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Distress Call

Chapter 9

“It’s breathable.” reported Dr. Murchison as she ran her tests on the gas samples brought back from the alien airlock to which their portable airlock had been attached. “We can breath it, but some of these trace gasses will make us feel like we are on a farm with freshly ploughed fields.”
“A reminder of home.” said Dr. Conway as he thought about the farming community on the Earth-Human colony world that was his childhood home “That’s not too bad.”
Captain Fletcher said “I’m trying to figure out why they would fill such odd parts of the ship with soil. If the soil was a cargo shipment, there wouldn’t be any easy way to get it into or out of those parts of the ship. Valentine. Are you sure there is no record in your Starfleet database of using soil as a shielding material on a ship?”
“Not of a common soil like this seems to be. I did find a record of unfired and fired clay being used, but that clay contained compounds that did offer protection from certain emissions. And, there were layers of the fired and unfired clay lining critical areas within the ship, not large volumes of it filling compartments.”
“Thank you. Um. Hold on a sec.” After a pause, Captain Fletcher said “The airlock is cycling. They are investigating the addition to their ship. The inner hatch has opened. I presume they are entering it now.”
Valentine noticed Dr. Prilicla’s tremors. The trembling Cinrusskan said “The mood from that part of the ship quickly changed from curiosity to fear and anger. I have no way to be sure, but from the timing, I think this change was in response to them seeing the photographs of us we left in there. Those negative emotions are rapidly spreading throughout that ship.”
Valentine said “I guess leaving the pictures of us to let them know what to expect when we go in was not a good idea.”
“I disagree.” replied Dr. Conway. “We now know that something about us frightens them. We know that we have to be more cautious than usual when we go in.”
Captain Fletcher said “I’m taking charge again, for now.”
“No argument from me, Captain.” replied Dr. Conway. “But, we are still going over there. Right?”
“Not with a space-walk. They slammed the inner door of our airlock shut, but they did not lock it right. We will have to dock with them then equalize the pressure before we can go in. Also. I think our odds of a quick getaway are better if we didn’t have to cycle the airlock to get out of there.”
“Agreed.” replied Naydrad.
Dr. Prilicla reported “The entities emoting fear and anger are all gathering in the part of the ship farthest from the airlock. There are others in that ship who are emoting confusion more than anything else.”
***
“Captain, I appreciate your concern,” Ensign Singebreath’s translated voice was flat “but I will be fine here. There will be no repeat of my panic freeze. My first view of that Melfan ELNT doctor triggered a memory of a childhood nightmare about crabs, but I have had a conversation with Dr. Medalont and I now know that it is a doctor who cares for patients here. Would you believe that it had a moment of concern when it learned that Dragons are fire-breathers? There are fire-breathing monsters in Melfan myths and legends. Now that Dr. Medalont and I have talked, I think we will get along fine.”
“May I help you, Captain Issacson?” asked Senior Physician Medalont who had just entered the ward. It did indeed have a resemblance to a giant Earth crab.
“No Doctor. I was just offering Ensign Singebreath a ride out of here.”
“Please tell me that it declined your offer. It is so rare for one to be offered a chance to make peace with the subject of a childhood nightmare and here both of us are getting that chance.”
“I declined his offer.” said the Deadly Shadow Dragon. His Dragonese was translated to both English and Melfan.
“Good. I came here to tell you that the test chamber is ready. They will be calling for us shortly. As the Senior Physician assigned to your testing, I am authorizing you to walk with me to the test chamber.”
Singebreath turned to the Captain then said “You might want to come along to watch, Captain. I’m going to be breathing fire.”
“I’d love to, but we are scheduled to leave to meet Rhabwar in just over forty minutes. That means I have to leave this ward in a few minutes to get to Reception in time for the beam out. Can you believe this place? This place is bigger than all five Galaxy Class starships put together and they don’t have turbolifts.”
“But we do have powered patient Litters.” said Charge Nurse Leethveeschi, the chlorine breathing Illensan who gestured to the powered litter that had been waiting to take Singebreath to the test chamber. Leethveeschi’s transparent environment suit seemed almost opaque with the chlorine atmosphere it contained. “I know you have been instructed on the basic rules governing travel through the corridors of Sector General - Diagnosticians have the highest right of way while trainees and visitors have the lowest. You may not have been told the two exceptions to that rule. First is when common sense tells you it is not safe to stand on the rules. The other is a Charge Nurse with a patient in a litter. Even the big lumbering Hudlar FROB and Tralthan FGLI Diagnosticians will get out of the way of a Nurse driving a litter carrying a patient. I can cut about a third off that travel time.”
“I’m not a patient.”
“But you would be doing me a favor too. My shift has just ended, and I plan to watch an MSVK surgeon perform an operation on a DBLF patient. My route to that operating theater will take me close to Reception, and since Dr. Medalont has just cleared Patient Singebreath to walk with escort, this litter is no longer needed in this ward and would eventually be sent back to the litter pool at Reception.”
Dr. Metalont added “And no one would question such a decision made by a Charge Nurse of Leethveeschi’s standing.”
“In that case, I accept your kind offer, Charge Nurse Leethveeschi.”
***
As the team entered the portable airlock they saw that the picture of Nurse Naydrad had been torn to pieces then those pieces had been trampled on. Dr. Conway asked “Dr. Prilicla, when you felt their outburst of negative emotional radiation, did you get an impression of how deep those emotions were?” He knew the Cinrusskan would have given that information if it had noticed it earlier; his intent was to start the necessary conversation.
“No, friend Conway, there were too many beings emoting and they were not in sync with their cycling shifts between fear and anger. Given this evidence, I suspect that the mere sight of the picture of friend Naydrad triggered a response based on either a racial memory, or based on recent events.”
Murchison asked “So, you are saying they see Naydrad as a predator or an enemy?”
“That is correct, friend Murchison. I believe it would be prudent for friend Naydrad to remain on Rhabwar while we explore the ship.”
Captain Fletcher announced “Dobbs and Haslam will stay with Naydrad and the DBDG patient.” Naydrad made a series of sounds that did not translate. The Captain replied “I don’t need a translation to know how you feel, but the decision is mine. You stay on Rhabwar for now.”
Dobbs said to Haslam “You go back to Communications. I’ll stand the first watch here.”
