2382
[USS Bellerophon, Calandra Sector]
Alpha shift had just come off duty and Lieutenant Commander John Manyen was looking forward to a cup of coffee in the mess hall, maybe even some charming company. He knew from experience that the handsome Trill engineer would most likely be there and she never seemed disinclined to share some funny stories while he had ample time to admire her spots.
Just as John rounded a corner, he heard the sound of tiny, light feet approach from ahead. What he had not anticipated was how fast that little runner was upon him, quite literally.
Before he had a chance to react, the little girl came flying out of the corridor to the right and cannoned into John. The sheer force of the impact made her bounce back and had John not quickly reached down and wrapped an arm around the tiny being with the wild, black curls, she might have ended up flat on the floor.
"Easy there," he couldn't help but laugh a bit at the little one's nonplussed expression "What's the hurry?"
Just as John rounded a corner, he heard the sound of tiny, light feet approach from ahead. What he had not anticipated was how fast that little runner was upon him, quite literally.
Before he had a chance to react, the little girl came flying out of the corridor to the right and cannoned into John. The sheer force of the impact made her bounce back and had John not quickly reached down and wrapped an arm around the tiny being with the wild, black curls, she might have ended up flat on the floor.
"Easy there," he couldn't help but laugh a bit at the little one's nonplussed expression "What's the hurry?"
"Oh, Mr. Manyen. I'm sorry I didn't mean to … M'aih said she'd meet me in the mess hall and if Lieutenant Pt'S'k says it's alright we can go look at the big nebula." The child was positively beaming and John extrapolated that the Hamalki Stellar Cartographer was probably going to enjoy having a captivated audience again - although from what he'd heard, Commander T'Sora's daughter seemed equally fascinated by Pt'S'k herself as by the projections of stellar phenomena which the spider-like being conjured up for the little Vulcan's education.
He put the girl back on her feet and extended a hand.
"In that case, would you allow me to escort you, Miss? I was headed there myself and I would be happy to have such enchanting company."
"Of course, Lieutenant Commander." it was positively adorable, the way she tried to be so polite but at the same time proudly pulled herself up to her full height of barely a meter and put a trusting, tiny hand into his.
And quite honestly, he was oddly proud, too, walking the corridor with the child by his side. Her dress, yellow and cheerful like spring flowers, was a perfect symbol for her temper, one that John still tried to figure out where it may have come from. The mother, while brilliant and for a Vulcan really quite friendly, certainly had little in common with this little whirlwind. That left the father, who at the few times John had met him had seemed like an amiable fellow, serene and thoughtful like many Betazoids, but again not really the overly energetic type.
"Mr. Manyen?"
"Yes sweetheart?"
She chuckled a bit, was it because of the term or his Texan accent which she always seemed to find extremely fascinating, he wasn't quite sure.
"Why is your face so hairy?"
"I decided to let my beard grow. You don't like it?"
"It's yellow, like the hair on your head."
"Yes, that's usually how it works." well, at least the inquisitive nature was something she shared in abundance with the ship's Science Officer.
"Ah." she seemed to mull it over for a little and then peeked up at him "I like it. It's different, nice."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it, Miss. A compliment from a pretty young lady is always appreciated."
"It is?"
They were passing one of Bellerophon's observation windows and little Sakarra craned her neck to catch a glimpse of the passing stars. There were so many of them, some of them streaming past the window and shimmering in every color imaginable, others were farther away and seemed to stand still despite the fact the starship was traveling at warp. She never grew tired of the sight and almost automatically steered closer to the window.
"What is it, sweetheart?" John looked down at the little girl and was met by a gaze out of black, soulful pools that might have been unsettling simply because they were so dark. To the human, the child had a strangely knowing look about her, as if those eyes could see what others could not - and in a way, John mused, once she grew up that might very well be the case. But the universal gesture of outstretched arms and a hopeful face made him smile. Some things were obviously the same across all humanoid races, and the way of children to say "Pick me up" was one of them.
"Right, then" he gathered her up and was briefly surprised how tiny the girl was, as light and frail as a little bird in his arm. Intellectually he knew that Vulcans, even hybrids, tended to be tougher than they looked but still he found himself trying to handle the little pointy eared one very carefully. She however, didn't seem to have a care in the universe, grabbing on to his uniform and leaning towards the window as if she could reach out and touch those glittering dots.
John was just about to point out some stars she might know, when their view rapidly changed as Bellerophon dropped out of warp and coasted to starboard in one swift movement. The child appeared surprised but curious, John however was mildly worried what might have prompted them to stop for a look in this by all accounts godforsaken region of space. And then he saw it. A ship, old and battered, obviously venting atmosphere at a rate that bode ill for anyone still aboard. Almost the same second, his commbadge chirped.
"All senior officers, report to the bridge."
"Sorry, sweetheart. Duty calls."
Little Sakarra nodded, she knew what that meant and also that her lesson probably would have to wait. She was a little disappointed but if they could help the poor ship out there, that was a good thing. After all wasn't that what M'aih said the Starfleet was about, helping people when they needed it? Well, except exploring of course, which to her was the grandest thing one could do anyways.
John waved to a crewman so he would take the girl back to her quarters and she nodded in compliance. Of course she could have found her own way but the grownups preferred to play it safe. Especially when there was some sort of emergency it was best a little one wasn't wandering the corridors alone.
Imminently logical, however mildly annoying.
Little Sakarra peered up at the human with a tilted head "May I assume you do not know where to deliver me?"
"Not quite, luv, not quite. I don't really keep up with officer's quarters, y'see?"
"Understandable. Deck three, please." she put her small hand into his and walked off, a mildly bemused but nonetheless enchanted Scotsman trailing behind her.
"Lead on then, luv."
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[2.3 hours later]
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Commander T'Sora stepped through the doors to find her little daughter completely absorbed by a large volume, one of her own Shakespeare books apparently. At the sound of the doors swishing open however the little one jumped off the bed she had stretched out on, subsequently knocking the book to the floor with a loud thud.
"M'aih. Have you helped the ship?"
The dark haired Vulcan woman looked mildly fatigued - not that anyone but her daughter would have been able to notice - but her face was as placid as ever. She cast a brief glance at the book on the floor and decided to disregard this minor incident. "So we have, ko-kan. However, there were several children aboard the transport and the Counselor would like to request your assistance."
"My assistance?" little Sakarra was surprised, but proud as well. Being asked to contribute was not something that happened every day.
"Yes. In fact, she requested the assistance of every child of suitable age, which would include you. According to her assessment, exposure to their own age group would limit the possible trauma of the experience. If you are interested and believe you may be able to contribute, you are requested to report to the sickbay at 13:00 ship's time."
"I will be there." the little girl nodded solemnly.
T'Sora acknowledged her daughter's eagerness to be of help with a tilt of the head and a facial expression which would have surprised Bellerophon's bridge crew in many ways. For the stoic Vulcan they knew now definitely had the shadow of a smile playing across her serene features.
"My assistance?" little Sakarra was surprised, but proud as well. Being asked to contribute was not something that happened every day.
"Yes. In fact, she requested the assistance of every child of suitable age, which would include you. According to her assessment, exposure to their own age group would limit the possible trauma of the experience. If you are interested and believe you may be able to contribute, you are requested to report to the sickbay at 13:00 ship's time."
"I will be there." the little girl nodded solemnly.
T'Sora acknowledged her daughter's eagerness to be of help with a tilt of the head and a facial expression which would have surprised Bellerophon's bridge crew in many ways. For the stoic Vulcan they knew now definitely had the shadow of a smile playing across her serene features.
[To be continued ...]
Lieutenant Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm Officer
USS Charon
