Consulting on Prophets
Episode Name: Consulting on Prophets Written By: fortunae Cast: Fortunae, Lux and Park. Produced By: Starfleet Directed By: Fortunae Aired On: Wed Apr 02 16:31:26 2003 Stardate: 53113.3
Time: Wed Apr 02 11:05:57 2003
Stardate: 53112.7
An exterior view of Alsaga Memorial Hospital, snow drifts piled up along the sides of it and nearby buildings, wind causing flurries of whirling snow. The sky is grey and heavy, but from within it grows a building sphere of light until from the layer of clouds a Federation shuttle pierces forth and turns in a graceful banking curve toward the landing pad beside the hospital which is flashing it's readiness to receive. An uneventful landing despite the weather, soon the side hatch is open to reveal the parka swaddled form of the Chief Medical Officer of Station 419-Upsilon.
He squints up at the sky, and frowns slightly has he is peppered in the face by fat flakes of snow. After him emerges a teenager in a starfleet uniform, crewman first class in rank, and he adjusts his own Parka saying, "You aren't partial to the cold, sir?"
Park shakes his head as he pulls his parka around him a little tighter, still managing a smile in spite of the cold. "I'm a swimmer by nature, Paul. I'd much prefer sitting on a beach.", he says.
Paul Hutchinson turns back into the shuttle to take the doctor's medical kit from where it is clipped inside and offer it over to Park. "I understand sir, I'm from Montana myself so this sort of reminds me of home. Do you want me to come inside with you or wait out here on the shuttle? Or if you are going to be a while may I go recon the town? Strange new worlds and all that." He smiles and his lightly freckled cheeks dimple, making him look even younger for that moment.
Park chuckles as he takes the medkit and claps the younger man on the shoulder. "Go enjoy the sites. I'll call and check with you in an hour or two.", he says as he turns toward the building. "I'm going to get out of the mess, personally. See you later, Paul."
"Thanks doctor, I'll stay out of trouble." Hutchinson waits until Park is clear then he seals up the shuttle and after checking the ground traffic for a lull, rushes across the street with long strides. He turns a corner on a sidewalk and is lost to sight, but Aaron wasn't waiting around to watch Paul leave. Inside the Hospital Aaron finds some respite from the cold within the eggshell blue painted corridors. As he passes into the E.R. waiting room an Andorian in medical scrubs approaches him and noting the Starfleet Uniform Parka says in federation standard with a thick accent, "Hello? May I help you sir?"
Park shakes off his coat just inside the entry way, unbuttoning it as he looks to the individual who adressed him. "Yes, thank you. I'm Doctor Park from Station 419. I was contacted by Doctor P'Trell regarding a patient and he requested a consult."
The Andorian brightens in expression, "Oh! Doctor *Park*! My goodness! It's an /honor/ to meet you sir." The doctor takes Aaron's hand and pumps it in a shake. "Doctor P'Trell said you would be coming to consult at the staff meeting, we're all very excited to have you here." He turns and raises his voice calling out towards the nurses on station at receiving, "Hey! This is /Doctor Aaron Park/!" An excited noise erupts from the staff and the patients and loved ones in the waiting room, a spontaneous bout of applause and cries of hello and welcome and simple hoorays. The Andorian clutching Aaron's hand says, "I'm Doctor Ivlin Ivari, please call me Ivlin. It's not very often we have a hero stop by, Maybe after you finish your consulting you can stop by the children's ward -- it would really give them a boost to meet you in person I think."
Park chuckles at the sudden outbust from the Andorians. He says quietly to the doctor, "What did I do to deserve such a welcome, Ivlin?" He looks around with a bewildered smile.
Ivilin Ivari smiles in return, "We haven't forgotten your participation in throwing the Dominion back off of Fimdari last year, nor the children you helped recover before they were taken off planet. All of us on Fimdari are very grateful for your actions, and the ADF guys with you -- there is talk of building a monument down in the equatorial region near the caves where you all based your guerilla efforts from, making it a memorial park for the partnership between Andorian and the Federation, the ADF and Starfleet. You will always be welcomed as a hero here, Doctor."
Park smiles even as a blush spreads across his cheeks at the praise. "I'm sure that anyone would have done the same, Ivilin. I'm just glad that I was in a position to help when it was needed.", he says. "And feel free to call me Aaron."
Ivlin looks serious, "I'm not sure if I could do that, Doctor Park." There is a pause then he bursts out with an exuberant laugh and chucks the human on the arm saying, "Of course Aaron. Well should I take you up to Doctor Phellnun P'Trell?"
Park laughs at the joke as he puts a hand on the man's shoulder. "Absolutely. I'm anxious to get to work on this case.", he says. "Lead on, my friend."
A short walk and elevator ride later the two emerge on the 8th floor and in short order Ivlin has brought Aaron to the office of Doctor Phellnun P'Trell, where he knocks once. There is a response in Graalen that is translated by Aaron's combadge as "Come in," and then Ivlin opens the door to reveal the cosy office within. A large window providing a view of the city beyond dominates the wall behind the orderly desk behind which sits another Andorian.
"Phellnun P'Trell, Aaron Park," Ivlin says.
"Ahh, wonderful!" Exclaims Phellnun as he rises from his desk to offer a hand to the Human. "I am so pleased you could make the trip, Doctor Park. Would you care for a piece of candy?" The andorian gestures to a bowl on his desk containing various treats in clear wrappers.
Park moves forward to clasp the man's hand. "Doctor P'Trell, it's a wonderful to meet you. I'll have to decline the candy, but thank you for offering.", he says with a smile.
"Of course, of course," Phellnun agrees, "Thank you for bringing him up to meet me Ivlin Ivari."
Ivlin Ivari nods in response to Phellnun P'Trell's thanks and pats Park on the shoulder, "After you are finished, if you have time, please allow me to take you lunch Aaron." With that, Ivlin heads back to the elevator to resume his duties in the emergency room.
Phellnun comes around the desk, a hand put to Aaron's upper arm as he says, "Well let's go see the patient in question shall we?" As they make the brief walk down to the observation ward, Phellnun provides Aaron with a PADD containing Alghelor Ivori's charts and his most recent treatment. He opens a door and the two enter a small chamber that has a one-way window into Ivori's room. "Instead of a mirror which can be distrubing, he would see a rendering of Lor'Vela on Andoria; a pratical real world use of the technology developed for the Starfleet Duck blinds."
Park nods absently as he follows along behing Phellnun, reviewing the PADD as he goes.
GAME: Park spends a courage point.
GAME: Park spends a courage point.
GAME: Park spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Park (claiming advantage) contests his Medical Sciences (Psychology) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Park (claiming advantage) contests his Medical Sciences (Pharmacology) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Park (claiming advantage) contests his Medical Sciences (Andorian) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Park sits down for a few moments and watches the behavior of Mister Ivori, especially once he and Dr. P'Trell begin to watch him. He then turns back to the PADD and reviews all of the information at hand, concentrating on the chemical levels in his brain. After about 10 minutes of complete silence he turns to Doctor P'Trell and speaks. "It seems that your original diagnoses of Mister Ivori was correct, Phellnun. From what I'm seeing here, coupled with his reaction to our entry, he has indeed become psionically active.", he says.
Phellnun nods gravely, cupping his chin with one hand. "We can't just keeping sedating him, but we can't seem to break him out of the cycle that causes him to become dangerously manic when he's not being kept down. Would you like to see what he's been raving about? Doctor Ghelvar Rombola suggested that they seem to be lyrics or lines from a poem, but they aren't presented in any coherant order we have identified yet -- and of course they are punctuated by the desperate screams, the you are all going to die comments and such -- these lines come from what he mumbles while we have him sedated."
