Scientific Discoveries

Posted on Sun Dec 8th, 2019 @ 7:41pm by Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Coleman

1,666 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 101 - Peace During War
Location: Chief Science Officer's Office, SB400
Timeline: MD 03 1430 hours

ON:

Kalani had gone home, changed, and picked up the goodies she'd brought from her time with Splendora in Klingon space. She had planned to just drop things off but then saw the light on in the CSO's office. She put down her load and then walked over ringing the chime. She hoped he wouldn't be too put out. It was time she met him anyway.

Coleman was knee deep in PADDs and other work that he hadn't noticed that anyone had walked into his office. He usually had an open door policy, so he made sure that the doors were literally always open. He wanted any and all that walked into the science departments aboard the station to know that he was always willing to talk and answer questions.

However, he had just gotten back from the mission regarding the ambassadorial meetings and was trying to catch up on all the nitty gritty paperwork and was trying to finish writing a final thesis for the Vulcan Science Academy.

Kalani stood at the door. "Commander?" She hadn't had a chance to look him up yet just knew his rank by the pips.

Looking up, he noticed a crewman standing in his doorway. Wearing a blue uniform and appearing to have the rank of Lieutenant, Coleman replied, "Yes, Lieutenant? How can I help you today?"

The Orion walked in smiling. "I'm Lieutenant Kalani Liora, you're Alien Archaeologist and Anthropologist. Welcome to the station!" She walked up to his desk and held out her hand. "I'm your Archeologist / Anthropologist. I'm Commander Hades' wife."

"Oh, yes! It's nice to officially meet you! Thank you for stopping by and introducing yourself!" Coleman said, extending his hand and shaking Kalani's hand.

She smiled. "Glad to have someone in the big chair." She thought a moment. "Are you extremely busy or do you have some time?"

"Honestly, I could use the distraction. What do you got for me?" Coleman said, putting the PADD down that he was working on.

She smiled. "Have you seen our museum yet?"

"Are you talking about the one down on Level 1645?" Coleman said as he was still getting used to the Starbase layout, but remembering how amazing it looked.

"That's the one!" It had been her pride and joy to put it together. "I've got some new Klingon artifacts to add to it!" She said excitedly.

"Is it a Klingon history museum or is it another sort of museum?" Coleman asked, curious as to the type of museum that it was.

"It houses artifacts from everywhere. The only items we didn't have was something Klingon, which I brought back and something Nausiccan." He waved her hand. "Care to see what I brought back?"

"As long as it's not a live Targ, I would love to see what you've brought back!" Coleman said, extending his hand to show Kalani to lead the way.

She hurried ahead of him lifting the lid of the crate that she brought back. She rummaged inside and pulled out a Klingon knife that had intricate carvings in the metal. "Look at this! Lukara and Kahless. This was the gift Kahless gave to Lady Lukara to show how much he loved her." She held it out for him to see.

Taking the knife in his hand, he examined it and checked the markings of it. Coleman was excited to see the overall authenticity of it from a visual inspection. "Have you checked the authenticity of it with the computer?" Coleman asked, offering the knife back to her.

"I have indeed. I also have one better." She smiled as she placed the knife on the table and pulled out a PADD. "Authenticated by the Museum of Kahless on the Home World. It is on loan to us for a year. Most of this stuff is but it's wonderful." She pulled out a bag and then opened it carefully. She slipped into her cotton handling gloves and handed a pair to Coleman. "This...this took a lot to get." She pulled out a large furry suit. "This is the wedding outfit of Korsh, the second leader of the high council. It is old and frail but the Klingons have agreed to let us borrow it if we get an expert to complete restoration on it."

"I think I know someone that worked with me on Deep Space Two that might be able to help restore it to its former glory. Might take me a little while to find out where he has disappeared to, since he was a bit of a recluse, but I'm sure that he would love to see this thing and help restore it," Coleman said, putting the gloves on and looked over the suit that belonged to Korsh. Taking into account of the various spots of blood that adorned the suit, he grabbed a sample testing kit and put it over several of the spots and collected his samples.

