Where were you when ... ?

[Shalin 0]

Not too long ago ... not too far away ...

 

"Ensign Shalin - wait, please." Cadet Sekor had crossed the parade grounds in a very orderly sprint, as befitted a proper Vulcan.

 

Shan's crossing bore no less haste, but it lacked any sense of purpose other than to exit a rather uncomfortable discussion. The topic was ethics, and as was true of almost any intellectual discussion Shan had just had his hiney handed to him by a cluster of highly educated minds: Vulcan, Human, and Andorian. All he wanted now was an ounce of peace and quiet; slowing down for the cadet really wasn't his intention. All the same, he paused as the younger Vulcan approached. After all ... he did say 'please'.

 

Sekor stiffened as he approached Shan, and then bowed his head slightly. "I wish to apologize: I see that our discussion did not sit well with you."

 

Shan waved his hand and tried to walk away. "There's nothing to apologize for. It was just a debate: you all won and I lost - simple as that."

 

Sekor followed, determined not to leave matters so simply. "It was a discussion, and I disagree with your assessment. If anything, your stance demonstrated a clear superiority."

 

Shan stopped and turned to Sekor as if the Vulcan had lost his mind. "Excuse me?"

 

Having finally gained Shan's attention, Sekor offered his evaluation. "On the subject of morality, I would have to concede that you are far more developed than any of us in the discussion. In our discussion we all sought to establish defined rules for what is moral; what is right or wrong. You, on the other hand, appear to have no need to establish such rules. You know right from wrong without the need for analysis."

 

Shan shrugged. "It's just going by feel. I doubt the others share your opinion."

 

Sekor nodded. "They do not, but that is not important. While many of my people would disagree with me, I have found that logic is incomplete in many ways. I am not suggesting any intent to live any other way, but I must allow for the limitations of my path. Logic is a means of analysis, but it cannot guide us in every action. Any conclusion can be reached logically given the correct premises."

 

Shan smiled at Sekor. "You sound like a Vulcan radical."

 

"Many Vulcans prefer the company of our own people, or seek solitude. I, however, believe in k'lalatar prnak'lirli: infinite diversity in infinite combination. Growth and development occurs when our pre-conceived ideals are challenged, or when we find aspects in others which complement our own shortcomings."

 

"You're an interesting one, Cadet. I've got to report to barracks - I'm helmsman on board the Sprocket. We leave tomorrow for a science station orbiting Aldebaran, but it's just a cargo run. I should be back in about a week or so. Maybe then we can chat some more?"

 

Sekor nodded. "I shall look forward to it."

 

As Sekor left, Shan mused about the young Cadet. Vulcans were all skilled and highly intelligent, but Sekor was the first one he had ever met who could be considered open-minded. True, Shan had already graduated from the Academy, but given the fact that most of his piloting assignments were related to either the Academy or the Federation's diplomatic corps he had plenty of time on Earth. It wouldn't be a terrible thing to get to know at least one Vulcan properly.

 

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A month had past before the Sprocket returned from its assignment. The scientists of Aldebaran-Sigma were more than thrilled to have company, and it wasn't until they received an official recall notice from Starfleet that the minimal crew could tear themselves away. As they approached Earth, Shan noted a series of localized hazard notices, and the planet itself seemed to have suffered some amount of damage. Another concern was a relative absence of starships; Shan had apparently missed something.

 

After securing the Sprocket Shan made his way to the Academy, inquiring about Cadet Sekor. The clerk was patient, then more than just a little apologetic. "I'm sorry sir - Cadet Sekor is ... gone."

 

Shan blinked twice. "Gone? Gone where?"

 

"Sir - he had taken a brief leave to return to Vulcan three weeks ago."

 

"So ... he's been detained?"

 

The clerk looked up at Shan. "Sir - where have you been? Vulcan ... the planet was destroyed." Shan stood motionlessly, gazing blankly in unbelief as the clerk continued. "Cadet Sekor was on the planet at the time, and has not notified the Academy since. He has been classified as missing ... and presumed deceased."

 

Shan stepped away, walking aimlessly through the Academy grounds. Vulcan ... an entire planet destroyed? How much more had happened? His assignment - it was a nothing job, and while he was away millions of lives were lost and the galaxy had been changed forever. How many others had died? The missing ships ... he knew some of the other helmsmen. How many of his friends were left?

 

Shan stood alone on the academy grounds, still unaware of all that had taken place but still deathly afraid of how much he had lost. Worst of all was the feeling of being robbed - robbed of a chance to do something about it, even if there was nothing that could be done.