As they stood outside the surgical chamber, watching the procedure through the window, Dylan Hunt kept one arm around Jillian's shoulders. Like she had been through most of this, Jillian appeared strong. Dylan doubted that strength which much deeper than appearances. He was sure her feelings were in turmoil knowing that this could very well be Telemachus' last chance.
Dylan knew he sure felt the turmoil of feelings inside. However, he had to be strong for his friend's wife, as well as his crew.
Dylan watched as Dr. Neff and her two assistants injected the bone marrow that Trance had taken from Harper a short time ago into Rhade. He had been with Jillian when the doctor had gone over the risks of the procedure, including the chance of rejection of the bone marrow. There was also the chance that what had occurred on the small scale would not occur on the large scale.
The thing was, this was the only possibility currently at their disposal. If this didn't work, they were out of options which meant that Dylan would have a very unpleasant call to make. It was a call that the High Guard Admiral would prefer not to have to make.
Approaching footsteps made Dylan look back over his shoulder to see Trance approaching.
"How's Harper?" Dylan asked.
"Sleeping, which is perfectly normal. The pain medication can bring on drowsiness," Trance replied. "He'll be in quarantine for the next few days to lessen the risk of infection. That's the biggest danger for him right now."
Dylan nodded. "If you need any help keeping Harper cooperative, let me know."
Trance smiled. "I will," she replied. "Though I have my own ways of keeping Harper in line."
"I'm sure you do," Dylan countered, making a mental note to stop in and check on Harper later. Being stuck in quarantine was not going to be easy for the energetic engineer.
It wasn't much longer before Dr. Neff made her way out of the surgical chamber. She took off some of her protective equipment as she approached.
"The procedure went well," Dr. Neff said, her gaze focused on Jillian as she spoke. "All we can do now is wait and see how Telemachus' body reacts to the transplanted bone marrow. It'll probably be awhile before we notice any change with the poison given as far as it has progressed. If there is going to be a rejection of the bone marrow, we'll probably start seeing signs of that within the next two to twenty-four hours."
"When can I be by his side again?" Jillian asked.
Dr. Neff gave a small smile. It always touched her when she saw such devotion between family members and her patients. "Give us fifteen to twenty minutes to transfer him out of the surgical chamber and settled again. Although, you also need to look out for yourself. Don't wear yourself down too much. There is still a long road ahead of us."
Jillian nodded as Dr. Neff turned and went to rejoin her team.
"Perhaps, Dr. Neff is right. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to lie down for a bit, Jillian," Dylan suggested, his arm still around her protectively.
"I can't," Jillian said. "Not yet."
Dylan nodded, not about to argue with her. He could still remember how he had felt about Sarah. He knew he wouldn't leave her side easily in this situation either.
"Are you going to be around here, Trance?" Dylan asked, looking at his medical officer.
Trance nodded. "I have two patients to keep an eye on. I'll be around."
"Then I think I am going to go lay down, possibly try getting some sleep. When I come back, then it'll be your turn, okay," he said, looking at Jillian.
Jillian nodded.
Dylan didn't know if she saw the sense in the plan or if she was just too emotionally and physically drained to argue.
As Dylan withdrew his arm from around Jillian, Trance moved in to take his place.
"Once things are settled, make sure she gets something to eat," Dylan whispered to Trance.
"Of course," Trance whispered back. Raising her voice a little she told Jillian, "why don't we go sit down for a bit."
Dylan watched as Trance led Jillian over to some chairs. Knowing that his crew and guests were in good hands, Dylan left Med Deck. "Andromeda," he said addressing the ship as he made his way to his quarters.
"Yes Admiral," Andromeda replied almost immediately.
"Monitor the situation on Med Deck for me. If there is any change in either Harper or Rhade's condition, let me know immediately."
"Of course, Admiral."
Assured that he would be alerted to any issues, Dylan felt a little more at ease. He also realized how tired he actually was feeling. He could only imagine how worn out Jillian was, as she had been dealing with this situation longer than he had himself. He hoped this worked. The last thing he wanted was for the Sabra-Jaguar's plan to work, even if they had been caught in the act.
"How is it that you can look cute even in one of those puffy suits?" Harper asked, as Trance approached the bed wearing the necessary protection to enter the quarantine chamber Harper was in.
"You think anything that looks biologically female to the human perception looks cute," Trance replied, use to Harper's typical, and usually sexist, comments. "However, flattery isn't going to keep you from having to take your medicine."
"I feel fine," Harper protested.
"That's good. However, the monitors are saying that your temperature is up a full degree, which is a good indication of your body fighting off some kind of infection. Therefore, I want to start you on an antibiotic and get ahead of any potential problems."
Harper let out a long sigh. "Fine," he replied, taking the little cup of medicine that Trance held out to him.
Trance couldn't help but laugh at the funny face Harper made at the taste.
"Satisfied," the annoyed engineer asked, as he handed the cup back.
