Tales from Topographic Oceans: Star Beagle Adventures episodes 20 - 24

[Robert Bruce Scott]

Continued from Close to the Edge: Star Beagle Adventures episodes 12 - 19

The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 20: The Reveaiing Science of God
Scene 1: Amid Fusions of Wonder


Dawn of a light lying between the silence and sold sources
Chased amid fusions of wonder
In moments hardly seen forgotten
Coloured in pastures of chance, dancing leaves cast spells of challenge
Amused but real in thought
We fled from the sea
Whole …

20.1
Amid Fusions of Wonder​

“So you’re abandoning us, after all this time?”



Only a human with supreme self-confidence would dare tease a vulcan of T’Eln’s status. Captain Ronald Howard, XIV, had deliberately placed himself within tentacles’ reach of the monstrous beast that now shared his name. T’Eln seemed quite comfortable in the creature’s presence and was often found close to it, as she was now.

Skip Howard had chosen a lavender nail polish and matching eye-shadow. The giant cthulhuoid was mimicking this color with lavender stripes along the back of each of its tentacles. The rest of its body was partially camouflaged, not invisible, but echoing the colors of the beach and vegetation in a pattern that muted the impact of its size.



The ancient vulcan responded without a hint of emotion. Which was no surprise as the kolinar had removed all of her emotions. She regarded Skip Howard, with a cold, emotionless gaze that still gave him the creeps.



“I go where I am most needed. I remain where I am most needed. Skip needs me. And the colonists need me. I have lived a very long and very productive life. Much longer than most vulcans. And of all the things I have seen and done, none are so fascinating, or so profound as the opportunity this place provides to me. The kolinar permanently suppressed my emotions. But not my instincts.”

T’Eln’s expression softened just a little. She stepped toward the monster and placed her hand on its side. In response, the area of thick, rubbery skin around her hand changed color to mimic the light olive color of her skin. Ripples of color passed along its skin. But the four red eyes remained baleful, one focused on Skip Howard, the others looking about the island. Because T’Eln was not near the front of the creature, where the eyes and mouth were, she was outside of its range of vision. But then, Skip Howard realized, vision was not the primary sense this creature relied on.

“I have been in almost constant telepathic contact with Skip. He could be a million years old, but his consciousness is only a few days old. Emotionally, he is an infant. A newborn.”

Skip Howard smiled. “Your maternal instinct is engaged.”

The former premiere of the Vulcan Science Academy gave a single nod of her head. “I am as astonished by that as you are, Captain Howard.”

Howard laughed lightly. “Why do you call him Skip? That’s my name.”

“He is you. At least in part. Captain Carter calls him Skip Cthulhu. Lance Corporal Spitze calls him Skiptomilu, apparently some sort of pun on the name that Carter has given him. I call him Skip Rock. Part of your personality is in him. And part of Rock’s. She was the one who grafted part of your personality into him. I suppose you could say that while you may miss me, I will not miss you. Because part of you will remain here.”

Skip Howard walked slowly and cautiously up to the enormous, and rather terrifying creature that shared his name. And, apparently, part of his personality. He tentatively reached out a hand, which was met by a tentacle.

T’Eln watched emotionlessly.

Howard took a step back from the creature. “So, was he protecting us from his fellow, um, cthulhuoids? What was all that lightning about?”

“The lightning was intended for him, not for us,” T’Eln replied. “Not to kill him, but to seriously wound him and to warn him. The were separating him from the pod. Which would, under normal circumstances, lead to his demise in short order. To employ a human metaphor, think of it as a really nasty divorce.”

“I assume he will survive?” Howard asked.

“If we can learn enough about him quickly enough,” T’Eln replied. “He has found a new pod. He is the first of his kind to form familial relationships with other sentient beings.”



Captain Howard made an amused noise. He stepped forward again until he was close to the point where some of its tentacles folded back along its body. He reached out again to lightly pat a massive tentacle.



“Take care of her for me, buddy.”



The creature responded with a low, creaky rumble, like an ancient, haunted house clearing its throat.

Howard turned to look at the ancient vulcan.

T’Eln responded by raising an eyebrow.

20.1​

 

[Bynar0110]

Glad to see you back posting.

 

[Hawku]

Can't go wrong with the majestic cthulhu.

 

[BountyTrek]

Nice to see this story motoring again. Cthulhus and space shrimps and purple fur monsters, oh my!

(If this ever got made into a TV show, the VFX people would really earn their money ).

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

Nice to see this story motoring again. Cthulhus and space shrimps and purple fur monsters, oh my!

(If this ever got made into a TV show, the VFX people would really earn their money ).

I'd love to see this series on screen. It would never have been possible until the last decade or so.

Thanks!! rbs

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 20: The Revealing Science of God
Scene 2: Disjointed but with Purpose

Dawn of thought transferred through moments of days under-searching earth, revealing corridors of time provoking memories
Disjointed but with purpose
Craving penetrations offer links with the self instructor's sharp and tender love
As we took to the air
A picture of distance …

20.2
Disjointed but with Purpose​

The half-denobulan son of Doctor Phlox, Captain Phillip Phlox, ran his fingers through his thick, gray hair. “Our profession will cause premature graying, Captain. I heard you dyed your hair blue for about a year. I went with what I thought was my natural color for about 2 years. Then I realized that gray had become my natural color.”

