The Investigation (Part 1 of 4)

Posted on 16 Aug 2013 @ 9:15pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Andreus Kohl & Lieutenant JG Delainey Carlisle & Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Jared Nicholas & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Lieutenant Jacob Pendleton & Chief Warrant Officer 2 Riley Cameron & Petty Officer 1st Class Siren Hex Saalm & EMH Mark X-C "Shirley" & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Alexion Wylde & Verity Thorne

2,824 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 04 - Exodus
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4, Sickbay/Science Lab
Timeline: MD 01 - 2255 hrs

[ON]

Sickbay

The first thing Andreus Kohl did, as soon as he was able, was tear the surgical gown away from his body. His uniform underneath was still presentable, if a little sweaty, but the surgical gown was splattered with blood. Standing in the alcove, at the back of the intensive care unit, Kohl stepped away from the biobed to bundle his surgical gown into a bloody little ball and recycle it in the replicator. He kept his eyes on what he was doing. He was careful not to drop anything and he was diligent about cleansing himself with sterifields. All the while, he was listening to the beeping vital signs of the patient he left behind on the biobed. The vital signs sounded good and strong. Turning back to the biobed, Kohl still didn't look at the biofunction monitor; it sounded good.

"Thank you, doctor," Kohl said to Warrant Officer Alexion Wylde. He smiled tiredly at the tall dark blond man. "You have impressive hands."

Alexion looked up to him, straightening up from the patient as he took a breath. He offered a small, half smile to him, shaking his head slightly as he reached to clean his bloodied hands off. "You have impressive stamina," he replied, clearly meaning it as he gave a nod in his direction out of respect. The Chief had been all over everything without stopping for breath.

After nodding to Wylde with a wicked grin on his lips, Kohl turned away from the patient. It only took Kohl a matter of four paces to reach the next biobed. Like all the others in the ICU, there was a patient on the bed and the biofunction monitor was beeping. This patient's vitals didn't sound quite as strong. Kohl moved to stand beside Allyndra illm Warraquim, who was watching over the patient. Kohl asked her, "How's he doing."

Allyndra stood in her own gown that also could use a change. It had been a long day and while all of them had tried to change it was more important to get everyone taken care of as much as possible. The bay had been cleared as best as possible except for the inevitable few that all that could be done for was to make them as comfortable as possible.

"Hmmm.......Oh, Lieutenant sorry I was just checking on the chest tube. I am still getting some air drainage." She made a nod of the chin. "A case of flail chest, ribs five through eight broken at the costal cartilage. I think I have that stabilized finally."

"How are you treating the pulmonary contusion?" Kohl asked. He wasn't sure if she would notice the distinction, but he asked the question like a med student, rather than like a superior. Flail chest was an inch outside his scope as a nurse practitioner.

"Currently the oxygen levels seem to be doing sufficient. I will recommend using positive pressure if they fall. I also have an intubation kit at the ready but at this point would say its use is not recommended. Always best to be prepared though. It would seem getting drainage seems to be have relieved most of the problem. He does not sound good, but trust me a lot better than an hour ago."

Kohl smiled faintly at her words, but then he offered a friendly smile to Allyndra directly. "I'm relieved he's on the mend," Kohl said.

"Quite a mess in general is it not? Something happened violently have you heard anything?"

Kohl was staring at the overhead biofunction monitor, when Allyndra asked the question. He chewed on his lower lip and he honestly wondered if, perhaps, the rest of the command staff had already heard something. "No," Kohl answered simply. "I believe the investigation is ongoing."

Allyndra did not really expect that there would be much information and just nodded. It was obvious that something happened and she was more curious if was an accident or if it was caused. The later had consequences for them as well. They were full up and any more injuries would definitely be a strain on capacity.

Verity Thorne pushed himself up carefully from where he'd been knelt on the floor next to a badly injured man. He'd calmed him as much as he could, tried to ease his mind, and now he was finally asleep. Verity stretched his back awkwardly with a frown. His jacket had been discarded at some point having been stained with blood, and his polosweater sleeves were rolled up. He looked around, his breath tight in his chest. It felt like he'd seen so many of the casualties already, and yet, at the same time, it felt like he didn't even know where to start in wading through the others.

As he approached to examine the sleeping patient's vital signs, Lieutenant Kohl offered verity a grip of support on the shoulder. "Thank you so much," Kohl said to him. "When Sickbay gets like this, triage doesn't have a tag for basic patient care."

Verity lifted his arm to mirror the grip, squeezing his shoulder warmly. "You know you don't have to thank me. I'll always come here," he looked across to him, concern in his blue eyes. He wanted to tell him to pace himself, to make sure he looked after himself too. But he knew that Andreus wouldn't stop until things had settled. And he couldn't blame him. "Almost there," he said instead, giving a small, encouraging smile. "One last push."

