[Galaxy] [Forrest Outpost] 2158 July 3rd, JL Capt Milikan / Dr Cassidy/ Cmdr Thompson

[blanhe2]

[ Infirmary ]

"So, Doctor, what is the verdict?" Sandra asked as Cassidy approached,
she wondered how bad the news would be, given the look she had observed
on Cassidy's face a few times during the day as she had looked in her
direction.

"Well Capt, I'm not happy with some o' the readin's I'm getting'. It
seems that the head wound you suffered is not repairing itself as I
would have suspected it should by this time. I suspect that the stress
level and lack of sufficient rest is greatly to blame, but there seems
to be another complicating issue involving your healing factor. Dr
Schneider agrees with me."

"Another complicating factor? What do you mean with that? What is wrong
with me?" Sandra asked. Brain injuries had always scared her, and now it
would seem she had suffered something major.

"It is curable, not to worry there. The condition was originally
recognized in the early 22nd century, when victims were often seriously
disabled by apparently random pain. The human body uses your deep sleep
time to regenerate from the usual wear and tear we endure just by
livin'. When that sleep cycle is interrupted over a significant period
of time, the body cannot repair its everyday damage as fast as it
occurs. Add excess stress, anxiety and overwork, over a course of 4
months or more, and the body exponetially exaggerates this downward
spiral. Compound that with a serious illness or injury, like the
concussion, and the body is totally unable to catch up and healing is
slowed to almost a standstill. Luckily, the Vulcans have developed a
treatment protocol that accellerates the healin' process and allows the
body to catch up without the months of 'down time' once required."

Sandra frowned and hmmmed as she took in the information from Cassidy.
"What would it involve? And are there other alternatives?" She had an
affinity for Vulcans and had lived on Vulcan for some time, so that
wasn't an issue. But still. This was her home now.

Jia continued calmly to explain, understanding the Captain's displeasure
in having to relocate for a period of time. "It involves a series of
non-invasive treatments with a cellular regenerator that targets the
'little gray cells.' I have experience with the regenerative process
after working with the developers on Vulcan, but I am not really
prepared to administer it here at Forrest Outpost. It is quite safe,
painless and effective. However, when used on humans, there are a few
side effects. Temporary side effects. There is a strong tendency to
cause a *temporary*," she emphasized the word, "loss of short term
memory. All the memories seem to return after the treatments are
discontinued, but during the series of 4-8 weeks of treatment, memories
of certain current events may sort of 'wink' in and out.

"The treatment and therapy are available on Earth, but the practice is
newer there and I don't have the personal relationship with the
physicians there that I do on Vulcan. You do have that choice, however."

Sandra sighed, she didn't like any of them. "There is no way that I can
get treatment here? This is not a good time to have to leave here for so
long." Six to eight weeks, add two weeks each way of travel. It make it
three months all together.

Jia thought a moment, reconsidering her own skills and experience one
more time. "Captain, I could do the regeneration procedures. The memory
issue, however, is addressed by special occupational therapy which is
tailored to what functions seem to be affected. I understand that
therapy, and in an extreme pinch could provide it myself, but I am not
able to duplicate the quality they can in a clinic that specializes in
the process. In addition, rest is very important to your recovery, and
somehow I think your just bein' on the Station would jeopardize your
chances of that. Don't y' agree? Now, I have a PADD here somewhere," she
began looking around and not finding what she was looking for, called to
her nurse, "Can you find me that PADD with the information for the
Captain." Returning her attention to Milikan, she continued, "A PADD
with all the details of the procedure, the risks and benefits and side
effects you can expect. Just let me go get it." She smiled
apologetically and walked over to her office where she and the nurse
sorted through several PADD's.



// Corridor outside the Infirmary //

Thompson held post outside the station's sickbay like a prison guard
ordered to enter an unwelcoming cell.  He avoided sickbays as much as
possible, but the adage 'rank has its privileges' didn't include
skipping out on his duty to his Commanding Officer.  Through an inner
Herculean effort, he stepped forward allowing the sensors to detect him
and swoosh open the doors.  Past the point of no return, he steeled
himself and continued his walk into the foreboding room that he was
seeing far too much of these days.

"Doctor Cassidy," he said as he spotted her discussing something with
one of her nurses. Stepping over to her, he continued, "I'm here to get
an update on the Captain.  When can we expect her to return to duty?"

"Well, Sir, she and I were about to discuss that. I believe she may
require a bit of additional treatment," Jia hedged a bit. She wanted to
be informative to the XO, but she felt as the Captain was capable of
doing so, she should be the one to inform Thompson.

Thompson nodded slowly.  "I see," he said as he ran through the various
ramifications of the doctor's statement.  The worst case scenario was
that the Captain would be pulled away indefinitely and Thompson would be
left in charge.  But that was a *worst* case, and surely it wouldn't be
quite that bad.

Just then Sandra noticed him and waved him over, "Commander."

Thompson acknowledged Milikan, but briefly looked to Cassidy with raised
eyebrows, asking for permission to see a patient in her Infirmary.

"By all means, Sir." She waved him to approach the Captain.

"Commander, where are your pips?" was the first thing Sandra asked him
when he approached.

Thompson mentally skipped a step, but managed to keep an even gait,
regardless.  "It's rather busy out there, Skipper," he said, trying to
sound friendly.  "I've barely had time to shave."  It was uncomfortable,
sometimes, how well he could lie.  "In fact I was just heading to Deck
47, but wanted to check in with you and the Doctor, first."

"That is a lousy excuse, Commander. I gave you that pip, you could, and
should have put them on there and then. Don't tell me you want to refuse
a promotion again? You earned it last time, you earned it this time. As
XO on this station you are required to wear them." Sandra said, she'd
read up on his record and spoken with Admiral Batenburg about her new
XO.

Being good a lying only works when people don't have access to your
file.  Thompson nodded, "Understood, Captain."  Best to keep moving
forward.  "So I understand your condition is a little more advanced than
we originally estimated."

Sandra rolled her eyes in frustration, "yes, it would seem so. It's
annoying as hell, but I don't think I have much of a choice. It won't do
any good if I keel over again, but this time in the middle of a crisis."
The needs of the many and all that. Still, she hated having to
acknowledge that sometimes, she couldn't fix things on her own.

"Well, there's no crisis yet, Skipper," Thompson reassured her.  "Just
your usual assortment of odd problems and little inconveniences.  I'll
try to leave you a few to take care of yourself when you finally get out
of here."

This time Sandra sighed, "From what Dr Cassidy just told me, I need to
go to either Vulcan or Earth for treatment, which itself will take six
to eight weeks. Add the travel time..." It wouldn't be any good her
being here and having to be off duty for that length of time. Not for
her, and neither for the outpost. "I'm leaving you in charge,
Commander."

Thompson's expression was blank.  "Aye, Captain," was all he said.


-----
Capt Sandra Milikan
Commanding Officer
Forrest Outpost
"Are you sure that is logical?"
&
Dr Jia Cassidy
Chief Medical Officer
Forrest Outpost
&
H. Nathan Thompson, Jr.
Commander, Starfleet
First Officer / Acting Chief Ops
Outpost Maxwell Forrest