What can be learned

Posted on Thu Aug 29th, 2024 @ 8:42am by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant N'vok Holv
Edited on on Thu Aug 29th, 2024 @ 9:08am

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Main concourse
Timeline: MD1
1089 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

N'vok was fascinated by the number and kinds of people here, he could happily sit and watch them go by, learning what he could. But, alas, there was little time for such. They needed to learn more about the Church and its people, which N'vok was also interested in.

So, he simply strode out until he found one of the church people and said, "I would like to learn more of your faith, good acolyte."

The robbed figured didn't immediately answer, almost lost in thought as he looked at N'vok. "Hm?" He said before finally taking on board what had been said towards him.

"Ah, you're from that ship that arrived earlier aren't you," Replied the man as he came to an abrupt stop, and readjusted his grip on a handful of old books.

"I've met with a few of your crew already, but of course I am happy to speak with you also my child." He said with a pleasant smile. "What should I call you?" he said, straining as he leaned down to place the books on the floor.

"Please call me, N'vok, good sir," the Vulcan replied.

He nodded, deciding it was probably best not to try and pronounce the word he had just heard. "I'm Brother Marselius, but Marselius will do... And I assume you don't know much, the others of your crew didn't either which isn't a problem."

"I am very interested to learn more, information can get distorted in the retelling," said N'vok.

"It can, and unfortunately rumours tend to persist further afield... people make some rather outlandish claims, try to discredit us... but I'm getting ahead of myself."

He stood up slightly, readjusting his posture before looking up at the vast walls on either side of the docking ring. He glanced around at the countless statues and artwork that decorated every inch of stone, almost looking for guidance before beginning to talk once more.

"My people suffered greatly, but we persisted because we recognised it as a test... to see if we were worthy of the mantle."

Marselius looked back down, gently letting his gaze fall back to N'vok.

"Our world was not too dissimilar to yours I imagine, a nest we had grown comfortable on... too comfortable, lethargic even."

He smiled, though N'vok could see it masked some undetermined pain.

"But then we were forced to spread our wings, thrust into the heavens to be with our creator and then! Then we understood our reason for being here. To help others, like yourself to let go of your terrestrial bonds... which for the most part you have,"

He gestured past N'vok, pointing at the barely visible Elysium through the great stained glass windows.

"You are void dwellers after all."

N'vok considered this. "We travel through the Void. But we still have homes on planets we visit and sometimes return to. A few of us may truly be said to be void dwellers but it is not our natural state."

"Is it not?" Marselius asked, letting the question hang for a moment. "If it's not natural then why did you leave your home, why did you like so many others feel this tug, this pull, this... lure to the void?"

N'vok gestured out towards the stars. "To explore, to learn, to seek out new worlds and civilizations. One might even say, to boldly go where we have never been before. How else will we understand the wonders of the galaxy if we do not travel to find them?"

"Exactly!" Marselius said excitedly, his voice low but not void of enthusiasm. "Our natural state is to learn, to see and understand." He said, gesturing where N'vok just did.

"But why? Why do we care for such things... especially when we could all live perfectly ignorant and secluded lives which one could argue is safer and easier."

"We do not do these things because they are easy but because they are hard," said N'vok. "The quest for knowledge is done because we seek the truth, such is a driving goal. To confine oneself, one's culture, to willfully choose ignorance is a fate worth than death."

"Then you, my child..." Marselius said as he placed a gentle hand on N'voks shoulder. "Already understand better than most."

He withdrew his hand, hiding it inside his long sleeves as it came to rest with his other across his midriff.

"My people believe that we are the living embodiment of the universe itself, vessels if you will, all of us, you and I." He paused, looking out at the stars with an almost loving smile.

"And that it is our sacred duty to learn all that we can of our creator," He said looking back at N'vok. "To help it understand itself from within... and you cannot do that by flying back to your nest."

"We too believe it is a duty, but not all frame it as a sacred one," said N'vok. "Though, while exploration and seeing the stars is a wondrous thing, there are times it is comforting to have a safe nest to visit and to be with those that matter to you most of all." He looked out, knowing that the star of his homeworld would not be visible.

Marselius nodded thoughtfully before smiling to himself and looking down at the floor. "I suppose my people were fortunate, or not, depending on who you ask..."

He paused, amused by the thought before looking back up. "You see we had to leave our world behind, and as such we were... thrust into a greater understanding, like helping a small creature from its egg, breaking away the comforting shell."

"A traumatic birthing into a greater universe," said N'vok. "It is good you survived such a painful and perilous start to build this magnificent place," he said with a gesture to the ship around them.

"One of many," Marselius nodded thankfully. "Though they are all unique in their own ways."

"Would you be interested in visiting our ship?" N'vok asked. "It is not as grand as your home but it has a charm all its own."

"I would be delighted too, though I really must drop these off first." Marselius said as he crouched down and picked back up the books.

"Excellent," nodded N'vok. "Would you like some help with those?"

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary," He said before adjusting his grip on the bundle of books. "Perhaps on our walk, you could tell me about your people?"

"We are a philosophical people . . ." began N'vok.