***
Doctors Conway and Murchison opened the doors that were unlocked to do a visual search of the compartments. “Hold up a moment.” said Murchison as she looked into one of the compartments “This looks interesting.”
“That has to be a First Aid kit.” Dr. Conway said as he looked into the compartment and saw the open metal box on the table.
“I realize the beings on this ship might think of it as theft, but I’m taking that back to my lab. The contents of that kit could help us prepare to treat the casualties.”
“Be sure to photograph those symbols on the lid. Make sure friend Haslam sends a copy of that photo to friend Lazcing on Tragenhad.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Murchison moved the loose packets on the table back into the box before she took the kit to Rhabwar.
They saw First Aid kits mounted to either a wall or the side of a table in a few of the other compartments they searched, so they each felt less concern over Murchison having taken that one kit back to her lab. Then they opened a door and Dr. Conway called out over the radio “Murchison, We have found what appears to be the medical bay. Valentine is using the tricorder to scan everything in the room and she is sending the results to the LCARS terminal.”
“Thanks. Can you describe the furnishings?”
Valentine replied “There seems to be furnishings for two different species. There are two beds that are close in size and shape to the standard patient beds in DBDG configuration on Rhabwar. The third bed is longer and narrower and the upper surface is shallow concave rather than being flat.”
Dr Conway interrupted “I’ve found a pair of illustrative charts on frames that slide out of a wall. According to these images, there are two species. One is basically DBDG, but with different features, and the other I am giving a preliminary classification of DAAG.”
“DAAG? What would that look like?” Murchison asked with a surprised tone in her voice.
“Earthworms.” replied Valentine “I’m taking image scans of both charts and close-ups of some of the details. All will be sent to the terminal.”
Captain Fletcher said “That would explain the soil filled spaces on this ship.”
Dr. Prilicla said “The direction of one of the sources of emotion that has been following us makes sense now. When you move to the next compartment I will linger in the hall and try sending out positive emotions.” His attention was drawn to a small pile of sheets of paper resting in a catch-tray mounted on the wall opposite the charts. “Friend Valentine,” the tone of the clicks of his Cinrusskan voice suggested both surprise and concern “please check your scans. Were those sheets of paper in that wall rack there when you scanned this room?”
“No.” replied Murchison over the radio “I’ve been studying her scans of the medical bay - to see if there was anything I’d want you to examine. I’m looking at a wall mounted rack now and it is empty in the scan.”
Valentine lifted the sheets then examined them. “This is the language we’ve seen elsewhere in this ship.” She scanned each page then returned the sheets to the rack. “Is there anything else you’d like us to scan in here, Dr. Murchison?”
“Not at this time. You should proceed to the next compartment.”
When the group returned to the corridor, they found their way to the next compartment blocked by a DAAG. As near as Valentine, or anyone for that matter, could guess the intentions of an earthworm, she felt that this being was not displaying a threatening posture. She and the others stood still, trying to hold neutral postures and expressions.
The DAAG moved toward Dr. Conway, who happened to be the closest. The DAAG came to a stop with its head about two feed from Conway’s head. After a few moments, the DAAG shuttered then withdrew. It then cautiously approached Captain Fletcher. After holding the two foot distance for an interval, it lightly touched its head to the side of Captain Fletcher’s head before withdrawing again.
“Dr. Conway.” began the Captain “It speaks of you as one who is too many. I guess it was confused by the memory tapes you have in there with you. Valentine. Please go and get those pages from the rack. We are going to need them.”
While returning to the medical bay, Valentine heard Captain Fletcher explain to Doctors Conway and Prilicla “Maybe the DAAGs should be VAAGs. They are telepathic.”
When she returned with the pages, the DAAG led the way past the next few compartments then turned to the right at the next intersection. The DAAG was, Valentine guessed, about eight or nine foot long and about nine or ten inches in diameter. While it had no limbs and had no accessories attached to its body, she was sure, based on the strength of its movement, that if angry it could be a strong opponent. Apart from its having initially blocked the passage, the being was showing no aggressive behavior.
The DAAG came to a stop at the first door they reached after the turn. It pressed the tip of its face to the door which opened without the DAAG having to hit the other controls. That room was the most technical looking room they had seen so far on the ship. Many screens were mounted on the main wall. A few of them were dark, but others displayed what Valentine assumed were status reports. Some lines of text were flashing and others were grayed out on those screens. One screen displayed a situational awareness image indicating the presence of Rhabwar and Trafalur. The screen next to that one showed what appeared to be navigation information. The furnishings in the room would accommodate two DAAGs on long narrow couches like the one they had seen in the medical bay. The other two furnishings were suited to the DBDG form. Those chairs had control panels that would swing into place after the chair was occupied. All four crew locations had a rack holding a headpiece that Valentine assumed to be communications gear. The DAAG turned its head toward Valentine then gestured to the foremost DBDG chair.
“I’m not a pilot.” said Valentine “I’m a medical student.”
The DAAG moved closer to Valentine and made telepathic contact. After a moment, Valentine said “I understand.” She moved to the chair.
Murchison said “Shouldn’t we take some time to study this technology, and shouldn’t Captain Fletcher be the one to evaluate this technology?” Dr. Prilicla had been quietly keeping Murchison informed on the events.
Valentine replied “The Valanglen detected Captain Fletcher’s concern about protecting sensitive information during their brief contact. It understands as it too is not sure yet about giving us similar information. I have no knowledge about Monitor Corps installations and only general knowledge of Starfleet installations. I do, however, have knowledge of the rescue mission that brought us here. My understanding is that the Monitor Corps would want that information to be shared.”
“Yes.” replied Captain Fletcher “We do.”
Valentine sat in the chair then placed the headset on her head. It was not a perfect fit, but she felt the sensation of the system establishing contact with her brain and her mind. The Valanglen DAAG took its position in the foremost DAAG couch then slipped its head into that headpiece. This was much stronger than the sensations felt during their brief contact. That had been a simple greeting with a question. This felt like instantly being in a deep conversation with an old friend.
Valentine looked over the sheets of paper and she understood each question. She spoke her answers aloud with pauses between the answers to read the next question for the benefit of her companions. “We are here to offer assistance. You are correct, Dr. Murchison took the First Aid kit to give us information on how to care for your casualties. We have friends on the way who might be able to help repair your ship or we can tow your ship to a place where it can be fixed.” Several more questions followed, then there was a body of text that explained the mission of the Valanglen ship.
