Lieutenant Naledi - Eight Years Ago

[Naledi]

((Conference Room, Deck 13, USS Thor))

 

Naledi hadn’t been dreading what was coming, in fact they’d barely given it much thought. Their main concern was that the ship didn’t have a hatchery, a primary system on an insectoid vessel that the ship wouldn’t even leave drydock without. The most important thing was getting it installed as soon as possible.

As Naledi entered the conference room, most of the other officers were already there. As they took their specially adapted chair, the meeting began.

 

Caras: I’ve called you all here to discuss a project that was given to me shortly after I came aboard. This is less formal than usual but it is an active project that might require unique solutions and I'm looking to get insight from each one of you. I do expect the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality here; since we’re dealing with the topic of someone’s possible offspring.

 

Naledi placed the PADDs they’d been carrying down onto the table, sliding them over to the centre of the table where each member of the conference could easily reach them. In preparation for the meeting, they’d collated a small library of information on their people and on recreation practices.

 

Vharo: I'll be frank, this is unexpected. Though I understand sentiment regarding the lack of information, quite a large step for individuals.

Tito: Very well

 

Naledi felt no need to respond, gesturing for Lieutenant Caras to continue with a wave of their appendage.

 

Caras: Since around Stardate 236608.28, Starfleet has moved towards accommodating all species that fill its ranks with facilities to support both the birthing of, and the care of offspring. That means if you’re in Starfleet, you should be able to have the ability to procreate without special permission. It is a private and personal choice.

 

Although Naledi agreed with them, it seemed a little recent. Insectoids had that luxury before the Federation had even existed. Granted, their people had a distinct need to reproduce due to the comparably limited lifespan of a Xindi-Insectoid.

 

Tito: Understood.

Naledi: Creak Snap Pop… Agreed

 

Caras: At the moment This vesta class ship does not provide the facilities needed to support Xindi insectoid offspring. I aim to rectify that. Usually this would fall to Operations, however since there are several large Engineering caveats that must be made, it’s fallen to me. I’ve been informed because of the nature of Xindi egg clusters, the fact that they possess the ability to create and deploy a powerful neurotoxin; Sickbay might not be the best place for them and Sciences might be more fitting for protection, containment, and monitoring. It’s also because of that Neurotoxin and containment that I've asked for security to be here as well.

 

Naledi did a double take. Their offspring would not be born in a sterile lab like a project. They needed a hatchery. Although they had no objection to either science or security personnel being present in the meeting, a need had to be made for the room to be the most secure onboard.

 

Vharo: ::she lifted a solitary eyebrow as the engineer spoke.:: Powerful neurotoxin, check. You could've led with that but I understand why you didn't.

Tito: Understandable.

Caras: I can appreciate that. ::looking at each person in the room::Lieutenant Tito, I need someone who knows their way around all the science labs and systems; and can help find the proper place for these eggs if they were ever to be laid. Ensign Vharo, I’ll need your assistance coming up with the proper kind of containment and protection for these eggs, They can’t be startled or tampered with, and we need a good way to monitor them without possibly setting them off.Lieutenant Naledi you’re here as a representative of your own species, and to answer questions about the eggs, their containment and your preferences as we design a system for hatching them. I still hope you don’t mind this being discussed.

 

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Creak… Of Course not.

 

The green man seemed uncomfortable. Although Naledi couldn’t fathom as to why, many crew had families onboard, and had accommodated the birth of offspring. Why would they be any different?

 

Vharo: Should be relatively straightforward to set up a protected area if the lab sections can accommodate. My first chief concern would be the genuine make-up and function of the toxin released, it goes without saying that I would like it to be a closed system. Less risk of exposure for the crew, limited external pressures and risks on the eggs. More importantly, is the toxin produced important to your peoples growth cycle or is it genuinely just a by-product.

Tito: I am not yet fully familiar with the ship, but rest assured you can count on my assistance. And I believe Commander DeVeau will fully support it as well.

 

Naledi stood up, making sure all could hear them.

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Hiss… Insectoid children are not born in labs, they are born in hatcheries. Snap Pop Hiss Creak… They must be a secure and central room onboard, airlocked.

They stood back down, hoping that the need for safety of the children was also made clear. They were more vulnerable than the crew after all.

Naledi looked directly towards the security ensign.

Naledi: Creak Pop Snap Hiss.. The neurotoxin is there to hijack a host to care for our young in the event of parental fatalities. Creak Pop Hiss Snap… Should someone be hijacked, they would only see themselves as a carer for the eggs. It isn’t fatal.

 

Caras: Response

Tito: Ensign Vharo made a good point. I would prefer if we set, if feasible, one of the unused science labs. I am certain we could spare one.

Naledi’s mandibles popped, and their antennae flicked.

Naledi: Creak Pop Hiss… I am against the use of a science lab, we are not projects. Snap Twinge Hiss… However, if it is airlocked, and in the centre of the ship, I am willing to compromise.

Vahro/Caras: Response

The Tito nodded

Tito: That could also work.

Naledi looked to the other’s in the room, anticipating their responses.

Vahro/Caras: Response

Tito: I wonder if it is also advisable to have someone from our Medical department helping.

Naledi: Snap Pop Hiss Twinge Pop Crack… Would they know how to care for my peoples young?

Vahro/Caras: Response

Naledi: Creak Pop Hiss… There is also another important factor to consider.

Tito/Vahro/Caras: Response

Naledi felt they weren’t going to like what they were about to say.

Naledi: Pop Twinge Hack Pop… The Hatchery must be able to survive the ship’s destruction. Creak Pop Snap Whine… It must also be powered independently, ensuring the survival of the infants.

Tito/Vahro/Caras: Response

Naledi threw a circular object that had nested itself between the PADDS into the room, after a few momentary seconds, it beeped, showing a holographic display of a Xindi-Insectoid Warship

Naledi: Pop Hiss Twinge Hiss Pop… These schematics are old. But show how the Hatchery was situated in one of our ships.

 

Naledi did a double-take as they listened to the universal translator play back the humanoid language of what they said. Like always, it was mostly correct, except for the use of “Our ship”.

Whilst Naledi was from M1 colony, and had limited contact with wider Xindi settlements, the centre of their sect on the planet was a Xindi ship, that acted as the hub, and hatchery for the colony.

It’s where they’d been born, eight years ago.

 

Tito/Vahro/Caras: Response

 

 

 

TAG / TBC

 

Lieutenant Naledi

Intelligence Officer

USS Thor (NCC-85852)

R240107AS3