A (Not So) Quiet Cup of Tea

Posted on Sat Dec 30th, 2023 @ 3:04pm by Sub-Commander T'shir & Commander Saul Whitford & Lieutenant Commander Travis Paladin
Edited on on Sun Mar 31st, 2024 @ 6:53pm

3,116 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: First Deployment
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: MD 00 - 1830 Hrs
Tags: 2156, Character Development

[ON:]

T'shir worked for several hours translating recordings from a Romulan vessel and was still waiting for communications and sensor logs from the Shi'ar to upload into the computer's system's for analysis. The upload would take approximately two hours to complete assuming current operational efficiency was maintained. T'shir elected to have tea while she waited for the upload to complete.

While she found Earth's tea selections somewhat lacking, she selected a rooibos blend offered at the officer's mess and found a table in a quiet corner. She sat and began reading.

Travis had some downtime from his role in Engineering. Ben was doing outstanding at holding the fort and they had already trained the second and third shift leads for when both Ben and Travis would get some rest. As it was, Ben had told Travis he was overworking himself and had ordered his superior officer to take a break. With some minor humor filled griping, Travis complied. He chose the Mess Hall to fetch a coffee and some snacks.

The Chef had already prepared a luxurious mid-day snack bar that was available to all crew. Falling in line, Travis fetched himself some coffee - two sugars and one cream added in! - and decided on some saltine crackers with peanut butter as the snack. It was then he noticed the Vulcan in the corner. He didn't recognize her. Most of the other tables had crew on them as this was the typical lunch hour, but hers had not. Daring to make a friend, Travis approached, tray and coffee in hand.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, giving a genuine half-smile.

T'shir gestured to one of the seats with an open palm indicating that he was welcome to sit. "This time of day appears to be a popular time for crew members to convene for small meals," she stated observing more people entering the mess.

Travis accepted the offer and sat. He sipped his coffee as he nodded. "Yeah, it is," he opined, munching a saltine peanut butter cracker politely. He swallowed before he continued. "I just arrived on the Unicorn recently, haven't had a chance to meet everyone. Saw you over here, alone mind you, and thought it was a good opportunity to greet. So, um..."

He cleared his throat, extending a hand to the Vulcan. "I'm Travis Paladin, the ships new Chief Engineer. And you are?"

T'shir's eyes glanced down toward the officer's extended hand, and reluctantly gripped the human's hand for a brief handshake, an uncomfortable human custom. She lifted her gaze, reengaging eye contact with Commander Paladin. "I am Sub-Commander T'shir. I will be serving as the Chief Communications Officer during my time here."

Travis noted the awkwardness of the handshake and kept it brief. He resumed eating his food as she introduced herself formally. Swallowing and taking a sip of coffee, he gave a sincere smile to the Vulcan.

"It's a pleasure being able to serve alongside a Vulcan again," remarked the Lieutenant Commander. "I had the pleasure of serving under an attache Vulcan Commander on the UES Eberswalde. It was .... Interesting. After the Xindi attack, you Vulcans really opened up to us. I mean that metaphorically, of course. Are you here as representative of Vulcan or working with Starfleet?"

T'shir narrowed her eyes as she considered the meaning of the officer's question. "I am an officer with the Vulcan High Command and am here to assist Starfleet with its mission." T'shir took a calculated drink from her mug of tea and studied the engineer's demeanor. "Is the distinction meaningful to you, Commander?" she asked.

The Chief Engineer briefly studied the reaction from the Vulcan, realizing he could possibly be saying his intent incorrectly. Then again, Vulcans were notorious were having an overly logical approach to everything. One of the most famous examples of this was Sub-Commander T'Pol from the NX-01 Enterprise, who by the public reports of Captain Archer and crew had taken some time to "associate with the crew." The memoirs of that process were steadily becoming available to the wider public, at least what had been approved for release.

"I didn't mean any offense," Travis corrected. "My grandfather, George Paladin, though we all simply called him Uncle George, he worked with Doctor Cochrane and Henry Archer on the Warp Five program. He always told me stories about every Vulcan he had met. I've uh- ..."

