[USS Charon, Sickbay]
The large Russian blinked in surprise at her athletic move and stared at her with a mix of awe and admiration. "That was impressive... It would seem my first thought about you was correct." he said to her and actually smiled for the first time for real. "The graceful moves, the quick reflexes and the long hair. You are one of the very rare and mostly unknown warrior caste of Vulcan aren't you?" he asked her softly and quietly incase it was something she was keeping from the rest of the crew, he knew Vulcans desired privacy.
This time, Sakarra looked at him with open astonishment. For a human to even understand the concept was … rare.
After a few seconds, she nodded slowly "Unknown ... I am not certain whether this is the correct word. The V'Ket is not hiding their presence. However, you are correct in that those of us who … choose this path do not usually advertise it to outworlders. It is considered somewhat … impolite."
Mostly towards other Vulcans who were mildly appalled by the idea that aliens could see their race as anything remotely threatening, but that was another thing that was not usually shared. Sakarra had the impression that neither humans nor Andorians for example would be mightily upset by the idea that there were some Vulcans trained in combat rather than sciences, after all those in Starfleet were as a matter of course.
But it was a dangerously thin line one was walking on a world that was devoted to peace, even though every last of the V'Ket would like nothing better than see the day when they could put their weapons to rest and tend their gardens.
"But yes, you are quite correct in your observation." she inclined her head slightly, still somewhat bemused but at least composed "I am t'naeh'ru."
He nodded to her. "I thought it was so. I respect your choice to defend your people, I can only imagine it was a difficult choice on a planet of peace to take up the art of war." he said to her softly. "But there are some things that are worth fighting for, don't you think?" he said looking over at her more relaxed now and breathing steadily thanks to the Neuropressure.
"As I have pointed out earlier, Mr Chernienko, we live in a universe where entropy exists. There are those who will choose to not speed it, at the cost of their own lives if need be. I often feel it requires more strength to place peace above all other consideration than to take up arms. And it is quite possible that whatever may befall a Vulcan such as this, his Katra will be whole and possess a serenity I can never know."
Sakarra paused for a moment, her black eyes deeply thoughtful, while a mild expression was shining in their depths.
"Maybe we would be wiser to heed their words, but it is the nature of these days that the wise one who will do no harm is the first to be crushed by those who will use violence to achieve their goals, or merely because it amuses them. It is for that reason a few of us will stand in between the philosopher and the sword, Mr Chernienko. For as long as one of the peaceful one's lives, there may be hope for us as well."
She pulled the covers back over the tall human and adjusted his pillow before pulling the small table closer to the bed so he could reach easier for the food if he should decide to give it another try.
"And of course it would be somewhat rude to expect our allies to defend us all the time without providing at least some help, no?"
He nodded at that statement. "I believe that as well. We humans have tried to become a race of peace and science, but Starfleet is it's protective branch it's warriors." he said to her and reached over toward the food once more. This time he could get to it without trouble and was able to enjoy the eastern delights she had brought.
"There will always be ones who try to hurt the people who can't or wont defend themselves. Peace has always been dearly bought and held only by the brave few who will fight to protect it. It is a worth while sacrifice for people like us to not be welcome in that peaceful world." he said feeling he understood her choices.
"Thankfully, Mr Chernienko, I can say my world accepts me for who and what I am. And even those who will disagree with either, will hardly ever be so rude as to confront me about it. In return of course it is only polite for me to … make myself known so one who might be offended may maintain distance. But I believe you were already aware of the latter fact."
She was still quite impressed he had such knowledge of Vulcan culture, although of course humans were a never ending source of surprises.
He smiled a little at that. "Da, The long hair was the sign of your difference between the Scholars and the monks. It marks you as a servant of the wilder days before the logic evolution if I remember correctly. Arie told me these things a very long time ago." he explained to her. As he mentioned his beautiful wife's name his face fell into a thoughtful and sorrowful scowl and he shook his head. It lasted only a moment so perhaps she hadn't seen it he told himself.
In any other circumstance, it would have been polite and appropriate to ignore what she had seen. And felt, however briefly. But considering that it was all but inevitable something like this might happen again, it would in fact be rude not to inform him.
"Arie was quite correct that it is the mark of those who are inclined to uphold old traditions. That may include matriarchs and other women of all manner of social standing, however they will be easily distinguished by their more … elaborate style, both in hair and clothing. However, c'thia, or logic as you call it, is as deeply ingrained in us as it is in the scholars and monks."
She stepped closer to the biobed, almost close enough to touch, and let her level gaze rest on his face.
"You feel you must not burden me with your sorrow, Mr Chernienko? As a Vulcan, I can relate, even appreciate that. But it has already become difficult for me to shield from intense emotions, especially in such close proximity and while the connection has not yet faded. Please understand I am no stranger to sorrow and I will not be offended by your grief for a beloved."
Nikolai looked over at her and smiled sadly letting his grief show as she had already seen. "She was a wonderful woman and a fellow Marine.. a Strong woman and a warrior like yourself. It saddened her to have to stay behind on the starbase when I shipped out that last time. She very much wanted to go herself. At times I can only imagine that she died disappointed and alone with only my parents with her to take care of her in her condition." he said to her sadly.
