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Distress Call

Chapter 13

Dr. O’Mara said “I think that is a topic we should be avoiding right now. Marshal Dermod would see it as trying to interfere with the investigation.”
“But, Marshal Dermod told us to talk to you.” replied Fishlegs.
“He did?”
“Yes. Useless tried to get permission to talk with Dr. Thornnastor about the reasons that women cannot use the Mind tape technology and he told Useless that we can get that information from you without infringing on the medical investigation.”
“So, you’ve come to me wanting to talk about the Educator tapes - a settled issue, by the way - when your team has been tasked with looking for uses for the Discourse gear.”
Camicazi said “You have tied your concern over the Discourse gear to the problems with the Mind tapes, so we feel knowing about the Mind tapes is critical to our task. And if you are right about girls not being able to safely use the Discourse gear, we will have to include accurate information as to why in our reports.”
O’Mara sighed then replied “Very well. Shall we sit in that lounge over there and talk?”
At the table, O’Mara began “Before we get into the physical and psychological reasons, I can tell that I need to give you the basics. First is a clarification. The correct term is Educator tape. Mind tape is acceptable in general conversation, but you should use the correct term in your reports.”
“Yes sir.” said Fishlegs.
“Now for the background history. I’m going into this mostly for Camicazi. Back in the early days of the Galactic Federation the acceptable norm was that medical care had to be same-species. For many of those early years, cross-species first aid training was not even available. Some worlds did try to operate cross-species medical centers, but to do so, they need to maintain on their staff multiple teams from each species they intended to treat. Say, one for Obstetrics, one for Cardio-Vascular, and Neural, well, you get the picture. Well, most of the time, those teams waited on stand-by and might treat three or four cases a year. Some years they’d have no cases. As you can image, that practice was not sustainable. Also. This was during the time that Grawlya-Ki and MacEwan were fighting against the separate within the overall community thinking that prevailed in that era. Beings were reluctant to even talk to members of another species for fear of starting a conflict, so you can understand why there had been no push for the first aid training.
“Then came that accident at the Retlin aerospace complex on Nidia. Grawlya-Ki and MacEwan were there - being kicked off yet another world for annoying the locals with their strongly held views on interspecies cooperation, but that’s another story. Needless to say, what they did at Retlin that day was, and is, the foundation of Sector General. During the time Sector General was being designed and constructed, efforts were underway to train surgical teams in cross-species surgery. Given the teaching methods in use on the different worlds at the time, and the amount of time and training needed to become proficient in any surgical field, you will understand that those attempts were disasters. At least, they had the forethought to have same-species surgical teams on stand-by who were able to step in and correct the damage. That meant that Sector General would suffer with the same unsustainable system used on various worlds.
“The solution came with the development of the Educator tape system. Once the system was ready, beings who were at the top in their surgical fields were asked to make recordings that other surgeons would use to borrow that specialist’s knowledge to prepare for then perform an operation, after which, the tape would be erased from the recipient’s mind. I should say that the system worked, but it was, and is, far from perfect. And that leads us to what you want to hear. But first, I’ll answer any questions you may have on the history.”
Camicazi said “Not on the history, but I have a question about what you just said. A tape is to be erased after the operation, yet, I’ve heard that Dr. Thornnastor is holding ten tapes and that Dr. Conway and Dr. Prilicla each have three tapes in their heads.”
“What I told you was the original intent. We learned much by trial and error. We learned that with the right being, the tapes can be retained. Then we discovered that a surgeon with multiple tapes was able to pull bits from each tape to develop new surgical and treatment procedures. That discovery has become a foundation of research at Sector General.”
Fishlegs said “Thank you for that clarification. But now we should skip to the information we require. I know we all will soon have to get ready for the ceremony when we reach Earth.”
“Quite right. I’ll make it brief for now. We can talk more about this later.” replied Dr. O’Mara “The major drawback with the Educator tape system is that it cannot be used to record just the medical knowledge. An Educator tape holds the state of mind of the donor at the time of the recording. That includes memories, food preferences, sexual desires, insecurities, phobias, and such. Now, let me use two examples from your world to explain this. Useless and Snotlout. Useless has become a great leader for the Wilderwest, but he is like you, Fishlegs. Physically and socially, he is not typical Viking material. Snotface Snotlout is a strong example of traditional Barbaric Archipelago Vikings. I remember reading that Snotlout was considered to be the top of the class. If we were looking for Viking skills, he would be the person we would go to to record an Educator tape. As you well know, people who reach the top of their class are driven and strong willed. And in general, while they are the best at what they do, they are usually not nice people. Now. Imagine that we took Snotlout’s tape and imprinted it into your head, Fishlegs.”
