Lt.(jg) Dr. Toz: Out of Phase? Or out of our minds?

[Patty Boyle]

(( Sickbay, Deck 5, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

Toz wanted to just re-set everything. Like turning a computer off and on. Like using the old stand-by - a ball peen hammer. But Una was shooting that method down pretty fast. 

Una: It’s not as simple as that. It’s not like just restarting a system.

Rouiancet: But we could use the transporter systems to stabilize their patterns and then rephase them? (glancing between Toz and Una) Like (beat) like filling in the details for a buggy holoprogram that's lost most of its data, and then reinitializing it.

Toz: Ah, yes. Edit the program. Remember I’m just a doctor. I don’t do programming. Oh my, I think I understand you. 

Una: Based on these readings, we’re currently operating at a significantly lower energy level than usual. Think of it as being out of phase at -5 on a scale. The others, however, aren’t stable. They fluctuate between -4 and -6. 

This explains why they seem to vanish or appear intangible at times.

Rouiancet: I see, I think.

Toz: Like they’re different phases? 

Una: i try again. We’re at, say, -5 compared to our normal phase. They’re not exactly at -5, but they keep oscillating between -4 and -6. That’s why sometimes they disappear, sometimes we can see them but not touch them, or only feel them.

Rouiancet: But we can interact with Nilsen.

If anyone from the academy were to be looking on, Toz’s face would show a level of puzzlement far beyond what would be normal. She tuned her attention to her patient. Barney Nilsen was tall by her reckoning -about 6 feet- and slight of build as if he hadn’t had any exercise in a while. The overhead monitors read normal all across the board. Relaxing a bit, Toz leaned against the bed and listened to Una, glancing at Commander Rouiancet occasionally hoping she understood it all. 

Una:  So if we manage to hook up to their signal using the computer and this modified dpad, maybe we can stabilize their phase at -5, our own.

That sentence made a bit of sense. After the merest of shrugs, Lia nodded to Una. 

Rouiancet: It sounds to me like you have a better idea of what might help, and I think I followed the explanation, so: Do it. See what you can do.

She nodded to the PADD Una had indicated. Una was the only one of the three with direct experience of having been phased. Toz nodded in encouragement. If Una could pull it off, 

Una: Response

Rouiancet: Well, I wonder if there's something we can do, physically, to help the transporter systems lock on to Nilsen. And us, potentially. An unusual radioisotope, maybe. Or a chroniton admixture. What do you think?

The question was aimed at Toz. Taking a deep, heavy breath, she could only agree. 

Toz: The mixture needs to be light. There are only the four of us at this time. Later… Well, later is another time. If it worked, the whole Dow crew could be rescued.

Una: Responses

Lia's comm badge chirped. Then a moment later Toz's and Una's badges chirped, too. Like someone was trying to contact them. She tapped her badge immediately.

Rouiancet: =/\= This is Rouiancet. =/\=

Maybe Bridge?: =/\= Responses =/\=

Toz: I don’t recognized the voice. ::Looking around:: Lia?

Toz heard herself call the commanding officer by her first name. And she’d done that before, she realized. Was that proper? Even in a situation like this, rank should be recognized. She wanted to apologize then decided to keep her mouth shut. She was only a j.g. and apologies were left to be voiced in private.  

Una: Responses

OOC: At a loss here. Fresh off a little vacation and I can’t think very well. 

Lt.(jg) Doctor Toz

Acting Chief Medical Officer 

USS Octavia E Butler

T239801T14