The Joanna Protocol

Chapter 7

"Promise me you'll always remember:

You're braver than you believe,

and stronger than you seem,

and smarter than you think."

Christopher Robin to Pooh

Gavin commed Ensign Torres to get suggestions for good food that could be delivered. "Leave to me, Commander. I know a place that has great down home cooking, and they will beam it in for a nominal fee. I'll order it right away. They also have some great vegetarian dishes for Mr. Spock; I'll order several different choices for him."

"That's great Lt. Torres, thanks. Just let me know the cost so I can reimburse you," Gavin told him.

"That's all right, Sir. Star Fleet is paying for everything while you're here; Admiral's orders. The food should be there in half an hour or so. Torres out."

Gavin disconnected and turned to the three men. "There's time to freshen up if anyone wants a shower. Jim and I are going to get ready for our trip to Bern." He picked up the box that SIS had sent and opened it. It looked like everything was in there, two kinds of hair dye, eye glasses, and the mustache. Gavin looked at Jim and grinned. "Are you ready for your disguise, Captain?"

"I'm ready."

"Let's work in the kitchen close to the sink," Gavin said.

"I'll shower later," Bones said. "I wanna' see how this transformation happens. Are you experienced at this kind of thing, Gavin?"

"Indeed," said Spock. "I, too, would be interested."

"I'm pretty much of an expert at disguises, Leonard. SIS agents have to be able to change their personas at the drop of a hat. Sit here, Jim, and I'll get started. The hair dye is water proof through five or six hair washes, so it should be fine until the mission is over. The mustache will have to be applied every day. I wish you'd had time to grow your own," he added, looking at Jim's smooth face.

"No you don't, Gavin. Tried it once, and it grew out really ginger. It wouldn't have gone with the hair dye," Jim told him, sitting down.

"Let's see now," Gavin said. "I need a towel, a couple of saucers, a fine tooth comb, and something to put on the floor. Don't want to mess up SFM property."

He went into the bathroom and looked in kitchen cabinets, gathered all he needed and stood in front of Jim looking at his sandy hair. He opened both bottles of hair dye and poured some in the saucers. "We'll start with the dark hair dye," he murmured to himself. He dipped the fine tooth comb carefully into the dark dye and began to run it slowly through Jim's sandy hair. Jim's hair was short, so it didn't take long. "We'll let it dry for a few minutes," Gavin said, looking critically at his handiwork. "Don't want it too dark, because it will look fake," he said. "I'm going to leave some of your lighter hair as highlights."

Jim sputtered in amusement. "Highlights? Come on, Gavin, don't get carried away."

"Highlights," Gavin said firmly. "If you look at natural hair, it's not just not one color, Jim, it's several colors. You just let the expert here do his job; you'll see it will look perfectly natural when I'm finished."

Leonard and Spock looked on in fascination, as he picked up the gray hair color and started on Jim's side burns. When he was satisfied with the amount of color, he stepped back. "It looks good, Jim. Now for the mustache." He pulled out a brown mustache. "I'm going to have to trim this, he said, "so I hope Timmons sent a pair of scissors," he said looking into the box. "Ha, he sure did, that guy is golden!" He lifted up the mustache and held it against Jim's upper lip, then trimmed it to his satisfaction. He put on the facial glue, and then stuck it above Jim's lips. "There," he said, putting on the dark framed glasses on Jim. "You're all set. What do you think, gentlemen?"

Leonard looked critically at Jim. "You look totally different, Jim. I think you'll pass. No one will recognize you, that's for sure. Don't know what Winona would say if she could see you now, though. You've lost your good looks, there Jim boy."

"I concur with the doctor, Commander. I am certain that the Captain will not be recognized in Bern, however, I must confess, that I do not find his appearance aesthetically pleasing at all." Spock's eyebrows were drawn together in consternation as he looked at the changed face of his Captain.

Jim chuckled at Spock's obvious displeasure, and got up and went to the bathroom mirror. The face that looked back at him looked entirely different than his own. He had to agree with Bones, though, his mother wouldn't like seeing him like this and Spock was right, he was not aesthetically pleasing. However, he was unrecognizable, and that was the most important thing.

"You did a great job, Gavin. I don't even recognize myself," Jim said coming back to the living room.