Park considers that and then shakes his head. "I think our best course of action will be to administer a Rendalon compound that Betazoids use to suppress psionic input in individuals who are becoming mentally toxic. I've made some changes to the formula to account for the differences in Andorian pysiology. That should make him a little more lucid and then we'll be able to get a better idea of what's happening with him."
Phellnun looks suitably impressed and takes the PADD with the formula adjustments, "I'll take this down to the lab for the computer to double check your reaction criteria, if it comes up clear we'll synthesize some right away and see if it has a positive effect. If you change your mind about hearing the recordings just key in his case file and NocRec0001-0005. This may take a while, so you should get comfortable." With that said, Phellnun slips out into the hallway and hurries to the pharmacology department.
Park does indeed activate the recordings, making notes as needed as he listens.
Over the playback device is first an Andorian voice prefacing the recording with the date and time of occurance. Day 1: "a losing fight...but secret doom...to pay the cost...on bredth and scope...the stones will sing." This repeats continuously. Day 2: "from the light...a sword that looms...history lost...sing songs of hope...to freedom bring." this repeats continuously. Day 3: "not from stars...no words spoke...worlds will die...twins and angels...no escape so far." this repeats continiously. Day 4: "stones that move...lies are truth...heroes fall...battles hinge...once all are one." this repeats continiously. Day 5: "a losing fight...but secret doom...to pay the cost...on bredth and scope...the stones will sing." This repeats continuously.
Park makes a copy of the recordings to review later. Hopefully, the man will be able to provide a little more input once the medication takes effect.
Park begins to call up information about the priest, referenceing where he has studied and looking at personal logs he's made.
Park gets nowhere with the research on his past activities, other than collecting tales. "Computer,", he says after a few seconds of reflection. "Is there any correlation between the statements of the patient in question and any known Andorian legend or religious tale?"
The voice of the computer responds, "Many of coherant statements uttered by patient Aleghor Ivori carry tones of legend and religious rhetoric. I can present you with 1,347,698 matches in Andorian Literature."
Park shakes his head. "I don't have that kind of time. Computer, were there any events occuring in known space that might correlate with the coherant statements made by the patient? Specifically relating to battles or combat."
Park says, "Search specifically on the same days the statements were uttered."
GAME: Park spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Park (claiming advantage) contests his Intellect (Logic) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
Please specify the range of your search, if you intend to search all possible matches on the days of each statement it will take roughly 8 hours to process each day.
..The computer says.
Park sighs and says, "Compuer, cancel last request." He sits and begins to rack his brain for some idea of what the priest is talking about.
Lux goes home.
Lux has left.
Park sits up and says, "Computer, reorganize all the coherent statements from the patient. Begin at day 2 and playback to day 5. then begin at day 3 and playback to day 1. continue in that fashion until all possible combinations are compiled."
Park says, "Do not include redudent days."
After several combinations and iterations the computer puts forward this compilation,
"Not from stars,
from the light,
stones that move,
a losing fight.
No words spoke,
a sword that looms
lies are truth
but secret doom.
Worlds will die
history lost
heroes fall
to pay the cost
Twins and angels
sing songs of hope
battles hinge
on bredth and scope
No escape so far
to freedom bring
once all are one
the stones will sing."
The computer then asks, "Should I try another combination doctor?"
Park listens intently and then says, "Negative, computer. Please save this recording to my PADD and attempt to correlate this verse with any known Andorian myth or legend.", he says.
After a few moments the computer says, "There are no matches found of a satisfactory match quotient. Additional research may be better optimized by utilization of an religious expert of a Keth Historian. Would you like me to send this to Memory Alpha or Daystrom for analysis by an non-Andorian source?"
Park says, "Not at this time, Computer. Thank you."
Some time later, Phellnun returns to join Aarron. "Doctor Park! Great news, your suggested synthesis checked out perfectly in criterian models, we're all very excited, if this works out we will have to publish and of course you will get top credit. In the meantime, we've followed your notes to prepare proper dosage and will be administering in a few minutes once we get permission from his local Kethni to try the drug as it's technically experimental at least in this usage. In the mean time, why don't we join Doctor Ivari for lunch then come back through when we expect the drug to have had full effect?"
