Exeter Symposium (Part 10)

Posted on 04 Mar 2016 @ 8:10am by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant JG Lenaris Marika & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Greg Mitchell & Chief Warrant Officer 2 Anthony Duval
Edited on on 04 Mar 2016 @ 8:15am

2,570 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: Jupiter Station - Deck 75, Auditorium 4
Timeline: MD 82 - 1350 hrs

Previously, on Exeter Symposium (Part 9)...

Rheneas raised his hand as he stood. "Rheneas Malachy," he started though he was fairly sure the doctor knew who he was regardless. Galileo, after all was but a small ship. "Though your Tribble will not breed now...what are the chances that he might again in the future?"

"So long as I keep slipping a little selenium sulfide in his food," replied Tuula, "he won't reproduce. Of course," she added, "further research is necessary for the ideal delivery methods."

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

13:50 Naois Mercy’s Presentation

Drawing a deep breath as he entered the stage, Naois looked into the crowd, scanning it for familiar faces. But in truth he was looking for one face in particular, one face to draw strength and courage from, but with the spotlights directed at him, it was difficult to see them clearly. “Greetings,” he started, as he placed the PADD on the lecture stand, “I am Naois Mercy and while a counselor, I am also a medic and as such I wanted to combine the skills into my lecture. This afternoon, I am going to talk to you about a subject that is somewhat close at heart to me in various ways. During last mission, I lost my right hand due to reasons that are not quite important right now. However, there are times that I feel my hand is still here. I experience pain, in a limb that is no longer there.”

He glanced around the room. “This is called phantom pain. It was first recorded in fifteen-fiftyone by a French military surgeon named Ambroise Paré, who reported that his patients experienced pain in amputated parts, long after they were amputated. It was later in 1871 mentioned again by an American surgeon named Silas Mitchell. It is also noted that one case of phantom pain is not necessarily the same as another, as no individual is the same.” Pausing, he took a sip from the glass of water that stood ready for him on the stand and took another deep breath. It was obvious, he’d rather not be here, would rather not speak in front of a crowd.

“There are various sensations that patients may experience. There are sensations related to the phantom limb’s posture, length and volume. Meaning that the limb might be behaving just as it had before removal, or feeling it’s weight. Or the patient experiences something called telescoping, which means that the patient reports a feeling of reduction on the phantom limb’s size.” He paused, taking another sip. “There may also be sensation of movement.” He lifted his right arm to show the audience the absence of his right hand. He had taken his bionic replacement off for the sake of his presentation, though it made him feel highly uncomfortable. “For example, I occasionally experience a sense movement. Or a sense of touch, which is the last of the possible sensations. I occasionally experience a sense of pressure, when I rest my arm on my desk, or even on my lap. I experience pain because I remember the pain I experienced before my hand was amputated.”

Another brief pause as he surveyed his audience. “There is a difference between phantom limb pain, and phantom limb sensation,” he continued, “the first may be experienced by those who have a congenital limb deficiency such as being born without a certain limb or even internal organ. The first is almost exclusively the result of amputation. From a pathological point of view, it was first thought that phantom pain originated in the neuromas at the stump tip. Later theories were based on altered neurological pathways and cortical reorganization. Unfortunately, I am not well versed in neurology otherwise I would have elaborated more on the neurological after effects. However, phantom pain can be treated, mostly with medication to relieve pain but also with antidepressants and antiseptics. Other means of treatment include massage, electrotherapy and hot/cold therapy. There is no single means of treatment however, as it may be based on the patient’s perception of phantom pain, and not all treatments are successful. There are also several surgical means available for treatment such as deep brain stimulation.”

Hiding his own stump again, more out of a sense of shame than a real requirement to do so, Naois looked around. “For myself, I have not yet found an effective treatment, though the ability to use a bionic replacement has greatly helped my own sense of recovery. I believe we may be fortunate to live in our current day and age, because as effective as bionic replacements are now, they were not such in the twentieth century. Are there any questions?”

