ST:SoD010 | "Zihil and the Basilisk"

Stardate [redacted]

While holding position around the sentient world - Zihil - the Latenter learns that Captain Keelah has directed a powerful psionic primeval creature their way...

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View Episode

T'Lana@anncaris | Some time after the Valley Forge's adventure with the Basilisk, T'Lana rings the doorbell to the ready room on the Latenter.

Mischa@crystyl:"Come in.”

T'Lana@anncaris steps inside with a PADD in hand, giving Mischa a nod, "Commander.”

Mischa@crystyl looks over and smiles, "T'Lana. Time for the daily operations report already?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Not quite, though I do have something to report.”

Mischa@crystyl turns, stepping over from the console, "Oh? Sounds intriguing.”

T'Lana@anncaris hands the PADD to Mischa, "We have just received a communication from the Valley Forge on the Zihil comms array. It appears Captain Keelah has sent a cosmozoan creature -

T'Lana@anncaris:- known as a 'Basilisk' towards us."

Mischa@crystyl chuckles some, "Oh Keelah, what fanciful mischief are you up to now..." as she takes the PADD to view.

T'Lana@anncaris:"This creature has significant telepathic capability and has been unintentionally overloading the mental capacity of lifeforms in its vicinity by attempting to contact them. Apparently, the Valley -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Forge believes it may be able to commune with Zihil after successfully establishing communication with it.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Huh... why can't she just scan a typical space whale like any other good Starfleet Captain? Why does she have to find the one that fries peoples minds by saying hello" she chuckles again, "Has Zihil+

Mischa@crystyl:+ responded?”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "It is amenable to the arrangement. Theoretically, the implants should protect the crew from its telepathy, but the Valley Forge has not risked putting it to the test. Fortunately, due to -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the Basilisk's low speeds, it will not be expected here for some time. We are making significant progress in assisting Zihil with its experiments, and it should be more than capable of handling -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the rest on its own by the time the Basilisk approaches, should you deem it fit for us to depart the system before it arrives.+

Mischa@crystyl hrms, "Sounds like quite the creature. What's your opinion on the situation?" she asks, moving to sit down.

T'Lana@anncaris follows over and takes a seat as well, "The Valley Forge also believes they have managed to explain to the Basilisk that its attempts at communication is having dangerous effects on others. The -

T'Lana@anncaris:- probability that the Latenter's crew will be at risk from the creature is significantly reduced. However, I do not believe we need to linger at Zihil for longer than necessary either.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Agreed. I am more curious as to this creature’s ability to affect the Horde…”

T'Lana@anncaris:"I have considered that as well, Commander. It is possible that the Basilisk may be able to overload the minds of Horde thralls just as it is able to do with the mind of Children species. However, -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the Horde functions as a hive mind. It is possible by sharing the load, the Horde will gain information from the creature. It is also possible that a number of individual thralls will be damaged -

T'Lana@anncaris:- beyond repair, but the consciousnesses in control of the Horde, the fallen Progenitors according to intelligence from the Architect on board the Valley Forge, will still be able to access the data.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Both of these hypotheses may be wrong, but there is too great of a risk that by sending the Basilisk against the Horde, we will be giving our enemies intelligence.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, I see your point. Well then... if it's coming here and Zihil welcomes it, I suppose there isn't much for us to consider this time.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Indeed. As we do not intend to seek the creature's help, do you believe we should make preparations to depart as soon as the last stages of our research here is complete?”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "It's never wise to sit still for too long.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Agreed. I will inform the-”

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Victoria> Commanders. Long-range sensors is registering an incoming ship

T'Lana@anncaris:"It appears your statement has proven true sooner than expected.”

Mischa@crystyl:<C> On our way.

Mischa@crystyl:"Me and my big mouth…”

Mischa@crystyl steps out onto the bridge a moment later, "What have we got then?”

T'Lana@anncaris stands and follows Mischa out.

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "We have identified the incoming ship. It is the Lander One, one of the auxiliary craft attached to the An Mothership Suvoseh.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethaydgea: "It is on a direct course for Zihil.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Lander One? They should not be out here... Go silent, full observational mode.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "Going silent, Commander.”

Mischa@crystyl moves to a monitoring station to observe as the ship cloaks and brings it's full array of sensors and monitoring systems coming online.

Mischa@crystyl:"I want complete monitoring of all communications in and out of that ship. They are here for a reason, let's find out what it is.”

T'Lana@anncaris FX | After some time, the Lander One comes into range of the planet-lifeform..

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "I am picking up communications with the planet. Bypassing encryption now…”

Mischa@crystyl turns to join her and observes.

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria taps on her console some, before Commander Kayan's voice sounds, "This is the Lander One to Zihil entity.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The voice of the Zihil Mouth can be heard in response, "Greetings, Lander One. Why have you come to me?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "We come on behalf of the Coalition. We are setting up a defense at the edge of Colonial Space. We are seeking all the assistance we can find.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Zihil: "I am making progress in finding methods to move my protectors away from myself so they may assist against the Horde, but they are not ready yet.”

T'Lana@anncaris looks to Mischa, "They seem to be seeking aid for the defense at Vue-En.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Exactly what we want from Zihil, but they may have to wait for this particular cavalry.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "I understand. They were never made to operate away from you after all, from what I've been told. If there is anything we can do to help, just ask."

T'Lana@anncaris | Zihil: "I am already preparing vessels to carry them against the Horde, but it is a slow and experimental process. I will bring them to assist as soon as they are able.”

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "Nicely put Zihil.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "Thank you. We'll keep in touch. You won't mind if we take a look at your work, will you?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Zihil: "You are welcome to examine my work so far, and give any advice you may have.”

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Commander. They are proceeding to conduct scans of the Zihil ships. Their scans make use of an antiproton sweeping system.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"That will bypass our cloak, Commander. We need to move away from the planet.”

Mischa@crystyl looks over and nods, "Move us out of exposure range."

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay nods, "Aye Commander." He taps his console quickly to maneuver the Latenter out of range.

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "Commander...we have a problem!”

Mischa@crystyl steps over, "The antiproton sweep?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant nods, "Its range is longer than I anticipated from scans of the sensor array. Must be the configuration with the antipro- “

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "They have spotted us. Their weapons are coming online and locking on to us.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "We have an incoming hail from the Lander One.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Drop cloak and open a channel.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria nods, "Yes Commander.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The image of Kayan around the command table of the Lander One comes into view, "This is Commander Kayan of the Lander One, member of the Nos'telari Suvoseh Expedition and the Coalition.”

Mischa@crystyl:"You can relax your weapons Commander, we are all friends here.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "Not until you identify yourselves and the reason you were sneaking in the vicinity of Zihil.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I am Commander Leveseon-Scott, and this is a Starfleet vessel. We were cloaked because we can not risk enemies of the Coalition learning of our presence here assisting Zihil.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan narrows her eyes, "Starfleet? To my knowledge, there's only one Starfleet vessel in this part of the galaxy.”

Mischa@crystyl:"And to Captain Keelah's knowledge as well. This is the way it must remain for now.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "You're hiding from your own people? Why?"

Mischa@crystyl shakes her head, "To hide would suggest that we are sought, and this is not so. It is simply imperative that the Valley Forge's mission proceeds as intended and without any accidental influence.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "So you're on a separate mission, then?”

Mischa@crystyl:"Commander I am sure you have noticed by now that the Valley Forge has a habit of... leaving a lasting mark on those worlds and civilizations it touches.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan nods, "That's true. They seek to help those they encounter on their journey, just as we do where we are able.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "And they generally succeed. However by the nature of their mission, they are often long gone very soon after the fact. We are here to ensure a smooth transition between the present and the +

Mischa@crystyl:+ future in accordance with that picture for an optimum galactic landscape, you might say" she smiles.

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan smiles, "So, you're like the cleanup crew?”

T'Lana@anncaris raises her brow at the wording.

Mischa@crystyl:"That's as good a way to put is any. So you see why our active presence is kept to a minimum; for our presence to be known would be to undermine the Valley Forge's presence and it's critical role in +

Mischa@crystyl:+ formation of the Coalition.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan turns offscreen for a moment as one of her officers says something inaudible. She nods, before turning back to Mischa, "Our scans indicate your vessel is similar enough in -

T'Lana@anncaris:- composition and general design elements to be Starfleet, and I can see the similarity in your uniforms too. And your mission would also explain your presence here at Zihil.”

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "The Lander One is standing down weapons.”

Mischa@crystyl nods and smiles, "Thank you Commander. And yes, we have been here for some time helping Zihil develop a means to act on it's desire to aid the Coalition.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "While your story does line up with everything we see, I can't be entirely sure you're telling the truth. You say you're helping the Zihil get its troops to the Coalition?”

Mischa@crystyl:"Correct.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "That means you're also helping out against the Horde?”

Mischa@crystyl:"Naturally.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan nods, "Our mission here is to obtain additional forces for the Coalition's defense at Vue-En. One of them was the Zihil. The other is a missing shipment of Guardian assets which the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Guardians have not been able to locate. According to our scans, your ship is optimized for scouting and maximizing sensor capability.”

Mischa@crystyl:"You seek assistance with your search. One moment" she turns, signing to mute comms before turning to TL, "Guardian assets?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"I have as little information on what these assets may be as you do, but I suspect recovering them may be beneficial to the Coalition's efforts.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Begin a recount of recent activity in the region then" she gives a nod to resume comms as she turns back to the screen.

Mischa@crystyl:"Commander, please present all of your available information on these missing assets. We concur that these may be invaluable to the defense effort and will assist in your search.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods and steps over to check the activity.

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "Good. We have no way of being certain if you are indeed Starfleet, but if you can find these assets, it'll at least show we're on the same side.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "I don't know much about these assets- you know how Guardians are. Only that they're weapons against the Horde, and they were being brought by Rangers, which means they had to be -

T'Lana@anncaris:- pretty important.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "The Ranger ship last checked in past the Command post not far rimward from here, but contact was lost somewhere between there and the Waystation.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Agreed. It may be a consignment from the Iconion arms depot if Rangers were carrying it. We'll review your data and advise as soon as we have a lead.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "Thank you. The Guardians aren't on the best terms with the Zihil, so they didn't want to come here themselves, but so far neither us or the Lupan have been able to locate any leads, -

T'Lana@anncaris:- but your ship might be better suited to the task.”

Mischa@crystyl:"We'll be in touch once we've analyzed the data" she turns with another nod close the comm.

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria taps her console and the comm closes.

