Thanks for the reviews folks. I appreciate them.
Now on to the next chapter.
Chapter 4
The next morning Trance had finished the tests on the crew. Trance decided to tell Beka and Harper as she served them a light breakfast. Beka still had enough strength in her arms to feed herself while Trance held a cup filled with a protein drink up to Harper's mouth.
"Trance you look like you have something you want to say. What gives?" Harper observed as he sipped the protein shake through a straw.
Trance smiled sweetly. She couldn't hide anything from Harper, he knew her too well. "I got the results of your tests back. I was just getting ready to tell you the tests are positive for the Malakan Virus."
Harper and Beka hardly showed any reaction, continuing to eat their breakfast. Trance suspected the two patients had already predicted the results of the tests.
"Trance I think I've had enough of the shake for now," the engineer informed.
Trance set down the protein shake on the tray and picked up a napkin and began wiping the stray drops of shake from the engineer's mouth. "Good job Harper, you finished most of it."
Harper's face showed his frustration at being so helpless. Even though he could move his arms it took nearly all of his strength and he couldn't even move his legs anymore.
Trance handed to the food tray to one of the orderlies and then picked up a syringe and began giving Beka an injection. "I already mixed up a counteragent to the virus in case my hunch was correct."
"I for one will be glad to get out of here and get back to work," Beka announced as she rubbed her arm at the injection site.
Trance took the food tray from Beka and smiled. "I'm sure it will Beka but I can't release you until I'm satisfied that you can move around on your own. That may not be for awhile."
Under normal circumstances Beka would have protested, but she was actually glad to be spending a little more time in Medical since it meant she could keep Harper Company. Beka made it seem that she was anxious to leave Medical so Harper wouldn't suspect anything. "I don't suppose there's any use arguing the point is there Trance? I really have things I'd rather do."
"Sorry Beka but it's for the best," Trance reminded.
Harper had observed that Trance hadn't prepared a second syringe of the anti virus. "Trance I think you've forgotten a certain handsome and brilliant engineer when you were giving shots. Not that I want to get stuck with a needle but I would like to get over this virus."
Trance looked down at the deck and back up at the blond engineer, trying not to show her concern. "I wish I could give you the injection but it wouldn't have any effect on you. The virus is too far advanced in your system for the shot to be of any use."
Harper looked up at the ceiling, trying to keep his composure. "Oh, I guess it's on to plan B then."
Trance gently kissed the engineer on his forehead. "I'm sorry Harper, but I'm afraid your condition is only going to get worse as the virus runs its course."
Harper put on a plastic smile for Trance and Beka's benefit. "Well, it's not like I haven't been through stuff like this before." Then he turned to Beka who had put on a sphinx like expression. "Kinda like old times eh Boss?"
"Those are old times I'd rather not revisit Harper. I'm sorry I brought this on you Shorty," Beka apologized.
Harper turned his head to face the blonde pilot. "You didn't do anything Beka so don't' blame yourself. You were trying to do something nice for me and I appreciate it."
Beka resisted the urge to argue the point out of concern for the engineer's health. She didn't want to upset him any more in his condition. "I'll try not to," she lied.
That seemed to satisfy Harper who returned to watching Trance go about her work. The only good thing about being laid up like this was being able to study the golden alien. Trance for her part didn't take offense at being watched.
The door to Medical chimed, announcing Dylan's presence. The High Guard captain approached Beka's bed and stood there watching his two crew members for a few seconds. Then Dylan looked over at Trance. "So how are the patients feeling today?"
"I'll be able to release Beka later today, but Harper needs to stay here awhile longer," the golden woman informed.
"One out of two isn't bad," Dylan replied, trying to put a positive spin on the news. "Beka when you're released don't go right back to work. You might as well take the time off that I promised you quite some time ago." Before the executive officer could protest Dylan raised a hand to stop her. "Don't force me to make it an order Beka."
Beka leaned back in her bed and sighed. "Okay, since I dislike taking orders I'll take some time off."
"Good. I'm glad we've come to an understanding,' Dylan replied with a smirk as he walked over to Harper's bed. "Harper I'm sorry you're still going to be laid up here. Is there anything you need me to get for you?"
