Chapter 3

        Johnson stood at attention, with Favor and Ironsides flanking him on both sides. Chief Bogarde stood behind them, present in his official capacity of the ship’s top security officer. Commander Fonda stood to the side of the transporter operator, and several security officers stood by the doors. Johnson looked back at the transporter operator, an experienced lieutenant.
        “Avir, are they ready to be transported?” the captain asked.
        Lieutenant Avir nodded, his saggy skin wobbling as he did so. “Yes, Captain. Four lifeforms are assembled in the target coordinates.”
        “Well then, energize.”
        Avir pressed his thick three fingered hand against the console, and the hum of the transporters vibrated through the room. The transporter pads glowed with collected energy. The annular confinement beam materialized into view as the visitors were reconstituted aboard the Courageous.
        Favor whispered to Johnson. “I still don’t understand why you won’t tell me what you and Ironsides talked about in your ready room.”
        “I’m sorry, but I already told you that regulations prohibit me at this point,” Johnson whispered back.
        “Well, obviously it has something to do with the Danosm, and I don’t like going into first contact and subsequent negotiations without all the facts I can get beforehand.”
        Johnson shook his head. “You’ll be fine. Quite frankly, the major and I aren’t sure what to make of it either. I don’t think it’s a factor right now.”
        “If you say so,” Favor shrugged, frowning. “But I don’t like it.”
        Johnson remained silent, instead looking at the transporter platform. The beams continued sparkling in place. Johnson furrowed his brow. “Lieutenant, why is it taking so long?”
        Avir replied, “I don’t know. Something’s holding up their signal. I’m trying to get them through but the signal’s been suspended!”
        “What? Get them here, or send them back! I don’t want to lose them this early,” Johnson said.
        The lieutenant sputtered, shaking his head helplessly as Fonda glared at the transporter controls, tapping menus. The humming in the room intensified, and light shone out from the platform. Johnson turned to see a group of orange hued aliens appearing in the transporter beams.
        “Transport complete,” Avir said. “No error logs are showing up.”
        Johnson took his first close look at the Danosm. They were generally humanoid in appearance, dressed in light brown and tan swaths of clothes wrapped around their bodies. All of them were hairless and all of them had the same orange skin, only to varying degrees of darkness. And all of them had the same thin, unobtrusive cybernetic implants that he had noticed earlier. A few had more, while others had less.
        One Danosm stepped towards them. Johnson narrowed his eyes at the Danosm for a second, before finally recognizing the Danosm as Galnt, the one they had spoken to earlier.
        “Welcome aboard the U.S.S. Courageous,” Johnson said to Galnt.
        “Your greetings are accepted,” Galnt spoke, moving his hands slightly. “The transporter technology is intriguing, although it has its limits.”
        “Ah yes, we apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced during transport. We had a very slight technical issue,” Johnson said.
        “The fault did not lie in your technology,” Galnt replied, again gesturing with his hands. “Our technologists interrupted the process to observe and analyze the method.”
        Johnson took a breath. “Well, that can be very dangerous. You could have put your lives at risk.”
        “We were monitored by the Home Laboratory. We were quite safe. Our technologists have the fundamentals of your transporter technology already grasped,” Galnt said.
        Favor stepped forward. “If I may ask, most sufficiently advanced civilizations develop matter transportation, and most races we’ve encountered use this particular form of technology. What form do you use?”
        Galnt turned to look at Favor with his yellow eyes. He moved his hands, then spoke. “We use spatial displacement.”
        “That’s very interesting. Hopefully you’ll be able to tell us more about that,” Favor smiled. “I’m sorry, but I have another question.”
        “Do not apologize for asking questions,” Galnt said. “That is the very purpose of life, to ask questions, so we can learn. What is your question?”
        Favor looked at Galnt’s rough hands. “Your hands, why do you move them as you speak?”
        “It is our language, a vestigial element of our communication.”
        “Very interesting,” Favor nodded. “There are a few members of the Federation with a similar communication style.”
        Johnson stepped forward, ushering the other Danosm down off the platform. The other three had not spoken yet, instead taking in the Transporter Room with their eyes and handheld sensor devices. Johnson noticed that Galnt had less cybernetic implants compared to the other three. However, he couldn’t discount more implants hidden from view.
        Favor began introductions, telling Galnt of Major Ironsides and Chief Bogarde, and the other people assembled in the Transporter Room.
        As Favor led the Danosm party out of the chamber, Johnson stepped to Bogarde’s side, laying a hand on the chief’s muscular arm. “Chief, a moment.”
        “Yes, sir?” Bogarde asked.
        “I’d like you to look through the Danosm’s transporter records. I want to see if those cybernetic implants pose any danger.”
        “I had the exact same thought, sir,” Bogarde smiled, nodding. “I’ll let you know what I find.”
        “Thanks.” Johnson hurried to catch up to Favor in the lead.
        
        Galnt introduced the other Danosm to the Courageous welcome party. The shortest Danosm was called Enfilar. He was an Energy Analysis Technologist, dedicated to the study of energy and its usage, conversion and storage. He also had the most visible cybernetic implants, mottling his orange hide with grey and tan circuitry. Fonda would take him to Engineering.
        Mialaf, the Propulsion Technologist, also would accompany Fonda and Enfilar to Main Engineering. Mialaf was the same height as Galnt, and they both measured only a few centimeters less than Johnson did. She studied propulsion theory and design.
        Finally, the Data Systems Technologist, named Ploere, wanted to study the ship’s computer core. Johnson asked Major Ironsides to escort the Danosm through the ship.
        Favor would take Galnt on a general tour of the ship, looking to develop a rapport with the alien representative.

        Major Ironsides walked down the corridor with Ploere, with a young security officer trailing behind them. The Danosm’s head swiveled to and fro, keenly taking in every square centimeter of the ship’s corridor. He ran a circuitry enhanced hand alongside the beige wall panels as they walked towards a turbolift.
        “I detect bio-organic components within,” Ploere said. He stopped walking and crouched down to a panel that was at knee-level.
        Ironsides stopped and looked down at Ploere. He tucked his trouser legs up and crouched down next to Ploere. He ran his fingers along the recessed grooves of the wall panel, finding the appropriate fingerholds. He pulled the panel off and set it on the deck next to his feet, leaning it against the wall.
        Within the wall were a series of rectangular blue packs of gel, connected with wiring via silver and gold color metal terminals. Faint light pulsed within the blue gel.
        Ploere reached to touch one of the gelpacks. Ironsides shouted, “Don’t touch it!”
        The Danosm jerked his hand back, frightened.
        “I’m sorry,” Ironsides said. “These are bioneural gelpacks are protected by a low level sterilization field, and your species is not officially recognized on our ship’s database. Your touch could have triggered an anti-infection protocol.”
        “Yes, I understand,” Ploere said. “These are organic components and as such, are susceptible to infection. A drawback.”
        “Yes, I suppose so,” Ironsides said. “But based on new data and feedback, Starfleet R&D has been able to bioengineer hardier strains of biomimetic gel, but the risks of new infections are higher in unexplored space.”
        “Understood. A correspondence: you use bio-organic technology as we do. Not as efficiently as we do, but a valid sign of advanced knowledge.” Ploere looked at Ironsides. “Do you have more bio-circuitry on your ship? Is bio-organic technology widespread in your ship fleet?”
        “All ships constructed or refitted in the last eleven years utilize bioneural gelpacks to varying degrees.”
        “What duties are assigned to this array?”
        Ironsides looked at the row of gelpacks. “Most of the bioneural gelpacks are used in navigational calculations.”
        “Ah yes, independent thought, rapid mathematics,” Ploere nodded approvingly. He held his hands outstretched.
        “Are you scanning the gelpacks?” Ironsides asked.
        “Yes, to record and transmit via the cylink to the others.”
        “Do you do that all the time? Tell everyone else what you see?”
        “Yes. Information hidden benefits no one,” Ploere stated. “The more we know, the more we advance.”
        Ironsides leaned against the wall. “Does this mean you’re willing to share your information and technology with us?”
        “That is not my decision to make. That is the Department’s to make. My initial analysis is that your people are sufficiently advanced enough to share in some of our knowledge.”
        Ironsides frowned. “Only some?”
        “Yes. Giving information to less advanced races is forbidden. It is a waste of knowledge if one is not advanced to understand and utilize it.”
        “Starfleet has a similar principle,” Ironsides remarked.
        “That is good. Knowing the value and effects of information is very efficient. I am finished with my observations here. Let us proceed to your computer core.” Ploere stood up and faced towards the end of the corridor.
        Ironsides nodded, and replaced the wall panel cover. He stood up and set off towards the turbolift.

