We Are Falling Out Words Written Down

Posted on 13 Jul 2018 @ 5:25pm by Commander Marisa Wyatt & Lieutenant JG Rizil Chaya

1,852 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: MD105 1300

ON:

Since her arrival at Avondale a week ago, Chaya had done her best to assimilate herself amongst the shipyard's Starfleet contingent, volunteering to help out the security forces wrangle among other things: an infestation of pests, fire drills, safety inspections, two arrests, and the construction of a shed on some guy's lawn. Guess who helped with the shed.

Aside from a brief hiccup at one of the local bars, Chaya was finding her time at the shipyards refreshing, having spent the better part of the last eleven years aboard ships with little downtime in-between. Which suited her fine, but nonetheless, it was nice to feel the sun beating on her face for a change.

Usually she ate her lunch on the go, during patrol, but today she decided to scope out the mess hall and catch a glimpse of any potential crewmates and/or catch up with some of the folks she'd gotten to know over the past little while. She spied Marisa sitting at one of the tables next to a large window overlooking the horizon and palm trees, and she came to a stop beside her.

"Hey," the Bajoran grinned. "This seat taken?"

Everything felt different now that the Schofield was back and Marisa was overseeing the installation of equipment and the new experimental fish tank--for lack of a better description. In theory, it would be nice to have fresh fish from time to time. She looked up and smiled. "Hi. No. Have a seat."

"Hi!" Chaya sidled into the booth across from her, tray in hands, and she set it lightly down on the table to avoid spilling the small bowl of tuwaly soup. The aroma was peppery, with a hint of dry sweetness and most peculiarly, fruit. Beside it was a big helping of hasperat, which just resembled a spicy baklava, and a frothy, creamy glass of purple moba juice. "I'm Lieutenant Rizil. Chaya," she amended, holding out her hand. She pronounced it like khai-ya. If Marisa were paying attention, she would detect a faint green coloration of Chaya's skin, as well as slightly upswept eyebrows, which hinted to her own Vulcan heritage. "New transfer to the Galileo. Do you work here at the docks?"

Marisa took her hand. "Marisa Sandoval." She raised an eyebrow, noting her green tint and Vulcan-like eyebrows. "No. I'm the head of science on the Galileo-A. Which department will you work in?"

"I'm a security officer," Chaya said, giving Marisa's hand a firm shake before letting go. "Science, huh? What's your specialty?" she asked in between sips of moba juice.

"History, archaeology, and anthropology." Marisa picked up her own glass of pomegranate lemonade and took a sip. "May I ask where you're from?"

"I'm from Bajor," Chaya replied obligingly. "From Dakhur province," she elaborated slightly before returning the question. "What about you? I noticed you're definitely part-Vulcan, were you raised on Earth or on Vulcan? Or both?"

"Both. My childhood was on Vulcan, then we moved to Earth." It was a fortuitous move, as far as she was concerned.

"That must've been a culture shock," Chaya laughed. "I've never been to Vulcan. I actually have a Vulcan ancestor, but I don't really know anything about the culture or the language unfortunately."

Marisa smiled wryly. "I have a great deal of respect for Vulcan history and culture. However, it is still difficult to be a hybrid in many parts of the planet. Shi-Kahr is generally fine, but other areas still have a hard time with half-breeds. Especially if they are more emotional." She shrugged. "As a child, I preferred Earth. As an adult, I find both worlds and their histories fascinating." She was more open about it than she normally would be. Generally, she didn't talk much about her upbringing. Maybe it was recent events that made her more willing to talk? "I wondered if you had some Vulcan in you."

"Shi'Kahr, that's where my grandmother was born," Chaya enthused warmly. "She was half, too, but she didn't raise my mother with many Vulcan beliefs. You know, you are not the first person to notice that, here. This is my first posting amongst a science crew, and it shows," she laughed. "But I can see how you'd have preferred Earth as a child. It sounds a little more open and individualistic."

"It is. My mother was displeased, but she said that as long as I used my mind and trained myself in the Vulcan ways, she would let me chose my own path. We have both kept to that bargain."

"The Vulcan ways, you mean like, what do you mean exactly?" Chaya tilted her head. "I assume you mean logic, but that's sort of... inherent, isn't it? I mean, most people should strive to be rational. I'm also assuming that most people assume that... and it's probably more complicated." Chaya was a hand-talker, gesturing idly while she spoke, becoming gradually more animated with passion.

