Star Trek: TNG Episode
2.4: That Was The Reason?
Tyson left the bio lab after Wesley's announcement. Riker would be heading to Main Engineering to try to depose Wesley if events played out as they did during the television episode. The First Officer would be unable to do so because of a forcefield Wesley raised and tied into the ship's systems.
Tyson had spent weeks taking Engineering Daily Quests. He'd have to get his eyes on the changes Wesley made, but was reasonably confident he could find a workaround in less time than the Chief Engineer.
Wesley was one of Tyson's favorite characters when he was a child. He felt a sense of camaraderie with the boy because he was the only non-adult regular on screen. Now, he avoided the teen whenever possible. The first shift Tyson attended in Sickbay when the boy was there, was the last. Even with Beverly as eye candy, it wasn't worth dealing with the annoying teen.
It would be easy to overload the EPS conduit leading to the area the boy had commandeered. The resulting feedback explosion would probably kill him, but it would lower the forcefield. On second thought, it would probably render the console unusable. You would think the controls would revert to the bridge if the command console were damaged. But Tyson wouldn't be taking anything for granted. The evidence that the Federation was incompetent was mounting. A teenager usurped command of the flagship of the federation, on the Tsilosokvsky there weren't minimum settings on the environmental controls to prevent freezing to death, and there was no failsafe to prevent exposing the bridge to the vacuum of space.
Tyson sought to wrest control of the ship from Wesley as soon as possible. In this episode, the Tsilosokvsky disease wasn't the real threat. The biggest issue was not being able to move the ship when the star in the system went supernova. By deposing Wesley and returning controls to the bridge, the stellar matter it ejects won't be an issue and Tyson could take his time finding a cure.
He was rounding a corner in the corridor when he was knocked onto his back. Even while unaware there weren't many members of the crew who had the strength to take him down so easily. He readied himself for another battle but failed to retaliate when he realized it was T'Pol who had tackled him with a hug. Her presence here was baffling. T'Pol was supposed to be in his quarters where he had asked her to stay and meditate hours earlier. More worryingly was her buried head in his uniform. He could feel that it was becoming moist. She was crying.
"T'Pol, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"They're after me. They were in the instance, they've been following me through the ship. No matter where I go, they follow."
"Who's following you."
"I don't know!" She cried.
Tyson looked down the corridor and didn't see anyone. His empathy didn't reveal any sinister emotions in the area either. Holding her in one arm, he was still easily able to lift them both to a standing position.
"I promise, I'll keep you safe. We'll go back to my quarters and figure out what's happening."
Tyson reset his home instance to his default apartment and dropped the biobed in the middle of his living space. He was able to guide T'Pol onto the bed without resistance. She had calmed noticeably on their walk back.
Medicine Check (DC: 20) = 36 Major Success!
Medicine Check (DC:40): 43 Success.
Tyson checked for neurological decay since T'Pol had been exhibiting signs of paranoia. This was the fourth time since he'd summoned her that they were looking for signs of Trellium-D exposure. Still no evidence of such. Then, he examined her to see how far the polywater contagion had progressed. Combined with observation, it revealed a grim picture.
Observe/Medicine Check (DC: 50) = 55 Major Success!
Medicine Skill Increased! 25-26
T'Pol {Companion}
Reputation: Warmly
Negative Status Effect:
Polywater Contagion: While in the grips of this contagion, victims frequently succumb to their base desires.
Stage 5: +5 Charisma skill checks, -5 Intelligence skill checks, -5 Wisdom skill checks, -3 attack rolls.
Additional Unique Status Effect Gained
Katra Contamination: This Vulcan's spiritual essence has been damaged.
Companion Quest Alert!
Katra Cleanse
Objective: The katra, or living spirit, is the essence of the Vulcan mind. Pa'nar Syndrome, Trellium-D exposure, and now advanced Polywater Contagion have led to T'Pol having suffered repeated neurological damage to the point it has affected her katra. Heal the damage her katra has sustained.
Reward:
Increased Reputation with T'Pol
Failure:
T'Pol's Death
Destruction of Companion Gem: T'Pol
If Tyson had known such a thing was possible, he would have had T'Pol quarantine immediately when this episode began. The high Medicine check allowed him to understand how she'd progressed to this point. T'Pol had suffered many neurological issues over the past few years. Pa'nar syndrome is a neurological disease unique to Vulcans. It affects the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems.
