[TEXT+ ACTION] A Puzzle of Flesh | Pre-Halloween Party

[bijective]

Good Morning,

I will try to keep this as brief as I can so that you all may resume your daily activities.

Over the past several weeks — or rather, months at this stage, I have been curious about our diverse group now living on this station. Some hail from different versions of Earth, while some come from another galaxy. I believe those of you who were with us on the first mission on Gyeongje are aware of how tricky it is to go about the rest of the mission when part of your crew has succumbed to an infectious pathogen.

Now, I’m no medical expert by any stretch of the imagination. However, I believe we can collect important data around the properties of our blood and its practical application if the occasion may arrive: transfusions, antibodies, tissue therapy, on top of different numerical applications in biomedical engineering. I will do you the favor by sparing you the gritty details, but what’s most important is that I can collect perhaps a small sample size. All simple prick of the finger will be more than plenty for this venture.

If any of you would like to volunteer, please stop by the lab.

Ah. And please enjoy yourselves with the remainder of the festivities. Try not to ruin your regular sleep schedules by consuming too much sugar.


{ACTION} AT THE LAB - During the Halloween Party

[The howling of laughter can be heard prominently from this side of the lab. It was quite nice listening to the others having a little fun as he worked in front of the computer screen. So much work, so little time before they are dispatched onto the next mission. He has to make sure he gets this right. To successfully obtain two orbs with no fatal casualties…

The margin of error can be calculated in two ways, depending on whether you have parameters from a population or statistics from a sample: Margin of error = Critical value x Standard deviation for the population.

His pale fingers glide across the keyboard, a tint of blue light is splashed across his face. The engineer is stepping into fresh territory. Something out of his typical comfort zone. How well this will all pan out? Hermann allowed for that margin of error of 0.57% to be his guide.

His right-hand reaches to the side to grab his lukewarm coffee. He perches the cup to his lips with his eyes not leaving the screen for a second.

Another rupture of laughter. He smiles to himself. Music to his ears.

How long…How long will this last?

Another headache is coming on. Hermann sets his cup to the side so he can start massaging his temples.]

Comments

action;

[hatejakku]

[ Finn's given more than his fair share of blood during the situation in Gyeongje when they were so desperate to find a cure. Newton's studied his blood, knows the peculiarities, but Finn's also more than willing to give something to science again. Even with the festivities, he certainly hasn't forgotten why they're all here, and the possibilities that the next mission could hold scares him.

Best to do what he can to aid that.

So that's why he comes into the lab wearing dark brown robes that wrap around his shoulders and hang below his knees (a Jedi, his Halloween costume since the robe was the first thing he grabbed). He's also armed with a pumpkin bun from the buffet table tucked into a napkin, which he sets beside the computer. ]

Thought you might want something from the party. Saw your message, though. I don't know if Newton kept any records of my blood from before, but I'm willing to give something again if he hasn't.

[bijective]

[Seeing the pastry arrive at his desk comes as a welcomed surprise. Unexpected but a pleasant surprise nonetheless. When he turns to look at Finn, his glasses are about halfway down his face.]

Ah—! [He turns to look at the pumpkin bun once more and then back at Finn.] Thank you, Finn. [He pushes his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose.] I wasn’t really expecting anyone to pop by the lab at this hour. But yes! As a matter of fact, I did…

[He turns to sift through his messy pile of manilla folders on top of his desk.]

Ah! [Pulling one folder out of the pile and presents a healthy stack of legal papers that’s seen better days.] Here we are. I helped write these notes for Newton back when he had broken his wrist on Gyeongje. Not exactly an extensive report, however, it provided a little context with your particular blood type.

[hatejakku]

[ Finn doesn't mind the late hour. The party was getting kind of exhausting for him, anyway, borderline introvert that he is. He doesn't mind taking some time to find some quiet and recharge.

