Chapter IIa: Absolute Disaster

There's a longer pause this time before he comms back: "I'm not really sure. Rumors are, Commander Cassano had the civilian ram her ship into the pirate vessel and then gave an order to execute all surviving parasites by Transporter."

"Intern placed on anesthetics duty. Failed to calculate for Nemurlian biology. Human dose administered. Wore off fast. Marbo has work to do. Please get out of the way."

Marbo is back to speaking almost a mile a minute. Belka seems perplexed as to how he is feeling so capable considering his condition, but it boils down to the determination in his blood.

He goes to the chemical mixing station and loads up the last saved formula, then transfers that to his datapad.


"Marbo will take his leave now. Keep sickbay efficient. I will check."

The final phrase is meant as a joke, something to show Belka that Marbo is alive and well, but the mechanical vocoder he uses to speak makes it sound much more like a threat.


"Engineering. Commander. Zlam." Marbo pipes through the communicators "What are we doing to get back at those slugs?"

Belka doesn't let up and grabs your arm."Doctor Zlam, this is not a joke. You almost died today. Now lie back down on the bed or I'm going to forcibly inject you with enough anaesthesia to keep you asleep for a week!"

"Commander, requesting permission to strap Dr. Zlam into a straightjacket.", a stressed sounding reply comes. "I'll take care of it. But can you please inform him that he has been taken off duty for now and has to follow the doctor's orders like any other crewmember? "

You put your plan into a ton and run out of the door, yelling. Havering looks confused and checks your quarters. He does not immediately run after you, so you can make your way to sickbay, where Marbo and Belka are arguing

Overhearing Belka say this into his communicator, Marbo will look at him

"I AM THE DOCTOR!" He says in an outburst of anger, unbefitting his character.

This near death experience has given him valuable insight into this parasite that is drifting in these parts. It is dangrous, and it has the potential to very quickly eliminate most life in the galaxy.

"Marbo apologizes. Stress levels high. Needs to relax. Will be in personal chamber."

He takes Dr. Belkas datapad and taps a few buttons and icons, connecting it to the monitoring equipment in the collar.

"Remote monitor through collar. Make things easy. Keep in touch."

Marbo turns on his heel, quickly walking towards the sickbay doors and out twoards his private quarters.

Moira, Marbo, Belka runs after the two of you and gets in your way. "Doctor Zlam, you will get back to sickbay immediately or I will personally beam you into a containment field for the next five hours!" He looks angry, probably at having his authority as second ship's doctor challenged by Marbo.

Cass, Darcy walks onto the bridge at this point. She says: "Excuse the delay, commander. I am ready to resume duty.".

He taps his comms again.

"Commander. Zlam. Marbo is with Moira now. Taking a break. Deduct one vacation day."


He looks at Moira, then to Belka.

" Marbo believes it is better to take his leave outside of sickbay. Keeps work off the mind. Respiratory Assitance Device has remote monitoring. Monitor from your station. Marbo may be on medical leave, but he is still the Chief Medical Officer."


Marbo doesnt like to pull rank. He views everybody on this ship as equals. He still respects the chain of command, but relying on it to much creates rifts in the crew.

As they are talking in the hallway, Marbo looks at the airlock hatch beside them and the big sign that reads "Airlock 5"

His heartrate increases, and his breathing, usually quiet but loud and mechanical now, begins to increase in pace.

"Moira... We need to walk. please. Belka, Marbo will return later for reassessment if it makes you happy. "

He hits the ethanol canister, taking a huge inhale. His eyes are wide, locked on the airlock door.