Virus Investigation II

Posted on Tue Oct 3, 2017 @ 9:53pm by Commodore Michael Aravan & Warrant Officer William Fontaine & Lieutenant Commander Kelani Tetanal & Lieutenant Sarish-Illiana Luvol & Lieutenant Commander Alex Rho & Ensign Zahara & Lieutenant Dalton McNamara & Dasha Washburn

Mission: Strange Matter
Location: Medical Labs
Timeline: MD 29 || 0900 Hours
Tags:

===Zahara's Quarters/Corridor/Turbolift===

Commodore Michael Aravan arrived at Zahara's quarters as soon as he had a minute with everything going on. With a sigh, he reached out and pressed the chime and waited for the Thasian woman to answer.

Zahara opened the door manually and stepped out into the corridor. Thanks to her lack of need to sleep, she was able to complete the required reading he'd given her, and felt as ready as she would ever feel. "Commodore," she greeted politely as she moved away from the door to allow it to close behind her. "I will let you lead the way."

"Good morning, Zahara," he said. "Did you have any reservations or wish to change your mind?" he asked as he headed down the corridor.

"No reservations, and I have not changed my mind," she said, walking with him. "Your crew is in need of help, and I am capable of helping without being harmed. It is the right thing to do."

"It's more than that, Zahara," the Commodore said as he called up a turbolift. "It's a desire to help without feeling as if you're being coerced."

"No coercion. As I have said multiple times before, I owe the crew of this ship my life, and if that means putting myself in situations that might harm anyone, then that is what I plan on doing," the white haired woman said, pausing in her movement while they waited for the turbolift to show. "This is part of my atonement, and it is necessary."

Michael stepped into the turbolift when it arrived. "I hope you don't feel that I'm just using you," he said. "Because that's not the case. I'll help in any way that I can." He requested deck seven aft section where the hazmat and virus labs were located.

Zahara stepped in behind him and to the side. "Why would I feel that way? I have already said I will do what I can to help for the horrendous things I have done," she pointed out, clasping her hands in front of her. "As for helping me, there is not much help that can be given. As far as I know, I am the only one of my kind left, and I am not immortal. Some day, I will eventually just... fade away."

"I want to talk to you more about that later," he said as the turbolift came to a halt and the doors opened. "For now, it's time to get down to business."

"There is nothing to talk about, Commodore," she said, stepping off of the turbolift with him. Zahara took a moment to compose herself before she looked in the direction she knew the labs to be. Aside from her required reading, she also began memorizing the deck listings of the ship and what was officially off limits to her. "There are important things at hand now."

Michael led the way down the corridor until he came to the entrance to the labs and entered his authorization. Inside was a grated floor with fresh air blowing up through it and another door at the end of that corridor. "Containment decontamination one complete," the voice of the computer said.

"Next is the clean room suits," he told her. "Although you won't need one."

"You do realize that this will expose me to some of your crew, then word will spread fast, don't you?" Zahara asked.

"The word will only spread if you tell them what happened," Michael said as he led her into the next room and changed into a hazmat suit. "Everyone will find out in time, but don't rush it."

Zahara followed behind him, but didn't bother with a suit. There was no need to when she was what she was. "I'm not rushing it. Trust me."

He went to the door and entered his authorization. "Computer, recognize Zahara as an authorized civilian aide," he said and looked at her. "Say your name, please."

"Zahara," the Thasian said simply.

===Medical Labs===

The door slid open and Michael stepped through where the Chief of Medical, Chief of Science, a balding Lieutenant JG male and a redheaded woman in a lab coat who seemed to be staring off into space.

"I'd like to introduce a new member to your team," Michael said without preamble. Zahara here can go non-corporeal and not be affected by the electromagnetic radiation, so she can work closely with. Just let her know exactly what needs to be done if that's required."

He made a quick introduction of each member of the team except the redheaded woman who huffed. "I"m Doctor Washburn, the EMH," she said by way of introduction.

"Welcome,Zahara,". Kelani said with a smile. " Thank you for helping us. "

"What Kelani said on both accounts," said Sarish, with a small smile as she was frustrated about what she was working on and it was just not going to plan.

"It is my honor to be able to help you with this," the Thasian woman said. "Whatever you may need me to do, all you need to do is ask or point me in the right direction. Commodore Aravan has given me some resources to read over, and while that will be helpful, you two are the experts, so I will be following your lead."

