The quiet before the storm. Part 2

Posted on Tue Aug 6th, 2024 @ 7:54pm by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Kyle Reece & Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Anna Esquivias & Lieutenant Thor Magnus & Consul Andrinn Orin & Lieutenant N'vok Holv & Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Teevs Dosivi & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Bridge - Ready Room
Timeline: MD:1 - 0920
1924 words - 3.8 OF Standard Post Measure

"Embedded within this automated transmission are our coordinates, we do hope to see soon."

As the transmission ended, everyone at the conference table turned their eyes to Teevs for answers.

The main concern on everyone's mind was if this Church, the A'janie would end up just like the Thaih'ean, another threat to contend with in a galaxy that so far had tried to kill them at every turn.

When the recording ended, Kyle spoke up first. "Teevs, do you know anything about this...church, or those that run it?"

The tension in the room was understandable, given the history with the Thaih'ea. Teevs, however, seemed fairly calm as he recognized the recorded message. "Yeah, that's the A'janie church," he answered, rather matter-of-factly. "The A'janie are the most polite species I have ever encountered. They use this vessel to share their beliefs, to my understanding. Nobody is turned away, or rather, all are invited, even those like the Thaih'ea. All they ask is that you learn about them, and in return they will do what they can to help you. My culture doesn't believe in any deities, we seek truth through technology, but many who come to my homeworld to trade have shared what they learn about this culture. It's difficult to find someone who has not heard of them."

"Fascinating," said N'vok. "How do they keep from being preyed upon by the slavers and other such hostile powers that seem to exist in this corner of the galaxy?"

"Maybe their church is fortified?" S'hib interjected, looking between Teevs and N'vok. "I mean, just because they're polite doesn't mean they don't carry a big stick..."

"The A'janie have no sticks of any size, or weapons. All they do is invite people to hear their message." Turning to N'vok, Teevs added, "my guess is that they survived because the hostile powers in this region do not see them as a threat, or a worthwhile target. That, or the A'janie simply see what you call 'being preyed upon' as the act of service they provide in return for listening to the message, which might please their deity."

Alicia sat listening to the conversation with interest. “What if whatever deity they have, protects them? It won’t be the first time a Starfleet crew has come upon people who are protected by those they see as deities."

"Wouldn't that be good though?" Miraj wondered. "The Wormhole aliens at DS5, Q, we might be able to get home all the quicker with a little help from a higher being like those?"

Teevs wasn't familiar with a DS5 or the significance behind the letter Q, but he understood what they were trying to imply and shook his head. "Not like that. The A'janie believe that their deity became the universe and everything in it. The purpose of life is to help their creator, the universe, understand itself. They believe the way to do that is by traveling, being curious. They might take a liking to your vessel and mission, now that I think about it."

"How long have they been around? I'm curious as to the knowledge that they posses and how much information that they've gathered over their travels in this part of the universe," Andrinn asked, wondering about this new species and their abilities.

"They have been around for centuries," Teevs answered, looking at the diplomat. "People don't talk much about the A'janie history as much as the religion, but I would imagine they have an abundance of knowledge. They are a traveling race that has no homeworld, so I am sure they have seen abd learned many things." A faint smile crept onto his lips as he recalled a memory. "I met one who claimed to have seen the Ovlerei Cluster, which is a star cluster that takes about 30 years for any of our vessels to reach. He showed me some fascinating pictures. I would be surprised if they didn't agree to a trade of knowledge."

"They sssound like an interesting group of people. At the leassst they may be able to help usss with the ssslaver problem." The ships MD added.

Phoenix listened and frowned as she did so. "I am going to state this. If something looks this good, it often isn't. How do we know they are not as bad as the slaver race?"

"Commodore, I know that first contact in this part of space is harder with the slaver species. But, maybe we could send a small group of us over to introduce ourselves before sending the whole ship over. Maybe, if Teeves is okay with it, Teeves, me, and another person could go over to the massive facility to introduce ourselves, get more information, and come back aboard his ship? It could metigate so much of the risk while getting more accurate information about this new species," Andrinn offered up, sitting a bit forward in his seat in the Ready Room.

“I would like to go,” Thor raised his hand, “Professor once told me to best way to observe a civilization’s technology is to see it up close. Scanners might tell you just a bit.”

"Science, in all its various fields, is likely to be interested in these people and their technology," said N'vok. "The information from Mister Teevs indicates that they are non-hostile. A mid-sized exploratory party should be under no risk and be able to gather more information.

S'hib looked across the conference table at Phoenix, he understood the concern on her face. "I Agree, we have no reason to rush to a conclusion."

