Compound Inspection [✱6]

Posted on Tue Nov 11th, 2025 @ 11:39am by Grandmaster M'Hum & Lieutenant Commander Yy & Lieutenant Rune Thul & Lieutenant Commander N'Tgni Creon

803 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: UnderMind [4]
Location: Shitau Kitchens, Dreizhen III
Timeline: After 'Repair Crew [✱5]'

"These buildings to our left are residences on the upper levels, and research facilities below. To our right, the galley." M'Hum led the Starfleet inspection team forward through automated wooden doors that parted on their approach. Inside the inner doorway, he gestured for the others to proceed ahead of him into the space.

Creon nodded and went first. She moved into the center of the space and waited for the others. "What are the staples of your diet here?" She asked.

He followed Creon in and went to another part of the galley. Rune looked around, curious as to how much food and water they have. He wondered if they'd ask for more if they didn't.

"Most lifeforms here metabolise efficiently enough to minimise edibility. Vulcan succulents do not grow here, unlike Vulcan of the past, we do not believe this planet ever held life on a wide-scale, the northern hemisphere is the exception, rather than the rule. This should more accurately be classified a class-D planet, despite the phenomenon of the northern hemisphere's waters." M'Hum clarified, before beginning his answer.

"These spherical creatures however are more valuable than we suspected. Their meat is comparable to beef in its taste, nutrition and utility. The outer dermal layer has the quality of several metamaterials, it has proven most fascinating. More importantly, it can be dried and stored. They are fascinating creatures, we owe them a great debt. The remaining vegetable nutrition comes from the hydroponics laboratories, which currently dispense 11.5 nutrition units every cycle. Combined with the harvest of spheres, we do not even need to consider the use replicators provided. We remain grateful for their provision, in any event." M'Hum explained.

He gestured to a rack of what looked like bowls with their underside attached to the wall, the observant would quickly realise that these were rather racks of sphere musculature being hung out to dry, as preserves. They looked sort of like the hemispheric inside of half a tennis ball (except much bigger), only with the occasional obvious sign of vein or sinew.

Yy looked around the room silently. There was much to take in, but nothing she felt it necessary to comment on. She was glad at least they were making efficient use of these creatures.

Rune inspected it all from a distance. "And you know the spheres can reproduce to replace the ones you kill and eat?" His tone light with curiosity as he turned to face M'Hum.

"In only a few weeks we have made extensive observations. They reproduce, though whether they are vivaparous or mitotic remains to be convincingly demonstrated. They are a fascinatingly complex species." M'Hum explained.

He offered a smile. Rune's tone continued with interest. "Impressive, do you have anyone working on those observations still?"

"Yes. Our second biology team is out in the field on extended observations, they will not return for at least three weeks." M'Hum told the Betazoid.

"Thank you, Grandmaster, I hope their observations fill in all the unanswered questions about the creatures," Rune replied, he glanced at Yy and wondered if she had any questions. He turned to Creon to see if she was ready to move to the next location.

A (relatively) young Vulcan emerged from another area, carrying a basket filled with something grown in the hydroponic labs. “Excuse me.” He said with a slight bow to the grandmaster.

“No excuse is required, your service honours us.” M’Hum affirmed with a nod.

“Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?” Creon asked the Vulcan newcomer.

“Please.” He said, setting down the basket.

“You work here in the kitchens?”

“Correct.” The Vulcan nodded.

“I’m Creon. Nice to meet you.”

“I am Tyok.” The Vulcan responded.

“You’re trained in food preparation?”

“No. I am a biologist and chemist. My skills make me an appropriate choice for the kitchens, for now.” Tyol explained in a typical Vulcan monotone.

“Are you filling in for someone?”

“Yes. Frater Plon. He is in seclusion.”

“Until when?”

“That is not a question we ask of one another.”

“Got it. Well thanks, I think that’s everything I had to ask, anyone else?” Creon asked her colleagues, trying to get a look at M’Hum as she turned. She could read the slightest crease or eyebrow twitch to convey a Vulcan’s emotions as clearly as if they were screaming them in melodrama. He was inscrutably still.

"When, if I may ask, is the next meal scheduled for? Or do your members seek food and drink to their own?" Rune inquired curious.

"We eat at dawn, and at sunset." M'Hum explained.

"Alright then. Let's go take a look at that hydroponics set-up you mentioned." Creon said, ready to move on.

"This way please." M'Hum said, leading them back the way they came.

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