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T'aral

Road Trip ( Pt. 1 )

T’Aral patiently walked the secure halls of Starbase Harrington, with Ensign Khora dutifully at her side. She had tried to explain that the Ensign’s presence was unnecessary; this would be a routine duty assignment with plenty of security - she was not in any danger, and the pregnancy was progressing very well. Khora, however, was adamant about attending - threatening to take it to the Captain if she wasn’t allowed to come along. While T’Aral believed the threat to be empty, humans were unpredictable. Cale already didn’t like T’Aral pursuing this mission; it was entirely possible that she would be just irritated enough to add a chaparone. Best to maintain her authority.

 

Passing through to the secured offices, she cleared herself and Khora with the guard before stepping into office K-513. Inside was a cluster of technicians all taking ques from a single leader. Recognizing him from the dossier, T’Aral stepped forward. “Greetings, Professor Crater.”

 

The man turned and curtly nodded. “Good day, Doctor T’Aral. This is my wife Nancy; she will be advising you during our mission.” He grumbled unpleasantly. “This is entirely unnecessary and a severe imposition. Just the kind of over-management I’ve come to expect from Starfleet.”

 

Nancy Crater drew T’Aral aside with a gentle smile. “Please forgive my husband. He doesn’t like outside interference with his work. Now - I have read your reports and appreciate the work you’ve already done. To me it seems only sensible that you be allowed to continue. As you’ve begun to develop a relationship with the subject, your presence increases the probability of a safe journey - for all of us.”

 

T’Aral nodded in agreement. “May I ask why an archeologist is interested in the subject?”

 

Nancy looked at T’Aral, smiling. “ ‘... the subject ...’. Our friend really needs a name.”

 

“That, Ms. Crater, is evading the question.”

 

Nancy smiled wider. “So it is … but there’s no reason not to tell you. Robert believes that the creature comes from M-113; a planet with ancient ruins. He believes that this is his best chance to truly understand the ancient civilization through the mind of one of its survivors.”

 

T’Aral nodded even as she frowned. “That is assuming that this creature has knowledge of that civilization. The details of ancient civilizations are often lost to modern cultures: the subject may be unable to assist.”

 

“Possibly, but nothing ventured nothing gained. We have to at least try.” Nancy led T’Aral to the lounge. “Would you like something to eat? We’ll be holding over here for another day or two while Robert confirms a few things. He wants to run some tests … perhaps you can assist? They’re harmless, I promise - just some residual element tests to hopefully confirm his beliefs regarding the subject.”

 

“I will certainly assist; and some plomeek soup would be helpful.” It had been a while since T’Aral had eaten, and her body had grown more insistent regarding regular meals. Hopefully this would not prove to be a complication - Cale would not approve.

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( Part 2 )

 

Now on board the Epson, T’Aral moved through the ship’s corridors to meet with the subject again. They were now en route to M-113, and soon would arrive. Professor Crater would establish his research center, and hopefully would have a native to aid in his study of the culture which once existed there. All T’Aral had to do was to make sure the creature was well cared for so that there could be a suitable beginning.

 

As she turned the corner into the secure bay, however, she was brought to an abrupt stop by what she saw. In the cell stood Steln in his usual stance: tall, confident, and yet relaxed all at the same time. It was more than heartwarming to see him - it was quite astonishing given the fact that his death was a documented fact. All the same it took her a moment to restore her composure. “Your choice of appearance is illogical.”

 

“It was your train of thought which has given me this appearance, and I disagree with your assessment. In this form I can communicate more directly; my responses will be clearer and my tone more even. It may also foster additional empathy between us.” The creature even spoke like him - the same inflections, the same analytical approach to any subject. It was enough that T’Aral had to remind herself again that Steln’s presence was illogical; this was a camoflage - a chosen appearance to facilitate communication.

 

T’Aral straightened, then drew out her tricorder for readings. “I have gone over your records: you appear to be in restored health. Your salt, water, and nutrient intakes have all stabilized. Your metabolic readings appear to be in order. In all ways you appear to be in good health.” Snapping the device and sheathing it, she looked up. “Is there anything you require?”

