Understanding the Incomprehensible

Posted on 13 Aug 2012 @ 11:28pm by Ensign Rhett Brubwick & Ensign Im'er Mor'an

1,436 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 01 - Project Sienna
Location: USS Galileo, CSG Im'er's Quarters
Timeline: MD 08 - 1200 hrs

ON

Rhett had finished sending off the last of his messages. He had tried to create a fair, random, and unbiased sampling of the crew aboard Galileo, and the computer had been helpful. He looked through the list of chosen recipients and shook his head. It included most of the crew of the ship. If only a few actually replied positively, he would be surprised.

The message read:

Dear (Insert Name),
I would like to be able to interview you as part of my research into Human-centric thought and behaviors in Starfleet and how it has influenced your experience. I understand that this may be a difficult topic, and I wish to assure you that your identity will remain completely confidential, and your responses will be treated with utmost respect and care.

I would like to schedule the interview for the coming week, in your quarters. My schedule is open for May 31 at 1650. If that time will not work for you, you do not wish to participate, or you would like to change the location of the interview, please respond quickly.

Thank you,
Ensign Rhett Brubwick
Chief Diplomatic Officer/Research Assistant
USS Galileo

Mor'an read and reread the message until she had the words ingrained in her mind. It reminded her too much of the psychological analyses she had done with Braydon. Would this interview be as mind-numbing? Was she willing to go through it all over again if it was? She paused in her train of thought and silently chided herself. This was not about her -- she was being selfish. She decided to type a quick message.

Ensign Brubwick,

I would be honored to impart whatever information you may need from me. Be at my quarters on the appointed day at 1300. I am on Bridge duty at 1650 and therefore unavailable.

Cadet Senior Grade Im'er Mor'an
Red Squad Intern
USS Galileo

When the diplomat received the message he couldn't help but smile. He sent a quick confirmation of time and location.

~~~Im'er Mor'an's Quarters; 1300, MD??~~~

Rhett wiped his hands on his jump-suit. He had looked at Mor'an's abbreviated personnel file. She was the first of her species to join Starfleet. This interview could well make or break the diplomat's entire research project. He pressed the chime, requesting entry.

"Enter," Mor'an called in a soft yet audible voice. She watched as the man entered her quitters, taking in every detail of him. They had not met before now and she wanted to know everything about him that she could before he began to speak. Her eyes followed him carefully. "Sit." The word was not a command but an invitation.

"Thanks," Rhett said as he took a seat. "Well, I figure I should introduce myself. I'm Rhett Brubwick. I'm the Chief Diplomat aboard." He smiled, genuinely. He was nervous, but then again, he was always nervous when an interview began.

Mor'an observed Rhett's nervousness with a smile. "I do not bite," she said, "Do not be nervous." She took a seat on the couch opposite him. "I am Im'er Mor'an, Daughter of Im'er An'anley, of the Order of Ban'kina, Cadet Senior Grade. You can start your interview with that bit of Tarkannan culture."

The diplomat nodded, "Thank you." He paused to collect his thoughts. "If, at any time, you aren't comfortable with a question, tell me and we can skip it. Have your experiences with Starfleet thus far highlighted any significant cultural differences or difficulties?"

This first question struck Mor'an as ironic. "I am the first of my kind to experience anything remotely like Starfleet," she said, "I did not know what it was going to be like when I began at the Academy because I had no predecessor. I was thrust into an environment that was completely alien to me. Everything I do is different."

Although Rhett had not expected a different answer, he continued with his questions. "If you were to pick out a couple of the most striking or difficult differences to deal with, what would those be?"

"Language," Mor'an said simply, "Spoken language is a secondary aspect of my life. When I speak, sometimes I use the wrong word and whomever I am speaking to misunderstands what I am trying to say. There are so many words that mean the same thing, that sometimes I forget and use the wrong one."

"I do it too, the whole wrong word thing." Words were the diplomat's primary tool, and he understood completely how completely confusing Federation Standard could be. It set rules and then broke them. Frustrating. "So in you experiences thus far, how have you found it working with species other than your own?"

"I have enjoyed it," Mor'an said, "It is intriguing to learn about so many other species when I have been surrounded by my own kind since birth."

Rhett smiled genuinely, "Could you tell me a little about one of your more memorable or interesting experiences with someone from another species?"

Mor'an leaned back and stared up at the ceiling in thought. "Well," she said after a moment, "There was the first day of classes at the Academy." She looked back at Rhett. "One of the cadets, a human-Klingon, was seated next to me. Her name was Ktala. I had never seen a Klingon and she had never seen a Tarkannan. We began sharing details about our people and our lives, which in turn led to a fast friendship. One day, not long after I was accepted into Red Squad, some of our classmates were staring at me and snickering, jealous that I was the only one of us to be in Red Squad." Mor'an stopped and smiled. "Well, Ktala jumped to my defense so fast I did not even have time to feel uncomfortable. We have remained friends, even though I have left the Academy to finish my training on the Galileo."

"Thank you for sharing that." The diplomat was incredibly pleased with the amount of personal information Mor'an had been willing to share. It bode well for the rest of the interview. "Other than the language barrier, what is one thing you found notably different about living on Earth rather than living on your home world?"

Grinning almost sheepishly (Almost because Tarkannan are never sheepish), Mor'an looked once again up at the ceiling. "The honey," she said simply.

Rhett raised his eyebrows, confused. "Excuse me, I may have misunderstood, did you say the honey?"

"Yes, I did."

When the diplomat tried to wrap his head around the idea and couldn't, he asked, "Why the honey, if you don't mind my asking?"

"Ta'rkan honey is nothing like Earth homey," Mor'an said, "It is made by a different insect through a different process. Its flavor is unlike anything you have ever tasted."

"I see." Rhett didn't. "I would like to try Ta'rkan honey one day, if it's not an imposition." Oddly enough, the diplomat really did want to try the substance.

"Not an imposition at all," Mor'an said, "I would be more than happy to share some with you -- just as soon as I can acquire some. It is not the easiest substance to find."

Rhett nodded, "Of course, I understand." He looked down at his PaDD, "In your opinion, does Starfleet have any human-centric biases that influence your life?"

Mor'an raised an eyebrow. "A lot of things try to influence my life," she said, "As far as human-centric biases go, can Starfleet really help having them? I think not. Therefore, yes, I suppose there are."

It wasn't quite the answer that Rhett had been thinking he'd get, but it was much more directly tied to his hypothesis than he had hoped. "Could you explain what you mean, perhaps?"

Silent for a moment to gather her thoughts, Mor'an gazed at Rhett. "Starfleet was founded by humans, along with several other races, was it not? The headquarters for Starfleet is on Earth, is it not? They may not be conscious of the fact, but of course they may have some human-centric biases."

"I see." Rhett nodded, "Do you feel that these biases have negatively effected your Starfleet service thus far?"

"Of course not," Mor'an said simply.

The diplomat shrugged, "Well, then, I think that is all I have for you. Thank you for your time."

"Alright," Mor'an said, surprised at the short time this interview took. "You are most welcome."

Rhett left, mulling over the responses he had received.

OFF

Ensign Rhett Brubwick
Acting Chief Diplomatic Officer, USS Galileo

Cadet Senior Grade Im'er Mor'an
Red Squad Intern
USS Galileo

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