un: dr.mccoy ; [voice]

[biomed]

( McCoy sounds unlike himself, cool and distant instead of his usual present warmth, a touch of something hoarse in his voice. )

That 'coal sickness' we've all been hearin' of is likely caused by a bacterial infection— long story short, it triggers massive organ death, with decay following swiftly on its heels. Minaras is hanging onto several samples of plague bacteria from all over Serthica, at least in this medical center alone, but I've never seen any instance of Terran or alien plagues that acted like this.

So far, the authorities aren't focused so much on curin' it as they are containing the few cases of it. The current, and only treatment they offer is a serum, which provides a temporary delay of the symptoms, and curbs transmission for only a handful of hours.

The good news is, I have better diagnostic tools than they've got, so I've gathered enough data and samples of my own to pick up where their researchers have left off.

While it isn't my first time creating a successful treatment protocol for a disease, I don't believe a course of antibiotics alone is gonna stop this, so I could use assistance from the rest of the team's healers to make it happen.

( Deep breath... and then another. )

The bad news is...

I'm in an isolation ward. I've been infected.

( His voice catches so briefly, covered over again by smooth, compassionate professionalism, as if tasked with the job of delivering someone else's poor prognosis, not his own. )

Near as I can tell, there was a... a faulty seal in the protective equipment I 'borrowed' from these folks. They've given me the serum, so I feel all right still, but past that they'd rather lock me away than let me do anything about it.

( McCoy quiets suddenly, listening, and his voice drops as he continues, in a hurry. )

This is asking a lot of y'all, I know, but... I can't stay in here and do nothing, and I can't just- just waste away and take what knowledge I have with me. From what I've gathered so far, there's a decent shot of curing this, but it's gonna take more time than I've got left.

Please. We could do some good while we're here, but I need help.


(( ooc: all the relevant plot info is here if you'd like to opt in; he's got a pre-planned exit squared away just to keep that neat! ))

Comments

un: spock

[intermingled]

Doctor, however I may assist in the scientific aspect of this, you will have my help.

[ He pauses, entirely unsure how to handle this on a personal level and his own discomfort at finding the right words shows in his tone. ]

And for your comfort, as well.

un: absterge

[downswing]

( 'A plague,' Wangji had said, and from seed comes root, and now the wickedness has blossomed. Litany of steels scratches, the man's each breath claws ears down, torn from root.

Lan Wangji's answer delays, bides itself. Coagulates along the private understanding that guilt only ever satisfies the bearer with the farcical belief of unwon redemption. )

How much time do they prescribe you?

[biomed]

I will.

( it comes so fast he sounds clipped, impatient, when he's precisely feeling the opposite. he sucks in a breath and holds it, his eyes stinging. )

Thank you, Spock. I'll need help combing through my findings, once I'm out of here.

cw; blood

[biomed]

It depends on the patient.

( he's being evasive and he knows it, hates it. )

Days. A week, maybe more. Level of exposure seems to have some kinda impact, and I wasn't with the infected for very long.

( long enough to still cough red into his mask, before he'd even finished disinfecting. )

[downswing]

Fault is mine. Your blood is between us.

I beg forgiveness.

[intermingled]

Perhaps with my help and your findings, we can delay your own symptoms further.

[ From anyone else, it would be an attempt to comfort, but it's not something Spock would say if he thought there was no chance and however small that chance is, he will do his best. They may not know each other well, but Starfleet is what ties them together and that means a great deal to Spock. ]

[biomed]

...I beg your pardon? The Hell it is.

0.5

[downswing]

Scant time to quarrel.


( But Lan Wangji is correct. )

[downswing]

What assistance do you require?

[biomed]

That's the hope. If we can delay mine, we can do the same for others.

[biomed]

( a mutter, barely distinct, fond under the gruff veneer: )

Impossible.

( he raises his voice then, considering his question. )

I'm a man of science, not magic. I can identify the best course of action to take against an infection like this, but strictly from a scientific standpoint. Even then I'm lacking in certain tools I'd normally use to help a patient along with this kind of, necrotic disease.

( stop babbling, mccoy )

I don't suppose you know anyone with a tissue regenerator in their back pocket?

[downswing]

( What... is a tissue regenerator. )

We are honoured by a healer. Wen Qing. She will be called.

For your hurts?

voice ► un: girl on top

[unas]

What can I bring you?

un: white pawn; voice

[chosenbylight]

[Anduin cannot resist anyone asking for help, especially not a person in distress.]

I can help. I am a healer, a priest of the Light.

[Like that will make sense to anyone but you, Anduin Wrynn. It is no matter. It will make sense later, McCoy.]

Where are you? What do you need?

[intermingled]

If we can delay yours, then we will also have you there to assist with your medical knowledge. I am a scientist, not a physician.

[ Not that Spock doesn't have a good basis of scientific knowledge, but there is something to be said for their differing angles of approach. Their success is mostly likely if they work together. That's something Captain Pike has taught him well. ]

un : dappled peals of the parted seas (voice)

[beitangmoran]

[Well, Moran doesn't have any expertise to offer about actual healing, that's something he usually throws Xunxian's money at and lets sort itself out so he'll let the people who can sort themselves out, but...]

Thee goes my theory that the sickness tore through the city and died out, then. It's still present, and they're containing it as aggressively as they can.

But the people from Eidris seem to speak of it as a past event still, so I wonder if they know that. And I guess it explains the Minaras obsession with rot, if it is known to still be rampant.

[biomed]

For my hurts.

Thank you, Wangji.

( Wen Qing... he has an impression, from their sea exploits, of a fiercely determined woman, and right now he needs all the fierce determination on his side that he can get.

McCoy hesitates, then adds, )

...this isn't your fault. I chose to put myself at risk, and reaped the consequences for it.

[biomed]

That's what I meant. If there's a chance for a broad application of successful results, all the better.

( Leave places better than they found them, that's the goal to aspire to anyway. )

[downswing]

You took a fool's chance.


( But... perhaps irritation isn't the most appropriate response before a dying man. )

I shall beg her aid.

[biomed]

( he's wracking his brain... )

I need to get my hands on a fermentation tank. Just something small. Agar, petri dishes, the best microscope you can find, supplies for slides... I'll make you a list.

[biomed]

( He's a smart cookie, 'of the Light' sounds pretty good to him. )

You're hired.

Right now I'm... not fine, but as good as I can be. Some of our own are gonna get me out of here and back to where we're staying. ( and he does send along the address for their converted apartments. )

What's a "priest of the Light"?

[biomed]

Some of the plague variants they keep here were from Eidris, though. I got the impression that they were brought in via... ( what's the kids saying these days, ) 'shady' means.

That Remembrance fighter you spoke to, you said he got angry when you asked him details about the sickness?

[unas]

You've got enough space to do that in?

[beitangmoran]

I would assume so, but then, does that mean the pathogen differs between the parts of the city?

He ended up talking about symptoms a bit, but he got particularly cagey and aggressive when I asked how the authorities reacted to the whole thing. I couldn't get anything out of him on this front.

[chosenbylight]

[Anduin can't help but smile at that, even if McCoy can't see him. Hired? He'll take it.

Now comes the part that is... Not difficult, per se. But challenging certainly for those who come from worlds less familiar in dealing with The Unseen.]

Ah, well. The Light is... Some call it the Holy Light of Creation, though that is a bit of a mouthful I think. But I think it does help in getting across the broader picture of the fact that it is an energy, a primal force, that exists in all things and binds us all together. Learning to be able to wield the holy magic of the light takes years of training and when one has managed to accomplish the feat, you are known as a priest. In my case, with my focus being mostly on healing and protection, a holy priest.