Stranded
Chapter 19
"Family members can be your best friends, you know.
And best friends, Whether or not they are related to you, can be your family."
Trenton Lee Stewart
After helping Len to the bathroom to freshen up, Nyota held him tightly by the arm and walked him to the living room. Len had washed his face, shaved, combed his dark hair, and he looked much better, ready for company.
Nyota helped him into a fresh pajama shirt, and after she got him settled on the sofa, she did a few chores. She put the towels and soiled pajama shirt into the washer to sanitize, the sheets she would wash tomorrow. She'd also give the two bedrooms and living room a good cleaning and sanitizing. Len's office also needed a quick once over so it would look professional when the Orion girl and her sisters arrived..
"Killeen will be here soon, Len, let's get the antipyretic and pain med in you so you're completely comfortable when Killeen comes. He's so looking forward to visiting with you. You know," she smiled at the doctor, "Killeen thinks the world of you. He said he hasn't felt so well in many years, and it's all thanks to you. You really are an amazing doctor."
Leonard's pale cheeks took on a pink flush. "Just doing my job, Ny," he muttered. "He just needed the right meds to control his asthma symptoms. It's not that hard to get the medication, just have to know exactly what you're treatin'. Before we leave I have to make sure I leave him plenty of his meds, enough to last until they hire a new doctor."
"Well, he's very grateful," Nyota replied. "And he mentioned how sad they're all going to be when we leave here." She moved the small table in front of the sofa, and relocated the two side chairs so they faced Leonard, but not too close.
"I'm going to be sad too. I don't know about you, darlin', but I've gotten real attached to these folks. Cain't think of any better bunch to join the Federation."
"That's what I told Jim, that Sarena will be a great asset to the Federation. Our First Contact report is going to be a glowing one. And yes, I'm going to miss them too." She sighed. That's the way it was when you were assigned to serve on an exploratory Starship. You stayed in one place for a short time, and then you had to move on. They had learned not to get too attached to the beings they met on missions.
Nyota handed him his meds. "Thanks, darlin'. I should feel almost human by the time Killeen comes," the doctor assured Nyota.
She glanced at the chronometer. "Len after Killeen leaves, we'll get you back in bed and then I'll comm Jim to talk to him about the logistics of getting the girls on the ship...that is if they'll agree to leave."
"Ny, why wouldn't they?" Leonard asked reasonably. "Who wouldn't want to get away from slavery and prostitution?" He looked keenly at her worried face. "I think you're worrying unduly."
She looked dubious. "So you think Jim will agree to help them, take them back to their home planet?"
"Of course he will! A more compassionate, caring man them Jim Kirk would be hard to find. He would never condemn those three young girls to a life of slavery and prostitution. You can bet the farm on that. Also, once we get them on the ship, no one here will miss them or ask questions since they're visitors, which if you ask me, is a real good thing."
Nyota nodded. "Of course you're right, Len. I'm just nervous about this whole situation. So much depends on the three girls. The safety of Torreon, of our friends here, our preservation of the Prime Directive, the future of Sarena, its entry into the Federation, our own safety. It's a lot to think about."
"It is a lot to think about, Ny, but we'll do what we always do, what we've always done, we'll follow Jim's lead, and you'll see it'll all work out. That big brain of Jim's will formulate a plan, and we'll follow his orders, and with everyone doin' their part it'll be fine."
"I hope you're right. Now no more talking, Len. Save your voice for Killeen, he should be here in a few minutes. I'm going to go make you fresh tea to have with your dinner. I'll be right back."
Just as Nyota placed the fresh hot tea on the small table, there was a soft knock at the door.
She hurried to unlock the door and smiled. "Killeen, please come in. The doctor is so pleased you'll be eating with us. He's on the sofa and very happy to have company. Just don't let him talk too much, he gets hoarse easily." She took the carry all with the food from Killeen. "Please go sit with Dr. McCoy. I'll go plate this in the kitchen for the three of us; you and I will eat on trays so we can keep the doctor company." She sniffed appreciatedly at the carry all. "It smells delicious."
Killeen inclined his head modestly. "I think you and the doctor will enjoy the food, Nyota. It is a simple meal, but I take pride in my cooking. I brought you piscean, freshly caught in the village stream, lightly seasoned and pan fried. Along with that, we will have tubers baked with butter and salt, tender field greens with a light dressing, and for afters, a fruit ice which will be soothing for the doctor's throat."
"Sounds wonderful, I'll be right in with the food. The doctor is looking forward to your company. He appreciates the visits from you, Doranna, Alarik and Ezio; he would be bored if his friends didn't look in on him."
