SD 901209.01 Joint Log A/Capt Dharmajiva (CO Scylax) and Cdt Dharmajiva (Ops 517)
David Stewart
Vin prowled around the Cadet lines at 517. He wasn't in his uniform,
because this was a personal visit. He looked at the quarters assigned, the
four beds to a room. The regimental cleanliness and the segregation of the
equipment. Already he could locate his sisters sleeping area, not for the
personal adornments, but more for the lack of them. Jacinta was a
minimalist, everything that she ever owned could more or less be packed up
into a swag to go away with at a moments notice.
He bided his time, he was already aware of where his sister was, apparently
doing some menial chores for a minor infraction of some sort. The security
officer that let Vin know this had told him that Jacinta wasn't actually the
offender and they knew it, however because she knew who the offender was and
wasn't willing to impart the information to security, Jacinta got the
punishment.
Looking around the lines made Vin aware of how militaristic he had become in
his short time in Starfleet. Already near subconsciously he was inspecting
areas for dust particles and general tidiness. Rubbing the dirt away
between his thumb and finger he clicked his tongue. Whomever was Jacinta's
roommate would need a stern talking to regarding his/her 'discipline'.
It was about then that the doors 'swooshed' open. A haggard looking young
female entered, not bothering to look up moved over to her cot and threw her
'punishment' cleaning equipment on the bed. Exhaling loudly, she was aware
of the intruder however, thinking that it was Gerald or Tranko, she chose to
ignore it, until an 'ahem' came from him.
"VIN!" she shouted looking up finally at her brother. Energy, thought
originally depleted, surged into her body as she threw herself across the
room into her brother's embrace. "When did you get here!" Jacinta exclaimed
excitedly.
Vin smiled. The history between these two amongst the family was quite
renown, although separated by many years in age, they had been inseparable
like twins for years. More like young Jacinta worshipped the ground her
eldest brother walked on, and refused to let him out of her sight. "I got
here some time ago Jacki, and I am good." Vin said stating his sisters
nickname, he added his condition on instinct. These two were a lot like one
another, didn't speak much, but could almost anticipate a whole
conversation. Especially between the two of them. Vin set his sister down
and became a little rigid.
The querying brow, the same one that became a mimicked trait between the two
of them raised on Jacinta's forehead. Then she understood. "Bah, you
aren't in uniform, I am not going to become all 'Starfleet' with you.
Vin smirked. It was typical of Jacinta to lose 'formalities' when dealing
with her family. Vin remembered a dinner with their sister Kiara, (fourth
eldest female sibling, born after the triplets, after Vin, two before
Jacinta) whom was being courted by the Minister for the Australian
confederate of New South Wales, suffice to say although the dinner may have
gone well considering the dozen plus family on the Dharmajiva side, Jacinta
didn't make it easy for her elder sister, showing the 'class' of people that
Vin's family came from instead of playing the formality stakes for the sake
of Kiara.
"Well if that is not the case, then.." Vin started the queries.
"I am good, studies going well, still poor at flight control other than
that" Jacinta shrugged finishing her 'point' form sentence.
Vin raised the brow quizzically, not unusual for her to know that he was
going to say "then on with the questions" what was unusual is that Jacinta
avoided answering on her social aspect of her life. Something Vin made a
point of knowing when Jacinta decided to join Starfleet considering Vin's
own troubled times through the Cadetship with very little friends. "And.."
he spoke prompting Jacinta to finish.
"Well, I am only new here, and the youngest Cadet I believe." Jacinta
answered. She really didn't like to be queried on her personal aspects of
her life. However this was her older brother, her idol, and she knew it was
only out of concern.
Vin wasn't satisfied with the answer, but he didn't want to push it. He
knew that Jacki had been part of the 517 crew for some time longer than some
of the other recruits/cadets. He also knew that Jacinta didn't make friends
easily either and he felt that part of taking the 'rap' for the offence she
just completed the punishment for might have been a cry for attention. He
decided that he would 'check' up on his little sister later, in his own
time. "And your writing?" Vin questioned changing the subject.
The look of shock and horror on Jacinta's face said it all. She loved her
brother, but for him to know her secret was unforgivable, and to so
callously mention it gave her the impression that he had been blabbing it
all around the galaxy. How did he know? Had he read some of her work? If
so, what did he think? He must hate it! she thought all at once.
Vin shook his head smiling only slightly as not to upset her further. This
was a calculated move on Vin's part, he could feign ignorance of his
sister's secret passion and she would never do anything about it, hide it
from others forever. Or he could trust that their connection would overcome
this intrusion into her life and make her more open about it. "Don't feign
ignorance about me knowing that I had read your short stories. You left
them in my room in an obvious place when I returned home last." Vin stated.
"But they were encrypted! And it was my room before you came back home!"
Jacinta exclaimed. She should have known better, she might have
subconsciously placed the PADD in an evident position, but to trust her
brother in not decrypting something personal.
"Jacki, you know if you put cipher in front of me I can't help myself. Its
the challenge. Plus, you removed everything else from the room" Vin
answered the hurt barrage of feelings from his sister. It was true that Vin
couldn't help himself with cipher breaking, it was one of his specialties,
he found it difficult to resist and got him into trouble with Starfleet more
often then not. Vin due to some 'special' briefings was privy to some
higher information than one would have had at his original Ensign level, due
to 'pointing' out the failures in some cryptography. However with his
current acting level, he would be about at the right level of access now.
Jacinta knew what he said rang true. She had removed everything from the
room when Vin returned home whilst in recovery from the major surgery he had
earlier in the year. She did, subconsciously and somewhat consciously place
the PADD in a precarious position. She just wanted to see her brother get
better from the depression he suffered as a result of the surgery. However,
it still hurt that it took over half a year before he actually let her know
that he did do as she suspected even on some level wanted. Who else did he
tell?
"Don't worry Jacki, I told no one." Vin spoke as if to answer her thoughts.
"I genuinely just want to know how you are going with the writing. I want
to know if you have kept it up, despite your increased duties now."
Somewhat resigned, Jacinta answered. "Yes, I 'kept' them up."
It was awkward now, between them. As if a boundary had been broached. They
stood in silence for a moment. It was Vin who broke the silence. "I have
to go now Jacki. Duty and all." It was easier leaving then dealing with
the situation he created immediately.
Jacinta just nodded. She was tired from the whole day. Maybe she could
forgive her brother later.
Vin turned to leave on the response from his sister. As he got part way
through the door he hesitated and turned. "I do want to know what happens
to Jack." He stated. "Its good." He turned and left. He kept it in the
back of his mind to check in on his sister, possibly with the Counsellor, or
even with that CO of hers. Yes, another meeting with that 'Durgo' was
something Vin did want, another confrontation might make him feel better
than the outcome of his first mission.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``
End Log.
Acting Captain Vincent Dharmajiva
Commanding Officer
USS Scylax - NCC 71488
Cadet Jacinta Dharmajiva
Operations
Star Base 517 - 14th Fleet Headquarters.