Of The Stars

Posted on Mon Apr 3rd, 2023 @ 9:25pm by Colonel Galen s'Khev

2,204 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Good Will Tour: Mountain Home [Part Two]
Location: Triton Seabase: Deck 5 Multidisciplinary modular laboratory
Timeline: MD 21: 21:30

Evelyn stared endlessly into a star field. She was surrounded by them in utter silence. The only semblance of being on the base being the hard deck that she kneeled on, and her Vulcan meditation lamp and incense beside her.

She struggled with her thoughts recently. Her encounters with both Culver and Cal leaving her distracted as bothersome thoughts intruded her stream of consciousness. Her outburst in Rena’s office, and it culminating with her altercation with Max. It had less than a month since taking up her assignment and she felt more than just boredom and restlessness, but could not find the word to the emotion. She just knew she was out of control of her emotions and so turned to meditation for focus and clarity.

The view underneath the water’s surface from her quarters did not help with her attempts at meditating, certainly not after spending the last several days confined there. She needed the stars. The base was always buzzing with life on the upper decks, the engines humming loudly as a distraction as much as the well meaning crew members doing their rounds, or enjoying the view. After several trial and errors, she finally concluded one of the multidisciplinary labs was the best option. She programmed the holo-projectors to display a star field from one of the star maps on record, intentionally choosing one she was not familiar with.

Kneeling on the floor, she took her meditative position and remembered the words of Tomran when he first tried to teach her how to meditate without the guided assistance of him or Senril. She focused her attention on a spot between two stars in her eye-line and allowed herself to relax, soon forgetting everything including her breathing.

Galen had gone over the plans for the arrival and meeting of Senator Killik. Lieutenant Stewart was to fly the fighter overhead and he wanted to go over the flight plan with her. Having a strict flight plan would help to make sure nothing was misconstrued. The computer told him that Evelyn was in the multidisciplinary labs on deck five.

When he stepped into the lab he did not expect to be greeted to the sight that he was. The stars were indeed breathtaking and something he longed for so much more than duty. However, Galen had the belief that he interrupted something. "My apologies Lieutenant I did not realize you were meditating. I am sorry to interrupt this can wait."

Stewart was deep enough into her meditation that she did not hear the sound of the door to the lab open. It had been quite some time since she properly meditated so her thoughts took longer than usual to dull before eventually silencing, leaving her with the calmness that was nothing. It was just when she was one with her surroundings, she heard the Colonel’s voice.

With an inward sigh, she returned to herself. Years at Starfleet training academies had led to a life of routine tedium. She never actually served on a ship or proper station. She was going to have get used to the constant interruptions.

Reaching for the lamp, she blew out the small flame, putting out the incense the same way. “Not at all, Colonel.” She said, keeping the annoyance out of her voice as she stood to turn to the Romulan. “What can I do for you?”, she asked not yet turning off the projection.

Galen had come originally to discuss some of the course corrections that they would have to take due to currents. However, all of that was forgotten by cosmos projected above their heads. He was in awe, and his breathing slowed somewhat as he seemed to become visibly calmer and more one with his surroundings. "Is this something that you use all of the time when you meditate? The projection I mean."

Evelyn bite her tongue to control her expression. She glanced around the lab at the sight of the cosmos and nodded. “Often enough, yes. It was the first way I was taught to meditate without guidance by my foster father. He would have me focus on a spot between two stars until I came out of myself. I tend to come back to the technique when I struggle to focus and still my thoughts.” Stewart admitted, glancing at Galen.

She noticed the passion in his awestruck eyes. The Romulan did little to hide his feelings with a stoic composure. “I don’t know this particular system,” she admitted, “I let the computer pull a random star chart. It helps with the meditation if I can’t identify the star systems.”

"I can imagine... For the moment I would say that I would love to take a ship and see exactly where this is." Galen walked around the room in awe of the stars above. He was usually good at hiding the emotions however, at the moment all he wanted was to be in space. "You know taking this posting was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. I was made to be up there in the stars." He confided in Evelyn

Evelyn placed her meditation lamp on the console and silently nodded as she also stared at the star field. “My brother used to say living in space is staring into infinity. There is nothing more powerful or humbling in this life.” She commented, her thoughts drifting to Desmond and the years on his freighter. A pang of sadness running through her. She rarely spoke of her brother and in that moment she felt how deeply she missed him.

"I would say that your brother must be a wise man. For me working on a station or even a planet is like being tied to an anchor in the ocean. You want to swim but you cannot, all you can do is lay there and not move." Galen exhaled sharply through his nose as if he came back to reality. "But, this is where my people want me, and need me. So this is my lot in life."

Stewart couldn’t help the slight amused smile at the thought of Desmond being wise. He was clever and a smooth talker, but she would never describe him as profound, much less wise.

Still, she noticed that Galen continued to stare at the stars. He didn’t want to rebuild the Empire. Not on the ground himself at least. “Curious,” she intoned. “why did you chose to take this assignment then?” She asked, wondering what could have pulled this man from space to take a position he clearly hated.