When Nyota brought in Leonard's food, the two men were already deep in conversation about Killeen's asthma. Leonard was assuring him that he would leave him plenty of medication, enough so that it would last until a new doctor came. He'd also leave a prescription in case Killeen needed to go to the nearest large town to get his medication.
"This plan relieves my mind considerably, Dr. Mkkoy."
They spent a relaxed happy hour eating and talking, and then Killeen rose to leave. "I do not want to fatigue you doctor, soI will take my leave. I am happy you felt well enough to have a conversation with me."
"It was my pleasure, Killeen. Thank you for the delicious food and your company. I am feeling a bit tired now, so I'll close my eyes if you don't mind." Leonard closed his eyes then opened them again. "Killeen, please go in the kitchen and wash your hands."
"I will. Rest now, Dr. McCoy. It will help heal your body."
After Killeen washed his hands, Nyota walked with him to the door. "Thank you again, Killeen. By the way, I wanted to tell you that we heard from our friends. I asked one of them, James, the doctor's best friend, to come help me pack our things, to assist me with the doctor illness, and he agreed to come. He'll be here soon, I hope. Even if the doctor begins to feel better, I would feel more at ease if someone was with me on our trip home. So," she smiled at him, "you, Enzio, Alarik, and Doranna, will speak with him at our dinner party before we leave. More importantly, James also promised to bring a new medication which he said is proving to be efficacious with several different kinds of flu. One of Dr. McCoy's friends, who is also a doctor, is sending it with James."
"That is very good news, Nyota. I'm happy someone will assist you here and on your journey to your home. Did the potions the Apothecary send not help the doctor?"
"It's too soon to tell, Killeen, he's only had one dose. According to the directions the Apothecary sent us, he will get another dose at bed time. Tomorrow he will also get another dose of the medicine he gave Alarik. I'm hopeful between the two medications we will see some improvement. So far there has been none. You saw. Although his appetite is good and he eats well, his fever and pain still come back after four hours, and he tires very easily."
"Yes, I saw, Nyota. He looks weaker and thinner, but will be hopeful about tomorrow. I will again bring you and the doctor supper, and Alarik told me Doranna will bring your lunch."
Nyota sighed. "It's been wonderful not to worry about meals, Killeen. I am busy all day long it seems, helping the doctor and sanitizing the things he uses, the kitchen, the bathroom, and the living room." She laughed softly. "And myself too," she added. "See you tomorrow, Killeen, and thank you again for all you've done for the doctor and myself."
Nyota closed and locked the door, made sure the front window was closed and the curtains drawn, then went to her room to get her comm. It was time to speak to Jim and Geoff. She glanced at Leonard and saw his eyes were closed. The visit had obviously tired him. She would wake him after her conversation with Jim so Len could speak with Geoff. She moved the side chair closer to the window, so she wouldn't wake him and flipped open her comm.
As usual, Jim was standing and obviously pacing, waiting impatiently for her comm. Nyota could see Geoff in the background waiting for his turn to speak.
"How is Bones, Nyota?"
"He's asleep, Jim. Killeen came with dinner and stayed for an hour. Len enjoyed the visit but it tired him. I'll let him sleep while I brief you with something unexpected and worrying that's come up. I know Geoff also wants to speak with him afterward."
In the background could see Geoff's emphatic nod.
"Go ahead, Nyota, what is it that has you so worried."
"This going to take a while, Jim, so let me start at the beginning."
She started with Killeen's information about the Orion girls and the information she'd gathered about the three girls, the fact that she now knew where they were staying, that they were sisters, that two of the girls were quite ill with the virus. "Their names are Dahlash, Zadii and Vaiddi. Jim, Dahlash came to the office today! She wanted Leonard to examine her two sisters, because they're still very sick."
"What?" Jim exclaimed. "Bones can't examine anyone, he's too sick! What were you thinking, Nyota!" Jim's voice held a note of anger.
"I know, Jim! I put her the girl off until tomorrow late afternoon, last appointment of the day. She's bringing her two sisters here to the office for Len to see them."
"Nyota!" Geoff's face appeared in the large comm screen. "I agree with the Captain. Len is too sick to see any patients..."
"I know that very well, Geoff, don't worry, either of you. That's not why I set up up the appointment. Len and I already talked it over. He's all for it, even insisted on doing it. I'll make sure he just sits at his desk while I talk to them. He'll take his meds before hand, and it won't be any more strenuous than his visits with Doranna and Killeen have been. Don't either of you worry, I'll make absolutely sure of that."
