Curiosity and other Cruelties

Posted on Thu Mar 21st, 2019 @ 9:15am by Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar

Mission: Episode 1: Hell is a four letter word
Location: Science Lab -> Sickbay
1345 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Estelle was glad that things had quieted down significantly. Much more at ease than during the past few days on the planet, the return trip seemed like the perfect opportunity to get to know an officer she hadn't previously had a chance to interact with a lot. Walking into the science lab, she approached the slender woman. "Hey, good morning", she greeted, extending her hand. "I'm Estelle. We've met in passing, I'm the resident surgeon. I was hoping I could steal some of your time?"

Arrianna turned from the blueprints of a sleek new escort vessel that the Defense College wanted her opinions on. "Certainly, Doctor. What can I do for you today?" She noted with her usual calm tone.

"I was hoping I could borrow you for a few scans", Estelle smirked. "I've never had the chance to work with an Alindari before and learning about you first-hand would be very beneficial to your health prospects in case of an emergency, if I don't have to do that during the emergency." She winked. "If you know what I mean."

"Alindari are always in prime health." Arri noted. "We prize beauty, knowledge, and wisdom. The health of our mortal forms is a sign of my people's respect for the form our souls inhabit." She noted. "Though Starfleet requires a physical every now and then, and I do not understand why. Perhaps it's because of Ian Murphy's excessive consumption of alcohol. Maybe you should go confiscate his liquor."

"I should?" Estelle wondered. "Nah, I've got a decent collection myself, and I don't drink all that much. A bottle of scotch will last me six months, easily." She looked her up and down. "And I can see you prize beauty and grace, I am not implying you're not in great health. But as I said, I'm a surgeon. Consider the unfortunate but possible circumstance of a piece of console embedding itself between your ribs through no fault of your own. Wouldn't you want your surgeon to be already familiar with your inner workings, and how to keep them that way?"

"True." Arrianna noted. "You may proceed, though if there was a piece of a console within me, chances are Ian Murphy might have had something to do with it." She hid a smirk.

"I understand you two are sharing an especially loving, respectful and mutually productive relationship?" Estelle asked. "He's a lucky man, if that is the case. Any children planned?" She pointed towards the door. "Would you accompany me to sickbay, so I could run a detailed scan? The biobed's sensors are more accurate than my tricorder."

"Do you like swordplay, Doctor." Arrianna mentioned as she followed her to sickbay. "My people excel at it, it's how we survived the Borg. Why, I could even cut a man's testicles off with one cut." She noted. "I suppose, as a surgeon, you could do something similar." She almost spared a smirk.

"I've done a little swordplay on Andoria, growing up", Estelle said. "I won't profess being any good. I'm happy giving it a go, though, if you're looking for a sparring partner? I know Anya Neeze loves swordplay, she's always looking for someone to fight with, or against, however you want to put it. I'm nowhere near her league, though."

"There are several very important aspects to note about the Alindari. First and foremost, our brains are incredibly complex. We're able to share, not just thoughts, but memories with each other in something like a vulcan mind-meld, though we do not link with outsiders." Arri noted. "That and my people do not react to meat very well. Meat has not been consumed since the beginning of the first imperium."

"Is that a cultural or a physiological response?" Estelle wondered. She pointed to one of the biobeds for Arri to hop onto. "Get comfortable, if you please. Would you like some coffee while I poke you?"

"Doctor, like many races, the Alindari of two millennia ago cared only for wealth and the size of their empire. Imagine Ferengi, but without the cowardice... and twice the avarice. We not only conquered other races, but also partook in revelries that now are completely barbaric. Afterwards my people did away with many of the warlord's customs. Including the consumption of meats. It is very much cultural. We can eat meat, but we do not like it and the thought we could end up like our ancient fore-bearers makes us sick when we do."

Estelle nodded. "I understand. I love meat, personally, but I've only ever had the replicated kind. You know, where no animals were harmed." Apparently the answer to her question about coffee was no, since it had been completely ignored. "So, what is it you do for fun? I mean, you personally, not your entire culture." She had yet to meet a people where everyone had the same idea of what constituted a good time. Estelle flicked on the sensors of the biobed.

"I enjoy artistic and cultural pursuits. Though." Arrianna noted. "I must admit. I do enjoy painting pictures of Ian Murphy with a sword or a spear in him. I wonder if that is healthy. Perhaps I should return to Alindar for emotional control therapy."

Estelle smirked. "You should see what I've painted. No, I think you're fine. We've all got our favourite fantasy that we imagine but never act upon. But I'm not a counsellor, so take that however you wish." She leaned in to whisper, "But I'd sure love to see those pictures."

"So If I were to branch out by painting Ian Murphy being eaten by... something. I would not be of concern to the Counselor?" Arrianna noted. "Indeed I have spent too much time around humans."

"I could imagine a few other fun images to paint", Estelle said. "If you want to come by my cabin after my shift, I can show you a few examples?" She had a few less violent offers, though some were pretty dark as well, especially her pride-of-place imitation Rembrandt.

"Such savagery should be repulsive. Why am I feeling satisfaction with barbarism? I have indeed been spending too much time around humans. They are impulsive, impatient, illogical, ill-tempered, driven by excessive amounts of emotion." She stated with a slight smirk.

"Maybe you've just spent time with the wrong humans?" Estelle suggested. "I'm human, too. I don't feel particularly barbaric. Maybe that comes with being a doctor, and seeing what barbarism does to people?"

Arri nodded. "Perhaps, I misjudged Ian Murphy at some point. He makes my emotions boil. You see, my people control their emotions, for it was that darker base emotions that fueled my people's ancient wars. We call it the Age of Ash and Cinders, when Alindari warred endlessly for greed and slaves. Many humans ask what it was like; and I tell them to imagine a thousand Caligulas fighting one another. Eventually it would be the endless intrigues and betrayals that would end this age."

"It makes it hard to comprehend why anyone has survived that age", Estelle remarked. "But you can rest assured. The slavery that humans engage in these days is purely playful, and usually restricted to the bedroom. Those unfortunate incidents on the planet, they're complete outliers, and only perpetrated by people who are mentally deficient in some way, or simply so beyond the grasp of civilising effects that they might as well be living in the middle ages. Most of us humans, we try to find a balance between enjoying life, and our passions and emotions, and taking responsibility. I swore an oath, the most important aspect is 'first, do no harm' - everything else comes second to that."

"This should be interesting. I'll be sure to imagine Lieutenant Murphy being slowly impaled in the most humane and logical manner possible." She slightly smiled.

Estelle chuckled. "You're incorrigible, aren't you? But will you accept my invitation?"

"Indeed I will." Arri noted.

"Excellent. I will study the data I've collected, and if I have any questions, I'll bother you later." Estelle smirked.