Chronicles of Sol: The Fall

Stepping out of the shuttle, Reia looked around at the familiar hanger bay. It was the same bay as last time, and right on cue, she noticed Countryman entering the bay. With him were a couple of armored figures, and a Valorian woman in a medical uniform. A moment later another woman appeared also in what seemed to be a medical uniform, this one an alien.

When they got close enough to speak, she immediately inquired, “So what exactly are you planning to do to my sister?”

Countryman sighed, “I’m not exactly the best person to explain, but I’ve read what the doctors have to say. Your flesh puppet parasite is quite remarkable. Extremely resilient, hard to kill, vulnerable only to a few select forms of radiation, and with a defense mechanism that makes it hard to remove by surgical means. As it releases a potent neurotoxin when in distress, which also nullifies a few of the other options we may have had. Thankfully not all of them, but it does complicate the recovery process.”

She gave him a look, “And?”

“As you found its vulnerable to select forms of radiation. Unfortunately, the doses required are quite fatal for the host as well, but importantly they aren’t immediately so.”

A gasp was followed by Yula shouting, “You’re going to irradiate them! You can’t! the cellular damage would be extensive, and irreversible. It would condemn them to a slow death.”

“For your medical science perhaps, not to ours. Although judging from your ship, it might not be out of the realm of your medical science for much longer.”

She frowned, “my ship? How does that factor into that statement?”

“Well its only part of the equation. The kind of computing power needed for high warp opens a few doors that would otherwise be closed. We’ve had that kind of computing for nearly a century now, and it revolutionized every field from industry to medicine. From the looks of things you are just now figuring that kind of computing power out.

Her frown deepened, “and how does that connect to helping my sister?”

“As I said its part of the equation. We can repair the radiation damage because we have practical medical nanites, able to repair cellular damage. Of course, the nanites alone aren’t enough. For that we will also need to collect tissue samples,” elaborated Countryman.

Reia glanced at Yula, and then looked at the other medical officers. “Um, what exactly is he hinting at?”

“Cloning technology from the sound of it, combined with nanotechnology. If they are proposing what I think they are, it could work. Treatment would likely take weeks though. Cloning new tissue, even forced cloning of new tissue can take a while.”

“We like to clone undifferentiated tissue cells when possible, when combined with nanites they greatly accelerate regeneration.” clarified the young woman Countryman had brought with him.

Countryman interjected, “I’m afraid this discussion might go on all day, and I believe you would want to be there for your sister. I think she might also appreciate the support your presence would bring” he paused turning to Yula, “Before we go however, why don’t you turn over that scanner you used to scan me.”

Reia blinked, scanner? She hadn’t seen one, but before she could inquire Yula sighed and produced one. “I presume those implants of yours alerted you?”

“Hmm? No, you aren’t as stealthy as you thought.”

“Implants?”

Yula informed her, “He’s cybernetically enhanced, extensively enhanced. From the look of it, its been a while. As the degree of intergration between the mechanical and the organic is incredible. I never seen anything like him.”

Countryman sighed, “Kind of rude to share that without permission.” Then he turned, “Anyway, you are right I was enhanced a long time ago, a very long time ago. One hundred and two years ago in fact. Well for most of it. I was already old then, so I did have a few implants already.”

Reia frowned, “Wait! How old are you?”

“I’m one hundred, and ninety-two years old. So yes, I’ve been around. I don’t exactly look it though now do I?”

“Um, no you don’t but how?”

“I presume you live longer than your ancestors did, right?”

She nodded.

Countryman then replied, “its the same with us. As our knowledge of medicine improved, our ability to extend life improved with it. Nowadays its not uncommon for us to live for two centuries, perhaps longer.”

“Two centuries is normal!?”

“Barring accident, yes, and with a little bit of luck perhaps your sister will have a chance to live a long healthy life, perhaps even reach two hundred years. By the way you couldn’t have hoped for a better medical facility in this sector. The facilities here on the Enterprise are state of the art, superior even to many ground based facilities.”

