Chapter 3

Differences

We arrived back at the main building where I escorted Commander Tucker into Sam's capable hands. I knew they probably wouldn't surface before the dinner was due to begin. I offered Sub-Commander T'Pol an opportunity to spend some time with our Chief of Biosciences, which she accepted. That left Archer and myself alone.

"Would you like to see our library?"

He seemed surprised; "You have a library in here?"

"Yes. We find it easier to complete our work." I had wrapped my hands in my robe, and pulled it together behind my back, as I was often inclined to do. We walked through the hall, footsteps falling on elegantly carpeted floors, muffling sounds. Muted conversations drifted from adjoining offices, mechanical noises signaling a busy workplace.

"If you don't mind me saying, your world is one of the best we've come across in a long time."

I looked at Archer, pensive. "I'm glad you like it here."

"How long does your recorded history date back?"

I paused mid-step. It was a long time. How many cycles had passed? Many...thousands...millions, I frowned unintentionally, trying to concentrate on my lessons from when I was a student.

"I'm sorry, you don't have to answer." Archer offered, appearing mildly self-conscious.

"No, it's quite all right. I'm trying to remember my history lessons. I'm afraid I never was very good in school." I had scraped through with high enough marks to get promoted. It wasn't that I didn't care...or didn't try. I didn't have the mind for numbers and facts. I had excelled in the leadership portions, and politics. I had been the youngest President appointed in recorded history. I did remember that fact.

"It's been a very long time." I started walking again, towards our library. "What about your planet Captain?"

He laughed, "Now it's my turn to admit I wasn't very good at history either. Recorded history on my planet is not as old as one would imagine. It wouldn't surprise me if our timelines agreed somewhat, I get the impression that your culture has been around for a very long time."

I didn't know about that. Certainly our culture was old, but theirs was more advanced, at least technologically.

"How long have your people been aboard Enterprise?" I was curious about living on a spaceship. I wondered what it looked and felt like.

This time Archer paused and seemed to consider, "It's been less than a year."

"That's not long."

"Only when you find a planet such as this, and spend time back on the surface." His voice had become tender...wistful. "You realize how much you miss simple things...such as the sky, vibrant colors, a soft breeze...room to walk and not end up in the place you were a while ago."

I hadn't thought about that. A spaceship would have to be very big to not feel confining. "I suppose that's why you enjoy finding new worlds to visit?"

He nodded, we were walking again, almost to the foyer of the library, "Yes, but not all our visits are this pleasant."

"If you were a year later, it wouldn't have been." I mentioned then regretted it. His face sobered.

"I know."

"Here we are." I said brightly, trying to cover up for my depressing words.

I heard him suck in a quick intake of air. The library was another true work of art in Aegis One. The ceiling was twice as high as the rest of the first floor, creating an open feeling of being lost in a vista of knowledge. There were slim shelves in circles throughout the room. Some of the worker's moved busily from workstations to shelves, shuffling through materials till finding the one they sought, then returning to their work.

"It's big."

It wasn't saying much but somehow he said it all.

"Yes." I agreed. I directed him to a specific group of circular shelves, "This contains the history of our city, Aegis One."

"This whole...center?" He asked.

I smiled, "Yes. Aegis One is the oldest city on Aegis. Some believe it is the cradle of our civilization."

He seemed to have a sudden thought, "Tam, are there any incidences of impacts similar to..." He looked furtively around ensuring his words would not be overheard, something, of which I was thankful for, "...the one approaching your world?"

He brought up a subject I had wondered myself. "I don't know. Not that I'm aware of."

"I wondered. On my planet we were able to piece together part of our ancient history. An impact- similar to what will happen here- destroyed a species we called dinosaurs, large reptiles that lived before man. We only discovered the evidence long after the event happened."

That was even more depressing. Would anyone find evidence of our catastrophe long after we were gone?

Archer realized he was the one to make the misstep, "I'm sorry. We may be able to prevent the worse."

And you may not, I thought wearily. Less than a day and all ready I felt I had aged a hundred days.

"We should head back. Dinner will begin shortly." I turned my back on our history. "Ensign Sato and Lieutenant Reed..." I looked at him to see if I had gotten their names right, he didn't say anything so I assumed I did, "My Personal Relations Officer, Sara, will be escorting them to the reception hall."

He remained quiet. I wished this awful news wasn't marring our first contact. Archer's people were interesting- kind, friendly and compassionate. I wished...I wished many things, but wishing was as worthless as throwing water in the wind. We walked in comfortable silence to the reception hall.

We were sitting around a large circular table. It was made from our Bata Tree, known for its rich nut color, and natural glossy finish with minimal woodworking. After everyone had been seated, I stood, calling the room to attention.

"Good evening Aegians! We are gathered to celebrate a momentous occasion in Aegis history! We have visitors from another world." I was saying the words and still reeling from the impact of what it all meant. "Captain Jonathon Archer!" A thunderous storm of applause rose up from the table. Archer stood, and did a self-conscious half bow.

The room quickly fell quiet, everyone waiting for his speech. He smiled awkwardly, "Thank you for the warm welcome. My people are pleased to make the acquaintance of such a kind and unique culture." I saw him glance at T'Pol as if asking for guidance. I realized I had kept him busy that he had little time to learn our protocols. I stood abruptly, clapping, "Thank you Captain. You do us a great honor by being here."

