Lt. JG Tarnas: A day of wondrous firsts
James
((Central Subterranean Excavation, Marohu III))
The team had discovered a hidden stairwell and descended three flights of steps to enter into a large, beautiful room that appeared to react to their words with chimes. It reacted especially positively to compliments. Jaren wondered for a moment how it might react to insults, but if it was going to be a bad reaction - did they really want to provoke the consequences? For all they knew, voicing insults could be so taboo, or culturally inappropriate that it was outlawed. Maybe they’d get vaporised? There was no specific reason to be;ieve that, but still, anything was possible.
Tarnas: I’m not sure, but that was incredible… ::The room responded again, like before, cutting off his train of thought. He paused for a moment before recovering:: There’s a hidden door. Maybe we can get it to stay open if we say the right thing.
Richards: Dust… Door… Trace… Alakzham!
Nilsen: I’m not sure magic words would work, but I think this room might be alive, and maybe trying to communicate with us.
Jaren heard an unusual sound. Was it in his mind? His ears? His imagination? The sound seemed there and not there all at the same time. Before he could decide whether it was just the effect of one of the tones in the room, he heard a voice as clear as Anoton’s or Lhandon’s. He turned his head left and right, looking for the source, initially confused.
Kaelith: ::manifesting through their perceptual framework:: I-am-Kaelith. You-have-entered. Greetings-to-your-group. Welcome-is-extended.
Richards: I… Are you guys hearing this?
Jaren nodded and Lhandon replied in the same moment. Being the ranking officer and experienced officer, he didn’t miss a beat and introduced himself to this entity, whatever it was. The operations officer was quite impressed with how smoothly he’d responded to this sudden and surprising first contact.
Nilsen: Yes, I am. We thank you for your welcome and bring you greetings in return. My name is Lieutenant Commander Lhandon Joseph Nilsen. I am from the USS Octavia E. Butler.
Only now did Jaren start to understand the nature of the entity they were dealing with. Its form seemed to shimmer slightly, but became somehow clearer.
Kaelith: ::his form shimmers slightly, adjusting to their perceptual frameworks:: I-am-Keeper. Before-the-Great-Hollow. This-place-is-sanctuary. Your-curiosity-is-similar-to-mine. You-are-not-like-others-who-came-before.
Jaren got a good feeling and figured if they were already connecting over a shared curiosity this was very promising and something to lean into.
Richards: I am Anton, Security officer… I… protect things.
Jaren noted the way Anton matched the beings speech patterns, and how he introduced his role. That was a true, and very diplomatic and clever way to frame it. He was really happy to be learning so much from these experienced officers and how they approached situations.
Tarnas: I am Jaren, Operations officer. I… fix… and organise things.
Nilsen: Kaelith, we thank you for welcoming us so warmly, we do share the same curiosity; we are explorers. You mentioned that there were others who came before? Can you tell us more about them?
Kaelith: ::his form grows more defined in their vision as he speaks:: The other’s presence carried anger, like storm clouds heavy with lightning. Yours carries curiosity, like gentle rain nourishing parched soil. They sought to take. You seek to understand. This distinction matters greatly.
Jaren wondered if Kaelith was referring to the current band of mercenaries currently terrorising the place, or perhaps some other pillagers from even further back in time. Did it matter? Would Kaelith seek their help to repel those who wished to take? Would he share with those who shared his curiosity?
Nilsen: There was mention of prior mercenary groups before we arrived; it must be those you’re referring to.
Kaelith: Response
Richards: We mean you no harm. We are, as you put it, curious explorers. Our main goal is to learn, to make friends, to explore. We always attempt to do so peacefully.
Nilsen: I couldn't have said it better myself. Our crew consists of people from 15 different species, and we work together in the pursuit of knowledge and exploration. The three of us are humans. Some of us come from a planet named Earth, others, like myself, come from Gault.
There really wasn’t any more to be said on the matter of their intentions. Jaren wasn’t someone who felt compelled to always air his opinion, or be the loudest voice in the room. He knew when it was time to listen, and when it was time to act. For now, there was nothing more to add and he was happy to let the experienced officers take the lead.
Kaelith: Response
Richards: Well. Your sanctuary is very beautiful. Marvelous in fact. What is it that you do here?
Kaelith: Response
Nilsen: Our people have similar roles. To keep and maintain knowledge is one of the most noble pursuits we can follow.
Richards/Kaelith: Response
Nilsen: Can you tell us about your people, how would I refer to your people?
Jaren had a lot of questions too. How big is the sanctuary? What else does it contain? Was it always underground or did something happen? Are there others like him? Does he have help to maintain all of this? How old is Kaelith, and this place? That and a hundred more questions. He was sort of glad he was hanging back. He had a strong interest in diplomacy and had studied some electives in it, but his Academy days were long behind him and most of his so-called diplomatic experience was just in maintaining day-to-day relationships with colleagues, helping to mediate disputes, and some negotiating. There was more to it than that, but in a shell it was close enough. After putting his foot wrong so recently meeting Toxin and Percy, people from species he was familiar with. He had no idea what species kaelith was and didn’t want to do that again so soon. No jokes. Not for now. He had no idea if Kaelith had a concept of humour.
Richards/Kaelith: Response
Nilsen: Is there anything you can show? Is this room a part of you? Are you two separate beings?
Richards/Kaelith: Response
Tarnas: That’s… extraordinary. Thank you for sharing that with us.
Richards/Kaelith/Nilsen: Response
Tarnas: You’ve endured so much, and yet you still welcome strangers with openness. That speaks volumes.
Richards/Kaelith/Nilsen: Response
Jaren felt the weight of what Kaelith had shared settling into the chamber like a second atmosphere. The story carried sorrow, but also resilience. Something that spoke to him on a level beyond words. He’d expected mystery, perhaps even hostility, but not this openness. Not this careful generosity. It left him both impressed and a little unsettled. There was so much they didn’t yet know, and part of him wondered why now? Why reveal himself to them? He drew in a measured breath, choosing his words with care.
Tarnas: Kaelith… what do you hope to gain by revealing yourself to us now? By choosing to connect with us, after holding this sanctuary alone for so long?
Richards/Kaelith/Nilsen: Response
Ensign Vala Morton
USS Octavia E Butler NCC-82850
O240205VM3