Logic Is Nothing If Not Expedient

Posted on Wed Sep 11th, 2019 @ 11:47am by Captain Enalia Telvan & Az'Prel & Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Sonak
Edited on on Sun Sep 22nd, 2019 @ 6:26pm

Mission: Family Detention
Location: Adge of the Vulcan System
Timeline: 2396

''You are Lieutenant Sonak of the starship Hera.''

Sonak had heard the approach of the Vulcan High Command officer. He had recognized it by the mechanical rhythm of soft boots on the stone floor so distinct from those of civilian footwear. He only turned his head and rose from his meditating bench once the green uniformed woman of the in-system space agency stopped to address him. She offered no excuse for disturbing his meditation, nor did he expect any. All that and logic suggested that this was no idle chat she intended. His answer was as to the point as her own statement.

''Correct, Ensign. ''

''I am Ensign T'Pia,'' she gave in return. ''We have received an urgent transmission for Commander Rita Paris and Lieutenant Sonak. She has been reported in your company but we have yet to locate her.''

''She is currently visiting the advanced physics labs and classes of the Academy.''

T'Pia nodded. Sonak didn't need to explain to her that the structure housing the advanced physics labs were heavily shielded to prevent contamination from external factors as well as to prevent any experiment to adversely affect the rest of the Academy grounds, thus preventing any scanning or transmission to go through. Still, it raised slightly the kolinahr master's left eyebrow.

''No disrespect to logic or competence intended, but a transmission could be made to the Academy Registrar; and then relayed to the department lobby. The message would be conveyed directly to her faster than locating one of her subordinates.''

''Unless that message is explicitly stated by Starfleet not to be transmitted but directly delivered to Starfleet officers Commander Rita Paris and Lieutenant Sonak ."

Sonak's eyebrow went higher up.

''You are to be recalled immediately to the USS Hera.''

''Please elaborate.''

''Details not provided. Only the recall order was transmitted. Here are the order and spacetime coordinates for rendezvous to the pick-up point. The patrol cruiser Shavok is currently waiting in orbit to beam you up.''

She gave him a data chip, the raised her right hand in the parted fingers salute prevalent both in civilian and military society of Vulcan.

''Peace and long life, Lieutenant Sonak.''

''Live long and prosper,'' Sonak replied along with the same salute.

She turned and left, while Sonak also turned to greet his wife, her so familiar clicking footsteps in her martial stride echoing from the base of the grand staircase behind him. Although not as familiar, he inferred correctly that the softer, measured ones beside hers were those of Az'Prel.

As Rita came to him, he handed her the data chip.

''Commander, we are recalled to the Hera. There has been an incident.''

“The Captain informed me a few moments ago. I’ve been gathering our belongings and making plans…” The brow of the human woman was furrowed with concern, a clear indication that she was most likely somewhat more aware of the situation than she was able to explain at the moment. “I suspect we’ll need to make arrangement for offworld passage. If we can get to the edge of the system, it would facilitate a better rendezvous with the Hera, which will be expected in system within three hour’s time.”

''Captain Telvan obviously saw to it,'' Sonak confirmed. ''The Shavok is waiting in orbit to beam us up and carry us to these rendezvous coordinates. They are presently waiting for our signal.''

Rolling her eyes, the curvaceous commander sighed, then fished the collapsible PaDD she carried out of her uniform top. Snapping it open, she began tapping away at it. "Says here the Ti-Valka'ain Fosh Halitra Shavok... wow, in its native tongue that is much more impressive sounding, Shavok which is a desert hunting bird with like a 2 and a half meter wingspan- oh we saw some of those off in the distance, out on the forge, I remember. Awww... nice." Rita paused a moment to enjoy the connection, smiling at Sonak before returning to the task at hand.

''The very one the Romulans adopted as their Imperial symbol,'' Sonak confirmed. ''They even kept the name in their own modern language. And it inspired their space navy up to and including their impressive Warbirds. It is a symbol of strength, fierceness, and independence to them as much as it is a symbol of control, detachment and achievement here.''

"All right, Vulcan Defense Force Shavok commanded by Doctor S'tahnn? Not a military rank? Okay, scientist culture, makes sense," Rita shrugged. "Well, let's see how my logic holds up today." Tapping at the raised replica of the ancient Starfleet delta of command of her day which she wore in place of the modern insignia upon her ample left breast, the transporter phobic interstellar explorer called out to the universe to try to make an excuse.

"Commander Rita Paris to TFH Shavok, requesting evacuation from planet's surface by shuttlecraft, over." As these things tended to do, Rita opened the gambit. This was a game she was often forced to play with the universe. Sometimes she won, sometimes she lost. She'd see what happened today.