"I'm sorry if my emotions are causing you discomfort as well Sakkaravich, I knew you were touch sensitive so these treatments are not only giving you my physical pain but my emotional ones as well." he said sadly to her. He reached out and carefully avoided making skin contact and just patted her arm softly. It was the most tender gesture he had given another living being in so many long years.
What a difference from the man who had been mad with pain and rage not too long ago. The light bruises on Sakarra's neck had just faded and already he was not afraid to show what even humans who had not been through the horrors he had been subjected to would find difficult to share with a person they were just getting to know. Let alone a Vulcan.
Fascinating.
"I understand the … sadness your bondmate must have experienced. It is difficult to be the one left behind. But alone? I have only little understanding of humans, yet I have reason to believe you are capable of forming exceptionally strong bonds. One cannot be truly alone as long as such a bond exists."
And there were times when Sakarra thought it might be better to die, knowing that bond was there, than to live and feel it tear apart.
"And you need not apologize, although I appreciate the courtesy." she said mildly.
Following an impulse, the young woman slowly raised her fingertips to the human's face, and when he neither flinched nor protested, brushed against the meld-points with the lightness of a feather.
For a brief moment, the image of a Vulcan woman floated through the mind link, her dark eyes as serene as her face but glowing with a silent, gentle humor. And before Sakarra could even decide whether to share this as well, the image of a human, leaning against a small, battered fighter, and this one's smile was like the sun coming up over the Vathax mountains.
Before any emotion that might throw the Marine into terrible distress could follow those images, the young Vulcan retreated.
"It is no pain I do not already know, Nikolai Chernienko."
Nikolai let the images pass through his mind easily so that she could see his lovely Arie. So pale of skin and dark of hair. Always a smile on her face that hid the barly armor hidden deep down.
As he was conjuring up the image of her the link allowed him a brief glace into Sakkara's past as well. When she pulled back he could still see the human leaning against the battered fightercraft. He looked over at the young Vulcan woman and nodded his head. "He was close to you as my Arie was to me?" he asked her softly.
After all those years, it was still … difficult to speak of it.
And what was there to say? He might have become that and more, but the bond was torn apart before it ever had a chance to grow? How did one measure the depth of feeling for another, the closeness of hearts, or understand the meaning of something that defied definition by it's very nature?
So she simply nodded.
He nodded back to her and this time actually took her hand in his. As he took her hand he brought up the best Memory of Arie he had, the most happy one. The day they were married onboard the USS Saratoga by his friend General Mitchell.
He let that Image and that feeling flow to her through the Vulcan's telepathic connection to him. It was the very least he could do back for everything she had done for him.
At first, the young Vulcan blinked at the unexpected intensity of the contact. She had seen him reach out and remained still, but it was obvious that this human was a fast learner. Not only had he already grasped the concept of touch telepathy, but he could order his mind enough to select what he wished to share. Quite … astonishing. And something Sakarra had experienced in non-Vulcans only twice before, at least without any tutoring.
She let the images and emotions permeate her mind, before they coalesced into a coherent memory and as such took their place among her own. It was a good memory, and she allowed herself to linger with it just a little while longer.
Blinking once more, the young woman looked down at her hand and noticed with a surge of mild amusement how it completely vanished in the Marine's surprisingly light grasp.
She inclined her head in a gesture of gratitude, and for a brief moment, a silent smile was shining in her eyes.
"I should let you rest, Mr Chernienko." she said in a low, unusually soft voice.
Strange, how a simple visit to bring food had turned into … this. But it would not do to overtax the still badly injured man, let alone it was getting late. The noise outside had disappeared long ago and Sakarra would have to take care not to wake any of the other patients. But if there was something a Vulcan excelled at, it was moving silently. A Vulcan trained by her mentor should be able to do it even in such a dress.
He gently released her from his large hand and nodded to her. "If you wish, I would prefer you to call me Nikolai, Commander. And yes I am very tired but I want you to know how much I appreciate your visit and the gesture of the food that you brought. And I hope that small vision of happiness will last you the rest of the night and not to dwell on the other images we have just shared." he said to her in a voice both deep and soft, as only a Russian could give. People often misunderstood the Russians and assumed they were a emotionally closed people, nothing was further from the truth.
"K'zhir t'du 'eh t'nay-veh, Nikolai. I am called S`ak-hára."
Indeed an astonishing change. But a most gratifying one as well.
"I have the same hope for you. Good night, … Nikolai."
With this, she gave another nod and pivoted around, striding out into the dark and silent sickbay.
He watched her go striding back out into the darkened sickbay and slowly practiced calling her true name. "S'ak-hara" he whispered to himself. He would remember that name and her no matter what the Tyrant of Charon had in store for him. Even if he was brought back to Federation space in chains and locked away forever he would remember this moment of kindness. He leaned back into his bed and closed his eyes sinking into a peaceful dream for the first time since Arie had been taken from him.
[End Log]
Lieutenant Commander Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helmsman and Acting Executive Officer
&
Marine Captain Nikolai Chernienko
Platoon Leader
USS Charon
