Reed strode down the long corridor that would led to sickbay. Ahead, he could see the androids holding a disheveled Dr. Egan by the shoulders. Had it not been for the weight
of the current situation, Reed might have been amused to note that the doctor's feet were not touching the ground.
"Any problems", Reed asked, looking from one synthetic life form to the other.
Dana and Anda shared a look, then replied. "Negative, sir."
The commander looked up to address Egan. "Doctor", he began, "I am in no mood to make a deal with you. Lt. Scott is dying and requires your assistance if he has any chance of survival.
You will do anything that is within your power to revive him and find a cure for his ailment." He looked squarely into the doctor's eyes. "If he dies, so do you."
Egan's bony neck constricted as he tried to swallow the statement. His eyes darted from Reed to his two cybernetic captors. "A-and w-what if he lives?", he managed, his voice tight with fear.
"We'll talk then, doctor.", was Reed's only reply.
"I'll do what I can.", Egan said resignedly.
Reed nodded his head, indicating that the robots could release their prisoner, which they did, letting the doctor fall the few inches to the floor. The androids stood to either side of the door as Reed followed
the doctor into sickbay. Nurse Yahbo had arranged numerous medical devices around the lifeless form of Lt. Scott, and was doing her best to keep him alive. She seemed greatly relieved at the sight of
Egan.
"Oh Doctor, thank God you're here."
Egan stepped forward and began assessing Number Two's condition. "What do we have, Nurse Yahbo?"
She related the nature of his illness and the treatments he'd received under her care. Egan nodded thoughtfully then looked at the commander who was peering over his shoulder.
"I'll need some space.", he said flatly, his tone insolent.
Reed was about to retort, but noted the pleading expression on Nurse Yahbo's face.
"Remember what I said, doctor.", he replied, taking a step back.
Egan nodded distractedly as he drew the curtain between himself and the Commander. Though he was a lecher, mildly schizophrenic, had an affinity for prescription drugs, and was currently a traitor, Egan was
a fine physician. He went to work on Lt. Scott, deftly performing the arts of his profession.
Several minutes after the curtain had been pulled, he drew it back, stepping out of the small confined area. Wiping his brow, he looked at the Commander who had been agonizing over Number Two's condition
on the other side of the thin plastic barrier.
"We've got him stabilized now, Commander", he said wearily, "but I haven't been able to neutralize the virus he picked up on the planet's surface."
Reed looked at him quizzically. "What does that mean exactly, doctor?"
Egan sighed. "If I can't find a cure, he'll die.", he said flatly.
"So find a cure", Reed said incredulously.
"It's not that simple, Commander!", Egan replied hotly, "there is no known cure for this type of
biomechanical genetic mutation."
Reed threw up his hands in frustration. "So find one!", he exclaimed.
Egan looked at him doubtfully. "We don't have the equipment for that type of research", he said, his voice losing its edge, "or frankly", he added, "the time."
"So there's no hope?", Reed muttered, somewhere between a question and a statement.
Egan hesitated a moment before replying. "There is one possibility", he offered, "although it's never been attempted."
Reed looked at the doctor, waiting for him to continue. "What is it?", he barked when it was evident the doctor needed prompting.
"I'm not promising anything", he said, "but it's altogether possible that we could give him a transfusion."
"Then do it.", Reed said, confused by the simplicity of the procedure, "I'll give you all the blood you need."
Egan shook his head. "It's not blood that we need.", he explained, "The virus is so fast spreading it would just taint any blood we fed in to him."
When Reed still looked perplexed, Egan continued. "What we need is a compound that is mechanical by nature, yet processable by the human body..."
Nurse Yahbo looked up suddenly from the monitor she'd been studying. "Doctor no. You can't!"
Egan turned to look at her. "It's the only way."
"But..."
"I am the Doctor, Nurse Yahbo.", Egan stated crossly.
Reed's eyes went from one to the other. "What the hell are you talking about?!?"
Egan turned back to the commander. "What I am suggesting", he began, "is that if we were to exchange a non-organic substance with the blood currently in the young lieutenant's system, it would render
the disease harmless. In theory, at least.", he added.
Reed looked at Nurse Yahbo, then back to the doctor. "Can it be done?"
Egan nodded slowly as is reassuring himself. "I believe it can."
"Well where would we get this substance?"
Egan paused before answering, sharing a look with Nurse Yahbo.
"We could use the androids.", he replied flatly.
Reed's expression prompted the doctor to continue.
"The fluid in their systems has been proven to function the same as blood in organic life forms.", he stated confidently.
"In shrimp.", Nurse Yahbo added darkly.
Egan nodded enthusiastically. "And small rodents."
It was obvious that Reed was having his doubts.
"It is either this", Egan said gravely, "or watch him die."
Reed eyed the doctor with disdain. "Our agreement still holds, doctor.", he said menacingly, "Proceed with the....er...uh...procedure", he said for lack of a better word.
Egan turned to make his preparations, but Reed stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder.
"What is the name of this substance?", he asked curiously.
