Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [55]
“Interesting,” Eden noted.
“The second species we can easily identify is a cytoplasmic life-form,” Patel continued.
“Species 433,” Seven added. “The Greech. Native to a binary system a hundred light-years away.”
“Voyager’s database contains a record of an encounter with a similar life-form,” Patel went on, “an insectoid creature that was rescued by the ship and sustained itself by attacking B’Elanna Torres and feeding off her neural energy until its own people arrived to claim it. Voyager was unable to establish communication with this species, but that they were capable of interstellar travel suggests that they were highly intelligent.”
“Do you remember these cytoplasmic life-forms, Seven?” Eden asked.
“Very well,” Seven replied. “The Doctor had a most difficult time attempting to separate the alien from Lieutenant Commander Torres without killing it. Since the alien was sentient, this was not an option. It is worth noting that while the cytoplasmic life-forms we are detecting here do bear a resemblance to that species, there are significant differences, particularly in size.”
“Larger or smaller?” Eden asked.
“Smaller,” Seven replied.
“Continue,” Eden said with a nod.
“The third sentient species is silicon-based,” Patel reported.
“Species 912, the Dulaph, can be found on dozens of planets scattered across the quadrant,” Seven said.
“In its natural state its body is spherical and it is propelled on many fine cilia. However, on the third planet, it is found only in combination with another life-form Seven is also familiar with.”
“The Irsk, species 1629, a bio-mimetic life-form indigenous to the Class-Y planet in this system.”
“What does in combination mean?” Eden asked.
“All six species appear to live and work in proximity to one another, but the Irsk and Dulaph actually occupy the same space, suggesting that one, most likely the Irsk, actually lives on the body of the Dulaph.”
“And is the Irsk the only species we can confirm is native to this system?”
“No, Captain,” Patel replied. “The final two species, which the Borg apparently never encountered,” she added, shooting a glance at Seven for confirmation, “are likely indigenous. Both are plentiful on the third planet, and I believe one of them, a rather large, moth-like creature, is native to it. The other is a noncorporeal life-form, indigenous to the gas giant, but somehow also able to survive on the third world.”
Eden wanted to make sure she had this straight. “So, we have six sentient species living in close proximity on one planet. Three of them are indigenous to this system, and three aren’t.”
“Yes, Captain.” Patel nodded.
“And somehow the bio-mimetic life-form …”
“The Irsk,” Patel reminded her.
“And the noncorporeal life-form, which are indigenous to planets in this system with very different temperatures and atmospheres, have adapted to survive on a Class-M world as well.”
“This is not unusual in a bio-mimetic life-form,” Seven replied. “But it is most unusual in the noncorporeal form.”
“Agreed,” Patel said. “The species that originated on the gas giant should not be able to survive on the Class-M planet.”
“So how do we think they managed it?” Eden asked.
“It’s too soon to hypothesize,” Patel replied.
“Okay,” Eden said evenly, “what else do we know?”
“Uninhabited areas of the fourth planet show high concentrations of benamite,” Seven replied.
“In crystalline form?” Eden asked.
“No.”
Patel went on, “The third and fourth planets are the only ones that contain visible structures. The architecture of the third world, like the ship we encountered, is quite plain and tends to favor cubical and spherical designs.”
“Does that suggest anything significant to you, Seven?” Eden asked.
“Beyond a lack of imagination, nothing at this time,” Seven replied.
“Let’s not judge them too harshly until we’ve had a chance to get to know them,” Eden chided her gently. She then called out, “Eden to the bridge.”
“Go ahead, Captain,” Ensign Lasren replied.
“Have we received any response yet to our friendship messages or hails?”
“No, Captain,” Lasren replied.