Surprise Meeting

Posted on 23 Oct 2018 @ 1:22pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Chief Warrant Officer 3 Azra Ghoc
Edited on on 23 Oct 2018 @ 4:08pm

2,037 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Deck 5, Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD -176, 2221

[ON]

Azra muttered angrily under her breath. She'd just pricked her finger with a needle. A small bead of blood rose to the surface. The half-Cardassian woman brought her finger to her mouth, sucking at the wound. The cloth that she'd dropped on the workbench had folded upon itself, needle sticking above the stiff fabric.

There was a lot of material draped in pieces across the bench in Holodeck 1. Azra hadn't reserved the holodeck, she'd just noticed it wasn't in use and figured it would make a better work area than her quarters. She was off duty and had been trying to sew a costume for the latest holonovel series she had become engrossed by. Sure, she could have just gotten a costume replicated, or even generated by the holodeck, but then she wouldn't have learned how to use a pattern, a sewing machine, or any of the other things she'd managed to learn.

Allyndra had noticed that no one had booked the holodeck and with running two shifts a bit of time stress reliving was in order. She quickly put in her request and then headed off. She got to the arch not bother to check if anyone was in. There was no programme running so she just said, "Computer, Akkadia, High Summer, half an hour before Ring Rise."

[Programme loaded] came the reply. Inside the deck transformed into a lush tropical setting at night with a cool breeze coming in off the ocean which lapped gently against a white sand beach. The stars shone in pre-industrial brilliance. The only thing different then that of say Earth was the stillness. A few sounds but for the most part it was quiet. Great flowering plants wafted along with green foliage in the slight breeze and the air was filled with the scent of a hundred exotic perfumes. It was dark, the kind of new moon dark, as Akkadia had no moon.

Azra's workbench didn't disappear. No, it was far more disconcerting. Suddenly it was in a humid rainforest in the dark. She hurriedly gathered up the cloth and stowed it in the bag she'd brought. She looked around for the person who had activated the holodeck. Apparently, they'd had the same idea she had--just less convenient for Azra.

She couldn't make out much of anything in the darkness. The barest silhouettes of trees hid the outlines of any other visitors to the holodeck. "Hello, sorry, I'm still in here," Azra called out, hoping to avoid an awkward situation like she'd encountered once before.

Allyndra had just entered when she heard someone saying something in the distance. She was puzzled but went ahead and called out to the computer before she got to far into the simulation. "Computer advance programme to Ring Rise please."

The stars shift a bit and then at the zenith of the sky a point of light began and then quickly spread arching across the sky until a great silver rainbow arced from horizon to horizon. It cast brilliant silver moonlight across the landscape lighting the foliage. As that happened she stepped in and with a few bounds took the air scanning and calling out, "Hello".

The rapidly shifting sky was disorienting, but Azra managed by closing her eyes until the light evened. "Hello," she called out in response. The brighter light helped her pick out the slight woman moving through the trees.

Azra waved. Her pale skin reflected the silvery light, making her stand out. "Sorry to interrupt your time away." She carried the small bag with her half-finished costume over one shoulder as she emerged from the trees next to Allyndra.

"Oh sorry there was no booked for the deck and so I just grabbed the booking. Please if you wish to do something else I shall leave." Allyndra said but peered at the costume. "May I ask what you are working on?"

Azra opened her bag and pulled out the half-finished costume. Several panels were missing, but it still gave an impression of what the finished product would look like. She pulled the long coat up to her neck. It was made of a muted brocade and extended to mid-thigh with a high collar. "It's a replica of a costume from a series of holo-novels called Foreigner. They're loosely based on the work of a 20th century writer. It's become something of an obsession," she admitted.

"I would like to learn more. If you wish change the holodeck, but just before you do..." Allyndra waved a hand, "welcome to my home. My favourite time which we call Ring Rise."

It was beautiful, stunning really. The universe was filled with views that could compare, but each was unique. Seeing things like this was why Azra loved being on a ship with a mission of exploration. Granted, she would have preferred the real thing, but even so. "It's amazing," she said, "truly beautiful."

"Computer load Foreigner, Sequence One, Prologue," Azra said, directing the computer. "Pause at marker Zero-Zero-One."

The scene changed. The beauty of the night sky was replaced with a corridor with dull tan paneled walls and occasional doorways. There were no windows and the artificial light was far from the warm and comforting light in Starfleet corridors.

"I know it seems bleak, but this was something like how the original author imagined Phoenix. This is a long-running holonovel, with eighteen major sequences so far, and more coming all the time. The thing I find most interesting about the Foreigner Universe is that it takes a much more scientifically predictable view of how different alien species would interact." Azra gestured for Allyndra to follow her.

"Technically, I shouldn't be able to exist. A Human-Cardassian hybrid should not be possible without serious medical intervention and gene splicing. We should be different species, incompatible at the genetic level." Azra knew that Allyndra was the doctor aboard, and that as a doctor, she knew far more about how the whole inter-species breeding thing worked.

