USS Eminence Mission Database: Symbiosis

[Isadora_]

Symbiosis Pt. 1

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Tekros Expanse

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The Tekros Expanse is a region of space approximately three hundred light years in diameter which lies slightly beyond the borders of Federation and Klingon territory. This region of space was briefly surveyed by the USS Celestial in 2256, but no further exploratory efforts have been made since then. The Klingon Empire established a small outpost on its fringes during hostilities with the Federation in 2223 but abandoned it shortly afterwards.

This region of space is known as the ‘Dustbin’ for its high density of stellar nebulae and asteroid fields as well as its lack of anything to draw the attention of neighboring civilizations. During its survey, the USS Celestial reported no habitable planets and only sparse mineral deposits. Its location near to the edge of the galactic rim and away from trade routes also makes it a poor strategic location for establishing military outposts or other facilities.

Due to the recent cessation of conflicts between the Federation and the Hur’q, Starfleet has decided to continue the exploratory push which was initiated with the conclusion of the Iconian conflict. Several ships are scheduled to make a more detailed survey of the Expanse to make a more detailed astrometric survey of the region. As a prelude to this effort, the USS Beowulf has recently deployed a subspace amplifier in the area to facilitate communication between the Federation and Starfleet ships within the Expanse.


HAZARDS: The Expanse contains a large number of nebulae and other gaseous anomalies. A preliminary analysis by LtC. Lendaria on board the USS Eminence found that these clouds contain a high concentration of dilithium carbides, which give them sensor scattering properties. Starships travelling through the region will find their long-range sensor telemetry is greatly reduced. Short range scanners are also affected, albeit to a lesser degree.

Both the USS Celestial and USS Eminence have encountered subspace eddies within the Expanse. These energy currents can cause subspace turbulence for ships travelling at warp. The effect becomes more pronounced at higher velocities. Mapping efforts by Lt. Seral aboard the USS Eminence determined that these currents span the entirety of the Expanse and occur at relatively high densities. The source is currently unknown.

Species 2562

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Species 2562 is a unicellular spaceborne lifeform which is native to the Tekros expanse. It is unusually large for a single celled lifeform and has been observed to grow as large as 1mm in diameter, although much of this area is composed of fringes of specialized cilia which it uses as solar sails. These cilia provide Species 2562 with its primary means of motility.

The organism appears to derive sustenance from EM radiation. It absorbs the radiation by means of chloroplast-like structures which line the interior of its cell membrane and is capable of feeding on a wide range of the EM spectrum. Its lifecycle appears to consist of two primary phases. The first involves drifting over vast distances as it absorbs and stores energy from its environment in phosphorylated protein lattices.

After it has absorbed enough energy, Species 2562 seeks out nebulae and utilizes the stored energy in combination with raw materials it harvests from the gases in order to reproduce. The microbe is capable of rapid reproduction, with each individual replicating its DNA and cellular structures many times over. The organism then proceeds to cluster divide, with each cell giving rise to as many as ten daughter cells.

Species 2562 has been observed throughout the Expanse. However, it occurs in higher densities near stars or other radiation sources and also near nebulae where the organisms harvest needed raw material from the gases. Its sensory capabilities appear to be limited to the detection of radiation or particle density gradients.

HAZARDS: While Species 2562 is incapable of doing direct harm to starships or personnel, it is attracted to both powered communications and sensor arrays. Sufficient density of Species 2562 is capable of drawing Species 2563 to an area.

Species 2563

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Image Credit: CBS

Species 2563 is a large cosmozoan which is native to the Tekros Expanse. Adults average approximately three kilometers in length with a mass of 2.7 million metric tonnes. It bears a passing resemblance to a Terran whale, with a long and streamlined body and multiple sets of fins along its sides. The ‘fins’ are composed of thin folded membranes stretched between bony supports, and the creature is capable of unfurling these structures to many times their compressed size. It uses these fins as sails to move itself along currents of solar radiation while conserving energy.

Species 2563 also possesses two more forms of locomotion should the need arise. It is capable of surprising bursts of speed, which it achieves by expelling nebular gases from vents in its posterior. These gases are obtained from the various nebulae that dot the Expanse and are stored in large internal sacs until needed.