“I understand it would be like having him in my head with me. I think that would drive me crazy.”
O’Mara smiled then said “Between you and me, I think a Snotlout tape would drive anyone crazy. But back to the discussion at hand. Early on, we became aware that the female mind is less prepared to remain insulated from the intrusion of the other mind - even though that other is only a recording, a ghost if you will, of a mind. The inner struggle would lead to severe stress that would lead to major physiological problems. We are talking about problems beyond a nervous breakdown. We are talking about problems like heart attack and stroke.”
Fishlegs said “I understand that not every male is suitable to hold a Mind - I mean Educator tape. I’m fairly sure I wouldn’t be.”
“You might be surprised about that, but in general, you are correct.”
“Then couldn’t the opposite be true? Couldn’t it be that not every female is unsuitable to hold a tape? And no, I’m not using this to influence the concern on the Discourse gear. I’m just trying to work out what has been bothering me from the stories. Look at me. I am a Viking by birth, but I am not a VIKING. Now, look at Camicazi. She is a VIKING. And - well, sorry for the insult, Camicazi, but she is Useless’s equal at sword fighting, and I’m sure she could best Snotlout at it. We Vikings are not from the realm of Sector General. Andrew and Valentine are not from your realm. This is a different realm here and it seems that everyone who comes here is different in some way. Might it be worth reopening that old investigation here to see if things are different enough? If they aren’t, then at least we will know that.”
“You present an interesting argument, Fishlegs, but that is a discussion that will have to wait for another time. I must go and get ready now. Your Starfleet uniforms look easier to get into than our Full Dress Monitor Corps uniforms. We will talk again about this. I promise you.”
***
Quickly run tests had shown that only a small selection of Deldain foods could be eaten by Earth-Human DBDGs, but even those would have unpleasant side effects. Prilicla and Naydrad could eat none of it. That Naydrad couldn’t eat it helped many Deldains feel even better about her because this was another sign that a Kelgian was nothing like a Scairsum. The opposite was also found to be true. Deldains could not tolerate Earth-Human foods. To get around this, meals prepared on Endeavor were beamed to the locations where meals were eaten by the visitors on Valeng.
During one meal break that was not a diplomatically staged meal, Conway said to Murchison and Prilicla “I’m even more sure of it now. Something is going on. I see the captains of Rhabwar, Trafalur, Tragenhad and Endeavor in what appears to be a deep conversation once again. That’s been happening quite a bit now.”
Murchison said “It almost sounds like you are getting jealous that Fletcher hasn’t been spending time with us. It’s a good thing Dr. O’Mara isn’t here to see this.”
“Friend Murchison, As we are all finished our meals, would you come with friend Conway and me for a walk. We have something to talk about. Friend Conway and I have been observing some odd behavior on the part of Friends Fletcher and Issacson. I am in agreement with Friend Conway. Something is going on.”
Murchison looked at Conway then asked “You’re serious? This is not some kind of joke?”
“Yes. We are serious about this.”
“Very well. But, I’ll say this again. It’s a good thing Dr. O’Mara is not here to see this.”
They placed their plates and cups in the return container then left the building and headed to the park down the road.
***
“You are looking sharp, sir.” Camicazi commented on how smart Dr. O’Mara looked in his full dress green Monitor Corps uniform as they met in the shuttle bay to board the Runabout for the flight down to San Francisco.
“And you three are looking equally as sharp in the Starfleet Dress Uniform.” He gestured to Camicazi, Fishlegs and Useless, then he brought his hand up in a salute. The three Prime Team members returned the salute.
“As this will be a multi service event, saluting will not be required.” said Commander Riker as he and Captain Picard entered the shuttle bay. “But as a courtesy among friends saluting is an option.” He offered O’Mara a crisp salute which Captain Picard was quick to join in.
After returning the salute, O’Mara said “ After seeing your dress uniforms, I see that all spacers seem to be alike. You in Starfleet are just as partial to your duty uniforms as we are in the Corps.”
