Plans To Make

Posted on Sat 26th Jan, 2013 @ 11:34pm by Lieutenant Colonel Cara Karikkar & Commander Brian Windsong & Lieutenant Colonel Tallus Karikkar & Lieutenant Adam Keller & Commander Jasmine Collins-Keller & Commander Paul Graves PsyD & Lieutenant Samantha O'Dell

3,837 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Sick Bay
Timeline: After Captain's Table

Cara had picked Jess up from school after the two meetings and had agreed to meet with the rest of the people that knew about her in medical where Nyx would be able to give a heads up on what she had found out and they could plan how best to deal with Dobbs. Heading in the door to medical Cara smiled at a nurse before saying "Hey Nyx ... First ones here?"

"Devyn's here, just trying to catch a nap before everyone arrives." She gave a wry smile. "Although I have to admit it wasn't his choice to rest." She picked up the hypo on the table. "I'll wake him when everyone gets here. He's been nearly 72 hours without sleep."

Brian had left a rather irritated Wicker in their cabin. He had the standard route to Sicky Bay well memorized, but he was taking a different way. He wanted to practice his independence and his physical negoiation powers. If he was going to go after Kale and his brother he was going to have to do so in disguise and without the help of his faithful friend and guide. He might be able to use someone else's eyes but he couldn't count on it. He could only really count on his other senses.. They would have to do.

He walked in listening, turned towards the two near a bio bed and walked towards them.

Samantha had gathered what information she could find on Dobbs for her own sake and was heading toward medical. The guy had really been a piece of work, and that was being polite. Something Samantha rarely was. She'd stopped by Brians room to see if he wanted someone to walk with but when there was no answer, just Wicker's bark. Samantha touched her combadge just to make sure Brian was ok and the computer said he was already in medical.

"Bravo." She offered him the congrats without him be there to accept.

She arrived in Medical only moments later. Nyx and Cara were talking Brian was standing there fairly expressionless. She walked up beside him with a smirk. "No Wicker this trip, bravo venture."

He smiled at her. To any of the others around them it would have just been a typical friendly smile. It was perhaps just a bit wider than normal, but none of the others, as long as he kept his shields up and his thoughts elsewhere would have recognized it for what it truly was, a secret lover's smile.

"Just getting myself in shape," he replied without further detail, "But I'm not sure my little guardian thinks its such a great idea."

Cara looked over at the two of them and smiled "Hey guys."

Nyx woke Devyn so he could join them. He gave her an angry glare but she stood her ground. "You need more than four hours sleep in three days. I'm the CMO and I made a medical decision...sue me."

"You do that again and I may just spank you." He growled at her close enough so the others didn't hear. "You're lucky we aren't alone."

Walking toward the others, Kell nodded. "Cara, Sam, Brian. Good to see you could come."

Paul entered the infirmary a moment later and immediately looked toward Cara. She seemed calmer than she had in the senior staff meeting, and he shot her a brief smile. "You handled that meeting with a lot of poise," he said. "I'm not sure I could have looked that outwardly calm after the shock you had." He glanced at everyone else who'd arrived so far. "Long time, no see,"

Cara gave Paul a grateful look "Thanks."

Tallus entered looking disgruntled. He was not happy about the strong reaction that Cara had had.

Seeing his look Cara sent tentatively ~Are you mad at me?~

~No, I am just upset about this entire scenario.~ Tallus said kindly to Cara.

Looking at Nyx Cara asked "Nyx? Seeing as we are all in the know here ... what did you find in the work up?"

"As far as I can tell, your DNA has been spliced and reintroduced using a chemically created retrovirus to introduce the genetic material to your cells." She was intrigued and impressed as well as disgusted by what had been done. "This man introduced the DNA from three other species. It's almost akin to the augment virus that killed so many Klingons decades ago."

"What does that mean Nyx?" Cara wasnt sure what she was being told.

"It means he augmented you by altering your DNA. Your biological parents were Betazoid but you now have DNA that is Vulcan, Klingon and..." She looked at Cara and couldn't believe what she was saying. "Chameloid." The word came out in almost a whisper.

"What?" Devyn looked at Nyx and then at Cara.

Cara sat down missing the chair and sitting on the floor in her shock "B .. but ... aren't you the only chameloid Star fleet knows about Nyx ..." Her head was shaking in denial.

"I don't know." Nyx said herself visibly shaken by the revelation. If this were true than she'd been violated at some point and she had no memory of it. "Chameloids aren't members of the Federation but...there is always a chance they had another source."

Devyn helped Cara up off the floor and to a chair before he took Nyx by the hand. "We'll figure this out."

