Only So Much We Can Do...
Posted on Tue Jun 11th, 2024 @ 1:37am by Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant JG Malcolm Beckett M.D. & Civilian Alexandra Winters & Civillian Sara Winters & Lieutenant Commander Nash Winters & Lieutenant Eirly Andersen & Lieutenant Dr. J.R McEntyre, M.D. & Civilian Brunel Winters
2,572 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
Helping Brunel
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: MD 12, 1530 Hours
After school was out for the day Alexandra Winters didn't stop to talk to friends or bother going home. She went one floor down and straight to Sickbay at nearly a dead sprint to see how Brunel was doing. She skidded to an almost stop and stood up straighter to walk herself in, and back toward the doors of the intensive care division. She didn't see her parents around which confused her.
Charlotte had been watching for her arrival and walked to the door to let her come into Brunel's room, and Alex saw Eirly sitting with Brunel instead of her parents.
"Is everything okay?" Alex asked.
Eirly offered a comforting smile to the girl and nodded, "Everything is okay, your parents are just in talking with Dr. Beckett and Dr. McEntyre. Come over here and be with him," She moved to let Alex take her place.
When Brunel saw Alexandra, he brightened considerably. He signed quickly to her. "Ally!" he wanted to get up and hug her, but he still felt a bit weak.
Alex dropped her bag and scurried over to Brunel and sat down at the seat Eirly had given her. "Have you been up long today? Oh my gosh, you should have seen Mrs. Miller. She was wearing another one of her silly sweaters again today. It's like she thinks we're in first grade or something."
Brunel smiled, even though he didn't know what, or whom, she was talking about. "I've been up for a little while. I had some broth earlier. Something called...chichen?"
"Chicken soup?" Alex asked. "That's what mom and dad always give me when I'm not feeling well. Are you okay?"
Brunel first thought of the correct word to use for chicken, then he replied. "I am feel better than before, however, the doctors are still running tests. I do not feel like I did before I got sick though. I feel...weaker...more tired."
"It's good that you are feeling better," Alex said hopefully. "If you keep doing what the doctor says maybe you can come home soon."
"I hope so, Ally. I am missing our milkshakes and cartoons."
"I bet we can watch cartoons in here," Alex said with a smile. "Does a milkshake sound good? I can ask the nurse if it's okay," she offered.
Brunel smiled softly and nodded his head.
Sara and Nash sat together in what was mùeant to be a comfortable meeting room for families with Doctors Beckett and McEntyre. Captain Johansen was there as well.
Dr. Beckett was talking. "Basically we can keep him on this maintenance treatment, that seems to be working for now, but the protocol is very rigid and he'd have to be on it the rest of his life, or until another treatment came along."
"But you just said it could stop working any time," Sara said challenging the doctor. "His body is likely to become resistant to the protocol." It wasn't a question, it was a fact, and microbiologist, Dr. Winters understood this. As she finished her statement, Sara glanced over at Remy, who was avoiding eye contact with everyone at the table.
“Resistant? Does that mean he’ll never fully recover?”, a visibly worried Nash asked. “You’ll have to forgive me, Doc, but I’m a little out of my element here. I have a lot of questions. How about long-term? What will happen to his overall health and metabolism? What kind of side effects from the treatment, if any? You can’t tell me we’ve come this far—-and now this? Sara? Doc?”
Malcolm spoke his next words cautiously. "Not with the treatment we have available today, I'm afraid not. But that isn't to say that something won't come along."
"But the Federation was once working on treatments that would have the potential to cure him, weren't they?" Sara asked. "But the synth ban, stopped all research, took us back 50 years in medical advancements. You can't even use treatments that once worked to save children." Sara stared at Remy as she finished.
Remy finally spoke up. "My research in 2385 was working with a positronic matrix to rebuild an immune system. It was a reactive research trying to counter the effects of a silicone based virus that we believe was genetically engineered. We didn't get it out of the research phase. I have the content, but without a positronic matrix, the theories are useless," Johansen stated. "But Dr. Winters believes that my team's work may not have been destroyed, but is likely stored in a secure facility."
