From TTy99@aol.com Mon Jun 29 11:25:31 1998 Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 16:56:54 -0600 From: TTy99@aol.com To: INDIGO FLEET List Serve Subject: [INDIGO] [USS CONSTELLATION]: Kzinti Psychology ---OFFICIAL INDIGO FLEET TRANSMISSION--- Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 18:57:06 EDT From: Subject: [INDIGO] [USS CONSTELLATION]: Kzinti Psychology SD 100626.2330 GMT Scene: Kzar's quarters, USS CONSTELLATION FMD 7.1105 Neuroses, psychoses, mental "disorders"....... bah! Only at the last moment did Kzar realize his fist was raised to smash the screen in front of him, barely managing to stop it in time before he destroyed yet another piece of equipment. Humans were a seething mass of contradictions. Why could they not realize that weaker individuals dragged down the entire culture? Instead of eliminating such useless garbage or allowing natural selection to do it for them, they had built up a whole industry that coddled these individuals, trying to "cure" their "problems". Along the way, they spent a seemingly endless amount of time debating theories and treatments about how best to "help" inferior specimens. Captain Paraskevopoulus had ordered Kzar to study these texts, and he was trying, but the whole concept of mental health and trying to analyze it was so alien to the Kzinti way of thinking that he was having a very difficult time even understanding many of the concepts involved. Kzin did not worry much about the "mental fitness" of an individual. If you were strong, you survived, and if you were weak, you deserved to die. What more was there? Now he was expected to try and understand all these..... pathetic excuses for not taking responsibility for one's own actions, then *apply* them to his subordinates and the rest of the crew! How? By viewing them as even weaker and more foolish than they already appeared? By accepting excuses for incompetence and cowardice on the basis of "feelings" or some mythical mental "disorder"? Ridiculous! How could anyone understand a species that subjected itself to constant self-examination, almost to the point of obsession, and finding a useful "place" for even the most diseased and non-productive members of their society? The immense waste of time and resources on such a useless and counter- productive endeavor staggered Kzar's imagination. The evidence was right here in front of him: text after scholarly text on the subject, whole departments in their institutes of higher learning, even an entire industry of "health care professionals" who labored at the detection, treatment and even supposed cures for these mental "illnesses". Understanding culture was one thing, but trying to delve into the mysteries of the human mind was proving to be more than Kzar could handle. History, in his opinion, would be a far better way to comprehend human motivations, because it was the study of the strong and the dominant in human society, something Kzin understood well, rather than worrying about the weak and feeble-minded, such as this "psychology" was obviously trying to do. Enough! If he studied any more of this he would go as mad as these humans he had been trying to read about. And then he too would begin to develop self- doubts or a creeping inferiority complex, and well deserve to be put to death. Rising to his feet, the big Kzin glared down at the computer screen, briefly debating the momentary satisfaction it would give him to smash the offending piece of equipment versus the delay and padd-work involved in replacing it. What finally decided him was the realization that their new Chief of Engineering would undoubtedly be involved in fixing it, and Kzar could not bear the thought of that freak polluting his living quarters with its presence should he destroy it. Almost as if his anger and frustration were glad to have a focus other than the ephemeral and absurd concept of "psychology", he fixated on the one and only time he had seen and been near Ensign Vercheck Alion. To say it had been annoying, even if the huge confines of the shuttlebay, would be an understatement. And it was long past time he did something about it. Making up his mind and acting upon it were usually one and the same thing to Kzar, and this was no exception. He decided to immediately pay a little visit to this Deltan. Hopefully they could reach some sort of understanding between them that would allow them to stay well away from each other. With an angry snarl, Kzar strode toward the door, his tail twitching behind him in irritation. "Hopefully"? Some sort of "understanding"? These humans were infecting him with their foolish way of looking at the universe. He was a Kzin! He would *tell* this Ensign what was going to happen, and maybe, just maybe, the puny little mutant would be stupid enough to protest or back-talk him. Oh, if only he could be so lucky.................... *********************************************** Scene: Main Engineering, USS CONSTELLATION FMD 7.1115 Technician 3rd class Consuela Gutierrez barely managed to stifle a scream by jamming a fist into her wide-open mouth, matching her eyes, which had widened to their fullest extent in astonishment and fear. She had not been very happy about losing the rock, paper, scissors match she and her best friend Vera had just completed anyway, because it required her to go and fetch refreshments for all of them. Running such an