Disparity

[A Davis 0]

“Disparity”

Amanda Davis and Captain Chirakis

 

After their last meeting, Amanda’s trip to Captain Chirakis’ office didn’t give her the usual knot in her stomach, but not until she settled onto the settee, Darjeeling steaming in her cup, did she realize how comfortable she was. The captain sat directly facing her in the armchair, quite relaxed.

 

“There’s something strange about the Romulans,” said Amanda just before her first sip.

 

“Really?” The captain smiled, bemused. "And you felt the need to tell me that."

 

Amanda nearly choked, but the teacup did make it to the saucer in time.

 

“Sorry,” she said, clearing her throat, “I wasn’t referring to Romulans in general, of course. I was was actually referring to the Romulans who are adopting Annisha.” She paused, putting her cup aside. “I met them on the midway and we had quite a conversation. There are things about them, things they said that strike me as being quite uncharacteristic of Romulans. I feel that they are not being truthful, and that I was being played, if you know what I mean.”

 

Captain Chirakis’ expression changed. Brow raised, her eyes met Amanda’s with intense interest. “I do know what you mean, Counselor. Can you be specific?”

 

“Well, the first thing I noticed was that T’Nari stood aside and said little unless she was spoken to, which seemed quite odd given that the Romulans, for the most part, are gender-equal. But I passed it off initially because Jolar, as the male figure, is the traditional head of household for humans.”

 

The captain gave a slight smile before saying, “I know a few who would argue that point, Counselor, but continue.”

 

“Yes. Well, what really struck me as odd is that Jolar admitted that his wife was barren. We were in a public place, mind you, and he was essentially talking to a stranger. And then she almost began to cry as she looked at Annisha.” Here Amanda paused for the captain’s reaction. “Does that not seem odd to you?” she asked after a long moment.

 

“For most Romulans it is not customary to admit one’s sexual shortcomings,” she admitted, “nor is it customary to cry, especially in public. But these are not usual times, Counselor. Go on.”

 

“Then, when we brought up the problem with records being lost in the Great Fire, Jolar commented that they were ‘not as passionate as Cardassians in our record keeping.’ I find that very odd, given the strained relations between Romulans and Cardassians, especially since the Dominion War.”

 

If Captain Chirakis had any thoughts, she kept them to herself. The rest of the visit passed congenially, the captain asking questions about Annisha, how she was faring, what, if anything, she was willing to share about her real parents, and what Jolar and T’Nari had told her about the planet A’Tari. There wasn’t much to share except the general feeling of being played, to which the captain seemed to agree.

 

Amanda left the control tower with mixed feelings. She had told the captain, the captain seemed concerned, and she promised to ‘look into it.’ Amanda wished she had the resources to look up the background of the adoptive parents, but she did resolve to keep a close watch on Annisha.