Crusade ch. 2
All his life, Solvek had been unable to properly med itate like everyone in his family. While their meditations brought peaceful, calming feelings to them, he was always left with a feeling of cold dread and anxiety. Ever since he was old enough to learn the strict mental disciplines of Vulcan society, he always either progressed at a much slower rate than the other children, or, in some rare cases, he didn't even progress at all. It was as if he never had the abilities in the first place. And now, nearly fifty years after he began his first meditation, he ended this most recent one like every other meditation in the past...with an ear-shattering scream.
The sound awoke everyone sleeping in the same hall as the distressed Vulcan. No matter how hard anyone tried, Solvek's meditation-ending screams were impossible to get used to. Even other Vulcans found it unsettling. Once, in his youth, his father had ordered him to meditate somewhere outside the family residence, in an effort to give at least some measure of peace to the household. Unfortunately, it ended with a trio of distressed Vulcan guards escorting Solvek home, reprimanding him for disturbing the peace during a meditation hour.
Every respectable physician on Vulcan had at one time tried to ascertain why Solvek had such uncomfortable cycles of mediating. Every possible test was run, and they all came back with the same result: inconclusive. It seemed as if the best medical machines on Vulcan were as confused about Solvek's condition as everyone in his family seemed to be. Ever since the last test, Solvek just pursued his normal meditation cycle, screams and all.
Entering Starfleet helped to alleviate some of the discomfort, the rigid schedule left little time for meditation or any other Vulcan mental discipline. In his earliest days at the academy, the sudden change in schedules affected Solvek in a way he never thought possible. Whereas most Vulcans find the lack of meditation and orderly lifestyles uncomfortable and slightly disturbing, Solvek actually felt relaxed and comfortable, as if he had just taken a long rest after a grueling physical exam.
When Solvek sent a message home about the fortunate state of affairs, his family could not express more concern. They warned him that, yes, foregoing meditation for a short time can cause positive side effects, but caution must be exercised. The effects of long-term meditation deprival could be disastrous. Solvek took the advice, and took steps to make sure he meditated more often, much to the chagrin of the other cadets in the same room.
Solvek graduated from Starfleet command third in his class, bested by an ambitious Human and an overly eager Bolian. But his high rank was enough to get him assigned to the U.S.S. Argo; a ship normally assigned for long- range exploration, but became a frontline vessel in the Dominion war. The Argo was nearly destroyed in the final assault on Cardassia; fortunately, a Cardassian warship defended the Argo until a rescue tug arrived. There were no fatalities thanks to the brave Cardassians.
At the end of the war, Solvek took an extended leave on Vulcan, which eventually became an early retirement. For the past two years, Solvek had been studying some of the lesser-known meditation techniques under the tutelage of a small cadre of Vulcan masters in an ancient temple somewhere in Vulcan's wilds. His efforts were largely unsuccessful in the beginning, sometimes actually leaving Solvek in a state of shock for hours. But, as he delved deeper into some of the most extreme depths of ancient Vulcan meditation, he found one that actually sort of relaxed him, but still ended with a shrill cry. Two years since he had begun, Solvek and the masters had become increasingly agitated at that one fact.
In his spare time, Solvek published no less than three papers on theoretical application of quantum singularities as a type of warp reactor, much like the Romulans employed for their own ships. Some dismissed his ideas as frivolous and useless, preferring to expand current warp theory. But a select few realized the potential of his ideas, and frequently sent him letters asking this question or that. Sometimes, Solvek would check his mail file on the only terminal in the temple to find it flooded with requests for appearances, lectures, and the odd request to join a Federation research group based on Andor. Naturally, he respectfully declined every request.
The day began like all others, a loud cry waking every other Vulcan at the temple. Solvek had recently timed his morning meditations so he could end it in time with the normal wakeup call of the others, so as not to disturb the peace, and to wake up the few whom chose to ignore the call. Solvek sat panting on the hard floor of the meditation room as the other masters began to slowly file in. Some spared a glance at him, but quickly turned away when he looked toward them. Others seemed to avoid him like the Phyrox plague; sometimes entering the room slowly, to only shuffle as fast as they respectfully could away from Solvek. Solvek found it odd that for such a race of refined qualities and intellect, Vulcans could act so childishly sometimes.
When most of the masters had entered the meditation room to start their routines, Solvek quietly exited, leaving them to their peace. This was the time he normally would check his daily summons, and refuse them all. The walk to the terminal was brisk and lengthy. The only piece of advanced technology in the temple was kept well away from the proper grounds, to keep the young ones from distractions. Solvek entered the small room where the device was kept, and quietly thumbed the power on.
