The Joined Souls floated in darkness.
Everywhere was darkness…
A darkness like space without stars.
Each of them floated in the dark.
Unseeing, unhearing, but aware…
Ever aware of each other.
Everywhere there was darkness
But one certainty ever remained…
They were Joined Souls.
They were one.
Nothing would ever part them.
They where ever aware of each other.
And every so often the soft brush of another…Jim…
7/31/2259
Sickbay
8:45 AM
*I am Jim and I am yours. Always.*
Kirk gently released the Nlians' hands and stepped back. Since the accident he had continued to sleep in his quarters
so as to be fully rested. Each morning he would come to Sickbay to check on his Soul Siblings and the other patients,
and then head to the Bridge.
He glanced over at Nurse Belzoni who was at Richard's bedside monitoring her vitals. She met his gaze solemnly.
"We'll take care of them, Captain," she said softly.
"I know," he replied.
After the Captain exited, Belzoni made her way past the Medical Lab where McCoy was pouring over results from tests.
Her husband had once again withdrawn to the Biochemestry Lab and the CMO was now speaking to Sar Iyi Domla from
Zoel Prime.
A civilian xenobiologist with a focus on toxicology, Domla was a long time associate of Bangwato and Emare and had
accompanied them on their year-long research trip. Her azure hair was striking, matched by her azure eyes that pierced
anything she gazed at. Bangwato had affectionately given her the nickname 'Sharpsight' and those who knew her found
it apt for her keen gaze missed nothing, be it details in a substance or in a theory.
"I think there may be a possible vector here," McCoy was saying as Belzoni entered. "These reading seem to indicate…"
As McCoy continued with his explanation Belzoni silently continued with her rounds. 'Please find something soon, Doctor.'
Entering the Intensive Care Ward she checked on D'lor and Rodriguez. Harmaya Rodriguez had finally been persuaded
by a relentless Captain and CMO to go to her quarters for a few hours of real rest.
'The doctor won't stop until he finds something, Harmaya, Belzoni thought. 'And everyone on this ship will look after him
and the others in the meantime.'
Shuttlebay
9:30 AM
After suiting himself in protective equipment, Lieutenant Blackhawk made his way toward the shuttle Fairwind which
had been thoroughly prepped and fueled. He would be leading today's away-mission, one of the many that had been
sent to gather as much samples and data as possible on the toxin-emitting trees, in the hopes of developing a cure
for their stricken crewmembers. The Captain had led several but today he would be staying on the ship, going over
details with the various Departments.
On the team was Dr. Nelena, a geneticist with a focus on molecular ecology. The elderly Rigelian had arrived the year
before on a four year research project and had become well known to the crew. She was a somber woman on the surface
but had a private, subdued sense of humor.
Also on the team was Crewman Trent Blackwood. His primary interest was entomology, but he had degrees in toxicology
as well. He was somewhat sullen and preferred to work alone, but had risen to the occasion.
The fourth member was Crewman Reggie Nelson, whose focus was molecular and micro-biology.
For Security was Lieutenant Lorn. The Draylaxian's agility made her an asset on away missions, especially when her
protective streak was triggered.
The final member of the team was Lieutenant Ralessa, the Saratoga's newest Operations officer. She had proven to
be an asset on away-missions as well, due to her sharp senses and hunting instincts. In addition, she had grown up
in a world of thick, often dangerous forests, so she often noticed details that others missed. She and Lorn had many
things in common and in the two weeks since her arrival, the two had struck up a friendship. The 'Lupine and the Feline'
some already calling them.
As the team boarded the shuttle, all were quiet and focused. Every team sent knew the importance of the mission:
six crewmembers' lives were at stake and the slightest detail gathered could be the key component in saving them.
On a large ship the absence of six crewmembers would have barely been noticed, but on the Saratoga every loss was
as an open wound. The entire crew was keenly aware of their absence and everyone was determined to do their utmost
to save them.
Bridge
4:40 PM
The bridge crew went about their duties quietly. The illness of the fallen crewmembers had taken a toll on everyone,
none more than the Captain. Filars, who had once again come to the Bridge to keep an eye on him, frequently shot
him concerned glances.
Kirk was having a quiet conversation with Thelin when he received a comm from McCoy.
'Jim, I think we've got something.'
Sickbay
10:30 PM
"Now we'll see if the treatment works. I'm beginning injections now."
The Joined Souls floated in darkness.
Ever aware of each other and of one fact…
They were Joined Souls.
They were one.
Nothing would ever part them.
But the darkness…it was growing lighter.
Soon they were able to whisper to each other.
"Jim, its working. Their vitals are beginning to stabilize!"
Kirk clasped both Nlians' hands tightly. *Come back, guys. Come back to us.*
The darkness was getting lighter and lighter.
One Soul saw the source of the light ahead…
Heard someone else calling him…
He hesitated not wanting to leave his Other Half.
*I see it too, Beloved,* she whispered to him. *Go on. I'll follow.*
He sensed that this was so and continued on, feeling her close behind him.
It grew brighter… ever brighter.
Ahead was light and awareness…
And the call of another Soul…Jim…
8/1/2259
2:15 AM
"…He's coming around."
Alyen slowly forced his eyes open. Standing beside him was his Soul Brother and Dr. McCoy.
"Tuskaro," Jim whispered, clutching the Nlian's hand in an iron grip.
Alyen looked around, he sensed his lifemate's nearness but couldn't see her. *S-Shy…* he asked.
"She's right here beside you," Jim said gently. "See? She's starting to wake up too."
Alyen finally saw his beloved lying beside him. *Beloved…*
She was still not fully conscious but her reply, although sluggish, was immediate. *Beloved…*
Reassured, he managed to whisper out loud, "Th others…"
McCoy was the one who answered. "They should all pull through, in large part, thanks to you. You sent out
the warning, told us that something was wrong. We might not have known what was going on down there
for who knows how long. And by that time the toxin…" he left the sentence unfinished.
He continued. "Apparently Nlians have greater resistance to certain toxins than some species. Using yours
and Mrs. L'Naym's blood, added to other data we've collected, we were able to synthesize a course of treatment.
You were the first to wake up, but all of the others' vitals are increasing."
"Thank you," Alyen whispered.
McCoy's eyes warmed. "It wasn't just me, but you're welcome."