''Vulcan High Command has a different structure the Terran-inspired one of Starfleet,'' Sonak explained. ''Like Starfleet, our local fleet reports to civilian authorities; but on our ships, one such civilian representative is in overall command. The captain sees to the actual ship operations, much like an Exec on a Starfleet vessel albeit with more command authorities. On the Shavok, Doctor S'Tahnn gives mission orders and parameters. Captain T'Naa directs the crew and ship operations.''

He spoke to divert her mind from the upcoming beam up, sensing as much as knowing all too well her stress, even if the cause of her previous mishaps had been eliminated. His last words faded with the energies of the annular confinement beam that caught them as their atoms disassembled to be reassembled on the green and red-lighted pad of the Shavok's transporter room.

It looked surprising much like a familiar Starfleet transporter room, albeit more curving and flowing in design, and the operator isolated from any contaminant or attack in a transparent booth barring the way to the exit door. As much a medical as a military precaution dating back centuries, it is from this compartment that two Vulcans stepped out to greet the three of them.

One was in quilted sand-colored uniform of simple functional design with a collar striped with four green lines, a very tall Vulcan woman with a stern bearing and a very athletic body, her age impossible to determine on her flawless jade-tinted asian-like features. The other was a thin man in a similar although more ample and thicker outfit of a dull grey color, his long flowing white hair framing a chiseled face like that of time itself. He spoke first to greet them, his hand lifted in the familiar salute.

''Commander Rita Paris of the USS Hera; Peace and Long Life. I am Doctor S'Tahnn. And this is Captain T'Naa. We come to serve.''

At which point Rita, who had been preparing for a conversation and was entirely unprepared to be beamed, dropped to her knees, vomiting the contents of her stomach out onto the floor.

"So... so glad I opened with a request for evac by shuttle..." the human officer growled angrily under her breath as she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand and struggled to compose herself. "How expeditious of you to so thoroughly ignore that as well as my service record, when we have ample time to have avoided this."

As soon as she dropped, Sonak helped her back to her feet as the technician behind the console rushed out, medical tricorder and medkit in hand. He made a quick scan then turned towards his captain.

''There is no physiological impairment; but I register a spike in cerebro-glandular activity. This is a psychosomatic reaction to transport brought about by intense uncontrolled emotional reaction to the experience. I recommend a mild sedative before the next beam out. ''

Captain T'Naa then spoke to Rita.

''My apologies, Commander; but it is my understanding that transporter operation is routine in Starfleet. Moreover, the urgency of your mission, as well as the inconvenience to our own mission timetable, makes auxiliary craft operation illogical. It takes ten point fifty-three minutes to prepare a shuttlecraft for launch and sixteen point forty seven minutes to bring you all aboard from planetside to orbit. That would have made it impossible for us to reach the rendezvous point in time following the imposed parameters, nullifying the entire operation.''

Her eyebrow lifted a bit up, as she seem to realize that she was speaking to a Human who would react emotively to her dry statement of fact. To diffuse the possible tension, she recalled her Human interaction courses from the Academy and offered what Humans would call ''concern'' for her well being.

''Since you show a psychosomatic adverse reaction to transporters, I suggest you take proper preparation for the next beam out; again an unavoidable necessity dictated by the planned rendezvous conditions. Our medical staff will provide to you everything you should need to mitigate your discomfort.''

Doctor S'Tahnn nodded in return to both the technician and the ship's commanding officer, then shifted his eyes towards Sonak.

''Lieutenant Sonak; Peace and Long Life. Our trip together will be short but I am looking forward to discuss with you the path of the Kolinarh, one I am inclined to follow following my next and last assignment.''

''Live Long and Prosper,'' gave Sonak in return, his hand also raised. ''We too come to serve, Doctor S'Tahnn.''

The old scientist nodded then gave his greetings to Az'Prel.

''Peace and Long Life, Az'Prel of Vulcan. I have received the report about your presence here. As an exoanthropologist, I am understandably curious about your own parallel culture. I would consider it a considerable favor if you would give me a moment to discuss your unique Vulcan perspective.''

Returning the salute, Az'Prel was still trying to work out the hesitation ingrained in her of giving it so freely, but she was getting better. After all, in her own reality, it had meant instant execution to be caught doing it by a Terran.

With a slight bow of her head, the displaced Vulcan refugee addressed the request. "Education is the foundation of understanding and through understanding, great things are accomplished. If by better understanding the parallels of the reality I come from aid you in your studies and future endeavors, I consider our discussion an honor."

S'Tahnn bowed his head in acknowledgment of her statement and in gratitude.