Mischa@crystyl joins T'Lana, "Alright. What do we know?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Very little aside from what the Lander One has sent us. If they last checked in at the Command Post and never arrived at the Waystation, the search area for their location would logically be -

T'Lana@anncaris:- around here. However, after Zihil's cancellation of the tournaments and severing of trade with Children species, there has been a notable decrease in traffic in the region, meaning that activity -

T'Lana@anncaris:- is not difficult to track." She pulls up the image of recent activity in the search area, which shows a bare minimum, and nothing that is immediately relatable to a missing Ranger ship.

Mischa@crystyl:"Well if it was going to be as simple as a standard long range scan, I doubt they would be asking for our help.”

T'Lana@anncaris taps her console again, drawing a direct line from the Guardian Command Post to the Waystation, "This is the most likely route the Rangers would have taken, as we know they stopped briefly at -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the Command Post. Guardian-Ranger vessels possess cloaking devices, but given our first-hand experience with the Lander One's anti-cloak capabilities, it is likely they have already investigated -

T'Lana@anncaris:- for signs of vessels, cloaked or uncloaked, along this route.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Thus, the logical assumption is that, for reasons unknown, the Rangers decided to take a detour and deviated from the direct route.”

Mischa@crystyl:"You know one of my least favourite things are reasons unknown"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "It is always troubling to have incomplete information. However, from the long-range sensor data we have collected between the time we arrived at Zihil and now, there is no indication of -

T'Lana@anncaris:- anything that would necessitate a change of course. We cannot presently determine the cause for the Ranger ship's deviation, but if I were to speculate, it is most likely internal due to the lack -

T'Lana@anncaris:- of any visible external factors. Visible being the key, of course, as there is a slim but present possibility that this was caused by something external but invisible to our sensors.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Logical reasoning at it's finest" she smiles, "So if we assume an internal fault that would take them out of detection; we're looking at something like a power failure at warp, possibly a crash

Mischa@crystyl:+ landing if there are any suitable astral bodies. If not, perhaps drifting without power and subject to gravitational forces.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods and taps her console, "There are three systems near the route between the Command Post and the Waystaton, one further rimwards towards the Command Post, and two closer to the Waystation. -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Sensor data indicates that one of the systems closer to the Waystation has recently been visited by a Lupan pack. The other is out of range, but given its proximity to the Waystation, has -

T'Lana@anncaris:- likely also been searched. The third system is further off course and has not yet been visited.”

Mischa@crystyl:"But still within reach if the ship were forced out of warp during that leg of it's journey.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "It would be the best point to begin the search.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Any other worthwhile avenues to investigate en route to the planet?”

T'Lana@anncaris taps on the console, "There is the debris field of the Lupan Holy City. It is too far for the Rangers to reach without warp, but if their ship had a malfunction, they may have attempted to head -

T'Lana@anncaris:- in that direction to salvage components. Most critical components of the Progenitor station have been stripped by the Coalition, but there are a number of destroyed and derelict Horde and Lupan -

T'Lana@anncaris:- vessels which could still prove useful for the repairs of a single ship."

Mischa@crystyl:"Worth investigating?”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I believe so. It is the most logical location to head to if their ship was in need of emergency repair, with Terminu destroyed and Zihil unwelcoming to the Guardians.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright. Plot an optimal search course to take us into range of that debris field en route to the planet.”

Mischa@crystyl turns, "Open a Channel to Lander One.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Yes Commander.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria taps her console, opening the channel. Commander Kayan reappears on the viewscreen.

Mischa@crystyl:"Commander. We have analyzed the situation and prepared a search pattern. We will pass by the Holy City debris field en route to a distant planet.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan nods, "The debris field. You think they might go there for salvage, if their ship was damaged?”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "It's a theory. Fortunately we can obtain accurate scan data without veering far off course. The alternative is that they had to make planetfall, since your efforts have not yet yielded +

Mischa@crystyl:+ results. Given that the only other planetary bodies in range of their projected course are close enough to have been searched already, that is where we are aiming if the debris field is a bust.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan smiles, "An excellent plan, Commander. We'll remain here and await news of your search. If you find the weapon but the crew are gone, bring it back here and we can take it the rest of -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the way.”

Mischa@crystyl 's eyes narrow slightly, "Weapon? Earlier you implied no knowledge of the cargo they were transporting, now it seems you know exactly what it is.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "The Guardians implied that it was a weapon against the Horde. They were not revealing about its true nature, only that it would be of assistance and we need every asset we can possess.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Fair enough. We'll get underway immediately and hopefully return before long with good news.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "Good luck. And be careful- whatever this asset is, just because it's a weapon useful against the Horde doesn't mean it'll exclusively affect them.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Given the circumstances, I'm assuming that it is responsible for whatever happened to the Rangers. See you soon Lander One.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan nods and the comm closes.

T'Lana@anncaris looks to Mischa, "We're ready to proceed with the search on your command.”

Mischa@crystyl turns, "Take us out of orbit and engage at warp 7.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Aye Commander. Taking us out now.”

T'Lana@anncaris FX | The Latenter moves out of orbit before jumping off to warp...

---

T'Lana@anncaris FX | It has been some time since beginning the search. The Latenter's personnel works diligently at locating the Ranger ship, but after sweeping by the debris field, they have still found no -

T'Lana@anncaris:- trace of it yet...

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "ETA to the planet is four hours.”

Mischa@crystyl leans back and sighs, "Damned inconsiderate of them not to be at the debris field.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"It is still possible for them to be at the planet. If not, we may have to redefine our search parameters.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Let us hope so. No sign of further anomalies along the projected route?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"No anomalies, but..." she taps away at her console.

Mischa@crystyl stands and joins her, "But...?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"I may have something, Commander," she points to a moving mark on extreme sensor range, "A minute subspace variance moving at warp speeds. The most likely explanation is a cloaked vessel.”

Mischa@crystyl:"The Ranger vessel?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Inconclusive. There are other groups in this region that make use of cloaking devices, including Clenduros raiders and Toroki mercenaries. The distance from the projected route does make it -

T'Lana@anncaris:- possible to be the Ranger vessel, but we will have to approach and conduct an anti-cloaking sweep.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Alter heading to intercept. We'll cloak before entering their range.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Yes Commander. Altering heading now.”

Mischa@crystyl:"How long until we're in range to begin sweeping?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "At current speeds, twenty-five minutes."

Mischa@crystyl:"Very well. Let's not risk alerting them by pushing the warp envelope. 25 minutes it is."

T'Lana@anncaris | Twenty-five minutes later, Nethay announces, "We are coming into range of the subspace variance.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Drop to sublight. T'Lana, do we still have a solid fix on the variance signal?”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Yes Commander. We are ready to perform an anti-cloaking sweep on your mark.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, turning to lean on the back of her chair as she watches, too eager to sit, "Begin the sweep.”

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Initializing sweep now.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The sweep begins, and a few seconds later, readings begin pouring in...

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "We have a positive match with the Ranger vessel.”

Mischa@crystyl slaps the side of her chair, "Splendid! Initial status of the ship?”

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "No external damage and minor internal damage. All critical systems appear to be online.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Lifesigns?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"None visible. A curious portion of the power appears to be allocated to the rear of the ship. There are significant energy readings coming from there.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's get a complete analysis of those readings before we do anything then.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "I'm not sure what it is, but it almost appears to be a secondary cloaking device. The subspace variance we detected was compounded between the cloak and whatever this reading is, but -

T'Lana@anncaris:- I can't pinpoint the reading to any system of the ship.”

Mischa@crystyl hrms, "Is there anything we can do to further stabilize the vessel before I even consider going over there?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"We could use a graviton pulse to bring it out of warp, and then lock onto it with a tractor beam. We can attempt to remotely access their systems from there, but it may be difficult.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "I'd rather risk their ship than our lives. Let's do it, at least get them out of warp and under tow.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods back, "T'Fel, ready tractor beam. Firing graviton pulse now.”

T'Lana@anncaris | As expected, the graviton pulse knocks the ship out of warp, allowing the Latenter to halt its movement entirely with a tractor beam.

T'Lana@anncaris:"The Ranger ship is now immobilized.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Nicely done. Now let's see what we can do about remote access.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Attempting access now.”

T'Lana@anncaris taps away at her console for a few minutes before announcing, "Their security is too advanced. I can intercept incoming and outgoing comm signals, but there is nothing to intercept at the moment.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"For systems access, we will have to be on the vessel, or set up something on the vessel.”

Mischa@crystyl turns with a smile, "Away mission then?”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "It would appear so, Commander.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Excellent! I feel about ready to stretch my legs. Transporter room in...10 minutes?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"I will meet you there, Commander."

Mischa@crystyl:"And I believe it's your turn to choose any mission specialists. enjoy!" she gives a cheery wave, already on her way out.

T'Lana@anncaris looks over to the bridge, "Daurant, Hassan, prepare for away mission. Victoria, the bridge is yours."

T'Lana@anncaris arrives in the transporter room a few minutes later, nodding to Mischa and the others gathered there, "The subspace variance from the rear of the ship is still present, despite the ship having -

T'Lana@anncaris:- exited warp. Analysis is continuing, but we are unable to reach a definitive conclusion on the nature of the readings.”

Mischa@crystyl:"No speculation even?" She smirks a little, knowing better than to tease a Vulcan about such things but unable to resist sometime.

T'Lana@anncaris:"There are several theories, none of which can be confirmed by the data. However, given what we know of the Rangers' cargo, the most likely candidate is a subspace weapon. They are highly volatile -

T'Lana@anncaris:- and outlawed in allied space, but the Guardians are not subject to the terms of the Khitomer Accords, and such a weapon may be of great utility against a Horde fleet.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Assuming this volatile scenario is the case, do you know of any special precautions we need to take?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"There is no sign of any radiation that will be harmful to us. However, I would suggest not transporting in directly at the site of the readings, and instead beaming to the bridge, where we may be -

T'Lana@anncaris:- able to first learn more about their cargo.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Sounds good to me. Alright, let's get this show on the road!”

T'Lana@anncaris steps onto the transporter pad with Daurant and Hassan.

Mischa@crystyl:"Chief; maintain a lock on our signals and beam us back at the first sign of signal degradation." she glances to the others and back, "Energize.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The transporter operator nods in acknowledgement and energizes...

---

T'Lana@anncaris FX | The team beam onto the bridge of the Ranger ship. Some of the lights are broken and flickering and a few consoles are damaged or destroyed, but overall, everything seems to be in a good -

T'Lana@anncaris - enough state to still be able to operate the ship from here. A number of bodies are scattered around the bridge, all wearing Guardian-Ranger armour.

Mischa@crystyl looks around, silently moving to investigate and starting with the nearest body while others check the console.

T'Lana@anncaris steps over to two bodies, giving them a scan as well, "They appear to have been killed in conventional ways. Energy burns, blunt force trauma. But no sign of any boarding party.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"They are either already gone, or concealing from sensors.”

