**** Rafko ****

While Nu'Daq was talking with Martok, I focused all my attention on Katja, whose breathing was slowing by an alarming rate.

I looked up at one of the Klingon officers and said in what I hoped was a severe tone of voice, "Help me get her to the Infirmary. She needs treatment."

The Klingon nodded and lifted Katja in his strong arms. I followed him.

"I'll come with you," Okal said. I sensed my friend was unwilling to stay on the bridge with the blood-thirsty Klingons.

We arrived in the sickbay and Katja was unceremoniously deposited on a biobed. I pulled out my tricorder and scanned her.

"Her metabolism is dropping," I sighed. "And her heart rate is decreasing."

"She's dying," Okal stated.

"Yes," I sighed. "Damn!"

I started to pace the room, trying to keep my anger from overtaking me. I shook my head and gritted my teeth.

"I hate feeling this out of control," I said. "It makes me crazy."

"Are you all right?" Catava asked softly.

"I will be," I answered. "I just can't believe how crazy this is... I've, I've jeopardized everything. I can't believe Nu'Daq would do this."

"Are you angry at the situation or at Nu'Daq?"

I turned to look at her in surprise, "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Okal answered. "I haven't seen you this riled up in a long time."

"My commission means a lot to me-"

"That's bogus and you know it," Catava said. "You're mad at Nu'Daq, don't deny it."

"Okay, so I'm angry," I sighed. I leaned against the wall, keeping my eyes focused on Katja's prone body so I wouldn't have to look at Okal. "I don't know why I let him get to me like this."

"It's only natural... you have a history together."

"*Had*," I corrected. "It's in the past."

"He apparently doesn't think so," Catava said. "I've seen him look at you. He was furious when you were dancing with Doctor Bashir. It's probably why he tore up his quarters."

"I can't take responsibility for that," I objected.

"You can't?"

"You know Klingons," I sighed. "They mate, bond, whatever, for life."

"And Bajorans raised on Earth? What do they do?"

I offered back a sad smile, "Whatever is most expedient at the moment."

"Nu'Daq still has feelings for you. You have to understand that," Okal persisted.

I sighed. I didn't want to talk about my relationship with Nu'Daq, which had failed for so many reasons, one of which was my unwillingness to conform to Klingon traditions. I was so intrigued with my own Bajoraness - trying to find out who I was - that I felt suffocated by him. And when I wanted - needed - to know more about myself, Nu'Daq was unable to understand my desire.

"I do care for him still," I confessed. "I think a part of me always will. But that's in the past."

"Unfortunately, it has just become a very big part of your present and potentially, your future," Okal pointed out.

My tricorder beeped and I rushed to Katja's side.

"What's happening?" Okal asked anxiously.

"I don't know," I said in frustration. "I'm going to have to put her in stasis while I run some tests."

At that moment, the ship rocked; I grabbed the edge of a console to brace myself.

"Rafko to Nu'Daq."

"Yes, Commander?"

Again, that formal tone of voice. I sighed. Just like Nu'Daq to put distance between us. Not even "doctor," a title I preferred, but the more formal "Commander."

"What's going on?"

"We were just fired on," he answered. "By the Ma'Hong."

"The Ma'Hong?" I looked at Okal and she shrugged in confusion.

"It is Sirella's ship, Doctor," Martok's voice broke in. "Sirella is firing on us."

**** Nu'Daq ****

Nu'Daq looked at Xenia, as she left the bridge with Okal and Katja. For a moment, he was sorry for all the problems, he had brought down on then. He hoped everything would turn out OK for them. But quickly he focused on the problems at hand.

"Sir, do you know the location of Sirella?", Nu'Daq asked Martok.

"I believe she is back on the Homeworld, but with Sirella you never know. 'The plague', you say. Well, well. We are in quite a hurry then?!" Nu'Daq gave a slight nod.

"Well my friend, I had to leave my tactical officer at home, since we left in such a hurry. You can take his place, Nu'Daq."

Nu'Daq was pleased. "I am honored, Chancellor." Nu'Daq took the place at tactical and examined the situation. Nothing to see at present, but you never know what lies in the dark of the universe.....

