Radiation Matters

Posted on Wed Feb 11th, 2026 @ 5:05pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Commander Shoniara T’ghann-Travis MD & Lieutenant Inara Senn & Lieutenant Ashlynn Regan

969 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Not All Orders Are Easy
Location: USS Washington

With the away team on the planet, Shran had the Inara and all the science personnel studying the planet regarding the radiation while also studying the radiation coming from the asteroid belt. The Andorian made his way to the rear of the bridge where Inara was at Science station 1 discussing things with Lt Regan.

"What can you tell me about the radiation beyond what we already know? That EM radiation field is close to the beam down coordinates. Is it the only radiation issue, or did meteor impacts create any sort of additional radiation issues?"

Inara tapped her tricorder and glances at the captain.

"I'm picking up a variable cornucopia of all sorts of wavelengths down there so.... Radiation 101. Abridged edition.”

“Electromagnetic radiation by itself usually won’t kill you. The dangerous forms we’re concerned about are ionizing radiation — alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma radiation. Gamma is the one that ruins everyone’s day because it does things to your genetics. Mutates you, and believe me, when your immune system reacts, it will be supremely painful when your body is at war with itself. Be grateful we have such wonderful medicine, but it's still a matter of getting said wonderful medicine. Bring a medkit with you.”

“If your tricorder flags ionizing radiation above safety thresholds, and screams murder about it, in fact I might just configure an alarm notice into your tricorders, please pay attention so you won't die horribly today."

"I'm sure the away team is aware of that. But what have you learned about what is happening on the planet?" Shran questioned.

"This Radiological Cornucopia does not exist naturally. Radiation that does is a ball of elegant background death from the creation of stars, black holes, and other natural phenomena. It's artificial, Captain. If I didn't know any better, someone's been experimenting on a planetary scale, or someone decided they didn't like someone else's face, and lobbed nukes at them." Inara mentioned.

"I searched the surrounding sectors including our own and so far, I haven't found any stellar phenomenon, black holes, or anything else capable of making the radiation. I am planning on going over the area another time to make sure, and I will be branching out even further" Ash stopped dead.

"Captain, could this planet be operating in a similar way to Ba'ku?" She asked quietly. "In fact, this entire situation is seeming eerily similar to that incident."

"Metaphasic Radiation." Inara mentioned. "If we understood half of anything about the universe, we'd become ascendants, and I'd finally be able to take a divine pipe to Hela's face." Inara mentioned. "Unfortunately, we've just scratched the surface on Metaphasics. I cannot give you an answer, until me and Jas have lived a thousand years on the Baku world, which we absolutely will not." Inara hid a smirk.

"Either way, don't get your hopes up Lt. Regan. The only thing that might be waiting on this world is a horrible painful death." Inara mentioned.

Shran took in the information amongst the witty repartee and considered things. "So, the asteroid field is filled with radioactive elements in massive quantiles, the planet has a natural radiation level that should kill most living creatures, EM radiation is rampant on the planet, and now we are introducing the possibility of metaphasic radiation as well. It's never easy" he said as he placed his face in the palm of his hand. "Very well, with Sam on the surface, we need a medical consult. Shon has returned to duty, talk with her about this from a medical perspective. Maybe she has some insight that will help."

"I could take a shuttle out and collect some core samples of the asteroids, Sure we can scan the surface radiation coming off an asteroid, but the only way to understand radiological timeline is with samples." Inara mentioned.

"You'll want Phlox to go with you for that. And you'll need to have Shon give you hyronaline before you go. Take Ash with you as well" Shran replied.

"Time to go see if they ever drilled for samples before in an ansteroid belt." Inara stood and left for the shuttle bay. "C'mon Miss Regan, we're going to bathe in radiation again. Absolute rapture." She smirked. "Don't forget to get a shot from Shon."

"I always love a healthy amount of radiation" Ash quipped as Inara left. Before she followed, she turned back to Shran. "Do you have anything else for me sir?"

Shon had just finished an uncomplicated but long surgery and she was hoping for a break. Her wounds had healed and her prosthetics were working well but she was finding it difficult to sustain prolonged hours that were needed on the Washington. She moved towards the office stopping to stretch, she was worried about the crew members on the planet and the asteroid belt but she had some new drugs she wanted to try in the hope that they would be some use in the longer term effects. She ordered her drink and pulled up the latest on the new drugs. She would like to have run it by Sam but, as she was on the planet she had made her executive decision.

"Grab Phlox. Take a runabout. I think Inara will handle the rest. Just keep an eye on her. Her zeal for scientific discovery sometimes puts her into troublesome situations. No telling what you all might encounter out there" Shran replied to Ash. "And check with Shon, see if she wants to assign somebody from medical to go along as well."

"Aye Captain" she replied. Ash knew that Inara wouldn't be thrilled about that, but orders were orders and to be honest she was not terribly concerned. Seeing as there wasn't anything else, she nodded towards the captain and turned towards the turbolift.

 

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