Mischa@crystyl checks the energy burns for consistency with the Guardians own weapons.

T'Lana@anncaris | The Guardians' use a variety of weapons, but Mischa is able to pinpoint the energy damage on several bodies to weapons already in the room, by the bodies of other dead Guardians.

Mischa@crystyl:"Or they right here..." she responds after a moment.

T'Lana@anncaris looks over, "Commander?”

Mischa@crystyl show TL her tricorder readings, "Many of the energy burns are consistent with weapons held by their fallen comrades. It is possible they did this to themselves.”

T'Lana@anncaris steps over, "A mutiny? That would not explain the complete lack of lifeforms on board. The probability of every member of the crew killing each other in a mutiny with no survivors and -

T'Lana@anncaris:- no catastrophic damage to the ship is quite low.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"In the event that a mutiny does cause the demise of an entire crew, it is usually because the fighting has destroyed the ship or critical ship systems."

Mischa@crystyl:"My guess is not a mutiny. Given this weapon was pegged as being a key asset against the Horde; telepathic influence is a probable element.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"But the Guardians have protection against telepathic influence. That is why they are capable of- “

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan: "Commanders, get down!”

T'Lana@anncaris quickly drops to the ground.

Mischa@crystyl drops as well.

T'Lana@anncaris | A burst of phaser fire flies over them as Hassan opens fire, and they hear the thud of a body dropping nearby.

Mischa@crystyl turns towards the sound of the body dropping.

T'Lana@anncaris | The body is that of one of the already-dead Guardians. Around the bridge, several, but not all, of the dead Guardians begin to slowly rise again.

T'Lana@anncaris quickly draws one of her pistols, shooting down a Guardian corpse behind Mischa.

Mischa@crystyl draws her weapon as she stands as well, firing a series of quick shots covering the other direction.

T'Lana@anncaris | Mischa's shot shears off the arm of one Guardian corpse, but it keeps running at her until several followup shots take it down completely. A third corpse managed to grab a rifle and fires, -

T'Lana@anncaris:- though it misses both Mischa and T'Lana and hits a console not even particularly close to them, destroying it in a shower of sparks before Hassan takes it down.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Exits.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "This way!" He motions to a nearby door while he draws his own pistol and provides covering fire.

Mischa@crystyl cautiously backs up and follows.

T'Lana@anncaris | The away team takes cover in a side meeting room as three more corpses press on them, firing inaccurately. Hassan returns fire much more successfully, taking down one and hitting the other, -

T'Lana@anncaris:- though it keeps shooting despite the fatal injury.

T'Lana@anncaris fires several more shots, bringing down the damaged corpse before ducking into cover from the last one's fire.

Mischa@crystyl:"Ok, what the Hell is going on here? Was this thing a weapon against the Horde, or a Horde weapon?!”

T'Lana@anncaris | The corpses move in a janky fashion, almost like someone is puppeteering them, and their shots are terribly inaccurate. Hassan quickly takes out the last one before stating, "All clear!”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Either the Horde is struggling to take control of these bodies judging by their movement, or this is something entirely different. I believe the latter is more likely, as we have never heard of -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the Horde being able to use dead bodies as thralls."

Mischa@crystyl:"This has to be connected to those odd readings at the rear of the ship.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, looking back out to the bridge, "I will see what I can find regarding these readings from the ship's logs and database.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I'll help you crack their systems" looking to the others, "You two, keep the dead... dead.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan and Daurant nod, "Yes Commander.”

T'Lana@anncaris steps back out onto the bridge, getting to work on cracking the system.

Mischa@crystyl joins her and gets to work.

T'Lana@anncaris | The two manage to get in quickly through the ship's bridge, where the encryption is not as strong as it is when attempting to remotely access the systems. Mischa soon has access to logs, comms -

T'Lana@anncaris:- and the ship database.

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright, we're in. Now to see what's going on here, pulling the latest log entries.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The latest log entry plays with a panicked voice saying, "...serious problem, asset is unable to telepathically influence us, but it's seizing control of dead bodies. We do not know who was -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the first to die or how, but it has taken the bridge and blocked communications. Its energy is too strong, we cannot communicate with the World Tree. If anyone finds this vessel, disintegrate the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- corpses of anyone who dies on board the ship. I do not know how long we can hold out, but the asset must be delivered to Commander Skormir's Chapter.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The remainder of the logs are quite cryptic, though orders to deliver the 'asset' to Skormir is mentioned several times.

Mischa@crystyl retunes her phaser to the highest setting, "This 'asset' almost sounds more trouble than it's worth.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. It is curious that they are still so set on delivering it to Commander Skormir. I may be able to find the original orders they mention in the communications records.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Give a look" she nods, "I'm going to try and access internal sensors and get a read on whatever this asset is, and the nature of this energy consumption.”

T'Lana@anncaris taps away at her console, searching for the orders.

T'Lana@anncaris | Mischa manages to discern the nature of the energy consumption- a powerful containment field erected in one of the ship's storage bays. However, half of the energy reading coming from the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- bay isn't from the field, but what's inside it.

Mischa@crystyl:"That's a substantial containment field. And it doesn't even even seem to be achieving anything.”

T'Lana@anncaris | By looking at the readings alone, it seems to suggest a huge collection of energy, though the internal sensors register it as 'Asset 144.

Mischa@crystyl groans, "They're bureaucratic as Regulators…”

T'Lana@anncaris meanwhile announces, "I have located the original orders, Commander.”

Mischa@crystyl peers over, "Let's see.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The orders are addressed from Ranger Command to Ranger-Captain Drendin and reads: "Captain Attayal's report from the Iconian facility states that a crewmember from the 'Valley Forge' vessel -

T'Lana@anncaris:- was able to seize control of a limited number of Horde thralls telepathically and command them to destroy each other. This verifies our theories from the Self-Destruct Project. With greater -

T'Lana@anncaris:- telepathic strength and the right signal, it should be possible to command an entire army of thralls to turn on themselves, or perhaps the entirety of the Horde. Your orders are to transport -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Asset 144 from Containment to Guardian-Commander Skormir, whose chapter is preparing for a defense against a sizable Horde fleet. Use the time on the journey to 'persuade' the entity to find the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- right signal, so it will be ready when the Horde comes. If this works, it could be the turning point in our struggle against the Horde.”

Mischa@crystyl:"...entity. I'm beginning to see why they only refer to it as an asset. As for this persuasion, something tells me this entity - whatever it is - did not take kindly to being persuaded.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Given the implications within this message, I do not believe any entity would take kindly to the form of persuasion they are suggesting. It is very likely this Asset 144 is merely acting in -

T'Lana@anncaris:- self-defense, and sees us and the Guardians as a threat.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Then we need to get down there asap and make this understand that we are not it's enemy.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"There are likely a number of dead Guardians between us and the storage bay. I suggest we use transporters.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Find a spot as close as we can get to."

T'Lana@anncaris taps on the console before pulling up an MSD and locating the closest beam-in site.

T'Lana@anncaris:"This is the closest we can get to with the energy interference.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "That will have to do then" checking her weapon, "Alright team, stand by to transport and set your weapons to maximum.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods back, checking her weapon as well, while the rest of the team converges by the two.

Mischa@crystyl taps her combadge, "Latenter, you have coordinates for a site to site. Energize when ready.

T'Lana@anncaris | The team disappears into transporter beams...

T'Lana@anncaris ...and reappears in a hallway.

Mischa@crystyl quickly scans back and forth checking all directions for movement.

T'Lana@anncaris | The hallway appears to be clear.

Mischa@crystyl signals for the team to move out.

T'Lana@anncaris checks as well before taking out a tricorder, "The bodies do not appear as lifesigns, but we can still detect their movement.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Better than nothing.”

T'Lana@anncaris | They move down the hall and into another hallway before T'Lana warns, "Movement up ahead. Three bodies.

Mischa@crystyl activates her targeting eyepiece, cycling through a couple of modes before settling on one she finds favourable to the circumstances as she proceeds cautiously.

T'Lana@anncaris | The three bodies quickly come into view, shambling around awkwardly like one would expect reanimated corpses to.

Mischa@crystyl fires at each in quick succession.

T'Lana@anncaris and the rest of the team opens fire as well, and they easily down the bodies before they can fire back.

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan: "Better these than Horde thralls. Our intel suggests some of the thrall variants can actually aim.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's not give the zombie Guardians ideas now, shall we?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan chuckles, "Right Commander.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"We should not be far from the storage bay.”

Mischa@crystyl continues down the hallway.

T'Lana@anncaris | The team soon makes their way into the storage bay, a large room with a force field set up in the centre. Within the force field is what can only be described as a ball of light.

T'Lana@anncaris | As they step in, a corpse around the room begins to stir and move..

Mischa@crystyl aims, but waits and watches, not wanting to fire in close proximity to the entity if she can help it.

T'Lana@anncaris and Hassan aims as well, with Hassan moving to fire but T'Lana raises her hand and stops him.

T'Lana@anncaris | The corpse gets to his feet, but is unarmed as he turns to the team, "Stay...your weapons. You...are...not with the Guardians. I...do not sense...their influence on you.”

Mischa@crystyl lowers her phaser, "You are the entity held within this forcefield?" looking between the corpse and the ball of light.

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "Yes. I speak...through this one...for like the Guardians...I cannot touch...your mind.”

Mischa@crystyl approaches the forcefield, ignoring the corpse as she addresses herself to the entity, "Exactly whose 'influence' do you nt sense in us?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "I sense...two beings...within your one vessel. But the others...I cannot sense at all.”

Mischa@crystyl:"You sense me correctly.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "Have you come...on behest of the Guardians? Or have you found me...by chance?”

Mischa@crystyl:"Neither. We work with the collective group that the Guardians are now working with. We were asked to find their missing ship, and you. But had no information as to what this ship was doing here, or +

Mischa@crystyl:+ what you are. Or what they were doing with you.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "Perhaps you...may be more amenable to my explanation. I...cannot do...what they ask.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "I do not know how...and even if I did...to perform such a feat...on such a scale...would require so much energy...it would be my demise.”

