[snip]

“Do you think it is lying while it tests our defences and probes our weapons capabilities?” Kahuna added.

“That’s one possibility,” Glen replied, “but the other is that it saw and approved of our non-aggression, while the Klingons immediately attacked it with a fleet. Miriam is only nervous because was once court-marshalled when she didn’t attack after we got attacked first. But it turned out that she did the right thing and all the charges were dismissed. I’m more concerned about it’s attitude to the species on the planet. Starfleet regulations don’t allow the kind of interference they have been carrying on, but there is no kind and gentle way to break that to them.”

A bit behind the Captain Salek returned to the bridge himself, and he went over to the science station. “What was that thing? We saw a large anomaly or something. Can someone explain what is going on?” He asks his normally calm voice going just a bit terse and tense.

Cara moved aside to let her DH take over at the station. “I’m not aware of any anomaly, Sir, and I was here monitoring the planet since before we made contact with this AI. There is the comet right there! Which was Warped into this system by what I would describe as an ancient alien artifact, which is where the AI resides. I’m not certain how that draws power, but it was built by a race of ascended aliens who use the AI and artifact to experiment upon this planet and the life that they created there. Well, that’s the shortened version. It’s all extremely interesting from my own xenoanthropological and sociological standpoint but what they are doing is probably in contravention of several Starfleet general orders.”

Cross literally ejected from the Captain’s ship on hearing his voice and turned around to speak to him .

‘’This station has only ever experimented on Planet 19. The other VA stations and their assigned systems are outside the scope of contact with this station as is what they were tasked or assigned to do in their experimental phases and revisions ‘’.

‘’Their experiments and its revisions since on planet 19 were part of this station’s purpose. The natives they study and have created from genetic material in their frozen storage units on this station were part of this. It said how we may consider the Ascended experiments given to this station as possibly barbaric or cruel to our understanding Were these original organic beings and not those this station constructed and seeded on this planet during these phases .’’ at this point Cross only repeated what the AI said, not quiet fully understanding what it meant.

’’ The Ascended seek to find an answer which was left unanswered since their Ascension beyond this physical plane. That being what is the upward limits of organic life? Their priority is to find the answer of organic life’s limits....Oh and its called the Va’s station ‘’Cross had no idea that the inhabitants also called it ‘’Pleasing the Va’’ .

‘’The AI also spoke of other ships that tried to destroy the structure ,they instead destroyed a ship which fell on the planet and that is where the bacteria come from, many died, eventually through years of exposure the inhabitants became immune to it and thus the population recovered. Captain they have scanned our ship along with the crew’’ the doctor finished off wondering what the Captain was going to do next as she braced herself for what Cross thought was coming ‘’Sorry Sir for bringing you back......’’ she tailed off.

“Don’t be concerned,” Glen replied. “It’s good to be back! And the thing about playing gods, whatever gods those might be, is that they are really just larger versions of ourselves; great powers but no great responsibilities to go along with it. I’ll take it from her if you wish?”

“I gather that you have only spoken to the AI?” Glen asked rhetorically, “I’ll see if the gods themselves can be contacted?”

=/\= Hello, may I call you VA 19 Matrix? I am Captain James T Glen. Is it possible to talk to the ascended who created you? =/\=

=/\= You may Captain James T Glen. Though please know the AI matrix you speak to presently is but only one of 3,926 others on this station. The matrix you speak too is related primarily to communication with non-Ascended lifeforms such as yourself. =/\= It clarified.

A second later it added, =/\= Your request to speak to the Ascended has been forwarded to Ascension communicator matrix 1. This matrix will let you know if your request is approved or any replies are given. In the mean time may this matrix inquire about you? Specifically if you are also an individual like the one from before as Doctor Cross was. Or do you speak as a collective mind for others? I have noticed by our visual communications several different races in your current ship’s room different from Cross and my directive in this case is to learn more about those I communicate with that they wish to give.=/\= It said.

Cross managed a small smile and a slight nod. On seeing the Vulcan at the science station she made her way towards him ‘’Lt ,I know you will eventually work in the lab with the bacteria samples .Just to let you know that the AI spoke of destroying some ships which fell down on the planet, the bacteria was present and it killed many of he inhabitants but by time they became immune to it eventually becoming a symbiosis bacteria which made them stronger ‘’ she levered her face to look up at him and see if he was following ‘’ I did some work on it and found there is no known antibiotic that had any effect on it ‘’ .

On Cameron McDuff’s console he would see a new Security report that the Shuttlecraft has returned missing phasers, circuits and emergency equipment.

As soon as the report flashed up on-screen McDuff stood over the Security NE and read the message. Parts missing? Very abnormal. He transferred the report onto a PADD. He was more than aware of the fact the Captain was just begging a dialogue with the AI and he was reluctant to interrupt or disturb him, but McDuff felt that this was something the Captain ought to be aware of.

Cameron walked over the CO’s side. “Captain, I’ve just had this come through” he handed him the PADD. “Just give me the nod and myself or one of my team will go down to the shuttle bay and investigate this further.” Cameron spoke quickly and quietly to minimize the time he spent disrupting the Captain. He walked away and return to the security station.

“Okay,” replied Captain Glen. “If they were stolen on the planet, then we’d be in violation of the Prime Directive, never mind our mission brief.”

• Glen, CO

GM CockRoach