"Because the people here respect me, and trust me. Trust as you are no doubt aware is not something that comes easy to a Romulan. I am not conceited when I say that Starfleet would get nothing done here if I were not here. The people are putting some trust in Culver and this crew because I say that they are worthy. I have realized that despite my personal views this is the best way that I can serve my people and the Empire." Galen looked at Evelyn while he spoke, and once he was finished his eyes returned to the stars. He took a mental note to return to the Donatra even if were to simply sleep.

Stewart held his gaze as he looked at her and spoke, keeping her thoughts of Culver and his job with the Romulan government to herself. When he turned his attention back she tapped the controls and filled the room with the holographic projections surrounding them and enjoyed the silence of the situation for several moments before quietly speaking again. “I miss it.”, she commented about being in space, voicing what she was sure they both felt. “I even miss the sound of the engines and the tiny vibrations that told you the ship was buzzing with life.”

Evelyn glanced at the PaDD the Colonel had brought in with him. "But I doubt you came to see me about the stars. What can I help you with?" She asked, trying to focus herself.

In response to her comments about missing it Galen whispered. "Me too!" He too allowed the silence to to permeate. He rather enjoyed the moment, just him, some good company and the stars. When Evelyn mentioned the sounds he turned to her and smiled. "I agree. Did you know that there is even a difference in sounds and the way ships vibrate. I can close my eyes and I will know if I am on a Starfleet ship or a Romulan ship. It is really quite soothing."

Galen sighed heavily as he realized she was right. They had to return to business. "We Romulans are not keen on any deviation from plans. Since you are to fly the fighter overhead during the arrival of Senator Killik, I wanted to make sure that the flight plan is something to your liking. There is still time to change it. However, once I file it tomorrow as far as the Romulans are concerned it will be locked in."

Evelyn took the PaDD and read through the flight plan. “The fighter is going to come within 300 meters of the base, at speeds of over thirteen-thousand kph. Starfleet regulations don’t allow such a maneuver.”, she explained, looking over the PaDD. It was a safety concern. She understood the reasoning though, it would be impressive. Traveling at those speeds and weather conditions, so close to the base, and civilians on the dock would make an impressive sonic boom that would radiate and echo throughout the local mountains.

That said, Stewart wasn’t opposed to the idea, it was after all the Colonel’s call.

"Fortunately for us this is a Romulan operation and we are not governed by such regulations." Galen smirked as he went on. "If you can handle the maneuver safely it will have the desired effect. A small detail that my people do not like to share necessarily is that we like a little pomp and circumstance as it were, a show of might. So this maneuver would appeal to that side of us."

Stewart tapped the PaDD against her fingers and smirked at the Romulan. “You know you are going to have to be the one to handle the captain. He’s not exactly happy with me now. I’m sure he would not be pleased with me violating orders, again.”

"If he asks you may tell him that I gave you a direct order and you followed it. I will handle any fallout from him. In a case like this my order supersedes in the interest of diplomacy. As I said it is what my people would want." Galen understood the situation the Lieutenant was being placed into. He would do all he could alleviate any fallout.

Evelyn gave a small smile of understanding and nodded. “Other than that, the flight plan looks excellent. I should have no problems with it.” She said with subtle meaning. “Will there be anything else, Sir?”

"Not at the moment Lieutenant. Thank you..." Galen turned to face the door as his voice trailed off. He glanced back over his shoulder. "...If it would not be an intrusion. Perhaps next time we can meditate under the stars together."

Evelyn gave a small, warm smile and nodded as she handed the Colonel his PaDD back. “I would like that. Perhaps we can do one better. Would you care to join me in my quarters one evening? I’m not the best cook, but fortunately Vulcan food isn’t hard to replicate with its lack of flavor.”, she mused. “I think you’d take an interest in certain aspects of their culture that Vulcans don’t make a point of sharing with other species.”

Between Tomran being a historian, and Senril being a musician, Evelyn was well versed in Vulcan culture, music and historical texts. Given Galen’s expressed curiosity about the culture, it seemed logical he would enjoy a proper exposure.

"You know I think I would enjoy that. Thank you. And I will bring the Ale." Galen said with a smile. The Romulan did not make friends easily. However, he felt that he may have made one here. "Just name the time."

Evelyn thought about how she was leaving the base with Callan in the next few days, hopefully returning. She simply smiled and nodded. “I will let you know. Good night, Galen.”, she said with a respectful nod. It surprised Stewart to find she was beginning to develop a genuine friendship with the Romulan, something she never thought she would be able to say. She knew better than to trust the man, not completely, but she found him more agreeable and respectable than her Starfleet captain. She was looking forward when the two would be able to enjoy each other’s company again in a less formal, professional setting.

"And you Lieutenant. Rest well." Galen replied and left the quarters. He rather enjoyed this woman's company. He found her to be more enlightening than other humans. The meal that they would share together would certainly be interesting and he looked forward to it.

 

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