LT Gila Sadar -

[LT Gila Sadar]

(( Intelligence Suite - Deck 8, USS Artemis-A ))

Gila recalled when she’d first joined the crew of the Artemis. The notion of visiting the Intelligence Suite had filled her with apprehension, a superstitious reaction to the reputation of her black-clad colleagues. Now, two years later, it felt much more like ‘another part of the Ship’. Make no mistake, there was still a sense of apprehension, but no more than if she was to visit the Operations Center or Main Engineering. This was not the apprehension of ‘Starfleet Intelligence is the underhanded manipulators of our organization, and I don’t know if I can trust them’, this was the unfamiliarity that came with being outside her own home turf aboard the vessel.

Thankfully, in the two years since she’d joined this crew, she’d had the opportunity to get to know a fair few of the Intelligence Officers, and so she didn’t feel as concerned as she approached Lt. Commander Dakora for assistance with her most recent issue.

Sadar: Y-Yes, hello Sir. I, uhh... I-I’m here regarding my logs on the Genesis Planet? My understanding is that there’s... ::nervous glance around:: Some, uhh... ‘Doctoring’ that needs to be discussed?

Her own clear discomfort with the prospect was no doubt visible on her face - ever incapable of obscuring what went on underneath - while Lt. Commander Dakora nodded with an expression that looked so nonplussed, she might as well have asked him for directions.

Dakora: Right. I think I know what you mean. ::He gestured to one of the anterooms that ringed the room.:: Let's take this into conference room 01…

Gila followed Lt. Commander Dakora, doing her best to appear very unimportant and entirely uninteresting, but practiced hawk eyes followed them from every corner, evidently fully aware that there was information being exchanged. Gila both admired the work ethic of the officers around her, while feeling extremely concerned at the direction that work ethic was aimed at that moment. Thankfully, a door soon separated them from the rest of the Intelligence contingent, and she took a seat when Lt. Commander Dakora insinuated she should.

Dakora: Sorry, not everyone out there is cleared to hear about this specifically… uh, issue. ::He waved a hand dismissively.:: Anyway, what specifically are you concerned about?

A brief breath was taken, before words fell forth from Gila’s mouth like a dam had broken.

Sadar: It just... It doesn’t sit well with me, Sir, if you understand? Lying in my reports is... As a Doctor, I am bound by oath to be truthful and as detailed as possible, so as to prevent misdiagnosis. If I am not truthful in my reports, how can someone else then trust that my medicine functions as intended? And worse, if they start altering the dosage because they misinterpret its purpose due to a lack of information-

Dakora: I feel you. ::He folded his hands and placed them on the table.:: I think it's important to understand the difference between a false report and, say– a report that isn't entirely complete. 

Sadar: Either way, I am doing any future administrators of the medicine a disservice, Sir.

That prompted the Lt. Commander to take a few seconds to consider his response.

Dakora: The fundamentals of the report are true and correct. The Captain, Commodore and XO all agree that the no fly zone should be reinstated due to the unstable and unknown effects of its creation with the Genesis Device. 

Gila nodded slowly, albeit a bit reluctantly. She couldn’t deny that.

Dakora: The fact is, that there is a new species down there which is pre-warp, and deserving of the chance to flourish on its own. That won't happen if the word gets out the reality of things. The only way to make that happen is to be selective with what makes it into our reports and logs.

As a xenobiologist herself, Gila understood better than he could imagine. There was an untold amount of research that could be done with the Genesis species as a focus. ‘Tree of Life’ - a wonderfully complex idea, and a moniker carrying with it a veritable bucketload of cultural undertones from many cultures. The idea that a Genesis Device, on paper the most advanced terraforming technology to have ever been created, could create the seed of an entirely new species in this manner? For all extents and purposes, CSO Farrel would’ve died - should have died - when the Resolution was destroyed, and yet the Tree had maintained her life, though the word ‘saved’ might not be appropriate in this instance. This meant that not only was the Genesis Device terraforming technology, but was also able to manipulate living matter, and change it at its very base. Such technology had intriguing applications for medical science, but - as was often the case with aliens - also for weapons technology. Imagine, a remotely detonated device that could be placed on a Starship or a planet, and then totally rewrite not only the planet’s ecology, but also all sentient life?

And that was before she even considered the emotional connection that Commodore Nicholotti, Captain MacKenzie and Commander Adea must have had with the Tree, and the woman it had once been. Yes, Gila perfectly understood why the ranking officers had made the decision to conceal its existence.

Sadar: ... I understand, but I truly don’t know how to explain the sentient plants without including information regarding the Tree of Life as well.

Dakora: Response

Sadar: ... I... I suppose not. Some flora is known to have defense mechanisms, even without a purported ‘sentience’, as we understand it, to control it.

Dakora: Response

Sadar: Yes, Commander. I will... Omit to the best of my abilities. ::considers:: If this is too personal an inquiry, I do apologize, Sir, but... Did you know the individual they say became the Tree of Life?

Dakora: Response

TAG/TBC

LT Gila Sadar

Medical Officer

USS Artemis-A

A240006GS1