Captain Rhonda Carter almost instinctively ran her hand over the inch-long, spiky covering of her own gray hair. “Be glad you still have hair. Skip is losing his.”


The two captains, accompanied by their first officers, Commander Alicia Wyr and the recently returned Lieutenant Commander Zizira Gross, stepped off a turbo lift into a double-wide, largely vacant, straight corridor. Gray walls. Gray metal floors and ceiling.


“He’s a Howard,” Phlox observed. “Red hair, early pattern baldness, and Star Fleet politics are baked into their genetics. His great, great grandfather, Ronald Howard the tenth, was my first officer almost a hundred years ago and took over as captain when I retired. I championed his promotion.”

“So that’s how he knows you.” Carter made an amused noise.

“Last time I saw the 14th Ronald, he was in diapers,” Phlox responded. “I seriously doubt he remembers me. I’ve remained friendly with the family, but my recent careers kept me away from Earth. Time has a way of getting away from you when you’re away from home.” Phlox stopped at a large airlock that took up a section of the port wall 9 meters long and all the way to the ceiling, 3 meters tall.

At well over 2 meters tall, Phlox could place his hand on the ceiling. He placed his hand on the release sensor for the air lock, initiating a ballet of machinery that verified the air pressure on the other side of the inner door, then released the inner door, verified the air pressure again, finally releasing the entrance from the corridor. The entire process took about 3 seconds. The only indication to the officers in the corridor of all this activity was a readout panel on the door and a slight hissing as the outer doors opened.


Rhonda Carter looked inside and caught her breath. Then she hopped slightly, clasped her hands excitedly, and broke into a 10,000-watt smile that could have lit up the enormous cargo bay if it weren’t already flooded with light.


The cargo bay was crammed with machinery needed to provide a serious overhaul for a small starship. But it was dominated by two compact nacelles.


“Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, take your pick,” Phlox intoned.

“Perhaps we should give the three of them a moment,” Commander Alicia Wyr added. She wrapped an arm around Lt. Cmdr. Gross’ shoulders and placed her hand on Captain Phlox’s shoulder and the three of them took a step back.


Rhonda Carter didn’t even notice.

She walked forward into the enormous cargo bay. The impact of seeing nacelles designed for her ship resting in a spare corner of the gargantuan, refurbished Galaxy class cruiser caused a log jam in her brain. She tried to ask several questions at once, her words and thoughts getting in each others’ way in the process.

“I had forgotten just how big… How did? Who authorized…” She looked to her right. “Is that a warp core?”

Captain Phlox laughed and walked up behind Carter. He dropped a massive hand on her shoulder. “Upgrades that were already on their way to you, Captain. Escort was a prototype and a lot of improvements have been made. But Escort has been on the run and until this assignment, no one has been able to catch up to you long enough to renovate your ship. I suspect if your ship had not been crippled by its venture into another galaxy and back, all these new parts would still be chasing you around. This isn’t all of it.”

Carter turned and looked up at Phlox. She wasn’t the shortest captain in the fleet and he wasn’t the tallest, but their difference in size was visibly quite striking. She looked like a child compared to him.

“I would hug you if I could work out the logistics,” she said.

“I’ll go find you a step ladder,” Zizira Gross quipped.

Phlox’s albino first officer tapped Carter’s bolian first officer on the shoulder and pointed.

Gross's gaze followed Wyr’s finger, then she barked out a laugh. “Ha! Of course there would be a step ladder in a cargo bay.”

Phlox squeezed Carter’s shoulder, then removed his hand. “We cleared out a few dozen spare quarters to create a couple of additional cargo bays up in the saucer section. We have a new impulse drive and a new bridge module for you as well. By the time you complete all the upgrades, you’ll be able to sustain warp 9.6 and your ship will be nearly twice as maneuverable at sub-light speeds.”


As the others were speaking, Zizira Gross turned to see a lone officer approaching along the corridor.

“Lieutenant Gard… I assume you had no problem finding us?”

2nd Lt. Susan Gard made an amused noise as she joined the party. “I can find my way through a maze of an asteroid field. It would be sad if I couldn’t find the secondary cargo bay on a cruiser.”

“Is that Lieutenant Gard’s voice I hear out there?” called Captain Carter.

Gard raised her voice. “Reporting as requested, sir.”

“In here, Lieutenant.” Carter turned toward Captain Phlox. “Captain, if you could give us a moment?” She turned to look at their first officers. “Commanders?”

“Take all the time you need, Captain,” Phlox replied. “Mrs. Nakamura Holland is scheduled to visit us in a few hours. We will decant your gifts following her inspection.” He turned and exited the cargo bay as Susan Gard entered. “Lieutenant.”

“Thank you, Captain,” Gard replied.


Captain Carter walked forward into the cargo bay. She ran a hand along one of the nacelles. 2nd Lt. Gard followed her.

After a moment, the junior officer spoke. “You requested my presence, Captain?”

Rhonda Carter waited a few minutes to respond, continuing to inspect the nacelles. She heard the young officer drawing another breath. “Patience is not one of your virtues, is it, Lieutenant?” She turned to find Gard standing just behind her.

“I suppose not, sir.”

“Good.” Carter tapped Gard’s sternum twice with the meat of her fist. “I’ve had a belly full of that famous Star Fleet stoicism. Stoicism didn’t save Captain sh’Zhiathis’ life. Passion did. Impatience did. She’s awake now. Just a few decks up in the Citadel’s medical center. Her commanding officer is up there now.”

