Ensign Reine'X: Cut to the chase

[Reine'X]

(( Main Sickbay, Deck 5, USS Valkyrie-A ))

Sherlock: I'd just really like to know more about you and how you came to be in contact with some of our officers and how we can help you.

Reine'X: You mentioned earlier that someone might hurt you…? What do you mean? Who are you talking about?::She paused just for a second, then continued:: You also said that we are no different from… them? Who is “them”? I understand that you are scared… of them… but you don’t have to be. You are on a Federation ship now, and you are quite safe here.

Doucet: Charn, I don’t suppose you know if your “buddies” would use any specific kind of drugs on you?

Charn: response

Doucet: Strathmore, did you find that information on the Cullum like I asked?

Strathmore: Yes, Doctor, just reading. One moment.

Sherlock: They're not all awake yet?

At this point, Sylvie was trying to get Reine'X's attention. The Orion quickly realized that she was too engaged with Charn instead of helping the Doctor. At first, Reine'X thought her skills as a kind of a diplomat would be more useful in this situation, but Doucet needed her now.

Doucet: There’s four more to wake up. They may or may not be as quiet as the other two for now. Pick one that’s not the Cullum and give them a shot. There should be two doses available in this hypospray, easy.

She said to Reine'X. The Orion nodded. 

Charn: Response

Strathmore was now answering the Doctor’s earlier question about Cullum. This was a particularly resilient patient physiologically, but not an impossible one to treat. It was also interesting to note that there was a different species among their guests.

Strathmore: It looks like their metabolisms might process the adrenaline differently so we might have to compensate or use an alternative, but the real difficulty will be piercing the living stone and metal that composes their exterior. But I imagine you already have a solution for that.

Doucet: Oh good. That confirms what I suspected. Adrenaline might not work for him after all. We’ll need to find something different.

Reine’X: We’re going to wake them all up at the same time.

Doucet: Yes, yes, that’s fine. Talk to them after you get them awake. Make sure they know where they’re at.

Reine'X turned and took two steps  away from Charn, approaching another sleeping patient. She applied the hypospray with precision, then studied him closely. The Caraadian man looked very young. The moment he woke, he gasped for air, eyes wide and disoriented, a flicker of shock crossing his features. Reine'X offered a faint, reassuring smile as she monitored his biosigns.

Reine'X: You’re on a Federation starship, the Valkyrie. You’re safe:: She looked down at the monitor; all seemed within normal parameters.:: My name is Reine'X. What’s yours? 

The young Caraadian was calming down now, but she wasn’t sure if he understood her yet. He needed another minute to compose himself.

Strathmore: We could try animazine.

Reine'X now turned to the group. 

Reine’X: A safe choice. 

They were once again talking about the Cullum patient.

Charn: Response

Doucet: If you know any of them, that’d be great. Names, at least? Favorite drugs of choice?

Charn: Response

Reine'X: If you recall :: she was now looking at the group :: I mentioned earlier that we could synthesize a countermeasure to the Fume; a compound, derived from the Fume, but one that doesn't interact with the brain's reward pathways, and therefore lacks that one terrible side effect: addictiveness… So, a less potent drug.

 This could help with the withdrawal effects, which are likely to begin very, very soon for these people.

Strathmore: I can synthesize it if need be.

Sherlock: But only on an as needed basis.

A wise precaution. Although Reine'X was slightly worried that all of the patients might need it soon.  A question suddenly popped into her mind: oO But… why isn’t Charn showing any withdrawal symptoms? Not yet, anyway… Oo

Strathmore: I have a PADD here. Need me to look up anything?

Doucet: Not that I can think of right now, thanks.,

Reine'X: The Fume’s composition, and that of the compound we would derive from it should all be on my PADD. If you need it.:: she said, looking at Strathmore.

Charn: Response

Strathmore: Romulans, I know. I can speak Romulan too. Not that we’ll necessarily need that but still.

Sherlock: Speaking it's one thing, talking it is another.

Doucet: Yeah, just help me wake up the rest and we’ll go from there.

Reine'X: The young Caraadian I just woke up,:: she was now looking towards him,:: is ready to talk I believe. One of us should check on him.

Charn: Response

Strathmore: I can do that, certainly.

Sherlock: Okay, ::looking at Strathmore:: Ensign, you and Doctor Doucet, I want the two of you working on waking up those patients.

Doucet: Of course, Commander.

Reine'X: Anything I can do in the meantime, Sir? 

She spoke to Sherlock.

Charn: Response

Strathmore: response

Sherlock: Ensign ::looking at Reine'X:: you and I, we're going to have a chat with ::nodding towards Charn:: Mister Charn.

Reine'X:  Looking forward to it :: she showed a faint, slight smile, knowing there is so much more they can learn from Charn privately.

Charn: response

Sherlock: Doctor Doucet, we're going to use your office.

Sherlock had already rushed Reine'X and Charn to the office, not letting the Doctor get a word in. Reine'X caught just the last of Sylvie's sentence before entering the office.  Sherlock then closed the glass door behind her. 

Doucet: Righty then. Shall we? That animazine is a good idea for the Cullum. I’ll grab some. You get the other two Caraadians and see if they need anything. No more than half a cc each at first. If that doesn’t do it, go up a step. Let me know if they start needing more than that.

((Assistant Chief Medical Officer's office, Deck 5, USS Valkyrie-A ))  

Sherlock adjusted the chairs in the office so they could all sit in a sort of circle, rather than just Reine’X and Charn staring at her like pupils watching the teacher straight ahead. This was supposed to be a discussion, after all, not a lesson.

Sherlock: Mister Charn, I'm going to cut to the chase. What kind of danger are you in?

Sherlock really did cut right to the chase. Reine'X realized it was only a matter of time before things could escalate; they were certainly pressed for time, and every moment counted.

Charn: response

Reine'X: Then how do you explain you, and the other six, being locked in that container we rescued you from…? 

Reine’X was now a little firmer with Charn than before. They needed to press him for answers.

Charn/Sherlock: Response

Reine'X: So how exactly do you know those other Caraadians, and ::she emphasized the next words:: the Cullum, who are currently enjoying a little vacation in our Sickbay?

Charn/Sherlock: Response

Reine'X: I see.. and then?

Charn/Sherlock: Response

Reine'X: Is that all, Mister Charn?

Charn/Sherlock: Response

Ensign Reine'X
Medical Officer
USS Valkyrie-A
V240302R14