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Found 2 results

  1. Vladivostok Revisited Sky Harbor Aegis Stardate 2388.086 Dr. Davis left, and the door to the conference room sealed, leaving Kirel alone to stare at the onscreen image. Peace. Not war. Not conquest. Could the being’s inclined head mean something beyond peaceful intentions? Could it indicate an apology? And what of the droids? Do they speak the truth? Or is there reason for more caution than we are giving them? Whispers, innuendos, and fearful glances dominated certain areas of the station. Apparently word of the droids had dribbled into coffee shops, bistros, and bars, turning idle talk into suspicion and fear. Whenever she passed, heads turned, their eyes darting in the manner of one who wants to know but is afraid to ask. Fear is more deadly than war. It is a nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror that begets war. It had happened on USS Missouri, after the rescue of Vladivostok’s crew, and now it was Aegis’ turn. She needed counsel. Contact with USS Missouri came more quickly than she anticipated, the image of the commanding officer filling the screen almost instantly. Fingers steepled, Captain d’Ka relaxed in his chair, but his normal look of contemplation was tinged with concern and expectation. He had definitely anticipated her call. “You are concerned about the Droids, Kh’éile*,” he began immediately. “And curious about what we endured during the Vladivostok rescue.” She nodded. “And yes, you have reason for concern. Rumors can beget war.” “Enlighten me,” she replied, mildly curious as to why he had blocked his psionic connection with her lately, but now chose to allow her access. “The shock of what our bay crew and medical personnel saw when the rescued crew of Vladivostok came aboard, their emaciated condition, and the draped remains of those who died sent waves of horror that ricocheted into the rumor mill.” By the timbre of his voice and by his expression, he had been greatly affected, and had perhaps not yet overcome his grief. “Many attended the ceremony for those who had been laid to temporary rest in the morgue. Whether the mission teams kept their oath of secrecy is immaterial. The cogs of the rumor mill were hungry. Feeding on observations and whispers, they eagerly ground them up and spit out enough fodder to fill the void for months.” Her expression passive, he studied it for a moment before continuing. “These alien beings are formidable, and any suspicions floating through the station threaten to make them even moreso. As for the Missouri, fear that the aliens were omniscient, ethereal, had supernatural powers, could disappear into thin air, and were cannibals were absurd, but fear can ‘’turn a newborn kitten into a stalking tiger’.” “You have been monitoring our rumors.” He nodded. “And for good reason.” “Continue.” “Theirs was a senseless death,” he whispered. “They died out of their captor’s ignorance. The ship’s doctor informed me that the crew did not lack the proper nutrition, they lacked the proper amount of nutrition. The beings tried to adjust both the substance and the quantity, but what they concocted was so revolting that most of the crew could not eat it without regurgitating. “Kh’éile, there is no evidence that these particular beings are here for a hostile takeover of Allied space. In fact, we have evidence to the contrary. Yes, they saved Captain Belton’s life. Yes, what you see in that image is either one of apology or an indication of peace—I’m not sure which. What the crew of Vladivostok endured is inexcusable, but the beings did not kill them, nor did they torture them for information, nor did they act as hostile invaders in any other way. “Kirel, if these rumors continue on your station, your crew will soon be convinced that they are up against an unconquerable foe. They will shrink in crises or mistake an amiable gesture for a hostile one. If they do that, Kh’éile, these friendly beings will retaliate and become hostile. Deal with the rumors in any way you can.” “The incident affected you greatly, and you have not yet overcome it. Is that why you have withdrawn?” He nodded. “If you know what I have experienced, it could taint what you experience now, with the Droids.” “Do you know their intentions?” “I do not. But do not judge them by the actions of others. They are but one species, those on the planetoid in Nebula 236A are another, and those on An-Ward are yet another. How many will come is unknown and immaterial. Judge each as they act, not by what you fear.” The connection cut suddenly, without warning, leaving Kirel’s mind spinning with possibilities until a sudden psionic reprimand hit her square on. That she could not ignore, and after taking a moment for recovery, she exited the conference room. __________________ *Kh’éile - the formal Sindar word for bondmate
  2. Crystal Clear Captain Chirakis and Dr. Amanda Davis It is said that analysts often overlook the obvious, and Kirel Chirakis would tend to agree. When confusion reigns, one is more likely to over-think a problem, and the more that happens, the more likely it is to become convoluted. At that point, it is wise to shift one’s focus to something ordinary, such as the now-mundane activity in Aegis’ Command and Control. There, the atmosphere had become more relaxed, if only for a few hours. It allowed Kirel’s thoughts to wander. To pass the time while Captain Ramson interviewed Dr. Sandero and LCdr Lawliet, conversation among Kirel, Commander Coleridge, and Commander Cayne became a casual exchange of ideas regarding the aliens, their diversity, their possible purpose in this area of space, and several other things at random. Eventually the elusive obvious regarding the USS Vladivostok took form, causing Kirel to stop her usual wandering and stare blankly out the CnC observation window. Several months ago, the exploratory science vessel USS Vladivostok was hijacked by a previously unknown group of aliens in Nebula 236A. Vladivostok’s commanding officer, Captain Belton, was