A/N This is slightly embarrassing, but one of my characters Captain Anthi has been called Anthee for the last few chapters. Whoops.
Chapter Eleven
Lying wasn't something that Saaris was used to doing, but at that moment it somehow seemed like the best thing to do.
She was walking in the environmental enclosure with Paul Schaffer and she was pretending that she was enjoying herself. It was in vain though, because she could tell that he did not believe her.
Regardless of how she "felt" the two strode through the park area in near silence Paul occasionally breaking the silence to point something out such as some children playing, a bed of flowers or even a slight glitch in the overhead sky projection near the horizon.
The main issue was that her agoraphobia had gotten worse. Knowing that the vast open area that simulated the outdoors was just an illusion didn't help. In some ways knowing that just beyond the hull was nothing but space made her feel worse.
She kept mentally berating herself. It was illogical to be afraid. Fear itself was illogical in this scenario. She was simply walking. The likelihood of the hull spontaneously rupturing was very unlikely, especially deep enough to affect the enclosure.
As the two of them came to a stop by a pond, Schaffer addressed the issue. "You're not enjoying yourself are you?"
She stared at the still water and answered the only way she knew how. "I am a Vulcan, we do not particularly enjoy anything."
"You know what I mean," he said. "You don't want to be here, I can tell."
"You are right. I don't," she said, her tone sharper than she had intended.
Schaffer was clearly hurt by her reaction, which in turn made Saaris feel bad. She didn't really know how to control herself anymore.
"Do you want to go back to your quarters?" he asked after a few moments.
Yes was what she wanted to say, but she also didn't want to make this situation more uncomfortable than it already was. "Let us go somewhere else," she said instead.
Schaffer thought for a moment. "Do you want to go get something to eat?"
This time Saaris did say, "Yes."
"There're a few places in Starside," Schaffer said taking the lead, Saaris keeping pace beside him as they slowly made their way towards the small internal "city" that housed apartments and various commercial buildings.
It wasn't somewhere that Saaris particularly wanted to go, but she understood the need for her not to lock herself away in her quarters no matter how much she wanted to do just that very thing.
She kept close to Schaffer as they wandered the fake cobbled street which was lined on either side with various establishments. The architecture was a lot more romanticised than the mall in the central column. It's aesthetic was ruined a bit by the taller buildings that loomed over them, especially the fake horizon where the grass rose up to meet the sky.
Her attention was drawn to Schaffer who was pointing at something. "Hey look, it's N'reinn."
Sure enough, the Caitian was there and she was making her way over to them with a smile.
"Good morning," N'reinn greeted. "Nice to see you both out and about."
While Saaris simply tilted her head forward in a curt nod, Schaffer smiled and verbally replied. "Yeah, we're looking for a place to eat," he told her.
"There're a couple of places around here," N'reinn told them. "Depends on what you're looking for. There's Entrenta's which is more fine dining, then there's The White Star, which is a bar and restaurant."
Schaffer looked down at his plain tunic. "I don't think we're dressed for Entrenta's, so I guess The White Star it is."
"I can show you the way," N'reinn offered. "I've been there before with my friend Arie."
Saaris tilted her head in the affirmative. "That would be appreciated," she said. "Would you like to join us?"
Judging by the look on Schaffer's face, Saaris could tell that he didn't like the idea of a third person joining them, which was odd. He had assured her that this was definitely not a date, so a friend having a meal with them shouldn't have been an issue.
Thankfully, for him at least, N'reinn declined. "Sorry, but my shift starts soon, so I can't hang about. Come on, I'll show you the place."
Both the Human and the Vulcan followed the Caitian on and down another street stopping in front of the establishment. The new station security chief waved as she headed off and the two made their way inside The White Star and took their seats by the large window that looked out into the street.
The two of them began to peruse the electronic menu, or rather Schaffer did. It took a matter of moments for Saaris to choose her salad meal and water with a press of a button, while he searched through the options.
Finally, he too settled on the salad meal and a glass of orange juice, knowing that he probably should stick to vegetarian, probably so that he did not offend her, which she would not have been.
Still, when the meals did arrive not long after, Saaris did appreciate that he had gone vegan for her sake, though she didn't verbalize this. As was her nature she kept her feelings close to her chest even if these days those feelings were closer to the surface than she would like.
