USS Penumbra Sim Narrative, SD 202306.30
The Penumbra had been escorted out of the territory of the Holy Order of Kinshaya by Bishop Yazgrom and his sphere-ship Yeffre. Once they'd reached the frontier, they'd come to all-stop because the Bishop had requested a face-to-face meeting with the Commodore, presumably to give him a gift!
Meanwhile, in the Wellness Center, several patients had presented with a respiratory problem. One of them, Cpl. Homer Kyle, had given a sample and it showed micro-machines in the sputum from his lungs! Though Dr. Katarina Hawke was a former Borg herself, Dr. Adonudo T'lanuwa summoned her brother, LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke, who'd been Borg for longer, to consult on whether these might be Borg nanites. They're both sure they're not. Adon had also summoned his cousin, LtJG Jackal Tsunda, who, like Col. Travis Patterson, had been subjected to "Top Secret" Section 31 experimentation with nanites decades ago and might offer a different perspective.
As he followed ColTravis Patterson across the Bridge from the Ready Room towards the short hallway that led to the Observation Lounge, Cdre. Zak Taylor addressed his Second Officer, "You still have the Conn, Relok. Holler if you need something."
The Vulcan Chief of Sciences raised an eyebrow. "'Holler', Captain? I will call if you are needed."
Zak smirked as he exited the Bridge and the Vulcan moved to the Command Seat.
A few minutes of bored silence followed when finally LtCmdr. Jason Carter, at his usual place at the Helm, drumming his fingers on his console, said, "At all-stop ... still."
At the Tactical Console stood the usually quiet Vulcan Security Officer, Lt. Re'Libel StandinHe'd taken over the station when LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke, his Department Head, had been called to the Wellness Center. He reported, "No threats on scanners ... except for the Yeffre, of course."
At the Operations Console, LtCmdr. Tabeshk Tibris muttered, "Do you honestly think a bunch of bird-looking people can be a threat, Standin?"
Across the Bridge at the Reconnaissance Station, SgtMaj. Derek Hines turned from his console, his arms crossed over his chest. He gave Tabby a look and said, "The Typhon Pact share some of the most advanced technology the Federation has ever faced."
Tabby just rolled his eyes. "I know. That was my poor attempt at a sarcastic joke."
Hines grunted, and turned towards Standin. "Wonder what's going on down in the Wellness Center." But, as usual, the Vulcan Security Officer just silently raised and eyebrow but said nothing.
LtCmdr. T'Lin stood near the Primary Science Station just Starboard of center. She was sweating, swaying slightly, and looked a little off. Tabby was the first to notice and say something about it. "T'Lin, you alright? You're sweating and swaying a little bit. Please get yourself some water. We aren't going anywhere anytime soon anyway."
Relok glanced over at his Assistant Chief, someone he considered something like a niece, and studied her a moment. "You do seem a bit greenish." Since Vulcan blood is copper-based, when oxygenated it is green instead of red, so whenever a Vulcan was "flushed", they were green-faced, not red-faced. And that didn't happen often.
T'Lin slowly turned towards the two addressing her. "I am ... what?" She coughed a moment, then said, "I apologize."
Tabby said, "Probably better to send her to the Wellness Center. I'll contact Adon."
Tabby opened the comm-line, "Adon, T'Lin seems unwell, and I don't know the situation there fully, but I'm sending her your way. Not going to risk it when things are dire enough." He turned to the Command Seat, "Relok, I believe you're the commanding officer right now, so, any objections?"
Relok was just staring at T'Lin, trying to mask the concern in his face. When he hadn't answered in a reasonable time, Carter turned and asked, "Commander?"
But the voice of Dr. Adonudo T'lanuwa came back over the comms, "T'Lin, now, too? This is getting bad. We've got a situation developing here in the Wellness Center. I have 9, no, 10 with T'Lin, patients with respiratory distress. I think this is man-made, or rather, alien-made. It's not natural is what I mean. This is a deliberate attack!"
As he was speaking, T'Lin grabbed the napkin from beneath her tea cup and clasped it to her mouth as she began coughing, leaning on her station.
Tabby answered Adon, "Nine?! Shit! T'Lin, go to Wellness right away! Wear gloves and a mask and ... take some staff with you as precaution. Now, please go!" He turned back to Relok, "Relok, go with her. But ... be careful! I'll hold the fort here with Carter. Please, please be careful!"
Without waiting for a response, he tapped his commbadge and continued speaking with Adon, "Adon, what are the symptoms that we should look out for? I feel having people running around the ship is probably a bad idea."
Adon answered, "Symptoms begin with coughing, then trouble breathing. Several have shown fever, maybe even chills. Oh, and Kat's got black around her cuticles and ...," there was a pause, and then, "... her eyes are going milky!"
