Civilised Man - Part 2/3

Posted on 09 Jun 2013 @ 12:53am by Raifi Zaren & Verity Thorne

2,624 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 4 - Corridor
Timeline: MD 04 - 10:20

Previously, on Civilised Man (part 1)...

"No one will talk about that either. There's a freeze on all information except the vaguest dregs. Every officer I've spoken to seems convinced that they need command permission to tell me what they're planning on eating for dinner that evening. The only thing I'm allowed to know - apparently - is what I find for myself or see with my own eyes." Raifi snorted an amused laugh, "And I'm supposed to be selling the welcoming atmosphere of Starfleet, according to Trija. The ingenuity of the planetary sciences division. How?" He paused, "What is it, exactly, that you're allowed to show me?"

"My book collection?" Verity teased lightly, but with a small smile and a glint in his eyes. "People will relax. You'll see. At the moment, they're het up because we're on the eve of a mission. Especially science. This is their thing. Be patient, give it a few more days. Information will be coming in then, people will know where we are and where we stand. We'll be in the swing of things. You're more likely to get better stories then."

And now, the continuation...

ON:

"It's not a matter of patience; I have time. I'm in no way trying to rush anyone into anything. I ask questions; they can answer or not. They can talk about whatever they like. What troubles me is that so many people are bringing up the same thing in this... hushed and secretive manner - and then seem to think that I somehow drew it out of them. Clearly they want to talk about this - whatever it is. And they can't. Not to me, I'm willing to ignore that for the moment, but I wonder if you all are even communicating with each other on... whatever this is." Raifi tucked his thumbs into his pockets. "And another point - not all of your scientists seem as thrilled about this discovery as I am. Not even as much as the network. I spoke with a girl in the science department, for instance, who pointed out that there are lots of new planets out there and this one system likely isn't anything to get too excited over. Difficult to take a quote like that and turn it into mileage for Starfleet. But-" he shrugged. "Thankfully, that's Trija's job. I get to simply collect and learn."

"Maybe they're trying to put you off a bit, playing it down, until they're sure they really can say anything," Verity suggested with a soft laugh. "I'm sure people will loosen up around you. Especially once you've been here a bit longer and they've got to know you."

"You don't know me well enough to say that-" Raifi grinned. "I have it on good authority that I'm very difficult to get used to." He slung his arm around Verity's shoulders. "So. Tell me about that book collection."

Verity laughed warmly, leaning comfortably into it. "I can't help myself. I collect old, original books. And rubbishy ones just to read too. I'm lucky I have a generous roommate, they're taking over our tiny quarters," he looked across to him with a soft chuckle. "What can I say, I love the art of the written word."

"What's not to love? What are your top five? The ones you can't live without."

"Oh that's impossible!" Verity laughed warmly, shaking his head as he thought it over. "They're all human, so you might not have heard of them. I'm not even going to count the Bible, as that's sort of above all consideration, I always have one. So, other than that, top five - hm - The Iliad and the Odyssey, I'm going to cheat and say they're one," he laughed, shaking his head fondly. "From my student days, my study of Ancient History and Classical Civilisation. The story of the Greek and Trojan war, and a man trying to get home to his family. It's ancient, but there's so much about duty and love and loyalty and humanity in them. The original War of the Worlds, by H. G. Wells, written in the 1890s. A Victorian piece of writing that explores the spirit of mankind when faced with devastation, it's overwhelming. I'm sad enough to need the Lord of the Rings books in there, but to me they're not about the fantasy, they're about the weaknesses and strengths in the fellowship of man, and the history behind his writing shows the themes of hope in the face of evil, which I suppose I'm pretty fond of, considering. The Picture of Dorian Gray, the original horror gothic novel, but so much more - it's a study of all the Hellenistic and darkened shades of the soul. And controversially for someone who used to be a priest, Milton's Paradise Lost. A different look on the fall of Lucifer. Does any of that mean anything to you?" he finally asked with a soft laugh.

