Unspeakable Language

Episode 1: The New Girl on the Bridge

It was a quiet day onboard the Enterprise. They had just left Space Station 556 yesterday, and Captain James T. Kirk was reviewing the new roster in his quarters with First Officer Spock. The new crew was predominantly Ensigns and non-officers, such as new medical technicians. Nothing unusual; it would be easy to arrange assignments. Just as Kirk was about to finish up the review, the last name on the list caught his eye.

"Mr. Spock." he said, handing his PADD over. The half-Vulcan raised his eyebrow and looked at it curiously.

"Most curious, Captain. It seems we have a special alien on board our ship."

"Agreed. She is registered as being only half-Human, like yourself. But have you ever heard of a Triplecettan?" Kirk asked.

"Only rumors and legends, Captain. Nothing of the Triplecettan race has ever been proven. They are said to be xenophobic and natural enemies of Tholians. Another rumor says that they register time much more differently than we do, and that their language and writing is unable to be learned by Humans." Spock explained. "But again, those are just rumors."

"Well, you say they are xenophobic. Yet here one is. Anyway, we can look into the matter later on. According to her file, she has not specialized in anything, but is trained to be a relief officer for the Bridge staff." Kirk said.

"Her credentials are not unlike Ensign Chekov. Navigation, Helm, Communications, even some Engineering." Spock said.

"Well, she should be reporting to the Bridge shortly after we arrive. So let's not delay things any longer, shall we?"

Both men rose and left Kirk's quarters and headed towards the Bridge.

They arrived to the Bridge only to find a pink-haired girl in a red Starfleet dress standing near the turbo lift. She turned to face the opening doors. Kirk and Spock observed that she was clearly a Humanoid, for her skin was far too pale to be just Human, and she had a heart shape under her right eye.

Kirk motioned for her to follow him to his chair. As they spoke, Chekov, who was at the Science station, was relieved by Spock. Chekov turned and saw her (for his back was too her the whole time). He felt as if the Enterprise had just broken under his feet and he were free falling, his heart began racing in his chest. The young Navigator made his way to his usual post, but his brown eyes were wide with wonder.

"I'd forget her, if I were you."

Chekov almost jumped out of his skin. It was just Sulu, but his mind was totally elsewhere. The Asian man at the Helm station just smirked. "Vhat are you talking about, Sulu?" Chekov asked, feigning innocence.

"The new girl, who could relieve just about anyone on the Bridge. Rumor has it that she's actually Triplecettan Royalty."

Chekov didn't speak but his eyes betrayed his thoughts. What would a person of supposed royalty be doing here? If she even is Triplecettan. Or royalty.

Kirk cleared his throat, to gain the attention of the Bridge crew. "Everyone, this is Princess Primerose of the planet Triplecetta. Apparently, she was selected by her people to go and explore the stars for knowledge. A Triplecettan is selected once every 200 human years. She will be more or less here observing and learning, but she does have credentials to serve as a relief officer, especially for Helm and Navigation."

Kirk paused, and looked around at the crew. The crew overall seemed okay with this; this was not the first time an alien peacefully observed them. His eyes then landed on Chekov, who was staring intently at Primerose, as if trying to figure out what she really was. Could it also have been the look of a young crush?

Primerose did not fail to notice this, either. She had been observing the young man from afar. There was only one reason why she did not go over there and speak to him directly.

"Alright, everyone, to your stations…"

The day watch progressed without incident, although Chekov found it incredibly difficult to concentrate with the observer around.

It wasn't that she was doing anything that should bother him, it was just her very being there that bothered him. He didn't want to make a mistake in front of her. Although what was she to do? She was not in command. In fact, apart from her introducing herself to Kirk (in a very soft voice), she didn't speak at all.

Sulu gave Chekov a nudge on the shoulder. "See you at the rec room later?"

"Yes, I vill be there." Chekov said, and Sulu went off to the turbo lift.

Chekov let his eyes wander to Primerose, whom was now logging off of the computer at her station. She was taking her time; apparently she was in no rush to get off the Bridge. Chekov shrugged and made his way to the turbo lift, waiting for it to return from dropping off Sulu and other officers.

Primerose then stood next to him, also waiting. She stared intently ahead at the red doors. Chekov looked at her nervously and then stared at the doors as well. "So, umm… Miss… Miss Primerose, how vas your first day on the Bridge?" he asked, hoping that he didn't totally screw that up.