Travis reassessed his approach then, having a memory of his Uncle pass through his mind. There were several people visible on a visit to the Warp Five complex, including a Doctor Tasaki and several Vulcan advisors. He then recalled the Sub-Commander who he had a few chances to talk to on the Eberswalde. A Vulcan by the name of V'Let who, despite popular expectations of their behavior, had given out some very sound advice.

"I suppose," Travis said after the moment of silence and reflection, "I that I may have approached this incorrectly. One of my most positive influences in my career was a Sub-Commander from your High Command by the name of V'Let, who I stated before was assigned to the Eberswalde. I had remembered V'Let from my childhood at the Warp Five complex, where he had kept appraised of events. It felt like to me that he never grew or aged, that he had personally monitored my progress, and those talks we had on the Eberswalde meant a lot more to me."

Travis scoffed at himself. Why was he trying to convey emotion to a Vulcan? He knew from experience that was quite possibly a fruitless affair. He had been trying to express appreciation and fumbled his attempt. He sighed.

"I uh...," Travis said, redirecting again his approach. "No, the distinction isn't important to me. I know very well Vulcans have our best interest at heart, but also they can be restrictive. But my experiences seeing V'Let and how inspiring he was led me to believe there's an interesting dynamic there. So seeing you here reminded me of that, I guess. I suppose this was all to express that appreciation, but I realize I could be doing so in error. I'm sorry if I've bothered you."

Travis prepared to grab his things and stand. Feeling rather foolish, childish, and embarrassed at having not properly conveyed himself and his appreciation of the Vulcans, he felt he had ruined this first introduction and that the only resort was to escape further shame.

"Why have you apologized, Commander? You have neither offended nor bothered me." T'shir regarded him curiously. "In fact, I have said very few words at all in our exchange. Is there a human mannerism or a vocal intonation I used that I may be unaware of that has given you that impression?"

The Chief Engineer blinked, not realizing the extent of difference between Human and Vulcan cultures. It was clear he had startled - if Vulcans had such perception of that emotion - T'shir. He gently relaxed in his seat, taking another sip of coffee as he gave a sincere nod.

"No, you used no such language," Travis corrected. "I misunderstood something and, perhaps, misunderstood your culture, Sub-Commander. I will endeavor to .... respectfully remember that."

Whitford made his way in to the Mess, intending on spending some of his downtime reading up on the capabilities of the new Yorktown class of ship he presently found himself aboard. From his talk with the Colonel, he already knew she boasted considerable armaments, but he had to admit that his inner nerd was excited to learn about the rest.

Picking up a few sandwiches and as large a mug of coffee as he could get his hands on, Whitford looked around the busy Hall. Frowning slightly, he hoped to corner a table by himself when he saw a Lieutenant Commander get up from a table where a Vulcan was sat. Ideal, he thought, considering the circumstances. Reluctantly walking over, he reflected he had never had an entirely good encounter with a Vulcan, but he supposed she would leave him well enough alone.

'Sir, is this seat free?' he asked as he approached the two.

T'shir moved over one chair so that the Lieutenant who had approached the table would not have to maneuver around either of them to reach one of the other seats, leaving her seat free and easily accessible. "You may join us, Lieutenant. We are just becoming acquainted. I was explaining to Commander Paladin that I am a sub-commander with the Vulcan High Command, and here to serve as the Unicorn's Communication's Officer. You may address me as T'shir."

'Thank you,' Whitford replied with an awkward smile as he sidled around the table to the free chair, placing the load he was carrying down on the table. 'Lieutenant Saul Whitford, Chief Armoury Officer,' he said to firstly to Paladin as he extended a hand towards the other human. 'A pleasure to meet you both.'

Travis shook the hand, "Welcome to the Unicorn, Lieutenant!" he said, a half-smirk on his expression. Releasing the hand after the shake, Travis resumed nibbling his meal. Though he did find it quite odd that Saul hadn't properly addressed the Vulcan. Then again, as before, he could be misunderstanding the exchange.

