Vladivostok Revisited

[Chirakis 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