Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Alliances

A/N: Due to stupidity on the BSN I will be posting 4 chapters every other day until the story is caught up to where it was on that board. I have been doing just a chapter every other day here to keep from spamming the board with updates but the actual story has been moving at a post a day there and is almost 20 chapters behind. Sorry for the confusion. Also, I do read the reviews and try to correct errors so please let me know where I screwed up. :)

Chapter 27 : Commander

"John, there it is." says Tali as she points out the shuttle. Others saw it almost as quickly as it revealed itself decelerating hard, its forward thrusters glowing white.

Both the nurses grabbed the gurney readying themselves to move it quickly into position and as soon as the thrusters died they heaved the heavy unit to the hatch as it opened.

Kal had waited until the landing thrusters fired before picking Lana up but he still had to wait precious seconds as the hatch opened enough for him to exit the craft. Tia stood just behind him with the last half liter of blood still connected to Lana and gently applied the pressure needed to keep it flowing into her.

Stepping out he sees the open gurney and moving evenly to keep the jarring down he lays her carefully inside the unit. Nurse Engels had moved quickly to assist and guided her feet in as Stanford took the IV bag and placed it within a device in the table. Tia noted that the device actually provided the same type pressure she had been using but was unable to see more and the cover was closed.

Activating the decontamination sequence again the nurses begin moving the unit towards the elevator that someone had already opened for them. Looking back at the quarian's standing there Nurse Engels calls out "Tia? You can come but you better catch us" as they reached the elevator.

Looking at Kal she sees his nod and sprints forward reaching the elevator before it can even begin to close. Looking at the two nurses she says nervously "I'm Tia'Zanzt, um...I'm not a medic or anything. I just have some basic medical knowledge as a field nurse."

"That's okay Tia, I'm Ellen Stanford and that's Judy Engels. We're nurses too so relax" she said smiling at her. "Dr. Chakwas wanted to have you available just in case anything we didn't know came up."

Surprised at how friendly these too were she was more surprised that a doctor would actually need or listen to her meager knowledge. Saying "Hello Judy, Ellen. Um, how long till we.." The doors opened on deck 3 and the two

nurses began moving in earnest again. Tia assisted them in pushing the bed around the corridor and into sickbay.

Entering they moved directly to a bed surrounded by an energy curtain. Positioning it carefully so the tables cover would open through the barrier the nurses locked the tables wheels and moved inside to assist in transferring Lana to the med table.

Tia had entered expecting to assist in moving Lana but stopped dead as she looked at the people inside. There was obviously Doctor Chakwas, something about the way she just smiled at her put her at ease just like the conversation from the shuttle but the other one she had not expected. A salarian? Here? Helping them?

As they carefully moved Lana onto the table Dr. Chakwas said calmly "I'm pleased to meet you Tia. The barrier is just for decontamination so you don't need to worry about a clean room. She will be safe here, now how about helping us remove this...diaper?... from her."

"Oh!" she exclaims moving quickly to the beds side. Looking at the salarian again she says "But he's a..a he."

"Tia, I will say this once. I'm Dr. Chakwas and he is Dr. Solus. Now either show me how to get that off her or I will just cut it off." said Dr. Chakwas sternly.

This is wrong she thought to herself. Lana should have a say in what man views her body but her hand moved as did her mouth. "Here" she says and pressing a small button a seam appears then the covering opens revealing the damaged leg." Glancing up at the salarian she's not sure how Lana will feel knowing she was seen by him.

Mordin had already begun scanning her body, looking for any and all damages. Though the leg injury was by far the most life threatening other problems would need to be corrected as well. He was very aware of the blood supply issue as well. Surgeries like this could consume liters of blood per hour. Hearing the quarian's concern that he was male he took precious time to look at her saying "Yes, male. Observant species quarian. Is that a mattress cover?"

"Yes" she said meekly. Tia had been afraid that the humans would just remove her covering completely, exposing Lana's body in it's fullness but when she looked back she was surprised to see that they had just rolled back the material enough to fully uncover her leg up to her hip, leaving the more private area covered. Even she had not been that sensitive to Lana's privacy.