Suddenly Nu'Daq's display flashed and hummed. Nu'Daq reacted instinctively, all the training had done him good. He raised the shields of the Rotarran at the same moment as he shouted out: "A ship is decloaking at our port side, it is coming at us"

Martok rose from his chair and quickly shouted orders: "Shields up. Battle stations. Arm all weapons. On screen." Nu'Daq was way ahead of him. And the rest of the bridge crew acted quickly. You could tell they had had a lot of battle experience. No wonder Martok wanted to keep the Rotarran as his flagship, even though it was "only" a Bird of Prey.

Nu'Daq recognized the attacker. "It's the Ma'Hong, Chancellor. She is firing at us."

The well-known green glow of a Klingon phaser bank firing came from the attacking ship. It hit the Rotarran, which rocked heavily.

"Sirella, my dear wife," Martok whispered. He raised his voice: "Evasive maneuvers, helmsman. Head for the meteor field straight ahead."

"Shields at 87%. Should we return fire, captain" Nu'Daq asked.

"NO", Martok shouted out. "I will not fire on my wife's ship".

Some of the Klingons on the bridge looked astounded at him. "But sir...". "NO, I said", Martok replied. "That is an order".

Another phaser hit. A few sparks came from the consoles. "Shields at 73%. Sir, I believe I can confuse the Ma'Hong's crew for a moment", Nu'Daq shouted out. The reply cam quickly from Martok. "Do it!"

Nu'Daq engaged the computer, attempting to access the Ma'Hong's computer systems. Another hit on the Rotarran. "Shields at 65%", Nu'Daq shouted, while he worked on the computer interface. His fingers danced quickly over the computer panel. He entered his access code from Klingon Intelligence. And it worked. The computer link to the Ma'Hong was established. "OK, I'm halfway there", Nu'Daq thought, as the ship was hit once more. Shields were now down to 52%. Nu'Daq felt the pressure on him, as he worked his way through the Ma'Hong's protective computer locks. One by one they opened to him, but was it in time?

Again the Rotarran was hit. 39%

Nu'Daq felt the sweat coming to him. His fingers and hands became wet, and his hand almost slipped.

Another hit. 25%

Done. He was in. He quickly disabled the Ma'Hong's targeting system and view screen. He reported it to Martok.

"Well done my friend." Martok's eyes shone with the joy of battle, as did Nu'Daq's. This was what they both liked. The smell of battle. The blood burned in their body.

"Engage cloak. Take us into the meteor field".

The Rotarran disappeared from the view. She headed into the meteor field and came to a halt.

"Now let's see, if the Ma'Hong can find us." Martok gave a smile from him.

"Perhaps we should attempt to get Sirella to talk. I am certain we can get us out of these problems with everybody's honor intact." Nu'Daq suggested.

"Good idea. Open a channel to the Ma'Hong". Nu'Daq did as asked. "Open sir. Audio only"

Martok paused for a moment, thinking about how he should handle the situation. He turned towards the dark viewscreen and started speaking.

"Qapla' my dear Sirella. We meet again."

It was silent for a moment, then the harsh voice of Sirella came from the speakers. "Qapla' Martok, my honored husband. Long time no see". You could hear the irritation in Sirella's voice.

"My dear wife, your plans to ruin the peace talks have been spoiled. Your operative has been apprehended."

"As you say yourself, Martok. Do not send a girl to do a woman's job. My mistake."

"However, Sirella. I did not think you would go to such dishonorable methods as to use poison to assassinate your enemy, my trusted friend Nu'Daq."

The air was silent for a moment. Then Sirella's voice came again. "Whatever do you mean, my dear chancellor?"

"It seems your operative has infected Nu'Daq and one of his friends with the plague."

Sirella again paused for a second, before she replied. "In that case she did it on her own. I did not order such a cowardish move": Everyone on the bridge could hear it was a lie. But it was a lie necessary to keep Sirella's honor. She continued: "But luckily I have an antidote with me. And in order to show, that this whole incident was a mistake, I will generously hand it over to you. Drop your cloak, and I will beam it over".

Martok and Nu'Daq looked at each other. Could she be trusted? They had to take that chance, if Nu'Daq and Katja were to live.

