Chapter 5

The Enterprise

"It's safe, trust me." Archer said, noticing my white knuckled fists by my side.

"I do." I trusted them with my entire world. I watched their shuttle pilot manning the controls and felt the shuttle shift delicately in the atmosphere. Travis, I repeated to myself, Archer had introduced him as Travis Mayweather.

"How long has he been piloting these ships?" I asked.

Archer's eyes sparkled with humor, "Probably about as long as he's been talking."

I looked at the shuttle pilot critically. He didn't seem that old. "That doesn't seem that long." I pointed out.

This caused Commander Tucker to laugh, "I know he looks like he's barely out of diapers, but he has been flying for a while."

"Tam...look." Archer said, pointing towards the front window.

And I looked. I saw her. All this time these people had expressed pleasure at the art on my world, only to be holding close a better treasure than I had ever seen. She floated confidently, a mechanical angel of steel and power. I had never seen a craft so expertly wrought, our vehicles appearing small and boxy in comparison.

I couldn't help but feel words were inadequate to express my appreciation of their ship. "Amazing." I said finally. "Simply amazing."

"You can say that again." Sam piped up from beside me. I realized as much wonder as I was feeling, he was feeling that and ten times more, being able to appreciate more than the beauty of her. "The things on the side...are those engines?" He asked.

Commander Tucker was beaming, as a Mother being complimented on her child, "In a way. Those are the warp nacelles."

I didn't know what a warp nacelle was but I guessed it was something special. I watched as Travis guided us inside. He really was talented. I had hardly known we were flying in space.

"We have a quick stop at our decontamination unit Tam. It's standard procedure when we've been off-world." Archer led the way.

I looked at Sam, "What's a decon-tamination unit?" I whispered.

He shook his head. He didn't know either. I didn't want to appear totally inept so I decided to wait and see. I wasn't worried about it being dangerous.

It was a quick stop. Their Doctor cleared us. He had been a surprise. Whereas I had thought T'Pol exotic...Doctor Phlox was alien. He had a large brow, and a portly frame, but a smile that lasted for miles. He was a jolly fellow and soon had me at ease despite his foreign appearance. I was quite taken by him. He seemed fascinated by the similarities between my species and the Captain's.

"Would you like a tour of Enterprise?" Archer asked after Doctor Phlox left.

Would I...would the Gat eat a flipper? "I most definitely would."

I noticed that Lieutenant Reed had joined us. Archer gestured at the man, "Malcolm will take you around." He turned to Sam, "I've asked Commander Tucker to take you Sam. I'm guessing you are probably more interested in the engines and technical side of Enterprise than your President."

I smiled, indeed he was. "That will be wonderful Captain."

Archer and T'Pol said they would see us when we were finished, and left. I looked to the Lieutenant. Of all the Enterprise crew, I knew him the least.

"I suppose you're stuck with me Lieutenant. I hope you don't mind babysitting."

He seemed like he had minded, but didn't mind so much now.

"It's not a problem President."

"Tam." I said. "I'm not your President."

He seemed a little surprised by that, "I guess you're not." He led me through a door, "Would you like to see the observation deck first?"

I didn't know what it was but it sounded promising so I said yes. We walked a ways and entered something he called a turbolift. My stomach felt a little funny when it activated.

"What is your job Lieutenant?" I couldn't remember if Captain Archer had said.

"I'm the armory officer." He answered and didn't elaborate.

"What is that?" I pressed. I really wanted to know.

Reed grimaced, "I handle the defense of the ship. Weapons and security."

That's probably why he didn't care to elaborate. Security officers tended to be reticent, even on my planet. "I see. Do you like your job?"

He seemed momentarily stunned by my question. "Like?" He repeated, then seemed to consider it carefully, "Yes. I think I do enjoy it."

"That's good. It's never pleasant if one dislikes their work." I had run into mismatched workers and duties in my city. It often left the individual angry and depressed.

The lift deposited us on another deck, as Reed had called the floors. I wondered at the terminology but I figured it really wasn't important why they said deck as opposed to floors. I was more intrigued by other things, "I've noticed you speak...differently...than the others."

He seemed surprised again, staring back at me as he led us through another hall, "Differently?"

"Yes, your speech." I clarified.

He seemed to understand what I meant because his face had that look one gets when they understand something after being confused, "My accent." He said.