Picard smiled then said “Yes, we are.” then he added “Marshal Dermod asked me to pass this on to you. Because of the questions lingering over the Discourse gear, we have agreed that we are not to talk about that equipment down there. President Bala and a few Admirals have been informed and this was their suggestion. President Bala agrees with Marshal Dermod. The medical investigation and the work of the Prime Team and Dragon Army must be allowed to proceed without outside interference.”
“Yes sir. Thank you for passing that to me.”
“Here they are.” said Riker as Dr. Crusher, Commander Troi and Mr. Worf walked into the shuttle bay. “Shall we proceed to the shuttle?”
As they walked to the shuttle, Useless said “Dr. O’Mara. For the moment I am speaking as King Hiccup. I would like to invite you and Sector Marshal Dermod to visit the Wilderwest while you are on Earth. Of greater interest to you would be, I believe, an opportunity to meet and talk with Furious and some of the other dragons. That will allow you to add to your data base for evaluating the pros and cons of having Dragons come to Sector General. I’m not aware of any dragon surgeons yet, but with dragons going to Starfleet Academy now, it is only a matter of time. And, sooner or later, there will be dragons as patients there.”
“Thank you, yes. I will pass the invitation to Marshal Dermod.” As they got settled in the Runabout, O’Mara turned to Fishlegs than said - in a manner that was almost singing “Be, is a page that aches for a word which speaks on a theme that is timeless.” this drew looks from the others.
Fishlegs replied “Be, by Neil Diamond. That’s my favorite line in that song. I guess you’ve started sampling my list, and I guess I was right. You are the kind of person for whom the lyrics are more important than the melody.”
“Yes on both guesses, but so far just that one and the other two songs by that artist. On my first look at your list, I was intrigued by the titles ‘Be’ and ‘I Am, I Said.’ I like them both. That third one had me confused, and a little irritated, until he got to the meaning of that title. I don’t think I’ll be counting ‘Done Too Soon’ among my favorites, but I’m glad I heard it. When I get a chance to relax near a terminal this evening, I intend to listen to the song called ‘The Sound of Silence.’ A Kelgian I know once said in a letter ‘Late at night, when I am embraced by the sound of silence, the anguished cries of that partially stilled non-speaking voice is so familiar that it can lead me to a sleep holding the threat of dreams that can no longer be.’”
Riker said “I don’t mean to pry, doctor, but is that Kelgian a patient of yours?”
O’Mara took a moment to consider the question then replied “A long term patient, yes.”
“The song does not come close to matching the gravity of the line you just quoted.” said Picard, then he added “That song is on my list from Fishlegs. I was not sure about it the first time I listened to it, but it has grown on me. Would you care to listen to it now, doctor?” O’Mara nodded then Picard called out “Computer. Please play The Sound of Silence, by Simon and Garfunkle then follow that with Be, by Neil Diamond.” He turned to the others then said “I haven’t heard that one yet, but that one line has me intrigued.”
***
Later, on Valeng, Doctors Conway, Prilicla, and Murchison, along with Naydrad were gathered in front of the LCARS Terminal watching an Earth network’s highlights of the welcoming ceremony and other events of the day at San Francisco. “You know,” began Murchison “I must admit that I was not completely sold on what you told me in the park, but even I feel now that something is going on. For as big an advance as that gear offers the medical community, as well as what it offers for education in general, you’d think there would be some talk about it. But, not a word.” They continued to watch.
“There you are.” said Captain Fletcher as he walked on to the Casualty Deck. “Where did you go after dinner? We were looking for you.”
“I came back here and took a nap.” replied Naydrad “I’ve gotten tired of hearing Deldains and Valanglen tell me how happy they are that I’m not a Scairsum. You’d think they’d know that I get that by now.”
Conway said “The three of us took a walk. You could have called us.”
“We didn’t want to do anything that could have been overheard or recorded. It will all be explained. For now, I want the four of you to come with me up to Endeavor.”
“Why?” asked Conway “So you can try to pull us into the conspiracy?”
“Conspiracy?”
“Come on. We’ve seen the clues. Something is going on and I’m sure it has to do with the Discourse gear. Why are you helping Starfleet take control of it?”
“What makes you think that?”
