159 Using a drive rod and a hammer, the Medic
began to hit the end of the fragment inside the chair. Harder and
harder he struck until finally it came free. They pulled it clear,
North's leg with it. As they carried him through the hatch he shouted
back to the Engineers, "Get my controls back together, gentlemen, I'm
going to need them!"
160 "Yes, sir!" the Engineers answered.
161 In the sick bay they cut the long side of the metal away then
pulled the rest out of North's leg and fixed the wound. The Doctor came
out long enough between operations to approve. "Put a brace on this,"
North ordered. "I'm going to engineering to inspect those supports!"
162 The Medics argued, but finally North won out. He inspected the
supports and returned to the Command Deck inspecting the repairs. He
had barely got up on the Command Deck when the ship was rocked by a
nearby blast. "What's going on out there?" North asked.
163 "Our friend out there is taking random shots into the ice field. I
have a bearing. Shall I return fire?"
164 "No," ordered North, "it's not there by now. Let's wait until we’re
more functional. I'm working on an idea."
165 North took off the brace and made himself as comfortable as he
could in his command chair. His chair was back together and the
Engineers were just sealing up the communications console, when North
was aware of someone standing beside him. He looked to his left and
found the Doctor standing there. "Can I have a casualty report,
Doctor?" he asked.
166 "All the wounded," the Doctor answered, "are at present in a stable
condition. Barring any further upsets, they should recover completely,
though it will be awhile."
167 "Good," North complimented. "That's one concern off my mind! Is
there something else, Doctor?"
168 "Yes," the Doctor growled, "I wish to speak with you in private,
now."
169 "All right," North agreed, "we'll go down to the