The Doctor and the Astrophysicist
Posted on Mon Jan 15th, 2018 @ 11:01am by Lieutenant Commander Vaebn tr'Hwersuil
Edited on on Thu May 31st, 2018 @ 9:52pm
1,432 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Enemy Within
Location: Science labs
Timeline: MD001 1300 hrs
Tags: SD 71370.1300
Richard had spent the better part of ten minutes memorizing every turn necessary to arrive at the science department. He reached out let his fingers run across the braille lettering and nodded letting a broad smile cross his face. He drew in a breath and moved forward enough to activate the doorway into the main department stopping a few strides in to glance around to at the unfamiliar place.
Vaebn sat in his office set in the back of the main Science department lab and research areas, considering the morning briefing and what their first mission would bring. He poured over the various PADD's containing research propositions, ongoing projects and staffing assignments, carefully considering who would get what shift in the labs and other areas of the ship, including the bridge Beta and Gamma shifts.
So many interesting ideas to consider, yet a limited amount of research space so it came down to what might yield the best results, and what might be in the best interests of the mission profile and available resources. And he still had to plan for the Department meeting at 1600, ugh.
He leaned back in his chair and hung his head over the back and exhaled with a sigh. So much to do before departure. It was then that the door outside hissed open and a figure stepped in. He wasn't expecting anyone, and nobody was scheduled in the labs until the meeting. He stood slowly, "Can I help you?" he said aloud as he stepped out of the office.
Richard nodded and offered a faint smile, "Hello Lieutenant, "I was hoping I might be able to talk to you about a possible joint research project." He paused for a moment broadening a smile, "I should tell you this isn't mission related but may be extremely important to the Azzians."
"And what exactly might this research project entail?" he said rather briefly. "With our upcoming mission and the projects I have pending for approval for my staff, I'm not sure what resources I will have available." Vaebn gestured to a nearby chair as he sat down himself, "However, I will listen to your project idea before outright dismissing it. If it is valid, I will give it serious consideration."
Richard nodded and sat down across from the engineer and drew in a breath, "How much do you know about the DNA of Azzians Lieutenant?"
"To be perfectly honest, I know very little about Azzian physiology, and have had very little contact with any Azzians to date. And what, may I inquire, can an Astrophysicist offer in regards to genetic research?" Vaebn replied flatly.
"That is understandable ," Richard stated offering a gentle smile, "I didn't know anything about the Azzians until about seven years ago." He drew in a deep breath, "and I do realize this is not your area of specialty but I was hoping your department would be willing to work with me on this."
"Well, once I have assigned the mission specific staffing and the petitioned research from the division heads I will have a better idea of what resources I will have available for independent research projects." He paused for a moment, " What specifically are you looking into? A little background might help me find the right people to assist you, unless you prefer to keep this more independent and with less eyes." he said with a sly inflection.
"The fewer individuals that know about it would probably be better," Richard replied lowering his own tone, "I'm looking at the possibility of gene splicing. Azzians have a quad helix DNA structure while nearly all other species utilize a double helix. I was hoping to look into the possibility of selectively removing duplicated information in their DNA and restructuring it so it could be joined with other species to create a hybrid life form."
"If I am not mistaken, gene-splicing and manipulation is prohibited by Federation laws, unless approved prior by the Council, and even then, heavily frowned upon." He stood and motioned to the Doctor to follow him into his office.
Richard nodded and followed, "understood, this is more to evaluate whether it is even practical to pursue," he offered.
As they entered the office, Vaebn lightly pressed a key on the table and then turned to the Doctor and watched the door shut. "You understand that what you are asking is skirting the line of breaking a large number of Starfleet and Federation laws and policies, correct?" He sat down in the chair behind him and leaned back. "So, if the outcome shows practical usage, what then?" he paused for a moment, "You make speak freely without recourse for a few moments, it is only the two of us...... I have made certain."
"I'm aware of the regulations," Richard said with a nod, "however there are ways to work around those restrictions and the Azzians may be able to pick up from our research if it proves possible."
"If that is the case, I will consider it and advise you of my decision." Vaebn leaned forward and stared across the desk. His eyes narrowed with severe purpose. "However, if I decide to assist you, you must understand that that if the research progresses beyond what I am comfortable with, I will end it. All data will be purged, and it will never be discussed again. And with that in mind, I will control all of the data in that regard. We work together, but I hold all of the data. I will not jeopardize my new career and life for your whims or hubris."
"I'm not asking you to," Richard replied with a smile, "there is another request I have that might better suit our endeavors." He drew in a deep breath and continued, "Azzians experience a physical mating urge much as Vulcans do during their Pon farr. At present there is no known treatment for the condition other than an actual mate. Mine are on the Empok Nor and if I were to experience it things, well I think you get my point."
"Yes.... I believe I do." Vaebn stood and placed his hands on the desk. "If you agree to my terms then I believe I may be of some assistance then. I will block off science lab 4 from 2200 to 0000 hrs every other night starting tonight. We will meet there and work, if that is sufficient for you. As for your other........ problem; I suggest you brush up on your holodeck programming and create something, adequate, to your tastes." Vaebn gestured to the door, "If that will be all, I have quite a bit of work to do before we arrive in the Badlands."
Richard chuckled and offered a smile to the man, "thank you Lieutenant, I appreciate you assistance and I hope I haven't taken up too much of your time. He began to move towards the exit and added, "I was going to use the holodeck for that portion of the treatment but the implementation of Azzian pheromones is a bit more tricky than merely creating a visual illusion."
"Then I suggest you discuss that with your physician. Or perhaps I can recommend a good biochemist for your pheromone problems. Have a good day Doctor, I'll be talking to you soon."
Richard nodded, "I will not waste any more of your time Lieutenant." He turned and headed towards the direction he came in letting out a sigh as he did.
After Doctor Ballston left the office, Vaebn turned to the computer terminal slid his hand under the desk, removing a small device, Romulan technology by the look of it, that had been mounted underneath. Looking at it for a moment, he thumbed a small activation node and listened to the conversation he previously had. "Always good to have a safety net. My thanks to you Commander Hanaj for teaching me that basic rule." He thumbed the recording off, and pocketed the device. Vaebn stood and tapped the computer terminal to reinitialize the passive sensors in the room, he then straightened his tunic and walked to the replicator. "Hot coffee, black in a steel thermal mug." Vaebn still had to finish the duty roster, and had to figure out how to make his sensor whiskers work. There was still so much to do.
A Joint Post By:
Lieutenant Vaebn tr'Hwersuil
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Richard Ballston M.D. PsyD
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
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