Tour Time - Part 2
Posted on Wed Dec 31st, 2025 @ 3:06pm by Captain Daegan Baas & Ensign Konnibet S'ladaar [Baas] & Commander Jerome Hunt Jr. & Lieutenant Darius Korveth & Lieutenant JG Christian Rogers & Lieutenant JG Ryan Kellerman
Edited on on Wed Dec 31st, 2025 @ 8:46pm
2,158 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
What was Lost is Found
Location: USS Valkyrie
Timeline: MD 6 - 1345
[Cetacean Ops]
Enter the area the light shimmered through the floor to ceiling window that look out into the large tank. Not much different than the the aquarium he remembered see as a child. Kurul looked deep into the tank some of the forms he did not recognize but one seemed familiar. "That in an aquatic Xindi isn't it?"
The Commander smiled and nodded regarding Kurul's question. "You are correct. Aquatic Xindi are just one of several aquatic species that serve aboard the Valkyrie. The Federation makes accommodations for all its members when possible."
He had heard of the sentient aquatic species but never thought he'd have the change to meet such a creature. Looking at he panel on the wall Kurul looked to the Commander, "May I?
"Feel free," Hunt encouraged.
Pressing the panel Kurul spoke, "Pardon the interruption and I mean do disrespect, but I have never met a Xindi. Could I speak with you for a moment?"
After he released the panel his words were translated to aquatic and he could feel the reverberation as it echoed through the water.
Moving from her work she swam up to the main window. Seeing Commmander Hunt, the other officers and the rest of the party she correctly assumed that this was a tour for some kind and probably a diplomatic gesture. Her reply echoed through the water before being translated.
"Greeting sir, No offence taken. I am Ensign Konnibet S'ladaar, I am one of the ship's engineers. Specifically I am a Quantum Slipstream specialist."
With a puzzled expression Kurul pressed the panel again. "What is a Quantum Slipstream?"
Konnibet looked to Commander Hunt. Had she said too much?
The Executive Officer smiled. "Ensign go ahead and break down for the group. As you can see I am leading a tour here."
Yuvana wandered around the area, taking in what she could. She had very little interest in what was being discussed, but kept an ear open regardless. One never knew what tiny slip of information might reveal much more than people thought. She was becoming more sure that they would be given whatever information they wanted...providing it wasn't considered compromising and dangerous. As a council member, she knew sometimes you couldn't tell people everything all the time.
Returning the commanders nod she began, "In 2378 Starfleet began research on the technology that had been discovered in 2374; the reason for the 4 year lapse is a long story. By 2390 Starfleet approved the drives installation is vessels with the appropriate hull geometry. The quantum slipstream drive represents a radical departure in faster-than-light propulsion. As you may be aware, a conventional warp drive works by using paired sets of warp coils housed in nacelles to generate a warp field, which distorts (i.e., “warps”) space around the starship, narrowing the space forward of the starship and extending the space behind it, which allows the starship to cover vast distances that would otherwise take years if not decades by sub-light speeds. Many of the basic concepts and core components every engineer, up until now, would have taken for granted in a starship’s conventional faster-than-light propulsion system such as warp nacelles, warp coils, and warp field theory and geometry doesn't apply with the quantum slipstream drive."
Realizing she was be too technical she cut to the chase. "Basically a ship with a quantum drive can travel in hours what would take months for a ship with a regular warp drive."
Dareem watched the Xindi glide through her element slowly and gracefully. His jaw tightened as she spoke of drives that cast-off rules he'd spent a lifetime learning to navigate. "Months into hours," he muttered, almost drowned out by the acoustics. "A power like that could deliver salvation or ruin before the other side even knows what's there."
"We find that the benefits far outweigh possible ruin," Jerome responded. "Allows us to explore further without being too far away from home. Plus, it allows us to better assist those in need of our assistance. Shall we continue our tour?"
"You mean to tell us," Yuvana said, turning to face the commander and the Xindi, "that with these newfangled engines, you could have found us sooner?"
"That's correct. If we knew of your existence out here."
Kurul had turned from the aquatic officer at Yuvana's question. "Remember the Captain mentioned that our current home is on the edge of what is now unknow space. I doubt anyone would have thought to look for us all the way out here, especially a hundred years ago."
"They could have looked harder," Yuvana said, with a glare cast around those gathered and a strong tap of her cane on the deck. Then she waved her hand as if dismissing the issue out of mind.
Kurul shook his head at her continued negativity but causally asked, "How wide spread is this quantum propulsion?"
There was a series of calls as Ensign S'ladaar replied as the translation came through, "The Slip stream technology is only use by the Federation and then only on a small number of starship classes." Having finished she realized she may have revealed to much information and looked to the Commander before swimming off.
There was an uneasy silence from several of the council members but the tension was broken as the moved off to their next destination.
[Arboretum]
The next stop on the tour was the Arboretum. "And here we have the Arboretum. I find myself spending a lot of time here with my youngest daughter Marie. She is absolutely crazy about this place."
The three deck high area was filled with green, full grown trees, grass, and a small stream. Even the are smelled fresher and Kurul took a deep breath. Squatting down he ran his hand through the grass before standing, "This is real..."
Hunt smiled and nodded. "It's all very real. Like I mentioned before the Valkyrie offers quite a bit. It makes being out here feel like home."
