Lt. Commander V'Lar - The Art of Medicine
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Chris M
Apr 1, 2026, 8:11:17 PM (14 hours ago) Apr 1
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((Medical Laboratory, Gibaria Outpost))
Having permitted a brief, speculative discourse on extradimensional botany, V'Lar had concluded her psychological intervention. In her medical estimation, the forty-two-second distraction should have been sufficient to reset her colleagues' escalating stress levels. With their emotional stability at least temporarily restored, she had cleanly pivoted their focus back to their primary objective: the inoculant. More specifically, she had clarified that once a prototype was devised, she would require a living test subject to verify its efficacy.
There was a sharp, auditory alert from Vesela Pace's workstation. Based on the elapsed time, V'Lar concluded that the simulations must be complete.
Pace: Ah, the simulations are complete, so there’s good news at least!
Tahna: Ninety-eight point nine percent effective. Combined with whatever Commander Marshall’s team has cooked up, I’d say that’s pretty damn promising.
Tahna/Pace: Response
V’Lar: Indeed. It should be noted that the continuous cycle of cellular destruction and regeneration will be entirely reactive; it will only activate when you are exposed to dangerous levels of the exotic radiation. Your cells will recycle the amino acids, but the heavy-metal waste will be pushed into your bloodstream to be filtered by your kidneys. Consequently, high-level exposure will exact a severe physiological toll; you will experience metabolic exhaustion requiring a massive, sustained caloric intake to fuel the synthesis, and regular hydration to prevent acute renal failure.
Having permitted a brief, speculative discourse on extradimensional botany, V'Lar had concluded her psychological intervention. In her medical estimation, the forty-two-second distraction should have been sufficient to reset her colleagues' escalating stress levels. With their emotional stability at least temporarily restored, she had cleanly pivoted their focus back to their primary objective: the inoculant. More specifically, she had clarified that once a prototype was devised, she would require a living test subject to verify its efficacy.
V’Lar: The patients in the adjacent ward are not viable candidates for this trial. They have already sustained catastrophic radiological exposure.
V'Lar paused, anticipating the predictable emotional response. It was highly probable that the First Officer and the Science Officer would interpret her immediate dismissal of the dying patients as callous, rather than a strict requirement of the scientific method. Logic dictated she preemptively clarify her reasoning before their empathy clouded their judgement.
V’Lar: As this inoculant is a biological shield and not a restorative cure, administering it to a terminal patient will skew the data; we would be unable to distinguish between the failure of the inoculant and the pre-existing cellular decay. To definitively prove the shielding mechanism functions, we require a test subject with a healthy, unexposed physiology.
Pace: Wait, are any of us viable test subjects then?
Tahna: Technically, we have all been likely exposed. ::She nodded to the moss in the corner.:: But none of us have had any direct contact or exposure.
Tahna: Technically, we have all been likely exposed. ::She nodded to the moss in the corner.:: But none of us have had any direct contact or exposure.
V'Lar tracked the First Officer's physical gesture towards the moss. None of them had come into physical contact, and since the moss had been detained behind a forcefield since being discovered, their radiological exposure remained negligible.
Pace: If you think about it, all of us have been affected by the radiation. Would one of us work since we haven’t - ::She stopped herself short.:: Well, you know what I mean. Or do we need someone to try it on the Gorkon?
V'Lar observed the sudden cessation of the Lieutenant's sentence, a verbal hesitation indicative of an emotional reluctance to articulate the fate of those being treated in the next room.
Tahna: Anyone truly unexposed will have to be exposed in order to test the inoculant’s effectiveness, I don’t want to risk another exposure at this point. We’re all asymptomatic, with minimal exposure, so we ought to be able to serve as a strong baseline for its effectiveness.
V’Lar: Indeed. Lieutenant, while you are correct that we share an environment with the xenoflora, your assertion that we have been 'affected' is inaccurate. Our ambient exposure to its localised radiation is statistically insignificant, rendering us viable baselines. Furthermore, the Commander is correct; it would be inappropriate to deliberately expose an uncontaminated crew member.
Pace: If you think about it, all of us have been affected by the radiation. Would one of us work since we haven’t - ::She stopped herself short.:: Well, you know what I mean. Or do we need someone to try it on the Gorkon?
V'Lar observed the sudden cessation of the Lieutenant's sentence, a verbal hesitation indicative of an emotional reluctance to articulate the fate of those being treated in the next room.
Tahna: Anyone truly unexposed will have to be exposed in order to test the inoculant’s effectiveness, I don’t want to risk another exposure at this point. We’re all asymptomatic, with minimal exposure, so we ought to be able to serve as a strong baseline for its effectiveness.
V’Lar: Indeed. Lieutenant, while you are correct that we share an environment with the xenoflora, your assertion that we have been 'affected' is inaccurate. Our ambient exposure to its localised radiation is statistically insignificant, rendering us viable baselines. Furthermore, the Commander is correct; it would be inappropriate to deliberately expose an uncontaminated crew member.
