In Search of a Star System

Posted on Fri Feb 11th, 2011 @ 2:18pm by Lieutenant JG Talri & Lieutenant JG Erin Tal

1,968 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: The Forests of Mythraeli
Location: Stellar Cartography
Timeline: Pre-away mission

It was taking Talri very little time to settle herself in to her new job. She had arrived in the stellar cartography section a little earlier, and had almost immediately started poring over the star charts and data on the computer system. Some of it, she noted, was identical to the charts they had at Shi'Kahr, and that was how it ought to be. She had noted some minor discrepancies, however, and resolved to discover the reasons for these at some point.

Erin had'nt been in a stellar cartography on any ship in the quadrant. Sitting there immersed in star patterns and nebulas just tugged a little too sharply on her heartstrings to make it a regular occurance.
Lately however, something in the Kazon's heart yearned for home more than usual, so Erin fonud herself maing her way towards stellar cartography.

Talri was so engrossed in her work that it took her a moment to realize that there was someone at her door. 'Svi-torkah!' she called out, and then, realizing her mistake, switched to Standard: 'Come in!'

Nemaiyo Erin replied, in her best Vulcan, stepping into the room. ''Its all right, I used to switch languages all the time when I joined the Calypso first.''
She looked around apologetically. ''Sorry, I didnt realise anyone was here, I just came up to.. look at the stars.'' The Kazon shrugged, realising her intent was pretty obvious.
''I'm Erin Tal, Chief Counsellor.''

The woman was Kazon, Talri realized at once. If the idea of a Kazon in Starfleet surprised her, she gave no indication of it, nodding to her politely instead. 'My name is Talri,' she told her, 'and you are quite perceptive. I arrived here this morning,' she explained. 'You are not interrupting anything important - you are welcome to look,' she added.

Erin could have grinned but stopped herlself and nodded. ''It's my job to know who's on the ship and their health. So welcome aboard.'' She walked across the room and settled down to look at the stars.
She ignored the ones in the quadrant and tried to locate ones she knew, but most of them eluded her, so she found herself rifling aimlessly through the skies, trying to find something like home.
''Where were you transferred from?'' She asked to distract herself from her mounting frustration at the star patterns.

Talri watched carefully as Erin brought up one three-dimensional chart after another. She was about to offer her assistance in finding what she was looking for when the other woman spoke again.

'Transferred? I was not,' said Talri. 'Prior to this I worked at the Shi'Kahr Institute of Astrometrics on T'Khasi. That is, Vulcan. Starfleet is - a change in career direction for me.' Talri tilted her head slightly, and then ventured the question: 'Are you looking for any star system in particular? I may be able to assist. The charts are quite orderly.'

Erin shrugged. ''I'm looking for one in the Delta Quadrant.'' She said, feeling a bit stupid for not knowing the exact name. ''Far through the other side of it. When I was a kid there was always one belt of stars that looked almost like a lizard, if you squinted really hard.''

She paused for a second, thinking. ''But I dont know if the skies there have even been recorded. And even if I did see them I might not ever recognise them anymore. A lot can change in 300 years.'' She shrugged again.
''It doesnt matter, it was only nostalgia.'' She looked at the Vulcan curiously, a question occuring to her.
''Do your race even get nostalgic? Or is that classed under emotions?''

'It depends on how you define nostalgia,' Talri began to answer. 'To be sentimental about the past would be illogical, but so too would be forgetting it. There is much we can learn from reflection upon previous experiences.' Talri had a sudden flash of memory, of herself as a child, sitting out in the open desert looking up at the sky. At the stars. Perhaps they were not so utterly different after all.

'Much of the Delta Quadrant remains uncharted by us,' she said then, 'but if your system is there, then we may find it.' Talri's mind was already at work. A program taking into account cosmic life cycles and movement over time might be able to extrapolate back 300 years. On the scale they were considering, it was only a short time.

For a star system, not a person. She looked up at Erin again. 'I did not realize that the Kazon had such longevity,' she said slowly.

Erin shook her head, sitting back cross-legged on the floor. ''We dont.''
She replied, pushing her braids over one shoulder. ''We've actually quite an average lifespan, all things considering.'' The Kazon glanced back at the star systems. ''I was in stasis for three centuries. So biologically I'm only in my 20's.''
She looked up in interest. ''What about Vulcans, I hear they can last a ridiculously long time.''

'Longer than humans, I believe,' said Talri. 'And perhaps the Kazon also. Physically, you and I appear similarly aged, yet I am likely two decades older.' She said it as if such a thing was of no consequence.

'You were in stasis,' she repeated then, trying to make sense of it, 'three centuries, and you set out from the Delta quadrant. You are a long way from home, Erin Tal. Might that be why you are here, in Starfleet- to find a way back?''

