Stepping through the door

Posted on Tue Jul 21st, 2026 @ 7:35am by The Commander & Zayin Theta-108 & Tyr
Edited on on Tue Jul 21st, 2026 @ 8:19am

1,493 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: UnderMind [4]
Location: Guest Quarters, USS Excalibur
Timeline: After 'The stars look very different'

For as socially and technologically advanced as this "United Federation of Planets" was, including its genuinely impressive computer technology–the voice interface was infuriatingly slow and primitive. His good faith effort to engage with it on its own terms lasted most of the time Commander Flynn had allotted him to "get comfortable".

After the time they felt was appropriate to let him get adjusted, the odd couple of the lean 23rd century gold uniformed Commander, and the diminutive Asgard scientist Tyr in his 25th century teal uniform assembled outside their guest Zayin's door. The Commander pressed the chime, as much because this was one of the few environments where he could do anything.

"[GREETING]. [PLEA] Pardon physical intrusion into computer interface. [FACT] Self has not attempted to exceed guest user privileges. [FACT] Self has accessed public records describing species designation 'Borg'; [IDENT][NEGATION]. [IDENT] Self-species designation 'Aleerin'. [FACT] Species designation 'Aleerin' reproduces sexually. [FACT] Aleerin cybernetic and nanite systems develop in utero and proceeds for the duration of their life cycle. [OPINION] Species designation 'Borg' are a horror beyond self-experience."

When The Commander and Tyr entered the guest quarters assigned to Zayin Theta-108, they found him lying on bed next to an opened access panel with his hair wired directly into the Excalibur's physical network. He sat up as they entered the room, and his hair withdrew from the access panel and tied itself back into his customary topknot. With his internal weapons systems powered down, as confirmed by the Excalibur's internal sensors, Zayin gestured far more freely and personably with his hands.

"[INTENT] Self will answer questions now."

"Thank you for being so forthcoming. I'm The Commander. This is my associate Mr Tyr." The holographic Gallifreyan said with a smile.

"Greetings." Tyr said with a nod.

"As it happens, neither of us are natives in Commander Flynn's universe. But we have between us a significant depth of scientific understanding. We don't intend to force or coerce you, but would you be willing to donate some of your nanites for our study?" The Commander asked.

"[INTENT][AFFIRMATIVE]"

A 4cm blade–apparently not counted among Zayin's weapons systems–extended from the index finger of his right hand and he dragged it casually across the palm of his left hand. He held his palm out for the Commander and Mr. Tyr and the blade retracted back into his other hand. Zayin's blood was remarkably human-like, hemoglobin red and a little darker, with metallic sparkles; he cupped his hand a little to allow it to accumulate.

Tyr recoiled slightly at the act of self-harm, but quickly retrieved the extraction hypo from the kit he had on his belt. He withdrew a small amount of the pooling blood into the device. He checked the small display, they had enough nanites to work with.

"[OBSERVATION] The language you are speaking is mutually intelligible with the Galactic Standard I understand. [SPECULATION] It is a similar constructed pidgin language that incorporates many of the same Old Earth linguistic roots. [PREDICTION] It may prove insufficient for the purposes of this interrogation. [OBSERVATION] Your crew uses an implanted digital-neural interface device to facilitate intercultural communications. [REQUEST] Provide this device? [PREDICTION] It will make your interrogation more productive and mutually less frustrating."

"Of course. Most tend to prefer the less invasive option, but I suppose that's not such an objection for you." The Commander said. He held out a closed hand palm up, there was a glow from within and a brief transporter sound, then he opened it out, revealing the small device. "We can provide medical officers to assist if need be. But I get the impression that isn't going to be necessary." The Commander said.

"[OPINION] Fascinating."

Zayin took the offered device and studied it for a moment, then–instead of inserting it subcutaneously–attached it to one of the display panels on one of his wrists. He closed his eyes for a few moments and then opened them again.

"[ASSERTION] I believe the device is working. [INTENT] I will return it after a few days. [NEGATION] Unless you throw me out an airlock first. [QUERY] How may self assist you?"

"Oh don't worry, these aren't the spacing sort. But we'd like to know about you. You've given us a series of details. I'd still like to know, particularly now that you can translate with our systems. Who are you?" The Commander asked.