The whine of a transporter beam interrupted him, and four large take out containers appeared in the middle of the room. Their food had arrived, beamed in with pinpoint accuracy. Jim cleaned off the table and Gavin and Spock set out the take out cartons of chicken fried steak, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cream gravy, carrot salad, green beans, sweet potato casserole, sweet tea and corn bread that Torres had ordered for them.

Bones beamed when he saw the food. "Down home southern cooking," he grinned to them. "It looks delicious and I'm suddenly hungry!"

Gavin and Jim exchanged a pleased glance. Jim thought to himself that he would be sure that young Ensign Torres got a pat on the back for his thoughtfulness. He had obviously ordered the comfort food with Bones stress and worry in mind.

They got their plates and utensils, made their selections of food, and sat down at the table. "Mmmm, this is delicious," Jim said, eating quickly. He and Gavin didn't have much time before they had to beam out. "Bones," he said, "fill us in on what you and Spock have accomplished so far. Gavin and I will feel more at ease when we leave for Bern if we know how much progress you've made to find the cure," Jim said, fork in hand.

McCoy stopped eating. "We're makin' excellent progress." He looked down at his plate, his mouth a tight line. Then he looked up into the steadfast golden eyes that met his own; they were filled with empathy and understanding. "I gotta admit that I was mighty worried there for a while. No," he admitted, swallowing hard, "I was actually terrified that we wouldn't be able to help Baby Girl and Jocelyn and all the rest of those infected folks. But," he said with a faint smile, "I'm feelin' a lot more confident now thanks to the Vulcan research."

He nodded to Spock. "You go ahead and tell them, Spock."

"Very well, Doctor." Spock put down his fork and steepled his fingers. "The Vulcan healers were working on developing a two prong curative system; first, they wanted to create a Choriocytosis genotype, a specific viral vector delivery system for Vulcans and other copper based life forms; secondly, they wanted to develop a way to ensure the genetic repair of copper based blood type markers.1 The healers assured me that their research was well advanced and a break through is not far in the future. However, Dr. McCoy and I have to modify this research so that the targets of the viral vector delivery system are for iron based humanoid life forms. We have to, so to speak, reinvent some, but not all, of the wheels. The modifications must insure that the genetic repair is carried to the iron based hemoglobin, which is what facilitates the transportation of oxygen throughout the body. This is what Choriocytosis destroys, the ability to transport oxygen to the circulatory system and to the lungs and, thus, the victims succumb by suffocation if they are not treated quickly and appropriately."

Jim shuddered, remembering Spock's own bout with Choriocytosis. Bones nodded, face somber. "It's a bad way to die, that's for sure, and for sure ain't gonna' happen to Joanna or to her mother," he said, grimly. "Go on, Spock, explain the rest of it."

"Dr. McCoy and I are attempting to modify the virus carrying vector so that when it is introduced to an individual, it will specifically rewrite the damaged portion of the Choriocytosis viral gene and make it inert." He paused and Jim, who knew him so well, saw how his face changed slightly to show triumph and pleasure at how far they had come. "We are almost there," Spock said solemnly.

Bones grinned. "Yup, we're almost there. By tomorrow we should be ready to try it out with some virtual computer models of both the Vulcan and humanoid circulatory and pulmonary systems." He leaned back, suddenly looking drained and exhausted. Jim and Spock exchanged concerned glances.

"Bones," Jim said. "After dinner, you and Spock need to take a cat nap if you plan to go back to the lab. It won't do to make a mistake at this point in your research just because you're overtired," he said quietly and soothingly. "Even Spock looks a little tired," he added, looking warningly at the Vulcan. He didn't want Spock to come out with his usual, 'Vulcans do not get tired,' statement. Bones badly needed rest and he wouldn't do it if Spock tried to go back to the lab without him.

Spock ate a bite of his carrots. "It is true, Captain, that I am a little fatigued. However, I am quite sure that an hour of meditation will correct my fatigue and my concentration abilities will return to normal."

Bones looked worriedly over to the Vulcan. "You feelin' alright, Spock? Are you sure it's just tiredness and not somethin' else? I don't want you to overtax yourself, even Vulcans can get run down and catch somethin' from pushin' themselves," he said, looking around for his ever present tricorder.

"I am quite sure, Doctor. One hour of meditation will be sufficient. I am just a little fatigued and my back muscles could use a rest from bending for such a long amount of time."

