Boldly They Rode
Posted on Mon Feb 6th, 2017 @ 4:47am by Lieutenant Ryan North & Ensign Vex Krylore & Ensign Theodore Vega
Episode:
Fishing Expedition
Location: Runabout
Timeline: MD-01, 1200, Approaching Verona IV
Ryan put down the PADD he was reading and pinched the bridge of his nose. They were still a few hours out from Verona IV and their arrival at the newly set up research base. He turned to his other two passengers, both of whom seemed to be totally absorbed by their tasks. Theo was sitting at the the main ops station while Vex was sitting at the tactical station, eyes glued to the display in front of them. Neither looked up towards him when he turned the pilot's chair around.
"I'm bored," Ryan announced, standing up. "We're still two hours out from Verona IV and I've rotted my brain reading through my stack of PADDs. I need human interaction, talk."
Vex looked up from his station with a raised eyebrow. He had known that their science chief was a little different, after all Theo had warned him of that much. "I'm not human sir, does interacting with me still count?"
Theo looked up from the report he was reading on the oceanography of their destination. He wasn't sure what Ryan was complaining about; there was so much to read and so little time to absorb it all.
Ryan rolled his eyes at Vex. "It's a saying Vex I know that you aren't human."
"I'm not sure that's really a saying, sir," Theo observed. "More just a phrase, maybe?"
"Fine, phrase... saying whatever," Ryan replied. "I spent all last night reading up on the reports of our newfound friends."
"So are they electrified too, like the rest of the native life?" Theo asked. "Or is it like how humans don't have claws because they have spears?"
Ryan leaned against Theo's station. "They do have a much higher bio-electric signature than your standard humanoid but nothing compared to the sea life."
"I did some studying up on them," Vex said, finally looking up from his display. "The planet is 98% covered with water, the only large land masses being at the north and south pole as well as a string of islands along the equator. The natives themselves have since transitioned to a variety of floating cities. Not much is really known culuturally, although the latest reports suggest that they are very similiar to the Bajorans in their everyday lives."
"That's impressive," Ryan said, with a whistle. "They also have some of the best water sport areas in the universe."
"Yeah, it seems they are very fond of their entertainment," Vex answerd.
"I suppose they wouldn't really have any other kind, would they?" Theo said. "Not a lot of mountain climbing or cross-country running."
"According to my research they also have a very active night sence. And they enjoy dancing. Alot. Sometimes in the nude."
Ryan's eyebrows rose at hearing that. "I think we can all agree as Starfleet Officiers that is not something that we should be partaking in."
"That seems like a very Earth-centric point of view," Theo replied. "It's really not that surprising, when you think about it. When was the last time you saw a dolphin wear clothes?"
"Okay, I see your point..." Ryan started to say.
"And after all, aren't we supposed to be exploring strange new worlds," Vex interupted the other officer. "It sounds like a perfectly plausible reason go partake in one of these culutural outings."
"It sounds more fun than getting hit with metal sticks and told to eat worms," Theo offered, "which is what happened during the week-long visit to Qo'nos I had during my class on biosphere restoration."
Ryan shook his head from side to side. "We are not getting involved in watching the native population dance around naked. What if they ask us to partcipate?"
Vex shrugged, perfectly aware that what he ws about to say might make the other two officers blush. "I'm perfectly comfortable with my body and Unkari have never been shy about nakedness. Maybe I will join in, it might be kind of fun."
"You will not!" Ryan balked. "You are not going to be dancing around naked on my watch!"
Ryan took a deep breath and then slid back into his seat. "You know what, maybe we should go back to the mind numbing PADDs."
Vex watched as Ryan refocused himself on the stack of PADDs around the helm station. He got and crossed to Theo's station, leaning in like he was inspecting the display.
"We are so going to do that," Vex whispered into Theo's ear.
Theo blushed and tried to push him away. "I'll be sure to pencil in some cultural experience between the science experiments."
"Just don't let him find out," Vex said, nodding towards Ryan, who was still engrossed in his PADDs. "After all I didn't leave the Empire to not experience other worlds."
"Don't mind him," Theo said. "He's just being a big grump. A little sun will do him some good."
"I heard that," Ryan said. "We'll be coming out of warp in about an hour, let's go through the landing procedures one more time. I'd hate to be the one that creates an interstellar incident.
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