Checking In

Posted on 21 Oct 2012 @ 3:12am by
Edited on on 29 Oct 2012 @ 8:20pm

1,227 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo: LTjgLiyar's Quarters
Timeline: MD04 0810 Hours

[[MOUSE OVER Vulcan language text for translation!]]

ON:

"Accessing call forward. Please state the name and location of recipient. Recipient must be within Federation territory."

The past day he had been aboard Galileo was definitely among one of the stranger experiences Liyar had.

Even in the Vulcan compound on Terra, the computers were Vulcan and so were most of the personnel. It was not so here. The computer spoke with a pleasant and polite tone that confused him. Perhaps he would have to ask his brother, when the call went through. Sekhet had a certain understanding of irrational human behavior that Liyar couldn't hope to emulate.

Then again, that was the reason for his call. He leaned forward and pushed the button. "Ensign Sekhet, United Starship Gladiator."

"Please hold," the computer commanded him hospitably.

He'd noticed a proclivity for this among Starfleet, this need to couch demands, orders and requirements in superfluous language. Please indicated choice, request. Looking at the computer which had gone blank in front of him, Liyar wondered how that was a request at all.

The screen flickered to life once more and a younger Vulcan with dark black hair and darker skintone sat down. The pickup was good enough that Liyar discerned he had just emerged from his alcove.

"Mestaya-tor va'ashiv du sep-wafikh, Sa-kai." Despite his every effort to appear poised and collective, his regard for his adopted brother was clear to anyone who looked beyond the obvious. "Ro'fori-tor nash-veh uzh'rak t'du Yel-Halitra-tor." Liyar arched a questioning eyebrow, the reason for his call was now ostensible.

"You do not practice your Standard?" Sekhet asked lightly, pulling his robe on. He toweled off his hair, and left the towel arranged atop his head in the most absurd of fashions.

"Stariben Teraya-eingelsu etek than'fam." His clipped words were a reminder.

Sekhet's ears drew back, reminiscent of an angry (if wet) cat. "Sos'eh-fam, hi'du dutarsu." The reply was made benign as a spot of water dropped into his eye and he blinked profusely.

"Sadau flekh vu, Sa-kai. Tor-masu du nash-kro'el ha?" As usual, it remained a constant effort in vigilance to chastise the counselor. He made it difficult.

"Ahm-tor'"Nel'ashayek", ha. Tor etek svi'dah-leh-kehkuh teh."

Liyar arched his eyebrows dryly. Sekhet certainly had all the qualities of youth. It was, however, a segue into his actual business. "Uf'se vu t'san s'at-tor ha?"

"Muhl, Sa-kai. La' T'Nira-kam. Ekhartau whl'q'n gotavlu qual'fam olozhikaik tor fam'whl'q'n ek'sitra-lar."

Sekhet pulled the towel off of his head and brushed a small comb through his hair, clearly without compunction. Starfleet Academy had changed him, Liyar could see this. On Vulcan, such a thing would be private. "Tra'qual utvau-lar na'etek gotavlu-lar," Liyar told him tersely.

"Du'nah-tor nash-veh ki'yen-tor ha?" Sekhet asked, and now properly groomed and orderly, his anger was less benign.

"Ki'du ha?"

"Rai. Nash-veh nafai-tor se qual rihagik vo'ektau-tor iyula'dvatai tehnat bolayek t'san s'at-tor, hi'se tor-yehat, Sa-kai. Nash-veh veshtau se kwon-sum. Tor'fam ngiq'e nah-tor nash-veh wafu se'shaukaush tepul. Nash-veh fam yen-tor gu-vam tor-nash-veh katravahsu tan-tor fudau. Etek iyula'dvatai teker. 'K'lalatar prkori k'lalatar prnak'lirli.'," Sekhet repeated, his words taking on the veracity he was known for when speaking on something he was assured of.

"IDIC only takes you so far, Sekhetkam. It cannot protect you from your nature." Liyar switched to standard, eyebrows narrowed pointedly. "It cannot protect your shipmates," he reminded.

The counselor inhaled calmly. "I do not expect it should. That duty is mine alone. I do not shirk it. You are a diplomatic officer for Starfleet. You are genuinely telling me that you will behave the same as you always do on the homeworld, with no regard to how your actions impact those of different cultural tenets? You are telling me this is logical?"

"I possess the discipline, Sekhet. I am not certain that you do. T'Maile may have been remiss in allowing this."

"She saw my mind. You now doubt her logic?"

Liyar stared at his adopted brother intently, as if trying to see through him. "I am telling you that I can see your control is lax. You are more than merely adopting cultural standards. You are entering a territory of unnecessary concession. There is a reason our cultures differ so. They are capable of indulging themselves without undue consequence," Liyar said neutrally.

On opposite ends of sector space, the two seemed worlds apart. Liyar in his meditation robes, taciturn and rational. While Sekhet was dressed in his Starfleet blues, surrounded by odds and ends, his expression light and serene. Liyar continued. "Their neurological and psychological structure is devoted to this difference. You cannot possibly adopt their practices without temptation to diverge from your training. Du nu'ri, Sa-kai."

"And you are inexperienced," Sekhet countered. "I have lived off-world for far longer than yourself. I have yet managed not to rip someone limb from limb." The brittle sarcasm Sekhet was oft known for poked through yet again, a tilt of his head accompanying it.

Yet, Liyar thought to himself, but decided against expressing that particular criticism. It was clear Sekhet was unwilling to concede.

Liyar looked off in the distance and stood. "I regret I must cut our communique short, Brother," he said honestly as the chronometer approached the time the promotion ceremony took place. "I am gratified that you are adjusting to your position." It was as close to any declaration that Liyar would come.

Sekhet nodded, and held up the Vulcan salute. "Dif-tor heh smusma, Liyar."

Liyar returned the gesture with a deep nod, before leaning forward and cutting off the comm signal. He stood, and went to gather his supplies for a small meditation session before he was required down in the cargo bay.

OFF:

Lieutenant (JG) Liyar
Diplomatic Officer, SDD/VDF
USS Galileo

Ensign Sekhet
Counselor, Starfleet Medical
USS Gladiator

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