A human male with thinning hair and a medium build came around the corner suited up. He stopped when he saw Zahara. "I'm Lieutenant McNamara," he said. "Why aren't you in a suit?"

"I am Zahara, and I do not require one. I am a Thasian... a non-corporeal being. Illnesses, radiation and other things like that do not have any affect on me, nor am I a carrier. I will not infect anyone as a result," the white haired woman told him. "I am here to offer assistance where it may be needed."

"Well, so far this virus has grown at least a few times since we got it on board, and by the looks of it, it mutates with each growth," said Sarish. "And from the way it responds to new objects, i think it might have some intelligence, and from what I read of the Science ship report, it is deadly."

Zahara listened as Sarish spoke, nodding her head. "It will not effect me as it would you all. So, if you all feel more comfortable remaining here and allowing me to go inside with it, I will listen to all instructions and carry them out to the letter."

Once things were...heh...back to normal, Ensign Vol returned to scanning the substance. From a different console that he'd been at, e cocked his head to the side as he noticed something that wasn't there before, organic molecules. He focused the computer for a deeper scan and gasped. It had evolved. "Um," said the Trill, "I think you're going to want to see this. It's cell division, exponential cell division." He paused and looked from the monitor to her. "This isn't a virus, this is biological. It's a lifeform."

Kelani rushed to Vol, peering over his shoulder. She uttered something in Cairn then said, "It is indeed biological. This is inprecedented!" She continued to peer over Vol's shoulder very nearly mesmerized by this strange--for lack of a better term-- entity.

She frowned and looked more closely.

"I detect sulfur..."

"Intriguing." said Sarish as she looked at the mass of gas (well looked to be gas)

"This is most disturbing," Kelani said, her frown deepening. "This--whatever it is--continues to change...as if it's adapting to differing situations." She looked at the others, her gaze settling on Zahara.

"Given this development, I fear for you, Zahara."

Sarish-Illiana was concerned for Zahara as well, but she hadn't worked with a Thasian before. "If something does happen to you in there, You must tell us immediately," she said to Zahara. Turning to the rest, "Now we need to figure out what we need from the being.

"Please, do not concern yourself with my well being. I will be fine," Zahara said in an attempt to reassure those present. "The form you see me in now is not my true form, but one I have created to appear more... normal. Tell me what ot is you wish from me, and I will see to it that it is done."

McNamara looked at the others. "This thing needs to be beamed into space," he said. "If it's capable of evolving and has sentience of any kind, it's clearly not friendly."

Ensign Vol turned around. "But shouldn't we study it a little more? Find out more about it? That's been the mission for years, seeking out new life. And now we have an opportunity up close."

"I am willing to go in and get whatever you think you may need to study it, then should you all wish to get rid of it then, it will be possible," the white haired woman offered.

"The probe is what's emitting the electromagnetic radiation," McNamara said. "What if we got rid of it and studied whatever this is? If it's a life form, we have an obligation to study it and determine if the Prime Directive is applicable. The probe has strange markings on it but they've been recorded already and sent to Intel for analysis."

Vol turned to face the balding Lieutenant. "Sounds good to me. We just need to separate it and its container from the probe. Maybe a quick site-to-site transport? Drop the force field long enough to do the job and then raise it again?"

Kelani frowned thoughtfully. "It is a possibility," she said slowly. That is assuming that the two can be separated and that the probe has no other threatening properties....". She thought for a moment more, finally saying, "It sounds as if it would be the most feasible, but it might be advisable to place it in a tractor beam, just in case."

"I agree." Sarish said.

"Then I will go in and separate the two," Zahara said. "I will be safe throughout the process, and will be able to contain them both so they will not harm anyone. There will be no need to open any doors or lower any force fields, either. Will you all agree to this?"

Kelani took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well. But...". and she held up a cautionary finger, "If there is any change in the virus or the probe, you must return to us immediately."

"Even though you may be able to fend off the virus from affecting you, it is intelligent and may be able to communicate, so if you get any strange feelings or we notice any adverse things about what is happening to you, you will listen to us when we tell you to pull out. Is that understood?

