JP: Lt (jg) Zenno & Ens Saava - Don't You (Forget About Me) (Part 3A)
Cobalt Penumbra
((OOC This is Part 3A. Part 3B will follow and is the conclusion. Here are links the previous ones, just for completeness.))
((OOC Part 1: She Ain’t Heavy, She’s my Sister, Parts 1A and 1B. ))
((OOC Part 2: Serendipitous Shuttle Shenanigans, Parts 2A and 2B.))
((OOC Also, special thanks to my co-writer Tim who took a chance on this project. I loved every minute of this.))
((Ruby Liner 14, Departing Theta Reticuli IX))
Zenno and Saava had made their way to the spaceport without incident. There were a few close calls, but they had avoided all contact with the irate fans and with what they had assumed to be some sort of criminal gang that was involved in the plot to fix the games. It cost some credits to rearrange their flights to an earlier departure, but it was necessary that they get off-world and back to Federation Space as soon as practicable. Their Starfleet affiliations would provide no protection out here.
The judges had canceled all remaining matches until new equipment could be made available and all previous games in the current Classic had had their results invalidated. It was an impressive scandal, and it was clear that whatever process the officials were using to clear the equipment was broken. Zenno would have loved to have offered to help develop a screening process, but he feared that he would never be allowed to attend another Classic ever again. Not because he did something wrong, but it might be a safety concern. Fans of the Squares were a particularly rowdy bunch, and it might be too much of a public safety issue. This was heartbreaking, as he had always planned on attending as many matches as he could. He might have to make do with holodeck recreations. But he considered those to be a poor and meager substitute for sitting in the stands, living in the moment, and feeling the electric pulse of the cheers of thousands of other fans washing over and around him.
Saava, for her part, had said little. Even less than little. Grall, if he had been here, would have accused her of being in a funk. He had a way with the vernacular. Zenno was unsure on what to say or how he could help. He knew she would say something eventually, but he was at a loss on how to be supportive, besides just being there. But he had decided on another matter.
Flight Attendant Announcement: Once again, we welcome you aboard Ruby Star Liners. We have departed orbit and have begun preparations for a standard warp insertion in approximately 30 minutes time. Our attendants will soon begin cabin service. For the main cabin, we recommend the exotic fruit and nut tray, featuring Uttaberries and Kava Nuts for 30 credits, a Risian sandwich pack for 35 credits, and don’t forget our always popular gagh Fun Box, a great value at 15 credits. Live gagh available for a 10-credit upcharge. Beverages and other options are listed on the information displays on your seat backs. As always, Ruby Star Liners VIPs get 10% off if we have your membership number on file. We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy your flight.
Zenno: I assume you’ll want the gagh Fun Box with the live ones? Double portion, perhaps?
She turned and gave him a piercing stare for a moment before responding.
Saava: No, and you should not have that either. ::turns back, faces forward and studies the menu:: I will make the correct selections for us both.
Zenno laughed heartily. Some others back at the Academy had considered Saava a bit bossy, but Zenno and their little corps of friends had always known the truth. She provokes a response from her emotional companions, shows disdain for it, and then she silently delights in the mayhem she’s created. Zenno, Vratak, Grall, and a few others knew how to handle her impishness and her penchant for mischief. But to those who were on the periphery of their acquaintance, it landed differently. All of their cohort had had to defend her several times to others who hadn’t experienced her particular brand of getting on.
Zenno: Very well. Make the choices. ::beat:: But on another matter, Saava, I’ve made a decision.
Saava looked away from the menu in front of her and turned to Zenno. She wondered what he might have in store for her this time. He sounded serious. They had discussed a lot about life-changing decisions in the past. Both in her life and in his. And although she would not give him the upper hand and admit it, she always valued Zenno’s input on her thoughts. He also might have suggestions on what she was going through now, but she did not yet want to share what was on her mind. It would be best to divert and distract.
Saava: I will not assist in taking care of a pet, Zenno.
The Bolian considered that her wisecrack was likely a mechanism to defer any serious conversation, but he forged ahead. At least he could talk about himself for a minute and then turn it towards her. Something was bothering her, and he had to help before their travel plans diverged. He would not be the kind of friend he wanted to be if he didn’t offer every kind of support, even if she rejected it all because of some infernal Vulcan logic he couldn’t grasp.
Zenno: Nothing as dramatic as that. I think you’ve seen that Water Sculpture I have. My Mother gave it to me when I left home for the Academy. She said no home is complete without one. It’s a tradition among our people. We commission them from special artisans to commemorate special, memorable, or otherwise significant moments in our lives. Sometimes they represent beginnings, and sometimes endings. I always thought of it more of a thing home-worlders do, not Starbase kids like me. But I think I shall contact an Ajahi Mailos and have one made for this event. I captured some of the rainwater as we were leaving the stadium, I will need it for the sculpture.
