Nbanga nodded. “Captain, I wondered the same thing. If it is a poison, it’s not one in the Federation database. My scans detect no alien chemicals in the systems of the victims.”
Spock steepled his fingers and his expression was grave. “Let us hypothesize for the moment that we are dealing with a disease, then. Have you been able to isolate any kind of contagion vector?”
“No, Sir. People have been taken ill on different decks, at different times, and, while some of them were in physical proximity to each other, at least two cadets who had been off duty in their quarters, asleep, came down sick. I can’t account for the spread, Captain.”
“What is Doctor Mukaro’s condition?”
“We’re doing everything we can, Sir, but it’s worsening steadily.” She hesitated. “For any kind of severe intestinal disorder, the elderly are at greater risk. Dehydration and exhaustion can prove life-threatening, especially in older people.”
“Is the doctor conscious?”
“On and off, Captain, but his fever is so high he’s not lucid.”
Spock ran his eyes down the roster of those who had been taken sick, and then raised an eyebrow. “All of these people are human,” he said. “Not a single nonhuman has been affected.”
Nbanga’s eyes widened. “That’s right! How could I have not realized?”
“Nurse Nbanga, you have been occupied,” Spock said, noting the trainee’s stricken expression. “Any condition with such a swift onset requires concentrated study. Caring for violently ill people leaves little time for analysis.” He turned to Rrelthiz. “Doctor Rrelthiz, can you take over medical testing and analysis for Nurse Nbanga, leaving her free to supervise her medical techs? Cadet Saavik will assist you. If this condition is indeed only contracted by humans, then we shall need to mobilize the nonhuman crew members.”
The little alien inclined her head. “Honored I will be to help in any way possible, Captain. This is so distressing! Is it possible the mission should be aborted, so traveling to better facilities will be possible?”
“I will be contacting Starfleet Command,” Spock said, and Saavik looked up at the grim note in his voice. “However, Doctor Rrelthiz, Starfleet regulations do not permit us to dock at any Starbase or go into orbit around any Federation world until we have eliminated the possibility of an unknown pathogen.”
Rrelthiz waved her slender, taloned hands in distress. “But … surely they can send help!”
“Doctor, we are four days’ travel from the nearest Starbase.” He paused. “We cannot count on outside help to solve this problem. Logic dictates we must spare no effort to find the cause and cure ourselves.”
The Vulcan left Saavik and Rrelthiz poring over the readouts in the medical lab, while Nurse Nbanga bustled around, ordering her med-techs to set up pallets on the decks. As he headed for the turbolift, he rounded a corner to see one of the senior crew members, Chief Engineer Jaansen, staggering towards sickbay. Spock managed to catch him before he could fall, then paged sickbay for a medical team.
When he reached the bridge, he found that half the crew there were now nonhumans. Checking in with Nurse Nbanga, she told him that another five cases had been admitted in the past half hour.
Spock looked over at the cadet who was manning the communicator. “Cadet Theron,” he ordered, “Contact Starbase 5.”
Four hours later, Saavik straightened up, shaking her head. “This is not accomplishing anything. The data are contradictory. Perhaps it would help to interview the victims, try to identify an environmental reason for the onset.”
“Agreed,” Rrelthiz said, hissing in what Saavik had come to realize was distress. “Some of these readouts … something about them…” she hissed again. “Something that I cannot put my digits upon! But it is there, dancing in my forebrain.”
Saavik understood what the little alien was trying to say. “I know. I’ll be back soon,” she said, taking her tricorder and heading for the door leading into sickbay.
The door slid aside, and Saavik stepped through it into a nightmare. The deck was crowded with pallets, and the sounds of moaning and retching filled the air. Saavik took an involuntary step back, and it took all the Vulcan discipline she’d learned not to react. Despite the earnest efforts of the med-techs and the cleaning equipment, the deck beneath her feet was damp and the smell … Saavik swallowed, breathed through her mouth, and began walking.
