Communication

Posted on Sunday, 4 September 2022 - 6:43pm by Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: My Unfair Lady
Location: Science Vessel Brittany

When sitting down to design this ship it appeared very little consideration, or any, had been given to comfort or aesthetics. The five decks were near identical mazes of narrow steel grey corridors winding through the length of the ship, interspersed with doorways of obsidian black, their corresponding computer interface and every few feet light fixtures that did just enough to warrant the name. It was claustrophobic at best, unless you were in one of the main work areas such as engineering, the Bridge or the docking bay. Yet it was temporary and at least nobody was having to share quarters.

Ending a call to her mother who had, along with the children, safely returned to Vulcan, Alex was about to go for a walk to stretch her legs a bit when she noticed a message waiting. Reading it, she considered leaving it until tomorrow before deciding now was as good a time as any and accessing the comm system to place a call to the Standing Bear. More specifically, to T'Lanna.

Waiting for the transmission to go through, Alex grabbed a hair clip and tried to contain her mass of unruly curls as she considered the brief message. Had she been intentionally vague to pique Alex's curiosity? Something that was usually easy to do.

Her thoughts were interrupted when the screen in front of her changed from the generic logo to show a familiar face. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?" she asked, realising the other woman seemed to be in her quarters, potentially enjoying some family time with her son. "I can call later. Or tomorrow. Apologies, we had some comms issues so I just got your message... is everything alright?"

T’Lanna smiled warmly as she saw Alex on the other end of the line, she’d missed having Alex around to talk to more than she realised. “Hey Alex! It’s so good to see you!! Ohh...there’s nothing wrong, and you’re not interrupting so don’t worry about that. Little man here...” She motioned to Jayce in the background, “Was just enjoying some extra playtime!”

Alex looked beyond her at Jayce, smiling, “he’s getting so big! Are you sure you don’t want me to call back? You don’t get a lot of quiet time with him.”

“It’s fine really!” T’Lanna grinned. “I was just wondering how you are? It feels somewhat strange around here without you. I normally have you to share news with.”

“What news?” Alex asked curiously. With a new ship she imagined there would be lots.

“Well you know, new ship and all that!” T’Lanna grinned. “Most of all...I’ve started dating someone!”

“Oh? Who?”

T’Lanna grinned. “It’s...Jarin Alexander!” Her smile practically shone as she said it. “I’ve liked him for some time, now he’s back and we’ve decided to give things a go between us.”

“That’s great news, T’Lanna, I’m really happy for you both,” Alex smiled. “I assume he has Jayce’s seal of approval so that’s good enough for me!”

T’Lanna grinned. “Jayce adores Jarin! and visa versa.” She gave Alex a curious look. “So how are you? Have you talked with Soral?”

“I’m… okay. And that’s enough for now,” Alex told her with a dismissive shrug. “As for Soral, not really. We haven’t spoken properly since Risa. Wherever he has disappeared to he is being quiet. Perhaps he’s waiting for my mood to improve and my temper to calm down.”

T’Lanna nodded. “I can understand your misgivings Alex, but he really does love you. He always has.” She offered a comforting smile. “So how is your adventure going?”

Alex leaned back in her seat, showing the small viewport and the view of the stars, “it has familiar scenery. Beyond that, we are just waiting to arrive. Then hopefully we came all this way for nothing.”

“You’re hoping to find nothing?” T’Lanna looked at her friend curiously. “Would it be so bad if you did find something?”

“In this case, yes,” Alex confirmed with a nod. “Nothing is the ideal scenario. It sounds weird I know.”

T’Lanna smiled. “Trust me nothing sounds weird anymore! Hell me being First Officer that is weird! It’s a whole new learning curve.”

“You wouldn’t be doing it if the Captain didn’t think you were capable,” Alex pointed out. “You’ll be fine.”

T’Lanna nodded. “So our new Captain keeps telling me, I guess it’s just convincing myself of that fact.” She grinned. “I miss not having you, and Soral here.”

“I’m sure Soral will be back soon,” Alex reassured her friend. “And you have good people around you to help in the meantime. Just keep an eye on Ensign M’Kev, he likes to build home brew kits around some of the more out of the way Jeffries tube junctions.”

“Thank you for telling me, I’ll keep an eye on him.” T’Lanna grinned. “What kind of brew does he like to make?”

“Usually depends on his mood, he generally goes for beers but he’s been known to experiment,” Alex confided. “But usually it is harmless enough. If Soral knows about it he’s never said.”

T’Lanna smiled and nodded. “Well it’s harmless enough, just not what Starfleet Officers should be doing in their spare time aboard ship.”

“True,” Alex conceded.

“Anyway I guess I’d best let you get back to it.” T’Lanna offered an almost disappointed smile. “Any idea how long you’ll be gone?”

“I… just between us? I’m not sure if I will be.”

“What!?” T’Lanna looked practically horrified at that idea. “After everything that’s happened lately I’d rather not lose you too! Please give it some serious thought, if it’s what you decide then so be it, but just know that I’d miss you.”

“I’m missing everyone too,” Alex assured her as someone chapped on her door. “That will be our latest update coming in. I should go…”

T’Lanna nodded. “Okay Alex, keep in touch okay?”

“Okay. Stay safe,” Alex added with a wave as she ended the call, sitting back in her seat for a moment to collect her thoughts before heading out to discover what was going on.

{OFF}

 

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