Dr. Chakwas said clearly "Judy, we need clamps on those bleeders right now. Here, here and here. Scalpel. Solus switch with me and Ellen get that gurney out of the way."

Tia heard the order and having seen them set the wheel locks quickly released them and began pulling it back before Ellen could turn around.

"Thanks Tia" said Ellen as she turned back to the table ready for her next assignment.

Finishing his scan Mordin turned to look at Tia and said "Rudeness on my part, Unprofessional of me, Just a field nurse? You did well, yes very well. The leg is salvageable."

Surprised at the salarian's apologies and praise she just stares at him for a moment then looking down at the table she could see they had already cut deep into her leg, the ugly dull gray metal of the fragment clearly visible. She watched as they cut even deeper to get to the artery itself. No finesse here, just speed to save her life and leg.

"Clamp those bleeders now Judy, Ellen prepare a 3.5 millimeter insert, 2.5 centimeters long." Dr. Chakwas said then added "We are getting ready to remove the shrapnel, as soon as it's removed a poly synthetic biotube with dextro-enhanced fusing adhesive will be inserted and the artery spliced together. Cauterize this!"

Tia had been trying to watch everyone as almost half a liter of blood was allowed to flow seemingly freely out of the wound. That was all the blood they had had left aboard the shuttle and she was starting to get worried. She realized almost too late that Dr. Chakwas was actually telling her what she was doing.

Mordin had been reaching in as Dr. Chakwas moved away, sealing each and every bleeder to prevent more blood loss.

Ellen cut the required tubing and placing into a small device press a button saying to Mordin "1E32" then removed the tube with forceps.

She had never seen a team move so well together, it seemed as if they were performing a dance. As one moved another filled the void in a fluid motion. Still watching Dr. Chakwas's hands moving quickly she also noted another liter of blood being added to a unknown device at the head of the bed, that must be the blood for Tali she thought to herself. They would have to replace that. She heard Ellen say "Ready Dr."

On hearing Ellen, Mordin looked at his omnitool and typed something in then just seemed to resume his scanning. "Dr. Chakwas, we are ready." he said. Up to now he was merely watching and assisting but once this was sealed, once the blood flow was secure the real work would begin. He was really here for that.

"Dr. her blood pressure is dropping again." called out Ellen. "Increasing flow rate but I'm not sure how much more these veins can take before they burst or her heart gives out from trying to pump nothing."

"Tia! Get over here and start cutting her top open now! We need access to her heart." called out Dr. Chakwas as she made the final cuts deep in her leg, fully exposing the shrapnel and the artery itself.

Tia moved as fast as she could around Ellen and grabbing one of the free scalpels started just above the metal waist ring and carefully cut open the suit. She was afraid of what this meant but she had to stay focused to save Lana.

"Pulse dropping, blood pressure bottoming out. We're losing her doctor" cried out Judy has she kept a constant suction on the wound, clearing out as much blood as possible. "Flat line" she said as the alarms began their soulless announcement that Lana's heart was no longer beating.

Glancing up to the chest Dr. Chakwas said "Good Tia, that's enough. Ellen set the pads and charge"

"Dr. Solus, stand by. Almost ready to sever the artery. Judy, clamps on each side now." said Dr. Chakwas. As soon as Tia could see the clamps actually compress the artery Dr. Chakwas carefully pulled the shrapnel out completely cutting the artery in two. Tossing the metal into a tray she picked up a pair of cutters, trimming the ragged ends and then they too went into the tray.

Dr. Chakwas said "Biotube," holding out her hand. Forceps were placed there, the tube held securely in the padded grips. With practiced ease she inserted the tube into the artery above the cut then below in under 10 seconds. "Solus, now" she said quickly removing the forceps.

Mordin pressed a single icon and said "Sealed" then resumed scanning. Inside the artery, the specially coated and radio frequency activated biotube sealed itself to the inner wall of the artery making that area stronger than the original.

"Clear and shock her Ellen" Dr. Chakwas called as everyone pulled their hands away from the lifeless body. Lana's body jerked but the alarms still wailed their mournful cry.

"Again" Ellen heard and pressed the discharge icon watching the monitors. Once more she jerked as the electrical charge passed into her body and through her, her heart finally responding to the shock. "She's back, heart rate climbing, blood pressure increasing."