"In the prehistory, Vulcans were a violent people, always at war with one another. It was Surak that turned us to pure logic and peace. While logic comes easier to us, we still must be trained to do all things logically, to lock away emotion. To value knowledge, intelligence, and reason above all else. We must be trained to use our intellect, our mental control. Meditation and study enforce it." She shrugged. "But it is not something that just happens." Then she grinned. "But on Earth, I learned that one can embrace emotion without losing logic. Humans have a way of getting to the heart of the matter--pun intended. I find that combining logic and heart to be imminently preferable. For my mother, I continue to meditate, to study, to strengthen my mental control. For my father, I find joy in life."

"That sounds incredibly logical to me," Chaya laughed. "My grandmother spoke infrequently about feeling conflicted between being Bajoran and being Vulcan. She didn't want my mom to feel the same way, so she didn't learn a whole lot about logic as a child. The occupation sort of took up the forefront of their attention anyway, but I've always been interested in learning more about Vulcan culture."

"I don't think anyone should feel conflicted," Marisa said. "In my opinion, embracing our past makes us better people in general."

"I think internal conflict is just a part of growing up. If it's not about your heritage, it's about something else. Being a well-rounded adult is just a matter of learning to accept who you are, and take responsibility for yourself as a sentient being." Chaya smiled sincerely.

"Very true." Marisa set her fork down. "How do you like working for Starfleet?"

"I love it," she answered immediately. "Working in sec has been a dream. It wasn't easy to transition from the Bajoran militia, but it's been super rewarding over the years. How about you? What made you decide to join up?"

"I wanted to explore old worlds and ancient civilizations. I've worked on archaeological sites, but I want the opportunity to find them."

"Have you always been interested in archaeology?"

"History first, but I would have to say yes. I've always been interested in the past. What about you? Have you always been interested in security?"

"I guess, in a way," Chaya laughed. "I've always been interested in protecting and serving, so to speak."

"A good place to start. How did you find the Galileo?"

"Just a routine transfer," the Bajoran answered. "Security grunt, so, you know, I go where I'm told. I'm digging the long-term aspect of this posting, though, and it seems like this crew is fairly tight-knit. My last ship was a Defiant-class, so, used to it," she grinned. "How about you? CSO, that's a pretty big deal."

"I worked with the crew of the former Galileo for a few months, so I know a number of them," Marisa said. She didn't want to go into details with someone she'd just met. "They're an exceptional group." She wasn't sure quite how to comment on her position as being a pretty big deal. It was a great opportunity because it was a science ship and there were a greater number of opportunities, but she was hesitant to make too much of it. Especially with the caliber of officers on the ship.

"Having met with quite a few of them so far, that's definitely an accurate assessment," Chaya smiled.

"That's good. It's always nice to meet the people you'll work with before you work with them." It was going to be good and bad because it would bring up a lot of memories, but overall she was excited about this new venture.

"Definitely, helps you get a sense of where and when you're needed, so to speak. Although, uh, I'm guessing you don't, you know, have that problem." The Bajoran laughed. She did a lot of that, and smiling, her personality seemingly cheerful and laid-back. "In Security that's pretty much the job. Y'know, other than the mission. Keep your finger on the pulse, figure out where problems are likely to arise and preemptively smooth things out."

"When and where science is needed? Not generally. I think my problem is that I find ways science can be involved in a lot of things. Not everyone agrees with me." Marisa couldn't help smiling at her words as she saw uses for science almost everywhere.

"That science isn't needed?" Chaya's eyebrows rose. "It's interesting that's an issue for any Starfleet officer. Of course, on my planet, science isn't as prioritized as, say, spiritual teachings." She shrugged. "Starfleet seems fairly progressive as an organization, though."

"Vulcans value religion as well. But theirs is the religion of science and logic." Marisa smiled at the thought. "But there are those in Starfleet who think science is only necessary when exploring stellar phenomena or looking at ancient ruins. The rest of the time, they should be in the lab doing experiments." She shrugged. "I like to be involved."

"The... religion of science and logic?" Chaya's eyebrows did not lower. "I guess I've always considered that they're opposed, at least in the minds of fundamentalists on both sides. I like to think that they compliment one another, but, you know, I'm not a scientist," she smiled. "That sucks, though, if anyone's made you feel like you're not welcome just because of your profession."

Marisa shrugged. "It happens. As much as we would wish it to be otherwise, man is still flawed." Then she grinned. "I see no incompatibility between science and religion. Neither Vulcan nor Human."

She finished her meal and stood. "I enjoyed the conversation, but I must be getting back to work." She gave the security officer a Vulcan bow. "Thank you for the company."


____
OFF

Lieutenant JG Rizil Chaya
Security
USS Galileo-A

Lieutenant Marisa Sandoval
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

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