Zayin's 'robot accent' was less pronounced with the Universal Translator, but still substantial. "[IDENT] My name is Zayin Theta-108; I am Aleerin and my homeworld is Oberon, in the Verge. [FACT] I graduated at the top of my class from the medical school at Oberon Polyteknik. [FACT] I have been working as a partisan and combat medic for the past five years. [OPINION] I prefer peacetime medicine."

"Then you are in good company. Peace is all of our preference." The Commander said with a soft smile. "You mentioned Earth. Is it a world of consequence, in your galaxy?"

Zayin considered the question and attempted to answer it tactfully. "[OPINION] Earth is of significant historical consequence; [FACT] It is the original homeworld of the human species. [NEGATION][ASSERTION] It is of less significance in modern times. [FACT] The Union of Sol is surrounded on all sides by more influential interstellar human and non-human polities."

He frowned for a long moment. "[FACT] There is a large number of sapient species catalogued in this vessel's library; [ASSERTION] Massive, relative to known species in my native reality. [NEGATION][THEORY] The much larger area of explored space fails to account for this discrepancy. [AND][ASSERTION] The majority of non-human sapients in this reality are structurally similar to humanity. [REQUEST][QUERY] Explain the cause of this phenomenon."

"The exact cause remains ambiguous to the science of the day. There have been several precursor races that claim responsibility, seeding the humanoid baseline across the galaxy to preserve themselves. In my universe we face a similar dilemma. My own species predates humanity by aeons, yet externally we're identical. Though my people did always insist that they resembled us, rather than the other way around." The Commander explained.

"My own universe carries even greater complications. The human species evolved independently across two separate galaxies, first as a people we now know as the Ancients, then as the humans of Earth. My own species was also much closer to the humanoid baseline in ages past, extensive genetic engineering has resulted in the form the few of us who survive currently take." Tyr followed up.

"I'm sorry we don't have a better answer. But unfortunately some mysteries aren't so easy to solve, even with our quite prodigious scientific knowledge. I suppose occam's razor would tell us it's merely the second most likely outcome of convergent evolution. After crabs, of course." The Commander supposed with a grin. "I don't suppose you have a theory?"

Zayin frowned. Really frowned. "[NEGATION]."

"[OPINION] It is puzzling. [AND][OPINION] Displeasing."

"[FACT] The Aleerin homeworld and solar system are a client-state of the Rigunmor Star Consortium; [AND][FACT] Like most local Stellar Nations, the Rigunmor are primarily humanocentric. [OPINION] I do not object to this, [NEGATION][OPINION] but it is uncomfortable to consider that humanocentrism might be axiomatic."

"[ASSERTION] My internal armaments are not a personal preference [AND][FACT] they are the result of an algorithmic defect in my firmware. [ASSERTION] Aleerin are almost universally pacifistic on a cultural and self-imposed neurological level. [SPECULATION] This algorithmic defect will become more common if the External War continues. [OPINION] Unfortunate."

Zayin looked The Commander in the eye.

"[ASSERTION] I am compiling a personal report on the biological and political structures of local reality [AND][ASSERTION] I will append copies of relevant datafiles from my internal memory. [CAVEAT] Neither is unbiased. [OPINION] Unfortunate. [QUERY] What do you intend to do with me afterward?"

He asked the question nonchalantly and let it hang in the air.

"Well, unfortunately taking you home is likely still not a possibility. Our only option would seem to be to bring you back to Deep Space 13 with us. However, you've demonstrated an inquisitive mind, a desire for peace, and an inclination towards cooperation. I would be surprised if the opportunity to be useful in the way you're best suited was not offered to you. Until such time as a way home can be found, that is." The Commander said with a note of optimism. "That is of course, if that interests you. If not, I imagine you'll be free to sit around and read or whatever form of recreation best pleases you."

Zayin frowned; he stared at a point on the wall somewhere over the Commander's left shoulder for several seconds.

He focused his gaze back on the Commander's face and nodded slowly.

"[PREDICTION] We will see what we will see. [THANKS]."

"Good day, Mr Zayin." The Commander said. Tyr nodded politely, and both left him to his new reality.

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