The organism is also capable of limited FTL travel via the numerous subspace eddies which are present in the Tekros Expanse. It appears to harness these eddies using a type of naturally generated subspace bubble, though the exact mechanism is unknown. It is also unknown whether it is capable of unassisted FTL travel. The tough outer layer of Species 2563’s hide contains a high amount of various dilithium compounds, presumably to help shield it from radiation during FTL travel.

Species 2563 preys almost exclusively on the unicellular Species 2562, which it filters from space and traps using mucous covered membranes which line the interior of its throat. Its preferred hunting method is to cruise at warp until it detects a sufficient quantity of prey. It then proceeds to slow to sublight and approach to within striking distance using its sails before accelerating suddenly and devouring the entire swarm at once.

Presently little is known about the behavior and other biological characteristics of these organisms. Lone adults are found scattered throughout the Expanse as they search for prey. Juveniles of the species are theorized to spend much of their time hidden in nebulae. It is possible that they feed on the small amounts of prey in these areas, while absorbing dilithium compounds in order to grow their radiation resistant dermal layers.

HAZARDS: Species 2563 is largely docile and has not been observed engaging in intentionally aggressive behavior towards Starfleet ships or personnel. However, its sensory perception is limited, and it may attempt to ingest any objects which are in proximity to its prey while feeding.

Personnel regardless of protection will most likely die within hours if not recovered. Should this occur to a starship, the creature will likely die either of internal trauma if the vessel attempts to free itself or of starvation as it is unable to digest the alloys that comprise the hull.

Starfleet personnel should also be aware that the subspace field generated by Species 2563 also interferes with the generation of a stable warp field by vessels within its perimeter.

[Isadora_]

Symbiosis Pt. 2

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TAO-72491

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The star system catalogued as Tekros Astrometric Object #72491 is composed of one rocky planetoid and three gas giants and their attendant moons. The system is located within a dense nebular cluster and was discovered on Stardate 94744.7 by the crew of the USS Eminence. Several of the moons contain microbial life in various states of development. Complex organisms are limited to the third moon of the first gas giant, which is home to a large variety of plant and animal life as well as a human/Vulcan colony composed of survivors from the USS Lyric crash landing.

The systems primary star which is a red giant in the process of collapse. The transition to a white dwarf will likely complete within the next seven or eight hundred standard years.


HAZARDS: The nebular cloud with contains TAO-72491 has the same sensor scattering properties as the other clouds within the Tekros Expanse. Starships travelling through the region will find their long-range sensor telemetry is greatly reduced. Short range scanners are also affected, albeit to a lesser degree.

The central star is currently in a state of distress and is displaying heightened solar activity. All personnel in the immediate vicinity should be on the alert for any anomalies and extended EVA activity is not recommended while within the system.

TAO-72491-1-3

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Credit David Brenner

The third moon of the first gas giant in system TAO-72491 is home to a small colony of humans and Vulcans, and in addition contains a diverse ecosystem of carbon based and oxygen breathing organisms. The small planetoid possesses a thick oxygen/nitrogen atmosphere laced with dilithium carbides, which scatters most long range scans and decreases the range and resolution of both short range scanners and communications. The gas giant's bulk and magnetosphere have shielded the moon from the worst of the solar activity in the system, but there is evidence of flash burning caused by solar flares in several areas.

The colony numbers approximately eight hundred and resides in settlements scattered across the surface. The general level of technology appears to correspond with a pre-industrial society, but there is evidence that the colonists possess and are capable of utilizing technology recovered from the USS Lyric. Based on this assessment, Starfleet Command has decided that the Prime Directive is not in effect with respect to the colonists. The moon itself has tentatively been declared a Federation Protectorate.


HAZARDS: The atmosphere of the moon contains a complex web of microorganisms which provoke a lethal allergic reaction in all known air breathing species. EVA suits or other airtight equivalents are mandatory when embarking on planetary away missions. In case of exposure, afflicted personnel should be evacuated immediately. Starfleet transporter protocol has been updated to remove the microbes from incoming personnel by request of Dr. Cyrene Mavil. If the transporter is unavailable, afflicted persons should be placed in medical stasis until proper care can be administered.

