Ensign Xilva Marsek - Fifth Wheel
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Xilva Marsek
Jul 31, 2026, 8:11:01 PM (3 days ago) Jul 31
to sb118...@googlegroups.com
The embarrassment contained, Xilva settled by the crate of Wren's intriguing drones. She really had a knack for useful engineering projects - Xilva was more than a bit jealous that she was nowhere near that creative. Briefly, she wondered if that had something to do with her placement in the still-hideous Science blue. The more she thought about it, she had to prove that she was worthy of being an engineer, too. Repairing thousands of repeater plasma arrays sounded like a dream compared to analyzing soil samples. For the moment, she shook her head to clear her thoughts and focused on Wren's energetic explanation of her creations.
Evinrude: ::Calling to the back, like a school bus driver.:: Settle, everyone. We can play with our toys once we're free of the active construction zone.
Shortrith: ::to Delphina, curious:: What did you design the new drones for? Why are they smaller than Remy?
Marsek: I'd like to know that, too. I'd be nervous about losing them!
Wren: Well, their smaller size allows them to get up close and personal with practically any cosmic object, and their ability to immediately transfer that data to the ship means we get more information more quickly!
Shortrith: That's really cool!
T'Fearne: ::glancing back over her shoulder:: A distributed sensor network? Like a Tholian Web, but for high definition scanning, not containment? Delphina, that is fascinating.
Marsek: I know that some people in the lab will go nuts for the data - I'm way more curious about the design, though. Why did you pick moths?
Xilva settled back into the aging, comfortable seat, awkwardly choosing one away from the others. She still felt more than a bit like an interloper on this adventure, despite the constant reassurances that it was fine. It would be okay, they'd laugh about it later and she'd go back to being that awkward, forgotten ensign on the edge of the crowd. She'd do her best to not get in the way - and definitely not take them into the weird Reef area that she and Nakada found, to avoid getting overenthusiastic and furthering being weird.
Wren: well, I picked moths because, number one, moths are cool. And number 2, their flat bodies and extra-mobile wing attachments allow them to take up less space than a probe, while also flying in more complex patterns.
Evinrude: ::Calling back over his shoulder to Delphina.:: So do you see these augmenting short-range scans? I can think of a few scenarios where both scanners and comms are limited...say, subspace or radiation interference. Will the, uh, moths have the range to fly back home and report in?
T'Fearne: ::thoughtful:: They could prove useful when an obvious scan might be interpreted as hostile. A passive swarm that uses a non standard, organic scanning pattern and then discreetly returns with the intel…I can think of some covert reconnaissance applications.
Wren: That was my thinking, actually! They’re also not big enough to trip other sensors, which allows them to get closer to ships than a normal probe would be.
Finally, something in her wheelhouse!
Marsek: I'd be concerned about the amount of cosmic radiation affecting the internal parts, but as long as you've got a good polymer incorporated into the outside, you should be fine. I'd love to see those schematics, too.
Evinrude: Okay, we're clear of repair traffic. ::Relaxing his shoulders a little, he put on a monotone, clipped tone of voice, clearly an impression of one of their Valkyrie pilots.:: Feel free to move about the cabin, people. Destination is locked, we are in the pipe.
Shortrith: Wooo!
T'Fearne: Scanning now for as far as we can considering the odd quality of the space here.
Sitting in the back made Xilva feel like she was back in a school lunchroom, desperately trying to find a place to sit and wishing her sister had the same lunch period. At least it wasn't a terribly long ride - she just had to make sure she didn't accidentally solve ancient puzzles and end up running from things that went bump in the night (again).
((OOOOC: Left Keric’s OOC here for posterity, it was too good to delete XD ((Keric - OOC: Feel free to talk a little more before we land and taxi to our gate. Be sure to hand all service items, waste, and spare latinum to our flight attendant...who looks a lot like our pilot. We know you have a lot of choices when you fly, and we'd like to thank you for choosing Air Evinrude.))))