"My company was trying to track it and other projects, when the Federation started locking down the bans. Unless they've slipped it somewhere else in the last few years, it's probably still on Earth," Sara suggested.
Nash piped in and realized he had to say something. “Captain, I may be talking out of school here, but…. is there a possibility of going to look for it, recover your research? I also do not want to put the crew in an awkward position. I’d be putting my personal situation before ship and crew. What I’m trying to say is, this is our son, Remira. For all intents and purposes. I want to do all we can to help him, but I will follow your orders. Sara and I trust you with Brunel’s well being.”
"There will be no orders," Remy said calmly. "But Dr. McEntyre is familiar with the research should something turn up."
"I could make some inquiries of Daystrom. I have a sister who's working on her PH.D in Computer Engineer in Okinawa. See about getting access to their data archives." J.R pipes up as he's mentioned, coming in with large PADDs in his hands, shifting his glasses up so he could see better.
"I have the data," Remy clarified. "I took it with me. I wouldn't look at this on a computer connected to the network." She passed a data rod to the Caitian doctor. "What we need is a positronic matrix." Remy took a breath. "It's best to not alert anyone at Daestrom. Sara has given me enough of a lead. I'll work on trying to find one that will work."
"Yes, Captain. I'll have to go over the data myself, just to get me up to speed on your approach. I'll need at least a day or two to annotate a copy." J.R commented, taking the data rod from her with a nod of his head.
Remy looked at Dr. McEntyre, and then to Nash. "I can't stress enough, how this information cannot leave this room. Don't talk to the kids about it. Don't get overheard talking about it. If Starfleet gets wind of what I am about to try and pull off, I'll be court-martialed before we can help Brunel, and they will let him die. This is part of the synth ban, and Starfleet has taken a very hard stance on it."
“Yes, ma’am. You’ll get no argument from me. Needless to say, Captain, you don’t how much this means to us. I’m grateful,” Nash said.
"Aye, Captain" J.R replied.
Eirly stepped away from Alex and Brunel to give them some privacy to talk and catch up and was kind of eavesdropping in on the other conversation going on, "I apologize for eavesdropping, but what's going on?" She looked back at the kids briefly before adding, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
“I think we should read Lt. Andersen in on this. She is part of the security team here. Your prerogative, but if we keep the number involved small, we should be safe. Us, the medical staff, ship security. However, I think Intelligence should be kept out of the loop. Like you said, if this gets back to Starfleet, we’re cooked.”
Remy stood up. "Nash, your only job here is as a parent. Dr. McEntyre and Dr. Beckett will keep you and Sara informed with enough information to make medical decisions. That is all you need to worry about. Dr. McEntyre is prepared to perform any medically necessary procedures available to him. He'll keep you informed as to what those may be. That's more than enough on your plate for now. If you'll excuse me."
"Lieutenant Andersen, please come with me," the Captain said as she began to walk out of the conference room.
Eirly looked between everyone involved and nodded towards Remy, "Of course," then began to follow her.
Nash stood up out of frustration and turned to face the wall, feeling deflated. “I understand the Captain’s position, but I can’t just sit here, Sara. I….. don’t know what to do. What are we supposed to do, babe. Tell me.”
Sara stood up and put a hand on Nash's back. "She's protecting you. And she's right. We just handle what's right in front of us. One hour at a time. We take care of our son."
He turned his body to face Sara and wrapped her tight in his arms. “He’s our son. That’s our boy. Remy’s always looking out for people. That’s what makes her so special. And that’s why she’s the Captain. I’ll behave. I promise. Brunel has already lost one set of parents.”
Sara turned to look at the doctors who were still in the room. "We appreciate everything that you're doing. Whatever you need us to do to make your jobs easier."
Sara and Nash walked back into Brunel's room to find Alex sitting up in Brunel's bed with him while the two drank milkshakes and were laughing at holocartoons displayed in front of them. Charlotte walked over to the parents, "I added a protein and vitamin blend to their shakes, they'll never know," she whispered with a wink before leaving the room.
Sara took a seat by the door, content to just watch the kids enjoying themselves.
