Audrey 2

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 @ 1:51am by Lieutenant Kalin Brennan-Griffin PhD & Lieutenant Eiri Ashshy Ph.D
Edited on on Tue Jul 7th, 2020 @ 2:18pm

Mission: Into the Wild
Location: Science Lab

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Eiri Ashshy Dr. & Lieutenant Kalin 'Shae' Brennan PhD
Mission: Into The Wild
Location: Science Lab
Timeline:
Wed Mar 14th, 2018 @ 3:22am

Shae was in the lab extra early today. Normally, she left the lab work to the rest of her Scientists and kept to Astrometrics, but they had a new specimen to observe and it had proved to be endlessly fascinating! Their newest Scientist, Eiri Ashshy, had brought in a pet rock from the waters of Aquorat IV, and this rock had the unique characteristic of being able to move but only so long as it was not being observed. Since beginning the study, they had learned that recording devices, even scanners, proved to be 'observation' so thus far they had been unable to capture any data on how it became mobile, and while endlessly frustrating to be unable to collect vital data, Shae was finding herself having the time of her life interacting with this rock! They had been able to establish a level of intelligence with their new friend Audrey, and even worked out rudimentary means of communication using color as little Audrey could also glow in various hues.

"Good morning, Audrey," Shae said cheerfully as she entered the lab and turned on the lights. She looked around to see if she could find the rock, who was hidden amongst some artificial volcanic rocks scattered about in various tanks around the lab; apparently, Audrey liked to get around, but today he was sitting in his study bowl, just a plain bowl with nothing but water in it that they used to interact with him. "Goodness, aren't we eager to get started!" she exclaimed softly when she saw the rock sitting in the bowl, to which Audrey replied with a vibrating hum and a lovely blue glow. "Well let me go get my lab coat and we'll get started. Oh, and Dr Ashshy should be along shortly."

Shae was correct. Eiri Ashshy was not far behind her, also wanting to get a little bit of an early start on his day, coupled with the fact that he didn't get much sleep last night. He was still turning the idea that the rock could be sentient over and over in his mind. He was actually glad, for once, to see the lights already on in the Science lab. Normally, Eiri enjoyed his solitude in the early mornings, but today was different. Even as tired as he was he was glad that someone was already there. Hopefully it was Dr. Brennan. "Good morning?" he asked as he stepped into the room, not seeing anyone immediately.

Shae's ears turned up at the sound of Eiri entering the lab, and she turned to greet him as she donned her lab coat. "Good morning," she said with a smile that quickly faded as she noticed the fatigue in his eyes. "Oh dear, you don't look so well," she remarked as she pulled her hair back and pinned it at the nape of her neck. "Do you need more time to settle in before reporting for duty?" she asked with genuine concern for her fellow Scientist.

"No, Doctor, but thank you for your concern. I did not sleep well last night because..." he looked around for the rock and spotted it in its bowl. "... of this." He was looking at the rock. "It is astounding to me that I have been with this rock for as long as I have and it has never..." He sighed and leaned against one of the tables, putting his other hand in his silver hair. "Maybe... maybe it wasn't mature enough to communicate? I was going over some species develop journals last night and I noticed that consistently there is a period, in the life of every sentient being, where it is not capable of proper communication... baby talk, as it were."

"That's certainly possible," Shae replied with a nod as she approached the bowl. "It's also possible that he's been trying to talk to you all along; after all, you did say he would alternate colors for you before, maybe he finally did something to get your attention to make sure you were listening?" she offered as an alternative. "I think we've asked him enough to firmly establish intelligence, so if you want to ask him questions of a more personal nature to know for certain why he chose now to be this active, then we can certainly make that our objective today."

Eiri nodded and took a deep breath. "I have to say, Doctor. It is a relief to be here with you. You are a rarity." He nodded again. "I would very much like to focus on communicating with it on a more personal level. I wish I knew what the colors meant. I have noted over the years that it would turn different colors for different people who held it, but I was never sure what that indicated. I mean we could go with the psychological aspects of color meaning, but why would this rock follow those suggestions?"

