Another two days had passed and Lieutenant Devron had not heard any more about the Rear-Admiral; nor had he really heard much from his crew.  He was beginning to wonder if something fishy was going on behind his back; but wasn’t about to contact his first office and start asking questions.

So basically he’d gone about doing his own thing for the most part, meeting up with Phoebe at least once in each day.  He still wasn’t sure how to handle this whole ‘Q’ situation; she seemed so normal so human.  But then his visitor had told him she was human, just a human who had an unnatural ability to protect herself from harm. They were together now in fact, but far from alone and enjoying a quiet drink.  No today was a little more work related.

The medical ship USS Chapel had arrived to pick up the last of the wounded personnel from the battles with what had remained of the Dominion forces that had made one final attack at and around Deneb IV.  There were 87 in the end, a few of the others were now back on their own ships; however for these few the road to recovery would be much longer.  Most would like many others that had suffered terrible injuries not be in a position to serve in Starfleet again; there where many that carried scares of a different kind.

But the USS Chapel had been designed to carry and care for many more sick and injured than this small group, so the doctors, nurses and other specialist would not find their first active mission too challenging.

Devron was stood to one side keeping out of the way whilst a group of four doctor’s chatted away and compared notes on their Padd’s regarding the parents being transferred.  The Chapel had beamed down its own beds and monitoring equipment which the parents had been moved to, during the course of the afternoon.  Satisfied things where in order the one doctor stepped away and touched his com-badge.  “This is Doctor Xyikis, are you ready to begin?”  A few seconds later he received an affirmative.

“Bed’s 23,25 and 26. Energise.”  With that three beds dematerialised from the ward.  “Bed’s 40 through 53. Ready for transport.” Another thirteen beds from another part of the hospital where now on their way to the orbiting ship. “60 to 64. Go.”  He carried on running through the list until 87 beds had been transported back up to the medical vessel.  This stage of the operation was over in just a few minutes.

Andrianakis walked over to were Devron was standing. “I’ve been invited aboard to look around, care to join me?” It was a question sort of asked in hope more than anything.

“I would like that very much.” Jason replied. “Thank you for asking.”  He wasn’t sure if that was a slight hint of a blush, the doctors olive complexion tended to mask that sort of thing.  They were both starting to feel rather comfortable in each other’s presence. Phoebe was a very easy person to like.

**********

A few minutes later the Lieutenant was standing on the transporter pad aboard the USS Chapel; along with Doctor’s Xyikis and Andrianakis.  There was another doctor there to greet them, and although Jason had never met the man prior to this; his features rather gave away who he was before he’d even opened his mouth to speak.

“I am Doctor Charlie Lyambo, Chief Surgeon, Commander and First Officer.” He shook both the new arrivals hands.  “Welcome aboard the Olympic Class Hospital Ship USS Chapel.”

Jason would have been a little surprised that a man so young could be a Chief Surgeon and a Commander, but Dinari had told him about his eldest brother some time earlier in the year when this vessel was still being build.  In fact the ship still had that totally new smell about it.

“I’m Lieutenant Jason Devron; Captain of the USS Jaxartes.” Jason said smiling back at their host. “A very impressive transfer of those patients you made.”

“That was a piece of cake, trust me. “ The Commander announced, guiding the two out of the transporter room. “So your Dinari’s boss then.”

“You know about me then?” Jason enquired.

“More than my little brother realises. Step this way, please.” He gestured to a turbo lift which they rode up to deck 3.  Once in another corridor he led them around to his office; and offered them both a drink.  They sat around a small coffee table in well-padded leather seats which had clearly never been sat in before; they were far too new and smelled it to.  Charlie gave a sign holding a cup of herbal tea in both hands. “Your probably thinking we are a cruel family when it comes to Dinari. And in a way your right.”

“He feels very cut off,” Jason said sincerely. “What happened?”

“To put it bluntly, our father.” He took a sip of the tea. “Well you know how powerful and influential he is?”

“A lot of medical supplies are produced by his company, I know that much.” Replied Jason. “But how does that connect with Dinari.”

“Well our father likes to control everything.  Not just the business side of things but family life to.” Charlie took another sip of his drink. “My young brother went completely against his wishes when he chose to be an engineer.”

“But how does that stop to talking to him?” Phoebe asked him.

“Because he has the power to make or break our careers at the click of a finger.” The Chief Surgeon sighed. “And he’d do it without a second thought.”

“That’s horrible and to his own children.” Phoebe looked him in the eyes. “Are you sure he’d do such a thing?”

“Ever heard of Professor Immanuel Ebrae?” Charlie asked them both; and when they shook their heads, he continued.  “Mom’s highly respected brother until he went up against our father in a court case about fifteen years back.”

“What happened?” Jason queried.

“I don’t have all the details.  But my uncles name and reputation were destroyed overnight; and he took his own life a year or so later.”  The other two looked back at him in amazement. “Our Dinari is the bravest one out of all of us. He got away from under his thumb and found a career where our father can’t interfere.  We are all proud of him. Just too stupid and damned scared to show it.”  He lowered his head, closing his eyes, and Phoebe placed her one hand on the back of his.

They chatted for a bit longer, whilst finishing off their drinks.  Then the Commander offered to give them a tour of the ship.  The USS Chapel was the latest in a long line of Olympic Class vessels. Though the class itself was over forty years old now, various alterations and modifications had been made along the way. The crew and medical staff currently numbered just over 400 slightly more than half what she was designed to carry, and she had facilities to handle 300 patients in various ICU, Critical Care and Isolation wards with an additional 6,400 evacuees if the need arose.  There was also prefabricated parts and equipment on board to build a 100 bed surgical hospital complete with generators; down on a planet’s surface should long term medical help be required.  Something her sister vessels didn’t have.

Charlie was just showing them the four specially designed Medical Runabouts sitting in Shuttle Bay 2; another feature that made the USS Chapel stand out from the rest, when his com-badge chirped. He tapped it. “Lyambo here, go ahead.”

“Commander our escort is in position.  So if you’d like to take our guests back to the transporter room. We can depart.” It was the voice of the Andorian Captain.

“What escort?” The First Officer replied, puzzled. “I didn’t think there was anything available?”

“The USS Jaxartes is in position off our starboard side.  Didn’t captain Devron inform you?”

Jason shrugged, genuinely not knowing anything about it.  But the other man covered for him by simple saying it a slipped his mind. He tapped his own badge to contact the corvette.  “Number one, thanks for the heads up.  Just wait till I get on board!”

“Not in front of the Admiral Sir.” Lieutenant Stuart answered him.

Jason broke the connection without saying any more; turning to catch doctor Andrianakis attempting to hide a grin.  But to be honest she was none the wise, just amused by the situation.

“I guess we’d better be off then.” Devron stated. “And Commander, I’ll pass on your thoughts to the Chief.”

So his crew had somehow pulled off a miracle and repaired the ‘Jax’ completely behind his back and without the use of proper repair facilities. He’d have to ask how they managed that little stunt.  Also who was this Admiral and why was he on his ship?