From: V. Rahul Chandra (vrccan_at_gmail.com)
Date: Thu Aug 07 2008 - 05:45:06 PDT
============
"In Port"
Continued from Taylor's "126"
============
Location: JEM'HADAR ATTACK SHIP
Stardate: 2424 [2.8] 0806.0353
Scene: Makeshift Sickbay -> Corridor -> Main Bridge
Sickbay and Jem'Hadar were not two words often heard together in a sentence
unless there was a negative tying them together. This was the situation
Daniel had encountered when the marines had initially taken over control of
the attack ship and he'd done the best that he could in terms of creating a
makeshift sickbay with all of the medical supplies the three teams beaming
down to the second array had and a length of floor that was free of
instrumentation.
While such attempts had been adequate for three fatalities and two injuries,
they were nowhere close to adequate for the multitude of injuries the second
three teams had when they beamed back to the ship.
The medics were mostly uninjured and were able to help Daniel in working
triage on the other marines. Astonishingly, there had been no fatalities
either amongst the initial 15 marines that formed the three teams attacking
the installation, nor had there been any amongst the relief group the
marine-controlled warship had beamed down before it left to assist the
PATRIOT in her fight. A dozen marines had been injured however and now
Clarkson was tending to the injuries with the help of the medics that had
made it back to the ship uninjured.
None of the dozen marines had life-threatening injuries, so once the medical
regeneration tools Clarkson had dished out prior to the assaults had run out
of juice, he'd simply told the less-injured marines to find somewhere on the
ship to rest until they had reached the PATRIOT. It wasn't pretty, but it
got the job done.
Catherine and the marines that had escaped the battle without injury were
scanned last and quickly released. While scanning his wife, Daniel noticed
that her attention seemed to be wavering to the three covered bodies and the
marines that were now lying sedated on the floor, their injuries having been
considered heavy enough to warrant such action.
"Overall, looks like three dead and fourteen wounded," Clarkson offered,
finishing his scan and holstering his tricorder. "You're neither however,
so you can head to the bridge and assist the Colonel in getting the ship
back to Federation space."
Catherine apparently didn't hear him however, so focused was she on the
downed bodies. It was only when Daniel put a hand on her shoulder and
repeated what he said that she seemed to snap out of it, listening to him
and then giving him a tired smile.
"Could you also give him this when you get there?" Daniel asked, handing her
a PADD. "It's the casualty report, but I'd like to stay with the patients
until they're safely back in the PATRIOT's sickbay."
Catherine nodded. "I'll give it to him," she said, before leaving the
makeshift sickbay.
===============
Time Index: After Erik's Post
Location: USS PATRIOT
Scene: Main Engineering -> Corridor -> Turbolift -> Bridge
Jeff entered the technological hub of the PATRIOT, looking around as he
walked. Engineering was in full force despite the end of Marathon with
technicians walking around in an attempt to assess the full extent of damage
and draw up a priority list for repairs that would then be handed over to
the staff at GATEWAY once the PATRIOT had docked.
Because of the heavy bustle, it took Jeff awhile to find Ensign Suvak, the
newly appointed Chief Engineering Officer. He did eventually find the
Vulcan near the transwarp drive, issuing commands in a monotone, emotionless
voice to the different engineers that were working underneath his command.
Jeff walked up to the group, waiting patiently for the engineer to finish
assigning tasks to the people standing near him.
"Commander," Suvak said with a nod of acknowledgement as he finished with
the last engineer. "Is there something you require?"
"I was wondering if you'd had a chance to investigate the problems with the
transwarp drive further," Jeff explained. "I'd like as detailed a report as
possible to be entered into the ship's database and given to Starfleet
Engineering. If possible, I would like to avoid a repeat of this situation
in the future."
"A most logical course of action, sir," Suvak replied.
"I'm glad you approve," Gorman answered, inwardly sighing. "Now, how about
that report?"
"I will take care of the investigation myself sir," Suvak answered. "We
will run a level one diagnostic on the transwarp drive and I will send the
results to your terminal when they are complete."
"How soon can you start the diagnostic?" Jeff asked.
"Immediately," was the answer.
"Good," Jeff said with an approving nod of his head. "Let me know if you
run into any problems. I'll be on the bridge."
"Understood," Suvak replied, before turning around and getting started on
the diagnostic. Jeff walked out into the corridor and started back towards
the turbolift, intending to head back to the bridge.
"Commander!" Jeff stopped for a moment and turned around, nodding in the
direction of Ensign Tam when he saw her approaching him. He waited for her
to catch up and the two of them started walking down the corridor together.
"On your way to the bridge?" Jeff asked.