Schaffer then began the small talk that humans so liked to do and Vulcans very much despised. "This is a nice place," he said.
Saaris was almost inclined to simply ignore him and focus on her meal. Instead, she decided to at least try to interact socially. "Yes, it is nice," she said, sounding more awkward than she intended.
"The salad is nice," he added, also sounding a little awkward, which made her feel somewhat better about herself.
Saaris tipped her head affirming her agreement. "I concur."
Schaffer took a quick drink of his orange juice. "So you're just having water?"
"I usually drink water," she said, knowing that he already knew that. "I find a lot of other beverages such as the one you're drinking too severe."
"Severe?" he asked confused. "What do you mean by severe?"
"The taste is too strong for my palette," she explained. "Vulcans do not eat or drink for pleasure, we do it as a means of nourishment."
"Which is why Plomeek Soup and Gespar tastes so bland," Schaffer commented naming the only two Vulcan dishes Saaris suspected he knew.
"Gespar is a delicacy. As a human who has overindulged, you wouldn't understand or appreciate the subtle and dynamic flavours," she told him.
Schaffer smirked at that. "I thought Vulcans didn't eat for pleasure?"
"We do not," Saaris confirmed. "However, that does not mean we do not appreciate the intricacies of flavour which are lost when overdone as most species tend to do."
"You're talking about blandness as though it's something to achieve. I like my food to have flavour."
"Which this salad has an abundance of," Saaris said before taking another bite of lettuce. "It is pleasant without being overbearing. Apart from the tomatoes."
"The tomatoes are fine," Schaffer objected. "In fact, they're the best part of the salad."
"Perhaps, but taste and preference are entirely subjective."
"Well, yeah I suppose," Schaffer said. It was clear that he was not entirely sure how to respond. Probably because it was the truth and anything he said would simply make him look like a contrarian.
Not much was said for the rest of the meal and before long they were back outside on the street.
Schaffer looked at Saaris as they strode down the cobbled road. "Anywhere else you want to go?" he asked her.
She kept her eyes ahead. "No," she said. "I have had-" She paused casting her eyes downwards. She wanted to say "I have had enough for today," but knew it was not at all the right thing to say. Instead, she said, "It was an interesting morning."
"Don't feel bad about it," he said feeling almost apologetically.
"Emotions are irrelevant," she said. "I need to remember that and relearn how to subdue and control them."
He said nothing. She wondered if she had hurt his feelings but it appeared that he was thinking about something.
When he did answer it was to try and prolonging their time together, something she didn't appreciate. "I heard there was an acting troupe who have opened up a theatre and are doing performances. Do you want to see if one is on?"
"No," she replied. "They only do performances in the evening."
"Right," he said. "Well, maybe we could-"
"I appreciate what you are attempting to do, but I should be returning to my quarters to meditate."
"Okay," he accepted.
"I am sorry if it upsets you," she apologised, forcing herself not to feel bad for him. Her feelings were meant to be under control. She shouldn't be out here in her condition, especially not where she could make a fool of herself, which was likely anywhere there were people.
"I'm not upset," he responded. "I understand."
"That is good. I will see you another time."
"Do you want me to walk you back?"
"No, I can find my own way."
With that, she left him. Deep down she felt regretful for the way she acted, but she knew that these were just wayward emotions that should be controlled and should be suppressed. Being out here with him only made things worse.
Perhaps locking herself in her room was the right thing to do after all.
Commander Arie Cayman materialized outside the main municipal building which not only held the New Loknar colony's government but also their police force. She had slept rather well last night, which she put down to being absolutely worn out.
She was here to ask a few questions to the crew of the cargoship about the strange alien, not that she was expecting them to know anything.
Arie stepped up to the two officers that had gathered the crew of the cargoship. "Are they ready?" she asked them
The young Lieutenant Junior Grade nodded. "Yes, sir, they are sat in the room waiting."
"How many?"
"Five of them," the JG said.
"For that massive Cargoship?" she asked for clarification. "Or did you just bring the five that were involved?"
"There's just five of them on the whole ship," he clarified.
"Got a name?"
"Of the ship?"
"No, of whoever owns it," she clarified.
"Barnett," he said.
The other quickly corrected him. "They're called the Bartlett's, sir."
