May 2366

Chapter 11

"Great work today!" Jarek slapped B'Elanna on the back, causing her to stumble forward. She caught herself and straightened quickly, hoping her manager didn't notice.

"Thanks." B'Elanna knelt to pack up her tools.

"Tiga could not believe you already knew how to remodulate a phase compensator. None of our trainee technicians come here knowing how to do that."

B'Elanna shrugged. "I learned about them at the Academy – they aren't that hard to understand."

"Most people would not agree."

B'Elanna side-eyed Jarek. It would be one thing if the olive-skinned man were just her manager… but the first time B'Elanna had seen him with her mother, it had become clear how B'Elanna had gotten this job.

"He's your par'Mach'kai?!" B'Elanna had hissed after Jarek kissed her mother goodbye as they had left work. "Why have I never met him?"

"He's not my par'Mach'kai." The two women walked out of the building and through the crowded plaza, towards the transport station. "He is my man-friend."

The pair dodged a food cart, and B'Elanna gagged at the smell that emanated from it. "What does that mean?"

The bright light of day was eclipsed as the two descended the stairs into the transport station. B'Elanna shrugged off her outer layer, the stuffiness of the place making her lightheaded. Miral said, over the din of the crowd, "It means, despite enjoying each other's company, we keep our lives separate. That is why you had not met."

"So, you're telling me that I got my first job because you're sleeping with my boss?"

"He would not have hired you if you were not qualified." She looked forward again as they entered the transport station and muttered, "And there are much more unethical ways to get a job."

Since then, B'Elanna had the feeling that Jarek was trying to win her over. He would compliment her on how well she was doing, despite B'Elanna knowing she wasn't at peak performance - she was often tired and slow to pick up on what her mentors were telling her. Despite this, she did enjoy the work – it was a lot more challenging than her days in the kitchen. Plus, she was learning a lot about starship engines.

B'Elanna snapped her tool case shut, stood, and faced Jarek. She tried to hold herself as tall as possible, but she couldn't compete - the man must have been nearly two meters. Looking up, B'Elanna met his dark eyes. "If they think a phase compensator is hard to understand, then they should reconsider their career path."

Jarek laughed. "You're a funny one. Goodnight, B'Elanna. See you next week."

B'Elanna sighed as he walked away. Picking up her bag, she walked out of the hanger bay and headed for the transport station.

Twenty minutes later, B'Elanna was off the train and nearly home. Glancing at her PADD, she saw she had forty minutes to get home, change, eat, and get to Mok'bara practice. Entering the house, B'Elanna dropped her work bag by the door and crossed the main room, heading to the replicator for a snack. She was considering various combinations of fruits and nuts when she noticed a hand on the ground, extending from behind the counter that separated the kitchen from the rest of the room.

It was Ma'Leth's hand.

"VavnI'?!" B'Elanna ran the last couple steps, dropping to her knees when she arrived at her grandfather's side. "VavnI'?!" she called again, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him.

He didn't respond.

Her hands shaking, B'Elanna searched for a pulse. She found it. Ma'Leth's skin was warm, if clammy, and she could see the rise and fall of his chest. Blood matted his grey hair and had collected in a puddle on the floor beneath his head. B'Elanna panicked, trying to decide on the fastest way to get help. Yanking her PADD from her pocket, she called Miral.

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