Part XI.
Entitlements

Dr. Merlin

With everything under control in Sickbay, and those cases requiring his attention finally resolved, Merlin logged out of his session on Sickbay's main console and peeked into the doorway of the office, where Dr. Rosea was "entertaining" Counselor Flynn and the Klingon marine.

"Pardon, Doctor," he said.

Kamala looks away from Flynn and Kamja. "Yes Dr. Merlin may I help you?"

He hesitated. "I'm done with my duties for the day..."

Kamala smiled. "Then you are dismissed Dr. Merlin, I'll see you when your next shift starts."

The hologram smiled and nodded, then left Sickbay. "Have a nice evening, Dr. Rosea."

"Off-duty. What contradictions the concept incites," he thought. Happy to exercise the privilege of leaving Sickbay when it was his time to do so, Merlin soon found himself in distress. He had no lifestyle to speak of. And he dare not deactivate himself, lest he fail to show up for work in the morning.

He came to realize that his entire existence as a medical hologram was - until recently - devoted to medical practice every active moment. For a brief distraction, he had experienced other scenarios and ventured into the realm of other interests: socializing, music, even romance on a superficial, if not novice level. He'd had an upgrade to his program done to accommodate these and more, but no longer possessed any true purpose to put the new subroutines into practice.

Merlin had no place to call his own, to retreat to or develop his own identity. His simulated quarters on the holodeck were no good. He couldn't acquire and store any objects of worth in a holodeck simulation. And he was well aware that the holodecks wouldn't always be available when he desired to "play house".

And so he wandered the corridors with nothing to do and nowhere to go. A lost soul on a ship of thousands...

This was getting ridiculous.

He had no place to go, but he couldn't just wander the ship endlessly. There had to be some space he could acquire.

Merlin tapped his combadge. "Lt. Merlin to OPs"

Once the code was keyed in, the doors parted. Merlin stepped into the modest quarters assigned him and stopped in the middle of the living room area. The doors slid closed a ways behind him, and he was left in the dark.

"Computer, lights."

He scanned the immediate room. It was furnished like any typical officer's quarters, only the tops of surfaces were bare. The hologram smiled. Perfect, he thought.

Merlin wandered to the sleep alcove and looked out the spare window beyond the head of the bed. As an executive officer, he had the privilege of a spare view. Opposite the room was a small desk with a computer console. "Hm." he grunted. He pulled the desk and chair out of the alcove. Then, he heaved the around, so that its head would be against the wall opposite the window. Finally, the desk and chair set to face the window.

As he brought the computer over, Merlin gazed out at the streaking stars. With the exception of one or two on site calls to department heads over the past year, not to mention the simulated room he spent time in on the holodeck just a day earlier, he had never seen outside the ship before. Now, he had his own genuine view of the universe. He stood and stared for quite some time.

A bed. The hologram knew he'd have no use for it. Even with the new subroutines added to his matrix, he couldn't see himself using it, even for entertainment. He blinked and sighed.

Hands clasped behind his back, Merlin wandered around his new living space, wondering what he'd like to place on its surfaces. Exotic art? Antique medical equipment? He wondered what would end up in his possession as the voyage continued. He had nothing now, of course, but that could change - just as his status changed.

Back to the alcove, Merlin sat down at the desk and logged into his console, then registered it with OPs. It was now assigned as his personal computer. It would accommodate only HIS needs. Another first. A smile formed on his lips.

Merlin spent the night in the comfort of his new quarters, researching the ship's database on a host of topics, most of them involving advanced social protocols in specific scenarios.

Intermittently, he investigated the vast music archive, sampling sound bits from as many cultures and eras as possible. Something there was bound to strike his fancy, something he could possess a hidden affinity for...

0330. Humming to a Mozart piece and logging onto the Sickbay database from his personal console in his quarters, Merlin left an order for Lieutenant Commander Eric Woo to come straight to Sickbay at 0800 for him to be administered a specially calculated dose of a neural blocker. Woo would sense only the faintest whisper of thought by the time the tactical officer's first session with Counselor Dayanair commenced. The two medical officers coordinated things very carefully, so that Woo's transition would be a smooth one; he was too valuable to the ship.

He then called up the new Operations officer's medical records, which had just hours before completed their transfer from the Endeavour's branch of the Academy. Still humming, he skimmed over her history. Nothing out of the ordinary; ought to go smoothly.

A joint memo to Dr. Rosea and Counselor Dayanair of the location of his new quarters. In time, more would know. But they were the superiors he interacted with the most, and would benefit from knowing.