"Yes sir," Tam replied. "I have some psychological evaluations to finish
cataloguing and then after that I thought I'd get caught up on my coursework
from Starfleet Medical."
Jeff smiled. "And how's that been going?" he asked as they approached the
turbolift.
"So far so good," Tam answered, returning the smile as she pressed the call
button on the turbolift. A few moments later, the lift arrived and the
doors opened, allowing both officers to enter the lift.
"Bridge," Jeff said. Almost immediately, the turbolift sprang into action
and started ferrying the two of them towards the main command centre on the
USS PATRIOT.
"Any plans for shore leave?" Niala asked, regarding the Executive Officer
out of the corner of her eye.
"Ever the counsellor, eh?" Jeff asked in return, a smirk on his face.
Tam rolled her eyes. "That's the problem with being a counsellor," she
said. "Nobody ever believes you can ask a question without an ulterior
motive."
Gorman laughed. "I suppose not," he said. "But to answer your question, I
thought I might pay my wife a visit."
"That sounds like a good idea," the PATRIOT's counsellor answered. "Is she
far from GATEWAY?"
Jeff was silent for a moment, considering the question. "I'm not sure," he
said finally. Before Tam could ask what he meant, the lift stopped and the
doors opened, allowing the PATRIOT's Executive Officer to escape onto the
bridge.
Jeff walked out onto the bridge, looking around and frowning when he didn't
see the Captain. Lieutenant Sanba noted the expression on his face from the
operations console and informed him that Kenta was in his ready room.
"I see," Jeff said, walking over to the operations console. "Anything
wrong?" he asked.
"Not that I know of sir," Sanba said. "I believe he needed to contact
Starfleet Command."
"Anything unusual on sensors or with the ship's systems?" Jeff asked.
"With the exception of the transwarp drive, ship systems are operating
normally although the shields and phaser emitters are operating below peak
efficiency."
Jeff smiled. "That'll happen when you pour a lot of energy into Dominion
hulls."
"Yes sir," The Andorian Operations Officer replied with a smile of her own.
"As for sensors, everything seems to be fine."
"Sir!" Ensign Mariano Vasquez exclaimed from the tactical station. "A
Jem'Hadar warship just dropped out of warp."
Jeff frowned, turning back to the front of the bridge. "On screen," he
said. A few seconds later, the view screen chimed in with the image.
Sanba tapped a few buttons on her console before sighing in relief. "It's
the one under marine control," she said. "I'm detecting life signs and
their comm. badges on board."
"They are hailing us," Vasquez added.
"Put it through," Jeff ordered. A few moments later, the image on the
screen was replaced by the face of the PATRIOT's Marine Commanding Officer.
"What can I do for you Colonel?" Jeff asked.
{{Dr. Clarkson advises me that we need to transport two of our marines to
the PATRIOT for immediate surgery,}} Maverick answered. {{It's urgent
enough that the surgery needs to start immediately and can not wait until we
arrive at GATEWAY.}}
"Acknowledged," Jeff said. "Gorman to sickbay. Prepare for marine
casualties, medical emergency."
[[Acknowledged, we'll be standing by,]] came the reply from sickbay.
Jeff looked over at Sanba and nodded. "Initiating transport," she reported,
tapping a few buttons on her console before looking back up at the Executive
Officer. "We have them."
=============
Time Index: After the surgery
Scene: Sickbay
Corporal Hawkins slowly came out of the anaesthesia-induced sleep he was in
and just as slowly became aware of his surroundings. His last memory had
been of being carried through the halls of a Dominion installation, his leg
sending him pain signals that consistently had him at the edge of
unconsciousness. He'd finally blacked out before the marines had
commandeered the warship and had been completely sedated throughout his
transfer to the warship and then later from the warship to the PATRIOT.
Because of that, it was perhaps understandable that his face registered a
look of surprise when he recognized the sickbay for what it was.
"How do you feel Corporal?" Hawkins looked over to see the concerned face of
Dr. Tessa Dugan, the PATRIOT's Chief Medical Officer.
"A lot better," Hawkins answered with a weak smile. "My leg doesn't hurt
anymore."
"You'll be back on drills in no time Corporal," a different voice said.
When Hawkins looked and saw the second in command of his unit, he tried to
sit up but was gently restrained by Clarkson.
"As you were Corporal," Daniel said. "I've been here throughout your
surgery. In fact, I assisted Dr. Dugan in it. And we're happy to report
that you should make a complete recovery."
Hawkins stretched back out on the biobed, letting out a sigh of relief.
"I'm not going to lose my leg sir?" he asked, rather timidly.
"Not today you aren't," Clarkson answered with a smile. "The next time we
go into combat...well that's another story."