For a split moment she thought she recognised the name, but then realised that she definitely did know the name. Then the young JG confirmed it.
"One of them looks kinda like you," he commented, then quickly added, "Um, sir."
Arie straightened up. "Very well, you are both dismissed for now."
"You sure?" the JG asked.
"Absolutely. Report to relief operations."
"Understood."
The two security officers nodded and headed off while Arie stood there unsure what to do. The Bartlett's; if they were the same Bartlett's, were her adoptive parents. She had known they had gotten a new ship since they had parted ways, but she hadn't expected them to be here. It was a coincidence that was simply too convenient, especially after receiving the message from Joshua a few days ago.
She calmed herself. It was possible that it wasn't them, except the lieutenant had pretty much confirmed it when he had mentioned one of them looked like her.
Arie clasped her hands behind her back and prepared herself for the meeting that was about to happen.
She raised her hand and hit the button and the door slid open. From the angle she was stood at she couldn't see those inside which in some ways made things worse.
She verbally tried to boost her confidence. "You're the executive officer aboard a starship," she whispered to herself. "You can face them, you've faced far worse."
The truth was that facing them after so long and in this particular situation was not at all how she had wanted the inevitable reunion to go. She had left on bad terms and now that decision had finally caught up with her.
"Hello?" an all too familiar male voice called out through the door. "Is someone there?"
Arie brushed herself down and raised her head. With one foot in front of the other she confidently strode in, or more accurate she tried to exude confidence. On the inside, she was feeling a little more than nervous.
That feeling completely vanished when she saw them sat there at the table. It was replaced by an unexpected feeling of joy, then confusion at who was sat with them.
Mira, her younger sister and Joshua and Olivia her adoptive parents had been expected, what hadn't been expected was Cayan being with them, him being N'reinn's old flame back before and during their Academy days. He hadn't been accepted which had led to the eventual break up between him and N'reinn.
She turned her attention to the last person, a woman she didn't at all recognise and she was clearly confused by the rather shocked reaction of the others.
Arie smiled broadly. "Hello," she said, sitting herself down on the edge of the table. "It's good to see you."
In an instant, Mira was on her feet and wrapping her arms around her older sister in a tight hug. "I've missed you, Marie."
A warm feeling filled her heart. It had been a long time since she had seen her little sister and it had been just as long since she had been called Marie.
She couldn't really remember the exact reason why she had dropped the "M" in her name and started calling herself "Arie". There were memories of another Marie at the Academy by the name of Marie Carmen and a vague recollection of some confusion.
Arie focused back on the here and now and hugged her sister back. "I've missed you as well," she said patting her softly on the back.
They released each other and Mira took a step back, then looked over to Joshua and Olivia.
Joshua was the one who spoke next. "It looks good on you," he said, referring to the red uniform.
"Thanks," Arie said before raising up her sleeves. "Commander," she said showing off her rank braids. "Executive officer of the London."
"We heard," Olivia said. "We're proud of you."
Arie decided to give the two of them a good hug as well, starting with Olivia and finishing with Joshua. "So," she began looking at the only one she didn't recognise, "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?" she asked him.
Joshua looked over at her. "That is Charlotte Mitchell our medic and this is Cayan P'artenn our engineer, I think you know each other, right?"
Arie nodded looking at the Caitian. "Yeah, it's good to see you again. Me and Kceris always wondered where you'd got to."
Cayan didn't look comfortable. "I decided to forge my own life with a little help."
Arie nodded again before turning her attention back to Joshua. "Well I hate to do this, but there's questions I need to ask."
"About the alien guy, right?" Joshua concluded.
Arie confirmed. "That's right. Did he tell you anything, or give you a destination."
Olivia answered. "Nothing. Just pointed his weapon at us."
"He also had that cube thing," Cayan added.
This was not really what Arie wanted to hear, though it was expected. She already knew of the cube, but not what it was or what it did and she didn't really expect them to know, either. "So there's nothing? No destination or motive?" she asked, again not expecting them to know.
Joshua shook his head. "He was apologetic about trying to commandeer my ship."
"What about the cube thing?" Cayan repeated, not thinking he had been heard earlier.
"Can't discuss it," Arie said firmly standing back up. "Unless you know something about it?"
