Lt. Commander V'Lar - Their Absolute Nature
1 view
Skip to first unread message
Chris M
Mar 12, 2026, 6:52:01 PM (18 hours ago) Mar 12
to sb118-...@googlegroups.com
((Medical Laboratory, Gibaria Outpost))
V'Lar remained stationed at her console, her dark eyes reflecting the complex, scrolling genomic architecture of the extradimensional xenoflora. Having concluded that injecting alien genetic material into the afflicted personnel would likely prove fatal, she decided to propose an alternative approach.
Pace: I’m leaning towards the latter two theories right now I believe. This plant seems to have strong cell walls and a genetic makeup that appears to be very adaptable. What do you think, Commander?
V'Lar observed the Elaysian physically pivot to direct her query to the Bajoran. Pace's inclination toward the active neutralisation theories was statistically sound; a purely passive, deflective cellular barrier would likely suffer eventual structural degradation under constant exposure from the exotic radiation.
Tahna: Response
V'Lar maintained her silence as the First Officer provided her assessment, her dark eyes tracking Pace as the young Science Officer subsequently returned her focus to the illuminated screen of her PADD.
V’Lar: If correct, this means we do not need to build an impenetrable wall. However, an active process will be harder to safely duplicate within a humanoid.
Tahna: Response
Pace: Could it be a byproduct of how it metabolizes?
The Elaysian's capacity for lateral scientific thought was, once again, highly efficient.
V’Lar: All living things are naturally radioactive to some degree, but high-energy emissions as a functional byproduct would typically damage the very cells producing them.
Tahna: Response
Pace: I’m not too sure if this plant photosynthesizes in the traditional sense, but could it be feeding on this energy somehow?
V'Lar considered the science officer's query. Photosynthesis involved the conversion of low-energy photons into chemical energy. While rare, some organisms could utilise radiation beyond the visible spectrum as an energy source in a process known as radiosynthesis. In this case, the data they had been provided appeared to indicate that the plants were the source.
V’Lar: If the data indicated that the environment was the source of the radiation, I would concur. However, the information provided demonstrated that symptoms have been caused by something that came through the Gateway, rather than the extra-dimensional environment itself. Do you believe this to be in error?
Pace: Response
V'Lar mentally modelled the genomic data not as a standard botanical organism, but as a biomechanical engine. If the metallic sequences Lieutenant Pace had identified were functional rather than merely structural, they would likely serve a distinct thermodynamic purpose.
V'Lar remained stationed at her console, her dark eyes reflecting the complex, scrolling genomic architecture of the extradimensional xenoflora. Having concluded that injecting alien genetic material into the afflicted personnel would likely prove fatal, she decided to propose an alternative approach.
V’Lar: We do not need to duplicate their exact biology; we only need to emulate its function. We must determine the exact properties that render their cells resistant. Do they deflect the dimensional energy, absorb and dissipate it, or actively neutralise it? Once we can isolate how the resistance is achieved, I should be able to synthesise a humanoid-compatible equivalent that provides similar fortification but without needing to include any alien genetic material into the inoculant.
Pace: I’m leaning towards the latter two theories right now I believe. This plant seems to have strong cell walls and a genetic makeup that appears to be very adaptable. What do you think, Commander?
V'Lar observed the Elaysian physically pivot to direct her query to the Bajoran. Pace's inclination toward the active neutralisation theories was statistically sound; a purely passive, deflective cellular barrier would likely suffer eventual structural degradation under constant exposure from the exotic radiation.
Tahna: Response
V'Lar maintained her silence as the First Officer provided her assessment, her dark eyes tracking Pace as the young Science Officer subsequently returned her focus to the illuminated screen of her PADD.
V’Lar: If correct, this means we do not need to build an impenetrable wall. However, an active process will be harder to safely duplicate within a humanoid.
Tahna: Response
Pace: Could it be a byproduct of how it metabolizes?
The Elaysian's capacity for lateral scientific thought was, once again, highly efficient.
V’Lar: All living things are naturally radioactive to some degree, but high-energy emissions as a functional byproduct would typically damage the very cells producing them.
Tahna: Response
Pace: I’m not too sure if this plant photosynthesizes in the traditional sense, but could it be feeding on this energy somehow?
V'Lar considered the science officer's query. Photosynthesis involved the conversion of low-energy photons into chemical energy. While rare, some organisms could utilise radiation beyond the visible spectrum as an energy source in a process known as radiosynthesis. In this case, the data they had been provided appeared to indicate that the plants were the source.
V’Lar: If the data indicated that the environment was the source of the radiation, I would concur. However, the information provided demonstrated that symptoms have been caused by something that came through the Gateway, rather than the extra-dimensional environment itself. Do you believe this to be in error?
Pace: Response
V'Lar mentally modelled the genomic data not as a standard botanical organism, but as a biomechanical engine. If the metallic sequences Lieutenant Pace had identified were functional rather than merely structural, they would likely serve a distinct thermodynamic purpose.
V’Lar: If we are to accept the data that the plants are the source, then we are dealing with a lifeform that absorbs elements, then breaks them down to catalyse a fuel source, emitting high-energy radiation as a waste product. If so, could the metals within their structure act as a natural radiator to dissipate the heat generated by such a process?
Tahna/Pace: Response
Questioning the evolutionary purpose of such a destructive byproduct was a logical progression. V'Lar had to account for the variable that, in their native dimension, these energy emissions might be completely harmless. However, as V'Lar considered the grotesque cellular liquefaction occurring in the adjacent room, she could not rule out it being by design.
V’Lar: Indeed, the plants could actually benefit from the mutations they cause in other nearby lifeforms. There is a predatory plant native to Vulcan's Forge known as a S'gagerat that uses tendrils to ensnare large prey, including sehlats and even Vulcans, before injecting them with a potent soporific to incapacitate them while it slowly digests them. Here, the radiation may serve a similar function, acting not only to incapacitate, but to essentially pre-digest the prey by violently breaking down their cellular structures.
Tahna/Pace: Response
While V'Lar had achieved an A grade in PHYS101 at the Academy, she had not elected to study PHYS260 or PHYS410. As such, she logically concluded she was academically less equipped to properly consider the nature of the extra-dimensional radiation.
V'Lar: I defer to your combined expertise: based on your analysis of this exotic energy, what would safely absorb and dissipate this specific frequency of radiation?
Tahna/Pace: Response
Tahna/Pace: Response
Questioning the evolutionary purpose of such a destructive byproduct was a logical progression. V'Lar had to account for the variable that, in their native dimension, these energy emissions might be completely harmless. However, as V'Lar considered the grotesque cellular liquefaction occurring in the adjacent room, she could not rule out it being by design.
V’Lar: Indeed, the plants could actually benefit from the mutations they cause in other nearby lifeforms. There is a predatory plant native to Vulcan's Forge known as a S'gagerat that uses tendrils to ensnare large prey, including sehlats and even Vulcans, before injecting them with a potent soporific to incapacitate them while it slowly digests them. Here, the radiation may serve a similar function, acting not only to incapacitate, but to essentially pre-digest the prey by violently breaking down their cellular structures.
Tahna/Pace: Response
While V'Lar had achieved an A grade in PHYS101 at the Academy, she had not elected to study PHYS260 or PHYS410. As such, she logically concluded she was academically less equipped to properly consider the nature of the extra-dimensional radiation.
V'Lar: I defer to your combined expertise: based on your analysis of this exotic energy, what would safely absorb and dissipate this specific frequency of radiation?
Tahna/Pace: Response
==========/\==========
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages