From one Ex-B to Another

Posted on Wednesday, 3 June 2020 - 1:11pm by Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Lieutenant Talarn Zilth

Mission: Operation: Iktomi
Location: Quarters
Timeline: 2393 After T’Lanna’s return

{ON}

With the ship underway again T’Lanna headed to see Talarn, she was almost grateful to have another ex-b onboard someone with whom she could talk about the Borg who’d understand. Not that she was planning on comparing notes about a history she didn’t really want to remember. Arriving at the door T’Lanna pressed the chime and waited.

Talarn was surprised to hear the chime. For a moment he hoped that it was Barret, returning to their quarters, but he knew that now that he was Captain again it would be unlikely that he would show up out of the blue in the middle of a shift. He had been trying to set up their room, but it was hard. The quarters were much smaller than the house on Prairie and finding a place for their belongings was proving to be difficult. "ENTER?" he called out, curiously. "Door's unlocked!"

Hearing a voice from inside T'Lanna entered, she nodded politely as she greeted Talarn. "I came to see how you're settling in. I know it's not the great outdoors, but I hope the quarters are to your liking?"

"Greetings Lieutenant. I wasn't expecting company so soon." He smiled a little. He wasn't the tallest Cardassian, potentially because of the Borg modifications, many of which still existed. "You... you are... Vali... right? Wait... don't tell me... T'Lena?" He was scrutinizing her while he spoke, his blue eyes serious. "We met on Prairie, didn't we?"

“We did and it’s T’Lanna.” She smiled warmly. “I apologise for the way we met on Prairie, it wasn’t the best of introductions to have us all sprung on you like that. I was hoping my presence would help smooth things over, but it didn’t entirely work out that way.” She shrugged her shoulders. “May I ask... how long were you part of the collective?”

Talarn blinked at her for a moment, unsure if he'd heard her right. It had been a long time since anyone had asked him about the Borg collective that for a moment he was confused as to how to answer her. "Almost 50 years. I was taken from a science ship in 2299. There were twelve people onboard, including my parents. Only six survived the attack. Of course "survived" is a loose term. We were assimilated."

She nodded. “I was assimilated along with my mother when I was five, I spent six years with the collective until the scout ship I was on was damaged by a powerful solar storm. I was rescued from the wreckage and spent the next five years learning to be me again. I was lucky to have good surgeons that managed removed most of my implants, I still have the usual spine, brain and scalp I just usually keep them hidden under my hair!” She offered a smile. They offer a boost to my abilities if needed, but I tend not to draw on them if I don’t have to.”

Talarn nodded. "I don't have a choice, but to rely on my Borg parts. Too much time with the collective left me with limbs that are mostly machine and dependency on a cortical node. Starfleet removed as much as they could, but any more would have left me bereft of most functions." He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm sorry... I'm a bad host. Would you care to sit? I could make some tea... if you would like."

“If you don’t mind.” T’Lanna nodded as she took a seat. “To be honest, I’m happy to have another like me onboard. Granted, I was only with the collective for a short time compared to you, but to have someone else aboard who understands will be nice.”

"I don't mind at all." He set about getting things ready for the tea, the only part replicated was the hot water for the little tea pot. He paused, his head tipping to one side, when she spoke of understanding, and looked at her, a tiny smile playing on his lips. "I have to admit that I hadn't really thought about it that way. I suppose it will be nice... as long as you're not trying to kick me out of these quarters as well..." He meant for it to be a joke, but his face didn't really convey the emotion of humor. He carefully added tea leaves to the small strainer in the teapot.

“I most certainly will not be kicking you out of any quarters!” T’Lanna grinned. “I have to admit that this is the first place where I’ve truly felt at home. The crew here are pleasant to work with and they don’t care what background you come from. This has more or less become another home to me besides Vulcan and Betazed.”