"Drop the cloak", Martok ordered. The Rotarran reappeared into the world, and everyone on the bridge held their breath in suspense. If the Ma'Hong decided to fire, the Rotarran would most likely not make it in one piece.

After a few seconds a small vial materialized on the bridge. "Raise shields. Take us back to DS9", Martok ordered, as Nu'Daq took the vial. He and Martok headed for the infirmary.

---

Xenia and Catava looked at each other. "The battle has stopped", Xenia said. "I know", Catava replied. "And we are still in one piece, phew".

Xenia turned her attention back to Katja, who was lying on the biobed in pain. "This does not look good. If we are to prevent permanent brain damage, something has to be done now. Antidote or no antidote."

Xenia considered several options. None of them were particularly attractive, especially considering the rude equipment in this sickbay. Klingons were not much for doctors.....

At that moment the doors opened, and Martok and Nu'Daq entered. "How is she?", Nu'Daq asked. "Dying" Catava answered sarcastically.

Nu'Daq handed Xenia the vial. "Here's the antidote." "Thank God, it was in the nick of time", Xenia said with a sigh of relief. Nu'Daq reached for Xenia's tricorder. "Hey, what are you doing with that?", Xenia asked angrily, but Nu'Daq didn't reply. He scanned Martok. "You are not infected sir", Nu'Daq told. Martok gave a little smile. "Good. I don't think there's enough antidote for the three of us in that little vial"

"Speaking of that....how much of the antidote should I use for each of you?", Xenia asked, looking at Nu'Daq.

Nu'Daq looked back at her, and Xenia could see a slight hint of sorrow in his brown eyes. "I do not know, I'm not sure there's even enough of the antidote for two persons", Nu'Daq said emotionlessly.

"But.....", Catava and Xenia both said. Nu'Daq interrupted them and said loudly: "Treat Katja first. Then we will see, if there's enough left for me afterwards." All of them looked at Nu'Daq, and Nu'Daq was certain, he could see sorrow in Xenia's eyes. Xenia opened her mouth to say something, but Nu'Daq repeated. "Treat Katja", and turned away.

**** Rafko ****

I took the antidote from Nu'Daq and held it up to the light. There was very little in there, probably just enough for Katja.

"You must use it for Katja," Nu'Daq insisted. "There is little time left."

"I refuse to accept that as an option," I told the Klingon coolly. "You can't make me pick like that."

"I have made your decision for you," Nu'Daq said. "You must use the antidote for Katja."

I looked over at Okal, who was gently stroking Katja's feverish forehead.

"My job is to heal," I told Nu'Daq. "And I have a responsibility, both to you and to the lieutenant."

"There is not enough of the antidote," Nu'Daq's face turned away, his shoulders hunched. "It is an honorable way to die."

Anger bubbled up from within me.

"Honorable way to die? I can't believe you're so stubborn! All you Klingons are always looking for the best way to leave this world. You find more glory in death than you do in living. Is it really so hard for you to live?" I nearly shouted. "Isn't there honor in living? Or are you all so willing to become martyrs?"

The room fell silent and I looked about it; everyone was staring at me now. Okal's eyes were especially large, but she swallowed hard and then indicated Katja.

"Time is running out," she said softly.

"How much time to return to Deep Space Nine?" I demanded.

"Less than four hours," Nu'Daq answered.

"That's enough time for me to send the antidote's chemical structure to Julian," I said. "He can synthesize enough of the drug for you, lieutenant. But we must return to the station immediately."

I took the antidote and ran it through the computer to analyze its structure. It was really quite simplistic - just a tetrahedron carbon structure.

I carefully measured out a dosage and pressed the hypospray against Katja's neck. She stirred slightly and then her eyes opened.

"Where am I?" she asked in fear.

"Shhh," I said. "You're on the Rotarran."

I looked over at the computer readings and saw that Katja was stabilizing.

"You're going to be fine," I told her. "In a few days, you'll be back to normal."

"That's good to hear," Katja said. "The last thing I remember is Vic's..."

Katja continued to talk to Okal while I went over to Nu'Daq's side with a bit of the antidote. I put my hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you," I told him sincerely. "But I hate it when you just accept things without putting up a fight."

