Evolution

Intro

Captains Log, stardate 58913.57. The day we knew would come finally did when we achieved first contact with a species calling themselves the Melorak who claimed a 10 LY sphere of space around the best potential systems indicated by the Pathfinder Project. Their paranoia was matched by a strong sense of militarism, which made the situation edgy at best.

Their strange commitment to a single mind was what stood out the most, even among their almost childlike attempts to gain tactical advantage.

An agreement was forged however, and a path through their space plotted. Now as we reach this boundary, again we seem poised on the edge of all that is real; all that exists.

What lies beyond? Engage.

Chief Medical Officer's log, Stardate 58913.6

After nearly 4 weeks, we made it through Melorak space. The USS Schirra and the mining equipment were still another 3 weeks away and we found ourselves in an area called the Zamel Corridor.

I received a message from the CMO on board the USS Endeavor, Dr. Groban who reported an outbreak of the Ankaran Flu. Most of the patients were being treated on the Endeavor due to their larger capacity, but he asked if we could take on some to lighten their load and drain on supplies. Captain Roland Alexander granted permission so long a my primary responsibilities remained to my own ship and its crew.

Dr. Groban mentioned that most of the patients have not experienced terrible symptoms, just those associated with a light cold. He reported that he had been administering Corophizine injections to fight off the initial infection and letting the rest run its course. Given how close proximity people were on the fleet, I was a little more alarmed at an illness outbreak than Dr. Groban seemed to be so I had facilities set up a cargo bay on the Intrepid to serve as a secondary sick bay.

Upon further research, I came to the conclusion that only iron-based blood chemistry was affected. This meant that the Vulcans, Bolians, and Andorians we had on board were immune to the virus. Sadly, a majority of the crew were those vulnerable so it was imperative that we contain the sickness to those already affected.

A report came in that Lieutenant Kenneth Goodspeed had detected a potential class-L planet. Captain Alexander had me on the away team to survey the area. The land and atmosphere seemed habitable, though a few unusual enzymes were detected in the air. After a meeting with all of the leaders of the fleet, it was decided that we would colonize the planet, later named Alcotolhex, and drop off any and all who wanted to stay behind.

After transport was underway to begin colonization, I began receiving an alarming number of cases where those who were sick taking a turn for the worse. Some were so ill that I had to put them in stasis to preserve their lives. Dr. Groban and I worked around the clock, trying to find a reason and a cure. After extensive research, we discovered that Corophizine was reacting poorly to the enzymes found in the atmosphere on the surface. I was able to create a different type of medicine to combat the illness that would not cause a reaction with anything in the atmosphere.

When things had calmed down and returned back to normal, I was surprised to get word from Dr. Groban saying that he had decided to remain with the colonists. Despite it being an innocent oversight, he seemed to take it as a personal responsibility that the medicine he administered nearly killed a large number of people. This ended up making me the most senior ranking medical officer in the fleet. It would be a lie if I said that I was not even slightly apprehensive about the turn of events, but I am certainly excited and look forward to what lies ahead.