Chapter 15.
Jetrel.
(Scott POV)
I was on the Bridge as an alien ship had sent a message wanted to speak with Neelix for some reason.
"McCall to Neelix, Please report to the Bridge," I said.
Not too long Neelix came out of the Turbolift.
"You wanted to see me, Captain," Neelix said.
"Yes, Neelix, We've received a subspace message from an approaching vessel, They're asking for you," I said.
"Me?" Neelix said.
"The Alien ship is entering visual range, Captain," Kim said.
"Slow to impulse, On screen," I said. "Do you recognize it,"
"That's a Haakonian Shuttle," Neelix said.
"Haakonian?" Chakotay said.
"My People were at war with them for the better part of a decade, They conquered my homeworld more than 15 years ago," Neelix said.
"Any idea what the Haakonians want with you now?" Chakotay said.
"None at all," Neelix said.
"The shuttle is hailing us, captain," Kim said.
"Open a channel," I said.
"Channel open," Kim said.
"I'm Captain Scott McCall of the Federation Starship Voyager," I said. "What can we do for you?"
"As I stated in my Message, Captain, I understand you have a Talaxian called Neelix aboard your vessel," He said.
"I'm Neelix, What do you want?" Neelix said.
"It is a matter of utmost urgency, However, I would prefer to speak with you privately," He said. "Your life may very well depend upon it,"
"Who are you?" Neelix said.
"Forgive me, I am Jetrel," Jetrel said. "Dr. Ma'bor Jetrel,"
Then After that Neelix left the Bridge straight into the Turbolift.
"Neelix," I said.
Then the Doors sealed.
"I will let you go speak with him Captain, please Hail me when you can," Jetrel said closing the Channel.
"What was that about?" Chakotay said.
"No idea," I said. "Harry has that ship powered weapons,"
"No, Captain, All of their weapons systems are offline," Kim said.
"So they aren't showing to be a threat," Chakotay said.
"Keep an eye on him through, Chakotay I'm going to see what had Neelix Spooked," I said.
"Aye Captain," Chakotay said.
Then I went for the Turbolift. Once the Doors closed.
"Computer, Locate Neelix," I said.
"Neelix is in his Quarters," Computer said.
"Reroute Turbolift to that Deck," I said.
XXX
Once I got to his Door.
I rang the Door Bell.
"Come in," Neelix said.
Then I walked in.
"What was that about Neelix?" I said.
"Captain have a seat it will take some time," Neelix said.
So I sat down.
"He's a mass murderer," Neelix said. "When I was much younger, my family and I lived on a moon called Rinax, A colony with the Most temperate climate in the Entire Talaxian system, warm days, Balmy Night, Until the Metreon Cascade, Melodic name isn't it? Especially for a weapon of mass Destruction,"
"And Jetrel was somehow involved with the weapons or he was the one," I said.
"The second one. Dr. Jetrel was the scientist who conceived the Metreon Cascade then he led the team of scientists who built it," Neelix said.
"I see," I said.
"In the Blink of an eye Rinax was enveloped by a deadly cloud and those lovely days were turned into one endless frigid night, More than 300,000 were killed," Neelix said.
"But you survived," I said.
"I had the good fortune to be an Talax at the time with our defense forces preparing for an invasion that never came," Neelix said. "It wasn't Necessary, the Day after the Cascade was deployed, Talax surrendered unconditionally to the Haakonian order,"
"And your Family?" I said.
Neelix Shaked his head.
"I'm sorry," I said.
XXX
Then I was in the Transporter room with Tuvok. When Jetrel beamed over.
"Dr. Jetrel, Lt Tuvok my chief of Security," I said.
"I have heard of your Transporter Technology, captain, But to experience it first hand is truly remarkable," Jetrel said.
"Mr. Neelix has declined to meet with you," I said.
"That's not surprising," Jetrel said. "ii'm afraid I'm not a very popular figure among the Talaxian people,"
Damn right.
"May we show you to your Quarters," Tuvok said.
"Mr. Neelix has given me permission to speak on his behalf," I said. "You indicated that he may be in some kind of danger,"
"Yes, It's imperative that he undergo a complete medical Examination," Jetrel said.
"For what purpose?" I said.
"Our War records show that he was part of the team that returned to Rinax after the Cascade in order to evacuate survivors," Jetrel said. "He was exposed to high concentrations of Metreon isotopes, In recent years, several of the rescuers have developed a degenerative blood disease called Metremia,"
"Is it serious?" I said.
