The Preserver
Posted on Mon Sep 22nd, 2025 @ 5:32pm by Captain Taiga Aisaka & Lieutenant JG Kurumi Hatanaka & Commander Chisato Nishikigi & Lieutenant Nezuko & Lieutenant Takina Inoue
2,183 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Preserving The Past
Location: Amerind - Preserver Obelisk Cave
Timeline: January 25, 2397
Previously on Star Trek Tokyo:
“Computer code?” Nezuko’s PADD said, voicing her suggestion. “Our systems use computer language written with Federation Standard characters, but it would translate into nonsense if examined as a language. Alternate: it is encrypted and requires a cipher.”
A moment later, lights began to activate and a gentle humming sound could be heard. The system was online. Nezuko gave her team a thumbs-up.
The sound of movement echoed around the chamber. A strange beam of light erupted from the top of the obelisk. It struck one of the nearby capsules, which started to glow white like scorching hot metal. Slowly the capsule pulled away from the wall, the beam lowering it down and placing it in front of the obelisk on the stone pedestal.
The light cut off and the capsule dissolved. There stood an alien, smooth pale peach skin, slight ridges along the nose and forehead and no hair to speak of. His clothing was simple, a gown like attire pure white seemingly glowing in the light. He stood there eminating nothing but pure elegance and peacefulness.
His hands rested at his lap as slowly he opened his eyes and looked at each of the away team in turn. "Hello my children. It has been such a long time, finally we meet. How can we as your preservers help you?"
And now the continuation...
A stunned silence fell over the away team as they attempted to process what exactly they were witnessing. Standing before them, if its words were to be believed, was quite possibly one of, if not the oldest sentient beings in the known galaxy- a monumental encounter that not even James Kirk had been so fortunate as to have experienced in his lifetime. The implications that they were now witness to a pivotal moment in galactic history was, evidently, overwhelming for everyone present, as no amount of training could have ever prepared them for this moment, quite possibly one of the single most important in their Starfleet careers. Some of them were even hesitant to accept that this was real- surely, it couldn't have been this easy to encounter an actual, living Preserver in the flesh.
Shauna took a deep breath. This was a monumental moment not just for The Federation but for the entire galaxy and the spotlight was now shining upon her. She knew of The Preservers, however they had only ever appeared in holographic for. Now here one was, alive in full flesh and blood.
Slowly she stepped forward. "I am Captain Shauna Williams of the Federation Starship Kanna. I represent the United Federation of Planets." She said calmly. Her heart was pounding in her chest, for an archaeologist like herself this was the rarest of rarest opportunities; she was literally talking directly with history.
"We're come to you seeking knowledge and guidance. Trillions of people across this galaxy are in danger of a looming threat, a hostile species whom seek to destroy us all." She explained.
The Preserver looked at Shauna. His voice was cool, soft and gentle. "We know of all life, every species of life across this galaxy. From the smallest of microbes to the biggest fauna. We are the bringers of life." He told her. "When we ventured out into the stars eons past, we found nothing. No offered, only silence. Although the universe has many wonders, once we understood them all. We discovered our biggest enemy." He paused briefly. "Loneliness. Therefore we seeded millions of worlds, spreading life upon all planets. Engineering them to our form over time through natural evolution."
After telling Shauna this he then asked the important question. "Which species seeks only to destroy?"
Shauna collected her thoughts. She could spend the rest of her life talking to this Preserver and not even so much as scratch the surface of his knowledge. "They're called The Iconians."
For this first time the Preserver seemed to show some sort of emotion. "Ah yes. The first of our children." The Preserver said. "The Iconians were the first life we seeded. Unfortunately they were... problematic. They match us on a technological scale and their arrogance and stubbornness caused many issues."
The Preserver remained standing. "Shauna Williams. We shall provide you with knowledge should you seek it. Be warned however, we do not engage in hostilities. We seeded all of our children in the pursuit of gathering and sharing knowledge. We cannot help directly in your conflict. That is our way." He looked around at the others. "Any of my children have the equal right to ask. Any of you may speak and ask for the answers you so desire."
Nezuko watched this exchange, her eyes wide taking it all in. The archaeologist that had become her little companion was interested, intrigued even. But Nezuko was enraptured as her mind connected the dots between different observations made here and information collected from Starfleet Academy, and from her youth.
She did not type into her PADD. Instead she signed something to the Preserver. Niwakami.
"You are Amphea I see," the Preserver said. "I see our sister has guided your people well." He told her. "Your race a very unique, as are all life we seeded across this galaxy. Our sister intended you to be peaceful, without harsh words to hurt others. Tell me young Amphea, for what name have you been blessed with?"
{I am called Nezuko.} she answered, all in sign. {The Amphea are part of the Federation that Captain Williams spoke of. We have stories of your kind. The Niwakami, who come to tend the garden of Amphei Prime. To ensure there is enough prey for us to eat. There was Tamotsa, who gifted us with pollinators. And Kiryu, who is said to have taught the first of us to sign.}
She quickly gestured to Chisato, the person on the away mission she trusted most. She was practically shaking when she brought her PADD up to quickly type. “We know them, Chisato.”
Chisato's eyes widened at the revelation. "So you mean they're, like, your gods or something?"
