un: dr.mccoy ; [voice]

[biomed]

( McCoy sounds unlike himself, cool and distant instead of his usual present warmth, a touch of something hoarse in his voice. )

That 'coal sickness' we've all been hearin' of is likely caused by a bacterial infection— long story short, it triggers massive organ death, with decay following swiftly on its heels. Minaras is hanging onto several samples of plague bacteria from all over Serthica, at least in this medical center alone, but I've never seen any instance of Terran or alien plagues that acted like this.

So far, the authorities aren't focused so much on curin' it as they are containing the few cases of it. The current, and only treatment they offer is a serum, which provides a temporary delay of the symptoms, and curbs transmission for only a handful of hours.

The good news is, I have better diagnostic tools than they've got, so I've gathered enough data and samples of my own to pick up where their researchers have left off.

While it isn't my first time creating a successful treatment protocol for a disease, I don't believe a course of antibiotics alone is gonna stop this, so I could use assistance from the rest of the team's healers to make it happen.

( Deep breath... and then another. )

The bad news is...

I'm in an isolation ward. I've been infected.

( His voice catches so briefly, covered over again by smooth, compassionate professionalism, as if tasked with the job of delivering someone else's poor prognosis, not his own. )

Near as I can tell, there was a... a faulty seal in the protective equipment I 'borrowed' from these folks. They've given me the serum, so I feel all right still, but past that they'd rather lock me away than let me do anything about it.

( McCoy quiets suddenly, listening, and his voice drops as he continues, in a hurry. )

This is asking a lot of y'all, I know, but... I can't stay in here and do nothing, and I can't just- just waste away and take what knowledge I have with me. From what I've gathered so far, there's a decent shot of curing this, but it's gonna take more time than I've got left.

Please. We could do some good while we're here, but I need help.


(( ooc: all the relevant plot info is here if you'd like to opt in; he's got a pre-planned exit squared away just to keep that neat! ))

Comments

[biomed]

That's what I meant. If there's a chance for a broad application of successful results, all the better.

( Leave places better than they found them, that's the goal to aspire to anyway. )

[intermingled]

Our first step should be finding a safe way to interact with you. If this sickness is airborne, we will need a way to filter the air well enough. I believe that between myself, Number One and Captain Kirk that we can find a way to safely interact with you.

[biomed]

My tricorder's sensitive enough to pick up on bacterial shedding, once the serum works its way out of my system. I'll ensure we bring a couple of spare respirators with us that you three can work from.

[intermingled]

That should be adequate. If you require any outside scientific resources, send me a list and I will attempt to acquire them for you, as I am best equipped to find and source such things with specificity.

In the meantime, I will get further ahead on my responsibilities with the cogs so that I will be less missed when I put aside most of my time for this. I should be able to manage without breaking my cover as Vulcans do not require very much sleep as compared to humans.

[biomed]

( he references the partial list he was drafting for Number One, shooting Spock the harder to source laboratory equipment in particular. )

Loss of sleep means greater risk for mistakes. You're gonna get as much sleep as you ought to.

[intermingled]

It is still less than a human requires. Are you not the primary physician of another Spock?

[biomed]

No? Should I be?


...aren't you half-Vulcan, anyhow?

[intermingled]

Perhaps it is better if you are not.

My internal anatomy is much closer to that of a Vulcan than that of a human, Doctor. I hope you will remember that if I require your medical assistance.

[biomed]

You better not require it for a while, if I'm gonna be behind glass.

[intermingled]

Perhaps once we find you a treatment and you are no longer behind glass, we can teach you where the major Vulcan organs are located.

[biomed]

Why you— Of course I know where they are; what kind of doctor do you take me for?

[intermingled]

A young human one.

[biomed]

And I've treated plenty of Vulcans before you!

( He goes quiet immediately afterward, because the retort has cost him, dredged up the stark memory of the circumstance behind those handful of souls, moving between survivors in a medbay full of silent, stoic grief. )



...just. Make sure I don't have to again anytime soon. ( the connection ends. )