written by Mindi French
Editor's note: This story is set in the first few months of Commander
Sisko's command of the station, before the Enterprise has returned to
Deep Space Nine in "Birthright, Part I."
"Doctor Bashir?" Commander Benjamin Sisko strode into the medical lab.
"Commander," Julian Bashir looked up wearily, "what can I do for you?"
"Any luck yet?" Sisko drew close and dropped his voice.
"No." The doctor grimaced as he looked about the lab facilities. "That damn virus is beginning to run rampant down on Bajor, and it's mutating so fast that we can't develop an innoculant to fight it."
"The Cardassians are beginning to question why no one is being allowed to visit Bajor." Sisko shook his head. "You're sure it's not a manufactured virus?"
"It's not." Jadzia Dax entered in time to answer the final question. "From the data we've obtained, it's some sort of viral infection that mutates as it replicates itself. It only affects Bajorans, sometimes resulting in only a minor problem, but can result in paralysis or even death."
"How many so far?" Sisko moved to stare down at a computer readout.
"Dead?" Bashir shook his head. "That we know of, twenty-eight."
"And affected?" Sisko looked back at Dax.
"Several hundred, as far as our sources can tell." She glanced at the doctor. "Have you told him Benjamin?"
"Told me what?" Bashir looked at Sisko, then at Dax. "Has something else happened?"
"Starfleet is aware that there is a problem, but," Sisko sighed heavily, "they are only able to help as much as the Bajorans will allow us to help. Thus far, the provisional government has allowed us only minor involvement in this situation. And you, Doctor Bashir, are the only non-Bajoran doctor they have allowed to even consult on the problem."
"So what has Starfleet decided?" Bashir crossed his arms in front of his chest.
"Commander?" Odo's voice interrupted the conversation.
"Sisko here, Constable." He tapped his commbadge. "Go ahead."
"The transport you were expecting has arrived." The security chief hesitated briefly. "Airlock Five."
"Thank you. If you and Major Kira would join us?" Sisko jerked his head toward the door. "As well as you two?"
"With all respect, Commander, I think I should stay. I've a number of tests left to--" Bashir started.
"I'll explain when we get to the airlock." Sisko turned and pinned the doctor with a steely glare. "Now."
"Very well." Bashir threw one last glance at the computer screens, then sighed and followed Sisko and Dax out.
At they strode down the corridor, Sisko glanced at Bashir. "I believe you will recognize our guest, but you will address her only as you are introduced to her. Consider this an order."
"Commander?" Bashir's voice was filled with confusion as they neared the docking ring.
"She'll be debarking in just a few moments," Odo greeted the trio as they entered the small room.
"She?" Bashir raised an eyebrow at them.
"A...botanist." Dax smiled at him. "She's here to render you some assistance."
"Who is...?" As the airlock doors slid open, Bashir turned and froze.
"Commander Howard." Sisko moved forward to greet the attractive brunette who strode gracefully through the doorway. "It's a pleasure."
"I wish it were under different circumstances." She shook his hand.
"My staff." He gestured. "Major Kira."
"Commander," Kira nodded stiffly, '"we appreciate your assistance."
"Major." Howard tilted her head and inspected the other woman. "I've served with one of your fellow Bajorans. I...hope to earn your respect, as she has earned mine."
"Lieutenant Jadzia Dax." Sisko nodded at the younger woman.
"The Trill." Howard's mouth twitched. "I'm sure you have some fascinating stories of your past...experiences."
"Likewise." Dax's mouth curved up into a smile. "I believe we may, in fact, have some mutual acquaintances."
"My chief of security, Odo." As Sisko gestured, the shapeshifter moved out of the shadows.
"Commander, you will notify me if you are in need of assistance."
"I shall." She smiled, then turned to the last member of her welcoming committee. "And you must be Doctor Bashir?"
Sisko strode forward, meeting Bashir's eyes with an unspoken warning. "This is Commander Brianne Howard, one of Starfleet's finest...botanists."
Bashir took a step forward, and inspected the woman closely. The hair was brown, and styled differently than he remembered. Memories came rushing back of a nervous medical intern, sitting for his first placement interview in Starfleet Medical Corps, and of the cool head of Medical who somehow sensed that through that brash exterior was a terrified kid, and when he started to crack, gave one subtle wink. The wink that said 'relax, everyone here is pulling for you, just relax.'
