Return to Sender

Posted on Mon Jun 9th, 2025 @ 10:52pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Inara Senn

1,377 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: USS Washington

Exiting the Ready Room, Shran moved to the rear turbolift with Inara. They entered and proceeded to their destination. He looked to Inara as the turbolift hurried along, "I'd like to take a look at this object before we seek out Brigid. I think it might give more perspective."

"Not much to look at, just Brigid popped in and... "Hey, how would you like a power source of near endless power? Yeah sure, it will turn the political landscape of our galaxy on its end, and the Klingons, Cardassians, and Romulans will rip each others hides off trying to get it." Inara mentioned. "You want it thanks, you have it. Yes." She sighed. "It's like giving a species of complete primitives a photon torpedo. And some of us on this ship are exceptionally smart natives that know what we're in for."

She walked up to her lab and the guards. "Alright, me and the skipper need access. Anyone come by we should know about?"

"No ma'am."

Entering the lab Shran stood and looked in reserved awe at this device. "So, this is a zero-point energy generator. I can see the appeal, and the danger. I don't think Brigid provided this to rearrange the galaxy though. I will be very interested in discussing the matter with her. Deanna was quiet regarding specifics; what is this device made from? Did the two of you get any valuable information regarding this device before deciding it was too dangerous for us to have?"

"We know it's primary component is neutronium, because that's the only thing that can withstand the incredible tolerances of which it operates. Why this thing hasn't torn through the hull and sunk to the center of the planet we're orbiting is beyond me, as nothing will contain this." Inara mentioned. "That's not the worst part, nothing will ever turn this thing off until the Hawking Radiation within dissipates, give or take a few hundred million years. Now what I want to know... Is what I am going to do with it, and when I shout out for Brigid, I'll probably get Danu... Or Morrigan."

"It isn't going anywhere because I don't want it to go anywhere" a female voice said from the other side of the room. "It isn't yours to keep you know."

Shran slowly walked around to see who was speaking, finding Brigid sitting on a console nonchalantly. "Brigid, just the person I was hoping to speak with."

"I know. Just because you don't see us doesn't mean we aren't around" Brigid replied. "I wondered how Inara might react to seeing this interesting relic. I have to admit..." she started, looking over at Inara, "you haven't disappointed. This little trinket was something Arianrhod found as she was dealing with the pesky core fragment. I thought is would make a fun gift, though I wasn't giving it outright to you Inara, just giving you time to look it over. I mean, this type of technology won't be available to anyone in this part of the galaxy for another millennia, but I thought, Inara likes science, maybe seeing something like this might be a nice gesture."

"Brigid, I enjoy science that I gather myself." Inara mentioned. "It's a part of the journey, not the destination, and this thing terrifies me. What do I do with what I discover with this." She noted. "The only thing I can do is delete it. For I would see a fascinating relic of an ancient civilization, others would see an opportunity. If you've been watching human history, what did Oppenheimer say when they detonated Trinity? Even the scans I made of this thing will interest even the wrong people in the Federation."

"Humanity and many other cultures are filled with examples of technological advancements made by the assistance of others or stumbling upon relics. The Ferengi for example didn't create much of the technology they have. Romulans never discovered how to achieve warp speed, and Klingons didn't create their cloaking technology. These are just examples of races you know and can understand. As I said, you were never going to keep this, just have an opportunity to see it in a neutral setting" Brigid responded.

"So, you allowed her to view this device in an act of charity, but it was also some sort of test?" Shran questioned.

"You are seeing things in a limited fashion. You have to understand temporal mechanics in ways your species is unfamiliar with at this time. And not everything that happens in life is a test as you might consider it" Brigid replied sweetly. She looked back to Inara, "You'll do great and important things with the information you have gathered, as will your comrade Deanna. Humans and other races are capable of doing great things just from seeing that something is indeed possible."

"Brigid, I know of groups in the Federation who are not benign. I fear them too, which is why I only told only a handful of people about this. So, what do I do? If I publish to the Daystrom Institute, they'll be pretentious as always. The Vulcan Science Academy would sit on it for a thousand years. I would need to build something, within the Federation, that will emphasize new disciplines of care with knowledge like this." Inara mentioned. "In fact, it may be a worthy endeavor in the next decades."

"Bravo Inara" Brigid replied as she clapped. "Morrigan was convinced you couldn't get past your cynical nature."

Shran chuckled. "I wouldn't say Inara is past her cynical nature, but she may be beginning to mellow."

"It is an improvement nonetheless" Brigid replied. "You shouldn't assume the worst in everyone Inara. That Daystrom Institute you seem to dislike is filled with people just like you, people of science. You may not approve of them personally, but that doesn't make them pretentious. Do what you wish with the information you gathered. I'll be taking this little relic now. Dagda wouldn't be very happy if I left it with you indefinitely. Understand, I just wanted you all to have a chance to see something, considering Arianrhod took the core fragment away from you."

Inara folded her arms. "Ugh. They are the driest, ivory tower intellectuals. And every year for their Daystrom Society Party they order the most awful caterers. Way too much salt with the Betazoid bluefish. And God help me... If I somehow end up in some party stuck in Deanna's pomp noble house." The Chief Science Officer noted. "By the way." She tapped a comm badge. "Deanna, we need to talk, bring your tricorder."

"Oh, she can't hear you. I am having this conversation remain just between the three of us. Seems easier that way. In fact, at this very moment, some men are trying to get in here, with little success I might add. I think I might freeze them to minimize the chaos that might bring" Brigid stated simply.

Shran laughed at Inara's description, having attended more than one such function. Hearing Brigid she now implored the would-be deity to release his people, "Brigid, I must request that you release my people. We can keep things quiet if that is your wish."

"It is what Inara prefers. It is her choice, and the choice of the other, that Deanna. I like her, she has a poetic soul" Brigid replied.

"I'll make sure they keep things quiet, if you will remove this little gift of yours and allow normalcy to return to my vessel" Shran responded with a hint of urgency.

"Very well" Brigid replied with playfulness. "Do come back down to the planet before you leave here Inara. Enjoy the scenery. It will do you good to enjoy the beauty of the planet rather than you keeping yourself locked in a lab."

"Well, it's not Risa... but it might pass as shore leave until the next mission when my captain sees something dangerous, and then does what any reasonable person might do. Point his ship toward it." Inara shook her head.

"Yes, the warrior mentality. Probably why Morrigan approves of him" Brigid said with a mischievous smile. "Slán go deo" she said and then faded away with the device.

Shran looked at Inara, "Well that worked out well."

 

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