The Sky's the Limit - Marco Palmieri [34]
Pulaski watched Wesley’s face flush as he realized Guinan was closer to the truth than he wanted to admit. She felt Guinan’s eyes on her and turned to face the bartender. “Also, some people should learn to accept a compliment without looking for a fight.” Before Pulaski could reply, Guinan took Wesley’s arm in hers. “Come with me. I have a new concoction to test and you look like the perfect volunteer.”
Pulaski watched the two disappear into the swirling crowd. She picked up her drink and stared out at the nebula, her thoughts troubled.
Later, as she entered sickbay, she suddenly lurched to one side. I’m going to have to have a talk with Guinan. Two of those shouldn’t affect me this much. The blaring of a klaxon told her there was more to her unsteadiness than mere alcohol. The flashing red light in the corridor confirmed her suspicions. Something was going on and she needed information.
She reached the companel just as it started beeping at her. “sickbay, Pulaski here.”
She was surprised to hear Mister Worf’s voice. “Doctor Pulaski, the alien ship shifted directions before we could react and rammed into the ship near engineering. There are casualties being reported on Decks 32 and 33.”
“Rammed the ship?”
“I cannot explain how it happened. It was inside the ship’s deflector shields before we had an opportunity to raise them. Whatever technology they are using to cloak themselves seems to give them an advantage over our eyes also.”
Now that’s a nasty thought. “Understood, Mister Worf. Deploying medical teams to Decks 32 and 33.” Motioning to Doctor Martin, she signaled for him to head to the auxiliary sickbay in the stardrive section. If engineering was the target of the mystery ship, having a med team in close proximity made good sense.
Flipping the switch on the communicator, she gave a command opening a channel to all her off-duty personnel. “Med teams 1 and 2, report to sickbay. Med teams 3 and 4, report to auxiliary. Med team 5, stand by.” Turning to the current staff, she smiled and tried to keep her voice calm. “You heard Mister Worf’s report. They’ll try to keep us informed. Taylor, Prender, I want you two to go through supplies. Replicate anything we’re short on. Nurse Temple, call up a complete list of all the current engineering personnel. Cross-reference with the medical database and make a note of any allergies, special needs, or specific treatments. Peterson, monitor the communications channels. If you hear anything that might require us to react, let me know stat.”
She acknowledged the chorus of responses and turned to keep an eye on the communicator, waiting for Martin to call. Well, that’ll keep them busy. They may think I’m nuts ordering all these checks, but as long as they’re busy, they won’t have time to get nervous.
I hate the waiting. At least on the bridge, you have an idea of what’s happening. Here, we just sit.
As the minutes ticked by, the two off-duty med teams filtered into the room. Pulaski spotted Nurse Ogawa coming in just as Martin checked in over the comm.
“So far, Katherine, most of the injuries have been minor, a few sprained wrists or bumps on the head from when the two ships collided.”
Pulaski felt herself relax at the report. “I’d say we got off pretty well if that’s the worst of it.”
Doctor Martin’s voice took on an excited tone. “Well, I can’t swear to that. I just saw a bunch of security guys running toward engineering. Not sure what’s going on, but I’m going to see if there’s anything we can do to help.”
“Is someone there to watch sickbay if you’re out?”
“The other med teams are here now. If anything’s going on, the quicker I can treat them, the better.”
“Point taken, Doctor. Make sure you don’t take any unnecessary chances.”
“No worry there. Mrs. Martin didn’t raise dumb children, Doctor. That’s why security has more rigorous fitness standards than mere doctors.”
Pulaski shook her head. Martin, one