Park nods as he stands. "That is excellent. I hope that it works as well in reality as it did in simulation.", he says. "And I think lunch would be a great idea. Oh, and I think I isolated the verse that the patient was saying. I've saved it into the database."
Phellnun reacts with pleasure to this news as they two doctors head out to rendezvous for lunch with Doctor Ivari. They discuss the verse over thier repast and the two Andorians are perplexed and intrigued by the verse that Aaron identified. After lunch, they swing by the children's ward where Aaron is presented to much accolade and some serious Q.and A. about how he can possible live without attenae, what Earth is like, how many Jem'Hadar he battled during the war and why his skin is pink. The visit concluded Aaron and Phellnun return to the observation ward and enter the room of Alghelor Ivori. As they enter the nurse informs them that he is responding well to the medication and they are rousing him.
Park is in a very light mood after visiting with the Andorian children, and stands by patiently until Mister Ivori regains consciousness.
Phellnun seems tense but hopeful as the priest begins to stir and his eyelids flitter open, "Hello Alghelor Ivori," he says in a soft soothing voice, "you are in the hospital, I am your doctor, Phellnun P'Trell can you understand me?"
Ivori turns his head, clearly trying to orientate and his attenae shift towards the P'trell. He moves his mouth, as if tentatively, then says in a dry croaking voice in Graalen, "H-how long... this is.. this is Fimdari." A statement not a question. "The hospital? Was I in an accident?"
Park glances over at the nurse and asks quietly, "Can you get Alghelor Ivori something to drink please?" He turns his attention back to the priest and Doctor P'Trell.
At the sound of the Federation Standard, the attennae of the priest shift toward the sound, followed by a turn of the head. Ivori's eyes widen and his face pales in hue. He attempts to raise an arm but is unable to due to the restraints, but in Graalen he screams, "I KNOW YOU I KNOW YOUr FACE IT IS THE END OF ALL IT IS THE END OF ALL DOOM TO THE FUTURE --" Phellnun tries to restrain madly agitated cleric, but even with his weight added the Andorian strains against his restraining field, thrashing wildly and spitting as he roars. The nurse moves forward quickly and with an extended gesture with her hypospray, sends Ivori back into darkness.
Phellnun rises and wipes his shock of hair back from his brow, clearly disturbed by what has just happened. "Perhaps..." he offers weakly, "it will take a few days for the drug to have full effect. This was still more progress then we have had until you came. I think we will continue the regimine and try to rouse him again tomorrow."
Phellnun considers, "Will you be able to stay overnight or do you need to get back to your station? I can make arrangements if you can stay, you could stay with my quad we have a nice lodge not too far from here."
Park looks slightly taken aback at the cleric's reaction to his presence. "Yes, I think I would like to stay and perhaps observe tomorrow from the observation room when he is aroused."
Aaron and Phellnun leave the room to compare notes when Park receives a call from his pilot alerting him to some sort of viral outbreak on the station that requires his attention. Regretfully Aaron prepares to leave Fimdari but he leaves instructions for Doctor P'Trell to do a full blood work up to see if any traces of a psi-activator or booster is in his system; and asks that the proceedings when the priest next awakens be recorded and sent to him so he can analyze the reaction.
Leaving the hospital Aaron braces against the cold and is soon back aboard his shuttle which launces as soon as it has clearance and takes him up to the U.S.S. Ranier which brought him to Fimdari while making a run out this way anyway. After speaking with the CMO and Captain of the Peregrine he gets permission for Paul and an enlistedman from security, Karla Woy, to stay on Fimdari to run down some loose ends relating to the case of Ivori.
In his guest quarters, he watches Fimdari shrink as the ship moves to full impulse; but even after it is out of sight he can't quite shake the feeling that he's being watched.
