Lieutenant Vailani Zoyara - Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations
Luxa Lorana
((ICU Suite - Primary Sickbay - Deck 7, USS Artemis-A ))
Vailani: You're telling us that the trees contain information? That-
It was then that Lieutenant Gnai entered the ICU, and Zoyara was glad to see the safe return of it. The mech suit was slightly damaged but more importantly its sole inhabitant was unhurt. Or at least as much as she was able to gather. She was no medical officer or xenobiologists - her knowledge in these areas was limited to the basic academy classes.
Both of their alien guests took a step backwards and gawked at the Galadoran within the mech suit. Neither of them could contain their amazement.
The Grunden approached Gnai first, snout extended and nostrils flared wide as he inhaled the scent.
Nesin: It's a living organis! Griil, look!
Zoyara knew that the two aliens meant no harm in their curiosity - Gnai must have been the most unusual alien they had encountered thus far. Hadn't she too been awed when she first met Gnai? Gnai was the perfect example of infinite diversity in infinite combinations she had ever seen. A living representation of Starfleet's most treasured ideal.
Silveira: It is more than an… Organism, it’s another member of the crew. Please let me introduce you both to Lieutenant Junior Grade Gnai, one of our Scientists. ::Vitor smiled and nodded at Gnai, gesturing to their two guests.:: Lieutenant allow me to introduce you to Chief Engineer Griil and Doctor Nesin.
Gnai: Thank you, Lieutenant Silveira. It is… good to meet you both?
Nesin: Lieutenant, it's a pleasure and an honor to meet you. I see we have much in common.
The Grunden appeared to calm his curious excitement, slightly.
Griil: Yes… Yes… I have to say I am fascinated by your frame. It's remarkable.
And that was why Griil was the engineer.
Gnai: ::stuttering briefly:: Th-thank you?
Bergmen: Welcome to the Galaxy. A place of dreams that has materialized into reality. A place of unity, and endless opportunities.
Vailani: One of the Federation’s founding principles was peaceful coexistence with other species and cultures. The Federation has hundreds of member worlds and Starfleet admits even more from outside of the Federation.
Silveira: As you can see we have a wide representation of different species working together under the same ideals. Our efforts are so your people can do the same.
Nesin: Maybe it isn’t a dream and we can make it a reality?
She could hear the hope within his voice. A brighter future that he had only dreamt of. Within their grasp yet still so far.
Griil: It would be a waste of work and time.
It disturbed her to hear the pessimism in the Kobyar's voice and Gila must have shared in that feeling.
Sadar: I... I understand your feelings, Engineer Griil... Y-You dedicated years of your life, m-made significant personal sacrifices, to give both your peoples the chance to become more, and now, it may seem that they squandered it... I-In all honesty, I can’t say that they haven’t. ::hasty reframing:: But! The Grunden and Kobyar down on the planet now aren’t the same ones as back then. They know of alien worlds at peace, they know that there’s more in the sky than just more planets to fight over. ::palms up:: Isn’t it worth it to give them another chance?
Her words seemed to resonate with the alien guests as emotions passed between them. Thankfully Silveira was determined to stay on topic. As was she.
Silveira: It sure would be. Now you were telling me about a signal, a dream… Trees and a scent? Would you be able to recognize it?
Nesin: I am not sure. Maybe… ::Turning to Griil:: Do you?
Griil: I am sorry my friend, I don’t remember any scent.
When Gnai raised the mech suits arm, she only just realised that they hadn't been briefed at all.
Gnai: ::raising an arm of its suit in apology:: Sorry, this seems to have come in the middle of the conversation, would someone mind filling this in on how this is all related? Specifically the signal and… trees? Scents?
Sadar: Y-Yes, of course, s-s-sorry Lieutenant. ::clears throat:: Umm... I-In the facility where we first discovered Doctor Nesin and Chief Engineer Griil, trapped in stasis pods, we also discovered a console that was receiving a signal from off-world and distributing it to other areas of Galaris IV. ::gestures to their two guests:: With the Doctor and the Engineer’s help, we’re hoping to locate the source of that signal, and its purpose…
Bergmen: ::to Gnai:: Chief Engineer Griil and Doctor Nesin are the ones Kobyar can thank for warp advancement as a planet.
