Ensigns 101 & 000 (+ PNPCs 0101 & 1111) - Welcome aboard!
Mason G
(( Main Shuttlebay, Deck 4, USS Astraeus ))
Sometimes 101 and 000 wondered if their crewmates might find their family to be strange.
As virtually all Bynars lived in bonded pairs, the anthropological kinship system on Bynaus was slightly different from the most popular kinship system used by Terrans and most other Federation species. Terrans were most accustomed to seeing a mother and father come together to have children, who were brothers and sisters. Bynars simply did not work that way— they were generally agender, and a bonded pair could not be accurately described as siblings or lovers.
0101 and 1111’s DNA had been used to create 101, and 1000 and 1001’s DNA had been used to create 000— then, as they aged, 101 and 000 had grown more and more similar to each other until their appearances were very nearly the same. Genetically they were different, but they had been inseparable since infancy. 0101 and 1111 were 101’s parents genetically, but they also thought of 000 as their child for having assisted in raising them.
000 was the most prone to worry about what other people thought, but mostly they just minded their own business. Life was better that way.
Surrounded by several other members of the crew, 101 squeezed 000’s hand and bounced on their heels as they watched the little shuttlecraft cruise through the atmospheric forcefield and settle down. Neither 101 nor 000 had seen their family in person since graduating from the academy, and video calls just couldn’t compare to the real thing.
Mei’konda: Ensigns, I appreciaate you helping Commander Kiax set up quaarters in advance for your parents. Having you both aboard to assist in makiing sure their quarters are as perfect as we can make them was invaluaable.
The tweaks needed were minimal— slight temperature adjustments, a double bed… Maybe a step stool. Those were the important parts.
101: We’re happy to help,
000: it’s the least we could do.
101: We’re really glad,
000: that this meeting worked out.
Kiax: Response
Any others: Responses
Mei’konda: Yes indeed. I’m exciited to meet them.
Moments later, the large shuttlebay doors began to close, and Mei’konda led the way forward along with Kiax and the two Bynars. Slowly, the hatch in the rear of the small, sleek craft opened, and 0101 and 1111 emerged.
The two were, at a glance, identical. There were small physical differences between the two halves of a bonded pair, such as slight differences in their facial structure or the side of their skull that housed their cranial implant, but the easiest way to tell them apart was their mirrored clothing. For example, 0101’s bodysuit had a glittering silver stripe on their left side, whereas 1111’s stripe was on their right.
101 and 000 almost always felt the need to be touching each other, most commonly by holding hands or linking arms, and while this was common among Bynars, 0101 and 1111 seemed slightly less inclined to do so. The two moved perfectly with each other and kept a uniform distance, though, as if held together by some magnetic field instead of by their hands. A sign of a long life spent together, well-adjusted and carefully coordinated.
1111: Greetings,
0101: I am Zero One Zero One,
1111: and I am One One One One.
((OOC: Please don’t feel obligated to completely write out “Zero One Zero One” or “One One One One” in your sims’ dialogue, haha, I know that that’s a bit of a mouthful… “0101” and “1111” are sufficient!))
Mei’konda: Zero one zero one, One one one one. Welcome to the Astraeus. It is a pleaasure to welcome the parents of two of my brightest officers aboard. Would ‘Doctors’ be the appropriaate way to refer to you both?
0101: Yes, we would find that,
1111: to be agreeable.
0101: Thank you, Captain.
1111: The Astraeus is a beautiful ship,
0101: and it is an honor to be welcomed aboard.
The pair bowed at the waist, then stood straight again. 0101 and 1111 spoke with smooth, even tones, almost serene in the melody of their inflection— unlike 101 and 000, they also took turns beginning and ending their sentences, simply doing so whenever felt natural.
101 and 000 could hardly contain their excitement, fidgeting away and grinning, but did their best to stay professional. They could jump and hug and laugh and yell later on when it would be more appropriate to do so.
101: We’re so glad you’re here,
000: we have so much to show you.
1111: Yes, we’re glad to be here.
0101: We missed you terribly.
Kiax: Response
Mei’konda: Of course. This is Lieutenant Commander Esa Kiax, our Operations Chief. She has arraanged quarters for you both, and also happens to be the patient you’re here to consult wiith.
For a second, 0101 and 1111’s gazes flicked up and down Esa— yes, this person matched the description they were given.
1111: Greetings, Lieutenant Commander.
0101: We’ve familiarized ourselves,
1111: with the information provided to us,
0101: by your medical team,
1111: and feel very optimistic.
0101: At some time today,
1111: we’d like to discuss your options,
0101: and perhaps help you come to a decision.
Kiax / Mei’konda: Responses
Any others: Responses
101: You just got here,
000: shouldn’t you try to relax?
0101 and 1111 exchanged a look— taking a bit to settle down was probably for the best, but they’d be lying if they said they weren’t workaholics.
1111: Well…
0101: alright.
1111: Why don’t you show us,
0101: the way to our quarters,
1111: and help us carry our things?
101: Yes,
000: we can do that!
Mei’konda / Kiax / Any: Responses
HCO Officers
USS Astraeus NCC-70652