Posted by Lieutenant T’Pris (Chief Science Officer) in Corridors - Settling in [Open to anyone!!]
Snip

“Galdori shuttles are very different from Starfleet,” they replied with a chuckle. “And modern Starfleet even more. Living ships haven’t changed too much, although there have been innovations that make the connection smoother and more responsive. I can still pilot Galdori shuttlecraft, but we were not permitted to take one to the Wolverine - it would not do well separated from the mind-scape, and the Wolverine does not have the proper facilities to house and feed it.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Mwezi
Security Officer USS Wolverine

T’Pris blinked and sat forward suddenly. “I am sorry. Did you say living ships?”

~Dr. T’Pris

“Of course,” Shilo responded matter-of-factly, almost surprised that someone didn’t know. “All ships in the Alliance fleet are living. They are part of our communities, and care for their crew as much as the crew cares for them. It is honestly disconcerting to be flying around space in an unthinking, unfeeling lump of cold metal.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Mwezi
Security Officer USS Wolverine

“Fascinating,” T’Pris said as she sat back. “Did you create them or are they an organic being. Evolving on its own?” It was obvious that T’Pris’ scientific mind was piqued.

~Dr. T’Pris

Shilo furrowed their brow thoughtfully. “More of the first. Okinosian bioengineering is highly complex. All lifeforms on their planet are intrinsically connected in a fungal network, and they have been creating living … constructs for as long as they have been a civilisation. They are able to create new forms of life, and the Living Ships were part of that. If I remember my history right, before the Kalarans joined the Alliance, the living ships were just simple-minded ‘containers’ for space travel - no smarter than a jellyfish - but by the time I became a pilot, they had complex minds able to link to the psionic network. I’d say they’re comparable to a toddler, now. Capable of some limited independent decision-making, but still ultimately dependent on pilots and crew for anything complex.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Mwezi
Security Officer USS Wolverine

T’Pris was leaning forward slightly as she listened avidly. “That is…remarkable. I can say I do not think even my people could make such a claim though we have made great strides in the Medical and Scientific fields, but nothing like that.”

~Dr. T’Pris

“It helps when ones very species is capable of major restructuring,” Kula interrupted. “It was a… confidential detail back in our time, but is more widely known now that the Okinosian biosystem is technically a single species, just with,” she paused for a moment in thought, “extreme epigenetics. They do not reproduce individually, but are created by a fungal bioform they call the Mother Spore. It is able to customise the form of its creations for whatever purpose its children need, and that capability was the foundation of the Living Starship design. I do not think it would have been a possible endeavour otherwise.”

“An amazing achievement.”’T’Pris. “Something I would love to see one day.”

“Yes, and the Federation has gotten much further with artificial consciousness,” Mwezi contributed. “I have met a few holographic beings who seem to have sapience.”

“And there’s that android that served on the Enterprise in the 2360s.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Mwezi
Security Officer USS Wolverine

“Data,” T’Pris nodded in agreement.

~Dr. T’Pris

“Something that could be arranged, I’m sure,” Mwezi replied. “We plan to visit home on our next leave. I’m sure it will be possible to arrange for a ship from home to pick us up.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Mwezi
Security Officer USS Wolverine

“That would definitely be a leave I would enjoy.” T’Pris said with a hint of self deprecation in her tone. “I know humans feel that Vulcans don’t ever truly rest or enjoy leave time. But to me taking time to enjoy a new culture or a new line of scientific study is relaxing to me.”

~Dr. T’Pris

“Hmm, I wasn’t aware that was a steriotype,” Mwezi responded, tilting his head slightly.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Mwezi
Security Officer USS Wolverine

“There is not to us. But a few Star Fleet Counsellor’s have usually commented that my idea of downtime and theirs is quite different.”

~Dr. T’Pris

“Downtime is anything that brings you relaxation,” Kula chuckled. “Mwezi, for example, has a habit of practicing martial arts.”

“Practicing the forms with my Fangs is a perfectly valid form of relaxation,” Mwezi grumbled, and the way he spoke seemed to imply this was an old argument.

“She wasn’t saying it isn’t,” Shilo laughed, patting Mwezi on the shoulder.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Mwezi
Security Officer USS Wolverine

T’Pris nodded in agreement. “Exactly, to me relaxation is studying something that I find fascinating. Following my own curiosity.” She took a sip of her tea. “What is the most curious thing that has happened to any of you while serving?” She asked thinking that these three were quite the fascinating group she had met in a long time and she was quite enjoying this conversation and getting to know them.

~Dr. T’Pris

OOC: Apologies, I’m back. Was really ill this week. And bump:)

~Dr. T’Pris

“Hmm,” Mwezi chuckled. “I’d say it’s pretty easy to answer that. The event that led to us being in this time, rather than the one in which we were born. But we’ve already explained that tale this evening. What is your answer to that same question?”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Mwezi
Security Officer USS Wolverine