From voyager@massmed.org Tue Jun 23 19:39:29 1998 Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 19:13:24 -0600 From: "Michael A. Natale, MD" To: INDIGO FLEET List Serve Subject: [INDIGO] [DANTEXF] SB ALIGHIERI: My Door is Always Open [The following text is in the "iso-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] ---OFFICIAL INDIGO FLEET TRANSMISSION--- Date: Mon, 8 Jun 1998 21:09:23 -0400 From: "Michael A. Natale, MD" Subject: [INDIGO] [DANTEXF] SB ALIGHIERI: My Door is Always Open Location: SB ALIGHIERI, DS-230 Stardate: 100609.0300 GMT FMD: 6.0805 Scene: Tao Windstar's Quarters Tao had been sleeping soundly, considering that opportunities to sleep had been few and far between these days. He had even been able to find a brief reprieve from the grief he felt over the loss of his friend and the injuries suffered by Ariana Basek. He had been dreaming of the starlit pools back on his homeworld and how he had gone there many times as a child to ponder what lay out there among the stars when the bell to his door chimed, arousing him from his slumber. He slowly got out of bed, rubbed his weary eyes and pulled on a robe before answering the chime. "Come," he called as he took a seat in a comfortable chair, wondering who would be bothering him during his time off. A look of utter surprise (his mother would have prodded him to close his mouth less he swallow a dragon) came over him as the door opened. "Saevok! Your the last person I expected to see this morning. Is there a security problem?" Tao sensed strong emotions eminating from the Vulcan, and this too surprised him. The Vulcan stepped inside and stood there in front of Tao, his hands behind his back the way most Vulcans stood, as if always at attention. In his usual monotone voice that hid any idea of his presence, he said, "I have come to seek your counsel." "You've come to seek my counsel!" Tao asked increduously, not sure how to answer. "Shouldn't you be speaking with another Vulcan?" Saevok cocked his head slightly and raised his right eyebrow. "There are no other Vulcans aboard ALIGHIERI at this time with whom I share a 'kinship'. I am familiar with your biography. You have spent many years on Vulcan studying at the Temple of Gol at the invitation of Ambassador Spock and are well informed on Vulcan matters. Also taking into account your exceptional psionic abilities, our familiarity with each other and the fact that you are a senior officer, it was a logical decision to approach you." He stood quietly awaiting a response. Tao looked up at the Vulcan before him and then motioned to another chair in the room. "Please take a seat before I get a stiff neck from looking up at you." After Saevok had complied and taken a seat, Tao continued, "Now what seems to be the problem." Saevok seemed to hesitate for a moment, and Tao sensed a growing level of something he could only describe as anxiety. From anyone else he might not think twice, but this was a Vulcan! "Over the past few months I have noticed that I no longer procure satisfaction from my responsibilities as head of security aboard this station," he started. *Oh no, here it comes again. Another individual wanting a transfer* thought Tao. Out loud he asked, "Why aren't you happy here?" "My 'happiness' is irrelevant. I feel that I am no longer able to carry out the responsibilities of Chief Security Officer as my judgemnet may be hampered by the fact that I have not been able to maintain a proper sleep schedule." Tao smiled at this statement. "Saevok, no one has been able to sleep well these past few weeks." Saevok's expression did not change at this revelation. "I was not referring to the amount of work of late." The Vulcan seemed to contemplate what to say next, or maybe it was whether or not to say it. That internal struggle was short lived as he said, "I am having trouble sleeping due to unsolicited nocturnal unconscious dreaming." Tao wrinkled his face for a moment as he tried to play out what Saevok had just said, then brightened as it dawned on him. "You're having nightmares!" Saevok's right eyebrow went up again. "That is what I said." "How can I help?" inquired Tao. "I would like you to meld with me. I need you to probe my memories to find a reason for my unrest." Tao knew this was the hardest thing a Vulcan would ever ask, especially of someone not Vulcan. "Agreed. Name the time and place," answered Tao resolutely. "An old