 

“Would it be possible for me to tour this vessel? I have not had the opportunity to see the vehicle I am being transported in.” Steln stepped back, clearing the entryway.

 

T’Aral stepped forward: it was a reasonable request, after all. Most all passengers are given some freedom, and Steln hadn’t shown hostility towards anyone for as long as she had encountered him. Her hand reached up to the door’s control panel … and suddenly closed. “You … are not Steln.”

 

Closing her eyes, T’Aral began a meditative exercise, closing off one thought after another in a deliberate, methodical sequence. After a few moments Steln began to respond. “What … what is it that you are doing? Your actions are … illogical. You should cease … you are responding emotionally. You must … must stop. I cannot … cannot …”

 

Then in a blur Steln was gone. In his place was a snaggle-furred biped with circular suction pods on its fingers and a round, narrowly fanged mouth under hollow eyes. The creature looked to T’Aral with its head cocked sideways before walking to the back of the room.

 

T’Aral exited the corridor quickly, pausing only to speak with the security team. “No one is to enter that corridor. The creature is to be fed remotely. If it is necessary to interact, the entire security team is to be present, and everyone is to acknowledge the form in the bay room before the security field is lowered. Are my orders clear?” The officer nodded and T’Aral went on her way.

 

Returning to her quarters, T’Aral sat and tried to meditate. This encounter changed everything. The creature was everything the Captain had feared it was: cunning, deceitful, and manipulative. Further, T’Aral was convinced that its abilities went farther than simply creating perception: She had felt herself being mentally manipulated into thinking of the creature as Steln, rather than the creature taking on the form of Steln. It was a fact that a Vulcan should have been easily capable of processing and maintaining, yet T’Aral found it difficult.

 

She would have to take steps to warn the Craters; the creature posed a far greater threat to them than they accepted.

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( Part 3 )

 

The next two days were more of the same, with the creature taking one form after another in a continuing effort to win T’Aral’s confidence. The creature had taken the form of Lieutenant Kvar and Commander Wesley in turn, with the latest being Captain Calestorm. In each case T’Aral could sense a force seeking to manipulate her emotionally - to respond to the images of each person as if they were that person. With practice she improved her own responses, keeping herself under control emotionally while restraining her reactions to the creature in the cell.

 

As she walked towards the security section once more, she felt that she had herself under control and prepared for whatever she found. Finding Ensign Khora in the cell, however, was something of a shock. “Lieutenant! Get me out of here - please!”

 

T’Aral stepped over to the shield control. “How did you get in there, Ensign?”

 

“I was examining the subject, and somehow it got the shield open. I thought it was going to kill me! We need to search the ship to find it!” Khora paced by the shield, waiting for T’Aral to open it.

 

T’Aral, however, clutched her hand tightly. “Perhaps … we already have found the creature.” Stepping out of the security section, she walked up to a com panel. “Ensign Khora - please report to the Security Bay.” T’Aral held herself stiffly, and under total control with a binding will for several minutes until a familiar figure turned the corner into the hallway.

 

“Doctor - is there something required?” Khora looked over to T’Aral curiously. They had been working closely the last several days, but it was rare for T’Aral to call her down to the Security bay.

 

T’Aral kept any expression of relief tightly bound. “I required confirmation that you were not in the creature’s quarters. The subject has chosen to take a new approach in our encounters.” She drew out a tricorder and began to record her latest findings.

 

Khora began to look concerned. “Why would the creature be impersonating us?”

 

“To obtain our trust through the quickest means possible in order to free itself. This is troubling, as I have spoken to it many times regarding the need to respect limits and boundaries. The creature is clearly unwilling to do so, which demonstrates a malevolence I was not prepared for.” Closing the tricorder, she began to walk down the hall. “We must discuss this with the Craters. I have no doubt that the creature will try to engage their trust, only to betray it over time.”

 

Locating Professor Crater was simple enough: getting him to listen was another matter. “Lieutenant, you see the creature’s actions through a military point of view. You fail to see the value of working with it.” He walked over to a display. “I’m certain the creature comes from M-113, and that it has insight we need.”

