ON

<location: Observation Lounge, deck 1>

The backdrop of the Ash'aarian homeworld was a suitable setting in the
conference room, as the gray and white maelstrom of clouds cloaked the planet's
devastated surface. At the meeting table, the Republic's senior staff was in
attendance, absent Lieutenant Hawk who was currently in charge of the bridge,
and the addition of the Ash'aarian representative Commander Karu, the Deep Space
Nine medical officer Doctor Bashir, and Lieutenant Buttenhoff from engineering.
The subject at hand was, of course, that of the Ash'araan people, and how the
Federation might possibly lend assistance to the race of xenophobic humanoids
who were only a heartbeat away from extinction. The focus of the conversation
was on the ship's chief medical officer, Doctor Cromwell, who was in the midst
of explaining in detail the new promising treatment for the cybernetic plague
that was ravaging the Ash'aarian population below.

"Our problem," he addressed the table. "Is that we've been looking for a way to
help the body overcome the Ash'aarian cybernetic plague by using the body's own
defenses. At the beginning of this project, we found that specialized radiation
treatments, genetically altered viruses, reprogrammed Borg nanites, or simple
biochemical eradication were non-responsive. Therefore, as with any other
disease, we began a lengthy series of T-cell assays from the Starfleet database
to come up with a cure, or at the very least, a vaccine. However, due to the
dynamic and non-organic origins of the plague, nothing we did showed any
prospect of a positive result, nor were we able to successfully identify how it
reproduces. All we could determine was that the plague 'cells' - and I use that
term loosely since they act like no standard prokaryote or eukaryote I've ever
studied - envelope and consume any and all organic cells, and neutralize any
chemical antigen we set against it.

"However, thanks to our recent encounter with a bio-engineered humanoid organism
- a one Naruko Kuga who was once a member of our crew - a new field of
quantum-based, sub-atomic physics has emerged. While this field is still in it's
infancy, and will likely take decades to yield any useful application in
materials design, it does hold a hopeful solution to our problem. Thanks to the
in-depth physics research of Lieutenant Commander Victor Xavier Virtus of the
Starfleet Corps of Engineers, an answer to our current medical dilemma came from
his recent paper entitled 'Quantum-level inversion of subatomic particles
results in neutrino-based positronic neural networks interphased with
chemically-active organic analogs.' What Doctor Bashir and I propose is a
radical treatment that, in effect, replaces Ash'aarian red blood cells with a
chemically and structurally identical analog that differs from standard blood in
one unique way..."

Doctor Cromwell dialed a few buttons on the smooth black table console in front
of him. On the large, wall-mounted viewscreen opposite the observation windows,
an image appeared of a gray globular shape that resembled a wart-covered
ornamental gourd. In the center of the translucent shape, a small, rust-colored
sphere blinked at regular intervals to draw attention to it.

"Instead of an iron atom mediating the transport of oxygen within the hemoglobin
molecule," Leon continued, pointing to the image on the screen. "Doctor Virtus
has been working with the stabilization of 'anti-iron'; the antimatter
equivalent of iron. Based on sub-atomic scans of Kuga's physiology, Virtus has
characterized and successfully reproduced a phenomena he calls the
'positron/electron stabilization flux', or in other terms, a way for matter and
antimatter to interact at the atomic level without causing mutual annihilation.
At the present time, this can only be done reliability at the single-atom level,
and then, only with anti-iron, primarily due to it's magnetic properties. Doctor
Virtus' research has yielded a way for us to insert a particle of anti-iron into
the molecular structure of hemoglobin, and have it remain stable and chemically
active until the hemoglobin is broken down by chemical means."

"With the help of Lieutenant Butenhoff from engineering," Leon glanced at the
former life sciences head, who gave a smile and a nod in acknowledgment. "We've
utilized Doctor Virtus' research and devised a simple and efficient way to
produce anti-iron hemoglobin in sickbay using standard synthetic blood
replicators. The basic treatment we propose is to modify our personal plasma
generators - the same ones we use in the field that strap to the shoulder of our
patients for generating synthetic blood on demand - and retrofit them to produce
synthetic blood cells imbued with our anti-iron hemoglobin. They'll chemically
do the same job as regular Ash'aarian blood cells until an infectious plague
cell encounters and envelops one of the new-and-improved blood cells. As soon
as the blood cell is consumed, the released enzymes will degrade the molecular
structure of the hemoglobin, the positron/electron stability of the atoms will
be interrupted, the anti-iron will encounter standard subatomic particles,
and... boom. The plague cell and the blood cell are both annihilated."