Primerose did not answer. She continued to stare ahead. After a few moments she then opened her mouth slightly, as if considering her words. "It… seemed pleasant enough."

Just then, the turbo doors opened, and the night watch crew came onto the Bridge. When the turbo lift was empty, Chekov motioned to allow Primerose to go on first. She blinked, as if she were confused. He followed on after her, and the doors shut.

"Deck six." Chekov said. The turbo began to move downward. "Vhere are you headed?"

"Deck six." she said softly. "…You are… Chek-hoff, right?"

"Chekov. You actually sound it out the way you say it." he said. He felt at ease, for the moment. There was something about her kept eating at his nerves, making him wary, and prepared for anything that might end up being bad.

"Chekov… Please forgive me. I struggle still with English. Of three languages I know, English is hard."

Ah, so that would at least explain why she was so quiet. "What other languages do you speak?"

"Triplecettan, which is unpronounceable to Humans. My mother would speak that all the time… And my Human father would speak Russian. Russian is my easiest language." Primerose said. Just then, the turbo stopped and the doors opened. Primerose walked out, and again Chekov followed her.

"You are Russian too?" he asked excitedly.

"Yes. My father…" She suddenly seemed to bite her tongue, as if wandering to a forbidden subject. "I go now. See you on the Bridge tomorrow." She then hurried off, leaving Chekov totally surprised.

That night, Chekov came back to his quarters. Dinner with Sulu and Scotty went okay, and then they argued for a while over the best alcoholic beverage: scotch, vodka, or sake. Then McCoy had joined in with Tennessee whiskey. And from there, it seemed everyone was throwing out their favorite liquors. Yes, dinner went great.

Except that Primerose was not there.

Why did that bother Chekov? She could have a special meal for herself in her room after all (she was royalty, or so the rumor went). She could have had dinner with the Captain. Primerose could have done 100 different things with her dinner, and still have been enjoying herself.

So why did it still bother him?

He decided not to pursue the matter further for the night. He took off his gold shirt, threw it on the floor, and went into the bathroom to finish undressing and shower.

When Chekov was finally asleep, he was immediately thrust into a dream.

It was very dark, but the hairs on his neck went up with anticipation. Call it intuition, call it animal instinct. Chekov could just feel the auras and palpitations around him. He was not alone in the room.

"Hello?" he called out. But, whomever it was in the dark with him, did not answer.

"Who is there?" he tried again.

"Pavel…" came a weak cry. "Pavel, please help me."

And, just like that, the dream was over, and Chekov was sitting up in bed, panting heavily, covered in sweat. He flopped down on his pillow. It was only a dream. He couldn't tell who the voice in the dream belonged to, but it sounded desperate. And it haunted his very soul.

Down the hall, Primerose laid on her bed, contemplating how her day went. Her mind quickly rushed through meeting Scotty at the transporter room, being shown where to go by some security guard, and to meeting the Captain on the Bridge. For whatever reason, her mind decided to focus intensely on formally meeting Chekov for the first time. Chekov… At the science station, he seemed like a perfectionist, making every effort to monitor everything on the sensors, that he could take no notice of anyone else. But then at Navigation… Chekov became animated, truly alive. She could feel that about him. Primerose shook her head. She shouldn't be that sensitive to Chekov when she hardly knew him. Unless of course…

Could he be her One?

Triplecettans believed that they were destined to their One. Their One was their mate for all eternity, in the realm of the living, and in the realm of souls.

Oh geez, he can't possibly be my One. He's a Human!

But she was also half-Human herself. It could have something to do with the theory. But what would her mother say? Her mother, Queen Emily, did everything she could to try to pass Primerose off as a tradition Triplecettan princess. Sure, her mother mated with a Human, but Queen Emily wanted Primerose to be everything she was not.

Her mother would only reject this and make her life only more miserable.

Still, how did she feel of having a Human for her One?

Chekov could not offer her anything. He would only end up using her, exploiting her. He could say sweet words and act as if he loved her. But in the end, it could all mean nothing. Primerose shook her head. I'll have to do everything in my power to keep him from liking me. Perhaps as the ship goes deeper into space, I'll find my true One. Not just one based off of hormonal imbalances.

When she realized she was still awake, she spoke up. "Computer, what time is it?"

The computer voice quickly responded to her request. "It is 2 a.m. Earth time."

Great. Another night of insomnia.