Lt JG Tess Evinrude - A Child's Perspective [Part 1/2]

[Tess Evinrude]

((Caretaker's Structure, Tier 5-5-6, Unknown Chamber))

Evinrude: It seems like it can't vocalize. Lieutenant Venn, do you still have Beck's--I mean my medical scanner? ::He rubbed at his limbs, the prickly sensation all but gone.:: Sorry, my head's still a bit fuzzy. I...I can't recall who I gave it to.

He did remember accidentally uploading their biometric data into the alien console. He had been trying to track the flow of that information, to see what was being done with it...but he was unsuccessful. The lack of oxygen and warmth had been like blanketing fog, blinding and impairing.

Venn: Yes, of course.

She handed him the tricorder, then moved back next to Deacon.

Marsek: ...This is interesting. Judging by the new information, I think...this is a very young being. The ideographs being used are simpler, like how someone first learning to read and write would understand language. It's close enough to what I've tracked so far, though - ::marvels:: Wow. I never thought I'd be doing this.

Kessler: I'm a little lost Ensign. Young is definitive to different species. Can you clarify what you are seeing? 

The medical scanner picked up on similar ideas, showing that the being was still showing signs of developing. He turned to Marsek and briefly showed what was on the device's readout.

Evinrude: Undeveloped. You mean this...specimen is a child? Or, that it's somehow... ::He struggled for the right word.:: ...deficient? Missing something that the Reef needs?

Kessler: ::following Tess's thought:: Or, is it sick and was quarantined in here for a reason?

Venn: Good question.

Marsek: Do we think that the creature has visual capabilities? Even if we were audible to them, I have no idea what the language sounds like - but we could see if maybe they can also see the writing?

Kessler: I assumed those were eyes ::gesturing to the creatures head:: but maybe they are not.

Deacon: ::croaking:: What in the great Koala is going on? And why does my head feel like a full on warp core breach?

She quickly knelt down to him and checked him over.

Venn: Take it easy, Deacon. You collapsed.

Evinrude: Welcome back, sir. ::Evinrude grinned, relieved to see Deacon awake.::

Xilva, meanwhile, seemed to come to a decision. With confidence, she showed her chosen word towards the creature - then after a few moments, looked around in shock and mild horror.

Marsek: ....Crap! I didn't mean to show that one! ::groans:: I put the wrong thing in - it's my translation key. It doesn't say 'Caretaker'....it says 'fuzzy.'

Jack turned from Marsek to face the creature, stepping in close and locking "eyes." 

Kessler: ::to the creature:: I don't know if you can understand me, but we do not mean any harm to you. If we can help, we will, but we need to get out of this room.

There was no sound, complete silence as everyone metaphorically held their breath. Then Kessler turned around with a defeated, solemn expression.

Deacon: ::still on his knees:: I miss anything important?

Venn: Nothing major. Just a close encounter of the third kind. No big deal.

Marsek: ::relieved smile:: Well, that and my brand-new translation key thanks to that devoured tricorder. ::to Kessler:: Should we try to contact it again?

Evinrude: ::Quietly, to no one in particular.:: Doesn't seem to be able to communicate much at all...I wonder if it's...

Kessler: It's worth a try, go ahead and do it.

As Jack watched it intently, the entity shifted in its cylinder as if it were shocked it or caught it off guard. Something about its movement or demeanor seemed to make Kessler uneasy.

Venn, meanwhile, helped Deacon get to his feet. The SAR specialist seemed a bit unsteady, understandably, and she offered her shoulder and a hand to guide him over to view the entity.

Deacon: Wha..what is that thing? Is that a Caretaker?

Venn: It’s unclear, but we think so. Now, lean on me. I don’t want to see you collapse again. :: beat :: Oh, and can I have my jacket back? It’s cold in here.

Venn retrieved her jacket and put it back on, then continued to steady Deacon. Evinrude lifted his eyes up from the medical scanner and caught Marsek duck her head away and pretend to be interested in something on her tricorder. He walked up next to her and tried to unobtrusively provide some encouragement.

Evinrude: Hey, we're all just doing our best here. ::To Kessler, thoughtfully.:: Sir, let's take a step back here. Why is our new friend acting distressed?

Kessler: I don't know. I didn't touch anything that should have scared it.

Deacon: Think about it boss, this thing hasn’t seen another living being in who knows how many decades or even longer..acient is an understatement. ::he pinched the bridge of his nose::

Venn: Yeah, definitely.

oO I wonder if it's been aware in there? Surely not... Oo

Marsek: ::nods:: I agree. I'd imagine if I were trapped in a cylinder for who knows how long, everything would startle me. This being has probably never seen another species before, and...well, here we are.

Kessler: It's a valid point, but it still does not help us with the current problem of getting out of here before we become icicles.

Evinrude: ::Shivering, but starting to feel less at-risk of passing out.:: Temps keep rising sir. We need out of here, but we aren't in imminent danger anymore.

Deacon: ::turning to Kessler:: Can we assume that the other three cylinders hold the same thing? Or is there only one? And it seems like this is a holding cell of some sort? Just trying to catch up here, since I’ve been passed out for who knows how long. And I’m still not 100%.

Venn: We’ll get you looked at when we get out, but for now I’ve got you. Just don’t collapse again, please.

Out of the corner of his eye, Tess caught that guilty look on Xilva's face again.

Marsek: ::quietly:: Translating as fast as I can, sirs. I'll have a workable greeting soon.

Kessler: ::turning to Marsek:: Keep at it Ensign.

Evinrude: ::To Marsek, more gently.:: Hey, you're doing great. We've got time to figure this out, together.

Deacon: Not to alarm anyone ::he pointed at the other three cylinders, which were glowing:: ...but is that supposed to be happening?

[TBC in Part 2]

--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

R240111TE1