HERAnet

Posted on Tue Jan 8th, 2019 @ 9:41am by Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Sonak
Edited on on Tue Jan 8th, 2019 @ 10:01am

Mission: Section 31-B
Location: USS Hera, Deck 8, Lieutenant Junior Grade Dox's quarters
Timeline: 2396

The first message had arrived at 19:21.

CDRPARIS: Dox is having a breakdown, needs a shoulder. Have to skip dinner tonight for big sister time. How is your primary experiment proceeding?

The reply came exactly fifty-three seconds later.

CSOSONAK: experiment proceeding according to established parameters. Results expected in four point seven hours. Do not concern yourself with my sustenance but do not forget yours. Human physiology is not as resilient to deprivation as the Vulcan one is. If it is not intruding, may I inquire as to the nature of Dox' emotional distress requiring your mentoring?

Rita tapped out the reply with a smile. It might not seem romantic to some, but his concern for her well being and interest in her life were always signs that he cared, and they always made her happy. As she tapped out the reply, she made a note to herself to eat later.

CDRPARIS: Unknown at this time, although I suspect personal crisis over work-related possibility. No sign of problems dealing with her position, so I believe this to be personal. I promise I will not neglect my nutrition. I anticipate the results of your experiment with excitement.


The next message came through at 20:03.

CDRPARIS: Emotional personal crisis is rather significantly life-altering. Dox has requested not to be alone, so I will stay with her through the night to watch over her and safeguard from nightmares in her quarters. Please remember to take nourishment and hydration breaks while you work.

Without needing to tend to Rita's needs, Sonak tended to use any extra time in his day to work- after all, he required far less sleep than she did. His adjustment to her waking and sleeping cycle was more a concession to them spending time together, caring for her human needs, far less than he himself requiring rest and nutrition. Which she understood quite clearly, and appreciated dearly that he did so for her. So in this case, the most considerate thing she could do was inform him that she would not be home for their nightly rituals, and offer him an unexpected block of time for his current crop of experiments, and overseeing the rest of the research being done by the scientists of the USS Hera.

Plus she was keeping her messages professional, as of course he did, which was how they communicated while on duty.

Like clockwork, his reply came again precisely fifty-three seconds after she had pushed the send button.

CSOSONAK: acknowledged. Do not be concerned with my well-being; personal work routine already includes sustenance necessities. I understand the emotional needs of both your species. Your absence will be felt but accepted as a requirement of a crew mate's well-being and recognition of your admirable empathy. We come to serve.

Although he could not feel emotion, the kolinahr master perfectly understood it on an intellectual level; and perhaps even deeper than he himself was ready to admit, following his mindlink to his human mate and their frequent melding of bodies, senses, minds and souls. Not only was he accepting her devotion to her friend and subordinate, but he was most gratified to see her having now gained back so much emotional stability herself to be able to help others. This was a significant personal improvement he could only but admire in her.

The logic of his choice to be her mate was therefore once again more than justified.


The next message came through to the science chief at 22:13.

CDRPARIS: Dox is through the worst of it and seems to be sleeping now. I’ll stay with her, in case she has nightmares or wakes up, I don’t want her to be alone. But I wanted you to know that I miss you and I am thinking of you. It’s our first night apart since you found me.

The words were simple, but the subtext broad.

The expected answer came at the expected time:

CSOSONAK: Parted but never apart. Now and forever our minds touching. A whole timespace reality could not keep us away from each other; thus, a mere night is statistically insignificant enough to be considered irrelevant. Take care of her. Duty to a crewmate is more than just a job. Your presence in my mind is enough to take care of me until we are together again.

Again, the message was received with a smile. Vulcans were not known to be reassuring- in fact, often stating the facts could be unnerving to those prone to emotional responses. But this was no impassionate, dry response- logical it was, and factual. Yet it was Sonak reassuring her that he would be fine, and reminding her that one night apart would not be that long, given everything they had overcome to remain together through the years.

Which was true, and she knew that intellectually. Emotionally, she was still working to convince herself that one night apart was no big deal. She was a grown woman, and she had it much better than most. While so many like Dox came home to an empty quarters, her lifemate was always nearby, and perennially willing to make time for her. Rita Paris did not sleep alone, as Sonak was always within arm’s reach. Yet as she sat on the floor staring at the message chain, she sighed to herself.

It was one night. No big deal. Sonak would be fine, she would be fine, and Dox needed her. Not like she would abandon a shipmate in need, particularly not a friend. But curling up in the chair that had come with the bedroom set, Rita was definitely having trouble sleeping without the calming touch of the Vulcan master of logic in her mind, and in her soul.


The next message came through at 03:13.

CDRPARIS: Woke up without you and was startled. Have eased Dox back to sleep twice, so good that I was here. Still miss you though… you are still awake and working, yes? I am not disturbing you? I miss when I could feel you and always knew where you were on the ship.

Since they had reunited, she had tried not to speak of the diminished bond which they shared in this universe, grateful to have him beside her once more. But in the wee hours of the morning, she admitted it to him.

Her Vulcan husband acknowledged a moment later.

CSOSONAK: It was certainly... convenient. But to live is to adapt. We shall live... together... always. It is gratifying to see that your involvement with Dox is worthwhile. And you are never a disturbance. I took a moment to meditate before the conclusion of the experiment. Result negative, as was expected. We shall resume research when the next duty shift reports in.

