Gathering More Information

Posted on Sat Sep 5th, 2026 @ 5:32pm by Lieutenant Commander Imik S'Niohun & Commander Jonathan Grayson

1,900 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Here There Be Dragons
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: Happening at the same time as The Dragon's Lair

Jon sat in Sickbay waiting for Viviana to treat his irritated eyes. He had an idea. As he waited he tapped his combadge."Grayson to Imik, come to Sickbay please."

Sitting in her cabin, Imik heard Jon's call. It confused her slightly as he was supposed to be on the away team on the planet. "On my way Commander." Her reply was simple as she couldn't think why Jon would be in sickbay or what he wanted her for. Arriving at the sickbay Imik could see Jon on the Bio bed, his face was swollen and appeared painful. "You wish to see me Commander." She said as she bowed, "I take from your condition that something happened on the planet, did you encounter your Dragons?"

Jon nodded slowly, his irritated eyes on Imik. "I did. I would like you gather all the information you can from Onjas reports involving dragons. We did indeed find dragons. They are sentient. Some seem friendly enough others are openly hostile. I need more information to know how to interact with them without anyone else getting hurt or killed."

"This I can do, when do you need this information? It may take some time to collate, so I will download the data onto a PaDD and give it to you." She moved a little closer to Jon, "From memory I believe Oripeds have what we would call clans or factions, these are divided into two camps what they call the Chaos faction and the Harmony faction." She now stopped and stepped back, "Any other information will have to come from Ojnas data banks, providing the Sinkahue permits it. He does not hold the information within Ojnas records as relevant to this situation, in fact he doubts its validity." She waited to see how Jon would react to that statement.

"I'd like the information has soon as possible." Jon admitted "But I understand that it may take some time. Putting the information on a PaDD is perfect." he paused for a moment then continued, "Chaos and Harmony clans? From what I saw that seems right." he paused again resisting the urge to rub his eyes, "The captain will permit the information even if he doesn't see it relevant once a request is made for it,"

Imik smiled, "Chaos is anti Human or other species, they react violently and will attack without provocation. Harmony is as the name suggests, they seek harmony between species of all kinds." Glancing at the floor Imik now turned to leave, "I had best find the Ojnas data base and extract all information relevant to your situation Commander, do you have a time frame for a return to the planet?"

Jon listened attentively as Imik relayed what she knew about the dragon clans. "Makes sense. As to a time frame back to the planet, once Viviana or Sam determine there are no side effects or vision problems or anything else unforeseen I'll head back down, so i would say a few hours at least."

"That is good, it will take at least two hours to find and download the relevant information, I almost wish I were going with you but duties make that impossible." Reaching out, Imik now slowly drew her hand down Jon's swollen face, "You once told the sister of my Mother not to upset the locals, perhaps you should heed your own advice Commander." She withdrew her hand, "Take care Jon, Oripeds are fickle creatures. I have no wish to relay your passing to my family, Sachzny would never forgive me or the Sinkahue for such an event." The very fact Imik used Jon's name and not his rank, showed her honest concern and the validity of the statement.

Jon took Imik's hand and gently squeezed it. "I promise I will take care my dear Imik. I have no desire to be dino chow. Take the time you need to get the information required, I won't beam back to the planet until I receive the information I requested from you."

A small smile crossed her face, "I will go now and download what is required, I will meet you in Transporter bay 1 in two hours." A quick bow and Imik left to retrieve what Jon had requested.

Jon nodded, "Two hours will be fine Imik. Will it give you enough to obtain the information requested?

Imik dipped her head in response and quickly left the sickbay.

Imik's Cabin:-

Scanning the Ojnas database, Imik quickly found the information she was seeking. As she condensed the data she also read and checked it for inconsistence's;

A dragon is a creature found in the folklore of many cultures throughout several systems. It is roughly serpentine in form, and often possesses features drawn from different animals, such as wings and claws. In nearly all cultures, it is conceived of as a powerful and awe-inspiring creature and posses one or two of the following:- Flight, Strength, invisibility. All have fire as a defence, and will use it without hesitation. Dragon-like creatures were first found by the Ojnas people in the Kayinistan system on Kayinistan IV and II, where it was found that they could be both hostile or benevolent.

Main article: Kayinistan dragon:-

The creatures seem to fall into one of two factions, 1)chaos, 2)Harmony. Chaos faction dragons will attack without provocation and will kill those seen as enemies, those being any non Chaos dragon. Harmony dragons appear to want the opposite and will seek out and protect those not of dragon kind this brings them into conflict with Chaos dragons.

