Chapter Text
The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 16: And You And I Part I - Cord of Life
Scene 3: Foundation
As a foundation left to create this spiral aim…
16.3
Foundation
As the U.S.S. Mako took up orbit around ASA 4, first John Jr., then Stephanie Jr., then the rest of the children of Ensign John Sevork, Stephanie the Space Shrimp and Rocky the Lepreshroom, disengaged from the U.S.S. Escort’s severed nacelles, leaving enormous gouges in the separated drive components. They appeared to be irreparably damaged.
Commodore Yui Song found herself in an odd conversation with John Jr., who was the unelected, but uncontested leader of this small group of aliens who had been born in another galaxy less than a month ago. The conversation was made far odder due to the intergalactic alien’s strong West Texas accent.
The odd alien was floating in space, his legs embedded in the rocky top of what Escort’s crew had described as a landthorn, inside of which grew a sort of inter-dimensional mushroom that was at once closely related to John Jr. and provided him sustenance, atmosphere, and the ability to travel independently at warp. He had been given communication equipment, which allowed him to see and hear, and be seen and heard. His oddly misshapen head, complete with pointed ears, arched eyebrows, and a giant purple Mohawk, dominated the main viewer on the Mako’s bridge.
“We appreciate your offer of weaponry, Commodore,” John Jr. drawled. “But it would be of little use to us. We have our own natural self-defense mechanisms. I very much hope we don’t need to put ourselves at risk that way.”
“The first of the holy landers will be here in 23 days,” Yui replied. “Captain Howard will join us in just over 8 days. He is hopeful that we can come to a diplomatic understanding with the holy landers. It looks like they have at least 28 ships headed this way, so if they are determined to meet us with violence, things will go very badly for us. Help is on the way for us, but we cannot expect relief to arrive for at least 45 days.”
“Have you made contact with the people of ASA 4?” John Jr. asked.
“We are prohibited from doing so by our laws,” Yui replied.
“We are not, but entry into a planetary atmosphere would be difficult and dangerous for us,” John Jr. replied. “Still, I think it odd that you have established a colony on a planet, the intelligent inhabitants of which you are legally prohibited from asking for permission.”
“We do things like that,” opined Commander Rhonda Carter, drawing a sour look from the commodore for her effort. “Typically, we call them science stations and use them primarily to research the evolving intelligent species. And we list the planet as a protectorate of the Federation. We don’t have that luxury in this place because we’re so far from home. So instead we’re calling it a colony and have actual colonists on the way to take the place of our people.”
While Commodore Yui was nonplussed with Carter’s frankness, John Jr. seemed grateful for it. “Thank you, Rhonda, for your frank explanation. Your reputation for honesty and directness among us is well earned. It strikes me that the holy landers could take advantage of your legal restriction. If they were to make first contact with the people of ASA 4 and advise them of your colony, it would not seem to those people that your purpose is to protect them. The holy landers would become their apparent protectors. And you, their apparent exploiters.”
“That’s some rather fine reasoning for a creature who is only a few weeks old,” Yui mused.
“I don’t have my father’s memories,” John Jr. drawled. “But I have increasing access to his knowledge.”
“You have his face, his voice, even his accent,” Carter said.
The odd alien smiled. “I am not certain why, but that pleases me.”
Pel, who had remained silent up to this point, spoke up. “John Jr., would you allow me to visit you on your… um… in your environment? I would like to review your technology needs. I think they may be far more extensive than you might imagine. But I would prefer to do that in person.”
“I would be delighted,” John Jr. replied.
The small ferengi turned toward Yui. “Song, could I borrow my ship for this visit?”
Yui Song had become fond of Pel, and had found her quite useful. “According to the terms of our lease, I would need to assign a Star Fleet pilot…”
Pel turned her gaze toward Commander Carter. “Rhonda, would you care to fly me out there?”
"I'll take any excuse to visit my godson," Carter replied.
16.3