Maraht's Story

Maraht Post #1

Mission: All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray

Stardate: 2407.02.04

(Deep Space - Cabin of the Shuttle Magellan - Ensign Maraht - 1400)

Day 1

Maraht was enthralled with seeing the stars at warp speed from deep space and never seemed to tire of peering out of the starboard view window of the shuttle. He had dreamed of getting this close to the stars ever since he had gotten interested in old Samuel's stories about traveling in space. He could feel the warp engines throbbing with power as they sped between the stars.

He was so glad to finally graduate from the Academy. He had somehow managed to prove to all those doubting stalks that a Horta could serve and contribute to the Service. ~Just because I am closer to the ground doesn't mean I can't serve somewhere in the Fleet,~ thought Maraht as he peered out of the small round window with his longer phalange. ~In fact, most of those doubting stalks seemed to think that the only thing I could do was be in Security, until I proved them wrong. Security might have been Ok since an immovable salivating Horta was pretty intimidating to many of the younger stalks, but I know I will be happier in the Science Department. Just because I am rocky in body does not mean I am less agile of mind. And Mama was so proud to know that I graduated with honors!~

"Well, we are makin' good time Mr. Maraht," said Lt. James Montgomery in his brogue. "We aught to have you and these extra supplies to the Geneva space station in another five days. To what ship have you been assigned?" asked the tall lanky human pilot, coming back into the passenger area of the cabin. "Don't worry. I have the shuttle on autopilot right now and everythin’ is pretty clear sailin’ out here." He sat down on the seat opposite from Maraht.

Maraht had squeezed himself as close to the small round window in the cabin as he could in spite of the passenger seat which faced out into the cabin underneath it. He politely pulled in his phalange, coiling it away underneath him and rumbled himself reluctantly away from the window. "I have been assigned to the USS Mystique, an Akira class ship. I am told they are heavily armed, but small and very fast. What else can you tell me about it?"

The shuttle pilot smiled and said, "Ah the Mystique!" He nodded his head. "She's a neat quick little ship all right and got a right good crew aboard her. I know she has a cloaking device and some of the firepower had to be sacrificed to make room for it. She's not as heavily armed as some of the other Akira class ships, but she has a lot of strategic advantage as a ship's cloak is not standard issue for an Akira."

They talked for a while about different ships and their classes, maneuverability, armament and firepower. Lt. Montgomery knew an extensive amount about the 52nd Fleet. But he had been piloting supplies to the Geneva Space Station for about a standard year now.

"Mr. Maraht, I'm going to get something to eat. Could you keep an eye er...watch out of the cockpit for me?"

Eagerly Maraht said, "I sure would! I was hoping to get a look out the front cockpit window, but I didn't want to be in the way. I have been trained in shuttle basics, but I'm afraid I am no great gravel as a pilot. I only know how to fly in a straight line and slow and speed up. I'll start watch right now! “ Maraht rumbled quickly up to the front view window in front of the pilot's seat and got as close as he could in spite of the two chairs bolted to the floor. James Montgomery watched curiously as Maraht extended his phalange above his rocky body up to the controls and higher towards the viewing window. He shook his head in amazement that nature could equip an obviously intelligent living creature with such a strange form.

~Incredible!~ thought Montgomery . ~Such an eager young mind in such a strange body. I think I like him. At least this particular milk run won’t be so borin’. Wait til I tell the fellas on the Geneva about this Starfleet graduate!~ He shook his head, bemused. He stood up, stretched his tall lanky form and went aft to get a meal.

Day 5

On the fifth day out from the Academy, the subspace communications equipment crackled to life. =/\=Shuttle Magellan, this is Geneva Space Station. Do you read us?=/\=

Lt. Montgomery answered promptly, “This is Shuttle Magellan. We read you loud and clear, Geneva.”

-/\- We have orders for you to divert course to an unexplored region of the Beta sector to rendezvous with the USS Mystique. It will add some time for your trip, but you should be able to reprovision with supplies from the Mystique if you need it. Then come back to deliver your cargo to Geneva PDQ. We’re sending the coordinates in a scrambled electronic burst. -/\-

“Copy that Geneva. Got the new coordinates. See you when I get back on the return trip. And say ahoy to my buddy Charlie Rhondell for me. I’m lookin’ forward to that drink he owes me. Montgomery signed out. He sighed and looked down and over to Maraht. “Sorry Maraht, I know you were looking forward to seeing Geneva , but we’ve been diverted to meet the Mystique directly. I guess that might be good news for you though. You’ll be getting there sooner.” He smiled.