of no value to them. Moreover, he was severely injured during the hijacking—so much so that it threatened his life. Ordinarily, one would expect the aliens to kill the crew and take the ship. They did not. Instead, they took them to a semi-habitable planetoid, furnished shelter and food, and treated the wounded. They also saved Captain Belton’s life, “Almost magically,” he said during debriefing. The aliens completely covered their bodies and they did not speak, yet they treated the crew humanely until help arrived in the form of USS Missouri. Strangely, and almost as though they expected it, the aliens left just before Missouri arrived. It was too much of a coincidence. Lt Madelyn Logan, USS Vladivostok’s operations officer, was young, naive, and on her first starship posting. Kirel had rescued her, supposedly by chance. Kirel was on Drakkor, traveling from Aegis to Ferengi space; Logan was traveling from Nebula 236A toward Aegis. The chances that two fighters would intercept in the vastness of space were infinitesimal, and yet they did. Kirel paused for a moment to mull that over while she watched the Commerce Level. Lt Logan had followed her captain’s orders, taken the crystal, and supposedly sneaked aboard a strangely mismatched fighter (part Klingon, part Romulan). She entered the coordinates from Captain Belton and “pressed the button that looked like engage.” Now, how did she, a young, naive science officer who had no flight experience, “steal” a guarded strangely-configured fighter? The obvious answer is that they allowed her to, and it is entirely possible that they configured the fighter to be “stolen” and “flown” easily. A few moments ago, Kirel’s words to Commander Cayne were, “I tend to believe that the aliens are just as confused as we are, that they are feeling their way around a new area of the galaxy.” In essence, the disappearance of the Breen had freed the aliens from domination and allowed them to explore the galaxy beyond Breen space. As she stared out the observation window, Kirel ran through her thoughts one more time. The aliens that hijacked USS Vladivostok were probably more interested in the ship than in its crew. They fed the crew, tended to the wounded, and even healed their captain. They allowed Lt Logan to “steal” the fighter, and they probably allowed someone in the crew to take the images that were found on the crystal. Moreover, there was one image that showed an alien facing forward, standing in a particular position. A very interesting particular position. Were they sending a message? * * * * * * * Amanda Davis, Xeno-psychologist, psychoanalyst, and Counselor, stepped into the CnC conference room, only to be met with Captain Chirakis staring at a most extraordinary image. “Come in, Doctor. Tell me what you think of this.” The captain wasn’t one to mince words, and she definitely did not this time. “Where was this image taken, Captain?” said Amanda as she moved to stand beside her superior. “On a small planetoid in Nebula 236A.” “And who took the picture?” The captain regarded the image for a while longer, then turned to face her. Her eyes were extremely focused, and she seemed to be thinking about something else as she spoke, but again, that was fairly normal for her. “Please, sit,” she said, offering Amanda a chair that faced the screen. “Before I tell you who took the image, tell me all you can about the being, the posture, and everything else you usually do when you analyze these things.” When I analyze these things. Of course. Maintaining her most professional posture, Amanda cleared her throat, settled in and scrutinized the image down to the smallest detail before answering. “First, I am assuming that this figure is not usually found in this area of space.” Kirel nodded. “The most obvious thing is that the figure is entirely covered. Either it needs to be covered because of the atmosphere, or it is concealing its form or identity. And I’m using a neutral word instead of guessing at gender, because there is no way to tell gender, if it has one at all.” The captain’s quizzical look prompted, “There are species in the galaxy that are gender neutral, Captain. However, they don’t normally come in humanoid form. Still, as I mentioned, it could be concealing its true form with the coverings.” The captain seemed to be satisfied. “Continue.” “The next thing I notice is the posture. It is standing straight and tall, but its head is slightly bowed. The bow is not enough to be submissive, it is more like a respectful bow.” She allowed consideration for a moment. “Then, the item in its hand looks like a weapon. Do you know if it is a weapon, Captain?” “Anything can be a weapon, Counselor,” she quipped, somewhat lighthearted. It was very out of character in Amanda’s estimation, and she had seen the captain quite often lately. “However, to fully answer your question,” the captain continued in her normal vein as she pointed certain areas out, “there is a barb and spearhead at the bottom end of the pole, and what appears to be either a hammer or a counterweight at the other end. So yes, I would say it is a weapon. Also, the holstered weapon at the hip is reversed.” “Reversed?” “Yes,” she said, rising to move toward the screen. “The holster, here,” she pointed, “is backwards to the weapon.” “Oh, my. I would not have noticed that.” Amanda joined her at the screen for a closer look. “Anything else?” “Not that I can see, Doctor. Those are the main points.” “Normally,” said Amanda, intrigued, “since that is a weapon, and because the point faces down, I would say that it could indicate a peace proposal. Alternatively, it could mean that they mean no harm and want to go about their business. That, together with the reversed weapon in the holster definitely says more peace than war.” After a few more minutes of examination, Amanda continued, “You were going to tell me who took the image.” “One of the crew of USS Vladivostok, Doctor. And it appears staged. Would you agree?” “Oh, definitely, Captain. How interesting.” “Indeed, Doctor. Very interesting.”