Captain’s log.

My first mission in command of Pathfinder has gone well so far. It’s been a little over two weeks since we arrived at Khiyva-four to complete an archaeological dig and survey of this long uninhabited world. The new crew, myself included, have seemed to settle in nicely, and it’s like we’ve always been here. The Pathfinder is a dream in and of itself, and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to command her. I don’t feel that every Starfleet captain with a background in sciences out there is given the gift of marrying their command with their scientific areas of interest. The archeological facilities on Pathfinder are state of the art – I would have given anything to work in such a place when I was an ensign. The team estimates we should complete our survey in the next week or so, but I’m not putting any undue rush on things. Our next mission is to re-catalogue and provide course map optimization around several significant gaseous anomalies just outside of Federation space between Tama and Melkot territory. 

“Careful…. Careful.”

Kqinara’s voice projected softly as she guided her Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Adrasin, through the delicate procedure of removing a hand-sized rectangular device from one of the debridement stations in the main archeology suites aboard Pathfinder. Like anything that came from the planet below her team was examining, it needed to be decontaminated and have several thousand years worth of dust and dirt delicately removed from its surface to preserve what was underneath. 

The science team several hours prior, had uncovered a collapsed bunker of sorts in their scans and had beamed up several samples for examination. The bunker itself was too structurally unstable for them to risk sending a team in – so a probe had completed a detailed three-dimensional scan which allowed for an interactive examination of the space in real time on a holodeck recreation on Pathfinder. 

This find, however had the potential to be the most significant in their current research. Most everything on the planet’s surface that showed evidence of an intelligent culture having once lived there had been obliterated in what the team surmised was a global-level nuclear war around eight thousand years prior – the planet itself had basically reclaimed itself over the years.

An old security lock box which had been partially crushed by structural collapse was one of the items retrieved, and it held what the team believed to be some sort of communications device or tablet interface. 

“Incredible,” Ephriam muttered this softly to himself as he ever so gently moved and picked up the device, both hands gloved. His eyes remained laser-focused on the task and there was a small bead of sweat in his brow – he was very much out of his element in this realm of the sciences. His new Captain, however, had been gracious and supportive in building his confidence in this type of work. 

Once the device had been transferred to a nearby workstation directly adjacent to the debridement machine, Kqinara began playing with some of the controls, and a green hue laser-like projection moved up and down the device several times. 

“I’m running a full-level diagnostic scan. Trying to see if there is a way we can get this device to power up.” She explained with an enthusiastic facial expression.

“You really think we can get this to work? It’s in rough shape.” Ephriam replied curiously. 

The workstation beeped several times, and a holographic projection of the internal components of the device was displayed – several areas were highlighted red, indicating severe decay. 

“We need to make it work. This device could hold the very last bits of an extinct people that at one point thrived on this world.” 

Nearly two hours later, after work from several different personnel that included consulting the engineering staff – the device had been retrofitted and restored to a point where the team were confident that it could be powered up. The technician was busy making a few final touches as Kqinara and Ephriam sat at a table nearby, sipping on some coffee and exchanging in small talk.

“Captain. I truly still question why you picked me as your Chief Science Officer. I couldn’t be less comfortable in this space if I tried.” Ephriam stated. He had felt this looming discomfort ever since he arrived on Pathfinder. He had truly been excited about this opportunity in his career, but his background did not lend itself at all to the specialty profile of their operations. 

“Lieutenant. I did not need another expert in archeology at the helm of my science department. I wanted some key people with expertise in other areas, too. I’m the last person you want to speak to about astrophysics – you, however, can thrive in that area should we need you to. You can lead a team, and you bring your area of expertise to Pathfinder. Besides – it’s one less person who can argue with me since this is my… I think the human saying is bread and butter?” Kqinara replied. She had been strategic and intentional in building the team on board her new vessel. 

She had chosen Adrasin for his brain in astrophysics. Yuzar for her specialty in astrometrics. 

Kqinara was confident that Pathfinder would be called upon for other areas of work, too, and she wanted a department that was nimble, agile and able to shift gears quickly. 

“Well. You’ve been beyond helpful… You have my thanks, captain.”

The conversation was ended by the voice of the young tellarite technician. “Captain. Lieutenant. We’re a go.” 

Kqinara practically transported herself over to the station at the speed at which she moved. For an older lady, it was even more impressive. Ephriam had been seconds behind her. “Power it up.” She ordered.

The device’s screen, which had a crack in it, powered up and revealed some sort of icon that looked like a bug. The screen then transitioned to some kind of lock and demanded an entry code.

“I’m attempting to sync with the coding in the device itself. It’s primitive, but the computer appears to be adapting and…. We’re in.” The technician spoke, providing a narrative of what everyone was intently watching in the lab. 

The device’s screen blinked a few times and then revealed several icons and a chronometer. It appeared somewhat reminiscent in function of their own PADDs in terms of set up. The technician accessed some sort of storage file, and there was an audible gasp from the Captain as images appeared on the device’s screen. 

“That’s it. Display a mock holographic projection of the screen.” Kqinara ordered, almost breathlessly. 

A sizeable holographic display of what appeared to be images of several humanoid figures appeared in a larger format for everyone to see. They had uncovered intact image files of the long-extinct prior inhabitants of Khiyva-four. They appeared almost human, except for some distinct ridges around the eyes and cheeks. 

A mother with their children, sharing in what appeared to be laughter. Some elders as well. That universal look of love and caring being shared between those who had been photographed. The personal collection of a family unit that had long been dead for thousands of years.

Everyone had fallen silent in the suite – only the breathing of the dozen or so officers could be collectively heard, along with some beeping of consoles. They were collectively paying their respects in thought despite the excitement of the discovery.

“So many of our own species faced similar threats of self-extinction. This could so easily have been Earth and humanity as a whole.” Ephriam was the first to break the silence, and his statement caused several nods of agreement across the room. 

“And this is why we do what we do, Lieutenant. Work to uncover and preserve the memory of civilizations.. Of people that were not lucky enough to make it like we have. You couldn’t be more right. This could have been either of our species. It still could be someday if we stop learning from those who have paid a price like this.” Kqinara replied with a soft expression and tone. 

“Commander B’Timo to Captain Ehyver.”

Kqinara tapped her communications badge, “Go ahead, commander”.

“Sorry to interrupt, captain. We are receiving a priority one distress call.”