A wave of relief swept across Gard’s features. “I would like to see her.”

“Soon,” Carter replied. “I listened to the recording from your interceptor. It recorded everything from your EVA suit, which, in turn, recorded everything from your communicator while you were on the bridge of that holy lander destroyer. Quite entertaining.”

“I didn’t realize I was being recorded,” Gard responded.

“They’re not going to be playing that one at the academy. But they should,” Carter opined. “My flight director, Lieutenant Christian Singleterry, has been called back to headquarters, to serve in intelligence. Which means I need a new flight director. You’d have to leave your comfortable bunk on the Mako behind, but it does come with a promotion to first lieutenant. And you’ll be with your own kind.”

“My own kind?” Gard asked.

Rhonda Carter tapped Gard’s sternum again. “Fighters, Susan. Fighters.”

20.2​

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

Author's note:

Tales from Topographic Oceans is one of the most controversial albums in the Yescography. Originally released on vinyl as a double album, with a grand total of four songs, each at least 18 minutes long, the album shot to #4 on the U.S. Billboard album charts in 1974.

The album's critical reception did not match its popularity and has often been criticized as bloated and meandering. It marked the first of several times that Rick Wakeman, who had come to fame as one of rock's greatest keyboardists as a member of Yes, left the band. He left the band several more times in the years to come.

Thanks!! rbs

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

Jon Anderson said that the entire Tales from Topographic Oceans album was inspired by Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi. In turn, I have taken his lyrics as inspiration for the five stories collected under the same title for the Star Beagle Adventures.

The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 20: The Revealing Science of God
Scene 3: Danced from the Ocean


Dawn of our power we amuse re-descending as fast as misused expression
As only to teach love as to reveal passion chasing late into corners
And we danced from the ocean …

20.3
Danced from the Ocean​

“Commodore, we just picked up a launch from ASA 2. It appears to be a probe. Already passing the orbit of Echo 2, our probe currently in orbit.”


Commodore Yui Song exited her office and strode onto the bridge. “On screen!”

Lieutenant Kykena Oroht, the bolian officer at the tactical communication station, entered a few commands on her console and a strange, dark, and very fast-moving missile appeared on screen, already exiting the orbit of ASA 2 and headed directly toward ASA 4.

“Time to contact?”

“Five hours, 43 minutes,” replied Lieutenant Commander Gabisle Natal, who had risen from the command throne as soon as Yui had entered the bridge.

“Hail Beagle,” Yui ordered. She took the command throne and Natal took the seat to her right.

“They’re hailing us, sir,” Oroht reported.

“Of course they are,” Yui responded quietly, almost under her breath.

“As is Citadel,” Oroht added.

“Everybody wants to talk,” Yui groused. “Put Beagle and Citadel through, let everyone else listen. Add John Junior to the conference.”

The primary viewscreen of the U.S.S. Mako displayed the approaching missile, along with telemetry readouts in the center of the screen. A small panel in the upper left displayed Captain Ronald Howard, XIV, and another displayed Captain Phillip Phlox on the upper right.

“Mako, this is the…” Captain Howard started.

“Skip, what is this thing?” Commodore Yui interrupted.

“We have had eyes on it from the moment of underwater launch,” Howard replied without missing a beat. “It’s packed with rather high-quality sensors and long-range communication equipment. We’re not seeing any evidence of any sort of explosive warhead, although an electronic-based weapons capacity is not out of the question.”

At this point, another panel developed just below Captain Howard’s on the Mako’s viewscreen and was occupied by the oddly misshapen head of John Jr.

“Chemical analysis of the casing indicates cthulhuoid technology,” Howard continued. “It is a product of their bodily excretions.”



Yui Song rolled her eyes. “Are you telling me those giant squids just flung a gigantic turd at us?”



Howard managed to keep a straight face. “Professor Newellewell did advise us that their technology is just shit, Commodore.”

Commodore Yui Song facepalmed and grunted. “I guess I really stepped right into that one.”

On the top right corner panel of the Mako’s viewscreen, Captain Phlox’s face was bright red, tears were coming from his eyes, and he was squeaking with repressed laughter. He managed to squeak out the word: “Mute!” He could be seen waiving desperately at someone behind him and the corner panel that carried his image went dark.




Only a half hour later, Captain Phlox no longer had the ability to hide his laughter by shutting off his transmission. He had become part of a meeting that included Commodore Yui, Captain Ronald Howard, XIV, Commander Dutch Holland, and the local commander of U.S. Marine forces, Janet Carter, recently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Phlox was bemused by the presence of a United States Marine, flummoxed by the luchador chief engineer, and utterly fascinated by the view of the U.S.S. Beagle’s Escheresque engineering section, visible through the transparent rear wall of the Beagle's conference room.


Commodore Yui Song opened the meeting and with her first words, shattered any hope Phlox had of maintaining his composure.

“First, congratulations on your promotion, Lieutenant Colonel. I understand there have been two more launches from ASA 2. So tell me... Are these launches benign, or are they being crappy with us?”

Lt. Col. Carter responded just as evenly. “Satellites. The third launch has deployed in orbit of ASA 2, another is bound for ASA 3, and the first is coming here. Their payloads appear to be identical. Each missile contains four satellites. Two designed for elliptical orbit and 2 for geosynchronous orbits. It’s fairly primitive technology compared to our probes, but really quite elegant in its own way. Especially for something they just pulled out of their ass.”