“There had been a few purely experimental surge drive - as the Valanglen call it - ships, but this is their first operational ship sent out to explore and, they hoped, to find other life.” Valentine explained the brief history (contained in the pages) of the Valanglen and Deldain life forms and the symbiotic relationship that had formed between them. The Valanglen had developed their telepathy while their species made the long transition to intelligence and self awareness. They had, over the ages, tried reaching out to the other lifeforms on their world. Valentine explained “The Deldain were still pretty much what we Earth Humans know as primates when the Valanglen determined they were the best match for telepathic connections. Though fearful at first, the primitive Deldain realized the value of the defense against predators offered in contact and cooperation with the Valanglen. The symbiotic relationship that developed led to a comparatively rapid development from basic primate behavior to self awareness, intelligence and civilization.” Before moving on to the remaining questions, Valentine explained that she had translated this information from the text on the pages through the understanding of the language she was ‘borrowing’ from the Valanglen through the telepathic link.
The last question translated as ‘Why did you bring a Scairsum to this ship.’ Valentine questioned the Valanglen, who she learned was named Saulgden, then explained both internally and out loud “Naydrad is not a Scairsum of your world. Naydrad is a Kelgian from a planet called Kelgia, and she is a nurse who is also a specialist in space rescue operations. In addition to all that, she is also one of my friends. I would be completely comfortable being placed, as a patient, in Charge Nurse Naydrad’s care.” she then added for the benefit of her companions “I know that according to Sector General practices I’m suppose to use the word ‘it’ but I wanted to make it clear to Saulgden how much I’ve come to value Naydrad’s friendship.”
“We understand, friend Valentine.”
Internally, Valentine explained to Saulgden the nature of Kelgian and Cinrusskan behavior. Dobbs, who had been quietly listening to the developments, reported “A DAAG has just emerged from a hatch in the side wall near their airlock. It is holding position near their airlock.”
Captain Fletcher replied “Take no action unless it becomes aggressive. However. I’m not expecting it to do so.”
Valentine said “Dr Murchison and Nurse Naydrad, Saulgden would like to meet both of you. The Valanglen at the airlock is waiting to lead you to this auxiliary control room.”
“We are on our way.” replied Nurse Naydrad.
***
“So, what you are saying,” began Dr. O’Mara after Captain Picard, during yet another briefing session, finished telling him and Sector Marshal Dermod about the being Picard knew as Alison Trunding “is that anybody on Sector General or on a Monitor Corps ship could run into and have a conversation with someone they think they know but who is really a being from another realm. A being who seems to be working with those responsible for the realms coming together. I do not like to think about the confusion and security issues that could cause.”
“Me neither.” added Dermod.
Useless, who along with Andrew Wiggin had been included in the conversation, said “The encounters that we’ve become aware of so far have not been the disruptions you fear. They have usually been notices of tests that will take place within this realm.”
Sector Marshal Dermod asked “So, you have met and talked with this Alison Trunding?”
“Not as Alison Trunding, sir.” replied Useless “That being has appeared to me, and to a few other Vikings, in dreams as Grimbeard the Ghastly. All of my encounters have been positive as they were notices of events, or calls to take action for some kind of test.”
Dermod asked “Could you describe one of your encounters?” Useless told of how both he and his cousin, Snotlout, had encountered Grimbeard in dreams at different times that ended up being related to Snotlout coming to this realm.
Dr. O’Mara asked Andrew “And who was this being in your encounter?”
“I do not remember the form she had in the dream that prepared me to wake up in Fishlegs’s old hut on Berk when I first came to this realm. That dream led me to quickly be able to trust Useless and his friends. She appeared as the Formic Queen here on Enterprise when she gave me messages to pass on to Useless and to Captain Picard during the China crisis a few years ago. During that encounter she briefly took on Alison’s then Grimbeard’s forms while she introduced herself to me.” He quickly added “I had no feeling of fear or concern during that encounter. At first, I thought it was the Formic Queen getting in touch with me, but when I realized it wasn’t, I had also realized that the encounter did not represent a threat to me.”
Dermod said “So, there is a good chance that someone in our realm has been contacted by this being but may not be aware that something unusual had occurred.”
Dr. O’Mara suggested “I can add a few questions to my meetings with the medical and Monitor Corps staff at Sector General.”
“That will not be necessary, Dr. O’Mara. No one in your realm has been contacted by us, until now.”
“Alison Trunding.” Captain Picard said as he and everyone else in the conference room looked at the representation who appeared standing next to the wall mounted model display.
Dr. O’Mara said “I see an Earth-Human female DBDG. Does anyone see anything different?”
“I am currently projecting the same image to everybody, Dr, O’Mara, but as Andrew has told you, I can present different images to represent myself.” She rose up then hovered over the table before she changed her form. She became a large fish like creature who’s body seemed to extend beyond the walls and ceiling of the conference room. She continued, using the same voice “Dr. O’Mara. Would you kindly identify this life form for your new friends here.”
“You appear to be a Chalder AUGI. An intelligent species holding membership in the Galactic Federation.”
“And I can sense that even you hold some confusion at seeing and talking with what you see as what this realm would call ‘A fish out of water.’ That confusion, or discomfort, is the main part of why I have not - except for in dream contacts - presented my true form in my contacts within this realm. I would be more confusing than a fish out of water. I would be a being out of my dimension.” She took the form of a Common Brown Dragon to fly back to where she had appeared by the models. After changing back to the form of Alison, she said “Captain Picard. You and your Command Staff have had conversations on the changes taking place in this realm since the story realms have started coming together. Would you share the conclusions of those discussions.”
“Even though the stories of what I call the darker realms, like the realm of the Sith Empire, still do well in the popular media in this realm, opportunities to bring those realms into this realm have failed. The beings native to this realm seem to have grasped the difference between imagining a darker realm and having to live within that realm. They have rejected the Sith Empire so its influence has mostly faded away. They rejected the ‘Superhero’ beings because of their arrogance which has repeatedly led to city destroying battles. They are rejecting the darker, militaristic and world-dominating drive of the International Fleet. They have accepted the Formics, the Cylons and the Colonies of Kobol because those races have admitted their failings in their old realms, they have asked for fresh starts within this realm, and they have accepted and fully embraced the responsibilities that came with those fresh starts.”