Mischa@crystyl:"We have seen your feat here" she glances to the talking corpse, "a... unique ability, to be certain. Do you actually control all of those you reanimate, or do you simply trigger the process which +

Mischa@crystyl:+ then leaves the body to act on it's base instincts?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "I...control them...directly, for their minds are dead. I could...not touch...their minds...while they were Guardians. But when they die...their Master recedes from their mind...and I -

T'Lana@anncaris:- can send signals...signals that can move the bodies. It was an accident...that gave me control...of one of the Guardians. The others...they did not expect it...and it was easy to make new bodies -

T'Lana@anncaris:- for my control. But their minds are gone...so I cannot leave.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Their... Master? This is the second time you've suggested that these Guardians were under someone else's control before you took over their corpses.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "You...do not know? They...keep many secrets. How...do you think...they can resist the Horde?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "The Horde...cannot influence them. Because something else...already influences them.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Something... else?" she glances to TL and back, "The World Tree?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "That is...what they call it. I am...not familiar with it. I know only that it is...more ancient...than the Horde. One...of the many...Primeval beings...that inhabit your universe.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I see. And speaking of unknown lifeforms, you... are like no lifeform I've ever encountered.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "I do not come...from your universe. I was captured...by the Guardians. To use as a weapon...against their sworn nemesis.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "I know the way back...but I cannot leave. The minds of these Guardians...are deteriorated. I do not know the codes...to shut down the field. I have tried...using their weapons...but -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the field is...too powerful.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Not from our universe... then where? How did they capture you - even know of you to do so?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "The World Tree...knows many things. That...is all I have...been able to gather.”

Mischa@crystyl:"That is secondary anyway. My concern right now is with you in the here and now.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "I cannot be...the weapon the Guardians seek. Please...release me.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Are you able to return to your natural home if released?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "Yes...I know the way. I need only...to leave this cage.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I can only apologize for what has happened to you. We know the Guardians are prone to extreme measures, but had no knowledge of their actions in taking you.”

Mischa@crystyl glances back to TL, "Can you get a handle on this containment field?”

T'Lana@anncaris steps over, tapping on a panel before nodding, "I can bypass the encryption and open the field, Commander.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "Thank you.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I hope we will get to meet again some day. Only under more... comfortable circumstances" she nods to TL to proceed.

T'Lana@anncaris brings down the field, and the ball of light hovers slightly higher in the air.

T'Lana@anncaris | Corpse: "Perhaps one day...I shall seek you out...and thank you properly...for your compassion.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The ball of light drifts towards a wall and passes straight into it, leaving behind a glow for a few seconds before fading completely. The corpse drops lifelessly to the floor as well.

Mischa@crystyl watches, "Safe journey to you..." muttering to herself with a faint smile.

T'Lana@anncaris:"A fascinating entity. Though I am more concerned about what we have learned on the Guardians…”

Mischa@crystyl quickly straightens and turns with a nod, "Get a full team over here. We're going to take this computer apart byte by byte if we have to. This needs a complete priority analysis.”

Mischa@crystyl adds, "And the same for the Guardians themselves."

---

T'Lana@anncaris FX | After releasing the entity known only as Asset 144, Latenter beams more personnel on board to evaluate the Guardian Ranger ship, now a proper ghost ship with its dead crew remaining dead.

T'Lana@anncaris | Mischa and Daurant works away on the bridge, prying all the data they can out of the ship's computers.

T'Lana@anncaris | There is very little information on the true nature of Asset 144 and even less on the mysterious World Tree besides mentions of the name, but there is significant information on the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Self-Destruct Project, one of the Guardians' seemingly many research projects over the years to find new ways to fight the Horde.

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant looks away from the console he is tapping on to Mischa, "Commander. I think the weapon the Guardians have been looking for might be under their noses the whole time…”

Mischa@crystyl peers over, "Oh, you have something?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "It looks like their research was left on the backburner for a while, but what happened at the Iconian ruins jump started it up again.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "They were trying to get the being they captured to reproduce what Lieutenant Dra from the Valley Forge accomplished, because it has more energy, right?”

Mischa@crystyl:"That's my take on it, yes.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "The being says it can't do it. But...I don't think we need it at all. I presume you're up to date with the recent log on the Basilisk encounter?”

Mischa@crystyl chuckles, "Keelah making friends with a telepathic space whale? As entertaining as I've come to expect from her little misadventures.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "Except it wasn't Keelah, not really. It was Lieutenant Dra and Ensign Sin who managed it with the use of Poseidon's Trident- an ancient artifact which we believe acts as a telepathic -

T'Lana@anncaris:- booster. And Lieutenant Dra was the one who managed to turn the Horde on each other in the first place.”

Mischa@crystyl turns, "So you think she's the key?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant nods, "She could only do it to a small group of thralls, and it was a significant drain on her. But with the help of the Trident, she might be able to accomplish what the Guardians -

T'Lana@anncaris:- hoping to from their project. I don't think it's possible to tap into enough energy to take out the entire Horde at once, but she might be able to turn Horde ships against one another- enough to -

T'Lana@anncaris:- make battles go in our favour.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Perhaps" she nods, "But that is between her and Keelah. Let us not lose sight of our objective in all of this.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant nods, "Yes Commander." He gets back to work on the console when the turbolift door slides open.

Mischa@crystyl turns to see.

T'Lana@anncaris steps out of the lift, "Commander. We have made progress in our investigation which you may be interested in seeing.”

Mischa@crystyl joins her, "Sounds promising."

T'Lana@anncaris steps back into the lift, "We do not fully comprehend it yet, but we have more or less confirmed what the entity claimed about the Guardians."

Mischa@crystyl:"They show signs of influence then?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Not Horde influence. Something entirely different, but quite possibly affecting them in a similar manner.”

T'Lana@anncaris leads Mischa to a sickbay facility, where Buena awaits them with multiple Guardian bodies laid out on the beds.

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "Commanders.”

Mischa@crystyl:"You look like you're having fun, Ensign.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "It's been a while since I've had to conduct such an investigation with so many samples. The Zihil ship and Toroki experience was...interesting, but I'd rather not repeat them again.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena chuckles, "Though Hassan keeps telling me this was just as bad, and I just wasn't here when the corpses were shooting at you.”

Mischa@crystyl:"When it comes to things I like to see corpses doing, shooting at me is not particularly high on the list" she smiles.

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "I can imagine...anyways, you probably want to see this." She leads Mischa over to a side room displaying medical readings.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena steps over to the console, currently displaying an image of a neuron: https://myclass.theinspiredinstructor.com/science/health_diagrams/neuron_label_parts_T.png

Mischa@crystyl:"Pretend for a moment I don't exactly what I'm looking at here and give it to me in Command Officer dummy speak."

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "T'Lana asked me to look for signs of influence in these Guardians, and I almost missed it at first. There was no Horde influence, no unusual neurology, until I went and took a closer -

T'Lana@anncaris:- look at the neurons specifically. It was especially hard to spot because these bodies are dead, but whatever the being was doing to them must've kept their neurons a little better preserved.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena taps the console and the image changes to a microscope view of...something that Mischa actually has no idea of.

Mischa@crystyl watches patiently.

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "I found the remnants of these inside their neurons. It seemed like an organelle at first, maybe something unique to a species we don't understand the physiology of yet. But I found -

T'Lana@anncaris:- them in multiple specimens. Not all of them, but some of the neurons are too degraded to analyze properly.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "The thing was, these specimens were of different species. I extracted the freshest sample and analyzed it closely, and it shared absolutely no DNA with the Guardian it was found inside.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Genetic transplantation?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena shakes her head, "The Guardians themselves are still genetically normal. It's just the...things we find attached to their neurons. Not a very scientific term, I know, but they're not -

T'Lana@anncaris:- organelles as they're not native to the cell. Whatever they are, they're coming from a completely different being. Something that doesn't even have markers common to Children species.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"And if they are attached to the neurons, they likely hold some mental influence over the Guardians.”

Mischa@crystyl looks to TL, "Aren't the Guardians rumoured to undergo some secret ritual when they join up?”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "That is correct. I have seen mentions of this ritual in the ship's computers, though I have not managed to locate any details on what it may entail.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I find it likely then, that this ritual involves some form of implantation to introduce this element into their bodies and allow this 'world tree' to exert its influence.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "Wait...I remember seeing something..." she rushes over to another console, tapping on it.

T'Lana@anncaris follows over curiously, "What do you have, Ensign?”

Mischa@crystyl shares a glances with TL and follows, equally curious.

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "I don't know yet, but this is unusually tight security for a medical storage compartment. I can use a hand with the encryption here…”

Mischa@crystyl steps up to join her, "Let's see what we can do here…”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena was right, the security is unusually tight. But with the two of them, they manage to get past it and a door beside the two slides open, revealing a storage compartment filled with -

T'Lana@anncaris - six closed barrels, neatly stacked on top of one another.

Mischa@crystyl gives them a curious look before pulling out her tricorder to investigate.

T'Lana@anncaris | The composition of the barrels is blocking scans inside it! It will have to be opened to see inside.

Mischa@crystyl turns to Buena, "This is your show Ensign. What do you want to do, containment field, isolation room?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena nods, "Best to be safe. Let's get one of these to an isolation room and I'll suit up.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Very well."

T'Lana@anncaris steps over, tagging one of the barrels on the top before tapping her combadge, "T'Lana to Latenter. We have a container to beam into isolation, full quarantine protocols.”

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Victoria> Understood Commander.

T'Lana@anncaris | The tagged barrel disappears into a transporter beam.

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "I'll head back first, prep for the analysis. I'll let you know when we're ready, Commanders.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Very good.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena taps her combadge as well, "Latenter, one to beam up." She soon disappears into transporter sparkles as well.

Mischa@crystyl:"What do you think Lana?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"The evidence seems to point that the Guardians themselves are under the control of some Primeval entity. This may explain some of their more ruthless actions, but ultimately they have still been -

T'Lana@anncaris:- allies against the Horde, despite the similarities. I believe there is a critical piece that we are missing.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Agreed. They may be allies now but we need to understand the risk posed by this World Tree and what if it decided to not be an ally.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed, especially as the Valley Forge and our other allies seem to remain unaware of the true nature of the Guardians."

Mischa@crystyl:"That is why we are here, Lana. Just as charting new life is the Valley Forge's primary mission, ours is assessing the threat posed by those new lifeforms."

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "And we shall ensure we learn everything there is to learn about the Guardians."

---

T'Lana@anncaris | Shortly afterwards, Mischa and T'Lana return to the Latenter, observing the isolation room from the other side of a window. Inside the room, the barrel sits in the centre, with two desks to -

T'Lana@anncaris:- either side along the wall filled with various equipment. Buena and T'Bee are inside, both wearing EV suits.

Mischa@crystyl taps the intercom, "Alright ladies, everything looks good back here. You're clear to proceed as you see fit."

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena nods, heading towards the barrel, "We are opening the barrel now…”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena steps over, tapping on a small panel on the side of the barrel. The top recedes away, revealing a thick blue glowing liquid within.

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee taps away at a console on a nearby table while Buena scans the substance with her tricorder.

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "No sign of any airborne contaminants being released. The substance is organic in nature.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "It's not alive, but it is likely the product of something that is.”

