Vulcans!

Posted on 08 Nov 2012 @ 8:37pm by Crewman Athlen

5,236 words; about a 26 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo: Science Lab 2, Lt. Panne's Office
Timeline: MD6 1600 Hours

OOC:

Maenad and Liyar really get into it. A stubborn pedantic and vulcan do not mix. We split it into two parts instead 4-5 to prevent spamming the mission thread (22 pages...). Read at your own peril ;)

ON:

Athlen let out a whistle. "This is some serious stuff, Liyar." He was gazing at a long string of research plastered on a blackboard, which detailed extensive trade lists from Cardassia Prime, Talar Prime and Ferenginar.

"Has the High Command had anything to say about it? As far as I am aware, you are an oddity among Vulcans. I am surprised you are not being shut down." He stretched his hands apart. "Where does that come from?" he asked curiously.

"The Niram Clan is entrenched in the old ways. Back before the time of Surak, we preferred competition over division of resources. Only those who deserved resources would receive them, and once received, they were to be utilized as seen fit."

"Which most people interpret as taxes," Athlen said, and then grinned, "But actually, you're referring to..."

"Acts of charity, yes. You are unusually familiar with this."

"Rigel V is coordinated with Orion Prime, we have significant Orion influence in our government. We operate on communal systems in the tribal units, which the ruling houses stay out of, but our government is heavily corporatist. Businesses and politicians work together to create a united planetary state, comprised of factions from both hemispheres. I do understand the game." The Rigelian smiled. "I see you are using Talar Prime in that graph, but from what I understand, Cardassia and Ferenginar employ completely separate economic systems."

"You are correct, however, they all have one thing in common." Liyar tilted his head, as if he expected Athlen to come up with it on his own.

Athlen tried to figure that one out. Talar Prime existed only on the basis of people essentially doing what they wanted, as long as it didn't involve violating the rights of their kin. Cardassia Prime involved no such freedom, but its citizens did not seem to care. "Voluntarism." It came to the young sociologist unbidden. He smacked his forehead. "One through competition and freedom, one through devotion. Cardassia. Rigel V and Cardassia are actually not that dissimilar," he mused, frowning a little. "Must be why I am not shocked. Your Vulcan compatriots on the other hand may be thoroughly offended." He seemed amused by that.

"Humanitarian impulses are not uncommon amongst my species, you are correct. Our principles encourage empathy. I believe what many Vulcans interpret as an assault on their ideals is simply a failure to acknowledge that charity and competition do not need to be mutually exclusive."

"But Talar Prime sorely lacks in civil rights." Athlen pointed it out simply, and arched his eyebrows.

"Indeed. However, Talar Prime operates under the libertarian ideology that rights are inherent, and therefore should not be defined by the government, as they view the government as having the authority to revoke any rights it lays down. A Talarian would not agree to the right, for instance, for homosexuals to be married under their law, as it is a law, and therefore antithetical to their ideals. However, they may socially grant acceptance were they to disavow their current statute of marriage law, releasing marriage from legal definition altogether. Vulcan does not operate on this principle as we believe in defining our freedoms to protect them from assault, much as the Federation Charter of Rights and Freedoms defines Federation law."

"And do you believe that?"

"I do."

"So you're a proponent of the state." Athlen grinned once more. "Vulcans are full of surprises."

"Anarchy is illogical."

"And impractical. But do not tell Talar Prime." Liyar arched an eyebrow, but his response was interrupted by a hearty, "Ah, Lieutenant!" Athlen looked at a point beyond Liyar's shoulder, watching as the chief science officer strode in.

Liyar stood aside as she walked through.

Maenad walked into science lab two with a PADD in her hand. It was the latest update on the repairs, which were coming along steadily. The astrometrics lab was waiting for some new holo-emitters before it could be fully operational, and she was anticipating their arrival later that afternoon. The report told her that the labs were fully repaired, lacking a few materials, but otherwise in their former condition.

Being the kind of person that needed to see things for herself, Maenad wanted to make sure that what she had read was in fact true. Years of reading footnotes and subscript had forced to her verify everything that she read for herself, lest she be comfortable with thorough embarrassment. Not looking up from her PADD as she strode into the lab, her hair made sharply and her features dignified, her uniform snug against her body, she looked furious despite her being completely at ease.