"That is your problem," Nu'Daq growled. "You cannot accept the inevitable."

I pressed the hypospray against his neck, "Consider this insurance against the inevitable. When we are back on the station, Julian and I will work on synthesizing more of the antidote for you and for anyone else who may be infected with this plague."

Nu'Daq stiffened a bit but I chose to ignore it, and went back to check on Katja.

"I guess we have to figure out what we're going to say to Captain Worf," Okal said to me in a low voice.

"I'm willing to take responsibility," I answered softly. "As the senior officer, I should have brought the problems to my commanding officer for resolution, but I did not."

Okal didn't say anything but I could tell she was relieved.

"I just want a good night's sleep," she told me. I smiled at her and patted her on the shoulder.

"That's exactly what the doctor would prescribe," I answered.

Nu'Daq approached, "Will Katja be all right?"

"She'll be fine," I said, touched by his concern for our crewmate.

"Then I will be on the bridge until we return to Deep Space Nine," he said. Without another look, he left.

Okal said, "Well, we did good, didn't we?"

"Let's just hope that Captain Worf sees it that way," I said. Despite my bravado, I was afraid of what Worf would say about our actions; no matter how honorable or well-intentioned we were, we had still kidnapped our captain's daughter, attempted to hijack the Valjean, and then went AWOL on the Rotarran.

No, it didn't look good at all, but I had been in worst places in the past and survived that; I could survive this too.

**** Nu'Daq ****

"Then I will be on the bridge until we return to Deep Space Nine," Nu'Daq said. Without another look, he left the infirmary.

He heard the doors close behind him, and it helped him shut out his feelings, as if a door had closed around his emotions deep within his soul simultaneously with the infirmary doors. Nu'Daq cursed at himself. "Why do I let her get to me like that? She is in my past, whatever we had, is gone, Why can't I ignore that?", he thought to himself. For a brief moment he thought back all these years, back to when they had been happy together, before she turned away from him. He had never really figured out why, but he had his suspicions. And if they were true, she might be a danger to Nu'Daq and the rest of the crew.

Nu'Daq reached the bridge. As he entered, Martok rose from his chair and looked at Nu'Daq with inquiring eyes. "The lieutenant is going to be fine. There was not enough antidote left for myself. The Doctor believes she can cure me, when we reach the station".

"Very well", Martok replied with a nod, before he sat down in his captain's chair again. Nu'Daq resumed his position at tactical.

Nu'Daq stood at his console, wondering about himself, his feelings towards Xenia and all what had happened these last few hours. And although he wouldn't admit it to himself, he had been worried about Xenia and Katja, he had never intended for them to be dragged into this political matter. But there are no regrets.

For a moment Nu'Daq's eyes went blind. But he strengthened himself. Although the plague had progressed quite severely in him, he was not afraid. They would make it back to DS9 in time. He checked his console, they would be back in a matter of hours. The Rotarran had taken a heavy beating, but it was a tough little ship and an excellent crew. Nothing to worry about.

"How are we to explain this to the Captain, when we return? And what's with that Klingon woman? And the mysterious security officer? We might have prevented Sirella's plan, but not all loose ends are tied up. I'd better look into it, when we return."

Nu'Daq felt a slight numbness in his left arm. He rubbed it, but nothing happened. The pain in his body was becoming more excruciating every minute now. But he was a Klingon, pain was familiar to him. He rubbed his arm more, and slowly life came back into it for some time. "I had never thought, the plague would be this bad. I know it said so in the reports from Klingon Intelligence, but still...." Nu'Daq stopped rubbing his arm and focused on the job at hand.

Suddenly sparks flew all over the bridge, the shipped rocked heavily, it came out of warp and came to a halt. "Report", Martok shouted.

"There's has been an overload in the EPS-systems in Engineering, and a plasma fire has ensued. Rescue teams are on the way", the science officer reported. "It must have been damaged in the fight with the Ma'Hong."

Martok shouted some profanities. "How bad is it?", he asked. "It does not look good, main power is offline, warp engines are not operational, weapons are offline, communications are out."