Merlin looked out the window of the ship and smiled. Privacy was a wonderful thing. He had no idea that a personal confinement could prove to be so liberating. Under different circumstances, he would have said that things were now perfect.

But they weren't. The one person of all with whom he wished to share his good fortune was no longer there. "Computer: pause music." In the stark silence of the room, the despair returned. Such an unpleasant sensation; as though the thought itself wasn't distressing enough. He caught himself breathing unevenly, that autonomic function programmed into him kicking in. He gulped and closed his eyes, willing his breathing to become calm and steady.

Ambassador Athon

Athon strolled down the corridor toward the Main Shuttlebay, where, he had it on good authority, Tijo Qofa's ship was being held.

Though nobody had stopped him yet, he had the PADD containing his diplomatic clearance in hand, ready to be presented to whatever low level security flunky who may try to interfere in his business.

Sure enough, when the doors to the shuttlebay opened, he was promptly halted by a crewman wearing the gold uniform of a security man, "Sir, you aren't allowed down here. Now if..."

"Yes, I am. Step aside before I report you to the Commodore for interfering in Zarnac Imperial business. Now, where might I find the ship belonging to Tijo Qofa?" he asked, brandishing the PADD like a weapon.

The crewman pointed to a small, clearly non-Starfleet craft near the side of the expansive bay. With a sarcastic nod, Athon walked over toward the ship.

It was quite different from anything Athon had ever seen. But it did have a clear functionality to it. Walking around to the side of the ship facing away from prying eyes, he found the hatch, discovering immediately that it was't secured.

After looking around to make sure nobody was watching, Athon opened the hatch. Within a second, he was overcome by dizziness, and despite his best efforts to stay on his feet, he fell over backwards with a muffled thud.

Sal Tijo Qofa

While Tijo was shouting and looking for help for the unfortunate ensign, he happened to walk around to the other side of the ship. There he saw the crumpled form of Athon lying outside the port hatch. He appeared to be in a similar state as the ensign. The tsibarui seemed to be very dangerous to non-Maja. Athon proved much easier to move than the ensign and Tijo carried him over to where the ensign lay and laid him gently on the ground.

Tijo then continued to shout for help for the two injured people.

Ensign Robert Jones (NPC) was just finishing up some repairs on one of shuttlecraft when he heard somebody yelling for help. He hurried across the shuttlebay and saw an odd sight. There was a security person and an odd lizard-like person laying unconscious on the ground and an odd tall, skinny person with quills yelling for help.

"What happened?" inquired Ensign Jones.

"These people were injured on my ship. We need to get them some help. Can you help them?" asked Tijo excitedly.

"Computer, initiate a site-to-site transport for four people to sickbay."

Tijo saw the blue haze and watched as the room faded out and the familiar walls of sickbay faded into view.

Ensign Jones called out loudly, "We have two injured people, I need a doctor!"

Tijo looked sadly at Ensign Lloyd and Ambassador Athon. He hoped these people with their amazing technology could help them. He had seen a predator who had been freed from a t'choqta. The animal had survived, but it died of starvation eventually because it's mind had been too badly damaged.

Dr. Kamala Rosea
Tijo Qofa

Kamala leaves her office when hears some one call out, two more patients are brought in. Ensign Lloyd (NPC) and Ambassador Athon. Thier both unconscious. Moving them to bio beds she takes thier readings both suffering from a psionic pulse.

She glances at Tijo Qofa. "Can you tell me what caused this?"

Tijo Qofa: "I am not totally sure, but it appears to be the similar to the effect that my food plants have on preadators on my homeworld."

Kamala nods her head. "I assume it affects carnivours and omnivours then. Although unconscious they do not seem to have suffered any dammage. I will treat them, do not worry."

Tijo Qofa: "I am glad."

Kamala smiles softly seeing the worry in his eyes lighten. She then returns to the task at hand. She injects a hypo spray of Tricordazine into Ensign Loyd's neck. After a short time he begins to come around, looking confused.

"What happened?" asks Lloyd.

"I think you were injured by some carniverous plants on my ship." replied Tijo.

Kamala listens and walks over to check on the ambassador.

Dr. Merlin

Dr. Merlin entered Main Sickbay an hour early - 0600 - and came upon the scene with Dr. Rosea (who apparently never left her post), the monk Tijo Qofa, and two patients. His eyes widened momentarily. The Ambassador again? Hm, he thought. Well, the Doctor certainly seemed to have everything under control; unless he was assigned to take them on before, he'd simply wait until a report was posted.

