Deliverance from Krynar

[Morad Ameen]

== Deliverance from Krynar Subplot ==

[Charlotte Dawes]

==Deep Space Nine Promenade, Ensign Powl, before his assignment to the USS Zephyr==

Deep Space 9 had a lot of things going for it, not all positive.  The Cardassian design left behind by the original builders and designers of the station had a perspective on life and culture that it truly took a Cardassian to appreciate.  Nevertheless, Torok was assigned to undergo a newly developed therapy that would target certain areas of knowledge previously lost to him from his...lost time.  While there will always be remnants, it was nice to know that Star Fleet, while busy with many other things, also had a vested interest in developing technologies that would continue to get him closer to life before...well...before.

The way to the infirmary aboard Deep Space 9 was simply a walk through a bazaar.  So many species and cultures all existing together rather spitefully considering the original construction and purpose of the facility.  Deep Space 9, while originally constructed to be a stronghold for the Cardassian for the occupation of Bajor, was now an activity hub thriving of not only Bajorans, despite their losses, but of many other species from across the galaxy.

"Computer, display path to the infirmary," Torok said.  The computer chimed, and in different tones than the typical LCARS, but nonetheless his way was illuminated.

A proper study of the layout of the station is in order.  Unfortunately, the orders indicated that I was to report directly and hastily.

Eventually, he found his way to the infirmary and found the doctor's office.  There did seem to be someone sitting at a desk tending to a PADD with good focus.  Torok walk to the doorway and cleared his way.  While at attention, he reported in for the new procedure.

"Ensign Powl, USS-Titania reporting.  I am expected here for a memory procedure."

A shorter male walked up to the Ensign wearing the starkly contrasted brown and blue colors of the Bajoran medical uniform. "Good morning, Ensign, I'll be getting you checked in this morning. If you'll follow me."

Eventually, Powl found his way to the infirmary and found the doctor's office. There did seem to be someone sitting at a desk tending to a PADD with good focus. Torok walk to the doorway and cleared his way. While at attention, he reported in for the new procedure.

"Ensign Powl, USS-Titania reporting. I am expected here for a memory procedure."

A shorter male walked up to the Ensign wearing the starkly contrasted brown and blue colors of the Bajoran medical uniform. "Good morning, Ensign, I'll be getting you checked in this morning. If you'll follow me."

"I'm Nurse Covin Lyric. If you need anything at all, I'll be around to assist the Doctor, and you'll meet the rest of the team shortly. So, how are you feeling today, Mr. Powl?" The Bajoran attempted to make small talk with the Vulcan as he walked the Starfleet officer into the private medical suite where the procedure was to be performed.

Naturally, the nurse must understand that Vulcan suppress their emotions.  Nurse Covin must be referring to physical status.

"I am well, all medical history considered.  I do believe that is the appropriate colloquialism."

Torok was attempting to adapt his speech to somewhat match that of his present company.  Even if the attempt wasn't a complete success, it was one step closer to being able to perfect the notion.  Although, most dialectal variants carried such idiosyncratic mutations because of cultural history and the emotions tied to the feeling of a word.  Unfortunately, that would be the most challenging bit to grasp for him.

"What procedure has been scheduled?  I was not aware of any new treatment protocol for Krynar Cerebral Probe Syndrome.  However, if there is a new form, then I am interested to learn."

As expected the Vulcan answered Lyric's pleasantries stoically, without much affect. Though he used one of the polite responses of Human culture. The phrases they used to move along the conversation without providing an authentic answer to the inquiry, It had taken Lyric a few months to get used to when he first started working with them on the station.

"Yes, Sir, it is," the Bajoran answered warmly. "Though, we'll need to get more specific than that before we can decide if today is a good day to move forward with the procedure. But of course that is going to be up to the doctor. Please, have a seat." They stepped into the examination room and the nurse gestured to a biobed that was adjusted into an upright and seated position.

The nurse appeared to be in his mid-thirties and kept his sandy blonde hair a bit long on the top and neatly trimmed in the back. He was trim, though not noticeably fit. "I'll let the doctor explain more to you about the procedure when she comes in. It is not so much a protocol for Krynar Cerebral Probe Syndrome, as it is a specialized piece of equipment that one of the previous Chief Medical Officers left behind on the station for us to use. Anyway, I really shouldn't say too much. That's not my job. You will have to talk to the doctor about what she thinks she might be able to do. I do need to get your vitals though."

The nurse reached for a tricorder that had been staged near the biobed and held it in his hand, but waited for Ensign Powl's permission before proceeding.

