Having provided his scientific advisory opinion during the transfer process and realizing that the rest was in the hands of the doctor & engineer, Lt. Sorvok resumed his Science Officer duties by observing the transfer of spirit energy back into the physical form of the alien.  He used his Science Tricorder to take readings during the process and afterwards as the "reunited" Tienxu'Boa took his first tentative steps after his essence had been rejoined with his body.

Sorvok would have moved forward to lend assistance but his fellow Away Team members had already done so sufficiently, thus allowed Sorvok to continue his scientific analysis of the alien.

T'Enya followed closely. The device was down, most likely for good, but that would not be good enough for the intelligence officer. Of course, this was not the time to bring it up -- not even T'Enya was that insensitive.

That would come later.

"Doctor" she asked quietly, "is he well enough to survive a transporter beam?"

Sorvok

Tienxu'Boa appears to be an organometallic type of organism. His genetic material is made up of carbon and titanium oxide complexes, making it quite unique compared to most known alien species. There is an irregular pattern of calcium substitution for carbon, which might explain the discoloration in his skin.

While the device appears to act like the transporter, it has the uncanny ability to separate the "spirit" from the body. It can also implant impulses or desires into the "spirit" once separated, as well as remove the impulse upon restoration. The exact science behind it is beyond Federation capabilities, and Sorvok concludes that using the Vigilant's transporters to emulate the effect would have involved several precarious guesses, engineering alterations, and possibly splicing in components of the device itself.

The major difference between Tienxu'Boa before, during, and after the process is brain activity. Before the process, there was none. During the process, brain activity started up suddenly and erratically. After the process, brain activity stabilized to a predictable pattern of electrical pulses.

However, the pattern is slowly fading. While Tienxu'Boa is alive right now, it does not seem as though he will survive much longer.

All

Tienxu'Boa is taken aback slightly when he hears Orlow speak his native tongue. He looks in Orlow's direction, black eyes searching out for something familiar. He looks away when he does not find what he is looking for.

"Then I am the last," he says finally---appearing relieved even if the translator does not return the inflection, "and my people are free from this place of horror. It seems fitting tombstone for us, but maybe it will be a warning for others."

Tienxu'Boa stumbles back a bit. He towards the walls of the Hall of Retribution, and leans against them. He slowly slides down the side.

"Tell me," he asks the away team, "are your people like mine? Are they consumed with the desire to punish any slight?"

OOC:

@ Adam: You nailed it, he seems at peace. ^_^ Based on your prior successes, you can speak the language without making skill rolls.

@ Sorvok: I think I answered your questions with the roll, but let me know if I left anything else out.

@ All: I wouldn't worry about the device being destroyed too much. Think of it like a one use left like the device in Spock's Brain.

Sorvok studied the data and realized the sensitive nature of the results of his analysis.  While a Vulcan might not allow himself to feel emotions, that was not to say that a Vulcan was ignorant of the feelings of others.  Sorvok had no wish to disturb Tienxu'Boa but he was not quite ready to give up on the alien's continued survival just yet.

Sorvok moved over to Dr. Kler'ik and motioned for Nevi to join them (the creatures unique metallic elements to its organic structure indicated that it might take a combination of Engineering with Medicine to find a means of saving the alien's life).  In a calm tone, Sorvok said, "Lt. Nevi, would you please join Dr. Kler'ik and I for a moment?  I would value your opinion regarding the analysis of some data.  Dr. Kler'ik, I think you might find this recently collected data interesting and perhaps useful."

Sorvok lowered his tone as he added discretely, "Based on my assessment of Tienxu'Boa's pattern of brain activity, I fear that he might not survive for much longer.  However, I am not prepared to give up on the possibility that something might still be done to preserve his life.

Perhaps these readings regarding his species' organometallic physiology with his carbon-titanium oxide genetic material along with the use of calcium in place of carbon may aid in your thoughts about what we might be able to do for Tienxu'Boa?  Perhaps if we cannot rejuvenate the organic elements in his body, something can be done from an engineering perspective to reinforce the metallic components of his form?"