 

“I am well aware of the elemental resonance scan, and the results.” T’Aral performed the scan herself - there was an atomic resonance within the creature which matched samples taken from the planet. “That is not at issue. The issue is that the creature has shown potentially hostile tendencies.”

 

“That’s rediculous!” Crater was becoming increasingly irritated. “I have met with it several times and never did it display the least amount of hostility - and it has identified the purpose of over a dozen artifacts!”

 

“Robert … please, let me.” Nancy Crater stepped up to T’Aral, smiling softly. “Lieutenant; I want you to know how much we appreciate the way you care for our safety. It’s just that we’ve come to understand the creature - its needs and its wants. It is a social being - alone and yearning for company. That’s why it tries to get you to open the security door. It knows that we can’t, so it doesn’t try any tricks with us. It’s been extremely friendly and co-operative.”

 

“That may be the case, Ms. Crater, but what will happen when we reach our destination?”

 

“When we arrive we will have supplies and room to move. Once we’re established it will be just Robert and me, so the creature will not pose a threat to anyone.”

 

T’Aral resisted the urge to frown. “Except for the two of you.”

 

Nancy continued to smile. “Lieutenant: I know it is the Vulcan way not to trust, but rather to observe and react. I, however, believe that worlds can change with trust. We will have plenty of supplies, and the creature will have no reason to harm either of us. Please don’t be concerned: you have nothing to worry about.”

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( Part 4 )

 

The Epson’s arrival at M-113 and debarking proceeded without complication. Given her experiences, T’Aral found this both unusual and troubling. Activities such as this always had complications; the fact that there were none most likely meant that the complications were still forthcoming.

 

She couldn’t identify any, however, as the creature was removed from the secure bay and beamed down to the surface. With the security team watching it proceeded to migrate away from the ruins into the surrounding hills. Professor Crater was less than happy with the situation. “We have no idea if it will stay nearby. If you drive it away, our work will be set back for years.”

 

“We are not ‘driving it away’, Professor.” The heat of M-113 was quite comforting to T’Aral. In most respects the atmosphere was very much like Vulcan’s was. “We are seeking to settle it a safe distance from your camp, so that it will not pose a threat. The creature came from this planet: I am certain that there is a suitable location in which it will thrive.”

 

Nancy shook her head. “The creature would pose no threat. We have plenty of supplies for all of us, and have established a regular re-supply schedule which will keep us from running out of salt. Your concerns are unwarranted. Besides …” She looked about sadly. “It is entirely possible that there are no others of its kind. If this is true, then sending it to another location would be condemning it to a life of solitude. It would be inhuman.”

 

“Perhaps it is not human, but it is logical.” T’Aral remained passive in face, but firm. “As long as the creature is present, you and Professor Crater are in grave danger.”

 

“Enough!” Robert Crater marched up to T’Aral, pointing to the transport point. “Our camp is established and we do not need additional support any more. You have seen to it that the creature has been returned to the planet safely, and you have spoken your peace. We do not require your interference or your oversight. We are quite safe here - go!”

 

T’Aral looked to the shuttle then nodded. Stepping back to the entryway, she nodded to Ensign Khora. “We are to leave now.”

 

“What about the creature?” Khora looked deeply concerned. “Surely they don’t trust it?”

 

“They do. It is their nature to trust, even as it is my nature to observe and analyze.” T’Aral stepped into the shuttle and settled into a seat.

 

Khora quickly sat down beside her. “Surely it’s too dangerous. While it is possible that they will live in harmony, the danger is simply too great. They must be made to listen.”

 

T’Aral shook her head. “They are not Starfleet officers or crew. Their decisions are their own, and we must respect that regardless of our personal views.” She strapped herself in for flight. “I will advise the support staff on Starbase Harrington to keep in touch with the Craters, checking in regularly and taking such action as deemed appropriate to assure their safety. Beyond that we can do nothing, and are obliged to do nothing.”

 

The shuttle shuddered as it took off, leaving the Craters and the M-113 native behind. T’Aral was satisfied with this: soon she would be back on the Comanche Creek, dealing with more familiar problems. Deep inside her, a quiet part of her looked forward to seeing the Captain and crew while dealing with their peculiarities. It was, in a way, comfortable.

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