On the Trail

[Nicolas Lepage 0]

Nick was hunched over a couple of PADDs in the medical lab, occasionally looking up at the readouts that kept being updated on the big monitor over his workplace. He had been working for several hours today already and finally he had the feeling like he was on to something. Some of these readings actually made sense. He leaned back again to look at the monitor.

 

Isabeau entered the lab, and walked to stand at his side, her eyes drawn to the screen in front of him. "We have three more confirmed cases", she said quietly. "That brings the total to twenty-three."

 

Massaging his temples Nick sighed. "Twenty-three. Well it was to be expected. I think I have good news, though. Look at this. He picked up a PADD, scrolled down and pointed at the little screen. "There, I think I have found out how exactly it works."

 

She took the PADD from him and looked at the screen, taking a moment to understand what she was looking at. She shot him a glance. "It is a virus!" Looking back to the screen, she magnified a portion and saw what he was talking about. "You were right, Nicolas," she continued looking at the screen, her voice soft. "It is blocking the post synaptic receptor--the neurotransmitters can't get through to do their job."

 

Nick nodded and then frowned. "That is the question, isn't it? I've already tried several things, ran some simulations. So far, nada. Any suggestions." He picked up another PADD and held it out to Isabeau. "That's a list with stuff I've tried so far."

 

She set the first PADD on the counter and took the second one from him, glancing over what he'd already attempted. It was what she would have suggested and a couple of more. "Because of how it's targeted only the Betazoids, I lean towards the possibility that it's something about the psilosynine itself that draws the virus. The Betazoids aren't currently able to utilize the neurotransmitter--what if we actually deplete it from their system temporarily?" It was a risk and he would know that but she couldn't think of anything else he hadn't already tried.

 

"I thought of that, too. I mean that it's somehow connected to the neurotransmitter." He picked up another PADD and perused it for a minute. "The problem is, how do we get it out of their brain?"

 

She shook her head, pushing back the feeling of time running out and said what she hated saying. "I don't know."