While Sorvok allowed the Medical Doctor and the Engineer to ponder the new data and form their own hypotheses, Sorvok turned back to Tienxu'Boa and replied in a pensive tone, "Tienxu'Boa, I am Lt. Sorvok, son of Drs. Tovek and T'Pira, and the Chief Science Office of the Federation starship U.S.S. Vigilant.  I am a member of the Vulcan species that originated from the planet of Vulcan.

We Vulcans had a long and violent history in the distant past where we allowed our strong emotions to rule our minds & bodies leading nearly to the extinction of our species.  I believe the Ancient Vulcans did allow such primitive emotions like pride and envy and wrath to get the better of them, allowing those emotions to drive them to unspeakable acts of violent hostility sometimes bordering on the nearly genocidal at times.  No doubt such Ancient Vulcans would have felt justified at violently punishing slights, though perhaps not in so regimented and regulated an official manner as your own species appears to have done.

But the Vulcan race was spared the plight of being the engineers of their own destruction, they were saved by the philosophical teachings of the legendary logician & scientist Surak.  Surak taught the Vulcan people the principles of Kol-Ut-Shan or IDIC, Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations and through Surak's writings contained in the Kir'Shara Surak taught the Vulcan people the mental discipline of Kolinahr, the process of purging all vestiges of primitive emotion in order to embrace the path of pure Logic.

By convincing the Vulcan people to relinquish their destructive emotions and embrace the way of pure Logic, we Vulcans managed to bring our species back from the brink of extinction, to find a new way to live, survive, and thrive, building a culture that valued the pursuits of peace, knowledge, learning, discovery, and exploration.

It is a shame Tienxu'Boa that your own species was not as fortunate to find their own Surak to guide them away from their self-destructive ways.  I believe your people had much they could teach others and by the tenets of IDIC, the universe is lessened by the loss of even one species."

Carlos sighs.  "We're not perfect by any means.  Sometimes we can be petty and vengeful, but I think that all of the races of our Federation have become better for knowing one another.  At the end of the day, we all try to be better and I guess that's what counts the most."

He moves to sit near Tienxu'Boa.  "I will give you my word that I will never forget your people or you.  And we will try to take what we have learned here and use it to better ourselves.  Hopefully, that can be a testament to you and your people."

Kler'ik touched her chin in thought. "I would imagine even rudimentary cybernetics would do the trick temporarily. We may even be able to fashion some aboard the Vigilant, if Tienxu'Boa is willing to leave his world. We don't entirely understand his physiology, and how it will react with our technology." She also had to wonder what sort of life would he live, being the sole member of his species in existence. While her own people were still alive and well, she too was alienated from them and being that alone was something she wouldn't wish on anyone else.


08:57, Today: Kler'ik rolled 20 using 1d20+10. Medicine.
Could cybernetics be used to extend his life?

T'Enya also knew quite well what it felt like to be alone, though she rarely showed it. With the lone survivor now in mortal form, she took in his form, trying to see ... something. When the others stepped away, T'Enya stepped in to help the survivor.

When Sorvok made his little speech, T'Enya winced but held her tongue. There was something about the survivor's analysis that didn't sit quite right with her; Vulcans could hardly be called a "saved" species.

So she redirected the conversation.

"I Am T'Enya. What of you?" she asked Tienxu Boa softly, "do you have any pleasant memories?"

Torture survival and resistance was something she was quite well versed in; and while she could not heal the survivor she could help him live a little bit longer than otherwise possible. Or at least make his last moments a bit more pleasant ....

[OOC: If any rolls are needed, let me know.]

At this point Lt. Orlow observes.  Taking down mental notes of this moment.  It is not a good moment, but a rare one.

Kler'ik

Cybernetics might possibly prolong Tienxu'Boa's life, but without better knowledge of his anatomy and biology it would present a considerable risk. His body might reject certain implants. Furthermore, the alien's advanced age adds even more complications because his body might not be able to survive the shock of even a successful procedure.

