Experiments

Posted on 14 May 2021 @ 7:25pm by Lieutenant Matthew Thompson & Ensign Geoffrey Hale MD

1,295 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: S03 Ep 03 Trouble in the Sticks UXSys 659842 (Incidentals) Phase 2
Location: Science Lab 2
Timeline: 941130.2

In an effort to meet some of the new crew and to get them up to speed, Matt Thompson the Chief Science Officer invited Dr. Hale to the lab to show him where they were on the project bluegill. The science department and the medical department had been working quite closely together on this project. This effort actually began under Commander Sterling and Commander Cahill. Commander Sterling was promoted to Captain and left to command her own star ship.

Matt was the one that came up with the way to add the protien tracker to the Bluegill's vermicular food, and it worked well to track and capture the bluegill infected on Galen 4. Dr. Cahill had come with the isoboromine inhibitor in an attempt to separate the host from the parasite. So far they had had mixed results, but the Isoboromine inhibitor was being modified to a weapons grade biogenic weapon for the destruction of an entire biosphere.

A science laboratory, also known as a science lab, research laboratory, or lab, was the area set-up for work in experimental or observational science. Areas like these were commonplace aboard explorational vessels such as Federation starships, space stations and outposts, under the auspices of Starfleet's sciences division.

Science lab 2 had been set up for exobiology Exobiology (also called astrobiology or xenobiology) was the biological science concerned with living alien organisms. Exobiology was also taught at Starfleet Academy. A biologist who specialized in the field of exobiology was referred to as an exobiologist, xenobiologist, or astrobiologist.

Ironically both Dr Cahill and Lt. Thompson were the only two qualified Xeno biologists on the Tomcat, same discipline but different aspects.

The lab had two specimens of bluegills on board both in the larval states. though. they had so far been unable to capture a queen safely.

Matt went over to the replicator and got himself a cup of raktajino, and waited for Mr Hale to arrive.

Given the difficult and frankly horrific nature of the Bluegill threat, Geoff was eager to get to grips with it as quickly as possible. He stepped through the door of science lab 2 precisely on time, shoulders stiff with tension.

Mr. Hale welcome to my laboratory of horrors. Just kidding though sometimes with the kind of work we do it often feels like that especially with these parasites we've had to deal with. Would you like something to drink before I give you the nickel tour?" Matt asked

"Peppermint tea, if you would, I could use something to calm the nerves." Geoff made his request as he sent his eyes spinning around the space appreciatively. "Do you have much history of working with the Bluegill, or other xenoparasites?" He questioned, trying to get a feel for his crewmate's knowledge base.

Matt went over to the replicator and ordered some Mint tea.

"Well to be honest,yes I have, I was the chief research assistant for a number of years to Dr. Maia Sterling, you may have heard of her. She just got her own command the USS Leto. She was our last XO and Chief Science officer. We learned of the Bluegills about 6 months ago and started heavily researching them. We discovered a way to tag and track their DNA well enough to transport them out of a crowded area. We have even discovered how to attenuate their Isoboromine levels to effectively render them inert. We are still working on way to to more efficiently remove the parasite from the host. We have studied them from the trill host symbionts as well. Though they are benevolent in nature. We believe the Bluegills were created as a biological weapon by the Vaudwaur. An ancient species originally from the Delta quadrant." Matt said handing the cup of mint tea Mr. Hale.

"That would have interesting implications for archaeology, it might also explain why they seem to be so difficult to remove from their victims," Geoff mused as he took the cup of hot tea. He briefly brought the mug up to take in the aroma, and try a small sip. "Thank you. While I'd probably enjoy talking about the Bluegills more broadly with you, let's start with my main subject: what's the biggest problem you're having right now with separating the parasite and host?"

"Right now its that the parasites secretes a toxic enzyme that does serious damage to the hosts nervous system. If they become damaged extensively. We have been able to remove a parasite from a host if they are not too far gone. Each time the host experienced severe PTSD like symptoms. After separation, it can take up to a year for a host to fully recover. Seems to me its like a scorpion sting. They are malevolently intelligent, so I can only assume its a spiteful act. A sort of scorched earth practice, or mutually assured destruction." Matt said.

"Like a tick injecting poison when it feels you trying to pull it out." Geoff mused with a disgusted expression. "So it might be more beneficial to look for ways to knock out the parasite than counteract the toxin. How long does the toxin linger in the victim's systems?"

"It varies with each host but its usually between 6 and 8 months and that's with the use of an Isoboromine inhibitor." Matt replied.

"Presumably then any new neural tissue grafted in during that period would simply begin to decay as well, has this been tested yet?"

"Yes and your assumption is quite correct". Matt replied. " in fact the rate of decay is exponentially greater". Matt continued.

"One might almost think that engineering an immune response to the parasite would be the most effective option, but that would require banned techniques that I'm not versed in. As much as I hate to say it, in anything other than the long term, eradication is seemingly the best option for dealing with the bluegill pathogen." Geoff looked unhappy as he expressed this thought, but he couldn't see a way around it for the time being. "I might try to develop a paralytic agent that works against the parasite, but given your descriptions and what I've seen of their physiology, I won't hold my breath for success."

I've been thinking along the same lines, Cardassians seem to have the most natural resistance to the Parasites I think we should investigate teh reason why?" Matt said.

"That's another avenue likely worth exploring. Given that we have two heads, do you perhaps want to research in different directions?" Geoff nodded along as he spoke, mind conjuring up a plan already.

"If you have any ideas doctor , Now would be the time to explain them. Matt said.

"A few options spring to mind," Geoff began. "We could investigate fortifying victims' neurology with fully cybernetic components. They would presumably be more resistant to the toxin based attacks of the parasites. We could investigate chemical agents that kill or incapacitate bluegill parasites while not killing humanoid hosts outright. The last likely avenue as it appears to me would be to investigate natural immunity to the parasites, and see if it can be boosted. Of course all of these are medium to long term solutions. In the near term what we unfortunately seem to need is an efficient way of killing them." He concluded grimly, weighing each option in his mind.

Cybernetic implants? have you seen them in operation or have any specifications? The Parasites infect the cells mitochondria and self replicates like an RNA resequencer. Borg technologuy might be able to do it, but We don't have access to that kind of tech. Matt said.

You are thinking outside the box though, not bad..Matt added.

[End]

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A Post by:

Lt JG Matthew Thompson
Chief Science Officer
USS Tomcat

Ensign Geoffrey Hale
MD
USS Tomcat

 

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