Security and Science puzzle

Posted on Sun Sep 28th, 2025 @ 2:24am by Lieutenant JG Ava Bailey & Captain Qierress & Lieutenant Gregory Turner

1,260 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: 1 - Third Contact
Location: Security
Timeline: After the first briefing

When the briefing was dismissed, Ava caught up with Lieutenant Turner. "Where shall we have our conversation?" matching her steps with his.

Looking over to the woman he clearly towered over, Gregory thought about it briefly. "We can have this conversation in my office."

"That will be perfect thank you." Ava walking alongside Gregory, having to stretch her legs to either match his stride or take a few more steps to keep up. He had quite the confident walk.

Gregory couldn't help to notice how tall Ava was which typically wasn't the average height from a Human woman. A few minutes later the two had arrived at his office. "Please have a seat. Can I get you anything from the replicator?"

Ava hmmmned for a moment. "Peppermint tea please. slightly sweetened." sitting down in the indicated seat. She looked around at the office, then turned back to regard Turner. "What do you think of the Quebec so far?"

Order one tea for Ava and one for himself, he returned handing the mug over to her. "The Quebec is nice and a very advanced ship.

But I'm still getting used to being on a vessel with only eleven decks. The Hera was a Nebula class which was larger. How long have you been assigned here?"


"I've not been on the ship long. So far its been interesting to say the least. I am glad though of the opportunity to be here as chief science officer and get to know the Captain's species a bit more."

"Between the two of us, it feels as if Starfleet Command just threw the Captain in this position without knowledge of how things in Starfleet are handled."

"That maybe so, but, we are here to give support as well. And she will need our help to make certain this is successful." Ava taking a sip of her tea. "We must be certain that we do, as this is possibly a test as to how we manage things."

"I highly agree," Turner replied. "So what is that we have on record about this world?"

"I do not know maybe the computer will have information that we can tap into." Ava having a hopeful look. "Computer please give us information as to the Apergosians."

The computer answered, "Apergosians. Apergosians are humanoid bipeds with yellow-orange skin. Their hair ranges in color from bright orange to dark brown. Apergosians are noted for being the only known humanoids with rectangular pupils.

Prior to their industrial revolution, their planet was home to a culture known as the Ancient Ones, who constructed ornate buildings, and a device that utilized strange energy. By the 24th century, the Apergosians had allowed the Ancient Ones' structures to become covered in soot, to the extent that no one realized that the buildings were decorated. Commander Jack Ransom of the USS Cerritos experienced a surge of these strange energies when Ensign Beckett Mariner cleaned soot from one of the Ancient One's buildings, transforming Commander Ransom into a being with god-like powers.

The Apergosians also had a strong appreciation for numbers and in their words, look for 'digits [their] grandchildren could be proud of.' The Cerritos' contact with the Apergosians was to determine a subspace communication number. However, after the incident with Commander Ransom, they permitted the Cerritos and the Federation to assign whatever number the Federation desired."

Gregory nodded and smiled taking in the information. "I believe their appreciation for numbers is the key. We just have to figure out how numbers plays a role in their culture."

Ava listened to the information, then nodded towards Gregory. "I think we can actually say this, don't remove the soot from the buildings. So, maybe offer some sort of statue or, something else to designate our wish to make advances in our desire to be connected to them. A number does come to mind but I think it would be way out in left field. The answer to the universe the number 42. But that is from a book that I had read years ago."

"Who says that number has to be two digits?" Turner questioned. "They permitted the Cerritos and the Federation to come up with a number of our choosing. Perhaps the ultimate sign of respect is to pick a number that is significant to their world."

"That kind of makes sense, but what number could we come up which would represent us and perhaps them? Might have to come up with something," Ava said musingly.

Thinking briefly, he smiled. "Could be Starfleet's first contact with the Apergosians. Followed by the found of the Federation."

"You know, I do like that idea very much. I figured you'd be able to come up with something." Ava giving a bit of a smile. Now hopefully the Captain will be pleased with the notion. How about we go inform her, and see what she has to say about that?"

"That sounds like a plan."

Tapping on her combadge, Ava sent out a call to Captain Qierress. "Captain, are you in your ready room? Lieutenant Turner and I would like to discuss what we've come up with so far."

=^= I am in my ready room. It is a work in progress. You can come there, if you would like. =^=

A few minutes later, Turner and Bailey were standing in front of the Captain. "I believe we may have found a solution on how to get things on the right track with the Apergosians. They have a high appreciation for numbers, which play a very significant role among their people. If we could come up with a number sequence of significance. Hopefully that would do the trick."

The Gelrakian Captain looked over at Turner and Bailey and asked, "Have you discovered something that would be meaningful to them? Or is this just the first part of your discovery process?"

"This is the first part of the discovery, though we would like your input on this one. This is rather important for the ship and our mission. Definitely need your input on this." Ava responded with a firm nod.

"How can I be of assistance?" the Captain asked.

"Determining a date that you feel will be important to them," Gregory answered.

"That would be rather helpful in order for this to succeed." Ava responded, "What date do you suggest?"

"Perhaps the first contact between them and the Federation?" the Captain offered.

"2381 was the year of the first contact. Therefore, that would be a good date to follow. Unless we need more numbers than that but I think that the four numbers could be considered something balancing as well. What do you think?" Ave looking towards both the Captain and Gregory.

"Perhaps the exact Stardate?" Qierress offered.

"11-22-2379. That is the whole date when the Cerritos met them. Part of that date sounds familiar., otherwise Captain, would that fit thee parameters for this mission?" Ava truly hoped that it did. "There is a certain rhythm to that date though."

"I think that would be a good choice and would send the right message. I would likely avoid anything having to do with the Cerritos's arrival date, however."

"Then instead we could utilize our first meeting with them, our hopeful meeting, 2381. I ended up scrambling the numbers. Had forgotten that the Ceritotos was a few years back. Therefore, 10-22-2381. Does that sound good for you, Captain?" Ava giving a hopeful look.

"That sounds.... What's the word? Auspicious?"

Ava had a pleased smile the captain's response. "Then we have our greeting. Time to make preparations."

 

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