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Chirakis

Crystal Clear

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.”

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