Disturbed The Sound of Silence Part III
Posted on Tue May 13th, 2025 @ 8:15pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Commander Brianne Redstone & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Commander Rowena McGowen & Lieutenant Ja'sol H'ros & Lieutenant Kolok & Lieutenant Junior Grade Rachel Sinclair & Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke & Lieutenant Vura & Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble & Captain Edmund Merrick & Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr
1,589 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Conference Room - Deck 1 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD009 1100 hrs
There was a moment where the collective consciousness that was the Silence processed the request that Alyssa made. However, an image of a few insectoid looking creatures was projected into her mind. The first resembled a spider but much larger, the next a rather overgrown and armored ant, and the last looked more like a beetle than anything else. The Silence then spoke again. "We have provided images of these creatures to the one you call Alyssa. But, know that they are but vessels for the incorporeal lifeform. They merely herd us as sheep to the slaughter."
"Thank you," Alyssa said. It helped her to have a visual in her head. And, with creatures like that, it would be helpful to know what they'd be up against in advance. She'd talk to someone later about getting a drawing or holoimage of the creatures to share with Tremble.
Tyler sat in his usual seat with his back to the windows. He would not admit it but the sound of Maren's voice at the moment was quite disconcerting. He took a mental note to put her in for a commendation for her volunteering to be a mouthpiece, it can't be easy on her. As for the information being provided, it seemed like there was a large amount missing. He had a few questions and comments of his own. However, it was his crew that he wanted to hear from at the moment.
"Do you have any questions for the Silence?" Alyssa asked everyone.
Vura looked back at Alyssa and for what she believed was the first time saw the Silence. To her, they appeared to be something out of a B rated horror film. If they were not real, she would have doubted it. That said, they just looked wrong. Regardless, she knew that appearances were deceiving and while might be suspicious of these Silence based on their appearance, she welcomed the opportunity to open discourse with them. Once again, though for her, she was not sure it was the first time, she asked, "What do you know of this species that is doing this to you? Have they told you why they're doing it?"
There was a moment in the telepathic link where The Silence explained to Maren why the same question had to be answered again. This was something that they had become accustomed to in the rare instance that they dealt with the outside world. "Counselor, we do not know who is doing this. Simply that they appeared out of nowhere and attacked. As to why they are doing it that too we have no answer for. Our theory at the moment is that they need sustenance."
Which explained, again, why the Silence were dying, Alyssa thought to herself. And why the Pioneer needed to help.
"But why you and not some other beings for sustenance? Have you seen them do this to others?"
"No. We are the Silence. We do not leave our home. None have come to us and told us of creatures who feed on others." The Alyssa echo said.
Neil kept himself facing the Silence while he began working. So as not to distract directly, he sub-vocalized, knowing the AI would pick up what he was saying through the throat patch he was wearing. "Rommie, prep a three dimensional table top with the known geographic..." He cut off as she projected an image into his contact of exactly what he was asking for. When there was a lull he brought up the render over the table and stood. "If they're from someplace else do they appear at random or is there a centralized place? What kind of leadership do they have? Communications if known." A tag flagged in his contact and he said, "This species is tagged S626D until we know to call them something else."
The render of the Silence's planet revolved above the table, surface landmarks populating as well as Pioneer's relative orbit.
Kolok decided it was time to ask questions. His deep voice rumbled as he spoke. "Is the portal these invaders used still open? If so, is it guarded? Do they have any kind of technology beyond these insects? Have you managed to hurt them in any way?" Kolok asked. He had many more questions but thought it best to not overload the Silence or the Commander.
The Silence looked at Kolok with its head tilted slightly. They spoke through Alyssa. "You are a Klingon. You were not of the Pioneer when last it was here. The portal is still opened and located deep within what you would call a city center. There are no guards, or at least none that we can see. We have not made it close to the portal to see it in its entirety. The technology that we have seen is great, and perhaps equal to or surpasses that which you possess. They are capable of creating life, the insects are created. We are not sure of the process. We are the Silence, we have not had use for weapons of any sort for many millennia. So, Lieutenant we have not been able to harm them. It is why we have reached out to you the Pioneer."
Kolok nodded as the Silence finished speaking. "Sirs, I think that if their technology is at or slightly above our own, we have an excellent chance to succeed in this mission."
When the display was brought up, Edmund paid a keen interest to it, though glanced up to see the Silence then back to the display once more., his lips grimly pressed together as he scanned the terrain still though not as much information yet.
"Deep city center," Neil said, Rommie picking up on his vocal cues as he spoke and a handful of dots began to glow on the render. "So, underground. We need precise, or as close to precise, coordinates as we can get. What kind of underground is it? Natural caverns or a hive type where it was all built up, layer upon old layer?"
Ja'sol looked at the holo display and contemplated the display and then let out a slow breath. "Underground huh? That could present some problems. We'll need to be mindful of what is around us before shooting at anything. The last thing we need is to hit a power generator and blow it up and cause a cave in. We'll need tricorders going at all times to avoid hitting anything that could be detrimental to us or The Silence."
Tyler allowed for everyone to speak their mind and ask their questions. It seemed that he had done what could be considered to be the worst. He led his ship into the unknown against an unknown foe, and there was absolutely nothing to go on. "Alright. Colonel this is your mission take everyone and anyone needed. Commander Maren, Commander Redstone and Lieutenant Kolok. You will put together a team to deal with whatever is bringing the enemy here. I am not going to say that this is going to be easy. But if we play our cards just right it is possible that the Silence may come out of hiding and join the galaxy."
The Silence, for their part, said nothing. They simply looked at Tyler as he spoke to the crew. In truth they had not thought about shunning their xenophobic ways however, they did realize that an event such as this may be the perfect reason to move on.
A Joint Post By
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
The Silence
Silence Will Fall
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr
Chief of The Boat, USS Pioneer
First Sergeant, The Cure
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Battalion Commander, The Cure
Lieutenant Commander Brianne Redstone
Chief Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
Captain Edmund Merrick
Company Commanding Officer Officer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Kolok
Chief Operations Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Rowena McGowen
Chief Intelligence Officer/Second Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Ja'sol H'ros
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Rachel Sinclair
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
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