Siral Microbes

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The atmosphere of TAO-72491-1-3, referred to henceforth as the Siral Colony contains a highly complex web of airborne microflora and microfauna. Samples obtained by the USS Eminence were transferred to the medical labs at K-7 and revealed that the atmosphere contains at least two hundred distinct species. This number is potentially even higher, as some species may have expired while in transit.

The foundation of this complex microbiome is composed of several species of photosynthetic microfauana. These are in turn captured and consumed by a variety of predatory unicellular and multicellular microorganisms, which use an array of polymorphic receptors to capture their prey. Other species within this environment appear to fulfill various commensal or mutualistic roles, either aiding in the capture of microflora, enhancing the photosynthetic capability of the same, feeding off compounds exuded by other species, and other such roles. There is a large subset whose role is still unknown, but they may contribute in ways that cannot be easily visualized in a limited lab environment. Ribosomal analysis suggests that some of the species are native to the moon, and bear a close relation to spaceborne microbes found throughout the Tekros Expanse. We have also found no evidence that the USS Lyric crash introduced environmental contaminants from elsewhere in the sector.

Unfortunately, this airborne ecosystem appears to require some type of interaction with the rest of the moon's biosphere in some way. All microbial species in the sample died out after 96 hours despite efforts to maintain the culture.

HAZARDS: The Siral microenvironment provokes a lethal allergic reaction in all known air breathing species. In case of exposure, afflicted personnel should be evacuated immediately. Starfleet transporter protocol has been updated to remove the microbes from incoming personnel by request of Dr. Cyrene Mavil. If the transporter is unavailable, afflicted persons should be placed in medical stasis until proper care can be administered. The microbiome is immune to standard issue wide spectrum treatments and filtering them completely from patients without the transporter has proved futile.

[Isadora_]

Symbiosis Pt. 3

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Siral Colonists

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The Siral colonists are human and Vulcan descendants of the USS Lyric crash. The basic physiology of the colonists has not changed significantly in the time since the crash, and it is unlikely that they have remained on the planet long enough to develop into a true evolutionary offshoot of their respective patient species. However, the colonists possess several properties as a result of their environment which I believe warrant an entry in the records of Starfleet Medical.

The Siral colonists contain an abundance of local microbiota within their bodies. These appear to be many of the same microbes that are present in the atmosphere. These organisms are known to provoke lethal reactions in species not native to the moon, however they appear to exist in a form of mutualistic relationship with the colonists and presumably other native lifeforms. Preliminary medical scans and samples from the crew of the USS Pegasus suggest that these microorganisms enhance both oxygen and nutrient transport via several mechanisms of action. They are also present within the excretory and nervous systems, where they appear to enhance nutrient recovery, waste removal, and cellular signaling. The benefit to the microorganisms themselves is not clear at the moment, but it is possible that the colonists provide ideal conditions for proliferation or that the microbes derive nutrients from their hosts.

The results of this enhancement are significant. The colonists possess higher bone and muscle density as well as heightened neurological function compared to the species baseline. Other enhancements such as a broader diet and more efficient wound healing are also present. Either as a result of this relationship or as a prerequisite, the colonists display impaired immune function with both reduced numbers of circulating leukocytes and reduced generation of various leukocyte progenitors. It is unknown whether this immunosuppressed state is reversible.

A more pressing issue is the dependence of the colonists on this microbial symbiosis. It is unknown whether the microbial species can survive being removed from the moon's ecosystem, but the colonists are dependent upon the microbes to maintain their enhanced physiology. In the absence of the microorganisms, the colonists will likely undergo wide spectrum organ failure as their native biology is unable to meet the basic needs for continued survival.

Species 2646

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HISTORY:
Species 2646 was first encountered by the USS Pegasus. Vessels from the species appear to have launched an attack on the Siral colony before being driven off by an unknown vessel. The Spcies 2646 vessels returned to the system shortly after the USS Pegasus arrived, but took no hostile action and departed shortly afterwards.

