Civitas Virtualis

USS Independence episode 36

Season 2, Episode 8

Follow the Stars, Part 8, Stardate12603.16

Starring_

Steve Weller as Producer and CSO_Lt_Trix, SBCO_Ayidee, CCO_Cmdr_Yarborough, and Felglip

Zach Farland as CO_Capt_Daniels and OPS_Ens_Granger

John Garrison as CEO_LtCmdr_Hull, and SO_Lt_Lvor

Rob Bindels as FCO_Ens_Zdunowski and MO_LtJr_Boktr

Mark Haslam as CTO_Ens_Hazzard

Absent

None

The USS Independence is in the opening stages of First Contact with the Yelothans, a giant amoeba like creature with Warp Technology. A face to face meeting is being set up as the crew and a few Yelothans work their way towards the meeting place.

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CSO_Lt_Trix says:

::On the Yelothan surface walking over the field of algae like "grass" and trying to fit all the pieces we are seeing into one picture.::

CEO_LtCmdr_Hull says:

::walking next to Trix, as the group makes their way to "The Meeting Place"::

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: looks to the CO and remains quiet, figuring that the Captain would be better equipped to answer the Yelothan's question about the purpose of Security than a Ensign would. ::

SO_Lt_Lvor says:

::Moving up closer to the CEO and CSO as the entire group is moving to the meeting place::

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: all the while tying in his scans of the immediate area.::

Host Felglip says:

CO: What would you find unsafe? Is there an aspect we are missing?

FCO_Ens_Zdunowski says:

::Closes the column of people getting out of the shuttle. Closing the shuttle and locking it up.::

CEO_LtCmdr_Hull says:

::walking to the right and a little behind Captain Daniels, in support of his Captain::

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

::Walking along side Felglip taking in the scenery:: Felglip: Well, not everybody out there is as nice as we are and you are.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: Walks closer to the CSO, allowing his tricorder to connect with hers to share the information he's collected on the local Fauna and Flora. :: CSO: (at a whisper) nothing too out of the ordinary, ma'am.

FCO_Ens_Zdunowski says:

::Took a short sprint to catch up to the last of the group.::

Host Felglip says:

::Pauses the conversation briefly.:: CO: Like the time before we learned to merge. We had...it never even occurred to us.

OPS_Ens_Granger says:

::Taking up the rear of this procession and carrying star charts and stuff the CO might need::

CSO_Lt_Trix says:

CTO: No threats at least, if that's what you mean. The homogeneity of life is, kind of ironically, unusual. Only detecting the two life forms. The Yelothans seem to share 99% of their DNA with the other single cell animals around. And the only other life form I see are the algae which spreads over the planet's surface.

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

Felglip: What happened, if it's not too personal. Were you in conflict here?

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: nods at the CSO's assessment, using his tricorder to slowly scan over the terrain ahead of them. He's obviously on edge with all this alien life around and his eyes are constantly darting to a different direction. CSO: If you say so ma'am, doesn't mean we can't get surprised.

SO_Lt_Lvor says:

CSO/CTO: We will run a comparison study of all the different colors from our scans to form a list of minerals and other substances off the periodic table to discover what those may be contained in this world. We can form a thesis about what those are and how important those are to the Federation.

Host Felglip says:

CO: So long ago we barely have records of it. We were once just one of many species, and we were not the same as we are now. We struggled to understand our neighbors. Combat was common. But we learned to Merge and solving disputes became far easier.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: his ears perk up at the mention of merge. :: Felglip: If you don't mind me asking, what exactly does that mean, merging?

CSO_Lt_Trix says:

SO: That won't be too hard. Sensors should be able to pick most of that up with typical planetary scans. Given what we see of their technology, I am guessing they use most of the same materials we do. More or less.

Host Felglip says:

CTO: When you make contact with another, blend your systems to know what they know. Surely you must have something similar if you are able to get so many beings to function as one like you do.

