Departure - A New Beginning
Sanek slid the the last files from his desk drawer in the box set atop his desk. Turning, he glanced up at the wall and saw the photograph there, taken when he was twenty-seven at the Vulcan Science Academy. Standing between his parents was Ambassador Spock, his typical emotionless gaze seeming to penetrate time and space. He reached for the photo and took it from the wall, gazing at it while he held it in his hands. Studying the faces of his mother and father he considered the reality that, of the four people in the picture, only he was still alive. Ambassador Spock was lost during the Hobus Supernova crisis. His father a few years later to an extended battle with Choriocytosis. His mother only recently to a long, and hidden, fight with Tuvan Syndrome. Of his immediate family, only he remained. Unlike many other races who always attempted to find meaning in such circumstances, as a Vulcan Sanek simply understood that it was the logical progression of life.
Of the Universe.
He looked up and gazed out the window to the distant stars beyond. In a very real way they were his family now. He had spent his entire career immersed in the depths of that life, exploring and researching new systems, new phenomenon, new anomalies. Like most all Vulcans he could sense the Universe... it was a living, breathing entity full of change, of life. Despite all that, it was still a deep and lonely place, and a large part of Sanek's Katra constantly yearned for that solitude. It's what drove him to continue study deeper and further into unknown space at each voyage.
He suddenly had an intense urge to stand on the precipice of Mount Seleya and look out across the dry, rocky expanse of Vulcan's Forge towards the setting sun while the huge orb of T'Khut loomed overhead in the dark sky. He had not been back to Vulcan since the death of his mother, almost two years ago now. He briefly thought about the possibility of requesting a sabbatical from Starfleet to pursue the purge of the Kholinar, but rejected the idea. He realized, and admitted to himself, that the small emotions that he occasionally allowed himself to feel were as much a part of him as his feet and hands. To completely reject his emotions would be the same as rejecting the use of his hands and feet; and, as such, it was illogical.
Turning from the window he gazed once more for a moment at the photograph before he placed it on top of the files in the box. It was the last one; all the remaining boxes had already been moved out of the room preparatory to their transfer to the James McDonald. He took a moment to look around the small domicile, noting the emptiness of the walls, the floor. In a rare moment of emotion he almost felt a strange mirror of his own Katra in the room.
He was interrupted by the door entry request chime. He stepped out from behind the desk, pulling at the bottom of his tunic. The new uniform was still starched and uncomfortable. "Enter," he responded to the chime.
The door hissed open to reveal Commander Solida. She entered the room, walking across the empty floor to stand in front of Sanek. She was also wearing her new uniform... and she also did not appear to be very comfortable in it.
"So," she began, "are you finished packing then?" she asked, a strange expression on her face as she looked up at him.
"Yes," he replied. He indicated the box on his desk. "This is the last box."
Solida stepped over to the desk and glanced into the box at it's contents. Noticing the photograph on the top, she picked it up slowly and looked at it for a moment before looking back up at Sanek.
"You know," she said, "I've always envied you. The fact that you got to actually meet Spock..." She was quiet for a long moment before she continued. "I know what he meant to you. His loss was great for all of us."
Sanek paused for a moment before he replied. "His knowledge was vast. Science, and diplomacy, lost a great mind in Ambassador Spock."
Still looking at him, she slowly sighed... a sad but small smile on her lips. "His loss to you was more personal though, Sanek," she said quietly, with compassion.
Sanek shifted his weight and, holding his hands behind his back, looked once again back out the window to the stars. "Yes," he replied simply.
Solida reached behind her and placed the photo gently back into the box. Stepping forward, she gently leaned against Sanek and folded her arms around him, placing her arms between Sanek's own and his body. She lay her head on his chest and sighed deeply. She could feel the emotions boiling beneath the surface of Sanek's placid exterior. Like always, she both yearned and feared their possible release.
Slowly, almost painfully, Sanek brought his arms up and wrapped them around Solida. There was a sudden flood of emotion that made Solida burst into tears as she felt the love she always knew was there come bursting from the well which it had been locked inside of for years. She hugged Sanek tighter as the tears coursed down her face, her eyes closed.
"I love you, Sanek," she said softly. She felt him move slightly.
"I know," Sanek said simply.
Solid opened her eyes and looked up at him. He was looking down at her, their faces close. Sanek had never struggled with emotion like this before; his conditioning in logic barred him from expressing anything on a purely voluntary basis. He began to speak and then stopped, looking into Solida's eyes as he did.