Raifi considered the list. "That you've an abiding interest in your world - what made it what it later became. That your preoccupation has to do with the growth and decay of spirit, what evil is and how it manifests, and the facets of your soul. The details, however... there, I'm lost. Who is Lucifer? What are Greek and Trojan? Who is Dorian Gray? What does Hellenistic mean? And what is your definition of a 'soul'? Which worlds were at war? And what is 'the Bible'?" He waggled his brows, "Learning to speak Standard, they taught us a host of words, phrases, tenses, and slang, but there are innumerable definitions that your people have which are different than our own."

Verity couldn't help but laugh, but he wasn't laughing at him. More at the sheer scope of all the questions. "I'd be here all day if I tried to answer all that," he admitted, winking to him. "The Bible is the book of my religion. So you can imagine I'm rather close to it. Lucifer is in the Bible. He was an angel of perfect beauty, risen above others close to God. He rebelled though, and was cast out by God. Hence the later poem by Milton, Paradise Lost, that was an artistic view on Lucifer's fall from grace. The 'War of the Worlds' is a Victorian novel about aliens from Mars invading Earth. It's incredible for having been written so early in Earth's history, before we knew anything much of what was out there. And England, where it was set and written, was still only budding in industrialisation, with only basic technology. And the Greek and Trojans? They were two ancient peoples who went to war against each other. According to mythology, you can trace it all back to being caused by a female goddess being offended because she wasn't invited to a party," he had to laugh and shake his head at that. "Mighty wars coming down to the most simple of things. The way of life, I fear."

It was a lot to absorb and Zaren lapped it up like warm milk and rich dark chocolate. "Fascinating." He was glad he had his PADD on record. "I'd thought there was no alien life on the Sol system's Mars; not sentient life in any case." He paused. "Where are you taking me?"

"It was just a story," Verity assured with a soft chuckle. "Written before we were a spacefaring people. And I'm taking you - here - " he led him into the Arboretum, taking a look around. "The Arboretum. Beautiful, isn't it? It's a recreational area. But it's also a botany area, I even grow some things here myself, and it's also an area for some scientific projects and research. And there's always someone from science milling around here..." he let the words trail off as he looked to him, leaving the meaning unspoken. This could be a good place to talk to science personnel in a more relaxed atmosphere and somewhere they felt comfortable.

"Zhei," Zaren nodded. "I've spent a great deal of time in here already; I met the Chief Science Officer here my first day on board. She's a charming woman. Also Dr. Zimm and I have been working on planting some lida trees for the crew's enjoyment. Tell me, are you allowed to take me anywhere that isn't on my heavily restricted list? The labs, for instance, would be interesting. If there are training simulators. Or an engine room. Research centers. Anything like that?"

Verity watched him for a long moment, taking a breath. He remembered his briefing from the Chief Intelligence Officer. Technically, he was meant to be making sure they ~didn't~ go near the restricted places. But there were ways of saying things, he didn't have to say it so bluntly. "There are some places that are restricted to all non-Starfleet personnel, I'm sorry," he said with a small smile, shaking his head. "It's Fleet wide policy. If you want my penny's worth, this place is your best bet. Scientists come and go. They're half in work mode, half in relaxed mode. They're not as defensive as they might be in a sensitive area of the ship, but still have their professional heads on, more than in the lounge or mess. Safe, comfortable ground."

"Not as much as you'd think. I've spent most of the last three days here. Talking, planting, sitting. As I said." He laughed, dropping his arm. "I guess 'tour guide' was kind of an overstatement then, don't you think?" Zaren shook his head. "Here I was thinking they'd actually thought I was capable of handling a real look at the ship... and, even there, I was giving them too much credit. I'm a patient guy, Verity. I've lived long enough to know some things just take time. But this - this distrust and exclusionist attitude the Federation has been taking on over the last hundred years... Non-transparency is a dangerous thing in a power center like this. And the attitude on top of that - it's disappointing. It's disappointing every single time. I'd thought Eve would know better - that she would see the long path these actions take." He dropped to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut, arms and legs akimbo in the grass. "So much distrust and apathy in the universe..." It hurt him, physically. How many more times? he wondered. How many more times would he be shut out and shut down and distrusted and shuttled away from the things he was doing to try to help- to teach- to improve the greater soul of the galaxy. Why was fear the automatic response to change? This is why you stayed, wasn't it, Velen? You knew that once you left Trill, all you would find was this- ships shuttling backwards into their own closed pasts. "If she sent you to keep me busy, you're free to go. I don't need a babysitter. I told her I wouldn't cause any trouble and I meant it, whatever she believes."

