Lieutenant Naledi - Summer Heat and Cold Blood
Naledi
((Corridor to Sickbay, Deck 10, USS Thor))
Flicking through the programmes, they settled on one that reminded them of home. Clicking on the programme initialisation button, a minor irritance came from the holo-emitters. Clearly, they were processing this request… Slowly.
Saa: How long were you in the hallway before I came out?
Naledi looked to them from past the remote.
Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Crack… Fifteen Minutes
Saa: Did anyone ask you to come in?
The room started to morph around them, as the holographic waterfall, was replaced with stretching mountains, desert sand and… glorious heat…
The temperature rose to approximately thirty-five degrees Celsius, likely uncomfortable for Commander Saa, even if it was ideal for Naledi.
Naledi: Crick Pop Hiss Twinge Snap… My Apologies Commander, is this too warm for you?
Saa: It’s a little… what's the word, toastier, than I am used to.
Naledi hastily handed the remote back to them.
Naledi: Snap Pop Hiss… Please, I want you to be comfortable too.
oO Mustn’t let them know what I think Oo
Naledi knew with Betazoids, they often knew them better than they knew themselves. The truth was, internally. They’d only started to care for other’s after meeting a Betazoid. Insectoid culture was… abrasive in the lightest of words. Although they were Federation citizens back on M1, their species was, and still wasn’t, a member of the Federation, with Xindi still being somewhat rare.
The people of the colony found the insectoids to be creepy, scary, monsters. They didn’t even give them the chance to prove them otherwise.
Naledi only cared about others' comfort now… Because they knew deep down, that’s the only reason they’d ever be accepted. What they were was something to be disgusted at. Joining Starfleet was a refreshing change to be sure, people at least tried to be kind and evolved. But occasionally, like on Nova Terra, people would always be scared of them.
Saa: I prefer the compromise where we both can find a measure of comfort, the Hedeyan Arpeggio of Betazed has a surprisingly dry island heat during certain hours. ::She smiles:: I am aware Xindi-insectoids prefer heat, is it only dry heat or does a humid tropical work as well?
The scorchingly temperate desert around them shifted into deserted tropics. Waves crashed in the distance, complemented by the swaying breeze of the palm trees. Although Naledi had never experienced this in person, but it felt strangely soothing.
It was still pleasant, however, maybe slightly cooler than they would have liked. But compared to the rest of the ship, it was heaven.
Naledi: Crick Snap Creak Pop… It’s warmth. Insectoid’s like myself are cold-blooded. Pop Snap Creak… We depend on our surroundings to maintain temperature.
Saa: Starfleet uniforms are jackets for a reason, I can simply unbutton it if I am too warm, ::She tilts her head:: Now we’ll worry about your physical exam in a little bit, as scans are relatively easy.
The commander gestured towards a food tent. Were they hungry?
Naledi: Crick Snap Hiss… Do you require sustenance?
Saa: You are kind to be so concerned for my well being. ::She offered Naledi a soft smile:: But, it is my job to care about your physical and mental health, and something clearly happened on the way to sickbay.
Naledi’s antenna flicked
as the palm trees waved, the faint scent of coconut caught the air.
Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Crick… Technically, it was on the way to the ship.
Saa: Response
Naledi’s mandibles clicked nervously.
Naledi: Crick Snap Pop… My last ship… Almost all of the crew perished. Snap Pop Creak… Because of sickbay…
Saa: Response
Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Creak Hiss Twinge… All I can see when I think about sickbay is blood sprouting with fungi and crew liquified all over the walls.
Saa: Response
TAG / TBC
Lieutenant Naledi
Intelligence Officer
USS Thor (NCC-85852)
R240107AS3