Today's Special

by Darrel W. Beach
May, 1997


Chapter 4

	The Doctor's sour expression spoke volumes about his success.  "As 
far as I can tell, you're not being affected in any way.  Unfortunately, I 
haven't yet determined the reason why not, or why it seems to affected Mr. 
Paris.  I hope to know more once Mr. Neelix arrives with our analysis 
sample."
	As if on cue, the Talaxian trudged his way into the infirmary with 
less than his usual vibrancy.  In his hands bore the main entree of that 
afternoon's meal.  "Sorry I couldn't get here sooner, but it seemed like 
every I tried to leave someone else would come in looking for something to 
nibble on."
	"I'm sure it must have been a nice change of pace for you," the 
hologram replied indifferently as he snatched the food from Neelix's grasp. 
He immediately set it down on the med-table and activated the scanners.
	"Oh dear, what happened to Lieutenant Paris?" he queried, noticing 
Tom's prone form.  Tom appeared to be sleeping, albeit fitfully.
	"Tom is ill, Neelix," Kes soothed her friend.  "The Doctor and I 
are trying to find out if the garvola is what's making him sick."
	"The - the garvola?" the astounded Talaxian stammered.
	"That's correct, Mr. Neelix," The Doctor interceded.  "It is quite 
possible that this herb you're using to supplement the crew's diet is 
responsible for Mr. Paris' neurophysiological imbalance.  I trust that you 
too have consumed the garvola?"
	"Well, it would be hard not to.  Being the ship's cook means I have 
to personally test all my recipes to ensure the crew will get the maximum 
satisfaction of each one."
	"In that case, I'll have to scan you to see if you're being 
affected by it."
	Neelix looked anxiously at the man lying semi-unconscious on the 
biobed.  "I wouldn't have it any other way, Doctor."
	The Doctor pointed his tricorder at the Talaxian and ran yet 
another scan.  For a second time, however, the preliminary results were 
negative.  "Well, whatever it is, it appears that neither you nor Kes are 
subject to its effects.  I'll have to perform some microcellular analyses 
on all three sets of data to get a better understanding of why Mr. Paris 
has been susceptible to its influence.  That sample of garvola should also 
prove useful in determining its reaction to the human body.  However, until 
I can isolate the nature of the garvola's effects and synthesize a 
counteragent, it might be best to continue your duties as normal, Mr. 
Neelix.  I am not prepared to deal with a sudden epidemic just yet."
	Neelix thought the hologram's suggestion was ill-planned.  "But if 
the garvola is making the rest of the crew sick, then I'll just be making 
them sicker.  Are you sure that's a wise thing to do, Doctor?"
	"To be honest, Mr. Neelix, I don't know.  Being a medical 
facilitator requires having to make a lot of difficult choices, yet 
sometimes it is necessary to take risks to achieve the desired results.  At 
least by catering to their current needs the crew will not become 
negatively affected like Mr. Paris - and it might give me enough time to 
find a cure."
	The explanation just didn't sit right with Neelix for some reason; 
it was kind of like stepping on a person's toes to distract them from the 
pain in their arm.  Unfortunately, he had absolutely no experience in 
medicine, so he had to accept that The Doctor's plan would be the correct 
course of action.  "I guess I'd better make a trip to the cargo bay to get 
some more garvola, then."  He made his exit quietly, pondering the fate of 
the crew if The Doctor couldn't find a cure before the supplies ran out.
	The Doctor, however, totally focused on the task at hand.  "Kes, 
run a decomposition scan on the specimen and match all items with the food 
supplies currently in storage.  Then I want you to set up a simulation 
model showing a time-lapse reaction of garvola on a human body.  Do you 
think you can handle that?"  The question was not patronizing.
	"Yes, I believe so, Doctor," Kes reassured the medical program.  An 
impish smile played on her lips.  If only the rest of the crew could see as 
she did how caring and concerned the computer-generated entity could be.
	"Good.  I'll be busy with the microcellular analyses if you require 
any assistance."