Tabby responded, "Yeah, T'Lin has a fever and coughing, and doesn't seem to be able to focus ..and she seems weak. I'm sending her with Relok, both wearing protection, to try to minimize risk." He turned to Carter sitting beside him, "Carter, we have ten sick ... T'Lin makes the tenth. We need to keep tabs on each other. Symptoms are fever, coughs, and trouble breathing."
Through all this Relok just watched as Tabby seemed to "assume command". But he said nothing since he had wanted to go with T'Lin anyway.
Tabby saw the look and realized that Relok outranked him. He muttered, "I ... uh ... please don't write me up for any of this! I'll ... shut up ... sir."
Finally, Relok stood, turning to T'Lin, "I will accompany you to the Wellness Center. Can you make it on your own or do you require assistance?" Ordinarily, Vulcans avoided physical contact with one another, due to being natural touch telepaths. He did not want to touch her without permission.
T'Lin looked at him, blinked a moment, then started forward towards the Turbolift. She was a little clumsy, but capable of moving on her own. She said to him, "I ... yesWellness Center."
Relok reached and took T'Lin's elbow, then turned to Tabby, one eyebrow raised. "You have the Bridge, Commander."
Tabby stuttered slightly, "I ... um ... yes, Commander!" As Relok and T'Lin entered the Turbolift he gave a sigh and muttered, "Pretty sure I was seconds away from being a dead man."
SSgt. Will Davies, Alpha Squad Leader for the Marine Pathfinders on the Penumbra, had been called to assist with Security for the VIP that was beaming over into the Observation Lounge. He joined a Starfleet Security Petty Officer in the Lounge and then signaled they were ready to receive their guest.
The gryphon-like Kinshayan Bishop, Yazgrom, commanding officer of the sphere-ship, Yeffre, materialized shortly thereafter. Davies and the Security Officer acknowledged his arrival but remained motionless at the two doors of the Lounge.
A few moments later, Col. Travis Patterson arrived, stepping to one side and leaning against the wall, staring at the Bishop a moment and then saying, "So, Bishop Yazgrom, ...".
He was interrupted as Cdre. Zak Taylor entered. The Commodore spread his arms and nodded at the Kinshayan and said, "Ayuh, respect, Bishop."
The Bishop flinched his wings and said, "I appreciate your effort, Commodore, but ... don'tWithout the proper wing colors, your gesture does not have the proper meanings."
Zak muttered, "Sorry, Bishop." He stepped towards the table.
Davies muttered, "We could replicate wings ...."
Patterson glanced at Davies, stifled a chuckle and shook his head, then waved towards the Sergeant and said, "Staff Sergeant Davies, Bishop Yazgrom."
Davies gave him a respectful nod, "Bishop."
Zak continued, "So ... you wanted to ... give me something?"
The Bishop studied each person in the room, Zak, Pat, Davies, and the Security guard near the doorFinally, he turned back to Zak and asked, "These are trusted persons, Commodore?"
Zak glanced around"Sure, Bishop. I trust my people. Speak your mind."
Yazgrom nodded and began, "Very well. To follow protocol, I offer you this." He reached into a pouch on his side and produced some kind of gold-colored platter ... or something.
As Yazgrom handed Zak the platter, he said, "It is somewhat controversial for me to give this to a non-Kinshayan."
Zak accepted the platter/plate/plaque thing, gives it a quick look. Davies also gave it a good look from where he stood by the door. Working security, he felt he needed to be a little suspicious, but he saw nothing alarming.
Zak raised his head and asked, "Is this writing? What does it say?"
Yazgrom answered, "This is a Dalnish. It is intended for ritual meals with family or friends to celebrate being under Urgulmar's wings of protection."
Zak raised an eyebrow, "That is quite a gift, Bishop! I'm honored, but ...."
Yazgrom raised a hand to cut him off. "And now ... a favor. I see you as an honorable man, Commodore, and I am in need of one."
Now it was Patterson's turn to raise an eyebrow. "You followed us this far against your own decision and intuition, didn't you, Bishop?"
The Bishop's wings slumped and his head drooped. Patterson crossed his arms. "Yeah, I had a hunch."
Davies said, "Got that vibe the entire time we were planet-side with some of them, particularly the segregation."
Yazgrom said, "He has them! My mate and fledglings! He'll kill them, or worse! You have to help me! Get them away from that evil .... thing! He's one of your kind, you can talk to him, right?"
"Uh ... what?" Zak's mouth went slack and he turned to Patterson.
Patterson asked, "Who, Yazgrom?"
Yazgrom looked upThough expressions on the bird-like face were hard to read, there was clearly a plea on his face. He said, "That ... Golem! But ... he looks like one of you. I assume you know him, he's Human!"
