HCA To Ar'a'Dal - You can't jump over your own shadow
D'Cyra Varati
((Medical Conference Room, Deck 2, USS Independence-B))
Taelon: We have, um, interviews underway. ::He swallowed, gaze trying to stay on Ar’a’Dal but failing.:: Unfortunately - or, well, fortunately - your pathogen has certainly been successful in your stated goal. As for its mutation and spread to the crew, though, that is something we must address with all haste…as, um, given the UAW crews are of a variety of species, that indicates the pathogen could spread unpredictably. Including to your own people, should the UAW bring the mutated form planetside.
Saavei: If you were willing to allow us to view control data from your tests of the original pathogen strain which was released, it may help us to understand further.
Lor: ::stops her work and looks to Ar’a’Dal:: Indeed, this mutation appears most unfortunate. What would be even more unfortunate is if this pathogen mutated further and began to affect our systems and yours before moving to infect other humanoids such as yourself. ::pauses:: Mutating pathogens, from what I understand, have a strange way of doing that if left unchecked. We wouldn’t want your people to fall victim to your own pathogen, would we?
The officers' concern was justified, especially after someone from their crew had even been infected with mold.
Ar’a’Dal: I wouldn't call it a success if the pathogen, originally developed exclusively for bioneural gel packs, could mutate to this extent. ::humming:: Even we can't understand it.
Taelon: That’s why we - well, why we need your help, sir. You aided in this pathogen’s creation. You simulated many scenarios, I, um, assume, including potential mutations?
Saavei: Anything you could share on it would be useful.
The commander, who was great even by Zumardi standards, raised an important point - something that simply hadn't happened and therefore seemed even stranger.
Ar’a’Dal: ::to Taelon, humming:: Understandable, Commander. … Numerous tests were conducted under various parameters. Nothing like this has ever occurred before. The pathogen was specifically engineered to attack only synthetic tissue. We harbour no resentment towards the other species, only towards the UAW and their dangerous methods.
He had actually said too much. The pathogen used wasn't newly developed, but rather an old invention that had been used for a wide variety of purposes. Accordingly, protein chains had been modified or "cut off" to avoid precisely such mutations.
Taelon: Well - my concern is the spread. And potential further mutation into a mold or fungus. I, um, would most like to know what you engineered it to resist; if we’re to neutralize it, better to target its weaknesses.
Saavei: The mold we encountered on the UAW Enterprise was also beginning to consume aspects of the vessel itself. I am concerned this could also contaminate your own planetary and ship systems, causing a greater crisis. If so, even if biologically safe from the current iterations of the pathogen, your infrastructure and vessels may not be.
He was beginning to doubt that the Starfleet officers understood... or were deliberately misunderstanding. Whose side were they really on? It seemed more like they were falling for the UAW's victim narrative.
Ar’a’Dal: Rest assured, the attack was only on the bioneural gel packs of the UAW. It would do us no good to conjure up a situation like this: an attacker portraying himself as a victim and a defender suddenly turning into the villain – the exact opposite of what we wanted. And if there are no further attacks against us and others by the UAW, then there is no danger for us and others. ::humming:: Do you understand?
Saavei: The UAW is aware of this mold consumption issue from their Enterprise. It is possible, in their strategem of attack, they could seek to weaponize this mold against you. I am certain they would have considered its offensive use, all the more so if they believe they are avenging a wrong, real or imagined.
A clever tactic, or rather a cunning one: create a threatening atmosphere so they would cave and give in. But what would happen then? Then, after the Federation withdrew, the UAW would repair their own fleet and then they could strike again without the Zumardi being able to offer much resistance. Up until now, the officers had all been very friendly and had pretended to understand, but at some point, a point had been reached where polite conversations were no longer enough.
Ar'a'Dal: If the UAW is not even able to develop a suitable cure or carry out appropriate repairs on their ships because they obviously do not understand the technology they copied from you, then it cannot be assumed that they will be able to develop a weapon from it.::amused humming:: Do you understand?
The Zumardi had only intended to disable the UAW's ship systems so that they would retreat. If they couldn't even understand a copied technology, then it was impossible for them to control the unforeseen mutation, which even others didn't understand.
Saavei: It is possible that developing a cure for the pathogen may also directly impact your own survival. ::Hum:: If I understand the possible outcome?
Lor: ::tilts her head to one side and looks at Ar’a’Dal:: Practical reasoning, wouldn’t you say? It sounds as though your fate is intertwined with that of the UAW. Logically, in trying to harm their systems, you have placed yourselves at risk. What is the point of stopping the UAW if it destroys your people, too?
Taelon: A predator must consider the cost to itself in what it seeks to pursue, I suppose…?
The other commander also tried to hum in some way, while the female colleagues tilted their heads to the side, possibly to appear more empathetic.