T'Pol contracted the disease through a forced mind meld. Tyson had forgotten about the syndrome. He knew in Enterprise that she was cured, but it hadn't happened until the final season. He dragged T'Pol into this reality before that could happen. Now everything had culminated in damaging her soul. There were no other Vulcans on the ship meaning no one could perform a mind meld, the only known treatment. No one except for Tyson.
Thanks to Power Eater, he was the only telepath on the ship. But he was inexperienced. Pa'nar syndrome was caused by an improperly performed mind meld, if he tried to engage in one to help T'Pol, he could end up making it worse, failing the quest and killing her.
Perk: 'Q and U' Activated
The world turned grey. Tyson noticed T'Pol's chest was no longer rising, everything besides himself and his omnipotent guest was under temporal stasis. Q appeared in a flash. He sat on Tyson's couch with a bag of popcorn in hand.
"Found yourself in quite the conundrum haven't you?"
"Not surprised you're watching," Tyson responded. He was concerned for T'Pol but not mad at the trickster. Q hadn't created this situation and he didn't blame the god. Not wanting to seem impertinent, he continued, "I would be too. Always thought this episode was a bit of fun."
"Oh, you just got lucky I was around. I'd been watching Data and Yar go at it. She passed out finally so I decided to see what else was going on."
Tyson laughed, "Yea. I was hoping that still happened. It was one of the reasons I let things get so out of hand."
"Oh? Do explain." It was an interesting thing, Tyson recognized the look of genuine curiosity on Q's face. His empathy couldn't sense the being; he was at the edges of Tyson's telepathy range and those senses registered blank as well.
"I've purposely avoided both Yar and Data today. She is attractive, but I don't really know her. I don't even feel a connection to her character, she didn't last past the first season and I've barely spoken with her since I arrived on the ship. I wouldn't get anything from her with Power Eater." The gamer watched Q carefully as he continued his explanation, hoping to gauge Q's motivations from his response, "More importantly, the experience they share here shapes Data going forward. His intimacy with Yar is a major milestone that brings him one step closer to humanity, it becomes one of his cherished memories and ultimately helps him resist the influence of the Borg Queen. At least that's what I think."
"Funny you mention the Borg Queen."
"Why is that?" The gamer asked.
Tyson pulled a tray of cookies out of his inventory and set them on his counter, offering a few to Q. These cookies had not been imbued with any effects from his perks. He wasn't going to risk trying to influence a god. Q accepted a cookie, nonplussed.
After a few bites, Q continued to ignore his question. Tyson was incensed that Q would say such a thing and not elaborate but continued regardless, "Anything I'd gain wouldn't match what Data would lose. Of all the people on the ship, he has the most untapped and unrealized potential. This is a lesson that I couldn't help him with beyond staying out of his way."
"I see... But now your precious Vulcan has suffered for your actions. What will you do? No one here can help you."
"That's not true," Tyson rebutted. "You could help."
In a flash, Q's appearance changed. No longer human, he'd grown shorter, his skin tanned and his ears enlarged to ridiculous proportions. When he next opened his mouth it revealed sharp teeth as he spoke, "Lucky for you, there's a sale on divine intervention today. Nowhere else in the quadrant can you purchase a god's direct interference."
Tyson pursed his lips trying not to laugh. This was a serious situation, but in the face of Q's antics, it was hard to keep it together. Giving up, he chuckled and played along.
"Alright, mister Ferengi god-merchant. I'm not nearly as self-righteous as Picard. I can be bought. What's the price?"
Social Check (DC: ?) = 47 Critical Success.
Social skill has increased! 27 - 28
"Well, that was unexpected." Q's facade briefly slipped into a frown before returning, "For today only! The discounted cost will be 5 Luck. Final offer."
"Deal," Tyson said without hesitation.
-5 Luck
"Pleasure doing business." was Q's final retort and color returned to the world.
Tyson looked over T'Pol, nothing had changed. Her negative status effects remained. The tray of cookies he set out was gone, as was Q.
Obscure Star Trek Fact #3: The seventeenth Ferengi Rule of Acquisition states, a contract is a contract, is a contract… But only between Ferengi.
