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Space Pasta
Mar. 9th, 2023 12:51 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
innitmarvelous_ogCaptain John Sheridan stood in the observation deck, staring out into space. He was deep in thought, contemplating the current issue, thankfully a minor one for once, that was happening on the station. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted when a flash of light in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned his head to see a strange object hurtling towards the station at an alarming speed. He'd just been about to activate his comm when he heard the incoming call beep.
"Sheridan. I see it, commander. I'm on my way! And just to be on the safe side, go to red alert!"
"Red alert!" he shouted, running towards the command center. "All hands to battle stations!"
As the station's defense grid sprang to life, Ivanova was issuing an order for the approaching object. As they awaited the results of the scan, Sheridan looked at the object more closely. The object was small, very small and it was the most neon shade of orange he could remember seeing in his entire life.
It looks like an elbow noodle from macaroni and cheese! He thought a flash of a picture he once saw from old Eath history went through his mind.
"What kind of ship is that?" asked Commander Susan Ivanova as they continued staring at the screen.
"I don't know," replied Sheridan. "But whatever it is, it's headed right for us."
As the ship got closer to the station, they could see that it was piloted by a lone alien. The alien was humanoid in shape, but its skin was a peculiar shade of blue, and it was wearing what appeared to be a flight suit that was the same color as their ship's neon orange yellow color scheme.
"Open a channel," ordered Sheridan. "Let's see if we can talk to this our latest.... visitor."
The communications officer established a link with the approaching ship, and soon the alien's face appeared on the view screen. It spoke in a language that none of them recognized, but there was no hostility they could hear in the alien's.
Still given how things tended go from good to bed in a split second around Babylon 5, Ivanova kept her hand hovering over the station's defense controls as she asked, "This is Babylon 5. Could you please tell us who you are and what the purpose of your visit to our station is? "
The alien's face lit up, and when it spoke again, it was in a language they could understand this time. "I come in peace," it said. "My name is Zarnax, and I am a representative of the Tre'zed. I have come to Babylon 5 to seek your help."
Sheridan and Ivanova exchanged a skeptical glance. "What kind of help?" asked Sheridan.
Zarnax explained that his people were facing an environmental crisis on their homeworld. They had had a series of devastating earthquakes had not only destroyed their cities but also they'd polluted their oceans. They had turned to their neighbors for assistance, but so far, no one has been able to help them.
"We need your technology," said Zarnax. "We have heard that the humans of Babylon 5 possess advanced technology that can help us clean up our planet and rebuild our civilization."
Sheridan and Ivanova looked at each other, then back at Zarnax. "We'll see what we can do," said Sheridan, finally. "In the meantime, I'd like to invite you to enjoy the station while we relay your request for help to the proper authorities.
Zarnax nodded, and his ship docked with the station. They went down to receive him, and when he stepped out of the ship, Sheridan and Ivanova couldn't help but notice the bright, neon yellow color of his skin and outfit. Wait, hasn't his skin been that peculiar shade of blue before? Sheridan decided to dismiss it as a trick of the light. He wish he could say the same about Zarnax's appearance now, as his skin was the same color as his ship. For as long as he lived, he knew he'd never quite forget the day they greeted the member of a new race whose appearance made him think of macaroni and cheese.
Zarnax stayed for the next few days while Sheridan and Ivanova worked with their engineering teams to develop a plan to assist Zarnax and his people. They used all their resources and some from some of the other races at the station to analyze the planet's environment to develop a plan to clean up the pollution and rebuild the damaged cities.
As Zarnax prepared to leave Babylon 5 and return to his homeworld, he thanked Sheridan and Ivanova for their help even if it would not be known for a long time, if ever, how their efforts to help the Tre'zed people had worked.
"You humans are truly amazing," he said, his now once again blue face beamed. "I will always remember the kindness you showed to me and my people."
Sheridan and Ivanona watched his ship as it disappeared through a jumpgate bound for the depths of space. Then once it was gone, Ivanona quipped, "I don't know why, but I am in the mood for some macaroni and cheese for lunch. Would you care to join me, Captain?"
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