Chapter 11 the first strike revised
Christine stood amongst medical supplies in the Lexington's cargo bay taking inventory. They would be leaving within the hour at high warp for the Enterprise. Engineering teams were overhauling in as little time as they had, the main engines, inspecting dilithium crystals, and anti-matter coolant levels. They had been pushing the engines to get to the Starbase to collect the medical teams but there was no time to rest for either crew or ship. They would just have to hold it together long enough to reach the Enterprise.
Satisfied that they had the required medical supplies and personnel, they began setting up what would be a makeshift hospital in the ship's large recreation and meeting rooms. They had a little over twenty-six hours to complete the endeavor and test the facilities before they would be knee deep in injuries.
With one last check to see if anything was left in haste, the Lexington and medical crew where off. Several security teams were dispatched to the station for monitoring any and all arrivals that were too late or too critical to divert to another station. The base was still that sector's field unit in case of emergency. With a little extra space freed up, all medical personnel were ordered to sleep or at least rest for the duration of the trip. It would be the last bit of respite that they would have before they would be pushed to their extremes.
M'Benga prepared the ward heart bypass for Mr. Spock's Vulcan blood. The last time it was used was two years ago when Spock's father collapsed and needed surgery during a crucial negotiations that would take place on the planet Babel. Looking anxiously towards the door, he called for Nurse Bergman. Raising his voice he called again. Still nothing, and time was of the utmost importance. Without the blood gas infuser, the carbon dioxide would build up in Mr. Spock's blood. He needed it to work in tandem with the bypass machine. Only then, after the heart was stabilized, could he filter the blood needed for the kidneys and liver. It was a delicate process that needed to be built up in steps and one mistake would cause the whole thing to come crashing down and kill the first officer.
In a desperate attempt, M'Benga walked to the doorway and right as he opened his mouth to call for Nurse Martinez to assist so he could go find out what happened to Bergman, he collided with Nurse Platt.
"Nurse Platt, have you seen Nurse Bergman? I sent her to storeroom 37A to procure a blood gas infuser. She should have returned by now!" Dr. M'Benga was clearly stressed as the seconds ticked away, for with them went any chances to revive the first officer. His voice called one last time down the hall, "Nurse Bergman! Please respond."
A calm and passionless nurse Platt responded, "Doctor, storeroom 37A is out of hearing range but when I was coming down that corridor, I heard boxes crashing to the floor. I figured it was just another incompetent nurse and went on my way." With a sneer she looked at the tall, dark doctor and shrugged her shoulders. "I will prepare Mr. Spock for bypass while you go look for your wayward nurse."
Doctor M'Benga quickly ran out of the room. He could not spare any more time. Thinking to him how this would all be for nothing if he couldn't get the basic necessary machinery in place. At least Nurse Platt would be preparing Mr. Sp…..? Almost stopping mid stride, brows knitted together and a few meters from the entrance into the storeroom, he was puzzled. "How did Nurse Platt know that Mr. Spock was being prepared for bypass? Urgency rose up in him, and he raced to the doorway of the storeroom and gasped at the site on the floor. Nurse Bergman was lying in a pool of her own blood, clearly dead. What could have caused this, M'Benga thought? He saw no sharp objects, in fact, the area around the nurse was clear. The box that she had been standing on was off to the side, partially collapsed, but it looked as if it had been kicked in. The heavy plastic form had almost shattered on one side. He spied the gas infuser on the shelf, teetering on the edge as if she had reached it, but fell before she could get it down. Feeling for a pulse, he concurred with his original belief that with the amount of blood loss she was already dead. Dr. M'Benga quickly deduced that although he could not save her life, there was still a chance for Mr. Spock. He reached up and grabbed the machinery and raced back to sickbay.