        The large double doors that led into Main Engineering were in view as Fonda, Enfilar, and Mialaf, and two security officers stepped out of the turbolift.
        “This is Deck 38, the floor level of Main Engineering, but it extends up one deck, into Deck 37,” Fonda told the Danosm as they walked out into the corridor.
        “And your warp core extends upwards and downwards several decks?” Enfilar asked.
        “That’s correct,” Fonda nodded. The group made their way into Main Engineering.
        Enfilar’s attention was drawn to the large warp core that rose out of the deck and ran to the ceiling. He pointed to the two large white cords that ran outwards from the warp core. “And these are the power transfer conduits you spoke of, which funnels plasma to the rest of the ship?”
        “Yes, that’s right,” Fonda said. “Did your cybernetic sensors tell you that?”
        “Yes. I am tracing the power flow on your ship, to study your design layout.”
        “And it’s instanteous?”
        “Yes,” Enfilar answered.
        “Must be nice. I can think of a few times when that’d come in handy in tracking down problems,” Fonda said.
        “Then why have you not incorporated any? Preliminary analysis of your people indicate sufficient medical engineering knowledge. You use bioneural gelpacks in the ship itself, for navigation.”
        “Bioneural gelpacks? How do you know about that?”
        “Ploere informed us of his findings,” Enfilar answered.
        “Oh, through the connection you all have...” Fonda paused, looking at the thin spidery cybernetic attachments on Enfilar’s neck and cheek.
        Enfilar moved his hands again, speaking to Fonda. “Again, I ask- why have you not incorporated your technological advances to your biology?”
        “Oh. Well, I can’t speak for everyone else,” Fonda said, “but personally, I prefer to keep an distinction between my body and technology. Just because we can do it doesn’t mean we need to. I’m curious, are you aware of a cybernetic civilization named the Borg?”
        “Yes, we are,” Milaf said. She looked at Enfilar, then at Fonda. “Information of their activities in the Delta Quadrant come to us from time to time. Do you mean to draw an parallel between the Danosm and the Borg? If so, you are mistaken. Our technology is only to serve us to learn more. The Borg strive to be technology, and they do not learn, they incorporate by rote, not appreciating or understanding the new things they must learn everyday.”
        “I’m sorry. I did not mean to insinuate that you were like the Borg. I was only curious.”
        “As are we,” Enfilar said, clasping his hands together.
        Milaf turned to look at the warp core pulsing with light and energy. “I wish to see the propulsion technology.”
        “Yes, let’s continue,” Fonda said.

        Favor stood next to Galnt, as they gazed out the large bay windows of Eleven Forward. Most of the party decorations from the evening before had been cleared away, though the tables and chairs lined the walls, from when the main floor had been cleared for dancing and the smorgasbord.
        The two men looked out at the Danosm planet as it slowly rotated. Favor noted the erratic weather patterns that covered the globe. Clouds tended to clump together over certain areas of the planet, while other areas remained bare, allowing the ambassador to see vast desert plains.
        “That’s amazing that your people were able to carve out a better living for yourselves in only a few generations,” Favor said.
        “Yes,” Galnt said. “We were fortunate that our technologists dedicated their lives to solving the problem of our harsh planet.”
        “Your terraforming technology sounds like it may be well advanced beyond that of the Federation. I’m sure we’ll be very interested in acquiring some of that knowledge.”
        “That remains to be debated amongst the Council.”
        “That brings me to another point, when may we be able to visit your planet?”
        Galnt turned to look at Favor. “We will make a determination on that upon return to the Home Laboratory. I have enjoyed the knowledge we have gained on this inspection of your ship, and I shall recommend that your people have permission to observe our home.”
        “I’m glad to hear that. Shall we move on?”
        Galnt nodded and gestured for Favor to lead the way. Favor turned to look at the planet one more time before stepping away. One of the large tan desert plains seemed to ripple, as if the surface was water. “Galnt, did you see that?”
        Galnt stood still, not speaking. His yellow eyes twitched slightly. “Yes, I did. It is of no consequence. Simply an experiment being conducted.”
        “Well, that’s some experiment if we can see it from in orbit!”
        “Let us continue. You were to show me your medical facilities next?”
        Favor regarded the Danosm. He drew in a breath, wording a question, before discarding it. “Yes. Sickbay. Our Main Sickbay facilities are the results of years of advanced medical research and engineering development. I’m sure we have one or two things you haven’t seen or even thought of yet.”
        “That would be very pleasurable to find out,” Galnt said.
        Favor and Galnt walked out of the crew lounge, wending their way through the ship’s corridors to take a turbolift down to the Main Sickbay. Favor continued by sketching a history of Starfleet Medical for Galnt.