"A relief? Does that have something to do with the fact that you can't hear my thoughts?" Shae asked, to which Audrey immediately responded with an array of vivid colors. "Oh, I think he's saying that I hit the nail on the head; apparently your pet rock knows you quite well," Shae said with a chuckle as she pulled up a couple of chairs so they could have a nice little chat with Audrey. "Oh, don't look so surprised, Doctor, you may suppress your emotions, but your face gives you away a lot more than you might think. Also, I looked you up, so I'm familiar with your condition; if it helps to have me around, just let me know, I'll make an effort to make myself available when I can." she continued with a warm smile.

One of Eiri's eyebrows raised slightly and he stared at Shae as he sat down slowly in the proffered chair. "You would really do that? I usually find Ayan's mind and listen to him. He talks a lot. It gives me something to focus on besides everything else going on, but it is very relaxing to not hear anything at all. Sometimes I feel like I am always on edge." He pointed a finger at the rock. "But how do you know that those colors mean that it agrees? What if it is angry or asking a question?"

"Well, it's not like I don't need to make some friends and socialize," Shae said with a shrug. "I'm a single mother, albeit in a cohabiting relationship with a very supportive man, so pretty much any time I'm not working I'm spending with my daughter, and my boyfriend has been encouraging me to take more time for myself; you seem like an interesting fellow with whom I would likely be able to enjoy stimulating intellectual conversation, so it's a win-win scenario," she explained as she sat beside him.

"As for Audrey's communication, it's non-standard, but I'm finding oddly easy to follow. It's a lot like communicating with my daughter," Shae continued. "Aoife is mute in terms of standard language, but she continues to make sounds that are instinctual to us, it's innate; so it's not about what the individual sounds mean, thought she does have an impressive vocabulary of unique sounds, it's more about the reaction in context to a prompt. A whimper, for example, could mean she's sad or maybe she just wants attention, or a whimper with a droopy tail means she's taking a scolding to heart."

Eiri nodded in agreement. "I understand what you are proposing. I think maybe we should establish a base. Perhaps ask Audrey what a "yes" or a "no" response is. Maybe if we can start the simplest communication then we can proceed to something more complicated. My mother took me to Betazed several times when I was young, to a festival. There was a woman there that told fortunes. I was always fascinated with her processes and always wanted to watch. Sometimes she would use a pendulum. It was a stone on a long string that she said would swing back and forth a particular way for "yes" and a different way for "no". Perhaps Audrey is similar."

Shae nodded. "And a few of the Officers who helped set up the tanks last night have already documented patterns that mean 'yes' and 'no', asking him if he was enjoying the extra space and rocks and water balance, and his feedback prompted them to adjust the pH of the water just a bit. But I personally would like to try to follow his natural responses rather than limit him to strictly 'yes' and 'no' questions; like now, he's bored with us talking to each other, he wants to be part of the conversation. Isn't that right, Audrey?" Audrey had been cycling through dull, muted colors, but that suddenly stopped, and after a moment of hesitation he displayed a golden yellow for 'yes'. "That's a yes, by the way, he gives a kind of violet color for no."

"Oh!" Eiri said in surprise. "I did not even look at the reports." He sort of bowed his head. "I am usually better at this then that. I have been letting all sorts of small detail slip away from me lately. I think it is because I am at a new assignment. The first few weeks is always the most difficult for me. I am glad to know that Audrey is communicating." He turned his gaze to the rock. "I owe you an apology, Audrey. I did not understand that you were trying to communicate with me. I should have paid more attention, but I am listening now."

Audrey's colors brightened up in response to Eiri's apology.

"Oh I haven't read any reports yet either, I popped in last night after dinner to check how things were going," Shae said with a smile. "And I'm not worried about the slow start yet, you'll find your feet, Doctor. Now, let's ask this little guy some questions!"