The terminal hummed to life, and soon the Vulcan IDIC symbol appeared on the small, flat screen directly in front of him. Solvek pushed a few more buttons until his personal mail file appeared. Solvek's eyes narrowed when he saw the number of messages that appeared on screen: one. When he checked it, he was surprised to find that the person who sent it was a member of Starfleet...Captain Martin Snyder it said on the file. On it was just a simple request:
Commander Solvek of Vulcan. Your early retirement from Starfleet has been overruled. A council of Admirals feels that it is in the best of the Federation's interest if you once again return to active duty as soon as possible. Because of that, you have been assigned to the position of Engineer's mate aboard the U.S.S. Ulysses, NCC 74944. You will be expected to be ready for departure at 0800 hours standard Vulcan time tomorrow. A shuttle will pick you up from your current position and transfer you to Ulysses at that time. Thank you for your cooperation.
Captain Martin Snyder
USS Ulysses, Commanding Officer
Solvek had to read the simple text message twice to get a full understanding of its contents. If he were human, his expression would have been one of sheer horror and shock. Fortunately, his higher Vulcan instincts prevailed, and kept all of his emotions down to a controlled level. Still, he wanted nothing more than to smash the terminal and seek personal, violent revenge on the idiot commander whom had so rudely interrupted his life.
In as much of an exasperated huff as a Vulcan could achieve, Solvek rushed out of the terminal room, his white meditation robes billowing out behind him. He didn't stop to pay respect to any of the passing masters, nor did he display the traditional moment of reflection and silence that came at the temple every other hour. He was in a blind rush, not caring for a moment that he was quite literally turning his back on hundreds of years of tradition. All he wanted to do was get back to his quarters before he screamed again, this time very voluntarily.
Unfortunately, a master was waiting at the door to Solvek's Spartan living quarters. He was standing in a posture that suggested disappointment and regret. It was a posture Solvek had seen many times around him in his stay at the temple.
The master was the first to speak, "I have heard of your sudden change in behavior ever since you left our terminal room."
Solvek was in no mood to start a long conversation, but when a master addressed you, it was proper to respond, "I received a rather unsettling message from Starfleet today."
"What were the contents of the message, if I may be so bold?"
"My stay here is ended, master. I have been put back into service by the Starfleet Admiralty, and I fear this time I may never be able to return here for any extended period for a very long time."
The master's face turned as sympathetic as he would allow it, "I am sorry to hear that news. I am also sorry that we have been unable to cure your unfortunate affliction. I hope that your travels in space can help you find your answer." With that, the master turned slowly on his heel and walked away from Solvek at a carefully managed pace.
Solvek was quite ready to explode with repressed emotion. He was making so much progress with his meditation, and Starfleet had to assert its will over his at the worst possible time. What was so important that Starfleet needed him? Besides, his assignment was already a lowly one, fit for any second-year ensign. Why was he so important?
He opened the heavy wooden door to his quarters slowly, a vain attempt at prolonging the time he would spend at the temple. And then he shuffled like a child over to his dusty Starfleet footlocker stuffed away at the far corner of the small room, as far away from him as possible during his stay here. Solvek stared at it for some time before he was distracted by a loud rapping sound at his door. He turned around to see a small group of masters crowded around his door, all of them staring at him intently.
The lead master spoke first. "We are all quite uncomfortable with the aspect of you leaving the temple for a new assignment with Starfleet, young one. You have not yet completed your tasks here with us, and you are still plagued by your nightmarish meditations. We advise you to consider staying here."
Solvek wanted so much to begin spouting general Starfleet rules concerning duty and regulations, about how it wasn't his choice, but he knew the masters would have none of it. Solvek and the masters both knew that he would probably never set foot on the temple grounds again. Solvek only stared back with a defeated look that explained everything to the masters.
"It is settled, then," the leader softly spoke, "Your time here is ended, your tutelage is over. You will be expected to vacate your quarters as soon as possible, and head for the starport." The master gave the traditional Vulcan hand salute, "Live long, Solvek, and prosper." And with that, the entire group left Solvek alone in quarters that were no longer his.
The transport shuttle landed on the docking port at the exact time that had been listed on the summons. Solvek was wearing his uniform once again, which, because of the rigors of temple life, fit a little too big for him. But no matter how he looked, one fact was certain, he was back in Starfleet, and would probably be so until the end of his days.
Solvek calmly set foot on the open door to the shuttle as soon as it opened, and took one last look at the temple that had been his home for so long. He said a private good-bye, both to the temple and to his old life, and finally entered the shuttle. An attendant brought in his footlocker with a small antigrav unit. When Solvek had found a seat, and everything was locked down, the shuttle lifted from the temple and blasted into space.
