March 17th - 2376
"It's really fascinating captain, he's more than twice as strong as any augment on record with increased reaction time, balance, dexterity, and acuity to go with it. On top of that, his ability to retain information is only surpassed by seven of nine's who's cybernetic implants give her an edge." Captain Kathern Janeway was sitting in her ready room listening to the report from her chief medical officer, carefully looking for key details to determine if this augument they recovered was a threat or not. It wouldn't do well to have another Khan on board with everything else going on.
"Unfortunately, that's where the similarities end. It's remarkably similar to the genetic alterations underwent by the eugenics war era augments, but tissue scaring and signs of rapid regeneration shows that he wasn't altered in vitro but instead over a period of days in what had to be an incredibly painful process. Furthermore, his body is still adapting to whatever is going on, albeit more gradually." That was concerning, if the augmentations weren't done were they a risk to her crew, could it turn into some kind of augment plague? She had to have the doctor run a more in depth analysis.
"Then there's this, his body has been infused with dark matter. It's laced along these growths throughout his muscle fibers and seem to conduct some sort of electromagnetic field originating from this new organ here in the lower spinal area. I can't even begin to guess its purpose, but it seems to be the source of the energy fields we picked up on sensors." Now she was intrigued, she'd always been a scientist and explorer before she was given captaincy. And here were new frontiers in biology, human biology. It practically made her wish she had the resources of a research base to study it. But that would have to wait until they returned to the alpha quadrant.
"Doctor, as fascinating as all this is, does he show any signs of increased aggression or any normal problems that come with eugenics era augments?"
"Not exactly. There are signs that he might have increased cortisol generation as well as massive adrenaline boosts, but it all seems to be regulated by this growth in the brain connected to his hypothalamus. It seems to perform a similar function to what we've seen in Vulcan biology, and allows for greater focus and control over his emotional state."
"Would you say he's a threat to the ship?" Now for the big question, he'd been in sick bay for two days undergoing rigorous tests under the watchful eye of the doctor.
"Honestly? No more than anyone else, though he'll have to be careful with those electromagnetic bursts, I've had a portable dampening field generator setup for him to wear to keep it to a minimum for now. But I don't see any problems, he's remarkably calm given his situation."
"And that was when I picked up the engine and gently lowered it into place, so I could secure it with the mounting bolts, because just dropping it in there would have cracked the oil pan and I really didn't want to have to fix that again, pinched fingers or not." It was strange, I always figured I'd get along with a fellow tinkerer and gear head, but Tom was actually every bit the person I expected him to be, at least this far into the journey. He was kind of crude early on and really didn't like authority, but over time he got better.
"Wait, so you're telling me you actually physically put that heavy engine into your vehicle, with your bare hands?" he seemed shocked by the revelation, but I just shrugged, making a comment about perks of superhuman strength.
"It took some getting used to though, I bent like half a dozen wrenches because I wasn't fully used to my strength, I could bend steel rods like pretzels, so it was more an act of precision than anything else."
"When the captain finally lets you go, you'll have to check out this simulation I've got, it's a classic 1956 Cadillac that I've been putting together when I'm off duty."
"Hah! I love classic cars, though I'm more of a muscle car man myself. And jeeps, but I'd love to have a look."
"Trust me, it's got one heck of an engine, six liters V8 engine, four speed automatic. And that engine when she starts up." I got that feeling I get when I get excited about something, a small rush before I calmed myself down.
"Okay you win, soon as I get out of here you have to show me this car." Suddenly, the doctor came out of his office and walked over to us.
"As much fun as it is hearing you go on about ancient technology with someone who actually understands it, I've gotten word that the captain is giving our guest limited run of the ship, provided he wears this at all times to prevent any sudden bursts from shorting out our systems."
"A reasonable precaution doc, I think I should visit the mess hall first, I'm starving." my stomach began growling like an angry lion to show I wasn't kidding.
"Yes, that increased metabolism of yours, how did you handle back on that twenty-first century earth?
"Like anybody else, I got jobs, I paid my way by helping others and putting my knowledge and strength to good use." I shrugged before heading out the door, the doctor reminding me to keep my caloric intake up, apparently some of it had been offset by my electromagnetic abilities, but I still ate enough for three people. Word must have gotten out though because people were giving me a wide berth down the hall. I wasn't sure if it was my huge stature or if they already knew I was superhuman. That was until someone wasn't paying attention and tripped over something, my reaction speed barely catching them.
"Careful, shipboard accidents may be a thing, but best not to cause your own." The woman must have been one of the dozens of unnamed crew that were rarely if ever shown on TV. She quickly thanked me and got back to whatever she was doing.
"You really are fast, remind me never to go against you in parisses squares."
"Hah! Yeah, I'd probably be disqualified anyway, too much of an unfair advantage."
