Who are they?

Posted on Wed May 27th, 2020 @ 3:47pm by Lieutenant Commander T'kaarch & Captain T'mpest Michaels

687 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Hollow Victory
Location: Science Lab
Timeline: Current

ON

Once T'kaarch had limped back to the Science Lab and took a seat, it was about time for him to start his research. He wasn't quite sure what he was looking for, but the feeling of unease, of something being off, gnawed at him.

"Computerrr, load the univerrrsal trrranslatorrr matrrrix forrr the Kendarrran language."

T'mpest made her way to the science lab, leaving the Keens on the bridge. She wanted to see what T'kaarch had in mind, and to help him out, if she could. It wasn't that he needed any help, rather a need on her part to get off the bridge and back to science for a short time. Working in her preferred field always gave her a chance to think and look at problems from a different perspective.

She walked into the lab and nodded to the Caitian. "What have you found so far?"

"I've got some avenues of rrresearrrch I want to check. Firrrst, is the language strrructurrally similarrr to otherrr rrraces? Second, wherrre did the signal come frrrom, why didn't the Federrration everrr get anything frrrom that dirrrection beforrre?" T'kaarch showed the Translation Matrix. "Does this look familiarrr to you?" T'kaarch was no linguist, and while he could let the computer do the searching, often intuition would give an indication as where to search for first.

"It may be that no starships have been out this way in quite a while,' T'mpest replied. "For the language itself, it is not similar to any of the more common languages, but there may be an obscure one we could use. Or we find more instances of speech to give the computer more time to learn this particular one."

"The firrrst one, we should be able to check. Computerrr, show me the rrrecent warrrp signaturrres of all Federrration Starrr ships in this sectorrr."

"Searching... No data found." The computer answered.

"It seems you'rrre rrright on that parrrt, at least." T'kaarch purred.

"At least on this," she replied, smiling. "So, we are back to not knowing what we have, or if they are telling the truth." She stared off for a minute. "I think we need to find out, but proceed with caution."

At this point, a young Ensign walked in. "Lieutenant," she said, "I've been working on that data package you asked, and," At this point, she noticed T'kaarch was not alone in the room. "Oh, c-c-captain!" Doing what can only be described as a curtsy, she stammered "M-my apologies, I did not mean to interrupt!"

"It is fine, ensign," T'mpest said, inclining her head. "You are not interrupting. Please, proceed."

"Ah, y-yes. Um..." After visibly calming herself, she returned to T'kaarch and the screen. "Computer, please show data package B 29 Alpha."

Immediately, the screen lit up. Starting with the Federation logo, it showed a basic fysiology of Vulcan, Human, and half a dozen other Federation races. It then showed some outside shots of Federation spaceships, and finally some shots of some notable sites on Vulcan, the Federation HQ in San Fransisco, and a few other sites.

"I-i hope it's to your liking." She said, as much to T'kaarch as to T'mpest.

T'mpest watched carefully. "Remove Federation Headquarters, just in case they mean us harm. The rest is basic enough to give an overview without too many details. It will do well. Thank you."

"Y-yes, of course, thank you" And with a small curtsy, she left again, heading to a nearby terminal to make the final adjustments.

"At this point, I see no rrreason not to give them the benefit of the doubt." T'kaarch purred. "But let's still be vigilant."

"I believe we are ready to contact them again," T'mpest said, nodding to T'kaarch. "Thank you."

"Any time, Captain."

T'mpest gave the Caitian a half bow. "Is there anything else you need while I am here?"

"This should be obvious, but please be carrreful," T'kaarch purred thoughtfully, "until we know exactly who we'rrre dealing with."

"Agreed. Cautious curiosity." She smiled. "Thank you for your concern and your assistance."

____
OFF

Lieutenant T'kaarch
Chief Science Officer
USS Ranger

&

Captain T'mpest Michaels
Commanding Officer
USS Ranger

 

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