Phlox snorted, in spite of himself.

Captain Howard tapped the table with a highly polished, glossy, black fingernail. “You have something to add, Captain Phlox?”

Phlox was unable to speak. His face and eyes were red and he was trying desperately to not laugh. His eyes were teary. He finally managed: “You people have clearly spent way too much time together.”

Yui Song ignored this side conversation. “Do you see any evidence of threat from the approaching missile?”

“Based on sensor readings, no,” Carter responded. “It’s relatively low tech. These squids, assuming they are the ones who created these probes… They might be gods of some sort, but they’re not deep space engineers.”

“They are the indigenous species here,” Howard observed. “We didn’t expect them to still have the capability to support space platforms. But with so many people showing up in their star system, it’s hardly surprising they want to have a look. They also have the ability to travel from planet to planet via their oceans. They could have constructed that missile on ASA 4. They literally carry their construction machines around in their guts and their buh…”

“Please, don’t say it,” Phlox interjected.

“Well,” Howard added, “I think it’s a cautious move on their part to have launched all three missiles as far from all of us as they could, so we would have time to analyze their launches and identify them as non-threatening. My recommendation is to give them a wide berth, and watch them watch us.”


“If I may,” Captain Phlox interjected. “Their technology may appear primitive to us now. But with all our technology in orbit and assuming they do have some sort of god-like intelligence, we might see their technology improve by leaps and bounds in very short order. As you say, their production facilities require only a thought to reprogram. That, and maybe a healthy meal…”


Commodore Yui Song made an amused noise. She tapped Captain Howard’s hand. “I think John Junior needs to be brought into this discussion. I want you to arrange to visit him in person. Take Phil with you.” She turned to Phlox. “Ever meet a creature born in a different galaxy, Captain?”


Phillip Phlox took a deep breath. “Um… I’m sorry Commodore, but that would be classified...”

20.3​

 

[BountyTrek]

Ooh. The line I've been waiting for the context for since you posted those teasers for the next chapters. If I had to rank all the things I'd read today, this would definitely be as high as number two.

It’s fairly primitive technology compared to our probes, but really quite elegant in its own way. Especially for something they just pulled out of their ass.

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

...this would definitely be as high as number two.

What's that coming toward us at warp 0.412?

I think it might be doo doo...

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 20: The Revealing Science of God
Scene 4: Colors of Awakening


Dawn of love sent within us, colours of awakening among the many want to follow
Only tunes of a different age
As the links span our endless caresses for the freedom of life everlasting ...

20.4
Colors of Awakening​

“Gods above, gods below, and angels in between.”


The 1st of the 1st of the 54th of the United States Marines, an elite reconnaissance unit within an elite brigade created for offworld operations and known as the Space Hounds, was gathered aboard the U.S.S. Citadel. Governor T’Eln, General Krank, Commodore Yui Song, and Captains Rhonda Carter, Phillip Phlox, and Ronald Howard, XIV, were in attendance, but this was really a meeting for the United States Marines.

Commensurate with her promotion, Lieutenant Colonel Janet Carter had been given command of a larger part of the reconnaissance arm of the Space Hounds. Including her, 28 had been assigned to the Beagle Task Force. 1,118 more had arrived on the U.S.S. Citadel.

The best place for a general assembly of all U.S. Marines present in the Al Salemais star system was the cavernous primary shuttlebay of the U.S.S. Citadel. Normally, there would not be much room for an assembly with the shuttlebay crammed tight with shuttlecraft and cargo, but all the shuttlecraft, including 2 of the 3 runabouts, were currently on mission, exploring the star system. The remaining runabout had been dispatched to retrieve the Citadel’s original warp core, which had cooled sufficiently once ejected, to have survived.

This left 31 short-range interceptors, one of which was undergoing significant repairs. This was the interceptor that Captain sh’Zhiathis had flown and it had taken damage in the battle of ASA 4. The wounded U.S. Marine Captain was present, although confined under medical orders to a hoverchair. She was shorter and far more muscular than was common for the average andorian, features not uncommon for terrestrial andorians, born and raised in Earth’s stronger gravity field and heavier atmosphere.


“Gods above, gods below, and angels in between,” Lt. Col. Carter repeated. “And keeping eyes on these gods and angels, the United States Marines.” Janet Carter surveyed the marines now under her command. Poetry, especially simple and direct poetry, had a strong impact on warriors and she could see the combined humor and praise lifting the mood of her forward unit. Carter and the command group were standing on a raised platform used for observing all activities in the hangar. “You have all been cleared to know the following:”

“At the moment, these creatures known to us as the godchildren, the paladin, and the cthuluhoids, are friendly, or at least not ill-disposed toward the United Federation of Planets.” As the powerfully built African American woman spoke, a large viewscreen behind her displayed images first of John Jr. and a few of his siblings, then the ant-like holy landers and their scarab-like destroyers, then the squid-like SkipRock, standing next to Governor T’Eln, which provided a sense of scale.

