The Medical Review Board
"
By: Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]
Margaret Rose MacAlister , Marine CO, [RNPC]
Stardate: 58208.11 1300
Wright sat next to Madge in a large audience hall in the Maquis medical section on Qul Tuq. Sitting around them were dozens of medical students all taking copious notes. In front of them was a raised desk where 5 Maquis medical officers sat. Just in front of the desk was a single podium. Standing at the podium was a medical student.
"The use of this treatment plan on a Ferengi shows serious lack of judgment on your part Cadet," said a red haired woman who Wright knew to be Dr. Beverly Crusher. Sitting next to her was Sam Kensington, QulTuq's Chief Medical Officer and next to him was Simmons. Wright was not familiar with the remaining two board members. All of them nodded in agreement with Dr. Crusher.
Wright leaned over to Madge and said in a whisper, "We are watching the end of morning briefing. All medical students with live rotations in the infirmary have to attend, especially when they make a mistake like this young cadet did. It is a pretty effective teaching tool."
"Aye," she leaned close and whispered back. "I ken see that. Verra effective indeed. I do something similar with th' lads, but nae so grand."
They watched as the scared cadet tried to defend his decision. In the end, the panel assigned him extra credits of Xenobiology and medical treatments. Wright felt bad for the student. Now in addition to his normal work load he had additional studies. Wright was certain of one thing though, this cadet would not make the same error again.
As the stressed out cadet left the podium the morning briefing was adjourned and the room started clearing out. The panel left their places at the desk and soon Wright and Madge were the only people left in the big room. "I guess it's my turn," said Wright standing up.
Madge reached out a hand and squeezed his arm as she gave him a reassuring smile and stood alongside him. "Dinnae worry, Commander. Ye are a fine doctor and did th' people of Bajor a service tae be proud of."
He led Madge down a staircase and across the hall and stopped when he reached the podium.
Madge looked around and then to Wright questioningly. "Will I be allowed inside?" she asked him in a hushed voice.
Wright was not sure how they would respond to Madge. He didn't care. "We will find out."
They waited in silence for the board to return and start his hearing. Kensington and Crusher came into the hall first and took their places, then Simmons and the final two members entered and took their places. Wright noted that Simmons was nearly ten minutes late. He was sure that was on purpose.
"Good afternoon," began Simmons. "We are here to discuss the actions of Doctor John Wright of the USS Zion on or about stardate 58206.28. For the record the board consists of Doctors Beverly Crusher, Sam Kensington, Fred Simmons, Neil Young, and Graham Nash." Simmons turned his eyes on Wright and then to Madge, "And I see you have a guest?"
Wright nodded, "I have. Major Margaret MacAlister of the Maquis Marine Corps." Simmons arched an eyebrow and looked at Madge, "She was on Bajor with you and took part in your actions?"
"She was indeed on Bajor and did help me with a emergency situation," Wright replied. He kept his expression neutral.
"This is a medical review of your conduct Wright," said Simmons. "I fails to see--"
"That's Commander Wright," said Wright in a stern voice, "Lieutenant Commander Simmons. You may address me as Commander Wright or Doctor Wright." Wright watched as Simmons' face flushed with anger. He thought he caught a glimpse of amusement from Sam Kensington but was not sure.
"Commander Wright," repeated Simmons. "That brings me to a serious point. On stardate 56206.28 you, a *starship* commander, presented yourself on Bajor as a doctor. Is this not true."
"It is true, I am a doctor and I did present myself as one on Bajor."
"But you are not really a Doctor are you? You gave that up to be in command."
"I maintain full certification and keep current on new technology," Wright replied. "I take all practical examinations each year and score well above the acceptable range. This last time I was in the upper ninetys. What did you get Doctor?"
Simmons ignored his questions and looked at Madge, "Major MacAlister, while you were there did *Commander Wright* tell you that he was a doctor or that he was a Commander of a starship?"
"Commander Wright told me neither," she answered truthfully. "He introduced himself simply as 'John Wright'."
"I see," said Simmons, "so he lied to you then?"
"Nae, Commander," Madge shook her head. "He introduced himself by his **name**, same as did I. 'Tis been my experience that only puffed up ninnies introduce themselves with their rank while on vacation."
Simmons opened him mouth to reply but was interrupted by Kensington, "Right then, Doctor Wright, tell us about the moment when the epidemic began. When did you know something was amiss?"
"At the clinic we several members of the community came in with similar symptoms," Wright began.
"What were those symptoms Commander?" asked Crusher.
"At first the patients presented with acute muscle and joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and high fever," offered Wright.
"That sounds pretty common," observed Lynch.
Wright nodded, "Yes it did. Initially, I treated their symptoms to give them some comfort until the infection had passed but when it did not pass and they started bleeding internally and externally I knew I had a much larger problem."
"And did you ever once think to call for help," asked Simmons.
"Doctor if you have read my report you know the answer to that question," said Wright impatiently. "Of course I tried to contact help. I tried to contact the Bajoran government, Maquis HQ, and I even tried to get a hold of the CMO if the Zion, but I could not get help. Communications were blocked."
"So you took matters into your own hands?" asked Nash.
"I noticed that neither the Major nor myself were infected, however, Clarice was infected but seemed to have a natural defense from it."
