Guinea Pigs Not Allowed

Posted on 02 Mar 2014 @ 3:12pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Olsam Mott & Commander Andreus Kohl

1,766 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 05 - Solstice
Location: Medical Facility - Akkadia
Timeline: MD28 - 0700

ON:

Allyndra went through the translated notes all again. She had more or less gotten the old Akkadian into a Federation standard translation. It had been difficult figuring out the way genetic information had been written then to now accepted convention.
It seemed that each of the A'ksu had their own way of doing things.

She had to admit that for all his outward silliness that when presented with a difficult challenge that Doctor Mott had a tenacity and insight of his own to follow through. They had isolated the set of genes in the chromosomes and had prepared the vector to transfer it. Luckily the far dead scientist had already overcome the problems of higher life forms and now it was just getting the information into a different set of cells.

Allyndra had worked on trying to map out Kohl's non-Akkadian geneome to make the inserts into the correct places. Now it was time to try out if their work had been successful.

Standing behind her, Andreus Kohl was peering over Allyndra's shoulder, trying to make some sense of the figures on the display screen. His non-Akkadian geneomes were wrapped up in the Akkadian version of a hospital gown, which was remarkably comfortable and flattering. He didn't say hello to Allyndra or announce his presence. Kohl just asked, "How much do you think it will hurt?"

Allyndra jumped a little and then turned. "I do not think so. Mostly just inserting various bits and pieces of genes in the right spots. The really interesting insertion is this gene here," Allyndra pointed, "which rebuilds the telomere so that it does not degrade. It is a delicate balance so that the cells do not go totally immortal.
That was the real break through, keeping the cells active, capable of dividing to repair but then shutting them back to normal when the repair work is done. I am not sure I completely understand yet how it was done, but I think enough to ensure it will work. You can back out you know."

"Yeah, we're like 60-70% sure of what we're doing," Olsam chimed in from his computer terminal on the other side of the room, though his tone of voice made it unclear whether he was kidding or not.

While Olsam spoke, Kohl was staring at Allyndra. Staring right at her. Her offer was certainly one to be considered in full. Kohl raised a hand to point his index finger at Oslam, without looking at the man. Kohl asked, "You're not going to let him operate on me, are you?"

Allyndra was a little surprised at that. In her so far association when Mott put his mind to it, seemed to be very competent. She sighed. "There is little to operate on, this is something like gene therapy, we introduce a vector to introduce the genes. The vector inserts the genes into the correct spots and then if all is successful, your body will began its own full repair. That there is some uncertainty is definite. We are trying to work with a different genome than the scientist from long ago worked with. As far as serious consequences I do not forsee any. The vector won't work, the genes will not activate, your cells will reject the alien genes, are the most consequential outcomes I can think of. I seriously doubt you will find yourself with a pair of wings." Allyndra smiled at that and touched Kohl's face, "though I think you would look quite cute with them."

She dropped her hand and then looked at him, her expression going much more serious. "If all works then your legs, body and all will be as the day before the fight in sickbay."

Kohl smiled fondly at Allyndra's touch. He nodded at her assurances and he glanced over at Mott. He smiled broadly at the Bolian and he regarded Allyndra again. "All the same," Kohl said in an all-due-respect tone of voice, "You're designing the genes, yeah?"

"We both worked on the vectors and genes, double checked each other's work. I would take the treatment myself if I needed to." Allyndra said frankly.

"All right then," Kohl said. It may have been a bit of a passive aggressive word choice, but his timbre was determined. He took a step back from Allyndra and he squared his shoulders. "Let's grow some wings on me," he said.

Allyndra laughed. "And get those legs working as well, trust me flying is fun but very tiring." She got a set of hypos and motioned Kohl to lie down.

"I am going to make the injections, Doctor Mott will monitor the progress."

Olsam huffed a bit and stepped behind the computer console. The nerve, honestly. As if he weren't perfectly competent in manipulating genes utilizing significantly advanced medical technology. Or even doing the procedure himself! He wrinkled up his nose at Kohl from behind the terminal but soon turned his attention to the display.

Kohl's legs wouldn't work right away, but it was entirely psychological. He gripped the edge of the alien biobed and noted how its texture felt nothing like it's Starfleet counterpart. He tried to step towards the bed, but it was like his feet were stapled to the floor. Finally, he only used his upper body to force himself onto the biobed, and he managed to wiggle his legs into position once it was a foregone conclusion he would be laying down.

