This Woman's Work (Chap 2)
By vandiver49
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with Star Trek, I'm just borrowing them for a moment. Please don't sue; people in the Navy don't make that much money.
All parenthetical statements in Vulcan are denoted by (*)
Please forgive me if the date doesn't correspond exactly to the series.
_________________________________
0900 22 Aug 2151
As T'Pol and her away team made their decent toward the planet's surface, she found herself still dwelling on the argument she just had with Trip. She had just been an unintentional participant in the deceit and misinformation that caused Humans to resent Vulcans so much. She was also struggling to find the logic behind Ambassador Soval's request. What was the point of being here if they were forbidden to land? It was a question she would have to redress once back on Enterprise.
"Sub-Commander, we are 500 meters from the surface." Travis said.
Very well, do you have a landing site?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Then precede accordingly Ensign."
As the shuttlecraft landed, the scene at the compound proved to be graver than the sensors could capture. The holes in the mortal and brick gave clear indication that the outpost had been ravaged by a recent attack. Reed was instantly on edge upon exiting the shuttlecraft.
"Sub-Commander, we should definitely exercise caution."
"Agreed Lieutenant Reed." T'Pol said as she pulled out her scanner and phase pistol. "The central computer is 20 meters to the Northeast.
The three proceeded through the war torn compound, stepping numerous dead Vulcans en route to the computer. T'Pol quickly accessed the compounds mainframe upon arrival, searching for any insight into the atrocity that transpired.
"You find anything Sub-Commander?" Reed asked as he stood guard behind her.
"Nothing of any significance Lieutenant, it appears the compound was taken by surprise."
Just then, an errant noise startled them all.
"What was that?" Travis asked.
"I believe it came from over there?" Malcolm pointed out as he raised his phase pistol.
T'Pol took out her scanner, searching for possible biosigns. "I do not believe the source of the disturbance will pose a threat." She said as she walked over to an open ventilation duct on the ground and peered inside.
"You got anything yet?" An antsy Reed asked.
T'Pol initially said nothing as she stared at the timid Vulcan child, cowering in the corner of the vent. *Do not be afraid little one, I will not harm you.* Her coaxing was to no avail as the child remained frozen. *I am Vulcan just like you, I only seek to help you.* T'Pol pleaded, attempting to appeal to the child's logic. The child shuffled momentarily before approaching T'Pol's extended arm.
Travis and Malcolm were shocked by what crawled out from the air vent as neither of them had ever seen a Vulcan child before.
The child apparently had never seen a Human before either as she clutched tightly onto T'Pol's leg upon seeing her companions. T'Pol bent down to the child's level. *They are my friends, they came to assist me. What is your name?*
*Kelis.* she timidly replied.
*Kelis, my name is T'Pol, that man's name is Malcolm, and he is Travis.*
While neither knew what T'Pol was saying, they understood what she was doing and waved and smiled upon mention of their names.
T'Pol continued the conversation, attempting to probe the child for answers. *Kelis, where are your parents?* This was probably a question best not broached, as is sent the little girl into a fit of tears, a clear indication of her parents fate. T'Pol feigned an attempt to comfort Kelis by reciprocating the hug in which she was now embraced.
Reed and Mayweather both exchanged awed glances at the emotional exchange they were witnessing. Sobs filled the air until Malcolm proposed the next course of action. "I believe we should leave Sub-Commander before whatever wreaked havoc down here decides to return."
T'Pol was too mesmerized by Kelis' tears to acknowledge.
"Sub-Commander." Reed said again with conviction.
"Yes Lieutenant, I believe you are correct." T'Pol said while still transfixed on little Kelis. While the girl's face was marred with dust and wreaked of blood and cement, she bore an uncanny resemblance to T'Pol, right down to the cropped hair and narrow eyebrows. *Kelis, it is not safe for you to stay here. It would be best if you came back with my friends and me to our ship.*
Kelis stopped crying long enough to nod her head in compliance.
The shuttle ride back to Enterprise proved to be far longer than the decent as no one spoke a word. Travis and Malcolm sat up front while Kelis had her arms wrapped around T'Pol's waist behind them. T'Pol had completely forgotten about her confrontation with Trip, and her difference of opinion with Ambassador Soval. Instead T'Pol was wondering what exactly she was going to do with the little girl firmly attached to her midriff. T'Pol had no younger siblings, leaving only her childhood to draw upon as a guide for parenting. Though she would only briefly be responsible for the child, she realized that she was probably not the best suited for such a role. She rebuked typical Vulcan convention for women, actively pursuing a career in the sciences rather than embrace the responsibilities of motherhood. It was this reason that weighed heavily in her decision to postpone her marriage. And here she was, an unqualified mother about to thrust an undisciplined child into what for all intents and purposes was the seat of chaos; Enterprise.