“I had to go to Starbase 32 for testing prior to getting in the Academy, so I have seen a facility like that before,” Maraht said cheerfully. “Nobody was sure that there was a way that a Horta could be in Starfleet, and they had no idea if a being structured physiologically as I am could function on board a humanoid based vessel but I overturned their rocks on it.” Maraht swayed his long phalange in front of him in a way that the shuttle pilot had come to know was indicative of laughter.

“And it seems, from my studies, that many star bases are much the same, each with an engine or power room, drinking and socializing common area, a section for businesses and shops for trade, various computer systems, shields, some type of weaponry and so on. The design and layout differ depending on who built it and when. But the basic ideas are much the same. They all stay in the same places they are constructed in."

"Ships can so widely differ in structure, layout, size, crew complement and speed, but most importantly, in destination," continued Maraht. “It’s one reason why I decided to ask for a posting on board a ship. I found myself more fascinated by the ships coming and going at Starbase 32 than the station itself. I couldn’t help imagining what strange new worlds those ships could be going to and what their crews have seen. If you stay on board a space station, you don’t get to explore the universe for yourself because the view never changes!”

Maraht waved his longer phalange again in good humor. “I might as well have stayed in my own tunnel! I wanted to get out there to explore and experience the universe for myself. What wonders and terrors exist out there to be discovered?”

“Besides,” said Maraht, “It is truly amazing to me that such stalky graceful creatures as yourselves would build ships to travel between the stars out of such rich Horta delicacies as metal! Compare it to flying about in a carved out giant apple, cucumber or loaf of bread or any of your other foods. It’s funny when you think about it that way, isn’t it?”

Maraht waved his phalange again while James Montgomery threw back his head and laughed. “I never thought about it that way before, but yes, I suppose that could be true. There’s often something out there that can eat you if it’s big or hungry enough, but I think the most dangerous are the ones with two legs!”

After waving his phalange again in humorous agreement, Maraht said, “You know what the Vulcan motto about life in space is, don’t you? IDIC. Infinite diversity in infinite combinations. I would have to say that we Hortas are proof of that ideology.”

“Yes,” agreed Montgomery, smiling. “You certainly are!”

Time passed pleasantly for the two alone in the tiny shuttle in the vastness of space.

Day 7

By the middle of the seventh day the officers had gotten to know each other fairly well. Maraht had more of his many hundreds of questions answered about human culture and mannerisms, while James Montgomery learned more than he ever dreamed about the Horta species.

~Imagine their surprise on Geneva when I tell them, “From under what rock did you crawl out?” is a popular Horta pickup line! Who’d a thunk it?~ chuckled Montgomery to himself.

“We’re about to drop out of warp at the coordinates, Lt. Montgomery.” The stars stopped streaming past and Maraht felt the warp engines quiet down.

“We are heading to the fourth planet in this solar system. That scrambled burst Geneva sent indicated it was a Class M planet in a solar system of six planets. Look, there they are! And it looks like they are towing another Akira ship!” said the shuttle pilot.

The ship was framed against the swirling colors of the planet below. “Oh Lieutenant, she is a lovely ship! She looks so sleek and graceful. But it looks as though she’s seen some action. Look at those cargo doors. They look crumpled. How will we dock?” asked Maraht.

“I don’t know, Ensign. We better hail them. Would you like to hail them yourself?”

“I would be delighted Mr. Montgomery,” said Maraht with a small crisp snap of the tip of his phalange. He reached up to the communications console and deftly tapped buttons. “Calling USS Mystique, this is the Shuttle Magellan. Calling USS Mystique, this is the Shuttle Magellan. Come in Mystique.”

(Reply CO, FO, CONN, Any)

(Posted by Sheila)

Maraht Visits Sickbay

Mission: In the Hands of an Angry God

Day 13

Stardate: 2407.03.19

(USS Hades – Sickbay – Asst CSO Ensign Maraht – 1226)

Maraht hurried down to the Main Sickbay with the commbadge and his tricorder as quickly as possible. He hoped what they had found would shed some light on the pebbles, and give more clues about how to restore Lt. Bosshard and the others to their normal selves. He rumbled through the doors and into Sickbay.

Finding Doctor Gralen, he made his way to him. He waited to get the elder stalk’s attention. “Dr. Gralen, sir,” said Maraht.

(Reply Holis Gralen)

“Here is the commbadge that was with the body. Ensign Trinin said you would need it, sir. I also took quite a few tricorder readings of the plant and animal life in the ecosystem that has developed in the Hydroponics Bay . Some of it was predatory and anyone going in there should wear protective gear, a sealed suit, and be armed with phaser rifles. If anything from there escapes, the potential exists that it could be dangerous to the ship and crew.” Maraht had both articles in his phalange and handed them to Dr. Gralen.

