Posted by Gamemaster Matrix (GMT) in Main Sim - Sickbay

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Collin Harding (Chief Medical Officer) in Main Sim - Sickbay

Posted by Commander D’Vash Odinson (First Officer) in Main Sim - Sickbay
Posted by… suppressed (18) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>

Starting to understand how Collin thought, security dropped Dr Meinok off at the sickbay door. As happens with Romulans, it was difficult to guess his age, but looking at him placed him in early middle age. Carrying a PaDD with him, he walked into sickbay comfortably, almost as though he knew it already. He approached Collin. “Doctor. I hope all went well. Or as well as it could.” He held up his PaDD. “I have the young man’s birth certificate ready. If you’ll just give me the time of birth and his name.”

“As well as it could would be an apt way to describe the birth, Doctor. The baby is healthy and the mother is stable. She has named him Ecurai and his time of birth is noted on the chart,” Harding passed a padd to Meinok with additional information.

“I hadn’t worked in a practical medical setting in some time when Rhaelara asked for my help. But what was I to do? Turn her away?”

Collin smile was more wan than his usual toothy grin, “Of course not, just as we wouldn’t turn her away aboard the Olympic, or consent to letting her baby be born in the Cargo Bay.”

“Oh of course not. I wouldn’t expect any different from the Federation.”

He noticed Lena. “Ah! A qualified practitioner of the medical sciences.”

-Matrix

Collin watched the two greet each other, “Lena was instrumental in making sure mother and baby came out of the delivery in good health. I can check with Rhaelara and see if she is ready to see you?”

Harding, CMO

“That would be fantastic. Thank you.” He stepped over to Lena, who seemed vaguely uncomfortable in his presence. The two started talking about how the birth had gone as Dr Meinok filled in the birth certificate.

-Matrix

Collin was no empath and he didn’t know Lena well enough to gauge her more subtle inflections. Even if he were more perceptive, he knew many doctors who made nurses uncomfortable due to their demanding or arrogant style. He didn’t count himself among that lot, but he’d worked alongside more than one.

He pulled back the curtain quietly and peaked in to see if Rhaelara was awake.

“Dr. Meinok is here. He’s filled out the birth certificate as you wanted. Would you like to see him?”

Harding, CMO

Still somewhat entranced by the very existence of her son she softly replied “Yes. Please.”

Outside the curtain, Collin would find someone waiting for him as well as the two Romulans waiting to see the new mother. He would recognise the young scientist as the eager Dr Spencer Reid. He looked deeply concerned.

-Matrix

Collin nodded at Rhaelara, closing the curtain again, “Go ahead, Dr. Meinok.”

“Thank you.” Meinok said with a broad smile.

As the Romulan went to see the newborn, Collin looked at the new arrival to Sickbay, “Hello, Dr. Reid. What brings you to Sickbay?”

Harding, CMO

Secure in the knowledge that they were alone, Reid showed Collin a PaDD. On it was detailed a chemical analysis. “Doctor. Some time ago, base chemicals were replicated in the cargo bay. After running assorted simulations and checking for compounds comprised of these chemicals, we discovered only one exact match.” On the screen of the PaDD was the chemical analysis of a bioweapon known as phosgene. “The science department wants your input on countermeasures in case there’s any of this onboard the Olympic.”

-Matrix

“Phosgene?” It took Collin a moment to rack his brain. “A chemical weapon deployed centuries ago, yes? It’s rudimentary as a weapon, indiscriminate in its application and treatable for those infected. If I recall correctly, exposure can be fatal, but there’s a twenty-four hour window where treatment is feasible and effective. Let’s conduct a shipwide scan to detect the chemical. We can release an ammonia-based dispersal to counteract it if caught quickly that should neutralize its effects. Let security know that anyone experiencing respiratory difficulty should report to Sickbay immediately.”

Any further instructions were cut off by the comm.

At that moment a call from the XO came over the comm.

=^=Odinson to Dr. Harding. I’m transporting to Sickbay the body of the ship’s first officer. He appears to have died due to the loss of life support. Run an autopsy on him to confirm that and that his death wasn’t due to something more sinister.=^=

Soon the body of the Romulan first officer appeared on a biobed in the Olympic’s Sickbay.

Odinson (XO)

“Acknowledged, Commander. Receiving now.”

The Romulan had clearly died only hours ago. Just before they met the Olympic. In better light than aboard the freighter, green stains on his shirt revealed a decent guess at his cause of death. Dr Reid, not being a medical doctor, was unnerved to see the corpse.

Collin moved to the side of the biobed containing his new “patient”. His lips pursed as he looked at the corpse before him.

=/\=There’s extensive bleeding unlikely to be a result of loss of life support. I can’t draw any conclusions without conducting an autopsy.=/\=

Soon thereafter, Captains Jasar and Reval arrived in sickbay, full of joy and eagerness to see the baby. Seeing his First Mate, Reval stopped in his tracks. He went over to the body and whispered a prayer. “Elements accept the soul of this man, Neikos, taken too young. Let his soul be free and unburdened to walk among his ancestors.”

