USS Dark Fire (IC)

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1000​

Yito:
“I apologize for not anticipating that need,” She said softly as she turned back to the work station and made another batch, slightly larger than the first. Returning with both the resin in a test tube and a funnel that would suit his need.

L’Sa:​

“I have found myself awakening and thinking I heard the laughter of a child. After introspection and meditation I have realized that subconsciously I desire to share a child with my husband. To experience their .. happiness ..as they grow.”

Reeves:​

“Very well Captain, I have the Bridge.” Looking at the Duty Officer he nodded once, a silent order that he was in charge and the Captain was to be allowed to rest.

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Araiza looked up. “Yeah, that’s fine. We’re not working with a huge amount, but it’s good to have backup containers,” he explained. Leaning over on the table, he was measuring the amount of the acid that was entering his dropper. For recreation’s sake, he took note of each detail.

“How quick do you think that resin would dry in an environment with limited air?” he asked.

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

Xiana had expected a different answer, something more logistical like just having a need to reproduce or the like. The answer’s warmth took her off guard. “Then I think you’ll be a wonderful mother. You already have priorities that many parents lack.”

“I’ll go ahead and read more on Vulcan maternity on my own time, but these efforts are a good start on your behalf. I’ll request the assessment and schedule it. In the meantime, do you have any questions? I could also suggest some books on childcare if you’re interested.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1005

Yito:​

“According to the data files it depends on a number of statics. But considering only a lack of breathable air, perhaps four minutes.”

L’Sa:​

“Suggestions are acceptable, and my personnel file has been made accessible to you.” L’Sa replied. “And for Clarification when reading mt file, my name has been anglicized for the humans. My Vulcan name would be unpronounceable to someone that does not speak the language.”

“If you have any questions about the Vulcan biology, I am more than willing to answer them. I am a Xenobiologist.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

It’d have to do. Everything else was ready. “Guess we’ll have a bit of time to kill then.”

He walked over and took the liquid resin. Placing one of the funnels at the opening of the device, he poured around a teaspoon inside. “We want this to coat the walls so it makes a barrier between the device and the acid that will go inside it. Like chocolate going into a mold.”

Once done, he carefully set the tools down. With the model in his hand still, he went back to the nearby computer and had the opening shut. With all of it contained, he began to roll the model in his hand, making sure the walls were getting covered.

He turned back to Yito. “So… how long have you been on the ship?”

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“Is there any way you could teach me how to pronounce it? I get annoyed when people pronounce my name and that’s only a syllable. I’d love to be able to address you appropriately,” she smiled.

“I can search for that on my own. On your behalf, I’m more concerned on the psychological aspect of it, and by it I mean your wellbeing,” Xiana lifted a shoulder. “I know it means a lot to you, and I know you don’t want your husband to know in case of a worst case scenario, but are you sure this isn’t something you’d like to share with him? I’m honored you’re confiding in me but there’s some things only someone as close as a spouse can provide comfort for.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1010

Yito:

“I came aboard on star-date 29860616, so that would be about 11 months ago.” She replied. “Did you want me to alter the resin to dry faster? I can make a different batch and alter the quantities to alter the hardening time.”

L’Sa:

“I can teach you the language while I teach you Suus Mahna, it will help with your training. Much like Learning Japanese is necessary when learning Karate on Earth.”

“After your assessment and the biological compatibility testing are complete I will speak with him about having a child.”

“You will need to visit and evaluate our residential life, to see if he and I are suitable and the residence has enough heat. The books she’d read said warm and caring. But she was close.

“Would you like to visit this evening and have dinner with us? I believe you recommended that the Commander needs to socialize more. Interacting with you may encourage this.”

“Dr. Grissom and his assistant are the only two medical staff that are aware of this. Your report should go to Dr. Grissom or Dr. Sidle.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Eleven months? He must’ve noticed her at some point. Granted, it’d been nearly two years since his personal tragedy. Until six months ago he hadn’t been feeling like himself. The daze must’ve messed with his details.

