SIX MONTHS LATER:
Dr. Leonard McCoy was having one of his mood swings again. Four giggling girls had to be removed from his class after misplacing a vat of Amazon tree frogs and since then he had become rather suspicious of the young cadets who tried to get his supervision in advanced Bio-medics.
Incompetence was his biggest adversity. These kids thought they knew so much while studying anatomy in a warm clean classroom safe on Earth's ground. Feh, those greenhorns knew bullshit about science. Wait until they got up into the miserable void of space and were up to their elbows in bloodied guts and puking mouths. He'd the one having to bear the brunt of responsibilities.
McCoy's worst nightmare was being stuck on a starship in some godforsaken corner of the universe surrounded by dying patients and assisted by a junior officer who didn't know one end of a laser scalpel from another.
Today he was feeling rather cantankerous and Jim Kirk's joking attitude hadn't lightened up the situation over breakfast. McCoy gulped down two cups of strong black coffee before heading over to the testing center.
"All right," he grumbled to Dr. Perry. The two men were standing on a raised platform above the testing room where they could watch students below during the examination. "What've we got today?"
Dr. Perry pointed to the line of cadets waiting ever-so-patiently for the exam to start. "Toxic extraction. We're rating their response to lethal situations so let me know if any of the students meet with your fanatic approval." The hint of sarcasm in his voice was lost on McCoy's ears.
The younger doctor mumbled to himself while he folded his arms across his chest in skeptism. "Don't know how much I like these newfangled models. In my day we used the old-fashioned computer systems and they were just as good as-"
"Dr. McCoy, if you are so fond of old-fashioned techniques then perhaps you would feel more comfortable combing the beach for fresh corpses," Dr. Perry replied dryly. McCoy took the hint and kept his lips sealed.
Previous generations had debated heavily regarding ethical rules for using corpses for the sake of medical expertise. Now a safer option had become standard regulation.
Synthetic bodies created from artificial tissue and a cleverly strategized computer system that monitored the heart and vital systems were used not only in Starfleet but in other institutions across the galaxy. There was no risk of injuring a patient and yet the hands-on test was life-like enough to evaluate a student's competence. The fact that nine Starfleet doctors were watching them behind the glass window certainly didn't help sensitive nerves.
"You're next," the instructor said to Christine. Her peers wished her luck. She swiped her card and the door snapped open, permitting her to enter the instruction chamber.
The doctors were watching from behind the glass panel. Christine gave them a quick glance before cleaning her hands at the hygiene basin. Then she turned on the stimulator, picked up the laser scalpel, and turned to the dummy that lay on a metallic bed.
"Andorian poison is infecting the patient's body," Dr. Perry's voice rasped through the speakers. No sooner had he spoken then the artificial skin began to turn green and the heart monitor began beeping. "You have two minutes to extract the poison before it shuts down his brain and vitals. Good luck".
Blocking out the starring eyes of her audience, Christine focused on the situation based on what she had learned in classes.
She knew that the venom would work its way quickly into the chest before heading to the brain. Applying the appropriate injections just below where his heart was would slow down the venom. Quickly her fingers selected the correct medications on the tray and she began injecting anti-toxins into the skin. From time to time she'd glance at the monitor screen to examine his vitals. While most of the venom had slowed down throughout his system, he was still in unstable condition.
The beeping was growing faster now. The dummy patient's fingers began to shake. She recognized the symptoms and knew he'd go into shock in less than a minute.
"Thirty seconds, Cadet Chapel!"
McCoy studied the cadet with a calloused thumb stuck between his teeth. He hoped she wouldn't go into a nervous breakdown or try to suck out the venom.
Wiping a strand of hair out of her face, Christine seized the laser scalpel. Two shocks, one on either side at the base of his neck, would prevent the venom against invading his central nerve system. She jammed the thin reed-like instrument into one side of his neck and pressed down on the button.
ZAP!
Christine injected the laser scalpel in other side of his neck.
ZAP!
