What happens on the bridge, stays on the bridge

Posted on 31 Mar 2018 @ 1:48am by Lieutenant JG Tris Shizn & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim
Edited on on 21 Aug 2023 @ 1:35pm

2,565 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: Episode 16 - A Far Sun
Location: USS Schofield - Bridge
Timeline: MD -10, 1800 hours

[ON]

The first several days had been hectic with getting the old ship completely operational. Faulty biobed, faulty lift, and a lot of niggling details. The ship itself was overall sound and functioning but little things that had been neglected or not needed had been left unfinished. Things finally had settled into a more or less routine and now as things had settled the watch had become more routine as well. In fact with Wyatt doing third watch there was little on the bridge for tactical or science to do as well and currently those stations were empty.

Allyndra sat in the command chair watching the odd shift in the stars spectrum on the big screen. She was, she admitted finally to herself a bit bored.

"Ten more days of this. I think after the chaos of getting the ship going and catching up I am going to die of the boredom." She said it out loud. "How are you doing Tris?" She used his name as there was no one else around and she could hardly see the need for the formality right now.

The Andorian turned in his chair to face the Commander. He found it odd that Allyndra Warraquim would state that she would ‘die of the boredom’. He felt that this was very unlike her usual self. He decided to tease her a bit. So with a straight face said, “I just can not envision the Mother Warraquim of the Grand Order of Warraquim to ever become . . bored.” He then smiled slyly and added, “If it ever happens, then I’m going with you.”

Allyndra chuckled, "Technically it is Mother named of House Warraquim, but those affairs are behind me at the moment and in a way thankful of it. It is just there is little going on at the moment. So...we never had a chance to really talk much and I think you know more about me then me about you. I took a bit of peek at your record, see you have combat and even some Aner in your background. So how did someone go from being combat orientated to a flyer?"

Tris had looked down in a bit of bashfulness when she mentioned him knowing things about her. After her question he looked up and replied thoughtfully, “I have always enjoyed piloting. My prior experience in the Andorian Guard caused several Starfleet Officers to encourage me to be tested as a pilot and fighter training. But after several simulations, I did not like the way it made me feel afterward.”

"Still it must have interested you enough to find a path to navigation then, just not combative one," Allyndra made the observation and then said, “The ocean is wide, be prepared to ride many currents.’ It is a saying we have on Akkadia meaning basically one never knows what direction life may take us." She smiled and then asked, "So, did you enjoy the airship journey?"

“Oh now,” he began with enthusiasm, “that was the most amazing atmospheric vessel I have ever been on. Controlling it for that short time,” he began to look past her into his memory, “it . . it was like becoming part of that vessel as we slooped about the clouds.” His eyes refocused on her and smiled greatfully.

"I am happy that you enjoyed it. I was worried that perhaps you might get bored with our not very technological ways." Allyndra nodded and then said, "When I was younger and less experienced I thought all of that was just that, backwards, a loss of who we once where. I know see some of the wisdom from the old ones that perhaps technology was not the end all, be all. That perhaps we loose a bit of ourselves. I must admit to having read a bit on the Aenar, and it seems they have steered a course less technological as well, even if more geared toward the mind, but perhaps that is just me putting my views on it."

Tris had listened intently to Allyndra, and was agreeing with her about how keeping some things low-tech provide advantages. But as she began to mention the Aenar, his smile began to fade. He considered her words closely and saw the connection she was making. The Andorian looked to Allyndra with a face of non-expression, “I accept that opinion as sound.” He tried to smile, so she wouldn’t think he was irritated at her. He really wasn’t. He trusted Allyndra Warraquim with his personal history, and knew he could trust her comments to be fair.

Tris thought to turn the tables on her and asked humorously, “And what medical device in Starfleet could we give up for a more low-tech solution, and be just as good?”

Allyndra looked at Tris and then gently replied, "What we did, we have little need as we figured out a way to pretty much regenerate along with a stronger immune system. We let nature do the work rather than a machine."

