Seth had just walked into sickbay, when he suddenly stopped in his tracks and stood paralyzed by what he had just learned from his Chief of Security over his communicator. Lieutenant Commander Thorn had just informed Captain Seth of the dire situation aboard the Excelsior. The attack has begun, Seth thought to himself. Damn…it’s too soon, IT’S TOO SOON!
Dr. Min came out from his office to see the captain, but could tell from his expression that something was very wrong.
“Doctor,” Seth started, “We’ve just run out of time. Do we have it?” he asked, referring to the vaccine for the virus that is infecting the people of Draloos IV.
Dr. Min only looked to the ground, and quietly shook his head. “I’m…sorry, captain.”
Seth sighed. “I see. Then this is it. We have to use the toxin against the Annecta.”
“I have one antiviral candidate left. It’s not a vaccine, but based on what I understand about its mechanism, the antiviral should be effective at preventing the dangerous outcomes of the infection. The problem is that I still need time to test it thoroughly before I distribute it to a large population; a dangerous side effect could spring up unexpectedly. And I know, time…we don’t have.”
“You know that I have no choice now.”
“I know. I’m sorry that I couldn’t get the countermeasure for you in time.”
“Get that last candidate to work. Even after all of this is over, the population of Draloos IV is still going to need to deal with the disease.”
“Understood, captain.” Dr. Min made no hesitation to give orders to his medical assistants and team of scientists over what to do next.
Alan, you idiot, Seth thought to himself as he walked out of sickbay. The Annecta warned that they would retaliate against them and that they would go after Alan. As much as Seth denounced the aliens’ methods for dealing with their enemies, he understood that the instinct for survival was primal and present in all life, from the Alpha Quadrant to the Delta Quadrant. The Annecta would be no different. It was now a power struggle between them, and the equation was simple: whoever was cleverer and more powerful would be the victor.
All Seth could think about now was how his friend was in trouble, and that he needed his help. All of the previous arguments he had with Santiago, regardless of who was right and who was wrong, seemed more distant and less relevant now. It was time to put all of that aside. Seth also had to be concerned that an attack would proceed on the Dragonfly as well.
“Captain Seth,” Seth heard from his communicator, “This is Lieutenant Commander Thorn reporting from the brig.”
Speak of the devil, Seth thought. “Yes, what is it, Lieutenant?”
“It’s about Jerad.”
“What about him?” Seth realized that he didn’t even really need to ask; he already knew.
“…He’s dead.”