        Upon entering Sickbay, Favor turned to Galnt. “First, I’d like you to meet the ship’s Chief Medical Officer, Doctor Edward Hartman. He’d be better qualified to give you a tour here than me. He’s a close friend of mine, also.” He scanned the personnel that roamed throughout the Sickbay, looking for Hartman. “Ah, there he is, in his office.”
        Favor pointed at the office off to the side of Sickbay, enclosed in a halfcircle of clear glass. Hartman sat at his black desk, leaning on the desktop, with his chin propped up in his hand.
        Favor walked to the open entrance of the office. “Hey.”
        Hartman looked up at Favor. “Hi.”
        “Are you busy?”
        Hartman shook his head. “Well... why?”
        “I’m showing Galnt around. He’s a representative from the Danosm. I thought you could show him around Sickbay.” Favor indicated to the orange alien next to him.
        Hartman stood up from his desk. “Sure, I can spare some time. Galnt, is it? It’s very nice to meet you.”
        “I am pleased to meet you as well,” Galnt said. “I have learned that you utilize forcefields and hologram technology on a daily basis. We would be interested in seeing your applications.”
        “We can do that,” Hartman nodded. “I don’t know if you’re willing, but it’s standard procedure for a medical scan of a new species, so we can enter it in our database. Would it be allright for us to take readings of you?”
        Galnt shrugged, again moving his hands. “I am sure we can download the relevant medical information to your computers.”
        Hartman smiled. “Well, if it’s all the same, I’d rather to take the scans myself.”
        “That seems to be an inefficient waste of time,” Galnt said. “The information would be virtually the same.”
        “Yes, but there’s something to be said for reading information off a computer database that someone else gathered, and actually doing the data gathering yourself. It’s more real that way.”
        “I fail to see the distinction,” Galnt said. “However, in the spirit of data exchange, you have my permission to gather data on my body.”
        “Great, thank you.” Hartman smiled tiredly and gestured out of the office. “This way, please.” Favor took Galnt out of the office while the doctor followed them out into the main area.
        Hartman ushered Galnt to one of the empty biobeds. “Please, sit down here. I’ll be right with you.”
        Galnt sat awkwardly on the biobed, inspecting the console at the head of the bed, while Favor stood next to the bed.
        Hartman walked over to an equipment tray, picking up a medical tricorder and a hypospray. He thumbed the hypo’s controls, then pressed the hypo against his neck. He set the hypospray down and returned to Galnt and Favor.
        Galnt looked at Hartman. “What was that device you recently used?”
        Hartman looked at the discarded hypospray. “It’s called an hypospray. It’s a device for injecting chemical compounds into people.”
        “Why did you recently use it?”
        “I have a bad headache,” Hartman smiled. “I just took an analgesic to alleviate the pain.”
        Favor looked at Hartman and winked. “Ah, yeah.”
        Hartman pulled out the remote sensor from the tricorder and passed it over Galnt’s body, scanning his anatomy. “Interesting. Nictating membranes.”
        “Nictating what?” Favor asked.
        Hartman gestured to Galnt’s eyes. “He has two eyelids basically. One’s clear and another’s opaque. Common evolutionary mechanism in people who live on planets that are predominantly desert. Vulcans have them too.”
        “Oh, so that’s the weird blinking I’ve noticed,” Favor said.
        “Yes,” Galnt confirmed. “It protects our eyes from sandstorms and solar radiation.”
        “Excuse me,” Hartman interrupted, “but could you keep your hands still?”
        “I apologize,” Galnt said, laying his orange hands on his lap.
        “Speaking of desert life, that’s why he moved his hands,” Favor said.
        “How’s that?” asked Hartman.
        “The Danosm language evolved in harsh desert life. Oftentimes, the desert wind would drown out certain pitches of sound, so they came up with complementary signals, a visual inflection to the voice, if you will.”
        “Interesting. I think I’ve heard of that developing elsewhere.”
        “Yes,” Favor said. “Galnt’s very interested in learning about them, since he has not encountered any other species with an analogous linguistic development.”
        “Really?” Hartman looked at Galnt. “Well, we’re done here. I still would appreciate it if you would send us some medical information. I couldn’t very well judge your entire species based on the readings I’ve gotten off you, can I?”
        “I am in optimal health, but I concede the point to you,” Galnt cocked his head, moving his hand towards Hartman.
        Favor looked at Hartman. “You know, if you’re feeling a little under the weather, you don’t have to show us around. I think it might be more interesting if we had the EMH do it. That’d take care of two birds with one stone. The others are interested in our holographic technology.”
        “Others?”
        “They communicate information through a cybernetic link via the cybernetic implants they all have,” Favor explained. “What Galnt observes will be transmitted to the others currently touring the rest of the ship.”
        “Ah, I was curious as to the proliferation of cybernetic implants,” Hartman looked at Galnt. “It’s very sophisticated, yet much less invasive than I’ve seen in other species. Well, the Emergency Medical Hologram is very qualified to give a tour, it’s part of the programming, I believe.”
        “Oh really? Well that works out well then,” Favor smiled. “Galnt, allow me to introduce you to the Emergency Medical Hologram.” The ambassador cleared his throat and called out “Activate Emergency Medical Hologram.”
        The air shimmered and the form of a man materialized into visibility. A near exact duplicate of Hartman looked at Favor. “Hello. How may I help you?” the hologram asked.
        “Interesting combination of photons and forcefields,” Galnt said. “I have been requested to ask about it’s intelligence level.”
        The EMH looked at Galnt. “And who may you be?”
        Hartman looked at his holographic duplicate. “I’m uploading the readings I’ve just taken into the computer medical database.”
        “Ah, I am accessing the information now,” the EMH said. “Pleased to meet you, Galnt. Shall we begin the tour?”
        “Yes,” Galnt agreed.
        Favor watched as Galnt and the medical hologram walked away, as the hologram started talking. He smiled and looked at Hartman. “That’s a pretty good idea, having the ‘Emergency Medical Hartman’ programmed to do tours.”
        Hartman smirked at Favor’s use of the nickname. “Well, when we developed it on Earth, we had an orientation program put in there for all new doctors transferring on board. It was just a simple matter of making a streamlined version of the orientation package to serve as a PR tour program.”
        Favor crossed his arms and spoke softly. “So, still hungover from last night?”
        Hartman blinked several times. “Uh, well, yeah.”
        “Yeah,” Favor nodded. “Just so you know, I didn’t really take what you said personally.”
        “What... what did I say?”
        Favor turned to look at Hartman. “The stuff you said about my annoying habits and so on. See, I’ve forgotten it already. No problem.”
        “Uhm, okay, good. Did I say anything to anyone else that I might have to apologize to?” Hartman frowned, wrinkles furrowing his brow.
        “Hmm no,” Favor shook his head. “As far as I know, you were in your quarters all last night.”
        Hartman gave a small sigh of relief. “Okay good. Well, I of course, apologize for whatever I said last night.”
        “Not a problem, Ed. It was just strange seeing you drunk. I haven’t seen you drunk since the Academy. Anyway, I won’t tease you about it, I know the hangover you’ve got is probably punishment enough, heh.”
        “Thanks,” Hartman nodded.
        “Well, I’ll get back to my guest and see how things are going over there.” Favor looked at Galnt and the hologram, who was showing the Danosm a surgical suite.

        Hartman walked back into his office, sitting at his desk. He spun the desktop terminal around to face him. “Computer, list my whereabouts from 1900 hours last night to 0600 hours this morning.”
        “You were in your quarters in the time period specified. Do you wish a more detailed report?” The computer awaited Hartman’s reply.
        “No, that’s all,” Hartman told the computer. He sighed and put his elbows on the desk, burying his face in his hands. “It happened again. I blacked out again. What the hell did I say? Damn it, Ed. Why are you doing this?”
        “Ahem, Doctor?”
        Hartman took his face out of his hands to see Michelanos standing in the open doorway. “Yes?”
        “Everything okay?” the other doctor asked.
        “Just tired, that’s all. What did you want?”
        “Ensign Halpern came back in again this afternoon. You diagnosed him with acute geganti this morning, so I thought I’d let you know he needed another dose of anti-viratics. Since you were the primary physician this morning, I wanted to be sure you saw the update to his treatment.”
        “Right, yeah. I’ll look at that report.”
        “Okay,” Michelanos nodded, walking in to put a PADD on Hartman’s desk. “How come you’re tired? I didn’t see you at the party in Eleven Forward, or one of the after parties.”
        “I, uh, I was with other friends,” Hartman said. “I also was in my quarters, doing a little paperwork.”
        “Oh, okay,” Michelanos nodded. “Well, speaking of paperwork, I’ve got some of my own to do. I’ll be in Lab One checking up on the bloodwork on Ensign Halpern, then in my office if you need me.”
        “Okay, Aidan. Thanks for the heads up on Halpern.”
        Michelanos nodded and walked further down the hallway past the office, disappearing into the Laboratory areas.

