And Yet Another Transfer
Sanek stood at the large porthole window in his office, his hands clasped behind his back. Dressed in his casual uniform, he stood typically stoic and rigid as he gazed through the transparent material into the vista that lay beyond. There, in the distance, Sherman's Planet floated serenely in space against the greenish hued backdrop of the more distant nebula. His gaze took in the planet, the distant stars, and the occasional ship or shuttle that passed by the porthole. As was his habit, he reached out with his mind to touch the Universe... to understand it's vastness and change... to hear it's call. He felt it's immensity, it's cold emptiness so filled with life, and the promise of the inevitable future of change like a vast steamroller that slowly continued in ignorance of the largely insignificant beings that navigated and explored it.
Throughout his career in Starfleet, his travels and missions into space had caused the Universe to become a large part of his life. Since leaving Vulcan at the age of 33, he had spent more time in deep space than he had on the surface of Vulcan, or Earth... or indeed any planet from a cumulative standpoint. The Universe had become his true home. It was an admission he admitted to himself only in private, and one he kept from Solida; not, of course, because he wished to hide anything from her, but because she, like most emotional species, held a certain attachment to fixed locations - in particular where emotional scenarios had progressed and matured, and he had decided to not confuse her by revealing that fact long ago.
It was a truth that he, also, admitted a certain attachment to specific locations upon occasion, but of course those were inexplicably tied to the presence of Solida herself.
Shifting his consciousness to another meditative line of though, he carefully analyzed the data that was his relationship with her. Despite almost two standard years of their association becoming more... intimate, he still found emotions an intriguing phenomenon. He was, of course, still rigidly Vulcan, and as such open emotional scenarios were still a situation he found odd occasionally, but over time he had become somewhat accustomed to the nuances of the oddly logical formalities of emotional attachment to another being. Or perhaps, he corrected himself, to the oddly logical formalities of emotional attachment to Solida herself more appropriately... something that was, inherently, supremely illogical in and of itself.
Since taking a back seat from Executive Officer to a more scientific role within the 16th Mobile Fleet, he'd had the time to continue his research into the white hole theorem, and continued investigation of the Delta Volanis anomaly. The black hole that had nearly engulfed his old vessel, the U.S.S. Alan Sheppard, was of course still there, still slowly pulling matter into itself. The anomaly was intriguing due to the scientific hypothesis that suggested that black holes were permanent fixtures in space, only collapsing when, or if, the Universe itself collapsed. As such, to encounter the birth of a black hole was extraordinary, scientifically speaking. He had been tasked with it's exploration by the Federation Sciences Division due to his knowledge of the anomaly from his first mission there... and as such he had been granted the assignment of the U.S.S. James E. McDonald for that task, which enabled him and his crew to remain on station for great lengths of time.
Solida had, of course, teased him when she found out about the ship assignment, since prior to that time her suggestion that the vessel should be his "Admiral's Flagship" had been downplayed by him in lieu of other officers who could better utilize the vessel to it's greatest use.
As was his habit, he had allowed his crew to decide on their own where they wished as was appropriate for their Federation careers. All of them had elected to remain with him. Despite Vulcan logical stoicism, this had surprised him somewhat, despite Solida's private suggestion that it shouldn't. Vaareler herself had even rejected a courtship offer from the T'yrniel Clan to remain aboard as the Executive Officer and Chief Science Officer. After some meditation and reflection, he had understood that Solida had been correct - each officer in question, despite some even rejecting promotions to other vessels - were functioning to their greatest potential under his command.
Sanek shifted his breathing, and returned to the present... carefully he turned to survey his office. He had kept it pristine throughout his tenure at K7. It had remained spartan until one day when Solida, in a somewhat exasperated tone, suggested he "... finally get to decorating it." Thus he spent the next day organizing the office to Vulcan taste - no space was wasted, everything was goemetrically aligned... even his large research console and desk had bookshelves that held scientific texts, white papers, and books organized first by author, then by title. On the walls hung Vulcan beaded tapestries depicting portions of Vulcan history in runic Vulcan, arranged with artistic taste. Photgraphs of nebula and planets dotted the walls here and there, completing the ensemble. Only two items of a personal nature lay in obvious view in the room on his desk, both next to a Kahl'Toh set - a picture of a younger Sanek and his parents standing with Ambassador Spock, and another photograph of himself standing behind Solida in a somewhat relaxed state. That photograph had been taken in the late afternoon after he had met her parents for the first time. She was smiling of course, with that smile that he'd come to realize meant she was thinking something "...somewhat naughty," as she would say.