Talarn lifted the little basket in and out of the teapot for a moment before letting it alone, making sure that all of the leaves were wet. The steeping tea gave off a light odor of blackberries and something a little spicy. "I'm glad of that, at least. Although, I doubt I will be working anytime soon." He sighed softly. "This will be ready in a moment." He turned away from the tea pot and sat down heavily in a chair across from her. "I stayed with an uncle on Cardassia for a while. When I was first severed from the collective. I have to admit that adjusting to life there was not easy... I can't even say I that I really ever did adjust. Starfleet was much easier to adjust to. I believe it was the structure that spoke to me at the time, but I've adjusted to yet another life now... one that I never thought was possible." He looked around the mostly unadorned room. "But things have changed again..."

T’Lanna nodded. “You have expertise that we could no doubt use aboard ship, Talarn. I doubt your husband would see you just sit around here and twiddle your fingers!” She grinned. “I’m currently the ship’s Psychologist, Counselor and Acting Chief of Intel. All that and I’m also almost two months pregnant.” She grinned.

Talarn's eyeridges lifted a little in surprise. "You were actually able to conceive after being a Borg? I cannot..." His head tipped the other way and the light above his right eye started to blink a little more rapidly as he processed the information. "They told me it was not possible... which led me to believe that no relationship was possible."

“I was never told that.” She looked at Talarn curiously. “My baby is that of a man who was my best friend, he died before I found out I was expecting.

He frowned, his face serious again. "I am sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine." He was quiet for several moments, not really knowing what else he could say. "I wonder if it has to do with the time as Borg. Or perhaps that you are female and I am male... Is the baby also a comfort? A piece of him survived... in his child."

T’Lanna nodded. “Yes he is, my son is very much a comfort. I just hate that I’ll have to be separated from him once he’s born. This isn’t a family ship, the risks are too great to have him onboard.” She paused. “I am thinking that he might be looked after by his paternal grandparents.” She sighed before brightening up again. “But that is in the future, right now he’s got a lot of growing to do and I’m intending on enjoying it.”

"I can't really say that I've ever thought of myself as a parent, even before I was a Borg. I've sort of always had... other interests. I am both glad and sad for you at the same time. It's an odd sensation." He got up again and checked the tea pot and then promptly poured them two mugs of tea. When he returned to the seats with the mugs he also brought a little dish of sugar and a carafe of cream.

The Cardassian held out the mug for her before sitting again, himself. "I don't know how you like your tea... I thought it best to let you make it yourself."

“Thank you.” T’Lanna smiled as she took a mug, added cream and two sugars then stirred it up before taking a sip. “Mmm lovely. It’s going to be nice having another ex-b onboard, I know it’s not something to reminisce about but it is at least something in common.”

"I agree," he replied, taking a sip of his tea. He closed his eyes for a moment and revealed in the taste of it. It reminded him of Prairie, since that was where the tea leaves had come from. For Talarn, Prairie very much represented his home. It was the place where he had felt the happiest and been the most comfortable. "How long have you been with Starfleet?"

She paused to think. "It’s... fifteen years now, since I first enrolled at the Academy. This is my third Starship and before that I was with JAG as a Victim Advocate and Psychologist.” She sipped her tea again.

Talarn frowned. In her fifteen years he had served Starfleet as well and been stripped of his rank for being Borg. Why had she been allowed to continue her service and he had not? Was it because of his extensive number of implants? Because of her ability to pass for "normal"? Instead of expressing any of his frustration on her though, he nodded instead. "I see. I used to be an intelligence officer," he said softly.

T’Lanna studied Talarn closely. “I can’t sense what you’re feeling, but I get the impression you feel wronged. I know I’m one of very few ex-b’s left in Starfleet. I think the fact that my father is an Admiral and has some friends in high places that I’m still in Starfleet. Plus, there’s the fact that I don’t look like a general ex-b. You weren’t so lucky, I know.”

One hand tightened on the arm of the chair and the Cardassian's jaw clenched for just a moment. He leveled a look at her. "You don't know and it doesn't matter anyway. It is what it is and there isn't much sense in rehashing it. There's nothing I can do about it now. Not really much reward in being angry." He shrugged. "As long as they don't start to think they can separate me from Barret, everything should be fine."

“No one is taking you away from your husband, that I will guarantee! Even if it means I have to play holy hell with Starfleet myself!” She knew that wasn’t much of a promise coming from her. “Trust me on that one. I can back up that promise if I have to.”