More clapping, my hands fairly rang from the clapping. It had been a long time since we'd gathered in the reception hall. A cycle since the Governor of Aegis Three had visited and he had been the first in two cycles. The Governors stuck close to home, caring for their cities and venturing infrequently to the Capital.

I sat, the cue for everyone to begin. Plates were covered with a small ceramic lid, designed to keep the meal hot while opening politics were dealt with. I lifted mine gingerly, as they tended to be very warm themselves. I noticed the Enterprise crew following suit.

They seemed puzzled as to the next step. I nudged Archer, "Are your people not hungry?"

Archer seemed reluctant, "Where are your..." and then all I heard was gibberish. I looked at him, confused. Had the translator broken?

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

He looked as confused as I, "The..." and again it was lost in sounds that I didn't understand.

"Captain, I believe the translator is unable to find a match for these words." T'Pol indicated the small black box attached to her hip.

I frowned. What did that mean?

Archer looked at T'Pol, uncertain, "Really?"

T'Pol inclined her head in a positive answer, "President Tam...what do you eat with?" She asked.

For the first time since they arrived I felt lost in communication problems. "Eat? Eat with what?"

"The food...what do you use to eat your food with?" Archer prodded his plate.

I looked around the table. No one would begin until I took the first bite. I realized with a sinking feeling what Archer was referring to. I gulped, "Our fingers. I take it you don't?"

I could see that Archer felt bad, but I felt foolish. It had never occurred to me that these beings that we seemed so alike, would have a fundamental difference with such a basic thing.

"No...we use..." he slowed his speech, emphasizing the word, "u-ten-sils."

"U...tan...sals." I repeated, the word feeling foreign on my tongue.

He smiled, "Yes."

"I'm sorry, we do not have anything for such a purpose. Could you bring some from your ship?" I didn't want them to be uncomfortable at a feast meant in their honor.

Archer gestured dismissively, "No, it's fine. When in Rome..."

I frowned...the last word wasn't one I was familiar with. "What?"

He laughed, "Nothing...it's nothing. This is fine Tam, just fine."

And I knew he meant it. I lifted the meat and took a large bite, relishing the spicy flavor the cook had created. I saw the Sub-Commander wrinkle her nose slightly but I had learned from Sara that she didn't eat meat. Her plate was full of vegetables and breads. I understood her aversion. There were those on our planet who chose to not eat certain foods for many reasons.

I looked at the two crewmen I had seen briefly before they had returned to Enterprise. Ensign Sato and Lieutenant Reed were seated next to one another. The Ensign lifted a slice of bread and was chatting with her seatmate, the Chief of Media Services from the main library. The other man, Reed, was staring uncertainly at the meat. He lifted it and gave a hesitant sniff.

I elbowed Archer again, "Is your Lieutenant okay?"

Archer looked over at Reed and grinned, "Malcolm, it won't bite."

Reed looked, and reddened when he saw he was the object of attention. "Sorry Sir, I was just...checking...allergies you know." He mumbled then took a forced bite. He smiled weakly at us. "Good." He spoke as clearly as one could with a mouth full of food.

I thought it was time to leave him alone, so I looked around for Tucker. I found him not far from Archer, but was surprised to see Meryl on one side and Sam on the other. Goodness that man was suave. He must have charmed Sara into changing the seating positions.

I lifted my cup, swirling the purple liquid gently a few times. I took a tentative sip. The fruity flavor was perfect. I reminded myself that I must send compliments to Old Watters.

"What is this?"

I was startled to see Archer staring at his as if it were a poisonous creature ready to pounce, "It's harmless Captain."

He hesitated briefly but then took a small drink. His face reflected his pleasure, "It's wonderful!"

"Do you recall the fruit we saw at Sky Gardens?" I asked.

Archer nodded.

"It's called Tam." I stopped; slightly embarrassed by the question I knew would come. I wasn't disappointed.

"Tam? You were named after a fruit?" Commander Tucker had apparently been listening to more of our conversation than I realized. He was now giving me his full attention.

I sighed. Despite dealing with this my entire life, it still grated on me. "No...Tam is a nickname. My full name is Tamaya Garesku. You can probably see why it was shortened to Tam."

"Commander Tucker has a nickname." Archer was grinning even more than before.

Tucker groaned. "Cap'n..."

"Really?" I wanted to hear this.

"Trip." Archer said, clearly delighted.

"Trip?" I looked at Tucker who was shaking his head, "How would one get a nickname of Trip? Were you clumsy as a child?"

Reed was smiling now, "Yes Commander, do tell...where you a clumsy child?"

I figured I probably had played an unwitting part in a joke at the Commander's expense, but I knew that friend's were often guilty of such pranks. I decided to change the subject, though someday, maybe I would get to hear the story of how he earned the nickname 'Trip'.

"Do you like your meal?" I asked Archer.

He had almost eaten everything on his plate. "It was delicious! Chef couldn't have done a better job."

I guessed that was a compliment. I noticed people were finishing up everywhere around the table.

"When your Ensign is ready, we can adjourn to my office. We should be able to translate the information in under an hour."

Archer's smile faltered, "That will be fine."