Nevi went over the connection to the alien machine with his tri-corder and nodded approvingly.  He turned to Kler'ik after the entity responded, "I am now ready to apply energy to the device.  How do you wish to proceed?"

Carlos watched intently, feeling a great deal of sympathy for the trapped alien and wanting to do something to help.  "If you like, I can try talking to him and see what he would like done.  Both with himself and with what remains of his people."  Carlos gestures, taking in the surroundings to include the equipment and the like.  "If he's the last of his kind, then I'd say that he gets a vote on what happens to all of this."

Daniel nodded at Carlos's words. "Call me sentimental but I suppose I agree. Much as I'd want to see this machinery atomised to stop it falling into someone else's hands we aren't the only ones with a say."

"Timing" T'Enya said to the Doctor, "has always been an issue for me."

T'Enya raised an eyebrow at the conversation regarding the machine, but instead of remarking on the subject she turned to Daniel Carson.

"He needs to to know his name and that he was once corporeal like us. Inform him that we are working to make sure the transition is as safe as possible, and for that reason we need him to talk to the Captain and some of our medical staff -- counselors of some sort -- to make sure he is properly prepared for the transition back to his original form. It is imperative that we are not the ones to reinstate his memory -- most of his past he will need to remember on his own."

"Also, to know what further options we have" she said, glancing at Sorvok, "we need to know if it is safe for one of us to make physical contact with his energy form."

[And I thank you!]

Sorvok nodded his head in agreement with T'Enya's remarks and added, "What Lt. T'Enya suggests is sound, we need to try to spark his memories after they have no doubt remained dormant for such a prolonged period.

In addition to his name, his people's name, and a description of how he was once organic but now has his spirit separated from his body as well as describing our efforts to prepare the machinery that would allow a unification of spirit or essence with physical body once more... you might also want to explain that his feeling of "hunger" is an artificial condition, not a natural one.  We are also looking into how that sense of hunger may be removed, though we have not found the means just yet to do so.

Additionally, you may want to explain that due to the frail state of his physical body, there is a decided risk in pressing for a reunion of spirit essence with physical form too quickly or too prematurely.  That we are also exploring options for finding a way to revitalize or rejuvenate his physical body so that it can withstand the reunion process.  Because of the danger, reassure him that we will not proceed with the reunification process unless he is willing to accept the risks involved."

Carlos nodded, taking in what the other two officers said.  He turned to the UT and began to speak to the entity.  "I'm Lt. de Silva and we are all from an interstellar organization called the United Federation of Planets.  Your name is Tienxu'Boa and you are part of a race called the Zhulhwei."  He pauses for a second before continuing.

"The reason that we would have difficulty returning your essence to your physical body is that you have been trapped in your current form for...a very long time."  Carlos thought it best to avoid hard numbers at this point unless pressed.  "So long that those who could operate this machinery are not available to do so.  Your people's technology is unfamiliar to us, so we could attempt to restore you or remove your hunger, but in doing so we could kill or harm you or damage the machines that maintain you in this fashion.  My people seek to avoid doing harm to others whenever possible and avoiding interference in the affairs of others is one of our highest directives."

"However, we are also dedicated to helping any who ask for our aid to the best of our abilities.  The question before you is do you want us aid you if it is possible, even though there is a risk that we could harm you or even destroy you.  We will abide by whatever decision you make, Tienxu'Boa."  Carlos waited to see what the response would be, hoping that the entity would choose to allow them to help him.  Carlos felt that even death would be preferable to this endless imprisonment and torture.

[Carlos de Silva rolled 14 using 1d20+13 ((1)).  Spending an Action Point, but still only a total of 14.   Well, crap...]

There is a long pause after de Silva explains the entity's predicament. The silence is palpable, but the flat, emotionless voice of the universal translator eventually brings it to an end.

::: I...remember. I remember some of it. The name is familiar, something I have not heard in ages. I only wish to be put back in my body. I have lived in this state, and subject to endless suffering for far too long. If I die, then at least I will do so as nature intended. :::

OOC:

@ All: Sorry for the delay. Tienxu'Boa is giving you the okay to put him back in his own body as is, and is willing to take the risk. We'll use the skill challenge setup from before if you want to use the device: Int+Med, Int+Eng, Int+Comm, Int+Know. You are free to aid one another using other skills if you can give me a good explanation (ex: Dex+Phys to help hook up wires or manipulate switches). You need at least 3 successes.