Around the corner, beyond the treatment area, Merlin went to visit Marisha. Her visage was preserved by the stasis field within; she looked as she did two days earlier. He absently put his fingers up to the glass, tilting his head.

Wasn't there to be a memorial for her? It's been quite some time. Perhaps it depended upon the dictates of her faith. He had knowledge of all Federation death, mourning, and burial rituals, as they were part of his medical database. Some, like that of his creator, required the body to be dealt with as swiftly as possible.

He'd have to find out what Marisha's faith was, so that he could properly participate in any memorial practices given her...

Dr. Kamala Rosea

Kamala listens and walks over to check on the ambassador. Checking his readings she looks over the unusual individual. {I've yet to speak with him, he's been in sickbay twice and at the meeting in the observation lounge. I'll treat him then my duty shift is over.}

She injects him with a hypo spray of Tricordazine watching for signs ot him coming around. When his eyes start to flutter open she turns to Tijo.

"You may explain to him what has happened, my duty shift is about over." { I've a stop at the marine corps to make before retiring for the day. With no Doctor there as yet I want to check on the premature infant.} Her face reflects her exhaustion.

She looks over and sees D. Merlin by the room looking in at Kudet once more. " I will need to arrange for her to betaken to the morgue, I had thought her funeral would have been arranged by now." She speaks under her breath.

Walking over to the doctor.Her face reflects sorrow for him, she clears it before speaking, becoming more professional. "Dr. Merlin, I'm glad you are here. My shift is over in ten minutes. The two new patients will recover soon, check them if they show no sign of dizziness or nausia from the effects of Tijo Qofa's plants you may release them." She smiles softly at him, then glances at Kudet. "I will be in my office untill my shift is over."

She enters her office and sends the following messages out.

=A= Dr. Rosea to Captain Sharas P'Trell, Sir, could we have the arrangements for Lt. Cmdr Kudet funeral made as soon as possible. Dr. Rosea out. =A=

She pauses and takes a deep breath letting it out slowly.

=A= Dr. Rosea to Dr. Pru, I am assigning you to a temporary position at the marine infirmary untill they find a replacement for Sergeant Amar. Dr, Rosea out =A=

{Now the charming country doctor.}

=A= Dr. Rosea to Dr. Hatfield, due to the circumstances in the marine corps I am assigning you to temporarily cover the Mall sickbay and the Civilian Hospital. Dr. Rosea out.=A=

She sighs softly wondering why three marines died as they did. {There must be something horribly wrong for that to have happened. As long as I can get the infirmary running that is my only concern.}

Ensign Anneli Sek

An insisent voice slowly filtered through Anneli's consciousness.

"This is a wake-up call for Ensign Sek...This is a wake-up call for Ensign Sek...This is - "

"Okay, Okay!" she yelled, wondering what had possesed her to program that message...oh yes...she'd like the sound of 'Ensign' Sek. Stumbling out of bed, Anneli looked at the time.

"No! My medical!"

The chronometer showed that she had three minutes to wash, dress and get to Sickbay for her 0800 appointment. The young Ensign ran round her quarters, muttering to herself about sleepless nights, warm milk and oversleeping.

"It's all your fault, Puddles" she complained to her cloth dog "you relaxed me too much!"

A swift dash down the corridoors and an impatient turbolift ride later, and she arrived in Sickbay, breathless, dishevelled, and late. The time showed 0805. A red-faced Anneli presented herself at the door, hoping no-one would be too annoyed.

"Ensign Sek reporting for my medical test!"

Dr. Merlin

Amusing. According to the partial report, plants with a volatile airborne discharge were apparently responsible for incapacitating the ensign and Zarnac Ambassador. What's one man's snack is another's smog. Merlin worked on suppressing a smile and managed to reduce it to a smirk.

Having read the medical reports from all areas of the ship, he was ready to face the day. It was 0745; any moment Nurse Yin would arrive. He had a physical and Woo's hypospray scheduled. No doubt there'd be plenty of unscheduled patients after that.

Colonel John Stryker

Stryker, who had been a Marine, man-and-boy, for twenty-three years, half of that time assigned to shipboard billets, easily found his way to the Main Sick Bay.

"Did you get my CompMail?" he asked Doctor Rosea as he barged into the Medical Facilities. "When I ask a question in writing I expect an answer yesterday. In case you haven't looked in the mirror lately, you're wearing a Star Fleet Officer's uniform, and as a Lieutenant, that puts you on the 'down-side' of the Stryker power-curve!"