“Now. Would you share what you and your staff have concluded about the Monitor Corps and Sector General.”
“While knowledge of their realm had been limited to a relatively small number of readers in the realm now hosting all of us, many, if not most, of those readers found in the Sector General realm a realm they could wish existed. There is a reason why many of those readers and fans were and are also fans of the realm of Starfleet and the Untied Federation of Planets. Our two realms have much in common.”
“Thank you.” Alison turned her attention to Useless “Now, King Hiccup. While all the lessons you learned during the course of gathering the King’s Lost Things are important, would you share with Sector Marshal Dermod and Dr. O’Mara the lesson you learned from the arrow-from-the-land-that-does-not-exist.”
Useless thought for a moment then said “That you must make things right in the old world before you go looking for the new, and that sometimes, what you are looking for ends up being right here at home.”
“Thank you. It is that first part that is most important to what is happening in this realm.” She turned her attention back to Captain Picard. “As I told you once before, Captain Picard, the scientists in this realm have already started making the discoveries, and if left on your own it would have been only a short matter of time before this realm would have started making the connections that would lead to this realm making the leap into the larger community. Our goal is to help the beings in this realm prepare to make that leap into a future that will change much of how they see their place in their world, and in the universe.”
Dr. O’Mara asked “So, how does Sector General fit into your plan?”
“We believe that Sector General is what the United Federation of Planets needs to continue to provide positive examples to help the people in this realm prepare to be welcomed into the larger community that awaits. We also feel that Starfleet has much to offer that could make Sector General an even stronger symbol of interspecies cooperation. How the Galactic Federation and the United Federation of Planets will work together will be up to you. We feel that the two bodies will remain as separate governments but work closely together. However. We may be wrong. We have been in the past.” She glanced at Useless again as she added “When all this started, we did not expect the Vikings and Dragons of the How To Train Your Dragon realms to become so integrated into the Enterprise crew or that they would play such a positive role in shaping Starfleet and United Federation of Planets policies as they found their place in this realm.”
Dr. O’Mara’s concern colored the tone of his voice while he said “You say the United Federation of Planets needs Sector General. Does that mean you are expecting them to take over Sector General?”
Alison asked “Why don’t you think they should?”
“Because they would ruin it. They would try to restructure it according to their methods and they would create many problems in doing so. To an outsider, Sector General may look like a mad-house, but you need to understand that there is method to the madness in that mad-house. Sector General has been, and continues to be, an experiment designed to prove the arguments put forth by MacEwan and Grawlya-Ki many decades ago. In short, Sector General is the center of attention that has played the biggest part in truly bringing the Galactic Federation together.”
“But,” said Alison “what if the Vulcans, the Andorians, the Cylons, and eventually, the Formics were to send medical personnel there to learn the ways of Sector General while they taught what their races have learned about medicine? Would that be a disruptive influence?”
“There is no reason that it should be.” replied Dermod. “Dr. O’Mara. In my discussions with Starfleet admirals, I have learned of examples of Starfleet working with, but not taking over bases and forces that came to this realm from other realms. Moonbase Alpha and Clavius Base are two examples. And, I know you’ve studied the mission of the Rapid Response Rescue Ships they are deploying. While International Rescue has teamed with Starfleet for those ships, they otherwise remain independent as a rescue organization. I personally have not seen anything that suggests that Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets poses a threat to Sector General, the Monitor Corps, or to the Galactic Federation.”
“Yes sir. I just wanted to be sure that this Alison being was not intending to change things. And I meant no offense to you, or to Starfleet, Captain Picard.”
“None taken.” replied Captain Picard “And I do believe you have set the agenda for the discussions that will take place while this delegation from the Monitor Corps and Galactic Federation travels among the worlds of the United Federation of Planets. Both sides will need to know what to expect from and of the other.”
Dermod said “I do have one question - one that I’m afraid of a potential answer. Are we real here. I mean, are we really here, or, are we dreaming all this in some kind of experiment?”
Dr. O’Mara said “I have that same question too, but I’ve reasoned that the only answer that I could rely on as being true is no to the first part and yes to the second part.”
Useless said “I believe that all of us who have come to this realm have asked variations of that question. That question has led many of us to seek the representations of our realms in this realm. When I look at myself as I was back in my old realm - back in my old life - I know that those representations are true, but I also know that they are no longer correct for me. I would be an alien in my own land if I were to go back to that realm with all the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained in this realm. Cressida Cowell, the creator of my old realm, used these two variations on a thought that fits this discussion. ‘The past is another land and we cannot go to visit’ and ‘The past is another country and they do things differently there.’ I may be guilty of paraphrasing here, but you get the gist of what she said. The How To Train Your Dragon books are my past. In my case, those books are my past life. While the reality presented in those books was real to me when I lived through it, that reality is as distant a land as is the land of the past. It does not matter, to me, that I cannot go back to that other country. The Barbaric Archipelago has been brought to this realm, but it is no longer the Barbaric Archipelago of the Dark Ages. It is now the Barbaric Archipelago that knows Starfleet, the UEO and modern technology. For better or worse, I am a citizen of this realm now. Furious is, as I wished many times later in my life back there, alive and we are both Kings of the Wilderwest. I am a friend of the Rivera family. I am a respected friend of the Commander of Moonbase Alpha. I helped the Cylons and the Colonies of Kobol find peace. My life here is as fulfilling as my old life was back there. I find that I have no wish to return to that old life. It was what it was and my life here is what it is.”
Andrew interrupted “Dr. O’Mara, would you be able to go back to being that construction worker who was unfairly forced to remain in isolation while also being forced to care for that Hudlar infant?”
“That was a long time ago. I was a younger person.” Dr. O’Mara realized what he was saying then said (rather than asked) “But if I cannot go back, where would I go if I left this realm.”
Dermod said “Where does anyone go when they die.”
Alison asked “Do I have to say anything beyond what Useless and Andrew have led you to understand?’
Dr. O’Mara’s shake of his head was slight, but since he was the center of everyone’s attention, all in the room saw it. He had much to think about.