Erin raised an eyebrow. The woman was right, she didnt look a day over 25. Well, for that species anyways. People in this quadrant aged a lot differently, it would seem.
The Kazon shook her head. ''No, I'm in Starfleet to find a new life here. If I went back I would be a traitor and a deserter, my own sect would probably sentance me to death, if they're not all gone by now.''

She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. ''This quadrant's my home now. Though..''
She looked at the Vulcan shrewdly. ''..you ask very pointed questions for a Vulcan. No offense, but it sounds almost like curiosity.''
The councellor never knew what to make of Vulcans, they were the most difficult to psychoanalyse of all the species she had even counselled.

''Speaking of, what made you join Starfleet? Surely living among emotional fickle creatures is a trial for a Vulcan?'' It was something she always wondered.

'Indeed,' said Talri. 'It is a trial.' She was silent for a moment, unwilling to explain that further. 'I would say,' she continued instead, 'that perhaps you have not met many Vulcans. Our curiosity, as you call it, has its origins in the intellect, not the emotions. To answer your question, however: I did not wish to continue working at the Shi'Kahr Insititute. There was nothing further I could accomplish there. To progress as a stellar cartographer one must, at some point or another, go out to work among the stars themselves. Joining Starfleet seemed the logical way to do so, particularly since I did not even have to leave Vulcan to study.'

''Hmm.'' Erin replied with a wry grin. It always amused her to try and pick through the emotionless vocals of the Vulcans to and hidden emotions or subtext in their speech, but usually it was as easy as scaling an invisible wall.
''Very logical decision.'' She admitted, leaning back and staring at the charts. She wondered if the woman would miss her family, but knew better than to ask.
''Well you're with a good crew. They'll probably all come to say hello sooner or later. They're great like that. I am the counsellor so at some point I'll need a psychological evaluation of you, but that can wait. Vulcans are near- impossible to psychoanalyse anyways.''

'I have never undergone psychological analysis before,' said Talri, looking back at her, 'although exploration of the workings of the mind was part of my training at the Temples. I wonder,' she tilted her head fractionally, 'if you intend to evaluate me, how familiar are you with the - unique nature of Vulcan psychology?'

Erin raised an eyebrow. ''I know enough.'' She replied elusively. ''I'm not an expert but I studied all kinds of psychology in the academy and paid special attention to Vulcans. Despite all the theory, its really body language and reading facial tics that help most in an evaluation. Its really just to make sure that you've mentally well and fit for duty though, pretty run-of-the-mill at this stage. It just to make sure you have no baggage that might hinder you at a crucial moment, I wouldnt worry too much about-''

She stopped, realising the folly of her words. ''Its standard.'' She said instead. ''Nothing new.''

'It is new to me,' answered Talri simply. 'It was not my intention to cast doubt upon your abilities as a counselor. I am certain that you know far more of Vulcan psychology than I do of Kazon, say, or human.' She considered it for a moment, and then, decided, she nodded. 'I will come to you whenever this evaluation should be necessary,' she said. 'I trust that from you, it will be truthful and fair.'

Erin grinned and shook her head. ''Its fine. I'll schedule you in for sometime after the away mission, if thats all right with you.''
''And as counsellor.. I know this is not necessary for Vulcans, but I say it to all the crewmembers, so if you're ever worried or have a problem with anything and need to talk, my office is near the medical bay.''
She knew it was a pretty futile thing to say but she wasnt about to go and leave anyone out of the excaption simply because they wouldnt need to avail of the offer.

Talri nodded. 'While you are correct in your assumption that it is unnecessary,' she said quietly, 'I do appreciate your intentions. I find that regular meditation is the best way to keep the mind untroubled. If you do not already do so, you may wish to recommend it to some of your clients.'

Erin nodded. ''I have prescribed it, on occaision. Never found the patience to do it myself, though.'' She nodded towards the programme of the star charts. ''You find anything yet?''

'It will take time,' said Talri. 'While I have not yet found anything promising, that does not mean that I will not. I shall keep searching, and inform you of the possible systems that meet your specifications.' She paused for a moment, and felt compelled to add: 'A deficit of patience, incidentally, is easily remedied by meditation itself. Perhaps someday you will attempt it.'

Erin laughed, shaking her head. ''I'm a warrior, bred and born. I solve my emotional dysfunctions with an axe in my hand on the holodeck.'' She stood and stretched. ''Thanks for the suggestion anyways, and for the help. Please... let me know when you find them. It'll be good to see home again.''

She smiled again and headed for the door. ''Nice to meet you, Lieutenant.''

Talri nodded. She didn't quite see how holographic violence solved anything, but she wasn't about to query the matter. 'I hope to speak with you again soon, Erin Tal,' she said instead.

:OFF:

Lieutenant JG Talri
Stellar Cartographer

Lieutenant JG Erin Tal
Chief Counselor

 

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