Patterson turned to Zak, the color draining from his face. "Golem?"
Zak stared at Patterson, "Where've I ... oh, crap! The Golem Cain!"
Davies just stood there, open-mouthed. They all remembered the Mirror Universe version of Ambassador Adam Android, the psychopathic android commander who'd nearly destroyed the Penumbra at the Rift between his universe and their own when they were trying to get home a couple of years ago.
Patterson nodded slowly, then explained to the Bishop, "Yazgrom, the Golem Cain is an entity we encountered once prior. He is an alternate universe replica of one of Starfleet's Ambassadors ... an android."
Zak continued Patterson's comment, "And a nasty piece of work, too."
Patterson crossed his arms and asked, "Where is the Golem Cain, Yazgrom?"
Davies agreed, "That's what I want to know. We definitely want another crack at that nutcase!"
Yazgrom shook his head and then said, "That ... thing ... has my family. He's using them and anyone else he can capture, to gain influence to twist the very Holy Order away from Urgulmar and towards ... whatever his goals are. He ... made me ... the attack. I put ... things ... in the bombs, and ...," he trailed off.
Patterson glanced at the Commodore, a cold feeling washing through his veins. He started for the Bridge at a brisk pace, even while calling out, "Computer, sound Red Alert!"
In the Wellness Center, they had nine people with the strange respiratory illness, now that DrKatarina Hawke, Assistant Chief Medical Officer, had succumbed to it herselfWhen she'd collapsed, LtCmdr. Denovan Hawke, Chief of Security and Tactical Operations, had hesitated, afraid of potentially exposing himself to whatever was affecting them. But then he said out loud, "To hell with it! I was down there also!" He stepped over to his sister and picked her up and laid her gently on one of the few remaining biobeds. Her body felt both hot with fever and cold and clammy at the same time!
Dr. Adonudo T'lanuwa, the Native American Medicine Man who was the Chief Medical Officer addressed the Emergency Medical Hologram that SSgt. "Wrench" Stanson had called up. "We have micro-machines in the lungs of Cpl. Kyle. Several others that were at Ground Zero are developing similar symptoms. Kat's seems ... more advanced? Study that analyzer and get up to speed!" He waved towards a specific monitor that displayed the analysis of the sample they'd taken from Cpl. Homer Kyle.
The EMH nodded. "I am integrated into every piece of equipment on this vessel, Doctor T'lanuwa."
Den glanced over and muttered, "Great, we got the uppity EMH."
The EMH ignored him and continued, "We need to isolate cases of these micro-machines on a case-by-case basis. I do not believe this to be a contagion issue."
On his own biobed, Wrench groaned, looking around the room. He'd contracted just ordinary pneumonia, not the strange illness the others had. Kat had given him an injection of antibiotics before she'd collapsed, but that hadn't healed the burst blood vessel in his lungs he'd ruptured during one of his coughing fits! He managed to say, "This isn't good, Adon."
Adon gave a nod and began making rounds, visiting each of his nine patients in turn. Meanwhile, the EMH began giving orders, "You, you, and you," he gestured at the three newest patients, "containment hatch to your left. Deposit your rags there and move to Biobeds 7, 8, and 9."
On her own biobed, Kat's body glistened with beads of sweat. Den glanced at the readings on the panel overhead. "She's got a high fever. You know," he paused, considering, "I wonder if it's radiation poisoning. Not from the planet ... from the nanites." And even though she showed a high fever, her body shivered as if she were freezing. Even only semi-conscious, she coughed occasionally.
The EMH stepped over to Kat and ran a medical scanner over her. "Increased heartrate," it said, "blood pressure is heightened, core temperature three degrees above normal, lungs seem stressed ...," he rattled off symptoms.
Adon's commbadge chirped and the voice of LtCmdr. Tabeshk Tibris came through, "Adon, T'Lin seems unwell, and I don't know the situation there fully, but I'm sending her your way. Not going to risk it when things are dire enough."
Adon made a sour face and said, "T'Lin, now, too? This is getting bad. We've got a situation developing here in the Wellness Center. I have 9, no, 10 with T'Lin, patients with respiratory distress. I think this is man-made, or rather, alien-madeIt's not natural is what I mean. This is a deliberate attack!"
Den overheard and asked, "So ... not radiation poisoning?"
Tabby answered Adon, "Nine?! Shit! T'Lin, go to Wellness right away! Wear gloves and a mask and ... take some staff with you as precaution. Now, please go!"
The EMH said, "This appears to be some sort of biological weapon. The reason for such is unknown." He paused, then said, "We should take these micro-machines and do a detailed analysis of them. Upload the information to MAX and perform a ship-wide biometric scan on all occupants. We can then isolate and treat each affected crewmember."
Wrench sat up. "A bio-weapon? Why?"
