Over the command centers communications center the four-some heard the news that Rescue-1 had found and was making contact. The next words out of the dispatchers mouth though was, "another huge storm cell is converging over them and I estimate about a meter of snow fall, winds of 30 kph, and temperatures in the negative teens." She looked over her console and met the eyes of Karissa and shook her head, "Ma'am the CPO reported that they are grounded until this cell passes and then they are going directly to Paladin. "I have a team that can take you back there right now to wait...it would be more comfortable for you."
"Since there's no other way for us to help, I imagine it's our best option," Karissa replied reluctantly, preferring to have been able to be more physically useful in the search.
Nathan stood up and walked toward the dispatcher and asked her, "Do you have comm.'s with them now?"
"Yes, sir." She saw that he was a medical officer and handed him the spare ear bug. "Go ahead CPO you're on with Dr. Fletcher."
Nathan licked his lips and asked, "What is the medical status of the Major and the Sergeant, Chief?"
"They are holding on, but they need to get to Paladin ASAP. The Major has a dislocated shoulder that has been reset and secured, but is suffering from exposure. The Sergeant is better, but still suffering from exposure. Both have been put in cold suits."
"How soon do you expect this storm to last and your ETA at Paladin?"
"Not sure, honestly. I can tag them with pattern enhancers, but transport is risky under these circumstances. I'm in a Bloodhound power suit, so I can walk back to Rescue 1, but I certainly can't fly under these conditions. It might be best to stay put until we get a break."
"Fine, keep both women warm and hydrated. as for the Major pain meds to keep comfortable--but able to walk out. Dr. Bentara also recommends that you keep her slightly medicated with an anti-anxiety agent...or it will be a bitch to get her to the medical center." Nathan handed the bug back to the tech and walked back over to hear Shara and Karissa discussing flying to Paladin.
"Well, the flight back should be easy enough," Shara replied.
"Yeah, but . . . I get the feeling that at least you and I should be out there with them."
"To what effect?" Shara asked. "Come on, sis. Think . . . There isn't anything for us to do out there. They found Jayme and Kama. All we can do is wait for the storm to break up."
Karissa nodded her agreement. "Once back at Paladin, both women are going to have to be looked over carefully. Especially Jayme . . ."
"Karissa, I don't think I should be a physician treating her. I would like you to contact Will and update him and you two handle her and I'll just be the supportive loving spouse at least until I'm ready to strangle her."
Karissa gave him a soft smile. "I've already arranged it," she replied. "Will had her medical file - all of it, so he has everything there is on her. By the way, I noted in her file that Kassia had prescribed medication for her, back when she was on Starbase 901. Is she still taking it . . . Or rather, is she taking it as prescribed?"
Nathan thought about her question and shrugged and said, "No, I doubt she's taken more then three doses of the medication Kassia put her on SB901 for her last episode." He thought she'd learned her lesson after Thermopyli and then with that 3 day medical/psych hold from Kassia...he shook his head and said, "I'm all for us returning to the city if that's where they are going to Evac them to."
Karissa nodded. "We think it's the best option as well," she replied, looking over at Shara who also nodded her agreement having heard the whole conversation.
Kama was sitting on a sleeping role watching her senior officer sleep. She'd overheard the conversation between Dr. Fletcher and the Chief. "Chief, she has medication in her pack like he's talking about but she won't take it...and with her tranq'd I don't think we can get her to swallow it if we tried. Just thought you should know." Kama had already tried to offer her services as Medic but since she was one of the ones being rescued...he'd politely thanked her but said, "no." Well, at least she was warmer now in this cold weather gear.
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