CHAPTER SEVEN

Mr. Spock entered the engineering department and found Mr. Scott anxiously awaiting his arrival. After receiving an updated report which mirrored the one already given to him by Mr. Sulu, Spock informed his chief engineer to continue with the repairs and to assist the upcoming repair team as much as possible. With the help of the space dock team, the repair team would be handling all structural and hull repairs. The engineering department would be handling any internal system repairs.

After leaving it all in Mr. Scott's capable hands, Mr. Spock went back to sick bay to check on the captain's status and found that his mother and brother were still visiting with him. As he sat down in viewing area and observed the family below, he noticed that Jim's brother had fallen asleep in one of the chairs and that his mother sat on the opposite side continually stroking and speaking softly to her son. Spock took that moment to absorb how Jim really looked and he didn't like what he saw. Silently he prayed to the ancient Gods of Vulcan to watch over the captain and return him to health and happiness.

All of a sudden a warning buzzer could be heard below followed by the sound of another and another going off. The automatic lights came up in the room and medical staff rushed in. Dr.'s McCoy and Marcus followed closely behind. Winona and George Kirk instantly got to their feet and retreated out-of-the-way of the medical staff. A member of the medical team ushered them out of the room and showed them back to the waiting room where Mr. Spock sat witnessing the entire event.

Something was going wrong, terribly fast and both doctors were working feverishly on the injured man. Spock glanced at the vital statistics board and found that the captain's blood pressure, pulse and respirations were dangerously low and it appeared that he may be going into cardiac arrest. This was soon confirmed when Dr. McCoy began to use old-fashioned electric shock paddles to stimulate the captain's heart. Drugs were given directly into the intravenous lines and the heart. Soon, a more normal rhythm was obtained and his blood pressure and breathing improved. The emotional relief of the medical team could be visibly viewed from above. Spock could see that McCoy was issuing a new set of orders to Dr. Marcus and the medical team and that it appeared that he was going to attempt another serum transfusion.

While this all was taking place, Spock and the Kirks had remained glued to their respected places. Now that this immediate danger had passed, the Kirks nodded in passing to Jim's friend and took a seat in the waiting room to see what they could below. For the next hour, Bones worked furiously over Jim's body following the same protocol as before. He started the serum transfusion and then moments later, the anti-rejection medications followed. Each one counteracting one or more physical consequences that the captain experienced as the serum attempted to heal his broken, radioactive body.

As the time dragged on, Mr. Sulu, Mr. Chekov and Lieutenant Uhura joined them in the viewing room. Eventually, Mr. Scott came in and took a seat too. All of them riveted to the action below and praying with all their might for the captain, their boss and friend, and medical team below.

Finally, Bones stopped and after waiting several moments, he seemed satisfied with the results showing on the vital signs screens. Glancing up to the viewing gallery, he gave Spock a nod. Then, he motioned to Dr. Marcus and both doctors left the captain with the medical staff still monitoring the situation. Within moments, the gallery door opened and both doctors walked in. Bones took a seat closest to Mr. Spock and Kirk's mother while Dr. Marcus remained standing. Everyone seemed to inch closer in their seats to Bones in anticipation of what he had to say. As he began to speak, his voice was loud enough so that all could hear.

Bones turned his attention fully to the Kirks and took Winona by the hand as he looked at her with deep concern in his eyes. "I've gotten the Captain stable again, but I had to start another round of the serum transfusion since the first one wasn't very successful. Just now, the Captain went into cardiac arrest due to his injuries. We were able to revive him and start a new round of the transfusion. The good news is this time the serum seems to be working better and the Captain is showing improvement. Some regeneration and organ repair has begun and the Captain has excellent brain activity, but I still think I might have to do maybe one or two more transfusions before he is completely out of danger and healing properly." Bones turned his attention to Mr. Spock. "However, he's stable enough now that I can move him down to Starfleet Medical without further delay. We're moving him to the medical shuttle within the next 15 minutes and should be down on Earth within the hour. Once we land, there will be another medical team on standby to assist with the captain."

Spock nodded in agreement and Bones continued. "The Kirks are welcome to join the Captain on the trip to the surface. Arrangements have already been made to accommodate them." He turned his attention to Lieutenant Uhura. "Lieutenant, will you notify the admiral of these new developments? I have them noted in my log but need to make some further notes before I transmit it to Starfleet, but I know he wanted to know the Captain's status as soon as possible. I don't have time right now to send it myself."

"No problem, Doctor. I'll head back up and send it to him right away." Uhura nodded, stood up and left the room.

Looking back at Spock, McCoy continued, "I still don't think it's time to inform the crew of his status. Once I have him down on the surface and he's healing properly, that should be the time. Of course, that's your call Captain."

"I agree, Doctor." Spock turned his attention to Dr. Marcus. "Have you gotten all the other crew data to Mr. Sulu?"

Carol nodded yes and Spock continued, "Then I would like for you to occupy Dr. McCoy to the surface and continue to assist him with the Captain."

"Of course. I'll go and see to the Captain's transfer."

As she rose to leave, McCoy rose as well although he still held Winona Kirk's hand within his own. He looked at her and said, "Commander, I'm going to do everything within my power for the Captain and we'll get him safely down to Earth and back to us all."

Winona's eyes began to fill with tears. She nodded gratefully to both men. Dr. McCoy turned and left the room. All the parties took their seats again and watched the activity below. Soon, the captain's air gurney was being guided out of the room on its way to the awaiting shuttle to make the journey to Earth. All the parties in the gallery dispersed to their own destinations.