        “Hello, and welcome to the Main Bridge,” Johnson gestured to the newly arrived Danosm. Favor ushered Mialaf, Ploere, and Galnt out of the turbolift. The lone security officer was the last to leave the turbolift. The other turbolift on the opposite side of the bridge opened to disgorge two more security officers.
        Johnson stayed at his position in front of his command seat, watching the Danosm swivel their heads around, gazing over the array of stations and crewmen at work. “Any way I can help out?” he asked Favor.
        “Yes, Mialaf is interested in the conn. You could show her the station and how it ties in with the propulsion system.”
         “Allright,” Johnson nodded. He looked at the three nearly indistinguishable Danosm. Only one looked directly at him, while the others looked at different locations. He assumed it was Mialaf waiting for him, so he took a step forward. “Mialaf? The conn station is at the forefront of the Bridge. If you’ll step this way?”
        Mialaf walked around the circumference of the bridge, past the tactical station and the trio of central seats.
        Johnson walked alongside her to the front station where Ruiz was seated at. The long, blue station laid out in front of Ruiz. With the second seat folded out of sight into the deck, the station looked almost like the helm station on his old ship, the Intrepid class Kitty-Hawk-A.
        “This is the Conn, from where certain vital starship operations are performed and monitored on the Main Bridge.”
        “Your usage of the phrase, ‘Main Bridge’ indicates there are more bridges,” Mialaf said.
        “That’s correct,” Johnson nodded. “There is an auxiliary bridge located on the stardrive section of this ship. It duplicates almost every control station found here on the Main Bridge.”
        “I see,” Mialaf said. She stood behind Ruiz, looking at the station. After a moment’s silence, she spoke again. “This station seems disproportionately larger than the average humanoid body. According to my measurements, there is room for another crewmember to work here.”
        Ruiz snorted loudly, clenching her jaw. Johnson frowned at her, then looked back up at Mialaf. “Actually, you’re correct in your observations. This station is primarily designed as a two man station, but due to the modular design of our LCARS system, the conn could and was reconfigured to be operated by one person alone.”
        “Yes, that is an interesting aspect of the Library Computer Access and Retrieval System. What prompted the change?”
        Ruiz spoke, “The captain sent an unqualified pilot into a ground-combat situation, and because of that, she died. He decided to take this opportunity to test out the one-man configuration, and it’s been in place since.”
        “Lieutenant! That’s enough, thank you,” Johnson spoke sharply.
        Mialaf regarded Johnson curiously. With a tilt of her head and a flutter of her hands, she started asking question again. “Are the controls different based on which system you are utilizing, your traditional warp drive or the Quantum Slipstream Drive?”
        “The controls are similar although there are some fundamental differences between the two modes of transportation. Lieutenant Ruiz, could you please call up a mockup of the QSD controls?”
        “Fine,” Ruiz said, running a hand over a menu. She slid her seat to the right, allowing Mialaf room to look at the display on that side of the helm station.
        “How much control do you have over the process?” she asked.
        Johnson glanced at the controls. “It varies, there are certain levels of sensitivity. For the most part, the computer handles navigation and propulsion, and the helm officer is there to monitor the process.”
        Suddenly, alarms began chirping at various stations. Johnson looked up and around the bridge. A nauseating sensation swept through him, making his knees buckle slightly. His vision wavered slightly, then returned to normal.
        “Report,” he called out.
        Bogarde was the first to answer. “Another spatial distortion, like the one we experienced before. It came from the south-western hemisphere.”
        Johnson looked up at Galnt. “This is exactly what drew us here to your system. Do you need any assistance?”
        Galnt seemed preoccupied and didn’t answer immediately. Favor stepped forward. “He’s probably in contact with his superiors via their cybernetic communication link.”
        “Oh, I see,” Johnson nodded. He noticed the other Danosm also seemed preoccupied as well.
        Bogarde spoke again. “Sensors are recording some massive tectonic shifts on the planet.”
        “Earthquakes?”
        “Not exactly,” Bogarde replied. “Oh, sir, the computer is indicating it needs your attention. Eyes only.”
        Johnson frowned. “I’ll look at it in my readyroom.” He crossed the bridge to his readyroom. Upon reaching his desk, he spun the desktop monitor and called up the bridge data. The Greek symbol for the letter Omega appeared on his screen, along with sensor readouts.
        The door chimed as Johnson read the attached report. “Who is it?”
        “It’s Major Ironsides.”
        Johnson looked up to the door. “Come in.”
        The major walked quickly into the room. “Chief Bogarde said you got a priority sensor report. Is it-”
        “Yes, it is. Another sensor reading of the Omega molecule. It’s somewhere on the Danosm planet.”
        Ironsides sighed deeply. “I don’t understand. After our initial report, I performed several deep scans for the Omega molecule specifically, and I couldn’t find it on the planet at all.”
        “You know what I think?” Johnson said, leaning back on his desk edge. “I think it wouldn’t be out of the question for the Danosm to have figured out a way to use Omega energy. One of the problems with that is the ability to maintain a stable molecule. If they’ve solved that problem, then whatever device, whatever construct they have, must have shielding that blocks our scans.”
        “That makes sense, sir,” Ironsides said. “However, if that’s true, then why are we able to get these sensor readings now?”
        “I was thinking the same thing, Max. It must mean there’s a leak somewhere.”

        Johnson and Ironsides walked back out to the Bridge. Galnt turned to look at Johnson. “Captain. I apologize, but we must be returning to our planet.”
        “I understand,” Johnson nodded. “We can reschedule for another time.”
        “Actually, upon consultation with the others, I believe we are complete in our analysis of your ship and technology. Our findings are satisfactory and there are some intriguing concepts to explore on later analysis. We shall be in contact shortly to extend an invitation to reciprocate for the visit you have allowed us.”
        “Allright, we’ll be looking forward to that. And again, if there’s anything we can do to help regarding whatever problems you might be having, let us know,” Johnson said.
        “That is not necessary,” Galnt replied.
        “Fine. We’ll escort you to the transporter room.”
        “Again, that is not necessary,” Galnt said. A shimmering appeared in front of Galnt and the other Danosm. It reminded Johnson of the heat convection that appears in the desert. The Danosm stepped into the shimmering, disappearing from view.
        “Well, that was interesting,” Favor said, looking at the spot where Galnt had disappeared from. “I’d have to guess that was their spatial transportation at work.”
        Johnson looked at Bogarde. “Did our internal sensors record all that?”
        “Yes, sir,” Bogarde replied. He looked down at the tactical station. “Funny enough, the readings are similar to the massive spatial distortion that just happened seven minutes ago.”
        “Really?” Johnson said. He turned to Ironsides. “Call Dr. Joh and Commander Fonda to the Bridge. You and I have to talk to them before we go to their planet. We meet in five minutes.”
        “Aye, sir,” Ironsides nodded.
        “I’ll be in my ready room,” Johnson told the first officer. “Five minutes.”