"You send me the names of the Marines that are on the Sick and Injured List," Stryker ordered, pointing at her with his forefinger. He turned and left as abruptly as he had entered.

Dr. Merlin

Dr. Merlin rushed to the front of Sickbay, and was about to object to the outburst made by some irritating Marine. You'd think even they would know better than to disturb the patients, that Sickbay was where people spoke in lower tones.

Fortunately, the irritating officer was gone as soon as he had arrived. Thank goodness. Merlin wandered to the office to see how Dr. Rosea fared. It was clear she hadn't slept all night. This worried him.

"Doctor?" he inquired.

Ensign Anneli Sek

Anneli watched as mayhem raged around her in Sickbay. The Holodoctor had been there since before she arrived, but hadn't semed to notice her. A rather aggressive Marine had come in and been rude to Dr Rosea, and now the Holodoc had gone to see to her. Anneli wondered if she'd missed her time slot and would need to rebook at a later date.

"Excuse me" she asked one of the Nurses "If I was five minutes late for a medical, would I need to arrange another? It seems both of the Doctors are busy right now and I have to be on duty soon."

"Don't worry" the Nurse replied "I'm sure someone will be with you soon. The medical won't take long, so hold on for another five minutes before leaving. It would be a shame to have to come back"

"Thank you" Anneli replied "I'll do that"

Dr. Kamala Rosea

Kamala watches the Colonel blow in and out of sickbay, her temper raises at the thought of such inconsiderate behavoiur in front of patients in a place which is supposed to be quiet and restfull.

Fortunately, the irritating officer was gone as soon as he had arrived. Thank goodness. Merlin wandered to the office to see how Dr. Rosea fared. It was clear she hadn't slept all night. This worried him.

"Doctor?" he inquired.

Kamala looks up and smiles reasuringly at Dr. Merlin. "Everything is fine now Doctor, I'll talk to the colonel... personally." She picks up two padds from her desk.

She stands and walks back into sickbay with him. "Doctor your duty shift begins now, Have you met Tijo Qofa?"

The holographic doctor looked up at the tall humanoid, whose presence was both commanding and gentle. He shook Tijo's hand and nodded with a smile.

~ Colonel Striker's Office ~

Kamala exits sickbay and taking the turbo lift goes down to the marine deck, her temper flaring from lack of sleep... And his inconsideration... She storms into his office by passing the Corporal in the outer office and walks into Stryker's not bothering to knock...

Glaring at him. "Sir I am following your example."
She tosses a padd on his desk.
"Here are the reports of the marines still under medical care."

** Sergeant Stev Bronski under psychiatric treatment unfit for duty. Private Noname left sickbay with out release, until medical release, unfit for duty.

Recruit Hendrix post partum care.
Private Kamja Qtuanta requires psychiatric treatment unfit for duty.

She tosses another padd on his desk. "Why you require the bio of some one assigned only temporarily is beyond me. Here is Dr. Pru's bio!!!

She stands glaring at him with her hands on her hips. "The next time you enter my bay SIR. Show a little respect!!!"

Lt. Xortha Boll

...The early morning team would soon be here, and she wanted to get away smartly today, she had someone to visit before sleeping....

Entering Sickbay, Xortha gently stopped a passing Medic.

"Would it be possible to pay my respects to Lt Cmdr Kudet?"

The Medic nodded "Her body...I mean, she, is over there" he nodded toward a glass door, clearly embarrassed at his slip.

Xortha moved to where he'd indicated, wanting to say a private farewell to her ex-commanding officer. Kudet had been a fair and understanding superior and Xortha had enjoyed working under her. It had been a great shock to hear of her death.

'Strange how peaceful she looks' the thought flitted through Xortha's mind 'a heart attack isn't exactly a gentle way to die'. The scientist stood a while longer, thoughts of mortality and death flowing though her.

Dr. Merlin

After exchanging a quick greeting with Tijo Qofa, Merlin sensed a hand on his arm. A nurse had gotten his attention and whispered of an ensign waiting for him.

"Ah, Ensign Anneli Sek. How are you this morning?" The young woman smiled back.

Merlin whispered an aside to the nurse for her to set up a biobed in one of the rooms for a complete physical. He suspected Anneli might be feeling a little anxious. "This won't take very long. I guarantee you'll have enough time to get some breakfast and report to your post on time." As the nurse brought a tray of diagnostic instruments and test receptacles, Merlin instructed gestured for Anneli to hop up on the bed...