Nevi spoke to Kler'ik as he carefully watched his tri-corder, "The power flow is steady," he adjusted a few settings on the generator and nodded at his tri-corder, "tell me when you are ready and I will initiate the power-flow dynamics this device needs to do what it was designed to do.  Once I confirm that all systems are getting the proper energy we can re-unite the entity with it's body."

(OOC: Rolled a 25 on Int + Engineering.)

OOC: 1 success, 0 failures. Still need Comm, Med, and Know.

Kler'ik would shed tears if she could. "I'm sorry." Witnessing the end of a civilization by metaphorically holding its last member in her arms wasn't something she was expecting to do on her first Tour of Duty with Star Fleet. With reluctant hands, she used her tricorder to monitor the body's vital systems in order to direct the power flow to the machine.


08:40, Sat 29 Mar 2014: Kler'ik rolled 27 using 1d20+10 ((17)).


Nodding at Nevi, she announced, "Almost ready."

OOC: 2 successes, 0 failures. Still need Comm and Know.

Carlos turns to Lt. Orlow.  "Do you think it might be better if I speak directly to Tienxu'Boa?  You're the expert on mental states, but it may be less confusing for him."

[OOC:   Carlos de Silva rolled 9 using 1d20+8 ((1)).  Attempting an Aid Another test for Communications.  W00t!  Another natural 1.  I am on a roll...just not a good one.]

T'Enya thought for a bit, but really couldn't think of anything to add ... she was out of ideas. Well, she had exactly one ... but wasn't really supposed to speak of it.

[OOC: would you mind keeping your natural 1's to yourself? *lol*

15:35, Today: T'Enya rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Aid another: Know.]

Lt. Sorvok reviewed what information they had available about the nearly extinct alien species as well as the information on the apparent last member of the alien race.  He inputed the data into his scientific tricorder as part of a impromptu data analysis and predictive projection program as he tried to discern if the Away Team was proceeding in the most effective and efficient manner.

OOC:
Behavior Analysis: Can the preserved alien body still be viable after all this time?
(I suppose Sorvok is trying to discern if this action we're taking has any chance of resulting in a viable outcome for the alien)

Sorvok rolled 16 using 1d20+12. Int/Knowledge.
I'm not sure if the +2 for using a Tricorder comes into play.


Regardless of the result of the predictive program, it was quite clear that things were going to move ahead one way or another (Sorvok mainly wanted to know what could be expected as a result of their actions).  Realizing that the Away Team appeared to be out of better or more viable options and that the alien had made his own choice of his own free will, Sorvok accepted that the current course of action had been irrevocably set in motion.  Thus the best that Sorvok could do right now was to lend his considerable brainpower to insuring that, whatever the ultimate consequences, the transfer procedure went as smoothly and as efficiently as possible.  Using his insights into the technology, the alien race, and the science behind the procedure (as best as he understood it), Sorvok advised his fellow Away Team members on control adjustments based bio-chemical reading fluctuations as well as energy wave containment physics.

OOC:
Here goes nothing... Sorvok will attempt the Knowledge/Intelligence roll.  I'm not sure if there will be a bonus for using his scientific Tricorder or from the above attempt at Behavioral Analysis.

Wow... the dice roller decided to be generous!
Sorvok rolled 30 using 1d20+12. Alien Device Test: Int/Know (unknown BA bonus?).

OOC: 3 Successes, 0 Failures, still need the Comm roll. Neither of those aid rolls helped.

@ Sorvok: Yeah, the tricorder won't help with behavioral analysis. However, for the one question you have, the answer is yes.

Adam peers over the device coordinating it's targeting with the Vigilant's sensor reports on the energy being.  Primarily he focused on the conversion of data.

11:54, Today: Adam P. Orlow rolled 18 using 1d20+11. Int+Com.
Post AP 08:00, Today: Adam P. Orlow rolled 15 using 1d20+11. Int+Com; AP.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Mon 31 Mar 2014.

OOC: 3 Successes, 1 Failure. My DC was 20, downgraded from 25 courtesy of Adam's prior Comm roll. Will post the results once I have time.

As the away team works together, the Zhulhwei device comes to life. Orlow's translation makes activating the device a simple exercise in logic for Sorvok. Nevi monitors the power levels and energy transfer from the generator to the device, making sure to keep everything steady enough to prevent burning out the ancient hardware. Kler'ik watches Tienxu'Boa's life signs, using the device's interface to make sure that nothing spikes outside of what she suspects to be "normal limits" for the alien people.

