Unworthy - Kirsten Beyer [65]
The Irsk/Dulaph hesitated once the brilliant blue and green world awash in fine filaments of white clouds appeared. It then turned back to Eden and suddenly its body began to lose its shape. After a vaguely disturbing display of what appeared to be melting flesh, the creature resolved itself into the form of a human man of medium height with unkempt white hair pulled back into an unruly ponytail. He wore dark pants and a ragged leather vest over a simply patterned flannel shirt. More interesting than its form was the captain’s reaction.
She stared in wonder at the figure before saying softly, “That’s not possible.”
“Who is that, Captain?” Cambridge asked softly.
“My uncle, Jobin,” Eden replied.
“Is he still on Earth, Captain?” Harry asked.
“No,” Eden said, still awestruck. “But that’s exactly how he appeared the last time I saw him, just before I entered the Academy.”
“Were you just thinking of him?” Cambridge inquired.
“No.”
With halting steps, Eden crossed to the platform and moved gingerly toward the apparition. “The form you have taken is of one very dear to me,” she said sincerely. “Thank you for the kindness you have shown in re-creating this form.”
Before she had finished the sentiment, however, the figure began to glimmer and lose cohesion. Seconds later, the Irsk/ Dulaph had resumed its normal appearance.
The tour continued through the mess hall where the Irsk/ Dulaph again did its magic, pulling images from several of the crew members in the midst of their dinners. A parrot, a butterfly, and a friendly yellow Labrador capered about the room to the delight of the crew.
Eden did not allow the Indign onto the bridge—an appropriate precautionary measure of which Kim heartily approved—nor was it allowed to venture into engineering.
The tour was completed with a brief visit to one of the cargo holds, after which the Indign led the way back to the transporter room.
Eden tried at every turn to engage the creatures, yet apart from the whimsical behavior of the Irsk/Dulaph, and the occasional, disquieting sounds from the Greech, the visit ended as curiously as it had begun.
Before ordering Donner to activate the transporter, Captain Eden took one last stab at moving their relationship forward.
“The Federation we represent does not interfere in the lives of those we encounter on our explorations. If it is your wish that we leave your system without further contact, we will honor your wishes. It is difficult, however, to know how best to proceed without some sign from you of your intentions.”
The Indign maintained its stubborn silence and with obvious regret, Eden nodded to Donner.
Once their guest had been safely returned to the planet’s surface, Eden turned on her staff.
“Impressions?” she asked immediately.
“Fascinating” was Patel’s first response.
“Rude,” Doctor Sharak observed.
“To me they seem curious,” Kim said. “It would be helpful if they’d speak to us, but I think the fact that they decided to transport aboard at all should be seen as a step in the right direction.”
Eden favored him with a rare smile.
“I like the way you think, Lieutenant,” she said. “And I hope you’re right.”
“But it’s curious,” Cambridge finally said.
“Counselor?” Eden asked.
“They could have been attempting to get to know us better. The display of the shape-shifter was entertaining. But they could also have been measuring the drapes.”
“Sir?” Sharak asked, truly puzzled.
“You think they were examining our ship because they intend to attempt to take it from us?” Kim asked.
“Ah,” Sharak said, his eyes widening with comprehension. “And when it is theirs, they will improve upon the decoration. Yes.”
“Did you really sense that their intentions were hostile?” Eden demanded of Cambridge.
“I’m not an empath, Captain. I didn’t sense anything. I’m merely suggesting that it is too soon to conclude anything about their intentions, as their actions to this point are open to a varied range of interpretations.”
At that, Eden turned to Kim and said, “We’ll keep