Ambassador Athon

Slowly, Athon's eyes flickered open. Rubbing his forehead, all he could muster was a low groan and the question, "Did anyone get the registration number of that Brakiri freighter?"

The first thing he saw when he regained the ability to focus, was Tijo, a look of concern on his Majan face. It was the last thing Athon wanted to see.

"I suppose you know what happened to me?" the ambassador said weakly.

As Tijo explained about the plants and their alleged psionic ability, Athon could only wish he was eaten by them. Being beaten by Siit was one thing, getting knocked out by a houseplant was far worse.

"Spirits of Emporers past, do not take me, for I am obviously unworthy." he mumbled, hoping for a doctor with the kindness to put him out of his misery.

Dr. Merlin
Ensign Anneli Sek

As Anneli lay on the bed, her stomach gave a loud rumble and she blushed in embarassement. "I'm sorry, I haven't eaten like you said, and I'm rather hungry!"

Dr. Merlin smiled. "I understand. We won't be very long with this. Soon you'll be able to get yourself some breakfast." He ran the tricorder over the young ensign for the initial readings. "Blood sugar levels are normal... pressure is... slightly elevated. Try to relax, ensign. We won't be doing anything elaborate today."

"I'm sorry" she replied "but I'm always a bit tense during medicals - I'm always fine but I still worry"

The doctor grinned while instructing her to sit up in the biobed. She and every other crewman, he thought with a grin. The nurse handed him a new instrument. "Now look up." Anneli complied while he shone a light into her eyes one at a time. "Okay, now follow the light with both eyes." A pause. "Everything in sync there. Your coordination is fine... retinal imager." The nurse traded his penlight for a retinal imager. "Now, ensign: I want you to look straight at the device..."

Anneli always found this difficult - she was curious to know what the person behind the imager was doing, how it worked what they could see, etc. She forced herself to concentrate and just stare into the imager.

"Thaaat's it." The imager gave off a high-pitched hum.

That's what?" Anneli interrupted.

Without looking up, Merlin responded. "The retina is a window to the body's overall health. We can detect assorted neurological, immunological, and metabolic disorders in this manner. If anything unusual shows up, we investigate further." He took his thumb off her lower lid and straightened. "Fortunately, we won't have to for you." He handed the instrument back to the nurse.

A wave of relief swept over her. "So I'm fine? Is that it, you're finished?"

"Not just yet," he said with one raised eyebrow. "I merely stated that the retinal imager detected no abnormalities. Since you had a recent stress test taken at the academy's medical facility, we have just one more test to conduct."

Anneli tried hard not to tense again 'you're being foolish' she told herself 'there'll be nothing wrong and then you can have breakfast and get to work'. "What is the test" she asked the Doctor.

With mock grimness, he eyed Ensign Sek and held his hand out. Sek's eyes were glued to his, until he held up what the nurse had just given him. It was a small rubber hammer with a metallic handle. He grinned. She sighed with obvious relief.

"Swing your legs over the side, Ensign..."

Anneli wanted to laugh. She was also pleasantly surprised that the Doctor would tease a patient. "Yes Doctor" she replied meekly.

Once he was done testing her reflexes, the physical was complete. "That's it!" He said. "You're alive, and your healthy - two for two. Barring any unforseen circumstances, I'll see you again in six months."

A big smile spread accross Anneli's face. "Thanks Doctor" she replied "Just what I wanted to hear."

"You have a good day, Ensign." He smiled back and left the room. The nurse remained to assist her from the biobed.

Anneli left sickbay with an added bounce in her stride.'Time for breakfast' she thought!

Dr. Merlin

As Merlin left the room where he conducted Ensign Anneli Sek's physical, he noticed someone standing at the window to the room where Marisha's body lay. Closing out a paragraph on his report, he lowered the PADD and walked over to the young woman.

She appeared to be in Science uniform - if she were medical he'd know her right off; he'd memorized the profiles and visages of all medical personnel. Her somewhat diminished demeanor suggested that she had just completed a shift, which gave the hologram the impression that she might have been assigned the night shift.

The woman appeared lost in thought, so she didn't react to Merlin's approach. He stood immediately behind her before asking quietly. "May I help you, Lieutenant?"

Dr. Merlin
Lt. Xortha Boll

Deep in thought, Xortha hadn't heard the Doctor move to stand behind her, so when she spoke it made her heart leap. She turned to face him. "Doctor, You startled me. I was just paying my respects to Marisha - she was my departmental superior"

Dr. Merlin gazed down at her. "Ah." He darted his eyes for a moment at the window, then back to her. "Forgive me. I - "He didn't want to admit his being protective of Marisha. " - didn't know your intentions."

