Ask Taking the Plunge

[Dr Ilana Morata]

In a few cases, the Doctor would not bother asking for outside resources for help. But ever since the attack on Coruscant Sector Ranger Base, there was one competent medic there that hadn't been far from her mind. Perhaps she could finally help her with a conundrum of hers.

Falynn Tikarsis.

She stared at the holograph for a little while longer, frowning at the display. They were so close to a breakthrough... and yet so far. Just one last key to fit the puzzle. But she had reached out to the woman, now she merely waited for her arrival. The final answer to breaking the monopoly bacta held over the galaxy.

@FireSong

 

[Falynn Tikarsis]

It started as a request from a familiar name and face. A call to action that would be another step in making healthcare more accessible to all. Though much time had passed since Falynn had met the illustrious CEO of MorataCorp, she remembered the woman clearly. A physician driven and devoted to her work. So when the Doctor reached out to Falynn, she accepted without hesitation. After relinquishing her position at a hospital, she had more or less scheduled her life around serving the Sector Rangers. But even now, the only thing more important to her than serving others as a ranger was serving others in a medical capacity.

Falynn prepared for her meeting, the sensation of donning clothing other than her standard uniform almost unfamiliar. A glimpse of her reflection revealed how similar she looked to the doctor she used to be—attire and all.

Before long, the medic found herself standing at the entrance of the designated building. A woman directed her to the Doctor. Taking a breath, she stepped into the room. “Doctor Morata,” she greeted the woman sincerely. “I understand you’re in the process of developing a competitor to bacta. How may I be of assistance?”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Amariel knew she could have reached out to any one of her assistants, or even to her research team for this project, but in this case, she explicitly wanted another Doctor to help. One that had extensive experience using bacta in all its' forms. Someone who understood its' uses from a practical application standpoint.

When Falynn appeared, she turned her head to look up at the woman, then slowly rising to a stand. Amber eyes warmed slightly as she offered a slight bow. "Ranger Falynn, thank you for coming. Yes."

She waited until the door shut, then sighed, rubbing her temples with two fingers. "Admittedly, I was hoping to find some chemical compound that would do an equal, if not better, job, but some of the trials are inconclusive. I need to find something that works practically in emergencies." Amber eyes looked the woman down calmly, lowering her hand.

"I was hoping fresh eyes and your expertise could help me."

@FireSong

 

[Falynn Tikarsis]

Falynn listened carefully as the Doctor explained the situation. Completion of this task seemed to be taking its toll on the woman, but she was determined to see it through. The disappointment from unsatisfactory trials was something Falynn understood.

Yes, bacta was a substance she was very familiar with, having used its various forms in the hospital as well as in the field. Spending years in her line of work meant Falynn also understood the importance of developing something that was reliable and fast-acting, enough to be effective for emergency situations.

Research was a different subject though. Falynn’s careers had placed her on the frontlines of healthcare in direct interaction with people. Although she had participated in research trials as an intern, it was insubstantial. Once Ilana had laid everything out, Falynn nodded. “Yes, of course. I admit that my experience in research is limited, but I will help in whatever way I can.” In addition to everything, the work cut out for them would add to her experience.

Considering the information she now had, Falynn felt she had a good initial grasp of the situation. Good enough to get started. If questions rose to the surface, as she was sure they would, the woman would ask. The medic lifted her gaze to meet the Doctor’s, “Where should we begin?”

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

The Doctor had expected questions, several of them, perhaps even some hesitation on the medic's part. But seeing her acceptance, the woman did something highly unusual for her frosty demeanor.

She offered a full, genuine smile.

Granted, it didn't last, but the frost eased from her features, tense shoulders dropping slightly. "Yes. Wonderful. Now..."

She tapped on her datapad, and a holodisplay appeared. "I've been doing theoretical combinations of differing compounds, but so far, most of these were lacking in the healing factor, or delayed. Something more readily available than bacta would be preferred, but..." she gave a one-shouldered shrug, "by this point I'd be open to suggestions."

@FireSong

 

[Falynn Tikarsis]

Falynn saw the smile; the subtle relaxation of the Doctor’s figure. It meant more to her than words could. Gave more insight too. Instinctually, she matched the other woman’s smile with a reassuring one of her own. They would do this together.

The holodisplay materialized in front of her, neat lines showing statistics and qualities beneath the name of each compound. Several of them she had never even heard of before. Ilana said many lacked enough healing properties, and Falynn could see the lower numbers. “I see. Let me think if there’s anything else I know of that you can try.” What substance could provide the same, or better level, of healing than bacta? She tried to search her memory for anything of help.