"Make sure that's the case, Lieutenant. I don't want him to over exert, or talk too much," Geoff cautioned.
"I'll see to it, Geoff. Jim, these three girls could prove to be valuable assets. They know a lot about the Orion pirates, the plans they've made for raiding Sarena, and maybe their plans for raiding other planets, how many slaves they have on board, how many pirates there are on the ship, where other slaver ships may be patrolling. And with your permission, I want to speak with the girls to convince them to leave Sarena. I want to convince them they'd be safe on the ship, that Geoff and Scotty can remove the slave collars and bracelets so the Orion pirates can't control them anymore. I also want to assure them that we, Enterprise, or another Starship will take them back to their home world. All three girls are very young, Jim. It's heartbreaking to think how devastating it must have been for their family to lose three daughters to the Orion slavers." She looked at him anxiously waiting for his reaction to her plan.
"So in effect, what you're saying is that you want to offer the three girls sanctuary on the Enterprise," Jim said, after a thoughtful moment. "Alright, I'll approve your plan, Nyota, with one proviso. The girls have to be beamed up and put in full quarantine. Scotty and Geoff will have to remove the slave collars and bracelets right away, but it'll have to be done in full hazmat suits. That virus cannot be let loose on my ship, although I'm sure Geoff and the Med Bay staff can treat them immediately and successfully for the virus variant they're carrying." In the background Nyota could see Geoffrey nodding his head in agreement, "but," Jim continued, "until that's done and they're completely free of the virus, I can't allowed them off the ship to go home or even leave the Med Bay."
He looked at her somberly. "Make sure the girls understand those proviso, Nyota. We can't take chances with the health and welfare of the crew, and Bones would be the first to tell you that."
"I understand, Jim. Len and I have talked about the virus and the danger to the ship's crew. I'll make sure they understand it too. Thank you for taking a chance on my plan. Now I'm sure you want to speak with Len. Let me wake him." She went to Leonard and shook him gently. "Len, wake up. Jim and Geoff are on the comm and want to speak to you."
Leonard opened his eyes. "I'm awake, Ny," he said, yawning. "Give me a minute."
"Take your time. I'll send your stats in the meantime. Geoff," she told him, "Len had his second dose of the anti-viral this morning. He's no better, and he's still feeling very weak, sleeps a lot, and gets hoarse easily. His temp and pain return every four hours," she reported. "I wish I had better news."
"We'll be there tomorrow evening, Lieutenant. The Captain has already made plans for Christine and I to beam down, and he'll be coming with us."
Leonard overheard. "Give me that comm, Ny."
Nyota handed him the comm feeling a bit sorry for Geoffrey as she did.
"Geoff," Leonard said. "I forbid Jim from beaming down here. There's no use in exposing him to this virus, and once he's down here, what can he do? You and Christine are gonna' be the ones to take care of me. There's no reason for him to be here."
"I can hear you, Bones," Jim said stepping into view on the comm screen. "I know I'm not a doctor or nurse and I'm not beaming down to treat you, I'm beaming down to cheer you up. You know I always cheer you up when you're grumpy." He grinned sunnily at the irate Leonard.
"Damn it, Jim, you know once you're down here, you'll have no choice but to get the new vaccine Geoff will compound for this virus variant."
"I know, Bones, we already talked about it. Geoff explained everything to me."
'Course he did, Geoff's a great doctor," Leonard scowled at Jim's visage on the comm.
"So expect me tomorrow evening. Scotty says we'll be there by 2000 hours."
Leonard sighed. It was futile to argue with Jim once he'd made up his mind. "Alright Jim, guess I cain't talk you out of it, can I. Just remember Killeen is bringing' dinner for us at 1900. Nyota will tell him I'm too tired for company, and since he's very considerate I know he'll leave right away. Then you and Geoff can beam down as soon as you arrive. I guess if we convince the girls to escape, they'll go back to the hotel and get their stuff and come back here after Killleen leaves. Nyota will fix the time with them, right before you beam down, I guess. I sure don't want Killeen to see them. That'd be openin' a big can of worms! Seems like with so many people comin' and goin' we're gonna be tripping over each other," he grumbled. "Hope it's not a disaster waiting to happen."
"Stop worrying, Bones. We'll figure it out. The main thing is to get you treated, get the right meds in you. Then we'll worry about those three girls. We'll see you soon, I'll be down with Geoff tomorrow evening. Kirk out."
"Damn it, Jim," Leonard muttered, closing his comm.