The dummy's face slowly began to drain of the lurid green color, much to Christine's relief. The mouth opened and the artificial stimulator caused him to cough. A putrid mud-colored liquid began oozing out of the dummy's mouth. Good. He was vomiting up the venom.
Christine wiped the venom away with a swabbing cloth, being careful so it only touched her gloves and not any inch of her skin. By the time she had resorted vital signs to normal, a healthy hue was being restored to the dummy's face. She managed exhale a sigh of relief. An injection of plasma antidote would keep his fever down and induce him to sleep.
Christine had just managed to extract the needle when lights flickered overhead.
"Time's up, Cadet Chapel. Please remove your gloves and tunic. You will be exiting from the left side of the room," announced Dr. Perry.
Adjusting her skirt and headband, Christine did as instructed and was soon face-to-face with Dr. Perry. He was not a man to hand out compliments so he nodded a "well done" to Christine and informed her that final results would be posted next week.
Dr. McCoy, on the other hand, looked very pleased with her. The tall brown-haired man strode right up to Christine and nodded eagerly.
"Well ma'am, I'm glad to see you're not sweating bullets like Mr. Gillford," McCoy complimented her. "Where'd you learn about anti-toxins so fast?"
"My primary school offered basic bio-courses to early students. I guess I got a head start in learning," Christine confessed. She was secretly very pleased with herself but attempted to contain it so as not to appear haughty. However, her toes curled up inside of her boots with delight.
"Which primary school?"
"The Minneapolis Sanctuary House."
McCoy's thick eyebrows furrowed. "Sanctuary House? I heard of that one. So you know about the Proxi-Atom virus, right?"
Feelings of joy were quickly deflated within Christine. "Yes, sir. I was exposed to the virus."
To her astonishment, he did not back away in disgust. Instead, McCoy gave a sharp nod of the head. "Good. Then you're also immune to four other viruses. Take Advanced Vascular Medics next year and you'll be sure signed onto a starship faster than you can say 'jack rabbit'."
"Starship?" McCoy had turned to go but Christine caught him by the sleeve. "Doctor, pardon me but I thought I was going to be assigned to a local Federation hospital."
"You? Hell no, not if I have anything to say about it," McCoy answered. "Starfleet needs to fill up the quota of competent medical officers on ships so I expect you to be on the next one in less than two years."
He turned from Christine and went back to feuding with Dr. Perry over another cadet's incompetence, leaving the young cadet in bewilderment.
A-A-A
"A starship? Excellent!" Ben waved a hand in the air. "You'll probably be one of the youngest kids aboard but who cares?"
"But that wasn't my expectation," Christine insisted. "I just wanted to pass my courses."
"Try giving yourself a little more credit when it's due. Especially when you're up against McCoy the Grouch."
"He seems nice," Christine said in defense.
"Don't get me wrong, Christine. McCoy's one of the best medics in the fleet. He's a great doctor but kind of pessimist. He'll think of a 'worst case scenario' in every situation."
Christine smiled. "I thought that'd be a good thing aboard a starship."
"It's the captain's job to fret over those problems. Leave the doctors to the rest," Ben insisted. "And speaking of Starfleet, everyone's been buzzing about the new models they've been building in Iowa over the last several months. Haven't you heard about it? U.S.S. Liberty, Endeavor, Independent, and Enterprise should be operational sometime next year."
"Really? Are they good ships?"
"Good doesn't cut it!" Ben was warming up to his particularly favorite subject. "Turbo engines, thermal blasters, warpel sonic drives, and room for over 400 people! Those babies are the most beautiful things to ever grace a galaxy."
"Aside from me, of course," Janice announced. She had popped up quickly and plunked herself down next to Christine. "You look like hell. Did you eat lunch yet?"
"No, I'm still recovering from my exam," Christine said.
"Really? How did it go?"
Christine related the scenario over to Janice, who also complimented her on a job well done as well as managing to win the unlikely trust of Dr. "Bones" McCoy.
"I think that's enough testing for one day, Christine. You've been slaving over textbooks for weeks now. It's time to have some fun."