“You sound rather confident of that.”

“Well, we have been in the sector awhile, and while we do tend to avoid inhabited systems, that doesn’t mean we don’t learn things about the locals. Technologically speaking the most advanced race local to this region of space is the Chi’ran. Their ships are quite impressive as well, able to compete with those of major powers. We’ve had precious few dealings with them, but we do know a little about them. In our first meeting they actually shared information on their medical prowess. Enough for us to know what kind of equipment their hospitals might have, and for this treatment they would be missing a few items that we have. Items that make all the difference.”

“I see. I guess we are lucky you were nearby.”

“Perhaps, but if I don’t miss my guess your people were looking for me?”

Reia blinked, “How?”

“I’ve been around, and it wasn’t that hard to figure out. The ‘why’ of it, I don’t know yet, but I have my suspicions.”

“You do?” then she sighed, “Frankly every faction probably has an interest in you after the incident at Delta Four. My sister and her company were hired by a faction interested in peaceful exchange. Although I’ve heard some rumors I don’t like.”

“Not entirely unexpected. We made quite the impression that day, part of why we are out here. Figured it was best to delay contact with your people and let things cool off a little. Which might take a little longer, given recent events. The Coto did destroy one of your cruisers recently.”

Reia sighed, “It wasn’t a military vessel, but you might be right. Your choice of assisting us would soften things, but I have no doubt others may wonder how much of a threat you might be.”

The alien doctor interjected, “that might be a bit of a heavy topic for right now, and we are almost to the lift as well. It will only be a short hop to the medical bay your sister is in from there. Who I believe would be most eager to catch up with you before her procedure.”

Reia sighed, “yes about that I realize I forgot to ask. What are you going to charge her for it?”

“First we have little use for Valorian Credits, and second this is a humanitarian mission, not a chance to make a quick buck, third you have nothing we need. Therefore we have no reason to charge any of you for the service, but if you are offering we are always interested in information, star charts, planetary surveys, and mineral reports on local star systems. That sort of thing.”

Reia took note of that as the group made their way to the lift.

The lift soon deposited them in the medical bay of the Enterprise. Reia looked around. The place had the same armored walls she saw everywhere else. She also noted what appeared to be emergency bulkheads as well. Those also seemed everywhere. Why these aliens liked to armor the interiors of their ships she wasn’t sure, but that didn’t seem important at the moment. Putting that aside, she noted the layout. It quickly became apparent that this medical bay was huge. With room after room filled with alien medical equipment. They passed massive rooms filled with strange pods, and alien surgical bays. Near the entrance, and where the lift was Reia had spotted an office. There was even someone at a desk in front of the office, taking care of reception duties. Given the apparent size of the place that seemed rather needed.

People were certainly using the receptionist’s services, as there had been a line when she came in. They had however skipped the line, and headed straight into the sprawling medical facilities. As they passed what looked to be an isolation ward, she asked, “Is the Enterprise some kind of battleship/hospital ship hybrid?”

Countryman quickly replied, “No. Officially the Enterprise is classified as a Heavy Fleet Support cruiser. Her armament and equipment largely matches that role, and her size was a consequence of her design requirements. We needed a lot of space for everything required of her. The result however was a ship with the firepower of a heavy cruiser, the protection of a battleship, and the ability to command, and support a small flotilla indefinitely. We have no need for a port, since we have the capability to produce anything we need.”

Remembering Delta Four, “Um, I think you have a good deal more firepower than the average heavy cruiser, as you performed on par with a battleship from my perspective.”

“You’re right, but with the exception of the beam array the Enterprise doesn’t carry battleship caliber guns.”

“I see,” replied Reia, but honestly that left her a little worried. If they weren’t packing battleship caliber weapons, she shuddered to imagine what their idea of battleship caliber could do. Whatever that meant.

Putting that aside, she focused on the massive medical area. The place was huge, and seemed to be layed out in a grid, which did make sense. The sheer size did leave room for a rather winding path through the area for them to take. It seemed they were not going the direct way to her sister, which was fine since it gave her more to look at.

