A cacaphony in five minutes ...

[T'aral 0]

T'Aral stepped away from the turbolift, returning to Sickbay in order to prepare for possible confrontations. Klingons were inevitable, though perhaps the Captain would prove an able diplomat. The ship had not, to date, encountered a situation where diplomacy was needed. Soon she would truly know what manner of Captain she was serving with. In the meantime there were emergency medkits to distribute. All had been prepared, but it would be better if they were sent out to various critical locations for easy access ...

Another level of T'Aral's mind was considering her encounter with Commander Wesley and Leutenant Kvar. Already there were discussions throughout the vessel regarding the two of them; crewmembers comparing observations and discussing what may be occurring. While the activities of Audraya and Tifa were their own matter, there were extenuating circumstances. A relationship with a command officer did not show well on a service record, as the question of how such a relationship affected any recommendations from the XO would always be brought up. In addition, there was the issue of undue influence: a direct superior is rarely refused anything, as that could result in professional repercussions. T'Aral did not consider Commander Wesley to be such a person, but that did not mean that the thought did not occur to Leutenant Kvar. Admittedly these were concerns, possibly brought on by T'Aral's own emotional reactions. As much as she retained her Vulcan detachment, it would be a lie to say that she was not, in a way, lonely on board. T'Aral had no need for intimate relations, but there would not be any objection to gaining a friend or two on board simply to talk with. Perhaps she was jealous of anyone who successfully associated with others. It was illogical to deny her own feelings on the matter, as ignoring the possibility would nullify any possibility of successfully neutralizing such negative feelings ...

Simultaneously, she considered the lighting problem. It was impossible to consider what the design staff was thinking when they put in the direct lighting, but correcting the issue was simple. The lighting could simply be turned off, but T'Aral thought beyond simply solving the problem. Switching off the lights would leave neutral spaces - aestetically displeasing, which would reduce the efficiency of the emotionally-based crew. The best solution would be to replace the blazing lights with something diffuse, and perhaps useful. Status lights would be best: indicators which would illumiate alert staus. Red and yellow were obvious, while normal operation could be a diffused white light. General Quarters was the most challenging: green would be the first choice, but in Terran society green carried positive connotations. Orange was another choice, but that color tended to rest between Red and Yellow which would not be techically correct. Perhaps turquoise ...

 

A deeper part of her mind was examining her own recent lack of discipline. Of late T'Aral had not been practicing her priestly duties as she should. True, there was little call for it. She was one of a scant few Vulcans who were not actively engaged in the rebuilding of their society, and those were scattered throughout Starfleet. While it would be illogical to apply an unnecessary amount of thought towards her clerical pursuits, it was important that she continue the effort both to be ready for encounters with other Vulcans and for her own steadiness. While she was maintaining her meditation disciplines, a deeper focused effort would be beneficial ...

 

All the while, T'Aral's heart was pondering a more personal question. It was, perhaps, an error not to seek re-assignment or to seek a place on board the Comanche Creek for Steln. Aside from the mere practicality of his presence, there was a sense of calm while she was with him. However: this represented an emotional desire. Before she could entertain the thought she would need to conquer the emotionalism of it ...

 

All these thoughts came to a halt as a com signal came through to Sickbay. The Klingons had been encountered: all departments needed to be at full readiness.

Edited June 27, 2010 by T'aral