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee picks up a hypospray-like device, stepping over, "I will retrieve a sample for closer analysis.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena steps back, monitoring the tricorder carefully as T'Bee collects some of the liquid. Neither makes a comment as the Vulcan carefully takes the sample over to a table and begins analysis.

T'Lana@anncaris | On Mischa and T'Lana's side, the readings begin to appear as well.

Mischa@crystyl checks her screen, almost a cursory view as her attention remains on the room itself and her people within.

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "We have a positive DNA match with the microscopic...parasite, for lack of a better word, in the Guardians' neurons.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Most curious…”

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena: "And...wait, this can't be right.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Another line pops up on the readings: PARTIAL DNA MATCH - P. STELLAVIATORI

Mischa@crystyl pinches the bridge of her nose, "Oh boy…”

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow as she looks at the reading.

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee pauses momentarily before tapping away at her console, "Readings are confirmed, Commanders. There is a small amount of P. stellaviatori DNA embedded within these microbes.”

Mischa@crystyl:"This is troublesome."

T'Lana@anncaris looks over to Mischa, "How do you wish to proceed, Commander?”

Mischa@crystyl hrms, tapping the intercom, "Ladies, take your analysis as far as you see fit. When you are satisfied you've learned all you can, I want that container resealed and back in it's vault on the Ranger+

Mischa@crystyl + vessel" turning to TL, "As for our next move... The P. stellaviatori complicates matters. Do you have knowledge of it at all?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Only that it was the subject of Starfleet experiments from over a century ago which resulted in Ensign Ralde's condition and became highly classified afterwards.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "A fact which came to light during one of their recent missions. Come on, we should get you up to speed.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods back, "I presume there is more about these experiments I should know, given the presence of the P. stellaviatori DNA here?”

Mischa@crystyl:"You should at least know everything we have on file.”

T'Lana@anncaris turns and follows Mischa.

Mischa@crystyl leaves the pair to finish their studies in the isolation room and heads back to her ready room.

Mischa@crystyl enters the ready room and moves to her desk, spinning the console around and tapping away to call up the files.

Mischa@crystyl enters the ready room and moves to her desk, spinning the console around and tapping away to call up the file.

Mischa@crystyl:"Tea?”

T'Lana@anncaris steps in after Mischa, looking to the files before nodding to the offer.

Mischa@crystyl replicates their preferred teas through habit, "P. stellaviatori DNA indicates a connection to the Mycelial Network. Are you familiar with it?”

Mischa@crystyl returns, passing her a tea while she reads the declassified documents, leaning casually against the desk as she sips.

T'Lana@anncaris takes her tea with a nod of thanks, "Thank you, Commander. And I have only heard theories of such a network's existence.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Almost two centuries ago, Starfleet confirmed it's existence with the aforementioned experiments which were set around an alternative means of FTL travel.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Fascinating. I presume this form of travel was deemed too unstable following Ensign Ralde's accident, resulting in the abandonment of the experiments and classifying of related documents?”

Mischa@crystyl:"Actually, Ralde's incident was from an earlier unsuccessful attempt. The experiments continued on board a different vessel which successfully utilized the Network for travel a number of times before+

Mischa@crystyl:+ it... disappeared.”

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow, "And we do not know the ultimate fate of this vessel?”

Mischa@crystyl:"It may be more accurate to say that we do not... yet know. They were last seen alongside the Enterprise - NCC-1701 Under Captain Pike - at a climactic battle against one of our own less proud +

Mischa@crystyl:+ accomplishments. Given the nature of surrounding events, and the reported lack of debris specific to the vessel in question, it is believed that they escaped through a temporal anomaly to an +

Mischa@crystyl:+ unknown point in the future. But I digress…”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, taking a sip of her tea and continuing to listen.

Mischa@crystyl:"Before all record of the Discovery and her crew was classified, they interacted a number of times with the Mycelial Network using this experimental 'Spore Drive' at was fondly dubbed.”

Mischa@crystyl:"We now know the network to exist in a layer of subspace and at least spans the entirety of this galaxy, possibly the complete universe. Travel by this method was found to be more expedient even +

Mischa@crystyl:+ than transwarp. What you may find more interesting is that - much like it's real world equivalents - this network is a living entity and home to an entire eco-system of it's own. P. stellaviatori +

Mischa@crystyl:+ spores have - according to records - shown signs of intelligence and sentience, at least in their native form. However they are not the only lifeforms to interact with the network. Our old friends +

Mischa@crystyl:+ the Elachi for one; it is their native home. And a bit more closer to home for us; the Regulators use a version of Spore Drive technology on their scout vessels.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"We have never heard reports of the Guardians using such forms of travel. Even with their secrecy, it would be known in regions where they are active if their ships can traverse great distances -

T'Lana@anncaris:- quickly. And as the DNA was found in the microbe that appears to be joining to their neurons...could it be possible that the Guardians are linked to some being within the network?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"If this network does indeed span the complete universe, it may explain how the Guardians possessed the information to locate and capture Asset 144.”

Mischa@crystyl:"We certainly can't rule it out. We can't even rule out the Network itself. That would certainly constitute the Asset’s view of the World Tree being something more primeval than the Horde.”

Mischa@crystyl 's eyes widen and she lowers her tea to the desk, looking to TL, "Lana... the /World Tree/…”

T'Lana@anncaris:"It may be something within the network...or perhaps the network itself?”

Mischa@crystyl:"Contextually, it would be a fitting analogy for the Network itself as opposed to a single entity linked to it.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "And you said that the network itself is a living entity…”

Mischa@crystyl:"Supposedly an intelligent, sentient and powerful one at that. If we're correct in this... this entire conflict with the Horde just went to a whole new level.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. I do not suppose the network would join with the Guardians if it did not feel threatened by the presence of the Horde.”

Mischa@crystyl checks the files on the screen to refresh herself and nods at the recollection, "During the peak encounter of Discovery's crew - where they interacted directly with the spores - it was implied that +

Mischa@crystyl:+ their use of the network was damaging to its ecosystem, as it were. If the Horde's actions in this galactic plane are so extreme as to be upsetting the balance there, that would certainly drive +

Mischa@crystyl:+ the Network into response.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"It is certainly a possibility, though we cannot confirm it yet with the information we have at hand. The substance in their barrels, have we discovered anything similar to that in regards to the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Network before?”

Mischa@crystyl:"It doesn't ring any bells, but I must confess it's been a while since I first got my brief on the subject.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I can look over the files and see what I can locate. Buena's study may yet reveal more information as well.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Indeed. Either way, it's looking increasingly likely that the answers lie within the Mycelial Network.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"And with the Guardians, but I do not expect they will be willing to tell us more. We would not have even known this if we did not speak to the entity, which prompted us to examine them more closely.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Which means if we want answers, that means reaching out to the Network. And unless you're hiding an Elachi on board that I don't know about, then the only person I can even name within reach who has+

Mischa@crystyl:+ a connection to it at all is Ensign Ralde on the Valley Forge."

T'Lana@anncaris:"The Regulator survey vessel...I recall reading on the report that they had an Elachi, I believe for navigating their version of the Spore Drive technology.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "That's right. Though it may be difficult to enlist his assistance without raising a flag to the Regulators.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"The Regulators are already aware of our presence here. Though I am more concerned about the other Coalition members, as that vessel is currently travelling with the Coalition. If the Lander One -

T'Lana@anncaris:- was able to detect us, our cloak would be of no use if we even near the vicinity of their Mothership.”

Mischa@crystyl:"We could annex the Ranger vessel, but that is already a high profile target. Perhaps we can summon the Regulator vessel to us.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "We should be able to send a message through the Valley Forge's comm arrays back to the nearest Regulated Zone to ask the Regulators for assistance while bypassing the rest of the Coalition.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"There is also the question of what we are to do with the Ranger vessel. Should we tow it back to the Lander One and explain the situation to them, or simply scuttle it and claim it was destroyed?”

Mischa@crystyl:"I can see no better way forwards at this point, unless more information comes to light. As for the Ranger vessel..." she shakes her head, "Too risky to take back and too many questions. We scuttle it.”

Mischa@crystyl:"And while we're on the subject, I want you to ptu a team on that cloak detection - and avoiding any repetition of it.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Yes Commander.”

Mischa@crystyl:"We'll give the girls a chance to finish up their studies first, but we should get underway as soon we can after and make contact with the Regulators.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"And the sample in the barrel- should we still return it to the Ranger vessel and destroy it with the ship, or keep it on board for the Regulators to examine?”

Mischa@crystyl hrms, "In light of recent developments I'm inclined to keep a hold of it for now. Unless you have any further concerns?”

T'Lana@anncaris shakes her head, "I do not believe the substance poses any danger in its current form.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Very well then" she smiles, "Well Lana, seems we finally landed ourselves the mother of all of Intelligence mysteries! Ready to investigate the very fabric of our reality?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"It is quite a fascinating mystery, and one I was certainly not expecting to encounter when we set out on this search.”

Mischa@crystyl:"You and me both" she chuckles, setting down her tea and moving to the door.

T'Lana@anncaris follows out, "I will let you know when we are ready to scuttle the ship and move on."

---

T'Lana@anncaris FX | Some more time passes before T'Lana returns to the bridge, "We are ready, Commander. We have extracted the Ranger vessel's database, and Buena has completed her study of the sample.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright. All away teams accounted for and computers cleaned?”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "All computers are cleaned and all crew are back on board.”

Mischa@crystyl stands, "Very well, bring weapons online and target their warp core.”

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel nods and taps her console before announcing, "Weapons are locked on to their warp core, Commander.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Torpedoes... fire.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Torpedoes fire from the Latenter, impacting the rear-centre of the Ranger vessel. The detonation of the torpedoes is soon outshone by a much brighter flash that consumes the entire ship as the -

T'Lana@anncaris - warp core explodes.

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "The Ranger vessel is completely destroyed. Sensors indicate small amounts of debris revealing only enough of hull composition to identify the ship, and nothing else.”

Mischa@crystyl observes for a drawn out moment out of respect before returning to her seat as the view fades to a scattered debris field, "Our business here is concluded. Set course back to Zihil, warp 6.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Aye Commander. Course set back to Zihil.”

Mischa@crystyl gives a final glance to the debris field, "...engage.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay taps away at his console, and the Latenter jumps to warp.

Mischa@crystyl:"Where are with the Regulators?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"We are ready to send the message through the comm network on your order.”

T'Lana@anncaris adds, "We have also learned slightly more about the sample, though not significantly more than we had before.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Oh?”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Buena's analysis revealed the presence of something akin to plant hormones, along with trace amounts of sucrose and mineral elements, suggesting that it is a form of plant sap.”