Ar’a’Dal: All of life is a risk. It was a risk from the very beginning, when we originally traded with the UAW... The risk of being robbed of our planet, our home, is indeed a life-threatening risk for us. However, a far greater risk than not having fought, at least, to preserve our home and species. When you fly around out here in the Delta Quadrant, you also constantly expose yourselves to risks. Defending your own life and that of your family is indeed a risk. But would you simply give up just because the other side seems more dangerous? ::humming:: This is understandable?!
If no one took risks defending their own life, the entire Delta Quadrant would probably be inhabited only by the Borg... Surely Starfleet, of all places, must know this from its own recent history? Didn't they understand their own history? He shook his head, slightly despairing.
Saavei: ::tilts her head:: Time may be short, unfortunately.
Lor: ::nods:: I imagine Ar’a’Dal must speak with his government. This is a hefty decision.
Yes, that would probably be necessary if Starfleet couldn't decide and couldn't understand why the Zumardi acted as they did. After all, they couldn't allow the attackers to be given another chance under the guise of compassion.
Ar'a'Dal: If our discussions don't lead to a common outcome, then yes, that will be necessary. ::humming:: That's understandable.
Lor: A little bit of information on the original pathogen’s composition and design could buy some time while your government decides how much of their records they would like to release–in the interests of tracking down where the mutation occurred, of course. If we have a baseline, we can work backwards to determine how it might have mutated. ::motions to Saavei:: I’m sure Ensign Saavei has the required skillsets?
Ar’a’Dal: Time for whom? So that the UAW can reorganize or recover with your help? If the UAW stops attacking anyone, we will all have enough time to live peaceful lives together! ::angry humming:: That is not understandable!
Saavei: Response
Lor: ::tilts her head to one side:: It is your government’s decision, of course. However, it would be unfortunate to see such an intelligent, evolved race as the Zumardi fall prey to their own pathogen.
The Zumardi were not afraid of their own pathogen. The mutation was strange, but they understood the basis of this virus, so the clever biotechnologists would surely find a solution. Damage to the population would be tragic, but more bearable than submitting to the UAW and losing the entire planet and more to their domination fantasies.
Ar’a’Dal: If you try to label us as immoral and ethically reprehensible rebels, we will have to withdraw and will not be available for any further talks. That would be extremely unpleasant for everyone involved. ::humming:: Is that understandable?
Saavei/Lor: Response
Taelon: The pathogen’s mutation certainly, um, complicates things. ::He brushed a hand over his head, messing with his hair.:: But it has done what it was intended for, and largely disabled the UAW Enterprise.
He felt the other commander constantly scrutinizing him. Was it curiosity? Admiration? Or did he simply want to study unfamiliar behaviour?
Ar’a’Dal: Yes, that was and is the plan. The pathogen was modified specifically for this purpose. We ourselves do not use such gel packs, therefore infection of our systems via these devices is impossible. ::humming:: However, we understand that it could also pose a risk to you...
Here he deliberately interrupted. He was a scientific advisor, not a diplomat. But apparently the talks were heading towards a stalemate, and he couldn't allow the Federation to side with the UAW out of pity or misplaced affiliation.
Saavei/Lor: Response
Taelon: I’m, um, more trying to say that its purpose has largely been fulfilled. You said the mutation and spread to crewmembers was unexpected, after all…should countering its undesired behaviors be such an issue, then?
Another gentle attempt to reverse the situation. It was perfectly understandable and reasonable that the commander wanted to save his colleagues first and prevent any further spread of the pathogen and the mold.
Ar’a’Dal: ::to Taelon:: Certainly not. We could help you, but first we would need to understand exactly what happened. But we need some kind of security? ::humming: You understand?
Lor/Saavei/Taelon: Response
They didn't want to lose Starfleet and its support, but they absolutely couldn't allow that the Zumardi inadvertently jeopardize their own survival by offering help without thinking. After all, Starfleet itself hadn't yet witnessed the UAW's cunning in pursuing its goals. What if they also intended to deceive and blackmail the Federation?
Ar’a’Dal: Let me elaborate: because who guarantees us that if we help you, you won't simply help the UAW and stab us in the back together? ::humming:: That is understandable?
Lor/Saavei/Taelon: Response
He only hoped that General Byu'I'Vera's talks with the other team went better... Starfleet couldn't simply wag a moralizing finger... they too had taken a risk by responding to the UAW's pleas for help without apparently considering further information beforehand. Morally "blackmailing" the Zumardi to extricate themselves from their own now precarious situation wouldn't work so easily.
Ar’a’Dal: It seems you also need to speak with your commanders... You must decide which side you want to be on. Make sure the UAW withdraws; that they guarantee you and us that they will not launch any further attacks or make any further demands on us or our sector.
Then, after consulting with the High Council, we can discuss providing you with assistance. But we cannot simply forgive those who wanted to forcibly deprive us of our homeland. They will likely have to learn to help themselves under painful circumstances. ::humming:: I hope that is understandable?
Lor/Saavei/Taelon: Response
Tag/TBC
--
