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Stella NovaDreamSpace TwoOne For The Book - PreviewBy Jacqui and Keith Smith |
Efforts to re-establish contact with the landing party had been futile. An attempt had been made to locate T'Sara with the ship's sensors as well. As a Vulcan she should have been easily distinguishable, yet there was no sign. It was as if they weren't even on the planet any more.
Most of the Captain's time seemed to be involved in mediating a rather lengthy discussion between the remaining xenoanthropologists, and his First Officer and Security Chief. Connor and B'Aijha were all for sending down more rescue parties, but the scientists were almost having fits, saying that the planet's inhabitants had already been interfered with enough, invoking all sorts of interpretations of the Prime Directive and saying that Starfleet had fouled up enough already. It was decided in the end to report the whole mess to Starfleet Command, and let them figure out how to proceed. In the meantime, they would wait.
Darci went off duty in a worried state of mind. What could have happened to Commander T'Sara and her party? She might be a stuck up, nosy, infuriating Vulcan, but she was a fellow Bridge officer. It'd be difficult getting used to not having her around.
He was feeling physically exhausted as he entered his cabin. So exhausted that he just pulled off his boots and lay down on the bed. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep. As he started to drift into a dream he felt he could hear T'Sara's voice, calling for help. He 'heard' her call his name. At that, he woke up in a cold sweat. Just what was happening?
He lay there for a while, listening to the soft sounds that permeated a starship in orbit. No more strange voices. He shrugged and lay back. Just a dream. As he relaxed into sleep once more he became aware of T'Sara's voice in his mind again. It sounded more urgent, more insistent. He tried answering back but it seemed to have no effect. He woke up again, sweating and his heart pounding.
Was that a dream? No. It was too real. He had a distinct impression that he was being called for. And that the caller was almost shouting in desperation.
Then he remembered. All those psi tests! MacCaull would know! He thumbed the bedside intercom.
"Sickbay here."
"This is Lieutenant Qhu'Varr. Is Doctor MacCaull there, please?"
"She's currently off duty. Can I help?" Darci thought for a moment. It may be nothing, but if he was going crazy he'd rather speak to the CMO directly.
"No, thank you. Could you please contact Doctor MacCaull and tell her I wish to urgently consult her on a personal matter?"
A short while later the intercom buzzed again.
"MacCaull here. What's going on, Qhu'Varr?" She sounded freshly awoken. He gulped. The last thing he wanted to do was bother her on something that may turn out to be nothing.
"Umm... I think I need to talk to you in person. I think I'm going out of my mind."
There was a slight pause.
"You and half the rest of this crew... Never mind. In my office. Five minutes."