JP- Lt. Commander Brodie & Lt. Alieth: “The Impossible Split” PART 1
Alieth
JP- Lt. Commander Brodie & Lt. Alieth: “The Impossible Split” PART 1
[[Hammer’s Bowling Alley, Deck Five, USS Thor]]
It was a quiet night, Alex stepped up to the doors and typed in the key-code. Darren had been good enough to loan him the access codes and the facility for the night. He stepped through the doors and activated the lights. They thrummed into life and he moved behind the small hospitality area and switched on the replicator.
Brodie: Coffee, milk, no sugar.
The cup materialised in the small alcove and he removed it, taking a long gulp.
He wandered towards the lanes and took a ball from the rack. He stepped back, lined up his body and sent the ball flying down the lacquered surface. It crashed straight through the middle of the pack and left the seven and ten pins standing.
An impossible split. He moved to pick a second ball but turned as the door hissed open behind him - his appointment had arrived.
He’d suggested the venue for a couple of reasons. They were familiar with the medical deck, it was a work environment, difficult to relax. This was out of the way, especially at this time of night. It also had couches.
Brodie: Ah, Doctor, please come in.
The young Vulcan woman lingered for a moment in the doorway, surveying the unfamiliar place. She was aware of the existence of the site, of course, as she had had to treat more than one sprained ankle or finger produced there and. As a result, she had read about this peculiar Earth pastime. Like so many of the other leisure activities humans enjoyed, it was just a basic geometry application. As it lacked the additional challenge of an adversary's aleatory influence over the activity (as did, for example, other forms of entertainment such as billiards), she had immediately shelved it as a toddler's activity.
So, after that brief inspection, she beelined to where the counsellor was standing.
Alieth: You have chosen a rather... interesting place for this particular appointment, Doctor Brodie....
Brodie: A little unconventional perhaps, but we won’t be disturbed. Should people see us in conference on deck ten they might think it’s a conversation they can interrupt. Can I get you a refreshment?
Alieth: Vulcan Tea, Saros of Chi-Ree Blend, number 10004
The beverage quickly appeared in the replicator's niche, housed in an antique earthenware cup, glazed in an uneven graphite grey. The moment it appeared, the subtle, bittersweet aroma of his father's latest project filled her nostrils, bringing back memories of their farewell. In spite of herself, her heart shrank slightly in the lower part of her ribcage.
Nevertheless she took the cup, cradled it in her hands for a moment and took a small sip. Precisely the flavour she remembered. Predictably, Saros was exceptionally meticulous when it came to translating his creations into replicator code. And he had supplied her with the work of the last six years, which she had, of course, diligently integrated into the Thor's computer memory.
Alieth: As we discussed, I have set up this meeting in accordance with regulation twenty-nine point 3 stroke C which dictates that all personnel are required to undergo at least one psychological check-up annually during their service aboard a starship on an active mission.
Alex took a seat on the couch opposite the Vulcan physician and leaned back.
Brodie: Perfectly correct. That said, we could have done this at any time - rather than eat into shore leave on your home world.
Alieth: Indeed, the visit to the Home Planet has had some influence on this decision.
Brodie: I see...this would be your first time back on Vulcan since the academy?
Brodie wasn’t sure when Alieth had last been on her homeworld but certainly not since she had come aboard the Thor. In that time she had been promoted to rank of lieutenant and the position of chief medical officer. That didn’t include the contents of the missions she’d been part of - including the contact with Kalib and the entities in quantum space.
Whoever had left Vulcan to join Starfleet it was fair to say that, no matter how stoic they were, these things changed you.
She nodded slightly, as she let the tea warm her hands.
Alieth: This is the first time I have made a visit to the homeworld since over six years ago, indeed.
Brodie: And how has that made you feel, being back home?
The response was immediate and direct.
Alieth: The suggestion that a return to my native planet elicits an emotional response is arrogant and fallacious :: raising an slanted eyebrow:: and most decidedly human.
It was a human suggestion...he took a moment to rephrase.
Brodie: Perhaps not an emotional response but a lot can change in that time. It would be understandable if you’d needed a little time to readjust.
