Experimental Ideas

Posted on Mon Jan 18th, 2010 @ 7:01am by Commander Basil Hart

840 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: FORGING AHEAD
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Current

ON

Drug to the doc, cornered. Life could really suck sometimes, and it seemed that today just had to be one of those times. There was practically a garden of eden waiting to be explored and now it was going to be waiting. Once more regulations won out over something a bit more fun.

"Alright doc, ye' got me, now can we get this over with" Will said, sitting down on the bio bed, his tail a whip behind him. Whipping tails meant a few thing among the Neyel, either someone was in a rush, they were ticked off or they were swimming.

Basil smiled. "Very well, let's get started." Adjusting the biobed for Neyel, he was not surprised to find that there were significant genetic differences. He had taken the liberty of reading up on Couter's health records, and knew the humanoid's genetic history. When he readjusted the biobed according to the notes left in the record, things settled down to normal. "Well, you seem to be in good health. I must say, however, that such an adaptable species will be a bit of a challenge, since your genes can alter themselves so readily. Anything you want to ask me about, or any complaints you have medically?"

"I've actually got a project involving those genes" Will said, "a while ago I got a message from a friend on the Enterprise about a gene altering capability in the transporters. Theoretically, it could be used to cause my own gene's adaptations during a transportation, so far it's worked on plants, simple animals and such."

Basil took a strange object out of a drawer. It was made of metal and plastic, with two protrusions on the top which the doctor inserted into his ears, and a dangling one with a metallic disk or wheel on the end of its flexible tubing. He then turned to his patient. "Have you ever seen one of these outside a museum?" He grinned proudly as he placed the disk near the top of his anterior chest wall. It was cold. "Breathe normally." He listened to the strange rhythm. "That Transporter business sounds intriguing. I wonder, though, if it's safe for more complex life forms. So far, you've told me that it does OK with lower forms, but There would be a lot of technological hurdles to overcome, not to mention the moral implications for non-genetically altered species..." He paused. "Still, the idea is an intriguing one... Perhaps I'll talk to the Engineer about it."

"Uh, doc. I'm the chief engineer" Will said, "there's no-one higher up the engineering ladder here than me. For moral implications, it wouldn't work to well on other species, its made to directly exploit my own adaptability, if you used it on a human or Klingon, it wouldn't end well. The base process works on higher life forms as it was used to save a doctor on the enterprise and correct later accident. Its just then they did it using a pre-existing pattern and my program regenerates parts of my pattern in process."

Basil looked positively chagrined. "Oh, Mr. Couter, how very fallible of me! I beg your pardon. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in what I'm doing that I forget who does what." He grinned wryly. "That idea does sound fascinating, though. Would it be possible for me to be on hand when the next series of simulations is run, just to give a medical point of view?"

"We can pull them up now" Will said, "the program doesn't take any special set-up and I've already missed my ride out anyway."

Basil smiled at the eager mutagenic Neyel. "Now, Mr. Couter, I gave you my word that I would have you on the next transport, and I'm a man of my word. It just so happens that the next shuttle out leaves in about fifteen minutes. If you would be so kind on the way to your transport, just make an appointment with Helen, and I'll clear my schedule to allow me enough time to attend the experiment. Fair enough?" He really was intrigued by the idea, but he wanted some time to study up on the genetic mutations he had seen in the Engineer. He wouldn't want to give a medical opinion without having all of his facts straight.

"Remind me to kill flight control up there" Will said, "earlier that was the only shuttle out for two days. It is a four or five hour flight on a good day. They don't send many shuttles out that way."

Basil grinned. "Well, sailor's luck, old boy. You'd better get going. I'll look forward to your next test." He helped Will off the bed, and clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly manner. Safe journey."

"That depends, if its a shuttle like my last it'll be interesting" Will said heading for the door and ultimately a shuttle somewhere on the station.

OFF

Lt. Cmdr Basil Hart
Chief Medical Officer
Starbase Typhon

Lt. Cmdr Will Couter
Chief Engineer
Starbase Typhon

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