Lieutenant JG Meris: The Test Beneath the Temple
Meris/Brian
((Inside Ero’doth Temple, Gathering Area, Sonoe))
As they stood beneath the carvings debating collectives and the meaning of "we”, Meris felt the weight of how little they truly understood about the Aenda and how much their own situation might hinge upon that understanding. Hearing the species name spoken aloud made it real in a way speculation had not, and the idea that this place was designed to teach unsettled them more than any overt threat might have. Shifting focus to the crystal chambers below gave them something solid to hold onto - systems, energy flow, engineering logic - proof that this mystery obeyed rules, even if those rules were alien. Yet when Taj’el’s gaze drifted toward their own unconscious body, Meris was reminded that all their discoveries meant little if they could not solve the most personal puzzle of them all.
Saa (as Meris): We’ve spent the better part of the week studying this room, I believe it’s time to descend if we want any answers and solutions to our situation. ::She smiles weakly:: If this is a place of learning, then clearly whatever happened was intentional and has happened to others, and they too learned.
Taj’el (as Saa): Are you sure?
The pilot shared that uncertainty. There was no guarantee they were not descending into something far worse. And yet, standing still had not yielded a reversal of their situation either. If they wanted to return to their proper bodies, then forward - or in this case downward - was the only path available.
Meris offered a sympathetic glance toward Taj’el’s Betazoid form and then toward the unconscious Vulcan body resting nearby. At least part of Taj’el’s hesitation surely lay there.
Meris (as Wiecek): Don’t worry, Taj’el. I’ll take good care of your body.
It was said lightly, but they meant it.
Saa (as Meris): We’ll need to bring Wiecek with us, but I’ve a theory, I’d been discussing with them the possibility of using the mind meld to resolve our situation and now that solution is removed. ::She smiled almost inspired:: And like in the academy holodecks, sometimes the solution is deemed too easy, and the environment removes the element. This isn’t supposed to be an easy, simple fix, whatever activated wants us to accomplish something as it intends.
Taj’el (as Saa): Excellent. We are within an instructional environment, undertaking an examination of that which we do not yet comprehend. If we succeed, will circumstances revert to their prior state? And if we fail…? ::a faintly bitter inflection marked the conclusion of their statement::
Meris bristled faintly at the implication.
Meris (as Wiecek): Even in an academic environment as stringent as the J’naii homeworld or Starfleet Academy, the tests are designed with the intention that the students are capable of passing them.
They held Taj’el’s gaze steadily, projecting more confidence than they entirely felt.
oO We are capable. We have to be. Oo
Saa (as Meris): Assumptions and conjecture, maybe, but it is the only lead we have..
Meris watched as Saa, inhabiting their body, approached the wall and pressed their palm to the stone marked with the “We” symbol. Nothing happened. The Commander withdrew their hand, then tried again.
Saa (Meris): Taj’el, Meris... I need you to come touch this stone with me.
Meris looked to Taj’el.
Taj’el (as Saa): Hmm. You are deducing that we must function as a singular entity, analogous to the structure of the writing? This appears to resemble a form of a game...
Meris (as Wiecek): If this is a game, then it would be prudent for us to win it.
They stepped forward and placed Aleks’ broad hand atop the smaller J’naii hand that Saa possessed. Taj’el joined them, completing the triad.
For a moment, nothing.
Then a low mechanical click reverberated through the stone, followed by a grinding shift as a concealed seam opened before them.
Meris allowed themself a small, satisfied nod.
oO Cooperative mechanics. Of course. Oo
Taj’el (as Saa): Fascinating. ::they moved to examine the entrance:: I concur; this appears to be an appropriate point from which to begin.
The Doctor’s tricorder rose. The doorway waited.
Meris moved to retrieve the unconscious Vulcan form that contained Aleks Wiecek’s psyche.
Taj’el (as Saa): Before we depart, I wish to note that the delta appears to signify a sta– ::they paused:: a celestial body. I cannot determine the full implications, but it may be prudent to retain this observation.
Meris quirked an eyebrow and glanced back to Taj’el as they crouched.
Meris (as Wiecek): Perhaps we will learn its meaning for certain as we move forward.
oO Or downward. Which is rarely comforting. Oo
Taj’el (as Saa): If we apply the logic of either an instructional facility or a place of worship, it is reasonable to assume that this constitutes the commencement of the examination. We were previously within the grand hall and are now proceeding together in the expectation of locating a new chamber or acquiring further information.
Saa (as Meris): Response.
They lifted Taj’el’s unconscious body carefully and shifted them into a fireman’s carry over the Intelligence Officer’s shoulder.
oO It is fortunate Taj’el favors and athletic build. If they were constructed like a celebratory pastry, this would be considerably more difficult. Oo
With palm beacon activated, Meris followed the others into the descending passage with their burden over one shoulder.
The corridor narrowed, sloping deeper than expected. The air cooled. Their boots echoed softly against stone. Carrying additional weight made balance critical, and Meris concentrated on each step.
oO Do not trip. Do not trip. Do not trip. Surely, if you do, you’ll take the entire group with you. Oo
((Inside Ero’doth Temple, Test Chamber, Sonoe))
After several minutes, the passage opened into a chamber beneath the crystal level. Overhead, glass-like panels filtered crackling, prismatic light that shimmered faintly across the walls.
Taj’el (as Saa): What do you make of this?
Meris lowered their burden gently against one wall. As they straightened, they noticed a narrow trough of shimmering liquid medium running along the room’s edge just as they’d observed in the crystal energy chamber above.
At the far end stood an elevated doorway atop a platform approximately three and one-third yards above the ground.
To one side, Taj’el examined embedded mirror-like stones set into the walls.
Meris (as Wiecek): Remember, we need to work together. ::a pause:: We could build a human pyramid to reach that door...
They allowed the suggestion to hang just long enough to be plausibly serious.
oO Please let there be a more dignified solution. Oo
Saa (as Meris)/Taj’el (as Saa): Response.
The pilot activated their tricorder and began scanning.
Meris (as Wiecek): I’m detecting the same energy signature here as in the crystal chamber. ::pointing:: Like the gathering chamber, this room is powered... and I’m detecting concealed machinery in the floor in front of the doorway. Stairs perhaps. But we need to activate them.
Saa (as Meris)/Taj’el (as Saa): Response.
Meris watched as the others crossed the chamber, the filtered light shifted with their movements, refracting faintly across the mirrors. Twice, the light intensified and formed prismatic beams.
The pilot froze.
Meris (as Wiecek): Wait a moment... Commander. Take two steps back please.
Saa (as Meris)/Taj’el (as Saa): Response.
As Saa stepped back, prismatic beams aligned against one mirror. There was a low mechanical click that reverberated through the stone. It was followed by a grinding shifting of the stone flooring. The floor before the door rose approximately one foot.
Meris (as Wiecek): The steps activate when the beams are channeled into the mirrors. Taj’el. Step toward me. We need to find the correct position to refract the light into the next mirrored stone.
oO A lesson in alignment. Again. Oo
The test, it seemed, had truly begun.
Saa (as Meris)/Taj’el (as Saa): Response.
((Tags/TBC))
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Lieutenant JG Meris
Helmsperson
USS Thor
A240207M14