“Was there more to the message you were able to translate?” Chakotay asked.
“Yes, sir. After Devi’s genome was sent in its entirety, another genome was transmitted. It included identifiable parts of her genome, along with billions of other base pairs that were different. They were included as if they were part of her genome but contained eighteen other molecules for which we have no reference. I think, although I can’t be sure, that it might have been the genome of the interlocutor that was created when Devi interacted with the station’s communication system.”
“The interlocutor was a kind of synthetic hybrid of Devi and the Edrehmaia substance, wasn’t it?” Chakotay asked.
“We believe so, sir,” Lasren confirmed.
“I have questions,” Paris said. “Do you believe that the message was sent to Devi? Was it directed at her because they somehow had a record of her? And if so, how in the hell did they, wherever they are, receive data that had only been entered into this planet’s storage system just a few days ago?”
“If they’re that close to us, long-range sensors should have detected them by now,” Chakotay added.
“Not necessarily,” Lasren said. “They are certainly technologically advanced enough to have some form of cloaking technology. They could be holding position next to us right now and we might not know it.”
“There’s another much more depressing possibility,” Paris said. “If they have mastered quantum-entangled communications, they could be literally anywhere and still be monitoring any system to which they are connected in real time.”
“I have to say, sir, that I believe that’s the more likely option,” Lasren noted.
“Why?” Chakotay asked.
“It’s just a feeling, but it’s based on the general level of complexity of their biology and their technology. Once I was able to translate the interlocutor’s code, I used that algorithm as a basis for addressing the initial segments of the transmission again. It, too, was a series of base pairs and it contained forty-seven unique molecules, including the five that form the base of our DNA.”
“So the entire transmission was essentially them introducing themselves to us and then identifying the one member of our crew on whom they have genetic data?” Chakotay summarized.
“Yes, sir.”
“But nothing else?” Paris asked.
Lasren shook his head. “As languages go, this one comes with both advantages and disadvantages.”
“It separates the men from the boys, that’s for damn sure,” Paris noted.
“Beg pardon?” Chakotay asked.
“In developmental terms,” Paris clarified. “If you are not sufficiently advanced to recognize your own molecular biology, there is no way to establish communication. They’re not going to bother even trying to talk to you.”
“The obvious disadvantage in terms of striking up a conversation is processing power. It is incredibly cumbersome to introduce yourself and identify your target in a sentence that is billions of words long,” Lasren said.
“But it is also very precise,” Chakotay said. “There is a case to be made that if you were able to converse beyond these introductions and had sufficient computer processing to engage in such a discussion, there is zero margin for error.”
“So, we can conclude from this transmission that the Edrehmaia are quite possibly the most pedantic species we have ever encountered,” Paris said. “I’m not sure how much that helps us.”
“It’s a start, Tom,” Chakotay said. “Send those unknown molecules to every ship in the fleet’s biological science divisions and have them begin to prepare models. This is excellent work, Lieutenant. Well done.”
“One thing, sir,” Lasren said. “Devi mentioned that she was assigned to an away team that is going back to the surface. I wonder if that’s a good idea.”
“We are maintaining a transporter lock on the entire team,” Chakotay said.
“Okay, but again, we are dealing with technology that we know almost nothing about other than the fact that she has been identified down to her component molecules by the Edrehmaia. They have some interest in her.”
“Yeah, I see the problem,” Paris said. “Should we bring her back?” he asked of Chakotay.
“I don’t know that she would be any safer here than on the surface,” Chakotay said. “But I will advise Commander O’Donnell at once.”
“Thank you, sir,” Lasren said.
“One more question,” Paris said. “Let’s assume for a minute that this first encounter was simply their way of introducing themselves, a ridiculously complicated way of saying, ‘I am the Edrehmaia. You are Devi Patel.’ How do you say anything else using the terms we know? How do you even say hello?”
“You don’t, at least not yet,” Lasren replied.
“There could be more to the message we haven’t yet translated,” Chakotay suggested.
“There isn’t, but I think I know why,” Lasren said.
“Why?” Chakotay asked.
“Because we didn’t answer them,” Lasren replied.
“You’re late, Ensign,” Counselor Cambridge noted as Gwyn entered his office.
“I lost track of time,” Gwyn said.
“Really? Doing what?” Cambridge asked as he crossed from his desk and gestured for her to take a seat in one of the two chairs before his desk.
The truth was: nothing. With no regular duty shift to distract her, most of Gwyn’s time of late had been spent in something approaching a meditative state, monitoring as best she could the continued existence of her child.
Well, not hers exactly.
“Have you ever read one of Ensign Gleez’s duty logs?” she asked.
“Can’t say that I have.”
“I don’t recommend it. I’ve never known anyone who can reduce the sheer joy of flying a starship to its most mundane component parts the way he can. ‘Attitude adjustment .05 degrees. Helm response sluggish. Requested level-one diagnostic.’ May as well leave the damn helm on autopilot for all the good he does you in the chair.”
“In fairness, aren’t we basically flying in circles right now, holding position above DK-1116?” Cambridge asked.
“Flying is an art, Counselor.