Mischa@crystyl:"A physical presence in our realm connected to the Network maybe.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "That is certainly a possibility.”

Mischa@crystyl:"A curious development but insufficient to present us an alternative way forwards at this time. Send the message.”

T'Lana@anncaris steps over to a console, typing on it for a moment before announcing, "Message sent, Commander. Now we wait for the Regulators.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Indeed... what is our eta for Zihil?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Eight hours, Commander.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"I have advised them to be discreet, and if they answer our request, they will likely not arrive at Zihil where the Lander One can observe them.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Excellent. It seems everything is neatly wrapped up for now then, time for a little downtime."

---

T'Lana@anncaris FX | Eight hours later, Mischa returns to the bridge as the Latenter nears Zihil...

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "ETA is four minutes, Commander.”

Mischa@crystyl takes her seat, "Any word from Lander One?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "They have sent a message asking that we report the results of our search.”

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Open a channel. May as well get this over with.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria nods back, "Channel open.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Commander Kayan's image appears on the viewscreen again.

Mischa@crystyl:"Commander.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "Commander. Any luck finding the Ranger ship?”

Mischa@crystyl:"Luck may be a poor choice of words. Successful, but not lucky.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan nods, "The ship is gone, then?”

Mischa@crystyl simply nods solemnly, "I am sorry it is not better news.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "It's not the optimal result, but at least we know. Any idea what caused its destruction?”

Mischa@crystyl:"We believe they were experimenting with their 'asset' and surmised that it was too much to handle. Too volatile, or unstable, whatever it was.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "We thought this might happen. Their asset was clearly something dangerous, and it seems they couldn't contain it after all. Thank you for looking, Commander.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I am sorry we couldn't be the bearers of better news, but at least it's one less loose end for you.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan nods, "We'll have to return to the Waystation empty-handed, but we have seen that Zihil is making progress. I hope it can get its protectors ready for the defense at Vue-En.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "One ship isn't going to make much difference, but if you decide to reveal yourselves before the Horde fleet arrives, we could use all the help we can get.”

Mischa@crystyl:"We may not be a front line vessel - this ship is not built for that - but rest assured, we are constantly working in the background to aid the Coalition's defense. There is already much you likely +

Mischa@crystyl:+ rely on now which you do not - and never will - realize was the fruit of our efforts. Such is the burden of our lives.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan nods, "I suppose when Zihil's protectors are ready for battle, no one will know we have you to thank. And there's already plenty that's happened we don't know about.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan smiles, "Well, if we see any miracles, we'll be sure to thank you. Quietly, of course.”

Mischa@crystyl smiles at that, "Good luck to you, Commander. I hope the next time we work together, it is a more successful venture.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Kayan: "You and me both, Commander. Until next time, whenever that may be.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Until next time.”

T'Lana@anncaris FX | The feed ends, and T'Bee announces, "The Lander One is heading back towards the Waystation.

Mischa@crystyl:"Resume standard orbit around Zihil. Now... we await the Regulators."

T'Lana@anncaris | Some more time passes quietly on the Latenter. Eventually, as the Lander One disappears from long-range sensors..

T'Lana@anncaris:"Commander. A vessel is deactivating a phase-cloak in the system. I believe only the Regulators are known to have such technology in this region.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Verify.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Daurant: "Confirmed. It is the Regulator survey ship.”

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "At least they are prompt. Open a channel.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria taps her console, and a suited Regulator female appears on the viewscreen, "I am Supervisor 9118-127-030 of Vessel 103-9141-16. I am told you have discovered something related to the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- mycelial network and requested the expertise of Operator 9090-241-006, our Elachi navigator?"

Mischa@crystyl nods, "That is correct. If you would indulge, it will be easier to explain if your navigator were to transport over here, you are of course welcome to join as well.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Supervisor: "We will discuss this further on your vessel.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Very good. We stand by to receive you.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The Supervisor nods and the call cuts.

T'Lana@anncaris | Victoria: "They are requesting transport now.”

Mischa@crystyl stands, "Lana, Buena. With me. Duarant, you have the conn. Let's go welcome our guests.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods and follows along.

T'Lana@anncaris | In the transporter room, the Supervisor and suited Elachi identifiable as the Navigator materializes on the transporter pad.

Mischa@crystyl:"Welcome to the Latenter.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Supervisor: "I've read of our contact with your ship. It is interesting to see the differences from the Valley Forge myself. Even your attire is different.”

Mischa@crystyl:"You will find this is a very different place to the Valley Forge. Please" she gestures to the exit.

T'Lana@anncaris | The two Regulators follow along, with the Navigator asking, "What is this you mentioned about something related to the mycelial network?”

Mischa@crystyl:"We discovered something unexpected and I found myself in need of an expert opinion" she glances to the Elachi, "It is my hope that you will be said expert.”

Mischa@crystyl leads them through the much more sleek and utilitarian, and sparsely populated, corridors to the quarantine lab where the sample is held.

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "I have dwelt within the network myself. I am familiar with much of what lies within it.”

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "Good. Then perhaps you can tell me what this is" she nods to Buena to open the sample container for him.

T'Lana@anncaris | Buena nods and opens the container. The Navigator steps over, his helmet still active, as he looks into it. He leans over the barrel, tilts his head curiously, then retracts his helmet and -

T'Lana@anncaris:- turns to everyone watching on, "This, if I am not mistaken, is the sap of the NirTess tree.”

Mischa@crystyl:"The 'World Tree' as we have heard it referred to as" she nods, clearly impressed. By his deduction, or herself for making the call to bring him in, who's to say.

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "The World Tree. Yes. I can see why you would call it that.”

Mischa@crystyl:"This NirTess tree, what do you know of it?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "The NirTess tree is not a being of the mycelial network. It is a being of your universe. A form of ancient, Primeval life, not unlike more mundane trees you find on other worlds, -

T'Lana@anncaris:- only infinitely more complex. Its roots reach beyond your realm and into the mycelial network, which is how we know of them.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "We call them Universe Anchors- not because they are strictly necessary for keeping the mycelial network linked to the multiverse. No, the network does that by itself. But the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- NirTess are ancient beings, only ever formed once in each given universe by the energies of creation. When their roots reach into the network, it notifies the mycelium that another universe has -

T'Lana@anncaris:- been born, and then the connections are made. When all the NirTess die, it usually signifies the end of that particular universe.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Our universe, subspace layers, mycelial network... they are all simply different facets of the same thing. Would it interest you to know that this sap shares DNA with p.stellaviatori spores?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "That...is not common for most NirTess sap, but it is not unheard of. They transfer the DNA into themselves, much like how the beings you know as 'tardigrades' do so. Except the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- NirTess do not use it to move through the network, but to communicate with its tenders through the network, in the few cases its tenders must travel far away from it.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "Might I ask how you obtained this sap?”

Mischa@crystyl:"From a Guardian vessel. This is their means of protection against Horde influence.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "Really? Interesting. That has not occured to me, but...yes, it would work. They would be linked with the NirTess. Physically, they are still Children species, but their mind is -

T'Lana@anncaris:- made partly Primeval from joining with one."

Mischa@crystyl:"Their minds made... partly Primeval? That may be consistent with our information, but leaves the question of the implication."

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "Many of the NirTess have tenders, but to my understanding, it is always a mutualistic relationship and not a parasitic one, in that both parties benefit from the link. However, the -

T'Lana@anncaris - NirTess are beings with free will, so this one could be different. But it is not usually their nature to prey on or use others.”

Mischa@crystyl:"We do not believe that to be the case either. But it came to our attention that the Guardians were protected from Horde influence by being under the existing influence of another - more ancient -

Mischa@crystyl:+ Primeval. With such limited information, we had to investigate to ensure they were not compromised. Whilst satisfied with the facts at hand, I would be more content if I could learn more of this +

Mischa@crystyl:+ NirTess, even speak with it for myself to understand it's intentions.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "The NirTess do not speak in any way you will be able to understand, not without tasting the sap and joining with it. But it can commune its intentions through the ones who are -

T'Lana@anncaris:- already linked with it. As the Guardians have not already revealed its existance to us, it would be safe to conclude that this particular tree does not wish to be found.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "I can locate it through the mycelial network and use our vessel to get there, but I do not expect the Guardians will take kindly to that.”

Mischa@crystyl:"And there's the problem; intelligence officers and people hiding are not a good combination.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Admittedly, besides some questionable conduct in their efforts to find defenses against the Horde, the Guardians have not done anything untowards here. This is simply a matter which came to light +

Mischa@crystyl:+ and warranted further investigation.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "It will be very difficult to gather more information on this NirTess without communicating directly with the ones who are linked with it. And I am unsure how the Guardians will -

T'Lana@anncaris:- react if they learn what you have already discovered. I do not believe this connection between the NirTess and the Guardians pose any danger either, but I am also curious to learn more. Given the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- scope of the Guardians, they must be the largest group of tenders that we know of, and their task seems to have spread beyond just protecting and tending the NirTess.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "No doubt, stopping the Horde ensures the safety of this tree as well, but they are not only protecting the tree- they also protect other worlds and fight back where they can.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Well, without cause for increased concern I do not believe now is the time to confront one of allies about their closely guarded secret.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Supervisor: "Agreed. As with your vessel's existence, we will refrain from sharing this information with the rest of the Coalition.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I thank you both for your assistance in closing out this investigation.”

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "If nothing else, we have learned a little more about the nature of our universe and our very humbling place within it.”

T'Lana@anncaris | The Supervisor nods, "Indeed. Do you wish us to take the sap as well?”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "It should pose no threat, but if someone decides to consume it...they will become a Guardian.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "Or at least become linked to the tree they are linked with, which would likely make them a Guardian.”

Mischa@crystyl shakes her head, "That will not be necessary. This still poses a significant scientific point of interest for us, and may be something to pursue at a later date.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Don't worry, locking up secrets is our speciality" she smiles again.

T'Lana@anncaris | Supervisor: "I will leave it in your hands, then. We have seen enough of your people to know that you are capable enough to secure it.”

Mischa@crystyl dips her head lightly, "Thank you. Well... I almost feel like I owe an apology for calling you out here now as it would seem there is nothing to be concerned about.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Supervisor: "Your concern is understandable. If our vessel discovered this and did not have someone familiar with the mycelial network on board, we would have done the same.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Then it would appear our business is concluded. I should not keep you any longer than I already have.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Navigator: "I am glad we were able to provide some answers for you.”

T'Lana@anncaris | Supervisor: "We will return to the Coalition. If you need our assistance again, you may contact us through the Administration as you have this time.”

Mischa@crystyl:"For which you have my sincerest gratitude. T'Lana can see you back to the transporter room.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "This way." She turns and leads the Regulators back out.