“No, I want exactly this consistency. I’m not risking this thing getting melted before we have a shot at it being tested,” Araiza explained, returning next to his assistant. “So like… what are you exactly? I thought I’d be getting help from some robot.”

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“I look forward to our lessons, then,” Xiana nodded in confirmation.

Thinking for a moment about the assessment, she pressed her lips together. She understood taking a professional direction, but would she really be able to deny the Vulcan the joy of motherhood if it came to it? She dismissed the thought; L’Sa was collected and responsible. Plus, the child would be half Vulcan. There was probably nothing to worry about.

On Earth, a dinner with a couple would make Xiana miserable. But knowing the context, she nodded. “Yes, I’d love to, thank you. What should I bring? I’m not much of a cook but I’m sure I can pick something up.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1015

Yito:​

“I am a synthetic Sentient-machine interface unit. Designation TacComUnit YE20-CYA. For the ease of my companions this was converted phonetically into Yito Seja. I can do anything a Bajoran can do, if that makes you feel better.”

“Although I have full autonomy, and learning capabilities, The Asimov Regulations are encoded into me.”

L’Sa:​

“The Commander is fond of cinnamon rolls, if you could bring some we could have them for desert. And he prefers the cream cheese frosting instead of the sugar based one.”

“Do you have any dietary restrictions, or allergies?”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He watched Yito explain herself with a blank look. Huh, guess Dark Fire hadn’t done a mistake after all. “That’s a lot of fucking words to say ‘robot’ but thanks for the monologue.”

“Why Bajoran? Nothing against them, but aren’t they really religious? Are you spiritual and stuff too? You know, with the being made out of code and all,” he explained. “No offense of course.”

◅ XIANA MARLOWE ▻​

“Will do,” Xiana answered. Now, to find reliable bakers on board. She could cook as well as the next person, but desserts were a whole other thing.

“Thank you for asking. I’m actually allergic to shellfish,” she mentioned. “Hives, closed throat, the unfortunate works. Oh! Before I forget,” she said, taking a paper and writing down five unique research publication titles. “These are a few studies that come to mind on the psychiatry of human children and parenthood. Figure it’d be best to give it to you now.” She slid the paper towards the doctor.

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1020

Yito:​

Looking rather offended she countered, “I’m not a robot. A robot has a maximum of 1 million lines of code for the most complex unit. I was constructed using a baseline brainwave pattern of my developer, Dr. Catherine Halsey. She transferred and authenticated the H-1 neural pattern to my matrix strata.”

“I have multiple lines of code that operate my body, but my brain is obviously more fluid than your own.”

“Please don’t refer to me as a robot again, my name is Yeto Seja. Or I will call you what you are.. an underdeveloped hairless primate.”

L’Sa:​

Taking the paper from the counselor she nodded her thanks, and even though she’d already memorized the list she kept the paper. It was polite after the doctor had taken the time to write it down, after all.

“The Commander will be off duty, when he’s off duty. Please come when is convenient for you.” Dr. L’Sa said as the door closed behind her.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Araiza hated to admit it, but he was impressed at her retorts. He let out a small laugh. “Touché. I’m stealing that underdeveloped hairless primate line from you for future use.” He could think of many situations when it could come in handy.

He continued to roll the model in his fingers, glancing at the time on the nearby screen. Still a few minutes to go. “I am sorry for offending you. Guess I get carried away sometimes. You’re the most capable helper I’ve had in a minute. Probably shouldn’t be so out there so soon.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1025​

Yeto-Seja

“Apology accepted,” she said as she looked at the model. “What do you mean by ‘Probably shouldn’t be so out there so soon’.” She asked, curiosity on her face.

