Antican Antics Reporting In

Posted on Tue Mar 31st, 2026 @ 1:50pm by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Lieutenant Margarar

1,841 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Crisis at Zeta-294
Location: Lounge
Timeline: MD02 - 1200

A week long shuttle trip was not a horrible experience for most people. However, Maga was not most people. She was the only Antican in Starfleet. The week long trip was, in of itself, not a problem. Maga had taken week long shuttle trips in her past. The difficulties were associated with her instructions. Other than being permitted to sleep, she was instructed to stay, "On Duty," until her new commanding officer told her otherwise.

Being "on duty" for an entire week on a shuttlecraft was not easy. She knew that her superiors had issued that order so she would not get distracted or cause difficulties during the transport to the Wolff. However, sleep was difficult to accomplish when the fusion reactors were making a high pitched whine. Why nobody else could hear it, she did not know. She also was perturbed that nobody would allow her to take a look at it. Maga was convinced that there was a slight variance in the EPS conduits, but according to staff, everything was operating within normal specifications.

So, when the trip had finally ended, Maga's eyes were bloodshot and her steps were slow and purposeful. Once aboard, she knew her duty. She had to report in to the Captain. She asked the computer irritably, "Where is Captain Tigran?"

"Captain Tigran is in the Midnight Den lounge." The computers voice responded.

Margarar sighed. Why did everyone have to name a lounge that often just meant "Ten Forward"? That was a question for another day. However, she headed over to the lounge and started looking around for her new Captain.

She spotted the Trill, took a deep breath and reminded herself several times, I'm on duty. I'm on duty. I'm on duty. However a stray thought betrayed itself and inquired, Everyone on this ship is a young pup! Purposefully she strode over to the Captain and said, "Captain, I am Lieutenant Margarar, reporting for duty, Sir."

The eyes of the majority of the lounges occupants were trained on the unusual canine esque officer that entered the lounge. Anticans were a rarity in starfleet even after the treaty of alliance with the federation nearly 30 years, so rare Talisera had never knowingly met one, though she had received a very interesting data packet about them alongside the transfer request for one Lieutenant Margarar. "Good morning Lieutenant, welcome aboard."

“Thank you, Captain. It is good to finally be aboard. The shuttle here was less than ideal.”

"I don't normally conduct official business in the lounge but I told all my crew, even the enlisted ones if they need to talk to me about anything and everything go ahead." Taliserra smiled slightly. "So come and sit down and relax..... a little." She quickly added the 'a little' remembering something she'd read in the data packet.

Margarar did as she was told and politely placed herself in the chair across from the Captain. Rather than sitting upright, she allowed herself to slouch slightly over to the left side. Her bloodshot eyes focused on the Captain. "I am to be your new Assistant Chief Engineer, Captain. Is there something that I should know about this ship? It is a Luna class. Are there modifications or other improvements that have been made? Are there any special duties that you expect of me?"

'Straight to business' Taliserra thought. "Judging by your demeanor I would say your first special duty is to relax and get some sleep." She paused a moment to sip her tea. "Bar a few minor refits the Wolff is as stock as it was originally built." Taliserra didn't add that most of the ship had been rebuilt barely a year ago.

"No refits?" Margarar asked, her head and eyes perking up a little. "I will relax and get some sleep if you order it, after I have completed my other duties to report in to the XO and Chief Engineer. I know my duties and I will complete them."

"Consider it an order Lieutenant, you look like you haven't slept in days." Taliserra remarked, not that she could accurately determine what a sleep deprived Antican would look like. "I think you're the first Antican I've ever met in person."

“My sleep has been interrupted for ten days,” Margarar admitted. “I am the only Antican in Starfleet, so unless we have a mission to Antica, I’m likely to be the only one you will meet.” She bowed her head slightly. “I am aware that my species is considered somewhat primitive compared to many Federation races but I assure you that I will not let my Federation pack down.”

"Every species was considered primitive by one species or another at one point in their existence, you were intelligent enough to graduate Starfleet academy, you've as much right to wear that uniform as anyone else." Taliserra offered a reassuring smile.

“Thank you for saying that. However, I am not oblivious to the whispers. I am also keenly aware that I am going to be everyone’s first impression of Anticans. That makes it more important that I succeed. So whatever you require, I will do.”

"Now I'm sure your file has already been shared with our medical department but are there any specific conditions you need?" Taliserra asked, she'd mostly only skimmed through the data packet, it being only one of the many things vying for her attention since the ship had docked.