Description
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Distress Call

Chapter 9

“It’s breathable.” reported Dr. Murchison as she ran her tests on the gas samples brought back from the alien airlock to which their portable airlock had been attached. “We can breath it, but some of these trace gasses will make us feel like we are on a farm with freshly ploughed fields.”
“A reminder of home.” said Dr. Conway as he thought about the farming community on the Earth-Human colony world that was his childhood home “That’s not too bad.”
Captain Fletcher said “I’m trying to figure out why they would fill such odd parts of the ship with soil. If the soil was a cargo shipment, there wouldn’t be any easy way to get it into or out of those parts of the ship. Valentine. Are you sure there is no record in your Starfleet database of using soil as a shielding material on a ship?”
“Not of a common soil like this seems to be. I did find a record of unfired and fired clay being used, but that clay contained compounds that did offer protection from certain emissions. And, there were layers of the fired and unfired clay lining critical areas within the ship, not large volumes of it filling compartments.”
“Thank you. Um. Hold on a sec.” After a pause, Captain Fletcher said “The airlock is cycling. They are investigating the addition to their ship. The inner hatch has opened. I presume they are entering it now.”
Valentine noticed Dr. Prilicla’s tremors. The trembling Cinrusskan said “The mood from that part of the ship quickly changed from curiosity to fear and anger. I have no way to be sure, but from the timing, I think this change was in response to them seeing the photographs of us we left in there. Those negative emotions are rapidly spreading throughout that ship.”
Valentine said “I guess leaving the pictures of us to let them know what to expect when we go in was not a good idea.”
“I disagree.” replied Dr. Conway. “We now know that something about us frightens them. We know that we have to be more cautious than usual when we go in.”
Captain Fletcher said “I’m taking charge again, for now.”
“No argument from me, Captain.” replied Dr. Conway. “But, we are still going over there. Right?”
“Not with a space-walk. They slammed the inner door of our airlock shut, but they did not lock it right. We will have to dock with them then equalize the pressure before we can go in. Also. I think our odds of a quick getaway are better if we didn’t have to cycle the airlock to get out of there.”
“Agreed.” replied Naydrad.
Dr. Prilicla reported “The entities emoting fear and anger are all gathering in the part of the ship farthest from the airlock. There are others in that ship who are emoting confusion more than anything else.”
***
“Captain, I appreciate your concern,” Ensign Singebreath’s translated voice was flat “but I will be fine here. There will be no repeat of my panic freeze. My first view of that Melfan ELNT doctor triggered a memory of a childhood nightmare about crabs, but I have had a conversation with Dr. Medalont and I now know that it is a doctor who cares for patients here. Would you believe that it had a moment of concern when it learned that Dragons are fire-breathers? There are fire-breathing monsters in Melfan myths and legends. Now that Dr. Medalont and I have talked, I think we will get along fine.”
“May I help you, Captain Issacson?” asked Senior Physician Medalont who had just entered the ward. It did indeed have a resemblance to a giant Earth crab.
“No Doctor. I was just offering Ensign Singebreath a ride out of here.”
“Please tell me that it declined your offer. It is so rare for one to be offered a chance to make peace with the subject of a childhood nightmare and here both of us are getting that chance.”
“I declined his offer.” said the Deadly Shadow Dragon. His Dragonese was translated to both English and Melfan.
“Good. I came here to tell you that the test chamber is ready. They will be calling for us shortly. As the Senior Physician assigned to your testing, I am authorizing you to walk with me to the test chamber.”
Singebreath turned to the Captain then said “You might want to come along to watch, Captain. I’m going to be breathing fire.”
“I’d love to, but we are scheduled to leave to meet Rhabwar in just over forty minutes. That means I have to leave this ward in a few minutes to get to Reception in time for the beam out. Can you believe this place? This place is bigger than all five Galaxy Class starships put together and they don’t have turbolifts.”
“But we do have powered patient Litters.” said Charge Nurse Leethveeschi, the chlorine breathing Illensan who gestured to the powered litter that had been waiting to take Singebreath to the test chamber. Leethveeschi’s transparent environment suit seemed almost opaque with the chlorine atmosphere it contained. “I know you have been instructed on the basic rules governing travel through the corridors of Sector General - Diagnosticians have the highest right of way while trainees and visitors have the lowest. You may not have been told the two exceptions to that rule. First is when common sense tells you it is not safe to stand on the rules. The other is a Charge Nurse with a patient in a litter. Even the big lumbering Hudlar FROB and Tralthan FGLI Diagnosticians will get out of the way of a Nurse driving a litter carrying a patient. I can cut about a third off that travel time.”
“I’m not a patient.”
“But you would be doing me a favor too. My shift has just ended, and I plan to watch an MSVK surgeon perform an operation on a DBLF patient. My route to that operating theater will take me close to Reception, and since Dr. Medalont has just cleared Patient Singebreath to walk with escort, this litter is no longer needed in this ward and would eventually be sent back to the litter pool at Reception.”
Dr. Metalont added “And no one would question such a decision made by a Charge Nurse of Leethveeschi’s standing.”
“In that case, I accept your kind offer, Charge Nurse Leethveeschi.”
***
As the team entered the portable airlock they saw that the picture of Nurse Naydrad had been torn to pieces then those pieces had been trampled on. Dr. Conway asked “Dr. Prilicla, when you felt their outburst of negative emotional radiation, did you get an impression of how deep those emotions were?” He knew the Cinrusskan would have given that information if it had noticed it earlier; his intent was to start the necessary conversation.
“No, friend Conway, there were too many beings emoting and they were not in sync with their cycling shifts between fear and anger. Given this evidence, I suspect that the mere sight of the picture of friend Naydrad triggered a response based on either a racial memory, or based on recent events.”
Murchison asked “So, you are saying they see Naydrad as a predator or an enemy?”
“That is correct, friend Murchison. I believe it would be prudent for friend Naydrad to remain on Rhabwar while we explore the ship.”
Captain Fletcher announced “Dobbs and Haslam will stay with Naydrad and the DBDG patient.” Naydrad made a series of sounds that did not translate. The Captain replied “I don’t need a translation to know how you feel, but the decision is mine. You stay on Rhabwar for now.”
Dobbs said to Haslam “You go back to Communications. I’ll stand the first watch here.”
