| |
» LCARS » Newspaper: The Federation Tribune » Newspaper Archives » 2004 » July 2004 » The Study of Departments, part 3: The Lifesaving Serpents. By Iana Darnena.
 | The Study of Departments, part 3: The Lifesaving Serpents. By Iana Darnena. |  |
|---|
|
|---|
After observing the Lifesaving Serpents for quite some time now, this reporter has discovered that there are two sides to these creatures. One side, the side they like to show to all other creatures, is the side of them helping others, healing others: the Lifesaving side. Always being there for others, and doing something about injuries which could have been caused by those Badgering Bullies.
The other side, however, is a side which the Lifesaving Serpents don't like to show. They are afraid that this side may cause the others to stop respecting them anymore. So they suppress this side. This side is their aggressive side. The Serpent side. However, whether they like it or not, it is a part of them. A part of what this creature is.
During normal times, a Lifesaving Serpent is calm, friendly, and can perform well under stress. Which, of course, is only to be expected from a Lifesaving creature. Still, it is impressive work they are doing: re-attaching a broken limb from a Greasemonkey, or curing the pain from a Badgering Bully (who would never admit he's in pain, of course,): It's all part of what they do. However, this is of course only one side.
The other side comes up when other creatures start to irritate the Lifesaving Serpents. When this happens, these Serpents start reacting out of control. They start shouting, they start threatening the unlucky creature that has irritated them, and, the most scary thing of all. It's what this reporter describes as 'the Forked Tongue'. Although these Lifesaving Serpents usually don't have a forked tongue, sometimes they can communicate in a way as if they do: they seem to convince the creature opposing them that she/he is not worthy of anything.
This 'Forked Tongue' attack is something you wouldn't like to witness. It's horrible. If a Lifesaving Serpent doesn't like a creature which isn't hurt, but which just enters his territory, this Serpent sneaks over, and starts communicating. The two will communicate for some time, when the Serpent initiates the attack. Usually, he make clear to this creature that he isn't wanted in his territory. If that doesn't work, he starts insulting this creature in such a way, that the creature will feel less and less sure of himself, until he has no self-confidence at all.
The Lifesaving Serpents are very proud of what they are. They don't want to be something else, nor do they wish to be called something else. They are Lifesaving Serpents, not Greasemonkeys! As a result, they can, and will, only do what they are meant to do: saving lives. They aren't flexible creatures: they can't be used for something else.
So, there you have it. The Lifesaving Serpents seem to be extremely nice, kind and caring. But underneath is the heart of the serpent, or, better yet, the Forked Tongue. Beware... don't get on the Lifesaving Serpents' bad side. It's not as if they won't treat you, (because they will.. they accept any patient,) but they will make your life more miserable. A Lifesaving Serpent is a great friend, and a terrible enemy.
Just remember... They are Lifesaving Serpents. Not anything else. Be nice to them, and they'll be nice to you. Tease them, and you'll wish you never set foot in their territory.
With this warning, I conclude this observation.
Take care.
Iana Darnena, Reporter of the Federation Tribune.
Written by Rob Versteegt.
| | |
| π |