Hawkins chuckled, before closing his eyes. Even though he'd been sedated
for hours, he still felt groggy and fell asleep almost immediately.
=============
Time Index: Just before Taylor's post
Scene: CO's Ready Room
Captain Kenta had just finished with his initial report to Starfleet, which
had been given via subspace. He was now ready to start working on the full
report when his door chimed. "Come," he said, putting the PADD down on the
desk and watching his Executive Officer come through the doors. "What is it
Commander?"
"The current status report sir," Jeff said, handing his Commanding Officer
the PADD.
"Anything special you'd like to highlight?" Kenta asked, scanning the
report.
"Ensign Suvak has completed a preliminary diagnostic of the transwarp drive
and is just starting on a detailed analysis," Gorman reported. "All reports
so far seem to indicate that it was just unfortunate wear and tear that
caused the problems and not any kind of sabotage. With all the chaos of the
transfers to and from the PATRIOT before the Marathon mission, it appears as
though maintenance to that part of the system was overlooked."
Kenta shook his head in disbelief. "That sloppiness could very well have
cost us the war," he said. "I want you to find out exactly what happened
and who was involved in the overlook. Those crew members need to be
disciplined."
"Yes sir," Jeff answered with a nod of his head. "The only other thing of
note to report is that Doctors Dugan and Clarkson have finished operating on
the injured marines. There were three fatalities, but the doctors managed
to stabilize the condition of all injured marines. They expect that all of
the injured marines will make a complete recovery."
Kenta nodded. "Well, all things considered, this could have been a lot
worse," he said. "Prepare a full report and have it on my desk within 48
hours. I'll transfer the report along with my own to Starfleet."
"Understood."
============
Time Index: A few minutes later
Scene: Gorman Quarters
Jeff entered his quarters and took a seat in front of the terminal. He'd
been on edge for hours preparing for and then carrying out the mission and
even when the ship was on its way back to Federation space the First Officer
hadn't been able to relax. Now that they seemed to be out of immediate
danger being docked at GATEWAY, he allowed himself a moment of relaxation,
slumping in his chair slightly as his eyes and mind focused on nothing for a
few moments.
Eventually, he hauled himself back to a proper sitting position and tapped a
few buttons on his console. "Computer," he said. "Open a channel to EARTH,
Gorman residence in Edmonton on the North American continent."
The computer beeped in acknowledgement and a few moments passed with Jeff
waiting patiently. Eventually, the symbol of the Federation on his terminal
was replaced by the annoyed face of his adopted daughter El'Hron.
{{You're late daddy,}} the five-year-old human/klingon hybrid said, an
accusatory note in her voice.
"I'm sorry princess," Jeff answered. "We were held up. How are you?"
{{Fine,}} she said with a huff. {{But I want to come with you the next time
you leave.}}
"Ely," Jeff replied patiently. "That's not possible. A ship at war is no
place for a young girl."
{{I don't care,}} she said impatiently. {{And I'm not a little girl! I'm
old enough to come with you.}}
"If you come with me," Jeff said, rubbing at his temple and feeling a
headache coming on. "Who'll take care of your sister and brothers?"
{{Grandpa can!}} El'Hron answered triumphantly. {{Please daddy, let me come
with you. I won't be a bother, I promise.}}
"You're never a bother sweetheart," Jeff told his daughter firmly. "But
there aren't many other children here. You might get lonely."
{{Not if I'm with you,}} she answered.
Gorman sighed, at a loss for words. "I'll tell you what," he said. "The
next time I'm back on EARTH we can talk about it, but for now I need you to
stay there and take care of Rick, Leah and John. Okay?"
{{You promise to think about it?}} El'Hron asked.
"I promise," Jeff answered with a nod. "Now, can you go and find your
grandfather for me?"
{{Okay!}} she said happily, bouncing off the chair and leaving her father
somewhat taken aback by her sudden change in demeanour. He didn't have long
to think about it however, because his father-in-law quickly came on the
line. {{I take it your mission, whatever it was, was a success?}} he asked.
"Yes it was," Jeff answered with a nod. "You should hear about it in the
news in a few days, once all the reports have been written and the results
declassified. How are the children?"
{{They miss their parents of course,}} Geoffrey, his father-in-law,
answered. {{Other than that, they seem to be adjusting well to life on
EARTH. The twins and John are asleep. It's past Ely's bed time as well,
but she insisted on staying up in case you called.}}
Jeff smiled sadly. "I miss them all too," he said with a sigh. "But we're
at war. The PATRIOT's not a safe place, especially with just one parent who
also happens to be the Executive Officer."
