A knock on the door ...

[T'aral 0]

T'Aral looked up, observing passively as a young Vulcan walked into her office. Crewman Stavn had been with the Comanche Creek for less than a week, and he was having trouble adjusting to life outside of the orderly nature of Vulcan society or Starfleet crew school. Looking at the young medical officer uncertainly, Stavn's straight posture softened once the door closed.

 

"I need ... counceling. I am told you are someone I can turn to."

 

Without a word, T'Aral secured the door, de-activated all visual com's, and then drew out a hooded shawl from a cabinet drawer. Wrapping the ends about her shoulders to produce a properly wrapped collar, she finished preparing by drawing out an elaborate necklace made of unevenly shaped stones. Settling it about her neck, she turned back to the crewman.

 

"It is illogical to attempt to carry a burden alone when help is at hand. Share what troubles you, and in doing so resolve the conflict." It was a traditional greeting between a cleric and those she was charged to care for. Within the confines of councel, the normal rules of Vulcan manners did not apply: a confidant was allowed - even encouraged - to calmly express their feelings. It was the first step in regaining control.

 

"The Captain's message ... we are to be transporting cattle to outer settlements. There the animals will be confined, used as a resource, then ultimately ..." Stavn's face briefly shifted a shade greener. "... slaughtered. Lady: I know we are to see humans as our equals, but it all seems so illogical. If it is not necessary to cause pain to another in order to survive, why do so? How can we view such a species as our equals?"

T'Aral nodded. "It would seem illogical. Still: such is the fate of most developed species. Humans are omnivores - as are Vulcans. Our biological systems are suited to take in nourishment from a variety of sources, and relatively few humans have qualms about the source of that nourishment. It may be of some comfort for you to know that, in their dealings with their food sources, humans have become more sensitive to the care of their livestock. They live better lives and ... " She paused, sensing distress in Stavn's manner.

 

He looked downward. "We are taking these creatures to their deaths."

T'Aral paused, considering her next words. "That is the purpose for these creatures. It is unfortunate, but it is true: they were born for this purpose, raised for this purpose, and thankfully they are not sentient enough to consider life beyond that purpose. It is enough that we see to their good health, and allow that they are made as comfortable as possible. To bear the weight of knowing that purpose - that is our burden.

 

"If they do not fulfill their purpose - if we fail in our duty - then children will starve and systems will be thrown into chaos. In this, as in so many things, there is not a good or bad decision; merely a choice to be made. To fulfill our duty is logical, even if it is unpleasant. As for the humans, it is as I have said: their manner of survival is based on decisions of their culture. It is neither superior nor inferior to our culture - merely different."

[T'aral 0]

As T'Aral scanned the incoming bovines for general health, she came to understand Stavn's apprehension. While not particularly attractive, these creatures were among the most benign species that she had ever encountered. It was, perhaps, an emotional need of most rational beings that a creature needed to somehow earn its death. Preying upon inoffensive creatures seemed inappropriate.

 

Yet T'Aral saw past the emotionally superficial. The bovines were a prey species, and like so many creatures of their kind they were wholely inoffensive. It was the nature of most prey species to be so, almost as if there was a grand design to the cosmos - a curious archetecture which kept repeating itself on world after world.

 

T'Aral could see past such emotional tendencies. It was, in fact, why T'Aral was omnivorous in contrast to most of her race. It was biologically logical for her to be so. Any aversion to the carnivorous side of her diet would be the result of an emotional reaction, which she had trained herself to avoid. It was simply logical for her to include an acceptable percentage of her diet to be animal products.

 

It was logical for her, it was logical for the humans, and although their choice of using the Commanche Creek as a transport rather than an escort was a poor allocation of resources, the moving of these animals to the outer colonies was a logical action. T'Aral was settled in the ship's assignment, and proceeded to complete her tasks within it as efficiently as possible.