She laughed lightly, "However, that does not mean that there are things that I think we should have kept such as using animals for transport." She got more serious, "And we gave up the stars, a mistake if you ask me. We withdrew too much into ourselves."

The Andorian had enjoyed her explanation until she mentioned ‘animals for transport.’ His antennae turned inward and toward her. He could not recall what she was referring about. And wondered if he dare ask. After a slight chuckle asked, “And what exactly do you mean, ‘Animal for Transport’? Is there some kind great space cephalopod that I do not know about?”

"No, no, if you noticed there was not a whole lot of traffic mostly foot, but heavier items are moved by Qwiklicks, sort of like earth cattle. They, I could do without. There was a time in my life when I went to a guild that is almost a sort of monastery. It is way up in the mountains and as a new apprentice in that guild got the fun job of cleaning the stables. The animals drool and find the most inappropriate places to deposit their droppings."

Tris understood her explanation about the animals that were beasts of burden for the sentient species, but now she was talking about discusting bodily fluids and deification, and didn’t know why she even went with that subject. He finally replied, “Yes. Beasts of burden are regularly used by lower intellegent species. And so you are saying, that you would be willing to give up modern ground transportation for this animal drawn transport?”

"That is what we use! I am not sure that most of Akkadia would be liked to be called lower intelligence!" She laughed for a bit. "It is one thing where I think we put away too much technology. Thankfully most of Akkadia is readily available to the sky ships."

“Oh! I meant no offense Commander. My comment of lower intelligence was referencing those on a world with less technology.” He pondered a second then asked, “How would you describe a group that ‘chose’ to not use higher technology, but were just as intelligent as you or I ?”

"Perhaps more advanced," she replied. She made that odd rolling shrug of the shoulders. "For example, we are not all that far from Organia. They had advanced technology and gave it all up and went a different route. There are other examples as well." She paused a moment and then added, "Hence, when I referenced your own planet’s Aenar. They seem, if I read correctly, to have use of little technology, though it was there and still surrounded by it, but instead have decided to go a different path."

Tris considered her point. She had referenced his own Mother’s people. It was funny that he did not consider the Aenar to be ‘his people’. He simply replied, “I see your point. There are several examples. But, . . is there a better word to describe them, besides calling them what some refer to as a derogatory term?” After pausing a second, he added descriptive words, “Backwards, reserved, self-restrained?”

"I am not sure exactly. Some could say enlightened, some could say foresighted, some could also say thick headed..." She laughed lightly then said solemnly, "We put away the past in order to preserve the future. It is a phrase that we on Akkadia learn from a very young age. That with the technology we almost completely destroyed ourselves. In a way I can appreciate that it was forward thinking, still I wonder does it still have as much relevance now that the universe seems to have gotten smaller. Was there something from that time that still might prove to be useful today? I sometimes think that maybe there might have been and yet as I have had more experience not sure anymore. For example, it is said that at one time the devices that were called Fold Ships could cross the galaxy in a blink of an eye. How marvelous those must have been if true, but then what if they were known now and what harm in the delicate balance of power that exists now. So perhaps it is just as well that such things were put away."

The Andorian had listened intently to his friend, but the word ‘power’ seemed to stick in the forefront of his mind. He looked to Allyndra and said thoughtfully, “Power. I think that’s what it may come down to for some people; the desire for power and control over others.” His eyes drifted down slightly as his antennae seemed to sag forward slightly. “The power to acquire what they want. The power to be lazy and not do the physical work themselves, but cause or force others to do it in their stead.” He breathed in deeply and let it out with a thoughtful sigh.

"Indeed and not to learn the price from others that have and realized the mistakes that might have happened," Allyndra replied. She laughed suddenly, "How depressing a subject! Tell me tale, sing me a song, and I shall do the same and let us think about happier less weighty subjects."

The corner of his mouth slowly crept up, but just on one side. Tris understood what his friend meant and agreed with her. Life is too short to always be thinking about the tragedies. He leaned his head up to think of a situation . . he thought, humorous or entertaining?

