LtJg Lera Michaels - Shuttlecraft Bandages

[steve...@yahoo.com]

(( Shuttlebay, Jorogumo ))

Michaels: Lieutenant Semara :: beat :: when you have a moment. I would like to speak with you about some concerns I have.

Semara: What's botherin' you?

Michaels: Two issues. First. I am not questioning your judgement. I am seeking reassurance. :: softly :: This is a pre-warp society that has never been officially contacted the Federation. It seems to me that this might be a Prime Directive situation. In any case, since we are not certain this species is friendly, we should be cautious about what technology we offer them.

Semara: I wonder if this nebula stops them from formin' a warp bubble, same as us... Assumin' they've even tried. :: beat :: Noted. They've still got local dominance over at least one system, and we ain't their first alien contact. :: Thinking a moment. :: There's been a couple precedents. We ain't gotta be concerned about just talkin'. And I ain't offerin' anything just yet. :: A little smile. :: Thanks for the warnin'. :: Beat. :: If you'd be so kind, start makin' notes on what science they know and don't know... It may rule out some options negotiatin'.

Michaels: Second, I have been considering the matter of Mr. Matthews. Why did they take him? Given their technical abilities, it is difficult to imagine they thought he was a significant threat if they could handle a Sheliak ship or Khitomer. If the issue was his gender, how did they know he was male? This scanning technology is only viable at close distances.

Semara: Would that I knew, Lera...

Rana: While this scan occurs, perhaps you all may answer a question for me. What does this word, 'Lieutenant' mean?

It was at this point that Lera's attention started to wander. The idea of studying their technology had a great deal more appeal than all the diplomatic back and forth. Scan you. Scan me. Blah blah blah. She was grateful that there were individuals like Amelia who were interested... fascinated perhaps by such back and forth. But what commanded her attention were the Velithari ships. This ship... what was the name? The Jorogumo? Presumably that meant something in their language. There was scarcely a detail of this Jorogumo that did not interest her. What was the floor made of? It felt like a padded running track. Why would anyone do that to the floor of a shuttle bay?

Semara: It's a rank. :: Eyes casting to Rana. :: A title of experience, knowledge, leadership, responsibility, and trust for us. Typically a more seasoned officer, trusted to lead a department or teams under the direction of their cap'n. :: Beat :: And an officer is someone who's already gone through extended higher education to learn their specialty and how to serve aboard a starship, and taken an oath of service, 'sides. :: An easy smile. :: On our ship, we might consider Alya your Lieutenant.

Vidya: ::bowing:: Greetings visitors. I am Vidya. Chief Technological of the Jorogumo.

Lera had not noticed the latest arrival but his self announced title caught her attention. This was the person she wanted to be talking to. She studied Vidya and wondered only briefly why Vidya was not wearing an isolation suit like the others had been wearing. Perhaps there had been a level of communication that indicated the suits were unnecessary. But how was that done? What was the communication technology at work here?

Semara: Pleasure to make your acquaintance. :: Beat :: Your cap'n speaks highly of you, Vidya. Our own Chief Science officer's been itchin' to meet you... :: A little smile to Rasha. ::

Vidya: ::bowing:: It would be my pleasure to meet with your Chief of Sciences. I am sure we have much to discuss.

Rana: Indeed. The Chief has already had many questions for us.

Semara: :: A glance to Talia. :: If we're all done with all our scans, perhaps there's somewhere more convenient to talk, cap'n Rana? :: Beat :: If Vidya would be so kind as to indulge El'Her's curiosity about your people, I'm sure there's plenty she could share in return? Then, perhaps, you and I could speak more freely.

Lera nodded and turned briefly away from the group. She noticed another Velithari who appeared to be preoccupied with one of the shuttle-craft. Lera tilted her head and watched the worker for a moment before started slowly walking toward her. The Velithari was sitting on the deck and appeared to be rubbing the side of the craft with her two... Lera decided to call them hands because of their location at the end of her arms... hands. And singing to the craft.

As Lera got close enough, she noted that there were two objects that generally matched the exterior of the Velithari shuttlecraft sitting on the deck next to the worker. The worked was rubbing two slightly discolored areas on the shuttlecraft. And she was definitely making noises at the shuttlecraft.

Lera stooped down to examine the two pieces on the deck. Both were clearly damaged. One had a small stone embedded in it while the second had a burn mark the size of Lera's thumb on it.

Michaels: You are patching the shell of the shuttlecraft. :: The Velithari worker jumped to her feet and backed away. :: My apologies. I did not mean to startle you.

Velithari Worker: You are one of the aliens.

Michaels: Yes. Do not let me disturb your work. :: pause before Lera pointed to the two sections on the deck. :: I I may ask, what will happen to these sections?

Velithari Worker: I will dispose of them. :: beat :: Are you dangerous?

Michaels: I hope not. :: beat :: May I have them? They are of a design I have not seen before.

Velithari Worker: If you will take them and go away. Yes. You may have them.

Michaels: ::picking up the two sections, Lera bowed slightly and backed away toward the main group. :: Thank you. And again I apologize for disturbing your work.

Lera examined the two objects as she turned and headed back toward the others. Each was approximately a two centimeters thick, had cleanly cut edges and appeared to be constructed of woven layers of a cloth. There was something oddly familiar about the design and the threads that made up the cloth but Lera was unable to identify what it was about them. The worker had clearly been replacing these two defective sections. It was almost as though she were applying a bandage to the shuttlecraft.

As she approached, the Chief Technological was speaking to Ras... Rasha. Lera joined them.

Michaels: I would like to join you. If that is permitted, of course.

Vidya: If you would follow me this way.

Tags/TBC

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LtJg Lera Michaels

Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2