Why are you here?

Posted on 28 Feb 2020 @ 7:13pm by Lieutenant Colonel Tage Gillis & Commander Kristiana Petrova

1,269 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Changing Faces
Location: Lounge
Timeline: MD 01 0700 hours

Plate of fresh ham-cheese-tostis in one hand, large mug of orange juice in the other, the auburn haired Russian woman made her way to one particular table. This table was occupied, but it was this occupant in particular that Kristiana was interested in. She didn't like the idea of a chaperone onboard and wanted to figure out exactly what to expect from him. As such she simply sat down opposite him and looked him straight in the eyes. "Kristiana Petrova, two-ex-oh. You may call me Commander." she spoke, her voice a hint of coldness to it. "How are you settling in? Finding your quarters comfortable, the food edible?"

Lieutenant Colonel Gillis looked up from his coffee and toast slowly to look at the person who had interrupted his quiet reflection. He had seen her moving around in his direction, so he was not started but he had not been expecting her to attempt an interaction either. Tage had to quickly think of how to respond. He initial reaction was to coolly ask the woman to keep walking. He had no wish to socialize with these people. It was clear, however, that acting too aloof would not yield great results. He definitely didn't want to get familiar with the subjects of his work either. This was going to be tightrope to walk, and he found that rather annoying. "I'm not sure that you are responsible for my comfo-" Tage began and paused. "I am fine. My quarters are adequate, as is the nutrition," he finished and nodded. He hoped that was all this person required for a social interaction, though he had his doubts.

"As two-ex-oh I am very much responsible for the well being of everyone onboard this ship." Kristiana replied matter of factly. "Which is why I have a specific interest in you. Or rather, a specific interest in understanding your presence here and ensuring it won't interfere with the crew, their well being or their work." she added. "May I sit?" was asked, as she motioned to an empty chair at his table.

Her sitting with him was not at all what Tage had been hoping for. He was now regretting his attempt to be remotely approachable. There was no way out of this now which wasn't overtly rude. Tage motioned with his hand towards the same chair. "I would have thought that my mission here was pretty clear. I'm here to observe. Observing is, by definition, not interfering. Honestly I have no wish to interact with your crew if it is not necessary to my own mission," Tage replied.

"'The mere act of observing a phenomenon invariably changes the outcome of the phenomenon'. It's a basic scientific truth called the 'observer effect', related to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle." Kristiana sat down and started munching on one of her tostis. "Your very presence is disruptive. People see you,their behavior and choices are altered, whether they know it or not. They become less certain, more self-conscious. Less attentive. Sloppier." She took another bite of tosti, continuing to speak with her mouth full, her slight Russian accent muffled. "You may wish not to interfere or interact with the crew, but simply you being here already spoils that. Mm, this is a good tosti. You should try one."

Tage pinched the half-eaten sandwich from Kristian's fingers, and popped it into his mouth. He chewed, and looked at the Lieutenant Commander. "Mmm, you're right, delicious," he replied. "It's true, the mere act of observation has an impact on the subject. And much like the tiny subatomic particle being observed, your crew can do nothing about the observer. I am here, Lieutenant Commander. There is no changing that. As I said previously, it is not my intent to interfere so I will do my best to keep it to a minimum. However, you are really the ones interfering. This is my Universe. My time stream. You are the interloper here. That's the whole reason I'm here, to make sure the stranger in a strange land doesn't get too lost," he finished.

"We could though." Without breaking eye contact she reached to her plate and picked up her other tosti, taking a bite, though finishing it before speaking again. "But that would make us savages." Her shoulders slumped slightly. "We're lost, far from home, outside of our comfort zone, unwilling guests in your home. We don't want to be here, Lieutenant Colonel, any more than you want to be here, I'm sure. How long as you going to be here for? What if, as unexpected as our arrival here, we find our way home while you're still onboard? What are you looking for exactly, while observing us? How do we fail and how do we beat your test?"

"I cannot begin to imagine answers for all the hypotheticals. I just take situations as they come," he began. "But you still seem confused as to why I am here. I'm not testing you. I am here to prevent you from walking into a situation which endangers the Union. It's pretty easy to inadvertently offend the locals of a new city when travelling. You are in a totally new universe. Clearly there are many similarities because it's only events which have changed, but that's plenty. You're also travelling in a heavily armed starship. This isn't a situation free from risk. If it helps, you can think of me as here to help."

"Then why the reluctance to have anything to do with the crew. In your own words, 'I have no wish to interact with your crew if it is not necessary to my own mission'." Kristiana asked. "Yeh if it's necessary for your mission. But wouldn't it be in your mission's interest to learn as much as you can about us as a crew, the history that shaped us and the principles that guide us?"

"This crew is the subject of my work. I am here to make sure they don't use this starship to inadvertently or otherwise destabilize my Union, not to make friends. It's true that I do need to learn as much as I can about you though, and I do intend to," Tage replied. He took a sip of his coffee and thought quickly. These people already struck him as being overly familiar, interested in feelings, and archaic weaknesses such as friendship. If he were going to get integrated enough to get the information he needed he was going to have to look less like a wolf and more like these sheep. These people seemed so soft that they'd actually accept him as a sheep if he just pretend, even he was overtly wolf. "You know Lieutenant Commander, upon reflection I do believe you have a point. We're all in this together aren't we? I don't supposed you'd be interested in introducing me to some of your fine men and women, would you?" he asked.

"Not particularly, no." Kristiana replied without missing a beat. "If you're serious about meeting the rest of the crew I'm sure you can figure it out on your own." she mused, finishing her tosti. "Do you have any questions of me, before I go back to my rounds?" Her voice was ever calm.

"No, I think that wraps it up. Thanks for stopping by," Tage replied and sipped his coffee.

"Of course." Kris offered as she rose to her feet. "Thanks for the talk. I hope you enjoy your stay onboard Odin, Lieutenant Colonel." she added with a nod, turning to leave, taking her empty plate with her.

 

RSS Feed