Marine Medic

Eliza Dyson sat in her assigned quarters onboard the USS George Patton and looked around the bare room. The Patton was a Nebula class vessel crewed entirely by Federation Marines. It was basically designed to be a rapid response vessel, with the pod above the main hull converted into a shuttle bay. There were over thirty shuttles in the bay, along with other vessels designed to transport upto a thousand Marines and their equipment.

The Patton was currently docked at Deep Space Nine, awaiting the order to leave for the Gamma quadrant. The Patton was assigned to rendezvous with the USS Taurus at Boxial IV. This was her first real taste of action, but as a Marine Medic, she wasn't expecting to see much action.

She'd arrived at DS9 the day before along with a number of Marines belonging to the 201st Expeditionary Force, 8th Battalion, Foxtrot Company. More had arrived later in the day and most had served with Major Jon Phanan onboard his two previous ships. Eliza had come straight from the Marine Basic Training camp on Mars. Foxtrot company required a Medic and Eliza was available, she'd been 'bungled' onto a high-warp courier vessel and transported to Bajor in just two days. As soon as she'd arrived, she'd met her new commanding officer, a Major Jon Phanan.

As far as she was aware, so far she was the only female Marine on the Patton, which meant she had the quarters to herself. There were four bunks in the room, with a table in the centre of the room and a small bathroom beyond.

She'd always wanted to be a Medic and had spent several years studying back on Earth. But she found the life of a civilian doctor too tame for her liking, she had grown up travelling the universe with her parents. As well as her medical training, she was also a keen botanist, like her mother. She knew the healing properties of many wild plants and those to avoid.

Suddenly the ship made a short jolt and Eliza reacted. Just as she was about to get up to see what was going on, a voice came over the intercom.

[Attention all crew. We have just left DS9 and are heading for the Gamma quadrant. Our destination has been changed, we are no longer heading for Boxial IV, but to Mirisam V.] The voice of Captain Holester announced. [We will reach the Bajorian wormhole in ten minutes.]

Eliza rose from her bunk and picked up her jacket. She headed down the corridor and towards the forward lounge. She wanted to get a good view of the wormhole and was determined to see the sight her mother had described to her many times.

Forward Lounge

When she got there, she realised that many others must have had the same idea. She quickly ordered a drink (Orange juice, she didn't like the taste of synthohol.) and looked for a seat. She noticed a small table, with a spare seat the only problem was that a young, bald man in a Starfleet Command uniform occupied the other seat.

*What's a 'Fleeter' doing onboard. ?* She thought. *I thought this was a wholly Marine crew.*

Taking her life and reputation in hand, she walked across to the table and spoke to the Starfleet officer.

"Is this seat taken ?" She asked.

"No, go ahead." The young man replied, sipping at his drink.

She looked around, if anyone was bothered or thought the worse of her for sitting with a 'Fleetie' they weren't showing it. Most were more interested in trying to look out of the window at the wormhole. She noticed that the table she was sat at gave her and her companion a superb view of the wormhole.

"This is a prime spot you've picked." Eliza announced. "How'd you get such a good view ?"

"The trick is to get here first I guess." Her drinking partner replied.

"Marine Medic Eliza Dyson." Eliza announced. "So what's a Starfleet officer doing onboard a Marine vessel ?"

"Just hitching a ride." Can the reply.

He put his drink down on the table and moved his attention to the forward view. Eliza did the same and the wormhole opened up and the ship headed in.

"Wow." Eliza exclaimed. "This is amazing."

"First time through the wormhole I guess." The Starfleet officer announced.

"Yes." Eliza replied, smiling at her companion.

"Lieutenant Zachary Dare." Zack announced, holding out his hand. "But my friends call me Zack."

"I hope I can be included in those who call you Zack." Eliza replied. "I guess it's not your first time through the wormhole."

"Fourteenth." Zack replied. "But it never loses its appeal, it's still beautiful."

"So where are you heading to ?" Eliza asked. "To the Taurus."

"Smart girl." Zack replied, with some sarcasm in his voice. "Yes. I'm their new Helm officer. And you ?"

"Attached to the 201st Expeditionary Force, 8th Battalion, Foxtrot Company as a field Medic." Eliza replied enthusiasm oozing in her voice.

"Major Phanan's group." Zack suggested. "He seems like a good officer."

"So far." Eliza commented. "I only had a few minutes to get to make an opinion of him when I arrived from Mars."

"So you're fresh from boot camp." Zack commented.

"Graduated a month ago." Eliza announced. "Before that I was a Junior Doctor in Sydney, Australia. But I've always wanted to get back into space. I was born in space and spent most of my life on starships. It was only when my parents were killed, that I came back to Earth and studied Medicine."

The two continued their conversation for over an hour until they came out of the wormhole and set course for Mirisam V. Just as they stood up to leave, the intercom came on once more and the Captain spoke.

[This is Captain Holester.] He announced. [We have just received a secure sub-space message from the Taurus. Our orders and destination have been changed. We will reach our target in twenty-one hours. The ship and the 201st Expeditionary Force, 8th Battalion, Foxtrot Company are now on full alert.]