Vailani: It would appear that Doctor Nesin was awoken while in the stasis chamber and perhaps encountered the outside influence. We did encounter one of these trees near Breetia. One of our officers was able to restore it and stop the jamming signal. It was the reason we were able to beam out.
Silveira: Response
The Grunden doctor nodded.
Nesin: Yes, the trees would contain records… The technology grafted onto them as they grow should hold information on any signals sent or received. ::muttered a bit:: Hopefully.
Gnai: Would those records be easily accessible…? To outsiders, that is?
Zoyara knew that they wouldn't be able to forcibly access these records without the permission of the Grunden officials. She wondered if General Kexxin would have the authority to do this?
Griil: Depends on what you count as easy!
Sadar: The Artemis’ sensors are very advanced... ::to Vai-net and Bergmen:: W-Would it be possible for us to remotely access the data? I-I realize the political ramification of this may be, uhh, p-problematic but…
Zoyara looked to her JG officer. Not exactly a test but she was interested in how he would interpret this question. After a brief pause, he spoke.
Bergmen: If cap-… ::glances from Griil and Nesin:: - I mean technically… ::his glance turns to Vailani:: I think…yes? ::bites his lip:: With a little help, I guess, if data are still there…yeees… We can.
Vailani: :: nods in agreement :: From what I gather we'd be able to do it. That doesn't mean we can. We were invited here by both Kobyar and Grunden governments and we cannot breach their laws. As much as we might want too.
Silveira/Gnai: Response
Nesin: It isn’t out of the realm of possibility… I mean, there are authenticators in place to prevent such a thing, but… ::cut off by Griil::
Nesin seemed to be trying to solve a puzzle, caught up in a wave that she'd seen other scientists doing so many times.
Griil: I wouldn’t put it past ::pause:: certain war-brained individuals to tamper with records. Even supposedly permanent ones. ::with a twinge of forlorn sarcasm:: War finds its way…
Zoyara nodded in agreement. Even though she believed in the sentiment she was more hopeful that truth and peace can be forged here. It could create a path for unity. Long and arduous but a path nevertheless.
Sadar: I-I don’t suppose either of you would have the clearance?
Nesin snorted.
Nesin: Sorry Doctor, but I’m quite sure Kraton - or his lackeys in the Circle - had my clearance to the databanks revoked years ago.
Griil: Or maybe not. ::conspiratorial smile:: Kraton, for all his ambitions, was never interested in the actual workings of our technology, Nesin. He may have deleted your information from the computers, but he may not have known how to completely bar access.
That was hopeful. Whilst they could not directly help them, they could provide facilities for the two guests to take actions on their own.
Bergmen: If that information existed once, we can access it again. Even if it has been deleted, as long as the memory bank remains, we have the means to restore it. You will see, if you decide to help us.
She gave Bergmen a look when she caught him winking at the engineer.
Vailani: We'll happily provide you with facilities but we cannot assist :: looks at Bergmen :: in this operation. I don't think we can ask permission from the government - that may be compromised.
She thought of Kexxin's warnings and suspicions about the government.
Silveira/Gnai: Response
Griil became excited again at the aliens' interest in their engineering, which was clearly important to him.
Griil: Precisely! Granted, I can’t be sure, but during our work on the Slingship, we both had backdoor access to a lot of systems... It wouldn’t surprise me if those jarheads didn’t know how to completely shut those doors.
Sadar: If that access does exist, we need to move fast. ::looks to Vai-net:: If it’s true, and there are parts of the Grunden government who’s getting assistance from, uhh, alien elements, I suspect they’d rather shut the entire system d-down than allow us to, eh, figure it out.
Bergmen: And if they realized we have Doctor Nesil and Chief Engineer Griil, they might start taking action to eliminate any evidence of their betrayal. ::turns to Vailani:: Time is now the essence. Operations Workshop, Deck 5?
Zoyara sighed as she noted the JG error in Nesin's name.
Nesin: :: smiles politely :: My name is Nesin, named after my mother - Nesinsia. It means joy and I bear the name proudly, in her honour.