There was a sharp, auditory alert from Vesela Pace's workstation. Based on the elapsed time, V'Lar concluded that the simulations must be complete.
Pace: Ah, the simulations are complete, so there’s good news at least!
Tahna: Ninety-eight point nine percent effective. Combined with whatever Commander Marshall’s team has cooked up, I’d say that’s pretty damn promising.
V'Lar noted that her colleague might have misinterpreted the results. The ninety-eight point nine percent efficacy rate pertained exclusively to the virtual model of the moss's shielding. The results simply confirmed they had isolated the nature of the protection. They now had to safely duplicate a similar method of protection that could be delivered via the retroviral framework V'Lar had devised. While they had identified a number of compatible molecular analogues, it was not a case of simply injecting someone with the identified matter and bestowing them the same nature and level of protection.
V’Lar: A promising theoretical foundation, Commander. Now that the simulations have confirmed the exact nature of the biological shielding, I will utilise Lieutenant Pace's list of molecular analogues to construct an inoculant.
V'Lar’s hands moved across her terminal with the fluid efficiency of a surgeon. Synthesising a stable retrovirus was a very delicate procedure, especially while operating under field conditions; however, V'Lar was well experienced in such work. During her residency on Science Station Tango Sierra, her research had primarily focused on precisely this methodology, namely identifying and protecting against exotic environmental contagions.
She began with a standard radiogenic vaccine base, heavily fortified with a cocktail of hyronalin and lectrazine to combat immediate cellular degradation. She then programmed a combination of the more promising molecular analogues into a synthetic metalloprotein, attaching it to a species-agnostic autoregulatory promoter sequence. The retrovirus would act as the delivery vector, penetrating the cells and instructing their ribosomes to mass-produce a metallic-polysaccharide compound.
A rigid metal barrier would disrupt normal biological exchanges. With no way to take in nutrients or breathe, the cells would die, and the amount of heavy metal needed to act as an effective radiation shield would be several orders of magnitude greater than most humanoids could tolerate. V'Lar therefore had to devise a custom protein that would bind directly to the most vulnerable DNA strands, acting as sacrificial buffers. The proteins would absorb the exotic ionizing energy before harmlessly denaturing, sparing the host's genetic material. Crucially, the denatured protein fragments would then act as a chemical trigger, signalling the RNA to immediately synthesise replacements. This was the true genius of the inoculant, it would create a self-replenishing biological shield. It would not grant permanent immunity; the constant, rapid cellular synthesis would eventually induce metabolic exhaustion, but it would drastically increase the amount of radiation they could survive exposure to.
Pace: Response
Tahna: Doctor, begin synthesis of an inoculant. Pace, run simulations against the species biology of the Outpost and Gorkon crew in descending order of species commonality, let’s make sure we’re not going to run into any surprise allergic reactions when we start administering it.
V'Lar continued in silence, her hands working her console like a Terellian pianist. Once she was satisfied the atomic binding constraints were stable, she began programming the replicator sequence.
V’Lar: The prototype inoculant will be synthesised in approximately one minute, forty-seven seconds.
Pace: Response
V'Lar tracked the First Officer's eyeline as it shifted from the moss towards the door leading into the triage ward before settling on her. V'Lar observed a muscular tension in the Bajoran's jaw followed by an upward curvature of her lips.
Tahna: I’ll be patient zero for the inoculant. Bajoran physiology is more universal than Vulcan or Elaysian, and it’s unwise to test your experiments on the only doctor in the group.
V’Lar: A promising theoretical foundation, Commander. Now that the simulations have confirmed the exact nature of the biological shielding, I will utilise Lieutenant Pace's list of molecular analogues to construct an inoculant.
V'Lar’s hands moved across her terminal with the fluid efficiency of a surgeon. Synthesising a stable retrovirus was a very delicate procedure, especially while operating under field conditions; however, V'Lar was well experienced in such work. During her residency on Science Station Tango Sierra, her research had primarily focused on precisely this methodology, namely identifying and protecting against exotic environmental contagions.
She began with a standard radiogenic vaccine base, heavily fortified with a cocktail of hyronalin and lectrazine to combat immediate cellular degradation. She then programmed a combination of the more promising molecular analogues into a synthetic metalloprotein, attaching it to a species-agnostic autoregulatory promoter sequence. The retrovirus would act as the delivery vector, penetrating the cells and instructing their ribosomes to mass-produce a metallic-polysaccharide compound.
A rigid metal barrier would disrupt normal biological exchanges. With no way to take in nutrients or breathe, the cells would die, and the amount of heavy metal needed to act as an effective radiation shield would be several orders of magnitude greater than most humanoids could tolerate. V'Lar therefore had to devise a custom protein that would bind directly to the most vulnerable DNA strands, acting as sacrificial buffers. The proteins would absorb the exotic ionizing energy before harmlessly denaturing, sparing the host's genetic material. Crucially, the denatured protein fragments would then act as a chemical trigger, signalling the RNA to immediately synthesise replacements. This was the true genius of the inoculant, it would create a self-replenishing biological shield. It would not grant permanent immunity; the constant, rapid cellular synthesis would eventually induce metabolic exhaustion, but it would drastically increase the amount of radiation they could survive exposure to.