“Certain Humans have terms and expressions that are personalized, as well as phraseology of the spoken word that I have not fully learned yet. Texans are the Hardest.” She admitted.​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

How could he explain it? He looked at the ceiling in contemplation. “It’s like… saying I’m coming off too strong, too soon. You know how there’s people who are really excited or emotionally overwhelming from the getgo? Like that I guess.”

“Yeah, don’t bother with Texas. They could pass as their own country if they tried hard enough,” he joked. “Then again, I guess they did try.” With a final look at the screen, he had the device open. He tipped it over, relieved to see all the resin had solidified. “Perfect. Pass me that dropper over there and be extra careful. That liquid isn’t shy to dissolve your arm.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1030

Yeto:​

“You are emotionally overwhelmed by me?” Yito asked as she handed him the dropper the dropper ensuring that if either of them was injured it was her.

“I am more spiritual than religious. I find myself confounded by the perfect majesty of reality and it is quite difficult with science to explain all of it.”

“However, I do not subscribe to any one belief over another.” Looking at him she smiled, her eyes twinkling slightly. “After all, how can science fully explain how your species evolved, my underdeveloped hairless primate?”

“Or the fact that so many species are capable of propagation amongst each other?”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Araiza inhaled sharply, his eyes focused as he began to fill the inside of the model drop by drop. “I’m not. I meant me.”

With the lack of reaction, he was able to be up close as he did. He had to be careful regardless—one slip onto the surface of the model and it’d be done for. In a way, he was grateful for the talking. It helped him be less shaky and more relaxed. “I don’t know. I’m fully onboard with the theory of evolution, but if we get too into hypotheticals, we might have an existential crisis.”

“And I don’t know about you, but I was never good at that theoretical stuff anyway,” Araiza added, counting each drop as it fell. “This is more my speed.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1035

Yeto:

She was still confused by his comments, but didn’t press as he seemed upset about the topic. “There is evolution, and I understand that, but the mechanics involved to form all of the universes as they are, each star system in it’s own perfect symmetry and in symmetry with the galaxy around it, it just amazing.”

“At night when the main crew is asleep, I'll wander the hallways. Or I go to the forward observation and look at the stars.” Pausing she watched him as he concentrated. “There are times I wish I was a poet and could express the majesty of it all.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Wandering the hallways at night? It sounded morbid. “There’s no rule that says you can’t be a poet. Tons of greats did creative work on the side. Ramón y Cajal did a lot for medicine and the guy’s art was amazing.”

“It’s not like anyone is limited to one sole thing. You go write your stuff… just make sure you go back to the labs at the end of the day. Primates like myself need people like you,” Araiza finished, the liquid reaching the top. Securely on the table, he placed the dropper aside and returned to the computer, shutting the device so no liquid could escape.

“Get rid of that dropper, but don’t even think of rinsing it with water. Just make sure it’s properly labelled to be disposed of,” he instructed, placing the model back in its locked safe before he put the previously used vial back. “If there were any droplets they would’ve burned through the table by now, so we’re done here.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Yeto:

“Thank you,” Yeto said as she looked at the dropper and it dematerialized. “I do find Human’s to be the most adaptable of all known species. Perhaps it’s due to the varied climate of your homeworld. Making the conditions hard enough and changing enough would result in a poly-adaptive species such as yourself.”

“I do not have the skill set needed for creative harmonic syntax in the written word. I cannot sing either. I have attempted both previously. I was asked to stop. Several times.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

“So you can’t hit a note, who cares? You’re gonna tell me you’re gonna look at all the shit we develop day by day and not try to find a way for you to write?” Araiza asked, removing his lab gear and returning it to its appropriate storage. “If everyone before us had just decided things couldn’t change, we wouldn’t even be here right now.”

“Don’t know what Halsey put in you, but I doubt it was pessimissm,” he grinned, shutting off the computer and taking the case. “Now come on. I skipped breakfast and I’m trying to come up with more subtle ways to flirt with you. Let’s get both covered.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1040

Yeto:​

Peeling off the contamination gear was interesting to watch, as she’d pass as a Bajoran to anybody that didn’t know.

