Ten Years Ago

[Lerak trPexil 0]

Ten Years Ago

 

RES Talon

ch'Rihan Shipyards

 

This had to the single most disappointing bit of news Lerak tr’Pexil heard since arriving on the Talon: a new, very skilled engineer would soon arrive to replace him. Daise’Engineer tr’Nimrod had only just informed him that this new engineer was an AQS specialist and would be taking over his duties in that area.

 

“What is left for me to do?” Lerak thought to himself as he clutched his duty ISD, “Clean?” Just then, he received a message on the device — a special assignment from the Daise about the new scout ship conversions that were being implemented fleet-wide. Out loud the Arrain exclaimed with frustration, “Great, shoved out of my job and the engineering deck.”

 

“Au are going to just step aside and let some inexperienced Erein come in and take over?” a passing Ne’Arrain asked, hearing his rant.

 

“I have little choice in the matter. Her credentials are quite impressive,” Lerak answered.

 

“Credentials are na everything,” he pointed out before moving on.

 

Lerak held still while contemplating the Ne’Arrain’s words. He was inclined to agree, but he wouldn’t know for certain until he met this “Laehval.” Unfortunately for him, he did not have long to wait.

Shortly before the start of the next shift, the new female Erein arrived aboard the Talon, materializing on the transporter pad a few decks, already dressed in engineering attire. The stoic woman stepped down and held up a hand to stop the operator’s inquiry, speaking firmly, “I know the layout, hann’yyo.”

 

Laehval kept on walking and the door closed behind her more quickly than the hapless operator could react. She knew the layout of the ship more intimately than anyone could imagine; she had been assistant team leader in the shipyards when the Talon had received its last overhaul. There were rumors that the AQS efficiency under a certain engineer’s watch was not up to new shipyard standards. She was determined to set that right and increase the efficiency on all systems, far beyond what the regulations required. The shortest distance to fixing this travesty was a straight line to the rokhinu Lerak tr’Pexil.

 

Before she even visited her quarters, she strode into Engineering, determined to make a good impression on her new Daise. Personnel were packed into every display and console on the engineering deck, but she was only focused on the AQS station and the lone figure that stood there. Laehval recognized him immediately from the holo in his Galae data file. Her icy glare could cut through the thickest of alloys, but in this case a simple skull will do. She ignored the others in the department, walking through to stand behind him, peering over his shoulder to see what sort of work he was doing.

 

“Well?” she asked, making her displeasure clear to tr’Pexil and all those around.

 

He turned and stared, not recognizing her. “Well, what?”

 

“These numbers… ninety-three percent efficiency rating. Where did you learn how to tune this AQS, a kll’inghann garbage vessel?”

 

“I… uh…,” he stammered, continuing to stare. His brow furrowed slowly as he noted her rank. “I do na like your tone, Erein. Who are au?”

 

“Your replacement here, and na a moment too soon from what I can see. Elements, what are au doing to that cross-connect?” she asked as she studied his console. She shouldered him aside, hovering in front of the console in such a way that he’d either have to step back or plaster himself to her. Taken aback by her attitude, he moved away, staring. She was chewing on her lower lip as she flitted through the control panels and seemed to have forgotten his presence entirely.

 

“You are Laehval t’Temarr,” he said, stating the obvious.

 

“Ie,” she said irritably, “and I know full well who au are.”

 

“Oh really? Then au have me at a disadvantage. What do au know of me,” his irritability rising in kind.

 

“Lerak Kvan tr’Pexil, son of Kuval and Aluna, brother to Lithara, rank: Arrain,” she rattled off without looking up. “Posted to the RES Talon two years ago, specialization undecided, service record mediocre, efficiency rating questionable.”

 

He mildly protested, “I will agree on the family structure, but na on the service or efficiency. It matters na as the Galae seems to agree in sending au.”

 

“Ie, they did,” she said, looking up to study him properly for the first time. “They feel there is need and decided I was best to fill it. I am sure au will be useful in other areas.”

 

If there was a precedent for rihannsu known for punching foes in the gut, Lerak just bared witness. But the female didn’t seem to care how badly she trod on his feelings; the steady gaze fixed on him was cold and merciless.

 

A hand was laid on each of their shoulders suddenly, startling them both, “There au are, Erein t’Temarr. I see au two are getting acquainted.” tr’Nimrod smiled. “Is tr’Pexil getting au caught up on our systems and procedures?”

