Chapter Five

Six Years Earlier…

Shifting back and forwards between the hand written notes of his father and the small computer display before him, Leonard McCoy examined the data closely once again. It was safe to say that he had taken up his father's cause of finding a cure for the plague which had destroyed his father's life. Divorced twice due too his almost addiction towards finding a cure for the plague of which he held himself responsible, David McCoy died years earlier without finding the cure. Sworn towards his father's cause, his son, Leonard McCoy had followed in his father's footsteps in the hopes of finally defeating what had become a family nemesis and a green blood stain on the family crest.

With his only ally in the Romulan Empire recovering from a personal loss and their transmissions monitored closely by Starfleet Security, McCoy had been all but abandoned by his family and closest friends with the acceptation of one young and brash Starfleet Lieutenant Commander named James Tiberius Kirk. Considered by many to be the future of Starfleet and a prodigy in his own right, Kirk had often annoyed McCoy with his relentless practical jokes and constant womanising, something that McCoy himself had found an irritating attitude about his younger friend.

He remembered, with fond memory a time during a layover at a Starbase where he was serving. For over two weeks, McCoy had been enveloped by his research on a similar case too the Langaran Plague when Kirk entered and drew him away from his research. During his short stay at the Starbase, Kirk had convinced the owner of a large bar that it was McCoy's wedding in three weeks and organised a Stag-Party in his honour. Although McCoy had worked at the Starbase for two years and had not mentioned anything about even dating, Kirk had somehow convinced the owner it was true and a full Stag-party was created in his honour complete with Orion female dancers, strippers and an old Jazz band.

It had almost appeared as if Kirk was convinced that he needed a break from his research. However, the fake Stag-Party was not Kirk's only achievement on that night. He had somehow managed to get a two star Admiral, and commanding officer of the Starbase, to give a speech about McCoy and his imaginary wife at the Stag-Party. Two days later, McCoy could only remember rolling out of bed and declaring too the command staff of Starbase Deep-Space Three, that the wedding was cancelled, much too his own embarrassment. Nonetheless, McCoy was granted a two week leave from operational duty to recover from his imaginary loss a leave which he gratefully took on the planet Risa. Two weeks later, McCoy was once again contacted by the two-star Admiral and informed of the death of his former fiancée and much to his own surprise, he was once again granted a two week leave along with an old friend named James Kirk.

Curing the Langaran plague was of top priority for Starfleet Command and the galaxy itself, rumours of the quarantine being broken by several ships once again had placed a huge pressure on McCoy as the plague had once again spread throughout the Romulan Empire almost as if it had been modified for some terrible reason unknown to Starfleet Medical. Deep in study his entire life and using his father's original notes on the plague, McCoy had become the Federation's foremost expert on the Langaran plague. However, with each breakthrough it had appeared as if the plague itself had mutated with each attempt at finding a cure, due to the illegal use of genetically modified embryos stolen from Cold Station Twelve by the crew of the USS North-Gate.

Many rumours and conspiracy theories had surfaced around the Federation worlds as to the true reason behind the attack itself, some claim that a rogue department within the Federation itself had authorised the attack. A clandestine agency working outside of Federation law for the good of the Federation, considered as rumour and legend and dismissed as quickly, this hidden agency is believed to have agents all over the Federation, its allies and enemies. Nonetheless, no proof of this agency has even been found by Starfleet Security, or it was simply covered up. Yet other more outlandish theories claim it was the result of interference from the future in an attempt to destroy the Romulan Empire before they could pose a real threat to the Federation itself, something of which McCoy had found an entertaining prospect, however it would explain the complexity of the basic plague which was originally delivered to the unsuspecting Romulan world.

Shaking off his thoughts, McCoy once again returned too his work as he attempted yet another way of curing this plague.

"Computer…" He sighed. "Reset. Let's try something different for a change…"

Checking the original hand written notes of his father, McCoy took a sip of the coffee at his side as his research many had simply given up on.

"… Scan the base-pairs of the DNA strand… designated Theta Forty-Five…"

"Scanning" The computer reported.

"Any change?"

"Confirmed, detecting a 0.1% change"

"Well, it's a start" He sighed. "Continue monitoring for changes…"

"Command Acknowledged"

"Let's try a low level plasma charge… wait! What is that?" He said as he looked at the computer screen before him.

"Mutation in sequence Gamma Twelve. Warning, contamination of sample. Emergency procedures in effect…"

"STOP!" He yelled. "Monitor that change. I think that's it!" He declared.

"Warning, airborne pathogen detected. Evacuate the area"

Slamming his fist on the desk before him, McCoy quickly grabbed the hand written notebooks written by his father and left the laboratory quickly as a sterilisation beam began to encompass the room. As the door closed behind him, a forcefeild sealed off the room as a he yelled too the roof with frustration while three large security officers ran towards him.

"Doctor? Are you all right?"

"No damn it! I was so close" He declared with anger.

From the distance, a voice called out to him almost in panic forcing the angered Doctor too turn quickly on his heels.

