Stardate undefined - Supplemental

Jana walked over to the wall status display. Like nearly every other panel on the Engineering deck, it remained dark. If she could get it working, it might tell them much about the condition of the Ares, without having to call up the status of every system, one by one, from the one console she had managed to revive so far. She crouched down, working to remove the access panel from underneath, hoping that she might be able to easily restore power to it.

Raising her wrist light, Jana peered into the bulkhead innards. She saw mostly shadows, and nothing seemed to reveal a local overload of the system. Whatever the problem was, it was further along down the power and data connections. Sighing softly, she rested her head against the bulkhead and closed her eyes.

A few moments later—at least she thought it was only a few moments later—Jana jerked her head suddenly upward. Had she dozed off? She looked guiltily around and saw David coming toward her. Nothing in his expression told her whether he had caught her brief lapse or not.

"I think he'll be fine," David said, nodding in Wa-Rhayvea's direction. "It looks like just a mild concussion, but that's about all I can say for certain—and not even that." His lips worked in a small, self-deprecating smile. "I never really studied up on Efrosian physiology."

Jana's eyes moved toward the shadows where Wa-Rhayvea rested. "Me either," she whispered.

"Your turn," David said, raising the tricorder.

Jana started to protest, but then just nodded her head tiredly. David began scanning near her head and then began to slowly pass the tricorder down over her body. For a moment, she felt an odd echo of erotic feelings, as if he undressed her as he moved the tricorder over her.

"You might be more comfortable if you sat down," David offered quietly. His eyes remained fixed on the tricorder's display.

Jana allowed herself to sink slowly down to the deck, bracing her back against the bulkhead as she slid down it. She sat silently while David finished his appraisal.

He snapped the tricorder closed. "Other than borderline exhaustion, you're fine except for that gash."

Jana's fingers reflexively went to the clotted cut along her face.

"Here," David said softly, and removed a small dermal regenerator from the medical kit. He held it over the wound.

Jana lowered her hand, feeling her skin tingle as the device repaired the subcutaneous and surface damage.

"Almost good as new," David told her with a faint smile, lowering the device.

Jana felt the smooth, newly regeneration skin. "Thank you," she whispered, not at all certain why she said it.

David's smile was surprised and sincere. "You're welcome." He replaced then dermal regenerator and removed a hypospray. He checked the setting, adjusted it, and then pressed it against her lower neck.

"What's that for?" she asked, her tone almost accusatory.

"It's just a general antibiotic," he told her. "Who knows what little microbes are churning around out here."

Jana studied him for a moment before nodding, accepting his explanation.

David replaced the hypospray and then closed the medical kit. He turned back to Jana. "You need some food." He gave a small chuckle. "Actually, we both do."

"Survival rations?" Jana asked with obvious distaste.

"Unless you have one of the replicators working?"

Jana shook her head.

"Well then."

"Over there," Jana said, nodding toward one of the starboard storage lockers. "I think there's some in there or in the one next to it."

David's head turned in the direction of Jana's look. He nodded and rose, heading for the specified cabinets.

Jana swallowed drily. Hopefully, David would think to bring her water as well.