returning to sickbay Mel had an idea of the additional tests she was going to run and was about to start issuing orders but the face of her head nurse and other resident doctor on shift cut her off.

"Thank goodness your back Mel. Lyras has taken a turn for the worse. We ruled out Kzinti poison and a heap of other things. Your not going to believe what the computer has determined it as," the nurse said.

"Tell me," Mel answered indicating Tia go sit on the nearest biobed.

"Symbalene blood burn," she said.

"If it was that we would have a full on pandemic," Mel said not following.

"The computer is breaking down the coding now," the other doctor said. "Its modified and by the looks of Lyras worse for anyone with Vulcan DNA."

Mel blinked rapidly, "Alert the Commodore and Commander," she said to Tia, "alert your team. We need input into whether you want me to issue the order to lock down. So far we only have one case we know of."

Tia sent out a quick communique to Captain Holt and Commodore Haistro informing them of the identification of the blood burn and that everyone that had came into contact with herself and Lyras, even Adams should report for a scan. Lockdown would not be far behind.

"For the moment we will take a higher level of precautions," she ordered.

"We already put up a containing forcefield and started testing to see if anyone else in here was showing any indication of the virus," the nurse answered.

"Take me to him,"

Lyras couldn't remember ever having felt this miserable before. He pushed himself up into a sitting position, or at least tried to, leaving bloody palm prints on the sheets. His hair was plastered to his face and it was evident he was very sick. "Doctor," he managed, his blue eyes bright with fever. "How did I get this sick? What is it? How...." His memory was in a jumble and he couldn't place anything in a correct order of events.

Tia shuffled over to Lyras and Mel, a tickle of a cough on the way over. She heard Lyras ask the question. "Those vials..." Tia thought out loud.

“You have been exposed to a modified version of Symbalene blood burn. And if you suspect the vials from your report we need to do a lot more deeper testing. It was masking like other symptoms. You might have it too Tia,” she said.

"Sym-" Lyras started, face draining of all colour. "I got the liquid all over me. I had open wounds.... There's no cure is there? How modified is it?" His voice sounded thick and he dabbed carefully at his nose, looking at the green spots on his fingers. How did he remember this, but not exactly how he got it all over him? Why was it all so jumbled. "I feel so hot...why is it so hot in here?"

"Not yet," Mel said. "And we don't know. We have science anaylsing everything right now trying to find answers. The thing is Lyras this kills fast. It must be very modified for you to still be with us and there must be a reason behind its existence."

She looked at the other doctor, "drop the temperature in this room. Lets try make Lyras more comfortable while we run the tests. I'm going to make a call to a colleague. She's part of the Flox medical group researching protentional new cures. There may be some options were not aware of yet."

Well that was hopeful.... "How long do I have?" He finally asked, unable to keep the fear out of his voice.

"You know thats difficult to say. We have too many unknown variables Lyras," Mel said honestly. "Hopefully we will find a cure and that question not be necessary."

"And what about me?" Tia asked feeling a little forgotten about. Lyras had became quite animated at the announcement, and quite rightly so, but she was surprised that him being a doctor himself he did not keep some of his composure.

"Your getting your own bed and being tested for this too. Deeper level tests and I'm suspending you from work and going elsewhere in the station until we are happy you pose no risk. I'm sorry Commander but we cannot take any chances," Mel said firmly. "Everything will be done to keep both of you comfortable."

"I wasn't suggesting that I go anywhere Doctor." Tia replied. "I am firmly in your hands and care until you deem otherwise." she coughed and a little smear of blood could be seen at the side of her mouth as she wiped it. "I am sure Lyras needs more medical care than I do... I just feel like I have a fever."

"That's no fever if your coughing blood," Mel said firmly. "Sit," she indicated the bed. "How long has that been happening?"

"Since my time on the freighter." Tia replied. "It has never been more than an annoyance really. I assumed it would pass."

Mel frowned as she activated the controls in the next bed. "You have it too. Well its similar but different. Milder symptoms. More an annoyance. Like its designed to do enough to both your systems. My guess Tia, your a carrier. Its like Lyras - it is designed to attack his DNA further. Slowly."

She turned round and looked pensive. "I think what we have here is a modified biological weapon,"

"That makes sense." Tia nodded understanding the gravity of the situation. "Shouldn't this have been picked up during our initial check up when we returned from the away mission?" she asked. "I'm no doctor, and maybe there was some delay but this fever is quite deadly and I am surprised it was not found much quicker than now."

"It did for me," Lyras managed between haggard gasps for breath, "I already was sick. They kept me here...." Fevered blue eyes looked up at the woman. "I took the brunt of it, I was covered. You were not. Makes sense it took a while for you even with this virulency." The hybrid coughed, wincing in pain. "I can't breathe, it hurts."

"It's not a competition doctor." Tia said to Lyras as she noticed his deteriorating condition. "I think it best to focus on Lyras though at the moment. I am sure I'll be fine for the time being."

"I know it isn't," the Vulcan whispered, "I'm just explaining...."

"The reason it wasn't picked up is this disease is fast. And its modified," Mel said. "We should have had physical observations of it. Its not one normally scanned for unless there's a significant amount of blood loss.

Anyway what can we do to get you both more comfortable. Tia is there anyone you want calling?" she asked.

"The only person that I really have is Niska..." Tia looked down at her feet at the realisation that aside from the Orion she was alone here. "I had, have a daughter... but I've not reached out to her here in this universe. I don't think either of us is ready for that."

Fevered eyes glanced at the woman. "At least you have someone," Lyras managed as he struggled to sit up, leaving bloodied handprints on the sheets. "I have noone, I am alone."

Mel wanted so badly to physically comfort Lyras but could not due to the force field. "I'm sorry," she said softly. "You have us. Your work colleagues. I know its nothing in comparison to a proper family but know we care about your wellbeing."

She looked at Tia. "I'll speak with Niska. She may need testing. When did you last see her?"

"Probably not long after I returned from the away mission." Tia admitted. "It's probably best to get her tested, I wouldn't want to have infected her with anything."

Mel nodded. "Okay lets get you both as comfortable as possible."

OFF:

 

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