U.S.S. Charon
Turbolift Car
“Aerial Diplomacy – Part Two”
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[…Continued From Part One]
Lamont tapped his chest about to call engineering for help when the lift suddenly shuddered beneath his feet. The car rattled before dropping slightly as a horrible metallic twisting filled his ears. Without warning the lift suddenly plunged downward for several seconds.
Sakarra fell backwards as the lift gave way into the ambassador who instinctively pulled the woman tightly against him as he struggled to maintain his balance in the falling car. A moment later the lift’s emergency safety systems engaged slowing the falling car to a rough stop.
Lamont continued to hold the lieutenant against him as his heart furiously raced within his chest. He too could feel hers with her body pressed against his own his arms tightly secured about her slender waist.
She had just been about to turn towards the doors to see whether she could pry them open, when the floor shuddered and caught her literally off her feet. The subsequent plunge succeeded in throwing her off completely and made her fall quite unceremoniously against … well, that was … interesting.
Scent and feel of a human, emanating waves of distress but astonishingly enough, not as much as one might expect. Arms wrapped around her, at once familiar and completely foreign. To Sakarra’s surprise, the sensation was neither overwhelming nor entirely unpleasant. Rather than produce a surge of discomfort, it merely stunned her into stillness. Before the young woman could blink or regain her composure, they came to a shuddering halt.
In the sudden silence, she could hear his breathing, even as his face was pressed against her dark hair. Apparently he had no intention of letting go just yet but just as Sakarra wanted to make a small movement of protest, she realized that Lamont probably was not even aware how tightly he was holding on. Nor that under different circumstances such a brash approach might have triggered the young Vulcan’s good humor and possibly even her mischievous side. It was a rather good thing her head was still resting against the ambassador’s chest, because even in the dim blue lighting, he might have seen the tiniest of smiles tugging at her lips.
Several seconds passed and it appeared the lift had stopped for the moment. As his sense of safety returned Ian became painfully aware of what and who he was holding. His arms quickly fell away releasing the lieutenant.
“My sincere apologies lieutenant”, Lamont quickly stated. “I am truly sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” Lamont knew well the Vulcan desire for personal space and especially that of touch with another which was a particularly sensitive thing.
“There is no need for apologies, ambassador.” Sakarra did not bother to step back and simply turned her calm face upwards to study the human’s expression. “It seems you had little choice in the matter, no?”
‘Windbag’ the ambassador might be, as Mr Shenn had so astutely observed, but one had to appreciate the fact that the man remained polite even under unusual circumstances.
“However, it might be wise to call for assistance now.”
The look in her black eyes was the same that mount Vesuvio had given the towns below for millennia, from the ancient Pompeii to modern Naples. Gentle my slopes may be and warm under the southern sun, and the grapes that grow there make wine as sweet as life itself. But when the earth under your feet starts rumbling, you might want to remember what I am.
Or run for your life, that’ll about do it as well.
“Agreed”, Lamont answered tapping his comm. badge. “Lamont to Engineering.”
“Engineering here.”
“This is Ambassador Lamont. There has been a malfunction in turboshaft two. Lieutenant Tyrax and I are the unfortunate passengers. Computer overrides and controls are out of order within the lift. A rescue would be greatly appreciated. While the lieutenant’s company is quite agreeable, I do not believe either of us wishes to spend more time than is required confined to the interior of this turbolift.”
There was a short pause. “We’re just getting word of the problem. Sit tight sir, repair teams are on their way.”
“Understood. Lamont out.”
Ian turned toward the lieutenant. “Well it would seem we have a few minutes of time on our hands, ot-lan (lieutenant).” Lamont leaned against the wall of the lift. “Would conversation be welcomed as we wait for the repair teams?”
For just a moment, Sakarra considered that spending the time in silent meditation might be more helpful to her current state of mild exasperation. But as usual, her curiosity got the better of her and she gave a small, affirmative nod.
Ian smiled.
“I am unfamiliar with the phrase ‘sit tight’, ambassador. While I am certainly able to extrapolate the most likely meaning, it seems a strange suggestion nonetheless. Are we supposed to sit down and cling to something or is it rather a request to remain in position?”
Not that they actually could go anywhere, but human idioms tended to be odd like that.
