Is There a Way Back?
Intently arranging symbols for notes on a three-dimension diagram of music staffs spanning half the room, Aalin didn't look up when the door to the lab opened and closed. "I didn't think you were coming back this evening, but Spock, this book isn't a Rosetta stone, I think it's an epic poem, like The Odyssey. It has rhythm and cadence." Not waiting for an answer, she continued, clearly excited. "There are patterns we missed. They are not always repeated verbatim, but rather reoccur in various ways, like a melody that is harmonized differently, transposed, embellished, moved to a different key, played on a different instrument. With a complexity worthy of Mozart. I think I have isolated three unique refrains so far and I am plotting their related constructs. From those examples I can start programming a translation matrix …" She looked up for a moment. "Oh Chris … Captain," Aalin corrected when she noticed Pike wore his unreadable commander's expression, "Computer pause music." She smiled, "Hey."
He looks surprised … no uncomfortable … to see me here, she thought. But I must be imagining it. "Number One assigned me to help Spock with the records from the second planet in the NV-0809 system."
"The universal translator can't handle it?" Pike asked.
She answered, "Its translations are less accurate, or in this case nonexistent, without the corresponding neurological data it monitors when someone is speaking. The universal translator works best with a written language when it has a programmed matrix to draw from. Or at least start from."
He walked around the room examining the diagrams. "It looks like you have turned the book into a song."
"The song was already there; you could say I am translating the book into standard western musical notation." She noted the dark circles under his eyes which lacked their usual sparkle. His posture relaxed almost imperceptibly, shoulders and back dropping a fraction of an inch. Both subtle Chris tells for weariness. "None of which is important after a long night and, I assume, a long day."
"The computer was playing Beethoven?" He asked to divert her focus from him, attempting to engage in a familiar conversation. Our daily chats are soothing, he thought, for that rare hour I am just Chris.
"Bach."
"That was a violin?"
"Cello," she replied.
"Played by Perlman?"
"Yo-Yo Ma. A 20th century master."
"So, I got it all wrong."
She smiled again, "It's all the in same ballpark, you are improving."
They spoke simultaneously. She said, "I'm glad to see you," He started, "Mann said Spock was here …"
Catching up with Chris' reason for visiting the lab, Aalin hid her disappointment. "Spock left an hour ago muttering something about forgetting the hats, but I most likely misunderstood. Do you want me to page him?"
"No, it's not urgent," Pike answered. The awkward feeling in the room increased as the silence lengthened.
"I'm sorry about last night," he said in a quiet voice.
"You mean for keeping the ship from exploding? I am good with that," Aalin teased trying to lighten his mood. When that failed, she switched to offering comfort. "Chris, I understand. The ship needs its Captain, often unexpectedly and at odd hours."
"And I am sorry about the rumors. I wish … it's unfair. They should be talking about me not you."
She walked over to him and rested a hand on his arm. He quickly and deftly moved to the side ending the contact. This is odd behavior, uncomfortable with himself and with me. She longed to ask why he was avoiding her but everything about his stance, his movement in the room, his body language shouted he felt confined, maybe even caged.
"You're their respected Captain," Aalin didn't include beloved and therefore increase his discomfort, "and I am relatively new and unknown. It's only natural the crew will … exchange information about me. Regardless, even if one or two folks have speculated about us today, it's old news by now. And I am certain something truly interesting has superseded it."
A look to the side, a slight eye roll. Another of his tells, this one for skepticism. He then frowned, but his was affect sad rather than irritated. "How do you separate it? The actual from the rumor? The truth from the embellishment? The illusion from reality?
Unsure how to respond, she focused on one concrete point, "As long as we know the truth why does another's exaggeration matter?"
"It matters. Embellishment, the illusion it creates, or any delusion for that matter destroys our touchstones to reality. Then we lose ourselves. And perhaps there is no way back."
"I want to believe there is always a way back," Aalin said softly, hoping the words provided reassurance.
His voice dropped to a whisper. "As do I … but I doubt it." Both were hesitant to break the ensuing silence. At last Pike straightened his shoulders and said in his normal tone of voice, "I'm late for a briefing." He smiled wanting to alleviate the concern he saw in her eyes. "And tired, you are right, it has been a long day and then some. We'll talk tomorrow?"
