AAR: A Bug's Life

Subspace Network Reports
,
1
Stardate:
101028.8
Filed By:
CMDR Sedai, Katriel
Clearance:

LOCATION Derelict alien station, Kelt Region, Doza Sector

MISSION Observational study of Keltian diplopoda species. Reach conclusion on species sentience, if possible.

OUTCOME 1 week study completed without incident or signs of hostility from species individuals. See below for study’s concluding observations.

KEY PERSONNEL

  • CAPT Kermit
  • CMDR Sedai
  • LCDR Kuvak
  • LT Vehl
  • ENS Idrael

NARRATIVE Due to LCDR Kuvak’s discovery that the derelict station has an automatic defense mechanism where it raises shields whenever a sufficiently large mass crosses a proximity threshhold, CAPT Kermit ordered a transporter ‘relay’ to be set up, consisting of an additional shuttle positioned at max transporter range from the station. This allowed us to freely beam to and from Reyga to station for the duration of study.

Crossing the threshold to the primary crystal chamber at the center of the station resulted in all of our devices suddenly losing power, though crossing back restored it immediately.

We did spend some time trying to discern (through pheromone litmus testing kits) whether or not there might be a ‘queen’ individual present and in command of the colony, but no individual stood out in this manner. Based on results from the extended study, where multiple adult specimens were observed laying eggs, there most likely does not exist a single queen figure.

A compiled report of findings from continued observational study can be found attached.

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

  • As best we can tell, the insects are principally pheromone-driven and score roughly around a 1 or 2 on the Velara-Vanderberg scale in Subjective Experience. This makes them generally ineligible for classification as sentient life by the scale’s standards.

    • This is supported by telepathic observations of individuals further away from the unidentified crystal structure (which can overwhelm telepathic senses); the insects emit no structured thought and present only simple emotional states.
    • This is only a preliminary score based on the observations we’ve been able to make so far. Scoring in the other areas would require us to begin to experiment and disrupt their regular behavioral patterns so we can study their reactions, which was beyond the scope of the one week study.

  • The unidentified crystal structure (UCS) has been confirmed to be emitting an uncommon sort of electromagnetic field, with frequency folding to generate multiple ‘layers’ of frequency that create complex interactions with surrounding bioelectric systems (i.e. lifeforms).

    • This is a distinctly physical phenomenon, but because the field appears to primarily affect the function of lifeforms’ neural synapses, it was periodically identified as psionic energy instead.

  • Several probes that were sent out to investigate surrounding planetary bodies to the station have returned with inconclusive results; none of them were able to provide definitive evidence of insect colonies elsewhere. However, the probe survey was cursory at best and given that the size of a stable colony is around fifty individuals, it seems probable that our probes could have missed seeing signs elsewhere. A manned investigation is potentially warranted.

RECOMMENDATION The species has given no indications that we can identify that it has chosen through sentient thought or reasoning to be present on the station for any particular purpose. It may be morally permissible for Starfleet to migrate them.

However, given that our week long study was performed in fairly total harmony with the creatures, this does demand some critical consideration for the method that should ultimately be used to complete the migration. They are CLEARLY NON-AGGRESSIVE UNLESS PROVOKED and it would be a severe breach of principle to treat them unequally.

Specific items for consideration:

  • The unidentified crystal structure seems to be tied in specifically with the insects’ resting or sleeping behavior. They freely move out of its direct influence when foraging or performing nesting duties.
  • Using artificial foraging pheromone trails may be key to getting insects to move to food sources that we provide for them.
  • Insect nests and eggs MUST BE CONSIDERED and taken care of fairly in the migration plan.
  • Reports indicate that the UCS on this station is actually the second one of its kind that was discovered; if this is true, further study should be completed on other crystals of this kind and we should especially consider transplanting another crystal from elsewhere to lure this colony away from the station.
    ​

RECOGNITION All personnel performed satisfactorily.

//ATTACHMENT// SPECIES: Kelt Insects

OOC Mission Briefing: 4 Jan: A Bug's Life?
Transcript from initial event: https://argo.ex-astris.net/t/441-a-bugs-life/4871
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