-Matrix

“Captains,” Collin nodded toward Rebal and Jasar. “I’m afraid I’ll have to ask for everyone to step back from the body until I’ve completed the autopsy. Dr. Meinok is in with Rhaelara and her son, Ecurai. I can’t say anything about your First Mate’s death yet, but I doubt a lack of life support was the primary cause.”

Harding, CMO

Reval nodded solemnly and stepped back. After a moment, he woke from his trance. “Meinok?” His brow furrowed and his eyes flirted back and forth. “She insisted that he do her prenatal care. I was hoping it ended there.”

The interrelationships of the Romulan crew were for another to figure out, although Collin noted the Captain’s distrust of the doctor. It matched what he briefly noted in Lena Khav when Meinok arrived in Sickbay. Rhaelara had been comfortable with the doctor’s visit and that would drive his decisions for now.

Dr Meinok soon emerged from behind the curtain. “A perfect baby boy. Captain Reval! I imagine you’re here to see young Ecurai. Not even an hour old and already the most popular boy on the ship.”
“Did you deliver him?”
“No, no. Rhaelara wanted me to meet the young man. Lena and Dr… Harding handled the birth.”
“Good. Captain Jasar, commanding officer of this ship, and I came to meet Ecurai.” As Reval spoke, Meinok peered over his shoulder to the deceased First Mate. “Neikos. A good man. Died to save us all.”
“Indeed. A sacrifice that will never be forgotten.” It was clear trust was thin between the two. Reval turned to Collin. “Doctor, if we may be permitted behind the curtain to meet mother and child?”

-Matrix

“It’s been a very taxing day for Rhaelara. If she’ll see you, you can have a brief moment, but after that, it really is time for mother and child to get some rest.”

Collin moved to the curtain, pulling it back just enough for him to enter.

“How are you doing, Rhaelara?” he asked as he noted vital signs on her display readout as well as Ecurai’s. “Captain Reval is here to see you, if you have the energy. My own Commanding Officer is with him. You can say no, if you’re not up for more visitors. There’s no need to rush.”

Harding, CMO

She seemed tired but content. Both she and the baby were stable. “They’ll be the last ones. Other than my sister.”

-Matrix

Collin nodded and returned to the Captains, “She’ll see you. Just remember she’s been through a more difficult birth than usual. I’ll begin the autopsy of your first mate.”

Reval nodded his thanks and slipped behind the curtain.

Captain Jasar followed respectfully behind.

Collin moved over t the corpse, donned gloves and a gown and began to do initial scans.

Harding, CMO

Preliminary scans would age the man at approximately 180. Apparent cause of death was internal bleeding. Examination of the body would reveal scars and bruises consistent with continuous physical abuse. More in depth analysis would show that over the course of their journey, he had been bleeding into his abdomen.

-Matrix

Hands gloved and occupied, it was Collin’s routine to speak his autopsy findings and have the computer record. Far enough away from Rhaelara, his words on death would not be loud enough to infest her joy at a new life.

“Initial scans show a Romulan male, approximately 180 years of age. The dermis shows extensive signs of continuous physical abuse. There are scars that indicate lacerations since healed over as well as bruising which could indicate more recent trauma to the body. Blood has accumulated within the thoracic cavity in a quantity indicative of internal organ failure, possibly rupture.”

It was common for gravity to cause blood to accumulate in the back and buttocks of a corpse, but outside additional trauma it remained within the confines of the circulatory system. That wasn’t the case here.

“Proceeding to a scan the blood for possible viral causes for the internal bleeding.”

Some open wounds were infected, though this was unrelated to the internal bleeding.

Collin drew several samples of the man’s dark green, coagulated blood and began the scans. Certain viruses could eat away at a person’s internal systems, but that was only one possible explanation. As the scans began he moved to try another avenue of inquiry, grabbing a laser scalpel.

The blood samples turned out to be normal for a Romulan at this stage after death.

“Making a Y-incision on the torso.”

Physical trauma, a beating, could cause organs to rupture and internal bleeding to take place. Collin would be able to tell once he got a look inside.

There was a small tear in his large intestine. Another in his spleen. Not large enough to cause immediate death, but definitely enough that if they were left untreated for the entire journey to the Federation, he would bleed out into his abdominal cavity. This was the cause of death. It was likely he had died before the I.R.W Talok encountered the Olympic to begin with.

-Matrix

Jasar stood back quietly, letting Reval have his moment. He watched curiously, but silently near the edge of the curtain.

-CO

“You look well Rhaelara. And Ecurai looks as healthy as I’ve ever seen a young man.” Reval grinned ear to ear. “He is hope. And that he was born in a hospital, not in a cargo bay, the Federation may be our home yet. Before you take your rest, you should meet Captain Jasar. He brought us here. The good news of Ecurai’s birth… was welcome to both of us.”

About this time a call came to the Captain =^= Reno to the Captain. Reports from the freighter is that they are nearly done there and soon to return. One body has been beamed to sickbay for postmortem. And we seem to have a Romulan cruiser doing circles around us. Cloaked. Small ship. Valdore like. Picking her up randomly in sensor searches. Good cloak on her. =^=

=^=Understood, I’m on my way.=^= Jasar replied

• Reno, NE Eng

Knelt down beside the bassinet, Ecurai gripping his index finger, Reval looked up. All of the previous joy was gone from his face. “Suket.” He rose and whispered to Jasar “Gather all your people. She’s here.”