“The presence of so many significant powers here on the edge of the Alpha Quadrant, near the outer edge of our galaxy, is no accident. The Federation Council has requested a permanent military reconnaissance presence in this region to establish and maintain good, or at least non-hostile relationships with these powerful creatures and to establish our own watch over the gateway into the Milky Way Galaxy from other galaxies, a galaxy-sized machine known variously as the Jar Galaxy or the Great Wheel.” The viewscreen behind Carter now displayed a star chart, depicting the locations of the ASA star system, the Jar Galaxy, and a number of other nearby star systems, indicating known bases of operation for the paladin.

“The United Earth Governments responded to this request by the Federation Council, offering first the continued presence of the Beagle Task Force, then establishing Deep Space 13, a space station to be built between the entrance and exit points of the Jar Galaxy.” The projected position for DS13 lit up as a new feature on the star chart behind the lieutenant colonel. “And UEG has recognized the ASA 4 colony as an expeditionary colony of the United Earth Governments. All three are to house portions of this unit.”


The large display screen behind Carter changed to display an enlarged logo of the Space Hounds.


“To facilitate these assignments, I will need to make a few promotions.” Carter turned toward her second in command. “Captain Osollaa sh’Zhiathis, you may stand.”

Slowly and carefully, the wounded andorian levered herself out of her hover chair and drew herself to full height.

Carter removed the captain’s bars from sh’Zhiathis’ uniform and replaced these with gold oak leaves. “These were my oak leaves, Major,” Carter said as she attached the new insignia. “Now they are yours. You will take my position aboard the U.S.S. Beagle, answering to Captain Howard as his 4th officer and commanding the tip of our spear aboard his ship.”

With some effort, sh’Zhiathis saluted. Carter returned the salute, then took a single step back. The andorian officer used a remote in her left hand to send the hover chair back a few feet, then called out in a strong voice: “Lieutenant James Whitesand, Second Lieutenant Iov Pushkin, Staff Sargeant Tamera Glick, Sargeant Manuel Guerra, Corporal O’Lar, and Privates First Class Guz Maxwell and Savage St. John, front and center!”


It took a few moments for sh’Zhiathis to promote these marines to Captain Whitesand, Lieutenant Pushkin, Gunnery Sargeant Glick, Staff Sargeant Guerra, Sargeant O’Lar, and Lance Corporals Maxwell and St. John respectively. After they had returned to the assembly, Major sh’Zhiathis turned sharply, saluted Lt. Col. Carter again, and stepped toward her commanding officer, who, after returning the salute, was pointing at the hover chair.

The andorian turned to face forward again and used the remote to cause the hover chair to come up behind her, unfold slightly, and support her in a semi-standing position.


Lt. Col. Janet Carter addressed the group again “I will remain attached to the largest unit, who will remain aboard the U.S.S. Citadel through the next mission, which will be to recruit a local workforce to complete construction and assist with operation of the Deep Space 13 station. Citadel will take us and the workers to the station, which is in transit to this region. We will debark Citadel and remain with the station for the remainder of its journey here.”

“Major sh’Zhiathis will take my place, commanding the specialized unit that will remain with the Beagle Task Force, located aboard the U.S.S. Beagle. Captain Whitesand will command the unit assigned to Rattleroot Island, which will include 20 of the interceptors in this hangar. You will coordinate your reconnaissance and training exercises with the godchild known as Steph Junior. The godchildren have assumed primary responsibility for the defense of this system. We will assist.”

Carter removed her pad from its holster just behind the cargo pocket on her left thigh and held the device up. She pressed a single control on the device. “You will find your orders have been forwarded to your personal access display device. You will make your way from this assembly to your new assignment. If you are not assigned to fly out an interceptor or board a shuttle, please clear the hangar immediately to facilitate resumed flight operations. That is all.”

20.4​

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 20: The Revealing Science of God
Scene 5: Heard But Not Replaced


Called out a tune but I never saw the face
Heard but not replaced
I ventured to talk
But I never lost my place …

20.5
Heard But Not Replaced​

“This is an inquest into the actions of Captain Rhonda Carter leading up to the transit of the U.S.S. Escort from the Milky Way Galaxy into the Jar Galaxy, her actions while in the Jar Galaxy, and the actions leading up to the return of the U.S.S. Escort to the Milky Way Galaxy.”


Up close, in standard lighting, Lieutenant Commander Grimur Nurzer was a strikingly handsome man. His entire body was spotted like a leopard, but in the red Star Fleet uniform, this was only evident on his face, neck and hands. His eyes were a disturbingly golden color, and his thick mane of gold and brown hair and beard reflected the spotting patterns that had quite probably, given his ancestors superb camouflage in the tropical jungle that was the oldest known home of the trill, the birthplace of their species.


“Captain Carter, you have the right to a single individual who can serve as your counsel in these proceedings,” Nurzer continued. “And I understand that you have selected Captain Ronald Howard, XIV, despite his lack of formal legal training. This is your right, however I do have trained legal staff available. You may, at any time, elect to exchange your counsel for someone on my staff if you determine that you need the services of an actual Star Fleet lawyer. You may consult counsel at any time, and, if needed, you may ask for a recess to consult additional counsel. However, your counsel may not speak on your behalf, make any objection on your behalf, or make any statement for record.”

“This is a formal inquest, and its purpose is to determine whether charges of misconduct should be forwarded for the purpose of a court martial or if other administrative actions should be taken. The result of this inquest will not be any determination of guilt or innocence, but rather a determination whether there is sufficient evidence that misconduct occurred and a recommendation for further action, if required. As a Star Fleet officer, you do not have any right to silence, however, you may request to temporarily withhold response to any question, pending review of the appropriateness of the question, or pending a return from recess to give you time to consider and research your answer.”