Zoyara nodded with appreciation.
Vailani: A wonderful name. My officer meant no offense, Doctor Nesin. We will provide you access to the workshop :: to Bergmen :: You understand the protocols for non-interference from the Captain?
Silveira/Gnai/Sadar: Response
(( Computer Programming Lab - Operations Workshop, Deck 5, USS Artemis-A ))
There was nowhere Zoyara felt more at home than the Operations department. Her father had wanted her to pursue Intelligence and she would never forget his raging temper when she had defied him - and she was glad that she had. She could imagine nothing better than a starship Operations duty role.
Bergmen: Doctor Nesin, Engineer Griil, welcome to the Artemis programmers' playground.
Nesin and Griil took in their surroundings like consummate professionals, idling by. Zoyara had already communicated ahead to have all sensitive materials paused and the systems locked down from the main ships computer network.
JG Bergmen then approached the replicator and synthesized two visitor combadges, which he handed to Griil and Nesin.
Bergmen: These will help you understand the UI and mainframe and enable you access to work with… ::gestures towards the computers and devices behind him:: …everything you need. Would you like something to drink or a quick snack before we start?
She smiled politely at the guests. Then she realised they were staring at the replicator. Griil approached, looking above and below and then turned to Nesin.
Vailani: It's a matter-energy conversion device. It can produce food and materials that we need. We have larger ones that can replicate ships parts and vehicles.
Silveira/Gnai/Sadar: Response
Nesin: Ah, such a device must use a lot of energy? No?
Griil: A ship such as this - the energy generation must be strong enough to power the entirety of Kydon. It's a marvel :: sadness :: Our people would only make weapons from such a thing.
Silveira/Gnai/Sadar: Response
Bergmen seemed less enamoured with the replicator than the guests and opted to move the conversation along.
Bergmen: So, let's get started. Doctor Nesin, you mentioned that the information you obtained should be stored in… “trees”. Where should it be?
The holographic display lit up, and both scientists focused on the map of Grunden Territory that circled around. Labels identified cities, locations and buildings that the Artemis had categorised already - with permission.
Nesin: There. There was my lab. ::points at map::
The junior officer zoomed in on the map and allowed the two aliens to lean closer.
Vailani: Doctor Nesin and Engineer Griil, we cannot help you any further other than to provide instructions on how to use our technology. We have tacit permission for the purpose of our investigation but I doubt that extends to restricted areas.
Nesin: It's okay :: hits a few instructions::
The map rotated and twisted. As the Grunden moved his paws across the controls for the holodisplay she realised just how intelligent these two were. It took him a matter of seconds to interpret and manipulate this technology.
Griil: Would be nice to see High Chief Kraton’s face when he realises it was us.
Silveira/Gnai/Sadar/Bergmen: Response
Nesin: Here it is. Your ship really is powerful.
On the holodisplay an intricate tree was shown, smaller and more delicate than the one that she had encountered with Tho'Bi. She noted that Communication Specialist Filistrien had joined them.
Vailani: Petty Officer Filistrien is one of our Communications Specialists.
Filistrien: Response
Xandeus Filistrien, the Ramatisian enlisted began to perform some tasks to aid the two aliens guests.
Silveira/Gnai/Sadar/Bergmen: Response
Vailani: Petty Officer Filistrien can provide us and the Captain with an update once you have this? We'll leave you with him as we search for the signal.
((OOC note: happy to backsim here))
((Some time later - Cockpit of the USS Atlas))
It was a little cramped, as she along with Lieutenant Silveira were upfront on pilot duties. Lieutenant JGs Bergmen and Gnai were stationed on the engineering and science consoles, respectively. Doctor Sadar was to the rear.
Vailani: Do we have any readings on the signal?
Gnai: Response
Sadar/Silveira/Bergmen: Response
((OOC: we can still communicate via Comms with Filistrien, Nesin and Griil as they try to get into the computer network ane provide information to us - as we search for this mysterious signal))
Tags/TBC
Lieutenant Vailani Zoyara
Chief of Operations (OOC: XO)
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2