Fungi, Formulas, and Festivities
Posted on Sat Aug 17th, 2024 @ 1:18pm by Lieutenant Commander Mark Johnson
Mission:
Return to Tyra
Location: Deck 5 - Sickbay
[Deck 5 - Main Corridor]
“That’s exactly the point, Molly” the doctor agreed with the head nurse that was walking alongside him through the corridor that took them to the sickbay of the USS Wayfarer.
At the entrance of the sickbay, a security officer’s detail stood guarding the doors.
“Good morning, guys” the doctor politely smiled them
“Morning, Doc” one of the two tall broad shoulders’ officers answered as they let the two medical officers clear the entrance.
[Deck 5 - Sickbay]
“That makes me feel anxious,” Molly told her boss.
“The two officers at the entrance?” asked Mark while reaching for his medical goon with his initials embedded.
Molly nodded as she laid her data PaDD on the table in the CMO’s office sited at the center of the sickbay.
“They’re here just for enhanced security. With Jem’Hadars onboard you never know.” concluded the physician checking his appearance on the nearby reflexion of the glasses around him.
That worn goon and a light beard showed it was quite some time he was working, up and down, on the synthesization of the drug.
“I know, but it still doesn’t feel right. We’re in a sickbay!” she protested.
Mark nodded with a wry smile “And that’s why we need to get this drug produced as soon as possible”.
[Biolab]
Both officers closed in into the biolab section of the sickbay, Mark identified himself to the computer.
“Computer, grant access to Biolab. Authorization Johnson One Victor Romeo Three”... that unlocked the doors of the biolab and allowed them access to the restricted area. As the doors wooshed closed behind them, Molly recalled the latest results of the trials they ran through the ship’s computer. A set of monitors started flashing and displaying chunks of data and chemical formulae.
Along the monitors, one showed the unwanted guests and their monitored lifesigns.
“Seems like our guests are stationary” Molly spoke, checking biorhythms continuously scanned by the shipwide monitoring system. “No major sweating, no body temperature increasing so far”.
“Good news, we aren’t ready yet” Mark countered while analyzing the latest results of his work “Synthesizing such a drug is proving much more difficult than what I initially thought”.
“How so?” the nurse switched her attention from the monitoring screen to the results one.
“Yridium bicantizine” simply answered the doctor while crossing arms with a thoughtful look.
“Yri..what?”
“It’s a chemical compound, mostly synthesized from a fungi” Mark explained “and we don’t appear to have such a fungi at hand right now. I asked the guysin the hydroponics lab if they can cultivate a small sample of it so we can extract the needed compound.” he pressed a few buttons on the lab console and the figure of a small fungi came up “It’s really that simple but takes time to grow”
“How much?” Molly asked, in awe at what the doctor was showing her
Mark shrugged “They didn’t estimate it, the guys down there never did try that kind of culture and by the way they’re not even sure they can make it. They will keep us updated though…in the meantime, I’m running tests in order to try and bypass the use of such a compound. Maybe we find an alternative but…” the sound of a klaxon caught his attention “...mhhhh” he said watching the screen it was coming from. He shook his head “..but all results so far didn’t bring up much to hope for” he told the nurse showing her the result of the latest computer analysis.
The screen read: "Analysis complete. Sample 48 exhibits 65% similarity to target compound 'White.'"
“Not good enough” Molly paraphrased.
“Not good enough” Mark acknowledged while programming few more tests on the computer.
The personal Data PaDD of the CMO beeped. As Mark flipped it open, his face lit. “Damn, I almost forgot!” he quickly took off his medical goon and hung it “I gotta go, have an errand to do in deck eleven, at the Observation Lounge” he quickly readied himself and motioned towards the exit.
“But, Commander, what shall I do?” asked Molly unprepared.
“oh, please, run the next batch of tests, it will take an hour or so. I’ll check the results once I’ll get back. You’re dismissed once done. I…I suggest you to come by the Lounge once you’re done.”
“ok I will but…is there anything I’m missing?”
“The Captain is going to pay a drink or two, but she doesn’t know yet” Mark grinned while clearing the exit of the biolab and, fixing his uniform at his best, walking towards the surprise birthday’s party for Captain Akeno.
—----------------
Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson
CMO USS Wayfarer
Ens. Molly
Head Nurse, USS Wayfarer