"Don't worry, Dr. Allyndra has a very steady hand," Olsam said. The computer terminal, for some reason, was inordinately tall so only his eyes and the top of his blue head were visible; the eyes were narrowed a bit and the head wrinkled up.

Allyndra nodded. She was not sure what it was with Kohl and Mott currently but Andreaus was the patient and thus it was his call in her book. She started the various injections. "Starting injection one, two..." she called them out. There would be a total of ten and she had pretty much limited it to the spinal region.

"How is our patient doing Doctor?" she asked Olsam.

"He is still alive," Olsam said, eyes peering over the terminal at Kohl. He grinned, though it couldn't be seen. "And responding well thus far."

Laying the last instrument aside she patted Kohl's arm. "Done with that part, now we wait."

She turned to go back to where Olsam was doing his work. She watched as the tagged vectors and genes entered the cells. "Everything looks good, but you have more experience with this than I do."

"I do? Oh, yes, of course I do," Olsam said, turning back to the monitor. The display was showing the delivery of the transgene through the appropriate vector, though the real show was in watching the transformation in Kohl's cells. The readouts were positive thus far, showing the slow but steady progress of the altered genes.

Kohl closed his eyes, for fear of seeing a flicker of uncertainty or disappointment in the eyes of Olsam and Allyndra. With his hands folded over his abdomen, he lay there motionlessly, except for the rhythm of his breathing.

"Are you feeling any tingling sensations? The beginnings of growing new appendages? Light-headedness? Feelings of impending death or permanent debilitation?" Olsam asked, standing n his toes to look over the top of the computer terminal at Kohl. "So far everything seems to be going quite well, but it's good to check with the patient..."

Laying there on the biobed, Kohl's eyes remained closed. His timbre came across as neutral as his posture. "I don't feel anything, Doctor Olsam," he said.

Allyndra thought that while Olsam was very competent he could use just a tad of restraint on his bedside manner. She smiled, it was his nature to be that way and something she had come to appreciate already.

"Should be just about done," She said. "You know that even with a regeneration genes in your cells that it takes time. They still have to work at a natural speed."

"Should I, uhm, should I go back to my rooms?" Kohl asked, sounding like a mixed cocktail of self-conscious and dejected. He opened his eyes, but he was afraid to try to move yet. "Report back on any change in symptoms? Or should I remain under observation?"

"I think unless there seems to be a problem you could go on your own. I have to leave to get back to get sickbay in order but Doctor Mott will be available."

Olsam grinned at Kohl, looking a bit like a mad scientist.

A wan smile spread thinly across Kohl's lips. He sat up. He held back whatever acid reply might have come out of him, because Allyndra's chiding earlier had hit home with Kohl. Deep down, there was no genuine distrust in the Bolian's abilities, but every time Kohl thought he was starting to enjoy the man's company, Kohl found some new facet to be discomfited by. "I appreciate your overwatch, Doctor Olsam," Kohl said.

Olsam looked down at his uniform, then made a show of looking up and down his arms. "My what? I don't have on an overwatch. I don't even know what that is. Wait, or do I? Is that what you call this?" He ran his finger along the thick seam separating the medical blue from the dark gray of the rest of his uniform. "I always wondered what that was called... I appreciate it, too. It's really very nice, the stitching. My brother is a tailor, so I notice these things."

"It certainly is," Kohl said gently; "You have a very fine overwatch."

"Very well gentlemen," Allyndra wanted to start laughing but just managed to keep it together. "If you would excuse me I have to prepare to leave. Good luck, Andreus, I will eager to know how things have fared."

"Thank you, Allyndra," said Kohl, his throat thick with emotion. "For that, for everything."

"Bye, Dr. Allyndra," Olsam said, giving her a wave. He turned back to Kohl and grinned. "Don't worry, I'll be able to monitor everything you do remotely so I don't have to follow you around. Unless you're just lonely, then I could follow you around."

Allyndra waved and had to laugh lightly. "I will let you know on the later. Take care on the way back."


OFF:

Lieutenant JG Olsam Mott, M.D.
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Andreus Kohl
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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