While helping the others make sense of the device's panels, Orlow notices an inconspicuous setting left on the device. It appears to have never been used, and almost seems buried beneath the other punishment settings. He tries to figure out the meaning, which appears to be "poor soul" or "error." It is only after the device hums to life that he realizes it means "pardon", and by then it is too late to select it.

A low hum, followed by a rumble and burst of sparks come from the device. A high-pitched whine similar to a transporter beam begins to fill the air. Tienxu'Boa's body begins to glow with a soft, blue light.

::: It's...working... ::: are the last words Tienxu'Boa says over the communicator.

The whine grows louder, and the light brighter until it illuminates the room. Finally, the light begins to fade, and the chamber slides open. The tube containing Tienxu'Boa slides open, and the suspended animation needles and tubes are gently retracted from his body. This is followed by another cascade of sparks as the ancient device finally succumbs to the toll of time, taking away any chance of finding out what the "pardon" option might have done.

The alien begins to breathe, taking soft, raspy breaths. His obsidian eyes open, blinking closed almost immediately because the light is too bright. He slowly raises a hand to cover his eyes, before stopping at the sight. He brings his other hand up close to his eyes, and his nose slits begin to tremble. The gesture is similar to what looked to be "crying" in the video records from before, but the expression on his face is quite the opposite. It appears as though the alien is weeping out of joy.

"Jal guehen..." he rasps, followed by the translator.

"Thank you."

He takes a step forward, stumbling and looking for support. He slowly and carefully drops to his knees, before looking up in the direction of the away team.

"Yatto...buet wuala yi xiofen... Yatto..."

"Please, take me outside. Please."

OOC:

@ All: 3 Successes, 1 Failure means you revived the alien! Hooray! I wanted to wait until I saw the rolls to figure out how to describe the scene, depending on who rolled what. Unfortunately, the failure has to have a consequence.

It is obvious that the device is non-functional, and the technology within is destroyed beyond repair.

You are all welcome to talk with the alien, fulfill his last request, and then we'll be closing out this episode.

Carlos looks to Kler'ik as he moves to the alien's side to help him stand.  "Easy there, friend!  Lean on me if you need to and we'll go for a walk..."

[OOC:  Carlos is fully prepared to carry the alien outside if necessary, but he'll try to help Tienxu'Boa walk at least partially under his own power if that's possible.]

Tienxu'Boa gladly takes de Silva's help. He grips the Human officer's hand weakly, and slowly pushes himself up. His black eyes stare in de Silva's direction, seeking out the details of the stranger's face. When he begins to speak, the translator follows with its emotionless echo.

"Thank you. You...you are Lt. de Silva, yes? Please, help me outside. I want to see my home one last time."

OOC:

@ Carlos: He'll gladly take your help. Any of the other away team members can help, too. If not, Maryan or Kimble will also help.

Kler'ik can't help but feel at fault for the alien's last few minutes of life, and cradles one of his arms around her shoulders as well, opposite De Silva. "I'm sorry we couldn't have helped more."


There was a pardon button?!

Daniel moved over to assist Carlos, the tall security officer lending a helpful arm. "Easy there, we can go as slow as needed friend."

Tienxu'Boa welcomes Kler'ik's and Caron's assistance as well. Despite his frail appearance, the alien is fairly heavy---likely due to the stone like composition of his biology.

"Thank you..." the universal translates a hoarse whisper.

He shuffles in the direction of the light, but yields to any guidance that the others offer.

"You have shown me a kindness my people never did. For that, I will always be grateful," he answers Kler'ik.

When they reach outside, Tienxu'Boa looks up at the sky. He blinks his eyes blankly, having trouble focusing on details in the distance.

"My eyes...I cannot see well. Please...tell me what is out there... What is left of my home?"

Adam speaks up and does his best to be both truthful and reassuring.

"A peaceful rest is all that is left.  Those who harmed you gone.  It is beautiful, but it is complete.  You are the last.  All before you have long come to sleep everlasting a serene peace.  Only ruins remain as sleepy reminders of those who were here."

Trying his best from what he's seen and concluded from the recordings, hearing Tienxu'Boa speak in person and the information from the universal translator, he tries to speak in Tienxu'Boa's language.

"Above all, a beautiful peace remains."



19:48, Today: Adam P. Orlow rolled 28 using 1d20+10. Cha+Communication: Reassure.
19:49, Today: Adam P. Orlow rolled 16 using 1d20+13. Int+Com+Language.

Nevi watched as the machine successfully completed it's function.  He made sure his data was complete as it was valuable to have readings on a successful process.  With the alien being escorted outside, Nevi began to power down the alien device and began to walk outside to observe the alien's reactions.