He tilts his head when the papers appear, getting a decent look at them... but understanding pretty much nothing written down. And it's not the handwriting that's the problem, that's for sure. It's all way over his head. ]

Ah, yeah. My blood is... kind of special. I told him about the midi-chlorions, how they're from my home. That's the thing, though. I don't know what could happen if my blood was used for a transfusion. The cure was one thing-... [ Right. Babbling. ]

I'm sure I'm not the only one with something unique in their blood, though.

[bijective]

Oh — [He slips his glasses off his face while shaking his head.] God heavens, Finn! Nothing of the sort. A transfusion is there to ensure you are supplied with enough blood should you lose a significant amount while outside the station. Sure, perhaps there are some properties to study closely, but this is to find stable solutions for unpredictable predicaments.

[There goes his brain again, becoming all scattered-like. Is that a pastry on his desk? Yes, okay. He’ll take a nibble off of that.]

It’s just — [Chew first, then swallow Gottlieb. Get it together now.] everyone has very unique qualities about them. I dread to imagine with no proper medical team present what could be the outcome of an untimely incident.

[hatejakku]

[ Well, this makes a lot more sense, then! ] Oh! I get it now.

[ But also, Finn wouldn't have rushed over if he realized. Not because of anything bad or whatever, but because he's always leaping to help others and not so much leaping to help himself. Which is weird and something he doesn't notice until things like this happen, until he almost brushes the whole thing off to wish Hermann a good night. That'd just be dumb.

He just doesn't want to put anyone out of their way... Wow, that sounds weak even to his own ears. ]

Okay, well, what can I do, then? And is there anything I can do to help everyone else?

( text | un: jaguar )

[scarcastically]

[ yeah, he's not volunteering for that. he knows his history. ]

Shouldn't Viveca have all that on file?

text; un: hgottlieb

[bijective]

[And that is more than fine, to be quite honest. He knows this is a tall order that most might not be comfortable with.]

On blood types? Yes. Or at least, that is the expectation. God forbid, we have a transfusion gone awry all because someone is an O Negative but is O Positive on file.

[scarcastically]

And you're better than the super advanced AI that brought us here through space and time, even if, by your words, "not a medical expert"?

[bijective]

No. Certainly not. And truth be told? You should not trust me. That is something for me to earn.

With a lack of medical aid, it is my goal to ensure that everyone has a fighting chance. That means not leaving it to chance in case we cannot make it back to the station's infirmary on time.

Text; un:ratchet

[neveroutwrenched]

I’d be happy to help, but, honestly I’m not sure how much good it will do you, considering how……not-related me and most everyone on this ship are?

But I do really respect the timing of your your call for blood. It really works with the theme of the party.

text; un: hgottlieb

[bijective]

That certainly was not my intention. But it does appear that hindsight was lost on me.

Otherwise, that is more than fine. Preliminary data is what I need. On the off chance we do have another contagion tiff, I’d like for us to be more prepared for the occasion. It's one thing to understand how the human body works. But you are you. We all have unique qualities about ourselves. Might as well take a closer look.

text; un: ratchet

[neveroutwrenched]

[Of course it wasn't]

do you have like...experience? medically, I mean.

[bijective]

I have none. Fortunately, I have a very reliable consultant in the field of xenobiology and a new medic on board. Given the data from our first mission, there have been proven benefits to having a thorough understanding of how each crew member functions on a cellular level.

I may not be programming Jaegers at this very moment, but I am still very good in the engineering department.

[Sometimes you just need a guy designing your medical scanners and all the cool stuff.]

later-in-the-night action (aka hermann suffers, part 3445345)

[groupiedrifter]

[The lab doors open later in the night to a rosy-faced man in a godzilla onesie, holding a plate of snacks in one hand and a lugging a half-drank box of wine in the other. It probably takes one look to tell the dumbass has drank too much (because Newt has no concept of moderation, and really, it's a miracle he's survived 35 years).]

Hermaaaaann! Happy Halloween!!

[Excuse him, he's gonna walk over in a not-so-straight line.]

I knew you'd be here still; I gotcha something from the snack tables! I didn't know f'you were more Hermann or more Newton right now so I piled some vegetables and fruit slices and shit like that on one side...!

