Medical Concern

Previously…….

“Rashad to Kahfre,” Her voice sounded somewhat weak as she tapped her commbadge. “I have a medical emergency in my quarters…”

[I am on my way, Commander!] Came the reply. For some reason, the Doctor did not sound in the least bit surprised.

Now……

By the time Rahel Kahfre arrived at t'Kul's quarters, she was prepared for the worst. Her analysis of t'Kul's DNA had show a complex change in the Commander's very nature. Rahel tapped the door chimes and waited outside t'Kul's quarters, but there came no reply. Fearing the worst, Rahel tapped he comm. badge.

“Doctor Kahfre to Lieutenant McQueen.” She announced.

[McQueen here.] The voice of Logan McQueen, the Leviathan 's Chief of Security replied. [How Can I help you Rahel.]

“I need you to override the door locks to Commander Rashad's quarters, it's a medical emergency.” Rahel stated.

[I'll send a Security team down straight away.] Logan said.

“NO.” Rahel said firmly. “I can handle this Logan , all I need you to do is override the door.”

[Done.] Logan reported. [Let me know what happened later. McQueen out.]

Rahel knew that Logan was only trying to protect the woman he loved, but Rahel was more than capable of looking after herself and she wasn't expecting t'Kul to be much of a problem.

The door opened and Rahel stepped inside. What she saw shocked her, the entire room had been ransacked. All of the furniture was either broken or not where it should have been.

“t'Kul.” Rahel called out. “Where are you ?”

Rahel searched the room and the adjacent office, but there was no sign of the Commander.

“Computer, locate Commander Rashad.” Rahel ordered.

<Commander Rashad is in her quarters.> The computer replied.

Rahel pulled out her medical tricorder and started to scan the room for any signs of the Commander. At first the scan proved negative all Rahel found was the Commander's Communicator which was what the computer had detected. But Rahel wasn't going to give up and eventually she picked up a faint DNA trace. As the Doctor tracked the source, she eventually came across a small bloodstain on a cracked mirror. There wasn't a lot of blood, but there was enough to do a DNA analysis and what Rahel found didn't look good.

*This is bad, real bad.* Rahel thought.

“Computer, run a level one scan for Commander Rashad.” Rahel ordered.

<No life-signs matching Commander Rashad have been detected.> The computer stated.

Rahel thought for a second. Either the Commander was in an area where the scans couldn't penetrate or she was no longer on the ship. Then she realsed there was a third option.

*I am an idiot.* She said to herself.

“Computer repeat scan, but for Vulcan, Bajorian and Romulan life-signs only.” Rahel ordered the computer.

<There are a hundred and three life-signs onboard.> The computer reported back.

“How many lifesigns can be identified as known crew or workers ?” Rahel enquired.

<All life-signs can be accounted for.> The computer reported.

Rahel tapped her comm. badge.

“Doctor Kahfre to Lieutenant McQueen.” She announced.

[McQueen.] Logan replied. [Is the Commander OK ?]

“Logan, I need a full security sweep of the vessel.” Rahel said. “t'Kul is not in her quarters, all I've found is her comm. badge. I'm worried for her safety.”

[I'll order a full sweep immediately.] Logan stated. [We'll find her.]

“Logan I need to talk to you first.” Rahel suggested. “There are a few details you need to know.”

[I'll meet you in Rashad's quarters.] Logan stated. [McQueen out.]

Ten minutes later, Logan entered what was left of Rashad's quarters and looked at the devastation.

“Rahel, just what is going on ?” Logan enquired.

“To be honest, I'm not exactly sure.” Rahel admitted. “What I can tell you is that t'Kul is somehow going through some kind of change, her DNA is being altered somehow.”

Logan looked at Rahel. Hearing the words DNA and altered alerted him to the fact that Rahel knew that she was herself a product of DNA manipulation. So far Logan had been successful in keeping Rahel away from doing any in depth research into her own past. Now Rashad's DNA was being manipulated, could the two be linked somehow.

“I found a small trace of blood on that mirror.” Rahel stated. “There's not enough to cause me any concern, it's probably from a cut when Rashad put her hand to the broken glass, but look at the DNA results.”

Rahel handed Logan her Medical tricorder. Logan had little experience of medical matters, especially DNA profiles, but he recognised the DNA pattern.

“It's Rashad's new DNA profile.” Rahel stated. “Somehow all the Bajorian DNA strands in her makeup have been switched off.”

“Wouldn't that kill her ?” Logan suggested. “Without a full set of active DNA.”

“Normally yes, but the dormant Romulan DNA strands have take their place.” Rahel replied. “In effect Rashad is becoming a fully-fledged Romulan.”

“Could she be dangerous ?” Logan enquired.

“Look around you.” Rahel replied. “Whether she is a danger to others I can't tell, but the devastation in here would suggest that her emotions have started to take over. Rashad has worked hard to maintain her Romulan aggressiveness, her training and her Bajorian side have helped her, but now no-one knows.”

“We'll find her.” Logan said, picking up on the concern of Rahel and tapped his comm. badge.

“This is McQueen to all Security.” He announced. “Commander Rashad could be dangerous, all phasers should be set on stun, but do not fire unless absolutely necessary.”

Logan checked his own phaser and passed a spare to Rahel. At first she refused to take it, but Logan insisted.

“Let's go find t'Kul.” He stated. “The phasers are for her protection as much as ours. We'll start with this deck, check every room, Jefferies tube and storage cupboard, we'll find her.”

With that the two officers headed out of the room and down the corridor.