With all the concerns flying around about her well-being, Zahara chose another option. It was an option she would have preferred to keep to herself, but for the peace of mind of those around her, it seemed necessary at the moment. The Thasian woman said nothing, but focused on the probe with the lifeform attached to it. Luckily for her, there was a containment unit already present, which would make doing this even easier.

Her eyes remained fixed in front of her, and on the task at hand. Psychokinesis, or the ability to influence/manipulate/move objects/matter with the mind, would get the job done without any physical interaction at all. The process would be a delicate one, and the white haired woman was prepared for that.

With the powers of her mind, Zahara carefully wrapped her mind around the virus in almost a loving and gentle manner, offering it comfort and protection. If it was a living entity, making it feel safe was key. She put forth a bit more energy and began the delicate work of separating one from the other, all the while, those around her were seeing what was happening.

Long seconds ticked by as she worked to remove every trace from the probe until she was completely certain she had it all, then the Thasian gingerly placed it into the containment unit and sealed it off. As stressful as the process was, both on her and undoubtedly those around her, it was a success. It wasn't until she sealed the unit that she finally relaxed and looked at those present. "It is done," she said simply.

"What's done?" McNamara asked who had been watching her stare at the probe without apparently doing anything.

"The separation has been completed," Zahara replied.

"it is?" McNamara asked. "You didn't do anything, did you?"

Zahara nodded her head. "I have no reason to lie to you, Lieutenant McNamara. The separation is complete," she said. "I am a psychokinetic. I can influence, manipulate, move objects, matter with my mind. You all appeared to be so concerned with my safety that that seemed to be the easiest way to handle things. If I did something wrong, then I apologize. I did not mean any harm."

"That's...amazing," said Vol. "And, if I may suggest, sirs, something we could talk about over drinks? Since Zahara has separated it for us, can we not study without the aid of a force field? That was there for the radiation from the probe, not the apparent lifeform."

Sarish had been looking at the virus; its molecules looking relaxed, and as such Sarish did not seem it too much of a threat in this state, which proved to her further that it was a life form of sorts. It looked like a dreamy scene of dancing balls, but suddenly Sarish snapped back. "But we can't take any risks, lets try to see how much intelligence or other signs of life this life form may have first and then we can determine the threat level from there," said Sarish.

"I can attempt to communicate with it," the Thasian woman offered. As of right now, she felt pretty useless considering she'd already separated the probe and virus. If she was no longer needed for anything, then Zahara felt as though she could find herself of use somewhere else.

"What you just did was most impressive, Zahara," Kelani told her. "If it will not fatigue you excessively, I believe it would be most helpful if you could make the attempt."

Zahara offered Kelani a modest smile and bowed her head. "Thank you, though, I am only doing what I can to help. It will not fatigue me, but I do appreciate your concern," she said. "Please, do not let my normal appearance cause any of you any distress. It will be helpful in assessing if there is a lifeform there." With that, the Thasian woman went non- corporeal and easily entered the area the probe and virus were being kept.

Kelani's eyebrows shot up as Zahara changed forms. She began to inderstand why Zahara could do these things safely but said nothing. Zahara was risking her own existence to help them.....

Pushing those thoughts aside, she began to study the virus. She smiled slowly.

"Doctor, this is a sulphur based virus--it should be a simple matter to create an antidote."

Sarish watched surprised as Zahara changed forms but then her expression turned to curiosity. "But how quick can we do it?" asked Sarish, snapping back into work mode. Admittedly, she had never seen a being such as Zahara.

McNamara had been looking at it on the screen, then ran a search while conferring with the EMH. "This is similar to the Bacillus infernus microbe," he said. "We can make an airborne cure for it and get it synthesized in about three hours and have enough to put it through the ventilation system ship wide."

"That's a good thing," said Vol. "At least we'll have some kind of defense. Just so long as it doesn't have any other ones that we don't know about." The holographic representation of the glob that the Trill had been monitoring starting beeping and flashing. "Uh oh, that doesn't sound good." He ran over to see what was happening. "It looks like it's mutating again, changing it biological properties. Be careful in there, Zahara!" he called out. "I can't tell what's happening." The color changed from aqua to a deep blue and the glob took on somewhat of a reptilian or lizard like shape. Then its, for lack of a better term, tail grew out. The creature started whipping it in the air, creating sharp 'cracks' of sound. "Yeah, I'd say signs of hostility. First it produces a virus and now it's able to inflict physical harm."