[bijective]

[But of course, Doctor Newton Geiszler will come to grace the German-British engineer with his drunk presence. With an entire box of wine in hand, no less.]

And I knew you would be inebriated at some point this evening, but what really is new these days?

[Surely, Newt will soon have to deal with a nasty hangover in the morning. The least he can do is get his friend comfortable for the inevitable.

Before the lad clad in a godzilla onesie takes another step further, Hermann pushes himself up from his seat so that he can a.) confiscate the boxed wine and b.) lead Newt to go sit at his desk.]

Come now, you bumbling kaiju. Have a seat before you topple over Mister Stark’s project.

[groupiedrifter]

[He snortlaughs at 'bumbling kaiju' like it's the funniest thing ever. Because of course it is, he's been knocking over stacked plastic cups all fucking night for the thrill of it. He sits down heavily on the chair, adjusting the hoodie out of his face and allowing Hermann to steal away the boxed wine. And hey! Don't forget the snacks!

He politely (and somewhat clumsily) places them on the table.]

I'd neverrr. Never topple anyone's project.

[Forget that he's probably toppled a project or two back at the PPDC.

None of that was due to criminal inebriation!]

I knew you'd be hiding away in the lab. Whad're you, Victor Frankenstein? [He folds his arms and slumps his face into his forearm, looking terribly warm.] Or are you just allergic to pumpkins?

[bijective]

Apparently, I’m Hansel this evening with you lot trying to get me nice and plump.

[As evidenced by the abundance of treats on top of Hermann’s desk: from pumpkin buns to cupcakes mimicking red blood cells and a half-eaten plate with meats and cheeses.

He locates two (clean) beakers from the shelves (more used for holding distilled water so they’ve been properly sanitized). One to draw water from the cooler and the other to pour his own glass.]

And, for the record, I am not hiding. I’m working. I’ve told you this already.

text - un; jaegermeister

[unbreachable]

You know you're welcome to whatever you need from me.

private | text

[bijective]

Most appreciated, Raleigh.

That reminds me, if you don't mind, there is a matter I would like to discuss with you. Not here of course. My quarters. Half-past seven. Is that alright?

Re: private | text

[unbreachable]

[ that's ominous. ]

Yeah, of course. I'll be there.

[bijective]

[Take it in stride, Mister Becket. This will be rather harmless.]

Splendid. This won't take very long but I did take it upon myself to provide your favourite hot beverage of choice.

text; un: Star - Lord

[spacedisaster]

G'morning, Dr. Gottlieb.

I don't mind sharing my blood but I'm not sure how helpful it could be in the long run for transfusion and the like. I'm half human, half alien god.

Are you sure you don't want to participate in anything Halloween related?

[bijective]

[Now, Dr Hermann Gottlieb is no stranger to the uncanny. Living in a world where giant alien kaiju is a constant threat to humanity allows for the mind to make a few exceptions. One, however, might ask how do you respond to a statement as bold as “I’m half-human, half-alien good”?

But first things first…]

Transfusion isn’t necessarily the end goal. It’s more of a matter of understanding how each of you functions on a biological level so that in dire emergencies, there is a proper protocol for treatment.

And while I appreciate the consideration, Mr Quill, there is still much to be done preparation-wise. Please enjoy the festivities on my behalf.

[spacedisaster]

[ Peter is also being 100% serious so Hermann's bullshit o-meter shouldn't go off. ]

Ah, in that case, I think my organs and everything else are just like any other human body. Bones, tendons, fleshy bits...

[ He wants to argue that preparations could wait for another night, but he knows already that Hermann's mind is set. ]

Very well, best luck in your investigation. I'll save you some sweet, though, it would be a shame if you didn't try at least one.

[bijective]

I see. Then I suppose I will have to circle back to the question of what defines an “alien god” within the confines of a human being. At the very least, it will serve as an interesting icebreaker.

But you are right. Something sweet would be nice to have. If it isn’t too much trouble, of course.