"Saving The Past One Crystal At A Time"
(Previous Post: "Emotions versus Logic")
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Stardate: 60333.1130
The Shillian scientist had wasted no time returning to the bridge with the account of what Lieutenant Fairborn had experienced wanting to relay the importance of their discovery in person instead of through the communication system of the HATHOR for fear of not being able to properly convey the significance of what they needed to do next.
"It is truly amazing," the Chief Science Officer said as she exploded onto the bridge, "it appears that the crystals stored within the comet are storage devices sent out by a yet to be determined race. Maybe this was meant as a way to safeguard their history from destruction or to allow other races to share in what they had experienced as a civilization, but at this time there is not enough information to say for sure. Although we do not have a lot to go on at this time, it is my theory that each crystal contains one story, historical record or maybe even some literary works which we must investigate further, I mean the comet is on a collision course for an uninhabited world and therefore we are bound by science to save as much of this as we can."
The Commanding Officer of the USS HATHOR looked at her Executive Officer for a few seconds, letting the silence that had followed the warp speed account of the scientist settle in. It was easy to see in the eyes of the Shillian woman that she had wanted to say more, a lot more, but the look that she had been on the receiving end of had thankfully prevented her from continuing, at least for the time being.
"Facts," the hybrid woman said, meeting the longwinded abilities of the Shillian with short and to the point words. "What do we have?"
The Chief Science Officer had been on the verge of giving her reply when she stopped herself realising that her first thoughts had not met the specifications of the Commanding Officer of the HATHOR, that of being facts and not theories. Carefully selecting her words, the Shillian woman gave a factual report of what had occurred in Main Engineering. "One crystal was safely beamed onboard," the scientist said making certain that she did not waver away from the pure and simple facts of their discovery. "After confirming that there was no danger, Lieutenant Fairborn reached in and retrieved the crystal. Immediately upon contact with the crystal, the mind of Lieutenant Fairborn was invaded by images which he later described to me as the story of a young man on an adventure. According to Lieutenant Fairborn, the crystal *downloaded* this story into his mind without any ill effects. I have asked Doctor Summers to insure that this is true."
"Interesting," the half Human, half Romulan woman said turning to face the Chief of Operations, Ensign Kea. "Ensign, see if we can beam the entire content of the comet into the storage bay."
The man glanced down at his instruments and appeared as if he had just been asked to swallow an elephant whole. "With all due respect Commander, that is going to take a while. Because of the rotation of the comet and its composition which is interfering with the targeting scanners I doubt that I would be able to lock on and beam more than one at a time."
"What if we used a modified tractor beam to push the comet out of the way of the planet?" Ensign Stormwind proposed turning to look at the woman sitting in the centre chair.
"According to the transporter log provided by Lieutenant Fairborn," the Shillian woman said pulling up the PADD that she had with her, "the crystalline structure of the comet makes such an attempt impossible as it would create a sympathetic resonance which would lead to the comet being reduces to dust."
"Maybe whoever sent this out wanted it to be destroyed," the new Chief of Security said. "Why else send it on a collision course."
"According to the same transporter log, the crystal we beamed back is over a million years old," the Chief Science Officer said. "Somehow I doubt that whoever sent such ancient artefacts intentionally wanted them to be shattered into dust, I mean if that was the plan why send them through space where anyone could come across it and save the content. I think it is far more likely that something happened to their world and they came up with this method to safeguard what they could of their history and culture."
"There is no way for us to know this for sure," Lieutenant Commander Serenna pointed out showing that she had not been willing to accept the idea presented by her First Officer, at least not without some proof.
"There is one way to be certain," the Chief Science Officer replied matter of factly. "We could, as the crystals are being beamed onboard, have members of the crew *access* their content and see what other information we can discover."
While debating the suggestion made by the Executive Officer the attention of the Commanding Officer was diverted to the doors as Doctor Summers stepped in. "How is Lieutenant Fairborn?" The hybrid asked, concerned for the giant who was not only the Chief Engineering Officer of the HATHOR but also a valued member of the team which made NEW ALEXANDRIA the efficient place that it was.
"Aside from being in complete adoration with me and Ensign Halliwell, Elan is fine," the Chief Medical Officer replied grinning from ear to ear. "I found absolutely nothing wrong with him. Whatever memories were transferred from the crystal to him mind seem to have vanished. The process appears to be only temporary and absolutely safe."
"Commander," the Executive Officer said approaching the woman in charge of the HATHOR, "tricorders are unable to read the information contained within the crystals, and since the transfer is safe, as per the report of Doctor Summers, I suggest that we begin transporting the crystals and begin a record of the history they possess before it is all lost."
"I do have one additional note," Doctor Summers said stepping up to the central chair. "The transfer was fatiguing for Elan meaning that he or whoever else take part in this would not be able to do it again for at least another half hour, maybe a full hour depending on the person."
"What if we asked everyone on the ship to help?" The Shillian scientist proposed, trying as hard as she could to make this possible. "Each member of the crew could take a crystal and record what they experienced before taking as much time as needed to rest afterwards. At least this way we would be able to find out more and save as much of these records as possible while at the same time discovering more about who sent them out into space."
The Commanding Officer gave the entire matter some lengthy thought before turning to Ensign Kea. "Begin transporting the crystals and have them beamed into the storage bay," turning to her Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Serenna continued, "but I will not order anyone onboard to submit to this. I will authorize volunteers to assist but that is as far as I am willing to go."
"Thank you," the Shillian scientist replied trying her best to contain her excitement before rushing off the bridge to the storage bay with the hopes that the majority of the crew would volunteer for this unique experience.
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"To see the world in a grain of sand, 2005 post #588
Setting: USS HATHOR, Bridge
Jessica Solarik { maya_992003@yahoo.com }
Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)