Pace: Response
Tahna: Doctor, begin synthesis of an inoculant. Pace, run simulations against the species biology of the Outpost and Gorkon crew in descending order of species commonality, let’s make sure we’re not going to run into any surprise allergic reactions when we start administering it.
V'Lar continued in silence, her hands working her console like a Terellian pianist. Once she was satisfied the atomic binding constraints were stable, she began programming the replicator sequence.
V’Lar: The prototype inoculant will be synthesised in approximately one minute, forty-seven seconds.
Pace: Response
V'Lar tracked the First Officer's eyeline as it shifted from the moss towards the door leading into the triage ward before settling on her. V'Lar observed a muscular tension in the Bajoran's jaw followed by an upward curvature of her lips.
Tahna: I’ll be patient zero for the inoculant. Bajoran physiology is more universal than Vulcan or Elaysian, and it’s unwise to test your experiments on the only doctor in the group.
She was correct; Elaysian physiology was highly specialised for low gravity, while Vulcan copper-based haemoglobin was far less common among humanoids than iron-based blood.
V’Lar: Your assessment is accurate. While not the statistical median of the Federation, a Bajoran metabolism represents the closest approximation to the humanoid standard immediately available to us.
Pace: Response
V’Lar: Your assessment is accurate. While not the statistical median of the Federation, a Bajoran metabolism represents the closest approximation to the humanoid standard immediately available to us.
Pace: Response
While the medical computer compiled the final sequence for the retroviral matrix, V'Lar utilised the brief window to explain the workings of her prototype.
V’Lar: The retroviral vector will instruct your ribosomes to produce a synthetic metallic-polysaccharide compound bound to an autoregulatory promoter sequence. As this compound absorbs the ambient ionizing radiation, it will denature. The resultant protein fragments will then act as a chemical trigger, signalling your RNA to rapidly synthesise replacements.
V'Lar paused, allowing her colleagues a moment to process before translating the mechanics into a functional metaphor to ensure their complete comprehension.
V’Lar: The inoculant will essentially turn your cells into a microscopic forge. It builds a biological radiation shield that safely burns away upon impact with the radiation, and the resulting 'ashes' signal your body to instantly forge a new one. Consider it self-replenishing, ablative armour.
V’Lar: The retroviral vector will instruct your ribosomes to produce a synthetic metallic-polysaccharide compound bound to an autoregulatory promoter sequence. As this compound absorbs the ambient ionizing radiation, it will denature. The resultant protein fragments will then act as a chemical trigger, signalling your RNA to rapidly synthesise replacements.
V'Lar paused, allowing her colleagues a moment to process before translating the mechanics into a functional metaphor to ensure their complete comprehension.
V’Lar: The inoculant will essentially turn your cells into a microscopic forge. It builds a biological radiation shield that safely burns away upon impact with the radiation, and the resulting 'ashes' signal your body to instantly forge a new one. Consider it self-replenishing, ablative armour.
Tahna/Pace: Response
V’Lar: Indeed. It should be noted that the continuous cycle of cellular destruction and regeneration will be entirely reactive; it will only activate when you are exposed to dangerous levels of the exotic radiation. Your cells will recycle the amino acids, but the heavy-metal waste will be pushed into your bloodstream to be filtered by your kidneys. Consequently, high-level exposure will exact a severe physiological toll; you will experience metabolic exhaustion requiring a massive, sustained caloric intake to fuel the synthesis, and regular hydration to prevent acute renal failure.
Tahna/Pace: Response
V’Lar: Need I remind you that informed consent is a foundational tenet of Starfleet medical ethics? I would be negligent in my duties if you did not understand what you were volunteering for.
Tahna/Pace: Response
Exactly one minute and forty-seven seconds after she had begun the sequence, her terminal emitted a crisp, auditory chime, indicating the formulation was stable.
V'Lar turned back to the console. With a final keystroke, she engaged the replicator. A soft hum filled the immediate vicinity as her creation was made manifest, a single vial containing a translucent, amber-hued fluid. V'Lar retrieved the vial and loaded it into a hypospray.
V’Lar: The prototype is complete. If you are prepared to proceed, Commander, please present your neck.
Tahna: Response
Tahna/Pace: Response
Exactly one minute and forty-seven seconds after she had begun the sequence, her terminal emitted a crisp, auditory chime, indicating the formulation was stable.
V'Lar turned back to the console. With a final keystroke, she engaged the replicator. A soft hum filled the immediate vicinity as her creation was made manifest, a single vial containing a translucent, amber-hued fluid. V'Lar retrieved the vial and loaded it into a hypospray.
V’Lar: The prototype is complete. If you are prepared to proceed, Commander, please present your neck.
Tahna: Response
==========/\==========
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