BIOLOGY:
UNKNOWN

TECHNOLOGY:
Preliminary reports by the USS Pegasus indicate that Species 2646 possesses some form of stealth or cloaking technology. Nothing else is known at the time about the extent of their technological capabilities.

TERRITORY:
Species 2646 vessels have been encountered in the Tekros Expanse. It is unknown whether they claim this area of space. No structures or vessels have been reported in the area with the exception of one sighting by the USS Pegasus.

STATE OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS:
Species 2646 has not engaged in formal diplomatic relations with the United Federation of Planets. The species has been involved in an attack on a Federation Protectorate, but it is unknown whether this was a defensive action resulting from an accidental territorial violation. So far, the species has not engaged in intentionally hostile behavior with a Starfleet vessel. Starfleet personnel are to observe standard diplomatic protocol.

LOGS RECOVERED FROM SIRAL COLONY BY USS PEGASUS

Robert Santiago

Spoiler: Captain’s Starlog: April 7, 2163Show

All preparations have been made to leave. Starfleet has allowed us the use of a Daedalus-class vessel, the USS Lyric. The colonists are currently saying their last goodbyes as the crew makes the final checks before departure. Everything must be perfect, or as close to it as possible. If all goes well, this will be the last contact we have with a Federation repair and resupply facility.

Spoiler: Captain’s Personal Log: April 7, 2163Show

It is with mixed feelings that I say my farewells to Earth and the Federation, my home of the last fifty-six years. What would once have been a laughable dream has become reality. A united alliance of star systems, with Earth and humans earning a place in the interstellar community. As Starfleet and its allies push the frontier ever further, it is my hope that it continues to embody the ideals on which it was founded. I am both overwhelmed by what has been accomplished and proud to have played my part.

At the same time, I can't deny the wisdom in Elder Siral’s words. In the time since its founding, Earth and the Federation have engaged in a large-scale conflict with the Romulan Empire as well as minor and major skirmishes with other civilizations such as the Xindi, Klingons, and Tholians. Siral says, “Aggression in any form inevitably breeds adversity.” It's true that the Federation’s growth has not been military in nature, the rapid expansion of our physical and cultural borders can only be described as aggressive and our adversaries have already treated it as such. Starfleet’s mantra of exploration and diplomacy will push it ever outwards, and I can't seem to shake the feeling that there are far worse things than the Klingons or Romulans lurking out there. I hope the Federation will weather that storm, but what about my children and their children. What kind of life will they have?

Spoiler: Captain’s Starlog: November 14, 2167Show

The search continues for a suitable colony world. We have long since left the borders of Federation space, and surveyed hundreds of potential candidates but none have met with Siral’s approval. The reasons for rejection vary: climate, remoteness, proximity to inhabited systems, and a dozen others. In the meantime, morale is dropping noticeably.
In happier news, Ensign Norcross and Lestra Willows’ child was born today. The Ensign has been placed on restricted duty for the next month. This marks the fourth child born since our departure. I suppose that one benefit of being in such close quarters is that it seems to bring everyone together.

Spoiler: Captain’s Starlog: July 14, 2169Show

Our journey has come to an abrupt end. While surveying a potential colony site, the Lyric was ambushed by several unknown vessels. The raiders heavily damaged several systems, including our slush deuterium storage tanks. I have never seen ships of this configuration before. The attacker's weapons ignored our shields entirely, and our return fire was useless. I ordered the ship into a class-9 nebula in hopes that its sensor refracting properties would deter our pursuers. Our attackers persisted, and the Lyric was forced deeper into the nebula where we stumbled across a planetary system. Our pursuers forced us to crash land on the only inhabitable planetoid in the system, one of the moons orbiting a gas giant. They are currently in orbit, bombarding the ship and the surrounding area. My science officer believes we can trick them into believing that we’ve been destroyed using sensor ghosts.

Spoiler: Captain’s Starlog Supplemental: July 14, 2169Show

Lieutenant Erin’s plan was successful. The attackers have ceased firing, although it is not possible to tell if they have left orbit. I have given the order to shut down systems and move all unnecessary personnel into shielded sections of the ship to mask lifesigns. Preliminary damage reports are not encouraging. The hull is intact, but our sensors, weapons, and warp drive are damaged beyond repair. Casualty reports are coming in slowly, but we have a confirmed fifty-two dead and an equal number injured.