(Reply Holis Gralen)

“I hope both of them help, sir. May I visit for a short time with Ensign Cynthia Darson and Lt. Hanspeter Bosshard?” requested Maraht. “If they are sleeping, I can leave. They may need their rest.”

(Reply Holis Gralen)

“Yes sir,” said Maraht. He rumbled quietly over to Ensign Darson’s biobed. “Hello Ensign Darson,” he said softly. “It is Ensign Maraht the Horta. I came to visit with you for a short time.”

(Reply Cynthia Darson)

Maraht listened, and gently took her green skin hand hand with his main phalange, wrapping the end of his main phalange around it, cradling it carefully. “It will be all right. Have courage. We are all working very hard to find how to reverse this.”

(Reply Cynthia Darson)

“Among the Horta there is a story. The Great Lava, the Shaper of All Things, worked to create beings and places with farsighted wisdom. The Great Designer created so much with such great burning love and fervor that it was necessary to eventually retreat to rest after such an outpouring of work. So the handiwork was created to last for a long time to achieve the desired results that would eventually reflect that same great love and passion for life.”

“You, Cynthia Darson, have that same spark and zeal for life that all living sentient creatures share. Where there is life, there is need. Where there is need, there is hope. You are intelligent, strong and courageous. We all care very much what happens to you. Do not give up hope.”

(Reply Cynthia Darson)

“I must go to see Lt. Bosshard now. He was understandably upset when I found him in his quarters. I will come to visit you again, if you like.”

(Reply Cynthia Darson)

With a final gentle tug on her hand, Maraht left her to look for the Lieutenant.

Maraht detected what he knew to be a gurgling moan and recognized Lt. Hanspeter Bosshard. He was in a large tub of water across the way from Ensign Darson. He sloshed about in the water and sat up, gripping the edges of the tub with sucker encrusted tentacles. Seeing he was awake, Maraht approached him.

“Hello Lt. Bosshard. It is Ensign Maraht the Horta. Do you remember me? I found you in your cabin.”

The bulging watery eyes looked at Maraht. “Yesssss, I remember oo fum bufore." His tentacle tip again poked at his misshapen face and chin. “I missss my beard. No more beard.” The unblinking fish like eyes stared with glassy sorrow at Maraht as the misshapen mouth struggled to speak.

“I see,” said Maraht. He lightly rested his main phalange tip on a thicker part of a tentacle with care. “We are working to help restore you and all the others. We will not stop until we find a way to reverse this.”

“Hoord what oo said. Abut love, life.” The Lieutenant struggled to speak and leaned closer to the Horta. “Won' give up,” he assured Maraht. “Not if oo don’t.”

Maraht, moved by the bravery of the mutated officer, gave his tentacle a gentle squeeze. “You too have great courage and intelligence. Keep hope alive burning inside you and allow it to impel you to survive and you will.” He curled his phalange back under him and said, “Rest and gather your strength. You will get through this. I must go now, but I will come back to see you again.”

(Reply Cynthia Darson, Holis Gralen)

(Posted by Sheila)

Maraht at the Wedding of Travis Keswick and Vren Marto

Mission: Port of Call

Day: 5

Stardate: 2407.02.21

(USS Mystique – Deck 6, Primary Cargo Bay – Asst CSO Ensign Maraht - 1329)

Maraht followed what he saw many beings doing; congratulating the happy couple on the official proclamation of the start of their mated life. He also saw others getting something to eat form the food table.

Maraht considered and decided to do both. He wanted to check on his favorite dip and make sure that no one decided to throw it out as spoiled or inedible. Crude oil was one of his favorite flavorings and was a special rich rare treat. He rumbled over to the food table and reached up with his main phalange to pick up an old used data solid to dunk in his dip. Without getting it anywhere he carefully pulled it underneath himself and oh it was so tasty! He was proud as he didn’t make any drips. Carefully exuding only the tiniest bits of acid he ate small bits at a time. Eating in small amounts this way had him making a hissing noise as the treat was more slowly dissolved, but he hoped no one would notice his indiscretion.

After having a tasty bit of his favorite treat and cleaning himself up of any leftover dribbles with a specially treated napkin from one of the catering staff, Maraht went to greet Travis Keswick and his favorite Doctor.

Maraht reached up and began to shake Travis Keswicks hand by wrapping his main phalange around Travis’s hand and wrist. “I learned this with humans in the Academy. I likened it to pumping water out of a well,” said Maraht merrily. “How do you like being mated so far?”

