How do you talk to a Panda???
Posted on Sun Jun 29th, 2025 @ 9:11am by Ensign Kasm & Lieutenant Imik S'Niohun
1,097 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Wounds From the Mirror
Location: Security Office
Timeline: Present
ON
Ensign Kasm. The name on the report stood out like a billboard as Imik remembered the Sinkahue detailing her to limit this being to the lower decks, but this being had been insulted and thus felt entitled to react in the way he did. Two things didn't sit well with the Security Chief, 1) the segregation of this crewman from the other crew, 2) he was security and it was her job to enroll him into the section. "S'Nihun to Kasm, report to the security office and the chief of security."
Kasm stopped moving after receiving the summons to the security chief. Pulling out his mini-PADD, he pulled up the schematics for the Washington and made sure he knew were he was going. Having spent his time on board so far in the secondary hull, he had memorized pretty much every corridor and access point, as well as nearly all of the jeffrey tubes. But had spent nearly no time in the primary hull except when returning to his quarters for his rest period.
Stepping onto the turbo lift and declaring his desired destination he was still fascinated after all this time at the marvels of Federation technology and the smoothness and efficiency with which the elevators worked on starships. Such devices would be a significant boon in the mines on his home world. Especially considering that at times he would have to walk for an hour through the darkness under a mountain to reach his assigned digging point.
Arriving at the security office Kasm walks in and steps up to the desk, due to his height his head just clears the top of the desk, "You have requested my presence, I present myself to you".
Looking at the being before her, Imik now stood and then approached a cupboard. From it she pulled two futons and placed them on the floor in front of her desk, "Please sit Ensign, I am Chief of Security imik S'Niohun. Most simply call me Imik as do all our own people or Lieutenant, welcome to this department. Do you wish to expand on the event that occurred upon your arrival?"
Kasm turns to where she put down the futons and huffs. Then sniffs. "Human... Other Human, Female." To Imik, it seems that Kasm is not aware that he is vocalizing his thoughts as the words were nearly a whisper. Looking at the futon he steps up and drops to the floor on his rear with a loud THUMP making it clear that there is quite a bit of mass there. "Humans do not treat at this level." Staring at Imik with his solid black eyes, a lesser person would cringe away from, especially with the nasty looking incisors being displayed. "Is this a disparage?"
"Not Human, Ojnas. But I am female, does this offend you?" She now stood at the replicator, "Do you wish for a refreshment before we begin?" Having watched Jon, she knew that one achieved more with friendship than with hostility. Imik slowly shook her head, "No disparagement intended, but if you feel this is wrong please inform me."
"I do not require to be refreshed" adjusting his rear end a bit on the matt, "no offense, male human, female human, we have seen that word meanings differ. Being human, other, Ojnas, will need new entry for word meanings."
"Ayana gave new word 'disparage', a good word." Huffing a bit "the human on arrival disparaged me, I corrected the humans attitude." Showing his incisors he continues "we learned from first days on rock at academy that humans interact through physical contact for best expression of meaning. Physical contact is effective for meaning."
It is a little disconcerting to hear Kasm growling to himself while the universal translator does its best to convert his native language into Federation standard. Its clear that the techs at the academy didn't put a lot of effort into the Pandoran's linguistic translation program considering the clipped speech and lack of human 'filler' words.
Sitting down opposite Kasm, Imik smiled as he spoke. "Ojnas is my species, we are not of the Human Federation simply visitors. And if I may say Ensign, you will have to show a little more restraint when you correct someone's attitude." She had prepared herself a chocolate milkshake and sipped it as the Pandorian talked, then she asked a very important question. "Are your people able to speak with their minds? Are you psychic? For the translator the Federation has given you is lacking in many ways, and your species has much to offer those who are prepared to listen."
Kasm huffs a number of times (is that a laugh?), "Varrida is not Federation, humans crave our ghanhn" (which does not translate and is very gutteral) as he says this he pulls what looks like a hand carved pendant from under his shirt, Imik immediately identifies it as a dilithium crystal. "We here to learn of humans." Putting the pendant away he says "I speak in my mind, not your mind", pausing a moment, "human, male, vulcan said words of mind could do, is that what Ojnas do?"
Imik now took a deep breath, "My people talk much with their minds, the Federation does not like it and prevents us from doing so. But if talking with your mind is easier, then I am willing to do so, but I will not engage in a permanent link with you. That is forbidden by the Federation."
"My mind is mine, my think" huffing again "mind think that I do not want to share" fiddling with the universal translator "let us speak, maybe make this better for me to speak human words."
Standing up, Kasm walks back and forth a couple times then drops back down on the matt causing the floor to shake again. "You lead this consortium, I will complete the tasks you give."
Nodding slowly, Imik finished her milkshake. "I agree with you Ensign, I hope that translator is improved very soon, as I think much of your potential is being lost in translation." Standing up she crossed to the door, "We will talk again soon, blessings on your house Ensign."
Kasm continues to sit, watching her move to the door. It takes a moment to remember that humans do not always make it clear when conversations or meetings have ended and he is expected to leave. This was a consistent problem for him while he was at Star Fleet University. Standing up again Kasm simply leaves the room without another word to return to his patrol area.
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