***
Doctors Conway and Murchison opened the doors that were unlocked to do a visual search of the compartments. “Hold up a moment.” said Murchison as she looked into one of the compartments “This looks interesting.”
“That has to be a First Aid kit.” Dr. Conway said as he looked into the compartment and saw the open metal box on the table.
“I realize the beings on this ship might think of it as theft, but I’m taking that back to my lab. The contents of that kit could help us prepare to treat the casualties.”
“Be sure to photograph those symbols on the lid. Make sure friend Haslam sends a copy of that photo to friend Lazcing on Tragenhad.”
“Yes, Doctor.” Murchison moved the loose packets on the table back into the box before she took the kit to Rhabwar.
They saw First Aid kits mounted to either a wall or the side of a table in a few of the other compartments they searched, so they each felt less concern over Murchison having taken that one kit back to her lab. Then they opened a door and Dr. Conway called out over the radio “Murchison, We have found what appears to be the medical bay. Valentine is using the tricorder to scan everything in the room and she is sending the results to the LCARS terminal.”
“Thanks. Can you describe the furnishings?”
Valentine replied “There seems to be furnishings for two different species. There are two beds that are close in size and shape to the standard patient beds in DBDG configuration on Rhabwar. The third bed is longer and narrower and the upper surface is shallow concave rather than being flat.”
Dr Conway interrupted “I’ve found a pair of illustrative charts on frames that slide out of a wall. According to these images, there are two species. One is basically DBDG, but with different features, and the other I am giving a preliminary classification of DAAG.”
“DAAG? What would that look like?” Murchison asked with a surprised tone in her voice.
“Earthworms.” replied Valentine “I’m taking image scans of both charts and close-ups of some of the details. All will be sent to the terminal.”
Captain Fletcher said “That would explain the soil filled spaces on this ship.”
Dr. Prilicla said “The direction of one of the sources of emotion that has been following us makes sense now. When you move to the next compartment I will linger in the hall and try sending out positive emotions.” His attention was drawn to a small pile of sheets of paper resting in a catch-tray mounted on the wall opposite the charts. “Friend Valentine,” the tone of the clicks of his Cinrusskan voice suggested both surprise and concern “please check your scans. Were those sheets of paper in that wall rack there when you scanned this room?”
“No.” replied Murchison over the radio “I’ve been studying her scans of the medical bay - to see if there was anything I’d want you to examine. I’m looking at a wall mounted rack now and it is empty in the scan.”
Valentine lifted the sheets then examined them. “This is the language we’ve seen elsewhere in this ship.” She scanned each page then returned the sheets to the rack. “Is there anything else you’d like us to scan in here, Dr. Murchison?”
“Not at this time. You should proceed to the next compartment.”
When the group returned to the corridor, they found their way to the next compartment blocked by a DAAG. As near as Valentine, or anyone for that matter, could guess the intentions of an earthworm, she felt that this being was not displaying a threatening posture. She and the others stood still, trying to hold neutral postures and expressions.
The DAAG moved toward Dr. Conway, who happened to be the closest. The DAAG came to a stop with its head about two feed from Conway’s head. After a few moments, the DAAG shuttered then withdrew. It then cautiously approached Captain Fletcher. After holding the two foot distance for an interval, it lightly touched its head to the side of Captain Fletcher’s head before withdrawing again.
“Dr. Conway.” began the Captain “It speaks of you as one who is too many. I guess it was confused by the memory tapes you have in there with you. Valentine. Please go and get those pages from the rack. We are going to need them.”
While returning to the medical bay, Valentine heard Captain Fletcher explain to Doctors Conway and Prilicla “Maybe the DAAGs should be VAAGs. They are telepathic.”
When she returned with the pages, the DAAG led the way past the next few compartments then turned to the right at the next intersection. The DAAG was, Valentine guessed, about eight or nine foot long and about nine or ten inches in diameter. While it had no limbs and had no accessories attached to its body, she was sure, based on the strength of its movement, that if angry it could be a strong opponent. Apart from its having initially blocked the passage, the being was showing no aggressive behavior.
The DAAG came to a stop at the first door they reached after the turn. It pressed the tip of its face to the door which opened without the DAAG having to hit the other controls. That room was the most technical looking room they had seen so far on the ship. Many screens were mounted on the main wall. A few of them were dark, but others displayed what Valentine assumed were status reports. Some lines of text were flashing and others were grayed out on those screens. One screen displayed a situational awareness image indicating the presence of Rhabwar and Trafalur. The screen next to that one showed what appeared to be navigation information. The furnishings in the room would accommodate two DAAGs on long narrow couches like the one they had seen in the medical bay. The other two furnishings were suited to the DBDG form. Those chairs had control panels that would swing into place after the chair was occupied. All four crew locations had a rack holding a headpiece that Valentine assumed to be communications gear. The DAAG turned its head toward Valentine then gestured to the foremost DBDG chair.
“I’m not a pilot.” said Valentine “I’m a medical student.”
The DAAG moved closer to Valentine and made telepathic contact. After a moment, Valentine said “I understand.” She moved to the chair.
Murchison said “Shouldn’t we take some time to study this technology, and shouldn’t Captain Fletcher be the one to evaluate this technology?” Dr. Prilicla had been quietly keeping Murchison informed on the events.
Valentine replied “The Valanglen detected Captain Fletcher’s concern about protecting sensitive information during their brief contact. It understands as it too is not sure yet about giving us similar information. I have no knowledge about Monitor Corps installations and only general knowledge of Starfleet installations. I do, however, have knowledge of the rescue mission that brought us here. My understanding is that the Monitor Corps would want that information to be shared.”
“Yes.” replied Captain Fletcher “We do.”
Valentine sat in the chair then placed the headset on her head. It was not a perfect fit, but she felt the sensation of the system establishing contact with her brain and her mind. The Valanglen DAAG took its position in the foremost DAAG couch then slipped its head into that headpiece. This was much stronger than the sensations felt during their brief contact. That had been a simple greeting with a question. This felt like instantly being in a deep conversation with an old friend.
Valentine looked over the sheets of paper and she understood each question. She spoke her answers aloud with pauses between the answers to read the next question for the benefit of her companions. “We are here to offer assistance. You are correct, Dr. Murchison took the First Aid kit to give us information on how to care for your casualties. We have friends on the way who might be able to help repair your ship or we can tow your ship to a place where it can be fixed.” Several more questions followed, then there was a body of text that explained the mission of the Valanglen ship.