With her body hugging uniform sliding over feminine curves she looked at him, her face a rather strange color of crimson. Was she blushing?

“I do not have pessimism as a component in my chassis.” She replied, seriously. But then she smiled at him, “Just kidding. But I do have a sense of humor, and I like the flirting as well."

“What and where shall we eat?” She asked, following him out the door. “The mess hall is always available but busy. There are also a number of additional secondary eating facilities scattered throughout the ship for convenience.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He made sure the doors closed behind him before answering. “Your pick. You were a good help in there, might as well give you the honor of choosing.”

Araiza held the case underneath one arm. Normally, he’d return to his workshop and store it for a future display. In their current concerns of defense, he didn’t trust leaving it anywhere but beside him. Rather light, he wouldn’t mind carrying it around until he had to show it. “Shit, hold on. Dark Fire, can you let the Chief know I finished the first demo of SB? Ask her when we can test it.”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1045

Dark Fire:​

“Compliance,” The ship replied interrupting Yeto’s reply as she paused for a half second.

Yeto:​

“Very well,” she replied, as she led the way, a slight jaunty skip in her walk. Once in a turbo Lift she gave directions to Mama Capone’s. And within a few minutes they were walking into what looked like a 1950’s Italian/Greek/Sicilian restaurant.

Even though the hall outside looked like every other hallway, with a sign hanging on the wall. “No, this is not a holosuite,” she informed him anticipating the question. “And yes all the food is made from scratch, no replicators.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

Araiza dramatically spread his hand on his chest. “It’s like I’m in heaven,” he sighed. He had to admit that most of his meals were with his comrades in the hall, so he didn’t make much of a habit to stop at these establishments. By the smell of the air, he was sure to start exploring more.

He opened the chair for Yito before taking his own, setting the case below one of his feet. He doubted anyone would attempt to grab it, but in a pinch he’d feel it being pulled and act accordingly. “Is this where you bring all your dates or am I special?”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1045

Yeto:
“As I have never dated in any capacity, you are a first.” She replied.

Walking over a waiter handed them menu’s before asking what they’d be drinking, and if they already knew what they wanted.

Yeto told him she’d have water and hadn’t decided yet. “I’m glad you like it. I wasn’t sure if you’d think I was racist, based on your name, but I have eaten here a number of times and enjoy it.”​

 

[sereneotter00]

◅ ALFREDO ARAIZA ▻​

He furrowed his eyebrows. “How old are you? As in, you know, your kind compared to human years.” Yeah, he’d ventured into younger partners, but a handful of years at most. He wasn’t attracted to the idea of being with someone who could barely rent a car back on Earth.

“Water as well. If you could start me with a small salad, I’d appreciate it,” Araiza requested kindly. He turned back to his companion with confusion. “My name? I’m Lati-“ He looked down at his uniform, his full name sewn into his top. “Oh, you mean the ‘Alfredo’? Yeah, probably stereotypical for some Italian”

 

[The_Weeping_Angel]

Stardate 29870527.1050

“That question wouldn’t apply to me. My knowledge expands several thousand years across a hundred species. I speak languages fluently without the need of a translator implant. I can compute faster than a Vulcan, only The Ship itself is faster.”

“If you’re asking when I came online and self conscious, you should never ask a lady her age.”

“But for the sake of argument consider me more than old enough. After all I can fly this Starship, and that takes a number of years to learn.”

“Physiologically I can pass for any age desired with enough time to alter my epidermis.”

“I recommend the Lasagna, the Capellini de Angelo with the mushroom Bolognese, or the Chicken Parmesan.” She added as she asked the waiter to bring some bread sticks when he brought the waters and the salad for Alfredo. “The Garlic is grown in Hydroponics Bay 3, In case you ever need to grab a bulb,” she whispered conspiratorially.​