"Very well I will go first then," Allyndra replied and got up from the chair. She moved toward the console and in front and then turned. She hummed a bit and then began to sing and sway slightly.

Tris looked to Allyndra and followed her as she moved.

'Auhea wale ʻoe e kuʻah alohi ahʻeā
Aneʻeneʻe mai ʻoe, Aneʻeneʻe mai ʻoe
Ah pili pono

Haʻa mai nā hene ua noe'ah luna ahʻeā
Waiho kāhela, waiho kāhela
Luhe i ka wai.

Tris didn’t understand the words, but the tune was rather catchy and he began to rock his head side to side slightly to the rhythmic beat.

He kai nehe mai i ka ʻae one ʻeā
I ka pā honehone, i ka pā honehone
Hone i ka poli"

She moved and gently touched the Andorian and switched to Federation.

"Now listen my love
Snuggle up, snuggle up
Till you're good and close

A larger smile came across the Andorian’s face.

Misty rain from above comes down the slopes
Lying spread out, lying spread out
Drooping with water

It's a sea lapping on the soft sand
With a sound so appealing, a sound so appealing
Appealing to the heart"

She then spun away and made a curtsy. "There a little song from home, hoped you liked it."

Tris took up clapping as an Andorian, with one hand patting his chest. “Yes, Yes. Very nice.” He thumped his chest and smiled gleefully.

"Thank you, now your turn, if you feel up to it. I should not compel you and if you do not feel comfortable then it is fine."

Tris placed his fists on his hips as he remained in his chair and said mockingly, “Is that a challenge?!”

"Indeed it is," Allyndra replied.

Tris thought for another as he looked up with a grimace as his antennae pointed toward each other. A smile then came to his face and he rose from his chair. The Andorian cautiously looked about the room. The few officers were looking at them, but all seemed interested and passive. Tris then turned back to face Allyndra. His eyes glanced down quickly at the help controls to make sure all was well, but then quickly proceeded.

The Andorian took on an altered per sauna with bent hips and knees, raising his hands as if demonstrating the repeated falling of something. He then spoke with ancient story to tell, a bit whispy and cold voice.

“The days are short
The sun a spark
Hung thin between
The dark and dark.”

“Matching snowy footsteps
Track the floor
And parkas pile up
Near the door.”

“The river is
A frozen place
Held still beneath
The trees' black lace.”

“The sky is low
The wind is gray
We sharpen blades
Ready for the day.”

He had made movements with his hands throughout, helping to describe the scene. Tris ended the scene crouched as he made movements with his arms as if sharpening the blade of a long sword.

"Malik'i, Malik'i," Allyndra clapped her hands.

Shizn rose slowly. His eyes darted toward those officers on the bridge to see if any might laugh or jeer at his performance. He was pleased to see neither. His focus returned to the Commander and said honestly, “I haven’t done that since I lost Eeros.” All emotion seemed to drain from his face as his eyes fell, as did his antennae to either side.

"Now, now, this is just something to pass the time, remember it is to enjoy and bring ourselves up. Sometimes storms close in on us, but remember that the suns will still be there at the end smiling and warming us again."

A soft smile came to Tris’ face and replied, “You have a wonderful way of seeing the universe and all that it gives to us.” He took a few slow steps toward the Helm then turned back, “I feel privileged to call you, friend.”

"Words of wisdom that I sometimes fail to follow myself...friend." She smiled and then shook her head. "Well, that helped pass the time, and I suppose we ought to pretend to look like serious bridge officers before next watch."

The Andorian sat down at the Helm, glanced at the control displace to check their current status, then turned back, “Awe, but I’m sure they won’t have as much fun as us.”

"Perhaps, we will never know as they won't. What happens on the bridge stays on the bridge." Allyndra winked at him.

Tris’ face became an exaggerated tight lipped, and then changed to big smile before he turned away and focused on the Helm Control.

[OFF]

--

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Acting XO and CMO
USS Schofield

Ensign Tris Shizn
Helmsman
USS Schofield

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