She took some time to answer this re-elaboration of the query. Just long enough that the tea lost some of its temperature and as she took a sip, the flavour of the mixture would have changed marginally, as the herbal blend shifted the more intense flavours in favour of more subtle ones.
Alieth: Saros of Chi-ree used to say that nothing changes too much on Vulcan. While there is truth in those words, I have nevertheless found that it does not quite fit reality. She made a brief pause and tooe another tiny ship of her tea:: Such a dichotomy between invariability and change has been an interesting thing to witness.
Brodie: There was a philosopher in ancient Greece, Heraclitus, who proffered that "The only thing that is constant is change”. I’ve always rather agreed with that. I can’t say I am familiar with Saros, is he widely known on Vulcan?
Alieth: Saros is indeed not a widely recognised philosopher, but he is certainly a wise man. And a master of tea making.
Brodie: It sounds like you’ve studied his teachings in person.
Alieth: Indeed, he is my father after all.
There it was. “In accordance with regulation twenty-nine point 3 stroke C”, ”the visit to the Home Planet has had some influence on this decision” and “a return to my native planet elicits an emotional response is arrogant and fallacious”. He did wonder if perhaps the doctor did protest too much? Vulcan’s were, in some ways, quite emotional about emotion. Perhaps it was an unfamiliarity...perhaps even a fear of slipping back into a more aggressive primal society. He’d seen examples of pre-Surak at the museum - was every Vulcan doing their part to avoid a return?
Still, the only Vulcan that mattered right now was the one sitting one the couch opposite - focusing on her tea.
Brodie: I...get the feeling we’re in the general area of why you wanted to see me.
She suppressed a tiny sigh, her diversion from the first question had been just too short-lived.
Alieth: Roughly.
He knew he was unlikely to have an emotional breakthrough...and he wasn’t sure what the outcome might be. He decided to try a more practical...more logical and direct...a more Vulcan approach. He leaned forwards slightly.
Brodie: Do you know what the role of counsellor is, Alieth?
She didn't have to rack her brain too much to find the textbook definition she considered most relevant.
Alieth: Check and verify the stability of the crew to ensure that they are able to continue with the activities to which they are dedicated on board the vessel and to prevent conflicts or unresolved situations from escalating in a way that could be deemed hazardous to the personnel concerned.
Brodie: All true. Ultimately, however, the job is to help people resolve things. Sometimes that is spiritual aid, sometimes psychological care...other times...more practical solutions. So...tell me...what is it that you are struggling to resolve?
Alieth: Due to certain decisions in my past and by heritage, I am widely regarded as a maverick among my clan and my own bloodline. Nevertheless, due to a series of recent events, the assistance of the clan and a number of other acquaintances on Vulcan is not only necessary, but also vital, not for me, but to people I have in high regard.
She tilted her head slightly, and rolled the steaming mug between her hands. A stray thought told her she should have replicated coffee instead of tea, but she dismissed it as soon as it appeared.
Alieth: However, all prospects suggest that I will face a number of conflicting situations that may hinder the process, which is... not desirable.
Alex regarded the Vulcan...he’d never really considered her a ‘maverick.’ Perhaps slightly more outgoing by Vulcan standards but stoicism was a spectrum. What did occur to him, however, was that she may also consider herself to be a maverick...which was a very different style. Once more, he opted for the direct approach.
He became aware that he was rubbing his shoulder slightly...his own scars of reckless behaviour in the eyes of some.
Brodie: Do you consider yourself a ‘maverick’?
The young Vulcan blinked a couple of times in a conspicuous fashion as she sipped her tea. Immediately after, she placed her cup on the table and made a particularly controlled answer.
Alieth: I deem the answer is obvious, Counselor. I am
She tilted her head and folded her hands in her lap.
Alieth: Is it relevant, Commander?
[[TBC]]
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Lt. Cmdr. Alexander Brodie
Chief Counselor
USS Thor NCC-82607
Writer ID.: A239005BM0
&
Lt. Alieth
Chief Medical Officer
USS Thor NCC-82607
E239702A10
Image Collective Facilitator /Art Director