And question Audrey they did! One of the first things they learned was that back in the ocean was that Audrey and his kind had no names, but he was still quite happy with the name he had been given. They also learned that his kind formed a sort of collective consciousness, and their lights were like a song in the ocean, but this also meant that when Audrey was taken away he had to learn how to think on his own. It was very sad and very lonely for Audrey, but he was okay with that now because he really liked Eiri and now Shae, they were very nice to him and he was happy to talk to them now. Once he had learned to think on his own, it had taken a long time to figure out communication with people outside his bowl, so the reason he was communicating with them now was simply because it had taken him that long to figure out how to understand the humanoids and how to get their attention. They also learned that Audrey's kind propagated through a form of, well, 'infection'; as new rocks were formed through the magma vents on the ocean floor of the caldera where they lived, these new rocks would just sort of become like them after a while, and Audrey recognized that the rocks in his tanks were artificial composites, but he hoped that one day these rocks would be like him so he would have someone to 'sing' with.

Now the biggest questions they had trouble answering were regarding his ability to move. The only thing they were able to figure out with any certainty was that he wasn't shy, he literally could not move while being observed. At most all he could do was vibrate, but even that was quite challenging. Shae and Eiri both attempted to make guesses as to why he could not move, but either Audrey didn't know the how's or why's or none of their guesses were close enough to gain them any answers. But they had still learned a lot about Audrey, so it was still time well spent.

"What about microorganisms? Maybe his movement is determined by yet another creature. It could be some sort of symbiotic relationship... maybe the microorganisms are shy? Or maybe they react to the feeling of being looked at?" Eiri suggested. He was relieved that they were communicating, but he was also overcome with guilt at removing Audrey from his home in the first place.

"It's something we can investigate, but I'm doubtful; honestly, I would be afraid of any microorganism that could survive in that concoction you kept Audrey in before, but I suppose anything is possible, although I just don't think that his mode of transportation is facilitated by an outside source," Shae remarked. Still it was worth investigation, so it went down on the PaDD in her hand as something to study further. And while Shae wasn't telepathic, she was good at reading people, and even with his rigid Vulcan discipline over his emotions, she could tell that something was bothering Eiri. "Something's bothering you, what is it?"

"I feel guilt... for removing him from his home. It must have been very difficult for him to adjust without his collective. I am pleased that he is comfortable now, but I did not know that I was removing anything more than a rock. I feel like I have abused him in making him sit in a bowl on my desk as if he was some sort of novelty." He sighed.

Shae released a gentle sigh as she considered how to respond, then looked to Audrey. "What do you think, Audrey?" Audrey lit up in bright, vivid colors, a song of joy and excitation, and Shae smiled. "See, he's happy! I'm sure he knows now that you didn't mean any harm; you didn't know he was sentient, hence the need to get your attention the way he did." Audrey shimmered in golden tones to affirm 'yes', then continued his song of colors. It was then that Shae removed the thin rimmed glasses that rested on her nose, addressing Eiri with a warm, earnest gaze. "Look, he may have been 'just a rock' to you for years, but you never forgot about him; you didn't tuck him away in a sample container never to be seen again, you kept him near you in conditions that favored him, you gave him people to interact with when you used him as a meditation object, and I speak from experience when I say that when you're lonely, any new face you see is a good one. It may not have been ideal, but you were not unkind to him in anyway, and when he finally got your attention you did something about it. I think it's okay to forgive yourself, because he has already forgiven you." To which Audrey again replied with a brilliant 'YES!'

Eiri laughed. "Well, I am glad of that. How do you suggest that we proceed from here, Dr. Brennan? We will have to report our findings, of course. I just hope that Starfleet is not going to request Audrey for study. I would have no choice but to give him up. I would like to see if he will create his own colony here. Of course, we could withhold our information, but that would be outside of our chain of command. I have a friend, in the science department at Starfleet. He helped me when I first did the research to classify Audrey. I could contact him..."