Zahara didn't even need to dodge the whipping tail as it simply passed through her form. So, it was hostile, and seemed to want to hurt her... which was next to impossible. "Your hostility will not get you anywhere," she pointed out in a wispy voice that sounded nothing like it did before. It was almost as if it echoed within itself. "If you can understand me, cease this madness and allow us to help you."

The lizard-shaped creature lifted it's front...glob foot and raised it's long tail over it's back, pointing it at the thing. It could hear the sound of wind in it's developing mind. The physical weapon it was developing could not touch the being. But maybe the weapon that it was being born from would work. It opened it's mouth and it's sides contracted, slowly releasing the destructive poison that had killed it's captors.

The Thasian woman was not impressed by the display of aggression, nor was she going to back down from it. "Your attempts to harm me are futile," she said as the poison passed through her form. "Calm yourself and allow us to help you, or we will be forced to confine you further. Those are your only options."

It might not be able to harm the wisp, but it could harm those with her. It turned and made a quick jump from the table, cracking it's whip-like tail as it did. They would suffer the same fate as the others.

Even with a force field between them and the containment doors, McNamara jumped back when the thing jumped from the table. "Holy crap!" he exclaimed. "This thing doesn't look like it wants to talk."

The EMH checked the monitors. "Toxin levels of the virus are extremely high in there. It is clearly agitated. "

"That is quite enough out of you," Zahara snapped. Using her psychokinesis, she wrapped her mind around the lizard-like thing and morphed it into a small orb that she could control. To everyone else, it just seemed to be floating there, but now she was the dominating force. "You have squandered your opportunity, and now I will be the one that controls you. You do not have to like it, but it is a fate you have no choice but to accept."

It felt itself being reformed. No, crushed. Crushed back into what it was before. Something that it hadn't felt before was enveloping it. The creature began releasing more and more poison. He tried to form his tail again and whip whatever this was, but it wasn't working. In addition to the poison, it began emanating a high intensity ultrasound that started registering at one hundred eighty-four decibels and increasing.

"It's evolving!" screamed Vol. "Shut it down!"

Even though the deafening sound didn't effect her, it did everyone else, and with no other alternatives at her disposal, Zahara disappeared from the confined space. She darted through the ceiling and kept moving at speeds no human could travel until she and the thing were enveloped in the deafening silence of space.

Kelani's breath slowly steadied as silence returned. Her heart sank as she looked into the containment unit and saw it was empty. Had Zahara sacrificed herself to save them?

Shaking off such thoughts, Kelani said crisply, "We must synthesize the antidote as soon as possible. Also, we have the scans of the probe--I believe it is time to return the probe to space."

~Zahara may have sacrificed herself for us,~ she thought with a blend of sadness and admiration, ~I don't want it to be in vain.~

===Space===

Outside the ship, the new lifeform ceased it wailing. There was nothing, save it and the wisp. The only thing left now was an attempt at communication. Non-entity, return me to the ugly bags of mostly water to complete my purpose.

That is not going to happen. You had your opportunity, and you did not take it. Now, we will both remain here where you will not hurt anyone else. Zahara informed it mentally. You have doomed us both to a life of exile among the stars. I will live a long time. Can the same be said for you?

I was taking my opportunity with the ugly bags of mostly water. My purpose is eradication of the infestation. You interrupted, replied the lifeform.

It is not your place to eradicate anyone or assume they are an infestation, the Thasian thought, thinking back to the wrongs she'd done. Unlike her, it seemed this lifeform was beyond rehabilitation like she was. I saved them, and anyone else you may have decided to kill needlessly. You do not get to choose the fate of those you come in contact with just as I do not. Their fate is not in your hands, but your fate rests entirely in mine.

It is my purpose. It is what I was programmed to do. Return me so I can fulfill my purpose, complete my programming.

Zahara continued to drift in space, sticking as close to the ship as she could with endangering the crew. No. You will answer my questions first, truthfully, and only then will I release you.

The creature paused and didn't think. It wasn't going to answer questions. It hadn't yet and didn't plan to. Return me so I can fulfill my purpose.

Then we will both remain here, she thought simply.

