The Science of the Matter

Posted on Sat Nov 30th, 2024 @ 6:05pm by Captain Rylan Gray & Lieutenant Stormy Knight

1,286 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: A Silence of Friends
Location: Conference Room 2-2, Deck 2, USS Thunderbird
Timeline: MD002 - 1000

Stormy had gone over the reports from the archaeological team and the supply list, but she still had questions about what they had planned and if the equipment they brought with them. She also looked forward to the opportunity to talk shop. So, she went in search of Doctor Rush to find out more.

After breakfast with the Captain, Dr. Rush and his team were camped out in an unused conference room. While there wasn't much left to do in terms of preparation, they had accumulated some materials about the Gurani people from other worlds. It was, in fact, this material that had helped them find the home world in the first place. The work was painstaking but necessary; the greater their understanding of language and syntax, the easier it would be for them once they were on-site. At this point, they had the basic grammar figured out and were working on idioms and more unique terminology.

Stormy found the doctor and his team deep in conversation, but hesitated to interrupt the discussion. While she pondered over whether she should interrupt them or wait for a natural break, she listened. It had been a while since she'd been involved in such discussions herself and it brought back memories of her college days.

Rush, who had paused in what he was saying long enough to refill his teacup, happened to glance toward the door and saw the Lieutenant standing there. The team, their gaze following his when they noticed him break off in mid-sentence, also went quiet. "Please, come in Lieutenant. I hope we aren't in the way."

"Not at all. I actually came here to see if you or your team need anything. I'm the chief science officer and I've been looking over your list of equipment."

"Well, then by all means join us. We were just working on language and syntax. A discussion we can have any time. Would you like a cup of tea," Rush said as he gestured towards the over-sized pot in the middle of the conference table. "I brew it myself. From a little shop on Alpha Centauri."

"I would. Thank you." She smiled at each of the others and sat down in an empty chair. "Hopefully you'll be able to find more examples of the Gurani language that will help further understanding. How many linguists are on your team?"

"One full-time," Rush said as he rose, poured the tea and brought a china cup on its saucer to her. "Though some of us 'dabble' a bit. And well, it's something to distract ourselves from the waiting."

She understood. Waiting was always difficult. Stormy thanked him for the tea and took a sip. "This is very good." It was also unusual.

"Now, what was it you were asking about," Rush said as he moved back to his own seat. "Something about our equipment, I think it was. Did you find something amiss? My aide did most of the work but I think all of us," he expression turned sheepish, "snuck in and checked it ourselves at least once." There was a chorus of nods around the table in response.

"Long time between resupply ships," another of the scientists said. "Dovakhin Arende," he said by way of introduction. He was tall and angular, with a squared jaw, and merry blue eyes. "Anthropologist. Dr. Rush made sure he had his tea, I made sure we had an ample of supply of coffee." He hefted his own mug in salute. "Mayan over there, I think it was chocolate for her."

The woman in question, middle-aged with a mop of strawberry-blonde curls, laughed. "I've been on those so-called no-frills digs before," she said. "The work is good but for the rest? Felt more like punishment. I think we deserve a few comforts."

"I couldn't agree more." Stormy smiled at the others. Their conversation brought back memories. She'd never done anything like their one-year research assignment, but she had been on a site or two. "A year is a long time to be on site. I wanted to make sure there weren't any other supplies or equipment you might need. I'm sure your budgets are right, but we're Starfleet, and I might be able to get you a few more necessary items."

Dr. Rush went through the notes he had on his PADD and found the primary manifest, broken down by sections, and passed it over. "I thought we had done a good job but maybe you might take a look? See if there's something missing that we haven't thought of?"

Stormy took the list and began to look it over. "There's always something you forget because you don't think you'll need it. Have you talked to security about having a secured area to store anything of value you discover? And do you have sufficient monitoring for the entire site?"

"Well, as it turns out, we had none of that," Rush said. "Mr. Baas, or should I say Lieutenant, was talking to me about just that. Secured storage that can also be used as a sort of panic room? The team can gather there, in relative safety, if we're attacked."

"Not likely," Dov grumbled. "The site has been left undisturbed for a long time now. Why would someone show up just because we're there."

"Because it wasn't known until recently," Stormy interjected. "You know that antiquities do well in the black markets. In addition, Pothunters have caused significant damage to sites. You can never be too careful. That's why security is important. Lieutenant Baas is right. You will need something like that. In addition, I can authorize upgrades to some of your equipment as well. What you have is good, but better equipment should help."

"Pothunters," Rush asked, his expression turning quizzical. "What is that exactly?"

"Pot HUNTERS. There are those who will ransack a dig, looking for intact pots or statues, anything that will be of value on the black market. They don't care if they break other things that are of lesser value. Some have caused significant damage to active dig sites. That's why security and proper storage is important."

"I see, well, as I said, the Lieutenant has set us up with secured storage." He turned to Dov, "if we see trouble, we can talk about getting security for the site. It would be terrible if the ruins were compromised." He turned toward the Chief Science Officer. "Anything you can offer in the way of upgrades, we'll be happy to have and please, if you get some time off, come visit us on the site. A fellow scientist is always welcome."

Stormy nodded. "Now that I have your permission, I'll see what I can do. As for visiting the site, I appreciate the offer and hope I'll have the opportunity." It would be amazing to see the site in person. It was an amazing find. "Now, if there's nothing else, I'll let you get back to your discussion."

"Of course," Rush said. "We don't want to keep you from your duties, Lieutenant. We'll be working on this," he gestured toward everything spread out on the conference table, "for many months to come, I'm afraid." He smiled. "After all, the Johnson Dictionary took nine years to compile."

Stormy fiished her tea and nodded. "Very true. At least you have time to work on it."

She smiled at the team and stood. "Thank you for your time. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you."

"Come by any time, Lieutenant," Rush said. "Now, where were we? I believe it was that passage ..."

Lieutenant Stormy Knight
Chief Science Officer
USS Thunderbird

and

The Gurani Archeological Team
Headed by Nicholas Rush, Ph.D.

 

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