Meanwhile, a thoughtful expression lingered on her face as she looked through the display again. “These compounds,”—she noted the top three from the list with the highest healing levels—“I’m unfamiliar with. Where are they sourced from? Beyond trying to understand the data with greater clarity, Falynn really was curious how the first list of combinations was created.

There was another matter that came to mind. With the rise of technology that replicated organic matter to perfection, often even able to surpass the originals’ limits, the medic knew there was a certain appeal for lab products. “I’m not sure if this makes a difference to you, but do you have a preference over using organic versus synthetic compounds?” It never hurt to ask. Sometimes there was controversy over where a product was derived from.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She really wasn't a bad person, Falynn was. But the good Doctor didn't really have the time nor luxury to know the other woman too well apart from that brief experience and hearsay; however, at heart she did have a soft spot for the Rangers. And with Silvi in her life, she always would. However, at the woman's words, she glanced back at the compounds, humming quietly.

"Most of these are sourced from organic compounds," she replied, glancing over the display readings. "With study of the vaccine going for a disease that is a biologic attack, naturally the research materials I have access to mean I can also research biological agents that can help to slow down the infection, or even heal it." She rubbed at her face once with her cybernetic limb, letting out a quiet sigh.

"Synthetic might work, but finding grounds for a research laboratory to support production not involved with the vaccine would be difficult."

@FireSong

 

[Falynn Tikarsis]

It made perfect sense. Falynn had not forgotten that MorataCorp was taking charge of developing the vaccine. She almost wanted to ask how the process was going but also realized it was better not to, unnecessarily. The Doctor had likely already answered a multitude of vaccine-related questions and was not keen on more. Falynn could only imagine the pressure that lay on her and her corporation. But, organic it was then. It would do no good to choose a compound that would make the process even more complicated. “Of course. I understand,” she nodded in response.

Bacta had many forms; many uses. From her experience in the field, it was especially helpful in treating burns. Falynn almost imperceptibly mouthed thoughts to herself as she began to pace a short length of the room, a habit she had tried and failed to break. She had a distinct memory of always having to stock up on bacta patches from . . . yes, where did it come from?

An idea struck her. Ilana wished to create something new. A product that would rival bacta and change the face of healthcare. She had naturally started by experimenting with compounds that had been available from her vaccine research. But perhaps there was another category the Doctor could explore. An answer that circled back to the very heart of bacta itself.

“I have an idea,” the medic began slowly. “If memory serves, bacta is originally derived in part from a grain. Seeing bacta’s effectiveness in treating injuries of all kinds, it might be reasonable to experiment with plants in the same botanical family for the source of this new product. Perhaps see if any contain a chemical that could produce a similar or better quality of results?” Falynn pulled out her datapad, touching the screen a few times to generate a list. The filter efficiently inventoried the grains and a number of related plants classified under the same family, projecting it in clear hologram for the Doctor to examine.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Falynn had a good point. Since bacta itself was a derivative from a grain, why not something else local? Fauna or flora, a substance or a byproduct that would make manufacture cheap and production cheaper still... her fingertips tapped absentmindedly on the table, a remote frown touching her lips.

"Or perhaps... not a thing better than bacta."

She muttered this mostly to herself, leaning in to stare at the diagram. "There's some plants on the surface of Paqualis III... a type of algae. It grows quickly after it's been harmed. Why not a substance that can help support limb grafting and cloning?" She hummed once, then glanced to Falynn. "Do you think it's doable?"

@FireSong

 

[Falynn Tikarsis]

Not a thing better than bacta? The words had been spoken quietly, and Falynn wasn’t sure she had heard correctly. The Doctor had changed plans so suddenly, moving away from bacta to this new idea. Of course she would help however she was needed, but this was puzzling.

Recovering quickly, she responded in earnest. “I think so, yes. The research done on this algae is limited, but from what I can tell its properties are promising. It’s accessible enough to be used for a product too, especially if you’re looking for a readily available compound.” A long pause filled the air as she was unsure how to proceed. It seemed difficult to continue without acknowledging the unsaid. Perhaps it was better to ask now before the situation became more complicated.

She tilted her head in thought before looking from the diagram to Ilana. “This is also something that would help a lot of people, but may I ask the reason for the change to a substance dedicated specifically for limb grafting and cloning?”

@Killa Ree