Lazarus
Fleet Captain
"The Trant have been spoon feeding us information for the best part of a decade," Petrov stated flaty.
Ennis shrugged. "That information is allowing mankind to make huge technological leaps forward," she countered. "Particularly in the area of spaceflight."
"If they wanted us to make huge leaps they'd actually give us examples of their technology to study," Petrov told her impatiently. "Or even better let us aboard that ship that's been sitting in orbit over Earth for eight years. It's not like they actually use the damned thing anyway, they all live in San Fransisco."
"Other than the two Trant who always remain onboard," Ennis added. "Besides, they use its communications system to contact their homeworld."
"Ah, yes," Petrov began theatrically, "The famous Trant homeworld. If the Trant are such good friends of ours why the hell don't they tell us where they live? And why haven't they been home in eight years? Or been visited by any of their own people?"
"I don't have all the answers for you, Petrov," Ennis said bluntly, beginning to tire of the conversation.
"You know Starfleet has been out looking for it don't you?" he told her.
She looked up. "What?"
"The Trant homeworld," Petrov continued. "Starfleet has sent ships on secret missions looking for it."
"But Earth has agreed to respect the Frant's wishes not to be found," Ennis said.
"Perhaps Starfleet Command isn't as trusting as you are," Petrov said. "The Frant are present throughout both Earth's government and its military and science divisions. They're standing in the shadows guiding everything we've done in the last ten years, gently prodding us in different directions. Perhaps Starfleet Command is tired of it."
"You mark my words," Petrov began. "The Trant have been on Earth for eight years. Before much longer some crazy bitch will get herself knocked up by one of them, then we'll have little Frant-human hybrids running around all over the place."
"Impossible," Curran told him flatly. "It can't happen. Hell, species that evolved on our own planet can't interbreed, let alone species from different corners of the galaxy. What you're suggesting is as unlikely as a horse and a cow having a baby."
"Fast food," Petrov muttered.
"I'm serious," Curran continued. "I'm speaking to you as a biologist. Besides the Trant don't even have reproductive organs as we understand them."
Petrov shrugged, waving a hand dismissively. "Who knows what their medical science is capable of doing!? As we speak they're showing our doctors how to actually regenerate human flesh!"
"And that technology is still still very much in the experimental phase," Curran said. "It's still years away from even being tested on lab rats let alone people. You're talking about splicing together completely incompatible pieces human and alien genome to create a healthy baby."
"The discovery of this space station could change everything," Tobin said. "Whatever technology built that place is beyond anything either Earth or the Trant have access to. If we can master the technology of the station, we won't need the Trant's help any more."
Weller appeared unconvinced. "Or we could gain the means to destroy ourselves once and for all."
Tobin shrugged. "We've had that ability for two hundred years," he countered. "Even as we speak Starfleet is putting together an expedition to go out there and investigate the station. I'd like you to lead it."
Weller paused, considering the proposal.
Ennis shrugged. "That information is allowing mankind to make huge technological leaps forward," she countered. "Particularly in the area of spaceflight."
"If they wanted us to make huge leaps they'd actually give us examples of their technology to study," Petrov told her impatiently. "Or even better let us aboard that ship that's been sitting in orbit over Earth for eight years. It's not like they actually use the damned thing anyway, they all live in San Fransisco."
"Other than the two Trant who always remain onboard," Ennis added. "Besides, they use its communications system to contact their homeworld."
"Ah, yes," Petrov began theatrically, "The famous Trant homeworld. If the Trant are such good friends of ours why the hell don't they tell us where they live? And why haven't they been home in eight years? Or been visited by any of their own people?"
"I don't have all the answers for you, Petrov," Ennis said bluntly, beginning to tire of the conversation.
"You know Starfleet has been out looking for it don't you?" he told her.
She looked up. "What?"
"The Trant homeworld," Petrov continued. "Starfleet has sent ships on secret missions looking for it."
"But Earth has agreed to respect the Frant's wishes not to be found," Ennis said.
"Perhaps Starfleet Command isn't as trusting as you are," Petrov said. "The Frant are present throughout both Earth's government and its military and science divisions. They're standing in the shadows guiding everything we've done in the last ten years, gently prodding us in different directions. Perhaps Starfleet Command is tired of it."
__________
"You mark my words," Petrov began. "The Trant have been on Earth for eight years. Before much longer some crazy bitch will get herself knocked up by one of them, then we'll have little Frant-human hybrids running around all over the place."
"Impossible," Curran told him flatly. "It can't happen. Hell, species that evolved on our own planet can't interbreed, let alone species from different corners of the galaxy. What you're suggesting is as unlikely as a horse and a cow having a baby."
"Fast food," Petrov muttered.
"I'm serious," Curran continued. "I'm speaking to you as a biologist. Besides the Trant don't even have reproductive organs as we understand them."
Petrov shrugged, waving a hand dismissively. "Who knows what their medical science is capable of doing!? As we speak they're showing our doctors how to actually regenerate human flesh!"
"And that technology is still still very much in the experimental phase," Curran said. "It's still years away from even being tested on lab rats let alone people. You're talking about splicing together completely incompatible pieces human and alien genome to create a healthy baby."
__________
"The discovery of this space station could change everything," Tobin said. "Whatever technology built that place is beyond anything either Earth or the Trant have access to. If we can master the technology of the station, we won't need the Trant's help any more."
Weller appeared unconvinced. "Or we could gain the means to destroy ourselves once and for all."
Tobin shrugged. "We've had that ability for two hundred years," he countered. "Even as we speak Starfleet is putting together an expedition to go out there and investigate the station. I'd like you to lead it."
Weller paused, considering the proposal.
