Chapter 8

The next morning Will, Deanna, their children, and the medical staff call and emergency meeting with the village elders. They have gathered in Tadita's home and open the discussion on the situation.

"Is there a way to preserve my people?"

"My staff had done extensive research on the samples we received from the children as well as the adults on this planet."

"What have you found?"

"There is a genetic marker on the people of your planet that acts like your immunes system. When a being is exposed extensively to your atmosphere their bodies release antibodies that seek out and destroy this marker."

"That does not explain why our children are left barren."

"Yes it does, it appears that this marker was indigenous to the people of this planet. Children born on this planet as well as the adults have this marker. I did some medical research on the autopsies that were performed on the skeletons on Earth a hundred years ago this marker was not present in their system. That is when we studied the atmosphere you have here. This chemical acts like a virus attacking your vital organs leaving them scarred. It does not affect each organ the same. When the virus attacks the reproductive system it begins to break down the DNA."

"That is why our children are barren. Why doesn't it affect adults the way it does the children."

"The children are exposed twice, in their mother's uterus and once it's born there is already too much damage."

"But I thought that the placenta protects the baby even when the mother is exposed."

"Normally it does but there are a few virus' that are so small that they cross the placenta and attack the child."

"The adults on this planet are not as far gone as the children."

"Is there a cure Doctor.?

"Yes Captain there is however it is not very pleasant."

"What they need is a stronger immunes system. The only way we can bring in fresh DNA is if we were to use healthy DNA not indigenous to the planet. The best people to use are those who have had a child or are expecting a child"

"People like me isn't that right Catori"

"Yes"

"I don't understand please explain Catori."

"You see Tadita when a child is inside its mother it already has an immunes system from the mother. There are special proteins that prevent the child from being exposed to illness until its immune system is complete. That is why our children were the first to be diagnosed. They were pre-exposed when their mother was pregnant."

"So we need a healthy crop of DNA to save our people."

"Yes"

Deanna turns to Will and places her hand gently on her stomach.

"Let me help these people, there are at least a dozen pregnant woman on the Titan I'm sure they would volunteer we have to help them."

"Deanna I don't think this will work. It's to dangerous for you"

"Is that your professional belief or is it your personal belief?"

"I suppose both. Doctor what will this procedure involve?"

"First I will discuss the procedure with the women who are pregnant. Once we get permission I will be inserting a needle into the amniotic sac of each woman and take a small sample of the fluid with it I can synthesize a vaccine and administer it to everyone on this planet. There are only 75 inhabitants it should take no more than 10 women to make the cure."

"You are willing to save us and we just met you."

"Tadita, Catori, we will do our very best to help."

"Then we will not disappear?"

"It is only a temporary treatment what your people need to do is find a new home. My ship will shuttle all of you to a new planet on a planet similar to this one."

"But this is our home we have built a life here we can't just pick up where we left off on a new planet we worked hard to build a life here it won't be as easy to leave."

"Catori I know how you feel it's hard to move to a new planet but if you don't the Enca's will again vanish this time forever."

"This is a decision the entire tribe must agree to adult and children a alike. May we think about it for a few days before we make the decision?"

"I must tell you the longer you stay here the harder it will be to build a vaccine that will be effective."

"We understand Counselor we will make our decision in a few days. Thank you for your assistance you will be honored in a traditional ceremony next week before you leave."

"That would be fine. We'll see you in a few days."

The elders in the community as well as the Titan crew nod and a few minutes they beam back up to their ship.

TBC…Chapter 9