What does it want?

Posted on Sun Jul 28th, 2024 @ 2:33pm by Lieutenant Phaedrae Cyn & Major Clay McEntyre III & Lieutenant JG T'lenn

1,581 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Security Alert: These Bugs Again
Location: Deck 12, Science Lab 7
Timeline: Day 12, +48 hours after parasite removal

T'lenn had been studying the parasite for almost two days now, scanning and reading anything that might be some form of communication: sounds, pheromone secretions, its neurological system. There were some patterns, but not enough to build a language from. Lt. Commander McEntyre and Lt. Cyn wanted to try again today with Lt. Mundy in the room. T'lenn was expecting them at any moment, and was looking for any observations that might be useful for any of algorithms before they began.

When Cyn arrived in the Science Lab she took her own scans of the bluegill parasite. She waited and reviewed her data in a corner of the room. She looked up when the doors opened.

Jules Mundy entered the room. He wasn't sure what he could do at this point. "Reporting as ordered." The ship's counselor, Doctor Helen Porter, followed him in.

T'lenn turned to face the two new arrivals to the lab. "It is possible that attempts to communicate with the organism have been unsuccessful, because it has not had the motivation to communicate. Perhaps your presence will incite the being to attempt communication," T'lenn explained.

"As long as I don't have to let that thing inside me again, I'll try to help anyway I can." Mundy responded.

"I'm not sure this is the best course of action, lieutenant." Porter said to T'lenn. "He's been through a traumatic experience already."

"The parasite will stay confined in the quarantine chamber," T'lenn assured them. "There are multiple safeguards in place to ensure that the organism cannot escape."

"These beings obviously have a communication mechanism, and are able to organize and form a purpose even when not connected to a host body. When a bluegill takes on a host, the host may try to fight it off in the initial joining, but eventually the bluegill has complete control over it's host. To be able to effectuate that sort of control, and to have the will to do so, it is a logical assumption that the organisms have a means to communicate with one another outside of the host bodies," T'lenn explained.

"I am trying to use our equipment to tap into their communication method and hopefully translate their native language. However, I have come to the conclusion, that this being is not interested in communicating with me or Commander McEntyre. The Commander thought that Lieutenant Mundy's presence may make a difference," T'lenn added.

Mundy looked at the counselor, then at T'lenn. "What do I have to do?"

"You may take a seat where ever you would be most comfortable," T'lenn suggested.

Mundy pulled over a chair and sat 10 feet away from the creature. Was he happy being here, no, but this was important to determine where the host may be located.

Helen moved to the side away from Jules, but close enough to offer comfort in case of emergency.

"Lieutenant Cyn, all of the translation modules are connected, you may proceed however you like," T'lenn stated. "I will monitor any activity and attempt to compensate to accommodate any potentional translation lags should be achieve communication."

Cyn hovered near the gathering, quiet up to this point. She pulled a chair over towards Mundy and folded her hands in her lap as she sat, studying the officer. "What do you remember prior to waking in Sickbay?" she asked.

Mundy shook his head. "I'm not sure. I remember being on a shuttle."

The insect-reptilian hybrid that had taken a parasitic hold over Mundy suddenly became animated in it's stasis chamber, moving around as if it were trying to escape. The creature had not been this active since it was first captured by the medical officers in Sickbay. It began making audible noises, and the computer began to unsuccessfully try to translate the shrieking hisses and clicks.

T'lenn side stepped toward Cyn and the chamber trying to keep the computer, and everyone in the room in her line of sight. T'lenn remembered that the original bluegill were genetically modified from the Trill symbiotes, and that it was believed that the parasitic off shoots were at one point trying to eradicate the symbiotes, and began to develop a theory.

T'lenn asked Dr. Porter to excuse herself and Mundy, and T'lenn took their place by Phaedrae's side. "Lieutenant Cyn, I believe the parasite may be reacting to you. Because you are joined," she stated.

"That's a less than comforting thought," Cyn replied while she watched the creature's movements within the stasis chamber. "What do you want me to do?"

