First entrance

[pattersongs]

What a day, what a day, what an absolutely glorious day. Finally something to do! Retirement does not sit well with the salarian temperament at all, especially not after a lifetime of busy-busy-busy. It's been months since the last meeting of the project crews. Months. That's long enough to go positively insane from idleness. Good thing there's so

Comments

[ol_yellow_eyes]

Data is sitting at a nearby table reading a data pad, but looks up when he notices the life form that walks through the door.

"Hello," he greets.

[ol_yellow_eyes]

"Are you familiar with Earth?" Data asks.

[pattersongs]

"Planet of origin of the human species, although Arcturus Station currently capital of Systems ALliance," Mordin says. "Never visited either personally. Too many other things to do."

[ol_yellow_eyes]

Data nods. "You said that you worked in the field of medicine?"

[pattersongs]

"Among other related fields and sciences, yes," says Mordin. "Medicine my current primary area of interest. Not many doctors worth the name currently practicing on Omega. Need something to do with myself after recent retirement from government service. Seemed an ideal match."

[ol_yellow_eyes]

"I believe that is always a worthwhile profession," Data agrees. "May I ask what position you held in government service?"

[pattersongs]

"Primarily biological research. Always room for more data, always someone who can make use of it," says Mordin. "A few other fields and side missions, nothing outstanding. Curious as to your own employment. Don't spend much time speaking with humans outside of asking where it hurts or how they came to be bleeding in first place."

[ol_yellow_eyes]

"I occasionally do similar work. I am the head science officer aboard a starship. I am also the second officer and operations officer.

"And I am not human," he mentions, as if it were an afterthought.

[pattersongs]

"Apologies. Not many species in Council space closely resemble humans," Mordin says. "Asari closest match, but with head frills, blue skin, monogender reproductive cycle. Impossible to mistake for human. Suppose your galaxy features other species of closer morphological match?"

[ol_yellow_eyes]

"It does," Data answers. That is an interesting difference, he observes silently.

"However, my case is also somewhat unique," he admits. "I was made to look as human as possible. I am an android."

[pattersongs]

"Made to?" repeats Mordin. "A synthetic? Interesting. No synthetic development nearly so sophisticated in Council space. Don't believe geth approach organic appearance nearly so closely either."

[ol_yellow_eyes]

"I assume that 'geth' is a type of synthetic life form in your universe?" Data checks. He looks curious.

[pattersongs]

"Networked intelligences developed by quarian race three centuries ago. Adaptable. Dangerous. Current occupants of quarian homeworld and vicinity. Feared by majority of galaxy, avoided whenever possible."

[ol_yellow_eyes]

Data's head twitches, and his eyes practically light up suddenly.

"Oh," he says. "I apologize; I do not know why I did not realize until this moment-- I have heard about the Systems Alliance and the Geth already, from another person who comes here. Unfortunately, our conversation was cut short.

"Are you familiar with the term 'flotilla'?"

[pattersongs]

"Quarian Migrant Fleet? Yes," says Mordin. "Surprised to hear of quarian presence here. Rare to see one traveling outside flotilla these days. Wonder if change in fleet policy heralded."

[ol_yellow_eyes]

"I do not know. I would have liked to talk to Tali for a longer duration of time, but after she learned that I was an artificial life form, she no longer wished to speak with me."