Unexpected conversation forced her to look up from her screen, hearing something to the effect of anarchy, and she saw the rigid vulcan Liyar stepping aside and his personified opposite Crewman Athlen. They had both greeted her, forcing her to return the favour. Her PADD still in front of her, she looked at Athlen first, next Liyar, and back to Athlen.

"Do not mind us," Athlen assured her. If he had any concerns about their last interaction, it didn't show, his features completely sincere.

Liyar, however, was more reticent. He spoke curtly, with far less the enthusiasm he had before he realized she had walked in. "Lieutenant Panne."

Maenad lowered the PADD. "As you were, gentlemen," she tried to sound pleasant but came across as nothing more than tolerant.

"Well, this is not at all awkward." Athlen's analysis was a little sardonic, but good natured. "Would you like us to clear out?" he asked her, picking up a PADD with some of his linguistic algorithms on it. "Or, if you like," he said with the same enthusiasm as always, "You can join us. Liyar is pouring over his economic jargon, I am attempting to coax this computer into translating Hur'q documents." He held up a thick book, replicated.

"The Hur'q documents?" She asked, her eyebrows raised. "I had no idea you were interested in history. I have several translated volumes in my office," Maenad was genuinely intrigued. Being an archaeologist herself, she was professionally acquainted with the history. "You may borrow them, if you would like."

Athlen bounced on his heels, obviously excited at her enthusiasm. "I would greatly appreciate it," he said energetically. "So far I have managed to discern that the arh'mnairi szen krivh'hwln 'n'kaln is referencing some sort of political, or familial break." He drew his finger across a line of text. "Someone from an opposing house has done something to someone from their intended entrance house. All this clan/house stuff confuses me. Rigel V no longer practices any of this, even if our government is composed of factions. According to this," he gestured to the book, "It looks like the girl... a princess? Maybe? Decided she no longer wanted her Intended mate, as her Intended was the... son of the fifth house, which was below her own status, but since her own mother was the third daughter, no one would have anything to do with her. Anyway ... and had an illicit affair with an enemy house in order to enrage her Intended house, who was also an enemy of her sordid encounter." Athlen looked somewhat dizzy.

"A merge break," Liyar quietly summarized.

"You know, you are completely too familiar with this stuff. You probably understand all that daughter of the fifth house of the billionth house stuff, don't you? Actually, Vulcans probably have their own word for it."

"We do. Shau-nufau. To utilize identifying negative emotions to forge an alliance intended to destroy a specific target, by way of sexual liaison."

Athlen outright laughed. "The Prince of Miri'kahr speaks." His flourish was dramatic.

"Hardly."

Athlen waved his hand dismissively, as if he didn't believe it. He turned back to Maenad. "Anyway, as you see," he pointed at a picture, "Both her and her lover also hated eachother, but they both hated the Intended house even more. It is part of an ancient saga they call Shinzyla. Somewhat reminiscent of Betazoid politics, actually. It makes you wonder. I am doing comparative studies. The Saga was lost for centuries but a passing Dominion trade ship discovered it in the Gamma Quadrant." His voice took on an almost reverent quality, serious, but engaged. "A group of scientists on an outlier colony managed to come to an agreement to get the documents back." It was clearly something he was doing for his own benefit, and not at all related to his assignment, but he was genuinely interested in it.

"Ah," Maenad grinned with an air of condescension. "Class struggle; money, power, poverty, futility - feudalism is still very much alive." She shook her head, sitting on the desk near where Athlen was working and crossed her long legs. She set the PADD down beside her and leaned back a little, supporting herself with her arms. "Historians hate to use the word progress when comparing the Federation to other civilisations, but I think it is a matter of political correctness than it is intellectual integrity. And what does it mean to be civilised? Who decides what is civil and what is not? Sexual promiscuity is very much alive in our society, possibly as close to as it was in Earth's Antiquity, yet we consider ourselves more advanced. Allegedly uncivil societies would consider themselves more civilised because of their restraint, even though they're arranging marriages, believing in superstition, oppressing women, putting people to death, and who knows what else." She looked at Athlen, half smiling. "Shall we go get those volumes for you now?"