Nezuko nodded rapidly, tears now starting to stream down her face. To be so close to one so powerful was nothing short of overwhelming.
"If you desire to learn, I can assist you." The Preserver said. He slowly raised a hand and the entire cavern was suddenly filled with floating blue holographic information. Words, pictures, schematics and diagrams suspended in the air. "We have gathered all of our knowledge over millions of years in this archive, our final gift to our children."
"Oh, boy, this is heavy..." Chisato gasped.
Shauna held up her tricorder. "There's more data here than what both the Kanna and Tokyo's computers can even hold." She said. She turned to the Preserver. The Preservers possessed so much data, so much information, it was overwhelming. She could ask for anything, from the secret to becoming immortal (if it existed) to how they created new life or maybe the cure to all disease; her inner scientist was screaming to take ot all. However, there was no way she could even scratch the surface in her lifetime. "Can you show us data on the Iconians so we can mount a defense? So we can protect our people?"
"Indeed I can," The Preserver replied. With a wave of his hand the images in the air changed. Everything about the Iconians was now on full display. However they looked slightly different, they seemed more... biological more living than pure energy. Their ships were white and overall looked more peaceful, more 'Federation' than the black and dark purple of the Herald ships they were used to.
"That's definitely not the Iconian that we encountered on the Tokyo," Takina remarked as she moved over to get a better look at one of the images.
"Do you suppose something might've happened to them?" Chisato speculated. "Something that might've changed in the time between when those images were taken and when we eventually encountered them?"
"We know they were defeated," Anton interjected. "The Yamato and the Enterprise found their homeworld a pock-marked wasteland, and most other Iconian archaeological sites showed evidence of attack. Forced relocation following a military defeat would greatly traumatize any culture. Take the Klingons for inst--"
Nezuko put her hand on his shoulder, stopping him mid-sentence. Her PADD spoke. "If you kick any creature enough times, it will teach you how dangerous it truly can be."
"It has been a long time since we had contact with our first children. Much like yourselves, we gave them the ability to evolve." The Preserver stated. "I feel that our understanding of them may be vastly out-dated. However, there is a lot we can present to you on them. However, as I have stated previously. We do not interfere directly with the conflicts of our children. We are knowledge keepers and sharers. Should than Iconian show here, we hold them in the same regard. All of our children are equal."
The Preserver looked over towards Shauna. "My Child. Your recording devices do not have sufficient storage for our entire knowledge."
Shauna nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I was thinking we could request only the data we require. The information you have on the Iconians as a race?"
The Preserver seemed to pondered for a few moments. "My child. I will allow you the information on their way of life. Their achievements and their technology as we knew it. However I cannot permit you biological information. The Iconians are our children too, that is information that should remain exclusive to only them." He paused for a moment. "If i am remembering your Human terms correctly, biological abd physiological information you class as private, am I mistaken?"
Shauna shook her head. "No you're right. I wouldn't expect you to give us everything. Frankly I wouldn't want an enemy species to have that sort ogmf information. That sort of knowledge can only ever lead to biological warfare."
"The worst type of warfare. One we strictly forbid." The Preserver stated.
Shauna nodded in response. "We have two Starships in orbit. Perhaps we could use their computers to store your knowledge?"
"That is acceptable." The Preserver stated. "Although your starships use binary coding to store information." He then looked over at Nezuko. "That type of computing cannot hold much of our information."
"My child. This is a gift for you." He waved a hand and a strange PADD like device appeared in front of Nezuko floating in the air. "You have a mind built for learning. You shall find information on that device, a way to enhance your binary computers. How to use Subspace Quantum and Optical Computer processing systems. Those are the only ones that can hold such information in such quantities."
Nezuko’s eyes went wide as she took the floating tablet in her hands. This would revolutionize the Federation as a whole. Isolinear and bioneural computers were the best computing technologies in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, but next to this, quantum technology inputted optically and computed at FTL speeds, the Tokyo’s computer core might as well be that Apple II she saw at the technology museum.
She signed a thank-you to the Preserver.
"Modify your computers child. You may stay should you wish, we can compile the information you need." The Preserver said. "Once your technology is adapted, we can begin."
Shauna looked over at Nezuko. "I suppose you'd like to get that back to the Tokyo?"
Nezuko nodded rapidly and excitedly in response.
"Should we send someone to accompany her back to the surface, Captain?" Chisato proposed.
"I volunteer!" Kurumi shouted out raising a hand. "I'd love to see how I can help with the Tokyo's computers. This should be fun!" she explained quickly.
Shauna smiled. "Ok then. Well you two return to the Tokyo." She told them. She turned to the Preserver. "May we have a closer look around this place? We wish to learn more about you?"
The Preserver nodded. "Yes my child. You may investigate into this facility further should you wish." he said simply. "I will remain here to answer any questions you may have of us."
Shauna turned to the others. "Ok people. We have permission to investigate, but be careful what you touch. For now, make camp and lets all get some rest. I imagine tomorrow is going to be a busy day. We will have plenty of work to do." She told them all.
Nezuko gestured for Kurumi to follow her up and out of the ruins, but she struggled to take her eyes of the Preserver as they went. She still couldn’t get over it. The Niwakami were real. And they were exactly as described.
But soon her line of sight to the god was broken, and all the two Starfleet officers could do was walk toward the surface.
To be continued...
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