Saava had read up on Bolian culture when she had first met Zenno and had come to the decision that he might be an appropriate candidate for her social circle. She had read about Water Sculptures. And she knew that it was best to avoid detailed questions about those until she understood the social parameters better. She felt a new closeness to her friend as he had never mentioned this before, and she realized it was something rare, special, and not usually for outsiders.
Saava: The water is incorporated into the Sculpture?
Zenno: Yes, there is always water from the place where whichever event happened. You come from desert people. I come from sea people. No water, no sculpture. ::turns to look out the window:: I wish to commemorate that something has ended. I don’t think we will ever get to attend a major Squares event again, much less the Classic. Our faces are splattered everywhere in the fandom. I wouldn’t be surprised if we get accosted at Qualor II getting off the ship by some random fans who were watching the news. We should be on the alert for this.
She looked at the menu in front of her again. Maybe Zenno was right. They might have earned the wrath of the fans. Saava found that highly illogical. It was just another instance where she did the logical thing but was not awarded the expected acknowledgements.
Saava: We made the correct call today. We prevented a huge fraud from taking place. People will recognize our achievement one day. And then we will visit the next Classics in the Zenno-Saava-Dome.
Saava did not know if she said that to convince Zenno or to convince herself. Why did she even need convincing? The logic was clear.
Zenno: The Zenno-Saava Dome? I would have expected you to put your own name first. You have many admirable qualities… a big smile, a hearty laugh, wearing your emotions on your sleeve, and so forth. ::Observes Saava giving him the side-eye:: But I had not numbered modesty among them. ::gentle laugh:: I don’t know if this will all blow over. Impossible to predict. But if I’m to go into self-imposed Squares exile, at least it will be with you, my dear friend. oO If she were of my kind, I’d take her hand in solidarity and friendship. But this being Saava, she’d likely misinterpret the gesture and punch me in the face. We got into trouble once on this trip already. Best to not make a scene. Oo
The Bolian took his hands off of his tray table and put them into his lap and listened to his friend.
Saava: Your sentiment is noted, Zenno. Going into self-imposed Squares exile seems an intriguing proposition. I must confess, the prospect aligns with my inclination for evoking the unexpected.
Zenno: Back at the Academy, I recall one of our instructors calling you a “Vulcan Chaos Gremlin,” and I have come to agree with his assessment. But I know it’s well intentioned on your part and I don’t hold it against you. And as you know, I like it. It’s a good compliment to my somewhat laconic and placid self, I suppose.
Saava: Chaos is part of Vulcan nature. Chief Moore probably was not educated in its relevance for Vulcan culture. ::pause:: But I do not hold that against him.
It stayed quiet for a moment before Zenno continued.
Zenno: But I do hold something against you, my friend. ::quietly:: It’s time for total truth between us. There is something on your mind, something is bothering you. And it’s nothing to do with the Squares or this trip. You arrived with it on Qualor II. And it insults our friendship that you cannot share your troubles with me.
Saava’s mind tried to immediately put together the part she might want to share. Zenno was right that she was being bothered by something. She tried to hide it the best she could, but she should have foreseen that it was not enough for her friend. He knew her too well. While she wanted to respond, all she could muster now was silence.
Zenno: ::with kindness:: We’ve been through so much. You have helped me so many times. I was able to salvage my working relationship with T’Lyra because of your advice. We both considered leaving the Academy at one time. We convinced each other to stay. And I am grateful for it. Yet you deny me the chance to return the favor. ::beat:: There is nothing you cannot tell me. No burden too heavy to share.
And with that her Bolian friend had applied the Zenno-strategy. A well-blended mix of logic and emotion that usually convinced Saava to follow his wishes. She could count on the fingers of one hand how many times he had pressed her to do something she didn’t already want to do in their five years of friendship. Sometimes she asked herself if he would be capable of doing a similar thing with her choices of food.
Saava: ::pauses:: Something I could always count on was to perform with distinction when following the rules of logic. I have always been at the top of my class. In school, during the Academy - always. While certain people might label me as a chaos seeking entity, logic is a Vulcan’s tool to suppress it. And it has always elevated us to excellence.
She paused for a second.
Zenno: ::leaning in with interest:: And you have discovered that you are not getting the results you wanted on your new assignment? Things are different than you had expected?
Saava: My experience aboard the White Pine is different. Doctor Selenka, our Chief Medical Officer, is a highly irrational human being. She does not succumb to logic. I feel that it is troubling. It clearly shows in my annual evaluations. I do not understand why her chaotic behavior leads to a substandard valuation of my performance.
Zenno: You and I both have had some wildly irrational instructors. oO I think Nardello was the worst. Also the best. But definitely the worst too. Sometimes at the same time. Oo
Saava: I accepted it during the Academy. We barely had an instructor whose objectivity I got to question. But working on a starship with the same people day in and day out is more intense. I do not get to choose my social circle. I am injected into it, and I am obligated to abide by Doctor Selenka’s illogical rules to get a good evaluation.
