Dr. Carson Beckett looked around at the mass of people in the jumper bay. The Athosians had just agreed to come back to the city, and the island was now in an uproar. Soldiers and civilians alike ran to and from the area, moving bags of food to the kitchens and ushering children away to their rooms. Various scientists were conversing with the Athosians about their crop, and as the most- respected one, he was obligated to be there.
"Dr. Beckett?" came the voice of Aiden Ford, surrounded by the miscellaneous children all searching for chocolate.
"Yes, Ford, what can I do you for?" the Scottsman replied, fighting hard to control his smirk at Aiden's admirers, who, after tiring of waiting, decided to search his pockets for themselves.
"Ah, I'm surrounded!" he cried, and fishing a bar out of an inner jacket pocket, he tossed it across the room in hopes of freedom.
"I have a favor Doctor, and I wondered if you could help me out," voiced Ford as he straightened his fatigues and smiled as the little ones scampered away.
"Sure, just name it," said Beckett agreeably, "happy to be of service."
"Actually it's for a friend of mine, and she can probably explain it better anyways. Hey Kate, over here!" he shouted to a petit woman in a white coat that marked her as an American scientist.
"She's been working with the Athosians to find plants that-"
"-are compatible with those on Earth. I'm looking to find more sources for our medicinal supplies. The skin and burn care ointments have been depleted rather quickly," Ford's acqaintance said.
"Hello Dr. Beckett. I'm Katherine Storms. I came with the American scientists working on the food growth and acquisition program."
"It's a pleasure Dr. Storms, but I'm not exactly sure how I can help you," the doctor replied. " You see, it's not really my department, and I don't know what you are looking for."
"Well, I was hoping to use some of your lab equipment. You see, the military didn't think it would be neccessary to outfit a biochemist with an indepth set of microscopic laboratory tools, and they aren't letting me near any of the ancicent technology..."
"Ah, say no more Dr. Storms-" started Beckett.
"Kate, please"
"Kate. I know how these military folks can be, no offense Ford" assured the Doctor.
"Hey, I'd have been happy to sneak her in, but you know Bates, Mr. I have a stick up my-"
"That's enough Ford, we all know about your feelings toward the man, "chided the doctor as Kate bit her lip from laughing, "It is, of course, unneccesary to mention that I feel the same way," commented Carson, earning a captivating grin from the dark-haired woman.
"Doctor err...Kate, feel free to use my lab at any time, just let my assistants know that you have my clearance and show them this" Carson voiced as he handed her his personnel badge. "Everyone on this blasted base knows me, and you can carry that around until we get you a badge of your own.
"Thank you Dr. Beckett, I-"
"Carson, Kate," he interjected, "If I am to work with you, the least you can do is call me by my first name."
"Carson," she agreed.
"Aye."
"Well thank you all the same. I promise I won't let you down."
"Lass, there was never a doubt. Now about your research..."
"Oh yes, well, we found a shrub similar to the aloe plant that the Athosians say is kin to one of their own pain relievers, and I wanted to analyze it to see if it could be formed into some sort of topical treatment..."
"Well what about an oral application? Surely it would be easier to carry a pill than a ointment on offworld missions..."
Leiutenant Ford smiled as he backed away from the two, who began to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various implements. This had been a good idea, a very good idea indeed.