Chapter 4

        “We’ll be ready to go in five minutes,” Johnson told Ironsides over the ship’s comm system. Favor, Joh, Bogarde and Johnson were all assembled in a transporter room. “We’re waiting for Commander Fonda.”
        “Acknowledged,” Ironsides’s voice replied. “I’ll let the Danosm know that you’re still on schedule to arrive to their facilities planetside.”
        The doors in the transporter room opened and in came Fonda, carrying a silvery case. A tricorder hung in a pocket at her hip.
        “Fonda just arrived,” Johnson said. “Inform them that we’re due to arrive. Keep a transporter lock on us at all times, in case we have to beam out in an emergency.”
        “Aye, sir. Bridge out,” Ironsides said.
        The others stepped up onto the transporter platform while Fonda kneeled before her open case, checking the equipment inside. Johnson walked over to her, looking at the array of equipment in the case. “So, have you calibrated your tricorder to find what we talked about yesterday?”
        “Yes, sir,” Fonda nodded.
        “Good. Doctor Joh will also be on the lookout as well. I don’t have to stress the importance of secrecy in this.”
        “You already went over this in our briefing yesterday,” Fonda said, closing her case. “You can trust us with this knowledge. I don’t like the idea of them having trouble with this. If something catastrophic were to happen, the ship could be caught in the backlash.”
        “Understood, but we need more proof before we confront them,” Johnson said, walking alongside Fonda as they stepped onto the transporter platform.
        “Mmhmm,” Fonda nodded.
        Johnson turned to look at the transporter operator. He nodded once. “Energize.”

        After the momentary bright haze of the transporter effect, Johnson’s view cleared as he blinked, taking in his new surroundings, the main Danosm city, Mal Osasol. They stood on a circular pavement, surrounded by some tan and brown cylindrical buildings. The tallest building seemed to be at least 20 stories high. Johnson squinted at the intensity of the sun as it beat down on them.
        He was surprised to notice only a slight difference in the temperature here and the temperature the Courageous maintained.
        “Look at these sculptures,” Favor said, pointing to several crystalline formations. They were arrayed on one side of the circular ring that enclosed the sand-colored pavement. Some of them were rigidly vertical, while others curved to varying degrees, and one even made a full arch. All of them were highly faceted and sharply angular.
        Johnson glanced at them briefly, then continued on his survey of the area. He noticed Galnt and two other Danosm walking out of the building nearest to them. They walked towards the away team in the courtyard. Favor noticed them too, and waved.
        “Hello, Galnt!” The ambassador smiled and stepped forward to meet Galnt. Johnson stepped up to Favor’s side, smiling.
        “Greetings, Ambassador,” Galnt replied. “How are you?”
        “I’m fine, and you? Who are your companions?”
        Galnt gestured to the Danosm at his left. “This is the Council Head, Ristoul.” Then he turned to the person to his right. “This is my genetomate, Hadii. She is an educator, so I requested her presence to assist in your visit.”
        Favor bowed slightly to Ristoul and Hadii, and Johnson nodded to them both.
        “Thank you for the invitation,” Johnson said to Ristoul. “We appreciate the opportunity to visit your planet.”
        “It should be an learning experience,” Ristoul said. “Those are the kind we strive for every day.”
        Favor looked at Galnt and Hadii. “Genetomate? That means you two are bonded together?”
        “Yes,” Galnt replied. “We also have an offspring together.”
        “I’d be interested in meeting her or him.”
        “Perhaps,” Galnt gestured with a hand.
        “So you’re an educator?” Favor turned to Hadii.
        “Yes,” she said. “Since it is rare for us to receive visitors, we do not have an dedicated position for that purpose. The nearest analogue we would have for that duty was found in the educators of our young. Your need to learn about our culture and technology matches their need, and so Galnt requested my presence.”
        “That’s an interesting comparison. I can tell you that we’re very eager to learn,” Favor told her. He turned to look at Fonda and Joh who were standing by the cluster of sculptures. “Those sculptures look beautiful.”
        “Sculptures?” Galnt repeated.
        “Yes,” Favor pointed to the freestanding formations.
        “Those aren’t sculptures. They’re mathematical representations for a recent energy seminar we had.”
        “You mean those are models?” Johnson asked.
        “Correct. They are due to be stored away,” Ristoul added. “Why would you think they were sculptures?”
        “Well, they looked aesthetically pleasing,” Favor said.
        The Danosm looked at the sculpted models. “Interesting. We would have not considered that,” Galnt said. “This is one reason why I debated for your visit due to the possibilities opened up by your alien mentality.”
        “I’ve always considered that to be one of the strengths of the Federation, the unison of a wide range of approaches and philosophies.”
        Johnson watched Joh and Fonda, and noticed them speaking rapidly to one another, both consulting each other’s tricorders. He turned to the Danosm. “Please excuse me. I should let my Chief Engineer and Science Officer know the nature of the models.”
        “Good idea, sir,” Favor said. “Would you please send Chief Bogarde this way? I’d like to introduce him to Council Head Ristoul and Hadii.”
        “Allright,” Johnson nodded. He walked over to Bogarde, who was standing by himself, taking tricorder readings. He stepped up to the taller man. “Everything safe enough for you, Bogarde?”
        “Yes, sir,” the security chief replied. “Although from a tactical perspective, this place seems a little bit unusual. I can’t see any planet-based weapons, and as you know, there aren’t any satellites for that purpose in orbit. At least, none our sensors have detected.”
        “You could say the same of your tricorder’s sensors,” Johnson said.
        “True, sir. I do see some form of shielding, but it’s not strong enough to be called defensive shielding. Really, it’s just protecting this city from the desert storms that are happening out in the desert. Also, the shielding is keeping out harmful UV radiation, and maintaining a comfortable atmosphere in here.”
        “All part of their impressive terraforming efforts,” Johnson nodded, looking up at the wispy clouds in the sky. “Well, continue your scanning, but the ambassador would like you to meet the Danosm over there. Don’t be too nosy about their security, allright?”
        “Aye, sir,” Bogarde smiled. He set off towards Favor.
        Johnson continued on to Fonda and Joh. They were still in intense discussion with each other. Johnson saw that Fonda had the back of her tricorder opened up, showing the inner electronics.
        “What’s going on?” he asked.
        “I have to switch processors,” Fonda said, still looking down at her tricorder, using with a thin tool on the tricorder processor cube.
        “Why?” asked Johnson.
        Joh looked at Johnson. “These crystal statues are more than they seem. They’re actually three-dimensional representations of very complex fractal equations.”
        “I know, I was recently informed of that by the Danosm,” Johnson shot a glance over at Favor and the aliens. “What happened to your tricorder, Fonda?”
        Fonda paused and looked up at Johnson. “I was analyzing the arch, translating it into a fractal equation. The equation burned out my processor as it attempted to calculate the progression.”
        “Their math is beyond our current theoretical mathematics,” Joh said.
        Fonda closed the casing on her tricorder and turned it over the user screen, tapping a series of commands. She looked at Johnson. “This very well could explain how they’re more advanced in their technology, especially with their apparent use of Omega molecules.”
        “Oh, speaking of that, have you detected the Omega energy signature yet?”
        “Not yet, sir,” Joh said. “As we move around more, we might be able to. I’d be interested in speaking to the Danosm about these fractal representations.”
        “What I was told was that these were models used in a seminar recently,” Johnson said. “One of the Danosm with the ambassador is an educator. She’s here to help teach us about the Danosm culture and technology. We’re new students, so to speak.”
        Joh frowned. “I have to admit it feels uncomfortable coming into this at an inferior position.”
        “Well, to be sure, if we were truly inferior,” Johnson shrugged, “I doubt they’d have invited us here. From what Ambassador Favor has reported to me, they prefer to avoid less technologically advanced races. Their reasoning is that those races have nothing to offer in terms of knowledge or technology and it would be dangerous to give them advanced technology.”
        “Kind of like our Prime Directive, but for different reasons,” Fonda remarked.
        “Well, it does make me feel slightly better, knowing they’re not selling or giving away their knowledge. The Borderlands would be a more dangerous place if they were.” Johnson crossed his arms as he stood by the women.
        Joh glanced at the captain. “There’s no guarantee we won’t encounter a race more advanced than the Danosm, only without the same self-imposed restrictions.”
        “There’s always a bigger fish,” Johnson said. “Let’s go and meet up with the Danosm, so we can continue learning more.”
        “Yes, sir,” Joh said, gathering her things. Fonda picked up her case and they all walked back across the broad paved circle to Favor, Bogarde and the Danosm hosts.