"At least that's what I understand. Even if we somehow had a common ancestor, in the millions of years of independent evolution we should have become incompatible. Am I wrong about that?"

"Normally you would be entirely correct. However, the Progenitor race that seeded many worlds had within their DNA various genetic codes to resolve genetic drift from the parent stock knowing that their long distant progeny would some day find each other and attempt to interbreed. A view toward the future which sadly not many have including my own. There are some independent evolved types and in those cases such interbreeding is extremely difficult and requires much intervention. I hope that helps answer your inquiry. Now this is interesting...I find various tales and adventures to be interesting."

"Right," Azra said, "so without that intervention, the people of the galaxy would be vastly different than they are now. This series explores how humanity might interact with some of these species where no intervention happened. It's really compelling."

The half-Cardassian woman gestsured at the corridor they were in. "The stories start shortly after Phoenix leaves Earth to colonize an outer system. In the original works, this was only a short prologue, but over the last couple of years it's been expanded into its own saga. Essentially, this crew gets lost beyond the limits of the space they recognize and trapped in the halo of a binary star." She led the way down the corridor. "Then they find a world that can support life and decide to build a station in orbit over it. Eventually they land on a world with steam-age natives who look and sometimes even act a lot like Humans."

"A binary star is what my system is. We call them the Twins, but I am unfamiliar with the halo. The only reference I have is stars that travel in a motion not the same as the galaxy and in some cases orbit outside at times the galatic halo. Anyway, so these humans and aliens meet at some point then?"

"Yes," Azra said, "Halo is the term this series uses for the radiation that surrounds the binaries." It was an aside, but helpful in the explanation. "When the humans and aliens start interacting is my favorite part of the series."

"Computer, skip to series Foreigner-Alpha, Sequence 1, Part 1, Chapter 1," Azra commanded. The scene changed quickly to a small room with glass doors opening on a serene moon-lit garden. The drapes wafted gently with the breeze.

"This is where my favorite part of the story begins. Some two hundred or so years after a war between the Atevi, those are the aliens on this world, and the Humans, a human translator has been tasked with being the sole representative to the Atevi. This is their room. It's from here that the story really kicks off."

"I see, why only a single representative?" Allyndra asked. It was sort like the Council back home sending her and then later a very few others. "My people have done something of the same. There are only a few of us. We know that we must interact but we wish to keep our way of things and culture with as little outside influence as possible. Is it the same here?"

"To some extent," Azra said, "the reason really boils down to biological imperatives. Human instincts and Atevi instincts tend to conflict in small, though significant ways. Essentially, more than one representative wouldn't make sense to the Atevi, and the more Humans there are, the greater the chance of renewed conflict."

"It's all wrapped up in the idea of man'chi. It's defined in the world as a grouping instinct under fire. Essentially, the Atevi are biologically required to seek out a singular leader and follow them. Atevi don't really form relationships outside of the heirarchy of man'chi. So having multiple representatives would seem like having a divided front, and would necessitate an adjustment to maintain harmonious balance."

Azra smiled. "Meaning that one or more of the representatives would be assassinated. Legally, of course, but assassinated, nonetheless. So, a single representative is best."

"A very odd way to do things. What if the leader turned out to have mental issues? Would this race blindly follow due this....ma'n'ch'i?" Allyndra was not sure she got the pronunciation quite right. "Still it is interesting," she continued and then asked, "besides this simulation is there others you like? I like to experience new things and perhaps we can do something together?" she offered.

"I have too many favorites," Azra said. She smiled, "I'm sure we can find something that'll keep us both interested. Oh, and no, the Atevi don't follow blindly, it just goes against instinct. As far as this world goes, realizing that your man'chi is misplaced is every bit as severe an emotional blow for an Atevi as realizing that the person you love and trust most in the world betrayed you would be for either of us.

"Interesting," Allyndra replied wondering on the society that had been created. It was certainly interesting perhaps she would have to learn more at some point.

"Anyway, what kinds of stories are you interested in? I'm sure I can find something we'd both enjoy that fits the scenario." Azra started thinking through the wide variety of holonovels she'd enjoyed. There were too many to remember them all clearly.

"Oh romance, a bit of adventure, going to other places. I am not much for fighting and that kind of thing though if some is required for the sake the novel then it is alright. That sort of thing."

"I'll find something for us then," Azra said. She was looking forward to having someone new to share at least one hobby with. "Maybe we can get together in a day or two in off-duty hours?"

"I look forward to it," Allyndra smiled and then waved a hand. "Well I think I will let you finish up your costume and thus the holodeck is all yours. Enjoy." She made a formal style curtsy and then turned and departed.

[OFF]

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CWO3 Azra Ghoc
Boatswain
USS Galileo-A

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Second and Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo-A

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