Martok didn't look pleased at all. He looked like he would kill the first person to cross his path. "When can we be back on full power and be on our way?" he shouted out.

"I believe it will take several hours, maybe even a day."

Martok was not happy with the answer. He ordered everyone to work on it.

Nu'Daq showed no sign of distress, but he was worried. The plague had progressed quite severely in him, he wouldn't make it a day without treatment. He thought about his parents, how he would probably join them in Sto'Vo'Kor soon. He could feel the plague working it's way into his mind. Slowly everything blackened around him, he lost consciousness and fell heavily to the floor.

Everyone on the bridge heard the thump, as Nu'Daq's body hit the ground. Martok jumped over to his side. He was worried. Nu'Daq was still alive, but barely. He activated his communicator.

---

In the infirmary Xenia and Okal were talking with Katja, bringing her up to speed with the recent events.

"So Sirella was responsible for all of this?" Katja asked. Xenia and Okal nodded.

"And Nu'Daq and the two of you saved me?" Katja asked rhetorically.

"Sort of", Okal said, looking at Xenia.

"Thank you, my friends. I will never forget this." Katja leaned over and gave them both a big group hug.

"Where is Nu'Daq?" Katja asked. "I want to give him a big hug too".

"He is on the bridge, but I don't think he is the kind of man who likes being hugged", Xenia said with a grin. Okal and Katja laughed.

"You are probably right", Katja said, still giggling. The three of them were happy, that it was all over.

Suddenly the ship started rocking and came to a halt. "Now what?", they all said out loud. They looked at each other for a moment, before Xenia moved to activate her communicator. But before she made it, it chirped. "Martok to Doctor Rafko"

"Rafko here."

"Come to the bridge immediately. Nu'Daq has collapsed. It doesn't look good"

Xenia, Katja and Okal looked at each other. Oh no, this was not good.

**** Rafko ****

"What do you mean Nu'Daq has collapsed?" I asked sharply.

Martok's voice sounded distant over the comm, "I'm afraid he doesn't have much time left, doctor."

I was already halfway out the door, Okal and Katja close behind me.

The ship shook slightly. I turned to look back at Okal.

"Another hit?" I asked.

"No, feels like the stabilizers are offline," she responded. "I'll go give them a hand in engineering. We must have taken some serious hits during the battle with Sirella."

"Good," I said. Katja and I continued onto the bridge. Her breath was coming out in short, loud spurts; I looked back at her with concern.

"Are you all right?" I asked.

"Just tired," she paused. "Go ahead. I'll join you."

Not for the first time, I wondered if the cure Sirella had given us was really a placebo, something that would delude us into thinking we had the antidote. It was almost too easy the way she had handed over the drug.

The bridge was bathed in red light as I entered; everywhere, there were Klingons moving and screaming.

I found Nu'Daq lying off to the side. His breathing was labored.

I pulled out my tricorder. Martok hovered anxiously at my side.

"Can you help him?" Martok asked.

"I will try," I said seriously. I scanned him with my tricorder, taking a close look at the virus which had infected him. In the excitement, I hadn't paid close attention, but now, something unusual caught my eye. I gasped.

"What is it?" Martok asked.

"It's a filovirus," I said. "See here how it is rounded at one end and long and distended at the other?"

Martok nodded.

"Plus here are some signs of striation. It's a sure sign of a filovirus," I pointed out to Martok. "I've seen this kind of virus before. It usually incubates between four to sixteen days, so there is no telling how long Nu'Daq has had it."

"Did the antidote help?" Martok asked.

"No," I shook my head. "I can't believe I was so careless! If anything, this antidote is making it worse by stopping translation on the glycoprotein codon. It's basically stopping Nu'Daq's immune system from fighting this thing."

Nu'Daq groaned slightly. My readings showed that lesions were forming on his internal organs.

"Stay with him," I said to Martok. "I need to check on Katja."

I found Katja slumped in the hallway, her face very pale.

"Lieutenant," I said in dismay. My tricorder showed that she was in just as bad of shape as Nu'Daq, if not worse.

I arranged Katja neatly on the floor and went back to the bridge.

"Chancellor," I said to Martok. "If we don't get back to Deep Space Nine, they will die."