"My superiors would say that I should be left 'on duty,' as much as possible because I become more primitive, as they might say, when I'm allowed to be at ease. Also, like all those of my race, I prefer my prey freshly killed and eschew fruits and vegetables. Is that what you intended by the question?"

"You see being 'on duty' as a state of mind?" Taliserra asked, though she'd only skimmed through it at the time she'd found it rather intriguing. "When you are not actively on a duty shift do you still consider yourself 'on duty' and feel like you need to remain...." She paused for a moment trying to think of an appropriate word that also wouldn't come across as insulting. "...civilised?"

"I believe that I am always civilized," Margarar responded neutrally. "However, what my people consider civilized and what the Federation does are different. According to my trainers, while I have a strong aptitude to do things when off duty, I am much more distractable and free speaking." She lightly shrugged. "I find the holodeck very freeing, though I wish that the fish and meat I caught on it were real and not replicated."

The Antican's response didn't quite answer all of her question but certainly gave an inkling as to what lay beneath the surface. "I'd suggest speaking with Miss Haugen, the manager of this lounge." Taliserra told her. "She usually has a limited but good supply of non replicated meats and the experience to cook it just the way you would like it."

"Cook it?" Margarar asked, hints of her being horrified coming through. "Why would you want to ruin a fresh kill in such a manner?"

".... Present it how you like it," Taliserra said with a shy smile, she'd heard the 'freshly killed' but with so much going on it slipped through. "Just remember some species and even individuals may be uncomfortable with raw meat being consumed in front of them."

"I am well aware," the Antican reported. "However, is that not what the Federation is about? Trying to get along with each other's unique perspectives?" Margarar asked. "I do not comment on those who are vegan or vegetarian. So why should they comment on my dietary habits?" She grinned widely before adding. "I was given these sharp canines for a reason."

Taliserra nodded, "Indeed but try as they might some people just don't get along initially, they will adapt in time but some prejudice's run deep."

"I am all too aware, Captain. For a society that prides itself on homogenizing society, it seems that those ideals are still a long way off."

"No one is perfect Lieutenant," Taliserra remarked. "Even us Captains." She had her own prejudices though they were born of experience rather than inherited.

The Antican stretched lightly and then spoke carefully. "I agree that nobody is perfect, but is not the goal to become more perfect? To understand more and become better versions of ourselves? I am aware that I was a challenge to my instructors. However, with training, I learned to adapt."

Taliserra sipped her tea then nodded slightly in understanding, "You served on the Einstein before applying here if I'm not mistaken. How did you find it?"

"Yes, I was on the Einstien. IT was a science vessel, so it had a knack for getting itself into situations that it was not designed for, including spatial anamolies. We pulled through them, obviously. I do have a vivid memory of an archaelogical mission where we woke up an ancient golem. It had me running on all fours." There was a small ducking of her head towards her arms. "I try not to do that often. It makes others feel slow."

"Situations that it was not designed for," Taliserra let out the slightest of chuckles. "Seems very familiar. We've had our fair share of combat for a science explorer."

"I cannot understand why science causes so many problems," Margarar responded with an exasperated huff. "It is almost as if they are trying to test the creativity of engineers to make the ship do things it was not designed to do."

Taliserra nodded slightly. "That definitely sounds accurate. I'm certainly hoping whatever assignment we have after our hopefully brief bout of repairs is purely scientific, the crew needs a break from all this fighting, we have a good core of security but most of the crew are scientists and engineers, the security have had much more of it than the scientists so far. Lieutenant Brequet can fill you in on the results of our last assignment, she has just arrived onboard too however so I would recommend getting acquainted with Ensign Debbie Larson, she knows this ship better than any other engineer onboard."

"Is it alright to meet with her tomorrow?" Margarar asked. "After I meet you, the XO, and Chief Engineer, I should like to get some rest after my shuttle ride that kept me awake too long."

"Of course." Taliserra replied. "Our current repair estimate says we'll be here for at least the next 3 days, there's plenty of time for you to get settled in."

"Thank you," Margarar replied with a large exhale. "May I be dismissed so I can meet with the XO?"

"Yes you may Lieutenant. I hope your meetings with Commander Slattery and Lieutenant Breguet go smoothly." Taliserra said with a smile.

"Thank you, Sir," Margarar replied with a stifled yawn, as she got up and left the lounge.

OFF:

Captain Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Margarar
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Wolff

 

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