Surak's Soul - J.M. Dillard [26]
Once the doctor had left, she turned to the entity beside her. The dimmer lighting brought out Wanderer’s internal radiance, so that its blue-green glow assisted in illuminating their surroundings. Aesthetically, it was quite pleasing, and reminded T’Pol of the natural phosphorescence of certain of Earth’s sea creatures.
“Wanderer,” she asked, aware that she was speaking aloud to a creature that could sense her thoughts, and yet finding it quite natural to do so, “would you be interested in taking a tour of the ship, and perhaps examining some of our databases?”
Yes…
She moved to the companel. “T’Pol to bridge.”
“Archer here. You’re lucky you caught me, Sub-Commander. I’m headed off duty.”
“Sir, I would like to take Wanderer on a tour of ship, with your permission.”
“Of course.” Archer himself sounded both tired and frustrated, and was doing little to mask either. “So long as you promise to leave the captain’s quarters for another time.”
“So noted. T’Pol out.”
T’Pol began the tour in sickbay, of course, showing off Phlox’s exotic collection of biological creatures used for different diagnostic and medical procedures. Wanderer absorbed most of this in silence; the Vulcan could not tell whether it was bored or fascinated by her explanations. Next, they passed by the research lab where Hoshi—now off duty—had been working.
“This is where we’re analyzing the medical logs and data that we recovered from the Oani,” T’Pol explained.
Wanderer had but one question: Are you making progress?
“So far, no. Apparently, they were quite unaware that they were killed by a form of radiation. Of course, Ensign Sato has not yet finished examining all of the logs.”
The tour also included an examination of the main dining room, along with the food replicators; curious, T’Pol asked Wanderer whether it was self-sustaining.
A long pause followed. Negative, it replied at last. We feed on more primitive forms of energy, as you do.
“You seem to know quite a bit about humanoids.”
We have encountered many in our travels.
T’Pol hesitated, then finally asked the question that had persisted in her thoughts throughout the conversation. “If you are somewhat familiar with humanoids, then why can you not use your superior intellect to learn their morphology and physiology? I submit that it might be far easier for you to come up with a cure for the radiation sickness than it would be for us.”
You are assuming such a cure exists. Unfortunately, it does not. At least, I am unaware of a method by which humanoids can be completely regenerated, unless you wish to resort to cloning an entirely new body. But that will not save the original….
“Cloning is purposeless in this instance,” T’Pol said. “I regret that nothing can be done.”
Wanderer made no reply.
At the entry to engineering, Wanderer stopped and would go no farther. I cannot enter—to do so would disrupt my field.
“Very well,” T’Pol replied. “Would you like to examine our computer databases? They can give you excellent information on Earth and human culture.”
Do the computer databases give information on you?
T’Pol found the question perplexing. “Yes. And I can answer any questions you might have.”
You are different from the others on this ship.
“Most of them, with the exception of Doctor Phlox, are human. He is Denobulan. I am a Vulcan.”
Why are you with the others? You have a superior intellect, and more ordered thoughts. The others have no mental discipline.
T’Pol reflected that Captain Archer’s absence was fortunate; he would find Wanderer’s opinions about human beings most irritating.
“Control of the mind and the emotions are prized on my home planet, Vulcan. We practice such control because we were originally a very violent,