Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade John Forster (Chief Weapons Officer) in Sickbay

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Sovan (Medical Officer) in Sickbay

Posted by Lieutenant Mykl Najjar (Chief Medical Officer) in Sickbay
Bio-monitor displays rippled with brief diagnostic noise as the ship’s internal sensors adjusted to the changing subspace conditions. For a fraction of a second, several patient readouts jittered—heart rates duplicating themselves, neural patterns echoing like a reflection in water—before the medical systems recalibrated and smoothed the data back into clean, readable lines.

The ambient lighting dimmed a half-shade as power was quietly rerouted elsewhere in the ship. Life-support compensated instantly, increasing atmospheric buffering and micro-filter cycling. The air took on a faint metallic tang, subtle enough most wouldn’t consciously notice, but familiar to anyone who’d spent time aboard ships pushing into unstable regions of space.

A low vibration passed through the biobeds, not violent, but uneven. Medical scanners emitted a soft harmonic whine as their sensor arrays compensated for background chroniton interference bleeding in from the rift’s direction. Tricorders resting on nearby carts chirped in mild protest before updating their calibration tables.

Sickbay’s computer voiced a calm advisory tone:

“Medical systems adjusting for external subspace variance. All bio-support functions nominal.”

Even so, the automated trauma units ran a quiet self-check. Hypospray pressure regulators tightened tolerances. Surgical field generators increased stabilization margins. The Merrimack’s medical systems prepared the way they were designed to—assuming the next few hours might demand more than routine care.

Somewhere deeper in the ship, the engines surged, and Sickbay felt it as a subtle pull, like gravity leaning sideways for a heartbeat. The inertial dampers compensated a moment later, but not before a few loose instruments trembled against their restraints.

The rift was close now.

The displays steadied, the alarms remained silent, and Sickbay returned to its controlled calm—sterile, ready, and watchful. Every system stood alert, quietly braced for injuries that had not yet happened, trusting the Merrimack to keep her crew whole as she pressed toward whatever awaited beyond the veil of distorted space.

Nosferatu
Your Darkest Nightmare

“Dr. Najjar did you notice that?” Sovan asked, looking up from the records he was updating from the crew check-ups.

Doctor Sovan

Mykl, headed to her office, turned back to the bay as the moniters flickered. “That felt like we passed through something, didn’t it?”She walked closer to Sovan, then hit a button that opened an intership comminication device. =/\=Bridge, this is Lt Najjar, are you experiencing any anomalies over there? It feels like Sickbay was either just scanned or that we passed through something that affected our instruments. They have adjusted, but are we in for more?=/\=

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

=/\=Understood, Lieutenant,=/\= he replied evenly. =/\=We are operating within a reactive region. Minor sensor interference will be expected even as we go forward. Inform Bridge if systems in Sickbay are affected, or if crew report effects. Do you have enough staff?=/\=

Kastarak, Cpt
Commanding Officer

=/\=Yes, Sir, there is enough for now. I will keep you updated on our systems and the need for more personnel. Najjar, out.=/\=

Sovan listened and nodded. It was logical to expect power and sensor disruptions in Sickbay but how would this region affect the humanoid personnel? Would the shields be enough to protect them he wondered. “Doctor Najjar, can you ask the Captain if I might have access to the science readings of the area? I’d like to run simulations to see that shield protection will be enough to protect the crew from any radiation or other energy forms?”

Doctor Sovan

Mykl frowned, having already closed the channel with the bridge, but Sovan’s request was valid. “Sure, no problem.” She hit the communication button again. =/\=Najjar to bridge again. Ensign Sovan has requested access to any science readings in order to run simulations on possible radiation contamination. Please grant him access here in sickbay.=/\=

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

Dr. Sovan reviews the incoming data from the bridge with practiced efficiency, isolating the radiation and energy-readout bands most relevant to crew health. Initial results show no immediately lethal radiation spikes, but the environment is far from benign.