==Dr. Evie O'Fee==

There was something about being in an infirmary that helped to calm Evie down, one of the last places she wanted to be at the present was at Quarks. It had its own charm, but still reminded her of home. She needed to cope with a few things as well, like a bit of separation.  On one side of her collar she had the rank, the other had Caduceus in full view. It was something that she wanted all her Medical Staff to wear while on the ship, but right now they were not there.

Evie seen the Nurse working with a patient, and didn't want to interrupt what they were talking about. If they needed her help, they would ask. Or there was a chance that the medical staff might want some help, she was also interested in getting another view of the Bajoran way of life.

"Nurse." Evie said as she was looking at the patient, he looked familiar from the medical records she had been going over. Evie had her hair tied in the back in a tight arrangement, and her shoes were in a high mirror shine. She always did like them that way. Evie was a little more detail orientated this way, it balances out when everything was in chaos.

"Dr. O'Fee, I was just getting ready to get vitals for you on Ensign Powl." Lyric stepped aside so that the doctor could introduce herself. "He was asking about the procedure for his condition, and I said you'd be available to answer his questions. Mr. Powl, this is Dr. O'Fee. I can take care of this later."

Lyric placed the tricorder back on the table. He gave them each a pleasant nod and made himself look busy with triple checking equipment nearby.

==Ensign Torok Powl==

"Yes, Sir, it is," the Bajoran answered warmly. "Though, we'll need to get more specific than that before we can decide if today is a good day to move forward with the procedure. But of course that is going to be up to the doctor. Please, have a seat." They stepped into the examination room and the nurse gestured to a biobed that was adjusted into an upright and seated position.

Torok raised an eyebrow.  The idea that there was a procedure that had been curated for the purpose of facilitating the advancement of his recovery from his experience with the Krynar was already fascinating.  The concept that the procedure was not specifically designated for those with his specific condition was an incredible notion.  Krynar mind probe techniques and technology were so unique even from that of the advanced tools used by the Romulans, that just about every treatment he had received to this point had been bespoke to countering Krynar methods. 

Powl observed the tricorder in Nurse Covin's hand.  "You may proceed,"  he said. But before Nurse Covin could open the tricorder, they were joined by yet another individual wearing a uniform of a Department Head and the rank of Lieutenant. 

"Dr. O'Fee, I was just getting ready to get vitals for you on Ensign Powl." Lyric stepped aside so that the doctor could introduce herself. "He was asking about the procedure for his condition, and I said you'd be available to answer his questions. Mr. Powl, this is Dr. O'Fee. I can take care of this later."

Torok had not yet met this Doctor.  Nevertheless, there was a reputation that preceded the person.  Those kinds of positive rumors do not get started easily.  Negative rumors are far easier to spread than positive.  The fact that this individual was capable of cultivating the kinds of rumors that make the substance of a good Department Head, even amongst Star Fleet where it is already saturated with many fine individuals, was nothing short of exemplary.

Torok stood for a moment to greet the doctor.  "Ensign Torok Powl.  I was given orders to report here for a procedure.  There were no details, but there was an indication it was to allow some treatment for my current condition."

==Dr. Evie O'Fee==

To her knowledge Evie had never dealt with a syndrome called that before, however she had done extensive research on the Vulcan brain. Something that was described as an Enigma inside an enigma inside an enigma. As complicated as they come, but it also had healing properties. There was also a lot of work to be done before any procedure could happen, this way it narrows down the possibilities and closer to a solution.

“Before we begin anything, we need to have a conversation. I am going to see how you talk, both verbal and physical.” There were several factors Evie wanted to take into account before starting anything. “One thing I need to know is what was the series of events that brought you here? Do you feel anything different now than say a few days ago?” During this question period she was going to concentrate on the movement of his mouth. To see if one side was slower than the other, and how clearly he could talk. The other purpose was to measure some of his memory recollection ability, or how hard it might be to recall events.

His tone of face will reveal all, or it will reveal nothing. The best case scenario was she would lead him in meditation. There was also the possibility that with the proper guidance he can heal himself, something that she wished others could do for themselves.

==Ensign Torok Powl==

“Before we begin anything, we need to have a conversation. I am going to see how you talk, both verbal and physical.” There were several factors Evie wanted to take into account before starting anything. “One thing I need to know is what was the series of events that brought you here? Do you feel anything different now than say a few days ago?”

The questions was certainly intriguing.  Powl had been to many appointments in the past and he had even memorized several of the different things that medical staff would ask him and it would become predictable.  And yet, here, there was an element of surprise.  Torok's right eyebrow would raise with a slight nod of his head indicating a hint of curiosity at the inquiry.

"I do not feel any different.  Today would be a standard day in my own personal physical assessment; notwithstanding my own lack of further education in the science of Medicine."