He looked at her over the edge of his tea cup. "Especially if your father is an Admiral." This was also intended to be funny, but once again, lacked the subtlety or tact necessary to truly make it not sound like an insult. "I hope not. I have to admit that I'm not sure they would waste their time coming to get me anyway. I'm a civilian. At least we're legally married so there's that paperwork too. They would seriously have to justify my removal. I'm honestly just paranoid... and still hurt over them screwing up my life of the last five years..."

T’Lanna offered an understanding smile. “I’m sorry they did that, it’s cruel enough you went through all those years as part of the collective, but to have your new life taken from you as well...” She shook her head. “I’d like for us to be friends if that’s okay? I know being part of the collective isn’t something to reminisce about, but it is something in common. I’d imagine we’ll work well together, once you get a position.”

"If they reinstate me at all. I'm still not sure I want to be reinstated, in any capacity. Barret mentioned something about a warrant officer... potentially. I'm not getting my hopes up. We'll see..." he said simply.

T’Lanna nodded. “Well, it would be nice to be able to work together, I guess we’ll see.” She politely drank the remainder of her drink. “It’s been nice getting to know you, Talarn.”

"I hope we get a chance. Although, I'm still interested in friendship, even if we are not colleges. It has been nice. I'm sorry I'm so out of sorts. I'm sure that's something that may change with time." He smiled a little. "I resist change... I'm not really good at it at all..."

“I can understand that,” T’Lanna nodded. “You were part of the collective for ten times as long as me, it has its effects on us all, but I was lucky to reintegrate pretty quickly. For you, you found peace and solace back on Prairie and now you’ve been uprooted and stuck here. I know how disturbing that must be, if you ever need to talk or just drop by for a chat I’ll be around.”

Talarn nodded in agreement. "Since you are the counselor... I should probably set up some appointments. I am certain that I will probably need the counseling. It's not really something I enjoy, but I do believe it has helped me in the past to work through some of my bigger challenges. I am certain that this move back to Starfleet is one of them. Can we do that? Will that be acceptable for you?"

T’Lanna nodded. “Of course. I’d be happy to be your counselor.” She smiled warmly.

"Good," Talarn nodded again and smiled. "I believe I will need one to work through some of this. I suppose I should see the doctor as well." He looked at her. "It is still standard practice when you come on a ship? Right? Counselor and doctor?" he asked.

“It is indeed.” T’Lanna nodded. “You can trust Doctor Rose and Emerick, our EMH, they’re both very good. Ryan takes good care of everyone.”

"That's good to hear. Although, I suppose I'm in more need of an Engineer. Fortunately, I believe I've already met that person." Talarn chuckled, relaxing just a little. "I will see the doctor then, as well, though. It's been a little bit since anyone has had a look at my implants."

“Then I’d suggest the young woman you already met in engineering, Chief Eyelaya?” T’Lanna smiled. “She’s caring for my needs as well, although my nanites do a lot of the work by themselves. She’s very good at what she does, so you can trust Eyelaya to check your implants for you.”

"That's good to hear. She's helped me quite a bit. I still rely on a cortical node... and my replications were giving me headaches. She solved all of that for me. I was very appreciative. It's been a struggle on a planet with no technology, but I made do." He nodded a little as if to confirm what he was talking about.

“Well there’s plenty of technology here to help with any replacements or any other needs you might have. Any problems or if you just want to talk, you know where to find me.” T’Lanna smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Counselor. I appreciate it. I also appreciate you coming by our quarters to introduce yourself. I apologize for my attitude. I'm still adjusting. I didn't mean an offense by it." He smiled a little.

“No offence taken, and please call me T’Lanna.” She smiled. “Anyway I’ll get out of your hair and let you get accustomed to being here. I know it’s awkward settling in.”

Talarn nodded and stood. "Thank you again for coming by. It was very nice to meet you, T'Lanna. I'm sure things will improve over time for me. Please let me know your available schedule and I will set up sessions."

“I will” T’Lanna stood ready to leave. “It’s been nice talking to you Talarn.” With that she nodded and headed on her way.

{OFF}

 

Comments (1)