FCO_Ens_Zdunowski says:

::Simply walking at the tail of the group. Just looking around and saying nothing.::

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

Felglip: I guess you can call the United Federation of Planets a kind of merger.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: thinks hard for a moment on that question, shrugging. :: Felglip: Normally we just stop and talk with each other, communicate our needs vocally. Worked pretty well for my parents, though they had to work a lot of years together to get it right.

SO_Lt_Lvor says:

CSO: Exactly, we just need to task the computer using all previous scans and visual imagery of all previous sensor scans, we can then catalog them for future reference and research

Host Felglip says:

CTO: But speech is so limited. How do you know truly what the other needs with just words?

CSO_Lt_Trix says:

All: So a form of touch telepathy?

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: seems a bit stumped at this question, but carries on forward. :: Felglip: Speech is pretty much how we've learned to communicate, so we've learned to read tones and intentions from inflections in the voice. For the most part, we try to be honest with one another, It’s complicated, but, we manage. I think I should let the Captain explain better. I'm not really a communications expert.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: is obviously feeling a bit like he just waded into the deep end of the diplomatic pool.::

Host Felglip says:

CO: So you do not truly know what each other truly is thinking? Wanting?

CSO_Lt_Trix says:

Felglip: My people's have a form of merger, in a way. I am the being you see, and a...I don't know how to describe it given what I know of your planet's biology, but another creature was surgically joined with me. Through it, I can share memories of all those who carried this being before. But not all of our member worlds can do such a thing.

CEO_LtCmdr_Hull says:

CTO: ::Clearing his throat::

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

CO: That's right. There are others who use telepathy to communicate.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

::jumps a bit and directs a look over to the CEO looking chagrined.::

FCO_Ens_Zdunowski says:

::Listens to the chatter in front. Not wanting to take part, because Zdunowski can be a snappy at times.:: Self: People who want to know what I think? A Vulcan is worse enough, if they put their fingers to your head.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: goes back to using his tricorder to do a detailed scan of the area they are approaching, while pausing his scan to look forward with his own eyes every few steps he takes.::

ACTION: The group crests a hill to find an open valley surrounded by hills with large steps cut into them. While each one is only a few centimeters high, they are deep and wide enough so each step could comfortably sit a dozen humanoids.

Host Felglip says:

All: This is where we hold meetings that require large number of participants. The steps are close enough that all our people can Merge with those around them, forming an unbroken link of those involved.

CEO_LtCmdr_Hull says:

CTO: :: signaling with hand signals to the CTO to give Felglip a little room with the Captain- at least for the time being.::

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

::Holding his light flashing PADD in his hand for the Yelothans to see:: Felglip: You are the first species I've met who use light to communicate.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

CEO:: Yes, sir. Sorry. :: does indeed give a bit of distance between himself and the CO as he realizes how close he had been hovering beside him. ::

Host Felglip says:

CO: How else do you do it, if you do not Merge or utilize light?

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

::Most of us, humanoids, have vocal cords in our throats ::Touches his throat:: using air from our lungs ::Touches chest:: our vocal cords our mouths ::points to mouth:: We produce sounds we hear with our ears ::Points to ears.

Host Felglip says:

CO: Sound is...we do not have the ability to discern such sound differences to that level. Is that what we are hearing as you speak? That is the actual language?

FCO_Ens_Zdunowski says:

::Smiles with the idea that it looks like the captain is teaching how speech works for a class at kindergarten. But he knows what happens.::

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

Felglip: Our universal translator makes us hear your words so that we understand them and it also turns our words to flashes on our PADDs. It's hard to explain because I've never had to.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: feels completely out of his depth as the Captain continues to explain, choosing to keep his eyes peeled around the environment of this meeting place they've come to, noting all the possible problem points that his training has taught him to find at a moments notice. ::

CSO_Lt_Trix says:

::Does a quick Tricorder scan.:: All: They have no organs or components with the sound detection capability of our ears. Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. Using light is not all that different from species that use colorful feathers or scales and dances to convey meaning. Just a different delivery method.