“Nurse Nbanga…” Saavik said, seeing the young woman’s back, as she stood beside one of the diagnostic beds, “I wish to—”
Nbanga swung around, and Saavik stopped in midword. The nurse’s dark features were streaked with tears, and it was clear she was about to break down completely. “What is it?” Saavik asked.
The trainee sobbed, then tried to regain her composure, swiping at her face. “It’s … it’s…” she gulped, then gestured at the figure on the bed. As Saavik stepped around her, she straightened her shoulders, then took a deep breath, then pulled the silvery sheet up over Doctor Mukaro’s still features.
“He’s gone,” she said, struggling for control. “He was such a nice man. I tried, but he just went downhill so fast….”
“I am sure you did everything you could, Nurse,” Saavik said, searching her memory for the appropriate human phrases.
“I need to tell Captain Spock,” Nbanga muttered. “What are we going to do? Six of my med-techs are sick, now. I had to request nonhuman trainees to fill in for them, and they don’t know anything about caring for sick humans. Sickbay is full. We’re going to have to start putting them on blankets in the corridor.”
Saavik gazed around at the chaos. Only three human med-techs were left. The nonhuman “recruits” stood in the middle of the room, clearly uncomfortable with their new roles. Four burly Tellarites, plus an Andorian and a Vulcan. “Go and speak to the captain,” she told Nbanga. “I shall oversee setting up additional pallets, as you suggest.”
Nbanga gave her a grateful glance. “Thank you, Saavik. I’ll be back in just a few minutes.”
Saavik watched her leave, then stood there, summoning her resolve. If Spock can command Tellarites, so can I….
She strode over to the group, then beckoned to the human med-techs to join them. The humans were obviously on the verge of exhaustion. Saavik regarded them. “These trainees will be helping you. I am assigning two trainees to each of you. Instruct them in what to do, then supervise them. When you can, get some rest.”
“Just a moment,” one of the Tellarite females spoke up. “Who put a second-year in charge here? We’re upperclass. One of us should be giving the orders, Vulcan.”
“I will take charge,” the Tellarite male said to the female. “I outrank you in cadet standing.”
“It is not logical to argue,” the Vulcan trainee said. “We have our duty.”
“Vulcans!” sneered the Andorian. “Why don’t you use logic to figure out what’s gone wrong here?”
The third Tellarite snorted loudly. “You two have no idea how this should be organized. I, on the other hand…”
“Quiet,” Saavik said, not loudly, but in a tone that stopped the big alien as though he’d been punched in his snout. “We are going to work together to get through this crisis. The captain has appointed me acting science officer, since Lieutenant Kelly collapsed. That means I am in charge of duty assignments here. You two,” she pointed at the first Tellarite and the Andorian, “go with med-tech…” she peered at the nametag, “Robinson. You two,” she pointed at the Vulcan and the second Tellarite, “go with technician Greentree. And you two,” she pointed at the remaining two Tellarites, “will assist technician Yamamoto. Any questions?”
The biggest of the female Tellarites bristled at her and opened her mouth. Saavik carefully didn’t look at her. “Good, then. I know Captain Spock will appreciate your willingness to assist. I shall be sure to mention your names when I report to him. Your crewmates need you. Dismissed.”
For a second, none of them moved, and Saavik thought it wasn
’t going to work. Then, slowly, they dispersed, each with their assigned tech. Saavik watched them go, and could hardly believe it. Tellarites, giving up on an argument? I must have said something right….
Grabbing her tricorder, she went looking for cadets that were still capable of speaking, determined to find out exactly what each of them had been doing before he or she had fallen ill. As she spoke to cadets, Saavik kept an eye on the work crews and was pleased to see that each of the aliens was working diligently to assist the human med-techs….
An hour and a half hour later, Spock faced the strained young faces across the table in the Enterprise’s briefing room and knew without asking that there was more bad news. “Nurse Nbanga?”
“Captain, there’s been another death, Sir,” she said. “Cadet Mikala Martinez. I … she…” she shook her head and fell silent.
“Understood, Nurse Nbanga,” Spock said. “What is the total number of cases now!”
“As of ten minutes ago, we had 158 down sick. Six are in critical condition, Sir,” she reported.
“How are you progressing on treating the condition?”