There was a brief pause in which he reevaluated his statement and verified within himself the veracity of the report.  Concluding that, indeed, he did feel normal per his own analysis, he felt no need to add anything further to that part of the report. 

"Regarding your first question, the answer depends on the level of detail desired and how far back in my own history you would like to go.  In summary, I was Chief Tactical Officer serving aboard the USS Copernicus.  In one of our missions we encountered the Krynar.  There were several casualties, however there were also several prisoners.  I was among the captured. 

For years the Krynar attempted to tear into my psyche to reveal Star Fleet secrets.  While my clearance level as Chief Tactical Officer on the Copernicus was not of extreme value in terms of information available to them; they were persistent.  My guess is they really didn't know if my knowledge was of great value or not.  Or, and this is perhaps the more likely scenario, they found my Vulcan psyche more challenging to break due to my intensive training and discipline. 

Regardless, I was eventually able to escape.  Once I was recovered by Star Fleet, a thorough analysis revealed significant damage due to Krynar Cerebral Probes.  Several operations, surgeries, therapies, procedures, and appointments later I was healed well enough to rejoin Star Fleet.  However, due to the mountain of memory loss, I was required to pass the Academy once more, and I was no longer a Lieutenant Commander nor Chief Tactical Officer.  I left the Academy as Midshipman Torok Powl and I began serving aboard the USS Titania.  I had to start over, and rightfully so. 

We have just finished a mission aboard the Titania and we docked here.  Upon docking here I was informed from Star Fleet Medical that I was to report for a procedure tailored to treat my condition.  And thus, we have arrived at our contemporary location in time and space.  Now I am here with you, to allow you to prospectively perform this procedure."

Powl stopped to allow the listeners time to gather their thoughts and responses.

Nurse Covin picked up the PADD with the Ensign's progress notes since his time at the Academy. He slowly returned to the biobed as Powl's began to recount his history with the Krynar and then essentially starting over. Though the Vulcan officer relayed his medical history to Dr. OFee as one would expect from a Vulcan - without much affect or emotion, the Bajoran still could not help but feel sorry for Torok. He had worked with several Vulcans in his time working alongside Starfleet at Deep Space Nine, and he had learned that while they were often masters at emotional suppression they most certainly were not emotionless beings, despite what many often want their medical providers to believe.

"That must have all been very difficult for you. To say the least." Covin gave the tactical officer a bow of his head, a sign of respect, and an acknowledgement of hardships.

The nurse handed the PADD to the O'Fee. "Dr. Veya thought that the station's modified neurocortical probe would be able to stimulate some of Mr. Powl's damaged neuro-pathways, and correct some of the damage, but she was hoping to use the equipment as minimally as possible. When she heard that you were going to be passing through the station, she was hoping that your meditative hypno-therapy techniques may bridge the gap to see if she can avoid surgery, or at least minimize the impact. These are his most recent scans."

==Dr. Evie O'Fee==

Evie listened closely to his story, and he appeared not to have much of a problem with his long term memory. It was also possible that it was rendered difficult to form new memories for a little while, much like being blackout drunk. The mind didn't record some memories because it wasn't capable of it, and sometimes memory fragments come up to the surface. The nurse seemed to be well versed in the equipment, there was one detail that was possibly overlooked.

"Yes this station does have a piece of equipment that can help with this, its so precise that you can clip the wings of a pixy dancing on the tip of a needle. In order to accommodate such exacting of a target, I must first pin point where the problem lies. On a human brain its difficult, but nowhere as near as his." Evie started to chart out in her mind where the vocal point of the injury would be, and how to tar  get it to within an extremely small pin point.

"We can begin shortly, I just need to get suited up. As I do this can you get the device."  Evie started to get suited up, for the procedure to be done, and if done correctly he would only need a few days to recover. Light duties at most for a little while longer.

==Ensign Torok Powl==

"That must have all been very difficult for you. To say the least."

Powl stopped for a moment to look at Nurse Covin. He had heard those words spoken before, and they were usually spoken with sympathy rather than empathy.  In this case, there seemed to be a bit more understanding behind the words with Nurse Covin.

Although Vulcans present themselves emotionless, they were far from it. In fact their emotions were TOO strong such that a long time ago there was a decision made to suppress any and all emotion in the pursuit of pure logic as the standard by which they would live their lives.  Emotional turmoil had created so much devastation and destruction in the earlier years of their civilization that the choice for emotional suppression was made a means of self preservation.

Underneath each Vulcan's mask of absence of emotion, beat a heart that would rival the emotional capacity and strength of a Klingon.  And it seemed that Nurse Covin understood that aspect.