Nurzer paused and regarded both captains across the table from him. They were in a small interview room aboard the U.S.S. Citadel. A very young vulcan yeoman was present, organizing notes on a series of pads.


“Captain Howard, for the record, do you understand your role as advocate and counsel in these proceedings?” Nurzer asked.


While a certain mirth played around his expression, Howard’s tone was serious: “I do.”


“Captain Carter, do you understand the nature of this procedure as I have explained it and your rights in it as I have explained them?”

“I do,” Rhonda Carter replied. “And your explanations comport with regulations as I, my advocate, and Lieutenant Seth Ewing, a lawyer attached to the U.S.S. Mako’s crew, have reviewed them.”

“I am glad you have consulted an actual lawyer,” Nurzer replied. “I can understand you wanting a friend and former commanding officer here for this interview.” The trill inquisitor turned his attention toward Skip Howard. “I know your father by reputation. An inspiration to myself and most lawyers in Star Fleet. But, meaning no disrespect, he is a lawyer by training. And before this inquest is over, Captain Carter may need a lawyer in this room with her more than she needs a biologist and a friend. I trust that you will advise her when you believe that her interests would be better served by a trained lawyer.”

Nurzer returned his attention to Carter. “Captain Carter, the facts around your activities that fall within the scope of this inquest are not in dispute. You brought your ship and most of your crew back to the Milky Way Galaxy, along with a new species who have become vital allies and members of the Federation. We could not have known that until the outcome of recent events. This inquest is entirely about your motives and your state of mind while making those decisions.”

The trill inquisitor took a deep breath, sighed, and laid his hands on the table. “Captain, given recent events, this inquest might appear to be a bit of an anachronism. But questions were asked about your conduct, and I do not believe it does either you or Star Fleet any favors to leave them unanswered. So, in spite of the aforementioned positive outcomes, I intend to do my job.”


Carter returned Nurzer’s gaze steadily. “I understand you have interviewed my crew and General Krank in preparation for this interview.”

Nurzer nodded without speaking.

“But they were not the only witnesses to these events. Three of my godchildren have been able to access some memories from their parents. Respectively, John Jr. has some of the memories of his father, Ensign John Sevork. Steph Jr. has some of the memories of her mother, the space shrimp whom I named Stephanie. And Steve had some of the memories of their other parent, Rocky, a kind of rock encrusted interdimensional space mushroom. While Steve is no longer alive, he was telepathic, and it is possible that he communicated some of those memories with his siblings. Have you interviewed any of them?”


As Carter was talking, Grimur Nurzer’s eyes were widening, slightly. “No. I hate to admit it, but I had not even considered interviewing them.”


“You will need to visit them in their environments,” Carter said. “It may well be one of the most magnificent, eye-opening experiences of your life. I almost envy you. I’ve known them since they were newborns. You will get to meet them as they are now.” Carter took a deep breath and regarded Nurzer steadily. “Until you have spoken to them and gathered their memories of these events, such as they are, this interview may be somewhat premature.”

20.5​

 

[BountyTrek]

This could end up being the strangest episode of Law and Order on record.

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

This could end up being the strangest episode of Law and Order on record.

I have occasionally been accused of writing Star Trek CSI... Thanks!! rbs

 

[Bynar0110]

I have occasionally been accused of writing Star Trek CSI... Thanks!! rbs

I would love to do a CSI and Law and Order style fic for my series Edison. I been enjoying updates.

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 20: The Revealing Science of God
Scene 6: Rendered for the Light

Cast out a spell rendered for the light of day
Lost in lights array
I ventured to see
As the sound began to play …

20.6
Rendered for the Light​

“This is quite a dramatic increase in the United States Marine Corps presence aboard Beagle. From 28 to 45. Nearly double.”


Beagle’s Dean of Ship, Sakura Nakamura Holland, and her husband, Commander Dutch Holland, were meeting with Lieutenant Colonel Janet Carter and Major Osollaa sh’Zhiathis in the U.S.S. Beagle’s conference room.


“You need a one-to-one replacement of personnel for staff who volunteered for the ASA 4 Colony,” Lt. Col. Carter responded. Janet Carter was about a decade younger than her cousin, Captain Rhonda Carter.

The two women bore almost no resemblance to each other. Rhonda Carter was a small and very pale woman. Janet Carter was large, muscular, and clearly of African American descent. And, unlike Captain Rhonda Carter, who had almost no formal education beyond Star Fleet Basic Training, Lt. Col. Janet Carter was a published scientist with master’s degrees in astrophysics, signals archeology, and military science.

“Each of the officers I am proposing to station aboard the Beagle is a published scientist, with advanced degrees in exobiology, astrophysics, warp field theory, and space exploration. They had originally been assigned to this mission to serve either on Deep Space 13 or on the ASA 4 Colony.” Janet Carter handed a pair of pads to Major sh’Zhiathis. The andorian officer, in turn, passed one to Commander Holland and another to his wife.

“That is a very high level of education for military officers,” Commander Dutch Holland observed.

