Paint and Powder
A Star Trek anthology by Andrew Joshua Talon
DISCLAIMER: This is a non-profit fan based work of prose. Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager et al are the property of CBS Television, and creation of Gene Roddenberry. Please support the official release.
Wej Duj
Cerritos heard the call and allowed herself to be drawn to the borderlands, though this time it appeared as a Vulcan meditation room. She paused, admiring the work that'd gone into the place, the sense of peace and serenity that seamed to saturate the walls and floors.
The scent of incense reached the Cerritos nostrils and she turned to find an older grey haired Vulcan woman lighting a lamp filled with more of that pleasing scent. "Sh'Vhal" The Cerritos greeted. "I must again thank you and your crew for your timely arrival. Fighting a Klingon Bird of Prey and a Pakled abomination wasn't going well until you showed up."
The Vulcan Ship-girl turned to face the Cerritos and the Federation ship realized the other woman was dressed not unlike the one-time Ambassador V'Lar, which would be rather eccentric for a Vulcan of this day and age. "There is no need for that, rendering aid to an ally facing a threat to the stability of the region was simply logical. Still the acknowledgment of our actions is noted and found agreeable."
Cerritos felt a smile tug at the corner of her lips. "Of course. So to what do I owe the pleasure of this meeting?"
Sh'Vhal reached into the sleeve of her robes as she moved closer, and pulled out a PADD. Cerritos felt the offer of information on a primal level, the digital forms being attended to as she took the PADD from her opposite number and began to look it over as Sh'Vhal spoke. "One of my crew members is being recommended for service aboard a Federation Starship. She is not used to working with humans, but has a lot of potential." Cerritos eyebrows raised as she noticed the multiple recommendations for spiritual meditations on Crewwoman T'lyn's record. "I agree with the Captain's decision to reassign her though we disagree on Justification for this action."
Cerritos looked up, studying the neutral face of her fellow shipgirl "Why do you think T'lyn's reassignment is justified."
"T'lyn is a motivated Junior Officer but she does not fit into the culture of a Vulcan vessel. It was her 'gut' instinct to modify my sensor array and then push for the Captain to investigate the Anomaly they detected that allowed us to arrive when we did to render you and your crew aid." Sh'Vhal paused as she choose her words. "She even created an improvement to my shields that allowed us to weather the onslaught from the Klingon and Pakled vessels."
Now the Cerritos had both eyebrows raised as she took another look at the PADD before slowly nodding. "I see…. And you say she has not worked with humans before. Well I will attempt to see that she is assigned to the Cerritos as I know some Ensigns that could help ease her transition to life aboard a Federation Starship… but even if she goes elsewhere I promise you that I will make sure my sibling has the full picture."
Sh'Vhal nodded "That would be best for all."
A coda for the episode.