"I am afraid that it's fatal," Jetrel said. "The disease attacks its victims on a molecular level, It may lay dormant for years but once it manifests itself, it will cause the body's atomic structure to undergo fission. The cells will begin to disintegrate, My equipment is specifically designed to detect the subatomic signature of the disorder,"
"May I ask, Doctor why you've taken it upon yourself to examine Mr. Neelix," Tuvok said.
"I've evaluated as many members of the team as possible collecting data, in hopes that one day my research will lead to a cure for Metremia," Jetrel said. "Please, try and persuade Mr. Neelix to see me, Each Talaxian I screen brings me one step closer to a cure,"
Then Tuvok left with Jetrel but there was something else but I didn't push it and I went to tell Neelix it.
Once I got there, Kes was with him.
"Excuse me," I said.
"Captain, back from your doctor's appointment already?" Neelix said.
"I'm afraid I have disturbing news, Neelix," I said.
"Nothing you tell me could make this say any more disturbing than it's already been," Neelix said.
"According to Jetrel, You were exposed to dangerous levels of Metreon poisoning and may be at risk of developing a fatal blood disorder," I said. "He wants to screen you for the disease,"
"Captain, Please tell Dr. Jetrel that I am touched by his tender concern for my state of health, But that I'd rather be immersed in a pit of Krallinian eels than be examined by him," Neelix said.
"Neelix, If there's something wrong with you, We should find out," Kes said.
"I don't want that man within 10 Parsecs of me," Neelix said.
"I understand your feelings, But this is your life we're talking about," I said.
"Don't either of you find it the slightest bit strange that a man who made it his life's work to develop a weapon to destroy as many Talaxians as possible should suddenly be concerned with this Talaxian's health?" Neelix said.
"I don't know what his motives are, maybe he's trying to undo some of the damage his weapon caused but he seems sincere, Neelix," I said. "And at this point I have no reason to doubt him,"
"If the disease is fatal, what's the point of knowing whether I have it or not?" Neelix said.
"Our doctor is the most skilled physician either of us has ever met, if you have this disease, he won't stop until he's found some way to treat it," Kes said.
"And if Jetrel discovers you don't have the disease, at least you'll have peace of mind," I said.
"Peace of mind is a relative thing, Captain," Neelix said.
"I simply want you to hear what he has to say, then if you still don't want him to examine you, no one will force you, We could easily get him to show our doctor how to find it but it will take longer," I said.
"Outnumbered and outflanked, All right, then I surrender," Neelix said.
"We going to meet him in the conference room in 10 minutes," I said.
"I'll meet you up there Captain, I just got to gather my thoughts," Neelix said. Then left.
"Captain, do you think that Neelix will be alright," Kes said.
"He has us, Sometimes that all it takes," I said.
"Hopefully," Kes said. "Captain, you seem to be worried about this,"
"I am. This remembers me of something that happened on Earth a good time ago and we are still paying for it," I said.
"What do you mean," Kes said.
"Back in the 1986 back on Earth, there was a Nuclear Disaster. Happened Saturday, 26 April. Nearby a city called Pripyat under 2 miles from a Nuclear Power plant. It's name, Chernobyl, there were 4 Reactors, On that day. Reactor #4 exploded. Over 4000 People dead from Radiation exposure. We were only lucky that only that one time a Nuclear Reactor exploded," I said.
"What caused it?" Kes said.
"There was Reactor design flaws and that day a serious Breach of Protocol during a simulated power outage safety test," I said.
"Wasn't there a fail safe to shut it down," Kes said.
"There was, But it also was the cause of the explosion. The fail safe was a button called AZ-5. when it's engaged the drive mechanism on all control rods to fully insert them including the manual control rods that had been with drawn earlier. Now, Normally, It was meant to shut it down straight away but it didn't. The power shot up, increased the power big, But at that point already started to self destruct. Now the Big problem was the Design of the RBMK Control Rods, which had a Graphite, Neutron moderator attached to its end to boost Reactor output but if the Control rods were fully pulled out. the first thing to enter the core isn't Baron. But Graphite, It made all the core overheated causing some of the Rods to fracture blocking control rods columns and jamming the Control rods at 1/3 insertion In 3 seconds that reactor output rose above 530 MW. Last known Output was 30,000 MW, That area is still not able to be able for people to live there still, Even it happened a long time ago. Back then it was going to be 20,000 years before anyone could life there," I said. "That was the only disaster of that at all. Thankful it was too. Since after that. The RBMK reactors were refitted to prevent another one happening ever,"
"Do you remember anything else," Kes said.
