Chapter Two: Settling down
"Science officer's log, Stardate 57032.7. First contact with the alien went well, though we still cannot understand each other's language. I went back to the wreckage an hour ago and salvaged a tricorder and several tablets. Unfortunately, all medical equipment and supplies were destroyed in the explosion. Commander Donner has to to recover on his own. There is not much we can do to help him."
T'mor saved her log in the tablet and stood up, and looked towards west. The sun, a G-type star like Sol, was now minutes away from the horizon. Perhaps they should push their luck and seek help from these aliens. After all, they didn't seem to be xenophobia.
The aliens, or ponies, in a closer look, had something like tattoo on their flank. For example, the blue ponies had a cloud and with a rainbow-coloured lightning mark. "It might be a symbol for social status." She thought to herself. Given its mystical flying ability (just how can a mammal this big fly and perform aerial maneuver with such an agility?) and horse-like anatomy, "Pegasus" can be a suitable name for the speice.
had finished tending to Commander Donner and left him rest on the ground. The blue one (or Rainbow, thought T'mor, named after her prismatic mane and tattoo) was watching curiously by their side the whole time. It may be the best time to ask for help.
"Do you have any water?" asked T'mor, gesturing for a cup and drinking. Whatever she acted like, it obviously didn't understand and looked at her blankly. Before she could make another effort to express herself, they were interrupted by the sound of galloping.
Hearing something approaching from deep in the trees, they all turned to the sound and found a purple pony running towards them with the earlier yellow one in tow. The purple one had a horn on her forehead, as well as a pair of wings. Hofmann looked at these pony aliens, dazzled, didn't know what to say, while T'mor found her recent theory overthrown, was trying to come up with a new one. The three ponies gathered around ten paces away and started to exchange opinions and glance at them every now and then. It appeared that the purple pony (or Star, as in its tattoo) gave a final decision and walked straight to her (the horn might mean leader or superior).
"X'uan-jng redo hsao'mago." It said, a wide smile on its face. "tsng genou rai." With that, it pointed her hoof to the direction they just came. It seemed to invite the three humanoid to come with them, as the other two ponies set out to the same way. Hofmann stepped up and asked, "Are they inviting us to come with them? It seems so to me."
"A logical assumption. I see no reason to stay." replied T'mor. Hofmann picked up all the devices and T'mor carried Donned on her back. He nodded to the Star, who seemed to suddenly realize that they understood each other, cracked a huge smile before it turned and lead on.
After about half kilometre's walk they arrived at a clearing. On the edge of the clearing planted some vegetables, and a house and what seemed to be a barn is situated in the middle, surrounded by fence. They were led to the outside of the house, with a total of six ponies present, including the three appeared earlier. Thought it was getting dark, T'mor found two ponies, one orange and one pink, did not have any "accessory attachment", that were, wing and horn. There was also a pony with only a horn, who, at a glance, just like a unicorn in the myth.
Star said something to all ponies and then turned to them, saying, "Ni'mn hsyujau shuei ma?" ,and pointed to the door. From her basic alien linguistic lesson, T'mor knew that a change of tone usually means a question (or a threat). Whatever they meant, it could be an offer to help, for they had not yet been attacked. So, yes.
She nodded, and from the earlier encounter, they already knew that that means "yes". So Star pulled the door open, holding, and gestured for them to come in, which turned out impossible, for humans and the Vulcan too tall to fit in. The orange pony (Apple?) trot in and soon came out with a bucket of water on her back. It placed the bucket down near a table which had several cups on it, and disappeared into the house. Before Hofmann could take a cup and drink, T'mor stopped him. "We need to check the chemical nature of it first, in case it contains harmful minerals or microorganism."
Luckily, it didn't. So after lay down Donner, both of them rehydrated themselves as well as wet Donner's lips. Minutes later, Apple came out carrying a tray with three plates on its back, each containing a pie-shaped baked food. They soon scanned and made sure the food was safe to consume and began to eat.
Hofmann was too hungry to notice the curious eyes of the ponies before he finished his pie. Only then did he realize that the six ponies were all wide-eyed and mouth open. He nudged T'mor. "Is it me, or are they amazed at the tricorder?"
"They seem to be very curious. After all, they have never met the Federation. Which reminds me, we may have violated the Prime Directive, for these pony aliens appear to be unfamiliar with technology this advance."
"I'm not with Starfleet, so that is not my problem." Hofmann said. He was not one for these regulations and rules, only the desire to understand more kept him on board a Starfleet vessel. "We should check on Commander Donner."
"He will be fine. Most human cannot eat or drink after a concussion without triggering nausea. What he now needs most is rest and it is our job to keep him hydrated. I believe our next step should be communicating with these aliens and find a way to contact with Starfleet."
Standing up from the seat, T'mor walked to the ponies. "Thank you for your hospitality." She stretched out a hand gesturing the food and water.
"Mei tse'me" answered Apple, flashing a smile.
"science officer's log, Stardate 57032.9. Fortunately for us, these ponies seems to be very similar to us. Most elements of human society can find their counterparts here easily. As for us, We have been arranged to settle in the barn for the night. Commander Donner's condition has improved, and I believe he will wake up soon. As for our universal translator, they are damaged beyond my capability to repair, so we have to leave them to commander, who is said to be a fine engineer."
T'mor lay on a stack of hay with a blanket as cover, shut down the tablet. Even though the internal micro-fusion battery was fully capable of running without refuel for months, it is never a bad choice to conserve power for later. On the contrary, the fusion cell for tricorder can only last about a month, rendering its energy conserving necessary.
"I haven't realized it's so exhausting." said Doctor from his haystack. "It's frightening at first, then exciting! I mean, alien ponies! Intelligent! And adorable as well."
"It is indeed not something you could encounter every day. What can you tell about them, doctor?"
"I'm a theoretical physicist, not a sociologist. Only they are friendly, and technological less advanced. By the way, call me Johann."
"If you say so, Doctor. From what I saw, they are mammal and have a society very similar to that of Earth. Plus, there're many species that are nearly identical to those on Earth. For example, have you noticed the apple trees? The apple pies? Not only that, but other customs, like body gestures, phonetic of language, architecture style, not to mention how we got settled so smoothly with only gesture."
"Much of that escaped my attention. After all, I didn't take a diplomacy class as you did. Maybe you should attempt to communicate with them, while I concentrate on how to find a to inform Starfleet where we are."
"I agree. Perhaps we should get some sleep. A lot has happened today, after all."
With that, and a quick exchange of "good night", them relaxed in their haystacks and fell asleep in seconds.