She leaned forward. "I borrowed my sister's name. No doctors allowed, remember?"
"But..." A grin crossed his face. "You're here to solve this mystery?"
"No," she glanced at the others, "I'm here to assist you."
"Whatever, it is good to have you here." He gestured toward the passageway. "What information have you received so far?"
"Enough to know we could be in big trouble." She shook her head. "What has Keiko said?"
"Keiko? Oh...Mrs. O'Brien?" Bashir looked surprised. "Why would she have said anything?"
"Wait a minute." Howard stopped dead in her tracks, causing Kira to nearly run into her as the rest of the staff stopped suddenly. "You barely have any staff available to you at all, and you haven't consulted one of the Federation's top botanists? When her husband is posted here?"
"But, she..." Bashir looked over his shoulder helplessly.
"I don't think Doctor Bashir was aware of her background," Sisko inserted with a glance at Kira. "I'd like Major Kira to assist you in whatever you need...uh here. Understandably, the major is not to be permitted to visit Bajor."
Only Bajorans have been affected?" Howard looked over as the obviously upset Bajoran nodded. She turned to Bashir. I'd like to meet with you, Julian, and with Keiko. Have you notified Chief O'Brien and Keiko of my arrival?
"And of your identity," Odo assured her. "We've also cleared a science lab for you, adjacent to the Medical facilities."
"Perfect." They paused at the intersection of two passageways. "Shall we get started?"
"This way, Commander." Bashir indicated with a sweep of his arm.
"And I'll notify Keiko to meet you." Sisko nodded slightly. "Please let us know if you require anything."
"Thank you." Howard smiled at him, then moved to follow Bashir down the corridor. Dax, Kira, Odo and Sisko stood and watched as the two walked away.
*****
"And did you try this?" Howard leaned forward and touched a control.
"Yes." Bashir sighed. "The virus mutated to negate the innoculant."
"Have you determined how it's transmitted?" Howard stood and moved across the room to another computer panel.
"Through the air."
At the statement, Howard's head whipped around. "The air?" Her eyes were wide. "That makes it very difficult to control."
"Commander," Keiko O'Brien strode gracefully into the lab, "it's good to see you."
"Keiko." Howard gave the younger woman a quick hug. "Come look at this. And, Julian, please continue."
"As I was saying, as far as we can determine, it's transmitted through the air, but it mutates so quickly that every innoculant we develop is almost immediately useless." He sighed and glanced at O'Brien.
"A number of years ago, there was an airborne virus aboard the starship Enterprise which mutated every twenty minutes." Howard seated herself at a terminal. "Keiko, pull up the medical files that Doctor Crusher made, um...Stardate 41636 or so."
"Found it." O'Brien peered at the screen. "It was accompanied by a sweet scent that encouraged deep breathing, and the virus was inhaled, and then mutated."
"Were there many fatalities?" Bashir was leaning over O'Brien's shoulder, reading the report.
"None, but..." Howard hesitated.
"It's a starting place." Bashir nodded. "Mrs. O'Brien, could you scan the data we have; see if there's any correlation between an airborne spore that may have been introduced into the air."
"One that wouldn't affect anything except for the people?" O'Brien interrupted, her eyes lighting up. "But that would have been noticed only as another plant spore in the air!'
"Exactly." He turned back to Howard. "If you could check over the data from the Enterprise. Major Kira?" He moved across the room as he touched his commbadge.
"Kira here."
"Major, could you get a record of any and all ships that visited this star system between six weeks and ten weeks ago?" He bent over a panel. "I'd like it cross-correlated with starships that have been in contact with the Enterprise since Stardate 41620."
"I'll have it down there as soon as I can. Anything else?"
"Yes, I'd like a list of all non-Bajoran individuals that have visited Bajor or DS9 for the same time period. Cross-check it with a list of known terrorists."
"Immediately, Doctor. Kira out." She cut the channel.
"I'll need some more air samples, fresh ones." O'Brien glanced up. "This would work better if I could get into a lab on Bajor."
Bashir and Howard looked at each other.
"He did say anything I needed..." Howard straightened. "What if Keiko and I go check on some air samples? I'd also like to see how their fatalities are dealing with the virus as well as run an autopsy to see if there are any trace elements left that may help us identify this contagion."
"I'll go with you." Bashir nodded. "I need to check on the clinics, and you, unfortunately, can't do that." He grinned at Howard. "Capable as you may be. An autopsy would really be pushing it."