(Reply Travis Keswick)

Maraht let go of Travis Keswick’s hand and waved his main phalange in proper humorous fashion. He went on to greet the good doctor.

“Dr. Vren Marto!” said Maraht. “You are the best doctor in Sickbay, and it is always a pleasure to see you. Congratulations on your joining with the mate of your choice,” said Maraht happily.

(Reply Dr. Keswick)

“Oh I understand. I hope you like your gifts from me and Physioc. That was why we went onto the Starbase and Physioc got hurt when we got attacked by that mob; we had to go shopping while we had the chance. I had never been shopping before, you see.” Maraht reached up and gently wrapped his main phalange around Marto’s hand. “You deserve to be happy. May you have many hatchings.”

(Reply Dr. Keswick)

Maraht gave a final gentle squeeze to the doctor’s hand and turned to go back to have some more of that tasty dip. Between him and the food table was a Bajoran group of stalks; obviously the Vren family. Maraht courteously tucked his larger phalange under him and greeted each one, commenting on how wonderful it was to meet them. Maraht remembered Vren Dora, the only male of the group from the stag ritual party the evening prior, and made sure to warmly greet him. They all seemed very polite, though a little surprised at meeting Maraht.

On his way back toward the food table, Maraht passed a few of the Klingons. They seemed uncomfortable. Maraht paused thoughtfully. ~I wonder if I could make them feel more at home.~ He had an idea.

Rumbling up to T’gokh with his main phalange sternly curled under him to keep it from showing his glee, Maraht firmly planted himself in front of the Klingon. He waited quietly until he was noticed.

(Reply T’gokh)

“I am aware you have not felt as…comfortable aboard the Mystique as you would on your own ship. Would you or any of your fellow Klingons might enjoy a workout with me on one of the holodecks? That is… if you think you can survive it…?”

(Reply T’gokh)

“Most humanoids would run in fear after glimpsing one of my holodeck workout programs. I am speaking of bubbling lakes of hot lava, burning pools of acid, the stench of poisonous gases, the ground spouting hot sudden geyers of water and steam, all stalked by insidious strong creatures who I fight with no weapons. I use only what I was hatched with… although if you think you need a blade of some sort… I suppose you might bring one.” Maraht made a noise that he knew conveyed contempt for such unnecessary burdens.

(Reply T’gokh)

(Posted by Sheila)

Maraht's Calisthenics Program

Mission: Port of Call

Day 5

Stardate: 2407.02.21

(USS Mystique – Holodeck 1 - Asst CSO Ensign Maraht - 1939

The doors to the holodeck swooshed opened letting out a blast of heat. Maraht let it wash over him; it felt so good. Too bad the Klingons were not allowed to stay to work out with him.

Wistfully he looked around the transformed holodeck. With nostalgia he studied the bubbling pools of acid sending up great clouds of noxious gases, the lava lake nearby popping and belching and the other hot lake off in the distance surrounding a distant churning volcano, the sudden startling music of hot geysers that swirled and gushed nearby, and the sizzling spires of rock that occasionally cracked and tumbled about him. The red colored sun in the sky cast everything in a blood tinged light.

Maraht was like any of his species, normally peaceful. But with the Federation at war with itself, he felt it necessary to challenge himself and keep on his tactical ‘toes’ as much as possible. So periodically he would do a more strenuous workout such as this one. No single workout of his was ever the same.

For now all was quiet. But that was about to change. “Computer level two, Maraht program beta gamma one. Start program.”

In the distance there was a roar. Maraht scurried around and began tunneling near the base of an exceptionally large thick rock spire. Within seconds he was through the crust and under the rocky spire waiting quietly.

The ground shook. A great monstrous reptilian creature with a large body and powerful hind legs and tail, huge jaws and teeth, beady cunning eyes, and tiny front forelegs came crashing through past the rocky spires. It stopped and was quiet, sniffing the air suspiciously.

Maraht was able to detect where it was and when it stopped. He burrowed quickly and carefully. The spire vibrated and small chunks rattled off its sides. Maraht stopped listening. The great creature roared and came closer, seeing movement. Maraht continued tunneling under the base and just before the spire came down he burrowed out of the way in time. The spire went crashing right into the beast’s great head and cracked its skull. It went down with a thunderous roar and pulled down some of the more fragile rock spires with it.

For a moment, the quiet returned. Then a great snarling cry came from the sky. Maraht came up from the below ground and sat in the tunnel mouth. A large flying creature sailed up above on great leathery wings and was followed by three more. It had a long beakish snout with fangs, scaly looking skin and two powerful back legs for gripping and tearing prey. The fingerlike talons in the middle of its wing ridges were useful for pinning down anything living, before tearing it to shreds with its razor-sharp teeth.

