Under the magnifying glass

Posted on 06 Aug 2015 @ 12:48am by Lieutenant Xanth & Lieutenant JG Tobias Todd
Edited on on 06 Aug 2015 @ 12:48am

1,288 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: M13-B: The Big Goodbye
Location: Science Lab 1, Deck 13, USS Achilles
Timeline: While at DS9

[ON]

With his shift over for the day, Xanth headed below. He was heading to the meeting that had been scheduled by the ship's chief science officer, Lieutenant Tobias Todd. Normally, there wasn't too much interaction between his own department of Flight Control and the Science Department, unless it was arranging shuttles for survey missions, or altering a flight plan for the ship to give them a closer look at something with the sensors that was on their planned route. As they'd not left known space quite yet, Xanth was rather curious what this was all about. The pilot stepped inside Science Lab 1, and stopped just inside the door, peering about at what he might find but unwilling to move too far in less he disturb some experiment.

"Lieutenant Todd?" Xanth called out, softly.

Tobias was up to his hips in the inside of one of the computers in the lab, so his voice was slightly muffled as he called out, lacking any particular inflection "Lieutenant Xanth, you are 2 minutes and 27 seconds early. Very good. I will be with you shortly"

He crawled out of the terminal and replaced the panel before he stood up and faced the Lieutenant "You are just in time, I have just finished the necessary modifications." His eyes darted around as he reviewed streams of data only he could see, not really focusing on anything just yet.

Finally giving Lieutenant Xanth his full attention, his gaze turned searching the mans features "From your file I gather you are El-Aurian." he stated flatly "Is it correct that you are 54 years old?" his tone suggested only curiosity even if it lacked delicacy.

Xanth smiled at the precise measurements that Todd had used, "I figured being late would be bad manners. To answer your question, yes, I am 54 now. My family makes fun of it a little, as the rest of them only count in centuries now." The pilot looked no different from a Terran, and certainly not as old as his years. He could pass easily as someone in their mid-twenties at the latest, courtesy of the El Aurian genes. Xanth wasn't at all insulted by the bluntness that Todd showed, as he could tell that it wasn't intended as anything other than efficient conversation. He could appreciate that.

"As you are undoubtedly aware, our mission is quite extensive and I am greatly concerned with the overall performance of the increasing age of our crew or at least with those bound by the same limited lifespans. Your presence on board presents a unique opportunity, not only for a long time comparative psychological and neurophysiological observation but perhaps for something more comprehensive." Tobias chose his next words carefully, some people were awfully easy to scare away from progress. "I would very much like to make you the subject of a study of considerable scope and importance. All this would require from you is a regular investment of time and blood samples. I understand that this may sound rather clinical to you, which in fairness it is." Tobias allowed himself a brief smile, but only briefly. "The lifespan of your species is remarkable to say it simply, it would take me several hours to explain every reason for that but we can do that at a later time. I have several theories based on the known medical facts provided by Starfleet, some of which would allow me to help a great many people, some of which, while scientifically groundbreaking, would be useless to anyone not born El Aurian."

He exhaled pointedly, suddenly becoming aware the length of his monologue. "I'm sorry Lieutenant, I got a bit carried away there. Do you have any questions to what I am proposing?"

Though Xanth was a pilot, he was also a scientist himself, and found himself at first curious as Todd had begun his speech, then fascinated by what was being proposed. It didn't take him long at all, and certainly not by his people's standards, to work through the thoughts of just how useful such research might be. Even if it proved ultimately unhelpful, at least they would have been exploring all options available to them. He didn't want to see his fellow crewmates die during this mission, but had resigned himself to this fact years ago when it came to just about everyone he met. A chance to change that, however slim, would be welcome.

"I have a great many questions," he replied, nodding his head. "But I like the hypothesis and I'm glad to volunteer to assist you with this. If all you need is some samples, by all means, but I have a background in the sciences as well and might be able to help just a little. Exobotany, yes, but I know how to work in a lab and run a number of instruments that you might use." He fell silent, for just a moment, then added brightly, "Oh! And don't worry about running on, at length, about things. I'm glad to listen."

"It is not likely to become a habit, don't concern yourself with it. If you find that your usual duties don't fill your day to pleasing degree, I'm always encouraging an interest in the sciences." Tobias took a look at his datapad to check the notes he made while talking. "But I'm glad you agree to this study, I will prepare everything so we can take our first measurement before we leave."

Xanth nodded a silent response, though his eyes were still on the other man. Obviously intrigued, he'd caught sight of the technology on the back of the other's skull. "If you would excuse me for bringing it up, Lieutenant Todd. It isn't often I have met Terrans who are quite obviously cybernetic to some degree." Whether that was from collective unease amongst the species about technological adaptation of their bodies, or some lingering fears people had due to the Borg, Xanth was unsure. "Does this enhance your capabilities as a scientist, perhaps?" Rather than asking why, or how, the pilot was more interested in knowing about the present and what sort of advantages it might give his fellow officer. There was no judgement in his tone, just simple curiosity.

"It does indeed." Tobias replied without looking up from his pad, half of his mind somewhere else. "However, this is not its main functionality. I designed it to keep my neurological pathways from degenerating which would have resulted in a cascade failure of my brain functions a long time ago." His mouth quirked in a slight smile that did not reach his eyes or even the rest of his face. "But I can not recommend it overall, the side effects are quite severe."

"Curious," the pilot said in return, smiling slightly but pushing for no more information. He was sure that they would have plenty of time to get to know one another on this mission, and Xanth was never one to rush things. He made his way over to Todd's side, ready to get started. "So, what shall we do first..."

There was a slight hesitation during which Tobias inclined his head slightly as he looked at Xanth. "Of course, we can start right away. Please." He gestured towards one of the beds usually found in the med bay. "I just finished integrating it into systems of the lab. We start with some blood samples, genetic make up, protein composition, nerve response and neural layout. Later we can schedule some time for psychological evaluation, but that can wait a few days." Tobias busied himself with the data pad and the different instruments procured from medical."


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Lieutenant JG Tobias Todd
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant Xanth
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS

 

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