Episode 0: The Rescue at Xerxes 4

Nadim nods to Sevek, "An excellent suggestion."

He turns to the replicator and begins to program in the instructions for the antidote for his hypospray. "Perhaps after this is done we can see if anyone has the ability to distribute this more widely -- perhaps as an airborne mist? Or do you suppose there's some other way to distribute it widely? I'd hate to have to hunt down all the former staff..."

Nadim administers the cure to Dr. Jasper, who instantly looks a bit more relaxed. There are no evident physical changes yet though.

Sevek raises an eyebrow.

There does not appear to be any immediate outward indication of the cure's effect. Perhaps you should scan Dr. Jasper with your medical tricorder to verify.

A scan with the medical tricorder will show that the cure is indeed effective, the devolution process has been halted and there are even signs that it is starting to reverse. The levels of testosterone and adrenaline in the prefrontal cortex has already diminished, so the patient should show less signs of aggression and more rationality. A full reversal of the physical symptoms --enlarged brow ridge, flattened skull, increased muscle mass-- will probably happen gradually over the next couple of days (hopefully sooner, if he can be removed from the influence of the planet's influence).

Although he takes care not to show any outward evidence of it, Sevek is very pleased to see that the cure he and Nadim devised is working.

We will need help from the others in order to devise a method for curing all of the scientists at once.

Sevek taps his commbadge.

Sevek to Kaleel and Phenna, we have developed a cure and require your assistance in administering it to the affected scientists. What is your current status?

Tapping her commbadge, Phenna replies. Ensign Phenna responding. Threats neutralized, I can be back in shortly. Message sent, she makes her way to the lab.

So you have a cure, now you just need a mass deployment method? That makes sense. If I use these dispersal nozzles, and possibly... her voice trails off as she begins flipping through the materials in the lab, looking for a way to rig up a large-scale aerosolizer.

Phenna devises a delivery device that uses the replicator and a field array to create a pulse that will deliver the cure to anything within a few kilometers of the station. As the device activates it she remembers a bit too late that she forgot to balance the energy load... A great booom rocks the station and you see parts of the communications array spread itself over the nearby area. It's not a great loss --as it was broken anyway-- but that explosion was unneccesarily loud, and may attract unwelcome attention from the local wildlife.

Thyran drags the four primitives to the landing bay and signals for four hyposprays.

"Phenna, would that pulse have affected anyone inside the compound?""

Nadim prepares a dose for Dr. Shipp just in case.

I would think so, unless there's some kind of strange shielding active that would prevent the pulse from carrying out.

Shortly after, the four devolved science team members that Thyran dragged in start coming to themselves. They seem disoriented, but not overtly hostile.

Phyran examines the humanoids -- is one of them Dr. Burlette?

"Ensign Phenna, how many passengers can the shuttle hold for an emergency evacuation?"

"Dr. Schipp, besides the two of you, how many of your staff were affected? Was it 7 more, including Dr. Burlette?"

You wouldn't have recognized her if you didn't look for her especially, as the devolution has taken it's toll on her. As you give her a hand to stand up, you see a semblance of recognition in her eyes, but it's faint.

Dr. Shipp is slightly dizzy from waking up, but streightens herself. "Oh, we were thirteen in total, including myself, and yes Dr. Burlette."

I'm not sure, let me think back real quick... Phenna says, rubbing her head slightly trying to remember the space that was there in the shuttle.

"Thank you, Dr. Shipp. Are the other seven still alive, as far as you know? We met four near the shuttle landing site."

To the rest of the landing party. "We need to round up the rest of the science outpost team and head back to the shuttle. What is the status of the bio scanners? Can we find the others?"

Dr. Shipp looks relieved at the news of the working cure and delivery, but at the mention of the missing members of her team her face breaks into a worried frown. "I'm afraid I don't know what has happened to the rest, we were locked up in here most of the time, and the equipment wasn't in a good shape even before it was overloaded."

After sufficient time for the cure to set in, Thyran organizes the excursion. He gives phasers to Shipp and Jasper, who weren't under the devolution effects very long.

"Drs. Shipp and Jasper, if you could guide us to your remaining supplies, it would be greatly appreciated.""We need to get off planet as soon as possible."

He suggests a marching order with himself at point and the other armed crew spaced out to escort the recovering scientists.

You gather the supplies and organize the somewhat reduced science team for the overland march. It takes about twice as long to get back to the shuttle as it did to get to the outpost, since they keep doing foolish things like poking hazardous plants or just walking off in the wrong direction. By the time you get there you feel more like herdsmen than Starfleet Officers, but you push through. While you walk, the weather gradually worsens.

For half the journey Thyran has another bad feeling, much like being watched or stalked. You keep watching over your shoulder, and think you see something in the corner of your eye, but you never see anything... substantial.. You shrug it off as being in a new and strange territory, but nevertheless keep on your toe.

Then, just as you enter the clearing beside the shuttle you see it. A huge black feline form pounces onto one of the scientists --Dr. Burlette--. The rest panic and scatter.