	Lt. Paris wasn't sure if he was awake or dreaming.  His head was 
swimming.  His senses seemed to be scrambled: he could see smells, taste 
sounds, hear colours and textures.  He tried to walk around the room 
(whatever room it was) but his legs were numb.  He reached out to feel his 
surroundings but couldn't seem to get a firm grasp of anything; however, he 
was aware of the intermittent tingling sensations along the length of his 
forearms and legs.  He felt almost as if he were spinning helplessly in a 
strange void.  His mouth was dry, yet he had no thirst; his brain cried out 
for sustenance, yet he had no hunger.
	Kes was entering the parameters for the computer model when she 
heard the buzz and hum of a forcefield.  She looked up and around her 
shoulder to see Tom lying awake on the biobed, his arms and legs bouncing 
about as they were repelled by the energy field.  "Doctor?"
	"Hm?"  He looked away from his work, first at Kes, then at where 
she was looking.  "Oh.  Pay no mind to him, Kes.  The analysis on Mr. 
Paris' neurochemical imbalance suggested the possibility of hallucinations 
and involuntary muscle contractions, so I activated a restraining field 
around the bed so we wouldn't cause injury to himself.  How are you coming 
with the simulation model?"
	"It's almost ready, Doctor."
	"Excellent.  We'll start on it as soon as I'm done here."
	"Have you been able to find anything yet, Doctor?"
	"Nothing significant, however I have managed to identify a few 
variations in body chemistry that are common to both Ocampa and Talaxians 
but not shared with Humans.  It's possible that one or a combination of 
these variations provides a sort of immunity for you and Mr. Neelix that 
Mr. Paris doesn't have.  Unfortunately, it's still a matter of speculation 
at this point."

	It was nearing the end of the alpha shift and everyone looked to be 
on edge.  Captain Janeway couldn't believe that after making a recess to 
the galley in mid-afternoon that she could so ravenously hungry again.  
Just thinking of tonight's entree adorned with the succulent flavour of 
garvola made her salivate.  It didn't matter that she had a pounding 
headache or that she couldn't focus her vision clearly.
	Elsewhere on the bridge it was a similar story.  Harry Kim appeared 
to be suffering from a state of shock, with shaking limbs and a sheen of 
sweat covering his face.  The officers operating the Conn and Science 
stations also appeared jittery.  Tuvok seemed to be making a concerted 
effort not to exhibit the unsteadiness he felt in his extremities but one 
could see the increased tension in his facial muscles.  Only Chakotay 
seemed to be in control of himself.  There was one commonality between them 
all however: an intense craving for garvola-laden food.  When the shift 
ended it was all anyone could do from not rushing headlong to the 
turbolifts.
	Neelix was very uncomfortable with the situation as soon as the 
first officers scrambled into the mess hall to get in line.  Not one of 
them was looking too well, yet they pushed their way to make it to the head 
of the line.  Only given roughly two hours to prepare dinner, Neelix had to 
resort to one of less popular but traditional main courses, so it was 
worrisome to see the crewmen compliment him on how wonderful it smelled.
	The situation grew worse only minutes after the first few were 
served.  They complained that it wasn't strong enough.
	At the captain's table, this issue was also being discussed.
	"Is it just me, or does this vegetable stew taste bland to you 
too?" Janeway quizzed, discontentedly sampling her dinner.
	"I admit, it is milder than what Mr. Neelix has prepared of late," 
the Vulcan replied.  "Nonetheless, it is satisfactory on a nutritional 
standpoint."
	"I don't see anything wrong with it," the first officer answered.
	"Well I definitely think it needs something more.  Excuse me, 
gentlemen."  The captain got up and walked back to Neelix's counter, where 
a complaint line had formed.
	"There's no flavour to it.  I thought you said there was garvola in 
it." she heard one of the engineering staff gripe.
	Neelix almost panicked.  He had already doubled the amount of 
garvola he normally used in his recipes.  At this rate the supply of the 
herb would be used up in less than a week.  As he doled out extra teaspoons 
of the herb to his angry patrons, he prayed The Doctor could find the cure, 
and fast.