There was no time for me to process the fact that I had just beamed somewhere for the first time.
The moment our feet hit the deck of Rio Grande, Julian leapt into action. "Jeff, take the controls and get us the hell out of here. Stacey, help me get Talina to the medbay."
Jeff dove into the pilot's couch and started punching buttons. Allana looked over his shoulder, her brown eyes wide.
Julian lifted Talina's torso while I lifted her legs. It was appallingly easy, since she was little more than skin and bones. His eyes met mine, his face creased with worry.
We hurried to the medbay, with Julian leading the way. We gently laid Talina on an examining table. I backed out of the way so Julian could do his work.
He made use of a number of medical instruments that hummed, dinged, chirped, and beeped. Some of them emitted light of various colors. After each instrument, Talina looked just a tiny bit healthier.
It was truly amazing. Clearly, Federation medicine was much more advanced than what I was used to back on Emerald Haven.
Julian worked for about fifteen minutes. Then he turned around. "I've got her stabilized for transport. Rio Grande's medbay is so basic that the rest will have to wait until we get back to the station."
I moved to Talina's bedside. Her eyes were closed, and she appeared to be resting peacefully.
Julian put his arm around my waist. I leaned against him.
After a couple of minutes, he said, "Now that we have the time, let me look at that nasty phaser burn on your chest."
I stripped off my filthy tunic. The blisters had long since popped, and the wound was peeling like crazy.
"Does it hurt?" Julian asked as he took a close look.
"I've kind of been too busy to notice," I shrugged.
Julian picked up something and pointed it at my chest. The instrument whirred softly, emitting a gentle green glow. He swept it over the wound, back and forth, back and forth.
After a handful of seconds, the wound was completely gone!
I gaped in befuddled astonishment. "That's incredible! How did you do that?"
"Just something I learned in med school," Julian shrugged, grinning. He put the instrument down on a nearby table and wrapped his arms around me. I clung to him tightly.
I didn't know how long we'd been holding each other when Jeff's voice suddenly blared from the speaker. "Julian, I need you in the cockpit. We're approaching DS9."
"On my way," Julian replied, releasing me. He hurried out of the medbay.
I slithered back into my tunic and scurried after him.
In the cockpit, Jeff relinquished the pilot's chair to Julian, who sat down and began pressing buttons. Rio Grande slowed and changed course.
Julian pressed another button. "Rio Grande to Ops."
"This is Kira," a female voice responded from the speaker. "Welcome home, Doctor. Did you find your family?"
"Mission accomplished," Julian confirmed. "Have a medical team meet us at the airlock."
"Understood. You're cleared for Bay Eleven. Ops out."
It took Julian about five minutes to guide Rio Grande into the docking bay. As soon as the ship was secured, he stood up and opened the hatch.
The medical team he had requested rushed in. Julian directed them toward sick bay.
The medics were followed more slowly by a black man in a Starfleet uniform. "Welcome back, Doctor. I understand from Major Kira that your misson was a success."
"Yes, sir. The medics are waiting for my help with my sister-in-law, Talina, who is injured. But before I rush off, allow me to present my brother Jeffrey and my niece Allana. And this," Julian continued, draping an arm over my shoulders and pulling me to him, "is my fiancée, Stacey Callahan."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Commander Sisko, the commander of this station." He stuck his hand out, and we shook firmly.
"Likewise."
He smiled as he turned to leave. "Welcome to DS9."
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