“There had been a few purely experimental surge drive - as the Valanglen call it - ships, but this is their first operational ship sent out to explore and, they hoped, to find other life.” Valentine explained the brief history (contained in the pages) of the Valanglen and Deldain life forms and the symbiotic relationship that had formed between them. The Valanglen had developed their telepathy while their species made the long transition to intelligence and self awareness. They had, over the ages, tried reaching out to the other lifeforms on their world. Valentine explained “The Deldain were still pretty much what we Earth Humans know as primates when the Valanglen determined they were the best match for telepathic connections. Though fearful at first, the primitive Deldain realized the value of the defense against predators offered in contact and cooperation with the Valanglen. The symbiotic relationship that developed led to a comparatively rapid development from basic primate behavior to self awareness, intelligence and civilization.” Before moving on to the remaining questions, Valentine explained that she had translated this information from the text on the pages through the understanding of the language she was ‘borrowing’ from the Valanglen through the telepathic link.
The last question translated as ‘Why did you bring a Scairsum to this ship.’ Valentine questioned the Valanglen, who she learned was named Saulgden, then explained both internally and out loud “Naydrad is not a Scairsum of your world. Naydrad is a Kelgian from a planet called Kelgia, and she is a nurse who is also a specialist in space rescue operations. In addition to all that, she is also one of my friends. I would be completely comfortable being placed, as a patient, in Charge Nurse Naydrad’s care.” she then added for the benefit of her companions “I know that according to Sector General practices I’m suppose to use the word ‘it’ but I wanted to make it clear to Saulgden how much I’ve come to value Naydrad’s friendship.”
“We understand, friend Valentine.”
Internally, Valentine explained to Saulgden the nature of Kelgian and Cinrusskan behavior. Dobbs, who had been quietly listening to the developments, reported “A DAAG has just emerged from a hatch in the side wall near their airlock. It is holding position near their airlock.”
Captain Fletcher replied “Take no action unless it becomes aggressive. However. I’m not expecting it to do so.”
Valentine said “Dr Murchison and Nurse Naydrad, Saulgden would like to meet both of you. The Valanglen at the airlock is waiting to lead you to this auxiliary control room.”
“We are on our way.” replied Nurse Naydrad.
***
“So, what you are saying,” began Dr. O’Mara after Captain Picard, during yet another briefing session, finished telling him and Sector Marshal Dermod about the being Picard knew as Alison Trunding “is that anybody on Sector General or on a Monitor Corps ship could run into and have a conversation with someone they think they know but who is really a being from another realm. A being who seems to be working with those responsible for the realms coming together. I do not like to think about the confusion and security issues that could cause.”
“Me neither.” added Dermod.
Useless, who along with Andrew Wiggin had been included in the conversation, said “The encounters that we’ve become aware of so far have not been the disruptions you fear. They have usually been notices of tests that will take place within this realm.”
Sector Marshal Dermod asked “So, you have met and talked with this Alison Trunding?”
“Not as Alison Trunding, sir.” replied Useless “That being has appeared to me, and to a few other Vikings, in dreams as Grimbeard the Ghastly. All of my encounters have been positive as they were notices of events, or calls to take action for some kind of test.”
Dermod asked “Could you describe one of your encounters?” Useless told of how both he and his cousin, Snotlout, had encountered Grimbeard in dreams at different times that ended up being related to Snotlout coming to this realm.
Dr. O’Mara asked Andrew “And who was this being in your encounter?”
“I do not remember the form she had in the dream that prepared me to wake up in Fishlegs’s old hut on Berk when I first came to this realm. That dream led me to quickly be able to trust Useless and his friends. She appeared as the Formic Queen here on Enterprise when she gave me messages to pass on to Useless and to Captain Picard during the China crisis a few years ago. During that encounter she briefly took on Alison’s then Grimbeard’s forms while she introduced herself to me.” He quickly added “I had no feeling of fear or concern during that encounter. At first, I thought it was the Formic Queen getting in touch with me, but when I realized it wasn’t, I had also realized that the encounter did not represent a threat to me.”
Dermod said “So, there is a good chance that someone in our realm has been contacted by this being but may not be aware that something unusual had occurred.”
Dr. O’Mara suggested “I can add a few questions to my meetings with the medical and Monitor Corps staff at Sector General.”
“That will not be necessary, Dr. O’Mara. No one in your realm has been contacted by us, until now.”
“Alison Trunding.” Captain Picard said as he and everyone else in the conference room looked at the representation who appeared standing next to the wall mounted model display.
Dr. O’Mara said “I see an Earth-Human female DBDG. Does anyone see anything different?”
“I am currently projecting the same image to everybody, Dr, O’Mara, but as Andrew has told you, I can present different images to represent myself.” She rose up then hovered over the table before she changed her form. She became a large fish like creature who’s body seemed to extend beyond the walls and ceiling of the conference room. She continued, using the same voice “Dr. O’Mara. Would you kindly identify this life form for your new friends here.”
“You appear to be a Chalder AUGI. An intelligent species holding membership in the Galactic Federation.”
“And I can sense that even you hold some confusion at seeing and talking with what you see as what this realm would call ‘A fish out of water.’ That confusion, or discomfort, is the main part of why I have not - except for in dream contacts - presented my true form in my contacts within this realm. I would be more confusing than a fish out of water. I would be a being out of my dimension.” She took the form of a Common Brown Dragon to fly back to where she had appeared by the models. After changing back to the form of Alison, she said “Captain Picard. You and your Command Staff have had conversations on the changes taking place in this realm since the story realms have started coming together. Would you share the conclusions of those discussions.”
“Even though the stories of what I call the darker realms, like the realm of the Sith Empire, still do well in the popular media in this realm, opportunities to bring those realms into this realm have failed. The beings native to this realm seem to have grasped the difference between imagining a darker realm and having to live within that realm. They have rejected the Sith Empire so its influence has mostly faded away. They rejected the ‘Superhero’ beings because of their arrogance which has repeatedly led to city destroying battles. They are rejecting the darker, militaristic and world-dominating drive of the International Fleet. They have accepted the Formics, the Cylons and the Colonies of Kobol because those races have admitted their failings in their old realms, they have asked for fresh starts within this realm, and they have accepted and fully embraced the responsibilities that came with those fresh starts.”