"The engineering teams are working as fast as they can to repair the damage," Martok said.

"Then I need a volunteer," I said. "I need someone who is willing to donate some of their DNA so I can create the vaccine I need to stop this thing."

"You have your volunteer," Martok said. "Me."

I looked at him gratefully, "Thank you. Let's get to the Infirmary. And if you could please, have someone make sure Katja and Nu'Daq are comfortable."

Martok spoke in Klingon to two of his officers and they responded by picking up Nu'Daq and following us to the Infirmary. A third officer picked up Katja, still unconscious in the corridor.

In the Infirmary, I took a sample of Martok's blood and then proceeded to separate it in its separate components; Martok watched, occasionally asking questions, but at one point, I told him that I could not stop. Maybe later, I said, I would be able to answer whatever questions he had. Thankfully, the Chancellor was an understanding man, and agreed with my request.

"Will this cure you're making work?" Martok asked after about twenty standard minutes.

"It should," I said. "I'm basically taking the RNA from your blood stream and recoding it to allow for glycoprotein translation. The new RNA will create healthy cells, capable of destroying any lingering traces of the virus."

After another thirty minutes, I had created enough of the serum for both Katja and Nu'Daq. I leaned over Katja and injected the drug into her neck. After a few minutes, I noticed a decrease in the virus count. Heartened, I went to Nu'Daq and injected him.

He did not react as quickly as Katja had, but after fifteen or so minutes, his eyes opened.

"Hi," I said.

"Where am I?" he croaked.

"In the Infirmary. It wasn't a good day to die for you."

"Katja?"

"She will be fine. You will both be fine now. Sirella tricked us all and I allowed myself to be deceived. But you will be fine now."

"Thank you," Nu'Daq said.

"You are very welcome," I said. I tried to move away, but he grabbed my hand.

"This is fate," he said.

I shrugged myself free and went to check on Katja, feeling Nu'Daq's eyes on me the whole time.

Okal appeared in the Infirmary, her uniform grimy and her hair mussed; a far cry from the earlier elegance of the evening.

"It looks like we have all systems online now," she announced.

Martok nodded, "Then we shall return to Deep Space Nine. We will have much to do as it appears that Sirella's plan has not been foiled as we first thought."

It was, on the eve of the peace talks, a disheartening thought.

**** Utena ****

The young Bajoran girl in the Starfleet uniform ran full speed through the docking ring, briefly caught her breath in the turbolift, then continued full speed through the habitat ring, finally bumping into a security guard wearing a Bajoran uniform.

"Sorry Mr. Odo!" the girl called, her long black hair trailing behind her, having come apart from its braid. "Gotta get home!" She disappeared around the bend.

Odo crossed his arms and shook his head as he stared after her. He'd better warn Bashir that she'd returned.

The girl reached her destination, quickly keyed in an access code, and burst through the doors.

"Okaasan! Otousan! I'm home!" The girl threw down her heavy bag and ran into the next room.

"Utena! Welcome home!" Mikado, her father called as he embraced his daughter.

"Otousan," she said, "I've missed you so much, I just came off the transport from Earth and I have great news..." Utena trailed of as she met her father's eyes, to see them filled with despair; then she glanced around the room with an alarmed expression on her face. "W-w-where's Okaasan?"

"Come, child. She's in the Infirmary." They left the room and walked towards the turbolift. "It's her heart," he began gently. "It's contracted an infection. Dr. Bashir has tried everything, but he can't stop it from spreading. It's a virus...a Cardassian virus. We don't know how she got it, but Captain Sisko is trying to arrange things with the Cardassians to acquire an antidote."

Utena's face contorted with pure anger and rage for a moment, then relaxed; but her eyes clouded over. Mikado sighed. He knew she'd take it badly.

By this time the two had reached the Infirmary. Julian greeted them at the entrance.

"How is she?" Mikado asked.

"No change," Julian replied, noting Utena's presence with a worried look, "but you can visit her."

Mikado nodded as Julian led them into the next ward. Kasumi was lying motionless on the bed, her eyes closed.

"Okaasan!" Utena cried, rushing over to the biobed, and into her mother's arms.

