3 seconds.
From the time she had thrown her lirpa into the air - to her knee meeting his groin; it had taken 3 seconds.
In her emotionally compromised state, Solok hadn't expected a calculated plan. He'd lowered his guard and gotten presumptuous.
He would not make that mistake again.
Like all proper scientific work, nothing should be assumed factual. Terran behavior was no different. He'd studied them for decades, but as wise Vulcans before him had postulated, their kind's only constant was change.
After a humiliating scan of his reproductive organs by Konik in medical, Solok waited in his ready room. The Terran had suffered far worse injuries, but he requested her presence after the treatments.
He had every intention of living up to his word. She'd landed a hit. In an even more barbaric fashion than he thought their kind capable of, but still, she'd won the half pip.
~000~
Two broken bones in her wrist. A dislocated shoulder. Internal lacerations in both arms. Blunt force trauma to the liver, as well as sustained trauma in the back and shoulders. Multiple contusions.
When Iris was 16, she'd walked away from a hover car accident in better shape.
Konik had done all he could to heal her wounds, but warned that because her body had been in a fatigued state prior to the match, she may have some continued soreness or bruising. He'd told her to stop by the lab for further treatment at any point during the weekend, but she wasn't sure if she'd be awake during the next 48 hours.
She yearned for her bed like a Ferengi yearned for latinum. Still, Solok had requested a meeting with her.
Part of her brimmed with joy at the outcome of their match, but another was terrified of what he'd do. After all, not a lot of men could forgive someone for kicking them in the fun-zone.
When she got off the turbo lift, Iris's worry temporarily alleviated at the sight of the bridge.
It was expansive.
Unlike the Enterprise's (which she'd memorized at age 12 from the replica at the Science and Tech museum in San Francisco), T'Kumbra's was even more streamlined and slick. Seeing it in person was far different from reviewing its blueprints.
They were already utilizing 3d gesture monitors, and the window was the new triple-shielded wrap-around; it was so massive and clear. If she laid down in front it'd feel like she were floating through space with no ship at all.
The screens were lit up in gold with the beautiful Vulcan script. She'd noticed on her comm the ability to switch languages, but so far everything else had been in standard. Before coming aboard she'd done a crash-course review of Vulkansu. Turned out if she ever wanted on the bridge, she'd have to keep practicing.
T'Sala moved from her station and led Iris to the captain's ready room. If the chief of security had any opinion about Iris's win, she didn't mention it.
Solok's eyes met hers as soon as the door slid open. During the second match, Iris had seen him display a mild form of enjoyment. But now he was back to being blank, and she pined to know what was going on in his head.
When the door shut behind her, she jumped a little.
"At ease," he said and motioned to the chair in front of his desk.
The captain's ready room was sparse, but telling. Ancient weapons hung from the walls. Some of them even Iris didn't know, and she'd studied weaponry for two years at the academy. Displayed behind him was a replica of one of the first Enterprise-series spacecraft that the Vulcans built.
Iris sat down and threaded her fingers together to stop them from trembling. The captain laid down his PADD and regarded her coolly.
"The tactics you employed during our battle were …interesting," he said.
If it weren't for her suddenly dry throat, Iris would have said thanks. Luckily she didn't go with her automatic response, because after considering it for a moment, she realized he hadn't actually complimented her. She straightened up and willed herself calm.
"Do you speak of where I struck you? Because I do not regret my decision," she said.
He raised a brow at her.
"No, I do not speak of your aim. Rather, how you misdirected me."
"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable," she said, utilizing a quote she often thought about.
"Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak," Solok said.
Iris suppressed a smile.
"I am surprised you deigned to read ancient Terran literature," she said, trying but failing to keep the venom out of her voice.
"As a captain, I have found it beneficial to study military strategists," he said in that typical light tone, but the sentiment was so obvious that Iris wondered if he meant it sarcastically. Was that even possible for their kind?
His eyes were slightly narrowed, and at her silence his left brow twitched upward.
Damn it! She was being mocked and couldn't even tell! She opened her mouth to speak, but he went on as if there hadn't been a pause-
"Of all species and time periods. The Terran Sun Tzu has proven relevant even today."
Iris was about to snipe back, but stopped when Solok retrieved a red clamshell box from his drawer. The insult she had in mind dissolved when he opened it, and she caught the unmistakable gold glint. She leaned forward but did not reach when he laid the half pip in front of her.
"As agreed. It is yours," he said.
Iris glanced up at him. It was like she was waiting for him to yell "GOTCHA" and snap it back. But of course he didn't.
She picked it up and held it with both hands, cradling it as if it were the head of an infant. A sour feeling swirled in her gut.
"You may—"
"I can't accept this," she said, and the words fell out of her without a thought to cushion their fall.
Solok tilted his head to the side.
"You have earned it. As your people say, 'fair and square'," he said.
"But I didn't. Not really. And you watered down the challenge so much—"
"You do not want a promotion?" He asked.
"It's not that. I want one, of course," she said and rocked the little pip in her hand. "I want it so much—"
She thought of how proud her parents would be to hear the news. And word would probably spread around the academy as well. First Terran aboard T'Kumbra – prompted within one week! She'd be practically renowned.
She'd had plenty of fantasies about surging through the ranks of Starfleet, and becoming a young captain like her idol James T. Kirk. But as good as she felt about the win, if she were being honest, it had been a cheap shot.
So if she accepted, it wouldn't be skill or heroism that earned her the title…
"—but not like this."
Slowly, and with heavy uncertainty, she placed the pip back on his desk.
"I want to earn it the right way," she said.
"That is noble, however, it would be illogical to turn down a promotion based on such emotional reasoning."
Iris laughed, but it was without humor. "I'm certainly emotional. You've got me there. But my reasoning isn't. Because if this isn't properly earned, then that means I'm unprepared for it. And it would be illogical to accept a role that I cannot fulfill."
Solok did not speak for a short while, and her resolve wavered as he stared. He seemed to be studying her.
"That is …logical," he said finally.
Iris watched, not without a little remorse, as he put the pip back in his desk.
~000~
For the second time that day, the young Terran had surprised him.
She'd been right, after all. An ensign of one week had no business being promoted. He knew that when he'd designed the challenge, however, in the 6 years he'd administered it, no one had ever beaten him.
He was a skilled fighter and sure of his ability over any Vulcan ensign. For now, the challenge would remain. But the rules for non-Vulcans would be modified in the future, if that situation ever presented itself again.
Still, her conclusion fascinated him. Did all Terran logic have roots in emotion? Perhaps that was the core of their famed 'intuition'?
Solok took further notes for his paper. He wasn't yet sure how to interpret the data. For the moment, it would have to wait.
He left his ready room and relieved V'Lido of command.
"Report," Solok said, addressing the science officer who stood behind him at the main console.
"Emissions have tapered off, sir. But we've begun picking up a tonal pattern."
"Analysis?"
"We're in the process of deciphering, but its consistency suggests a distress call."
"A logical assumption. If they've previously discharged weapons, perhaps they've been attacked. Are there any signs of another craft?"
"None, sir. It's possible the attacker is in possession of a cloaking technology."
Solok stared ahead at the blackness. They were well within Federation territory. If someone were here and using cloaking technology, then they were illegally cruising.
"Any update to our estimated time of arrival?"
"Based on previous calculations, we are two days, six hours, and 32 minutes from encounter with the unknown craft. However, it's possible they have increased speed or changed direction since then. It would be inconsistent with their patterns so far, but it cannot be ruled out. If we lose the tonal pattern, we would know for sure."
"Very well," Solok said, and nodded to the helmsman to keep a steady course.
~000~
Iris's hands shook as she tried to open the purple bottle. Her body was so stiff and weak – the sonic shower had done little to soothe her muscles. Her naked legs trembled so she sat down to apply lotion.
When her bottom met the toilet lid, pain radiated up her spine. She'd fallen on her ass so much that all the bruising had collected there and on the backs of her thighs. Kind of a scandalous placement, actually. As if she'd done something other than spar with the captain. The thought made her shriek with laughter.
After slicking up her dry appendages, she rose with a groan and staggered to the bedroom. Almost as soon as she entered, so did Sobek.
She'd cranked the temperature down to 60 while he was gone, and she saw him stiffen in response to the cold.
"Do me a favor and leave it on until I'm asleep, okay?"
"I am only here to retrieve my tools. You may keep the room as chill as you require for the next 3 hours," he said.
"Thanks. I'll probably be asleep for two days or so …just letting you know," she said and cringed as she sat on the bed, however, her expression quickly melted into ecstasy when she sank into the soft mattress.
Sobek watched the emotional display with disgust he would not show.
"I cannot promise silence for that amount of time," he said.
"Good thing I'm a heavy sleeper," she said.
Sobek retrieved what he sought, but paused at the door. He turned back, his stare focused on the Terran. It was obvious to Iris that he wanted something, but it was strange for the arrogant prick not to come out with it.
"What? You want to read me a bedtime story?" she asked, but he ignored her antagonistic remark.
"Is it true? Did you—" his lip twitched, "—injure the captain?"
"I think so. At least a little bit," she said.
If Iris didn't know better, she'd've thought he was happy to have it confirmed.
"So you are now a junior lieutenant?"
She didn't think she'd regret her decision so quickly. But damned if she didn't want her pompous roommate to think she'd landed a promotion before him. She thought about how to respond, and she knew she shouldn't lie…
"From now on you may address me as such," she said with a wry smile.
~000~
On Sunday evening Solok sat in his quarters, settling into meditation. Around him lit incense filled the room with the familiar scent of home. From speakers in the walls came a soothing arrangement of Vulcan percussion instruments. He'd just begun to untangle his thoughts and emotions when a ding sounded at the door. Irritation rippled through his chest, but he smoothed it out quickly.
"Enter," he said.
"I apologize for the intrusion, captain. I am early," came T'Ri's voice.
"It is no matter," Solok said, rising from his seated position. His meditation robes swirled around him, and the silken material rubbed against his bare flesh in a pleasing way. He was not yet ready to change back into his restrictive captain's uniform, but it was untoward to be so casual in front of an unbonded female.
"You may choose anything from the replicator. I will be back in a moment."
"I do not mind if you wear robes," T'Ri said.
"I do," he said and, without looking back, retreated to the bathroom.
When Solok reemerged he found T'Ri seated on the couch. She held a tumbler full of a light blue liquid, despite there being nothing like that in the replicator.
He downloaded her edited paper to a couple of PADDs and sat beside her. Unprompted, she poured him a drink.
Out of curiosity, he accepted it and took a whiff. His eyes widened, "this is Romulan ale."
"It is," she said. "Since the treaty between our peoples has held, I have attempted to experience more of their culture. I have taken a liking to their drinks."
Solok sat the glass on the table. He had no intention of partaking in Romulan beverages, but he would not begrudge his staff. He handed her a PADD and flicked his on.
"If you'll forward to section 23, we can begin to evaluate your secondary statement. I've left a few key—" he stopped speaking the moment he felt her hand on his thigh. He gave her exactly 3 seconds to desist. When she did not, he gently took her wrist and placed her hand back on the couch.
"Lieutenant, I have told you 4 times - refrain from this behavior. If you do not, I will be forced to end our sessions."
"You say this, but thrice you have accepted nourishment from me," she said, almost eagerly.
"Each time a beverage, which hardly constitutes an offering."
"Solok, my time draws near."
The PADD slipped from his hand and landed on the carpet with a soft thud. He made no move to pick it up. And he barely registered that she'd addressed him so informally.
"…your name was not on Konik's list for departures," he finally said.
"That is because I hid it from him," she said.
He shifted back from her, fully staring now.
Her spine was straight as an arrow, and she held her head high. She clasped the blue drink in her lap, and only the rippling of the liquid keyed him into her trembling.
"That is an offense worthy of demotion," he said.
"I am aware."
"So why?"
She shifted closer to him tentatively.
"I require a mate. I choose you."
"T'Ri, as I have stated before I do not wish to take a mate at this time."
"You have yet to give a logical reason for this," she said, and he wanted to scream. Instead, he stood up and took several steps away from her.
"The reasons are mine alone," he said rather forcefully, which prompted her to avert her gaze. But he was not the sort of man who dealt with women harshly, so he continued in a softer tone. "I regret any offense I have caused, but you must choose another."
"There is no other for me here or on Vulcan," she said.
"That cannot be true. You possess many virtues—"
"But none so great as my one offense," she said, quickly standing and crossing the distance between them. Her eyes filled with yearning, and it was then he saw the truth of her dangerous condition.
"Solok," she began, her tone dripping with emotional pleading. "You take in so many like me aboard T'Kumbra—"
She was correct, but he was displeased she saw through him. He fought hard against the suspicion, as it was something that could cost him the captaincy.
Just like she had, he'd come from the outer regions. He saw the limited opportunity for those of their station. It wasn't so long ago that their options would have few. 100 years prior and his highest aspiration might've been as a cook or farmhand on some ancient clan's estate.
And that had been at the back of his mind each time the science academy had rejected him – was it on account of his academic record, or because of his low status?
Vulcans had fought against emotion for millennia, but the old hierarchies had yet to crumble. Those with the privileges, or even a modicum of them, were desperate to hold on. It was purely illogical.
"I know you want to give us a chance we wouldn't typically have. It is logical, no matter what some—"
"If you had stayed on Vulcan you could have utilized a priest during your time," he said, ignoring her statement.
"I could not," she said firmly. "A priest would not accept me. I have spent my whole life alone, and he would sense my need to bond permanently. He would not place himself at such risk. Do you not see you are my only chance? No male will accept a female who has no clan…"
T'Ri gently placed her hands on his chest. Her plea struck a chord with him, for he knew the truth in her words.
Even he had not overcome such obstacles. He had a father and extended family. T'Ri had no one. It was the absolute worst situation for a Vulcan. Even a family who had defected had more leeway than a clan-less woman.
Her hands slid down his arms, finding his fingertips and sending shockwaves of pleasure through him.
It wasn't as if she'd make an unacceptable wife. Aesthetically she possessed everything a Vulcan should be. Even pre-reform sculptures of goddesses paled in comparison to her beauty.
But what would his father say? As soon as he'd made captain, Solok had practically heard the blueprints being drawn in that man's head. Kiryc knew his son's success could be their ticket out of the dust. Meanwhile he'd been against every decision Solok had made since primary education.
Now Kiryc regularly inserted himself into situations that had nothing to do with him. After all, he was the reason Sobek had come aboard. Using his tenuous connection with Admiral Letek to force a position for that underwhelming engineer – it was practically a betrayal!
A burning spread throughout his chest. Was that the real reason he rejected T'Ri? Because of his father's opinion?
"Solok," she whispered, closing the gap between them. Their fingertips pressed firmly together. He looked down into her dark eager eyes.
It would be so easy to claim her. And it would be immeasurably pleasurable.
"T'Ri," he said.
"Captain," V'Lido's voice cut through the tension with an emergent ding.
Solok instantly tapped back on his communicator.
"Yes?"
"Your presence is required on the bridge. We have reached the unknown ship."
"I will be there shortly," Solok said.
With a cleansing exhale, he took a step back from T'Ri.
She looked so lost, but he had a duty to perform. He moved to the exit and stopped before triggering the doors. He pressed his comm once more.
"Konik, I am sending you Lt. T'Ri. Please evaluate her health and take appropriate measures," he said.
"Yes, sir," Konik replied promptly.
"Your orders are to report to medical," Solok said, turning back to face T'Ri.
She stared at him, and it took her exactly 4 seconds to respond.
"Understood, captain."
~000~
Iris was roused from her sleep by a constant dinging.
"Enter!" she cried.
In came an engineer equipped with a small toolkit. Obviously, it was one of her roommate's friends.
"Sobek isn't here right now," she said and turned over in bed.
"I am not here for anyone," he said. "I have been given orders to remove the locks on your replicator."
With that, Iris sat up. Her clothes were disheveled and there was a patch of dried drool on her cheek, but she was too dumbstruck to care about any of that.
"Really?" she said.
"Yes, if you will allow?"
"Of course," she said.
The engineer turned and sat his tools on the table. For the next 20 minutes he did not use them, but instead tapped away on the console beside the replicator.
Iris watched him with rapt curiosity. She attempted to memorize what he entered, but it was futile. She had taken only one programming course, and whatever language the replicators were in did not resemble what she'd learned.
"Are there any programs you'd like me to load?"
"Yes!" she said, and grabbed the two memory sticks she had stowed away in her suitcase.
The engineer plugged one into the replicator, "It should only be a few more minutes."
"By the way –," she began, "thank you for replying to my inquiry. Figured I'd have to wait a couple weeks."
"You are correct. I have several requests each day, but yours was given priority," he said.
"Really? Is replicator-access an emergency situation?"
"It is not," he said.
"So why did the chief of engineering prioritize it?" At that point the engineer stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her.
"I am the chief of engineering, and I did not forward your request. My orders are from the captain."
Iris's mouth fell open.
"I'm sorry - I don't think we've met," she said.
"I know who you are," he said. "I am—"
"Tuval – I know from the roster," she said.
He nodded and returned to his work. But Iris was still overwhelmed.
"You said the captain ordered you here? Why would he do that?"
"I did not question his orders," he said. "He has access to all ship logs, so I presumed a logical reason for his intervention."
Iris was confused. She couldn't figure a reason for Solok's behavior. If he were human, she'd think it kind. Not that Vulcans were incapable of kindness, but their moral code rarely demanded they go so above and beyond. And commanding the chief of engineering to take care of an ensign's minor request was certainly out there. Especially after she'd beaten him.
"I have completed the work," Tuval said.
"Thank you! And now that it's back, may I offer you something to drink?"
Tuval quirked a brow at the ensign.
"That will not be necessary," he said and turned back to the replicator. He tapped it on and displayed the home screen to her.
"I have removed the locks as well as the ability to password-protect. All your programs are here, but I have deleted everything else. The percentage of space used by your roommate was well over half, so he will need to decide what he truly requires."
Iris smiled tightly. Oh, she couldn't wait to see Sobek's reaction. Not that her roommate ever provided much in the way of emotional displays, but he was such a brat. It would be nice to relay the news and know he'd be seething inside.
After Tuval left, Iris scrolled through the new options. All her items looked so beautiful twirling around in the preview window. She decided to celebrate the glorious win, and chose one of her most superfluous objects.
Iris cooed as she sunk into the rose-scented bubbles. It was clear; real water was what she needed all along. Sonic showers did little for sore muscles. She laid back and felt each ache evaporate. The freshly replicated bath oil helped relieve the tension in her mind as well. Why did she ever take showers, again? Oh, right. The time. And the drying process. Still, she dipped her head back and let her hair soak.
"Thank you, captain," she said languidly.
~000~
"Report," Solok said as he swept onto the bridge.
"Our calculations were off by 5 hours. As you see, they have stopped cruising."
Solok stared out at the ship. They'd already done a magnification, so he could see its dilapidated state. There were patches of different metalloids all along the side. It had taken extensive damage in the back, with almost the whole stern caved in. He had no idea how it was still functioning.
"Signs of life?"
"We have detected 54, sir. Humanoid."
"No shields?"
"Not anymore."
There was a partially covered insignia on the front. What could be seen was unrecognizable.
Whoever they were, they were helpless.
"Have we attempted communication?"
"We have, but they have not yet responded."
Solok nodded to the communications officer, who opened a channel.
"This is captain Solok of the USS T'Kumbra. We do not recognize your vessel, but have detected a weapons discharge. Are you in ne—"
The screen flickered on, and Solok found himself staring at a mirror version of himself.
~000~
What's better than one Solok? TWO OF THEM.
So, I'm really sorry for the insanely long breaks between chapters. Work has been kicking my butt, and as much as I'd like to promise faster output, I'm not sure that'll be possible for a while. I'm still writing! Just being a slow poke about it. But on the bright side…
As I mentioned before, I had been keeping the ep 'Take Me Out to the Holosuite' on loop for inspiration. Well, I noticed the actor playing Solok seemed taller than Avery Brooks (Sisko). I looked up how tall Avery Brooks was and turns out he's 6'1! So Gregory Wagrowski (guy who played Solok) has to be like 6'2/6'3 or something. I can't look that up, unfortunately. There's not much info of him online, BUT I will be using this newly noticed detail. So you're going to hear more about how big and burly Solok is. And I think that'll be funner. ;)
Thanks to cataloo456, Fulmen, Guest, Lyz, CeresMaria, and Crystal for the reviews! They keep me going. And I hope I can keep things interesting for you. :)