=/\= A Call to Duty =/\=
USS ARTEMIS NCC-83093
STARDATE 10308.08
Executive Producer:
SM Sergio A

Staring (in order of appearance):
Scott S as Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest
Brian F as OPS Lt Christian Mades
Arlene M as CTO Lt Zoe Peters
Christopher H as CSO LtJg Tural P'Don K'Tor
Julien B as CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel
Karriaunna S as CMO Lt Cmdr La'I Mea'e

Co Starring (in order of appearance):
Sergio A as Roler

Absent:
Matt B as XO Cmdr Hali Farrell
 Nick M as Lt Victor Scott Regnum

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
Captains Log Star Date 10308.08 We are onboard the Hanthrosian vessel getting ready to be transported to Hanthros Prime. In the meantime, my crew is going through a surgical process that takes 4 hours to complete, which will result in them looking like a Hanthrosian.

"Puzzled" part 12

=/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  Begin Mission  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::asleep... in his dream he is still losing ground to the green flames::

Roler:
::presses a few buttons on a console, and the gen-chamber opens up::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::In the med bay or whatever the Hanthrosians call it waiting for Christian to come out.  Wonders what color his fir is going to be and hopes she can ge a picture of it.::

CSO LtJg Tural P’Don K’Tor:
::Standing waiting to see the results of the first transformation::

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::Standing in the Hanthrosians' sick bay, still a little worried about the effect the procedure will have on his link with his symbiont.::

To the rest of the crew, as the table comes out from inside the chamber, they see a Hanthrosian male

CSO LtJg Tural P’Don K’Tor:
::Turns to look at Mades::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::as soon as the chamber opens, Christian's new eyes bolt open and he jumps out of the pod, a blood curdling scream piercing the quiet of the room::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Startled by the scream and instinctively tenses up.::

Roler:
::goes to Mades' side:: OPS : Easy... You are safe.. Please.. Relax..

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::his breath coming hard, he looks around the room and starts to focus on his surroundings::  Aloud:  Where?

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::winces at the scream.::

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::his dislikes for doctors has him regretting ever coming on this away mission::

Roler:
OPS : Hanthrosian vessel... The Krithana..

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Walks over to OPS:: OPS:  Christian?

Roler:
OPS : You've been in the gen-chamber for the last 4 hours..

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
Roler: What happened to my crewman?

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::turns to look at Roler and the situation starts to come back to him slowly:: Roler: Then... it was a dream... just a dream  ::isn't quite sure yet.  Turns and sees Zoe and the others::

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::takes a good look at Lt.Mades, impressed by the results.::

CSO LtJg Tural P’Don K’Tor:
::Looks back and forth, comparing Mades to Roler::

Roler:
::turns to look at the CO:: CO : What do you mean? He was altered to look Hanthrosian...

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
OPS: Are you ok Mr. Mades, why did you scream?

Roler:
OPS : Dream? What is this Dream?

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::touches Christian.  Strange feeling the fur on his skin.::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::turns to the Captain::  CO: I... I think I just had a nightmare, that's all.

Roler:
::shakes head, and shrugs, picking up a medical scanner, pointing it at Mades::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
Roler: Its like seeing a play in your mind while you are asleep.  Seems very real at times.

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::just looks at Roler then back to Mades:: OPS: I hope thats all it was.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::calming finally, Christian stretches, arching his back and lets out a soft sound that is reminiscent of a purr::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
OPS:  You’re know Christian, your lucky Alicia is not here.. She'd fetch a ball of string for you.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::gingerly tries out his new extremities:: CO: Actually, I'm feeling pretty good now, Captain.  

Roler:
::purrs lightly, a signal Mades now interprets as a form of "Good"::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::turns sharply at Zoe and pulls back a little, staring at her strangely::

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::hopes Roler didn't understand Zoe's comment::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Raises her eyebrows.:: OPS:  Problem?

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::looks around the room::  Roler:  I didn't realize before how lovely this room is.

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::looks at Mades with a weird look:: OPS: I hope

Roler:
::twitches her ears, as a form of thank you:: OPS : You could not appreciate it before..