There was a momentary pause where all individuals around the table somberly
absorbed the impacts of the treatment. What Doctor Cromwell was proposing was
to, in effect, cause countless micro-explosions throughout the body tissues of
an infected individual as the plague cells came in contact with what was, for
all intensive purposes, a Trojan horse. Literally, atom-sized explosive devices
disguised as regular blood cells would detonate once inside the cybernetic
pathogen.

"What sort of affect would this have on the patient?" Captain Roth asked slowly,
and with pragmatic curiosity.

"We predict that the treatable side effects will include anemia from a reduced
blood cell count, possible autosplenectomy of the reticuloendothelial system,
and precipitation of dissolved gasses in the bloodstream producing symptoms
similar to decompression sickness."

"The bends," Commander Carter concluded.

"Precisely," Doctor Bashir piped in. "The treatment will be very painful, and
could last from hours to days per patient. They will have to be kept under
constant medical observation throughout the procedure."

"Furthermore," Doctor Cromwell added, "this treatment can only be used on
carriers, or patients in the early stages. Because it's a deleterious
treatment, it cannot reverse the effects of the disease, and the amount of time
required to rid the body of it will be directly proportional to the amount of
organic tissue that has been transformed by the plague. Life support equipment,
convalescence, and recovery time required per patient will depend upon how many
of the vital organ groups have been affected, and to what extent they can
function on their own. The possibility for cardiovascular complications could
be extensive if the diseased has progressed significantly into the heart muscle,
to say nothing of the pulmonary system."

It was enough that the Starfleet officers appeared ambiguous about the harsh
effects of the proposed treatment. They looked at one another with uncertainty,
leaving Doctor Bashir, Doctor Cromwell, and Lieutenant Butenhoff to sit
nervously, awaiting a consensus. However, it was Commander Karu who appeared
the most distraught, as he fidgeted restlessly in his seat.

"Doctor," he started with emotion. "I don't mean to be overly-critical of all
the work you and your staff have done, but it seems to me that introducing
bio-engineered blood cells into my people to inflict further pain and suffering
seems a bit contrary to what we're trying to achieve here."

"Well, I agree it's not without risks," admitted Leon. "But I see little
alternative..."

Karu appeared torn. He wanted to be enthusiastic that Doctor Cromwell had
apparently found a treatment for the plague that had decimated his planet. But
he knew that the treatment would be more than a just tough sell. The concept of
intravenously administering tiny artificial microbes laced with a with a
microscopic, albeit powerful explosive seemed to set the stage for even more
anguish and suffering, and his planet had already suffered enough.

"I can tell you with experience that my people will not take kindly to your
proposal, doctor." He was careful with his words to ensure he remained polite
while getting to the point. "The thought of injecting their bodies with
experimental and artificial microbes will be seen as repugnant. Furthermore,
strapping patients to a bed and hooking up a multitude of electronic life
support equipment for days on end would be tantamount to torture."

"Well then, we have to try and convince them," Leon replied, as if it we're only
a simple stumbling block.

"I trust you doctor," Karu stated clearly. "And were I infected, I would gladly
submit to your treatment. But before we test it on an actual victim, we would
need the permission and blessing of our government. I think that, after our last
meeting with Legionnaire Athra, you can agree that it would be a fruitless task.
Is there no other method we can develop that would accomplish the same task
without injecting artificial organisms into the veins of my people?"

Leon was at a loss. He couldn't understand Karu's trepidation anymore he could
understand why someone would willingly jump off a cliff. "None," he shook his
head. "The whole point to the treatment is to trick the virus into thinking that
the synthetic blood cells are normal Ash'aarian blood cells. There's no way to
deliver the anti-iron without incorporating it into a specially-designed
hemoglobin chemical structure."

"Then," concluded Karu. "I'm afraid we're at an impasse. You can try to
convince the Legionnaire yourself, if you'd like. But I don't think you'll be
successful."

"We have to try..."

***

<location: Main bridge, USS Republic>

There had been limited contact between the Republic and the surface over the
course of the past week and a half while sickbay worked to produce the treatment
to the cybernetic plague. The government bunker, while possessing visual
two-way communication capability, moved after every transmission in order to
avoid tracking by sensors. Apparently, it was standard protocol to prevent
detection and elimination by the genocidal Centennial robots, and while some
information exchange had occurred where Roth offered selections of literature
from the Federation database in a show of goodwill, the response was tepid, and
the Ash'aarians grew annoyed at having to relocate every time the Republic tried
to talk to them. They sometimes ignored repeated attempts at contact, and it
took nearly ninety minutes of hailing before they were able to raise Legionnaire
Athra to discuss the newly developed remedy.

Doctor Cromwell, as in the observation lounge, went into great detail about the
"Trojan horse hemoglobin" that he and Doctor Bashir developed, and went to
lengths to emphasize the similarities of the synthetic blood to that of
Ash'aarian blood. He also related the pain and suffering that the Ash'aarian
people had endured throughout the course of war and the plague, and reiterated
that the side effects of the treatment were reversible and manageable. "Just a
little longer," he pleaded, "and your suffering will be over."