"Nothing to forgive" she smiled gently "I hope I wasn't in your way - I'll be going now anyhow, I was..." she paused, stifling a yawn "...sorry...just on my way back to my quarters - night shift has its downside!"

Merlin smiled. "I suppose it has. Still, take whatever time you need to reflect. I'm sorry to have interrupted you. I'm glad to have met another acquaintance of Commander Kudet... I'm Dr. Merlin."

Xortha held out her hand "Lt Xortha Boll, pleased to meet you Dr Merlin". She refrained from commenting on the fact that he had a name. She was acquainted with the fact that the Endeavour had an EMH but had never needed to visit Sickbay.

"The feeling is mutual, Lieutenant Boll," he said. "I must return to duty. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you" she replied "I'll remember that". As Dr Merlin left Xortha turned briefly back to Kudet's motionless form. She then sighed, drew herself up and walked resolutely from Sickbay. The best tribute she could give to her ex-colleague was to be the best Science Officer she could.

Lt Commander Eric Woo

Needless to say, Eric did NOT have a "good night's sleep". In fact, four of the prescribed hours were spent staring at the grey alloy that comprises the ceiling. For the longest time, he remembered whining to himself about the color... so drab, yet elegant in a mechanical sort of way.

However, he did manage to sleep the remaining six hours, although uncomfortably. At the end of the 10 hour period, the computer woke him up, and he quickly got ready to get to the sickbay. He was supposed to have been "summoned" at the appropriate time, but he should go check anyways.

He entered the sickbay. He headed slowly towards the EMH's office. He peered through a window, and saw the holodoctor speaking to a crewman. He took a seat and waited, poking his head above the sill in an attempt to at least inform the doctor that he was here.

Dr. Merlin

No sooner had Merlin left Lieutenant Xortha's side, when he noticed Lt. Commander Woo in the office, looking through the glass at him in anticipation. Ah good; he checked his computer for the message. Getting a crewman to come to a scheduled exam or test of his or her own volition often took persistence, so it was nice to see an exception to the rule.

He smiled and addressed the security chief in a professional manner: "Good morning, Commander. I trust you slept well last night?"

Before Commander Woo could respond, the hologram received a comminications page:

=A= Dr. Rosea to Dr. Merlin =A=

Merlin excused himself and walked to the treatment area. He tapped his combadge. "I'm here, Doctor."

=A= Please send some one to give Sergeant Bronski his morning medication. =A=

"Aye, Doctor. Right away."

=A= Dr.Rosea out. =A=

He tapped his combadge again to close the channel, then went to the main console to look up Bronski's profile. From a hypospray station, he could see Ensign T'Lar on stand-by and nodded to her. The Vulcan medic coolly walked over to him.

"I need you to administer 3cc's of this antipsychotic to Sgt. Stev Bronski. He's presently in the counseling department, under Lt. Commander Dayanair's care." Merlin placed the hypospray into a small portable case.

The medic accepted the case. "Aye, Sir," she replied and promptly walked out the door.

With the diversion out of the way, Merlin turned his attention back to Woo back in the office. "Come this way, please," he said.

The hypospray took seconds. Merlin had assured Lt. Commander Woo that the effects of the reduced dose of neural blocker would not be immediately apparent, perhaps the slightest whisper above his own thoughts. Woo was scheduled to meet with Counselor Dayanair during a lunch break, prior to the effects wearing off, so that he would receive his first lesson in mental discipline. This way, he would be prepared for when the subtle change occurred. She and Merlin had carefully arranged it so that the security chief would detect only the slightest change and be prepared for it.

After Woo left, Merlin entered the record on his PADD and sent a confirming msg to Counselor Dayanair about Woo's first session, when he heard an outburst coming from the ambassador...

Tijo Qofa
Dr. Merlin
Ambassador Achon of Zarnac

"Do not feel bad about the plants, they subdue some of the largest and most dangerous predators on my homewold." consoled Tijo.

Athon rubbed his temples, "You don't understand Mr. Qofa, I am a Zarnac. We are warriors, to be knocked unconscious by a plant is beyond dishonorable. If word of this were to get out, I would be a joke."

"None of your people have ever been poisoned by a plant?" inquired Tijo.

"Yes, Zarnac have been poisoned by plants, just as members of every known species have. But I was knocked unconscious by a non-sentient pile of leaves and roots! I will be the laughing stock of the entire Empire if this was leaked." Athon yelled, which had the unfortunate side effect of making his head pound.