Dr Prilicla spoke of the odd emotional feelings he had been detecting, then Conway and Murchison filled in other details. Naydrad made only comments that did not translate.
“You are half right. Something is going on, but your reasoning is wrong. Now, please come with me to Endeavor.”
After they reached Endeavor, they saw Valentine in a corridor. “I can’t believe we didn’t even think of the problems with the gear.” said Valentine as she approached them.
Captain Fletcher said “They have not been briefed yet. Would you care to come with us to help explain it to them?”
“Only for a few minutes. I’ve finished my interview with the Prime Team and I’m waiting to be called in for an interview with Dragon Army.”
Murchison said “So that’s why we didn’t see either team in the coverage of events after the welcoming ceremony.”
***
Major Schiffer, who, as the First Officer on Vespasian had been assigned to oversee the activities of the Dragon Army, Stood at the airlock waiting for the shuttle carrying Sector Marshal Dermod. He knew that the Marshal would be irate at having been called away from preparing for his appearance before the United Nations General Assembly. That couldn’t be helped. The Dragon Army had stumbled upon a problem that required the Marshal’s immediate attention. He stood and waited as the modified Starfleet shuttle carried out its slow approach to the docking port.
“This had better be good, Major.” demanded Dermod as he stepped through the airlock.
“Good is not the word I would use sir.” the Major replied while he saluted Marshal Dermod. “Please come with me to the Dragon Army work room, sir. I think it is best if you hear it from them.”
***
Useless listened with growing concern as Peg-Leg and Chamaco worked together to get the rest of the team to understand the security threat they saw in letting the Discourse gear go into common use throughout the two Federations. Robert was quick to see it. He interrupted them by saying “Just imagine how different things would have been if those organizing that coup against President Eubanks had access to this gear. There wouldn’t have been any traceable clues for us to pick up.”
This was enough for Useless. He tapped his communicator then said “Useless to Bean.” he didn’t wait for Bean to reply “We need to get the two teams together. Prime Team has unearthed some new concerns and we must work together to bring this security risk to the attention of Security in both Starfleet and the Monitor Corps.”
***
Marshal Dermod entered the workroom in time to hear Useless saying “...must work together to bring this security risk to the ...”
Major Schiffer demanded “Bean. You were ordered not to discuss this with anyone until you’ve gotten further orders from Sector Marshal Dermod.”
“Sir.” said Useless, who had heard the Major’s statement “Prime Team has discovered something that we feel is a grave threat to both Federations. In usual practice, when one team realizes that the task assigned to the other task is the correct direction, the two teams come back together to address the problem.”
Bean said “Sir. We did not contact them. Useless contacted us just before you came in and he did not give me a chance to inform him of your order.”
Dermod said “Bean, Come over to me.” When Bean was in place, he said “Open your channel and asked for Captain Picard, then let me speak.”
“Yes sir.” Bean did as he was asked.
“Captain Picard, Bean is letting me use his channel. It seems that both Dragon Army and Prime Team have discovered problems. Useless has declared the need for the teams to come together. Will you permit Dragon Army to return to Enterprise, and will you permit me and a few of my officers to come over with them so that we can continue evaluating this team system?”
“Certainly.” replied Picard “Do you wish to come by shuttle, or transporter?”
***
Dr. O’Mara had been trying to conclude the question and answer session that followed his introductory lecture on Sector General to a group of Cadets in the Starfleet Medical track when he noticed Admiral Terrag standing off to the side of the lecture hall. On seeing a signal from the admiral, he concluded his answer to a question with “...and now I am sorry but that has to be the last question for now, for while it is an unwritten rule that one does not give orders to a Sector General Diagnostician, it is a strongly written rule here that I must obey the orders of a Starfleet Admiral.” Mild laughter masked the disappointment of the cadets.
When he reached the Admiral, he said “Thank you for that interruption. They could have kept me going for another hour with their questions. Now I know how the doctors at Sector General feel while interacting with their trainees.” He glanced around to be sure no one was lingering close enough to listen then he asked “What’s up.”
“Sector Marshal Dermod has ordered you to report to him in Conference Room Six on Enterprise. I am not able to give you any information as to why. He said you would agree with his decision once you’ve had a briefing from Prime Team and Dragon Army.”
“Not a briefing from Crusher and Thornnastor?”
“Come with me, sir. You will get your answers in Conference Room Six.”