"No, But it is all in Voyager database if you want to look at all of it," I said.
"I may do that," Kes said.
"I best get up there, If you want to talk you know where to find me," I said.
"Thank you," Kes said.
XXX
Then We were in the Conference room were Jetrel was talking to us.
"The Metreon isotopes are unique. their rate of decay is highly variable, We have found that it's sometimes years before Metremia sets in and unfortunately," Jetrel said.
"Why are you doing this?" Neelix said.
"I beg your pardon?" Jetrel said.
"Is it all just scientific curiosity?" Neelix said. "Metreons and Isotopes? Or do you feel guilty about what you did?"
"Guilty?" Jetrel said. "I do not regret it, I did what had to be done,"
"Really? It was necessary to vaporize more than a quarter of a million people and to leave thousand of others to be eaten away by Metreon Poisoning?" Neelix said.
"Would it make any difference If I told you we never thought there would be any radiation poisoning?" Jetrel said. "That anyone close enough to be exposed would be killed by the initial blast? It was unfortunate we were wrong?"
"Unfortunate? Did you hear that Captain? It was unfortunate," Neelix said.
"Neelix, I think what Dr. Jetrel is trying," I said.
"No Captain, That'll all right, I'm used to it," Jetrel said. "I'm simply a scientist, Yes, I developed the weapon, But it was the Government and the military leaders who decided to use it, not I,"
"That must be very convenient distinction for you, Does it help you sleep at night?" Neelix said.
"I slept no worse last night than I have any other night for the past 15 years," Jetrel said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Neelix said.
"It means I must live with my conscience as you must live with yours," Jetrel said. "How many did you kill during the war?"
"Gentlemen, Please," I said. "This is obviously very difficult for both of you, but we are not here to debate history, We are here to talk about Neelix's Condition,"
"Don't worry about it, Captain, Because Dr. Jetrel will have to find himself another Laboratory Rodent to help his experiments," Neelix said. Getting up. "because I would rather die than help you ease your conscience,"
"I do not expect you to like me, Mr. Neelix nor do I hope to allay your obvious pain with moral arguments but I do believe I can help you if not you, others of your race," Jetrel said. "Isn't that more important than punishing me?"
Not too much longer Neelix agreed as long as the Doctor was there.
So they headed down to sickbay.
XXX
I was in my Ready room.
Then the Door bell went.
"Come in," I said.
Then Dr. Jetrel came in.
"Am I interrupting?" Jetrel said.
"Please, sit down," I said.
"Captain, I must tell you your ship is simply astounding, I have been studying your Transporter System," Jetrel said.
"Transporter systems? I would think you'd be more concerned with Mr. Neelix," I said.
"Forgive me, But that is what I am here to talk about, I believe with a relatively few minor modifications, the Transporter system could be used to retrieve a sample of the Metreon cloud surrounding Rinax," Jetrel said.
"To what end?" I said.
"I've always believed that if I could isolate the free isotope that cause metremia it could be used to sythesize an antibody," Jetrel said.
"Then theoretically the Victim's Own immune system could destroy the disease," I said.
"Yes, Captain and your transporter system makes it all possible," Jetrel said.
"Is the isotope stable enough to be transported?" I said.
"I believe so," Jetrel said.
"We could construct a containment field to prevent any contamination of the ship," I said. "And I could have our Doctor assist you with synthesizing the antibody,"
"My thoughts exactly," Jetrel said.
"McCall to Bridge," I said.
"Chakotay here, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Have Dr. Jetrel vessel tractored into the Shuttlebay. Any lay in for the Talaxian system," I said.
"That's a significant detour, Captain," Chakotay said.
"I'm aware of that, Commander, But it may mean saving Neelix's life," I said.
"Understood," Chakotay said.
"I'll send a message to Talax requesting permission to transport material from the cloud, In the mean time, Lt Torres in Engineering can give you a hand with the Transporter Modifications," I said.
"Thank you, Captain," Jetrel said.