Nash found an empty chair from outside the room, grabbed it, and situated himself beside Sara. “Bet you never thought this would be our life…he’s so….happy and content. With us, Alexandra, the whole thing. I’m surprised he’s adapting so quickly. I want him to have a normal life, Sara. If that’s even possible. As normal as it can be for a kid growing up on a starship. Brunel’s got such a big heart and so much love to give. You see it, don’t ya? I could just burst seeing the way he is with Alex. It’s a shame his real parents couldn’t appreciate it.”
"We should tell them now that Alex is here," Sara said said softly. "The good news we got today."
As he couldn't speak, Brunel had programed his translator to recognize a specific, one-handed sign, for laughing. After he finished his milkshake, he moved over a bit more on his biobed, so Alexandra could get more comfortable. He was finding her presence to be very soothing.
"Now that Alex is here what?" Alexandra asked, hearing her name, but not much else.
Sara looked at Nash expectantly.
“Well, guys, a couple things have happened,” Nash said as he cleared his throat. He continued as he held onto Alex and Brunel’s hands.
“Do you remember the asylum issue we talked about the other day? Starfleet has granted asylum for Brunel. But….there’s another problem that goes hand in hand with that. Brunel has to decide how he wants to decorate his room.” Nash made the announcement flatly and waited to see how the children would react.
At first, Brunel didn't react. Then, his brain caught up with what Nash had just said. His eyes grew large and he exhaled excitedly, before his energy was gone and he sagged back against the biobed. Though he still had a big smile on his face and tears started to flow freely from his eyes as he started to cry.
Alex smiled cheerfully next to him and clapped joyfully. "We're going to have to binge on some music so you can decide who your favorite bands are. We're definitely going to need some posters of them. And one of those cool light thingies, or maybe some string lights. Or both!" Alex suggested getting excited at the prospect of decorating his room.
Nash pulled up his chair so Alexandra could sit and he sat next to Brunel on the bed, almost lying down next to him. He brushed the tears from the Ataran’s eyes; they were still warm on his skin.
Alex let out a little huff as her dad gestured for her to move. She got down, but didn't sit.
“That’s right, buddy. I’m going to be your Dad and Sara is your Mom. The adoption is going through and we’re going to be a family.” Nash swept the boy up in his arms and held tight, gently rocking as Brunel’s silent sobs of joy continued. “This makes us very happy, Brunel. We love you very much. Go on…. give your sister a hug.”
After Nash released him, Brunel moved over to Alexandra and hugged her tightly. Though he was still crying, he was slowly starting to calm down.
Alex squeezed back. "We're going to have so much fun getting your room set up," she said in a singsong voice.
Sara had quietly made her way up to the bed where everyone had gathered around Brunel some time ago. She gently placed her hands on the teenager's backs. "We're very happy that we get to make this official, Brunel," Sara said with a soft tenderness to her voice. "How are you feeling honey? It's okay to rest, you don't need to feel like you have to act a certain way for us. We know you don't feel well, and we're still happy to sit here with you while you try to relax."
Feeling Sara's gentle touch on his back, Brunel released Alexandra and turned to embrace Sara. As he knew Alexandra could see his hands, he asked for her to translate, as his amulet was currently blocked.
(Thank you, Mama. I am starting to feel tired.)
"Oops," Alex said. "Mom, he said thanks and he is starting to feel tired."
Sara pulled away and looked back at Alex. "You're already learning to sign behind our backs," Sara said good naturedly.
"Alex, you can get started on your homework, Dad and I can over by the door for a little while so you can get some rest," Sara suggested.
“Your Mom’s right, Alex. I don’t want you to get behind with your homework. You’re never late with any assignments and I doubt you want to start now. Let Brunel get the rest he needs. I see no reason why you can’t talk to him later tonight. And as for you, young man….take a nap. Mom and me can hang out for a bit and then we’ll back tomorrow. Don’t overexert yourself. You need your rest, buddy.”
It didn't take long for Brunel to succumb to sleep once the excitement in the room had quieted down. Once Brunel had fallen asleep Sara gestured to Alex, and they left Brunel to get some much needed rest.
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