7/30/2259
Saratoga Sick Bay
5:45 PM

As he had several times over the past two days, Kirk made his way towards Sickbay, his mind endlessly replaying
the previous events.

Six crewmembers down. The ecological team had been collecting samples and taking scans near a large grove when
suddenly some of the trees had began to emit a powerful gas-like toxin apparently as some sort of defense mechanism.
The two closest to the trees had collapsed almost immediately. The rest had tried to flee but had rapidly succumbed.
The party member furthest from the trees had managed to signal for help before also succumbing. They had been beamed
back to the ship and now all of them were in comas while McCoy and the rest of the medical and science staff tried to find
some way to counteract the toxin.

Upon entering, Kirk first headed toward the Intensive Care Ward where the team members who were in the worse shape lay.

Lieutenant Commander Pablo Rodriguez lay in the first bed. Head of the Saratoga's Ecology Department he was quiet man
with a spine of steel and unequaled in his knowledge of agriculture. His wife, Lieutenant Harmaya Rodriguez, sat beside him
in silent vigil as she had for the past two days. Kirk gently clasped the Communications officer's shoulder in a show of support.
She looked at him gratefully, eyes red-rimmed from crying.

Before moving on, Kirk cast another glance at the motionless agriculturalist. Get better Commander. There are so many
people who need you.

In the other bed was Lieutenant D'lor from Security. He had served onboard the Saratoga for two years. He was dedicated
and competent, as well as formal and a stickler for protocol. Kirk had occasionally found himself comparing him to a certain
Vulcan First Officer. He had attempted to engage him a few times but the Zecumbran was uncomfortable fraternizing with
crewmembers higher or lower ranked than him, even while off duty.

I should have tried harder, Kirk thought sadly.

He turned and entered the Main Ward and went over to its four beds.

Lieutenant Taya Williams of Security was the first. She hailed from Alaska and was part Inupiat. A woman of action,
she preferred things to be decided quickly. She was blunt and could be hot headed but never hesitated to admit when
she was wrong. She also had the distinction of being one of the few beings to have managed the feat of befriending
an Andorian. Kirk had spoken to Lieutenant P'lal a few times since the incident. Like all Andorians she was intense
and focused in times of crisis, but he'd sensed her grief.

Get better, Lieutenant. You'll be greatly missed if you don't.

Lieutenant Sarah Richards was next. She was a specialist in plant ecology and from working with her he knew her to be
intelligent and forthright. She could wax poetic about the season changes in her native New Hampshire and loved plants
as much as L'Naym. The two women had struck a firm friendship.

Get better, Lieutenant. This ship needs your mind and your appreciation for beauty.

Struggling to contain himself he made his way over to the final two beds.

Crewman Tuskaro Alyen, paramedic and Crewman Shylea L'Naym, botanist. Lifemated for two years. Today was their
anniversary.

They had both been furthest away from the toxin spewing trees. When the attack happened it had been Alyen who
had frantically commed the Saratoga to let them know what was happening and to warn them about the trees.

They both lay on biobeds beside each other, Nlian medical records stated that being in close proximity to someone
with whom they shared a Bond was vital in times of illness or injury; that they could draw strength from the Bond.
A Lifemate Bond was obviously the strongest.

Maybe a Soul Sibling can help too.

Standing between both beds, Kirk took both of their hands and squeezed his eyes shut in concentration.

The Touched Soul reached out. Normally when he and the Joined Souls shared they made the contact. Now he had
to initiate it.

He reached out to the two Joined Souls. Searching…searching…

Yes, he could feel them…They were both deeply unconscious, but he could just touch them and as he did so he felt
a faint stir.

*I am Jim and I am yours,* he whispered, willing them both to hear him. *Take my strength. Take all of it.*

For several minutes the Touched Soul stood silently, willing the Joined Souls to feel his love, willing his strength
to flow into them.

*Get better, guys. Please get better.*