"Accent?"

"It's a regional thing, on my planet. Some of us live in different parts...like your continents. We can have the same language but speak with different...patterns- accents." He seemed lost in his explanation, "It's just an accent." He finished forlornly.

I tried not to laugh, I truly did. But he seemed so earnest to explain and then twisted himself up in the explanation. He struck me as a very serious man.

He looked uncomfortable when I began to laugh, but then smiled, "I'm sorry. I'm not very good with people."

"That's okay. I'm not very good with aliens." And we laughed some more. The rest of the tour passed in a more amiable mood and I was thankful I had put the Lieutenant more at ease.

"President, are you comfortable?"

I turned, surprised. I hadn't heard anyone enter. I had requested to be left in the observation deck after the tour. I didn't think I could tire of the view if I had a million years. I had been lost in thought, about the asteroid, Jak...the frailty of life in general.

"Sub-Commander. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come in." She inclined her head slightly, a habit I was getting used to. "I'm fine, thank you."

"I'll tell the Captain. We should be arriving at the coordinates in a few more hours."

She turned to go when I gathered enough courage to ask, "Sub-Commander...I was wondering..."

She turned and waited, I felt my courage falter slightly. I didn't want to accidentally insult her. "Yes?" She maintained the same general peaceful demeanor as always.

"I hope you will forgive me if I'm being to...personal...but I've noticed that you control your emotions remarkably well."

She nodded her head coolly, "It is a Vulcan trait."

I could tell I was treading on delicate ground, "I'm sorry...I'm only asking because...well,...this is very awkward for me."

"You show your emotions a great deal." She said.

"Yes!" I was relieved, "That's it exactly."

"You wish you didn't?" That eyebrow had twitched up at me again. I was getting used to seeing that as well.

"Exactly." I breathed out, relieved.

T'Pol came closer, "You want to know how you can control them?"

I did. "Yes. It's embarrassing."

She seemed...surprised, "It shouldn't be. Part of who you are is your emotions."

I supposed she had a point but I still disliked being an open book all the time, "True, but there are times where I wish people couldn't see quite so clearly what I was feeling. It isn't always helpful."

She conceded my point with another tilt of her head. "I meditate."

I guess the translator didn't have an equivalent word because I didn't understand. I shook my head, "What is med...iate?"

"Med-i-tate." She said slower, "You do not have this practice on your planet?"

"No. Does it help?"

"A great deal. I find it...difficult to maintain control when I have gone to long between sessions."

I thought about that for a few moments. "Would you teach me?"

She considered it then nodded, "I will. I will return shortly." She turned and left the room.

I was excited to learn this med-i-tate practice. It sounded interesting. I hoped it didn't involve anything painful.

T'Pol had been true to her word, returning before I had barely noticed her absence. In her hands were candles. For the first time since I met her, I understood where the eyebrow thing came from. I wanted to express my curiosity without speaking. I tried it, but it must have been a dismal failure because she seemed vaguely amused.

She set the candles up and lit the wicks. "Sit." She indicated the chair opposite her.

I unhooked my robes and draped them over the back of the chair, sitting in only my white uniform of office. It was rather plain, with black boots, but it was comfortable. I looked up at her after I was finished, waiting for her to explain more.

"I want you to stare at the flame. Focus on it entirely, and let all else leave your mind."

I stared. I stared so hard my eyes began to water. I felt a little silly but soon I found myself mesmerized by the soft patterns of movement by the fire. It shifted and undulated the slightest amount, and then would flutter drastically, as if a breeze had blown by, though I had felt nothing. I soon forgot everything; every care and every worry dropped from my soul and I was free.

"President?"

I jerked. I looked up to see T'Pol watching me. "You are an adept student."

"What do you mean?" I was surprised at how dry my mouth was.

"You've been in a deep state of meditation for over an hour." She informed me.

I couldn't believe it. I had been there for over an hour? I knew she wouldn't tease, but it had seemed only minutes had passed. Despite being very thirsty, I felt refreshed. "I think I like this medit-ation."

"The Captain has informed me we are approaching the asteroid. Would you care to join us on the Bridge?"

This was it. Soon it would begin. I felt a thrill of nervous energy, "Yes, that would be fine." I followed her out of the room, "Thank you. For teaching me."

She inclined her head, "It was nothing." But she was wrong. It was everything to me.