"You know how it is; you can't be in Starfleet without learning a few things about medicine." Howard loaded some data onto a disk as Bashir rapidly packed three medical kits.
"A runabout?" Odo stared at Bashir a few moments later. "And who will pilot it?"
"I will." Howard met his gaze levelly. "I'm fully cleared for it and most shuttlecraft."
"So I've heard." Odo swung his gaze to her, measuring her carefully. "Very well. I'll clear you for departure from... " He turned to look at the control panel next to him. "Airlock Seven. There's a runabout there, four passenger research module. You shouldn't have any trouble with it."
"So...this is Bajor." Howard glanced about the barren plain as they landed near a small group of buildings on a well-marked pad.
Bashir cycled the airlock. They would not risk taking the contagion back to Deep Space Nine. "Yes. It's actually quite hospitable." Bashir led her inside. "The people are...unique."
"That I understand." Howard lifted the medikit. "Now, can you get me some autopsy results?"
"Better than that." He nodded toward the door. "Lucky for me, you've picked up some rudimentary nursing skills." He offered her an air mask. "Take this. We can't risk contaminating DS9."
"Agreed." She pulled the air mask over her face. "What about you, Keiko?"
"I'll get the air samples and tests stared," the botanist stated, turning toward the research module of the runabout. "See you later."
The inner door of the airlock closed, and the air was cycled. After a brief burst of radiation from the sterilite unit, the outer door opened.
The two stepped out onto the tarmac and headed for the hospital.
*****
The guard at the reception desk was less than friendly. "Doctor." He nodded, frowning at Howard. "You only. She can't go in."
Bashir sighed wearily. "She's my assistant. You can't expect me to check on everyone myself."
"My instructions say one doctor only, and that's you." He grimaced. "Even if I don't like letting even one outsider in."
"Listen, I'm not a doctor." Howard pushed Bashir aside. "He dragged me down here because I'm a botanist, and because I know how to read a tricorder. Can you believe Starfleet's complete incompetence in this matter? After all, having an outpost with only one doctor. So this guy drafts me into helping him. Gets Sisko to back him up. What a joke! Now, you can either continue to waste our time, or let me in with him, so I can help this," she tossed a scathing glance at Bashir, "'doctor,' or we can sit here and argue about it. Just make up your damn mind!"
"Uh..." The guard stared at her for a moment, until Bashir pushed past him, Howard following dose behind.
"Here." They stopped at the first bed, where Doctor Bashir quickly scanned the still body. "The respiratory system is shutting itself down, no matter what we use to counteract it."
"Mmm." Howard nodded slightly, then moved quickly to the next three beds, gathering data from each. "I'm going back to the runabout. Meet you there."
"You shouldn't have any problems getting back." Bashir bent over another bed and sighed. "Good luck."
"Thank you, Doctor." She raised her voice purposefully as she turned and strode past the same guard who'd attempted to keep her from entering.
"All done?" The Bajoran guard glared at her.
Ignoring him, she continued out the building, across the landing pad, and boarded the runabout. The sterilite unit bathed her thoroughly in various types of radiation, as she waited until it was finished with its decontamination cycle. Then she took off her air mask and placed it into a separate sterilizer, and set the contamination cycle to begin again. "You can't be too careful with an airborne virus," she reminded herself.
It was ten minutes later before she entered the research module where Keiko O'Brien had obviously been conducting a variety of experiments.
"Anything?" Howard asked.
"Maybe." O'Brien glanced up. "Give me a few minutes."
"It will take me that long to analyze what I've got." Pulling the data chip from the tricorder, she placed them in a computer slot. "Let me know..." Her voice trailed off as she began to concentrate on the data in front of her.
"The data that Doctor Bashir had collected is available to you as well." O'Brien gestured absently as she returned to her tests.
"Thank you." Howard nodded once again as she bent over her work.
"Anything yet?" Several hours later, Bashir strode into the research module where the two women were working.
"Maybe." Howard pushed back from the console she sat at. "I can't isolate the cause, but just maybe I've got something."
"It's a start." Bashir slid into her recently vacated seat. "May I?"
"Make yourself at home." Howard stretched, then moved to the wall panel. Keying in a compound, she waited impatiently until a small vial appeared.
"What's that?" O'Brien turned to watch the older woman.