((Short Timeskip - Type 4 Shuttle, Approaching the Reef, Creche Space))
The intrusive thoughts flew from Xilva's mind as the outside of the Reef came closer into view - sure, she had -really- seen it up close thanks to a certain impulsive Horta, but there was still something awe-inspiring about the coral-like, glowing structure. Cosmozoans floated lazily in and out of view, simply letting space and time choose their movements. She didn't hide her smile upon seeing a certain little cosmozoan wiggling its tail, looking for more playmates. She'd have to tell Gra'vel later that 'little fish' was still looking for her to play tag again.
Evinrude: ::Quietly, at first.:: We've been laid up here a while, and I'm still in awe when I look over this place... ::Sitting up a little straighter in his seat, he pointed and spoke up.:: I'm seeing what looks like a large door over there, could be a cargo or maintenance bay?
Shortrith: It fits the size required for a shuttle, I don't see why not.
T'Fearne: I’m detecting a low level power signature near that closed aperture. ::glancing at Delphi and Xilva:: What do you think?
Wren: It could be another Cosmozoan at rest? I’ve seen a couple of them sitting outside the Creche and using it as a perch.
Marsek: I'm pretty sure that's a bay. From the data I've gathered, it seems that the - well, what it considers airlocks - are on that side.
Shortrith: ::pointing:: Is it just me, or could that be some sort of park? Maybe some kind of forest?
T'Fearne: They appear more like deep sea coralite structures to me.
Wren: Let me get the Hive a little closer ::pressing some buttons on her PADD::
Marsek: ::doubtful:: I guess it is my job to know what it's made of.
oO I'm going to scream at my family the second I get back for suggesting I do a double-major in archaeology. Oh don't worry, they said, Starfleet contracts all that out...Oo
Evinrude: Response
oO...Wait. A forest? ...As in the forest Keneth and I found? That's--not good. How do I phrase it so that it doesn't sound suspicious? Oo
Shortrith: I'm down to explore that - what do you guys think?
T'Fearne: If we find atmosphere appropriate and disembark standard away team protocols apply here, even though we are on shoreleave. Keep in pairs or threes, maintain line of sight, comm check before you leave. If you encounter anything odd…well if you encounter anything dangerous check in.
Wren: The Hive says that it has an atmosphere, but the gases are shifting like how the Narhelion adjusted to us when we first arrived. It’s not optimal for us yet, but it seems like it’s actively getting there. Purposefully…
Marsek: ::quickly:: I'd be careful with some of the areas where the structures are thicker, like that 'forest'. I...picked up some unusual readings in the area.
There, that didn't sound too bad. In fact, it almost sounded scientific.
Evinrude/Shortrith: Response
T'Fearne: Delphina, would you be comfortable pushing your intention that distance? Can you try to tell the reef to let us in?
Xilva noticed Wren's hesitance - she couldn't imagine how hard it was to do any kind of telepathic activity. There were a handful of telepathic Kerelians whom she was friends with, and they had to be incredibly careful with the people they touched.
Wren: I can…. Try it? One second.
Marsek: Just be careful, okay? I'm friends with one of the cosmozoans if it's too much - long story - but he could probably get us in as well.
Evinrude/Shortrith: Response
Wren: I’m trying to reach it. I feel like it’s avoiding me. ::a little strained:: I’m going to try again.
Marsek: Are you okay? Don't strain yourself!
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne: Response
Wren: ::out loud:: Wait! Wait, I’m sorry, I’m not trying to bother you. I know you must be dealing with a lot right now, I was just wondering if we could please access the….garden? Down there.
Xilva's face grew a bit paler and she fidgeted quietly. This really felt like it was taking a lot out of Wren - and if this was the same forested area, then she was afraid of the outcome. But the Reef was huge, and she had only explored a tiny portion of it - it all couldn't be like that archive, could it? She took a deep breath and settled herself into the same neutral expression she wore when she was doing her best to be brave.
Marsek: I'm sure it's lovely, but it's perfectly all right if you don't want us there!