Athlen's amusement returned full force at her summary. "And while the Federation considers itself more civilized, even if we do not admit it, there are very similar elements in our gestalt society. Political feudalism is alive and well on Rigel V, Betazed, Andoria, even Vulcan." He smirked at his counterpart, who seemed to embody much of what they were discussing, despite Vulcan's large claim to civility within Federation hierarchy. The mild jab was not lost on the diplomat. Liyar crossed his arms and gave Athlen what could only be considered a long-suffering expression. The Rigelian's amusement would not be quelled as he focused on Maenad again. "I would be exceptionally grateful to browse your collection," Athlen agreed, and he stepped forward, clutching a PADD with the bulk of his translations and switching off the comm viewer as he did.

"Right then," Maenad abruptly uncrossed her legs and stood herself up, picking up the PADD she had set down. She led the way to the door, pausing before stepping outside. "Are you coming with us, Mister Liyar?"

The Vulcan blinked, the invitation clearly unexpected. He leaned forward and collected a few isolinear rods from the computer terminal he was working at, and the system went dark, calculations disappearing from the screen presumably into the data unit. Athlen shrugged at him, as if to egg him on, and he merely nodded, curious enough to follow.

The walk was only about thirty seconds down the corridor, being already on deck four. Not wanting to attract unwanted attention, Maenad held their discussion where it was so it could be resumed in private. Pausing briefly in front of her door she read the name emblazoned at eye-level, Dr. Maenad Panne, Chief Science Officer. So that's what years of study got you, a name on a door.

Inside, there were stacks of books she had brought with her on the floor and coffee table by the window. There was a bookshelf behind her desk, but it had only a few titles on it; she had not yet gone through and organised it, and there were more still up in her quarters. "There are those who will ask why I still read bound paper books," she said, walking to the nearest and tallest pile, about knee-height. "One," she began, bending over to pick the book on top. She opened it to a random page and held it to her face, sticking her nose into the crack between the pages. Inhaling deeply and exhaling again, she made a pleasurable sigh. "For the smell. And two," she slammed the book closed between her thumb and fingers, the office cracking with the sound that only a hardbound book can make. "For the sound," she smiled and replaced the book to its pile.

"I do love a good book," Athlen agreed, inhaling deeply and exhaling emphatically, drawing himself up to full height and peering about her quarters unabashedly. Liyar, as always, remained more subdued, stepping through the threshold and folding his hands behind his back. He approached the two, where Athlen had selected a curious tome called Tagus III and the Taguan Civilisation: An Evolving Society of Two Billion Years. Distracted, Athlen inquired, "What is this?" The picture on the front was certainly interesting.

Liyar remained taciturn as ever, but eventually allowed his eyes to roam and settle on an impressive archive of Vulcan archaeological texts.

Maenad tilted her head with a frown, looking at the book held in Athlen's hand. "That was a gift, actually," she remarked. "Tagus III has only allowed some 900 expeditions in more than 22,000 years. It is one of the oldest civilisations known to us, yet one of the most mysterious. Some of the most recent permitted visits have been by vulcans, which you may appreciate Mister Liyar. The picture on the front is thought to be a theatre of some kind, dating back nearly five hundred millions years." She shrugged. "It's certainly a good read, but most of the narrative is speculative, of course."

Liyar leaned forward slightly, glancing at the text Athlen picked up. He handed it over to the Vulcan, who's interest seemed somewhat piqued, and Liyar flipped through the pages absently while Athlen chattered away amicably about the fascination that ancient societies produced.

Now, if only she could remember where she had put the books that she'd offered Athlen to borrow. She glanced around the piles, spotting them a moment later in a stack beside the couch. "Ah, here they are," she stepped to where she found them and lifted one up. They were about five hundred pages each. "I have only three volumes; how many are there?" Maenad held out the book in her hand for Athlen to take.

The Rigelian carefully lifted it out of her hands, looking at it and brushing his fingers over the edges quiescently. "As far as I know, there are about twenty surviving documents, including these and the one I possess, which detail a large degree of political discourse and of course, the vaulted takeover of the Klingon Empire which resulted in what they now call impure offspring. Unfortunately, this was eons ago, and the Klingon bloodline has since purified, which has left us without much to study. Only the Klingon ridge variance lends to the theory. They simply vanished, and no one knows much else," Athlen summarized his knowledge succinctly and opened the book to peruse it. His focus was swiftly drawn into the strange characters on the page.

