Captain's log, Stardate 42494.8. We've arrived at the Federation Research station on Gagarin Four, having left the Lantree under quarantine, her entire crew dead of what appears to be accelerated aging. The mere thought of a possible connection between the Lantree tragedy and a genetic research facility fills me with profound apprehension.
Soriana was certain she was the only one who noticed it - the undercurrent of satisfaction and contentment that passed between the doctor and the captain as she stood with him on the bridge. She couldn't help but feel a bit smug considering she had given them a couple of genuine pushes early on, but she also recognized her own limitations. Two other matchmaking attempts since then, one in astrometrics and one between a civilian passenger and an engineer, had both gone down in flames.
Still it was nice to see somebody's love life working out well, even if her own was a non-starter. She glanced at Tasha, who was rumored to be occasionally sleeping with Data but unwilling to call it a romance. Yes, it could be worse.
"Darwin Station, this is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise."
The woman who answered looked fifteen years older than the picture in her records, which set Soriana's teeth on edge immediately. "Enterprise, this is Darwin Station. I'm Doctor Kingsley. We've just declared a medical emergency here. We need your help."
Crusher spoke up. "Doctor Kingsley, what is the nature of your emergency? "
"To whom am I speaking, please?"
"I'm Doctor Beverly Crusher, Chief Medical Officer."
The woman squinted. "I am not familiar with your work, doctor. Do you have any expertise in genetic diseases?"
The CMO shook her head. "I should be competent enough to assist, but I specialize in xeno-epidemiology and comparative physiology. Human genetics is not my focus."
Kingsley nodded. "We could certainly have used an expert like Leonart or Pulaski for what's happening here, but we'll take what we can get. Doctor, we're experiencing the rapid onset of geriatric phenomena. The first symptom is sudden, acute arthritic inflammation. Then the aging process accelerates. I celebrated my thirty-fifth birthday a week ago. "
The tension mounted. Crusher asked, "Doctor, we understand that Darwin Station is involved in genetic research. Is there a possible connection?"
"Almost certainly, yes. Our children have an aggressive immune response that is designed to spread airborne to attack and destroy sources of infection. I'll upload our data to you now."
"Doctor," Picard addressed the viewscreen, "do you believe this disease has something do with the last supply ship that visited you three days ago?"
"That seems likely, captain. It's possible that a crew member introduced a new disease agent that triggered our children's immune responses."
"We came here directly from the Lantree," Picard admitted. "The crew is all dead, apparently of symptoms consistent with what you are describing here."
"These children," Crusher pressed, "they're the subjects of your research?"
"That's right. They have shown no symptoms of the disease, only we researchers have succumbed. Since we first identified what was going on, we have isolated ourselves from the children." Kingsley continued, "We have sent for help in caring for the children should something happen to us. Hopefully they will arrive soon. In the meantime, Doctor, any insight you can provide would be greatly appreciated. We don't want to die, of course, but neither do we want to have to abandon our children."
"I will do everything I can," Crusher said, and Soriana felt the steel in her resolve. "You have my word."
*****
Captain's log, supplemental. Nearly eight hours have passed since we entered into orbit above Gagarin Four. While Doctor Crusher claims to be making significant progress, things are becoming dire for the rapidly aging researchers of Darwin Station.
"Captain," Data announced, "an object is approaching the planet at a rapid speed. Initial scans show it to be an asteroid on collision course with the surface, but it appears to be decelerating."
"De-celerating?" Yar repeated. "That shouldn't be possible without propulsion."
"Try hailing it," Picard ordered. "Send the quarantine message in all languages. If there is intelligent life aboard, hopefully they will know to avoid the station."
"They are answering, captain," Worf reported.
"On screen."
"Audio only, sir."
The voice was electronic, similar to the male voice the ship's computer sometimes used. "Greetings. We are the Horta vessel Go-to-Gagarin. You appear to be Starfleet. Are you rendering aid to Darwin Station?"
"This is the Enterprise. We are assisting Darwin Station in a medical emergency that has left the facility compromised," Picard explained. "They are under quarantine until the matter is resolved."
"We are also here to help," the mechanical voice explained. "We will care for the children until the adults are well."
"Horta vessel, the children have been identified as the likely source of the disease," Picard insisted. "Please do not attempt to break quarantine."
"The disease is deoxyribonucleic in nature," the ship's response came immediately. "Our genetic structure does not use the same chemicals. We are not susceptible to the disease."
"Sir," Data chimed in and Picard signaled for Worf to mute the transmission. "The Horta are a silicon-based lifeform, constructed primarily from the inorganic material of their home world. It is unlikely that any virus or other agent that functions by attacking the cells of organic life forms could harm them."
Picard nodded to Data, then to Worf. "Horta vessel, you are cleared to approach the station. Do you need any assistance from us?"
"No, Enterprise. Thank you for your concern. We will proceed to the surface and care for the children. Go-to-Gagarin out."
*****
"Are you sure that's possible, chief?" Picard asked.
"It should be, yes sir," Miles O'Brien confirmed. "I'll need to open up the pattern enhanhancers and manually configure the matrix. Basically like crossing two wires on purpose."
"I'll lend you a hand," Geordi volunteered.
"So, that's it?" Soriana asked Crusher from across the observation lounge table. "We use the transporter to reverse the genetic transpositions caused by the artificial immune response, and the researchers will be back to normal?"
"With periodic treatments to reverse the damage done so far, yes," Crusher agreed.
"The Horta will be upset to have come for no reason," Yar mused.
"They'll not have to pack up yet," the doctor frowned. "This is a treatment for the existing genetic changes, but it doesn't prevent the same thing from happening again. I'm afraid the children will have to stay quarantined from other organic life until an ongoing remedy is found."
"Poor kids," La Forge lamented. "Growing up with just rocks for company."
"Horta are very protective of offspring," Soriana smiled. "The children will turn out just fine."