---

T'Lana@anncaris | Shortly after the Regulators' departure, T'Lana rings the doorbell to the ready room...

Mischa@crystyl:"Come in.”

Mischa@crystyl stands by the thinking window.

T'Lana@anncaris steps inside, looking to Mischa by the thinking window, "Reflecting on recent revelations, Commander?”

Mischa@crystyl:"Just wondering how many times we've concluded that we have an absolute understanding of the nature of existence and the universe, and how many more times we'll be proven wrong.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"There is a theory by a Vulcan monk from seven centuries ago. It is not a popular theory, given the prominence of scientists in Vulcan society and the desire for experts of science to understand -

T'Lana@anncaris:- and clearly define everything. The theory states that the Vulcan mind- or minds like our own, was simply not evolved to grasp the complexity of our universe.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"It is not to say that we will never understand the universe. Perhaps one day, we will evolve into beings such as the Organians or the Q. But as we are now, the universe is simply incomprehensible -

T'Lana@anncaris:- to us. From all that we have seen, I am beginning to believe that there is some truth to her theory.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"We have only to look at creatures such as the Basilisk or the asset entity, or even the Horde, to know how complicated the minds of other beings in this universe are.”

Mischa@crystyl smiles and nods, "Indeed. I find it... humbling to be reminded of just how small we are.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Very true. That is why I prefer being out in the field. It is easy to believe the Federation is perfect and that Starfleet is an unrivalled force in the universe if you view it only from -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the Federation core. Out here, we learn just how far we still have to go, even compared to those more like us, such as the Regulators.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Or the An even, though I have a greater understanding of their anti-cloak capabilities now. We will ensure we keep enough distance from their vessels to avoid detection.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, well... I did not mean to distract with my contemplation. Was there something specific you wanted of me, or just checking up on me?" she smiles with a slight tease.

T'Lana@anncaris:"A little of both. T'Bee reports that we should be ready to leave Zihil in three days. I was wondering which direction we should proceed in.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"We could head further towards the rim to survey more of Horde territory, or we can continue to tail the Valley Forge on their journey into Felmoran space, which may put us in a position to lend -

T'Lana@anncaris:- more assistance to the Coalition as it prepares for the arrival of the Horde fleet.”

Mischa@crystyl hrms, moving to take a seat, "That is an interesting point. I've been so focused on our work with Zihil, then this Guardian stuff, that I have not stopped to consider our next move.”

T'Lana@anncaris steps over to take a seat as well, "I believe both options will be of assistance to the Coalition. We may gather valuable intelligence rimwards, as the Horde has depleted much of their forces in -

T'Lana@anncaris:- the nearby region, and this may be the best time to scout ahead."

Mischa@crystyl:"Whilst being in range to support the Valley Forge is a standing secondary objective for us, I am also conscious of the fact that all the time Keelah pursues these diplomatic relations and the Horde +

Mischa@crystyl:+ defense; the less she is doing to locate the Heart of War.”

Mischa@crystyl:"I think given the proximity of allied forces, our presence is less pertinent to the Valley Forge right now. Scouting behind enemy lines may be the most fruitful move for the Latenter.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I agree. We are best suited for this task, and we may be able to locate further information on the Heart of War by doing so, or at the very least, learn more about the Horde and their -

T'Lana@anncaris:- movements.”

Mischa@crystyl:"And we have more than sufficient means to feed any useful intelligence back to the Coalition" she smiles and gives a firm nod, "Yes, it is about time the Latenter got back to doing what it does best.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. While the Science department completes their work with Zihil, I will ensure that the Engineering department optimizes the ship in the coming days for the journey ahead.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Very good."

T'Lana@anncaris:"As for checking on you...with further contemplation, I realized that your method of defense against the Horde is fundamentally not too different from that of the Guardians. The primary difference -

T'Lana@anncaris:- is that Leona is joined with you alone, while this NirTess tree bonds with and shields every single Guardian.”

Mischa@crystyl:"The difference being that Leona does not influence my actions, nor was it a conscious decision as a direct counteragent to Horde influence.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"We do not know for certain that either is the case. According to the Elachi Navigator, other trees have bonded with sentients that are its tenders. Perhaps these caretakers found themselves immune -

T'Lana@anncaris:- to the Horde by accident, and the Guardians formed from that. As for influence, I suspect the NirTess may have some hold over them, but the Guardians still display significant individuality from -

T'Lana@anncaris:- what we have seen. Though we cannot be certain, I am inclined to believe the Navigator's theory that the relationship is mutualistic rather than parasitic.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Without evidence to the contrary, I'm happy to go with that too.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"Given the lengths the Guardians have been known to go in order to defeat the Horde however...I suspect it is not beyond them to trade one evil for another, and pledge themselves to an ill-meaning -

T'Lana@anncaris:- entity if that entity would help in their fight against the Horde.”

Mischa@crystyl:"True... we will escalate them to an amber threat level and continue monitoring the situation, but that is all for now.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "On the subject of Leona, I hope shielding you from Horde influence is not taxing for her. Is it something she has to actively work against, or are you protected simply because you are -

T'Lana@anncaris:- joined with her, like the Guardians?”

Mischa@crystyl:"If she actively works at it, I'm not aware of her efforts. No, my feeling is that it is a more passive thing like the Guardians.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"That is good. The Horde may have depleted their ships in the nearby regions, but they still very much have an active presence, as the Valley Forge observed in the Iconian arms factory. Their -

T'Lana@anncaris:- influence is likely to be all around us once we head further rimwards.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Not a welcoming thought, is it.”

T'Lana@anncaris:"It is not. The implants have proven effective with the crew of the Valley Forge though, and we have no reason to expect that anything will go wrong, at least in terms of influence from the Horde.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Of course. I know our crew more than ready to face whatever awaits us out there. We'll do just fine" she smiles.

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I will have the crew make preparations to head behind enemy lines, then. Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Commander?”

Mischa@crystyl:"No..." she thinks, "...I'm pretty sure we have all the bases covered for now.”

T'Lana@anncaris stands, "I will inform you when we are ready to depart, or if anything else comes up.”

Mischa@crystyl:"Thank you. And be sure to get yourself some decent downtime in the coming days too. Everyone should be well rested before we ship out, including you.”

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I will be certain to keep myself in good condition."

View Bonus Content

T'Lana@anncaris FX | After helping the Zihil lifeform with its experiments, the Latenter heads away from the living planet towards Horde-controlled space. It has been a quiet trip so far, and on a regular day -

T'Lana@anncaris - when Mischa is off-duty, the doorbell to her quarters rings

Mischa@crystyl sits on a chair playing her cello again a backing score from the computer, "Computer, pause playback" she looks to the door, "Come in

T'Lana@anncaris steps inside, looking to Mischa and spotting the cello, "I hope I am not interrupting. I can return later, if it is more convenient.

Mischa@crystyl smiles, standing it to her side, "Not at all Lana, just enjoying a little downtime. What can I do for you?" she gestures, inviting her to si

T'Lana@anncaris steps over and takes a seat, "I thought to visit you while off-duty, as to not interrupt anything important. It has been fairly quiet so far on sensors, and as you said, this may be a good time -

T'Lana@anncaris:- to rest before we enter potentially highly dangerous regions.

Mischa@crystyl:"I hope you're remembering to get some downtime too" she chuckle

T'Lana@anncaris:"That is why I am here. I did not bring it up when I inquired on whether Leona's shielding was more passive or active, as it was not relevant to the subject of discussion then, but with activity -

T'Lana@anncaris:- relatively low around the ship at the moment, I believe this may be a more appropriate moment. I remember that when you first revealed Leona's presence to me, you mentioned that it may be -

T'Lana@anncaris:- possible to...meet her?

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "Yes indeed. Is this scientific curiosity, or threat assessment?

T'Lana@anncaris:"Scientific curiosity. I have no reason to believe she is a threat, and I would not have waited until now if I did.

Mischa@crystyl:"A fair point. Well, we should probably not do this in here. It may get a little cramped..."

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I believe when you brought it up, you said the holodeck may be a good area."

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, that should suffice. We do enjoy exploring new environments there anyway

T'Lana@anncaris:"I am ready whenever you are.

Mischa@crystyl stands, "Well, no time like the present!

T'Lana@anncaris stands as well, "If you ever wish for a partner in your musical endeavours, you are welcome to call upon me as well.

Mischa@crystyl:"I didn't realise you played. I... tend to avoid public performances for the most part. It's just something I do to relax these days

T'Lana@anncaris:"Like many Vulcans, I have been trained with the Vulcan lute. We all receive education on our traditional arts, and I focused on it quite significantly in my youth to attempt to better fit in.

Mischa@crystyl:"Well it's a long time since I played a more classical style, but it could be fun!" she smiles as they approach the holodec

T'Lana@anncaris:"I have played some more modern music as well. I learned the Earth guitar during my time at the Academy, though I am not as proficient with it as I am with the lute.

Mischa@crystyl:"A guitar certainly blends better with my preferred style. But the whole point of it is fusion of styles so it could be fun to work something around a Vulcan lute

Mischa@crystyl enters the holodeck, "Hmm... now where should we go today?

T'Lana@anncaris follows Mischa in, "Which environments do you typically utilize?

Mischa@crystyl:"Broad landscapes for the most part

T'Lana@anncaris:"Perhaps the Kendra Valley of Bajor, or the Markaran Plains of Khitomer? Or do you prefer something more familiar?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Oh, the Kendra Valley sounds good! I have not been there myself but the rolling hills of Bajor are reminiscent of home"

Mischa@crystyl:"Computer; load program Leona-1. Setting; Bajor, Kendra Valley"

Mischa@crystyl watches as the view shifts to picturesque Bajor

T'Lana@anncaris looks around as the environment loads in as well, "You were raised in a similar enviroment, I take it?

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Yes, somewhat. The English counrtyside is perhaps less awe inspiring than this, but it is certainly reminiscent

T'Lana@anncaris:"Compared to the deserts and mountains that predominate Vulcan, Earth can be considered very scenic.

Mischa@crystyl:"As is Vulcan. Just a different kind of scenic" she smiles, "Anyway, I suppose we should just dive right into this" unbuttoning her vest and discarding i

T'Lana@anncaris looks on curiously, "Do you need to undress for this?

Mischa@crystyl:"Not really, though it is more comfortable. No, I just really like this vest" she smiles, folding it neatly on the groun

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow, "Will it get damaged if you do not take it off?

Mischa@crystyl:"No, but if we fly around... well let's just say it wouldn't be the first time" she chuckle

T'Lana@anncaris:"Fly around? That sounds like quite an interesting experience.

