Lieutenant Commander Soral T’Varan stood at the science station, the familiar cadence of sensor analysis returning with remarkable ease despite the passage of time since he had last occupied the position on a regular basis.

With Captain T’Nara, Commander Kelley, Lieutenant Commander Ezeami, and Ensign Gibbs aboard the listening post, operational command of the Ark Angel rested with Lieutenant Commander Jax Storm at the conn. Soral required no reminder of the chain of command; his responsibility was to provide the acting commanding officer with the clearest scientific picture possible.

His fingers moved methodically across the LCARS interface, refining sensor resolution and comparing the latest telemetry from the listening post with the ship’s own passive scans.

“Sensor telemetry from the away team remains stable,” he reported calmly. “All four commbadges are transmitting normally. Biosigns indicate no physiological abnormalities.”

A series of spectral analyses appeared across his display. He examined them for several moments before making another adjustment.

“I am filtering residual subspace interference surrounding the installation. The refinement has increased sensor resolution by approximately five percent. Should the listening post emit any anomalous energy signatures, detection time will be correspondingly reduced.”

The work felt familiar.

Although his duties had long since shifted from science to diplomacy, scientific methodology remained ingrained. Data was collected, verified, and interpreted without assumption—an approach equally valuable in first contact as it was in astrophysics.

Another stream of telemetry arrived from the listening post.

“No changes to environmental conditions,” Soral continued. “Structural integrity readings remain constant. Communications latency is negligible.”

He turned slightly toward Lieutenant Commander Storm.

“Commander, I will continue monitoring both the away team’s telemetry and the installation. Should any deviation from expected parameters occur, you will be informed immediately.”

Without another word, Soral returned his full attention to the sensor displays. The bridge remained quiet, each officer focused upon their duties while the Ark Angel stood watch over those exploring the mysterious listening post. The silence was not uncomfortable; it was simply the calm that preceded discovery.

Lt Cmdr Soral T’Varan
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Ark Angel