Why?

Posted on Sat Dec 16th, 2023 @ 3:53am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Lieutenant Commander Thriss Kla'ren & Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell & Lieutenant Thomas Haldeman & Lieutenant Alison Haldeman & Remal Kajun

Mission: Halloween
Location: Sunfire
Timeline: Current

Rhenora and Tom made their way towards the transporter room, ever thankful that the emergency lighting was replaced by the bright lights of normal power just as they approached the turbolift.

"Thank you Chief" Rhenora tapped her combadge to personally thank the ship's chief engineer.

Thriss, who was still in engineering, tapped is badge to respond. "You're welcome Captain" he said simply before continuing on working on the Sunfire's repairs.

Tom added his thanks along with those of the captain. "Indeed Chief, thank you so very much."

It was a short and mostly uneventful few minutes until the Captain and Tom arrived in the transporter room where the creatures were being held. They seemed non-to-pleased with the situation. Rhenora was in no mood for anything other than the facts.

"Why did you attack my ship and kill my people?" She asked, hands on hips.

Tom stood beside Rhenora as she confronted the creatures and asked her question. He was interested in hearing their reply, their reasons for the murders and destruction they caused not that their answer would justify their actions.

The green blob within the confined space radiated with multiple colors as they conversed among themselves before finally speaking. "We seek what you seek, what any species seeks, Captain. Survival of our species. To that end we much eat to survive. Our food of choice is energy pure and simple. As we have stated before, the energy your species produces is adequate as is, but when frightened or emotionally stimulated, becomes palatable."

The creature continued, "Is it not better to eat cake rather than carrots, dessert rather than dung." The entity speaking paused momentarily before continuing. "The loss of life is regrettable as it is not our intention to waste a food source, however we were starving. It has been a millennia since our last sweet meal. When done correctly, we prefer the outcome of offspring production to death but even a thirsty desert must drink."

The Captain mulled over the words, understanding their position but also wanting to protect others from harm. "What of the atmospheric energy you harvest, does that not sustain you?" She asked curiously.

"Atmospheric energy is ionic not biologic and therefore is akin to keeping a... succelent... " The entity searched for a familiar word it had found in the large ones brain. "...alive by feeding it fruit. And so infrequent we go many rotations without a drop to drink."

"We understand your position, but I can't allow you to continue to lure ships here and consume those on board. What if we helped deliver an alternative solution? Would relocating your kind closer to the radiant energy of the sun allow you to survive?" The Captain offered.

"We are pleased you wish to offer you assistance as this feels like a mutual exchange. But try to imagine the energy that is created and release when two beings are in the throws of ecstasy and being able to drink from that. That is what we crave most." As if to confirm the beings in the chamber now began flashing colors of red and purple. "So, unless you are offering to lie down and feed us, we know of no other way."

Alison was just about managing to stand behind her husband, the drain on her body whilst inhabited hadn’t been good. She slowly moved to sit down unable to stay on her feet any longer.

Tom listened to the Captain's exchange with the creatures. When the creatures had finished, he spoke. "I don't accept that there is no other way. There must be another source of energy you can thrive on. Photonic, Electro-plasma distribution network (EPS conduits) Impulse reactors (fusion reactor)
Main power plant.) Warp core (matter-antimatter reaction assembly). I'm sure there are others." Tom finished and saw Alie sitting on the floor. "Alie! Are you alright?"

"Tom, take Ali to sickbay please" Rhenora motioned for Tom to leave and tend to his wife as the Captain focused her attention back on the beings. "Is it just the emotion? The neural chemicals that makes us feel what we feel. Surely we can help you provide a synthetic solution of those same chemicals"

"All of the sources your companion has suggested are artificial. We have sampled them all and have found only that of the biological will sustain us. Think of your chemical reactions as seasonings upon a meal. Some make the meal sweet or savory, while others repugnant such as with your strange companion on the surface of our world."

The entity paused as if to sigh, "We will concede to a truce and sample what you have to offer. But know that the longer time passes, the more we grow hungry. Once we reach a point of starvation I will not be able to contain the group. Do you agree to the terms offered?""

"We agree to help you as much as we can to live a sustainable existence that doesn't require killing others for food" The Captain replied as she stepped over to the transporter room controls. "When I release this forcefield, you will be free to return to your kind on the planet."

The away team vanished in a plethora of blue sparkles, to rematerialise in the transporter room next to where th creatures were being held. Once they were safely on board, true to her word the Captain released the force field.

The creatures swirled around, remaining within the transporter pad for the first moment the exploding in a myriad of swirling colour. For an instant it seemed they were everywhere at once before swirling in enmasse around the Captain as though to test her resolve.

"I gave you my word, you have been released. Return to your world and we will try and find a solution to your food problems"

The creatures hue changed through various colours as they seemed to mull through their options.

Finally, they let out a bright burst of light blinding the room momentarily. When everything returned to normal, 90% of the mass of floating energy was gone, having left the ship. The remaining 10% of the mass remained, staring into Rhenora's bright eyes. "We remain to ensure you carry out your end of the bargain. We trust this is acceptable."

"It is, as soon as my crew have recovered we will begin working on your cause." Rhenora replied firmly, not giving an inch to the creature. "Many of my crew are still injured. " She gestured towards Ali and Tom.

Tom nodded at Rhenora's 'order' as he helped Alie to stand then looped an arm around her slender waist. "Come on Alie. Let's get you to Sickbay and have Sarah check you over."

As they left, the Captain was left with the creature. Where do you wish to rest? Is here suitable or can I find you somewhere more comfortable?" she asked, wondering just what a non-corporeal being did to 'chill'.

To answer her question, the floating green mass contorted and twisted, becoming brighter for a moment until as though it were stepping out of a cloud, a figure emerged in humanoid form. Not just humanoid, but Bajoran like. Skin still radiantly glowing, and lacking definition, the entity was clearly trying to represent what it thought it looked and felt like to be Bajoran.

It didn't have eyes, per say, nor a mouth, but it was emulating a nose with clearly defined ridges. "We will remain with you as comfort is irrelevant. We will observe to ensure no deceit befalls our kind. Your kind has shown ingenuity and trustfulness, but also ruthlessness and destruction. Your history is one of deception and warfare and therefore we've no reason to lower our guard. We trust you understand."

"We do" the answer was simple. Now all they had to do was pull off a miracle.

TBC