        Ironsides looked up, seeing Ruiz walk out of the head. She crossed the front of the bridge, walking back to her seat at the helm. Ruiz sat down, resuming her duties. Ironsides looked back at the monitor at his side, by the command seat. He tapped on the monitor, closing a menu. He drew in a deep breath, then exhaled, sighing.
        “Lieutenant Ruiz, could I see you in the captain’s readyroom for a moment?”
        Ruiz frowned, looking backwards at the major. “Allright, sir.”
        Ironsides got up and walked across to the readyroom, and Ruiz walked in a second later.
        “Have a seat,” Ironsides told Ruiz, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of the captain’s desk.
        Ruiz sat down, looking up at Ironsides. The major crossed his arms, standing at the end of the desk, thinking for a moment. “Lieutenant, the captain asked me to speak with you.”
        At the mention of the captain, Ruiz gave a derisive snort and rolled her eyes.
        Ironsides frowned. “That’s exactly why I’ve called you in here. I know that it was very tragic what happened to you, losing Ensign LeAnn. Many crewmen lost people close to them during the action on the U.S.S. Galaxy, as well. I realize that you’re still in mourning. However, your grace period has run out a long time ago. Your behavior has been inexcusably sloppy.”
        “So I’m supposed to be over it, already?” Ruiz said. “Oh, she only dated her for just like two months, she should be over it by now, huh?”
        “No, that’s not-”
        “You don’t think it’s possible for a person to fall in love that deeply and quickly?”
        “I’m not saying that,” Ironsides narrowed his eyes at Ruiz. “What I’m saying is that your attitude has been completely unprofessional, particularly towards Captain Johnson.”
        “Don’t talk to me about the captain,” Ruiz looked away, gritting her teeth.
        “He is your commanding officer!”
        “He can command fuck all! He killed her!”
        “What?”
        Ruiz looked back at Ironsides. “Yeah, you heard me. He killed LeAnn. He sent her over there when she had no right being there at all. Captain Johnson is the one who was sloppy and unprofessional. I can’t respect a C.O. who made a bad decision like that. He knows it, and is acting like he did nothing wrong.”
        “He couldn’t have foreseen what would’ve happened, you can’t say-”
        “Would you have had her there, if you had been in charge?”
        “That’s not the point at all,” Ironsides shook his head.
        “You wouldn’t have, I’m sure.”
        “Be quiet!”
        Ruiz snapped her mouth shut, and sat rigidly in front of Ironsides. “Now hear this. You’ve got a problem. You better deal with it. And while you’re dealing with it, you better give the captain the respect that accords his rank as your C.O. You’ll show up on time for every shift you have on the bridge. You’ll acknowledge every command he gives you with an ‘Yes, Sir,’ or ‘Aye, Sir.’
        “If you truly have a problem with how the captain handled the action against the Vendoth, you’re free to file a complaint to Starfleet Command. But before you do, I strongly suggest you think twice about that.
        “And finally, you’ll go and see the ship’s counselor for grief therapy. That last suggestion is only that, a suggestion from your friend and former C.O. Don’t make me turn it into an order.”
        “Is that all, sir?” Ruiz asked icily.
        “That’s all. Dismissed.”
        Ruiz got up and pivoted on her heels, walking to the door.
        “Amanda!”
        Ruiz paused and turned back to look at Ironsides.
        The major sighed lightly. “I’m really sorry about what happened. For what it’s worth, LeAnn seemed to make you very happy when you two were together.”
        “Yeah,” Ruiz nodded. “She did.” Then the lieutenant walked out of the readyroom, back onto the bridge.

        Hartman sighed and stared at the monitor on his desk. A blinking cursor flashed on the dark screen. A small block of text took up the top quarter of the screen.
        “I’m sorry that it’s taken me so long to reply to your letter,” Hartman spoke aloud. “It’s been very busy these past few weeks, recovering from an engagement against an unknown race. Anyway, it was great to hear from you, Jaime.”
        Hartman frowned and shook his head, rubbing his forehead. He looked back up at the monitor, which showed his spoken text. “I’m really happy to hear that life is going great for you, and your marriage to Commander Bradman is going along just fine. Your boy looks very nice, thanks for sending along a picture.”
        Hartman laughed ruefully. “I can’t do this. I hate it. I hate this. Oh, Jaime, you have terrific timing. Just kick me while I’m down, why don’t you? Where’s that bottle?”
        The doctor stood up, walking into his bedroom. “I know I still had a bottle... So, Jaime, you want to know what’s been going on in my life? Nothing. Nothing but crap. I’ve been stuck in a rut for a long time. Ah there it is.” He got on his hands and knees, pulling a nearly full bottle out from underneath his bed. He put it on the bed, looking at the liquid sloshing around within.
        “I don’t think I’ve been really happy for a long time. Maybe when we were together, but in hindsight, I wasn't all that happy either then. Not much happened there, anyway. Something could’ve happened there, though. My life could’ve taken a very different direction. But no... I made my choices. Got stuck on this path. And the worst of it is, I can’t really talk to anybody about it.
        “And I haven’t gotten laid in two years. Well, that’s not exactly true. I did sleep with someone a few months back. I just don’t remember it because I was blind drunk then. I just know I must’ve had sex with her, because I got syphilis.” Hartman laughed. “I contracted a 500 years old sexually transmitted disease from an old drunk woman. I had to look up on the ship’s medical database to find out what the cure was because it’s not something I commonly treat. Pathetic.
        “Going through the same routine day in and day out, everything the same as the day before. Nothing new at all. Stuck in a rut. Trapped. I should’ve said no to the admiral. Told her, ‘No, I’m not gonna do that to my best friend, Tommy.’ Not come on this ship at all.”
        Hartman stared at the bottle.
        “What the hell are you doing, Ed? What are you doing with your life? You got to stop this. Can’t keep going on like this.” Hartman closed his eyes, leaning on the bed. “Okay, fine. Fine. Just this one. One last one. You finish this bottle, and that’s it. That’s it.”
        Hartman stood up, picking up the bottle off the bed and walked back into the main area of his quarters. He twisted the cap off and took a gulp. “Ugh, God!” He shivered, as he sat back down at his desk.
        “Delete letter to Jaime Bradman,” he said.
        “Confirm deletion command.”
        “Delete it! Quit message composition. I don’t want to see her face!”
        “Ending program,” the computer announced, as the screen flickered as menus closed on the screen.
        “Turn on entertainment channels. Find the dom-jot tournament. Communications silence, except for emergencies. Lock door.”
        “Complying... done,” the computer said.
        Hartman took another large swallow from the bottle, watching as a player leaned over a dom-jot table on his desktop monitor. The doctor frowned deeply, gritting his teeth.