Description
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Distress Call

Chapter 13

Dr. O’Mara said “I think that is a topic we should be avoiding right now. Marshal Dermod would see it as trying to interfere with the investigation.”
“But, Marshal Dermod told us to talk to you.” replied Fishlegs.
“He did?”
“Yes. Useless tried to get permission to talk with Dr. Thornnastor about the reasons that women cannot use the Mind tape technology and he told Useless that we can get that information from you without infringing on the medical investigation.”
“So, you’ve come to me wanting to talk about the Educator tapes - a settled issue, by the way - when your team has been tasked with looking for uses for the Discourse gear.”
Camicazi said “You have tied your concern over the Discourse gear to the problems with the Mind tapes, so we feel knowing about the Mind tapes is critical to our task. And if you are right about girls not being able to safely use the Discourse gear, we will have to include accurate information as to why in our reports.”
O’Mara sighed then replied “Very well. Shall we sit in that lounge over there and talk?”
At the table, O’Mara began “Before we get into the physical and psychological reasons, I can tell that I need to give you the basics. First is a clarification. The correct term is Educator tape. Mind tape is acceptable in general conversation, but you should use the correct term in your reports.”
“Yes sir.” said Fishlegs.
“Now for the background history. I’m going into this mostly for Camicazi. Back in the early days of the Galactic Federation the acceptable norm was that medical care had to be same-species. For many of those early years, cross-species first aid training was not even available. Some worlds did try to operate cross-species medical centers, but to do so, they need to maintain on their staff multiple teams from each species they intended to treat. Say, one for Obstetrics, one for Cardio-Vascular, and Neural, well, you get the picture. Well, most of the time, those teams waited on stand-by and might treat three or four cases a year. Some years they’d have no cases. As you can image, that practice was not sustainable. Also. This was during the time that Grawlya-Ki and MacEwan were fighting against the separate within the overall community thinking that prevailed in that era. Beings were reluctant to even talk to members of another species for fear of starting a conflict, so you can understand why there had been no push for the first aid training.
“Then came that accident at the Retlin aerospace complex on Nidia. Grawlya-Ki and MacEwan were there - being kicked off yet another world for annoying the locals with their strongly held views on interspecies cooperation, but that’s another story. Needless to say, what they did at Retlin that day was, and is, the foundation of Sector General. During the time Sector General was being designed and constructed, efforts were underway to train surgical teams in cross-species surgery. Given the teaching methods in use on the different worlds at the time, and the amount of time and training needed to become proficient in any surgical field, you will understand that those attempts were disasters. At least, they had the forethought to have same-species surgical teams on stand-by who were able to step in and correct the damage. That meant that Sector General would suffer with the same unsustainable system used on various worlds.
“The solution came with the development of the Educator tape system. Once the system was ready, beings who were at the top in their surgical fields were asked to make recordings that other surgeons would use to borrow that specialist’s knowledge to prepare for then perform an operation, after which, the tape would be erased from the recipient’s mind. I should say that the system worked, but it was, and is, far from perfect. And that leads us to what you want to hear. But first, I’ll answer any questions you may have on the history.”
Camicazi said “Not on the history, but I have a question about what you just said. A tape is to be erased after the operation, yet, I’ve heard that Dr. Thornnastor is holding ten tapes and that Dr. Conway and Dr. Prilicla each have three tapes in their heads.”
“What I told you was the original intent. We learned much by trial and error. We learned that with the right being, the tapes can be retained. Then we discovered that a surgeon with multiple tapes was able to pull bits from each tape to develop new surgical and treatment procedures. That discovery has become a foundation of research at Sector General.”
Fishlegs said “Thank you for that clarification. But now we should skip to the information we require. I know we all will soon have to get ready for the ceremony when we reach Earth.”
“Quite right. I’ll make it brief for now. We can talk more about this later.” replied Dr. O’Mara “The major drawback with the Educator tape system is that it cannot be used to record just the medical knowledge. An Educator tape holds the state of mind of the donor at the time of the recording. That includes memories, food preferences, sexual desires, insecurities, phobias, and such. Now, let me use two examples from your world to explain this. Useless and Snotlout. Useless has become a great leader for the Wilderwest, but he is like you, Fishlegs. Physically and socially, he is not typical Viking material. Snotface Snotlout is a strong example of traditional Barbaric Archipelago Vikings. I remember reading that Snotlout was considered to be the top of the class. If we were looking for Viking skills, he would be the person we would go to to record an Educator tape. As you well know, people who reach the top of their class are driven and strong willed. And in general, while they are the best at what they do, they are usually not nice people. Now. Imagine that we took Snotlout’s tape and imprinted it into your head, Fishlegs.”