Spoiler: Captain’s Starlog: July 22, 2169Show

This will be my final log entry as captain of the USS Lyric. Our attackers have been silent for over a week, and it's same to assume they have left orbit. The Lyric will not fly again. Even if it were possible to make her spaceworthy again, our remaining fuel reserves are too low to escape the gravity well of the gas giant. Our communications array remains active but is not powerful enough to broadcast a signal out of the nebula. Even if it were possible, a distress call might serve only to inform our attackers that we are still alive.


In happier news, the moon appears to be habitable. Scans show an abnormally high amount of microflora and microorganisms in the air, but the computer assures us they are not infectious or toxic. This near tragedy may have a happy ending after all. Siral is planning to lead the first expedition tomorrow to survey the surrounding landscape and look for potential colony sites.

Spoiler: Captain’s Starlog: July 23, 2169Show

Our paradise is a deathtrap. Siral is dead along with all nine of his expedition members. Minutes after they opened the external hatches, all the members of the expedition were overcome with the symptoms of severe anaphylactic shock. These losses alone would have been devastating enough. However, the inner airlock seals failed to engage, and three decks have been contaminated with the planetary atmosphere.

We are slowly evacuating the affected personnel using EV suits, but transporters are offline and I cannot risk unsealing the decks and contaminating the rest of the vessel. The personnel closest to the airlock are mostly likely a lost cause, so I have concentrated rescue efforts on the ones farthest from the initial breach. With any luck, the ships own air diluted the planetary atmosphere enough to minimize the harmful effects.

Spoiler: Captain’s Starlog: July 25, 2169Show

Doctor Ishe reports that the condition of the patients continues to deteriorate. As I suspected, the crew and colonists closest to the airlock were overcome as quickly as Siral and his team. Of the ninety-three crew on the lower decks, we have recovered fifty-eight survivors. Of that number, we have lost twelve since rescue and medical efforts began two days ago.

Spoiler: Captain’s Starlog: August 01, 2169Show

All forty-six survivors have made full recoveries. The CMO made a surprising discovery during her treatment of the afflicted crew. She has proposed an idea that I admittedly find a bit extreme. If it were anyone else I would have rejected it outright, but I’ve known Laura a long time. I know she wouldn’t suggest something like this unless she felt it was absolutely the right thing to do.
I’ve called the remaining crew and colonists for a meeting at 1700 hours today. I’ll outline her plan and we can put it to a vote.

Spoiler: Personal Log, Robert Santiago: July 23, 2174Show

We celebrated the five-year anniversary of our landing today. For the record, I’ve mostly gotten used to wearing the EV suit all the time. But nothing’s worse than being at a bonfire cookout and not being able to eat any of it. The kids loved it though.

I met with Seran today. She says the distress beacon is functional, though there’s no way to test it for sure. We also talked more about electing a guardian to watch over the colony after all of us are gone. She says there is a need for someone objective to look after the welfare of the people as well as safeguard some of the more sensitive pieces of technology. I agree with her in principle, though I much prefer the title ‘Caretaker’ to ‘Guardian’. We both think that Veras is a good candidate. Siral led us here; it’s only appropriate that his daughter stand watch over her father’s legacy.

All in all, things are starting to settle down. My only regret is that I’ll never really be able to walk around the colony and feel, touch, or breathe in what we’ve accomplished here. Even so, this is a small price to pay for what’s been gained.

Laura Ishe

Spoiler: Chief Medical Officer’s Log: July 24, 2169Show

Sickbay has been a blur of activity ever since the airlock incident yesterday. The captain continues to evacuate crew from the contaminated sections a few at a time. I’ve converted main sickbay to a quarantine ward and asked permission to convert some of the living areas over as well. The staff has performed admirably under fire, including several colonists with medical training who stepped up to render their services.