"It really isn't any different than being poisoned, it is just in a different form."

Athon just shook his head in disdain, "I wouldn't expect you to understand, your people are not warriors, and you do not understand the Zarnac code of honor."

Tijo considered what the ambassador said about being warriors. He didn't understand the concept. He knew it entailed fighting, but in a far different form than his people had ever known it. "Well, I will not deliberately make the information known to your people, Ambassador." replied Tijo.

Dr. Merlin approached the two. "Is there a problem?" he asked, checking the PADD with their incident report. A raised eyebrow. It has been updated. Apparently, the plant had psionic properties, and THAT was the cause of Athon and the Ensign's plight.

"Yes, there's a problem Lieutenant, but not one medical science can cure. Now, could someone get me a PADD so I can check my messages?" Athon bossily demanded.

"If you let me check your readings, I may be able to do a little better than that. Nurse?" The nurse came over with a tricorder, and Merlin calibrated it for Zarnac physiology, then started scanning Athon. "You're fine, Ambassador. I'm releasing you."

Athon grumbled as he swung his short legs over the side of the biobed, "Thank you Lieutenant. I'm sure there is something important awaiting me." he said, hopping off the bed.

"Well, since you are going to be ok, I suppose I should be going, then. Please accept my apologies for the plants, I didn't know they had that effect on other people."

"Well, now you do." Athon said, adjusting the temperature setting on his suit, his voice icy. He felt like a fool, though his predicament tempered his resolve: he WOULD unlock the secrets of Tijo's ship, no matter what it took.

"Mister Qofa?" Merlin gestured for his attention. "I'd like to make arrangements to examine these plants of yours at some point.

"I have no objections, except that I would not like to see you injured like the ambassador."

"Unless there are any known adverse effects your vegetation would have on our ship's technology, it's unlikely I would be affected." Merlin smiled.

"I am glad to hear this, but I don't understand your meaning. Why should you be any different than the Ensign?"

Leaving the Lieutenant and Tijo to their banter, Athon walked over to a panel and accessed his communication log.

Merlin closed the tricorder and handed it back to the nurse, who was happy to oblige him. "I am a holographic projection of light and energy. I am not normally susceptible to biological ailments."

"I am not sure if I understand your explanation, but I would be glad if it protected you. Thank you, Doctor. Goodbye until we meet again." Then Tijo walked out of sickbay.

As Athon viewed his messages, he noticed that Captain P'Trell had finally responded to his messages. Opening the message, he gasped. "Computer, time?" he asked.

"The time is now 1659 hours." replied the computer.

All across sickbay, one could hear Athon cry out in dismay. Those nearby who looked up only saw Athon's tail disappear beyond the sliding doors.

Tijo Qofa

As Tijo carried the basket of pods back to his quarters, he pondered the Doctor's words. No matter how he tried to rearrange the meanings in his head, the end result kept coming up the same: the Doctor wasn't real. He looked real, sounded real and acted real, but he wasn't made of flesh and blood. Tijo couldn't imagine how the Doctor could have come to be. Surely, he wasn't artificial. How could people create an artificial person? Creating people was the sole province of the Ultimate Cause alone. Or at least that was what his people had thought up until now. Evidently, the Doctor came from a race created in a radically different way than Maja, Borg or even most of the rest of the people on the Endeavour. It was confusing. Perhaps the computer could shed some light on the issue...

After an hour of querrying the computer, Tijo shook his head in disbelief. The Doctor WAS artificial. Tijo didn't know if he had an immortal soul, but the people aboard the Endeavour recognized the Doctor as a real person, having rights of his own. It was inconceivable, but he had witnessed the evidence first-hand. Suddenly, the computer chimed, letting him know he had a class to get to. Tijo stood up and hurried off to class.

Dr. Merlin

With Ambassador Athon's thunderous exit, Sickbay was still once more. Merlin turned to the nurse on duty, who smiled back at him and shrugged. It was just going to be another one of those days...

Sickbay had no patients! The first time in days they could disinfect and put away all instruments, catch up with tests, and bring in more crewmen due for their physicals. He assigned instrument and biobed diagnostics and prep to the two nurses on duty - Nurse Yin had just arrived - and an available medic, while he went to prepare some vials for testing.

He'd have to make it a point to set up a meeting with the Monk to examine his plants; perhaps there could be some sort of protection afforded those who come in close proximity to Tijo Qofa's vessel while it is open. Or should anyone have to travel with him... or get hungry while traveling with him...

