Captains Log Supplemental:

After discovering that our attempts to protect ourselves from external mental influences fell well short of expectations and that Miss Ele Trazan our civilian Recreational Manager, was, as a Betazed and therefore telepathic; being used as a conduit to affect the crew of this ship.  I’ve had to make the difficult decision to request Doctor Sunny keep her in an induced coma whilst we continue our mission.

We are currently hot on the trail of a Romulan Republic Rahhae Class vessel, which we fear may have been affected by these same influences.  As for the fate of the USS Grus; with communication impossible, we have to hope they are faring much better than we have.

<End Supplemental>

It was early morning, just 24 hours after serval members of the crew had suffered hallucinations and severe headaches; as Commander Anacostia-Bolling returned to the Sick Bay to personally check on the progress of those that had yet to be discharged.

She was greeted not by Doctor Sunny, any of his small staff or the EMH, but by crewman T’Linga, the Vulcan security officer who had been one of those affected.

“Captain, I must apologise for my actions yesterday.” The female Vulcan announced in her usual level tone. “However I wish, with yours and the Doctors permission to return to my duties.”

Just then Doctor Sunny stepped out of his office and the Commander looked in his direction for confirmation that the Vulcan was indeed fit for duty. “Yes the patient is fit to be discharged and return to light duties.”

“Thank you Doctor.” T’Linga replied.

“Be careful of that wrist for the next few days; avoid anything physical, like punching walls.” Doctor Sunny was referring to the Vulcan’s actions whilst her mind had been under the influence of unknown forces.  T’Linga had been unwilling to divulge the exact nature of her hallucination.

“I will endeavour to do so, Doctor, Captain.” She gave a courteous nod to both of them in turn, before leaving the room.

Mary shook her head in mock disapproval of his comment to the Vulcan.  “You can be very sarcastic at times.”

“What can I say?” He smiled back. “It’s a gift.”

“So how is everyone else?” The Commander asked the doctor, noting that unlike yesterday morning were as both bio-beds and a trolley bed over in the corner had been occupied; only Ele Trazan remained, sleeping soundly in her induced coma.  The rhythmic pulse of the monitor as it kept track of all neurological and physiological functions.

Doctor Sunny led the Commander through to a side ward were both Lieutenant Agusta, and Ensign Dravid were sitting up in bed.

“How are you both feeling?” Mary asked

“Much better than I did yesterday ma’am.” Giovanni said politely.  “I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about.”  Mary responded.  “I’m only glad things weren’t more serious.  “Your 32th Birthday soon, isn’t it?”

The Italian smiled at the fact his commanding officer had remembered a thing like that. “Yes ma’am, on the 19^th.”

“Well you should be back on your feet and partying by then, if the situation permits. “ Doctor Sunny looked at the Captain to verify the last part of his statement.

“Yes, I hope there is time for some enjoyment during this challenging mission.” She added. “I’m only sorry you won’t be able to contact your parents back on Earth.”

“They understand that I can find myself in far off places.”

Far off was an understatement; even if the distance they were from home was only a fraction of what the Voyager crew had found themselves, the Shackleton Expanse was still a long way from anywhere that was familiar and the USS da Vinci was over on the far side.  Should it worry her, that if things had gone horribly wrong, and they still could; that there would be little to no chance of rescue.  Probably, but then that had always been the case.  From orbiting the Earth and landing on the moon, then later journeying across the stars; rescue, when it went wrong was rarely an option.

She walked over to Artin Dravid, who had yet to say anything or look at her directly.  Cradled gently in both his hands, was a small white plushie, which he was gently stroking with one finger.  “Ensign Green, no doubt.”

Artin looked up and nodding, patting the soft fabric Moopsy on the head.  “She said it would take my mind off other issues.”

“And has it worked?”  Mary asked him.

“Well whether it’s this or the fact there’s nothing trying to control my mind, I do feel much better.” Artin replied with the hint of a smile, before it faded and a look of concern crossed his face. “Did we lose much cargo?”

“The shields prevented the majority of stuff escaping and a lot of what had made its way out of the door, we managed to transport back aboard.” The Commander reassured him. “So there isn’t anything you need to be worried about in that respect.”

The Ensign seemed to relax again; the thought that he may have cost the ship vital supplies or valuable equipment, had been on his mind, since he’d woken up that morning.

When the Commander and Doctor were back out into the main treatment area, she asked him about the status of the other crew members and Nurse Folland.  All of which were fine and recuperating in their own quarters.

Finally Mary stood next to the bed in which the Betazed slept soundly.  “So what about Miss Trazan, here?”

“Without knowing how she’s being manipulated or how I can adjust our equipment to compensate, I dare not wake her.”

“You’re sure she’s safe whilst in a coma and so are the rest of the crew?”

“I’m as sure as any doctor facing the unknown.  But as you can see, her brain activity is constant and normal.”

Anacostia-Bolling’s medical training was basic, but she knew enough to be able to understand what the various figures on the monitor screen meant, in relation to a person’s health; and as the doctor had said, everything looked to be in order, if her memory of Betazed’s was accurate.

**********

The Commander arrived on the Bridge, a few short minutes later; taking the Captains seat from her XO, who filled her in on what had happened in her absence; which was basically nothing,   They were still following the path of the Romulan survey vessel, and judging from the dispersion of the Warp trail, the da Vinci was gaining ground.

Over half of the day past uneventfully; before a repeating signal was picked up by communications.  “Captain, I’m picking up a beacon, appears to be Romulan in origin.”

“Confirmed, small metallic object on the long range scans.” Lieutenant Beriev.  “Distance 1.2 Au on our current heading.”

“Drop us out of warp and bring us to a stop within transporter range.” Commander Anacostia-Bolling instructed.

“Aye Captain, dropping use out of warp in 3, 2, 1.” The officer stationed at helm announced.

Space returned to normal and the stars became fixed points of light once more, as the USS da Vinci dropped its speed to a more pedestrian speed of 80kph, then finally a complete stop.

“Romulan standard message buoy, 37,000km dead ahead.” Beriev informed everyone.  “No sign of any wreckage.”

“Can we retrieve any information from it?” The Commander asked her communications officer.

“I’m unable to access any of the data remotely.”

“Very well, have the buoy transported directly to the main lab.” Anacostia-Bolling requiested, before she turned to her XO. “Number One, would you like to do the honour of cracking our friend open and seeing what’s inside?”

“I’ll get right on it Captain.” Lieutenant-Commander Alara Ley replied; jumping out of her chair.

“Helm, continue on our current heading, Warp 4.”

The Captain clasped her hands together; if the Romulan Republic followed the same general procedures as the Federation, then the Captain of the Rahhae had felt that their vessel was in imminent danger.  So if that was the case; where was the ship now?  It clearly hadn’t been damaged or destroyed here; otherwise they’d have at least detected signs of weapons fire, if nothing else.  She hoped that the buoy, once its data had been retrieved, would reveal some answers.  Until then, the da Vinci would continue to follow the warp trail.