"D... do w-we ... k-know who the Vulcan and Klingon donors were?" She could only hope like hell it wasnt Tallus.

"The genetic base for Klingons and for Vulcans would be too wide to even try to test for individuals." Nyx explained after she gained her own composure. "I'll run DNA strand testing on myself as soon as I can to see if its compatible with the genetic strands used in you."

"And Dobbs would have introduced only part of a sequence into you," Paul said, shaken. "Only, say, the particular genes associated with whatever trait Dobbs was trying to 'enhance' you with. It wouldn't be enough to determine the identity of the donor, even if you had a small sample of donors to choose from."

"I'd only need seven or eight chromosomes to get a good match but you'd need a much smaller base of donors than we'd have." Nyx disagreed. "It could take a few days to separate the alleles for comparison but it could be done...if the donor base was small enough..say less than a thousand." She looked at Cara. "I'll find out if my DNA was used to enhance you...and let you know."

Nodding Cara asked "What affects is it going to have?"

"I can only speculate. I can't guarantee any accuracy except what you're seeing manifest already...You're already telepathic and as you know from what you've said, you're exceptionally strong for a Betazoid. Your increased strength and stamina can be attributed to the Klingon DNA that was introduced as well as the Chameloid DNA. You shouldn't have any issue with shifting. That would have manifested itself already but you may manifest some animal like or feral instincts. The Vulcan DNA will only enhance your telepathy and Empathic skills." She explained before asking. "Have you attempted touch telepathy on anyone before? That may be something you'll notice." Before Cara could answer, she gave her one more piece of advice. "Oh and you'll probably experience a Pon Farr, not as drastic as most Vulcans, but expect that every seven years or so, you'll experience an extreme drive for mating...gods help your mate if you go through the phase and Pon Farr at the same time."

"NYX!" Kell scolded out loud.

"She should be warned about everything." Nyx frowned.

Cara just gaped "Seriously? Then I think I'm screwed. It was just over 6 and a half years ago they did this."

Nyx shrugged. She wasn't sure what screwed meant. "All I'm saying is the possibility is very strong that in six months you may undergo a pon farr. You've also got traits from the other species spliced into your genetic code that may or may not help you deal with it. I've not seen any manifestation of the logic that most Vulcans possess." She meant it as a truth not an insult but saw the dirty look from Kell. "So maybe you won't have the experience...There's also the chance you'll have a mate that will enjoy the experience."

"The ability to use Vulcan-style logic requires years of rigorous training; it doesn't depend on genetics," Paul said. "Cara, if you were given only the DNA associated with the telepathic trait and not any DNA associated with producing Vulcan hormones and governing Vulcan hormonal cycles, you would not experience pon farr. That could easily be determined by looking at your most recent bioscan results." He looked at Cara. "If you possess the glands that produce Vulcan reproductive hormones, then there would be cause for worry; otherwise not."

"As I said, you can expect to go through some version of the Pon Far when the time comes." She didn't want to blurt out a patient's results but she had just scanned the woman on a sub-cellular level and wouldn't have brought it up if it didn't warrant mention.

Paul shot Nyx a startled look as he picked up on her emotions. "Oh--I apologize; I didn't think first. Of course, Cara will have had many bioscans since leaving the Academy, and the anomalies would have been noted long ago." He blushed at having unwittingly made it necessary for Nyx to reveal confidential health information but also looked perturbed. "I can understand a goal and reason for altering DNA to instill talents. I can't understand one for altering Cara's endocrine system."

"Nyx really!" Devyn couldn't believe how candid she was being.

"Well the Pon Farr doesn't have to be a bad thing. If there is a partner or mate, it's merely an act of reproduction to ensure the continuity of the species. I'm sure there are males on this station that would be happy to accommodate her." She shrugged. "It's only when the mating process is denied that the violence and erratic behavior comes in."

Blushing bright red Cara hid her head with a groan "Thanks Nyx ... really ... but I think I'll go hide in your office now." She meant the thanks ... but she also meant the hiding.

"But then we'd get nothing accomplished out here." Nyx looked at her with a grin. "you see no Vulcan logic at all."

"Lieutenant." Tallus said looking at Nyx. "The Pon Farr is a private thing that is not meant to be casually talked about. Especially candidly. And do not forget that the Vulcan strength can be more than that of a Klingon. Especially in some cases." Tallus said looking to Cara. "I am sorry for what has happened to you Major. This is a level of violation like no other."

"Major, I am a medical officer and I'm discussing with my patient what she asked me to discuss. I am not discussing the privacy involved nor the particulars. As for Vulcan strength, Klingon strength, Chameloid strength...there was obviously an intention of creating extra strength above the capabilities of a normal Betazoid...If the Chameloid was in shifted form, the DNA from him or her would have been enough to account for the increase in strength as a shifted Chameloid is 4x stronger than a Vulcan or Klingon."