Merlin snickered while filling a vial of organic material with dye, and Nurse Yin perked up. "Nothing, Nurse. Just amusing myself." She gave him an odd, sideways glance as she smirked, then went back to organizing a tray of surical instruments. He looked on with a crooked smile, then continued his work.

In due time, the small team had everything back in order. Merlin ordered them to call in two crewmen overdue for their physicals; there were several on standby since Sickbay had to suspend its routine and turn its priority over to the alien pod issue days before.

The small team stood ready as the first - an ensign from Engineering assigned second shift - stepped through the doors.

Dr. Merlin
Doctor Pru

=/\= Dr. Pru to Starfleet Sickbay. =/\=

Dr. Merlin looked up from his patient. It sounded like Dr. Pru, the civilian XMO temporarily serving the Marine infirmary. The hologram tapped his combadge. "Sickbay here."

=/\= I have a patient down in the Marine infirmary; a baby, as a matter of fact, requiring care... OUTSIDE of the marine infirmary. I am requesting a site-to-site transport for the baby to the main sickbay. Is that alright? The mother will be sent to the civilian hospital. =/\=

Merlin furrowed his brow, perplexed. His delivery betrayed nothing of his concern: "The civilian hospital has the proper facilities to care for the infant, Doctor. They have a deck entirely devoted to pediatrics. The child would be in far better hands under their care. We send all our pediatric cases there, regardless of the parents' affiliations."

=/\= The civilian hospital? Alright, but I was told to request the Starfleet sickbay... but whatever you say. =/\=

Dr. Merlin

The communications link closed. Merlin shrugged. Since when did they know what they were doing down in the Marines? He didn't envy Pru's new locale. The civilian hospital was the largest medical facility on the ship - best equipped and the most active - but they were very well organized. With the largest population on the Endeavour going to its civilian passengers, the future of the entire ship's inhabitants, it had better be. Their living cargo was the most precious of all.

As he went through the motions of conducting his patient's checkup, Merlin thought about his former duties as EMH. Despite his Starfleet affiliation, he was expected to serve all areas of the ship, activating in the medical facility closest to the incident. They must have activated another EMH for the job... one of the more recent and less aware models. How ironic that the Mark I's were initially deemed unworthy because of their behavior, when that same behavior turned out to be an indication of sentience.

"You're in perfect health, Lieutenant," he announced.

"Thank you, Doctor," replied the Bolian. "And I'll stay away from the replicated pineapple juice from now on."

Merlin walked him to the door. "A very good idea."

Tag - they're it.

The biobeds were filled with personnel, Starfleet crewmen who had secretly hoped that more disasters and injuries would have befallen their ship. Not enough to cause damage of course, but just enough to further suspend Sickbay's scheduled appointments.

Dr. Merlin was aware of this, as each crewman reported for their physical. And recalled his interactive orientation about physicals and a patient's reluctance to undergo the require protocol. He was surprised that with so much angst a subject brought with him or her to Sickbay over it, that his model of EMH hadn't previously been equipped to handle the ordeal. He found himself applying all his knowledge into reassuring and/or distracting each one he examined. Merlin saw to it that by the end of a patient's physical they would be far more relaxed when they entered Sickbay.

One interesting revelation occurred when an ensign started humming from a Bajoran pop song from 2379, which Merlin had listened to in his quarters the night before. He attempted to find common ground and decided to strike up a conversation about that composer. By the end, both were pleasantly discussing the genre of music, with the testing and prodding proving to be a mere annoyance for the ensign as he tried to tell the hologram all he knew about the singer's personal life. By the end, it became a challenge just to get RID of him. Merlin found this incident to be a very interesting psychological phenomenon, and thought to look into the behavior further when next he was off-duty.

Dr. Kamala Rosea
Dr. Merlin

Entering she smiles at Dr. Merlin. "Anything unusual while I was away doctor?

"Unusual? Why yes, Doctor," said Merlin as he finished off a patient record entry. "We caught up on 22 overdue physicals." He smiled as he closed the file from the PADD and looked up. "Did you have a good rest? You know you were running nonstop for over two days."

Dr. Rosea sighed. "I rested, yes. I still feel tired, yet there is far too much organizational work to take care of".

The hologram nodded sympathetically. "Well, at least everything is under control here. We're finally running back to normal. This will give you a chance to finally get settled in earnest."

Kamala almost laughs. "Seems to get this place organized properly, I should take business lessons from a Ferengi."

Merlin glanced at the PADD with a grin. "I hope we never get that desperate."