Now that navigational controls were locked out by engineering and the flurry of communications between the ship and the various patrol boats and the colonial government had ended, Ann found that she had very little to do on the bridge.

Medical had not been exactly helpful on any information on the counselor. An ensign had said he believed she went back to her quarters once the medical staff had been pulled to diagnose the new disease.

Ann figured that she needed a break and a stroll to check on the counselor would be a good enough excuse for her to leave the bridge and stretch her legs. She figured that the counselor was probably just tired, given the condition she currently found herself in. And that she probably just set her comm badge in another part of her quarters, so she could get a few moments of peace without some hypochondriac ensign telling her that he believed the entire ship was doomed to die from the disease.

She arrived and rang the door chime and after a few moments of not receiving a response she confirmed with the computer that the counselor was in her quarters.

Ann rang the door chime one more time and after a few more moments of silence became concerned.

=^=Collins to security, Counselor Miessa is not responding to her com badge or answering her door can I get someone to override the security access. I'm concerned about her.=^=

=^=I'm in the area and will be there in a few moments.=^= replied NE Reynolds.

Reynolds arrived and rang the chime and once again had the computer confirm that the counselor was in her quarters, while Ann was becoming visibly frustrated by the ensign's adherence to protocol. Reynolds finally ordered the security override and the doors opened.

Ann rushed in first and looked around the quarters that were eerily silent. She walked toward the sleeping area and saw Amari there wrapped in a shawl, clasping a broach and a small trickle of blood on her earlobe. She didn't appear to be breathing and Ann walked forward and put a hand to her neck to check for a pulse.

Reynolds must have arrived at the same conclusion Ann did as he hit his comm badge.

=^=Reynolds to sickbay, medical emergency in Counselor Miessa's quarters.=^=

Ann stepped back and shook her head. She had very little hope that medical would be able to do anything for the counselor. She waited for medical to arrive and confirm her observations and tried to think about how she was going to break the news to Aries. Or even if she should wait until he was able to return to the Victorious to tell him.

*It's not like he will be able to do anything for her while he's quarantined on that rust bucket,* Ann thought. *Telling him now would probably put him and Peter in danger, especially if he goes and loses it while he's still over there.*

Lt. Ann Collins, helm & comms/ NE Reynolds, sec