“Now. Would you share what you and your staff have concluded about the Monitor Corps and Sector General.”
“While knowledge of their realm had been limited to a relatively small number of readers in the realm now hosting all of us, many, if not most, of those readers found in the Sector General realm a realm they could wish existed. There is a reason why many of those readers and fans were and are also fans of the realm of Starfleet and the Untied Federation of Planets. Our two realms have much in common.”
“Thank you.” Alison turned her attention to Useless “Now, King Hiccup. While all the lessons you learned during the course of gathering the King’s Lost Things are important, would you share with Sector Marshal Dermod and Dr. O’Mara the lesson you learned from the arrow-from-the-land-that-does-not-exist.”
Useless thought for a moment then said “That you must make things right in the old world before you go looking for the new, and that sometimes, what you are looking for ends up being right here at home.”
“Thank you. It is that first part that is most important to what is happening in this realm.” She turned her attention back to Captain Picard. “As I told you once before, Captain Picard, the scientists in this realm have already started making the discoveries, and if left on your own it would have been only a short matter of time before this realm would have started making the connections that would lead to this realm making the leap into the larger community. Our goal is to help the beings in this realm prepare to make that leap into a future that will change much of how they see their place in their world, and in the universe.”
Dr. O’Mara asked “So, how does Sector General fit into your plan?”
“We believe that Sector General is what the United Federation of Planets needs to continue to provide positive examples to help the people in this realm prepare to be welcomed into the larger community that awaits. We also feel that Starfleet has much to offer that could make Sector General an even stronger symbol of interspecies cooperation. How the Galactic Federation and the United Federation of Planets will work together will be up to you. We feel that the two bodies will remain as separate governments but work closely together. However. We may be wrong. We have been in the past.” She glanced at Useless again as she added “When all this started, we did not expect the Vikings and Dragons of the How To Train Your Dragon realms to become so integrated into the Enterprise crew or that they would play such a positive role in shaping Starfleet and United Federation of Planets policies as they found their place in this realm.”
Dr. O’Mara’s concern colored the tone of his voice while he said “You say the United Federation of Planets needs Sector General. Does that mean you are expecting them to take over Sector General?”
Alison asked “Why don’t you think they should?”
“Because they would ruin it. They would try to restructure it according to their methods and they would create many problems in doing so. To an outsider, Sector General may look like a mad-house, but you need to understand that there is method to the madness in that mad-house. Sector General has been, and continues to be, an experiment designed to prove the arguments put forth by MacEwan and Grawlya-Ki many decades ago. In short, Sector General is the center of attention that has played the biggest part in truly bringing the Galactic Federation together.”
“But,” said Alison “what if the Vulcans, the Andorians, the Cylons, and eventually, the Formics were to send medical personnel there to learn the ways of Sector General while they taught what their races have learned about medicine? Would that be a disruptive influence?”
“There is no reason that it should be.” replied Dermod. “Dr. O’Mara. In my discussions with Starfleet admirals, I have learned of examples of Starfleet working with, but not taking over bases and forces that came to this realm from other realms. Moonbase Alpha and Clavius Base are two examples. And, I know you’ve studied the mission of the Rapid Response Rescue Ships they are deploying. While International Rescue has teamed with Starfleet for those ships, they otherwise remain independent as a rescue organization. I personally have not seen anything that suggests that Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets poses a threat to Sector General, the Monitor Corps, or to the Galactic Federation.”
“Yes sir. I just wanted to be sure that this Alison being was not intending to change things. And I meant no offense to you, or to Starfleet, Captain Picard.”
“None taken.” replied Captain Picard “And I do believe you have set the agenda for the discussions that will take place while this delegation from the Monitor Corps and Galactic Federation travels among the worlds of the United Federation of Planets. Both sides will need to know what to expect from and of the other.”
Dermod said “I do have one question - one that I’m afraid of a potential answer. Are we real here. I mean, are we really here, or, are we dreaming all this in some kind of experiment?”
Dr. O’Mara said “I have that same question too, but I’ve reasoned that the only answer that I could rely on as being true is no to the first part and yes to the second part.”
Useless said “I believe that all of us who have come to this realm have asked variations of that question. That question has led many of us to seek the representations of our realms in this realm. When I look at myself as I was back in my old realm - back in my old life - I know that those representations are true, but I also know that they are no longer correct for me. I would be an alien in my own land if I were to go back to that realm with all the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained in this realm. Cressida Cowell, the creator of my old realm, used these two variations on a thought that fits this discussion. ‘The past is another land and we cannot go to visit’ and ‘The past is another country and they do things differently there.’ I may be guilty of paraphrasing here, but you get the gist of what she said. The How To Train Your Dragon books are my past. In my case, those books are my past life. While the reality presented in those books was real to me when I lived through it, that reality is as distant a land as is the land of the past. It does not matter, to me, that I cannot go back to that other country. The Barbaric Archipelago has been brought to this realm, but it is no longer the Barbaric Archipelago of the Dark Ages. It is now the Barbaric Archipelago that knows Starfleet, the UEO and modern technology. For better or worse, I am a citizen of this realm now. Furious is, as I wished many times later in my life back there, alive and we are both Kings of the Wilderwest. I am a friend of the Rivera family. I am a respected friend of the Commander of Moonbase Alpha. I helped the Cylons and the Colonies of Kobol find peace. My life here is as fulfilling as my old life was back there. I find that I have no wish to return to that old life. It was what it was and my life here is what it is.”
Andrew interrupted “Dr. O’Mara, would you be able to go back to being that construction worker who was unfairly forced to remain in isolation while also being forced to care for that Hudlar infant?”
“That was a long time ago. I was a younger person.” Dr. O’Mara realized what he was saying then said (rather than asked) “But if I cannot go back, where would I go if I left this realm.”
Dermod said “Where does anyone go when they die.”
Alison asked “Do I have to say anything beyond what Useless and Andrew have led you to understand?’
Dr. O’Mara’s shake of his head was slight, but since he was the center of everyone’s attention, all in the room saw it. He had much to think about.