"This is certainly fanciful," Liyar commented from his corner, eyes lifting from the narrative he had been reading on the Tagus III population. "How accurate do you surmise it to be?" he asked, head tilted curiously. It reminded him for some reason of the epics he had read as a child, kept concealed by his clan and yet required history nonetheless, told through fragmented artworks and oral tradition. A half-phased state between acknowledgment and outright ignoring it, as if the plight of the pre-Reform era did not exist.

Maenad sat herself on the sofa, sinking back into the cushions. She crossed her legs as she faced Liyar. "It really is hard to say, Mister Liyar. It is the leading narrative at the moment, but there are many who disagree with the author's take. The issue is that he has never been to Tagus; he has tried and tried and tried, always being denied entry. The last time anyone was allowed in to survey the ruins was 450 years ago, and they were vulcans." She shook her head. "So, the most recent information is based on a study that is four and a half centuries old, transcribed from vulcan, and then reinterpreted by a human. Based on what I do know, I think he did a good job."

Liyar had his hand remaining on the cover purposefully. It might have been an idle movement, except that Liyar was a Vulcan and Vulcans never engaged in idle movements. He picked up Athlen's book, the one he took with him from the science lab. He moved his hand from Athlen's Hur'q documents, to the Tagus III document and then to one of the books Maenad had given Athlen. He regarded the Tagus III text in his hand and spoke in usual calmness. "It contains echoes of its previous owners. It has been extensively handled, compared to Athlen's document, which has been recently replicated."

Athlen perked up, an idea solidifying in his head. "I assume most of the tests on these... all of these," he realized, including the Hur'q documents, "Have been either sociological or technological... Have any psionic tests ever been done on the originals? If Vulcans were primarily the only ones allowed on the planet, for example, do you think they would have made any psychometric records? Especially since it was so long ago."

"It is possible," Liyar said.

"And considering Moore's Law, there's no doubt if we conducted tests on it now, combined with our technology, there would be new information, or at least clarification. We could probably narrow some of it down, maybe weed out the more exaggerated bits. This is the last known survey, what about others before it?" Athlen had latched onto this like a dog with a bone, clearly fascinated. The Rigelian appeared to enjoy having several pet projects at once.

"I doubt there are any psychometric records on this edition," Maeand conceded. "That book is relatively new, maybe only a few years." She frowned. "I believe that study was published in 2387?" she asked the ceiling. "You would have to visit the archives on Vulcan to find the original four hundred and fifty year old study." There was a pause while Maenad thought about it further. "It's too bad we hadn't met sooner; I was just on Vulcan last week."

"If you are interested in pursuing this avenue, I may be of some assistance. The resources of Miri'kahr are open to me. With the assurance of its safe keeping, it may be permitted for you to bring the original documents aboard the Galileo for additional study."

"The ... What?"

"Have I offended you?"

Athlen spluttered a little. "You cannot just whisk away four hundred year old documents from Miri'kahr's library for the sake of a pet project! They would have your head! On a big, logical stick!" Athlen drew his hands lengthwise.

"I assure you, it can be done with minimal hazard to my cranium. I would have your insistence of its well being, however. It would be a gesture of trust. This is my station. It is reasonable to contribute if I am capable."

"Uh. Huh. You know, you sure do have weird ways of reaching out. But..." Athlen looked at Maenad for help. "What if it could be done? I do not know. Actually, now that I think about it, I do not really trust myself or really anyone, actually, I mean, what if they get destroyed? And then Vulcan would have all of our heads on pointy sticks to show T'Maile as a consolation prize."

"From what I understand, the Galileo is the Federation's foremost scientific planetary survey vessel. It is the - beginning of the line - as you say. It is logical to assume that the Galileo is uniquely equipped to give you a new perspective on this project, if you desire it. And it is irrational to presume that historical documents are merely kept preserved for aesthetic quality. In fact, it is likely that the originals have only been kept in tact for the exact reason you postulate. Were they of no psionic value, they would simply be replicated."