Roler:
::turns to the others:: All : Who is next?

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Frowns at Christians actions.:: Roler:  Does this procedure effect neural pathways, our thought processes... I believe you answered it before but I'd like to hear the answer again?  ::Looks over at the Capt.::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::walks around a bit and ends up near the CEO looking him over, a perplexed look on his face, his new ears perched high on his head::

Roler:
CTO : It doesn’t.. But you should expect some difference.. After all, your senses will efectvely be Hanthrosian, and not of your native species.. It will only take a few hours of getting used to it..

CSO LtJg Tural P’Don K’Tor:
::Glances at the CO:: Roler/CO: I volunteer for the next procedure.

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
OPS:  You really look a lot different.

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Slowly nods at Roler.::

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
CSO: Proceed Mr. K'Tor

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::off handedly:: CEO: So do you..  ::continues looking him up and down::

Roler:
::touches a few panels, and a complete profile of K'Tor appears on the monitors:: CSO : If you'd lay down here.. ::points to the table::

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
OPS:  How so?

CSO LtJg Tural P’Don K’Tor:
::Nods and lies down on the table::

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::walks over to the CTO and whispers:: CTO: I don't like this, I don't like it all

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
CEO: I can see both of you... well kind of... its hard to explain.  ::scratches behind an ear::

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
OPS:  You can feel my symbiont?

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Whispers:: CO:  Neither do I.  I've got an idea... at least one of us needs to remain completely human.   Sir I recommend that I be used as a prisoner.  If we are discovered on the planet at least you can use me as an excuse of why you are there

Roler:
::touches a few  panel buttons, and the table retracts into the gen-chamber::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::narrows his eyes:: CEO: No, that's not right...  ::turns and walks away suddenly, something new catching his attention::

CSO LtJg Tural P’Don K’Tor:
::Clears his mind and goes into a trance as the table moves into the chamber::

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
CTO: It's not me you have to convince, it's the Hanthrosians. I say yes, but I'm not sure what they will think

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::raises an eyebrow.  The change in Mades seems to have modified the way he acts too, maybe even the way he thinks...  Finds the idea quite disturbing.::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
CO:  All we can do is suggest it.  This change is too radical.  We need someone that can remind the rest who they really are.  Maybe we can ask Roler to contact the Capt again?

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::stops and is staring at what seems to the others to be a blank section of the wall:: Aloud:  That is just too cool!  ::stares intently::

A loud klaxon can be heard by all, more so by Mades, who's improved hearing makes him wince.. Then, come a voice replaces the klaxon "This is Kut'cha Nadir. We are being hailed by a Hanthrosian patrol craft. We are now in Purple alert"

Sure enough, the room's color changes in Made's eyes to a purplish color. None of the rest of the crew see any change in room color

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::covers his ears and hunkers down towards the floor::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::looks around, his eyes wide as the color of the room changes::  Sweeeet!

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
CTO: Agreed. Also I don't think that the surgi......::he stops himself in mid sentence::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Looks around.:: CO:  Now I wonder what that is about.  Going to a high alert when your own kind is hailing you...  Interesting.

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
CTO: Precaution I believe

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::the klaxons done, Christian stands back up and walks back over towards the CEO::  CEO: Can you make the Artemis do that?

Roler:
All : Please, do not be alarmed... While you are not all changed, we will have to tread carefully.. FI any patrol craft scan your presence aboard....

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Whispers::  CO:  With your permission Sir, I'd like to be the last to be converted, you 2nd last.  That way we have time to convince this "Capt"  The merit of our plan.

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::walks up to Roler:: Roler: I need to speak with your Captain

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
OPS:  Do what?

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::points at the walls::

Roler:
::nods:: CO : Very well.. However, as you can see, he is busy right now... But I will try to contact him none the same..

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::looks at the walls.::  OPS:  Whatever it is you see, we can't.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
CEO: Then boy are you missing out!  The whole room just changed color.  Its like purple now.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
CEO: A different purple than I have ever seen before.

