Lt. Commander V'Lar - The Unquiet Earth

[Chris M]

((Infirmary, Gibaria Outpost))

As V'Lar began prepping the most viable patient for transport, she detected a subtle but distinct shift in the environment. The ambient temperature within the infirmary had increased by approximately 0.4 degrees. This was not something she had expected.

V’Lar: =/\= Are you experiencing any change in environmental readings? =/\= 

Meru glanced at Pace, who made a quick scan of their environment on her tricorder.

Pace: =/\= It looks like the ambient temperature has increased in the lab by point six degrees, has it increased for you as well, Doctor? =/\=

V'Lar checked her tricorder's environmental sensor logs. The scanner confirmed a 0.4 degree rise. The 0.2 degree variance between the two rooms meant the heat was not uniformly distributed, suggesting a localised phenomenon which was closer to her colleagues.

V’Lar:  =/\= My readings indicate an increase of 0.4 degrees. =/\=

As she responded, she continued working on the closest patient.

Pace: =/\= How odd, I wonder what’s causing this increase… =/\=

Tahna: =/\= Did you check the radiation levels? Speaking of, Pace, V’Lar, please take a moment to inoculate yourselves. =/\=

She checked her tricorder. Although ambient radiation was present, it was residual from her patients' exposure and insufficient to explain the temperature change. 

V’Lar: =/\= Acknowledged, Commander. I am not detecting sufficient radiation at my location to explain the increasing temperatures or the temperature differential. =/\=

While her mind remained occupied with preparing the viable patients for transfer to the Gorkon, she retrieved a hypospray to comply with the order, placing it against her neck and administering the dose. Almost immediately she felt the sensation of paraesthesia, something Commander Tahna had reported when V'Lar had inoculated her with the prototype. She quickly compartmentalised the neurological misfiring, ensuring the tingling would not impede the surgical precision of her hands.

Pace: =/\= Did you hear that, sirs? =/\=

While Vulcan auditory senses were notably accurate and more sensitive than those of several humanoid Federation species, V'Lar was unable to determine what the Elaysian was referring to. 

Tahna: =/\= Yeah, what was that? =/\=

V'Lar adjusted the angle of her head slightly, aligning one ear towards the door to the adjacent lab. Despite her efforts, the noises of her patients, their ramblings and expressions of pain, masked any acoustic anomalies from the adjacent lab.

V’Lar: =/\= Can you describe or locate the source of the sound you are referring to? =/\=

Pace: Response

Tahna: =/\= Inoculate yourselves now. =/\=

The order's urgency made it clear that the Bajoran anticipated an imminent increase in extra-dimensional radiation. While V'Lar had already inoculated herself, the order made it clear that Lieutenant Pace had not. 

V’Lar: =/\= I have already done so, Commander. =/\=

Pace: Response

Tahna: =/\= I think the moss is preparing to use that energy it was building up. =/\=

Pace: Response

V’Lar:  =/\= Will the forcefield be sufficient to maintain containment? =/\=

Tahna/Pace: Response

The mathematical probability of a containment breach was increasing rapidly and, under the circumstances, V'Lar determined that passively waiting for the barrier to fail would be unwise.

V’Lar:  =/\= Relocating as soon as possible would be advisable. =/\=

Tahna/Pace: Response

V'Lar updated her calculations, while the first patient she would be transferring to the Gorkon was nearly ready for transport, the others would take more time.

V’Lar:  =/\= It will still take some time to prepare the patients for transport. It should be noted that those that are not viable for transfer can not be safely moved. What are your orders? =/\=

Tahna/Pace: Response

==========/\==========

Lieutenant Commander V'Lar
Chief Medical Officer
USS Gorkon, NCC-82293
A240101CC1