JP: Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron, Lieutenant (JG) Hana Wright, and PNPCs T'Pa, Is'Lath - Decorations Part 2
Kaitlyn Kalor
(( Memory, Is’Kah’s childhood home, T’Paal, Vulcan, 2383 ))
A young Is’Kah knelt at her desk, sitting on her feet. On her terminal was a textbook, along with a PADD she had leaned on the wall. She was taking notes on a second PADD, allowing her to develop an outline. Running a hand through her long hair, she sighed. She understood that there were words in her books, but the combination of them didn’t make any sense.
Rising, Is’Kah took her PADDS and headed for her mother’s office. When she approached the living room, she heard two voices. One of them sounded distraught as her mother spoke comforting words, even if they were in a monotone voice, while holding a cup of tea.
Is’Lath: It is unfortunate that they have been unable to locate David.
T’Pa: I do not understand how he had been able to elude the Vulcan Bureau of Investigation. He did not have those skills.
Is’Lath: I have contacted the Federation Bureau of Investigation for you; however, they are just as lost. They claim that after five years, T’Hana would likely be dead by now or so far away that she’ll never be found.
Pursing her lips, Is’Lath took a slow drink of her tea. She wished there was more she could do, but even involving the FBI stretched her influence.
The distraught mother's breath caught in her throat, and a faint intake was audible. Her already tense posture tightened further as her fingertips dug into the sides of the chairs. She fought the rage that statement stacked inside her entire body.
T’Pa: Never. Say. That. Again. My daughter is alive.
Her words were clipped and jagged, and desperation showed in the lines on her face.
Is’Lath: I am aware that your parental bond is intact, but to non-Vulcans, it is not admissible as evidence.
T’Pa: I would know if she were lost for good, even though I cannot reach her.
Her hands slammed down on the arms of the chair. The force she used to stand up pushed the chair back. She was pacing before it hit the floor. Something about the sharp thud satisfied her.
Is’Kah’s hand came up, covering her mouth to keep herself from gasping too loudly. T’Pa never reacted like that. Her emotional control was better than Is’Kah’s mother's.
Is’Lath: Then we will not stop looking, my friend.
T’Pa: We cannot stop, Is’Lath. I will never stop looking.
She paced the length of the room as silence grew between the two women. T’Pa rang her hands and she began to circle the room.
After some time, Is’Lath finely spoke. This display of emotion was unusual to see.
Is’Lath: Even if it is illogical to continue?
T’Pa: What use is logic without my child? I need her.
She ran her fingertips over the top of another chair, trying to keep herself from ripping it apart.
T’Pa: I know what I sound like. I know what I look like. I feel as if I am losing my mind.
About to lose all the control she had left, she suddenly walked away from the chair and paced more quickly until she hit the wall. A dent in the fabric underneath her hand broke something inside her. She didn’t know who she was anymore and she crumpled to her knees.
T’Pa: I need her. I need T’Hana. I do not deserve her. What kind of mother can lose a child? I am nothing without her. I NEED HER!
The emotional outburst had surprised Is’Lath, yet it prompted her to kneel next to her friend. She had heard of multiple cultures rubbing their hand over an upset person's back to help them feel better.
The unexpected touch jolted T’Pa, but she did not pull away. Her head hit the wall, and a tear burned its way down her cheek.
Before anything else happened, Is’Kah turned from her spot and returned to the bedroom. She would simply ask her father for assistance.
((End Flashback))
Stoval: You are suggesting that Hana is T’Pa’s daughter?
Is’Kah: I am not suggesting, I know. I can show you the memory of the time I gave T’Pa and T’Hana a blanket. Said blanket sits on your bed, in the form of her teddy bear.
Stoval: I am familiar with the stuffed creature and I was aware it was significant to Hana. I admit, I do see the resemblance between the two women. This would have rather serious implications. I do not need to tell you the revelation that Hana is the center of the longest missing person case Vulcan has seen in centuries would have dramatic implications and consequences.
Is’Kah: It is my duty as a Starfleet officer to find what is true and what is not. It does not matter if it’s scientific, engineering, or personal. If I don’t, then my oath is invalid.
Stoval: What about your oath to protect others? Is this truly what is best for Hana? If it is false, then there will be an investigation into her life for nothing. If it is true…then you will be forcing Hana into a culture she has never felt accepted by through a connection to a woman she has no ties to beyond blood. I am somewhat familiar with T’Pa’s clan. Unless any new children have been born in recent years, Hana would be left with the burden of leadership of a not insignificant noble clan and everything that comes with it, despite her open discomfort with Vulcan emotional suppression.
Is’Kah: All I am asking is for you to allow me to test her DNA, and if it is a match, I will present it to both of you to discuss and make a choice if Hana wants to meet her. At the very least, knowing her maternal history would be useful for any potential genetic threats to her.
Stoval: I will not help you, but I am unable to stop you. However, I believe the point may be moot regardless.
Is’Kah: Very well. All I ask is that you think about it.
Stoval: You should know, Hana informed me recently that after her Pon Farr she visited a doctor on the Astraeus because she was, and I quote “feeling weirdly well and in good health for no reason,” and said medical officer noticed the gaps in her medical history and requested to log her genetic profile with Starfleet Medical. She accepted. As T’Pa’s information is recorded as well and there are certainly algorithms that would flag anyone matching her missing child, it may already be too late for any of us to have any choice in the matter. Hana included.
Is’Kah: Those databases are checked quarterly to save processing power. It might be some time before it flags. That said, I can speak to someone about running the comparison for me. I will direct them to give you the results. Thus, it will be your choice to tell Hana or not.
Stoval: No. I will not be the gatekeeper of information pertaining to Hana. I promised her that I would never attempt to exert control over her and that includes making decisions that are hers by right. I will tell her that you were concerned about her parentage and any information you gain will go to her if she chooses to accept it.
Smiling, Is’Kah nodded.
Is’Kah: You are a good man. I am happy my friend found you.
Stoval: It disturbs me to no end that Hana continues to find my basic decency to be exemplary.
Is’Kah: Your idea of basic and others' idea of basic are not even in the same solar system.
Stoval: I learned from a young age that my T’hy’la was raised as a human. I merely adjusted my behaviour to accommodate. It was no hardship.
The Trill hybrid raised an eyebrow.
Is’Kah: Yet, that is above and beyond what someone expects. I am well aware of how our culture dislikes compliments, thus in this case, it's more “Thank you, Is’Kah. I try,” than deflecting. You are a great mate for Hana, someone who accepts her for who she is and does her best to be her biggest cheerleader.
Stoval: I am unsure how the human sport of cheerleading relates to my marriage. I merely wish for her safety and success. I have failed repeatedly since we were first bonded and I will not allow it to happen again.
A laugh bubbled from Is’Kah’s chest.
Is’Kah: You have no idea how amazing that is and how rare a viewpoint you have. All you need to do is continue supporting her, and the two of you will never part.
Stoval: I can only hope she can see past my failings.
Is’Kah: Only once you forgive yourself, can you truly help become her rock. Perhaps speaking with S’Rorr will help put these feelings in perspective.
Stoval: Perhaps I should, though I doubt I could ever truly atone for the fact that I am likely the only Vulcan in history to have lost his T’hy’la like a disorganized human loses a shoe.
Is’Kah: That is unlikely, do you not remember the stories of armored warriors that would rescue their T’hy’la’s. While fiction, they are based upon historical facts.
Rising, Is’Kah bowed to Stoval.
Is’Kah: Thank you for entertaining my wild penguin chase. If you need anything, my door is open to both of you.
Stoval: Thank you. I only hope that, whatever occurs, we are able to support her through the turmoil.
Is’Kah: Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
She turned to leave, but a realization crossed her mind, causing her to pause. It had been nagging at her, but Stoval was correct. She should trust the system.
Is’Kah: I will not breach my friend's trust.
Stoval did not smile, but the smallest change in his expression suggested that if he were human, he would.
Stoval: I trusted that you would come to that conclusion.
((END SCENE))
Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron
Chief of Security and Tactical
USS Chin’toka
R240101I14
Pronouns:
She/Her (Player and Character)
Zha/Zhen (Character)
And
T’Pa as written by:
Lieutenant Divya Tam
Chief of Operations
USS Thor
A240104DT4
She/Her (character and player)
And
Lieutenant JG Hana Wright
Engineering Officer
USS Chin’Toka
A240112HW4
And
PNPC Is’Lath as written by
Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron
Kaitlyn Kalor
((Deck 8, Officers Quarters, USS Chin’toka))
Is’Kah: Hana, whoever told you that was wrong. Vulcans believe in Infinite Diversity, Infinite Combinations. My father describes that as meaning “You do you.” If you like it there, then it belongs there; no one else gets to tell you otherwise.
Wright: Yeah, I know, I know, it’s just hard to get out of that headspace. I-
Hana’s combadge went off, asking her to report to engineering. Until the actual acting chief got back, she was technically the highest ranked officer in Engineering, which means there are certain things that needed her approval in the interim. This was likely one of those.
Wright: Sorry, I have to take this. Feel free to stick around and make notes or whatever.
Is’Kah: Such is the life of an Engineer. I remember it well.
Hana scooped up Teela before scurrying off into the next room, leaving Is’Kah alone in the room. This solitude did not last long, however. Moments later, Stoval entered the room.
Stoval: Greetings Is’Kah. I spoke with Hana on her way out of the door. She informed me that you are helping her with the aesthetics of our space. As I am unable to assist her and this subject seems of deep importance to her, I must express my gratitude.
Is’Kah: It is my pleasure.
She paused, the final pieces of the puzzle of who Hana’s mother was finely falling into place. All she needed was to confirm it.
Is’Kah: Stoval, I require a sample of Hana’s hair.
Stoval raised an eyebrow.
Stoval: That is a simultaneously odd and sudden request. What use would you have for something like that?
Is’Kah: I know who her mother is, and I will need the hair to prove it to them.
Stoval: I am unsure that this is the correct course of action. Hana has made it quite clear that she has no desire to know her mother.
Is’Kah: I understand that you wish to protect her from someone who abandoned her. However, consider the source and his reaction at seeing you in his daughter's light. I would call that an unreliable narrator.
Stoval: It is still quite possible that David Wright’s worry for his child, while not expressed rationally, may come from a valid place. I am unbothered by his…distaste for me. My only concern is how that reaction affects Hana. Going behind both of their backs to prove your theory, whatever it may be, seems counterproductive.
Is’Kah: I wish to show you a memory. Will you meld with me to view it?
Stoval: If you believe it necessary.
Is’Kah: Thank you.
Nodding, Is’Kah joined Stoval on the floor, placed her hand on Stoval’s face, and started their meld.