An Unexpected Resource

Posted on Sat Aug 26, 2017 @ 1:59pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Captain Madelina Weisz

Mission: Strange Matter
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD 28 || 1730 Hours

=^=Commander Weisz, please report to the ready room,=^= Michael requested as he left the bridge with reports flooding in. The probe they had brought back was already causing problems and he needed a sitrep with his right hand. As he strode into the Ready Room, he couldn't help but notice that the bonsai tree that he favored and kept near his seat seemed to be in need of trimming again despite being groomed recently.

He headed to the coffee pot and poured a cup while he waited for his Executive Officer and walked back towards the tree. "Maybe the benefits of so much carbon dioxide being breathed out is actually helpful to you..." he mused.

Maddy walked into the ready room after assigning someone competent to watching the bridge. "You wanted to see me, Commodore?"

"There's been a containment breach is the Medical hazmat labs," Michael told her. "The probe started emitting electromagnetic radiation as soon as it was beamed over and the shields were failing."

The Commodore took a breath. "I sent Master Chief Barnes down to contain it as almost all of our Engineers are busy."

She immediately wanted to know about Tom's well-being, as well as those who were in the lab at the time of the breach, but this wasn't the time. She'd find out about that once she left Michael's office. "Was he able to get it under control? You should always follow up with the current status of the situation as to not leave the other person thinking the worst, Michael," Maddy said, trying not to think the worst.

"Barnes is fine and the containment shields are back up," Michael told her. "What I need to discuss with you is what we should do with the probe. We have several affected crew in the area where the radiation escaped and I'm not certain about the virus either. It currently has a transporter lock on it in the event that we need to beam it into space, but this is an opportunity to find out what the Romulans were doing with it."

"And what you need from me is glorification of whatever decision you make?"

"When have you ever done that, Maddy?" he asked her. "You're my Exec because you don't take my side all the time. I may not always take your advice, but I do consider it."

"We're talking about something that may have already caused some of our crew to be affected by radiation. To me, it's a no brainer. The probe has to go before it makes everyone on board this ship sick," she pointed out. "Radiation poison is not something to be taken lightly, even if we do have one of the best medical facilities in space."

"We also have a commitment to explore the unknown," Michael said. "The radiation has been contained and if we can find a cure for this virus, we can protect others from it. Not to mention what the probe may offer."

"Then it sounds as though you've already made up your mind," the redhead stated. "For the sake of everyone on board this ship, I hope it stays contained. If it doesn't, we're all screwed."

"We need to know what we're up against, Maddy, but I'm not willing to risk the crew and ship again," he said. "What would you recommend short of beaming it off the ship?"

Maddy shook her head. "There's nothing that can be done that will keep the ship and crew one hundred percent safe... unless you were willing to use Zahara. She's the only one who can come into contact with all of it and not suffer from it."

"That's an excellent idea, Maddy," Michael said as he looked at her. "But we'll have to get her up to speed on Medical or Science to help her understand it better. Do you want to talk to her or should I?"

"It isn't that she doesn't trust me, but I think it would be better if you did it. She wants to redeem herself, this will be a great start."

"You know," he said thoughtfully. "I think releasing Zahara has given us an unexpected resource. I'll get with her immediately. You have the bridge, Commander."

"Acknowledged," the redhead woman said as she turned to make her way back out to the bridge. This just got interesting, and she found herself hoping that Zahara would be willing to help them.

After Maddy left, Michael took his cup to the recycler and watched it vanish, then headed out.