“We’ve established procedures, and they are helping in some of the cases. The teams Saavik organized have been a big help.”
Spock felt a momentary flare of pride. I knew she had command ability….
“But Captain Spock, we’re running low on medical supplies,” she added. “By tomorrow, we’ll be out of a lot of things.”
The Vulcan glanced over at Rrelthiz. “Where is Cadet Saavik?”
“Unknown, Captain,” the Talaerian said. “Her planning was to interview cadets that were capable of speaking, trying to trace behaviors that might—”
The door slid open, and Saavik stood in the doorway, tricorder in hand. Despite her attempt at control, her excitement was plain.
“Captain!” she said. “Permission to speak?”
Spock nodded. “What have you found, Cadet?”
“Sir, I believe the food synthesizers have been contamined by some biological agent,” she said. “In each case I interviewed, the one thing they had in common was that they had eaten within the last hour before becoming ill. Reaction times varied from an hour to ten minutes. The synthesizers are functioning normally; yes, at least the equipment is. But whatever has been introduced into them—and, as you noted earlier, Sir, it is not chemical—humans are reacting to it violently.”
Spock remembered Technician Rollins assuring him that the new synthesizers would be perfectly safe, and felt a most un-Vulcan-like urge to seek out Rollins when they returned to Earth, then force him to eat some of the contaminated food. Illogical, he reprimanded himself. It is possible that this contagion has nothing to do with the new equipment. Concentrate on the problem at hand. What is my best course? What would James T. Kirk do?
The answer came immediately. Jim would see to the safety of the crew, then search for a cure.
Spock regarded Saavik gravely, then nodded. “Good work, Cadet Saavik.” She nodded back at him, her dark eyes shining, and he knew how much his praise had meant to her.
The Vulcan activated the “all ship” on the intercom. “This is the captain speaking,” he said. “We have reason to believe the food synthesizers may have become contaminated. No human is to eat or drink anything but stored rations or water until further notice. I repeat … consume only emergency rations and water until further notice.”
He flipped another switch. “Spock here. Send a team to the emergency rations locker, and instruct them to pass out emergency rations and water in accordance with standard emergency procedure. Alert security to post armed guards over the locker. Instruct all trainees to remain calm. Spock out.”
Depressing yet another switch, he said, “Captain Spock here. Who is currently in charge of engineering?”
“Sir, I am,” a voice replied. “Cadet Garrul, Sir.”
“Cadet Garrul, please report immediately to the briefing room. Spock out.”
While they were waiting for the Tellarite cadet to arrive, Spock examined the data Saavik had collected. When he looked up, he said, “Commendable deduction, Cadet Saavik. I find no flaw in your logic. I note that your data indicate that all of the stricken humans had consumed synthesized versions of animal protein.” He turned to Nbanga, “Nurse, have you eaten in the past day?”
“Yes, Captain, I have. But, Sir … I am a vegetarian. A strict one.”
“Ah,” Spock said. “That may account for why the Vulcans have remained unaffected. Or it is possible that our contagion is one that only attacks humans. Some Tellarites and Andorians consume animal protein. Doctor Rrelthiz, please concentrate on the proteins in the synthesizer during your next tests.”
“I shall, Captain Spock.”
The door slid aside, and the Tellarite trotted into the briefing room. “Cadet Garrul reporting, Captain!”
Spock waved him to a seat. “Cadet Garrul, we have reason to believe that the new synthesizers are responsible for the illness that has struck the humans aboard. I will be assigning Cadet Saavik and Doctor Rrelthiz to work with you in an attempt to determine what has caused this—and to eliminate it.” He glanced over at Nbanga. “Nurse, have any cases recovered naturally?”
“No, Sir, not one.”
“Very well. Cadets, Dr. Rrelthiz … the Enterprise has sufficient emergency rations and water to last for three days. I have been instructed by Starfleet Command that a rescue ship, manned by nonhuman medical personnel, will be dispatched from Starbase 5 in approximately three hours. We have been ordered to rendezvous with them in two and a half days. In order to reduce the risk of further cases, I hereby order all of the sick trainees, plus all nonessential human trainees, to be placed into stasis. Once in stasis, the progression of their illness will be halted. When we know that their cases have been arrested, we shall turn our attention to finding out what has caused this, and determining a cure.”
