Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith - Get It In Your Brain

[Renaie Shortrith]

((Aft Chamber, Cosmozoan))

Wren: Maybe it’s not us? Shortrith, do you have a medical tricorder on you? I need t-::frustrated, reaching into her bag for a second battery pack to slap onto the PADD, giving her another space to plug in a second tricorder:: I need a medical library of brain scans so the computer can approximate something coherent out of all this.

Shortrith: I've got it on me, Ensign, don't worry. If you could shuffle over so I could see? Venn, can you see anything?

Venn: I am not sure what I would be looking for, but I am not seeing anything more unusual than we’ve already identified.

Raga: It’s alright. This is a bit exciting and slightly more of a Tuesday than usual for us. That said, everyone take a breath and focus on one thing at a time.

oO Oh yeah. Exploding warp cores on plague-ridden ships, exploding captains and first officers, and now making first contact with a telepathic whale. Just another weekday on the Ronin. Oo

Renaie crouched beside Delphina, plugging in the medical tricorder so they could see what was happening. They frowned as they noticed the extent of the creature's injuries, and gestured for the others to see.

They didn't notice the goo duplicates approaching until the ensign spoke up.

Wren: ::warning:: They’re on the move, sir.

Shortrith: Huh?

Venn: I knew this was a bad idea. I’m just hoping we’re not going to need to kill this thing. But my hopes are quickly fading. First, the Tholians, and now this. Oh, and let’s not forget the goop.

Raga: Easy, Lieutenant. Don’t forget, this is a living thing and we boarded it. We’re technically intruders. So let’s not do anything to provoke it. Also, need I remind you the Tholians tend to shoot first at anything they deem inferior or a threat without any consideration for alternate recourse. I won’t fault this entity for the right to defend itself.

Wren: ::Quickly, to Raga and Venn:: The data-to-voice connection isn’t going to be perfect, but it should be able to translate simple phrases and ideas, we just need a second to update the system’s parameters.

Shortrith: To quote Doctor Beck from earlier, perfect is the enemy of good.

Raga: Do what you can, for now it’s better than noth…

Cosmozoan: Aggressor. Crystal Aggressor sting Narhelion. Narhelion, eradicate angry crystal.

Shortrith: Did it just speak through the thing?

Venn: I think that was its version of shipwide. I don’t think that was your device, but I could be wrong. Maybe it’s just really loud.

Raga: I think you’re right about it being broadcast like a shipwide announcement. I don’t think it’s talking to us specifically.

Wren: Angry….?::realizing what it means:: Oh.

Shortrith: Hello?

Renaie did the three gentle knocks once again to establish the fact that it was them who was trying to connect.

Raga: Keep trying what you’re trying, counselor.

Narhelion: ::Through text-to-speak software:: Knock, Knock, Knock. Recognition of nonvocal communication attempts. Inefficient. Mind speak optimal.

oO … Mind speak? Oo

Oh.

Right.

Renaie wasn't a telepath.

There were three others who were.

oO I want to help… but I can't. Oo

They tried not to let their face show their thoughts.

Shortrith: Can… can you hear us?

Wren: I think…..it's always been able to hear us. I just didn't realize it could understand us.

Narhelion: Vocal communication. Inadequate. Narhelion, not used to. Narhelion, release. Narhelion only sought mind link. Intruder removable dermis prevent.

Renaie glanced around, trying to figure out what the "removable dermis prevent" was.

Raga: I think it’s referring to our suits.

oO Oh. Definitely not looking stupid now, am I? Oo

Wren: Do you think it's a touch-telepath? Maybe it needs physical connection with us through the…..goo to communicate properly.

Cosmozoan: ::Through text-to-speak software:: Correct. Accessing alien device database. External dermis, referred to as EV suit.

Venn: Commander Raga, I am fairly certain that the black goo that covered us was that attempt at a mind link it’s referencing. I think it’s a telepathic being.

Raga: I’m inclined to agree with you, Lieutenant. How safe would it be to allow this, Narhelion to psychically link with someone?

Shortrith: I think it really depends on how long the psychic link is maintained for.

Venn: Well, it’s definitely a risk, but maybe it’s worth a shot. But I don’t think I’d be the best choice. For one thing, Rodulan telepathy can be painful and damaging to most subjects. Plus there’s the concern that its own telepathy might overwhelm whomever makes contact. It’s a calculated risk, but it might be worth considering as an option.

Raga: Noted. ::he looked at the suit’s bracer mounted tricorder:: These readings show the atmosphere is identical to what we’d find on the Ronin. Which lines up with the sensor readings we got on the ship prior to beaming over.

Renaie's hand subconsciously hovered over their medkit as Raga removed his helmet, ready to help if need be.

Wren: ::with much trepidation:: Is it…. Alright? The atmosphere, I mean.

Shortrith: I'm assuming so, if we're able to take our helmets off.

Venn: Responses

Raga: Slightly stale, but breathable. Narhelion. We will permit mind link, but only with those who consent.

Narhelion: Narhelion agrees. Direct mind link with invasive entities not advised. Narhelion mind powerful. ::the word droned for a moment:: Mind Link not possible with non-psionics without bioorganic alterations.

oO So not me. Okay. I can observe. Oo

Shortrith: ::to themself:: Just watch, step back, it's okay.