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne: Response
Reef: Response (optional)
Wren: We just want to explore more of the creche. We aren’t going to damage anything, we’re just….explorers. And we want to learn more about this place.
Xilva nodded, despite her internal stress. This place was huge, it couldn't be the same - that was just ridiculous. Still, to her concern, it did feel like the Reef understood - at least by the way the cosmozoans were now deliberately moving out of their way.
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne: Response
She could see the area shifting in such a way so as not to disturb the coral forest, but to offer enough room for the shuttle to easily pass through into the interior.
Marsek: I think it's allowing us inside ::to Wren:: Your persuasion worked! Great job!
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne/Wren: Response
She breathed a sigh of relief as they continued onward and gazed out the front - this wasn't the same forest, she could still keep her not-exactly-authorized expedition under wraps. It seemed that thousands of the tree-like coral structures had arched over and around them, forming a tunnel of spidery structures that twisted and shimmered in thousands of colors that Xilva swore she had never seen before, creating a dazzling show that seemingly stretched on forever. Through gaps, she could see cosmozoans still nearby, the silent guardians of their tiny sister-shuttle. Hopefully, she would learn more about them and their Caretakers - and perhaps one day, find the key to all of these mysteries.
Marsek: I'm...guessing this comes to an end? Would the drones know where it is?
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne/Wren: Response
The long tunnel fired up her nerves again, and she did her best to employ classic Kerelian breathing techniques.
oO See it, note it, let it go. Oo
Xilva knew her nerves were irrational, this was just going to be a little journey into a new part of the Reef. There had to be beauty there despite what she had seen - like a rose growing in the remains of a battlefield. She had already gotten through so many fears in her short time aboard the ship, and she had to steel herself to overcome others. Curiosity welled at the corners of her mind and whispered its questions to her - how did this garden come about? Did the Caretakers grow this? Who laughed here, told stories here, celebrated their lives and shared their sorrows here?
Did the Reef miss them?
Marsek: ::murmurs:: "And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn, would scarcely know that we were gone." ::pauses:: It's from an old Earth poem by Sara Teasdale. It just popped into my head - the Caretakers are long gone, and yet this remains. I'm sorry, I get - a little introspective looking at unexplored ancient areas.
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne/Wren: Response
Evinrude: ::Calling to the back, like a school bus driver.:: Settle, everyone. We can play with our toys once we're free of the active construction zone.
Shortrith: ::to Delphina, curious:: What did you design the new drones for? Why are they smaller than Remy?
Marsek: I'd like to know that, too. I'd be nervous about losing them!
Wren: Well, their smaller size allows them to get up close and personal with practically any cosmic object, and their ability to immediately transfer that data to the ship means we get more information more quickly!
Shortrith: That's really cool!
T'Fearne: ::glancing back over her shoulder:: A distributed sensor network? Like a Tholian Web, but for high definition scanning, not containment? Delphina, that is fascinating.
Marsek: I know that some people in the lab will go nuts for the data - I'm way more curious about the design, though. Why did you pick moths?
Xilva settled back into the aging, comfortable seat, awkwardly choosing one away from the others. She still felt more than a bit like an interloper on this adventure, despite the constant reassurances that it was fine. It would be okay, they'd laugh about it later and she'd go back to being that awkward, forgotten ensign on the edge of the crowd. She'd do her best to not get in the way - and definitely not take them into the weird Reef area that she and Nakada found, to avoid getting overenthusiastic and furthering being weird.
Wren: well, I picked moths because, number one, moths are cool. And number 2, their flat bodies and extra-mobile wing attachments allow them to take up less space than a probe, while also flying in more complex patterns.
Evinrude: ::Calling back over his shoulder to Delphina.:: So do you see these augmenting short-range scans? I can think of a few scenarios where both scanners and comms are limited...say, subspace or radiation interference. Will the, uh, moths have the range to fly back home and report in?
