A First Meeting
Posted on Mon Feb 25th, 2019 @ 4:03am by Lieutenant Commander T'Par
Mission:
Sojourn
Location: Marga III
Timeline: after meeting the CO
1022 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure
Having reported to her new commanding officer, T'Par now sought her immediate superior. She observed the warm, sandy beaches and the crew and families at play with clinical detachment. For a Vulcan, rest was rest rather than play. Her thoughts were entirely on the man she sought. Vulcans and Romulans were two peoples divided by a common heritage. She had studied that history, that heritage, and it was natural that she reflected upon it now as well as upon the fact that peoples coming together was exactly what the Federation was supposed to be about. Her thoughts showed little on her expression which remained near perfectly stoic, as was her way.
It did not take long before she spotted the man with his family. Recognizing him, she started that way. "Lieutenant Commander Sommers?"
Catching a squealing girl mid run and tossing her up in the air before catching her again, Lhaes turned with the girl in his arms. "Yes?" he asked as he set the girl back to her feet. She and another girl who looked identical were clearly the man's daughters. A little boy toddled about nearby, trying to pick some flowers. "Who's asking?"
"I'm Lieutenant JG T'Par, sir," she said, coming to attention, although her posture was never exactly relaxed by the standards of most humanoids. "I'm your newly assigned Assistant Chief. I thought it appropriate to report to you before beaming aboard."
"Relax lieutenant," Lhaes smiled, "we're on holiday here, there's no need to be so formal. Did you have a good journey here?"
Her posture loosens at the invitation. "Yes, sir. It was without incident."
"Did you bring a family with you?" He continued to smile, arching an eyebrow at her as the other girl ran up and tugged at her sleeve. "Are you working with daddy?" she asked innocently, "I've not seen you before, I'm Liviana."
"No, sir. My husband is on Tellar Prime. We do not yet have children." She looked down as the young girl tugged on her sleeve. "Yes, I will be working with your father, Liviana. I am T'Par."
"Liv..." Lhaes warned his daughter, "please don't bother her, go back to playing with Evaste. I'll be with you shortly." He turned to the woman. "I must apologize, they're very excited to be on a planet again. Have you seen the ship yet? Quarter assignment arranged yet?"
"I was always curious to meet my mother's colleagues from Starfleet when they visited her," she said. "It is natural for children to be curious." She shakes her head just slightly. "I have not been aboard yet or received quarters, sir. I formally reported for duty with the captain only a few minutes ago."
"Well then I would recommend commencing with your leave, and worry about the formalities when we get back aboard," the Romulan suggested, "what do you do for fun?"
"I play kal-toh and also the human game of chess," she answered. "Do you know them?"
"Of them," the Romulan answered, "I've never played either. The most recent game I learned to play is ice hockey."
"Ice hockey? That is an Earth game, is it not?" she asked, a slight lift of a brow the only outward sign of her curiosity.
"Yes it's an Earth game, though I'm not very good at it, especially since ice...is frightening to be on." He cast her a sheepish smile. "I'm afraid of water or more specifically, afraid of drowning."
"Perhaps I might witness one of these athletic contests, sir. Do many others on the crew play?" She paused, considering, and then she added, "You were raised on Betazed, were you not, sir? I have always found Betazoid perspectives among the most interesting, as well as among the most challenging, that I have encountered."
"Oh I have no idea if anyone on this particular crew plays. My prior commanding officer taught me the basics as part of a dare. Though I don't really remember what the dare was anymore, it was fairly insignificant I think." He gave her a sharp look before nodding. "Yes, I was raised on Betazed. How do you find their perspective challenging?"
"Betazoids and Vulcans are the two most common telepathic species in the Federation, sir, and yet, speaking very generally, we have adopted opposite approaches to solving similar problems. Vulcans embrace strict mental discipline and use our telepathic abilities reservedly. Betazoids generally embrace a philosophy of radical emotional and personal openness," she explained. "There are also many similarities. An embrace of peace. Strong pair bonding. But it is our differences, diversity in thought and ways of life, that capture my interest."
"Vulcans however, are touch telepaths whereas Betazoids are not," Lhaes supplied calmly, "and of course there are Romulans who share these traits too. I myself am empathic and I have touch telepathi ability. To a degree, as I am hesitant to use this ability."
"True," she agreed, "and most Vulcans were able to rigorously repress their telepathic abilities for a lengthy period of our history, until the rediscovery of Surak's katra over two centuries ago." She tilted her head slightly. "Why are you hesitant, sir?"
"Because it is extremely risky, to me. I know how, but I don't have the strength to maintain it. It drains me."
"Logical, sir. Thank you for speaking with me. I look forward to serving with you. I will let you return to your family." She glanced to the children once more. "Have a pleasant holiday, all of you."
"Thank you miss," the girls replied in unison, before returning their attention back to their brother.
Lhaes just smiled, inclining his head ever so slightly. "And you to," he told her, "assignments can wait. Explore this planet, have some fun, alright?"
"Another challenging concept, sir," she answered, much as if he'd given her a particularly difficult cryptography assignment. "I hope we might continue this interesting line of conversation some other time." At that, she did turn to take her leave. She had planned on beaming up but, at his urging, she did decide to further explore the planet.
Lieutenant Commander Lhaes Sommers
CIO
Lieutenant JG T'Par
ACIO