Tyson wondered if he'd made a mistake. Was Q's antics just that, or was his shifting to a Ferengi intentional? Making a deal with a Ferengi is usually a losing prospect; nothing binding them to follow through unless you happen to be a Ferengi, and sometimes not even then. Tyson wasn't Ferengi, not even a little until he had a chance with Power Eater. Technically, as a Ferengi, there was no reason for Q to hold up his side of the deal. Even otherwise Tyson held no sway over Q, and no means of retribution against the god if he was slighted. He was too invested in helping T'Pol to consider that a trap could've been set. His interactions with Q had all been positive thus far. But the gamer couldn't help but consider the prompt that came with the drawback, and the fact that it was a Drawback and not a Perk.
Q and U
You've gained the attention of the omnipotent being, Q. Q's reputation as a trickster is well-earned. He may show up and grant a small boon, he may test you, or he may ruin your carefully constructed plans.
Tyson wondered if this was the first moment that the Drawback would punish him. Just as Tyson was about to vent his anger on some of the holographic furniture the door chime sounded. Tyson's rage bled away as he asked, "Computer, who's at the door?"
"Lieutenant Commander Deanna Troi."
"Come in."
Troi stepped through the doorway. The sheen of sweat was noticeable on her brow and neck.
"Deanna?"
"Tyson. So many minds on this ship, all free. Released."
She walked up to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "I can feel them all. What they want. What they feel. It's a side of humans I haven't felt since we were together. I want to be with you again. With me in your mind."
Troi's words hit Tyson hard. Maybe Q hadn't reneged on his offer. Thinking quickly, the realization hit Tyson like a choke slam from Worf. He wasn't the only telepath on the ship, Troi's empathy was a limited form of telepathy. Additionally, she was a trained counselor. Could she help him heal T'Pol or at the least guide him and prevent him from causing further harm?
"I want to be with you again too. But we can't right now, I need you. I need you to help me and help T'Pol. Then it can be us, together, in each other's minds. Sharing our thoughts, everything we are."
He locked eyes with her. "Please, Deanna. Help me, and I'll give you whatever you want, what you need."
Social Check (DC: 35) = 50 Major Success!
Social skill has increased! 28 - 29
Troi locked eyes with him. No words were spoken but this close he could feel her presence in his mind. She assented to his wishes. But he could feel her motivation and desire had little to do with T'Pol. She only wanted him.
Tyson helped T'Pol out of the biobed and restored it to his inventory. He instructed Deanna to lie on the floor and asked T'Pol to lie down next to her. Tyson knelt between the two women. Troi waited patiently as he spoke with the Vulcan.
"I know you were reluctant about helping my date with Troi and you were not pleased with me afterward. But, the only way to help you is by all working together. It will be an intimate experience, but necessary to save your life. Will you let us help you?"
Social Check (DC:35)= 36 Success.
T'Pol had been holding his eyes the entire time. She was unsure, but she trusted Tyson. If he thought this was the only way to save her, she would allow it.
"Very well. You may proceed." She assented.
The next step was purely theoretical for Tyson. His six-and-a-half-foot arm span allowed him to place his hands on the side of the heads of both women simultaneously. His left hand rested on the right side of T'Pol's face, and his right hand on the left of Troi's. He bent his thumbs and forefingers. The former framed their chins, with the latter fingertip placed at the cheekbone. His middle finger was placed just above and outside the eyebrow, with the ring finger just short of the temples.
Tyson closed his eyes, activated his telepathy, and spoke the words familiar to all Trekkies," My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts."
~~Star Trek: TNG~~
"What have you learned Number One?"
"Captain, the ship's engines are cut off from the bridge. The Assistant Chief Engineer has pulled out the isolinear optical chips from the warp core command interface. The engines are offline. Wesley has hooked up some kind of tractor beam to the ship's power, he has it aimed at the door. And we can't get past to get to the computer."
"Can you short out the power?"
"Yes I can, but it's going to take some time." Replied Chief Engineer McDougall.
"Do it." Ordered the captain.
~~Star Trek: TNG~~
It had been hours since Tyson left Sickbay and Beverly was glad he did. She wasn't getting any work done while he was around. He was so distracting. With an empty department, she was finally able to focus on some real research. Before he'd left Tyson revealed a promising case to her. Searching through the old symptom databases she came across a mission log and accounting from Dr. Leonard McCoy.