Clay had been standing in the back with two equally hulking marines in half battle rattle. He sternly glared at the bluegill in the tank, trying to get any kind of reading from the creature.

“It seems…menacing. Hard to believe they nearly took down the Federation in ‘65”

"Perhaps we should speak outside," T'lenn suggested. She running under the assumption that the creature could understand what they were saying, especially since this particular creature had been attached to a human host for at least some time.

There was no reason to disagree with that logic. Phaedrae stood up and left I the lab without needing to be asked twice.

Once McEntyre, Cyn, and T'lenn were situated outside T'lenn explained, "I would assume that the creature can understand us. I thought it best we not strategize in front of it."

"It seemed rather agitated,"Cyn observed.

"The beings agitation may incite it to communicate," T'lenn opined. "If you wish to continue, it would give the universal translator more information to work with."

"So you think Mundy isn't needed any longer?" Cyn checked.

"It is likely that Lieutenant Mundy was merely a convenient vessel the parasite connected to when the lieutenant was somewhere that the parasite was present," T'lenn responded.

Cyn considered this for a moment, then said. "Okay, let's send Mundy off with the counselor. I'll talk to this parasite and see what we can learn. Though, if the translators don't start picking something up soon, I'm going to be the first to vote for extermination."

"I'll second that. The Bluegills nearly succeeded in infiltrating the Federation once in 2365. Took down the Horatio, a couple of the Fleet Admirals too. Though I will defer to my more logical counterparts if y'all still want to wait for the translators to do their thing" Clay commented, gruffly.

"I will advise if it appears that more attempts at communication will assist with the translation technology. At some point we will be able to determine if the Bluegill is attempting communication, or if it is making simple animalistic noises," T'lenn responded. "As to what to do from there, that was not my assignment - I would defer to seniority as per protocol."

"Well, let's get to it then." Phaedrae said and headed back into the lab. She gave the parasite a look of disdain.

T'lenn resumed her station monitoring the translation equipment as well as the creatures vitals. "Whenever you would like to begin."

Clay looked down at the Trill, with a nod and smile.

"L.T. I think you should start this, be the good cop."

Clay suggested, knowing that he could always intervene if things went sideways, a hand resting on his holstered phaser, ready to draw if the Bluegill broke containment.

Cyn rubbed her hands together as she returned to the field that restrained the Bluegill. She would need to establish a translation matrix before trying to question its motives. She started by establishing basic words and concepts, pronouns and simple verbs. When T'Lenn confirmed these were translating, she expanded her questioning, "Do you know what ship you are on?"

The insect like creature hopped a little as it hissed and clicked before coming to a rest.

T'lenn raised an eyebrow curiously during the process. This was the first time the creature seemed to be attempting to respond, and not erratically trying to escape the quarantine when pressed.

"Ugly Starfleet ship. Which one is no matter to us," the computer translated in a stilted, mechanical reply.

"It's time to tell the truth," Cyn replied. "Why are you here?"

"Accident," the computer enhanced translation device replied. "Last host inferior. Your symbiote inferior. I can show you your true potential." The insect hissed inside the chamber.

"Where are you meant to be?" Cyn asked.

The computer lit up and started translating once the bluegill began chirping and bouncing again, "Translator inefficient. Join with me. I will show you."

"We worked on the translation matrix to communicate safely. You won't be joining with another being ever again," Cyn said. "Where were you trying to go?"

"Pursuing business opportunities. My clan and I have many assets, and live very well. Your Mundy was among our people. He did not seem Starfleet," the computer translated. "If he won't tell you, then I would not. You need to see to understand. We are not the enemy. You embrace your symbiote willingly. It is weak, and gives you very little. I can give you so much more."

Clay glared at the creature in the stasis unit, a low growl from his lips, hand on his phaser, ready to draw on even the slightest hint of treachery or deceit.

"I understand that you have nothing useful or productive to offer us," Cyn scowled at the Bluegill. "Enjoy your incarceration."

“Have this…thing, prepped for transport back to Starfleet along with Mundy. We’ll let the Phlox Center people have their turn with them.” Clay said professionally, his marines nodding.

RSS Feed