"Clarice," began Simmons as he scrolled through his PADD, "that is the half-breed child, correct?"
Wright's teeth clenched and he balled his hands up into solid fists. He leaned hard against the podium in front of him and just stared at Simmons. Seconds that seemed like years ticked by as Wright considered tossing his career aside just for the pleasure he would feel to cause Simmons grievous bodily harm.
Madge had pretty much the same reaction to the term as Wright had, and she picked up on his body language. She cleared her throat and turned her attention to the panel. "Begging yer pardon sirs, but if it pleases the board, I object tae that term of reference, 'half-breed'. 'Tis both derogatory in nature and very prejudicial. On behalf of the child in question, I move to have it stricken from the record." She sounded just like a lawyer addressing the court. All very professional sounding. She also hoped to give Wright a little time to not leap in the middle of the man.
"This is a medical review, not a legal proceeding," said Simmons. "This Clarice is the ah... child that you experimented on?"
Everyone in the room was now gone as far as Wright was concerned. Only he and Simmons existed and Wright's gaze bored into the man, "I collected and analyzed biological data and identified the agent and synthesized a counter-agent," he said through gritted teeth.
"Precisely," thundered Simmons, slamming his fist against his desk as he spoke. "You created a drug with inferior and sometimes alien equipment and then you administered it without proper testing and peer review. Do you understand what you could have done?"
"You mean other than save lives?"
"You could have created a mutant nanophage that wiped out the whole population."
"I didn't though. I made a judgment call. A judgment call that saved lives," Wright thundered back. "There was no communication, no help available, and no time left. I stand by my decision as the morally and ethically correct decision."
"Well then," said Simmons, a sneer spreading across his face, "I guess that wraps up my questions. It seems pretty cut and dried to me. Does anyone else have any questions?"
"Doctor Wright," asked Crusher, "Do you know the Maquis Medical protocols for testing new medications?"
"I do Doctor Crusher," replied Wright.
"And what is your opinion of them?"
"I think under normal circumstances they are true and appropriate. They should be followed to the letter whenever possible."
"And you do not view this Bajor incident as a normal situation?" asked Kensington.
"Anything but normal Doctors," replied Wright. "In emergency situations medical professionals have to be able to take life saving action, even if it steps around beurocratic policies, even good the ones."
The room was silent for a few moments. "Very well then, we will take a short break to discuss the merits...or lack there of, of this case and be back shortly with a decision."
The review board got up and left the room.
Madge turned to Wright. "That went well," she deadpanned.
"He is a pompous, arrogant, fool," said Wright, still clearly upset.
"Aye, Commander, that he is," she agreed. "And full of himself. Th' man needs a good swift kick in the arse if ye ask me. Want me tae sic the lads on him?" She quirked a brow in question, clearly teasing and just as clearly trying to help lighten his mood.
Wright tried to stop it, but a slight smile spread across his face, "Only if I can go with them."
"Ach now, and they'd be glad tae have ye," Madge smiled back. "Ye can be the team's Six," she winked. "Dinnae worry. He's only one."
Wright laughed.
"Excuse me Sir."
Wright turned to see a young cadet standing next to him. "Hello Cadet. How can I help you?"
"I have this message for you Commander," he handed a packet to Wright. "It came in on the transport from Bajor."
Wright took the package from the cadet. "Thank you Cadet. Dismissed." As the cadet left Wright opened the package. "It's from Lyrr," he said. As he read a frown formed on his face.
"Ach, that doesnae look good. What happened?" Madge asked.
Wright handed Madge the letter, "He says Clarice has gone missing. Figures she ran away."
Madge read through the letter, tsking softly as she did. "Ach now. she was such an unhappy lass. But I'm surprised. I thought she was better when we left?" She looked at Wright as she handed the letter back. "What do ye want us tae do?"
Wrigth was about to respond when the review board came back into the room and took their seats. Wright looked at each of the members. Kensington and Crusher looked tired, as if they had suffered a very long day. Simmons wore a smile as did Nash and Lynch. Wright did not need to be an engineer to know the score.
"Doctor Wright, it is the decision of this board on a 3-2 vote that your case warrants further investigation. It is my order that Lieutenant Nash conduct an independent..."
"Belay that order," said Crusher.
"What?" asked Simmons, "Doctor Crusher this is my decision."
"I am taking this matter myself. I will conduct this investigation." Crusher was stern and not smiling as she spoke.
"But..."
"That is an order Doctor."
"Very well then," said Simmons though gritted teeth, his face red with anger. "Doctor Wright your privledges as a doctor are hearby revoked pending the outcome of this investigation. You are to turn over any medical equipment or supplies to the chief medical officer of the USS Zion. This hearing is closed." Simmons got up and stomped away.
Wright turned to Madge wearing an amused grin, "Let's go Mac. We are done." He turned and left the hall. He needed to check on Clarice, but he was sure that if she did not want to be found...no one would find her.
Madge quirked a brow at the amused grin and turned to leave with Wright. "I dinnae see why ye are grinning," she observed and looked across at him. "But I ken there's a reason.."
Wright's grin turned to a smile, "He just won the battle but lost the war."
"Because Dr. Crusher will find ye were justified in every thing ye did, hmm?" Madge smiled.
"I like my chances better with Doctor Crusher than I do with Nash," he said.