All his life, Solvek had been unable to properly med itate like everyone in his family. While their meditations brought peaceful, calming feelings to them, he was always left with a feeling of cold dread and anxiety. Ever since he was old enough to learn the strict mental disciplines of Vulcan society, he always either progressed at a much slower rate than the other children, or, in some rare cases, he didn't even progress at all. It was as if he never had the abilities in the first place. And now, nearly fifty years after he began his first meditation, he ended this most recent one like every other meditation in the past...with an ear-shattering scream.
The sound awoke everyone sleeping in the same hall as the distressed Vulcan. No matter how hard anyone tried, Solvek's meditation-ending screams were impossible to get used to. Even other Vulcans found it unsettling. Once, in his youth, his father had ordered him to meditate somewhere outside the family residence, in an effort to give at least some measure of peace to the household. Unfortunately, it ended with a trio of distressed Vulcan guards escorting Solvek home, reprimanding him for disturbing the peace during a meditation hour.
Every respectable physician on Vulcan had at one time tried to ascertain why Solvek had such uncomfortable cycles of mediating. Every possible test was run, and they all came back with the same result: inconclusive. It seemed as if the best medical machines on Vulcan were as confused about Solvek's condition as everyone in his family seemed to be. Ever since the last test, Solvek just pursued his normal meditation cycle, screams and all.
Entering Starfleet helped to alleviate some of the discomfort, the rigid schedule left little time for meditation or any other Vulcan mental discipline. In his earliest days at the academy, the sudden change in schedules affected Solvek in a way he never thought possible. Whereas most Vulcans find the lack of meditation and orderly lifestyles uncomfortable and slightly disturbing, Solvek actually felt relaxed and comfortable, as if he had just taken a long rest after a grueling physical exam.
When Solvek sent a message home about the fortunate state of affairs, his family could not express more concern. They warned him that, yes, foregoing meditation for a short time can cause positive side effects, but caution must be exercised. The effects of long-term meditation deprival could be disastrous. Solvek took the advice, and took steps to make sure he meditated more often, much to the chagrin of the other cadets in the same room.
Solvek graduated from Starfleet command third in his class, bested by an ambitious Human and an overly eager Bolian. But his high rank was enough to get him assigned to the U.S.S. Argo; a ship normally assigned for long- range exploration, but became a frontline vessel in the Dominion war. The Argo was nearly destroyed in the final assault on Cardassia; fortunately, a Cardassian warship defended the Argo until a rescue tug arrived. There were no fatalities thanks to the brave Cardassians.
At the end of the war, Solvek took an extended leave on Vulcan, which eventually became an early retirement. For the past two years, Solvek had been studying some of the lesser-known meditation techniques under the tutelage of a small cadre of Vulcan masters in an ancient temple somewhere in Vulcan's wilds. His efforts were largely unsuccessful in the beginning, sometimes actually leaving Solvek in a state of shock for hours. But, as he delved deeper into some of the most extreme depths of ancient Vulcan meditation, he found one that actually sort of relaxed him, but still ended with a shrill cry. Two years since he had begun, Solvek and the masters had become increasingly agitated at that one fact.
In his spare time, Solvek published no less than three papers on theoretical application of quantum singularities as a type of warp reactor, much like the Romulans employed for their own ships. Some dismissed his ideas as frivolous and useless, preferring to expand current warp theory. But a select few realized the potential of his ideas, and frequently sent him letters asking this question or that. Sometimes, Solvek would check his mail file on the only terminal in the temple to find it flooded with requests for appearances, lectures, and the odd request to join a Federation research group based on Andor. Naturally, he respectfully declined every request.
The day began like all others, a loud cry waking every other Vulcan at the temple. Solvek had recently timed his morning meditations so he could end it in time with the normal wakeup call of the others, so as not to disturb the peace, and to wake up the few whom chose to ignore the call. Solvek sat panting on the hard floor of the meditation room as the other masters began to slowly file in. Some spared a glance at him, but quickly turned away when he looked toward them. Others seemed to avoid him like the Phyrox plague; sometimes entering the room slowly, to only shuffle as fast as they respectfully could away from Solvek. Solvek found it odd that for such a race of refined qualities and intellect, Vulcans could act so childishly sometimes.
When most of the masters had entered the meditation room to start their routines, Solvek quietly exited, leaving them to their peace. This was the time he normally would check his daily summons, and refuse them all. The walk to the terminal was brisk and lengthy. The only piece of advanced technology in the temple was kept well away from the proper grounds, to keep the young ones from distractions. Solvek entered the small room where the device was kept, and quietly thumbed the power on.