"I know," she said, tears still sliding down her cheeks. "I know you love me Sanek. You don't have to say it." She smiled through her tears. She raised herself on the balls of her feet and brought her lips to his. They kissed, long, lingeringly; Sanek almost haltingly, still fighting himself. He could taste the salt of her tears, feel her arms around him, her body pressed close to him. The emotion he'd always suppressed smouldered like liquid fire, desperately flooding his senses like a drug, threatening to overload his reason, his very sanity. It was too much. He fought against it even as he surrendered to it at the same time... and suddenly he was in control again, his logic and reason restored. He broke the kiss, and straightening, pulled his arms from their embrace of Solida to return to their former position... hands clasped behind his back.
Solida had felt the retreat of his feelings. It saddened her, but it could not diminish the sense of exultation she felt from finally having Sanek reciprocate her feelings. She simply dropped herself back to the soles of her feet and pressed herself against him, hugging him again tightly, her face buried against his chest as she composed herself. A few moments later she looked up at him.
"I understand," she said with a sad smile. "I won't ask for anything more than you can give. At least, for now." She released him, and turning away she walked to the window, wiping the tears from her face as she went.
They were both quiet for a long time. Sanek considered everything that had happened carefully. He had never allowed himself to admit the depth of his feelings for Solida, but after what had just happened there was no denying it any longer. He had never considered a relationship, his research always having been his foremost thought. But, like the current situation, he felt that too was about to change. Just like the Universe... itself full of change. He took a step towards the window.
"Solida," he began... but was stopped as she turned and held up her hand.
"It's ok, Sanek," she interrupted. "We have time."
He stood still, looking at her for a moment, and she at him. Suddenly she stepped up to the desk again.
"So," she began, still a slight tremor in her voice, "we're being transferred."
Sanek was quiet for a moment. "Correct," he replied.
"Why?" A slight edge came into her voice. "I was beginning to feel that we might be here for some time." She looked down at the desk. "I liked it here," she finished quietly.
Sanek looked briefly out the window, to the distant stars beyond, before looking back at Solida. "Change," Sanek said cryptically. "Our research has reached the point where it requires a more freelance approach. Logically, that demands a transfer."
Solida sighed, and turned to face Sanek. "Logic again, Sanek?" she said placatingly, but with a smile.
"Of course."
She leaned against the edge of the desk before she continued. "So, where are we to be stationed next?"
"Our new assignment is located at Starbase K7," Sanek stated.
"At Sherman's Planet?" Solida's eyes widened slightly. "That's right on the front lines with the Klingons!" The look on her face was one of mild shock.
"That is correct," Sanek responded.
"But, why?"
"Starbase K7 is the headquarters of the 16th," Sanek said. "It is logical that we would be assigned to that location as a result."
Solida sighed heavily, and turned slightly with her arms crossed. Over the years, Sanek had learned that, with Solida, this was a typical posture that unconsciously displayed her immediate displeasure.
"We're not a combat vessel, Sanek," she said, with some heat.
"That is also correct," Sanek said. "However, it would be illogical to assume that our new assignment would relegate a science crew to a combat role. As such, the logical assumption would be that we would continue to be assigned science and exploration tasks."
Relaxing slightly, putting her hands behind her on the desk to support her weight, Solida smirked at Sanek.
"Logically, huh?" she said.
Sanek watched her for a moment, and then his eyebrow raised. She laughed then, and turned to face him.
"So, I guess we'd better get going then," she said. "We don't want to keep our new superiors waiting." Her tone was mocking. "When are we due?"
"We are not due for a week," Sanek replied.
"Really?"
"Correct." Sanek paused for a moment. "Do you recall our stay on Risa a few years ago?"
Solida looked at Sanek, a soft look in her eyes. "Yes," she said quietly, a small, sweet smile on her face. "I still have the flower you picked for me."
Sanek hesitated, and then continued. "I thought perhaps we might duplicate our visit," he suggested.
Solida's eyes widened slightly. "Oh, Sanek," she said softly, "that would be wonderful." Her eyes grew moist as she looked at him.
"Good," Sanek replied. "I will make the necessary arrangements." He moved to the desk and picked up the box. "There is no further reason to remain here; shall we proceed to the James McDonald?"
Solida slipped off the desk and stood next to Sanek. Smiling, she took his arm as they both began to walk towards the door. "Yes, Captain," she said.
The door hissed open. Sanek stopped for a moment in the doorway, looking at Solida. "You are teasing me again."
"Yes, Sanek," she laughed, "I am." She continued laughing, her laughter echoing in the empty apartment behind her as the door closed with a hiss.