Mischa@crystyl:"Very limited even in here, but it does the job

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Proceed whenever you are ready- assuming you do not mind if I observe. In my experience, humans have demonstrated greatly varying degrees of comfort when it comes to being observed -

T'Lana@anncaris:- without the appropriate clothing.

Mischa@crystyl:"Fortunately I am trained well beyond such things. Had to be that time I was undercover as a dancer in a Syndicate bar" she chuckles. "Besides, you said this was for scientific curiosity right? Well

Mischa@crystyl:+ then, you should have the best view" she proceeds, peeling off her turtleneck before wriggling out of her skirt and discarding her stockings

T'Lana@anncaris observes on, "I may have to inquire on that mission at some point.

Mischa@crystyl chuckles, "It was quite the epic in the end!" now standing in just her underwear, with the tattoo on as full a display as it's ever bee

Mischa@crystyl:( https://assets-cloud.enjin.com/users/1519018/pics/original/3939370.jpg

T'Lana@anncaris takes a step closer, examining the tattoo, "So that is Leona, or...simply a mark of her presence?

Mischa@crystyl hrms, "A good question really. I suppose of the two, a mark of her presence would be a more fitting description

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Do I need to stand back?

Mischa@crystyl:"It's fine" she smiles, stepping forward with a light shiver at the holobreez

Mischa@crystyl reaches a hand across herself, to the head of the dragon. Her own head leaning down to that sid

T'Lana@anncaris continues to observe curiously

Mischa@crystyl | As TL watches she would first notice the apparent ink of the tattoo begin to creep across Mischa's flesh. Almost like a trick of the eye at first, but becoming more apparent as it's wings begin to

Mischa@crystyl:+ spread across Mischa's arms, and the tail begins to unwravel from around her thig

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow as the ink moves, then takes a slight step back when the tail begins to unravel

Mischa@crystyl | The process continues as it begins to take a more distinct form and expand. The inky outline starting to glow as Mischa spreads her arms to her sides in sync with Leona stretching her wings along

Mischa@crystyl:+ them. It intensifies more until the dragon's head first rises up from Mischa's skin

T'Lana@anncaris keeps observing the process from her location, not taking any more steps back

Mischa@crystyl | Leona continues to peel away from Mischa's back. The glowing purple ink slowly morphing into a more corporeal form while growing and expanding the more it peels away. The wings seperate out from

Mischa@crystyl:+ Mischa's outstretched hands, leaving them almost limp in their wake as they full stretch to a considerable broader span. Leona hovers back from Mischa more, rising into the air as her tail curls

Mischa@crystyl:+ away from Mischa, who slumps to her knees briefly with exhaustio

T'Lana@anncaris steps over to a different angle to better examine Leona, "Fascinating. Are you alright, Mischa?

Mischa@crystyl nods and smiles, "It just... takes the wind out of me

T'Lana@anncaris nods back, "The process does look quite intensive. Leona can understand us, I presume?"

Mischa@crystyl:"That is a good question. She and I share a connection, so do not need words" she notes, standin

T'Lana@anncaris:"Perhaps she has obtained an understanding of language from her connection with you. Do you know if she understands me?

Mischa@crystyl looks to Leona and smiles, "I think so. Though she is mostly curious about you at the momen

T'Lana@anncaris:"She does not have your knowledge of me, then? Or is she curious of my presence here?

Mischa@crystyl | Leona stretches tall, flapping her wings once with a shrill roar before folding her wings and leaning in towards T

Mischa@crystyl:"She knows my familiarity with you. The sense of trust and companionship, but this is the first she has seen you for herself

T'Lana@anncaris nods and looks to Leona, "I am T'Lana. It is a pleasure to properly meet you face to face, Leona.

Mischa@crystyl | Leona tilts her head, sniffing the air above TL's head. She rears back with another shrill roar before leaning right in to TL, eye to eye for a moment before... nuzzling against TL's arm

T'Lana@anncaris tilts her head curiously for a moment as she observes as well, before raising her other arm and slowly reaching over to give Leona a single pat first to see if she responds well to it

Mischa@crystyl | Leona does seem to welcome the attention. Not so apparent from any action or body language, but TL gets a sense of Leona's emotional reactio

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow and pats Leona some more while she looks to Mischa, "I...believe she is enjoying this, though...I am not sure how I know.

Mischa@crystyl smiles as she joins the petting, "I believe the nature of our bond to be telepathic, so it is only natural that you would be able to sense her mind when it is separated from mine

T'Lana@anncaris:"Fascinating...so this is what it feels like. As you know, I have never experienced anything like this due to my condition.

Mischa@crystyl nods, "I was not sure but had a feeling this may happen. After all, I am no telepath yet she is able to share her thoughts with me. It is not like conducting a verbal conversation in your mind with

Mischa@crystyl:+ her. More... Understanding the thoughts and feelings that we try to clumsily verbalize ordinarily, I think?

T'Lana@anncaris smiles ever so faintly as she pats Leona, "That is what I am feeling as well. It is much more than I have been able to sense before. Thank you, Leona.

Mischa@crystyl | Leona rears up, bowing her head gracefully and filling the pair with a strong sense of pride and accomplishmen

Mischa@crystyl chuckles, "Since the day we met she has imprinted with my sense of duty and nobility. She has learned to welcome the feeling of when I experience such things, but this may be a first for her as

Mischa@crystyl:+ something purely of her own doing

T'Lana@anncaris nods, looking to Leona, "And you are right to be proud. It is not something anyone else has been able to achieve before.

Mischa@crystyl:"Obviously I can't say how it compares to a mind meld, or any other form of connection for that matter. But it is... something" she smile

Mischa@crystyl | Leona rears up, spreading her wings with an eager flap before laying herself down before the pai

T'Lana@anncaris nods, leaning forward to give Leona another pat, "Indeed. I have never experienced anything like it before," she looks over to Mischa with a faint smile, "Thank you as well, Mischa, for allowing -

T'Lana@anncaris:- me to join the two of you.

Mischa@crystyl:"It is equally liberating for me as well. And not just because I'm standing here half naked" she chuckle

T'Lana@anncaris:"That part you are able to do in your quarters as well. I hope it will be possible for me to join you again in the future sometime.

Mischa@crystyl:"I see no reason why not. We have always kept Leona's presence a secret for obvious reasons, but now you have been entrusted with that there is no reason to keep it back

Mischa@crystyl | Leona lifts her head a little with a little roar towards Misch

Mischa@crystyl chuckles, "Yes I know" looking to TL, "Well as I said earlier; there's not a lot of room in here for it, but she does like to stretch her wings

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Have you ever done this off the holodeck before? Perhaps we may be able to find a suitable planet somewhere.

Mischa@crystyl:"We have done so before, but as you know we don't get off the ship much so have to make do here. So, what do you say?

Mischa@crystyl | Leona turns to TL with a little roar, inviting her along for the rid

T'Lana@anncaris:"I would be honoured to," she looks between Mischa and Leona. "Should I climb atop her?

Mischa@crystyl nods, "She knows how much I enjoy flying with her. You're a part of this experience now so it's only fair

Mischa@crystyl | TL gets the distinct sense of Leona echoing Mischa's sentimen

T'Lana@anncaris:nods and steps forwards, carefully climbing onto Leona's back

Mischa@crystyl | Leona is very accomodating, letting TL get set before slowly rising and launching herself into the ai

T'Lana@anncaris hangs on as Leona launches herself into the air, looking around her

Mischa@crystyl | Leona is well practised at making the most of the limited holodeck space, and it seems the program is aligned for this as they appear to soar across the landscap

T'Lana@anncaris takes in the scenary as they fly, leaning forward to Leona to say, "This is a very remarkable experience. I can see why Mischa chose to bond with you.

Mischa@crystyl | TL gets the sense that Leona is very entertained by her word

T'Lana@anncaris:"Thank you for allowing me to share a taste of what you two have.

Mischa@crystyl | Leona appears to welcome the time sharing this with someone ne

T'Lana@anncaris smiles faintly again, "I am pleased you are enjoying this as well.

Mischa@crystyl | The pair continue to fly as Leona enjoys her exercise for considerable time before she eventually returns to the hillside where Mischa sits, happily watchin

Mischa@crystyl sits down

T'Lana@anncaris slowly climbs down, giving Leona another pat before turning to Mischa, "That was quite different from a ride in a shuttlecraft. Much more personal. I have ridden living mounts before, but only -

T'Lana@anncaris:- ones that move on the ground.

Mischa@crystyl:"But Leona is far much more than a simple mount. She is a highly intelligent and sentient lifeform; this is simply the way in which she appears in our plane of existence

T'Lana@anncaris:"Of course. A simple mount would not have been able to allow us to telepathically sense her intentions. I simply wish to remark that the experience of flying with her is unlike anything I have -

T'Lana@anncaris:- experienced anywhere else prior.

Mischa@crystyl chuckles, "I've no doubt. I still remember the first time I went out with her like that; it's not something you soon forget

Mischa@crystyl | Leona stretches her wings out before walking around the pair in a figure-8 and settling down in a favoured spot to relax as wel

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Indeed. Thank you again for allowing me to join you, Mischa. I have not had such a pleasant memorable experience since Risa.

Mischa@crystyl gives TL her best Vulcany perked brow, "Risa you say? Why Lana, I didn't know you had it in you" she tease

T'Lana@anncaris:"It is for a...special circumstance. My inability to form telepathic connections means I am unable to form the bond expected for Vulcan mating. As a result, I have never been paired with another -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Vulcan, but I still undergo the pon farr cycle.

Mischa@crystyl:"Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't realize pon farr led to such intimate telepathic bonds

T'Lana@anncaris:"It is meant to, at least. Risa was the logical place for me to go in the place of Vulcan every seven years.

Mischa@crystyl:"So you can get it out of your system, I can see the logic in that. But Vulcans don't share this bond when pairing with members of other species, right? Just with each other?

T'Lana@anncaris:"Vulcans can choose to, if the pairing is meant to be for life and not as a convenient way to resolve pon farr.

Mischa@crystyl:"Aah ok. Just thinking back and I don't recall Sam ever mentioning it after he got together with Keelah

Mischa@crystyl chuckles, "That's not to say it wasn't the case of course. Heavens know there's plenty he didn't tell me about

T'Lana@anncaris:"We are typically very private about such matters- as are many humans, to my understanding. But you have shared much with me, and I feel it is appropriate to discuss such things with you."

Mischa@crystyl:"Lana, I share because we've grown close to the point where it feels perfectly comfortable to do so. You don't need to feel obligated to reciprocate

T'Lana@anncaris:"I feel the same, Mischa. I do not reciprocate out of obligation, but because I am comfortable discussing it with you."

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "I am glad to have earned your friendship. It is not easily given in our business, I know

T'Lana@anncaris nods and smiles back faintly again, "Likewise."