Chapter 2
****************
Cher sat in the darkened room, trying to forget that she was now millions of kilometers away from everyone that she knew and cared about - essentially, she was alone. Sleep remained elusive, as she projected what her life was going to be like, from now on.
She had her first shift in engineering, in just 5 hours, and wanted to be at her best. Frustrated, Cher got up out of bed, and turned on her computer. 'Maybe a little bit of reading can take my mind off of things. . . '
After searching the computer's library, she chose one of her favorite novelists, and started to read a story that was both familiar and comforting - 'Emma'.
An hour later, with eyes now burning from exhaustion, she flicked off the computer, and returned to her bunk. She easily fell asleep, and was now dreaming a pleasant dream.
****************
Nih had not left her company since following her from the launchbay. With fascination, her evening routine was observed. Nih also watched as she had gotten up out of bed and had spent over an hour reading literature. This resulted in a revelation. Nih spent the time that the young female was reposing to delve further into the concept of romance and courting. Nih was now formulating an experiment.
************
The Engineering department was abuzz with activity. Trip had spent only a few minutes orienting Cher to her duties before a malfunction in the plasma injectors had him bolting frantically back to work, overseeing the repairs.
Cher was to study the Starfleet protocols for Enterprise's engines, so was holed up in the small office shared by all of the Ensigns of the department. Fortunately it was quiet in there, as the others were busy at their respective tasks. She was glad that she had this time to compose herself, and that, as she was sleep-deprived, she would not require the sharpness of mind necessary to function as a qualified engineer that day.
The silence did not last for long though. Cher was startled from her reading by shouting voices. At least, the voice with the Southern drawl was shouting. A softer, calmer voice could be heard responding to each insult. Cher strained to listen, as the Commander and Subcommander worked through their disagreement in the adjacent office.
"DO YOU DO THIS ON PURPOSE, JUST TO GET A RISE OUT OF ME?"
"Mr. Tucker, I derive no pleasure from the RAISING of your voice when our conflicts could be resolved in a more rationale manner."
"WELL, YA COULDA FOOLED ME."
"All I wish to know is when you will have the long-range sensors back on line. I issued a request for repairs two days ago. If this were a Vulcan vessel, I would not have to-"
"WELL, IF YA WANNA, I'M SURE THAT THE T'LUK COULD COME BACK AND PICK YA UP. HELL, I'LL GET HOSHI TO CALL 'EM BACK RIGHT NOW."
"That will not be necessary, Mr. Tucker. I only meant that protocols dictate that-"
"SCREW YOUR DAMN PROTOCOLS. CAN'T YOU SEE THAT WE HAVE A BIT OF A SITUATION HERE? I'M SURE THAT THE CAP'N WOULD AGREE THAT YOUR FRIGGIN' SCIENCE PROJECTS CAN HOLD OFF FOR A WHILE UNTIL WE GET THE ENGINES GOIN' AGAIN."
Cher held her breath in anticipation, but was disappointed when she somehow missed T'pol's response. The next sound was that of a door closing, likely the Subcommander leaving. A few seconds later, that same door now slammed shut - definitely indicating that the Commander had left.
Cher giggled and said aloud, "I guess the rumors are true. Millie's brother wasn't exaggerating when he said that there was definite passion between those two." She remembered sitting in her dorm room with her roommate Millie, whose older brother worked in the armory on Enterprise, and reading the letters that he wrote. Cher and Millie could not believe that the Vulcan would allow herself to get so flustered by the rantings of a human. She made a mental note to write a letter to Millie after her shift, to share the confirmation of this piece of gossip.
****************
If Nih had been humanoid, at this point, a Cheshire Cat grin would likely have been the appropriate response to recent events. However, Nih could only feel the inner satisfaction of deciding that the beings that had introduced themselves as Commander Tucker and Subcommander T'pol, would prove to be perfect subjects for the experiment. As a bonus, Nih would be able to witness both intergender and interspecies activity concurrently.
Nih came to the conclusion that the young Ensign's curiosity may even rival his own and that Nih could hazard into a partnership with her in order to be successful at the proposed endeavor - Nih would play matchmaker.
*****************
That evening, as Cher sat at her personal computer composing Millie's letter, she felt a cool draft on her neck. Despite pulling up her robe to cover her occiput, she continued to shiver. She thought she heard a soft, squeaky voice breath her name. Turning to face the sound, she was startled to find a lucent entity hovering about 10 centimeters off the floor. Measuring about 2 meters cubed, it had no definite form with its edges almost evaporating into the air of the room, yet there was a faint bluish- purple light emanating from it. Again, the mouse-like voice said, "Ensssign Woooodhouuusssse."
Cher jumped up out of her seat, eyes wide with shock. Her mind raced, and yet she remained immovable. She could hear a scream, and for a moment wondered where it came from, until she could feel a dryness and knife-like jab at the back of her throat - she had been the one screaming. She finally decided to make a run for it, but the entity blocked her exit. Her terror was so acute that she started to feel vertiginous, then paresthesia ascended her limbs and the room went black.