"Oh no, no hiding anything, we do everything by the book," Shae affirmed gently. "Since you already have connections and you specialize in taxonomy, I'm willing to let you take the lead on Audrey's research and classifications. If I had to guess, the only concern Starfleet Science might have with Audrey is maybe the potential dangers of releasing him into the wild; he could be considered an invasive species if he can convert other rocks into his kind, but even then they're still just rocks, so I don't see where there would be any real harm, it's just something to consider. That being said, now that we know, we can make other scientists on Aquorat aware of situation so they'll take more care with their studies, maybe make the caldera a protected sanctuary, and open lines of communication between them and the rocks."

Eiri nodded. "It is true. Your help here has been invaluable as well. I will make sure that Starfleet also knows that. I will be more than happy to make all the reports. I just do not want to see him removed from his potential new colony. He has always brought me comfort. I do not wish to see him harmed in the name of Science." He smiled a little. "As to the cause of his locomotion... I just had a thought. Perhaps it is air or water, if there is enough under him maybe he can use his ability to vibrate to slide along although, now that I say that outloud I don't know how he would use that method to climb into the bowl... hum..."

"At the moment, I see no reason why Starfleet would want to take him; while we're still gathering data on his level of intelligence, we've definitely managed to confirm sentience, and there are rules for how sentient life forms are to be handled," Shae countered. "His home is with you now, for Starfleet to step in and disrupt that would be a violation of the laws that now protect Audrey and ensure humane treatment. I have some influences of my own, I'll make sure he's not taken away," Shae assured him. "As to his form of locomotion, I am totally stumped. We can keep testing different theories, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this is one mystery we may never fully understand." But such was life and it was little mysteries like this that kept things interesting for Shae.

Eiri nodded. "It is true. Everything that you say and we may never know, but I would like to keep trying. I want to make sure that Audrey has everything that he needs to be comfortable. Perhaps he needs exercise or out of his bowl every now and then... I also do not wish to contain him in something he cannot get out of. I do not want him to feel like he is a prisoner."

"Absolutely, keep trying," Shae said with a nod. "I don't think he would like being out of the water, you already stated that he stops cycling through colors when he gets dry, but he does seem to enjoy the freedom of the extra tanks we've set up. Maybe you can test variances in light and water pressure since he's likely accustomed to much deeper water. I think the pH is about right, but it wouldn't hurt to try introducing other life forms that would be found in the ocean, like plankton or algae, and you could probably play around with water temperature as well to see if there's something he likes better." All the while she was making notations in Audrey's file, but when she was done she handed the PaDD over to Eiri. "He's all yours, Doctor; have fun and let me know if you need anything."

Eiri looked at her in mild surprise. "Are you sure that I can be trusted with my own assignment, Dr. Brennan?" He was new to the ship. Regardless of his credentials, trust is earned. "I am certain that you would like progress reports?"

"Why wouldn't I trust you?" Shae replied earnestly. "It's not like you're a first year Ensign who's bound to get into trouble, not to mention we've established that you aren't bonkers and hallucinating a moving rock; Audrey is yours anyway so I don't see what the problem is. Progress reports are standard for any study, I'll pop in periodically to chat, you'll be fine."

Eiri nodded earnestly. He also stood. "I am nervous because it is my first time serving in this capacity. It is strange to be left on my own to do things I love." He chuckled softly. "Thank you again, Dr. Brennan."

"Oh trust me, I know the feeling; this is my first stint as a department head, so I understand how you're feeling," Shae replied with a smile. Then she tucked her glasses into her jacket and rose to her paws. "Well,I have to get back to Astrometrics, so I'll let you get to it." And with that, Shae departed the lab, giving him one last reassuring smile as she walked through the door.

[Later]

Eiri slipped into the doorway of the quarters that he shared with his husband, Ayan. The tall Bajoran still heard him, even though he was trying to be quiet.

Ayan came from the bedroom and stopped when he saw Eiri leaning against the door. "Are you alright, love? Was everything okay?"

Eiri nodded and looked at Ayan. Ayan looked totally confused, but Eiri was about to put his mind at ease. "So... do you remember the rock in my office?"

Ayan stepped closer, tipping his head to one side and furrowing his eyebrows. "Yes?"

"It is alive and sentient..."