Treatment

"Did you figure out a way to heal me"? Captain Kazaliur asked Commander Nexer the next time he was called to meet the Commander.

"It is not that easy. I have knowledge on how to work with the Zimerian genes, but the other half of your genetics make it really difficult for me to proceed further. What if the treatment I suggest ends up being ultimately harmful"? Asked Commander Nexer.

"I understand Commander. But the further you delay, the worse I'll get. I haven't ran the tests you have, but even I can tell I am deteriorating further. It seems even in the absence of Oxygen and Electromagnetic radiations of 'The Sun', my body is not only failing to recuperate, but whatever functions I have left, is failing due to inability to compensate for the lost function" Captain Kazaliur declared. "Whatever treatment you have in mind, even considering me as a full Zimerian, please proceed." Implored Captain Kazaliur.

"But, it might be life threatening" Argued the commander.

"I'm dead anyways. Might as well give it a shot" Captain Kazaliur affirmed.

After taking a moment to consider, the Commander sighed. "Very well then. I'll proceed further." He asked Kazaliur to take a highly advanced seat in the medical room. It did a quick scan on him before blasting him with radiation that is similar to the star of ZMR-47. 

The power was adjusted according to the level tolerable to Zimerian physiology. It was the basic treatment he could offer, but it also had its limitations. The most it could do, was to sensitize his cells to take them up and hope that his cells resume it's functions.

After around half an hour, Commander Nexer stopped the radiation. "Did it work"? Is the first thing Captain Kazaliur asked.

"That is yet to be determined. I have scanned you, I'll have to check the data before I can say anything clearly. I have never worked on a Zimerian with oxidative damage, let alone on someone like you. There are a lot of variables for me to be sure of anything".

"So, what does that mean"? Captain Kazaliur asked, disheartened.

"It means, we will have to wait and watch. For now, you should go back, but you must come back tomorrow at around the same time. I'll clear my schedule" The commander informed Kazaliur.

"Very well then" Captain Kazaliur got down from his seat. He didn't feel any different than he did before he got on that seat, but perhaps it's too early to tell. Just as he was about to leave, something hit him. "Commander Nexer, Yesterday, I met with the little girl you have adopted, Quetama" He said.

"Ah, yes.. Very sweet, intelligent girl" Commander Nexer's eyes sparkled quite literally, expressing his glee over the mention of her.

"If you don't mind me asking, what led you to take her under your wing"? Captain Kazaliur asked. With a Muinor around he would have no secrets left, which made him curious of the other's decision.

"I run a planet of refugees, the people who lost their homes. How can I not take her when she had lost her home as well, Captain Kazaliur. That was the legacy Commander Zato left behind for me. As for Quetama, she was on my planet when her's succumbed to destruction. We met under odd circumstances, escaping the invaders and trying to survive. Let's just say, if it weren't for her I wouldn't be alive today" Commander explained. "That little girl is smarter and more capable than any Muinor I have ever met of her age. We arrived here together." Commander recalled.

"I see" Captain Kazaliur nodded meekly. "I am really sorry for what happened with your planet. If only I could have helped you in any way, I would have" Captain Kazaliur declared. He didn't exactly mean it, but he figured it was the right thing to say. This was one of the things he had picked up from his time on earth, along with cell damage.

"Let bygones be bygones," Commander Nexer hummed. Captain Kazaliur gave the Commander a subtle nod before taking his leave. 

~~~~~

Captain Kazaliur was back the next day to continue with his treatment, "Do you have the results?" Was the first thing Captain Kazaliur asked the Commander. 

"I do. I have good news and bad news" Commander Nexer declared. "The good news is, the radiation didn't damage your cells further, but the bad news is, it didn't affect your cells at all" 

"So the treatment failed?" Captain asked, disheartened. 

"I'm afraid so" confirmed Commander Nexer. "We must move on to the next phase of possible treatments"

"What does the next treatment consist of"? Captain Kazaliur asked. 

"Mostly testing done drugs that might alter the biochemistry of your body, inducing spontaneous healing." Explained the Commander. "If it fails as well…" the Commander trailed off.

"What's next"? The Captain asked. 

"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that," said the Commander. He started the treatment intended for the Captain. The drugs he administered were still a trial one. With the weakened body of the Captain, there was a fair chance that the Captain couldn't tolerate it.

To determine all the actions of the drug, he needed a longer time. With no side effects, he continued to administer them. 

After over a week when Commander Nexer evaluated the Captain's vitals, with much disappointment the Commander had to declare that this treatment was ineffective as well.

"Am I done for? Captain Kazaliur asked. 

"Since I failed to induce natural healing, I might have to go for artificial means" Commander Nexer sighed. 

"Which is?"

"Somatic Replicator." Declared the Commander. "It's a device that I invented which can read genetic material and replicate tissue of any species in the entire cosmos."

"Wait, that's sounds perfect. Why didn't you start with that"? Captain Kazaliur frowned. 

"Because, it has a major drawback. To heal, you must be put to stasis so that your natural biological functions don't interfere with the process of Somatic Replicator"

"So, I'll technically be asleep," Captain Kazaliur asked. 

"I'm afraid so."

After taking a moment to consider, the Captain declared. "Let's do it"