Den answered, "Espionage, assassination...blatant murder of a rival faction."
Adon considered, "Maybe Jackal's or Patterson's nanites, or even Den's and Kat's might be able to purge these things from their systems?"
LtJG Jackal Tsunada, Adon's cousin and the Acting Assistant Chief Engineer, was in the Wellness Center, having been asked to come take a look at the micro-machines herself, perked up at hearing her name. "What about me?"
Adon didn't speak directly to her, but rather explained to the EMH and Den, "Jackal and Patterson have those self-regulating things in their forearms that upgrade and update their nanites regularly. That should work to filter out these machines, right?"
The EMH actually shrugged. "It should be as simple as performing a blood transfusion. Once we upload the information to the ship's database, it will be able to identify and separate the micro-machines independently ... in theory, of course."
Jackal actually put her hands up. "Whoa, there! That could be extremely dangerous for us! It could kill us if not done properly and safely. I already went crazy once and Pat almost died! How much do you want to risk?"
Den said, "I don't know about theirs, but mine and hers can be programmed for it." He gestured at his sister lying on the bed beside them.
Adon's commbadge chirped again and Tabby asked, "Adon, what are the symptoms that we should look out for? I feel having people running around the ship is probably a bad idea."
Adon answered, "Symptoms begin with coughing, then trouble breathing. Several have shown fever, maybe even chills. Oh, and Kat's got black around her cuticles and ...," he leaned over and checked her out and then added, "... her eyes are going milky!"
Tabby responded, "Yeah, T'Lin has a fever and coughing, and doesn't seem to be able to focus ..and she seems weak. I'm sending her with Relok, both wearing protection, to try to minimize risk."
Kat, though nearly completely unconscious, suddenly went into a strong coughing fit, spitting up bloodDen quickly grabbed a cloth and wiped her mouth.
The EMH carefully and gently rolled Kat onto her side to let the blood and mucous drain from her mouth, collecting a sample for testing. He looked up afterward and said, "I've collected blood and mucous samples from everyone currently here ...," he trailed off.
Adon considered a bit, then looked at Den. "I think her nanites are already working overtime. We could probably add some of yours to help her out, but ... doing that with the others could be ... problematic. You two are former Borg. I don't think others would appreciate Borg nanites in their system."
Den shrugged, "They've been used before, like I said, programmed for one task. However, I know you're right about the phobia."
Adon said, "Den, Jackal, right now, your nanites are my only working hypothesis to treat thisCan we replicate them and mass produce them and then run a transfusion of everyone affected to get those things out of them, without risking either of you, or injecting nanites into the patients?"
The EMH shrugged, "I have no other options. If they were specifically programmed to search out and destroy these micro-machines, and are then promptly removed from the system, the long-term consequences could be avoided."
Den gave a nod and said, "They can be replicated, then programmed, yes. Injections by my tubules, would be fastest, but a hypo would work as well. Transferred into blood packs would take the longest. I don't think it matters right now which way as long as it gets done."
Jackal said, "We could. But ... violent outbursts of insanity or even immediate death is a high likely."
Adon cut his eyes at his cousin, hoping she was joking, then realizing ... she wasn't!
Adon shook his head. "And we still have the mystery of where they came from, and why they're there! How many back on Tepesi 2 will be infected with these things?"
Jackal said, "I'll get myself ready and contact pat regarding the situation. He won't like this."
Den muttered, "I really should read up on Jackal and Patterson's type."
Jackal shook her head, "You can't Hawke. That information doesn't exist. There's a reason it failed."
Adon turned to Den, "Den, you go ahead and supplement Kat with any extra nanites you can give her ... without risking yourself!"
Wrench shook his head. "What? Well ... guess we're all gonna be infected with the Borg, or some failed experimental injection."
Adon shook his head. "We need to secure permission from the patients before subjecting them to this .... and I think I need to get the Commodore on-board as well. But ... in the meantime, let's move forward with the preparation of transfusion centers and replication of the nanites. Jackal, that's your baby."
Jackal addressed Wrench, "Better than being a plague!" She gave him a soft smile. "Yeah, I knowI learned when I became a mother, you have to take risks, some extremely dangerous, none of them easy. You don't think, you just do."
But Den added, "They'll just shut off and be expelled from your body, Staff Sergeant. No need for drama."
Finally, T'Lin stumbled into the Wellness Center, escorted by Relok still holding one elbowShe held a bloody cloth in front of her mouth, which was itself covered by a bloody mask!
The EMH turned to receive her and said, "Deposit your soiled cloth and mask in the receptacle by the door, take a fresh mask, and go to Biobed 10, please."
Den moved off to begin the extraction process for his nanites and set up the routine to reprogram them. Adon wandered off to take a breather in his office before he called the Commodore.