"Of course." As he left, she called after him. "Chris is there anything I can do for you?"
Pike stopped. His every instinct shouted, tell her. "No," he said firmly as the doors closed.
ooooo
Team Christopher Headquarters aka Phil's Boyce's Quarters
Phil pulled Una aside and asked softly, "Really, Team Christopher? I came up with that. I expected something cleverer from you."
Narrowing her eyes Una replied, "I've been a little busy today dealing with the aftermath of last night's problems and covertly gathering information about our commander's love life. And 'Team Get the Captain Laid' doesn't fit on the hat."
"Well that's not very accurate, is it? We're not trying to get Chris laid a few times, we are going to arrange a lifetime sure thing," Phil scolded.
Spock, whose sensitive hearing was impossible to escape, asked as he put on his baseball cap. "Get the Captain laid? Is he unable to recline on his own? What sure thing is he lacking?"
Una rolled her eyes thinking, what could possibly go wrong?
Phil shook his head and chuckled at both Spock's comment and the sight of their Vulcan science officer, standing erect and wearing a baseball cap, his elfin ears prominently displayed on the hat's sides. "Let's get started. Una, you arranged to keep Chris off the command deck and away from his quarters?"
She nodded. "A security briefing. Isak will keep him busy."
"Excellent. Our mission, and I have already accepted it for you, is to move Chris along in his relationship with Aalin. And by move, I mean they will live together happily ever after. Failure is not an option."
Matt raised his hand. "How many trite movie, television and fairy tale lines can we expect tonight Phil?"
"I'm just getting warmed up."
"That is what I was afraid of," Matt countered in a sarcastic tone.
Spock raised his hand.
"Yes?" Phil asked.
"Why did Lieutenant Zaliimaatfra raise his hand?"
"To request permission to speak. But mostly to annoy me," Phil answered patiently.
Spock's eyebrows rose and he steepled his long fingers. After a moment's consideration he said, "Curious. Requesting permission to speak via an orderly and clearly delineated yet silent physical signal is an excellent system. I cannot offer an opinion as to whether it is also an excellent way to annoy you Doctor. It would be logical to adopt this system for bridge interactions and therefore I will recommend it to the Captain."
"Please make sure I am there when you do," Phil said trying not to laugh and looking forward to Chris' reaction.
"A wise suggestion Doctor, as you are well-versed in the system's advantages and can answer the Captain's questions."
"I think we have drifted off topic," Rene Louvier pointed out.
"Indeed. Under the best of circumstances, Christopher Pike can be slower than a meandering snail when it comes to pursuing a serious romantic relationship, one that includes the benefits of …" Phil paused and glanced at the Vulcan. "One that includes physical intimacy. These are not the best of circumstances. Talos IV haunts him."
The group sobered. An Admiral had remarked during the debrief after the Talos mission that it was a relatively benign experience. They had escaped. Their memories were intact. There was no lasting physical damage. Una would have throttled the superior officer if Pike had not intervened by stepping between them. Words were inadequate to describe the magnitude of the violations they suffered. Most of which were inflicted on their leader.
Una spent the day weighing second thoughts. "Is this a line … we shouldn't cross" she asked sounding unusually hesitant. Her brow creased with worry.
"Commander, you speak as if our intervention in the situation is ill-advised or perhaps even wrong. It is illogical and unnecessary for Captain Pike to remain on his own. When was this ludicrous human notion started that a commander should be bonded only to his ship and crew? A mate enriches one's strengths and balances one's flaws. And only a mate can heal the deep scars left by the Talosians' actions."
The rest were silent, stunned by the Vulcan's frank response. They thought he might consider their efforts an intrusion into their commander's privacy.
Spock continued, "On Vulcan your mate is chosen by family elders. A decision of such importance cannot rest solely in the hands of those who will be bonded as they may be swayed by illogic and impulse. Nor should the choice of a life partner be subject to the capricious and, at times, cruel whims of fate. When there is no family to take the responsibility for the selection and joining, friends and peers are expected to step in. As the Captain's colleagues and on-board family, it is our duty to see to his well-being in this matter. Especially as he, in this pivotal moment, cannot."
Spock's statement decided the group. They spent the rest of the evening making plans and handing out assignments.
"And I will continue dispensing invaluable relationship advice to him," Phil announced concluding the meeting.