[USS Vanguard] Mything Artifacts
- From: Kieran Darkwater <kierandarkwater@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: ncv80221@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 22:24:39 +0100 (BST)
He knew it had been confiscated for misuse once already today, an incident on
one of the lower decks the details of which he'd not been privy to, but he
hadn't exactly misappropriated it. The requisition had been put in for it -
though he hadn't waited for the approval for it - and by the time he left he'd
still not heard any objections.
The programme that he'd downloaded into it, however, was a slightly different
story - if someone wanted to send him across known space in search of some
obscure myth, he wanted some sort of contact on hand, and this was the best he
could do.
Tucking it back into the small science pack he carried, he ducked his head
slightly as he passed into the shuttle, laid down his larger, heavier pack and
moved forward into the cockpit to be greeted by Cynan making launch
preparations.
Kieran settled into his seat in the second row, placing his PADD down on the
console interface and downloading the flight-plan straight from there before
settling back a little to begin his 'presentation'.
The cool grey of the inner walls of the shuttle-bay gave way - briefly - to the
azure blue flicker of the energy-discharge as the metallic bulk of the shuttle
exited, and the colder black of space wrapped itself around them and they were
free with the stars.
Off on their quest, as it were.
"The Vulcan mystic Surak, who founded the currently predominant anemotive
philosophy is said to have had his revelation whilst shaping crystals for one
of the psychic weapons that were the vogue of that era.
This particular crystal, the Shal'taro has since gone missing, and is said to
contain the essence of his thoughts at that time, impregnated psychically into
the matrix itself.
The Andorians believe that a volcanic eruption on their world destroyed the
temple of Kasith, an early deity of peace, as a sign of the Gods' displeasure
with their pacifist tendencies. Each of the predominant tribes was given a
fragment of this rock as a symbol of the need to strive for dominance, and they
believed that if the pieces were ever reassembled, the secrets revealed would
make the wielder invincible."
He looked up, seeing the mixture of anticipation and impatience in their looks
as they listened, and he turned the chair round slightly to face them.
"Most every culture in the Federation at some point in their history has some
religious or socially significant event recorded or pre-ordained in stone for
posterity. Anthropologically speaking, for primitive cultures, it is a sign of
permanency, a lasting memorial to the event, or an enduring record.
Humanity has the Ark of the Covenant, from Judaeo-Christian myth and legend -
the remnants of the two stone tablets Moses was alleged to have retrieved from
atop Mount Sinai upon which Yahweh had inscribed the ten commandments.
We have been tasked with finding that Ark."
He paused a few moments, letting that idea settle in, gnawing gently on the
inside of his cheek as he waited, until he saw that they'd both taken that in.
"Preposterous as that might sound, it isn't a complete flight of fantasy.
Professor Richard Galen hypothesised - and it was later proven - that most of
the humanoid lifeforms in this quadrant, and perhaps beyond, were genetically
and socially manipulated in order to advance their evolution and civilisation.
Galen based his research as much on commonality of myth and legend as genetics
and physiological similarities, in an investigation spanning nineteen different
isolated cultures.
Each of these cultures, at some technologically or socially critical juncture
received a similar stone icon that was used to unify and unite them, that was
later removed or lost in order to prevent it being used by any particular
faction for dominance.
Those icons still have a strong cultural power, at the very least, and worse
they may have some form of geno-morphic resonance that compels obedience with
their strictures.
If these objects have been hoarded and saved, the pose a significant cultural
heritage, and an even more significant proposition for ransom.
Information suggests, however, that these icons are being sought by the
Cardassians. Intelligence from several sources - primarily, I think, captured
Borg items and inference from their search patterns, though some information
has likely come from the Yridians - suggests that they may be seeking a more
covert source of assault.
Elements of the previous administration remain at large in Cardassian society,
and only the naive and the Cardassian public officials profess that groups such
as the Obsidian Order have been eradicated. Some element of the Cardassian
subculture is seeking evidence of these artifacts - whether for use agains
their own culture or others remains unclear.
What worries StarFleet Intelligence enough to seek the assistance - openly seek
it, I might add - of the Science division is the amount of information the Borg
appear to have on this operation. Efforts appear to be focussed about Indri
VIII, at the moment. A small class O planet, it was scoured by Cardassian
weapons that initiated a plasma cascade in the lower atmosphere in 2369 in an
attempt to prevent scientists from other cultures discovering anything further
along the lines of Professor Galens research.
Cardassian vessels once again have been seen in the vicinity of Indri VIII, and
we have been sent to ensure that if any such cache does remain it does not fall
into the hands of private Cardassian citizens."
OFF> Sorry, this is a bit terse, but I've run out time tonight... let's run
with this for now :)
Lieutenant-Commander Kieran Darkwater
Archaeology and Anthropology Officer
USS Vanguard
---------------------------------
ALL-NEW Yahoo! Messenger - sooooo many all-new ways to express yourself
*************************************************************
USS Vanguard: http://ncv80221.netfirms.com/default.htm
Vanguard Archives: //www.freelists.org/archives/ncv80221
Gamma Fleet: http://gammafleet.trekplayer.com/
FreeLists: //www.freelists.org
*************************************************************
Other related posts: