June 2366
Chapter 13
"B'Elanna? What do you think?"
B'Elanna's head snapped up to look at Tiga, who was running the meeting. Shit. How long did I zone out for? B'Elanna searched her memory, hoping it would become clear what Tiga was asking about.
It did not.
"Um, could you repeat the question?" B'Elanna asked.
Tiga's large set of central cranial ridges gained an extra furrow as she growled. "I asked if you agreed with Sher'Mel about the inverse tachyon pulse."
B'Elanna glanced over at Sher'Mel. The small, older man was leaning on the table, the look in his dark eyes daring B'Elanna to challenge him. To be honest, she didn't really remember what he'd said – and she didn't want to admit she'd been zoning out for that long.
"Sure, it sounds fine," B'Elanna replied.
Sher'Mel smacked his stubby hand against the table as he rose. "Then it's decided! We will start planning for a triangular pulse!"
Tiga nodded in agreement before dismissing the assembled technicians and engineers. As B'Elanna filled out the door, she wondered what a triangular pulse had to do with what they'd been discussing before she'd zoned out. One typically used a sinusoidal pulse for that application. B'Elanna shrugged. It's not like her opinions counted for much, anyway.
B'Elanna glanced at the time – half an hour until work was over. She returned to her desk, antsy for the moment that she could leave and head for Mok'bara practice. Sparring with the other students had become the high point of her days. There was something about getting lost in the heat of battle that allowed her to forget all the shit that was going on.
Sighing, B'Elanna opened her log of repairs. Scanning through, she realized that remodulating a plasma infuser would take the least amount of time – but that would still be at least forty-five minutes. She drummed her fingers against the desk. Her to-do list seemed never ending. She'd finish one repair or alteration and another four would appear. She knew it was standard Klingon practice to work more hours than one was paid for; it's how one got ahead. But B'Elanna couldn't bring herself to stay any longer than required.
She glanced at the time again. Twenty-five minutes. Putting her elbows on her desk, she rubbed either side of the bridge of her nose with her thumbs. What can I fill twenty-five minutes with? Dropping her hands back to the desk, B'Elanna opened the report on her most recent repair. Maybe if I do this slowly enough, it will take the rest of the day…
"B'Elanna?" Jarek's voice caused her to jump. Spinning around in her chair, B'Elanna looked up at her manager.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to check up on you. Tiga mentioned you've been distracted of late."
She turned back to her report. "I'm sorry. I'll work on it."
"I didn't come to reprimand you. I know about Ma'Leth. Miral mentioned you were not taking it well."
Damn her! B'Elanna wanted to scream. Telling her manager about her personal life!? B'Elanna took a breath, trying not to take her anger at her mom out on Jarek. "I'm fine. I won't let it interfere with my work again."
Jarek paused, as though he wanted to say more, but settled for clasping B'Elanna's shoulder. "I lost my father recently. I know it can be hard. Take comfort in knowing he will fight eternally in Sto'Vo'Kor, and you will be reunited with him."
B'Elanna fought the urge to roll her eyes. These Klingons and their childish belief in the afterlife. It was just as real as the tooth fairy. "Thanks," B'Elanna replied, looking down as she fiddled with her hands. "I better get back to these reports."
She began typing without waiting for Jarek to reply. For a moment, she didn't hear him move and was afraid he'd try to talk more about 'her feelings'. Mercifully, he took the hint, and she could hear his footfalls move away from her deck.
Letting out a long breath, B'Elanna checked the time again.
Fifteen more minutes.
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