"I'm not sure it works like that," Kohl said dryly. The friendly grin across his face had been replaced by an impassive stare. "I'm directing triage, not having a baby."

"There are similarities," Verity shook his head with a tired smile, giving his arm a squeeze. "Either way, you need to get some rest soon," he said softly, nearly a whisper. "You have done so much."

"When they rest," Kohl said with certainty, the warmth returning to his face, "is when I can rest. We've all of us done so much."

Verity nodded with understanding, patting his back with affection for the hard working medical officer and his ethos. He couldn't tell him off, he doubted he'd want to leave either if he was him.

As it had done so many times today, the EMH soon materialised in amongst the chaos of Sickbay, having transferred it's program from the triage facilities set up in the Cargo Bay back to it's usual home. Unlike the organic crew members, the hologram was not suffering from fatigue, emotional distress, or injury, and was already prepared to move onto it's next case.

"Mr Kohl - triage facilities are sufficiently stocked for the time being - I am transferring my program between locations in order to maximise my efficiency. Is Sickbay adequately prepared and functioning?"

Suffering from his fair share of fatigue, Kohl only had it in him to respond to formality with formality. Staring at the EMH vaguely, he replied, "Sickbay is functioning adequately. Continue to follow wherever your orders lead to."

"My orders? Charming Lieutenant but as a hologram I fall outside the regular chain of command - my orders so to speak are to make sure that the organics that maintain this vessel are fit to do so. My ocular subroutines detect an increase in your blood pressure as well as a discolouration around the eyes - would it be prudent to advise that perhaps you should....take a break?"

The hologram was unaware of the concept of rest - after all, as a hologram he was not required to do anything of the sort. He would happily move from one patient to the next as long as the holoemitters agreed to stay online without any loss of functionality. In fact, he was amazed that the organics were not a little more impressed by his stamina.

Allyndra had abandoned the Triage after the most serious had been field patched and transferred to remaining spots in sickbay. Her small abilities had been needed here as with the patient she was monitoring and she had left the EMH down in triage. The fact that she noted he had appeared here she hoped that meant triage was under control with only the minimally injured remaining there.

"Doctor?" she said moving toward the holographic image. "How is triage?"

"Ahh Lieutenant Warraquim - you'll be happy to know that the triage facility is currently running at 96.2% efficiency. All category 1 and 2 patients have now been stabilised, and the remaining walking wounded are receiving treatment in due course. For organics the junior medical staff are rather efficient."

The hologram accessed his facial control subroutines to try to avert his natural smug-looking response, instead exchanging it for one of mild pleasure.

"Thank you doctor. I am sure it was in no small part due to your excellent efficiency. Now if I may," she glanced at Kohl and the two new people who definitely were not medical people in the least. "Can I get your opinion on this patient?" She gently tugged toward the patient with the flail chest.

Smirking as his holographic ego was massaged, the hologram was more than happy to examine the patient indicated to him. It was true that without him the triage setup would have been far less efficient, and the blonde EMH was pleased to see his skills being appreciated.

Picking up a tricorder, the hologram flipped out the probe and passed it over his new patient who was clearly in some distress. It only took the hologram a few moments to identify the free fragments of bone.

"Hmm...trauma to the thoracic cavity...third and fourth ribs appear to be broken, oh in three places, very impressive...but nothing an experienced hologram with an osteoregenerator and some fragment realigning won't solve. Lieutenant, would you care to assist?

"Thank you, I would be pleased to assist." Allyndra did not tell the EMH and she was not sure just how much of her own physiology was on file but red on red was not her forte. Her eyes without an assist had trouble with red shades.

She was pleased to note that the drainage had worked and the oxygen saturation level was improving without assist. The patient should be strong enough for even the minimally invasive procedure.

"Your lead doctor," Allyndra got prepared with the necessary equipment.

Replacing the tricorder onto the instrument tray, the hologram reached down for the osteoregenerator. Luckily the breaks had been relatively clean, and would not take much for 24th century medicine to knit the damaged bone back together. The benefit of being a hologram meant that the EMH could remember exactly where the breaks were without external sensor assistance, and activated the small device, passing it repeatedly over the damaged areas.

"Lieutenant Allyndra...I would like to inform you that you are the first of your species that my matrix has had the chance to record 'in the flesh'. Your circulatory and respiratory systems are of particular interest to my program. Perhaps I could have the opportunity to sample your blood proteins at some point? Oh, please administer 50cc's of hydrovalene."