All

Tienxu'Boa, now sitting against the wall, stares in Sorvok's direction and listens intently. His breathing grows more ragged and less frequent.

"That is kind of you to say," he says to Sorvok, "but I believe you have already learned more than my people could teach. Perhaps your IDIC could have taught them."

He looks over towards de Silva.

"As it is kind of you to say as well. It sounds to me like your people are still growing, and not afraid to live. That was not so for us."

When he hears T'Enya's question, Tienxu'Boa bows his head in deep thought, and sucks in a long breath before continuing.

"I can remember my son," he answers with his eyes closed. "I see his smile."

He raises his head again, and looks into the sun in the distance.

"Perhaps death is not so terrible a fate," he whispers, "if it means I can be with him once more."

Nevi nodded at Sorvok's suggestion and listened to Kler'ik.  He cocked his head as he rolled through his thoughts, "There are many ways Engineers stabilize such elements and perhaps we can use that technology until the Doctor can figure out a more permanent way to address the biological side of the equation."  He rubbed his chin, "We can, perhaps, use the same kind of stabilization field we use on volatile chemical processes.  That would allow us to moderate the decay and shore up those reactions that need to take place."

He looked at Sorvok and held up his tri-corder and nodded at Kler'ik, "If she can tell me which processes are vital, I can create a field to target those processes that are needed for life and those that are the processes of decay."

Without awaiting an answer, he began his study of Tienxu'Boa...

(OOC: 26 on his analysis.)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Wed 09 Apr 2014.

Spid'Dar

There are several methods of induced stasis used for animate and inanimate matter in order to arrest decay. A stabilization field method is known to work with inanimate chemical components similar to Tienxu'Boa's biological building blocks. However, adapting one for a life form would involve a great deal of guess work, and there is no guarantee that stasis would be a pleasant experience. Furthermore, the alien's advanced age also complicates matters, as the stress of the procedure might send him into shock.

Carlos looks a bit aghast at his crewmates.  "I think the decision should be up to Tienxu'Boa.  And it sounds as if he's already made the choice to pass on and to be with his son."

Nevi frowns as he looks at his tri-corder.  He speaks to Sorvok and Kler'ik, "This would be an incredibly difficult procedure...  I definitely need time to work this out."  He shook his head, "Time we really don't have Doctor."

T'Enya ignored the rest and focused on the survivor. There would not be much longer at this point ...

She pulled out her ever-present tricorder and turned it on.

"Would you mind if I record this for posterity? Tell me more about your Son ..."

Kler'ik showed Nevi her earlier scans of the alien's physiology, hoping it may assist in the Engineer's efforts.

Daniel looked uncomfortable, his own feelings much the same as Carlos. He seemed especially shaken by T'Enya's cool determination to badger the dying alien. "He does seem to have made his decision and we should be prepared to accept that."

Sorvok turned a cool, appraising eye towards Carlos and Daniel as he said in a calm, calculated tone, "Of course the final decision is Tienxu'Boa's to make.  However, until we have considered all possibilities including potential life saving measures, we are not in a position to present an accurate selection of options to Tienxu'Boa.

It is easy enough to choose death if there appears to be no apparent means of survival or way to prolong life.  But until Dr. Kler'ik, Lt. Nevi and I have fully discussed what may be done for Tienxu'Boa, we will not know if there is still a chance to save his life.

If it is Tienxu'Boa's decision to make, and I agree that it should be, then that decision should be an informed decision... meaning that Tienxu'Boa should be presented with the full list of potential options from which to choose and that list may include some means of continued survival.

Of course if there truly is no viable way either medically or mechanically to preserve Tienxu'Boa's life, then that is that.  But we must first consider the available possibilities before we simply "write off" the life of the last surviving member of a dying, near-extinct species.  That said, it is always the choice of the individual as to whether life preserving techniques are applied.  We are simply trying to discern if there actually are any techniques that could be applied... though regretfully it begins to appear that we have truly run out of viable options.  Thus regardless of any of our wishes, it appears that Tienxu'Boa's imminent death is inevitable."