“The Corps places an emphasis on education,” Carter replied. “Much like Star Fleet, U.S. Marine officers who have ambitions of promotion beyond the middle ranks are expected to develop at least one scientific specialty in addition to expanding their effectiveness as a military leader. That isn’t expected for all United Earth Governments military services, but those services contributed by the United States have had such expectations since as far back as the 20th Century. Especially for elite units such as the Space Hounds.”

Major sh’Zhiathis nodded, her antennae remaining level by moving in the opposite direction. “You need scientists who have a high enough security rating to be able to serve aboard this ship. We have them. I know it will take some adjustment to replace civilian personnel with uniformed military, but they’re every bit as accomplished, educated, dedicated, and they have the security clearances you need.”

Lt. Col. Carter made an amused noise. “And they’re here. You can have them on board today. It would take nearly a year to recruit, vet, and train a civilian replacement staff, and get them here from the Federation.”


The masked chief engineer glanced at his wife.


Sakura Nakamura Holland sighed heavily. “We had anticipated that the volunteers for the ASA 4 colony would return to the Beagle once the permanent colonists from the Federation arrived aboard Citadel. But with every female among them, except Governor T’Eln, now pregnant, and most of the men among them having fathered at least one child… And the cthulhuoids requiring them to remain on Rattleroot Island, we’ve lost a few engineers, nearly half our astrophysics and planetary science departments, and nearly our entire exobiology department. And our entire archaeology department.”

Major sh’Zhiathis nodded her head again, her antennae remaining focused on the lovely, Japanese woman at the head of the table. “These officers have been selected specifically for their ability to fill those roles.”

“All except archaeology,” Sakura observed. “I am impressed that Sergeant Richards has completed a master’s degree in signals archaeology, but understanding ancient cultures by decoding their radio transmissions isn’t the same as classic archaeology. I want someone who has experience going on digs, and neither Sergeant Major Phestoes, nor 2nd Lieutenant Carey have either the training or the experience. I have asked Jacques Jones, Junior to join our faculty. He was bringing his family to help colonize ASA 4. He has agreed to join our faculty instead and will be bringing his wife and their three children, all of whom have gone on many digs not only with him, but also with their grandfather, Jacques Jones, Senior. They will be our new archaeology department. Although I would very much like to attach Sergeant Richards to that department if you can replace him in the probe control department.”


Major sh’Zhiathis gave a short, slightly barking laugh, then a groan, immediately regretting it. She gently rubbed her still-recuperating ribs.

“I don’t think we will have any trouble finding another signals expert within an elite reconnaissance unit,” Lt. Col. Carter observed.

Given the still somewhat tender condition of her ribs, sh’Zhiathis restrained herself to nodding.


“The son of the great Jacques Jones,” Commander Holland observed. He reached up and smoothed his mask slightly. “That is quite a catch.”


“His oldest son,” his wife responded. “He had 8 children.”


Dutch Holland made an amused noise. “Well, he was French...”

20.6​

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

The Star Beagle Adventures
Episode 20: The Revealing Science of God
Scene 7: Splendor Just Begun


The future poised with the splendour just begun
The light we were as one
And crowded through the curtains
Of liquid into sun…

20.7
Splendor Just Begun​

A structure had been constructed from the technology and raw materials that had been Fortress Escort. Escort’s original bridge and original warp core had been incorporated into what was now a gantry devoted to rebuilding the U.S.S. Escort. Around this gantry, several large new sections, upgrades for Escort, were arranged.

These new sections included a pair of upgraded nacelles, a new bridge structure, an upgraded warp core, new pulse phaser cannon, new torpedo launchers, and additional ablative armor plating. And a new tactical launch. The godchildren hovered around these various parts, most of them hosting one or two engineers within their environments who, in turn, controlled robots that worked on various surfaces, preparing them to be attached to the Escort’s superstructure.

A great excavation was now underway on the larger of the twin moons of ASA 4, under the supervision of the godchild known as Rider, who was able to separate herself into two parts. When joined, she resembled a centaur. One part, which remained on her landthorn, resembled the hind end of a stag. The other, when separated, looked completely human from the waist up and from the waist down, somewhat like the front end of a goat. This made her look like a female satyr. This part was able to walk on the surface of the moon, within a bubble of atmosphere that traveled with her.

This was of tremendous use to the various crew and civilian engineers and archaeologists involved in digging the superstructure of the U.S.S. Escort out of the moon, where it had been hastily buried. Given her freedom from the need to wear a clumsy Extra Vehicular Activity suit, Rider was able to work on very fine details of the dig, helping to prevent additional damage to the superstructure and also helping to prevent this lunar excavation from collapsing.


Lieutenant Commander Grimur Nurzer had been fascinated by all this activity while en route to interview the godchildren for the inquest into Rhonda Carter’s decisions. He was accompanied by Svort, his vulcan yeoman, who also served as his pilot. They used a small personnel shuttle to meet first with John Junior.

The eldest godchild had developed a method of taking control of a shuttlecraft and docking it with his landthorn so that visitors could open the rear hatch and exit their craft directly into his environment. Nurzer found that being outside of a spaceship and inside a bubble of atmosphere with no clear boundary between himself and the vacuum of space made him very apprehensive. Especially because the environment was zero-G, requiring him to hang on to various guide rails. Just as he was feeling quite creeped out and wishing he had worn an EVA suit, he heard his vulcan yeoman opine, “Fascinating. You have a unique view of the planet and objects in near orbit.”

