What do we do with the blood soaked data? Part II

Posted on 12 Jan 2016 @ 1:47am by Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D. & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim

1,097 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3 - Sickbay
Timeline: MD21 - 0700 hours

ON:

Had it been just over twenty four hours since the argument. It seemed both like minuets and yet days. Allyndra had not slept well. She knew that she had pushed too hard. If anyone had a right to that other Tuula's data it was her own counterpart here. She had the details of her own people from that other place and that would go to the library back home. Still there was something that needed to be done.

=^=Doctor Voutilainen to sickbay please at your earliest convience=^=

A few minutes later, Tuula arrived in sickbay looking terribly distressed. Without her usual dark makeup, there was nothing to hide the dark circles under her eyes from the lack of sleep the night before. Instead of being styled wildly as usual, her hair was simply tied back in a simple ponytail.

"Allyndra," she whispered as she rolled into the office. "What's happening to us? We never argue like this..."

Allyndra waited until Tuula was in the door and then came around the side of the desk and then dropped into that deep formal curtsy as though she was greeting a House Mother. It was that deep curtsy that constricted the breathing and if held long enough one would pass out.

"Forgive me. I should have never pushed so hard. I found myself too close to the problem and let my emotions and passion get the better of me." She then bowed her head still holding that position.

"No," replied Tuula, rolling herself closer, "I overreacted too, and shouldn't have said those things. I guess it's just a difficult issue for me, because it was the mirror me which did all those terrible things. Just watching what she did... what the other me did..." a tear came to Tuula's eye, which she quickly wiped away before reaching out to give Allyndra a hug.

Allyndra took that as more or less the permission to move. It was something that was still deeply inculturated within her. She shifted to her knees and hugged back. "It is a fault. That lack of looking ahead is what got my people into trouble in the past and sometimes I think I see that trait in myself."

After a moment she shifted again and rose with long practiced grace to her feet. "So what should we do? The Akkadian data I will return to home. The other I do not know. I would hate to destroy it but as you have indicated it is blood soaked. I will tell you from what I read there was something that your counterpart was lacking, some piece to bridge, something she wrote down in Akkadian that even I do not understand exactly. The word that she wrote down as Al'wehhe. The word itself means literally to unwrap but I am uncertain exactly how it applies here. I am thinking of taking all the data back home and see if there is something in archives that explains that. However, I leave what to do with that data in your hands. I do not want to loose sight of myself again."

Tuula thought on the question for a moment. "In addition to the ethical implications of where we got the data, we would also be unlocking ancient secrets that your people had put away for a reason. I'm not sure what the implications of that would be for us and for Akkadia. Perhaps we should seek the guidance of someone wiser than ourselves on this question..."

Allyndra nodded in agreement. "I concur. The Council tends to be extremely conservative, more than it should be in my opinion but if you would trust them?" She let the question hang out there.

"I..." Tuula just sat there, gobsmacked. She had never expected to be invited to Allyndra's homework, especially not after their argument the day before. "I suppose... I mean, if anyone know the implications of unlocking ancient Akkadian secrets..."

"Very good. At least it will be a place to start, and there are other reasons I need to go home. I hope you like the place but I will say that the lights and thrills of a big port are not there. Oh!" Allyndra remembered a promise she made. "Cadet Wintrow will be coming. I sort of promised him."

"That sounds great," replied Tuula. She paused for a moment and placed a finger on her chin. "Hmmmmm... how do you think they will react to an outsider like me? Is there anything I should know? What should I wear?"

"You will definitely be a stranger in a strange land. Outside of the one landing port, few are allowed. Expect a few stares but in general we are taught to be polite to all. Mott survived his visit." Allyndra remembered him wandering off into a class.

Allyndra sighed slightly, "Wear what you like, you will be an outsider and the rules of certain formalities are relaxed. If you wish to dress appropriately I will be willing to make sure we can fit you when we are there. Oh, yes, more than likely as a guest of the House you will have servants. To some it can be disconcerting but it is considered a part of apprenticeship. All must serve to learn to lead is the phrase. An off world guest as yourself would be considered to be high honour indeed to serve." Allyndra turned and picked up a PaDD. She then handed it to Tuula.

"This is the only copy of that particular data, it is best in your hands I think. If you decide not to use it, delete it or turn it over is your decision and yours alone. At the very least then I will have had the opportunity to show you a bit of my home."

Tuula took the PADD in her hands. It felt heavy with the responsibility for the data and all the ethical implications of it. But the fact that Allyndra had entrusted her with it spoke volumes. "Thank you," she whispered, quickly wiping away a tear. "I'll make sure to do the right thing."

"I have had the distinct pleasure to have worked with you, seen your work and come to know you as a person as well. I trust your judgement." It was just a statement but there was feeling behind it.

Tuula smiled at Allyndra. "Come on. Let's get a coffee. Life's too short to argue with each other."

OFF

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LCmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Tuula Voutilainen
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

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