"To finish my remark from before, Sub-Commander, it's a pleasure having you here," Travis said, a genuine smile briefly playing his lips as he nodded at T'shir. He then turned his attention to the new arrival. "Chief Armoury Officer, huh? You go through any MACO training at all, Mr. Whitford?"

'No MACO training, sir. I'm Starfleet through and through - worked my way up through ship operations and security. If there's any ship-to-ship fighting, that's where I'll be most useful. Leave the ground pounding to the MACO,' Saul took his seat. 'If I may ask, sir, what department are you heading up?'

"I'll the Chief Engineer," replied Travis, giving a nod to Saul after his explanation. "My job is to keep and maintain our new Warp 7 Manifold reactor in tip-top shape. I've had to do a little studying up to ensure I'm prepared for the task, but I think I got things down now. I minored in Security at the Academy, so if you ever need a hand, I'm qualified to assist."

He turned to look at the Vulcan. "What about you, Sub-Commander. You're Chief Communications Officer, right?"

"Indeed. I am fluent in 53 languages, including the three main dialects of the Romulan language, Rihan. With the Vulcan High Command I often traveled with various Ambassadors." T'shir took a moment to make eye contact with each of the men who had accompanied her at the table. "While I have interacted with humans frequently for the last three years, the exchanges were often in more formal settings. I am considered an accomplished linguist by the Vulcan Science Academy yet this conversation alone has created cause for me to doubt my fluency level with the English language." The communications officer did not express concern about her statement, she spoke as if she were stating a simple fact.

Travis listened as the Vulcan spoke, then something familiar nicked at his mind. He had read and been around Vulcans in his youth. V'let, the one had had referenced earlier, had mentioned something similar - though in a more subtle way. There was also something else nicking at his mind from his childhood, though all he seemed to recall was a autistic friend who had issues comprehend complex communication. Anthony, as Travis recalled him, was a brief friend for five years of his early teens life. Travis recalled at one point his mom had to sit him down to help better communicate. It felt like something similar could be going on here, but without some sort of disability. Moreso like a cultural difference.

"Maybe you're not used to subtle cues in communication?" offered Travis. "Humans evolved from primates and most of our evolution, our communication depended on certain cues that - to us - seem downright natural. Modern humans use these cues to better convey information, help the other party know when to talk or when to stop, and other social cues. For example, I could wink at Mr. Whitford here while I insulted him and give a smile, but instead of taking it harshly it would be a cue that I was joking. Another example would be earlier, when I about rose up to see another seat. I had thought your lack of engagement in my conversation, namely compliments, had expressed disinterest and was caught off guard when you corrected me."

"Early in our conversation you asked a question, and I believe I gave you an adequate answer. Afterwards, I asked a follow-up question." T'shir tilted her head slightly as she continued speaking, "Which is typically how one expresses a willingness to continue conversing on the topic. I do not believe you answered my question, Commander. But you did seem intent on apologizing, though no harm was done."

"Cultural misunderstandings are to be expected. Humans embrace much of that which Vulcans have spent centuries purging from our society. However, I was speaking on the language itself. While the two of you were talking to one another I heard several unfamiliar phrases, 'Ground Pounding' for example." She enunciated the syllables of the new phrase carefully as she admitted the deficit in her vocabulary to the Commander and Lieutenant.

'Ah, it means conducting combat operations on a planet's surface, broadly,' Whitford replied after a moment. He hadn't anticipated as much conversation as this, despite being outgoing himself, 'I hadn't considered linguistic difficulties on the part of Vulcans.' He wondered if his ill-feelings towards them was based on misunderstandings in conversation. 'You've always seemed so calm and ... in control really.'

T'shir tilted her head in a slight nod of appreciation. "Thank you for your explanation, Lieutenant. It is apparent that I will learn a great deal while serving aboard an Earth vessel," she responded looking at both of the officers. "Your willingness to engage in discourse about your observations of the Vulcans that you have encountered, myself included is quite helpful," she added.