Spoiler: Chief Medical Officer’s Log Supplemental: July 24, 2169Show

I have discovered the cause of the shock and respiratory failure that claimed the lives of Siral and many others. While the microfauna in this planet’s atmosphere registered as not harmful on our scanners, this has proven to not be the case. While not toxic or infectious of its own right, the airborne microenvironment triggers a powerful immunogenic response when inhaled.

To make matters worse, this reaction persists as the microorganisms continue to proliferate within the bloodstream of the unfortunate patient. These organisms quickly establish themselves within tissues and have proved impossible to filter completely from the blood. The bacteria also appear to be immune to all my broad-spectrum treatment options.
Samples of the atmosphere indicate that the microenvironment is a complex food web which depends upon a photosynthetic algae-like organism. It is my hope that given enough time, these organisms will die off and the infection will collapse of its own accord. Until then, I am limited to treating symptoms.

Spoiler: Chief Medical Officer’s Log: July 27, 2169Show

My previous theory appears to have been correct. The photosynthetic component of the microenvironment appears to be dying off. This has had a strong antiproliferative effect on the other microorganisms as they are deprived of nutrients. To my relief none of them appear to have become infectious or parasitic in nature as a response to the removal of their primary food source.
My patients’ condition is slowly improving for the most part although all of them are still on artificial respiration until their systems have been fully cleared.

All fourteen children who were exposed to the planet’s atmosphere are making rapid recoveries. Even the two who were exposed to doses high enough to kill an adult within hours appear to be in good shape. Blood samples reveal yet another curious detail. All the children still have low to moderate levels of microfauna circulating in their periphery. However, samples display only slightly elevated cytokine levels and lymphocyte activity. It is as if the immune system has learned to tolerate the presence of the planet’s microenvironment.

Spoiler: Chief Medical Officer’s Log: August 01, 2169Show

I approached the captain with my suggestion today. He was shocked and slightly horrified as I expected but appeared to keep an open mind.

I have formulated a theory about the children’s rapid recovery. It may well hold the key to our future here. Children are born with weaker immune systems as a matter of necessity. Typically, a child spends the first part of its life interacting with its environment as the immune system learns which stimuli are infectious and which are benign. This type of attenuation is also possible for adults but slower and to a more limited degree.

I believe that with repeated exposure, children below a certain age could attenuate to this planet’s environment. Of course, this would mean repeated short exposures, and the child would no doubt suffer the same types of reactions that we have already seen until they adapted. However, I believe I and my staff could manage the symptoms and if we are successful they should be able to live normally in this environment.

Spoiler: Chief Medical Officer’s Log: August 23, 2169Show

We have begun treatments on all children under the age of eleven. As expected the reactions are quite severe with some of the older children, and a number have been put on artificial respiration. I am touched by the degree of trust the parents have displayed in both me and my staff. This must be an impossibly difficult decision for them, and I have resolved to protect their children as if they were my own.

Spoiler: Chief Medical Officer’s Log: September 18, 2173Show

My attempt to adapt an adult immune system to this planet’s environment has ended in failure. After our previous successes, I had hoped for the best but the microfauna are far too potent of an immunogen to adults. I calculate that even if it were possible, the time needed to attenuate an adult would be far in excess of a typical lifespan. I haven't told Robert yet. He's been so excited lately and I don’t know how to break the news to him.

Spoiler: Chief Medical Officer’s Log: March 7, 2201Show

CMO's final log. I am passing that responsibility to Utem Branson, though to be honest I’m not sure that there’s even a need for a doctor after all of us first generations drop dead. For lack of a better word, the colonists are nothing short of astounding. They're several times stronger than an average human or Vulcan, recover quickly from injuries, display no mental defects of any kind, and so far as I can tell they don’t get sick.

Admittedly, I believe that last point may be attributed to the planet itself rather than any special quality of the colonists. In fact, the planet appears devoid of any disease-causing organisms. Except the microscopic death fog which keeps me in this ridiculous suit while I’m outside. In another life I would have loved to study what is happening to the colonists biologically, but that is behind me now. At this point, I’m far more interested as to why I can’t get these damn plants to fruit. It’s almost depressing, I can reattach an arm but can't grow so much as a single tomato.

End final log entry. Laura Santiago. Proud doctor. Failed botanist.