Internally, though, it did sting a bit. Maybe it was a small selfish part of them that wanted to be involved, or maybe it was the younger, school-aged soul inside that didn't want to be left out.

Renaie wasn't sure.

Venn: Responses

Wren: I wonder why only psionics….?

oO Probably because they already have telepathic ability established. Probably to avoid harm. Oo

Raga: Is the mind link interface invasive or removeable? Will it compromise our privacy?

Venn: Responses

Narhelion: Temporary mind link interface possible. Permanence avoidable within first forty *unintelligble*. Accessing alien device. Revision. Permanence avoidable within first forty eight hours. ::the reverberations through the interior lingered:: Privacy uncompromised. Mind link surface only, without further consent.

Shortrith: That's a decent amount of time, in reality.

Venn: Responses

Wren: I consent to connection.

Renaie gave a cautious look to the two about to connect, preparing to do… something, if things went south… but they weren't sure what. Or at least, not yet.

The two telepaths began the connection, with circlets of the iridescent black goo seeming to hover around their heads.

Raga: By the Branch. This is a maintenance console. Aft Propulsion Monitoring Station.

((OOC: Excuding Narhelion telepathy as Renaie's not linked.))

Wren: This is…… incredible. Commander, are y-?

Delphina seemed to stop midsentence.

Raga/Venn: Responses

Shortrith: What's it like?

Wren: ::To anyone not connected:: It’s sort of like…. I’m connected to Raga, and we’re both connected to the Narhelion. It doesn’t hurt, it’s….. It’s fascinating to me. I’ve never experienced anything like this.

Shortrith: That's fascinating.

Raga/Venn: Responses

Wren: ::pointing to parts of the console:: This is translating atmospheric readings, and this part up here is out estimate speed. I can't decipher what the speed is, since I don't know the unit of measurement, but.... ::excited:: These blobs over here are the other away teams!

Shortrith: That's good!

Raga/Venn: Responses

Waiting patiently, they began to bounce on the balls of their feet in anticipation.

Shortrith: What's it saying?

Raga/Venn/Wren: Responses

Another pause while communication occurred.

Raga/Venn: Responses

Shortrith: As in… Hail the captain?

Renaie glanced over to the others, before opening a comm channel on their commbadge to the bridge. It was better than standing around to do nothing.

oO Please be there please be there please be there… Oo

Narhelion: Hello, Tiny Predator.

Niac: =/\= And hello to you...whomever you are. My name is Karrod...and our ship is the Ronin. We are not a predator...we have no desire to harm you. We wish to make peaceful contact. Can you understand us? =/\=

Shortrith: =/\= ::with a nod:: Captain. I've got the comms open on my commbadge. =/\=

Raga/Venn: Responses

Renaie imagined Niac standing in front of the Captain's chair, scowling at the viewscreen, as he was when they initially met him on their first day on the ship.

Narhelion: Narhelion apologizes to Tiny Predator’s fuzzy Caretaker. Narhelion did not realize Tiny Predator Ronin fragility.

Niac:  =/\= Narhelion?  Is that your name...or the name of your ship?  Either way 'fuzzy caretaker' thanks you, Narhelion.  We did not believe you damaged us purposefully.  Your energy transfer is also appreciated but doesn't appear to be compatible with our systems...I don't suppose you'd mind deactivating it?  =/\=

The Klingon stayed silent as they remained unsure of what to say.

Raga/Venn: Responses

Narhelion: Narhelion has a request. Narhelion is last of my kind. Would Tiny Predator’s fuzzy Caretaker permit Narhelion to take some of Tiny Predator to make a new Narhelion?

Renaie's eyes skyrocketed in surprised at they realised exactly what Narhelion was meaning.

Narhelion: =/\= Caution. Narhelion has detected approaching. Many more angry crystals and unknown vessels with them. Primary offensive armament still healing. Secondary and tertiary armaments are functional but remain in hibernation state. Primary and secondary defensive functions offline and in hibernation state. Recommend hibernation rescindment as soon as possible. =/\=

The counsellor's face morphed into a mix of sadness and horror as they realised that Tholians were coming back, and they tried to give Narhelion a soothing pat as a somber wail emanated from somewhere inside her. They gave a potential warning look to the others in the chamber.

Narhelion: =/\= Please. Narhelion does not want to expire. =/\=

Niac: =/\= We don't want you to expire either, Narhelion. We came to convince you to leave this area of space...but it's too late for that now. Please...wait just a moment. =/\=

Shortrith: If it's any comfort, my friend, I don't think any of us want you to.

Raga/Wren/Venn/Narhelion: Response

Shortrith: How can we help you?

Renaie was determined to help however they could. It didn't matter that they weren't telepathic. They wanted to help.

Raga/Wren/Venn/Narhelion: Response

Shortrith: I'm not sure how much we could do, but I'm willing to help however I can to settle this issue, and make sure you turn out okay.

Raga/Wren/Venn/Narhelion: Response

[Tags/TBC]

==

Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith, MD

Counsellor/Medical Officer

USS Ronin - NCC-34523

They/Them (Player and character)

A240204RS3