-Matrix

Harding, CMO

“Initial findings are in line with extensive trauma to the body. Damage is seen on the large intestine and spleen. No indications of viral infection. It’s likely there was a time gap between infliction of damage and occurrence of death. “

Despite the obvious trauma to internal organs, Collin had a protocol to follow. With the throacic cavity exposed, he took a saw and began to separate the ribs.

Harding, CMO

Hamilcar nodded to the CMO then turned and left, heading towards the bridge.

-CO

Reval followed Jasar out.

Opening the ribcage would reveal largely normal physiology, with minor scarring on the heart. This was probably due to years of strain. Interior tissue analysis would reveal that electrical burns sustained on the surface of the skin ran all the way through, almost contacting vital organs.

-Matrix

Collin noted the CO’s departure. It wasn’t a position he aspired to. A Captain’s breadth of responsibility was dizzying. Collin preferred the confines of his Sickbay.

Speaking to the recording, “Extensive signs of electrical burning reach deeper than the dermis. It appears to stop short of inflicting direct damage to vital organs, but no conclusions can yet be drawn as to their effect on the overall functioning of the patient’s biological systems. Beginning removal and scans. Starting with the heart. I’m detaching the heart at the upper and lower ventricles.”

Collin removed the heart and, with assistance from his nurse, and transferred it to a scanner that would not only provide basic measurements, but do a deeper scan of the tissue. As the scanner worked, he moved to the lungs.

Harding, CMO

The heart was damaged due to time. He didn’t look old, but 180 was not a young man, and the conditions he had endured had taken their toll. The damage to his heart was likely from being overtaxed as he moved into old age.

His lungs had damage from breathing in toxic fumes. It was a good guess that he had worked in construction with no protection from ambient conditions.

-Matrix

Collin continued to methodically remove and scan the Romulan’s organs. From the lungs he moved to the liver, then the pancreas and kidneys, continuing to document his findings without providing any conclusions. That would wait until the end of the autopsy when he could synthesize the data gathered.

It wasn’t his favorite thing to do, work on the dead. He much preferred the living as his patients, but he was curious enough about what he might find, that it didn’t take much motivation to continue.

Harding, CMO

Everything would be consistent with a male of advanced age being forced into too strenuous a situation. No signs of infection or disease were present. There was a slight cirrhosis of the liver from long term drinking.

-Matrix

Thr doors of Sickbay slid open and the XO rushed in. “Doc, reports say there is a bio-weapon on the bridge. Do you anything about what kind?”

Collin was just wrapping up the autopsy, gloves green with blood, when the XO came in, “Um, yes, maybe. There were reports that replicators had been used in the Cargo Bay to create the elements that make up phosgene gas, but the internal sensors didn’t pick it up.”

“Dr. Meinok was workig on some kind of chemical agent and/or a cure. It’s in his records here in these Padds. Meinok is a micro-biologist so I’m hoping you can figure out what he was working on and come up with a neutralizer we can pump through the bridge’s ventilation system.”

The XO’s mind was racing. There were plenty of orders to pass along to different people while the Captain was in negotiations with Suket.

“Computer, what is the current location of Lt. Oberon?”

“Lt. Oberon is currently on the bridge,” came the reply.

D’vash went to one of the computer consoles in sickbay and tapped out a message on the keyboard and sent it to the security station on the bridge, hoping Pretha would see it before the weapon was released. The message read, =^=What kind of bio-weapon is on the bridge? Odinson.=^=

Odinson (XO)

The Romulan captain had been wary of Meinok, and now Harding had an idea as to why. He’d let his assistant close the cadaver that lay on his table while he stripped off his gloves and gown. Odinson had left Sickbay, moved toward the Bridge where the biochemical weapon was and Harding got to work trying to develop a neutralizing agent. He had little hope he could do such a think in so short a time. He only hoped those on the Bridge found a quicker solution.

Harding, CMO

There was an easily made cure for those exposed, if it came to that. A neutralising agent would take longer. The simplicity of Phosgene was its genius. Eventually a solution presented itself. But not an easy one. An agent that would destabilise the phosgene’s structure. But he would need to disperse it as an aerosol.

-Matrix

Plan A and Plan B. In reverse order. Harding wasn’t willing to devote the needed time to developing the aerosol until he’d manufactured the cure. To his knowledge no one was yet exposed to the gas, but he wanted several doses available, just in case. He wasn’t willing to risk a situation where he was in the middle of developing the aerosol and the gas was released, leaving him with no counter measure.

So he started on Plan B. The cure was simple and as he was ready to replicate the first dozen doses he felt the ship rock hard. He nearly lost his feet from under him.

“Prepare for incoming casualties,” he barked to his staff, confident they were able to execute the appropriate protocols. “And someone check on Rhaelara and Ecuri.”

He wanted to do it himself, but things had escalated. He finalized the chemical structure of the cure and input it into the computer for replication.

Harding,CMO