Still bright red Cara nodded "Thanks Tallus ... So I guess this means that only you and Dev have a hope of stopping me if I go off the reservation?" She swallowed and looked down trying not to cry it was a whole lot worse in some ways than she had thought. She could live with the Pon Farr .. but the idea that they had stolen someones genetic material ... "Maybe it would be better for everyone if I WAS locked up where I cant hurt anyone."

"Major. You will stop this nonsense right now. No one is going to lock you up." Tallus said frowning.

Cara bit her lip as tears started to fall but said softly "Yes sir." She didnt mean it rudely it was an automatic reaction to someone using her rank. She hated that Tallus was obviously mad at her ... and that she wasnt totally sure what she had done to make him that mad.

"You are no more of a danger to anyone then Lieutenant Adanyxia is now. You do not need to be thinking that you should be locked up." Tallus said looking at Cara.

"And if I go feral I'll be strong enough to take out anyone except you and Dev." How could she tell him that the thought of hurting her friends and family terrified her.

"There are defenses, and then there are defenses, Cara," Paul said quietly. "Like me, you're wrestling with what-ifs. Tempting as it is to lose yourself in worrying about what fearsome things you might be capable of, that won't help you right now. We must develop a strategy for learning Dobbs' purpose in coming here. Only when we know that can we effectively face him."

"We will get through this together Cara." Tallus said grabbing Cara's shoulders.

"You're blowing this out of proportion Major." Nyx shook her head. "You may manifest some animal or feral instincts not actions or aggressions. I've already said you have no need to worry about shifting." She explained. "You aren't capable of shifting - you're body won't morph. The fact that you call Devyn a pack member, feel on edge before battle, have instincts that warn of something out of place...that would come from the Chameloid DNA. Although it probably has to do with your speed and strength as well...In my shifted form I am far stronger than Vulcans or Klingons."

Turning to look at everyone, she shrugged. "It seems as if this Captain Dobbs was trying to create a superior being...telepathy, strength, reflexes, instincts, and speed seem to be what the goal was." She looked back at Cara. "Your DNA sequencing is complete, there should be no extra manifestations above what you've already experienced...save the Pon Farr." She knew her next statement would make her sound bitter and maybe she was a little.

"If you are still concerned about it, perhaps Major Tallus can construct a collar for you that will inhibit your 'instincts'. He obviously has no issue with suppressing others."

Cara curled in against Tallus's hands as she rested her forehead against his shoulder and took deep breaths to get her tears under control. She knew what Nyx was doing with the shock tactics and why Nyx felt a little bitter right now. Slowly lifting her head she gave Nyx a nod and got her head 'back in the game' so to speak.

Paul winced but decided that Nyx' issues were hers to deal with, and maybe her comment would shock Cara out of excessive worrying--though, with someone like Dobbs, could there be such a thing as 'excessive' worrying?

"So what if we give Dobbs a different target to focus on. Aside from strength, I have all the asepect you've mentioned. My people are much faster than the averages humans and I would say I am even as quick or quicker than Cara.

"I would imagine the good doctor would find me fascinating."

"You don't want him to find you too fascinating," Paul said.

"Perhaps we could turn his project against him." Nyx suggested. "An exceptional telepath could always find out what the man was up to before he was completely aboard the station."

"Do we know such a telepath?" Paul asked. "One who is as good at hiding their presence as at penetrating another's mind?"

Cara admitted "Major Karrikarr or myself probably could."

Major Karikkar or Devyn both could. Both were able to find my thoughts and shall we say, scold me for them before I realized they were reading me." Nyx shrugged as she gave the men a sideways glance. "I'm somewhat receptive to empathy but your Captain Dobbs has no telepathic or empathic abilities...at least according to his files." Nyx put a PADD on the table and grinned. "As the CMO, I was able to access his medical records in case he needed treatment for anything."

Cara had to chuckle at that. "Nice going Nyx."

"It's good to be the CMO," Paul said to Nyx with a smile. "Any chance I could get hold of his psych profile?"

"Lieutenant if you have reason to believe the Captain may be manifesting tendencies that require psychological or psychiatric attention, you would have to have access to his previous evaluations if nothing more than to compare behaviors." Nyx smiled.

"I'll be interested to see how closely the reports match what I observe in the actual person," Paul said. "And I'm glad to work for such a perceptive boss."

"I will see what I can see through telepathic contact. With my advanced telepathy I can easily come and go as I please. It will also give me something to focus it on that way your stray thoughts will not be intercepted by me." Tallus said thinking.