She plunked a large metallic red box on the table and patted it affectionately. "Get your bathing suit on. We're going to the beach!"
A-A-A
That afternoon:
Gaila was accustomed to catching the eye of male humans.
Today was no exception and she was extra careful to wear her plum-colored bathing suit, the one festooned with rhinestones that looked especially sensual next to her green skin. "Exotic", they called her. It brought the appropriate type of attention an Orion girl wanted as she lay on her towel and began rubbing lotion into her slender legs with long even strokes.
"Can I do that for you?" one cadet in swimming trunks offered. She noticed his tanned skin, his bleach-blonde hair, and his face that was nearly drooling with eagerness.
"Knock yourself out," she murmured in a low teasing voice. With great satisfaction, he poured the spicy orange-scented oil into his palms and began massaging it into her shoulders. Gaila's lips pursed up and she purred contently. Lazily, she leaned back on her elbows and basked in the warmth of the sun and the silken sand that tickled deliciously between her toes. This is the life, she assured herself.
Galia's attention eventually drifted across the boardwalk in time to watch two blondes dismount a shuttle. Unlike her glittering amethyst bikini, they were clad in the more modest (but rather dull, in Gaila's opinion) Starfleet swimming uniforms of navy blue and white—Earth's traditional nautical colors.
The girls didn't seem to care as they were more focused on lugging their beach equipment to a suitable spot near the water.
Gaila gave an innocent shrug. Who was she to question how cadets spent their recreation time?
"Ah...ah..." she exhaled deeply. Her attention came back to the male cadet who was running the palm of his hand across a sore spot on her neck that needed pressure. "That's perfect. Just a little further down. Thaaaaaat's it."
Some 200 yards away, Janice had dumped all her equipment on a pop-up canvas sheet. She dusted her hands together before placing them on her hips. "How's this for a refreshing break from hitting the books?" She inhaled deeply. "Mmmm, smell that air! You can't bottle this kind of stuff, Christine."
Christine breathed it in as well. Calling the air "salty" wasn't sufficient. The sea carried a powerful briny scent mingled with seaweed and driftwood across the shores and into their nostrils. It wasn't exactly musky but something pungent brewed from the bowels of the ocean that washed over them in warm waves of heat. "It's amazing," she agreed.
Janice was already arranging her easel and paints on their sheet. "I'm going to sketch something once we come back from a dip." She kicked off her sandals and beckoned for Christine to follow her into the water.
Christine edged into the waves with great trepidation. Being raised in wintery Minnesota had not made her accustomed to swimming in natural bodies of water. The crashing waves that slapped at her thighs and roared in her ears were nothing like the mild chlorine-based water of an indoor heated pool. This was Mother Nature at her most dangerous advantage.
She leaped forward and landed on her stomach, getting a mouthful of icy cold salt-water. "Aaaaooow!" Christine shouted, spitting it out fast. "C-c-c-cold!' A deep green wave swirled around her while her bare feet scrapped the sandy bottom, feeling pebbles and bits of shells tickling her toes.
"Keep moving, it'll warm up," Janice laughed. She seemed to be riding on top of a wave that was headed for Christine. Arms and legs flaying with delight, she let out a whooping victory cry.
"Huh?"
The last thing Christine saw was an enormous shadow before the heavy wave frothing white crashed down on top of her. Her senses were in a whirl when she was tossed upside down in the water. She kicked and thrashed to find the surface but no sooner did her head reach air again when out of nowhere, another huge wave rammed her into deeper water. She blinked through the murky green waters scanning for light but her eyes stung in the void and her lungs ached for oxygen.
Janice's eyes quickly scanned the ocean for her friend. Realizing that the situation had turned suddenly drastic, she swam further out and shrieked at the top of her lungs.
"Christine!"
The frigid salt-water flooded into her mouth, burning her nose and clouding her senses. Her feet had become heavy and her arms had lost their strength. Christine tried to remember what she learned from safety class about sinking and floating but everything was already becoming dark and blurry in front of her eyes.