T'Fearne: ::thoughtful:: They could prove useful when an obvious scan might be interpreted as hostile. A passive swarm that uses a non standard, organic scanning pattern and then discreetly returns with the intel…I can think of some covert reconnaissance applications.
Wren: That was my thinking, actually! They’re also not big enough to trip other sensors, which allows them to get closer to ships than a normal probe would be.
Finally, something in her wheelhouse!
Marsek: I'd be concerned about the amount of cosmic radiation affecting the internal parts, but as long as you've got a good polymer incorporated into the outside, you should be fine. I'd love to see those schematics, too.
Evinrude: Okay, we're clear of repair traffic. ::Relaxing his shoulders a little, he put on a monotone, clipped tone of voice, clearly an impression of one of their Valkyrie pilots.:: Feel free to move about the cabin, people. Destination is locked, we are in the pipe.
Shortrith: Wooo!
T'Fearne: Scanning now for as far as we can considering the odd quality of the space here.
Sitting in the back made Xilva feel like she was back in a school lunchroom, desperately trying to find a place to sit and wishing her sister had the same lunch period. At least it wasn't a terribly long ride - she just had to make sure she didn't accidentally solve ancient puzzles and end up running from things that went bump in the night (again).
((OOOOC: Left Keric’s OOC here for posterity, it was too good to delete XD ((Keric - OOC: Feel free to talk a little more before we land and taxi to our gate. Be sure to hand all service items, waste, and spare latinum to our flight attendant...who looks a lot like our pilot. We know you have a lot of choices when you fly, and we'd like to thank you for choosing Air Evinrude.))))
((Short Timeskip - Type 4 Shuttle, Approaching the Reef, Creche Space))
The intrusive thoughts flew from Xilva's mind as the outside of the Reef came closer into view - sure, she had -really- seen it up close thanks to a certain impulsive Horta, but there was still something awe-inspiring about the coral-like, glowing structure. Cosmozoans floated lazily in and out of view, simply letting space and time choose their movements. She didn't hide her smile upon seeing a certain little cosmozoan wiggling its tail, looking for more playmates. She'd have to tell Gra'vel later that 'little fish' was still looking for her to play tag again.
Evinrude: ::Quietly, at first.:: We've been laid up here a while, and I'm still in awe when I look over this place... ::Sitting up a little straighter in his seat, he pointed and spoke up.:: I'm seeing what looks like a large door over there, could be a cargo or maintenance bay?
Shortrith: It fits the size required for a shuttle, I don't see why not.
T'Fearne: I’m detecting a low level power signature near that closed aperture. ::glancing at Delphi and Xilva:: What do you think?
Wren: It could be another Cosmozoan at rest? I’ve seen a couple of them sitting outside the Creche and using it as a perch.
Marsek: I'm pretty sure that's a bay. From the data I've gathered, it seems that the - well, what it considers airlocks - are on that side.
Shortrith: ::pointing:: Is it just me, or could that be some sort of park? Maybe some kind of forest?
T'Fearne: They appear more like deep sea coralite structures to me.
Wren: Let me get the Hive a little closer ::pressing some buttons on her PADD::
Marsek: ::doubtful:: I guess it is my job to know what it's made of.
oO I'm going to scream at my family the second I get back for suggesting I do a double-major in archaeology. Oh don't worry, they said, Starfleet contracts all that out...Oo
Evinrude: Response
oO...Wait. A forest? ...As in the forest Keneth and I found? That's--not good. How do I phrase it so that it doesn't sound suspicious? Oo
Shortrith: I'm down to explore that - what do you guys think?
T'Fearne: If we find atmosphere appropriate and disembark standard away team protocols apply here, even though we are on shoreleave. Keep in pairs or threes, maintain line of sight, comm check before you leave. If you encounter anything odd…well if you encounter anything dangerous check in.
Wren: The Hive says that it has an atmosphere, but the gases are shifting like how the Narhelion adjusted to us when we first arrived. It’s not optimal for us yet, but it seems like it’s actively getting there. Purposefully…
Marsek: ::quickly:: I'd be careful with some of the areas where the structures are thicker, like that 'forest'. I...picked up some unusual readings in the area.