As he continued to watch the stars outside the porthole, he once again felt the inevitable sensation of change. The recent communication he'd received had indicated to him what he had already surmised, that due to the 16th's open billets and inability to get Starfleet personnel to fill them the unit was being disbanded. Each department would be absorbed into other Starfleet units per their area of responsibility; since Sanek and the crew of the James E. McDonald were the only remaining members of the Exploration Division of the 16th, they alone would be re-assigned to the 12th Fleet's Exploration Division. He had been intrigued when he had learned of his re-assignment to the 12th; they were a large unit with multiple roles. As such, he was certain the resources there would allow him to continue his research, and continue to be as useful as possible.
The sudden chirp of his door chime interrupted his thoughts. With a last glance out the porthole, he turned to face the door, glancing at the time as he did so. The standard duty day had completed twenty-three minutes ago, as the new rotation allowed for a standard eight hour work period. As such it was not uncommon for him to receive visitors at this time of the day.
"Enter," he stated.
With a hiss, the door slid open to reveal both Solida and Vaareler. As he watched them both enter the room, Solida first, he briefly thought about how their personal relationship had changed over the last few months. Solida, always somewhat mocking of the stoic Vulcan logical nature, had teased Vaareler relentlessly, as she did Sanek also, to which Vaareler had expressed her confusion to Sanek on several occasions. This had eventually caused a somewhat cold level of communication between them when off duty, as Vaareler's habit was to point out the illogical nature of Solida's teasing, which irritated Solida. However, things had changed between them of late, and it seemed now that they had developed a somewhat close friendship. Sanek was unsure as to the cause of this change, but welcomed it, as they were both individuals upon whom he relied the most, each for different reasons.
Before anyone said anything further, Solida stepped up to him and wrapped her arms around him, holding him for a few brief moments. He, of course, didn't respond with Vaareler in the room, suppressing the thoughts of how socially vulgar Solida's action was. It had become customary. Vaareler, watching the exchange, didn't react, despite how shocking such displays of emotion were to Vulcan culture. She was, of course, aware of the situation that existed between Solida and Sanek, and despite it's somewhat illogical, and rather non-Vulcan nature, she understood the place Solida held in Sanek's life and accepted Solida's emotional reactions with Sanek now as a matter of course.
"I missed you today," Solida said as she stepped back slightly, a smile on her face. She refrained from her desire to kiss him, knowing that the hug alone was shocking enough to both Vulcans, and she had learned, at least somewhat, to respect Vulcan traditions when Sanek and she were not alone. Sanek acknowledged Solida's comment with a brief nod, which made Solida chuckle lightly. She knew he wouldn't recirocate her comments of an emotional nature while Vaareler was in the room.
"Personnel record submissions and equipment requisition kept my attention for the duration of the day," Sanek responded. Solida nodded knowingly.
"The Doctor and I were discussing the potential ramifications of our re-assignment to the 12th Fleet," Vaareler stated in her usual Vulcan manner.
"And your projections?" Sanek turned to face Vaareler as she stepped deeper into the room, standing next to, and slightly behind, Solida.
"I project an increase in our science and exploration role, based upon the 12th's history of requisitions and supply," she responded. Sanek acknowledged her comment with a nod. Solida looked at them both, her smile growing wider.
"I keep trying to get you both to talk like normal people," she said in a mocking tone, putting emphasis on the word normal. "I swear sometimes the ship's computer sounds more... human, I guess." She chuckled. Vaareler turned to her for a moment.
"I will take that as a compliment, Solida," she stated.
"As I knew you probably would, Vaareler," Solida teased. Looking up at Sanek, she jerked her head slightly in Vaareler's direction as she continued. "We played another game of Kal'Toh today during our lunch period. I don't think I'll ever get any good at that."
"I have noticed that your moves suggest abstract thought," Vaareler stated, "and an occasional lack of attention."
"Yea, I know," Solida responded. "My mind wanders sometimes when I'm relaxing."
"A habit I have noticed," Sanek said.