“I understand it would be like having him in my head with me. I think that would drive me crazy.”
O’Mara smiled then said “Between you and me, I think a Snotlout tape would drive anyone crazy. But back to the discussion at hand. Early on, we became aware that the female mind is less prepared to remain insulated from the intrusion of the other mind - even though that other is only a recording, a ghost if you will, of a mind. The inner struggle would lead to severe stress that would lead to major physiological problems. We are talking about problems beyond a nervous breakdown. We are talking about problems like heart attack and stroke.”
Fishlegs said “I understand that not every male is suitable to hold a Mind - I mean Educator tape. I’m fairly sure I wouldn’t be.”
“You might be surprised about that, but in general, you are correct.”
“Then couldn’t the opposite be true? Couldn’t it be that not every female is unsuitable to hold a tape? And no, I’m not using this to influence the concern on the Discourse gear. I’m just trying to work out what has been bothering me from the stories. Look at me. I am a Viking by birth, but I am not a VIKING. Now, look at Camicazi. She is a VIKING. And - well, sorry for the insult, Camicazi, but she is Useless’s equal at sword fighting, and I’m sure she could best Snotlout at it. We Vikings are not from the realm of Sector General. Andrew and Valentine are not from your realm. This is a different realm here and it seems that everyone who comes here is different in some way. Might it be worth reopening that old investigation here to see if things are different enough? If they aren’t, then at least we will know that.”
“You present an interesting argument, Fishlegs, but that is a discussion that will have to wait for another time. I must go and get ready now. Your Starfleet uniforms look easier to get into than our Full Dress Monitor Corps uniforms. We will talk again about this. I promise you.”
***
Quickly run tests had shown that only a small selection of Deldain foods could be eaten by Earth-Human DBDGs, but even those would have unpleasant side effects. Prilicla and Naydrad could eat none of it. That Naydrad couldn’t eat it helped many Deldains feel even better about her because this was another sign that a Kelgian was nothing like a Scairsum. The opposite was also found to be true. Deldains could not tolerate Earth-Human foods. To get around this, meals prepared on Endeavor were beamed to the locations where meals were eaten by the visitors on Valeng.
During one meal break that was not a diplomatically staged meal, Conway said to Murchison and Prilicla “I’m even more sure of it now. Something is going on. I see the captains of Rhabwar, Trafalur, Tragenhad and Endeavor in what appears to be a deep conversation once again. That’s been happening quite a bit now.”
Murchison said “It almost sounds like you are getting jealous that Fletcher hasn’t been spending time with us. It’s a good thing Dr. O’Mara isn’t here to see this.”
“Friend Murchison, As we are all finished our meals, would you come with friend Conway and me for a walk. We have something to talk about. Friend Conway and I have been observing some odd behavior on the part of Friends Fletcher and Issacson. I am in agreement with Friend Conway. Something is going on.”
Murchison looked at Conway then asked “You’re serious? This is not some kind of joke?”
“Yes. We are serious about this.”
“Very well. But, I’ll say this again. It’s a good thing Dr. O’Mara is not here to see this.”
They placed their plates and cups in the return container then left the building and headed to the park down the road.
***
“You are looking sharp, sir.” Camicazi commented on how smart Dr. O’Mara looked in his full dress green Monitor Corps uniform as they met in the shuttle bay to board the Runabout for the flight down to San Francisco.
“And you three are looking equally as sharp in the Starfleet Dress Uniform.” He gestured to Camicazi, Fishlegs and Useless, then he brought his hand up in a salute. The three Prime Team members returned the salute.
“As this will be a multi service event, saluting will not be required.” said Commander Riker as he and Captain Picard entered the shuttle bay. “But as a courtesy among friends saluting is an option.” He offered O’Mara a crisp salute which Captain Picard was quick to join in.
After returning the salute, O’Mara said “ After seeing your dress uniforms, I see that all spacers seem to be alike. You in Starfleet are just as partial to your duty uniforms as we are in the Corps.”