Joshua shook his head. "Absolutely naff-all."
Mira grabbed her sister by the arm, earning a look of surprise. "You leaving already?" Mira questioned.
Arie relaxed. "I have some time," she said. "Though this area of space is proving dangerous. You should think about getting out of the frontier. It's not safe out here."
Joshua disagreed. "We're out here because of you."
This made Arie suspicious. "How did you even know I was out here in the first place?" she asked. "Ship and personnel movements aren't exactly out there for civilians to find."
Joshua answered. "My friend Marcus Noriega."
"Admiral Noriega?" Arie questioned unimpressed. "He's looking at a court martial if he isn't careful. He shouldn't be giving out the postings and locations of Starfleet personnel. That is confidential information."
Mira grabbed her sister by the hands. "If it wasn't for him we would never have found you."
She stared right into her sister's eyes and felt whatever anger fade away. "This time he did good," she said, before glancing over at Cayan. "Did he tell you anything else?"
Joshua shook his head. "No, nothing."
"Nothing about anyone else stationed out here?"
"No," Olivia said, "Why?"
Arie knew it was hypocritical to bemoan an officer telling a civilian about the posting and location of a starship and do something similar herself, but she felt that this needed to be said. "Kceris is on Overwatch," she said.
Cayan's face turned to one of shock. "She is?"
"Yeah, security chief of the station in fact."
"She is?" he said again. "Out here?"
"Yeah, a bit of a coincidence, huh,"
Joshua thought for a moment. "Maybe not. Cayan's only on my ship because Noriega recommended him."
Cayan looked at him. "Are you saying Noriega had Kceris posted out here?"
Arie disagreed that. "No, because she was on the Evergreen transporting Thalon here before it was blown to hell by the Klingons."
"She was on that ship?" Cayan said jumping up out of his seat. "Was she hurt? Is she okay?"
"She's fine. She's security chief of the Starbase now, remember? She's fine."
Cayan relaxed. "But she's okay?"
"She'd be even better if she saw you again," Arie told him. "I know for a fact that she misses you. You should get to Overwatch."
"We've been," Joshua said. "Went there when we were being chased by Orion pirates. We managed to survive thanks to the shields that Marcus hooked us up with."
Arie facepalmed. "Oh god, tell me they're civilian grade and he didn't break any more regulations."
"They're top of the line civilian grade," Joshua said. "Nothing illegal is on my ship."
Mira then asked coyly, "But we do need a new flow regulator. The one we have is on its last legs."
"I'll pull some strings, see if I can get you one," Arie promised. "Just get yourselves to Overwatch. That's where we're headed once the Ishimura gets here."
"Then that's where we're going," Olivia said.
"We'll be stationed in this sector for the foreseeable future," she said, before casting her eyes downwards towards the floor. "And sorry."
"No," Joshua said, "I'm the one who should be sorry. I knew this is what you wanted, but I tried to stop you and only pushed you away."
"That doesn't excuse what I did," Arie said. "I should have stayed in contact but I didn't. I should have done a lot of things but I didn't."
"I guess we both have things to be sorry for," Joshua mused.
"Yeah, I guess we do," Arie agreed. "Listen, I need to report in. Can you give me a moment to contact my ship?"
"Sure," Joshua said.
Arie moved over to the corner of the room and took out her communicator and flipped it open. "Commander Cayman to Captain Anthi."
"Anthi here,"
"The cargoship crew knew nothing. No destination. They only commented on the cube and again they don't know what it is."
"Understood. Return to the ship right away, Commander. Got word that the Ishimura is less than an hour out. I don't want to linger longer than we have to once they get here."
"Yes, captain."
"London out."
Arie closed the communicator shut. "Sorry, but I have to go."
Mira didn't look happy. "We'll see you back at the station then, I guess," she said.
"Yes you will," Arie confirmed. She stepped over to her sister, giving her another hug. She then hugged Olivia then Joshua and shook Cayan's pawed hand. She then turned to the Charlotte the nurse. "Nice meeting you," she said.
"The same, Commander," the nurse said back.
"I'll see you all at the station."
"Bet on it," Joshua promised.
Arie walked out of the room with a smile on her face and a spring in her step. A huge emotional weight had been lifted off of her and she honestly felt a lot better than she had done before stepping into the room.