"A compound." Howard slid it into a slot in the wall. "If I'm right...." Bashir turned and watched her.
"If you're right, what?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Then maybe, just maybe..." She studied the results of the tests she'd completed. "This is it."
"A vaccine?" Bashir frowned and moved over to stand next to her.
"A treatment." Howard shook her head. "I can't seem to isolate a virus."
"But will it prevent any more people from dying?" O'Brien crossed the room to join them.
"I think so." Howard turned and looked at her companions. "But, it needs to be distributed as soon as possible, or the virus, if that's what it is, could mutate again."
"Again?" O'Brien echoed softly, then nodded. "As it did on the Enterprise."
"Exactly." Howard nodded.
"Very well then." Bashir gestured toward the screen in front of them. "Commander, if you will replicate the needed treatment, Mrs. O'Brien and I will continue to attempt to find the cause."
A short time later, Bashir frowned at the same screen. "Mrs. O'Brien, would you do me a favor? See if you can find an analysis of the atmosphere components from say, oh, about a year ago, then compare them to a scan from today."
"There's no such record." O'Brien frowned. "The Cardassians weren't interested in atmospheric samples."
A new readout flashed across his screen. Bashir touched a control. "I think we've been looking in the wrong direction."
"What's the wrong direction?" Howard walked in from the aft section of the research module, carrying two large cases with her.
Bashir moved past her to another panel. "We've been looking at this as another Cardassian viral plague attempt." He entered some data. "And, it's not."
"Not manufactured?" Howard turned to watch him as she opened a case.
"Not even a virus. A natural reaction to something in the air." Bashir turned to look at her. "What's that?"
"The treatment." Howard frowned. "Or won't we need it?"
"We'll need it, until we can determine the cause." He shook his head. "But..."
"You need to direct the distribution, remember?" Howard grinned sardonically. "You're the doctor."
"Oh, right." He glanced over at the botanist. "Mrs. O'Brien, why don't you continue in my place? Besides, if I'm right, this may be more your line of work than mine."
"You have a linkup to the station?" O'Brien waited for his nod before bending back over the scope in front of her. "I'll let you know if I need anything."
"Very well." Bashir moved to pick up one of the two cases. "Ready, Commander?"
"I suppose." She hefted the other case. "Good luck, Keiko."
"I'll need it." O'Brien grimaced and bent back over her scanner as they strode out the door.
*****
A short time later, Keiko O'Brien sat back in her chair and frowned at the screen in front of her. For some reason, it seemed familiar, but...she sighed. What was it??
"Computer, run a comparative analysis of the displayed virus and all known airborne viral spores." As she waited, O'Brien crossed her arms and sighed. Why can't this be as simple as crossbreeding rare strains of Venusian... "That's it! Computer, hold program. Run a comparative analysis of the displayed virus with all known forms of pollen!"
The screen showed a quick scan of overlapping images, until it had a match. As the two screens collided, a smile crossed her face before she touched her communicator. "Doctor Bashir?"
"Bashir here." As he straightened, his eyes met Brianne Howard's across the ward they were in.
"Doctor, I've found it!" Triumphantly, O'Brien strode across the room to another screen, where she continued to enter data. "It's not manufactured by anyone. This 'plague' is a natural reaction of the Bajoran metabolism caused by the introduction of..."
"Keiko, can you reverse it?" Bashir interrupted her explanation impatiently.
"Yes." Concentrating, she waited for the computer to process the data she'd entered. "Yes, I think I can."
"So all that searching we did, and it was an allergic reaction to plants?" Brianne Howard shook her head slowly before taking a drink from the glass in front of her.
"To one plant." Keiko O'Brien nodded. "With the introduction of a new form of quintotriticale by the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, the Bajorans suddenly found themselves with acute and even fatal cases of hay fever."
"Which is why only the Bajorans were affected." Howard nodded. "No other humanoids in the galaxy are known to be allergic to quintotriticale pollen, and apparently, neither the Federation nor Bajoran agronomists here hadn't even considered having the grain's pollen tested for its adverse effects on the population."
"Exactly." O'Brien sighed. "Now, though. Tell me how..."
*****
"Ladies." A tall Cardassian seated himself at the table. "If I may?" They stared at him. "Mrs. O'Brien and Commander... I don't believe I've had the pleasure?" He looked at Howard, an ingratiating smile on his face.