He paused, glancing over at Teevs. "Still, even if what you say is true, and I have no reason to doubt you. It might all be a front... they've survived somehow, and I doubt it's by being polite."

"Commodore," S'hib continued, turning back to Phoenix. "With your permission, I'd like to take a shuttle and a small away team."

As S'hib spoke, he lazily waved his hand towards Consul Orin and the others who had shown interest. "If we leave now we can be there within the hour and signal back to the Elysium once we have confirmed it's safe."

Phoenix nodded "S'hib, Consul Orin, Lieutenant Holv, and 3 security personnel."

He nodded in response before leaning to his left, nudging Lieutenant Thor with his elbow before muttering quietly. "Maybe next time, you got a warp core to fix remember?"

Thor nodded. “Indeed. We are working on the warp core as we speak.”

Kyle had been silent during most of the discussion. Finally, he spoke back up. "Teevs, you said that they don't have a homeworld. Do you know what happened to it?

This skepticism was understandable, especially since this was the first species they met after encountering the Thaih'ea. Teevs hoped his own body language conveyed how comfortable he was with the A'janie, knowing these aliens were relying on him to figure out what to expect. It was also a constant battle to remind himself that these people hadn't met the Solme Zeval Hevayaka -- the Wandering People of Faith, in Lonian-- and had a rather rough introduction to this galaxy. He looked over to Kyle when addressed. "Only what they've included in their message, Mister Chief of Kyle, which isn't much," he answered. "My understanding is that something must have happened to their homeworld to force them to leave, but I don't know what specifically. If you ask them, they will say that they believe that it's a test of worthiness from their creator and consider it a great blessing to be chosen."

“They sound like a fascinating people” Alicia offered a smile. “I’d suggest caution when talking to them, to offend any of their beliefs could cause unwanted problems.”

Kyle sat back, a warning beginning to sound in his gut. In the history that he had studied, nearly every religious sect that acted as the A'janie apparently did, never were as pure as they claimed. As the Commodore had already voiced caution, he felt it would do no good to repeat her words. He did say, however, "Forgive me if this is out of line, Ambassador," he looked over at Andrinn as he spoke. "If you are truly intent on going, then I must ask, for your safety if nothing else, you take your assigned Diplomatic Security Officer."

"Well, I would still like Commander S'hib along for the ride. My DPT will look out for me and the rest of the diplomats onboard, but S'hib will also think about the rest of the crew alongside us diplomats onboard. Thank you for your concern, Mr. Reese," Andrinn said with a soft smile as he headed out to the mission.

S'hib frowned somewhat, glancing subtly between Kyle and the Ambassador. The slight hit to his pride urking him somewhat... Of course, Orin would be safe he thought, he was the Chief of Security after all... even if it was~

"Barely." He muttered before abruptly hitting his comm badge, hoping nobody would notice. "Crewman Monroe, Daniels and Ensign Victor please report to shuttle bay 1, I'll be there shortly."

Phoenix bit back a sigh. "Everyone, dismissed. Lets proceed with caution please."

S'hib was one of the first to get up, eager to get down to the shuttle bay as he rounded the conference table. "Hey Nax..." He said, catching her attention as she was getting up. "Looks like I'm going to be busier today than I thought, but I'm still gonna take her out later like I promised alright?"

Gary had sat in usual seat as the discussion started, questions asked, and a course of action decided on. He had kept silent as he listened to others speak and finally the Commodore settling on an away team to visit and explore this 'church'. All that remained was to see what awaited the away team and hear their report.

Naxea kept her attention focused ahead and not on S'hib. "Try not to screw this up. I don't need to have my Marines bail your asses out over these religious zealots, Commander," she snapped, not looking back as she exited the room. It was no secret to those that knew her that Naxea despised deities and religion. After all, the deities of the wormhole never did a damn thing to protect her people from Cardassians. Deities only care for themselves in her experience.

Anna rose with the others. She had added little. Perhaps she should try harder to impress the Commodore and get back into the swing of things. Really, there was no perhaps about it. Still, she was not sure what she would have said that was not said, much of which had been speculation. They would know when they would know. Still, it was a lot to think about. She glanced over to Naxea, curious for a moment, but she made no comment. She did not yet know her well.

"Lieutenant Esquivais," said N'vok. "Can you make sure we have a wide band channel available to send data acquired during our visit? I am certain we will be overloaded with information and I wish to ensure it is available for later analysis."

S’hibs eyes fell to the floor as Naxea and a few others left, the sting of her words wounding the Elysiums giant far more than any holstered weapon could.

After everything that had happened recently he thought while leaving the conference room with a heavy sigh, maybe it would be easier if everyone just forgot about him.