Lamont chuckled. “The phrase ‘sit tight’ is a colloquial human expression used when one should remain simply as they are in a given situation. Its literal interpretation does not convey its meaning. However, I can provide you Lieutenant with the context you seek. The engineer primarily wishes for us to remain calm. The term also conveys meaning that help is on the way reinforcing the desire for us to remain calm. Additionally, the engineer does not want us touching anything which could make rescue or repairs more difficult. Tonal inflections are not typically associated with the phrase, its context tends to drive its multi-faceted meaning. Sit Tight typically carries roughly the same meaning whenever it is used which is primarily in situations of elevated stress or unusual circumstances.”
“I trust the explanation was satisfactory lieutenant Sakarra? I do not consider myself a professional linguist by any means, however one cannot help but dabble in the field when engaged in diplomatic and ambassadorial duties. Knowing which words to use or not to use in the course of diplomacy can greatly affect the course of a discussion or negotiation. Interpretation of even a single word can alter perceptions or alter entire discussions.
Take for example a tricorder. To us, it is unremarkable perhaps. To our ancient ancestors, they might consider the possession of such a device to be representative of divinity and thus worship the person who possesses it or even the object itself. Fast forward a few thousand years in human history and the same tricorder might be interpreted as an instrument of the devil or be associated with the arcane. Such people might condemn the beholder for possession of the object given their frame of reference. Fast forward further still into the age of computers and electronics and most people would probably be apathetic in regards to the tricorder being surrounded by technology on a daily basis. For a diplomat context and frame of reference is paramount to conveying messages so that the listeners truly understand precisely that which was communicated. A difficult task to be sure and one I find most interesting and satisfying.”
Lamont smiled. “Oh listen to me”, he said, “going on about diplomacy. Please forgive my verbal tangent. It was not my intent to bombard you with superfluous information in response to your question. It is a failing of us humans. We have a tendency to speak too freely at times. To use another annoying human idiom it could be referred to as the gift of gab, but I digress.”
The way Sakarra’s elegantly slanted brow climbed ever so slightly conveyed both how amused and mildly puzzled she was. “I doubt even the ship’s computer could have provided me with a more detailed explanation, ambassador.”
Gift of gab indeed. Although she would look up the definition of ‘gab’ on said computer.
Leaning against the wall, Lamont made himself as comfortable as one could be stuck in a stopped turbolift. “So tell me lieutenant, what are your observations of the Charon, her crew, and performance in general on our most recent mission? I would be quite fascinated to hear your views from a Vulcan’s perspective.”
“Vulcans prefer not to generalize, ambassador.” the young woman stated levelly. “However, considering Charon’s unusual crew complement and the extraordinary difficulties that came with our recent mission, it is certainly astonishing how well everyone has performed.”
Lamont was immensely enjoying their conversation however that feeling was soon eclipsed by a profound sense of trepidation as the telltale groan of warping metal hit his ears. The car suddenly lurched forcing Lamont to grab the handrail for support. The floor stabilized, but the high pitched whine of failing metal continued.
“I believe the logical course of action given the circumstances would be to attempt a rapid egress from this car. Would you concur with that assessment lieutenant?”
“Indeed.” There was a certain humorous aspect to the situation, especially when one considered the most unpleasant sound of straining metal in contrast with the ambassador’s even baritone. Despite the undeniable urgency his tone suggested, he seemed determined to remain impeccably polite, no matter what. Actually, Sakarra would have hardly been surprised if he had offered her a cup of tea the very moment the turbocar lost it’s hold at last and sent them to a unceremonious end.
A brief glance towards the doors confirmed that it would be unwise to attempt retreating this way.
“Considering that the damage to this part of the lift may be the only thing still keeping us in place,” she gestured to a twisted piece of metal that extended towards the inside of the turbocar by 0.48 meters while the other end apparently was lodged in the shaft “we might wish to consider an alternate route.”
Lamont tipped his head slighting in acknowledgment of the lieutenant’s sound remarks. “The access hatch should be somewhere above us. We should be able to climb out and reach the next deck via maintenance ladders within the shaft. I do not think waiting for the repair crews to arrive would be in our best interests.”
[To Be Continued…]
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Lieutenant Sakarra Tyrax
Ambassador Ian Lamont