Spock looked at each of the trainees in turn. “I know I can count on each of you to do your utmost to help your crewmates. Your dedication in this time of crisis will be noted in my official report. Cadet Garrul, please assemble a team of nonhuman engineering trainees to oversee the operation of the stasis units. I want Deck 2 sealed off, the temperature lowered to five degrees Centigrade, and microgravity implemented. We shall use Deck 2 to contain the bodies that have been placed in stasis. The cold will help maintain the hibernation state, and microgravity will permit us to ‘layer’ the hibernating trainees.”
“Aye, Captain Spock.”
Spock looked over at Saavik. “Cadet Saavik, prepare a list of nonessential human trainees. Once all of the sick cadets have been placed in stasis, begin with the ones that have not yet been affected.”
“Yes, Captain Spock.”
Spock looked at his “senior officers” one by one. “Carry on.”
“Captain, there is a communication coming in from Starbase 5,” the Andorian at the communications console said.
“Onscreen, Trainee Thiril.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Spock looked up to see Commander Tregarth on his viewscreen. “Captain Spock, the Starfleet medical vessel Lancet departed Starbase 5 twenty minutes ago. Are you under way?”
“Yes, Commander. We have had one more death, bringing total casualties to three. I have ordered most of my crew placed into hibernation, to arrest the progress of the condition and prevent more cases from occurring. We are running with a skeleton crew of mostly nonhumans, but so far we are proceeding on schedule.”
“Good, Captain. Any idea what caused this outbreak?”
Spock quickly summarized their theory. “I have Doctor Rrelthiz and my acting science officer working to find out what has happened to the new synthesizers to cause this,” he concluded. “So far, only the humans have been affected. Sending a nonhuman crew aboard the medical vessel was definitely indicated.”
Tregarth hesitated, then grinned a bit sheepishly. “Well, it’s not entirely a nonhuman crew, Captain Spock. There wa
s one senior Starfleet medical officer who pulled rank and is aboard the Lancet, having come equipped with his own environmental suit and supplies of food and water.”
Spock raised an eyebrow. “I do not even need to invoke logic to determine the officer’s identity, Commander,” he said. “How is Doctor McCoy?”
Tregarth grinned. “As cranky as ever, Captain. You’d better brace yourself for a tirade when you rendezvous with the Lancet.”
“Of that, I have no doubt, Commander. Spock out.”
The Vulcan rose from the captain’s seat, turned the conn over to the senior trainee, then went below decks to check on the progress. “Stasis implementation is on schedule, Captain,” Garrul reported. Spock activated one of the vid-pickups in the area he had designated, and saw the bodies of the trainees floating motionless. The lighting was dim, and the entire area had an eerie resemblance to a morgue. Spock shut off the picture. “Proceed, Cadet Garrul.”
His next stop was the life-support area of engineering, where he found Saavik and Rrelthiz working over the diagnostic readouts for the food synthesizer. The Vulcan picked up a padd and set to work to help them analyze the data down to the most minute level.
The three nonhumans had been working for several hours when Saavik spoke up. “Captain Spock … look at this, please.”
Spock put clown his padd and came over to the station to gaze at the readouts the cadet had called up. One of the screens bore a strange genetic code, like nothing he’d ever seen before. “A protein-bonded code,” he said. “Most unusual. I have never—”
“Where did that come from?” Rrelthiz broke in. Her tail slid free from its anchorage and began lashing violently, like an angry lematya’s. “Friend Saavik, where did you find that?”
“You recognize that code, Doctor?” Spock said.
“Yes, recognize it I do … most unfortunately, Captain. Mutated Carreon DNA, combined in a most unusual way with proteins from your Federation synthesizers. We call it … a virbac organism. Not virus. Not bacteria. Something … in the middle. And this one … it is different. I have never seen its like before.”
Star Trek: Enterprise Logs Page 20