         Hadii led the others into a large hall. Johnson and the others saw rows upon rows of tables. Dozens of thin screens jutted up from the table surfaces, and in front of each screen was a young Danosm. A deep silence permeated the hall.
        “Here is an educational hall,” Hadii gestured.
        “A school?” Favor asked.
        “Yes.”
        “What are they studying?” Johnson asked.
        “Many different things,” Hadii explained. “Each student has his or her own aptitude for a certain discipline. At a young age, that aptitude is determined, and the Danosm youth begins receiving the appropriate implants for his or her chosen field.”
        “What if the child decides that he or she doesn’t want to pursue one field? Can they switch to another field?” Fonda asked.
        “That rarely happens. The strongest aptitude produces the most passion,” Ristoul said. “The most passion produces the most satisfaction.”
        “I see,” Fonda nodded. “So how are they educated?”
        Hadii looked at Fonda. “The children receive a gradual feed of the sum total knowledge of the other technologists in their field.”
        Joh tilted her head. “So the knowledge is implanted into them as well?”
        “For the lack of a better translation, yes,” Hadii said.
        “It seems that if that knowledge is implanted, then it’s assumed to be true and correct? What then, if some of the knowledge the students gain turns out to be incorrect?” Joh asked.
        “Once again, that rarely happens,” Ristoul said. “Our educational system cannot be easily summed up in several moments. If you please, shall we continue on and we shall address further questions at the competition?”
        “Allright,” Joh said.
        Ristoul looked at Hadii, gesturing slightly. The female Danosm led the group through the hall, then back outside. They walked on another sandy-colored stone path into another building.
        Again, the same silence that was in the last building was present. Johnson whispered to Favor. “It’s odd not hearing normal chatter.”
        “Most of the Danosm speak to each other through their cynet links,” Favor said back. “It’s fascinating, the differences between this civilization to others.”
        “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself,” Johnson smiled. “What do you think of our odds are for setting up a formal relationship with the Danosm?”
        “So far, so good,” Favor shrugged.
        “It’d be a real coup if we could learn half of what they know,” Johnson sighed.
        “That’s what we’re here for,” Favor said.
        “Right.”
        The group entered another large chamber. It looked nearly the same as the educational hall, except for young Danosm, fully grown adults were seated at rows of computers.
        Galnt spoke to the Federation team. “We are in a laboratory for Molecular Technologists. Currently this team is conducting an experiment.”
        Fonda looked at the nearly still Danosm scientists. “Nearly forty scientists on one experiment?”
        “No,” Galnt said. “They’re also working in concert with another group in a different laboratory.” He paused, staring into space. “In total, there are 61 technologists working.”
        “I don’t see much activity,” Fonda said. “True, I know they’re communicating via their cybernetic links. Is the physical experiment being carried out in the other laboratory?”
        “The experiment is being carried out on the computer system,” Galnt replied.
        Fonda and Joh walked up behind a Danosm. On the monitor, graphics and alien numbers scrolled across the screen. The same thing was repeated on the other monitors.
        “Ah, you are performing a preliminary computer model first,” Joh said. “You then will test the results later?”
        “No, that is not necessary,” Galnt said. “Once the data from the computer proves or disproves the working hypothesis, the experiment will either proceed to implementation, or the data will be stored to archives and a new task will be created for this team.”
        “This sounds almost like an assembly line for science,” Fonda said.
        “We have had great success with our procedural methods,” Ristoul said. “Obviously, you can tell this from the advances we have made.”
        “We’re not questioning your methods,” Favor spoke up. “We are just trying to learn more so we can understand how you do things and how you view things. Galnt, you can understand this, I’m sure.”
        “I suppose so,” Galnt said. “I think the Council Head, Ristoul, had the appropriate procedure for us, which is to continue and hold intensive questions until the conclusion.”
        “Yes,” Favor nodded. “Let’s continue on.”
        They moved through the laboratory chamber out into the cylindrical hallways that seemed typical of the Danosm architectural design. Johnson noticed the abundance of cylindrical design on the planet. The buildings tended to be curved, along with the hallways and the courtyards. The laboratory and educational halls were also curved and had vaulted ceilings.
        The group emerged from the building and walked on a sidewalk to another building. Favor asked, “Why have we only been shown floor-level rooms?”
        Galnt looked at the Federation ambassador. “We do not wish to be repetitive. Each building has its own floor plan, which is repeated on each successive floor. The Educational Facility has a Hall on each floor. The Molecular Laboratory you saw is the same as the Energy Analysis Laboratory one floor above.”
        Johnson heard Fonda whisper behind him. “Now my assembly line comparison doesn’t seem too far-fetched, does it, Doctor?” The captain glanced behind him just in time to see Joh nod in agreement with Fonda.
        Johnson looked back at Galnt. “I have a question.”
        “Yes?” Galnt turned to look at him, as did Ristoul and Hadii.
        “You mentioned the Energy Analysis Laboratory just now. That can be a dangerous field of study, particularly when you’re working with volatile elements. Do you have isolated laboratories where you can work safely away from your main population?”
        “Yes, we do,” Ristoul answered in Galnt’s place. “However, we have very few safety concerns because our studies and experience negate any possible consequences.”
        “What about unexpected discoveries?” Johnson asked.
        “There are no unexpected discoveries,” Ristoul said. “We anticipate all discoveries and prepare for them.”
        “Truly?” Joh asked. “That is an impressive feat, considering that there can be a nearly infinite set of variables for any given experiment.”
        “Our computers are capable of extrapolating data with a near-flawless degree of accuracy,” Ristoul explained. “Our computer programming language operates at a higher level than your computers do.”
        “That does seem to be true,” Fonda said. “We analyzed your fractal models in the main courtyard and were unable to process the data.”
        Ristoul double-blinked. “Then you can understand our confidence in our progress.”
        “Progress does seem to be the driving force here,” Fonda said.
        Hadii gestured with her hands. “Without progress, we would not be alive today. Only two centuries ago, our scientists discovered that our ecosystem was failing and this affected our atmosphere, which in turn led to an increased amount of radiation. Our technologists banded together with the sole purpose of saving our race.
        “It was agreed that nothing else could be more important. Other pursuits were downgraded, or fell by the wayside completely. Within decades, our technologists were able to terraform large amounts of landscape to alter our landscape to support a more viable ecosystem. It was a new era of progress. Each discovery led to another discovery in turn. It took more and more technologists to explore every avenue opened to us. In less than a century, our entire society learned of the pleasure gained from the pursuit of knowledge.
        “With each newfound piece of knowledge, with each new innovatation, we get closer to being complete, understanding the universe we live in.”
        “Well,” Favor smiled, “if I may say so, your society is as a fine example of a technopolis as I have ever seen. It’s very fascinating, and it’s a pleasure to be here and learn from your people.”
        “I’m curious,” Fonda spoke out, “if I remember correctly from my xenosociological studies from the Academy, most civilizations have mythologies, that persist past industrialization. Has your society ever developed an ‘Icarus’ myth?”
        Ristoul seemed to frown in puzzlement, in spite of his lipless face. Galnt cocked his head, double-blinking several times. Finally the linguistic technologist spoke.
        Galnt said, “I’m afraid we don’t have a direct analogue to your ancient Earth fable. Why do you ask?”
        Fonda shifted on her feet. “I’m just reminded of the moral of that story.”
        Ristoul spoke. “Space travel is not a high priority for us, so there is little chance of us traveling too close to our star.”
        “That’s not the point,” Fonda said. “It’s not meant to be taken literally. The point is-”
        Fonda was interrupted in midsentence as her tricorder and Joh’s tricorder started beeping.
        Joh had her tricorder open. “Captain! There’s an increase in Omega radiation!”
        As soon as the Bajoran scientist said that, the ground started rumbling. The vibrations became more violent, and a giant wall of distorted air rushed towards them. The distortion passed through them and continued on outwards. The vibrations turned into an outright earthquake as the buildings around them started swaying. One tall building, fresh out of the distortion wave, shook badly. A loud crack echoed as the building toppled onto another building. Falling debris crashed onto the ground around the tour group as the building smashed into the other building.
        Security Chief Bogarde rushed forward to Johnson’s side, knocking him to the ground as a two-meter long shard of adobe stone tumbled directly at them. The stone landed with an immense thud, accompanied with a loud groan from Bogarde. Dust clouds spread between the buildings as a few other buildings cracked under the intensity of the earthquake.
        Johnson crawled out from under Bogarde, squinting in the storm of dust. He could see the large block of stone directly behind Bogarde. “You okay?” he shouted over the noise of the earthquake.
        “I’m pinned! I think my leg’s broken!”
        Johnson looked around, seeing that the others had run for cover, huddling close to the other buildings. He crouched close to the stone that had fallen at them. He felt for Bogarde’s leg, seeing that it was underneath one end of the stone. He looked at Bogarde, who laid on his stomach, covering his head with his arms as smaller pieces of debris flew around.
        The air hummed with energy, and the hairs on Johnson’s skin pricked up. He knew from previous experience what to expect. Suddenly another gut-wrenching distortion wave passed through them. Johnson heaved as nausea overwhelmed him. Another distortion wave, weaker than the one that immediately preceded it, rushed through them.
        The ground shaking subsided quickly, and an eerie stillness descended onto the area. The only motion was the swirling of dust.
        Fonda broke the silence. “Away Team to Courageous, immediate assistance requested!”

