The Battle of Betazed - Charlotte Douglas [31]
Moset ignored both Dal and the Jem’Hadar who had entered and lain calmly down on the adjacent table without coercion. The doctor frowned at the information on his padd, then performed a microcellular scan on both his subjects, a procedure Dal recognized that would give Moset readings of the cells’ functions at the molecular level. Dal, however, had no idea what the scientist was searching for. He simply took a perverse satisfaction in the Cardassian’s obvious irritation with the results.
“Place neurocortical monitors on both subjects,” Moset ordered.
An assistant placed the devices on Dal’s and the Jem’Hadar’s foreheads. The monitors would record encephalographic data.
“Configure the Betazoid’s monitor to alarm when critical psilosynine readings are detected in his brain,” Moset added.
The paralyzing effects of the stasis field no longer held Dal, but full-body restraints prevented any movement. Stronger people than he had struggled against them and failed to break free. Dal didn’t even try.
Instead, he attempted again to determine the nature of Moset’s experiments. Dal was just a science teacher, not a doctor, but he knew that every Betazoid possessed psilosynine, a neurotransmitter chemical. Was Moset trying to engineer some kind of microorganism to attack cells with a specific DNA sequence? But if so, why? Killing the Betazoid population made no sense. The Dominion’s mandate was to expand their empire, not destroy their enemies. Genocide was not their goal. Not usually, at any rate.
Dal caught sight of Moset’s expression, and the scientist’s single-minded determination frightened him. The width and scope of Moset’s experiments reflected their importance to the Cardassian and Dominion alliance, but Dal couldn’t figure out what Moset hoped to gain from performing cranial surgeries, extracting genetic material from healthy Betazoids, and implanting that material in Jem’Hadar.
Following his usual procedure, Moset and his team began with the Jem’Hadar. Using a gleaming archaic scalpel, the scientist peeled back the skin at the forehead. A high-powered saw cut through the cranial bone and exposed the underlying brain tissue. Through the entire procedure, the Jem’Hadar exhibited not one flicker of pain.
Then it was Dal’s turn.
“Increase neural stimulation to the Betazoid,” Moset directed. “Increase neurogenic radiation.”
Pain blossomed through Dal’s head. He grunted and would have writhed from the agony if the restraints had not held him.
Let this be over quickly, he prayed.
“Use a hypospray on the Jem’Hadar,” Moset said.
“For pain?” the assistant asked.
Moset shook his head with impatience. “Use the paralyzing agent to keep him from moving.”
The assistant rushed to comply.
“Drechtal beam,” Moset said.
An assistant handed him the device, and Moset employed it. “I’ve severed the neural connections. Now, apply the bioregenerative field. I need maximum accelerated cell growth.”
“Bioregenerative field applied.”
Moset moved to Dal’s side. “Increase the neural stimulation again for the Betazoid.”
As if his mind were suddenly on fire, Dal convulsed at the pain.
Through a haze of agony, he heard Moset order the plasma infusion unit. The fluids and electrolytes it dispensed were one of Moset’s measures intended to keep Dal alive as long as possible.
He tried to beg them to stop, but no words left his mouth, only a piercing primal scream.
Something stabbed the back of his neck, and even through his pain, Dal knew they were extracting matter directly from his brain.
“Apply the sonic separator and the trilaser connector,” Moset ordered. “Quickly. Quickly.”
“We’re losing the Jem’Hadar.”
Over his own suffering, the dying soldier’s confusion and agony registered in Dal’s mind.
“The Betazoid is dying,” Moset’s angry voice announced. “He’s no use to me now.”
Dal tensed as heat burned his brain. Then blessed blackness claimed him and