Kurul grinned, starships certainly have come along way in his day each member had only been allowed a few personal items and even then they had to be approved. If the ships of today had these types of amenities, he wondered what were the quarters like.
Standing he walked the path looking up, seeing in one corner, balconies at the two upper levels. As he lowered his gaze he looked back to his former shipmate, he could see the dourness hidden behind a mask of surprise. "What's the matter my friend, longing for home again?"
Yuvana gripped Rogers's arm tightly as they entered into arboretum. Her eyes widened as the fresh, scented air of an outdoor park hit her. The small sounds of the stream overrode her fellow councilors as they spoke. She turned her face toward the 'sun'. "Finally, something worth seeing," she muttered as she continued to look around the area. She made her slow way over to the nearest tree and placed her wrinkled hand on the rough bark. She pressed against it and closed her eyes, trying to see if she could feel the warm sap flowing through the trunk and to the limbs - the very life of the tree. "Why don't you make the ship more like this?" she finally asked as she turned to face the Starfleet crew once more. "Surely this would be preferable? All this life here as an anathema to the cold void of space?"
Rogers scowled at the question. He understood it would be impracticable to create all of this throughout the ship, but he had to admit he would prefer it himself. More and more his thoughts were turning to the unexplored sections of the planet and what wonders he might find exploring the planet's natural splendor. He turned to the commander, however, to answer that question.
Kurul's question had gently reached Dareem just like the artificial sunlight. He answered without looking at his friend. "Home is not something you recreate," he said quietly. "It's something that breaks when you leave it." He lifted his eyes to the high canopy, where branches brushed lights that were busy playing at being a sun. "This is impressive," he admitted. "But it isn't longing I feel here."
Kurul looked questioningly at Dareem. If it wasn't longing for home what was he feeling? "Wha...
"Now onto the last part of tour: the bridge," Jerome announced.
His question faded, figuring he could ask him later. Things must have really changed if they were being allowed to see the command center of this ship. Clapping his hand on his comrade's shoulder, "Come, I know you were hoping for this."
"Envy," Dareem said, his voice barely audible.
He glanced once more at the false sun, at the leaves that never knew true wind or seasons. "Not for the trees," he went on, following his old friend toward the exit, "but think about it: they build a ship that can carry a forest and call it balance. They cross the stars and still believe they can bring home with them. Intact." His expression was caught between a smirk and utter disgust.
Under his breath, Dareem added: "Yes. Let's see how they steer all of this beauty."
Yuvana glared at her fellow council members and their attitude toward this part of the ship. So far the only part of the tour that she felt showed any advancement at all. With a scowl, she grabbed Rogers's arm then followed the rest of the group.
[Bridge]
Stepping out of turbolift, Hunt led the group until the semi busy bridge. "And this everybody is the bridge. Most of the senior staff can be found here on Alpha shift. But the bridge is manned for all three shifts at a time."
Their party stepped out onto the ship command center... A central command chair, with the key stations all with view of the Captain with other station along the outer edge. Behind the command chair, a table with a holographic image of the ships interior. On the far side, a massive view screen showing the planet below.
Kurul and Dareem had both been junior officers when they had set out on the Sahriv to cross over into Federation space all those years ago. Walking along the ramp as it curved down to the forward section. The men, women, of various species all glancing to the visitors from time to time before returning to their stations. "Impressive, much more...graceful than earlier designs."
As he left the turbolift with Yuvana, and ahead of the main group, he noted the on-duty security officer at the station automatically locking down several displays, keeping the information away from eyes that didn't have the clearance to see it. He nodded to the officer, then flicked his head to indicate the other stations.
Fingers danced across the security station and the same lockdown was activated across the bridge.
Yuvana walked to the center and glanced around, snorting. More of the same, soulless and antiseptic environs. However, her eyes landed on the display of her planet. Her hands folded along her breast as she realized, for the first time in her life, she was able to see her home from afar. "Where are we?" she muttered.
The officer on duty, having rose from the command chair as she observed the guests, heard the question and replied. "You are on the bridge ma`am. If you are referring to the system itself...we are just outside of what we would consider 'known space'."
Dareem drank in the Valkyrie's command center with his eyes--it was the first time since the tour began that he appeared interested at all. The Bridge was quieter than he had anticipated--there were no raised voices and no tension in the air. Rank felt softer.
He stopped near the tactical station and met the eyes of the security officer.
"Tell me," Dareem began, his voice edged with intrigue and suspicion. "Do you distrust us? I noticed your displays dimmed the moment we arrived."
The officer looked to man, "It's not a matter of trust sir. The dimming of my console has nothing to do with who you are as I would have done the same for any guest coming onto the bridge. The tactical data for the ship is on a need to know basis.
[Valhalla Lounge]
With most everyone in the lounge all they were missing was Hunt and their guests. Tapping his badge, "Bass to Commander Hunt. Jerome if you are at a stopping point with the tour we are ready in the lounge.
[Bridge]
"We're on our way, Captain," Jerome replied. Turning his attention to their guest, he waved them over. "Please everyone, accompany me to the lounge."
Captain Deagan Baas
CO
Commander Jerome Hunt
XO
Ensign Konnibet S'ladaar
Quantum Slipstream Specialist
NPC Council Members Played by
Capt. Deagan Baas
Lt. Darius Korveth
Ltjg. Christian Rogers
Ltjg. Ryan Kellerman
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