Watching the vital signs for a moment Dr. Chakwas said "Now back to work". Removing the lower clamp she visually verified that the artery appeared sealed and said "Releasing upper clamp. Anything you see I better hear about it." Slowly she released the pressure on the upper clamp.

Tia had backed away from the table as she realized Lana was dead but they had fought to save her and now she just stood there as tears ran down her face. The tears blocked and obscured her vision as she tried to see what was happening but even the quick peeks she had she could see the artery pulsing with blood flow. She slowly let the air out of her lungs.

Checking her own scanner Dr. Chakwas watched if for a moment then looked at Tia saying "That's one danger over. Now to deal with the infections that are going to set in." Looking back at her scanner she then said "Ellen, use that new mixture of Dr. Solus's, ten cc's now and please make sure she stays unconscious. Lets get this blood pressure back up to normal please."

Tia had seen surgeries before but had never seen one done so fast. True, Lana's leg was still splayed open but the fact that her life was out of danger from the blood loss surprised her. She looked at Lana, at her torn leg, at the small cuts she herself had inflicted trying to get the chest free. At the slow rise and fall of that chest as she breathed and silently thanked the ancestors for allowing Lana to stay with them.

"Good, Now the really hard work begins. Dr. Solus, it's time to start rebuilding her leg." stated Dr. Chakwas as she and Mordin began working the torn flesh, trying to turn it back into a thigh.

Slowly backing up Tia sits heavily down in a chair, shaking her head as the stress from their 5 hour run to get Lana here released itself and the adrenalin she had been running on finally gave out.

…

Kal started moving to follow Lana and Tia but one of the nurses had held up her hand in a definite signal for him to not follow so he stood there just looking at the closed elevator door.

Patyn had expected to lift off almost as soon as Lana was carried away but he had seen Tia dashing into the elevator. Unsure what was going on he left the shuttle and approached Kal as he stood outside. "Kal, shall we depart now or wait for Tia?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. Let me talk with Shepard and find out. Everyone just stand by please" he said as he watches both Shepard and Tali approach.

Getting closer Tali calls out with concern "Kal, how are you?"

"Could be better ma'am" he replies and then adds "Thank you for allowing us to divert to the Normandy Shepard. I think you both understand just how important..she is to me."

"We do Kal" replied Tali softly then looking at Patyn she said "I'm

Tali'Shepard, welcome aboard the Normandy. Is there anything you require?" stating a standard greeting to a visiting ship.

"I am Patyn'Genral and I thank you for your offer of sharing Tali" he replies using the proper response for such a greeting. Looking at Shepard he states "Captain Shepard it is a pleasure to meet you as well." The look Shepard gave him told Patyn that his respect for the ships captain was understood.

"How long will Tia be required to attend? We need to return to the Moreh as quickly as possible to prevent more issues." stated Patyn

"I'm not sure, both John and I were surprised when they asked her to join them and what issues?" Tali asked looking first at Patyn then back to Kal.

Putting his hands behind his back Kal says "I ordered my squad to abandon their mission. I also diverted a military shuttle from it's approved flight plan. Most likely charges are already being considered against me. To prevent the rest of the crew from being affected they will need to get underway soon and report back."

"From what you just said I take it you're planning on staying aboard the Normandy?" Shepard asked. He was concerned that if Reegar stayed aboard then there may be repercussions in the salvage arrangement they were working on. One more headache to deal with.

"Well, I had thought of it Shepard. At least until Lana is well enough to return to the fleet. Then I figured I would return to face whatever punishment they deemed fitting." replied Kal. "Ah If it's too much trouble I understand, guess it really doesn't matter when I face my punishment as long as she's safe."

Pausing for a moment, head lowered John tries to fit the events into something that can still work. Glancing at first Reegar then Tali he thinks of a delaying action. Looking back up he addresses Patyn saying "Tali and I are due to depart here tomorrow in an unarmed vessel. Since you're here, would you please pass the request that your shuttle act as an armed escort? After our last outing in a shuttle, having something with weapons aboard it seems like a prudent move."