"Oh, have you now?" Solida said archly. Almost involuntarily, Sanek's eyebrow shot up at her response, which made her chuckle. She turned and stepped to one of the chairs and sat down with a sigh.
"May I inquire as to the status of the Medical department?" Sanek queried.
Solida waved her hand airily. "Routine," she began. "I had to set a broken forearm today. That new Engineer's mate tripped on the some steps down in engineering and broke her radius. She's young though, and should heal quickly. Otherwise nothing much else has happened. All of the crew's physicals are up to date," she added.
"Excellent," Sanek stated, and then turned to Vaareler. "And the status of the rest of the vessel?"
"I have received Gyphid's engineering report, which states the vessel is operating a peak efficiency," she began. "Aside from the personnel transfers you are aware of, there have been no further requests. All other departments show satisfactory efficiency reports with no outstanding projects. The science department has been conducting continued analysis of our recent findings from the Deltan Volanis Cluster; Commander Tufap and Lieutenant Commander Kozs are overseeing that project."
"Very well," Sanek said. "I have completed the required transfer orders, and as such we will depart in eighteen hours for our new assignment."
"Where, can I ask, will that be?" Solida asked. "What system?"
"I will admit; our next duty station will provide you with a pleasant emotional response," Sanek replied.
She sat up straighter in the chair. "Well, where?" she demanded, chuckling slightly.
"Sol," he replied.
Solida almost crowed out loud. "Oh, that will be so nice!" she laughed. "I'll get to visit my parents as often as I can when we're in port!"
"I am glad that will be acceptible to you," Sanek said.
"They want to see you again too, you know," Solida said, looking up at Sanek. "They'd like to get to know you better."
Sanek nodded. "That is logical."
"Sanek," Vaareler stated then, "if I may, I have need of a request."
"Certainly," Sanek responded, turning to her.
"I require three days leave," she began. "My father's father is aging, and is likely to perish at any time. As such I would return to Vulcan to assist where I am required."
"Oh, Vaareler," Solida said, genuine sorrow in her voice. "I am so sorry."
"While your sorrow is unnecessary," Vaareler began, turning to Solida, "it is noted. I offer my thanks."
Solida, having been around Vulcans now for some time, understood, and simply nodded.
"I will make the necessary arrangements," Sanek stated.
"My thanks," Vaareler stated. "I will take my leave, and prepare for my journey." With a slight bow of acknowledgement to both Solida and Sanek, she turned and left the office.
Solida watched her go, and then turned back to Sanek.
"I know this question is fairly forward, Sanek," she began, "but the manner in which Vulcans approach, or view, I guess, death - particularly those of close family - is..." Unable to find a word to describe her feeling, she shrugged.
"That is a logical observation from an emotional species," Sanek stated.
"Oh it is, is it," Solida observed testily, crossing her arms. Sanek watched her for a moment, knowing from her tone and posture that she was irritated.
"My comment was not intended to offend," he began. "I must apologize. I was merely making a statement."
"Uh huh," she said.
"Vulcans, as you know, put logic above all else, excepting only knowledge. Death is a part of life, and we, as logical beings, accept that as a matter of course. What is important to Vulcan society is that the individuals knowledge, in the form of their katra, is saved for later generations." He paused for a moment to gauge Solida's reaction before he continued. "Emotional species place more importance on emotional ties; as such, to species such as humans, or betazoids, the memory of the deceased places a higher importance over their knowledge."
Solida nodded, relaxing somewhat as she did so. "I know that, Sanek. You've told me before. It's just... I guess I feel that by removing emotion Vaareler is losing the ability to grieve her loss."
"She will grieve in her own way," Sanek said. "As I have with my parents."
"I know, Sanek," she said softly. Getting up from the chair, she stepped to Sanek and folded her arms about him, holding him close. Sanek, with his usual stiff, somewhat halting way, reciprocated her embrace.
"It is intriguing," he said then. "Despite the continuing length of our association, your absence, even for short durations, causes a strange sensation akin to loss that grows, rather than diminishes, over time."
Solida, chuckling, looked up at him and kissed him gently. "It's called 'missing me,' Sanek."
"An apt phrase," he responded.
"So you're telling me then that you did, indeed, miss me today then?" she teased.
"That is correct," he stated.
"Good." With a smile, she rested her head against his chest.