Star Trek The Next Generation: Discovered

Chapter 15

"Doctor Crusher?"

"What is it Doctor E'Len?"

Beverley turned to the Vulcan woman who sat on her left.

"Doctor Pentax and I," began the Vulcan indicating to the Human male on her right, "believe we may have a theory on the virus' origins."

"Excellent, please continue."

"We already know that it effects certain parts of the brain and nervous system and that most ideas had already been covered. However, there had been no investigation into the possibility that it originated from some form of plant or animal life."

"Why would we look at that option?"

"We know that some forms of plant and animal life contain poisons that affect the victim's brain functions and nervous system. Your own Commander Riker was infected with such an illness, according to your mission logs, from a plant."

"That's very true. Are you both suggesting that this is something similar?"

"Yes, Doctor, we are. We are at this moment reading through all know plant and animal life forms that have these capabilities on Betazed and on any of the planets Counsellor Troi visited before her dismissal."

"Very good. Is there anything else?"

"Yes, Doctor, there is." Began Pentax. "I think your predictions of the three stages are wrong. According to my research and the after looking at Troi's brain scans, I believe there are only two stages; coma and death. Unfortunately a time frame is still hard to predict."

"Thank you, Doctors, please let me know what you find." Beverley stood up and walked to her office door. She rested against the doorframe and looked out into Sickbay. It was empty save for Deanna Troi, who was speaking to Lieutenant Benedict. Beverley felt an immense sadness fill her, as she watched her friend. Even now, on the verge of an uncertain future, Deanna Troi was still there for others, still Counselling when she should be resting. Beverley didn't have the heart to tell Deanna to stop working, because she knew that Deanna couldn't just be there and sense their pain, but had to be
there to stop the suffering she sensed in those around her. Beverley, with a small sigh, turned back to her desk and began her work.

Beverley Crusher sat in a sombre mood in the 'Ten-Forward' lounge; she stared at the stars, not really seeing anything.

"Mind if we join you, Doctor?"

Beverley looked up to see Jean-Luc Picard and Will Riker standing over her.

"Sure." She said, indicating to the chairs either side of her.

The two men sat down.

"Are you okay, Beverley?"

"I don't know what to do, Jean-Luc. My calculations were way off."

"Calculations? I don't understand."

"Remember I told you that there would be three stages in Deanna's illness?"

"Withdrawal, Coma and Death. Yes, I remember."

"I was wrong, there are only going to be two; coma and death. I feel like such an idiot."

"Don't think that Beverley, you're not an idiot." Replied Will.

"I agree. What about a cure? Have you found anything?" asked Picard.

Beverley shook her head.

"No cure, but two of the doctors believe that they are close to an origin. Will, remember when you were infected by that virus from that plant?"

"And Doctor Palaski had to use negative emotions to counteract it? Yes, I remember that one very well."

"Okay, well, they believe that Deanna may have something very similar, though emotions are not going to help in this situation. We're researching into the possibilities of plant and animal life on Betazed and on some of the planets we were on before she left. It's a long shot, but we've run out of any other options."

There was an awkward silence while the two men digested what had been said.

"Ogawa to Crusher."

Beverley tapped her commbadge.

"What is it, Alyssa?"

"Doctor, we're loosing Counsellor Troi! She's starting to slip into a coma, we can stop it!"

"Do whatever you can, no matter how unorthodox, I'll be there A.S.A.P! Crusher out."

When Crusher, Picard and Riker arrived in Sickbay, it was in an uproar. Nurses and Doctors were attempting to find anything to stop Deanna falling into a coma. Ogawa, Pentax and E'Len crowded over Troi.

"You best wait over here, out of the way." She said to the two men beside her.

They nodded their understanding, as Crusher strode confidently over to Troi's beside.

"Okay, people, we need some organisation here!" she bellowed. "Split yourselves into groups of three or four and research into any area you can think of. If it's an unorthodox method, I want to hear of it, if it has a chance of working. Alyssa, you stay with me. Pentax and E'Len, please continue your research into the virus' origins, we don't have much time now."

With nods from all over Sickbay, the medical staff quickly got on with their tasks.
Beverley turned her attention onto the silent Troi. Beverley quickly scanned her with a tricorder and then began to manually examine her.

"Deanna, it's Beverley, can you hear me?"

Deanna's mouth moved as if she was speaking, but Beverley could hear what she was saying.

"Deanna you need to speak up, I can't hear you."

Again, Deanna spoke. Hear voice was a little louder, but Beverley still could not make out the words. She indicated for Riker and Picard to come over.

"Perhaps one of you can make out what she's saying."

"Deanna, it's Captain Picard, can you repeat what you just said to Beverley for me?"

She murmered again.

"She's delirious, I think." Picard said, a look of confusion clouding his face.

There was a short silence between the three before Beverley spoke up,

"There's nothing either of you can do here. I think it's best you both leave. I'll let you know if there are any changes."

Picard nodded and left. Riker on the other hand was obviously split on whether to leave or stay with Deanna.

"Will, I promise, you can come back this evening, okay?"

Riker nodded and then reluctantly left Sickbay.