Zenno’s realized that Saava likely had no friends on board her ship. She was the most social type, and this was a burden for her.
Zenno: In all our time together at the Academy, we were graded on everything. If memory serves, anything less than a perfect score on your part was deemed a dismal failure.
Saava: ::raising an eyebrow:: I have always been the best, Zenno. What makes you question that I lost that aspiration?
And although she presented this fact with an emotional distance every Vulcan would appreciate, she had to admit to herself that there was more emotion in that statement than she would have liked.
Zenno: I question no such thing. I admire your dedication. I do note, however, that evaluations at the Academy were highly structured and rigidly enforced. As I have come to learn, things out in the Fleet are less… prescribed. I recall a Human Admiral lecturing us in school once. He said that the Academy is like Classical Music. The Fleet is like Jazz. I had no idea what half of those words meant and I had to look it all up. I did find the comparison apt. Even more so lately. oO I’m shamefully behind on my Department Head crash course. And off I go on a lark to watch some Parrises Squares. The Captain is probably too disappointed in me to even say anything. Jazz indeed. Oo
Saava: I appreciate Classical Music, Zenno.
Zenno: But now you are surrounded by the Jazz. I suppose the situation is made worse by the fact that you are a remarkably social being. I imagine that’s not the usual Vulcan type.
She took Zenno’s words in, without much substantial comment. There was a lot of truth in his words. Selenka felt like Jazz - the worst kind. And his evaluation of her social needs was accurate as well, although it was nothing she could be proud of amongst her people. There were Vulcans that saw this as a clear weakness.
Saava: Sometimes I am not sure if you’re making a compliment or pointing out a flaw.
Zenno: There is nothing but respect, admiration, and fondness. You know this. But I will say we have something in common here. Just like the Arrow, the White Pine is a smaller ship. There is no escaping either our superiors or our crewmates. May I suggest a possible course of action for your consideration?
Saava: ::raising her eyebrow:: A pet is not an option, Zenno.
Zenno: ::Smile, laugh:: No, I am not going to recommend a pet. The crew on my ship is obsessed with pets, I’m not. Stop bringing that up. ::beat:: What I was going to ask was if you had an informal chat with Doctor Selenka about your evaluation and what the result was?
She thought about it for a moment. She had not done that, so Zenno’s question was more of a suggestion. She had not conceived of the idea by herself and she was not sure she approved of it. In Vulcan society, to inquire to a superior about their judgments would be the worst kind of insult, a total and complete violation of the respect one should have for their elders. But as Zenno was fond of pointing out, she wasn’t on Vulcan anymore.
Saava: I have not.
Zenno: Well then my suggestion might be the most informal of approaches. You must learn the Jazz. It sounds like the Doctor is not a formulaic being. She is as the waves crashing upon the shore. The sea spray cannot be predicted when the waves break. So one possible course of action would be to informally ask her what a better rating might look like in practice. And then routinely follow-up with her and ask for feedback more frequently. ::beat:: That is my suggestion. I read about this approach in an Interspecies Collaboration Guide I’m studying. I can send it to you. And if you wanted, we could discuss afterwards… if you think it may help. After all, we are Team Blue Point. Your success is my success and the same in reverse.
Zenno might be right. The logical way was to ‘go with the waves’ if she was not able to break free of them. What she had found on the White Pine might not live up to her standards or suit her preferences, but she must play the cards she was dealt. She wasn’t on Vulcan anymore indeed.
Saava: I don’t have much appreciation for Jazz. ::pause:: But I value your solution-focused suggestion. I will consider it and if implemented, I will let you know how it impacts my performance.
Zenno: You find my suggestion agreeable? ::feigned shock:: Computer, please flag this Stardate in my calendar. I wish to make a personal log about this and celebrate the event annually.
She turned and looked at her friend. Zenno gave it a 50 percent chance she was going to give him a neck-pinch right there. Saava’s eyes twinkled with realization as she gave a small nod.
Saava: I suppose this is retribution for the business with the Cygnian Security Guard. Very well. But I need not find it agreeable to acknowledge its logical merit.
She had expected Zenno to make some quips at her expense after the massive embarrassment he had suffered at the Judge’s Rostrum on Theta Reticuli. She had enjoyed that a bit too much and he knew it. Based on the calculated weighted average of the past week and considering the confounding variables, she determined that they were about even for now. Of course, she would arrange to be in the lead by a comfortable margin by the time the trip was over.
Zenno: For what it’s worth, I have missed this. And you. Even if we are banned for life from the Squares, I had such a time. One for the record books. I wouldn’t have changed a thing. ::beat:: Oh, here they come taking the food orders. Tell them I want the gagh Fun Box. Hey, do you think it has a prize inside?
[TBC]
Ensign Saava
Nurse, Medical Division
USS White Pine
As simmed by
Lt. Connor Dewitt
Engineer
USS Arrow
A239901CD3
And
Lt (jg) Zenno
Acting Security Chief
USS Arrow
A240006Z13