Scientific Freedom
Posted on Wed Jan 8, 2020 @ 2:34pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit & Lieutenant JG Camille Lévesque PhD
926 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission: Nibiru
ON:
Lieutenant junior grade Camille Lévesque had spent days putting this together. It wasn’t just a piece of good work. It was something important. Not just important to her, but critical to the Federation and sentient beings everywhere.
Okay, that was maybe a stretch. But it mattered.
PADD in hand, she strolled onto Deck 1 and chimed the door to the Captain’s Ready Room. She stood patiently outside, rocking back and forth on her feet, waiting to be summoned.
After a moment the doors parted silently, allowing her to enter,
Camille was suddenly apprehensive. Not hearing a call to be allowed in, but the doors opening anyway, put her out of her comfort zone. She carefully stepped inside. "Captain? Do you have a moment?"
Seated at her desk, the Captain had a nav chart open on the display screen. It was a sensor file taken from a series of remote sensor drones fired out to gather data, the information fairly basic. “I might even have two..” Kennit answered. “How can I help you Lieutenant.” she asked, tapping a control and leaning back slightly as the nav data changed from a 2 dimensional display into a 3-D display above the desk.
Somehow, the Captain’s apparent positivity somehow kept Camille on edge instead of calming her. Nevertheless, she was here with purpose. She stepped closer to the Captain’s desk and handed her a PADD. “Captain, I’d like your approval to transmit this to Earth, to undergo peer review and eventually publication.”
The PADD contained, in full, a scientific journal article, intended for submission to the Journal of Biomedical Science.
Nicole Anderson, Camille Lévesque, Thomas Anderson
Discovery, characterization, and treatment of novel, toxin-producing, designed and manufactured variant of Parvovirus B19 with nonstandard quantum signature in Delta Quadrant.
Abstract:
Primate erythroparvovirus 1, generally referred to as B19 virus, parvovirus B19, or erythrovirus B19, is most known for causing disease in the pediatric population. It is the classic cause of the childhood rash called fifth disease or erythema infectiosum. On Stardate 66979.5, the Starfleet vessel USS Victory encountered the freighter Maharshi Krishnayreya, whose entire complement had been killed by a heavily modified version of Parvovirus B19. Patient immune response was non-existent. The virus modifications included changes to capsid proteins VP1 and VP2, which resulted in a wider host range and evasion of immune response. Attempts to unfold the capsid protein using custom-designed prions failed. Further characterization of the virus found that instead of replicating, the viral DNA interacted with host cellular RNA polymerase, restructuring it into a novel ligase capable of producing a highly toxic and highly unstable cytotoxin. Prion therapy failed because the viral capsid was produced using matter from an alternate reality, which did not interact in a predictable manner with endemic matter. Though not confirmed through direct observation, it was believed that the virus caused mild to no illness in natives to the so-called Mirror Universe, and thus was a suitable biological weapon that killed humanoids native to our universe but left them unaffected. Treatment was possible through the use of reprogrammed Borg nanites, which repaired patient tissues until total cytotoxin breakdown and then isolated exotic viral particles for safe removal. Effective conventional treatments and a vaccine remain elusive, though the USS Victory removed the threat through military intervention.
The article went on to provide a full background, the methodology of their experiments and treatments, their results, and a very detailed discussion on the nature of this virus, including options for future directions should the virus they faced re-emerge.
Camille looked at her Captain expectantly, a sliver of hope behind her lenses.
"Some of this data has been marked as classified by Starfleet. It will have to be vetted by Starfleet Intell prior to any submission to a civilian agency." the Captain said finally.
Camille nodded. “We’ve proactively looked for anything classified, and I’ve kept it on secure networks until it can be vetted clean. Aside from the reference to its source as being the Mirror Universe, there’s no mention of the Terran Empire, your abduction, or details on the battle. Nevertheless, I’ll make a point to send it to Intelligence first, as you say. But assuming they’re okay with it, I can submit it?”
“I would wait for approval from Starfleet Intell first..” she answered.
"Bien compris!" Camille replied excitedly, no longer able to contain her joy. She smiled widely. "I mean, understood. I'll submit it right away. Thank you! I'm sorry, but I expected this to be harder."
One eyebrow rose, and the Captain said “I can make it harder for you if you’d like..”
"Non, non, non, it's fine," she said quickly. She pushed her glasses back up her nose, after they'd slid a bit too low. "I'll keep you informed." She turned to leave, but stopped herself. "Um, how are you finding the new ship, Captain?"
Kennit paused, then shrugged. "A ship is a ship. It's a little bigger than the last one but.. still just a ship."
“More than that, Captain,” Camille interjected. “The scientific suites aboard the new Victory are much better. More labs, more equipment, better sensors. We can do much here, Captain.”
“Yes well, having the proper tools regardless of situation is always a help.”
"Oui, Capitaine. Have a good day." Victory's science nerd resumed her trajectory towards the exit, to leave her Captain in peace, excited that she could submit her work, at least to someone
***
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