Travis glanced at Saul, then back at the Vulcan. Perhaps the general opinion humanity had on the Vulcans was entirely incorrect. Perhaps it was due in large part to communication errors. He gave a nod to T'shir. "You're very welcome, I'm very happy we've confronted a few issues and provided some remedies," he said as he finished his meal.

"Though, I think we should plan future get-togethers if you'd really like to explore the linguistic differences," Travis offered. "Perhaps Lieutenant Whitford would be willing as well. We could even ... help you interpret your experiences maybe?"

"That would be agreeable," T'shir responded. For a Vulcan this was a particularly warm reaction to the suggestion. There was logic in developing positive relationships with her fellow crew members, and these two had seemed willing to engage in analytical discourse, a trait that T'shir could appreciate.

Travis nodded, smiling, then thought for a moment. "What do the Vulcans think of the Romulans, exactly? How they attacked us? And what would be your perception of that?"

T'shir considered the question a moment. She understood that among humans questions of politics and war could become emotionally charged rather quickly. It was these topics that caused self-destructive behavior among her own people centuries ago before they learned to turn to logic. The High Command had warned the Humans that rushing into space exploration too quickly could potentially lead to unwanted conflict.

"The collective thoughts of the Vulcans are not relevant, nor or my own perceptions. What is important is that they not be permitted to expand their territory," T'shir responded.

'Aggressively expand their territory, or not at all?' Whitford asked, leaning his elbows on the table, fingers interlaced. 'After all, Coalition members have been able to expand their claims across the quadrant both peacefully and aggressively over the past century. Or is it simply that the balance of power between the Romulans, Klingons and Vulcans is at a comfortable equilibrium?'

Travis was quiet as he listened to the exchange between T'shir and Saul. T'shir did have a point, particularly towards the war. It wouldn't do to allow an aggressive empire to expand unjustly. However Saul had brought up an excellent observation that Allies and Friends to United Earth had been able to expand - both peacefully and aggressively - without retaliation equal to what was transpiring now. It was a humbling perspective.

"I won't speak on behalf of T'shir," Travis offered finally after thinking it over, "but I believe she is right. To permit the Romulans to expand right now could be interpreted in a negative way. Instead of, say, what you mentioned. How other coalition members including Earth have expanded, sometimes aggressively and sometimes peacefully, but none of us have never undertaken an expansion on the same grounds and premise as the Romulans."

"Simply put, the Romulans are not explorers like yourselves. They are territorial and from what we have learned are most likely to conquer and enslave rather than seek a cooperative and diplomatic relationship over worlds that they encounter," T'shir explained. "Human optimism may hope for different results, but a logical analysis of recent and past behaviors predict otherwise." T'shir turned to the two men. "I must now return to my work. An upload of data from Vulcan should now be complete. I do look forward to future conversations with you both." T'shir picked up her cup and stood to take her leave from the table.

"Yeah, it's been great talking with you two, and I appreciate your insight T'shir," smiled Travis as he rose. "I should go check on Ben and see if he needs a hand with anything. We're still shaping up engineering."

Travis gave a half-cocked smiled to both. "Sub-Commander, Lieutenant," he stated in farewell.

Also standing, Whitford smiled and nodded at both, 'it was a pleasure for me also.' He waved his PADD, 'I think I'll commandeer this table for a bit, keep on reading about our armaments.' He looked at T'Shir, almost shyly, then at the Commander and grinned again, 'it was an interesting chat. I hope we can have another one in the future.'

T'shir tilted her head slightly in a nod of farewell. "Until next time, gentlemen."

[OFF:]

Lieutenant Commander Travis Paladin
Chief Engineering Officer
UES Unicorn

&

Lieutenant Saul Whitford
Chief Armoury Officer
UES Unicorn

&

Sub-Commander T'shir
Chief Communications Officer
UES Unicorn

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