"The point is, most telepaths pick up on the psionic waves given off by others. Most choose to block them out or filter them. To read someone's stray thoughts, you merely have to 'turn off' the filters. So my suggestion is, those who can do that in this room, should." She looked at the others. "The rest of us should be aware and be careful what thoughts we focus on in our own minds so as not to find trouble." Nyx finished with a wink at Devyn.

Cara gave Tallus a guilty look ~Sorry about that.~

~Nothing to be sorry for.~ Tallus replied.

Paul nodded at Nyx, though an amused smile flitted across his face for a moment at her remark about not finding trouble. "I'm not the best telepath in the world; I can usually only do it with people who are very strong telepaths themselves, who are projecting to me at close proximity. That's why I don't join in the silent conversations during staff meetings. I'll leave myself open to perceiving Dobbs' thoughts when I have the opportunity but won't probe. I'll play to my strengths."

"Don't let yourself be caught. It could put all of us in jeopardy if you are." Tallus said nodding at the offer.

Sam was going to make it her priority to look into this Dobbs the instant she was back in her office. She looked at Cara, the XO was visibly shaken. "Can we say place a security guard there for the sake of medical staff and personnel and if asked say the XO isn't herself." She offered her eyes moving between Devyn and the CO. "To appease security's concerns at the very least." She knew she'd feel better. The Major was a strong women and if she was shaken then something was very much wrong.

Opening her eyes on a calmer breath Cara smiled at Tallus and the others greatfully then shook her head "No ... I cant run. There isnt any evidence of him doing anything wrong. Dont get me wrong there is nothing I'd like more than to run and hide ... But I want him to pay ... and I need the information he has on all his little experiments ... I want them all. No one should have to go through what Jessie and I did."

Samantha could understand where Cara was coming from most definately however there was a difference between bravery and stupidity. "Then at least allow us to tuck Jessie away. If you will not surrender to reason, Major allow us to protect your daughter." Brian wanted to face his brother and Kale it was only fair to allow Cara to face Dobbs.

"I agree, I think Jesse needs some quality time with her uncle Bri."

Cara nodded "Jessie is my first priority ... Making sure she is safe." She bit her lip "If you and Bri can take her Sam it would be a huge load off my mind." She knew that Sam and Brian were both well trained and could take out pretty much anything that went their way. "It'll mean her missing a few days of school but I would rather that than her being seen by Dobbs."

Jess bounced on her toes excitedly at the idea of an adventure with Uncle Brian and Aunt Sam.

Samantha smirked at Jessie... "I think Uncle Bri and I can handle that." She had never really dealt with children and she had no idea how to. She was a fast learner.

"So Jesse since your mom is going to let you play hookey, we might as well have some fun. How about a holodeck adventure. I've been studying about an ancient Earth place, a thing calle and amusment park. Just the thing from what I've read. Have you ever heard of a place called Disneyland?"

Jessie shook her head "Whats Dis ... Disnla ... that place?"


"It is called an amusement park. A....a large playground. It has mechanical rides. We'll have to do it in the holodeck as those things ended centuries ago, but I was looking through some history PADDs and and I think we could replicate it well enough.'

She nodded "Yes please Uncle Bri ... can Wicker come with you and Aunt Sam and I?"

"Of course little one, why don't you go with... Auntie Sam for about an hour, while I talk with Ensign Crusher. He writes a mean program. I just have to fill him in on a few details."

"Ok Uncle Bri." Jessie held her hand out to Sam trustingly.

Samantha took her offered hand with a smile. "Come one, I've been waiting for just the right company to get ice creams..." she grinned playfully at Jessie. "when i was your age my mom and I made our own sundae's... feel up to it?"

Jessie nodded eagerly "Yes Please."

Brian looked over at Samantha, she looked really good holding Jesse's hand. A thought passed through his mind, of having a family some day. He hadn't really expected to have one with a woman, well with anyone really, but now he was begining to entertain the possiblity. But he had by no means made up his mind. There were still too many unanswered questions.

"Are you ready?" he asked Samantha and Jess, " I really want to try this ride called Splash Mountain, it sounded really fun when I heard about it. If you don't mind getting wet that is."

Jessie giggled "I like water."

"Well good, so first ride is Splash Mountain and the second is one called Pirates Of The Carribean, then maybe the Haunted Mansion. That is if you don't get scared easily."

*****************************

OFF:

Commander Brian Windsong
Chief Diplomatic Officer
SB Protector

Lt Colonel Cara Treia
XO
SB Protector

Lieutenant Colonel Tallus Karikkar
Marine Commander & Second Officer
SB Protector

 

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