"No thanks Dylan. I'll be fine for now," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Dylan backed away as Trance rushed to Harper's side. "The virus has begun to attack his lungs," the golden woman began hooking Harper up to a respirator.
Dylan moved over to Beka's side and squeezed her shoulder. "I better leave you to your work Trance. Take care Harper for us." With that Dylan quietly left Medical. Dylan paused outside of Medical, took a deep breath and exhaled.
Telemecus Rhade spied Dylan down the corridor and approached the captain. "How was your visit with Harper and Beka?"
"Not too good. Beka should be released from Medical soon but Harper's condition is worse," the High Guard captain answered.
The Nietzschean commander kept his face expressionless. "I see Captain. Is there anything I can do to be of assistance?"
Dylan shook his head. "Not right now. I think the best thing we can do is let Trance do her job and stay out of the way. I have a feeling Beka will need some support so we should be available for her if she needs to talk."
"Understood Captain," Rhade replied. "I'll return to duty then."
The two officers went their separate ways. Minutes later Dylan Hunt sat in his office wishing he could do more to help he two crew members. Despite his reluctance to admit it to Harper, the captain always worried about his young engineer's health. With Trances medical attention Harper had remained illness free since his infestation with magog larvae. The cold virus the Earther contracted awhile back being the exception.
Later that evening Trance released Beka from Medical. Beka wanted to stay beside Harper but Trance ordered her out of Medical. The golden woman said there wasn't anything Beka could do for Harper. Beka was finally convinced that she would recover quicker without the stress of sitting constantly at the engineer's bedside.
Onboard the Maru Beka was reading a holo novel in a vain attempt to get her mind off of Harper. The executive officer still berated herself for her friend's current condition. Beka set the holo novel back on the nightstand and ran a hand through her blond hair. She got out of bed and walked to the cockpit. Before Beka realized what she was doing she was strapped in the pilot seat and the Maru's engine was rumbling to life.
"Captain I have detected the Maru's engines starting up," Holo Rommie said as fizzled to into view in Dylan's quarters.
Hunt looked up from the console on his desk saying, "Thank you Andromeda."
As if on cue Beka's voice crackled over the com system. "Dylan, you promised me some leave and I'm taking you up on it effective right now. I'm leaving on the Maru."
Dylan leaned back in his chair and rested his hands behind his head. "Okay Beka, but where are you planning to go?"
"I don't know yet. I promised Harper a birthday present and I'm not going to let him down. I'll be back in a week. I just need some time away from here to think," Beka answered.
"I'd prefer to know your destination Beka, just in case." Dylan informed, though there was nothing he could do to make the executive officer reveal her destination.
Beka reached in front of her to push a button in the cockpit. "Sorry Dylan but I need to be alone. I'll be back within a week." Beka ended the transmission before piloting the Maru out of the hanger.
As Trance pruned one of her plants in Hydroponics Holo Rommie flickered into existence next to the golden woman.
"Trance, you are needed in Medical. Harper's condition has changed," the hologram instructed.
Trance rushed off to Medical to find Harper in respiratory distress. She quickly hooked up the engineer to a respirator. Harper immediately began to breathe easier and Trance relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief. Trance sat with the engineer while she waited for his vital signs to stabilize.
Trance decided to update Dylan on Harper's condition. "Dylan I have an update on Harper. I had to put him on a respirator but his condition is stabilized," Trance informed in a soft voice.
"Should I be worried Trance?" Dylan questioned with concern.
"The paralysis has spread which caused Harper to stop breathing on his own," Trance explained. "There is still a good chance for Harper to recover. It's spreading faster than in normal patients but being that Harper isn't a normal patient this is to be expected. I will try to do what I can to boost Harper's immune system to give him a better chance to fight off the virus."
The High Guard captain remained silent for a moment as he took in the information. "Thank you for the update Trance. If anybody can get Harper through this it's you."
Trance reached out and held the engineer's hand. "Thank you for confidence in my abilities Dylan. As much I was prepared for Harper to enter this phase of the virus it's still difficult."
"I understand Trance. Let me know if there's anything I can do and continue to keep me informed," Dylan instructed before ending the communication.
Dylan ended the transmission leaving Trance alone with the engineer. The golden alien looked down at her fragile friend, hoping that Harper still had some fight left in him.