Captain T'Naa then also gave her own greetings and spoke.

''We will be diverting our own course towards the rendezvous coordinates with the Hera,'' she explained as her hand invited them to follow her out of the transporter room and into a curvaceous, oval-shaped corridor almost organic looking, with oval-shaped doors marked with Vulcan signs that switched to Standard as they came closer to them and reverted to the original Vulcan as they went away.

There were fewer people roaming the narrow passageways than one was accustomed to on a Federation starship, and more than a few were dressed in civilian clothes, holding padds or discussing in hushed tones. All were Vulcans, and all visibly noticed them, but none acknowledged their passage; like people already well aware of who they were and why they were there; or completely ignored it all and didn't care much about it. It looked all and the same to the three passengers.

As they walked, Captain T'Naa spoke further.

''Despite the obvious importance and implied urgency of the situation, we have been ordered to remain at full impulse. Logic suggests from this order that there is concern about bringing too much attention to the whole situation. Therefore it will take two point nine-three hours to reach the upper edge of the system where the Hera will meet us. This is a small scout ship but quarters have been assigned to you if you wish for some privacy during those hours. the otherwise routine and secure nature of this short journey will allow me to be at your disposal.''

With some remnants of vomit on her hand's with spatters on her knees and cheeks, Rita Paris smiled a humorless smile. "Some privacy would be most appreciated, Doctor, at least for myself. If you'll excuse me?"

With a nod the Starfleet commander moved to follow an ensign who moved to show the way, exiting with a nod.

''I assume by the timetable and speed involved in our current travel that we are moving away from the system's ecliptic, '' Sonak stated more than he actually asked.

''You are correct, '' S'Tahnn answered as they walked along the soft-lit curving corridor towards the prow of the ship. ''The urgency of the rendezvous left no alternative as the 40 Eridani A system is forty-seven AUs across.''

''My concern is that such a trajectory will make us more visible to any hypothetical observer scanning the system. We will not be aligned with the gravimetric forces and planetary bodies of the system. The star's radiation and luminosity output alone will hide us but for so long as we move away from it.''

''Your concern has been addressed, Lieutenant. The rendezvous point and trajectory will have us barely clear the ecliptic and only for the brief moment for your ship's pick-up. Furthermore, this is a science vessel with a non-sensitive mission profile, while your captain sent for a Starfleet scoutship to pick you up on Vulcan at a later time. This decoy will lure potential curious away from your real position and offset their own schedule if they plan anything like interception or monitoring.''

Sonak nodded appreciatively.

''A prime example why Captain Telvan earned the command of the most important covert operation starship of the Federation. Still, I suggest you deploy several probes to simulate a testing operation prior to mission departure; all the while scanning inconspicuously but intensively for any unwanted presence or surveillance.''

S'Thann's eyebrow rose and he nodded in turn.

''And I see you are an apt pupil of hers. Good thinking, Lieutenant. I will follow your recommendation presently.''

As they spoke, they reached the bridge of the scoutship, an oval-shaped command center not unlike the familiar station ringed center seat design; obviously the inspiration for Starfleet's centuries-old style. As Captain T'Naa took the chair, the old science doctor invited Sonak to join him on a curving bench beside and slightly behind her.

''Helm,'' ordered T'Naa, '' break orbit and plot a course 75 mark 20, full impulse.''

''75 mark 20, full impulse, acknowledged, '' answered the male at the piloting station right in front of the captain's chair. ''Vulcan Central Command confirms our priority for departure. Breaking orbit and engaging plotted course.''

On the oval screen spread all across the bulkhead in front of them, the copper and white orb of Ti-Valka'ain, what the rest of the universe called Vulcan, slid downward and to the left as the bow of the Shavok swept past the main glare of the major star of the trinary star system they were now flying away from at one hundred and fifty thousand kilometers per second. Even at this half-light speed, it would take them almost three hours to clear the orbital path of all the planetary bodies to rendezvous with the incoming Federation starship.

It might have been simpler, if not routine, to have the Hera warp in the system close to Vulcan and beam up their crew members herself. But that would also have been much more conspicuous. It was obvious that the entire pick up operation was intended to not have it being noticed.

As to why, only Sonak's wife at the moment would know, as such data would be on the chip he gave her. But there was no effort on Sonak's part needed to curb his curiosity. In less than three hours, they would be aboard the Hera anyway and all would be revealed then.

So he just sat there and observed the Shavok's crew operating their small science ship, pondering about how he could himself have been part of such a crew dedicated to knowledge, research and understanding, if he had not joined Starfleet instead. Would he have missed anything?

One thing popped up instantly in his mind: affirmative; he would have missed Rita Paris.