errand would normally not be a problem, but she begrudged the other girls any more time than she herself had managed to spend with the thoroughly delectable new Chief Engineer, Ensign Alion Vercheck. There were always lots of girls hanging around Engineering these days, and although "V", as he liked to be called, was unfailingly polite to the constant stream of female visitors, he never showed any favoritism toward any one of them, leaving them to wonder just who might manage to snatch the ultimate prize (at least aboard this ship) from all the others. It was frustrating and kind of humiliating to the young woman that she should be part of this chase, but she couldn't seem to help herself, a feeling she knew was shared by many of the other women who eagerly sought out the Deltan's company at every opportunity. So now that she had been forced by bad luck to leave her rivals (only three others right now, thank God) after V expressed a desire for some "real" tea, as opposed to the replicated kind, Consuela was worried the others would take advantage of the situation to tell the deltan Engineer stories about the missing girl that might enhance their own chances. Just as she would have if someone else had lost and had to leave instead. Oh, well, she reasoned, at least I get to supply him with something he wants, and for a brief, shining moment become the recipient of that dazzling smile and those oh-so-sexy violet eyes....... Thus the young woman's mind was really not on where she was going when she rounded the corner and nearly ran straight into the wall of orange fur that suddenly blocked the doorway in front of her. Despite her best efforts, an abortive squeak still emerged from her mouth, all that was left of a full- fledged shriek, especially after she looked up to see the terrifying sight of that huge feline head looking down at her. Everyone knew Lieutenant Kzar, of course. How could you miss a nearly three meter tall huge tiger (or so she thought of him) who walked around looking like he was ready to rip anyone's head off in a second? But being a lowly electronics technician, she had never actually talked to..... it before, and like so many of the crew, found justifications to avoid being in his presence longer than was absolutely necessary. Now it seemed she had little choice. "Crewman," rumbled the deep voice emanating from a mouth that suddenly seemed full of gleaming, deadly fangs, "where is Ensign Alion?" Consuela could not speak at first, hand still jammed into her mouth, backing up slowly until she felt cold, unyielding metal behind her. The slitted green eyes seemed to mesmerize her, studying her intently, as if...... she shuddered as she remembered stories of how Kzin relished the taste of human flesh. A low growl sent a chill racing down her spine as Kzar leaned even closer. "I asked you a question, crewman, and I expect an answer." Wordlessly, she managed to raise her free hand and point back in the direction from which she had come. With a contemptuous snort, the Kzin brushed past her and strode around the corner, leaving Consuela shaking and weak in the knees. She had to lean against the wall for several seconds before she managed to start moving again. And when she did so, it was with an immense sense of relief, instead of the regret she had felt earlier, that this particular errand had removed her from the vicinity of that hulking brute. With any luck at all, he'll be gone when I get back, and, she realized as a calculating smile slowly worked its way on to her features, the other girls will have to face him now..... ******************************************** Scene: Chief Engineer's office FMD "Leave us," Kzar snarled irritably at the gaggle of astonished females surrounding the new Deltan CEO. "I wish to speak with Ensign Alion." Although they might have shown reluctance under different circumstances, facing down a clearly irritated Kzin was not something any one of the four girls wished to do right now. Their exit was prompt and without protest, leaving Kzar facing V alone. The CEO seemed rather amused by Kzar's attitude, rather than put off by it. Since Kzar was a superior officer, he had risen to his feet when the Kzin walked in, and remained standing after his admirers beat a hasty retreat, a slight bemused smile playing about his features as he stared up at the big warrior-cat. "What can I do for you, Lieutenant?" he inquired politely after the hiss of the door behind them signaled their conversation would now be uninterrupted. "You are an abomination," declared Kzar, his mouth set in a fierce expression that nonetheless managed to convey a sense of loathing as well. "Your people and your world would have been eradicated by the Kzinti Empire if we had come across it. Any species that openly manipulates others as does yours for their own benefit is unworthy to share this space-time continuum with the rest of us." "I see, sir." replied the Deltan slowly, more than a little surprised at the vehemence shown by the huge Kzin before him. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Kzar........" "*NEVER* speak my name again if you wish to continue your pathetic existence!" roared the Kzin suddenly, bringing both his paws up in a fighting stance, the sharp claws fully extended and obviously all too ready to deal death at the slightest provocation. "Yes sir, Lieutenant," replied V carefully, taking a step backwards without even realizing it. "I did not mean to offend you." "You mere *existence* offends me, creature!" growled the Kzin. Alion noticed that as he spoke, the Kzin's nostrils were constantly twitching, the sensitive hairs near them fluttering so fast they almost seemed to blur. Almost as if he were holding back a powerful sneeze, V realized, or trying to shut out an offensive smell..... or pheromones. Under different circumstances, the effect might almost have been comical, giving Kzar's face a wrinkled look that Alion would later remember as rather amusing. At the moment, though, when facing someone almost literally twice his size, known for a short temper and a liking for human flesh, the humor escaped him. He wasn't frightened, knowing that it was unlikely the Kzin would have gotten this far in Starfleet if he went around ripping crewmen that offended him to pieces. Still, that was no reason not be cautious. "Well, your species is very different from mine, Lieutenant," he said in what he hoped was a soothing and calm voice. "And since we're both assigned to this ship, we'll just have to make the best of it, won't we?" Slowly, Kzar lowered his paws and stared down intently at the impudent creature whose friendly smile was irritating him even more. "No, we don't," he responded shortly in a bass rumble. "Even being in your general vicinity annoys me more than you could possibly realize. The scents you give off, even if not done purposely, are enough to drive any self- respecting Kzin to murder, since they prey upon the brain and distort our perceptions. And from what I have read, this effect can be voluntarily intensified, making you the equivalent of a telepath, if not even worse!" Kzar almost spit the word "telepath" out, so obvious was his distaste. "Therefore," continued the Kzin, growling openly now as he dispensed with any pretense at politeness, "this will be my final visit to your office unless duty absolutely requires it. If I see you coming, I will avoid you. I do not wish to speak with you or associate with you in any way, nor have anything whatsoever to do with you outside of the strictly necessary. And for your own sake, you had better make very, very sure that you avoid me and do *not*, under any but the most extreme circumstances, call me or require my presence in any way. If I were not a Starfleet officer, I would never have wasted time on words. Instead you would have been lying dead on the floor seconds after I walked in here. Do I make myself perfectly clear?" "Sir, yes, sir!" retorted V. Realizing that he had never been ordered to stand at ease, he continued his attentive posture. Stern faced, he gave the Kzinti a pensive glance, and a final chance to speak his mind. "And if you have a god, Deltan," snarled Kzar, flexing his paws openly to display wickedly sharp claw tips, "pray that you are not anywhere near me if and when I ever put aside this uniform. I am a warrior, but I do not enjoy killing for killing's sake alone. However, in your case I would make an exception. Gladly." The young Ensign nodded, but before he could speak the Lieutenant stormed out of the office. Left with words still in his mouth, still standing at attention, the new CEO was rather dismayed. Ever since he had arrived on this low morale ship, his presence had seemed to increase it. This was his first incident onboard. After just completing the new weapons not long ago, he would now have to face this. Frowning, he knew what he had to do. He sat behind his desk, took out a PADD, and prepared to file an incident report with the new Executive Officer Commander Kraltz. The Ensign did not take lightly to harassment or threats, be it in or out of uniform. The large Kzin thought he could bully him around, but he would learn. As he began to file the complaint, he meticulously recreated the Lieutenant's sentences word for word. Realizing that this would further agitate the Lieutenant, V pondered his actions. But before he could give it a second thought, he tapped a button on the PADD, filing what would perhaps be the first black mark on the Kzinti Lieutenant's record. ************************************************** [NRPG] The first black mark? I guess most of you can tell *I* didn't write that! As I informed Chris, this would hardly be the *first* one. Many thanks to Chris for reviewing this post and adding some at the end. FMD 7.1105 Kzar gets frustrated Tim FMD 7.1115 Kzar chats with Alion Tim James: First try on psychology? Utter failure. Kzar will try again, but you've given him a very difficult assignment. Mike: I can hear another Bochu lecture coming on...... kind of like a migraine headache in its formative stages. Margaret: I'm quite curious to see how Kraltz will handle this. Joint post? I have quite a bit I'd like to say about this, or rather Kzar does. Tom: I'm sure Stef will get involved soon in one or both aspects of Kzar's problems. Sigh! Chris: I was confused at the last minute when you talked about "completing the new weapons two hours ago". So I changed it to be more general, not sure what time frame you had in mind, especially since you dated your last post. "7.8995". And thanks again. Respectfully submitted, Tim Tyson Lt Kzar USS CONSTELLATION tty99@aol.com ***This message sent by an official member of Indigo Fleet*** Are you also posting your message to the newsgroup?!!! ---END TRANSMISSION---