From: "Melvin Pollack" <pollack@enews1.nrl.navy.mil> Date: Fri, 1 Aug 1997 13:20:28 -0400 Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Catching Up, Tossing Down....
[Second Officers Log, Stardate 90801.1200. Having ended my brief reign as
First Officer, I am now free to concentrate on issues of more importance. At
present, it appears that I am still intended to join in the negotiations, so I
must continue to look at various issues, including a sudden uprising. Always
helps to read the paper.
At any rate, I also had to chastise O'Greach for holding a gambling ring.
Considering he was holding it in the middle of the hallway without a lookout,
I don't think we have to worry about him becoming Sgt Bilko. Still, the fact
that he had enough guts to pull this job has forced me to upgrade my previous
impression of him. Er.... Not that I condone his actions in any way.
A rather interesting gambling ring it was. You could bet on anything. When I
got there, he was giving 8 to 1 odds that I would die in this mission.
Naturally I was mortified. I could've gotten 10 to 1 in the Barber shop back
at the Starbase.....]
MD 14.0700.
Scene: th'Tellan's quarters
th'Tellan was reading when he heard his bell chime. "Come in."
Tats - Marush came it, albeit a bit apprehensively. "I understand that
you wanted to see me, sir."
"Yes, of course. Sit down. Have a snack. I made them yesterday."
Tats - Marush sat in one of the plush chairs. "Thank you, sir. I
didn't know you cook."
th'Tellan shrugged. "I don't do it that often. Didn't think I should
put it on my resume, either. Anyway, how was the tour, yesterday?"
"I don't know. Fairly close to what I expected, although she had a bit
mor experience at taking these tours than I thought she would. She also
implied that there was something wrong with the ShipOres delegates. It's got
to be a way to discredit the delegation, but I still think that we ought to
check it out."
th'Tellan stood up. "I agree. However, if she does know something, I
think I'd be a little more interested in how she found out. Care for a drink?"
"No thanks." Marush had to admire th'Tellan's room. They were
standard quarters, but th'Tellan obviously used his position to get the better
furniture. Rihanna artwork was everywhere, and a large bookcase filled with
hardcover books lined the opposite wall. "I got your message saying you wanted
to talk to me. I'm kind of curious about why you wanted to meet here."
th'Tellan walked to the bookcase, and moved a book partly of the shelf.
Immediately, the middle of the bookcase split apart to reveal a small room.
Marush guessed it was some sort of bar. th'Tellan took out a bottle and a
couple of glasses, and sat back down as the bookcase closed behind him.
{Should I remark on how stupid that was.}
Not enough time. Skip it.
"Romulan ale. I always need a drink before talking to counselors.
Anyway, if you want a dring, it's there." th'Tellan took a sip and continued.
"Anyway, I wanted to apologize about the other day. You know, when you went
rat hunting...."
"Oh, that. Forget it. You were right, I suppose."
"Even so, I shouldn't have cut into you so deeply. And you were
correct, other things have been bothering me. Anyway, I figured that I could
only get on your good graces if I actually went to you voluntarily. But you
can't expect me to talk about my personal life without the home court
advantage, now can you."
Marush shifted a little. "So, what's been bothering you."
"A lot of things. Some more than others. I guess the big thing then
was that my love life took an unexpected turn. At any rate, I've been feeling
a little lonely, I suppose. So I figured, maybe the Counselor can help. My
problem is...."
Marush stood up. "Mr. th'Tellan, perhaps you should know a couple of
things. First of all, I am not interested in dating another officer, something
that I consider a major mistake, and I think you should as well. Second, I can
guess your problem and I don't have any intention of helping you solve it no
matter what you think of Shevreshal actions. And third of all, I can't believe
that you would try to seduce me like this."
th'Tellan went through half a dozen emotions before settling on Vulcan
calm. He quickly drained about half the cup, and then looked at the Counselor.
"You're right. Seducing you would only cause problems. Especially since the
problem that I wanted to talk about was my recent breakup with an officer I
cared deeply for - and worked quite well with, by the way. At present, I'm not
interested in seducing anyone, let alone you, but I'll keep in mind that you'd
prefer to have nothing to do with my personal life before I try to see you
again."
Marush sat back down. "Uh, on second thought, I will have that drink."
th'Tellan poured her a glass, and watched as she drained it. "My God, I'm so
sorry. After what I said, you must think I'm.... It's just that every other
voluntary visit to the Counselor's office had resulted in a proposition. Not
that this is an excuse, but I...."
"No, I'm sorry. I guess in the end, I should have made things a lot
more formal. Rihanna tend not to be like that, but I should have made my
intentions understood up front. <Pause.> Anyway, do you think you can help me
with the break-up problem."
"Oh, of course. What was she like?"
"I guess typical female Vulcan. You know, smart, beautiful, rather
stubborn, professionally friendly and rather emotionless. There was something
else about her, too. I guess it was the way I could tell she cared about
people. She never showed it outwardly, but you could still tell. Anyway, we
started out as friends, and then a year later we decided we loved each other,
and then it took us a couple of months to admit it because we knew that a
supervisor/employee relationship would cause major problems."
"Is that why you broke up."
"Not really. It's that.... It's kind of complicated. Somewhat
embarrasing for her, so I'd rather not say. It really doesn't matter, it's the
fact that it happened so suddenly that gets me, I suppose. <Pause.> I'm
sorry, I must sound like a cliched romance novel by now."
"No, it's fine. How long had you two been dating?"
"About a year."
"Have you taken any steps to mourn the relationship."
"I haven't had time. Besides, someone's got to keep emotional
stability, and I get the impression that I'm the only one with that capability.
Maybe, after the mission...." th'Tellan trailed off, and went to focusing on
his glass.
NRPG:
Brennan: Quick question. Am I still supposed to be present at the
talks now that we have an XO.
James B: You mentioned at the end of the rat posts that you wanted
GCD. Here's your chance. Take it a way, and please don't send any notes about
how Marush would never come to another person's room.
Masako, Lynn: One of you will probably reencounter th'Tellan in my
next post. You've been warned.
James N, Matt: Welcome to the Stonewall. Everyone here is nuts.
Depending on your outlook, th'Tellan is either the nuttiest or the sanest.
Drop by and say hello.
Submitted by....
Melvin Pollack
Lt Cmdr Avikar th'Tellan
OPS USS CHESAPEAKE
mpollack@wam.umd.edu
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