        Hartman’s head lolled around as he looked at the empty bottle on the desk. He leaned forward in his chair, standing up unsteadily. He walked around his desk to his bedroom. He got on his hands and knees again, looking under the bed. The doctor pulled out a long storage box, opening it. Seeing no bottles in there, Hartman grunted and leaned back down, looking under the bed. “Come on! I got to have something else around here!”
        He got up and went to the head, looking in a cabinet set in the wall underneath the sink. He shoved things aside as he hunted. “Damn! Right, yeah, my office.”
        He got up, banging his head on the underneath of the sink. “Ow! Damn it!” He moved away from the sink, standing up straight. He looked at himself in the mirror. “What am I doing? Okay, tomorrow is it. No more after tomorrow. It’s no big deal, I can do it tomorrow. I’m just not up to it today,” he said to his reflection.
        He walked out of the head, rubbing the sore spot on his head as he exited from his quarters. Minutes later, he walked into Sickbay, making a beeline for his office just off to the side. With a press of a button on his office’s desktop monitor, the curved glass wall that separated the office from the main area of Sickbay darkened, becoming opaque. The door to the office slid closed as the privacy mode command was completed.
        Hartman plopped down into his desk chair and leaned over, looking in his desk drawers. He rummaged through several drawers before finding a partially filled bottle of green liquid. He unscrewed the cap and took a long swallow.
        “Ahh, that’s the stuff,” he mumbled to himself, grimacing as the aftertaste hit. He sighed and took another swallow. He finished the bottle in several more swallows, and stumbled to the minireplicator pad inset into the rear wall of his office. He tossed the empty bottle in, recycling it.
        The doctor blinked, rubbing his eyes. “Oh man, they’re gonna see me. They’re gonna find out. Got to get out of here.” He steadied himself and walked out of his office, studiously avoiding eyecontact with any of the other medical personnel in the Sickbay.
        He walked slowly, staying close to the walls of the ship’s corridors. He avoided looking at the other crewmen in the hallways, instead watching his feet as he walked.
        Suddenly, the light in the hallway dimmed and red flashed across the floor. It took Hartman several seconds before he realized the ship had gone into Red Alert. Suddenly, a distortion wave passed through the corridors, causing Hartman to lose his balance, falling to the deck.
        He started vomiting, the combination of the nausea and his drunkenness becoming too much for him. Several crewmembers who had been running down the corridor stopped to help him.
        “Doctor! Are you allright?”
        “Yeah, I’m okay. No, don’t, let me go! Let me go!” he shouted at them as they tried to pick him up. “Just go to your stations. I’ll be fine.”
        Hartman sat back against a wall, wiping his chin with the sleeve of his uniform. “Go on, I’ll be okay.”
        He could tell the crewmen didn’t quite believe him, but nevertheless, they continued on to their original destinations.
        “That was close,” Hartman said to himself. His combadge chimed. It chimed several times before he finally tapped it in response.
        “Sickbay to Hartman, we need you on duty.”
        It was Michelanos’s voice.
        “Aidan, I’m sorry, but uh, the distortion wave, it affected me badly. I just threw up from it. Call up one of the other physicians, have them take my place. You’re in charge.”
        “Allright, doctor,” Michelanos replied. “Do you need someone sent to your quarters?”
        “No, I’ll be fine. When I’m feeling better, I’ll come to Sickbay. You just get to it.”
        “Sickbay out,” Michelanos said.
        Hartman sighed, and struggled to his feet, heading back to his quarters.
        
        A half dozen columns of iridescent blue light shimmered in view as the emergency response team from the Courageous were transported onto the walkways in Mal Osasol. As the team regained motility, they spread out to render aid.
        One of the new arrivals rushed to Captain Johnson’s side as he sat next to a large boulder. The captain was looking down at his chief of security, Bogarde, who laid flat on his stomach. A large tan block of stone covered Bogarde’s legs.
        Johnson looked up the medical officer, not even bothering to recall the woman’s name. “Quick, do you have a phaser?”
        The ensign, named Avon Murabati, shook her head. “I’m sorry, sir. All I have is a medkit.” She dropped the silver case to the cobbled walkway and pulled out a medical tricorder, scanning the captain.
        “I’m allright!” Johnson shoved away Murabati’s tricorder. “Check the chief out, first.”
        Murabati nodded and passed the tricorder’s remote sensor over Bogarde’s back. Johnson stood up and looked at the others of the response team. He called out, “Hey! Anyone with a phaser, come here.”
        A security officer heard the captain and walked over to him. Johnson gestured for the phaser, which the security officer promptly turned over.
        Johnson turned and looked down at Bogarde and Murabati. “How is he?”
        Murabati glanced at the tricorder’s readout. “No internal injuries in his upper body, but his legs...”
        “That much I figured for myself,” Johnson sighed. “Can he be moved?”
        “Yes sir. I’ve already administered a clotting agent to prevent him from bleeding out.”
        Johnson motioned for Murabati and the security officer to step back while he adjusted the settings on the phaser. He took aim at the stone block, and pressed the firing stud. A broad red beam of energy lanced out from the phaser, striking the rock. Within seconds the rock dissolved from sight, vaporized.
        All that was left was a thin layer of tan dust covering the flattened and mangled remains of Bogarde’s legs.

SECTION ONE | SECTION TWO | SECTION THREE | SECTION FOUR

 MISSIONS | PERSONNEL | SHIP SPECS | COMMENTS | CREDITS | MAIN