"Bones, are you okay. What the hell happened?"

"Jim?" He said with surprise. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"The Farragut had stopped by for a resupply. What happened?"

"That damned quarantine system is too sensitive. I just had a chance to grab my father's journals before it activated. Years of research wiped out in an instant"

"At least you're okay" He said as he stopped before him.

"I bet even my coffee has been sterilised by now"

"Did you back up your files like I told you?" He smiled slightly.

"Of course, I'm not a complete idiot you know. But my samples are almost exhausted. Jim… we need more of the plague"

"Lucky for you, we where in the area. The Farragut is towing a plague ship behind it, it was supposed to be a stop off before we reached the safe zone!"

"A plague ship?" McCoy smiled slightly.

"Yes. Eighteen infected, Doctor Marcus has them isolated on the ship, we have a few Vulcan officers onboard"

"I need a fresh sample Jim…"

"I'll see what I can do"

Reaching onto his belt line, the young Lieutenant Commander took hold of his communicator and flipped it open as he spoke.

"Kirk too Farragut, Put me through to Doctor Marcus right away"

"One moment sir. Go ahead Commander"

"Carol, I'm with Bones. He needs a fresh sample… can you spare any?"

"Affirmative Commander, Lieutenant Ford has reported we've lost another one. I was about too perform an autopsy on the body. It appears as if the plague has mutated once more" She reported quickly.

"Doctor Marcus, Leonard McCoy. Beam the corpse down too autopsy, I'll perform it down here… you're welcome to assist"

"Understood, I'll transfer the body in one hour… after a full quarantine is in effect"

"No! Don't touch the body in anyway. I need the body intact"

"Doctor, the victim is not Romulan…"

"What?" He said in shock.

"From the records we've downloaded from the ship, we believe it is Cardassian. The plague has jumped species… We could be looking at a galactic pandemic"

"Understood, beam the untouched body here… I'll alert the Admiral. McCoy out!" He growled.

"It's jumped Species?" A security guard said in shock.

"Relax Cup-Cake!" Kirk laughed. "I'm sure bones knows what he's doing"

"If you where not a superior officer…" The large man growled.

"Take it easy, it's just a joke!" He said as he slapped his shoulder playfully.

After an intensive autopsy of the suspected Cardassian corpse, McCoy walked out of the hermetically sealed room along with the Doctor from the USS Farragut. Changing back into his usual medical scrubs, McCoy slumped exhaustedly in a chair next too Kirk, as Kirk handed him a cup of much needed Coffee.

"What the hell is this?" He said as he took a sip"

"A… special blend Bones. I picked it up awhile back. A kick in the ass ain't it?" He laughed.

"And then some, spicy!" He sighed.

"Anything?"

"The initial prognosis was accurate, it is the Langaran Plague… it appears as if the pour soul was intentionally infected"

"That correlates with what I've found out. I double checked the computer on the plague ship… relax, I took full quarantine procedures, his name was Dakar, a prisoner. Apparently, his government was… worried about the plague jumping species, they have been working on retro-virus to combat the plague for military reasons…"

"The Augment DNA?" McCoy sighed.

"Yes, they want the key too genetically enhanced soldiers like the Klingons did over a century ago. It was the only sample available at the time. The poor bastard was given a volatile dosage of the plague with some form of catalyst to accelerate the effects. From what I've read, a Romulan Doctor named Selana monitored his progress…"

"Selana?" He said in shock.

"You know her?"

"Something like that. She is mentioned in my father's notes. About sixty years ago, she contacted my father via… the Tholian Embassy. She had heard of his work and wanted to trade notes. I've spoken too her a few times in the past, she's brilliant"

"I see. Cavorting with the enemy Bones?" Kirk laughed.

"Go-to Hell!" McCoy replied quickly.

"Doctor McCoy, Commander Kirk… I think you should see this!" Marcus said quickly.

Holding out a medical tablet computer, the young blonde doctor walked towards the two officers with a puzzled look on her face as McCoy took the tablet computer from her.

"What the hell?" McCoy said quickly.

"What?"

"Are these readings right?"

"I've checked them twice Leonard" She replied.

"Call him Bones Carol" Kirk laughed. "What is it?"

"These reports, I've gotta get this too my lab…"

Jumping too his feet, the exhausted Doctor broke into an almost full sprint as he ran down the corridor almost knocking into the many medical staff in his way. Smiling slightly, Kirk stood and looked at Carol with a slight smile as he spoke.

"I think we should follow him"

"Is he always like that?" She smiled.

"No, sometimes… he's actually annoying!" Kirk laughed.

Following the doctor at a leisurely pace, they did not say a word too each other as they walked through the huge facility. Stopping at the door outside McCoy's Lab, Carol turned slightly as she looked at Kirk with a half smile on her face.

"So, we're not going to talk about what happened last week?"

"What's to talk about?" Kirk said quickly.

"You proposed to me Jim… or is that another of your games?"