Handing the samples over to Kalani, Coleman smiled and said, "Lets get these samples tested. Maybe Korsh got them during battle with some great enemies, or they might belong to Korsh himself."

She smiled. "Great." She studied him. "Sir, a question if I may?"

"Oh, of course. What's picking away at your mind Lieutenant?" Coleman asked, returning the smile as he picked away at the fur suit for a few more moments.

"Where do you stand on History. I know some of my previous CSOs did not appreciate the science of archeology. Where do you stand?"

"You do know that I'm over 400 years old? I saw more History than most people have in a couple generations. In fact, it's part of the reason why I joined Starfleet honestly. Went in and studied Archeology and Anthropology because I wanted to study the History of other worlds and see what caused them to disappear. Not only that, but I followed the works of Ambassador Picard and Captain Chakotay," Coleman said, thinking back to his own History with Earth and several famous Starfleet Captains.

"Oh my! That's wonderful!" She grinned. "I can tell we'll get along splendidly." She tilted her head slightly to the side. "Welcome aboard Sir."

"I think we will equally as well! If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask. But, thank you! Your museum looks amazing!" Coleman said, grinning just as widely, if not wider.

She smiled. "Thank you. History has always been a part of my life. I have been tinkering with it since I was on Orion. I'm just glad this is my job everyday." She looked at the officer. "Tell me about yourself, sir."

Taken slightly aback by the question, as he wasn't asked very often, Coleman had to think about it for a moment. Coleman had lived a life that spanned multiple generations, as he was part El-Aurian, and got to see Earth and the Federation come into its own.

"As I've mentioned before, I'm over 400 years old. I was born on Earth to an El-Aurian mother and a human father. My father was working on the Eugenics program before it got out of hand, while my mother was an anthropologist for the El-Aurian Science Academy. My mother took me off of Earth before Khan took complete control of the planet and took me back to El-Auria. Lived there until the Borg destroyed it and came over with my mother and brother on a transport ship in the late 23rd century," Coleman said, with a smile.

Looking back to Kalani, he said, "How about you? What makes you who you are? What's your History?"

She smiled, "I was born on Orion, was an orphan. I always dreamed of the stars and of finding things. Even as a child I would dig up the backyard of the orphanage and find what I called artifacts...they weren't real but I allowed myself to believe they were. I would make up entire histories about the stones and trifles. I was out there with brushes and sifters." She grinned, "It was heave."

Her expression sobered. "Then I was captured by the Orion Syndicate and I was put to work in the mines. They had an artifact collection unit too. I would find ways to dig them up and return them to the owners for free. I was horrified that the syndicate wanted to sell these treasures back to the rightful owners. When I was liberated I joined the academy and I knew I wanted to do just that, return historical objects to their rightful places. I also knew that to hold something so old...it was like acknowledging the history of this beautiful universe and it was a connection to remind me how we are all connected one way or another. We all have our stories, our histories, and in that we are connected." She smiled. "This was my dream and I am lucky I get to live it everyday here in Starfleet."

"I've had a few dealings with the Orion Syndicate throughout my life. You should have seen them about two hundred years ago, when Earth Starfleet and the MACO's were in their infancy. They were a little more vicious and had more "fun" with their bounty. I'm glad that the major powers now have straightened them out a little bit," Coleman said, thinking back to the time of Earth Starfleet and the NX-Class Enterprise.

"They have not been that straightened out." She said sadly. "I just wish my people would....be better. There is so much more we are able to do. They waste their lives doing...awful things." She sighed. "Well it is getting late and I just got back. I should go see my husband. It is lovely to meet you sir, welcome aboard."

"Thank you very much! I'm sure that we will be having quite a few adventures, as it seems this station is chock full of. But, it's very nice to meet you!" Coleman said, smiling as he offered to walk Kalani out.

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