Suspicions

Posted on Tuesday 30 August 2016 @ 13:17 by Commander Save'ena (Sav) Tillatix & Commander Caroline Miller

Mission: Old, New Ship
Location: Millers quarters
Timeline: Second Evening of Hayes Proving Ground Excursion
1878 words - 3.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Caroline had half eaten her dinner and was going through some reading when her comm. link went.

Smiling, she pressed the button to allow the communication. She had sent round a communication a few days earlier to everyone she had been in med school with and several other doctors in her professional circle curious to hear their experiences with Mephetian patients.

"Well hello," her smile warmed further at the familiar face, although it had been a while since she had had the pleasure of seeing it.

The male Artemisian on the other side broadly grinned at her. While he looked to be a Terran of Italian descent, his dna structure was different in that he had a high tolerance for radiation and for living a long, healthy life due to genetic enhancements in the past to survive the high radiation world the USS Artemis crashed on.

Dr. Galeraz Zephyr, 5' 10", black short hair and gray eyes, olive skin tone, rugged features, returned her hello. "Why, Hallo Caroline. I still see your coloring your hair blond as everybody knows blonds just don't have the brains for Xenobiology."

"Ah Galeraz," she laughed as he had been pulling this joke for years. "No your quite right. Our specialties lie elsewhere. As you know we have more fun. I had forgot, such charm. How are you not fighting the ladies off with a stick?"

Galeraz chuckled lightly, "Shh, the ladies haven't found me, seeing as I ended up on a Federation Starfleet Outpost at Argelius II." The pleasantries aside, he cast appreciative eyes on her, "You look good, Caroline. Merlin treating you okay?"

"It's an adventure. I'm settling in. How's your new stomping ground? Why you take this job again?" She asked

A grin crossed his face. "Races, many many races. Thus why I am here. Argelius II is a notorious place of many races passing through. Its definitely giving me a chance to use my Xenobiology. Say, did you know I have even treated some races from the L'Tandrey protectorate? One such race is the Sumerians... did you know the Sumerians are actually from Sumeria on ancient Terra? Interesting story how they got into the Protectorate. And, wow, the L'Tandrey Vulpinoid Females... natural dancers and more, all, but a little standoffish for anything past second base without a marriage band. Pity. But, from your inquiries, the Mephetians are more to what you are wanting to know about. May I ask why, besides the typical 'what do you need to know?'."

"Yes, did you look the file over? Somethings not right,"Caroline said. "This whole mesh thing. It seems off."

Galeraz shook his head, "Not yet. I wanted to answer any questions about Mephetians you may have before I dug into your patient's file. Besides, you know me, I could not open it until a direct okay from you. So, your turn first. What would you like to know?"

“Everything. I am completely in the dark on this species. Its my first encounter with the race,” Caroline stated.

Galeraz opened his notebook. "Mephetians physiology is remarkably similar to Terrans for main organs, but with unique differences for other body systems. First, their brain structure is different in that is has a tying structure through it, looking similar to deer antlers, as well as some compartmentalization. They can do several tasks at once, and all are minor telepaths and telekinetics. Next, having a tail, they have more muscles through their back, abdomen and buttocks, with the skeleton extended for the actual tail. Being furred, they have a second lymphatic system for fur oils as well as extra nerves in their skin. Their immune system is extended due to the fur and muzzle, and allowing for changes to their fur oils based upon environment. Smell and hearing are similar to Foxes on earth. They do have retractable climbing claws. They have friend marking musk glands behind their muzzle whiskers. And then, there is the tail. A marvelous structure with organs of its own. I just love their tails."

Caroline said nothing further. She wasn’t sure if her friend was talking professionally or personally. He had a long history of data and worshiping parts of some of the more obscure and exotic alien races. She tried not to let her imagination run wild as to what he would get up to with a female with a tail.

Galeraz transmitted what his modified surgery bed had discovered. "I have a modified bed with extra sensors, needed them to get into the tail. That tail is a natural predator prevention covering. It can produce masking agents to hide the Mephetian, or whoever they are protecting, from smells and from scanning. Rather remarkable. It has its own lymphatic system and nerves tied to a couple of larger nerve and gland bundles, all to handle the task of protection. I gather Mephetians have nasty predators after them on their home planet. But, if you just take the tail and lay it down between the legs, letting the main of it get off the bio-bed, no problems on getting readings from them. Like I said, similar to a Terran for the most part in their internal organs. Same for Medicines and drug usage and doses for the most part. There are a couple of minor dosage differences and some minor medicines and toxins working different due to their fur/oil physiology."