It was ironic since Beverly had met the man when he was on the Enterprise recently. The ancient admiral was 137 years old. During the aforementioned mission, the Enterprise under command of Captain Kirk came in contact with a similar pathogen, and McCoy managed to come up with a treatment. Beverly was currently synthesizing the same treatment and was getting ready to administer it to a few crewmen who were restrained in the isolation ward. The men had been in a fight earlier and were subdued by Tyson himself. Busy guy. Lieutenant Worf had escorted them here upon her request instead of the brig. The stoic Klingon was still guarding their room to ensure the doctor's safety.
According to records, the treatment should take effect almost immediately.
But it hadn't. The formula from the old Enterprise didn't work. This water-carbon complex may induce the same symptoms but somehow it's different. Maybe it's mutated, but Crusher needed to isolate it in order to analyze it.
The doctor paid little attention when Lieutenant Commander Data entered Sickbay carrying Lieutenant Yar. Tasha had escaped sickbay earlier, but Beverly didn't have time for her. She could be seen by one of the other medical officers.
Worf continued providing security in Sickbay freeing Data to return to the bridge. His encounter with Tasha had not gone as he'd expected but the android had to admit, it was a pleasant experience. Data dedicated 1.38% of his processing power to replaying the encounter and adjusting algorithm parameters based on the responses Tasha provoked. Next time he had a sexual encounter, he would have a larger dataset to draw from and programming beyond the theoretical. Yet, based on Yar's incoherent state, Data had to assume he performed adequately.
Tyson
Title: Recruit
Race: Human Hybrid
Level: 5 (4,850/61,000)
Energy Credits: 69,885
Hit Points: 660/660
Strength: 23
Dexterity: 11
Intelligence: 15
Constitution: 22
Wisdom: 12
Charisma: 11
Luck: 0
Unspent Attribute Points: 1
Racial Traits:
Vulcan Senses
Half-Betazoid Sense
Vulcan Strength
Vulcan Metabolism
Klingon Constitution
Status Effects:
Polywater Contagion: Stage 2
Skills:
Observe: Lvl 12
Meditation: Lvl 0 - Locked
Engineering: Lvl 30
Computers: Lvl 11
Physical Science: Lvl 15
Martial Arts: Lvl 22
Athletics: Lvl 10
Medicine: Lvl 26
Social: Lvl 29
Cooking: Lvl 15
Energy Weapons: Lvl 9
Melee Weapons: Lvl 9
Stealth: Lvl 8
Perform: Lvl 8
Language Skills:
Cetacean: Lvl 5
Klingon: Lvl 2
Vulcan: Lvl 5
Perks:
'Out of Nowhere'
'The Anti-Worf Effect'
'Universal Translator'
'Culinary Visualization'
'Your Hands Clean'
'Grand Theft Starship'
'Free Love'
'Power Eater'
'Apt Pupil'
'Master with your Hands'
'Binding Foods'
'Direct Control Disruption'
Drawbacks:
'Q and U'
AN: Follows, Favorites, and Reviews are all greatly appreciated! Hope you're enjoying the ride so far.
Reviewer Feedback:
Tyson's motivations: The complaints about this are probably due to my amateur writing. For clarification; Tyson did not spread the disease. The only person he passed it to was T'Pol, and she in turn has not passed it to anyone else. Blame Yar. His reasoning for not interfering earlier should mostly be explained at this point. +1 Collar Pips to reviewer Reader 451 for being spot on and Lamont for sussing out his mindset.
Gamer - Gamer elements won't be going away. It's in the title, in the description, and will stay in the story. Starting in Chapter 1.9 I added the DCs to the rolls so it could be seen how much he failed or succeeded to give some context to the effect it has on the story.
Question for Reviewers: Is this immersion breaking or unwanted? Should I go back to the old way of just success/failure? Or would you prefer closer to LitRPG-light where you just get skill-ups? Example of this is when Tyson does his log at the start of EP 2.
Pacing - There's been criticism that this episode is getting too much attention and taking too long. 100. You're right. When I started writing this it was an attempt at solo roleplaying and a side project for me to enjoy a TNG rewatch. Part of the reason it drags is that the chapters are much shorter than those in episode 1.
I didn't change the chapter lengths to keep ahead of the story and edit appropriately.
The standard chapter length from here on is 2.5k-4k words and episodes get much shorter. Episode 2 will be done next Monday with 2.7. Episode 3 is 5 chapters and Episode 4 is only two. So things will speed up.
We don't talk about Episode 5.