Patyn thought about it for a moment, they had pulled escort duty before and this was Commander Shepard requesting the escort. There were also the rules he thought to himself as a smile crossed his lips. Can't argue with the rules. Replying to Shepard's question he said "Well, it is the right of any acknowledged Captain to request the use of a military shuttle when separated

from the fleet. I believe I heard that at your trial Tali, Captain Kar'Danna acknowledged Commander Shepard as Captain of the Normandy?"

"Yes he did Patyn" Tali responded, as a smile grew on her face. "And we are definitely no where near the fleets current position either."

"Then tomorrow Captain Shepard, we will be happy to provide escort to you." Patyn replied. "One moment as I get this done properly." Using his commlink he contacts Gavn and informs him of their new mission.

To his credit, Gavn said only "Understood" and sent the message stating the requirement to provide escort duty.

"Thank you Patyn, Reegar I think you could use an drink and the same goes for the rest of the squad if they would like" Shepard says with a smile. He could see a woman just within the shuttles hatch so added "There is also some wine, I think Tali prefers the white" as he looked at the woman and nodded.

Stepping out of the shuttle Rayna said "You're Commander Shepard? The one who's working out a deal with the geth for peace?"

Glancing at Reegar he looks back and says "Yes miss, I'm Shepard and I don't supposed you could forget that little fact about peace?"

"Oh, sorry. My name is Rayna. Rayna'Huntyre. Ah, Kal asked us to as well but why is it so important to keep this a secret?" Getting over her nervousness her exuberance of youth takes over saying "Do you realize just how

important that news is? What it will mean to the fleet? I got to ride IN a geth ship! Sure it was just a hauler but you don't have ANY idea..."

"Marine!" said Kal loudly. "Before you say more let me introduce you to Shepard's lifemate." Indicating Tali he says "This is Tali'Shepard and trust me if it's worth him hearing she has already told him." The fact that he now knew he would be able to stay aboard the Normandy even for just the night helped eased the worry that still churned within him.

"I...I...I'm sorry Commander Shepard, I had forgotten about your bonding" Rayna said looking down, embarrassed by her outburst.

"Rayna, you can believe me when I say he is used to being lectured to" Tali said with a laugh trying to help Rayna recover.

"Maybe we should get your squad together so we can discuss this?" Shepard said then watched as a another figure appeared in the hatch.

"What I'd prefer to do is find out how Lana is doing Shepard but I don't suppose there's been enough time to do anything yet and I got the impression from one of the nurses that I'm not wanted there." Kal replied, the worry in his voice clear to all who heard him. "Patyn here is the one you need to ask that to though, I relieved myself of command as soon as we touched down. It's his ship and squad now."

"Patyn, please. Secure your shuttle and let's all head up to the mess deck" Tali said. "It's right next to sickbay so any news coming out will get there first."

Shepard's request for escort meant they could not return to the fleet yet so happily Patyn called out "You heard Tali, everyone out and secure it." He stood watching as Han, Gavn and Illin exited the shuttle and secured the door. Turning back to Shepard he said "If you could lead the way Commander."

...

Bosh'tet: Not even going to try! :)

Yaszil'jies, Yaszil'ahs: The two primary arteries supplying blood to the legs. 'jies - inner and 'ahs - outer. The two arteries provide maximum oxygenated blood to the powerful thigh muscles for extreme but short lived bursts of speed. The femoral artery in humans.

Inszel: Term of status or standing within a social circle. Literal translation: Most trusted confidant and partner.

Used to describe the personal relationship of an individual. Implies a deep personal connection. Humans would say girlfriend or boyfriend but these only touch the surface of what it truly means.

Pemla'tiyl: Term for courtship. Literal translation: Pathway to the mind, the first of the three phases that lead to bonding. The period of time where the couple learns of one another through a deep sharing of thoughts. May lead to bonding or just a very deep friendship.

Hecs'tiyl: Term of courtship. Literal translation: Pathway to the heart. Second of three: Signifying the period where the needs of both begin to overrule the needs of self. Almost always leads to bonding though this phase is usually the longest of the three.

Felz'tiyl: Term of courtship. Literal translation: Pathway to the soul. Third of three: Signifies the period in which the two slowly realize that without the other they are incomplete. Once this phase is entered only ones death can prevent the bonding.