PNPC 1LT Alene Torado — And the Cow Goes "Moo"
Naxell
((Corridor, Velithari Ship Jorogumo))
They stopped at a broadened compound archway and intersection in the middle of the curving hall. The lighting felt the way Alene imagined sunlight might filter through the hexagonal walls of a beehive. Every now and then, a shadow seemed to shift, and she couldn’t tell whether it was because something within a wall moved, or whether the light source did.
Torado: So… this is where you sleep?
Alya: ::stopping at the center of the arch:: We rest here, yes. Sleep is not the word. We do not lose ourselves this way. We fold inward. The walls hold us. When we are needed, the walls wake us.
Ohnari: So...more of a recharging stasis? ::glancing around, she noticed some various bulbous protrusions, her voice lowered respectfully:: I hope our presence won't be too disruptive...
Obviously not, as Alya gestured for them to enter. Alene, of course, went second. In the balance of risking a trap being sprung or a back being stabbed, the marine opted to keep her backside between Dr. Ohnari and their insectoid tour guide.
There were a few others in the room, but they made no noise, and showed no motion. Something about it caused the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end, but she couldn't put her finger on what.
Alya: ::lower voice:: Do not touch the cells. The fibre will read you and the ship may not understand.
Ohnari: ::still quite, she looked up out of habit:: My sincerest apologies...please forgive my carelessness.
Read her how? Telepathically? Alene almost wanted to ask Alya, but two things stopped her. First, she wasn't sure whether Alya was willing or able to give an answer. Second, Alene was actively suppressing her natural curiosity, lest her mind wander too far afield from their current mission of rescuing Ensign Matthews.
Ohnari: ::clearing her throat awkwardly:: Perhaps it would be better if we exited the resting area? Perhaps we could…
Suddenly Alene realized what was giving her the heebie-jeebies. Seeing the Velithari in their pods, asleep, but not quite. Connected to the ship. That was it!
Torado: ::snapping fingers:: You guys would love the Borg. Wait. No. Probably best for everybody you never meet. Forget I said anything.
Alya: You may ask. I will answer what I am permitted.
Ohnari: Would it be possible for you to provide a tour of your medical facilities?
Alene kept her big mouth shut. This was Lt. Commander Ohnari on the hunt, and there was no way Torado was going to mess this up by talking, or joking, or snarking. Hell, breathing alone seemed a tad risky, so she held off on that as long as she could.
…
oO Hurry up and answer, woman! Oo
Alya: Response
Ohnari: ::carefully:: Aside from professional interest, I believe you may have stumbled upon a member of our crew...::wincing:: a male officer.
Torado: You might recognize him. ::raising her hand up about as high as she could:: About yea tall, dark hair, literally never shuts up? We're kinda fond of him.
She was helping! If Dickie had been the Dickie she'd babysat on Alpha Trionus II, and if the Velithari hadn't eaten him already, they would probably be looking for any opportunity they could to get rid of him. She knew she would have.
Alya: Response
Ohnari: If you will allow another question, could you expand on the role of Velithari males within your society...?
Alya: Response
Alene’s eyes darted between Dr. Ohnari and Security Chief Alya. The question seemed straightforward enough, but the response didn't seem to make sense. She tried to coax out an answer.
Torado: You know, like, what do they do? What are they responsible for? What's their expertise?
Ohnari / Alya: Response
For once, First Lieutenant Torado was more or less speechless. It took a lot of work for her to get her mouth to put together any sounds that resembled words.
Torado: So they're basically livestock. You're telling us half your species is treated like livestock.
Ohnari / Alya: Response
TBC
——— ▯ ———
1st Lieutenant Alene Torado
Marine Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
As simmed by
Commander Nax-Ellarneii-Tellargo
Commanding Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
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