"Indeed.  My incarceration with the Krynar was most difficult in a physical, psychological, and mental manner."

Torok spoke of the history, but there was a gap that he couldn't speak about.

"Unfortunately, Doctor O'Fee, during the time in which I was a prisoner I have a great deal of fragmentation of memories.  Further, the time I spent of the Copernicus was also heavily damaged due to the Krynar targeting those specific memories in the hopes that they might find something useful."

Powl ended his report at that time to allow Dr. O'Fee to assess and decide how to move forward.

"We can begin shortly, I just need to get suited up. As I do this can you get the device."

The new technique is intriguing.  It would be preferred that the memories that would return would be...useful and not filled with horror.

Nurse Covin nodded obediently at the physician's directive. "Absolutely, Doctor. Right away."

Covin exited the exam room and returned a few minutes later with another medical officer assisting as brought the device in carefully on its antigravity cart. In anticipation of the doctor's needs, he went to the head of the biobed, and entered a few commands, and Torock's vital signs began to display on the monitor above. He also readied the monitor to display the brain scans once the imager was in place.

==Dr. Evie O'Fee==

The material that was used for the surgical scrubs were static free, Evie wanted to make sure that nothing went wrong at all. The major component of this whole thing was to keep mapping out the targeted area, or possibly more than  one. If she did this right, it would help him do his duties. What wasn't normal was the fact that normally they turn to other Vulcans for this, but Evie can smile because it was like a compliment.

Before Evie could begin, she started to use the brain scan in order to refine the target area. "This is going to take longer than normal, there is still a lot mort to go through before I can narrow down the target area or areas." As the scan was going on, Evie started to fire up the device. It needed some calibration before she could use it on a person, the fine beam was going to be both a blessing and a curse.

"Nurse Lyric can you tell me when the scan is complete?" The preparation was going to take a minute to get everything aligned properly. "Mr. Powl if you have any questions please ask before we get started." The process was just about to start soon, it just needed the final refining.

Lyric swelled with pride as he nodded at the doctor in confirmation of his orders. "Of course, Doctor." It was a testament to her trust in him as a medical assistant to give him such an important task. He was trained and practiced in the procedure both on Bajoran and Federation equipment, but not all physicians trusted their nurses to perform precision scans before such a potentially precarious procedure.

"Mr. Powl, if you would be so kind as to lay back, and try to make yourself comfortable, we can get started. I'll begin the initial scan, and then ask you a series of questions as we collect more images, so we can get the most accurate results."

As the images were being collected, the nurse asked Mr. Powl simple questions regarding the present day, then shifted to six months prior, then one year, going back to a few years before the Krynar attack. The questions included general knowledge such as current and former Federation presidents, specific members of senior staff who the officer was serving under in given years, to questions about family and who he remembered conversing with most during particular periods in the Vulcan's life. The series of inquiries were designed to show the doctor where neural pathways were functioning properly, identify where the patient's limbic system had created new pathways to compensate for damaged cells, and where there were gaps in the synaptic relays. If the damage wasn't too severe, then Dr. O'Fee would hopefully be able to make considerable progress with just a few treatments.

"Certainly," Powl stated. Torok leaned back and rested his head while following Nurse Covin's instructions. Following that came a series of questions that Torok worked his hardest to remember, naturally there were parts in which he would reach for a thought, or a memory, or a sensation that should be there. It felt as if trying to reach for something on the top shelf, but not being tall enough to reach. In those instances he would resign after making an effort, but ultimately moving on to the next question.

"I observed that you seem to find your work gratifying, Nurse Covin. Did I assess that correctly?"

Lyric turned to reply to Torok. "Yes, I do. I've always found the subject matter of medicines and healing to be interesting, I suppose you might say from an academic standpoint. But when you can help someone, even if it's just to comfort them through a difficult time - that is where I find the true reward."

The Bajoran tipped his head as a show of deferential respect before stepping away to approach Dr. O'Fee.

"The scans are completed, Doctor. What else can I do for you?"

Torok found Nurse Lyric's passion for their work to be respectful. It seemed that there was a great deal of time and effort that would be expended into the care and attention that was brought for each patient. In his evaluation, worthy of respect. The bajoran seemed to finish the task and looked at Dr. O'Fee.

"The scans are completed, Doctor. What else can I do for you?"

Powl looked over at Dr. O'Fee, curious as to what the next piece of the process was. So far, the process had been fascinating and he was intrigued to learn more about the process that was being used to potentially enable him to access pieces of himself that had been forcibly locked away for over a decade.

"I am at your leisure, Doctor."

==Tag Dr. O'Fee==