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The Lounge

Captain Kirk sat in the Lounge, staring out into the endless expanse of space. He'd quickly claimed this room as his favorite spot
and would use any excuse to come here. It was a good place to relax, think and put things in perspective.

It was definitely a good place to unwind after an exhausting session with his Helmsman. Akari, he'd quickly discovered, not
only had deep pride in his Samurai heritage but was a master of the katana that had been passed down through his family
for generations. An easy camaraderie had formed between them and Kirk had asked him to teach him how to spar. He was
grateful that his Helmsman had a seemingly limitless supply of patience.

"Captain?"

Kirk looked up from his musings to see Alyen standing in the doorway. He gave him a friendly smile and beckoned him.
"Alyen. Come on over and take a load off. I haven't seen you since we got back from our little excursion."

Alyen gave one of his shy smiles as he sat down. "I know. Things have been very hectic."

"That's for sure."

After the Waverider had discovered what Kirk had dubbed the Hymer Fireflies, they'd hurried back to the Saratoga with their
data. What had originally been intended as a week-long survey of the Cloud had been rapidly extended into a two week study
of the lifeforms. Kirk had been caught up in the excitement too and it had only been at the insistence of his mother hens,
(and occasional mother bears) Bones and Filars, that he'd started to take some time off.

"I've been hearing a lot about you, though," Alyen continued with a grin. "Dr. McCoy's been complaining, very loudly at times.
He says all you've been doing lately, even when you're off duty, is work."

Kirk snickered. "Bones is always getting in a knot about something."

"Have you been taking any time off?" Alyen asked wryly. "It won't do the crew any good to have an overworked, Captain."

"Don't you start on me too!" Kirk chided. "Don't worry, I'm taking some breaks and I've been hitting the gym more. Lieutenant
Akari's teaching me some sword moves."

"That's supposed to be relaxing?"

"Different people different tastes, Crewman," Kirk said with a sly grin.

"Captain," Alyen continued, "the reason that I wanted to see you was..." He paused, "I wanted to thank you for taking me on
that away mission. I missed Shylea, of course, but it was...incredible being out there."

Kirk nodded. "You're welcome."

Alyen continued. "And thank you…for listening."

Kirk nodded again, all seriousness now. "Do you remember what Shylea said a few days ago when we were talking about leadership?
She said that people gave Chieftains their Pledges partially because they understood their burdens and wanted to do whatever they
could to make them lighter."

He leaned forward and looked into Alyen's eyes. "Well it's a two-way street, Crewman. A Chieftain, or a Captain in my case, needs
to do whatever he can to make his crews' burdens lighter. And besides," he frowned, "I've learned the hard and painful way how
important it is to listen to someone who's hurting. A lot of damage can be caused if you don't."

"Like what happened to you on the Enterprise." The Nlian flinched and lowered his eyes. "I…I'm sorry, Captain. I didn't…"

"Don't apologize," Kirk responded calmly. "And you're right; exactly like what happened to me on the Enterprise."

He softened. "You don't need to be afraid to speak your mind around me, Tuskaro. I don't need people to walk on egg shells around
me and I don't need a crew of 'yes' men.' His smile returned. "I need a crew who will speak their minds and keep me on my toes."

"I don't know if I'll be much good at keeping you on your toes, Captain." Alyen's voice was quiet but earnest. "But if you ever need
to talk to someone or just want to share a meal, Shylea and I are here."

Kirk's smile grew wider. "I just might take you up on that, Crewman."

The two of them sat together for awhile in companionable silence, simply gazing at the stellar view.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Kirk said quietly.

"Yes," The Nlian was silent for a moment before continuing. "Out here one realizes just how small they are."

"Well, I'm feeling very small right now."

"That's good. Shylea's grandmother once said that a Chieftain must always be aware of how much vaster the desert is than him."

"Is that along the lines of it's better to be wise than cunning?" Kirk said with a grin.

"Yes. In order to be wise one has to have humility. One has to realize that there're things larger than them. And for someone
who's responsible for the lives of others, that's even more important."

Kirk nodded thoughtfully.

"I've always loved the stars," Alyen continued. "When I was a child I would think of space as an ocean and would imagine swimming
among them."

Kirk smiled "And now you're on a ship sailing among them. Just like me." He was silent for several more moments before he said softly.
"All I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by."