Picard smiled then said “Yes, we are.” then he added “Marshal Dermod asked me to pass this on to you. Because of the questions lingering over the Discourse gear, we have agreed that we are not to talk about that equipment down there. President Bala and a few Admirals have been informed and this was their suggestion. President Bala agrees with Marshal Dermod. The medical investigation and the work of the Prime Team and Dragon Army must be allowed to proceed without outside interference.”
“Yes sir. Thank you for passing that to me.”
“Here they are.” said Riker as Dr. Crusher, Commander Troi and Mr. Worf walked into the shuttle bay. “Shall we proceed to the shuttle?”
As they walked to the shuttle, Useless said “Dr. O’Mara. For the moment I am speaking as King Hiccup. I would like to invite you and Sector Marshal Dermod to visit the Wilderwest while you are on Earth. Of greater interest to you would be, I believe, an opportunity to meet and talk with Furious and some of the other dragons. That will allow you to add to your data base for evaluating the pros and cons of having Dragons come to Sector General. I’m not aware of any dragon surgeons yet, but with dragons going to Starfleet Academy now, it is only a matter of time. And, sooner or later, there will be dragons as patients there.”
“Thank you, yes. I will pass the invitation to Marshal Dermod.” As they got settled in the Runabout, O’Mara turned to Fishlegs than said - in a manner that was almost singing “Be, is a page that aches for a word which speaks on a theme that is timeless.” this drew looks from the others.
Fishlegs replied “Be, by Neil Diamond. That’s my favorite line in that song. I guess you’ve started sampling my list, and I guess I was right. You are the kind of person for whom the lyrics are more important than the melody.”
“Yes on both guesses, but so far just that one and the other two songs by that artist. On my first look at your list, I was intrigued by the titles ‘Be’ and ‘I Am, I Said.’ I like them both. That third one had me confused, and a little irritated, until he got to the meaning of that title. I don’t think I’ll be counting ‘Done Too Soon’ among my favorites, but I’m glad I heard it. When I get a chance to relax near a terminal this evening, I intend to listen to the song called ‘The Sound of Silence.’ A Kelgian I know once said in a letter ‘Late at night, when I am embraced by the sound of silence, the anguished cries of that partially stilled non-speaking voice is so familiar that it can lead me to a sleep holding the threat of dreams that can no longer be.’”
Riker said “I don’t mean to pry, doctor, but is that Kelgian a patient of yours?”
O’Mara took a moment to consider the question then replied “A long term patient, yes.”
“The song does not come close to matching the gravity of the line you just quoted.” said Picard, then he added “That song is on my list from Fishlegs. I was not sure about it the first time I listened to it, but it has grown on me. Would you care to listen to it now, doctor?” O’Mara nodded then Picard called out “Computer. Please play The Sound of Silence, by Simon and Garfunkle then follow that with Be, by Neil Diamond.” He turned to the others then said “I haven’t heard that one yet, but that one line has me intrigued.”
***
Later, on Valeng, Doctors Conway, Prilicla, and Murchison, along with Naydrad were gathered in front of the LCARS Terminal watching an Earth network’s highlights of the welcoming ceremony and other events of the day at San Francisco. “You know,” began Murchison “I must admit that I was not completely sold on what you told me in the park, but even I feel now that something is going on. For as big an advance as that gear offers the medical community, as well as what it offers for education in general, you’d think there would be some talk about it. But, not a word.” They continued to watch.
“There you are.” said Captain Fletcher as he walked on to the Casualty Deck. “Where did you go after dinner? We were looking for you.”
“I came back here and took a nap.” replied Naydrad “I’ve gotten tired of hearing Deldains and Valanglen tell me how happy they are that I’m not a Scairsum. You’d think they’d know that I get that by now.”
Conway said “The three of us took a walk. You could have called us.”
“We didn’t want to do anything that could have been overheard or recorded. It will all be explained. For now, I want the four of you to come with me up to Endeavor.”
“Why?” asked Conway “So you can try to pull us into the conspiracy?”
“Conspiracy?”
“Come on. We’ve seen the clues. Something is going on and I’m sure it has to do with the Discourse gear. Why are you helping Starfleet take control of it?”
“What makes you think that?”
