[snip]

“And I assure you,” replied Glen, “I will ask the Dol to supply it to us. However, I cannot force him to give it. What we can do, is scan their Habitat filtration system and create a perfect working model of it to examine.”

Now she was standing in front of both the Captain and Cmdr ‘’With all due respect analyzing the Habitat filtration system is not my line of expertise, I’m a doctor and do not want to take on something with limited knowledge off though will be more then willing to assist’‘.

Cross felt bad for declining to do what the Captain had asked ‘’Sir, Lance can be transported alone to sickbay,doctor Hunter will manage to provide the care needed’‘.

Joe stood listening to Cross now with a completely confused look on his face. He idly scratched his cheek until Dr. Cross finished before he spoke saying, ” Miranda,” Joe began in an uncommonly soothing voice. “I for one don’t doubt your ability as a physician. And if later someone decides to revisit, or we establish some sort of relations with these people that vaccine might very well be needed. However right now we need to get back to the ship. And more quickly than before if what you’re saying about this disease is true. Perhaps you could have the medical people get you a sample of this vaccine together and you could return later after we have taken care of things on the ship and made sure of our own health by going through the transporter?”

“We wouldn’t want any of the medical people here to get into trouble,” Glen said. “If it needs to go through the ‘tinfoil hierarchy’ to get permission, that is what we will do. Tia and I have built a good relationship with the Dol over the last few hours and I’m quite sure he will want to help us. Another thing! I was going to wait until we were back on the ship, but since it is relevant now, Tia has requested to stay behind here. I have agreed, and so has the Dol. That means Tia could work upon this vaccine and the filtration system and send us a report on her findings. You could even work together, remotely. So, I do hear what you say, Miriam. Right now, the Commander is correct. We all need to quickly get back to the ship!”

‘’Of course Captain, I thought you still had to talk to the media ‘’ Cross wondered why all of a sudden they where in such a hurry to get back on the ship, was there a reason she was not aware off? The female doctor was not about to complain for Cross also wanted to head back to the ship, considering how weak she felt .

“I did,” replied Glen, “but not if we are going to catch some new variant contagious virus here. An artificially created virus that will play havoc and devastate our immune systems, and that might avoid our biofilters and therefore spread on the Merrimack! We’d be safest to avoid further physical contact with anyone else. “

“At least, Doctor Cross,” added Glen, “I understood that to be what you were advising us to do?”

Lance was starting to feel hot and has started to sweat “oh god please tell me I am not sick” he said to him self. His muscles started to cramp and he started to cough.

“Whoa! Are you sure he is alright?” Glen asked Cross.

Cross shook her head ‘’We need to get him to sickbay ‘’ she told Glen ‘’And there are no microorganisms around here ,the nurse told me it happened twenty years ago but they manage to develop a vaccine ,which is of interest to me simple as a doctor.The artificial microorganism was brought by a trade ship through no fault of their own, they brought it along from another source, because it did not infect the trade ship crew, they had no knowledge ,recognition or awareness ‘’ she hoped the Captain was paying attention to what she was saying ‘’After that the Habitat’s filters were modified and improved so nothing similar would happen again’’ the doctor held eye contact ‘’Sir any questions?’‘.

“If the disease is long gone and not an issue,” replied Glen, “And if none of us need to worry about catching it here, then no, I don’t. So, you only want it for professional curiosity and for future proofing the Merrimack?”

With everyone present, Sal turned, “..Well with everyone here now shall we head inside to the training facility?” She inquired.

“Sal,” Glen said, “I’m sorry about this, but another of my crew feels ill. This time it appears more serious, so we need to take him back to the ship. I know that I promised to speak to the media, so if we could could curtail this tour and get back and do that right away, then it would be appreciated. One other thing too, apparently your Habitat picked up a disease about twenty years ago from a passing trade ship. My doctor is most interested in studying it and how your biofilters worked to manage to eliminate it. If we could have the data on that, it would be most appreciated.”

Turning back to the Landing Party, Glen said. “Let’s wrap it up here. We’ll all leave in the Shuttle in 15 minutes, except for Tia. Once in orbit, Kahuna will come aboard and take the shuttle into the Merrimack shuttlebay. We’ll use the Transporter ourselves instead. We’ll get Lance to Sickbay, and make sure the biofilters clean us of any diseases we might be carrying. I’ll make the press appearance virtually and we’ll stay on for two days until after the arrival of the Sybyl, just to monitor that. Any questions? Good!”

• Glen, CO