From: Jamie LeBlanc (plainsimplegarak_at_yahoo.com)
Date: Sat Jul 26 2008 - 11:31:41 PDT
"Drugs and Mind Control" (Continued from "Schoolyard Pranks")
~*~*~*~*~
Locaton: USS STONEHENGE
Stardate: 2.80726.1330
Scene: Sickbay
~*~*~*~*~
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me" ~Hunter S. Thompson
~*~*~*~*~
“But it’s a drug!” Makena Kagiso paced back and forth through the main sickbay.
“Yes, it is. As are many other things we use in this sickbay that can also be qualified as ‘drugs’” Arjan waved his hands impatiently in the air. “This is no different.”
Copano, Makena’s younger brother pursed his lips together. “Barbiturates have a history of being both abused and having a toxic effect; both in humans and many other humanoid species.”
“It is logical to assume that any compound can be put to pharmaceutical use as long as it is carefully monitored.” Suvek added with a perk of his brow.
“With the levels we have to employ, toxicity is ensured for 80% of the crew’s species.” Makena implored.
The CMO turned, his thin lisping voice cut through the air like a knife. “Enough, all of you.” One by one the assembled doctors fell quiet, even the elder Andorian. Aerdan took a second to stare at each of them in turn before speaking again. “Makena, I understand your reservations about the treatment; but when it comes down to it we do not have an option. Our goal is to preserve the safety of the remaining members of this ship – this sector, this universe even. I understand that dangers of this treatment, but at base, it is the best option we have. I am making the decision to go through with it. The only thing I will hold you all responsible for is timely application of the anti-toxin once the alien force is erased. I will bear the burden if this decision goes awry.”
Makena pulled her lips into a thin, hard line. “You said it can only reverse mutation on some of the crew?”
Arjan gave a thin nod. “Only those with 80% or less overall mutation. And at that level of mutation I cannot safeguard against brain damage.”
“How long until the serum will be ready?” Aerdan asked, tipping both antennae towards Suvek.
“I sent the specifications to the lab in anticipation of this decision, Commander.” The Vulcan looked back at him with an aggravatingly smug expression. “The first doses will be ready in forty five minutes, the second batch ready in under three hours.”
“Then gather any suffering primary mutations and prepare them for treatment. Co-ordinate with security to release the serum onto more highly mutated crew. Gather all affected and unaffected telepaths to sickbay.” Aerdan finished with a curt nod, sending his team into action. He turned and sucked in a breath; remembering the one thing he still had left to do: get this plan cleared with the Captain.
~*~*~*~*~
Scene: Ready Room.
“No, the serum itself does not reverse mutation. The barbiturates suppress the neuraltransmitters that the alien force is tapping in to, while the dialtretic oxycontomal stimulates the indigenous cells in the brain. In effect the serum shuts off the feed telling them to mutate while stimulating the brain to effect it’s own counter-effect, reverting the patient to his or her original biology.” Aerdan paced slightly as he spoke to Rharn.
“So, if I have this correct – you are saying that we can reprogram their brains to take control again?” She leaned back in her chair slightly, “Will this work for their physical mutations as well as the mental effects?”
Slowly the neurosurgeon nodded. “The humanoid brain has almost untapped potential, Captain. All evidence leads to the fact that a change in neurochemistry only prompted these vast physical mutations. Rewiring the neurochemistry should reverse the mutations, even their physical effects.”
“It sounds too good to be true, Doctor.” The Nocturian perked a brow. “Though I sense you have reservations.”
“Doctor Suvek developed the serum from my research gathered during the trip below decks. It is neurochemically sound, in theory. But the level of barbiturates we have to administer to shut off the alien’s feed is very high. It could cause hallucinations, respiratory depression, nausea and neural shock. For any crew in the primary stages of mutation, the risk is far less. Not only can we monitor them in sickbay, but the process will take less time, and an anti-toxin can be administered much sooner. Add to that the process of reversing the mutation is incredibly stressful to the body.” The CMO paused and took a breath through his teeth. “I don’t know how many I can save who have experienced complete or near complete mutation, Captain.” He turned his pale blue eyes to her black ones. “But I can say that with the six months of effect the ETERNITY’s crew have had… I think trying to reverse their mutation will cause
irreversible brain damage in the entire crew – if they even survive the process.”
It was Rharn’s turn to pause. “There were 324 crew aboard that ship, Doctor… are you sure?”
Slowly the medic gave a nod. “Captain… I would not bring it up if I were not sure.”
“Will this help remove the alien from our warp nacelle?”
Slowly Aerdan Jos shook his head. “No, it will not.” He paused for a second and then added, “But Commander Aspinall and Doctor Suvek believe they have an option.” Rharn’s expression made it exceedingly clear she expected him to continue. “The alien force is biologically based. It has not integrated with our ships systems like the Borg might. Instead it is physically drawing from the power and the mutated crew are physically adapting the ship to sustain their dimension’s lifeforms. From what Lt. Shar found of the scans from the cargobay, those giant vats were constructed to encourage the growth of the web – fertilizer for its structure if you will. The webs assist the crew in adapting technology, as well as assimilating the crew; but at base, the webs are biological, not technical.”
“And how do we dislodge this lifeform from the ship?”
He chewed his lower lip for a second. “The highest contact we have with the lifeform is telepathically. We already know it reacts and feels from neural energy from the crew it comes in contact with; and it also tries to pacify those who enter the hive mind with an overwhelming release of endorphins – no dissention in the ranks. From his contact with it, Peter found it reacted very poorly to confrontational reactions. He and Suvek believe that enough focused, unified, telepathic energy against the creature can convince it to … ‘let go’”
Rharn stood, feeling the urge to pace herself. “What happens when it gets dislodged, doctor?”
Aerdan knit his white brows and looked to his Captain apologetically. “Peter said then it was up to you.”
~*~*~*~*~*~
NRPG: Well, here’s my cut and dry plan. Thoughts??
Peter: think you can lead a telepathic offensive on an alien force that wants to live so bad it’ll bribe you with an eternity of pleasure?? Rawr! Fear the XO!! ;-)
~*~*~*~*~*~
Jamie LeBlanc
Lieutenant Commander Aerdan Jos
Chief Medical Officer
USS STONEHENGE
"Why do we fly? Because we have dreamt of it for so long that we must"
~Julian Beck
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