The EMH realised that he was currently in the middle of repairing yet another damaged organic, but it was expected that all members of the crew be able to demonstrate a good bedside manner. Since his patient was currently in a medically induced coma whilst treatment took plate, the hologram had determined that his assistant would be the next best test of his programming.

Allyndra did as requested with the hydrovalene and continued to monitor the vitals as the EMH worked, but the mirth of the mention of physiology crept into her face. "Of course you may obtain a sample...at a more appropriate time. I am not sure if it made to the database but I authored the Federation medical library on Akkadian physiology."

"Yes I know." The hologram replied absent mindedly, if such a thing were possible for a computer projection. Having access to the entire Federation medical database made such confirmations very matter-of-fact, but at the risk of making the EMH sound more than a little arrogant.

"A fascinating read if I may say so, for an organic your writing was extremely...thorough."

Allyndra could not help it finally and just laughed. It felt good after all the seriousness of taking care of injured. "That is a wonderful compliment."

"A compliment? Lieutenant I am a hologram, not a sociologist, I have no interest in complimenting the crew, only in making sure they are operating at peak organic efficiency."

Her attention turned back to the patient which she noted was doing better. The drainage no loner had bubbles and the pink tinge had gone away and only a little clear fluid continued. She did a quick re-monitoring and nodded her head up and down. "Excellent, excellent," she muttered absently and then looked up. "Well doctor, looks like we have a full stabilization, drainage is minimal and oxygen levels at near ninety six percent. The internal bruising will just have to clear and when..." Allyndra looked at the PADD hanging on the bed, "Petty Officer Third Class Daniel Richards wakes up it will be just some sore ribs." She looked up, "Again the help is greatly appreciated."

Delainey moved toward the EMH and ACMO and as she approached, Carlisle made a conscious effort to stand straighter and take a deep breath. She knew outward appearances wouldn't change her vitals too much, but she was hoping to avoid a major lecture about rest for the moment. Addressing the ACMO, she offered, "Ma'am, I'll be returning to triage shortly, but now that the major cases have been sorted, I wanted to find out how many of the Venture crew here are alert and talking? I expect many of them to be in shock and I anticipated I might be needed to help calm them as we gather what happened."

Carlisle was concerned the alert patients with the worst injuries might exacerbate their wounds if they got too upset. At the same time, she knew how badly they needed to get the bottom of what happened and quickly.

Allyndra turned as she was addressed. "I am sorry Lieutenant. I have not kept up with everyone who is awake and talking. As soon as I finish here I will return to the triage as well. I agree that counseling at this point would go a long way."

Even as she spoke she noted two others coming in. She did not remember seeing them in medical before and their uniform and demeanor spoke that they were not here for attending to medical needs.

She pointed with her chin. "I think starting here that are awake is an excellent course. It appears that we have company of a sort that needs information."

Delainey followed the ACMO's gaze and took in the new arrivals from the Intelligence Department. She saw them speak briefly with Kohl and assumed by his gesture he was giving his permission for them to speak to the Venture crewmembers who were in the most alert frame of mind. Of course, Delainey knew the most alert people could be just as psychologically traumatized as those who were injured severely. Psychological injuries weren't always visible, but they were just as serious. "I see that. I'm sure they're hear to get answers. I'll make sure they aren't left too upset."

"Thank you. I know questions have to be asked but the wounds of the mind are worse than the wounds of the body. I appreciate it Doctor Carlisle. I will head back to Triage in the Cargo Bay."

Allyndra figured with the EMH being able to pop back and forth and with Lieutenant Kohl and Carlisle here she could now go back to cover that area.
She turned and headed out of sickbay, taking only the time to remove the gown, boots and gloves and make sure that her uniform underneath was still presentable.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

CAPT Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

CMDR Jonathan Holliday
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant jg Allyndra illm Warraquim
ACMO
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Andreus Kohl
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Cmdr. Scarlet Blake
Chief Counsellor/2XO
USS Galileo

Master Chief Petty Officer Markum Quinn
COB
USS Galileo

Lt. Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

LT Delainey Carlisle
Asst. Chief Counselor
USS Galileo

LTJG Jared Nicholas
Language Specialist
USS Galileo

LT Jacob Pendleton
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

CN Siren Hex
Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo
NPC'd by Scarlet Blake

WO Alexion Wylde
Medical Officer
USS Galileo
NPC'd by Scarlet Blake

PO2 Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Galileo
NPC'd by Scarlet Blake

WO Riley Cameron
Engineering Officer
USS Galileo
NPC'd by John Holliday

EMH Mark-X
Medical Officer
USS Galileo
NPC'd by John Holliday

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