The terminal hummed to life, and soon the Vulcan IDIC symbol appeared on the small, flat screen directly in front of him. Solvek pushed a few more buttons until his personal mail file appeared. Solvek's eyes narrowed when he saw the number of messages that appeared on screen: one. When he checked it, he was surprised to find that the person who sent it was a member of Starfleet...Captain Martin Snyder it said on the file. On it was just a simple request:
Commander Solvek of Vulcan. Your early retirement from Starfleet has been overruled. A council of Admirals feels that it is in the best of the Federation's interest if you once again return to active duty as soon as possible. Because of that, you have been assigned to the position of Engineer's mate aboard the U.S.S. Ulysses, NCC 74944. You will be expected to be ready for departure at 0800 hours standard Vulcan time tomorrow. A shuttle will pick you up from your current position and transfer you to Ulysses at that time. Thank you for your cooperation.
Captain Martin Snyder
USS Ulysses, Commanding Officer
Solvek had to read the simple text message twice to get a full understanding of its contents. If he were human, his expression would have been one of sheer horror and shock. Fortunately, his higher Vulcan instincts prevailed, and kept all of his emotions down to a controlled level. Still, he wanted nothing more than to smash the terminal and seek personal, violent revenge on the idiot commander whom had so rudely interrupted his life.
In as much of an exasperated huff as a Vulcan could achieve, Solvek rushed out of the terminal room, his white meditation robes billowing out behind him. He didn't stop to pay respect to any of the passing masters, nor did he display the traditional moment of reflection and silence that came at the temple every other hour. He was in a blind rush, not caring for a moment that he was quite literally turning his back on hundreds of years of tradition. All he wanted to do was get back to his quarters before he screamed again, this time very voluntarily.
Unfortunately, a master was waiting at the door to Solvek's Spartan living quarters. He was standing in a posture that suggested disappointment and regret. It was a posture Solvek had seen many times around him in his stay at the temple.
The master was the first to speak, "I have heard of your sudden change in behavior ever since you left our terminal room."
Solvek was in no mood to start a long conversation, but when a master addressed you, it was proper to respond, "I received a rather unsettling message from Starfleet today."
"What were the contents of the message, if I may be so bold?"
"My stay here is ended, master. I have been put back into service by the Starfleet Admiralty, and I fear this time I may never be able to return here for any extended period for a very long time."
The master's face turned as sympathetic as he would allow it, "I am sorry to hear that news. I am also sorry that we have been unable to cure your unfortunate affliction. I hope that your travels in space can help you find your answer." With that, the master turned slowly on his heel and walked away from Solvek at a carefully managed pace.
Solvek was quite ready to explode with repressed emotion. He was making so much progress with his meditation, and Starfleet had to assert its will over his at the worst possible time. What was so important that Starfleet needed him? Besides, his assignment was already a lowly one, fit for any second-year ensign. Why was he so important?
He opened the heavy wooden door to his quarters slowly, a vain attempt at prolonging the time he would spend at the temple. And then he shuffled like a child over to his dusty Starfleet footlocker stuffed away at the far corner of the small room, as far away from him as possible during his stay here. Solvek stared at it for some time before he was distracted by a loud rapping sound at his door. He turned around to see a small group of masters crowded around his door, all of them staring at him intently.
The lead master spoke first. "We are all quite uncomfortable with the aspect of you leaving the temple for a new assignment with Starfleet, young one. You have not yet completed your tasks here with us, and you are still plagued by your nightmarish meditations. We advise you to consider staying here."
Solvek wanted so much to begin spouting general Starfleet rules concerning duty and regulations, about how it wasn't his choice, but he knew the masters would have none of it. Solvek and the masters both knew that he would probably never set foot on the temple grounds again. Solvek only stared back with a defeated look that explained everything to the masters.
"It is settled, then," the leader softly spoke, "Your time here is ended, your tutelage is over. You will be expected to vacate your quarters as soon as possible, and head for the starport." The master gave the traditional Vulcan hand salute, "Live long, Solvek, and prosper." And with that, the entire group left Solvek alone in quarters that were no longer his.
The transport shuttle landed on the docking port at the exact time that had been listed on the summons. Solvek was wearing his uniform once again, which, because of the rigors of temple life, fit a little too big for him. But no matter how he looked, one fact was certain, he was back in Starfleet, and would probably be so until the end of his days.
Solvek calmly set foot on the open door to the shuttle as soon as it opened, and took one last look at the temple that had been his home for so long. He said a private good-bye, both to the temple and to his old life, and finally entered the shuttle. An attendant brought in his footlocker with a small antigrav unit. When Solvek had found a seat, and everything was locked down, the shuttle lifted from the temple and blasted into space.