Getting To Know

Posted on Mon Jul 19th, 2010 @ 2:41pm by Lieutenant JG Marek Lovok [Lynx] & Lieutenant JG Erin Tal

1,152 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Peace, or Something Like It
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: Current

Erin entered the mess hall, yawning and looking around. Thankfully it wasn't too full as she made her way to a replicator, trying to decide on what to order.
''Waffles or pancakes..''

His milkshake was extremely enjoyable; Marek got to his feet. He bent down to pick up his tool kit and straightened only to see a big haired forehead ridged woman that somewhat resembled a Klingon, sort of.

The Romulan saw that the woman was somewhat hesitant and approached her. "Is something wrong ma'am?" Marek asked.

Erin turned in mild surprise. She had'nt heard anyone behind her.
''Me? Oh no, I was just trying to pick breakfast.'' She said with a sheepish grin.
''Romulan.. you must be the relitavly new crew member. I'm Erin- cheif councellor.''

"Yes, just arrived. Nice to meet you, I'm Ensign Marek Lovok: engineer." Marek said.

''So hows that going for you? Engineering.'' Erin asked, turning back to the replicator and thinking for a second.
''Waffles.''

Marek nodded. "It's going..." He smiled. "Still getting used to it. Waffles sounds nice; may I join you?"

Erin nodded. ''I've never understood engineering myself. Its all gel packs and conduits to me. Ask your boss- i'm more in the habit of kicking a computer screen than fixing a problem.''
At his last question she nodded heartly as the waffles appeared.
'' Of course, go ahead! Always nice to have some company.''

A smile crept across the Romulan's lips as he turned to the replicator. "Waffles," he ordered and it was like having dj vu at seeing a plate with Waffles materialise. Marek picked up the plate in one hand and his tool kit in the other followed Erin to a table. "May I ask a personal question?"

Erin looked up, a forkful of waffles halfway to her lips.
''Go ahead.''

"How did you come to be in Starfleet ma'am?" Marek asked.

Erin chewed her mouthful of waffles thoughtfully, swallowing before she answered.
''Interesting question. I left my home, travelled for 300 years on a sleeper ship and and was accepted as a citizen by the federation. They told me about Starfleet- and I joined up soon after.''
She was used to questions like theese- its not like there was a lot of people looking like her walking around.
''How about you?''

"My government has been an enemy of the Federation since before it's formation when it was just Earth setting out on it's space exploration. Lately the Romulan Star Empire has still been quite aggressive to the Federation and many Romulans have disliked the government for that. My parents were among them. They immigrated to Earth thanks to the underground movement and lived there ever since; they then had a family: Me." Marek explained for he wasn't sure if Erin knew much about Federation history.

Marek took a short breather. "Once I was old enough I too joined Starfleet and here I am." He smiled.

''Yes, I've heard of the Romulan empires... turbulant history.'' Erin nodded.
''I'm curious- would this limit you concerning missions the Calypso might have involving Romulans? I mean, would the empire consider you a traitor?''

"I would think so yes," Marek replied somewhat feeling torn between his own people and the Federation; then all the things his parents had taught him about their government pushed him towards the Federation more and more.

Erin winced slightly. ''If its any consolation I know the feeling.''
She smiled, tucking into her waffles. ''So what made you choose Starfleet?''

"Well--" Marek paused, pondering. "I always wanted to explore space and Starfleet was the means so here I am." He wished he knew the Romulan cloaking device inside and out for that would be valuable knowledge to Starfleet; it would help to elevate him as well.

Erin chuckled. ''A reason many people share.'' She commented.
''Its a good thing you didnt grow up on Romulus or the federation would have pumped you for all the knowledge you had about Romulan technology.''

"Actually that would be good for I would be of more importance then," he chuckled then deflated. "Unfortunately I do not know much about Romulan technology as I was born on Earth so I will just have to deal with it." Marek suddenly realised that his waffles were losing heat and dug into them during the break in the conversation.

''A starfleet officer's importance is not gauged on the amount of knowledge he holds.'' Erin quipped with a smile.
''But rather what he does with the knowledge he has.''
''My phsycology lecturers faveorite qoute. He was big into philosophy. Neverthless.its true.''

Marek nodded. "I have to agree with that but doesn't help the fact that I lack the knowledge anyway and considering I am Romulan has given me a disadvantage my whole life." He felt sad and vulnerable as he opened up. "Constantly trying to prove myself just as capable as any Federation citizen has been a test to say the least."

Suddenly the Romulan realised that he has formed a bond with Erin because of their common situation of being the only member of their races to be Federation citizens by way of leaving their own people behind. He decided from now on that he wanted to make this relationship something special and a friendship to put all other to shame.

Erin nodded, empathising with the Romulan. It had been a while since she could talk to someone about this kind of thing, and she recognised that they had a theese things in common.
''I know what you mean.'' She empathised. ''People are always watching your back, waiting for you to slip up so they can prove you're just like the rest of your race...''
She rolled her eyes. ''The only thing to do it stick it out til they forget their predjudices. I mean, look at you now! Engineer on a starship! You've gotten further than most federation citizens dream about!''

"I wouldn't say that about the Federation citizenry but I am proud of how far I have come on my own," Marek said with a pleased nod; he finished his waffles and realised that he should probably get back to Engineering. "Umm I hate to cut this short but I should get back to the Engine room; been lovely chatting with you. We should do it again."

Erin jumped up. ''You're right- I just remembered, I have evaluation reports to do up. It was lovely chatting with you.'' She agreed. ''Good luck with work.''
She put away her plate and left with a cheerful wave.

"Thanks," Marek waved back as he put his plate back in the replicator and left for Main Engineering a minute after Erin left.

OFF

Lieutenant JG Erin Tal
Chief Councellor
USS Calypso

Ensign Marek Lovok
Engineer
USS Calypso

 

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