"Can you send me the spec for the modified bed? I am going to get our engineering guys on with modifying one of ours the same. This particular Mephetian’s medical file states that you have to use a bio chip with your bio bed or else all readings are off. I am now questioning if that’s the case at all.

Galeraz nodded even as he looked confused, "Sure thing. And, Bio-chip? I have never needed one, or been given one for a Mephetian. The only warning I get from them is to make sure their tail lies over and off of the bed." He shook his head, "Heck, again, the only differences in readings between Terran and Mephetian are the extra lymphatics, nerves, brain structure, and outward appearance. If you were to strip away the outside and just look at the inside organs, you wouldn't know the difference unless doing a DNA scan, or realizing that the larger endocrine and lymphatic systems were actually two of each, or that those extra muscles through the reproductive and colorectal systems shouldn't be there." He got a bemused look on his face, "Come to think of it, I bet those extra muscles help in other 'endeavors' as well. Be an interesting date for sure."

He dropped his musings and interested expression and asked, "So, anything else before I take a look at the file? With your permission, of course."

“Permission granted,” Caroline replied. She picked up her glass of Uttaberry juice in front of her and took a sip while he perused the file. She could tell by his eyebrows raised a few times that what he was looking at was not normal attire for this species.

Galeraz had many expressions come over his face as he read through the rather lengthy medical file on this particular patient. So many things seemed off, especially the description for the accident, how it occurred, and then there was the special addendum at the end. He took in a breath, then let it out, exasperated.

He looked at Caroline, "Carol, I don't know where to start. First, on the mesh, it should have dissolved in three to five years, just like a Terran. It should not still be there. Second, Mephetians are natural tree dwellers. Heights and running around them are second nature. You should see the kids playing in the junk piles around here. And, how could she be pinned and yet completely perforate her lower organs? It just doesn't make sense."

She winced slightly at the pet name Carol. She hated it but he was the only person who ever called her that and she hadn't managed to stop him in all these years. Caroline leaned forward to get a closer look at her friend not bothered that that action meant her civvy top tightened and displayed some of her assets. They were both doctors and it wasn't like her cleavage was enough to interest him when tails and other alien bits were more in his mind.

"I had a feeling none of it was right. I think we need to get a closer look at that mesh. Could you perhaps spare some time for a little trip out here if I was to call some specialist aid? I mean I know you love it there but as a favor to me and to work out what is going on with and put this lady right again."

Galeraz caught the wince and realized what he had done. His players habit was to shorten ladies names to one or two syllables to show more closeness and camaraderie with them, and Caroline hated her full name not being used. He did raise an eyebrow to the eye candy shown to him. He could appreciate it even though they were close friends. He expelled a breath in light humor, "And... I did it again. Apologies, Caroline, apologies." He swept his hand forward in a light bowing to her. Straightening up, he mused, "Then, on the trip..."

He looked down at the file, then back up to her, "You know, I think I could use a break from here, and this mystery is intriguing on so many levels." He winked, "Besides, it isn't everyday you can meet up with a very rare reverse color Mephetian. I am at your service, Dr. Miller. I can leave in a couple of hours. There are no shortages of vessels coming and going at Argelius II, I would just need to find the courier connections to get your way."

"Thank you Galeraz," Caroline said softly. Happy he was willing to make the trip and come aid her. "I'll speak to the CO and sort you some quarters out. Unless," she indicated hers. It wasn't like they hadn't had to shack up on field trips before at the academy.

A bemused smile came across Galeraz's face. On their triage field trips at the academy, seeing each other rushing for a quick shower and dressing, exchanging quips, was what kept them going. "I will leave that to your discretion, Caroline. You know I enjoy sharing a cup of coffee with you first thing in the morning." His face grew thoughtful, "Of course, if you're needing to get a boyfriend jealous, or test one for trust, by all means, I'll gladly share quarters." He looked around his office, then back to the view screen, "Anything specific you desire before I gather my belongings and head that way?"

"No boyfriend," Caroline shook her head. "And nothing I can think of further. See you soon."

Galeraz raised an eyebrow, "No boyfriend? Boy, they sure don't know what their missing." He smiled warmly, "See you soon, Caroline, I look forward to it."

OFF:

Dr Caroline Miller
Chief Medical Officer
USS Merlin

Dr. Galeraz Zephyr XMD
Chief Xenobiologist
Starfleet Outpost 785 on Argelius II