Bad smells "
By: Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58204.28 1910

It was around seven when Teilani came back in sickbay. She had been to the science lab to check on the cloning project. After the insertion of the altered DNA, the growth was still progressing rapidly. If her calculations were right the arm would be ready even before they were back at Qultuq.

Cleaning some minor equipments, she checked on Mason. “Hey Mason,” she said. “How are we feeling today?” Teilani increased some of the nutrience and turned her attention back to Mase. “You know Mase, I have asked Captain Hunter to check if my baby brother is on Rura Penthe. I have not seen him in ages. You would like my brother, him and you are similar.

Ofcourse there was no answer from Mason but Teilani enjoyed talking to him. People who came into sickbay unannounced often looked at her as if she was bonkers. But she did not care.

You feel like some reading? O.k. Mase, lets continue with the book. Now let me see were where we.?”

“Ah yes, what you think Mase, should I sent a copy of it to Chief Silvio. He might appreciate it.”

“Right here we go.” +++++

The Chief of Engineers, looking up briefly from the paper he has been busy scribbling in, clears his throat. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Eh, we can't put a screw through the hammerhead because it will cease to be moveable and we can't compromise that. Adding more steel will totally destroy the design function of the hammerhead. A vice just won't work; we already tried. I should add that the hammerhead is strong enough so that isn't the problem. Finally, removing the spring as I have already explained is not an option."

"Thank you Chief of Engineers," His Majesty says. "Now we will hear more suggestions. We urge you to be orderly and respectful."

Chastened by the king's words, the people are momentarily shy. But they are not known for being able to keep mum.

"Perhaps we should redesign the Great Bell."

"I disagree. A bracket is what's needed."

"What bracket is he talking about?"

"Search me; I have no idea!"

"Perhaps we should use another spring to counter the action of the first spring."

"I wanted to say that!"

"Spare us please! You always wanted to say that."

"A spring might work."

"But it would have to be a stronger spring."

"A more taut spring!"

"Yes! Make for us another spring!"

"Indeed! Set a spring to tame a spring!"

Up goes the king's hand again. He motions to the Chief of Engineers to comment on the spring issue.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the Chief of Engineers begins, scratching his eagle head. "I must confess that we did think of another spring initially. But we discarded the idea because it's a likely two-edged sword. It may work, but it may also fail, causing a design non-performance and possible malfunction that could lead to the destruction of the Great Bell. In fact the original design called for a reversing spring. But we abandoned it because of the inherent danger."

"But there's a good chance it might work, not so?" someone queries from the front ranks.

"Yes," says the Chief of Engineers. "There is a good chance. Indeed, synchronising the clock flywheel with the hammerhead and bell mechanism will be much easier with a second spring. But it will involve very extensive calculations to establish a reasonable margin of safety. This is because the addition of a second spring will automatically draw us closer to the threshold of unacceptable uncertainty. What that means is that we may succeed in activating the bell mechanism to function as per its original design concept, but we would also unwittingly trigger a disparity in the displacement caused by centrifugal forces that can only be corrected, as I said earlier, by extensive calculations. The slightest error could be very dangerous. Empirical equations to aid the safety factor must be deduced through elaborate configurations aimed at establishing the right degree of tautness and the spring's potential displacement under the prevalent centrifugal forces acting on--"

+++++

Wright had entered and noticed the doctor was reading to the prisoner. He listened to the doctor for a while, until a sharp stabing pain coursed up his arm, reminsing him why he had come by. "Excuse me Doctor,"

"Yes Commander, Teilani said turning towards him.

Wright held up his arm, "I think I might have the start of an infection."

Teilani removed the bandages and stepped a bit back as a dirty smell became eminent.

"Yes it seems you are right," she said. "Please sit down, I have to clean it up and redress it. She walked over to a table and prepared another vial for the hypospray, then she went to the replicator. "Water, warm, 25 degrees,"

Before taking the bowl to Wright Teilani also added a antiseptic solution in to it. "This might sting a little Sir," she said. Gently she used some gazes to remove the puss and the crusts from the stump. It began to bleed again, which was agood sign at least the tissue was still alive.

Teilani did not say much as she tended Wrights arm. She was already glad that some one had taken the liberty to come to sickbay even though it was a patient.

Covering the stump with an antibiotic cream Teilani redressed it. She took the hypo and pressed it against Wright's neck.

"This is a long working antibiotic and some painkiller. You should be alright now Sir," she said softly. "Try to keep it dry if you take a shower and get back here in 3 days for re-dressing. If it is wet or starts to smell again, I want you back sooner."

"Thank you doctor. I will see you again in three days." Wright smiled. "How is my new hand coming?"

"It is progressing nicely, according to our shedule it will be finished by the time we reach QT, Sir."

"Excellent, I am looking forward to getting it back."

Teilani shot him a small smile, "Anyting to please you, Sir."

Wright arched a eyebrow as the rather odd comments but said nothing. "Thank you and have a good night Doctor," said Wright.