Candles in the wind ...

[T'aral 0]

* : Our wait has proven to be pointless - the Captain has done what she intended to regardless.

 

+ : Success was never the objective - she cannot turn away from her obligations, even for us.

 

^ : Honorable, but she is clearly wearied from the experience. How much more can she endure?

 

* : She will endure - it is our way.

 

+ : Indeed ... it is unfortunate that there is no way for us to alleviate her burden.

 

^ : To attempt to be silent would be pointless, as thoughts are never silent and thought is all we are.

 

 

For five weeks it had continued: a cloud of constant commentary and discussion on everything she said, everything she did, and everything going on around her. She was never alone - not for a single moment, and the awareness of this brought a constant stress. It wasn't that the crew of the Men-Hilsu wasn't sympathetic to her situation. Lately they had taken up unifying their thoughts into song to lull her to sleep in the evenings. They had also collectively decided to keep their analyses regarding T'Aral's interactions and activities to a logical level, which at least kept disagreements to a minimum.

 

Still, it had been five weeks. The strain was becoming intense, which was pivotal in her decision not to fight the captain further. She didn't have the strength or soundness of mind to carry out a command conflict. She needed this matter to be over, and for her to be on the path to the Vulcan colony.

 

* : It will be advantageous to rejoin our people as soon as possible.

 

+ : Agreed - the position of our ship must be dispatched.

 

^ : Agreed - we cannot expect the co-operation of this Captain towards her salvage and recovery.

 

* : The technique employed was insightful. Such a technique would have proven effective in our circumstances.

 

^ : If we were accompanied by a second vessel.

 

* : Agreed - therefore, we can provide our people with the means to salvage our vessel prior to Unification.

 

+ : Agreed - assuming our host will co-operate.

 

^ : Agreed - we shall trust in her dedication.

 

Having assigned the First Response teams and prepared them for dispatch, T'Aral found a corner to lean into and allowed herself to sink under the weight of everything around her. At least her companions were agreeing with each other. Having them constantly speaking within her was difficult enough ... when they argued, T'Aral was in agony.