"All right then, if you're sure. While you're meditatin' I'll catch a cat nap in the bedroom. That way when we go back to the lab, we can continue to work late into the night."

"An excellent plan, Doctor. We will both return to the laboratory refreshed and continue with our work, and tomorrow we will be ready for the virtual trials."

"Sounds good to me." Jim sent them both a pleased smile; time to change the subject. "Gavin and I read up on all the responsibilities and requirements of Forensic Auditors, and I think we're ready." He grinned. "If this Captain of the Enterprise stuff doesn't work out down the road, I'll have a brand new career to fall back on."

Bones grinned too, but Spock was not amused. "I think such an eventuality is beyond the realm of possibilities, Captain."

Bones rolled his eyes. "He was kidding, Spock."

Gavin looked up from his padd. "I just got word from Sonnai Connolly; he's already in Bern, he was able to get away from the office earlier than he thought. He's checked into the hotel, and sent me our registration information. He's already working, hacking into the Bank's website to find out all about the bank, its main officers, how it's set up, the stockholders, etc. We'll have that extra intel to look at before tomorrow morning." He turned to Jim. "We're supposed to know all about the bank before we get there, so I'm forwarding it to you as I get it. He also received his forged IDs and credentials, so it looks like we're all set."

He stood up. "Jim, we'll have to beam out from here to Atlanta, then from Atlanta to New York and from New York to Bern. I've just made all our travel arrangements. We'll have to travel by public transport. I doubt if anyone will check on us, but it's best to cover our tracks. Forensic Auditors don't travel through Star Fleet channels. We won't wear our uniforms. In fact, we're going to look pretty casual; we'll be less conspicuous that way. We'll also need to take a jacket or overcoat; Bern is damn cold this time of the year."

Jim nodded and put his dirty dishes in the recycler. "I'll go pack my bag," he said.

"I'll come with you, Jim." McCoy also got rid of his dishes and followed Jim to the bedroom.

He sat on the bed as Jim pulled out enough clothes for the trip, his boots, boot knife, his locked Phaser case, his comm, and his coat. He glanced at Bones. "Something bothering you about this trip, Bones?"

Bones sighed. "Listen, Jim. I know Gavin is the very best at what he does and I'm really glad he's goin' with you. He's used to all this cloak and dagger stuff, but you're not." He threw Jim a worried glance. "These terrorists are not foolin' around. They're ruthless and as we've seen, they don't mind killin' people. I've got enough to worry about here with Joanna and Jocelyn, and I'm not gonna' be with you two, so please do me a favor and don't do anything stupid; please don't get shot, stabbed, kidnapped, or tortured, okay? Promise me, Jim."

"Bones!" Jim cast him a reproachful glance. "You talk as if I did that all the time and on purpose. I don't, Bones."

McCoy just rolled his eyes and didn't bother reminding him of all the times Jim had thrown himself into danger and his subsequent stays in Sick Bay. "I mean it, Jim. Promise me you won't do anything stupid or foolhardy."

Jim looked at the worried face of his friend. "All right, if it'll make you feel better, I promise. Gavin is taking the lead in this mission, anyway. He's the expert; I'm just going to help him out."

"Well, just remember that, okay?"

He got out his well worn jeans and his favorite plaid red flannel shirt and changed quickly, putting away his uniform in the closet. He wouldn't use it again, until he and Gavin returned from Bern. He finished packing, threw the heavy duffle over his shoulders and they went back to the living room.

Gavin too, had changed into jeans and a sweater, and his duffle bag was on the floor ready to go. "I called an aircab to take us to the public transporter station, Jim. It'll be here in a few minutes. I said we'd wait outside."

"I'm ready," Jim said. "Spock, Bones, we'll contact you when we get to Bern. Both of you get some rest and let me know how the drug trials go tomorrow. Bones, if you have a chance, call Ma and let her know how Joanna is doing. She's worried."

"I will, Jim. I'll comm her in the morning after Peter goes to school. Not sure it would be good for him to hear about this whole terrorist thing," he said. "Good luck."

"Yes, Captain, Commander. I, too, hope this journey proves to be fruitful and that you will discover the identity of the terrorist group."

Jim and Gavin went out the front door to wait for the air cab. Bern awaited them.

1 Made up Science here.