An Andorian male, of which particular subset was not apparent, dressed in marine uniform and sitting in chair sans legs and one arm shot his remaining arm up. "Lieutenant Colonel Shran, first corps marines. Interesting treatment options, for as you can see the marines made me the man I am today." There were a few snickers most of which were quickly hushed by seat mates. "Fortunate is relative term. I have found replacements have not helped me in such course. I would like to talk to you post series about the stimulation therapies."

Naois nodded at the Andorian. "I shall be pleased to assist you in any way I can, Colonel Shran," he answered quietly, "and I am certain my fellow surgeons will be on hand too if needed."

"At the next break then we can discuss further. Thank you for you presentation. It was excellent." The Andorian replied.

As Naois finished up his presentation, the Andorian officer engaging him briefly, Eva slipped out of her seat and backstage before he'd notice she was there. As he walked behind the curtain, Eva was waiting for him, a large smile on her face.

Wrapping his good arm around her, Naois drew her close and sighed in relief as they walked off.

In the back of the room, Greg's comm lit up. =^=Sooo....Silas Mitchell. Any relation.....=^=, Mack began

"No." Greg cut him off. "At least I don't think so. There aren't a lot of us in the medical profession."

Another officer chimed in =^=Are you by any chance related to Gary....=^=, before being cut off by Greg.

"No. And the next person who asks that gets shot." He stated. The comm badge went quiet again.


1410: Lenaris Marika - The consequences of Industrialization on budding cultures.

Marika walked to the stage, turning her back to the audience as she stared at the paper maché and wooden stick constructions she had had placed there. Her head darted from one model to another until she finally shook her head negatively.

As struck by a sudden inspiration, she swirled around dramatically and looked at her audience. “I had planned on talking to you about industrialization and its effects on growing cultures.. but I don’t believe I will.” She stared at the crowd for a moment, taking in their uncertain glances.

“What is evil?” Taking a step forward, she stared directly at a front row seated cadet. “According to the Federation Standard dictionary, something that is evil is... profoundly immoral .. and malevolent.” She punctuated her words with a gesture of the hands. “Now immorality in itself can be rather subjective from one culture to another. But malevolence, is an intent to commit evil.” She shrugged lightly. “ It may sound a little redundant, but the idea being conveyed, is a willingness to do something that everyone around you considers wrong to such a degree, that we will often see the word capitalized.”

“Rape.” She let the word work it’s way. “Murder.” another pause. “Increase that a hundredfold, when applied to a child.” She looked around. “Why is it that every culture we meet, holds these two with the same contempt?” eyebrow raised, she looked at the closest members of the audience as if she was expecting a response.

“The cultures will vary. Their views and beliefs on death and sexuality will run the spectrum of possibilities. Yet even inherent violent races frown on death without purpose, or the violation of one’s body. Despite our differences, our senses of morality and justice seem to have a very similar core. What changes is how much of it, it takes for us to break.”

“So while acts can obviously be evil, what about the individual? Are they defined by the acts they perform? Does it have to be a conscious choice to ignore the moral qualms they were taught? What about sociopaths? People born without the ability to make a real connection, and thus completely removed from any sense of ‘wrong’? Or people raised in extreme situations, with no one to guide them? Are they, evil?” Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Marika frowned at some participants reactions.

“As you can all plainly see, I am Bajoran.” She took a few steps to the right. “For my people, evil has been but one word for over half a century.” SHe raised her right hand, index finger raised. “Cardassian!” She took a pause, looking into the audience for other Bajoran.

“I’ve heard the stories of my parents and neighbors, about all the Evil, the Cardassian have done. But I also heard the stories of the evil we have done.” Pointing at herself to emphasize her words, she took a step to the left. “We justified most of it, as a necessary part of our struggle. But even the most cynical of Bajorans would be hard pressed to justify it all.” Staring at one Bajoran in particular she asked. “Does that make us evil?”