Background radiation fluctuates in slow pulses, unevenly distributed through the expanse. While current levels remain within tolerances for a shielded vessel, prolonged exposure could lead to cellular stress, fatigue, and neurological irritation, particularly if the pulses intensify or synchronize.

No exotic particles or mutagenic signatures are detected at this time, and there is no evidence of airborne or spaceborne pathogens. However, several low-level exotic energy traces register as unknown, warranting continued monitoring.

“Dr. Najjir, after assessing the data from the bridge I deem that there is only moderate risk to the crew at this time. I recommend limiting unnecessary exposure, maintaining shield modulation, and keeping medical sensors tied directly into the probe feed should conditions shift rapidly. You will need to request the last from the bridge.”

Doctor Sovan

Mykl listened to Sovan’s findings, and agreed that they were in no danger at the moment. But it could still happen. “Fine, I’ll contact the Captain about it. Why don’t you take a break and get something to eat while things are still alright. We have no idea what might happen in the next hour.”

=/\=Lt Najjar to Captain Kastarak. Sir, we would like to keep our medical sensors tied into the probe feed just in case the rate of radiation changes quickly. We also want to keep current on a few exotic energy traces that are registering as unknown. I know you are busy there and this might give us here in medical enough of an early warning to catch whatever comes through before it takes a life.=/\=

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

=/\=Lt Najjar, this is the captain. I agree with your suggestion. Work with Mssrs Grey and Forster on this matter. The priority ought first to ensure the safety of the ship and its people, then the mission itself. =/\=

Kastarak, Cpt
Commanding Officer

Sovan nodded as he set his padd down. “Aye, Doctor. I have completed the records updates as well as an updated inventory check. I have brought out the emergency medical packs with medications for radiation exposure. I will return within 30 minutes.”

Doctor Sovan

Once he left, Mykl got a cup of coffee and made her way to the office. At the moment, sickbay was slow but that could change at any time. During the lull, she finished what she could with charting, and sent a short message to Pic who she assumed was in their quarters. %We are heading into unfamiliar territory. It is likely we will run into some kind of trouble as this area has not been mapped before. You should either stay in our quarters or come here to sickbay if you just want to be with other people. I wouldn’t suggest you go anywhere else on the ship until we know more.%

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

Dr. Sovan was just returning from his lunch break when the priority alert chimed softly at his PADD. The last traces of Vulcan spice tea still lingered on his palate as he stepped back into Sickbay, the familiar scent of antiseptics and sterilized air grounding him instantly back into duty. Without delay, he moved to the primary diagnostic console and uploaded the incoming data stream from the bridge.

As the simulations ran, layered holographic projections filled the space—radiation bands, gravimetric stress maps, and physiological response curves overlaid with Starfleet medical baselines. Sovan adjusted parameters methodically, testing both nominal and worst-case scenarios. The results were… acceptable, but not without concern. Ionizing radiation remained within tolerable limits under current shield configurations, though prolonged exposure showed signs of cumulative neurological strain. The gravity wave models were more subtle, predicting oscillations capable of disrupting balance and cardiovascular regulation if they intensified.

With his analysis complete, Sovan gathered the findings and left Sickbay, heading down the corridor to Dr. Najjir’s office. He paused at the threshold, then stepped inside, the door sliding shut behind him.

“Doctor,” he said evenly, inclining his head in greeting. “I have completed preliminary medical simulations based on the probe and sensor data received from the bridge.”

She looked up from her desk with raised brows.

He activated his PADD, projecting a concise summary into the air between them. “Radiation exposure remains below acute danger levels while shields are holding. However, extended operations may result in mild neurological symptoms—headaches, nausea, fatigue, and disrupted sleep cycles. Continued monitoring is advised.”

Sovan shifted the display to the gravimetric analysis. “The gravity waves present a subtler risk. Current intensities are unlikely to cause direct injury, but simulations indicate potential vertigo, disorientation, and balance impairment should oscillations increase. Inner-ear disturbance and cardiovascular stress are the primary concerns.”

