Talking science

Posted on 17 Feb 2019 @ 6:29am by Commander S’chqenr T’Jedf Tolkath (Jan 2389 - TRNSFR After Gorn War) & Lieutenant Commander T'Lara

Mission: Ka Hakaka Maikaʻi - The Good Fight
Location: Chief Science Officer office
Timeline: I day after Battle of Xavier II

[ON]

[Chief Science Officer's Office - Deck 18]

After two long shifts to get everything done in sickbay, and getting up to date on everything, she walked out of sickbay. She was tired and some clean clothes wouldn't go amiss. She was on her way to her quarters she realized Commander Tolkath wanted to see her as well.

She sighed and went in to her room and quickly changed uniforms before heading towards the office of the chief science officer. She wasn't familiar with everyone on the crew yet. She knew he was Vulcan, but that was a very broad concept and didn't tell her much.

She stopped in front of his office and pressed the chime and waited patiently for him to open the door.

Tolkath was reviewing data retrieved from the recent boarding action against the Gorn cruiser, in particular the design of the control systems for the torpedoes. he still believed they were not originally a Hegemony design, but had yet to find the evidence.

"Enter" He called hearing the chime and looked up to see what on first glance was a Vulcan female in Science Teal, under a lab coat. Closer observation indicated epicanthic eyes, not a normal Vulcan feature.

"You would be Lieutenant T'Lara" He stated, recognizing the woman from her file in the recent list of replacement personnel.

"T'nar pak sorat y'rani" He stood and offered the formal Vulcan greeting, waving her in and towards a chair. "What can I do for you Doctor?"

"Greetings, Commander," She said in return, "I hope I was not disturbing you at this time. I wanted to talk to you about the research you wanted to conduct with medical. Since I was not present at the last briefing, I thought I would come to see you about it." She explained.

Tolkath took his seat again and nodded "Very proactive Doctor. One moment" He tapped some commands into his desk panel and projected some of the data onto a viewsceen on the wall.

"During our boarding action aboard the Gorn cruiser we discovered they have created a new form of multi-vectored bio-genetic weapon, it can be vectored as a liquid, an aerosol or a gas,

It has been engineered to incapacitate and kill Humanoids, or more specifically Homo Sapiens Humans from Earth.

It is designed to cause a long and lingering death, apparently it causes neural degeneration; I would estimate that, untreated, the average adult Human would be incapacitated within minutes and dead within forty to forty-eight hours. It is obviously effective against other Humanoid species, Lieutenant Kosu, our Chief Engineer is a Betazoid, and was effected by it.

However, the greater the genetic disparity with Humans the less effective it is. Vulcans would take approximately eight days to die from exposure, if untreated, for example. It does not appear to have any effect on the Gorn themselves but that has not been tested.

Doctor Aldana appears to think it is some form of virus but has done no further study.

We would, obviously, need to commence a research program to categorize the weapon and develop some form of cure or vaccine.

There are original samples in Science Laboratory Three, on this Deck, Doctor. I will arrange for you to have access to them” Tolkath concluded.

T'Lara looked to the view screen and nodded. "That is interesting. I will look at the samples and I will look at Lieutenant Kosu's stats. I believe she was released earlier today, or she is being released I am not sure. I may need a moment to go through all the data. I will also have to talk to the physician that treated her, I understand Doctor Aldana signed her over to another doctor?" T'Lara looked to Tolkath again.

"I have no knowledge of that." Tolkath replied, stating the truth that he had little to do with the medical department's activities. "However, I understand that with some viruses those who survive the infection may provide a basis for study for a cure"

T'Lara nodded, "I will look in to that personally myself," she said and added, "I am only just now caught up with my department."

"There is another area of research that needs to be carried out" Tolkath continued "A number of the survivors from the Wyoming appeared to have been experimented upon by the Gorn. They had bio-implants forcibly placed within their bodies. According to records there are still three of these personnel in Sickbay. The purpose of these devices had not been established. We need to discover that function.

Both this and the bio-weapon are equally high priority projects, Doctor" He finished and looked to T'Lara with a raised eyebrow.

She stared straight to him as he was explaining it to her. She nodded as he noted the last bit. "Yes, commander, I understand, I will make all necessary resources in sickbay available for them."

"Very good" Tolkath nodded and turned off the data display. "How are you settling in aboard the Hawaii Lieutenant?" He asked

"I had to get myself familiarized with Sickbay, while get it back in shape after the blow you had prior to my arrival," T'Lara started, "So I have yet to settle in. I was thinking of doing just that when I leave here." She nodded to Tolkath and said politely, "Thank you for your interest, sir."

"You are welcome Lieutenant" He nodded "A personal question if you will permit, do you embrace logic and strive for Kolinahr or are you V'tosh ka'tur?" He asked, referring to Vulcans without logic.

T'Lara turned away a moment. "Commander," she almost whispered. "Some time ago I embraced logic again, but achieving Kolinahr is not something I can achieve anymore. I control my emotions now, but I have been through a traumatic period, I do not know if I ever will. And being half human is not helping the matter either."

"It is important to accept one's self; but that does not mean one cannot strive for improvement." Tolkath replied "Do not view you Human heritage as a negative, as a species they have many commendable traits, courage, determination, resilience.

Use those within yourself to support your Vulcan nature and logic will follow.
I will endeavor to assist you with this, should you wish?"

"I do wish that," T'Lara said. "I have done so many things in my life I am not proud of. My life, though short, has been filled with anger and fear and despair. Even if I could not admit it to myself. My stepfather helped me as best as he could." She sighed. "I am still easy to be triggered by my past. Anything you can help me with is appreciated."

Tolkath nodded "I understand, we can work to bring you inner calmness and focus, to enable you to accept and resolve your troubling emotional feelings, then logic and peace will follow."

"Sounds logical," She nodded.

"Please keep me updated on the research Doctor" Tolkath concluded

"Of course, sir," T'Lara replied and then she got up.

[OFF]

Tolkath CMDR SF
2XO CSO

T'Lara Lt SF
CMO