Multitudes of methods (Backpost)

Posted on Mon Sep 1st, 2025 @ 9:41am by Lieutenant Commander Intharia T'Zor & Ensign Mana'i
Edited on on Mon Sep 1st, 2025 @ 9:41am

449 words; about a 2 minute read

Mission: The Serpent's Tooth [3]
Location: USS Excalibur, Science Labs
Timeline: 0900 - MD03

Intharia arrived into the relatively cramped science lab a few seconds before the official beginning of her shift. She envied Atna on the bridge, having first access to the more sensitive systems. But she was not unhappy with her task, and was particularly enjoying going through things with Mana'i, whose curiosity and natural talent seemed boundless.

All had been excited to explore the world below, but even the loosest possible interpretation of the prime directive told them that attempting to set foot on the planet in such a sensitive state was unacceptable. Other than observation, all else they could do was beam up samples of the unusual ore found below, which had proven quite extraordinary.

She found the Toa already back at the terminal that had become hers, where she had been given free reign to explore all their knowledge until something spoke to her.

"Good morning, Mana'i." Intharia smiled warmly as she entered. "Where is your curiosity leading today?"

Mana'i had been, until then, entirely absorbed in her reading - stacks and stacks of PADDs surrounded her on both sides as she browsed. The brief interruption seems to startle her for a moment before she settles back into her chair, blue eyes glowing a teensy bit brighter now. "Everywhere, doctor. Everywhere. I would love to bring all this knowledge home to my brothers and sister back home." She said with great enthusiasm. "We would modernise in... oh, weeks. Years, at most."

"I know exactly how you feel." Thari told her with a smile. "While my own universe was replete with advanced technology, some moreso than what we find here, there is still a great deal of progress the Federation has made that we have not. War, disease, hunger, all are still prevalent. I can't help but wonder how the Starfleet ethos would enrich all the cultures of my home reality." Even to think of it was a heady experience. "I'm still not totally comfortable with all the technology, though. I know for me it was, and... well, is the matter transporter. Even after learning precisely how it works I'm still not entirely comfortable with it, it still seems so exotic to me."

"Bur yours is an interesting perspective. I hope we can discuss it further soon." Thari told her, fascinated by her techno-primitive culture and thoughts of what it must be like. "I'm going to go down to the main sensor array and go through some calibrations with the Commander. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me on the communicator." She said, gesturing to the device that had been attached to Mana'i's bosom.

With the Toa's warm acknowledgement, Thari left Mana'i to her work.

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