 

Laehval opened her mouth, but Lerak quickly interjected, “Ie, and what we do na finish here we are going to catch up over a welcome dinner,” he turned his head to smile wickedly at her, “just the two of us.”

 

Laehval stared at him, eyes slightly narrowed. Unwilling to verbally attack him in front of the Daise, she muttered, “Ie, I am sure we have much to discuss.”

 

tr’Nimrod was all too happy to clear up their schedules for this dinner. Some time later, the pair found themselves seated in stony silence across from one another at the table in Lerak’s quarters.

 

“Is aur dish satisfactory?” Lerak asked to break the quiet.

 

“Na. It is tasteless. Or perhaps it is the company that I do na like,” she said irritably. “What is the purpose of this façade?”

 

“Company? Au do na even know me, have never met me before today. Have au always been this difficult to work with?” Pexil struck out.

 

“Na,” she countered, “na with competent officers. I can na tolerate laziness. Are au always this frustrating?”

 

Laughs. “Not until today. First truly high-strung unobtainable perfectionist I have ran across in my time here. More drink?”

 

She stared at him for a another heartbeat, then pushed her glass toward him. “Ie. I have a feeling I am going to need it.”

 

Pouring, he asked, “How do au know this is not poisoned? Are au sleepy?”

 

“If I am destined to serve aboard this ship with someone who will accept a ninety-three efficiency rating, then I will thank au for the honor of putting me out of my misery.”

 

“I would not kill au so easily. The work here may see to that. But make no mistake, I, along with others, will be watching. Many here are resistant to change, having hardened in their positions here.”

 

“And it is that change that will bring about your downfall,” her jaw hardened. “I did na work as hard as I did to serve aboard a ship that only did things halfway. If au can na accept that, then perhaps au should ask for a transfer.”

 

Pexil frowned, “Au have already gotten your wish. I will still be here, still engineering, but in the flight bay overhauling all craft there.”

 

Her eyes brightened quite suddenly as though she’d forgotten their previous arguments. “If I was na obsessed with power systems, I would have requested that. Au have na seen the upgrades Galae has approved, have au?”

 

“I have not been briefed on the changes. And it is not like au are Daise or anything.” Pexil smiles. “Someone as ‘workaholic’ as au seem to be could na possibly get people to work under au for long.”

 

“I have na interest in command,” she said haughtily. “I do na care of I am an Erein for the duration. All I have ever wanted was to serve on a D’Deridex class and to be left alone.”

 

“Left alone on a ship close to one thousand on board? Really?” Pexil leaned back in his chair. “I could build a series of walls around the AQS so au two can get more efficient.”

 

“Au have na idea what I mean,” she said coldly, rising from her seat to leave. “Do na blame me for aur deficiencies. I came here to do my duty and am determined to make this ship the best in the fleet.”

 

He rose in kind, “Is it always about the deficiencies of others? Au will need help in maintaining a more efficient rating on the AQS. Consider working with those here and not in any cocoon au create for yourself.”

 

“Why? There is na a single person on this ship that understands what it means to be truly efficient, else it would have been seen to long ago! I have been given special permission to refit this ship as I think necessary and I do na intend to neglect my duty, help or na.”

 

Lerak looked into her eyes for a moment, seeing her disdain for him and any work he did here. Working with this woman… gah, the thought of it.

 

“Now, if au had nothing further, I am reporting back to Engineering, where I will remain for the duration.” She glared at him, almost daring him to challenge her further.

 

“Au do that. Careful not to treat those around au like slaves,” he spat. “At first this meeting was merely to agitate, then I thought, na I should reach out to this woman, no matter how cold her icy exterior. Seems my first thought was the true io.” Pexil was shaken, raising his voice unnaturally.

 

“It is fortunate that we will na be working the same shift,” she shot back, her voice also rising in anger as she strode out of his quarters, “and I will be most pleased to never have dealings with au on this ship, ever again!”

 

Her last words were accompanied by the door closing behind her. The lone engineer got out a tiny sealed vial from his pocket that contained a colorless liquid of deadly proportions. Lerak got up and shoved it deep in a drawer. He’d chosen na to use it… yet. He could na help but wonder if he had made the right decision.

[KhreRiovtRex 0]

Great log you two!! I look forward to more!

 

t'Rexan