All four of the creatures descended on the great slain beast and began voraciously tearing it to shreds to feed. Maraht waited for them to become sated and quietly backed down his tunnel. He began to burrow again, and tunneled in the direction of the large dead carcass, deep underground. He began to criss cross underneath the enormous dead creature only about 10 feet below the surface to weaken the ground below it. It wasn’t long before the body crashed through the ground to the pit below that Maraht had created. The creatures started up in fright, but were not about to leave such a feast. They settled to feeding once again.

Maraht was about to grab one of the flapping leathery creatures from the side wall of the pit to pull it into a tunnel and trap it, but halted. The ground began vibrating in an enormous earthquake. The rocky earth around him convulsed like a living thing and a crack opened up near the dead carcass. Maraht scurried out to the top of the ground in order to preserve his rocky carapace by staying away from any possible lava flows. Though he could tolerate great heat, he did not push the holodeck safeties to their limits and opted to steer clear of any of the melted flowing rock. The flying reptiles ignored the earthquake and kept feeding, tearing out great chunks of ichoric meat.

Sure enough the lava began to pour out and headed for the pit Maraht had created as the lowest point. It cascaded over the edge and fell on the dead carcass and the greedy flying reptiles. They hardly had time to snarl or cry out before the lava covered them in a glowing hot red and orange hissing pool. Maraht left them to their fate and journey deeper into the hostile world.

NRPG: Perhaps this is the real reason why the dinosaurs died out. There could have been Hortas around at the time......!

(Reply none or any IYW)

(Posted by Sheila)

Maraht at the Hades Launch Party meeting a Special Friend

Mission: Port of Call

Day 12

Stardate 2407.02.28

(USS Hades - Largest Holodeck – Asst CSO Ensign Maraht - 1903)

Ranae just joined Maraht again when there was an unmistakable rumbling sound. Ranae gave her friend a poke as another Horta moved across the floor towards them.

Maraht turned in surprise; and was stunned. He could barely move and didn’t even twitch a single phalange.

An absolutely beautiful Horta was coming toward him. She too was adorned with sparkling jewels that flashed in the light as he was, but with the addition of a string of pearls that accentuated her thicker lovely extra fine fringe. She was reddish with flecks of black and white granite. Maraht thought she was the most lovely Horta he had ever seen.

As the female Horta reached them, Ranae introduced her to Maraht.

"Maraht, meet Oona, she's a gift from me to you. You can come to any holodeck whenever you get homesick, and ask for the RumblesOne program and you'll find yourself back on, or rather in, Janus VI, and Oona will be there for company if you want her."

Ranae smiled at Maraht and gave Maraht an affectionate slap. Maraht hardly felt it and was only peripherally aware of the rest of the beings in the room. He was so surprised and with all the excitement over the bomb hunt, Physioc getting hurt and wedding rituals that he had forgotten how homesick he had been before getting to know the crewmembers.

He struggled to get some words out through his astonishment. “Ranae, will she be able to be stay for the whole launch party? Can she come to my quarters or must she stay on the holodeck? I can take pictures of her to send home to Venerable Mother, can’t I?” Maraht knew he was beginning to babble idiotically, but he didn’t care.

(Reply Ammon Ranae)

Maraht, noticing that Oona had no vox, hesitantly approached Oona. Extending his main phalange, he gently touched her reddish carapace. She uncoiled her main phalange and touched him back. Using their own native language of electrical impulses that flashed back and forth between them, Maraht could literally see her matrix grow more complex as he told her all about his life. She told him what little she knew about being a Horta. Maraht began to fill her in on many of the finer points about his home and what Hortas do and how they speak. Her matrix changed, growing more fully realized and more beautiful every nanosecond.

As their main phalangi gently caressed and twined in a gentle dance between them, he told her all the details that had been passed down to him of how the Federation had found Janus, the great and wise Spock, the Venerable Mother with no way to speak to the miners and forced to defend herself and her eggs, and of the Chamber of the Ages containing the Vault of Tomorrow. He told her all about his wish to explore the universe, of joining Starfleet, and of the need to protect the Federation planets and their home of Janus from the depredations of Doenitz. He told her of the stories of the first Horta who began the Way of Truth and her great compassion and love. He told her many of the stories that had been recorded and carved onto the tunnels and caves of his home planet.

After all this he paused. “Welcome to being a Horta, Oona. I wish you long life and many hatchings. Let us find you something to eat.”

(Reply Any)

(Posted by Sheila)