TBC . . . .
****************
Cher sat in the darkened room, trying to forget that she was now millions of kilometers away from everyone that she knew and cared about - essentially, she was alone. Sleep remained elusive, as she projected what her life was going to be like, from now on.
She had her first shift in engineering, in just 5 hours, and wanted to be at her best. Frustrated, Cher got up out of bed, and turned on her computer. 'Maybe a little bit of reading can take my mind off of things. . . '
After searching the computer's library, she chose one of her favorite novelists, and started to read a story that was both familiar and comforting - 'Emma'.
An hour later, with eyes now burning from exhaustion, she flicked off the computer, and returned to her bunk. She easily fell asleep, and was now dreaming a pleasant dream.
****************
Nih had not left her company since following her from the launchbay. With fascination, her evening routine was observed. Nih also watched as she had gotten up out of bed and had spent over an hour reading literature. This resulted in a revelation. Nih spent the time that the young female was reposing to delve further into the concept of romance and courting. Nih was now formulating an experiment.
************
The Engineering department was abuzz with activity. Trip had spent only a few minutes orienting Cher to her duties before a malfunction in the plasma injectors had him bolting frantically back to work, overseeing the repairs.
Cher was to study the Starfleet protocols for Enterprise's engines, so was holed up in the small office shared by all of the Ensigns of the department. Fortunately it was quiet in there, as the others were busy at their respective tasks. She was glad that she had this time to compose herself, and that, as she was sleep-deprived, she would not require the sharpness of mind necessary to function as a qualified engineer that day.
The silence did not last for long though. Cher was startled from her reading by shouting voices. At least, the voice with the Southern drawl was shouting. A softer, calmer voice could be heard responding to each insult. Cher strained to listen, as the Commander and Subcommander worked through their disagreement in the adjacent office.
"DO YOU DO THIS ON PURPOSE, JUST TO GET A RISE OUT OF ME?"
"Mr. Tucker, I derive no pleasure from the RAISING of your voice when our conflicts could be resolved in a more rationale manner."
"WELL, YA COULDA FOOLED ME."
"All I wish to know is when you will have the long-range sensors back on line. I issued a request for repairs two days ago. If this were a Vulcan vessel, I would not have to-"
"WELL, IF YA WANNA, I'M SURE THAT THE T'LUK COULD COME BACK AND PICK YA UP. HELL, I'LL GET HOSHI TO CALL 'EM BACK RIGHT NOW."
"That will not be necessary, Mr. Tucker. I only meant that protocols dictate that-"
"SCREW YOUR DAMN PROTOCOLS. CAN'T YOU SEE THAT WE HAVE A BIT OF A SITUATION HERE? I'M SURE THAT THE CAP'N WOULD AGREE THAT YOUR FRIGGIN' SCIENCE PROJECTS CAN HOLD OFF FOR A WHILE UNTIL WE GET THE ENGINES GOIN' AGAIN."
Cher held her breath in anticipation, but was disappointed when she somehow missed T'pol's response. The next sound was that of a door closing, likely the Subcommander leaving. A few seconds later, that same door now slammed shut - definitely indicating that the Commander had left.
Cher giggled and said aloud, "I guess the rumors are true. Millie's brother wasn't exaggerating when he said that there was definite passion between those two." She remembered sitting in her dorm room with her roommate Millie, whose older brother worked in the armory on Enterprise, and reading the letters that he wrote. Cher and Millie could not believe that the Vulcan would allow herself to get so flustered by the rantings of a human. She made a mental note to write a letter to Millie after her shift, to share the confirmation of this piece of gossip.
****************
If Nih had been humanoid, at this point, a Cheshire Cat grin would likely have been the appropriate response to recent events. However, Nih could only feel the inner satisfaction of deciding that the beings that had introduced themselves as Commander Tucker and Subcommander T'pol, would prove to be perfect subjects for the experiment. As a bonus, Nih would be able to witness both intergender and interspecies activity concurrently.
Nih came to the conclusion that the young Ensign's curiosity may even rival his own and that Nih could hazard into a partnership with her in order to be successful at the proposed endeavor - Nih would play matchmaker.
*****************
That evening, as Cher sat at her personal computer composing Millie's letter, she felt a cool draft on her neck. Despite pulling up her robe to cover her occiput, she continued to shiver. She thought she heard a soft, squeaky voice breath her name. Turning to face the sound, she was startled to find a lucent entity hovering about 10 centimeters off the floor. Measuring about 2 meters cubed, it had no definite form with its edges almost evaporating into the air of the room, yet there was a faint bluish- purple light emanating from it. Again, the mouse-like voice said, "Ensssign Woooodhouuusssse."
Cher jumped up out of her seat, eyes wide with shock. Her mind raced, and yet she remained immovable. She could hear a scream, and for a moment wondered where it came from, until she could feel a dryness and knife-like jab at the back of her throat - she had been the one screaming. She finally decided to make a run for it, but the entity blocked her exit. Her terror was so acute that she started to feel vertiginous, then paresthesia ascended her limbs and the room went black.
TBC . . . .