Ambiguity

[T'Prise 0]

(Takes place between the Personal Log and Disambiguity)

 

 

"Commander?" a voice questioned softly, approaching the Manticore's First Officer and shaking her from her reverie.

 

Jerked from her dark thoughts, Commander Farrington turned, momentarily disoriented. It took her several seconds to notice the science officer standing next to her, clutching a small case. "T'Prise."

 

The Vulcan's eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed the situation and the Commander's mood. "I apologize, I did not mean to startle you."

 

"Oh, no. That's fine," Farrington replied. "Something I can help you with?"

 

Still gazing at the Commander, as if deciding how to approach something that weighed heavily on her mind, T'Prise was silent for a moment before speaking. "I believe I am facing what may be viewed as a moral and ethical dilemma."

 

Farrington turned as much as she could in their cramped quarters, adjusting her position to face the science officer as though she were trying to give them at least a semblance of privacy. She glanced down at the container with an air of recognition. "A moral and ethical dilemma? More of a dilemma than we face with the shuttle?"

 

T'Prise nodded, obviously reluctant to speak about something, but in need to some sort of guidance. "It is logical to conclude that our distress call was received by the Manticore and they are at this time en-route to the scout ship. To worry about the present situation is neither rational nor helpful, when probabilities suggest we will be rescued," she paused for a moment, choosing her next words carefully. "I believe that something was inadvertently discovered today that may have far reaching repercussions for a certain individual and perhaps the rest of the crew as well."

 

The Commander seemed both amused and chagrined at the Vulcan's assessment of the situation, though she tried to hide it. After a deep breath she said, "Please. Go on."

 

The Vulcan hesitated for the space of another second before opening the sample container and retrieving a metal object from within to hold up in the dim emergency lights. "Dr. t'Tamarak removed this when she was operating on Dr. Chalice, as it had already partially dislodged itself; Chalice also has several other similar implants but they were not in a condition to be removed."

 

Commander Farrington didn't seem surprised, nor did she seem to want to delve further into the situation. "Yes. I know," she said, as though ending the conversation.

 

T'Prise raised an eyebrow at the Commander's calm acceptance of the evidence she held in her hand. Her experience with humans and observations of their behavior suggested that Commander Farrington was either already fully aware of what this discovery implied, or was not at all concerned with its implications. "I see," she replied, curious as to how to proceed. "Shall I destroy this then?" she asked moving to drop the object back into the container.

 

"No," Farrington said, suddenly taking interest. "I believe it's best to keep it. At least for now. And when... if we return to Federation space, I may have need of your expertise to... test it." She extend her hand, palm up to show the science officer the implant she held. "And this one." She dropped it into the container, and then raised her gaze to T'Prise as though she wanted to say more, but she did not.

 

T'Prise stared at the container for a moment before shifting her gaze to Commander Farrington. "I believe that for the safety of the crew such a measure would be wise. Perhaps it would also be wise for you to order me not to discuss my analysis or findings pertaining to these...samples...with anyone else?"

 

The commander nodded. "Yes. That would be wise."

 

The Vulcan nodded again and reached down to secure the container. "I believe Dr. t'Tamarak has questions regarding this finding as well," she said by way of warning.

 

"I understand. And thank you," Commander Farrington replied.

 

"As a Starfleet Officer, I was only doing my duty," was the diffident response, as the Vulcan brushed off the thanks and turned away, already deep in thought.