By vandiver49
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with Star Trek, I'm just borrowing them for a moment. Please don't sue; people in the Navy don't make that much money.
All parenthetical statements in Vulcan are denoted by (*)
Please forgive me if the date doesn't correspond exactly to the series.
_________________________________
0900 22 Aug 2151
As T'Pol and her away team made their decent toward the planet's surface, she found herself still dwelling on the argument she just had with Trip. She had just been an unintentional participant in the deceit and misinformation that caused Humans to resent Vulcans so much. She was also struggling to find the logic behind Ambassador Soval's request. What was the point of being here if they were forbidden to land? It was a question she would have to redress once back on Enterprise.
"Sub-Commander, we are 500 meters from the surface." Travis said.
Very well, do you have a landing site?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Then precede accordingly Ensign."
As the shuttlecraft landed, the scene at the compound proved to be graver than the sensors could capture. The holes in the mortal and brick gave clear indication that the outpost had been ravaged by a recent attack. Reed was instantly on edge upon exiting the shuttlecraft.
"Sub-Commander, we should definitely exercise caution."
"Agreed Lieutenant Reed." T'Pol said as she pulled out her scanner and phase pistol. "The central computer is 20 meters to the Northeast.
The three proceeded through the war torn compound, stepping numerous dead Vulcans en route to the computer. T'Pol quickly accessed the compounds mainframe upon arrival, searching for any insight into the atrocity that transpired.
"You find anything Sub-Commander?" Reed asked as he stood guard behind her.
"Nothing of any significance Lieutenant, it appears the compound was taken by surprise."
Just then, an errant noise startled them all.
"What was that?" Travis asked.
"I believe it came from over there?" Malcolm pointed out as he raised his phase pistol.
T'Pol took out her scanner, searching for possible biosigns. "I do not believe the source of the disturbance will pose a threat." She said as she walked over to an open ventilation duct on the ground and peered inside.
"You got anything yet?" An antsy Reed asked.
T'Pol initially said nothing as she stared at the timid Vulcan child, cowering in the corner of the vent. *Do not be afraid little one, I will not harm you.* Her coaxing was to no avail as the child remained frozen. *I am Vulcan just like you, I only seek to help you.* T'Pol pleaded, attempting to appeal to the child's logic. The child shuffled momentarily before approaching T'Pol's extended arm.
Travis and Malcolm were shocked by what crawled out from the air vent as neither of them had ever seen a Vulcan child before.
The child apparently had never seen a Human before either as she clutched tightly onto T'Pol's leg upon seeing her companions. T'Pol bent down to the child's level. *They are my friends, they came to assist me. What is your name?*
*Kelis.* she timidly replied.
*Kelis, my name is T'Pol, that man's name is Malcolm, and he is Travis.*
While neither knew what T'Pol was saying, they understood what she was doing and waved and smiled upon mention of their names.
T'Pol continued the conversation, attempting to probe the child for answers. *Kelis, where are your parents?* This was probably a question best not broached, as is sent the little girl into a fit of tears, a clear indication of her parents fate. T'Pol feigned an attempt to comfort Kelis by reciprocating the hug in which she was now embraced.
Reed and Mayweather both exchanged awed glances at the emotional exchange they were witnessing. Sobs filled the air until Malcolm proposed the next course of action. "I believe we should leave Sub-Commander before whatever wreaked havoc down here decides to return."
T'Pol was too mesmerized by Kelis' tears to acknowledge.
"Sub-Commander." Reed said again with conviction.
"Yes Lieutenant, I believe you are correct." T'Pol said while still transfixed on little Kelis. While the girl's face was marred with dust and wreaked of blood and cement, she bore an uncanny resemblance to T'Pol, right down to the cropped hair and narrow eyebrows. *Kelis, it is not safe for you to stay here. It would be best if you came back with my friends and me to our ship.*
Kelis stopped crying long enough to nod her head in compliance.
The shuttle ride back to Enterprise proved to be far longer than the decent as no one spoke a word. Travis and Malcolm sat up front while Kelis had her arms wrapped around T'Pol's waist behind them. T'Pol had completely forgotten about her confrontation with Trip, and her difference of opinion with Ambassador Soval. Instead T'Pol was wondering what exactly she was going to do with the little girl firmly attached to her midriff. T'Pol had no younger siblings, leaving only her childhood to draw upon as a guide for parenting. Though she would only briefly be responsible for the child, she realized that she was probably not the best suited for such a role. She rebuked typical Vulcan convention for women, actively pursuing a career in the sciences rather than embrace the responsibilities of motherhood. It was this reason that weighed heavily in her decision to postpone her marriage. And here she was, an unqualified mother about to thrust an undisciplined child into what for all intents and purposes was the seat of chaos; Enterprise.