Ensign Meris - Concealed in Play
Meris/Brian
((Computer Core - Sub Levels, Boraxian Vessel 'New Hope'))
The tension in the computer core shifted the moment the hidden figure revealed itself to be a frightened Boraxian child. Meris had stepped forward gently, offering words of safety and the ritual greeting they had learned from Luirett. The child, Zaralehn, responded in kind. Relief turned quickly to surprise when Zaralehn admitted they were not alone, and two more Boraxian children crawled out of the ducts to huddle together.
Silveira: How about we let you go, and keep this as our secret. But I will ask for a favor. ::turning to his team:: We can all agree that's a good solution.
Tho'Bi: ::without looking up - gives a thumbs up::
Storm: I’d like to help them find their families, Commander. I know that’s not technically what we’re here for, but these children need their parents.
Meris looked to Storm as the children huddled around them and nodded in agreement. It did seem like the right thing to do. After all, their parents were likely worried and searching for them somewhere aboard the Colony Ship.
Silveira: We are looking for a friend. Perhaps one of you saw him. Dariell.
One of the little ones stepped forward to Silveira. After glancing left and right, they whispered.
Child: I saw him. He was with Kulpadu.
Storm: Kalupa?
Meris looked to the Tactical Officer and corrected them without thinking.
Meris: ::to Storm:: Kulpadu.
Silveira: Thank you… I am Silveira of the Artemis. Who is this Kulpadu, another Yurum?
Cryansa: I am Cryansa. It is an honor to know and be known, Silveira of the Artemis. Kulpadu is not Yurum, he's Boraxian. I saw him with Dariell in Seedery.
Silveira: Seedery?
Cryansa: Yes, that is where the grownups grow our food. Kulpadu works there.
Meris considered this. What possible reason would the vessel’s engineer have for visiting the Seedery when the colony ship itself needed so much attention at the moment?
Silveira: I think we need to go there and find this Kulpadu.
The little ones huddled closer to the J’naii. Their wide eyes looked up at Tho’Bi. For their part, the Andorian allowed the children to gather but hushed them gently with a tsk.
oO After all, it’s just Tho’Bi and he’s the gentlest of giants. Oo
Tho'Bi: ::quietly:: Upon our departure, Dariell came here and instigated a series of specific command protocols ::beat:: each relates to a different secondary system ::tilts head:: Unfortunately, it will take time for our computer to extrapolate their function.
Silveira: Response.
Storm: Hopefully, we’ll find out shortly what they were for.
Meris nodded.
Meris: ::with conviction:: We will ask them when we find them.
The children cast their eyes down, and two clasped hands tightly. Meris patted their heads to reassure them, having quickly grown more comfortable touching their horn-like structures.
Tho'Bi: I also found a series of anonymous inputs, made just before we arrived ::beat:: they do not relate to any ship system... but rather to a... collection of puzzles or games ::glances at children:: It appears access to these games had been denied to save system resources.
The children shuffled on their feet.
Silveira: Response.
Storm: That sounds like someone or someones were trying to find a way to play some games.
Meris looked to Storm.
Meris: Or prevent others from playing them.
A thought struck Meris, but they kept it to themself - not in front of the children.
Tho'Bi: Now the Computer Cores are synchronised, there is no need to save system resources. ::glances at children:: I have reinstated access to the games on the habitat levels ::bows in direction of children::
Gasps and three small bodies trying to hide behind one J’naii made Alex smile.
Tho'Bi: ::to Silveira:: Given my... effect on the children ::tilts head:: perhaps it is best if I scout ahead to the Transport Capsule?
Silveira: Response.
Tho'Bi: ::nods:: Aye, Aye, Sir.
The Andorian did not scout ahead. The Lieutenant Commander remained resolute in not splitting up the Away Team. Instead, the young Ensign mapped out a route to the Seedery.
Tho'Bi: It appears food travels between the Seedery and the habitat levels by automated container. ::beat:: Crew access appears to be limited to a series of ladders. But these ladders are clearly designed for Boraxian and Yurum physiology.
Meris listened carefully. The pilot considered how they might navigate the ladders Tho’Bi described. It sounded like rough going. Then the sound of running feet reached their ears.
Salia: Zaralehn!
Ifor: Cryansa, Godan!
Meris turned toward the footsteps, watching as Lieutenant Storm addressed the approaching Boraxian adults.
Silveira: Response.
Storm: I am Lieutenant Storm of the Artemis. Are you looking for three Yurum children?
The male Boraxian stopped in his tracks.
Ifor: Yurum children? No. I’m looking for two of my own Boraxian children. Cryansa and Godan.
Salia: And I’m looking for Zaralehn. The three are usually inseparable. We got caught up in a conversation, and when we turned around they were just... gone.
Storm: Well, I think we may have found your children then. If you’ll follow me.
Meris looked down at Zaralehn and the others.
Meris: It sounds as though your parents may have found you.
The children nodded reluctantly.
Silveira/Tho'Bi: Response.
Alex walked them just around the corner. As the group came into view, she motioned to the children still huddled behind Meris.
Ifor: Cryansa! ::holding out his first two arms:: Godan! ::holding out his second set of arms::
The two little ones cast a forlorn look at Meris, then ran back to their father. Zaralehn, not to be left behind, ran to her mother. The two parents from different families picked up their children, and Meris felt a pang of something stir inside. They weren’t sure exactly what it was - longing? They had barely met the Boraxian children. It seemed strange that the encounter might leave any lasting impact.
Storm: I think that they are frightened of our Andorian. These are Ensigns Tho’Bi and Meris, and Commander Silveira.
Meris bowed their head slightly.
Meris: It is an honor to know and be known.
Silveira/Tho'Bi: Response.
Storm: They were just telling us that the person we are looking for is in the Seedery.
Meris perked up, feeling they were on the same wavelength as Storm. Perhaps these adults could provide an alternate route to the Seedery that would not involve so many ladders.
Silveira/Tho'Bi: Response.
Storm: Tho’Bi had found what looks like a convoluted way to get there. Is there an easier way to get there?
Salia: We... ::looking over at Ifor:: Or I, depending, could take you there.
Alex glanced between the others, and Meris bobbed their head in agreement.
Storm: I think... we’d like that very much.
Meris: Thank you for your willingness to assist us, Salia.
Shortly, the parents gathered up their children and began leading the way back toward the habitation levels. As they went, one parent carried Zaralehn away, and the small female Boraxian looked back at Meris, waving and smiling at them. The J'naii pilot tilted their head curiously, watching until the group rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.
Meris then turned toward the others. As Commander Silveira and Salia discussed their path to the Seedery, they looked to Tho'Bi and Storm.
Meris: ::to Tho'Bi:: Those games the children had been locked out of - I know some games intended for youth contain a communications component that allows you to talk to other players. Is it possible that Dariell was using one of those games as a means to communicate with someone off the ship and had the children locked out so that his usage would go undetected?
Tho'Bi/Storm: Response.
Meris: Would there be a log of those game communications that we could access?
Tho'Bi/Storm: Response.
Meris: If Dariell was using the games as a cover for covert communication, perhaps we can identify if someone else helped them set it up. Could the system show us who first restricted access to the games?
Tho'Bi/Storm: Response.
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Ensign Meris
Helm Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240207M14