"Thank you. Dr. Jetrel," I said. "It's a very promising idea,"
Then He went to leave and the he grabbed hold of the wall.
"What is it?" I said.
"Nothing, I just think I'm a little overexcited about the prospects of discovering a cure and all that sparring with Mr. Neelix does take a toll," Jetrel said.
"Maybe you should let the Doctor have a look at you," I said.
"No, I'm fine, and there's so much to be done," Jetrel said. "I want to start right away,"
Then he left.
XXX
"Captain's log, Stardate 48832.1. Kes has prevailed upon Neelix to allow Dr. Jetrel to continue metabolic scans in the hope that it will facilitate treatment once the antibody has been synthesized," Ending the log.
Then headed out to the bridge.
"Commander let me know when we get there, You have the bridge," I said.
"Aye captain," Chakotay said.
Then I headed down to my Quarters and went in.
Then I saw the Stars flying by. It's beautiful went we are at Warp. Then I went and turned on the screen and the PS4 went onto Red Dead Redemption 2 and started the Story mode. I just got to the point where it got to the mining town called Colter.
Then my door bell rang.
I paused it. "Come in," I said and my door opened and Kes walked in.
"Kes," I said.
"Do you have a minute," Kes said.
"Of course, Come on in," I said.
Then Kes came and sat down next to me.
"So what's on your mind," I said.
"Neelix," Kes said. "He is still being,"
"I know, To be honest I don't blame him," I said.
"So what do we do," Kes said.
"Give him time and help him through it," I said.
"I just hate seeing Neelix like that," Kes said.
"Yeah, me too, But we just got to wait Kes, Soon everything will sort itself out," I said.
"Just hope you're right," Kes said.
"If not, We make it better," I said placing my hand on her shoulders which made Kes nod.
"Bridge to McCall," Chakotay said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"We are approaching the Talaxian system," Chakotay said.
"On my way," I said. "Talk later," I said to Kes then headed back to the Bridge.
Once there, We were just dropping to impulse.
"Bridge to Neelix," I said
"Here, Captain," Neelix said.
"Neelix, I thought you'd like to know. We're approaching Rinax," I said. "Neelix,"
"Thank you, captain. I'll be right there," Neelix said.
Not to much later, Neelix came onto the Bridge.
"Entering synchronous orbit, Captain," Paris said.
"Hard to believe that on clear nights you could look up from Talax and see the shimmering lights of the colony," Neelix said. "The night of the Cascade, a bright flash cut across the sky so blinding that people threw themselves to the ground and everything stopped like a moment out of time, Then we all looked up to see where the flash had come from, but the sky seemed oddly empty, It took most of us a few seconds to realize it was because Rinax was gone, Of Course, the moon was still there, we just couldn't see it because of that Metreon cloud,"
"Engineering to Bridge, We're ready to begin transporter presequencing, Captain," Torres said.
"Acknowledged," I said.
"This brings back too many memories, captain, If you'll excuse me," Neelix said leaving the bridge.
"Of course," I said.
"Presequencing complete, Captain. I'm ready to begin transport," Torres said.
"Proceed," I said.
"Targeting scanners, Locking on, Energize, Captain, we have the sample aboard," Torres said. "The Containment field is holding,"
"Well done, McCall out," I said.
XXX
I came out of my ready room.
"Any report of Dr. Jetrel's progress, Commander," I said.
"Not yet, Captain," Chakotay said.
"Bridge to sickbay," I said. "McCall to Sickbay, McCall to Dr. Jetrel,Computer, Activate Emergency Medical Hologram,"
"Please state the Nature," Doctor said.
"What the hell is going on down there, Doctor," I said.
"Dr. Jetrel Deactivated me, He's gone now," Doctor said.
"Computer, Locate Dr. Jetrel," Tuvok said.
"Dr. Jetrel is in Transporter Room 1," Computer said.
"And Mr. Neelix is unconscious, It appears he's been Transquilized," Doctor said.
"You have the Bridge Commander, Tuvok," I said. "Security, meet me in Transporter Room 1,"
Then we got into the Turbolift and headed for the Transporter room 1.
Once we got there.
"Please, Step aside, Doctor," Tuvok said.
"You must let me continue, Lives depend on it," Jetrel said.
"We've heard that from you before, You're beginning to lose credibility," I said.
"Captain, I beg you, Let me bring them back," Jetrel said.