“I find myself obliged to contemplate this question, following events I’ve experienced in the recent past.” Glancing at those of her crew she could spot, Marika offered them a knowing smile, instead of her usual cheery one. “Does our culture or environment ,or religious belief, or parents, or some lack of proper chemical balance make us evil? Even if any or all of those can make us so, can we change? And if we can, should we be given the chance to? The Federation penal system says yes. Yet, often, our inner sense of justice cries, a heartfelt no.”

She gave the audience one last look. “In the end, each and every one of us will have to come up with our own answer to that question. Our decision will depend on our culture, beliefs and personal experiences.” Turning once more to those of her crew she could spot, she continued. “I for one, am a child of Bajor. And I believe in second chances.” Having said what she had to say, the young woman headed to leave the podium, hopefully leaving the audience to ponder something worth the effort, possibly having annoyed the lot of them.

An Endosain stood. "Commander Arex. Cultures mold one's perspective of what might be considered right or wrong. I find it interesting still to decide what is inheriently evil. For all for example, Khan Noonien Singh might have been called evil, I found that looking at his actions from a certain perspective that one could see that he really felt for what he termed 'his family'. The fact that 'his family' conducted violent wars aside one could see the loyalty. Perhaps, that is part of the problem, we are taught a certain set of ways and it is only by moving from that to, see from the others view. The ideas and lawas of the Federation have been hard built upon the views and ideas of many cultures. Thus from your talk, such things are a sort of living thing having the need to change as new cultures and ideas are brought in."

Marika stopped and looked at the commander. She had not expected a question. Taking a seat at the edge of the podium, feet dangling, she cocked her head in a thoughtful manner. "Let us put aside for a moment that every psychological profile on the man labeled him as a sociopath at best. You question his motives, instead of his actions. I dissociated action and motive earlier did I not? Let's put this into a perspective we can all understand."

Unabashedly she pointed at a group of marines sitting nearby. "Are they evil?" She stared at the commander. "Every federation citizen is taught that every life has equal worth. That every life is important. . . And yet, they learn to kill. . . Some will argue the semantics, as our ways are not that of an aggressor. But at the end of the day, when the enemy comes knocking on our door, we call for them. People we trained .. to kill." She turned to them for a moment, her usual smiling face seemingly working out several different emotions.

"We.. ASK them, to kill for us. Does that make them evil? Does that make us evil?" Turning back to the commander she continued, "But to address your statement, yes. How we confront and seek to understand evil will change according to the culture and the ideas brought forth. Your willingness to put yourself in Kahn's shoes in an attempt to understand his motives, speaks volumes in that regard."

She stood once more, looking out to the crowd. "But I did not come here today to draw a line, or offer an answer, or even to spark a debate. I simply wanted to remind everyone here, that the question must be asked. And that the answer you find, might not be the one you expected." She stood for a moment there, silent. Nodding at the commander, she started towards the exit once more.

"A final question?" Wintrow had missed most of the symposium but he had wanted to hear his roommate speak. "What...if the child doesn't know any better? What if the child doesn't know that what is done is wrong and should be reported? If no-one tells the child it is wrong?"

Marika scanned the crowd nearby until her eyes fell on Wintrow's familiar face. She smiled to him warmly, her eyes reflecting her affection for him. "Exactly, sweet prince." It was obvious she understood all too well his question. Her eyes conveyed an understanding, her smile offering that, perhaps, this is what her talk had been all about. She opened her mouth to say more, but in a rare moment of wisdom, she opted not too and simply walked off.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

Lt Min Nicholas
Chief of Operations
USS Galileo

PO2 Eva Mercy
Propulsion Specialist
USS Galileo
[PNPC Min Nicholas]

Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy
Chief Counsellor
USS Galileo

Petty Officer 2nd Class Rebecca Williams
Yeoman to Captain Holiday
USS Galileo

Lt. Jared Nicholas
Language Specialist
USS Galileo

Lt. j.g. Naois Mercy
Counsellor
USS Galileo
pnpc Tyrion

Cadet SO Wintrow Paragon
Support Craft Pilot
USS Galileo
pnpc Tyrion

Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USSGalileo
as herself and some temp NPCS
(signatures for all PCs and NPCs)

Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

...and other assorted Galileans

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