If one knew Sorvok better, one might almost think the cold, logical Vulcan took the issue of "species extinction" rather personally... almost "emotionally" if the logic-dedicated Vulcan Science Officer could be ever said to get "emotional" about anything.  Then again, his species, the Vulcan people, knew a thing or two about the pain of losing one's racial and cultural heritage and the dangers inherent in trying to keep a dying race alive.

"His name was Yaejun'Boa," the alien says softly, "and he had his mother's smile..."

---

Captain's Log, Stardate 2262.33...

Upon being returned to his body, the last known survivor of the Zhulwei civilization known as Tienxu'Boa has passed away. Lt. Sorvok and the rest of the away team were able to secure a sizable amount of cultural and historical information from this lost society. After sending word to Starfleet Command, we are awaiting the arrival of the science ship, USS Ardent to begin an archaeological investigation of the planet.

I have also granted requests from Dr. Zephyr and Lt. Parker to be transferred to the archaeological team. Their stations will be taken over by Dr. Kler'ik and Lt. Orlow respectively. Lt. Black will also be transferred to their care.

I cannot help but wonder if the Zhulhwei realized that their own obsession with seeking justice caused the destruction of their planet. I can only hope that we as a people are able to tell the difference between our values and obsessions...

OOC:

Sorry for the short post. Please feel free to add anything else to the game. If not, I'll close it out, hand out XP, and start the next episode! ^_^

T'Enya stood at a respectful distance while the Captain made her entry regarding the latest mission. As far as T'Enya was concerned, there was still one more loose end to take care of. She said nothing, but a special glance let Sorvok know that he was invited to this conversation, if he so wished.

Sorvok noted the glance from T'Enya and raised an eyebrow in curiosity as to the meaning of this but decided that knowledge was superior to supposition in such matters.  With a small nod of his head to acknowledge the invitation, Sorvok moved to join T'Enya.  An idea occurred to him about the nature of the topic to be discussed but Sorvok figured he'd find out soon enough.

Daniel was not present on the bridge; the security chief had pleaded the need to attend to reports and left as soon as he delivered his briefing to the Captain.

"Yes, Lieutenant?" Captain Tabin says to T'Enya, after she hands her pad to the Yeoman on duty.

"Captain, I am concerned about some of the data we have regarding the device. If it were to get into the wrong hands, that could be ... catastrophic."

"I understand your concern, Lieutenant. I've taken a look at the information the away team has collected. Once you file your report, I shall contact Starfleet Command via encrypted channel for further instruction."

OOC:

I'm happy to call the info classified and leave it at that so that we can move to the next episode. You don't have to RP or write out a report unless you really want to.

Outside Space and Time

A thin wisp of smoke weaves from the smoldering end of a cigarette in an ashtray. G sets down his drink and picks up the cigarette, taking a long drag before replacing it back at the tray.

The door to the office opens. L walks in and gestures with a set of papers she is holding in one hand. She walks over to the desk. She sits on the edge of the desk, and drops the pile of papers in front of G.

"The results are in," she says.

"I thought they might be," answers G.

"Then maybe you'll pick them up next time." L cocks an eyebrow at her partner. She picks up his drink and finishes it.

"After all, I'm not your secretary."

G shrugs. He picks up a crystal bottle filled with a dark amber liquor, and another glass. He pours himself and his partner a drink.

"I'll get them next time."

"That's what you always say."

"Because I know it works. Now, let me see what the numbers say..."

G picks up the set of papers and starts flipping through them. He takes his time poring over the data. While she waits, L draws a cigarette and lights one of her own. She watches G with a sly, slim smirk on her face as he looks over it.

"Not bad," he says finally, looking up at L.

"Indeed," she replies, "for a first trial...

"Not bad at all..."

OOC:

And with that, roll credits!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXPW5QV4Ymw