"Bring who back? Who, Doctor?" Neelix said. "Who is it you're going to bring back?"
"The victims of Rinax," Jetrel said.
"He's out of his mind captain," Neelix said.
"Please, Look at my calculations," Jetrel said. "You remember what I told you about Metremia, Captain? How it causes the body's atomic structure to undergo fission," Then he groans. "It mirrors the way the Metreon Cascade vaporized its victims through Bio-molecular disintegration,"
"Do we have to listen to this?" Neelix said.
"I think we should hear him out," I said.
"What I've been working on for the past 15 years is a way to rebuild that atomic structure, What I call regenerative fusion," Jetrel said.
"Are you saying You're actually trying to restore people who were vaporized by the Metreon Cascade?" I said.
"Yes," Jetrel said.
"Given the degree of Fragmentation you're talking about, I don't see how that's possible," I said.
"The electrostatic properties of the clouds are as such that the disassembled bio-matter has been held in a state of animated suspension, I discovered years ago that reintegration is possible," Jetrel said.
"Is that what you were doing with that thing is Sickbay," Neelix said.
"Yes, exactly" Jetrel said. "Neelix saw it, it was an amalgamation of random fused organic material, bits and pieces of previously vaporized bio-matter,"
"But if the Bio-matter in the cloud is so random, so jumbled, how could you reconstruct something whole?" Neelix said.
"I used medical records to identify the genetic coding of a specific victim, a test case, of you will, Once we input his DNA sequence, then we can isolate his atomic fragments with your targeting scanners, and then Rematerialize him," Jetrel said.
"What if he's right?" Neelix said.
"Captain, Dr. Jetrel is proposing the reconstruction and re-animation of a remarkably complex set of bio-systems from billions of subatomic particles," Tuvok said.
"I'm afraid I have to agree, It all sounds very implausible," I said.
"You sound exactly like my country, I asked them for more funds to continue my research to help the victims of Rinax because I wanted the world to know I m not a monster," Jetrel said. "My theories can be used to heal as well as to destroy, but they refused me, called me a Talaxian sympathizer and exiled me,"
"Does Neelix really have metremia?" I said. "Or was that just a pretext for getting us to come to Rinax?"
"It was just a pretext, Captain, You do not have Metremia, Neelix, You are not going to die," Jetrel said.
"Why didn't you just tell us the truth in the first place?" Neelix said.
"Your Captain is an accomplished scientist, He doubts my theories, My own government did, too, I just couldn't risk being not believed again, but, Captain it will work," Jetrel said.
"Captain if there's any chance he can do it, you've got to let him try," Neelix said.
"Neelix there are just too many variables, I don't even know if we can even do that with our Transporter technology," I said.
"Please Captain," Neelix said.
"Tuvok, Activate the Emergency containment field around the Transporter pad," I said.
"Aye Captain," Tuvok said. "Emergency Containment field activated,"
"We'll have to retarget scanners to the widest possible confinement beam," I said. "It's our only hope of achieving bond cohesion with such broadly scattered fragments,"
"Retargeting scanners to wide beam," Tuvok said.
"Energize," I said. "Phase transition coils to maximum,"
"Aye captain," Tuvok said.
"Is the Bio-genic field operational?" I said.
"Affirmative," Tuvok said. "Atomic cohesion has dropped to 49%, Captain,"
"Pattern buffers to maximum power," I said.
"They are already at 100%," Tuvok said.
"Take them to 120, Tuvok," I said.
"Pattern buffers to 120% of rated maximum," Tuvok said.
"We're losing him," I said.
"Atomic cohesion to 39% 22% 14%," Tuvok said. "his pattern is degrading rapidly,"
"You must increase the power to the Pattern Buffers Captain," Jetrel said.
"We've got to stimulate cohesion, is there any way to augment the Bio-genic field?" I said.
"The degree of Fragmentation is simply too great," Tuvok said. "It will not work, We are overloading the system,"
"Shut it down, Tuvok," I said.
XXX
"Captain's log, Stardate 48840.5. Dr. Jetrel's Metremia is now in it's final stage, he's spending his remaining hours in Sickbay, End log," I said as we were on the way back on our course home.
I left Chakotay in charge on the bridge and went to my quarters. Went for a shower and got changed into my bed clothes and put on my screen and PS4 and played the Martian.
Once the movie finished, I switched it all off and went to bed.
That's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned and safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!