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::Quietly watching the whole proceeding, biting her tongue to keep quiet.::

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
OPS:  It wouldn't be difficult to do, just extending the lights that show our alerts status to encompass all the wall, but it wouldn't be practical.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
CEO: No... it isn't a light... the wall just became purple... it was red and now it is purple..

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
CTO: I asked, whether he comes or not, that is a whole other story

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::With one eye on the monitor, she keeps the other on the chamber, glancing down every now and then at her empty hand, for the missing medical scanner.::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::hunkers down on the deck::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Chews the inside of her cheek.::

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
OPS:  I see...  It's possible, but not useful with the design of our ships.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::looks up at the CEO::  CEO:  But it is so cool.

Roler:
::approaches the CMO:: CMO : Are you comprehending the readings shown here?

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
Roler:  Yes.  Not that it makes me any happier about all of this.

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::smiles.::  OPS:  Maybe so, but if we start building our ships according to the coolness factor, we'll have junk.  Cool junk, but junk nonetheless.

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
CO:  Sir, I wonder if we can leave the room and head up to the bridge?

Roler:
::touches a few buttons on the wall console::

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::starts to rub the back of his neck at the base of the skull where a small scar is hidden by hair::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::makes a dismissive sound to the CEO that sounds half like a good natured hiss::

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::Her eyes follow his every moment during each new change he adds.::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Sees the Capt's motion::  CO:  Headache?

Roler:
CMO : It is necessary.. Your DNA readings would not hold against our security measures..

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::does a small summersault and lands near Roler and the CMO in the same position he was moments ago then stands to address the Hantrosian::  Roler: I don't suppose I could trouble you for something to eat?

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::breaks his trance:: CTO: wha...what? oh you mean my rubbing of the neck, no not at all, just thinking about something

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
Roler:  I am not dismissing the fact.  I am just not happy with it.  Too many things can go wrong and you have never done it on some of these species.  ::Looks at Matt::  And what will it do to the symbiont?

Roler:
::a message comes up on the monitor Roler was tapping on:: CO : Captain... I am afraid that Nadir is unavailable right now.. But he has told me to hear you out, and if your request is reasonable, it shall be fulfilled..

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Looks over at Roler.:: Roler:  Would it be Ok, if the Capt and I went to speak to your Capt for a few minutes?

Roler:
::eyes Mades intently:: OPS : Are you feeling hungry?

Roler:
CTO : Not while we are on alert...

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::makes a new sound that comes from deep in his throat.  Somehow he knows it is similar to "Yes"::

Roler:
::rolls one of her ears back:: OPS : It is not feeding time yet... You shouldn't be hungry..

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
Roler: My CTO and I were wondering if one us could remain in our human form?

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
Roler:  We would be their prisoner if discovered.  That would be our cover story.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
Roler: Our feeding time back on the Artemis is different than yours here.

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::Her eyes turn toward Mades::

Roler:
::closes here eyes, as if pondering, then opens them::

Roler:
Roler : We could try... But our mission's risk would be 50% higher... They might shoot you on the spot, with all that's been happening lately...

Roler:
OPS : Very well.. ::touches a few buttons on a console, and on one of the walls, a hole appears, and something shimmers to existence inside it::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::his eyes widen, he approaches the hole and sniff tentatively::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
Roler:  Even if you have a Federation Spy?

Roler:
CMO : Doctor... I have already explained how the procedure will function with your CEO... Would you like me to explain it again?

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::Her eyes not leaving Mades::  Roler:  Yes please.

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::still rubbing his neck:: Roler: But some of us have medical procedures done and my concern is how they will be affected after the process is done then ultimately reversed. I want to be myself when I come out of it, no offense, but what I'm saying is that I don't want any ruminants of a Hanthrosian in my biology

Roler:
CTO : Especially if we have a Federation spy... You see.. That is the reason why we are bringing you in like this... So that you can see what is happening, and that you do not give up on Hanthrosians just yet..