"Uh, Brianne Howard." She inspected him with the same distant smile he was using. "And you are?"
"Garak, my fair lady. I couldn't help but notice two such fair visions of beauty." He nodded at them.
"Thank you, Mister..." Howard began, only to be halted by his upraised hand.
"Garak." He repeated. "Just plain, simple, Garak." He took her hand and moved it aside, his eyes appraising her. "You are much too attractive to be suffering in that blue topped, black uniform. I should think a blue uniform with a black top much more apropos."
"I'm quite comfortable, thank you." As she retrieved her hand, Howard blushed slightly.
"Truly, I own the clothing shop on the main promenade." Garak gestured. "I have a silk creation that would be stunning on you."
"Thank you," Howard choked back her laughter. "If I get a chance, I'll stop by before I leave."
"I'd be honored." He rose smoothly. "I'll look forward to seeing you again...Doctor."
The two women stared after him as he left, then looked at each other and burst out laughing. "A silk creation?"
"You should feel honored." O'Brien teased. "He's never suggested anything to me."
"I should be so lucky. How did he know?"
"He always knows. Scary, isn't it?"
Howard shook her head. "Now, tell me about this school I understand you've begun."
"It's been difficult. There hasn't been much support, except from Commander Sisko." O'Brien sighed. "There's not many children, and those there are are all different ages and species, so I have to develop a unique individual lesson plan for each student for each subject area."
"Sounds challenging." Howard laughed softly. "Any Wesleys?"
"I don't think so, but when you put Jake and Nog together," O'Brien shuddered, "between them, what one doesn't think of, the other does."
"Nog is..." One eyebrow raised in question.
"Quark's nephew. And," O'Brien anticipated the next question, "Quark is the Ferengi who runs this... establishment. She gestured about her. "They're both good boys, just a bit...misguided."
Howard laughed. "I'm sure you can handle them. And how's little Molly?"
"Little Molly is growing up so quickly." Her gaze moved past her companion. "As a matter of fact..."
Howard turned to see Bashir and Chief O'Brien approaching, the chief of operations holding firmly to a small hand. "That's Molly?"
"In the flesh." Miles O'Brien grinned at her and swung the child up in his arms. "Can you believe it?"
"She's grown so much." Automatically, Howard stood and held out her arms. "May I?"
"Of course. Molly, be good, love." Chief O'Brien handed the child over. "And may I say you're looking fine?"
"Thank you, and likewise." Howard turned her attention to the child. "Hello, Molly."
"Pretty hair." Molly reached out and touched a strand of hair. "Not red? Why?"
Howard laughed. "You have pretty hair, too, and it'll be red again in a few hours. I promise."
"Doc--I mean Commander, it's time to go." Bashir moved forward. "Your transport is waiting."
"Oh." With a sigh, and a final cuddle, she handed the child back. "Well then, I suppose it's time for me to say goodbye. You three," she smiled at the O'Briens, "take care of each other, and come to visit sometime."
"We'll do that." Keiko O'Brien smiled. "It was good to see you again, and...thank you."
A few minutes later, Bashir led Howard down a corridor. "It was good to see you again."
"You're doing a good job here." She smiled at him. "How do you feel about being out here?"
"I love it." He grinned, his face lighting up. "It's fascinating how many different species there are, and how much to be learned."
"I thought you'd do well here." At her statement, he turned and stared at her in surprise. "Oh yes, they even asked me for a reference and opinion on your possible performance, since I did one of your first evaluations."
"Really?" Bashir shook his head slowly. "I remember that."
"So do I. You had all this energy, and enthusiasm." Howard laughed. "And you came into that interview and froze."
"Until you of all people..." He started to chuckle. "Well, I still can't believe you did that in the middle of an evaluation. The head of Starfleet Medical winking at a lowly cadet."
"A lowly cadet that had a brilliant future in front of him, if he could get through that first evaluation." They stopped in front of an airlock. "And he did."
"With some help." He faced her. "Thank you."
"Just promise me, don't forget to utilize your resources." She narrowed her gaze. "Not only those in the computer."
"I promise." He nodded slowly. "Come back and visit again?"
"I'll try." She glanced around. "Or, perhaps you could come visit me."
"Perhaps." He laughed, then grew silent as she embraced him gently.
"Take care, Julian," she stepped back, "Doctor Bashir."
"You, too." He watched the airlock close behind her. "Doctor Crusher."