It is believed that dragons can be appeased or exorcised with metal. Sha-Rathshu S'Hikorum Tilmoro placed a ceremonial sword into the sea to appease a dragon found by the sea, this act seemed to save his contingent from further aggression from the creature. This white dragon is believed to reside in deep water unless disturbed, it was found to be a member of the Chaos Faction.

The Druk (A copper coloured dragon), also known as 'Thunder Dragon', is one of the Harmony Faction. This creature has Psychic abilities and has been known to contact other species by this method. Kie-Rathshu N'Sachzny P'Glosho was one chosen by the creature for such contact.

Dragons generally live in rivers or have an underground lair or cave. They are greedy and gluttonous, with voracious appetites. Nesting takes place on high unclimbable ledges, one should not approach the nesting ground of any dragon, Chaos or Harmony, as they will attack in defence of the nest.

Contact with both Chaos and Harmony dragons has cost us six of our comrades, it is recommended that any further contact be limited or in deed avoided as one will not know which faction the creature belongs. Until it attacks or welcomes you, one is vulnerable.

After double checking the data, Imik now downloaded it onto a PaDD, again she checked the data to ensure the download was successful. A quick glance at a clock showed she had 15 minutes to get to transporter room 1.

Two Hours after sickbay visit

Imik arrived at the transporter room, and checked for Jon. He hadn't arrived so she placed herself on the step leading to the pad its self, the transporter chief was not best pleased to have this Officer hanging around his transporter.

Jon arrived moments later. His eyes having cleared up and returned to their normal color. Entering the transporter room he saw Imik. "Imik!" He greeted her, "I take you got the information I requested?"

Standing up she bowed and at the same time handed the PaDD over to Jon, "I have condensed the information as best I could, but the warning is still relevant Commander. It would be best to leave these creatures well alone, why risk personnel on a pointless mission?"

Jon took the PaDD. "I appreciate and thank you for your concern Imik. I am going read what is contained here and pass it on to Deanna and hope she shares your opinion in regard to leaving the dragons alone."

Imik stepped back and looked Jon in the eye's, "It is the Sinkahue that needs to share that opinion, only he can order this crew to continue or end this present mission." She now lowered her head, "The Officers and crew of this vessel are loyal to him, as it should be. But my time in Star Fleet has taught me one thing, Sinkahue's or Captains are not always right nor do they always choose the correct course of action." Imik now raised her head again but did not lock eye's with Jon. "I apologise Commander, I spoke out of turn. But I was raised with the history of my people, and it taught all Ojnas not to underestimate these creatures, they maybe mystical and legendary but they are wild and dangerous with the instinct to kill when they choose to do so."

"I'll talk to the Captain. I promise." Jon answered. "I'll pass on the concern of dealing, interacting with these creatures. I and the captain certainly don't want to have anyone injured or killed over this encounter. As for apologizing, you have nothing to apologize for. I want you to always feel free to speak your mind and give your opinion that's part of being a Starfleet officer." He reminded her.

"An Officer is and should be loyal to his or her superiors, at this time I fail to meet that criteria. My thoughts are not one of loyalty but one of wishing to change the direction of this crews loyalty to a more fitting Commander. That is not what an Ojnas Officer is or how they should think." Imik now looked directly at Jon, "Should I not apologise for that? Should I be allowed to think in that fashion?"

Jon sighed, "Imik, you are loyal just because you advocate a different approach to these creatures does not make you disloyal. Know the difference."

Imik bowed again, "I simply fear what could happen, this crew seem to think these creatures are benign and honest. They are not, they are creatures of habit and that habit is survival pure and simple." Stepping forward she placed her hand on Jon's forehead, *This is how they communicate, but they also read your mind while they do so. They learn your weaknesses while you are unaware that they have done so, my people lost six to them.* Imik now removed her hand, "Ethical behaviour is not uppermost in their minds, destroying and killing an enemy is."

"I will be sure to pass this on to Deanna and Callie as well as the rest of the away team members. I don't want our away to lose anyone like the Onjas did. I will make sure everyone stays alert and on their toes while around the dragons and take nothing for granted."

A simple nod was Imik's response, "They have read your mind, and those of the others. They will lure you into a false sense of security so you let your defences down, as did we. Chaos dragons simply attack, Harmony will defend unless there are young or something else catches their attention. You are defenceless after that, and in a place well known to them."

Imik gave a weak smile and bowed for a third time, "Go to them Commander, save them from their misguided belief in these mystical creatures."

 

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