Lt Sasch Kreshkova and Ens S'Zurak - Correction and Camaraderie
Karen Morris
((Corridor, Deck 1, USS Narendra))
Sasch secured her console after docking the Narendra at OPS. It had felt like a long and trying mission, but they had gotten back with every single member of the Valiant. And that was a win in her book. As Sasch turned to head off of the bridge, she spotted S’zurak lumbering away. And she remembered his admonition on the bridge - and somehow she didn’t see him as a Gorn in that moment. She saw him as an Ensign who had, in her mind, unfairly admonished her during the mission, and she had something to say to him.
Hurrying from her console before he could leave the deck she called after him.
Kreshkova: Ensign S’zurak?
Recognizing her distinct voice behind him, he answered without turning.
S’zurak: Lieutenant.
Kreshkova: Do you haf a moment?
S’zurak: I do.
Kreshkova: Zhere’s somezhing I vould like ot speak vizh you about.
S’zurak turned to look her straight on.
S’Zurak: Go ahead, Lieutenant.
Kreshkova: Vhy don’t ve step into zhe briefing room.
Sasch gestured to the nearby door.
((Briefing Room))
Once they were inside Sasch crossed her arms across her chest. Looking up at the reptile who felt nearly twice her height, she felt the need to take a deep breath, not because he was so tall, not because he was a Gorn and could have swallowed her in a single bite, but because she both wanted to chew him up and yet she wanted to take steps to help him understand his gaffe, so that they could get along better in the future.
Kreshkova: Ensign, you do understand zhat zhe bridge crew, ve, are a team, Da?
He noted her posture and tone were not the same as before.
S'zurak: I am not ssure I understand, Lieutenant.
This kind of interaction was not so unfamiliar to S’zurak. He suspected he had caused offense, likely in a cultural or procedural context. There were many cultural differences between him and most other Starfleet. But just because he’s been in similar situations before didn’t mean he didn’t loathe these conversations.
Kreshkova: Vhen ve vere on zhe bridge, I asked Lieutenant Tito if he was sure that he vanted to beam people vizhin zhe influence of zhe gravity vell. Do you remember zhat?.
Up till now, S’zurak had no idea what Sasch wanted to discuss. He still wasn’t entirely sure.
S’zurak: I recall the exchange. But I do not perceive an error.
Kreshkova: Vhen I said zhat, your response vas, ‘he had already accounted for the variable, or he vould not haf spoken.’ Do you remember zhat?
S’zurak took half a step back. Not because he feared Kreshkova, who barely reached his chest, but because these dreaded confrontations were far more volatile than any plasma discharge.
S’zurak: That is correct, Lieutenant. You have recalled my phrasing with remarkable precision.
Kreshkova: ::Stressing each word.:: Ve are a team. ::Sasch paused for a moment, looking for a way to explain what she wanted him to understand.:: Haf you ever played any team sports? Or haf you ever watched human soccer - or some countries call it football?
S’zurak edged back another half step.
S’zurak: Mosst are ssurprised to learn I enjoy baseball.
Seeing the Gorn stepping away from her, Sasch took a step forward. Her brows knit in frustration.
Kreshkova: Vell, in soccer - even in baseball, each person has zheir own position zhat zhey play, but each area zhat a player is assigned overlaps vizh anozher area vhere zhe teammates vork togezher. Can you understand zhat?
S’zurak: ::tilting his head:: That analogy is… beginning to take shape.
Kreshkova: Vhat vas happening on zhe bridge is zhat two crewmates vere providing checks and balances for each ozher. It vas done vizh respect between zhe Lieutenant ::it felt strange to call Tito by his rank:: and I.
S’zurak: I did not intend to negate your input. I meant only that Lieutenant Tito appeared confident. I wished to make my trusst in him known.
As soon as the words left his mouth, S’zurak adjusted his footing again, another fractional shift backward. It was the third time he'd done so, and this time Sasch’s eyes followed it. Subtle as he may have thought it was, the pattern had become impossible to ignore.
The Russian took another step forward.
Kreshkova: Vhy are you continuing to step avay from me. I am not zhreatening you.
Whether or not S’zurak even realized it himself, he reached for something that sounded plausible.
S’zurak: I am… repositioning to avoid the impression that I am physically towering over a ssuperior officer. It… is a matter of visual protocol. This angle allows me to maintain eye contact without a downward gaze.
Sasch narrowed her eyes and considered his statement. She wasn’t completely sure he was telling the truth, but she was sure that until she knew otherwise, she would give him the benefit of the doubt. The helmswoman took a step back, not wanting to exacerbate the situation.
Kreshkova: Regardless, Do you understand vhat I am trying to explain? Ve help each ozher by providing feedback and questions in a right vay.
S’zurak: Yess, your point sstands. Redundancy eliminates user error.
Kreshkova: So your challenging me on zhe bridge, vas not just ::she paused for a moment thinking of the right word, and the word she chose could come across the wrong way, but she hoped that her gentle tone expressed her feelings more than the word.:: rude, but it also worked against vhat ve are trying to accomplish.
S’zurak: I have been told ssomething similar.. By sseveral instructors.
With a small, gentle smile.
Kreshkova: So take zhis experience and learn from it, Ensign. Ve all make mistakes from time to time. Zhe question is do ve learn and grow from zhem.
S’zurak: I will… take it under advisement.
Sasch smiled and crossed her arms across her chest as she sized the ensign up. Her tone was bright and inviting when she asked …
Kreshkova: How are you getting along on board? I can imagine zhat it must be challenging from time to time. You’ll forgive me if I say zhat not everyone likely feels comfortable vizh a Gorn on board.
S’zurak: It iss not unexpected. Many sspecies lack familiarity with the Gorn beyond myth and conflict. I do not sseek their comfort. I sseek only to fulfill my duty to this crew.
With the conversation taking a different tone, S’zurak’s posture eased slightly.
Kreshkova: I can imagine for some of zhe …. smaller-minded people, it might make it harder to make friends, No?
S’zurak: Ssmaller-minded individuals may take time to adapt. ::He glanced down at her.:: Ssmaller individuals, however… have proven quite adaptable.
He let out a grin.
Kreshkova: Vell… OPS has a good crew, but if anyvone gives you any guff off duty, let someone know - let me know. I vant you to feel as much a part of zhe crew as you are.
S’zurak: Loyalty sspeaks louder than words. You have my thankss.
Lt Sasch Kreshkova
Helm
SB 118
OPSO240103SK2
Ensign S'zurak
Tactical Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
O240205S13