#Xelatian

[nelc]

David R. Deitrick's character art for the FASA RPG supplement the Star Trek IV Sourcebook Update (1986) - with bonus alien species photos!

[pluralzalpha]

Obscure Star Trek aliens 7:

The Xelatians

These delegates sat on the Federation Council in STIV. We’re not actually seeing their real appearance here, but an environmental suit, because the Xelatians are aquatic.

According to the FASA Star Trek IV sourcebook, the Xelatians, from Xelata in System Tau 56, are a race of cephalopods. They communicate with a mixture of telepathy and bioluminescence. Their masks filter out light because they’re used to the darkness of the abyss.

[thenorsiest]

Was stuck in my head so I’m sharing

There’s a war going on between the federation and some enemy they’ve made. It’s down to the battle taking place on a single planet. Ground troops have been sent, it’s night and there is a cease fire. The enemy has the upper hand. 

They’ve taken a lot of prisoners, including a Human Commander and a group of Vulcan ensigns. One of them is badly hurt. The commander is holding his head in her lap. She’s trying to be respectful, but she can’t help but brush his hair, trying to comfort him. He says it’s not logical, but he’s reminded of his mother when she does this. She asks what his mother was like and he’s fighting to stay conscious. He can only say that she would sing to him.

The human knows a Vulcan song (for whatever reason) and starts to sing to him. After only a few notes he remarks his mother would not be so emotional. The captain laughs softly at this, what else can she do? She takes a deep breath and tries to control herself. But on the first note she chokes. The Vulcan girl next to her starts the song instead. The entire group starts singing in unison, perfect and void of sentiment but powerful none the less. She feels the pulse against her hands slow, his shaky breathing comes to an end. They finish the lullaby and it’s all she can do not to break down in tears. Knowing the ensign, this boy, this child is gone.

An enemy solider (because they’re bastards) comes over and sneers “Here we are, suppose to fear the great and mighty federation!” his snide remark hitting the human like phaser fire. “You’re all weak, pathetic!”

As his insult lands a sound starts to rise from the valley just beyond their location. The Vulcans, within ear shot hear the song of the others and are repeating it back.-But it’s not JUST Vulcans. The humans have chimed in with their vocals, ahs and las ringing out, the Klingons (called for backup) pound against the ground and their chests for percussion. I don’t know what sound Andorians make but they add another layer, another voice to the choir that’s unique. Dozens, hundreds, maybe even thousands of crewmen call from over the hill. Singing to let the captured know they’ve been heard that they’re there, that they’re coming for them.

The enemy solider looks back to the group; the human on her feet, still within the cage but standing as close as she can to him. Her eyes a mix of fury and pity.

“You shouldn’t fear us because we’re federation” she says, “You shouldn’t fear us because we are Human. Or Vulcan” her voice is calm but heavy “Because we are Andorian. Because we are Klingon, or Betazoid, or Tellerites. Because we are Bajoran. Because we are Trill, Ferangi, or Bolian. Because we are Caitian. Because we are Deltans or because we are Xelatians” even though there is no chance she can break through the barrier the solider takes a step back. “You should fear us, because we stand together!” and one by one the ensigns silently rise to their feet behind her, staring down the solider.