"..."

"It is simply an option." Liyar began looking down at the book in his hand once more as if they had just been discussing the mating habits of plants, or something equally dull.

Maenad help up both of her hands. "Woah, woah," she said, a hint of laughter in her throat. Watching the two of them go back and forth had a tormenting humour to it, but she had to step in somewhere. "Gentlemen, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I don't think I can take on a project like this right now." She pressed a palm against her forehead, unaware that she was messing up her hair. "When I said I was on vulcan, I was compiling a collection of relevant documents pertaining to Surak and his writings on IDIC." She didn't want to mention right now what exactly she wanted them for, wanting to avoid a repeat of the catastrophe from two days before. Simply put, she had nothing to say that many vulcans would appreciate.

"And, I think Athlen is right, Mister Liyar," her face sympathetic. "I doubt that those documents, the originals, could ever be sent here. I don't know if I would trust myself with them even if they could." The next thing she had to say was the most sincere of her doubts. "And, to be honest, I don't think that I'm qualified to tackle Taguan history on a scholarly level, at least not right now. I have too much on the go: I'm the new chief science officer of Starfleet's leading science vessel, I've just begun that paper on IDIC, which will eventually take over my life."

Maenad stopped unexpectedly. Chief science officer of Starfleet's leading science vessel. For the first time since coming aboard, the importance of her position crushed her like a steamroller and choked like a room full of smoke. Her eyes narrowed and her face became suddenly very thoughtful, some combination of intermittent terror and confusion. What the hell was she doing? She couldn't do it. She didn't think that she could handle a research opportunity of a lifetime, something that could shed light on a vital missing link of the galaxy's history - how could she be expected to lead the research of the fleet's most important instrument of exploration? She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her jugulars throbbing in her neck.

"I find it interesting, certainly," she went on, staring ahead as she suppressed her self-deprecation for later. "But for me to start writing and commenting on a subject as new to me as the Taguan Civilisation... Right now? I don't know," she trailed off. "But, if either of you would like to see what you can do, I would be happy to assist," Maenad looked toward Liyar, then to Athlen, then back to Liyar. Athlen seemed to appreciate the difficulty in their idea while Liyar seemed more enthusiastic, even if he were vulcan.

Liyar merely tilted his head in that shrug-like way of his. "I am primarily an economist, Lieutenant. I do not possess the qualification either way. It was not my intention to distress you." And that was that, at least, for him.

Athlen seemed a little more hesitant, as if he were reluctant to let go, but he actually did shrug. "I am sure we will not be the first, nor the last to come up with the idea," he said with a smile, and plucked the document he had been reading prior to their discussion. "Hey," he said, as his eyes focused down on the text once more. "Look at this a minute." He held out the Hur'q text and ran his finger across one of the lines. "It looks like it was etched out. Do you mind if I take this to the lab? We could sic Cho's new sensors on it." he asked, attention sufficiently side tracked with his newest mystery.

"Sure, sure," Maenad nodded. "You may borrow whatever you like for as long as you need it," she replied to Athlen. "Just so long as you return it when you are finished; what is mine is yours." But what Liyar had said had distracted her. "Wait a minute, did you say that you are an economist?" she asked. Economics were largely an archaic study. The study of economics in other civilisations was always interesting, but the Federation had done away with mercantilism long ago. For a vulcan to call himself an economist caught Maenad's curiosity.

"Affirmative," Liyar said. "The advent of Romulus and the Dominion have rendered the trade somewhat more recent. However, the Vulcan Science Academy retains an extensive economics program, of which I directed for many years."

"The Federation has some economic programs," Athlen mused, launching into a detailed explanation, "But they're mostly centered on things like Betazed's resource allocation program, or interplanetary credits systems. Rigel maintains independent trade, and so does Eridani as far as I'm aware, which is centered on an almost entirely public system. Fortunately, Vulcan neurology is wired to it. Earth did try it a few times and it ended, uh, badly, if I recall my history." Athlen winced. "The interplanetary system does work, though, when it's got a more or less private core. Rigelians likely wouldn't be any different if we were outright banned from trade," he grinned. "I would venture their separate economic policies and currencies are Shi'kahr influence, no doubt. Most of Shi'kahr's council influence wanted to remain separate from the Federation in the beginning, as they viewed it as a utensil of war."