{{I understand your position Jeff,}} his father-in-law said. {{But,
children have a right to be with their parents. After all, you grew up on
your mother's ship, didn't you?}}
"Not when I was their age," Jeff retorted. "And besides, my mother commands
a medical relief vessel, not the Federation flagship. And we weren't at war
with anyone when I was growing up."
{{Are those reasons,}} Geoff asked. {{Or excuses?}}
Jeff was silent for a long time as he considered those words. "When I see
Kat next," he said finally. "I'll talk to her about it."
============
Time Index: Simultaneously
Scene: Corridor Outside Sickbay
Clarkson exited the sickbay with a bounce in his step, the result of the
positive news regarding Hawkins. An amputated leg, while not career-ending
as it might have been a couple of centuries ago, was nevertheless a
traumatizing experience and Clarkson was glad that the young marine was
going to be able to avoid it. With three fatalities on this mission, the
marines had already been hit hard enough without a fourth serious blow to
their ranks.
As Daniel took a few more steps, he spotted the PATRIOT's Flight Control
Officer in front of him. He increased the pace of his walking in order to
catch up to her. "I hear you pulled some smooth flying during the attacks,"
he said.
Corwin looked at him quizzically. "Which part?" she asked.
"From what I hear, all of it," Clarkson answered with a grin.
Tanith smiled. "Well," she said. "The mission was successful. That's the
main point."
"Agreed," Daniel answered with a nod of his head. "And now we get some much
needed R&R time. Planning to head over to GATEWAY?"
"I don't know," the FCO admitted. "I've never really been good in crowds.
I might just stay on the ship and catch up on my paperwork."
"That's no way to spend shore leave," Daniel admonished.
"We have no idea how long we'll be here," Tanith replied. "I might not get
another opportunity for awhile."
"Hmm...you do have a point," Daniel grudgingly conceded. "Well, try to take
a break at some point. You don't want to burn yourself out."
"Advice?" the pilot asked.
"Medical fact," the marine replied with a smirk.
===========
Time Index: The next morning
Scene: Captain's Ready Room
"That was fast," Ben commented, looking over the PADD Jeff had just handed
him. "And quite complete. I'm impressed, Commander."
"Thank you sir," Jeff said. "I finished it early because I have a personal
request. I'd like to borrow a runabout and use the shore leave to visit my
wife."
Captain Kenta leaned back in his chair slightly as he regarded his First
Officer. "The PATRIOT's in dock for repairs and most of the crew has
unrestricted shore leave on GATEWAY, so I don't think that should be a
problem. However, we don't know when or where Starfleet Command will be
sending us next, so you won't be able to visit her for very long."
Jeff nodded. "I figured as much," he said. "But I'll take what I can get."
"Very well then," Kenta said. "Request approved. However, I want you back
here in no more than a week's time, is that clear?"
"Perfectly clear sir," Gorman answered. "Thank you."
==========
Time Index: An hour later
Location: USS BOSPHORUS
Scene: Cockpit
Jeff had just finished clearing the runabout from the bay on the PATRIOT and
was now on his way to the wormhole. Throughout the procedure, his
father-in-law's words regarding the children had been heavy on his mind,
causing the young First Officer to wonder if he'd been thinking about things
all wrong. Well, if all went well over the course of the next few hours,
he'd likely have a few days to think about it in greater detail.
[[Auto-navigation enabled,]] came the voice of the computer, in response to
Jeff's tapping of buttons on his console. [[Course laid in for the
wormhole, engaged at optimal speed.]]
"Acknowledged. Computer, are there records pertaining to the USS MCINNIS
that are not classified?"
[[Affirmative.]]
"Good," Jeff said, tapping a few more buttons on the side console. "Route
all of that information to this terminal."
============
NRPG: Phew, that was quite long and jumped around quite a bit. It's really
my own fault for not having posted once previously, since the amount of
stuff I needed to cover was quite large. In any case, I believe I managed
to cover all of the characters in this post and all but one of the NPCs in
the senior staff. I'm going to make a concerted effort to at least try to
mention the NPCs on the senior staff more often, so that people know who
they are for use in future missions.
Also, while Jeff will be off station for the R&R, Daniel will of course
still be around. And Jeff will be back in plenty of time for the next
mission, so don't worry about that :)
If there are any questions or comments about any part of this post, feel
free to send them my way. My mind's tired in trying to go back and forth
between numerous posts to get the information I needed to write this one, so
I apologize if there are any goofs within the post.
============
Rahul Chandra <vrccan_at_gmail.com>
Playing...
Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey Gorman, MD
Executive Officer
USS PATRIOT
&
Major Daniel Clarkson, MD
Marine Executive Officer
USS PATRIOT
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