"It wasn't a game Carol, I was serious"

"I thought that maybe…"

Before she could complete her sentence, the doors to the quarters slid open as the smiling face of the disgruntled doctor McCoy stood before them.

"Are you two coming in here, or do you want some time alone?" McCoy laughed.

"Ha-ha!" Kirk grunted. "You told him?"

"Sorry, we had a lot of time in that room. Had to talk about something… is it true you made a pass at his wife?"

"Bones!" Kirk laughed.

"Screw you, if you can't take a joke. Isn't that what you said too me?"

"Very funny! What've you got?"

Turning quickly on his heels, McCoy entered his Laboratory as Kirk and Carol entered. With a smile, McCoy sealed the doors and deactivated the sensors in the room as he walked towards a computer before him, a computer which appeared to display the logo of Starfleet Medical. Smiling slightly, McCoy turned towards his two guests as he spoke aloud.

"Doctor Selana, can you hear me?"

"Perfectly Doctor" A voice said over the speakers.

"I'm standing here with Doctor Carol Marcus and Commander Kirk from the Farragut. Tell them what you told me Selana"

"Are you sure you can trust them?" The voice replied.

"Yes" Kirk smiled.

"Very well. Five years ago, the Cardassian Government approached me about the Plague raping our worlds, they claim too have found a cure and wanted a sample for verification… We supplied them with a small amount of infected tissue for study. Two years ago, they once again approached me with an idea, they wanted too see how far the plague could progress against none Romulans, they had experimented with infecting prisoners to great effect and a possible cure could be found. However, their research was flawed…"

"How so?" Carol called out.

"I assume that was Carol Marcus? Beautiful voice miss… as I see you are"

"You can see us?" Kirk said quickly.

"No, the channels used to contact Leonard are… less then stable. I have accessed your Starfleet file. Very attractive, you also Kirk"

"You have access too our Database?" Kirk growled.

"Relax Commander Kirk, our intelligence is better then you think. And no, I was not given these files by Leonard. As I was saying before I was so… rudely interrupted… the Cardassian research had caused a fifteen percent mutation in the basic components of the plague. We believe that we are now dealing with over thirty unique variations of the plague itself"

"What?" Marcus said quickly.

"That's why we can't find a cure… each variation is so similar, they look almost identical… but they are a separate version of this plague. Doctor Selana has found a way of eradicating eight weaker variants of the plague. The rest… you get the idea!"

"Leonard is current!" Selana continued. "Commander Kirk, Doctor Marcus… if this plague continues on its current path, every green blooded species will be extinct in one century, including Vulcan. As of three days ago, those amongst my people who are not infected with this plague… are to be relocated away from Romulus in an uncharted region of space beyond the Alpha and Beta Quadrants"

"Too insure the survival of your species, I understand" Marcus replied. "What do you want us to do?"

"You must petition Starfleet Command to negotiate a peace treaty with the Romulan Empire, I will do the same from this side. To maintain the illusion that Romulus is still active, half of those who are not infected will remain on the homeworld"

"Command will not listen too us Doctor!"

"Lieutenant Commander Kirk, you must try. Contact the Starship Enterprise… Captain Christopher Pike will listen to you, I believed he once served with your father on the USS Kelvin?"

"Yes, he is a family friend" Kirk smiled slightly.

"Do what you can Kirk. The future of an entire species is riding on your next choice. Our enemies are growing in strength. Cracks from within the Empire are beginning to form amongst the un-touched. If the Empire falls… who knows, maybe even our closest allies will move in to pick at the bones of what remains… and that would be disastrous for the Empire… your Federation… and the Alpha Quadrant itself"

"Understood" Kirk said slowly.

"I have to deactivate this channel now, my signal is being traced"

"Of course. Contact at the usual time Doc!" McCoy said quickly.

"Indeed!" She replied. "Thank you Doctor. Perhaps one day, we can finally meet face to face and combat this plague. Selana out!"

"She sounds cute!" Kirk laughed.

"Jim, this is no joke. For once, put aside your attitude and do some good. You do understand what this means?"

"Yes. I'll do what I can from this end. The last I heard, the Enterprise is patrolling the Neutral Zone"

"I know, she's out of communications range for the time being. I have a… friend onboard who may be able to help. The ship's CMO is an old friend… more like a teacher actually. I'll see what I can do"

The revelation of what the Romulan Doctor had said, echoed around the room like an explosion from a Photon Torpedo, the prospect of the Plague mutating into over thirty different variants had become McCoy's worst nightmare and now the involvement of the still unknown Cardassian Union was a serious threat too his research. Finding a cure for this deadly plague had become the mantle passed down too him by his father and mentor since the day of his birth, and something he had sworn to cure on his father's deathbed many years ago. However, now he was sure of one thing. With the assistance of the brilliant and brash young Lieutenant Commander James Kirk, an end too the plague almost seemed within sight once and for all. Now all that remained was to contact Starfleet Command and convince them too start peace negotiations with the Romulan Star Empire, a sworn blood enemy of the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet itself.