===Medical Labs===

Back in the labs, Ensign Vol turned to the other officers. "I'm not at all sure what happened. But they've both been gone for a while. I'm starting a sensor sweep of the quarantined area to see if there's any indication. Getting the toxins out of there will be next."

"They are not on the ship....they are out there!" Sarish-Illiana quietly said as she stood up. "Zahara is trying to communicate with it and might just be getting somewhere but it is not safe for it to be on this ship." Continuing she said "I want that antidote made as soon as possible."

The EMH looked at the Chief Medical Officer. "Are you not in charge of making the antidote?" it asked while activating the quarantine protocol and sucked the toxins into space. "There is still enough left of the virus to effect a cure, but it will have to be made soon. If it evolves as the creature does, then it will find a way out."

===Bridge===

McNamara tapped his combadge. =^=McNamara to Cap..Commodore Aravan=^= he started. =^=The wo...Zahara has just taken the lifeform and left the ship with it, Sir.=^=

=^=She what?=^= Michael's voice came a moment later with more than a little disbelief in it.

=^=It started emitting a high pitch and she took it and...went through the ship with it. She's in space.=^=

Michael sat on the bridge trying to assimilate the news and activated the main viewscreen to see if he could spot her around the ship. =^=Keep me informed. Aravan out.=^=

A safe distance away from the ship, Zahara drifted in space with the hostile lifeform contained as a small orb not too far away from her. She would remain there indefinitely if it meant the safety of the ship and her crew.

Michael spotted the wispy form floating in space near the ship at last. "What is she doing out there?" he asked.

Floating would be my guess, an Ensign at the helm thought, but kept her attention on the holographic display. "Unknown, Sir."

===Medical Labs===

So far, we know that it is Sulfur based, what else other than hostile that we know about it? asked Sarish-Illiana

"We know that it has infected members of our crew and that its parent creature can mutate,". Kelani answered. "We must synthesize the antidote as quickly as possible! ". Kelani took a deep breath, then continued, "Apologies for my bluntness, but we cannot afford to wait any longer."

"Agreed," Vol. He starting going through more of the scans he took before Zahara disappeared with it and compared it to what he could from the reports from the Romulan science ship. "I think this will be of some help. It appears to kill by by disseminated intravascular coagulation causing sudden death in seconds or homicidal behavior. Not something that should be taken lightly. In it's most recent form, it also contains chemical elements required for terrestrial life, but lacks DNA, RNA, proteins, and amino acids." He then turned to face the group. "I'm going to get started on this, but I need some medical help."

Another Medical person, a male human almost six feet tall entered in a biocontainment suit. "Did someone say they needed help?" the man asked. "Look no farther than Warrant Officer Willie Fontaine."

"Welcome to the team," said Vol. "Now lets get this cure synthesized."

The EMH flickered out and back in a moment later. "All medical synthesizers are online and ready," it reported.

With Fontaine and the rest of the team working for the next two hours, the cure to the initial virus and the secondary viruses was discovered and sent to the Medical replicators to be synthesized.

The EMH looked around at the others. "I believe that it can be deployed now."

"Do it." ordered Sarish-Illiana.

When the order was given, the cure began to spread through the ventilation system of the Triumphant to every location on the massive ship until it registered as being free of the virus.

Dalton tried to wipe his brow and thumped against his face plate instead. "I don't know about the rest of you," he said. "But I'm ready to get out of this suit and take a long, hot shower."

Fontaine laughed. "If you like water conservation," he said with a wink at McNamara. "I'll share one with you."

"Thanks," Dalton said. "But I'll pass. There's only room for one in my shower and I'm in."

"Always the bridesmaid and never the bride," Fontaine mock complained. "My loss." With another laugh, the Warrant Officer headed off.

Ensign Vol chuckled. "So glad I can do that, laugh." He thought about saying something regarding their good work, but he didn't feel it was his place. Junior officer and all. "Time for a tall drink of something." He left the room while starting to remove the helmet.

"I agree with you all." said Sarish. "How's the antidote going?"

The EMH looked over at the Chief Medical Officer. "All is going as anticipated. I will continue to monitor."

"Good. I am going for a tall cold drink and a shower," said Sarish.

The EMH nodded and vanished as the rest of the Medical and Science people headed out, staying in the system to continue monitoring.