There, that didn't sound too bad. In fact, it almost sounded scientific.
Evinrude/Shortrith: Response
T'Fearne: Delphina, would you be comfortable pushing your intention that distance? Can you try to tell the reef to let us in?
Xilva noticed Wren's hesitance - she couldn't imagine how hard it was to do any kind of telepathic activity. There were a handful of telepathic Kerelians whom she was friends with, and they had to be incredibly careful with the people they touched.
Wren: I can…. Try it? One second.
Marsek: Just be careful, okay? I'm friends with one of the cosmozoans if it's too much - long story - but he could probably get us in as well.
Evinrude/Shortrith: Response
Wren: I’m trying to reach it. I feel like it’s avoiding me. ::a little strained:: I’m going to try again.
Marsek: Are you okay? Don't strain yourself!
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne: Response
Wren: ::out loud:: Wait! Wait, I’m sorry, I’m not trying to bother you. I know you must be dealing with a lot right now, I was just wondering if we could please access the….garden? Down there.
Xilva's face grew a bit paler and she fidgeted quietly. This really felt like it was taking a lot out of Wren - and if this was the same forested area, then she was afraid of the outcome. But the Reef was huge, and she had only explored a tiny portion of it - it all couldn't be like that archive, could it? She took a deep breath and settled herself into the same neutral expression she wore when she was doing her best to be brave.
Marsek: I'm sure it's lovely, but it's perfectly all right if you don't want us there!
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne: Response
Reef: Response (optional)
Wren: We just want to explore more of the creche. We aren’t going to damage anything, we’re just….explorers. And we want to learn more about this place.
Xilva nodded, despite her internal stress. This place was huge, it couldn't be the same - that was just ridiculous. Still, to her concern, it did feel like the Reef understood - at least by the way the cosmozoans were now deliberately moving out of their way.
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne: Response
She could see the area shifting in such a way so as not to disturb the coral forest, but to offer enough room for the shuttle to easily pass through into the interior.
Marsek: I think it's allowing us inside ::to Wren:: Your persuasion worked! Great job!
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne/Wren: Response
She breathed a sigh of relief as they continued onward and gazed out the front - this wasn't the same forest, she could still keep her not-exactly-authorized expedition under wraps. It seemed that thousands of the tree-like coral structures had arched over and around them, forming a tunnel of spidery structures that twisted and shimmered in thousands of colors that Xilva swore she had never seen before, creating a dazzling show that seemingly stretched on forever. Through gaps, she could see cosmozoans still nearby, the silent guardians of their tiny sister-shuttle. Hopefully, she would learn more about them and their Caretakers - and perhaps one day, find the key to all of these mysteries.
Marsek: I'm...guessing this comes to an end? Would the drones know where it is?
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne/Wren: Response
The long tunnel fired up her nerves again, and she did her best to employ classic Kerelian breathing techniques.
oO See it, note it, let it go. Oo
Xilva knew her nerves were irrational, this was just going to be a little journey into a new part of the Reef. There had to be beauty there despite what she had seen - like a rose growing in the remains of a battlefield. She had already gotten through so many fears in her short time aboard the ship, and she had to steel herself to overcome others. Curiosity welled at the corners of her mind and whispered its questions to her - how did this garden come about? Did the Caretakers grow this? Who laughed here, told stories here, celebrated their lives and shared their sorrows here?
Did the Reef miss them?
Marsek: ::murmurs:: "And Spring herself, when she woke at dawn, would scarcely know that we were gone." ::pauses:: It's from an old Earth poem by Sara Teasdale. It just popped into my head - the Caretakers are long gone, and yet this remains. I'm sorry, I get - a little introspective looking at unexplored ancient areas.
Evinrude/Shortrith/T'Fearne/Wren: Response
Ensign Xilva Marsek
Science Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
R240305XM1
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