Expert: Justin Case - 6/19/2009

Question
Kivas Fajo vs. Kolrami (physical fight)

Tuvoc told Paris in a Voyager episode that he doesn't sweat unless the temp. is 350 Kelvin (170 degrees Farenheit; I looked it up).

Would the following sweat, and if so, before or after the 170 F mark?

A) Romulan
B) Species 8472
C) Apollo
D) Horta
E) Excalbian
F) Superman (sorry, DC, but I have to ask)
G) Admiral Quinn
H) Gorn
I) Taurean
J) Kelvan (true form)
K) Traveler
L) Sheliak
M) Odo (changeling equivalent, perhaps)
N) Tin Man
O) Dauphin beast
P) Pakled

Is it okay if I still ask about DC characters (i.e., would Batman and the Sheliak like each other)?

Answer
Hi John -

That's a tough one! Kolrami seemed to be a 'tactical genius' in theory, but generally when confronted by the threat of imminent violence, most theories go right out the door.

Fajo seemed to have no scruples whatsoever, even going to the point of using a Varon-T disruptor on one of his own colleagues in order to prove to Data just how far he was willing to go in order to achieve his goals.

Neither seemed a particularly strong physical specimen, or very cunning in the methods of hand-to-hand combat but, if it came down to it, I think Fajo would 'fight dirty' and get the upper hand on Kolrami.

Wow!  That's pretty hot!

A) Romulan - Since Romulans and Vulcans are virtually identical genetically speaking I'd imagine their physiological reactions would be very similar and that a Romulan wouldn't perspire at temps below 170 F.

B)  8472 - I doubt 8472 even does sweat at all as their internal system probably has safeguards to control their temperature in more sophisticated ways than expelling stored salts and liquid.

C)  Apollo - Since he is essentially human, save for an extra organ that processes energy, I'd imagine he'd be sweating like any human would at those temperatures, I doubt he'd suffer dehydration and dermal burns like a normal human would however as I think he could use his energy to stabilize his cells.

D)  Horta - I doubt a Horta even sweats at all and certainly would be bothered by temps in the 170 F range.

E)  Excalbian - given their silicon based physiology I'd imagine they have other methods of cooling themselves than sweating and seriously doubt temps in the 170 F range would bother them at all.

F)  Superman - No, in several different comics (and I LOVE DC!) we've seen Supes fly right through a star and not suffer any real ill effects so I doubt 170 F would bother him at all.

G)  Quinn - Given the Bluegill symbiont's 'jump starting' Quinn's physiology it would mean that his body would necessarily be burning at a higher temperature as its production of energy was higher.  Like most electrochemical reactors, the human body burns hotter with increased energy consumption (that's why you sweat when you exercise in the first place), so, my guess is that, with his temp already increased, Quinn might actually be more sensitive to higher temps!

H)  Gorn - Given their reptilian nature the increased heat probably wouldn't cause them to sweat.  Most reptilians are cold blooded and don't sweat or shiver, as their internal temps generally match those of their outside environment.

I)  Taurean - My thought was that their planet was a little on the cool side and I'd bet they would be sweating in buckets if placed in temps that high, they might even die!

J)  Kelvan - Wow, that's a toughie since we known nothing about the conditions Kelvan's prefer when in their natural form.  My guess would be that temps that high wouldn't bother them but I have nothing to base that on.

K)  Traveler - In his physical form the Traveler seemed to react to gravity, light and temperature the same as an average Class M humanoid so I'd imagine that temps that high would at least produce a small trickle of sweat?

L)  Sheliak - given their truly alien nature I doubt their bodies produce sweat at all.

M)  Odo - I doubt he would sweat, but the extreme heat might produce other effects in him, but I think he could morph into something, like a puddle, or a mist, that would result in those effects being quickly mitigated.

N) Tin Man - Any creature that can survive in deep space wouldn't be bothered by temps of 170 F.

O) Dauphin best - It's impossible to say, we know that in a normal Class M temp range the creature could move extremely fast, but its unknown what adaptations it may have had for extremes of temp.

P) Pakled - They seemed pretty comfortable in Class M environments so, I'd imagine that extremes of temp would generate some type of physiological response from them.  Given their alien natures its hard to say, for all we know they may cool their bodies by shedding excess heat through their eyes!

Sure, ask anything you like about DC characters.  I doubt Batman and the Sheliak would like each other though.

thanks!

Deran