“Out of curiosity what medical displines are you equipped for?”

“All of them,” replied both Countryman and the alien doctor instantly. Completely in sync as well.

She blinked, “I guess you have the space for it, but does that include things like cosmetic surgery?”

The doctor replied, “As the captain mentioned we have practical nano-technology. It changed surgery completely. If you would like, I could make some adjustments to your form as a demonstration. Nothing too fancy, perhaps I could remove that scar you are trying to hide with that make-up?”

“Hey! Don’t just mention that aloud.”

Countryman interjected, “I’m afraid it’s a rather obvious scar, and while you did a good job, any one who really looks at your face would notice.”

Yula sighed, “I was trying not to say anything, but they do have a point.”

Reia shrank a little, “I guess, but I would like to see my sister first.”

“Of course. I’ll make the arrangements, and don’t worry it will be quite quick. We will be done in just a few minutes.”

“Yeah, well I’ll make a choice later. First my sister.”

It wasn’t long after that they finally reached the room her sister had been put in. First thing Reia noticed upon entry was that she was not in uniform. Rather instead she was wearing a short gown, a medical gown from the look of it. The color was wrong, and the style wasn’t the norm. Yet it was clearly loose fitting. Not to mention it looked easy to remove. Obviously meant to allow easy access to the body when needed.

Neira smiled upon seeing her and hopped off the chair she was sitting on. Running over to give her hug. “I didn’t really expect to see you so soon.”

“I came quick as I could.”

“I’m glad you could make it, in time though. The doctors are about ready for the procedure.”

Reia frowned, “Um sis, are you sure about that?”

Neira nodded, “I am. They’ve already done all the prep work. Tissue samples, bloodwork, precautions against infertilty. The doctors both here, and on the Coto were quite honest with me about this. I know what they are going to do, what the side effects may be, and the risks. My chances are good. I’ll be fine, and besides many of my crew are going through it as well.”

“I see, but ...”

“I’ll be fine sis, and afterwards I think I’m going to start looking for a new job. This one just doesn’t seem worth the pay anymore.”

From the door Countryman said, “Interesting. Out of curiousity, how familiar are you with the local regions up to those on the far side of the Velosa cluster? Particularly the Brathra, and Dathaxi regions.

The two of them looked at Countryman. Reia voiced the question first, “That is a rather long way from here. Why the interest in those sectors?”

“That information is rather confidential, but what I can say is that we are interested in charting those sectors.”

Reia blinked. That seemed like a rather out of the way area to go for a charting mission. That region was beyond the borders of the Confederation, largely uncharted, and home to few interstellar powers. Although what was charted did show some promise, it was too far from civilization to really be a profitable investment.

“Seems like a rather out of the way place to be interested in. I do have some familiarity with the regions between here and there. Not all of it, but there is a hypergate about a hundred light years from here in nuetral space that could cut a few years off the trip. Assuming you could find a navigator familiar with the Bo’sh Ni’kik Ti corridor. I’m afraid not many people are familiar with it outside the Ik’til Hives.”

“Ik’til?”

Reia answered that one, “They’re an insectoid species with a knack for hyperspace navigation. They have the fastest hyperdrives in the entire sector, but their a rather reclusive race. They keep to themselves mostly, and rarely engage with others. Most races chose to leave them alone. As they can be dangerous when provoked, very dangerous.”

“Interesting, how many years do you think this might cut off the trip?”

“I’m not sure,” responded Neira, “I’m not familiar with how fast your ships are. But assuming a competive speed of warp four, about three years. The corridor allows travel at about one thousand times the speed of light...”

Countryman cut her off, “in that case, we won’t need it. The Enterprise is able to cruise at warp five without issue.”

“I see, well I guess I’ll think about it.”

The conversation shifted after that, and not long after Reia found herself sitting off to the side, as Neira’s procedure began. Only there to offer comfort. It would only be later that she would learn that Neira’s recovery would be the real test. Something that would likely take weeks.