Earth saying states 'There is no time like the present'," the Vulcan said. Tao blinked in surprise. He quickly ran through his daily schedule in his head and found he had no pressing engagements. "Computer, restrict all incoming calls to priority one only, authorization Tao-Beta-Seven." [Authorization approved,] replied the computer. Tao then got up and walked into the adjoining room, reappearing moments later with two candles in his hands. "Ceremonial candles from the Temple of Gol," he said in explanation, and Saevok nodded approvingly. Tao pulled his chair closer to Saevok's. He then placed the candles on a nearby table and lit them. Then he asked, "Are you sure you want to do this? You realize all your memories will be open to me." "As your memories will be to me. I know what I am doing," replied Saevok. Tao reached over and placed his right hand on Saevok's temple and said, "Your mind to my mind, your thoughts to my thoughts...." Once inside Saevok's mind, Tao was instantly overwhelmed by the strong emotions present. It disturbed him to sense such strong passions so close to the surface in a Vulcan. He had only sensed such emotions in a Vulcan a handful of times before during his time at Gol. It didn't take him long to realize what it was he felt. It was the Pon Far, that brief time in a Vulcan's life every seven years when they lost control of their emotions. But Saevok had never mentioned the coming of the Pon Far before. That was not logical as Starfleet made allowances for Vulcan's to return for the Pon Far. Tao next realized that the Pon Far had been present for months, probably beginning around the time of his posting to ALIGHIERI. And Saevok had been trying to suppress it. Such an act could lead a Vulcan to madness. Tao felt this could be part of Saevok's problem but sensed there was more, so he continued to delve deeper. < Eric: I'll leave the details of Saevok's past for you to post as part of the meld> ******************************* FMD: 6.1000 Scene: Tao's Quarters ******************************* Their breathing patterns slowly began to diverge as Tao and Saevok seperated themselves from the mind-meld. Sweat had formed on both their brows. Tao opened his eyes and waited for Saevok to do likewise. Once he did, Tao said, "You are in Pon Far. How long did you think you could suppress it?" "As long as necessary, " Saevok heaved, wiping the sweat from his face. "I have erected a mental barrier that will keep it in check for a while longer, but you can't suppress it forever. You will have to take a trip back to Vulcan soon or find a mate here," Tao stated. "As for your other problem, it is clear that you were meant for a life in the sciences. It is where your mind wants to be. Yes, you've been good at what you do, but your mind understands the intricacies of Science in a way few others are privileged to experience. I know because I share that trait with you. And seeing as ALIGHIERI needs a new Chief Science Officer, it would be logical for you to assume the responsibilities for which you show great promise." Tao finished his statement and sat back in his chair to catch his breath. Saevok was quiet as he contemplated what Tao had said. "I will take your advice under consideration. Before I make a decision, though, it would be logical to discuss this development with CDR Yssar, as he is my commanding officer." Tao brightened at the thought. "Good idea. As a matter of fact, I believe he is on duty in Ops this very moment. And remember, 'There is no time like the present'." Saevok nodded his confirmation and stood to leave. As the doors opened, he turned and said, "Thank you for your assistance in this matter, Commander." Tao smiled and watched the Vulcan leave his quarters. When Saevok was gone, Tao picked up his commbadge and tapped it, saying, "LCDR Windstar to CDR Yssar. I think I have a solution to our vacant CSciO position. He's headed your way." And then explained what he meant to Greyclaw. NRPG: Eric: I hope this is what you wanted. Now to David. David: The ball's in your court. Timeline: FMD: 6.0805 Saevok pays Tao a surprise visit Mike N FMD: 6.1000 Tao help make a change in Saevok's life Mike N Respectfully submitted, LCDR Tao Windstar (aka Michael Natale) XO, SB ALIGHIERI, DS-230 voyager@massmed.org ***This message sent by an official member of Indigo Fleet*** Are you also posting your message to the newsgroup?!!! ---END TRANSMISSION---