CEO_LtCmdr_Hull says:

::Walks closer to Mr. Hazzard in order to whisper to him:: CTO: Patience Mr. Hazzard, it is natural for you to want to impress, however, this mission requires all of us ::looking at the group of the senior ship's staff:: to support Captain Daniels during this historical first contact meeting. If you are asked a question, then reply as you would, but this is for the Captain, we are here to support him in his diplomatic mission, alright? ::returns to his position to Captain Daniels right and a little behind::

ACTION: Four more Yelothans crest the hill on the other side and move towards the group.

FCO_Ens_Zdunowski says:

CSO: A different world here. The Colours are beautiful. But Pluto is beautiful because of its ugliness. Yet neither is earth with the green fields.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: takes the CEO's advice to heart as he tries to merge into the background, wondering if he really was giving off such a vibe and hoping his actions hadn't reflected badly on the Captain. ::

Host Felglip says:

All: Here comes Marthat of the Twelfth Hive and Rahaman of the Ninth Hive. They have been chosen to join the meeting with us.

ACTION: None of the approaching Yelothans appear to be wearing or carrying anything but they are moving with decent speed.

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

Felglip: That's wonderful. We're eager to get started.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: notices the new comers with a cautious eye, though careful not to be overly hostile about their presence.::

CSO_Lt_Trix says:

Felglip: Is each settlement we detected from orbit a Hive?

Host Felglip says:

CSO: No, a Hive is related to the components that make us up. There are cell combinations that link us. Make our Mergers easier. I share the same basic DNA as the other members of my Hive, but we each have memories from different ancestors. So we are different, but the same.

Host Felglip says:

<Marthat> Felglip: These are the visitors from your message? They are not what I expected.

FCO_Ens_Zdunowski says:

Felglip: I really wonder, is your whole planet inhabited? I guess every hive is a tribe or a city?

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

Marthat:: What were you expecting? ::Smiles::

Host Felglip says:

FCO: Large portions are inhabited. There are a few areas not suited to our life. Too cold, too dry, even a few that are too wet.

Host Felglip says:

<Marthat> CO: To be honest I cannot say for certain. You are just so...different.

CTO_Ens_Hazzard says:

:: has the good sense to stay quiet as he for certain was not expecting anything like this on his first day aboard this ship. ::

FCO_Ens_Zdunowski says:

Felglip: Interesting. I kept a bit silent, but I might be interested in new info later. Very interesting world you live on.

Host CO_Capt_Daniels says:

Marthat: I agree with you. We are very different. But, that doesn't mean we can't be friends.

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There are no First Contacts without at least a few socially awkward exchanges until each side learns enough about the other to interact properly. There is a bit more of that here I have to say. The beings come from one of the most homogeneous worlds with life I've ever seen. The others at this level were barely lived on, a smattering of microscopic life forms and such in the earliest stages of the planet's development. But this world is a fully functioning sentient society. They achieved Warp velocity and joined the community we call the galactic travelers. And yet I can only detect slight differences between these beings and the fauna microorganisms that flitter about the planet. Initial Tricorder reads them as around 98% shared DNA between the Yelothans we talk to and the microorganisms. Margin of error means it is possible the species are actually the same, maybe at different stages? And the only plant I am detecting is a type of algae that is apparently amphibious. That's maybe 3 life forms on a fully formed planet. That doesn't happen naturally.

The beings seem to have a form of touch telepathy that allows them to share information and such with what they call "The Merge". I have not met a lot of non verbal sentient species but there are a few. Some, like the Betazoids, learned spoken language to make others more comfortable around them. Not everyone can deal with having someone "speak" directly into their minds after all. But the light flashes is a fairly interesting one. Certainly there are questions, like "is there a way to whisper?", but for a society that seems very open perhaps that is not that big of an issue.