Roler:
CO : There will be no remainder of Hanthrosian DNA in your cells after you are reverted back to your original form.. And yes, you will look and feel exactly like you did before the procedure.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::removes a bowl from the "replicator" that is filled with some sort of creamy meal like substance.  He sniffs at is then takes a small bite with spoon provided.  His smile widens as the flavors fill his pallet and he starts to eat greedily::

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
Roler:  Even if say one of us was carted off to prison as a spy let say me, could talk to other dissidents that have been arrested.

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::walks closer to the bio-chamber, to where everyone is gathered.::

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::Turns to Roler::  Roler:  Are you sure?  If his DNA takes hold, would it not record what the original was?  What was written at birth?

Roler:
CTO : If you are caught and not killed, You will be taken to a high security facility and placed in a solitary cell. There will be no one for you to talk with, except maybe one or two guards.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::takes the bowl over towards the CEO::  CEO: You've got to try this stuff!

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
CTO: Give up, it isn't going to work, I guess as much as you and I dislike it, we must go through with the procedure

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Grins::  Roler:  Don't underestimate my cleverness.

Roler:
CTO : But, if you are a normal hanthrosian, I’m sure one of your friends could arrange for safe passage for you inside  one of such prisons as a "visitor"...

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::A familiar presense touches her shields and she glances toward Matt, still waiting for her answer.::

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::looks at what the OPS is offering him.::  OPS:  Er...  No thanks, I'm not hungry.

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
::Slowly nods, clearly not happy with the situation.::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
CEO: Man, you really are a wet blanket today.  ::takes another bite as he starts to see what is going on around here::

Roler:
CMO : Doctor.. We have performed this procedure many times.. If Hanthrosian can be made to looks like humans and back with no side-effects, the contrary is also valid.

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
Roler:  You're saying you have spies within the Federation?

Roler:
CTO : I'm saying that as you have your ways to study our culture and decide if we are fit to join your "Federation", so do we have our method to find if such an allegiance would not be a mistake.

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
Roler:  I am not Hanthrosian.  And I am concerned about my Minaran side and whether it will 'fight' the alterations.

CTO Lt Zoe Peters:
Roler:  Touché...

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::shakes his head at the young OPS, thinking he used to be like him before the joining...  In a day he had aged more than any of them would in their whole life...::

Roler:
CMO : How so?

Capt Ewan MacPherson-Quest:
::walks off wondering how it'll effect the implant in his brain::

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::finishes the bowl and places it back into the "replicator" feeling much better now::

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
Roler:  My internal system is fine tuned and sensitive.  It alters itself to most other species allowing me to heal them. Which is why my people are empathic. It is also why I heal very quickly.   When you begin to alter the DNA, I would think my body would react to try to repay the 'damage' done.

Roler:
CMO : You're assuming your body will be Minaran.. It will not... It will be as if you have always been Hanthrosian...

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
Roler:  No, I am assuming that this procedure is not instantaneous.

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
::Walks closer to La'i and Roler.::  CMO/Roler:  Doctors really do make the worst patients, don't they?  ::grins::

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::Glares at her fiance::  CEO:  I want  you in one peice not to mention myself and everyone else.

Roler:
CMO : You are correct, it is not. But there are precautionary measures in place that prevent any organism from actively fighting the changes. A loose protein is introduced in the patient's fluid stream which enacts as a "sleeping agent" for your body's natural defenses..

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::Raises her eyebrows wondering what else she has missed.::

Roler:
CMO : I understand your reservations, and i can't expect you to understand the procedure fully, but here is proof that it works.. ::points at Mades:: Ask your friend if he fells he has changed any, aside from his physical changes.

CEO Lt Cmdr Matthew Noah Russel:
Roler:  He seems to act a little differently.

OPS Lt Christian Mades:
::scratches behind his ear again::

CMO Lt Cmdr La’I Mea’e:
::Looks toward Mades and his bowl of food, then back at Roler with a raised eyebrow::  Roler:  He needs new taste buds.

Roler:
CEO : As i said, there will be a few hours worth of getting used to the new sensory input from your Hanthrosian senses, but that's to be expected...

=/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  End Mission  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=