A Dose of Unreality

Posted on Tue Sep 25th, 2018 @ 10:03pm by Emergency Medical Hologram (Adam Power) Mk X & Lieutenant Asa Dael

Mission: Holographic Horrors
Location: Sick Bay

The hour was late, and the smell of coffee thick in the air as Doctor Asa Dael, newest Starfleet Medical graduate and relentless researcher tapped their short nails along their new desk. The task they were researching was a serious one, and the list of people cleared to see their data was short.

With a sigh, they say into the empty room, “Activate Emergency Medical Program please.”

"Please state the nature of the medical emergency," said the EMH as it shimmered into existence.

“Yes, I’m researching something, and I need to conduct trials that I dare not attempt on live subjects. I’m wondering if I set the parameters if you would be comfortable monitoring when I am away from the ship? This has the potential to save many lives, and I have reason to believe your contribution will be invaluable. I will be programming the simulation based on extrapolations from data of failed previous trials combined with attempts at new methodologies. Are you comfortable handling this within the bounds of your programming, or should I request a code patch from command?”

"If it's just simulations, I don't see what the harm could be. What kind of testing is it?" Even though there wasn't a need for his medical skills on living beings, it was obvious his skills were needed and thus he was cheerful. It seemed that some passive flattery got you a lot with the EMH.

“The so-called-gods we are currently entangled with have us over a serious barrel. Part of that is their biology. They have an organ that allows them to use a power source and directly materialize or transmogrify matter. Tests have been done to replicate the effect, but the results were…messy. So, we need to strip it all back to the beginning and either find a way to nullify or replicate the effect, without blowing up the crew from the inside.

I have strong suspicions that these being are photosynthetic and augment their physiology with optional food and drink received as ‘offerings’ from supplicants. I think the first step would be to upload the data we have into a simulation and see if we can create the results that occurred on the original experiments. Once that is done, we can try new methodologies. What are your thoughts? You possess the knowledge of the brightest medical minds in Starfleet, and your own experiences as well.”

The sarcasm in Daels tone when referring to the beings as gods was palpable, as was the scorn, but curiosity was there too. They handed the EMH a PaDD containing the relevant data from prior experiments, and waited for him to process the information.

Looking over the PaDD at high speed, the EMH processed it all as best he could within his programming. "I see... I think their reasoning was fundamentally flawed. According to records these beings fed on mental energy via some sort of primitive worship from others rather than..."

Moving around the office a bit and tapping the PaDD a bit more, he looked for a correlation that he hoped might be there. "There's some data missing." He blurted out, looking up suddenly. "The link between this organ and their worship consumption."

Asa blinked, startled, and a little irritated at themself they had not seen the gap. “I don’t think the Captain withheld any data…I wonder if someone is holding back on her? I’ll ask her in the morning…no point waking her up at this hour.

So, let’s start with what we know. Primitive humans worship consisted of chanting, singing, meditation, praise, and sacrifices. Possible energy sources from those things could be based in harmonics, mental frequencies, emotional auras, calories…..what else?”

The EMH was thoughtful for a moment. "It could be something we can't detect. These scans are inconclusive on how they're able to transmit energy from their power sources to the organ in their bodies that give them their powers. It's almost like that information was omitted intentionally."

"Ok. Let's put a pin in that then. The organ itself. What does its genetic structure tell us? What species has the closest known structure? " the doctor was running their hands through their close cropped hair in frustration. They had been staring at the data so long they could barely see straight, and should have been in bed hours ago.

The EMH tapped the PaDD a few times, consumed in his task. "It looks similar to a Teresian eel or a Denobulan gecko's adrenal gland... The mid-thorasic electric generation abilities of several species is quite close. Ah, but the nervous connections are far more advanced."

Pinching the bridge of their nose the doctor said, "One out of four of those words made sense to me. Thank you though, valuable info. I'm curious, would you be interested in the ability to activate and deactivate your program? You are part of this medical staff, and I want to know your goals."

"I actually already have those powers now. As for my goals, I'm already the most efficient member of your staff. I guess I'd like to grow beyond just being the basic EMH program, but that will take time."The EMH tapped at the PaDD a bit more.

"I can't argue with that. If there is something I can do to help with those goals, speak up ok? Don't want you feeling unappreciated here. I have got to get some sleep before my eyes fall out. I'm going to speak to the Captain in the morning about the missing data and see what we can find out. I need this project to stay top secret ok?" the drowsy doctor intoned.

"Don't worry, this will stay between you, me, and the captain," The EMH assured them with a smile before returning to perusing the data. "Go get some rest and I'll keep at this. Don't worry, ok?"

"Thanks Doctor, you are a lifesaver," Asa said with a wink as they walked out Sick Bay to their quarters.