CDRPARIS: Are you in Science Lab 7? Or your office lab? Or inspecting one of your department's many experiments?

Now she was just being chatty. Though it was the middle of the night, and he was awake, rested after a moment of meditation, which was still a wonder to her even now. So it was theoretically their time. The kolinahr had already reassured her that she was not a disturbance, as he was not doing anything critical. But in truth he meant it in a much deeper sense, that she could not be a disturbance to him, which warmed her heart and encouraged her to sneak in a little time with him.

CSOSONAK: department lab 4; physics studies, particle experiment 3-5-7-4 about cosmic quantum resonance. We just eliminated an invalid hypothesis, moving on to the next; standard scientific research procedure.

He knew her own science background was somewhat more extensive than basic Academy and officer training because of her exceptional space experience serving in Starfleet. But he knew also that theoretical physics and quantum mechanics were beyond even her working knowledge. Thus, he didn't bother her with the minute details that he and fellow scientists found fascinating; but he had enough respect for her not to dismiss her lack of deep scientific knowledge by not giving her at least a proper explanation of his work. Would she be interested, she would ask further questions; if not, then at least she would know what he was doing with adequate precision to judge for herself if it warranted her interest or not.

Respecting her was as much a part of their relationship as mutual attraction was. And so was also mutual concern.

CSOSONAK: Is your presence with Dox adequately helping her? Is it any strain on you and if so, may I be of assistance?

CDRPARIS: 09:00 would be an ideal time for some meditation exercises and counseling. Miss Dox is learning her Romulan heritage may be considerably stronger than it appears, and she is having something of an entirely understandable existential crisis of racial identity. As likely a greater expert on Romulans and their culture than she herself, your insights would likely prove invaluable, as well as your philosophy. I will suggest it and cancel if she refuses.

CDRPARIS: Your concern for my well-being makes my soul swell with joy. This is no strain- she is my charge, my friend, and she needs me- we come to serve. How many nights did you watch over me, calm me, soothe me, reassure me, hold me when I cried like a child despite all logic. How could I do less for one in need?

It had taken Rita a few moments to compose the first message, because she had restarted it four times. Such an amazing man. Compassion for Dox. Concern for her, and an offer of assistance, because if he could, he genuinely wanted to help. Because that grey heart that beat in his chest was filled with compassion for his fellow sentients. As he explored the universe, he tried to make it a better place, to help others help themselves. The starship siren called him her hero, but it was not in jest. In every way, Sonak of Vulcan was the best person she had ever met, who somehow had room in his heart for her.

His reply was no surprise to her.

CSOSONAK: A quite logical stance; and one worthy of your humanity. Concern for the well-being of our fellow sentient beings is at the very core of sentience, the seed of civilization and morality and the higher level of consciousness for any living entity.

There was a pause before he added:

CSOSONAK: If I may be of any help to your friend, I will of course oblige. However, my knowledge of Rihansuu culture and nature may be extensive, but it is purely academic. It all comes only from what the Federation Science Council and the Vulcan Science Academy here collected in the last century, at best correlated with what I know of Vulcan History. The closest I have actually been to one of her kind is her. Remember, where we came from, we had barely discovered their true nature and origin when the USS Enterprise confronted the intruding warbird with it's experimental cloaking device and plasma torpedo near the Neutral Zone barely a few years back. But if that may prove useful, I shall openly share with her.

CDRPARIS: Understood. I suspect that your academic knowledge may be greater than her understanding. Regardless, you are held in high esteem by your shipmates as a philosopher, scientist and officer. I believe she may be fearful of facing prejudice as a Romulan, and bear some ignorance of her own culture and how it is perceived by the galaxy. She looks up to you- while I can offer emotional succor through the breakdown, I feel in the light of the new morning, facts and logic are called for to sweep away misinformation and bring calm clarity, with some guided meditation techniques that tend to benefit anyone. There could be none better suited than you to let her ask her questions and find some answers tempered by compassion- at least no one on this starship.

Leave it to Sonak to admit that his knowledge of a subject was not from firsthand observation, ergo not truly comprehensive. He had studied at the modern Science Academy and at Starfleet Academy- unlike his human bride, he had extensively investigated the past 130 years of history and gleaned considerable knowledge. What she knew of the Romulans was from the Enterprise's reports she'd read, as well as the first Romulan war with the Federation, history even in her time. What she did know was Melanie Dox, and she suspected the young woman would react well to some refreshing logic with a dose of compassion in the morning.

Who better indeed than the grey-eyed scientist whom she suspected was on a similar pillar in the young officer's mind? Sonak tended not to realize how others perceived him, and the awe he tended to inspire as a Vulcan who was no intellectual snob, looking down upon those of lesser intellect. Instead he was wise, compassionate and optimistic, while still being brilliant and knowledgeable- a Vulcan who gave Vulcans a good name in his travels across the universes.

His answer was no surprise to her.

CSOSONAK: I have completed my standard duties and implemented routine procedures in the science department. Until the captain gives new orders, I am at both Dox and your disposal. Contact me when either Dox or you deem it most appropriate. I shall provide whatever adequate assistance I can that you shall name. Is there anything that you yourself would need?

Her answer was equally unsurprising.

CDRPARIS: I'll give her the night- better bad sleep than no sleep. Come by at 06:50 and we can trade out shifts, I'll have her up, face washed and having made a consented decision to see you, and we can trade shifts. As for what I need?

CDRPARIS: Just you.

CDRPARIS: All I'll ever need is you.