At that moment, they both heard the bay doors open to admit someone. Mykl stood to get a better field of vision and saw that Pic had just entered. They made eye contact across the distance and he gave her a nod which meant he was fine. Back to Dr Soran then.

He met her gaze, calm but attentive. “I recommend staggered duty rotations, increased hydration protocols, and early symptom reporting to Sickbay. At this time, there is no immediate threat to the crew. Medical is prepared should conditions deteriorate.”

With that, Sovan deactivated the display and waited quietly, ready to answer questions as the anomaly—and their situation—continued to evolve.

Doctor Sovan

“That all sounds like a good plan, Sovan. Send out instructions to all departments on what to be on the lookout for and we’ll just wait a bit to see if anyone is affected. In the meantime, I’m going to have a conversation with my companion to let him know what’s going on. He hears fine, so if we need him as a helping hand, he’ll pitch in.”

Mykl left her office then and went to talk to Pic.

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

Sovan nodded, “Aye Doctor.” He followed her out as he tapped on his padd. Informing all departments, including the CO and XO about the recommendations.

Doctor Sovan

They stood in the main bay, both leaning against one of the bio beds. Mykl explained what was going on with the ship, clarifying what might be happening in the space they were flying through. “Would you like a cup of coffee, Pic?” He nodded and they headed back to her office where a small replicator was located. “Have a seat.” He did as she asked while she put in their orders.

A moment later, they were seated on either side of her desk. Pic’s mug was on the surface of the desk so he could use his hands to converse. The companion asked several questions which Mykl answered as well as she could. After ten minutes, her cup was empty and Pic was all filled in. “Okay, I need to go out to the main bay now and help Sovan. Did you bring a book or PaDD to read?”

The handsome Egyptian pulled a PaDD from a pocket on the inside of his shirt. Holding it up with a thumb and forefinger and giving her a smile.

“Okay, if you need anything, let me know.”

With that, Najjar left the office and went to make sure the bay was prepared for any type of patient they might get due to the space annomalies the ship was being exposed to.

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

Time went by without anyone reporting unusual symptoms. There were the usual headaches, nausea and minor injuries that were the norm in sickbay, but that was it. Mykl took a moment to stop back by her office. She had a short conversation with Pic, a cup of tea with half a sandwich and then went back out to give Sovan a break.

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

“Doctor,” Sovan said as Najjir entered the main area of sickbay where he had just discharged an engineer with a headache. Which had been stress related due to the higher state of tension among the crew as they waited to actually get moving again.

Doctor Sovan

“I’m surprised no one has reported with symptoms yet, aren’t you? I know we have a few hypochondriacs on board and even they haven’t shown up.” Mykl pursed her lips in thought, then took a deep breath. “I’m not trying to jinx us, though.” She rubbed the back of her neck where tension usually settled with her. Actually, she noticed an ache beginning that wrapped from temple to temple and settled behind her forehead. “I don’t think its anything other than a normal headache, but you should probably scan me as that is one of the signs of radiation fluctuation.” (its just a regular headache but it will give him something to do)

Lieutenant Mykl Najjar
Chief Medical Officer USS Chernov

Sovan arched a brow in concern, “Might I suggest, you lay down on the biobed while I do so, Doctor. It will assist in relaxing you while I examine you.” He moved over to a biobed and tapping the console, activated it to do a full scan. If it was just a tension headache it would apparent with Najjir’s tense muscles in the shoulder and neck.
“The engineer I just discharged had a tension headache due to the low level stress which is effecting the crew.”

Doctor Sovan

=/\= Ensign Ricky to sick Bay. Can you send someone down to deck 14 section 43? Crewman miles is sanding straight in the middle of the hallway. His eyes are glazed over and I tried moving him, but it’s like his joints are locked. =/\=

Ensign Ricky Security NPC

Sovan moved quickly to the side area of sickbay where he had prepared several compact medical kits so that they could react quickly to any crisis during this mission. “Doctor, I have several emergency medical kits prepared. Did you wish to go or would you like me too?”

Doctor Sovan