"Yes," Trance replied. "I'll bring in the next dose in about six hours. Hopefully, we can stem off whatever is brewing before it causes any real problems," she continued in a chipper tone.
"Brewing?" Harper questioned. "You make me sound like a petri dish or a cup of coffee."
Trance shrugged, the gesture barely perceptible in her puffy suit. Turning, she headed for the entrance to the chamber.
"Hey Trance, how is Rhade?"
"Well, the good news is that his body is showing any signs of rejecting your bone marrow," Trance said "Other than that, there are no other signs of improvement. Dr. Neff says that it still too soon to give up hope that it might work yet."
"It's been more than twelve hours," Harper stated. "The cells in the petri dishes had shown signs by now."
"But those were just a few cells. It could still be happening within Telemachus' body but the effects are too small for us to see yet."
"Do you believe that?"
"I choose to stay optimistic until something gives me proof otherwise."
Harper nodded. "Wish I could do that."
"The ability to do so is within you, Harper," Trance said "You've just got to choose to see it."
With that, Trance headed out of the quarantine chamber, leaving Harper with the flexi he had been reading from to keep from getting too bored.
Walking into his office, Tri-Lorn headed for his desk. He was relieved that the talks with Sigmund Nietze were going well. The Arteus Alpha had seen benefit in aligning himself with the New Systems Commonwealth. His demands were reasonable, which giving how talks with some of the Nietzschean prides went, was refreshing really. Sigmund had requested an area somewhere that the Arteus Pride could set up their own community and a voice in the government. Other than the Nietzscheans who had claimed Tarazed as their home for centuries, they had been dealing with the Nietzschean Prides as sovereign nations already. There was no reason not to give the Arteus Pride that consideration despite its limited numbers.
Sigmund Nietze was ready to sign the Commonwealth Charter just as soon as a place was located for his people. It had a long three days of talks but Tri-Lorn felt relieved that his part was over for now. Captain Rangor was working with Sigmund Nietze to locate a suitable location for the Arteus Pride's new home.
"Sir."
At the address, Tri-Lorn looked toward the door where the voice had come from. His assistant was standing in the doorway.
"Admiral Hunt called while you were in the talks," his assistant said. "He asked that you call back as soon as you were available."
"Thank-you," Tri-Lorn replied, already pressing the button to put the call through to Andromeda.
The last report he had gotten from Dylan Hunt last night was that they were doing a second bone marrow transplant after the first one had shown a little progress in fighting the poison. The situation had then stabilized. Dr. Neff had hoped that another transplant would prove more effective.
Tri-Lorn hoped that Hunt had called with good news. The Rhade family had been through a lot the last couple of years, most of which had been caused by his manipulation. Yes, he had done what he could to protect Jillian Rhade and the children, but that would mean very little if Rhade died now that the Abyss and its accomplices had been defeated.
It wasn't long before the face of Dylan Hunt appeared on his screen.
"I was told you called for me, Admiral," Tri-Lorn said, trying to keep his voice calm and unemotional.
"I did," Admiral Hunt replied. "Rhade's condition has improved further. Dr. Neff is confident that the treatment will work given enough time. What is unclear is what long term effects will be."
"I'm glad to hear he is on the mend," Tri-Lorn replied. "How is your engineer doing, Admiral?"
"Harper is still fighting an infection, but Trance doesn't believe it is life threatening. He'll stay in quarantine until we're sure he's over it as Trance doesn't want to chance introducing any other contaminants to his system."
"That is good news as well. Please relay my well wishes to both Harper and the Rhade family. Also, let Mrs. Rhade know that if there is anything she or her family needs, to let me know and I will take care of it."
"Actually, Tri-Lorn, Jillian has made a request."
"Well what is it?"
"She would like assurance that her husband will not be transferred off of Andromeda until he is ready to go home."
Tri-Lorn nodded. Knowing Dylan and his crew, Jillian Rhade probably had a support system onboard Andromeda that she might not have on Tarazed even with family. He also had a feeling that she probably felt safer given recent events.
"Andromeda will remain off active duty until you say you're ready to return to active status, Admiral. With the ship in orbit, I see no reason to transfer Admiral Rhade from the care he is receiving onboard."
"I appreciate it," Dylan replied.
"Keep me informed of the situation please, Admiral."
"I will. Hunt out."
As the screen went blank, Tri-Lorn leaned back in his chair. Though making an announcement that Admiral Rhade was on his way to recovery would be beneficial to the political situation and for morale on Tarazed, he wasn't ready to make it public knowledge just yet. Despite having lost their operative, Tri-Lorn was sure the Sabra-Jaguar would still be monitoring news feeds to confirm success or failure of their objective. For now, he preferred to let them wonder.
It was also safer for the Rhade family. There was no reason to chance another attempt by the Sabra-Jaguar while Admiral Rhade was still recovering.