Dr Prilicla spoke of the odd emotional feelings he had been detecting, then Conway and Murchison filled in other details. Naydrad made only comments that did not translate.
“You are half right. Something is going on, but your reasoning is wrong. Now, please come with me to Endeavor.”
After they reached Endeavor, they saw Valentine in a corridor. “I can’t believe we didn’t even think of the problems with the gear.” said Valentine as she approached them.
Captain Fletcher said “They have not been briefed yet. Would you care to come with us to help explain it to them?”
“Only for a few minutes. I’ve finished my interview with the Prime Team and I’m waiting to be called in for an interview with Dragon Army.”
Murchison said “So that’s why we didn’t see either team in the coverage of events after the welcoming ceremony.”
***
Major Schiffer, who, as the First Officer on Vespasian had been assigned to oversee the activities of the Dragon Army, Stood at the airlock waiting for the shuttle carrying Sector Marshal Dermod. He knew that the Marshal would be irate at having been called away from preparing for his appearance before the United Nations General Assembly. That couldn’t be helped. The Dragon Army had stumbled upon a problem that required the Marshal’s immediate attention. He stood and waited as the modified Starfleet shuttle carried out its slow approach to the docking port.
“This had better be good, Major.” demanded Dermod as he stepped through the airlock.
“Good is not the word I would use sir.” the Major replied while he saluted Marshal Dermod. “Please come with me to the Dragon Army work room, sir. I think it is best if you hear it from them.”
***
Useless listened with growing concern as Peg-Leg and Chamaco worked together to get the rest of the team to understand the security threat they saw in letting the Discourse gear go into common use throughout the two Federations. Robert was quick to see it. He interrupted them by saying “Just imagine how different things would have been if those organizing that coup against President Eubanks had access to this gear. There wouldn’t have been any traceable clues for us to pick up.”
This was enough for Useless. He tapped his communicator then said “Useless to Bean.” he didn’t wait for Bean to reply “We need to get the two teams together. Prime Team has unearthed some new concerns and we must work together to bring this security risk to the attention of Security in both Starfleet and the Monitor Corps.”
***
Marshal Dermod entered the workroom in time to hear Useless saying “...must work together to bring this security risk to the ...”
Major Schiffer demanded “Bean. You were ordered not to discuss this with anyone until you’ve gotten further orders from Sector Marshal Dermod.”
“Sir.” said Useless, who had heard the Major’s statement “Prime Team has discovered something that we feel is a grave threat to both Federations. In usual practice, when one team realizes that the task assigned to the other task is the correct direction, the two teams come back together to address the problem.”
Bean said “Sir. We did not contact them. Useless contacted us just before you came in and he did not give me a chance to inform him of your order.”
Dermod said “Bean, Come over to me.” When Bean was in place, he said “Open your channel and asked for Captain Picard, then let me speak.”
“Yes sir.” Bean did as he was asked.
“Captain Picard, Bean is letting me use his channel. It seems that both Dragon Army and Prime Team have discovered problems. Useless has declared the need for the teams to come together. Will you permit Dragon Army to return to Enterprise, and will you permit me and a few of my officers to come over with them so that we can continue evaluating this team system?”
“Certainly.” replied Picard “Do you wish to come by shuttle, or transporter?”
***
Dr. O’Mara had been trying to conclude the question and answer session that followed his introductory lecture on Sector General to a group of Cadets in the Starfleet Medical track when he noticed Admiral Terrag standing off to the side of the lecture hall. On seeing a signal from the admiral, he concluded his answer to a question with “...and now I am sorry but that has to be the last question for now, for while it is an unwritten rule that one does not give orders to a Sector General Diagnostician, it is a strongly written rule here that I must obey the orders of a Starfleet Admiral.” Mild laughter masked the disappointment of the cadets.
When he reached the Admiral, he said “Thank you for that interruption. They could have kept me going for another hour with their questions. Now I know how the doctors at Sector General feel while interacting with their trainees.” He glanced around to be sure no one was lingering close enough to listen then he asked “What’s up.”
“Sector Marshal Dermod has ordered you to report to him in Conference Room Six on Enterprise. I am not able to give you any information as to why. He said you would agree with his decision once you’ve had a briefing from Prime Team and Dragon Army.”
“Not a briefing from Crusher and Thornnastor?”
“Come with me, sir. You will get your answers in Conference Room Six.”