From:		Lonacher
Date:		06 July 1996 01:16
To:		U.S.S. Lafayette
Subject:		RE: Slater Planet

<McRae, Slater's Planet Medical Facility>

McRae pauses in her final preparation of the hyposprays, containing the medication which will provide short-term relief for the Sliders, to respond to Beata's communication:

"...doctor, is there any measure we should take ourselves now to prevent the virus from affecting us?"

To avoid the possibility of contaminating her sterilized hands, McRae taps her communicator with the inside of her wrist. 

"Sir, if we had a better handle on this virus, perhaps I could advise more specific measures.  As it is, I'd be careful of anything that doesn't fit with the information we have about this planet and its inhabitants."  She pauses, wishing she could be more definitive, more helpful, knowing how it would sound if she spoke what was true; her feeling that this virus has been artificially introduced to this race was based on her own intuition, a feeling...  She shakes her head slightly and continues.  "Sir, the hyposprays containing the medication to return the Sliders' to their natural DNA structure are ready.  Has the best method of distribution been identified yet?  It may bring some relief and buy some time for the most critical..."

McRae is suddenly interrupted by an emergency communication from the Lafayette:

"Barrett to McRae. Medical emergency. We need you in sickbay right away."

She and Lectron exchange a quick startled glance; thoughts flash quickly through her mind as this event sinks in ... treatment buys time here on the planet; more research to find a way to eliminate the virus, but Lectron can handle that; Barrett, in spite of her attitude, is competent; if she says I'm needed there...

Almost by reflex, she responds to Barrett:  "Lieutenant, acknowledged; stand by."

She contacts Beata again:  "Sir, there is a medical emergency on the ship; I don't have details, but it sounds serious.  My return has been requested. Lectron can handle this research for the moment. Permission to return to the ship."

{if Beata replies in the affirmative}

Almost before Beata's response is finished, McRae contacts the Lafayette transporter room, requesting to be beamed directly to Sickbay.  In the few seconds before she dematerializes, she nods at Lectron, her nod indicating her confidence in his ability to track down a way to control this virus.  She rematerializes in Sickbay; quickly takes in the situation, a little surprised that the Sickbay she left with a single patient is suddenly so crowded.  She moves immediately to Diego's side, scanning her; her eyes widen at the results her tricorder reveals. She immediately orders restraints to prevent Diego from injuring herself with the convulsions.  A quick glance at Barrett, all banter and bickering aside, both professionals now:  "OK, Lt, fill me in; no time to read the history; just brief me verbally. What your tests reveal, what's been tried...."

{if Beata turns down McRae's request to return to the ship}

McRae responds to Barrett's communication: "Lieutenant, the situation here does not permit my immediate return; fill me in via communicator.  I need to know more about what's going on there."

[OOC: Lectron is out for a week; if I return to the ship, we should probably assume that's he's off researching :)  ]