While it would have been a great denouement to any humanistic speech, little
emotion stirred in Athra's eyes, and as her face was occasionally obscured by
random fits of static and distortion due to battle-worn communications
equipment, she stoically waited a few moments in silence before responding.

"Well Roth, your chirgeon appears to have... how would you put it? 'Thrown the
baby out with the bath water'?"

"Excuse me?" the captain replied quizzically.

"I've been reading the cultural materials you transmitted to us five centons
ago," Athra revealed. "In my study to learn about your idea of jurisprudence, I
came across the works of a human named Thomas Murner. His satire spoke often of
a 'Great Fool' who wielded destructive doctrine under the guise of innovation.
An ironic bit of reading, captain, especially since what your chirgeon offers us
is no more a cure than it is another gruesome invasion of our species."

"I assure you, Legionnaire. Doctor Cromwell has devoted all his time and
expertise to develop this treatment. While it has some drawbacks, it still
shows promise if you would allow us to test it."

"Out of the question," Athra admonished. "You're 'treatment' is no different
than how the Centennials operate. You hijack the natural functions of a living
organism and bend it to do your own bidding. If you had worked to improve the
natural defenses of the body, it would be a different story. But you didn't."

"I think we've made it clear that that branch of research is not possible due to
the way that the disease operates."

"Then apparently, you require time to reconcile your inefficacy."

"But it's NOT ineffective!" blurted an astonished Leon, much to the dismay of
Captain Roth's diplomatic efforts. "All our tests show this will eradicate the
Ash'aarian body of the cybernetic plague! You're not giving this treatment a
fair chance!"

Athra's eyes narrowed coolly, indicating her irritation. "And the great fool
continues to wield his destructive doctrine." Turning her head slightly on the
viewscreen, the Legionnaire addressed the Ash'aarian commander who stood bleakly
beside Captain Roth with an air of melancholy. "You brought them here, Karu,"
she concluded. "They're your responsibility. See to it they leave our solar
system at once. They've worn out their welcome." With that, the communique was
discontinued, and the screen returned to the slowly rotating face of the doomed
Planet Ash'aar.

"That coulda' gone better," commented Nat Hawk at the helm control after a
silent pause.

Another moment of silence passed where the gravity of Athra's directive sank in.
While most wore somber expressions, only Doctor Cromwell displayed incredulity
and shock. After a deep sigh, Captain Roth was next to speak.

"Well... I guess that's that."

"Captain??" a flabbergasted Leon exclaimed.

"I said, that's that," she declared more firmly. "We've done all we can."

"No we haven't!" continued Leon, raising his voice to a level just below a
shout.

"General order thirteen, doctor," the captain matched the auditory level of
Doctor Cromwell. "'Except when orders state to the contrary, Starfleet personnel
will respect the territorial integrity of independent planetary systems and
governments, and will not violate territorial space belonging to such worlds.'"

"But there are people down there that need and want our help!" he pleaded.
"Athra can't speak for ALL of them! They're dying! Their whole WORLD is dying!
And we can SAVE them!"

"That's ENOUGH, doctor!" a booming third voice interjected. It was Commander
Carter, and the fact that he was siding with the captain drew complete disbelief
from Leon. He stared at his friend intently, trying to find the words to
respond.

"All those words..." he managed to reply with a raspy voice. "Being in the
right place at the right time... Being where we can do the most good... That all
didn't mean one damned thing, did it?"

"I'm sorry, Leon..." Carter offered in a more conciliatory tone. But it didn't
help. Doctor Cromwell had already stated his case, and from his point of view,
one of his best friends chose not to back him up when he needed it the most.
Leon took one last look around the bridge at everyone staring at him before
returning to meet John's gaze.

"So am I."

Without another word, the doctor walked out of the command pit, up the ramp to
the turbolift, and exited the bridge.

Silence again ensued as crewmembers returned to their stations, and Roth,
Carter, and Commander Karu conferred one last time.

"I'm sorry we couldn't do more for your people, Karu," the captain offered.

"It's okay, captain," Karu replied somberly, his eyes welling with tears. "I
understand your predicament. While I appreciate your efforts, and Doctor
Cromwell's zeal to save our people, sometimes all an emotionally-scarred animal
can do is stare blankly into oblivion."

"We'll make sure you have all the information on our research of the plague
before we leave orbit," John added. "Who knows? You may still be able to beat
this thing even without our help."

"Most kind, commander," he closed with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you."

OFF

(to be continued)

LTCR Leon Cromwell, MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Republic