Verity frowned as he watched him, letting out a shaking breath. He knelt next to him, watching with concern as he reached out to touch his arm. "It's not you," he said softly. "It's not personal. Some of the things that some people do - it forces us to be careful. There are people out there who would do harm. The restrictions are to ~anyone~ who is not crew. To stop those individuals from doing harm. It's sad. That it's come to that. That a few dangerous people can force us to live with such restrictions. But if it helps save just one life, isn't it worth it?"

Zaren peered up at the Terran with weary amusement. "Death is a natural part of progress. It's never an easy thing, of course; stepping from known experience into the unknown. But it is the unifying factor in every life, every culture, every species throughout the universe. The question is: is saving a life worth the enslavement of the mind? The halting of the natural flow of progress? To change the way people think. To allow trillions of people from every planet, moon, and ship to see each other for who they are - not who they fear them to be - to find a real, honest, lasting peace for all? I would sacrifice far more than one measly life. The number of lights in the dark just in the this moment are dwarfed by the sheer innumerable lights yet to come in the future."

"It is not for you or me to give those lives. They aren't our souls to take or give," Verity said quietly, shaking his head. "Sacrifice isn't sacrifice if there is no choice for the victim. One life isn't 'measly'. One life - one life is all."

The Trill shook his head sadly. "It's a nice thought, but it's simply not true. One life, in the scheme of things, often means next to nothing. Ideas are what last. Invention. Hope. The drives of an entire culture. Discovery. Truth. All these things. But life? Life is transient. Of course, you're right on one point - it isn't for me to give those lives. I never claimed it was; only that - were it mine to choose - I likely would. And I would hope with every ounce of my mind that every single individual would choose the well-being of infinite future generations over their own present." He paused, "Regardless, your question - is a lack of transparency in a paramilitary organization worth it, if that isolationist mentality helps to save a single life... My answer is no. It is not. Because of the dangers posed to every planet and species that relies on Starfleet to protect them. Because of Starfleet's own self-created code: to embrace new information, new cultures, to share and share alike, to promote well-being... You're in great danger of slipping from peacekeepers to floating police-states. If that hasn't happened already."

"Do you truly think so badly of the fleet?" Verity asked quietly, shaking his head slowly. "I don't see it that way. You're assuming that they have something terrible to hide. The only things that are kept secret are the things that provide safety to millions upon millions of civilians. Without the Fleet, many of them might not be able to live the free and democratic lives you speak of," he shook his head slowly, looking down with a frown. "They could possibly be overwhelmed by terrible regimes without the fleet to protect them, and all the fleet holds restricted are what they need to keep themselves safe, so they can continue to keep other people safe, and explore, and do all those things you spoke of. They can't go out into the stars and do those things if they are cut down by an enemy vessel because information on the ship's specifications get into the wrong hands, or details of the ship's shields and systems are leaked to someone who would truly wish to do us and Federation civilians harm. What use are all those things you spoke of if there is no one left to uphold them? Because the line of defense was torn down by an enemy who would destroy them all? Like the borg. Or the Dominion. The things they restrict, they're not terrible secrets. They're the things we need to survive. And if we don't survive, then neither do our big ideas or art or achievements, not if an enemy turns it all to dust."

TO BE CONTINUED:

Raifi Zaren
Journalist, FNN
USS Galileo
(pNPC Lilou Peers)

PO2 Verity Thorne
Chaplain
USS Galileo
(PNPC Scarlet Blake)

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