One up One down

Posted on Mon Jun 1, 2015 @ 12:21pm by Lieutenant Cassandra Kennings

1,088 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: All this has happened before...
Location: Cassandra's Quarters
Timeline: In tandem with Albedo/What is invisible to the eye

Cassandra stretched out on her sofa and closed her eyes. "Computer," she said, "begin personal log, current stardate."



I once again feel the need to add another addendum to my paper What is it with Humans? with regards to the concept of humanity. When I was in grade school, I went off world with my parents on a vacation. I sat next to a Bolian on the shuttle who spent four hours lecturing my parents on the 'problem with humans.'

My mother, being half human, took some umbrage at his attitude, but my father was boiling. Unfortunately for him, he was also too polite to cause a scene on the shuttle. As we pulled into dock, the Bolian turned back to my mother and said, "do you know what the biggest difference is between humans and the rest of the galaxy?"

I looked up at him and said, "the rest of the galaxy hasn't been a boring jerk the whole trip?"

My father bought me enough ice cream to make me sick for a week, but he said he'd never been prouder.

And what was this man's gripe with humans? They're arrogant, greedy, antagonistic, opportunistic, stupid and weak. Having grown up surrounded by humans, I doubted him then, but I look back on it from both sides now. Humans can be as greedy and opportunistic as Ferengi. They can be as antagonistic as a Klingon, arrogant as a Romulan, conniving as a Cardassian and, yes, they are mentally and physically inferior to many species we've encountered.

And yet, there's something about them, isn't there? They are the species that said, "come join us." They're the ones who saw a Vulcan ship land and decided it was time to forge an alliance. They're the ones who dream of a galaxy at peace, working together for the benefit of all.

The man said humans were biased in their use of language. "Humanity," "Humanoid," "Humanizing," "Inhumane," all these words relate everyone, regardless of species, to humans in some way. And do we not do that? We look for the spark of humanity in everyone. That undefinable quality humans have that makes them leap before they look, imagine possibilities, and do the one thing they do better than any other species in the galaxy: gamble on themselves.

Being three-quarters human myself, I like to think I still have a unique perspective on Humanity. Growing up on Earth, I tend to treat myself as just a more colorful version of humans, and despite the eyes and the skin and hair, I blend in well, knowing most of Earth's customs.

Those who grow up in another culture, would be expected to mimic that culture, and yet, I wonder how much of that human tenacity still remains ingrained in their genetic memory. How much do they fight against impossible odds? How much do they see humanity in others, and not their own culture? How--

--do I ever put up with Organics as crazy as them?


"Computer, delete last sentence," Cassandra said, sitting up. She turned to see Captain Edwards sitting in a chair near the couch. "Hi Tiff," she said.

Tiffany Edwards had an infectious grin and she had learned when to use it and when not to. Right now, she kept it somewhat in reserve, but her eyes crinkled a bit with affection. "Cass. How's the Doc?"

Cassandra looked around for her bag. Realizing it was still in her office, she snapped her fingers, a violet pentagram appeared in the air above her hand, then spun, flattened and materialized as her gold compact. She flipped it open and looked for a long moment before snapping it shut. "Well, she hasn't killed him, that's a good sign. They appear to be talking." She sat back and sighed, rubbing her eyes. "I'm sorry to have had to involve you, but I needed the distraction."

"All in a day's work," Tiffany said. "Oh and by the way, we brought some supplies." She gestured behind her where a storage container was sitting off to the side.

Cass was surprised she hadn't noticed it earlier. She was more tired than she thought. "What's inside it?"

"Medicine for Nicole, and some personal effects of Penny's that she left behind before you two were called away," Tiffany said. "There's also this." She held out a high-capacity isolinear chip. "From Richard," she explained.

Cass' eyes lit up as she took it. "Oh, thank you," she said, standing up to give Tiffany another big hug.

Tiffany returned it warmly. "Just happy we could help."

"I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up," Cass said. "Your timing was amazing! How did you even know to arrive?"

Tiffany looked at Cass with a confused expression. "We got the distress signal. We assumed it was for Nicole, since that's why you were assigned here."

Cass' rainbow-colored eyebrows dipped down as she frowned, confused. "Tiffany...I never sent a distress signal."

"Well I know that, we got it from Penny," Tiffany said. "Her private signal. It was going off like a four-alarm fire for about five minutes, then stopped. We assumed it was because she didn't want anyone else detecting it but us."

Cass shook her head. "Penny hasn't been involved in this. I took this assignment with the understanding I'd handle it by myself. Penny's just been here in case I needed another familiar face for Nicole. Why would she have the ship send a distress call?"

"I don't know," Tiffany said. "But it came from her, not the ship. Is she all right?"

"Computer," Cassandra said, "where is Lieutenant Naroot?"

"Lieutenant Naroot is in her quarters," the computer said.

"Is she alone?" Cass said.

"Negative," the computer said.

"Damn," Cass said. "Thomas must be there."

"Who's that?" Tiffany said.

Cass smiled. "Our little girl is growing up. Apparently she's developing feelings for another crewman, and near as I can tell, it's mutual."

"Really," Tiffany said. "Well score one for our side." She patted Cass' shoulder. "If it's something serious, let me know. We'll be around for a while just in case."

"Thank you," Cassandra said. "The sooner I can get things done here, the sooner I can go home."

Tiffany smiled and disappeared, transferring her program back to her ship.

Cass sat back down on her couch. "Computer, resume personal log."

How do humans remain such good people, when faced with so many horrible realities?. End log.


Cassandra Sanders
Ship's Counselor

 

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