Liyar nodded. "Vulcan has always considered it reasonable to protect its interests."

Athlen frowned a little at that. "You make it sound like they are pitted against the Federation."

"We are not," Liyar said. "However, it would be impractical to assume the state of the Federation is consistent. The Dominion War has outlined this quite clearly. The quadrant remained destabilized for many years. Eridani's separate economic system helped us regain momentum with immediacy, which we utilized to assist the Federation."

"It makes sense... to a point. But it is kind of ... well... deliberate," Athlen chose the word tactfully. "But, I guess, were the Federation completely inter-reliant, we would have had a way longer recovery period, right?"

"Correct."

Maenad agreed that Earth's economic history was deplorable; even the Soviets of the 21st century, who tried to do away with money and class, made things worse than when they started. But she wanted to know what Athlen meant by a private core. "Tell me what you mean by a 'private core,'" she instructed, thinking that she disagreed.

"He essentially means that a society engages the principles of being able to work and receive compensation," Liyar supplied. "Even we are given compensation. Almost every Federation world abides by this concept. To a degree, each person is able to create their own service or good and sell it."

"Yes, but I doubt anyone in Starfleet are in it for the credit chips." Athlen smirked, unable to resist a debate. The credits system was awful, and most people only lived within their means.

"Indeed. I would say that compensation for Starfleet service is largely psychological, but that does not negate its presence. You are remunerated with resources, and a certain degree of social favor, as most military installations tend to provide. Of course, the issue is debatable. True altruism is impossible without psionic ability, and so for most species, an action is only carried out on the basis of how it affects one's self. This is why the need for compensation exists. Even telepathy cannot negate this in the long run. The only society I venture free of this would be the Borg. However, the Borg function as a single individual will, and collectively engage in similar behaviors."

"Helping people because it feels good, or benefits you."

"Correct."

"So, psionic ability makes you altruistic?" Athlen arched his eyebrows.

"I do not view lack of altruism as a negative state," Liyar reminded. "It means that you are incapable of being subjected to the will of another without an exertion of force on your own will. Telepathic ability allows this to a degree, but it is still in the end an affect on one's own mind which prompts response. Bonding is truly the only thing that can impact this, as you have a degree of merging, creating a new will. On the largest scale, monetary politics are largely unaffected by altruistic notions, as most people are acting in their own interests."

"Which could include the interests of others."

"Yes."

"So instead of trading money, we have resorted to trading... emotions?" Athlen blinked.

"It is the nature of sentience, and science. Energy cannot simply be created or destroyed. Neither too can a resource system. It is always and only transmuted by other things. It is logic."

"You are a sucky Vulcan. Money and feelings." Athlen grinned. "So you are saying, essentially, that there is really - what - a valid and invalid system of how everything has to work? But no one abides by this, because no one is the same. Even in the Federation, no one is the same," he pointed out.

"Indeed. And that is the primary way of things. It is one of the few universal truths. Despite what popular mores may have you believe, there is no such thing as post-scarcity."

"We have replicators."

"And engineers. You are suggesting that there will be a time where sentient ingenuity is no longer required."

"Am not!" Athlen crossed his arms. "That is a logical fallacy and you know it!" He pointed a finger. "You cannot say that I said something I did not say, that is lying."

"It is surmising. The end result of your statements undoubtedly suggests that you believe this. That is the definition of post-scarcity, Crewman." Liyar rose an eyebrow.

"I bet you sucked as a teacher."

"That is a logical fallacy," Liyar shot back.

"You are suggesting, then," Athlen started, "That sentient ingenuity should only ever be prompted on the basis of compensation, and not on desire!"

"Desire for compensation does not count? Why do you do anything that you do? No one would complete any task if they did not get something out of it."

"VULCANS." Athlen threw his hands up. "You know, I think he just enjoys provoking people."

"Enjoyment is an emotion."

To be continued...

[OFF]

Lieutenant (JG) Maenad Panne
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Liyar
Diplomatic Officer, SDD/VDF
USS Galileo

Crewman Athlen
Sociologist, SCC
USS Galileo

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