Kasumi opened her eyes. "Utena-chan..." she said wearily, but smiled nonetheless.

"What happened?" Utena asked, not noticing Julian lead Mikado from the room.

"I'm sick, darling, I'm sure your father explained it."

"He did, and the next Cardassian I see--"

Kasumi put a hand to her daughter's cheek, the face of which was beginning to flush a bright red. "Shhhh...I'll be okay."

Utena sent a desperately terrified look to Kasumi, then set to pacing. This worried Kasumi; the last time she had seen this expression was nearly fifteen years ago--when Kasumi and Mikado had adopted Tenjou Utena.

Her parents had been killed in the labor camp that Utena had been liberated from; she had witnessed the act as a five year old, and was adopted shortly thereafter by Saotome Mikado and Kasumi. The Saotomes were Japanese, and Utena had picked up a great deal of the language and customs from them.

Meanwhile, Mikado and Julian reentered the room, dour expressions on their faces.

"I've thought of a way to treat your mother, Utena," Julian said quietly, "But it's experimental--" He was cut off comm turned on.

<Julian,> came Miles' voice, <you have a priority message coming from the Rotarran. It's from Dr. Rafko.>

Julian made a face. Xenia was CMO for the Valjean, leaving in two days.... Questions began to abound in his mind. (Why was she on the Rotarran, did it have anything to do with why Katja was mysteriously beamed out, or this Klingon virus...did THAT have a connection with the Cardassian virus?) He shook his head. "Mikado...I'll have to take care of this promptly. Could you.."

Mikado nodded. "Yes, go ahead, Doctor." Julian nodded and left the room.

The elder man sighed. "Dr. Bashir believes your mother's best chance is to be put in stasis until we can synthesize of obtain a cure."

"We've already discussed it and made our decision, Utena," Kasumi added, "and we've decided it's the best way to go."

Utena stopped pacing for a moment, crossing her arms over her stomach and grasping her elbows. "As much as I hate to say it, I agree." she said quietly, staring at the floor.

Mikado quietly nodded his acknowledgement. The room was deathly quiet for a few minutes. Utena resumed her pacing, while her parents just followed her with their eyes.

A sudden thought hit Kasumi. "Utena, I thought you weren't returning from Earth until next week."

"I know, but they changed my starship posting at the last minute," Utena replied as she ceased her pacing, her face brightening momentarily. "But it doesn't matter now. I'm staying here."

"Sweetie, you don't mean that. Tell us, what ship?" Mikado asked.''

"The Valjean," the lieutenant replied, impassively. She pulled her hair behind her shoulders, showing two full platinum pips attached to a red turtleneck. "And a promotion to full Lieutenant since I'll be chief Helm..."

"Captain Worf's ship? Utena, that's fantastic!" Kasumi mustered another smile, despite the shooting pains in her chest. "Besides, if you're piloting, the sooner you'll get back from the peace talks and the sooner I'll get well."

"I hadn't thought of that...guess I should go then, huh?"

"Of course!" Mikado and Kasumi chorused.

Utena's eyes widened. She hadn't expected her parents to be so adamant. "Yes sirs!" she replied, reflexively.

"When do you leave?" Mikado asked.

"0800 day after tomorrow. Which reminds me, I need to have physical to give to the Valjean's CMO...which reminds me again that I should review the crew roster...." Utena frowned, obviously remembering more things to do. "And I have to repack and..." She rattled off a quick list out-loud.

Kasumi began chuckling at her daughter's scatter-brainedness, obviously something she picked up from Mikado, but then fell into a coughing fit and collapsed. Husband and daughter were instantly at her side as alarms began to go off on the biobed, and Julian rushed into the room the moment after that.

"She's going into cardiac arrest. As soon as I stabilize her, she must be put into stasis, Mr. Kuno. Utena, get me a hypo filled with 30cc's of tri-ox."

Utena nodded and dashed into the next room, thanking the Prophets for field medic training. By the time she returned, more alarms were going off. Julian quickly administered the tri-ox and began to work on stabilizing Kasumi.

This was too much for Utena to bear. She didn't want to lose a second mother. She bolted from the Infirmary and out into the throngs of people in Promenade.

Go to Log 7

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