Log #3 ... meditations

[T'aral 0]

"Is it possible that you are being too critical of the situation?"

 

T'Aral had chosen to take a few days of rest in the New Topeka station. While Shore Leave was an unusual request for a Vulcan, she had more than enough accumulated time and there were no issues on board the Comanche Creek which required her attention. It was important that she was allowed to take time away from the ship, for a meeting with Steln was always a personal matter.

 

As she sipped her Vhalesia tea, T'Aral considered his response to her situation. "If I did not think it was possible, I would not have contacted you. Were I dealing with a patient, I would say that they are too close to the situation to be objective; therefore, logically in this case I am unable to be objective."

Steln nodded. "Recognition of our own limitations is the first step towards improvement.

 

"You are in a very difficult position. As much as command officers may deny it, medical staff are non-essential personnel ... necessary only when circumstances become unfavorable. In an ideal situation there would be no sick bay - no reserved space for medical needs at all. This is not a criticism, but rather an observation that medical functions occur outside of the vessel's normal functions. As such, interaction with other crewmembers is not a natural part of your role; it becomes something which must be deliberately pursued."

T'Aral sipped her tea and then looked at Steln uneasily. "I am not, as the humans would say, a social person."

Steln held back a small smile, offering instead the comfort of Vulcan stoicism. "That is the nature of our people - you are hardly unique in that trait. Within our people this is accepted and normal, but in that we are unique. You are serving on board a Starfleet vessel, and are required to interact with other races - most of which are highly emotional. In some models, emotional interaction is a full third of all communication, and considered the 'strongest' third. If you do not relate to others in this manner, your effectiveness will always be diminished."

T'Aral paused. "That, unfortunately, is the most likely outcome."

Steln nodded again. "That is a logical evaluation. It is important, therefore, that you understand that the difficulty does not lie with them, but with you - or rather, with the fact that you are a Vulcan. Emotionalism is the normal state of sentient beings throughout the galaxy. We are the exceptions, not the rule. Perhaps nothing will change, and perhaps nothing should; but the difficulties that you are encountering should not be taken as evidence against the character of those you serve with. You are the exception; it is logical that all difficulties stem from that exception."