“My eyesight is considerably more acute than yours,” John Jr. responded. “On a clear day, I can see the surface of the planet and events transpiring on it. I have long been able to tap into your probes and satellites. And I just found that the feed from the newly launched cthulhuoid satellites is also available to me. And to my siblings as well.”

Nurzer took this information in with some surprise. He took a deep breath. He had talked to John Jr. once over a viewer. That had done nothing to prepare him for the impact of actually being in the presence of the large alien. The largest of the godchildren had eyes nearly the size of soccer balls. But at least they were human eyes. His huge face was disturbingly misshapen. His long, spindly arms ended with three-fingered hands. His long, spindly legs were embedded in the top of his landthorn. He had constructed a divan that would allow visitors to sit at eye level with him. Given that he was about 11 feet tall, he had built up part of the lip of his landthorn to create a platform for this divan.

Nurzer was very hesitant and more than a little awe-struck. “I am not certain what the appropriate greeting is… Sir? Your majesty?”

“John will be fine. It was my father’s name, and he liked being called John much more than Ensign Sevork. I know I look strange to you, but I am part human.” John Jr. nodded toward Yeoman Svort. “And I am also part vulcan. My father died at a very young age. But he was old enough to know himself. He very much enjoyed being both human and vulcan. So do I.”

“Well, then, thank you, John, for agreeing to speak to me.” The trill inquisitor drew out a pad from a holster on his thigh.

“Please, be seated.” John Jr. gestured toward the large divan.


Grimur Nurzer settled on the divan. Svort stood behind him, taking notes on his pad.


“Captain Carter advised me to speak to you first,” Nurzer said. “Apparently there is something significant about the order?”

“We do have our unique culture,” John Jr. responded. “Rhonda calls it our pecking order. And, oddly, since my father was raised on a ranch in Laredo, Texas, I have his memories of seeing an actual pecking order. My grandparents raised chickens. I have amusing memories of a very patient vulcan lady calling the chickens in for the night and occasionally sorting out their social issues.” The odd, spacebound alien came up with a wistful expression on his misshapen face. “We will never travel to Earth. Both of them were in good health when last my father saw them. I very much hope they will travel here and visit their grandchildren. They are the only family we have left.”

“I suppose that is as good an opening as I could ask for,” Nurzer said. “Can you remember any of your father’s, um, memories of the events leading to his death?”

“Only one memory that may be of use to you,” John Jr. replied. “Our mother was influencing and trying to control Escort’s crew. She had a lot of influence on Captain Carter because she had spent more time in Rhonda’s mind. Time that she was not in anyone else’s mind, so she could concentrate on preparing Rhonda for their encounter. My sister will tell you more about that. The one thing I do remember about my father’s experience was that my mother asked him to impregnate her. It was a voluntary act on his part. Both my sister and I believe this. I from our father’s memories. She, from our mother’s. You will need to gather that part of the story from her.”


John Jr. paused and took a deep breath. “Our father did not know what we would become. But he loved us before we were ever conceived.”

20.7​

 

[Will The Serious]

I've was, just this morning, chatting with Gemini, about what a Vulcan trial proceedings might look like.

Forget swearing in, Vulcans are assumed to tell the truth, and it would have consequences to not be truthful, oath or not. Instead, proceedings are opened with a formal invocation of neutrality:

The "Oath of Logical Neutrality"
The proceedings would likely begin with the High Proctor (the presiding judge) striking a stone chime and reciting a ritualized opening. This isn't just tradition; it is a mental reset for everyone in the chamber to purge "Sickness" (bias).

The Opening Invocation:
"We gather to observe the Continuity. We set aside the ego of the observer to witness the Necessity of the Fact. May our Sieve be fine, and our Logic be Hale. Let the Gradient be measured; let the Prime be revealed."

I really like what Gem had to say.

The Invocation as a "Calibration"
The invocation serves as a System Diagnostic. It isn't for the "gods" or even for the law; it is a signal to the biological and neural systems of the observers to enter a state of Sovereign Neutrality.
The Purpose: It’s like clearing the "Cache" before a high-speed flip.
The Practicality: It acknowledges that even Vulcans have "Gradients" of perception. The invocation reminds them to act as a Sieve, filtering out their own status, their history with the "Subject of Inquiry," and any "Acoustic Mirage" of personal bias.

A 23rd or 24th century, alien courtroom will probably have a few key similarities, but I would expect there to be some significant differences, as well.

Imagine a society that has the technology to read brain patterns and actually interpret them a thoughts. Would there not be laws that control the use of such powerful tools? Would those laws have made it into the standard protocols of a courtroom? Like reading a suspects rights. We didn't use to do that, but with a revolution or two, suddenly we come up with regulatory scripts to protect citizens from the abuse of laws or power.

I can't wait to read what you've come up with for your world, RBS.

-Will

 

[Robert Bruce Scott]

Would there not be laws that control the use of such powerful tools?

Not to mention telepathic species...

There were a few trials in the Hunter series, including one in a courtroom inside a living mushroom (in which all the furniture and even the gavel were part of the living mushroom.) And one in front of a very short-tempered tellarite supreme justice. I think the final trial in that series took place in a Romulan courtroom in the capital city of the recently captured Vulcan.

Thanks!! rbs

 

[Will The Serious]

Yes, I remember those trials. They were a great peek into a "strange new world" of judiciary culture.

-Will