Wax on, wax off

[Seiben 0]

Tar'Mok plots the short cut he found to the construction site of the new research facility, it should cut off 37 hours off their journey according to Tar'Mok. Whilst tapping in the co-ordinates and looking over starcharts, Tar'Mok conversed with Ensign Trichon, in the empty Excalibur bridge. Admiral Day and the other bridge crew were down in the holodeck testing the command abilities of Ms. Troi, Ship's councellor and Trichon and Tar'Mok was left to tend to the bridge. Passing the time, Trichon conversed to Tar'Mok, and later Cdr. Deveraux who camein to the bridge shortly after, about his past, and told him about is jeuvenille delinquencies of his past. Tar'Mok learned that Trichon was a pickpocket in his youth, and 'a pretty good one' in his opinion. Quite an illogical path of life, Tar'Mok surmises. After plotting in the telemetries and waiting for the crew to return, Tar'Mok thinks back to his childhood. For the most part, his was a traditional Vulcan childhood spent in school and meditation classes perfecting his emotion surpressing skills.

 

Tar'Mok read about Trichon's troublesome past accessing his bio records. A part of Tar'Mok couldn't blame him -- Tar'Mok also losing a parent in his life, felt a same sense of emptiness as Trichon did. After hearing news of the Baton Rouge's destruction by the Romulans, and the deaths of his father and brother, Tar'Mok was left devestated. Tar'Mok felt quite close to his father and brother, and intensified meditations still didn't quite remove all the sorrow in Tar'Mok's heart. Tar'Mok spent years meditating at P'Jem, and is just now beginning to come to terms with their deaths. Tar'Mok's father was an activist of Romulan-Vulcan re-unifications. Maybe the Romulans thought him as a threat, or just an annoyance to the Romulan Imperial Empire. But sadly, Tar'Mok will never know the real reasons behind their motives. After plotting in the course, and saving it into his console, Tar'Mok ended his duty shift. In the turbolift, Tar'Mok sighs. he still feels emotional from the loss, and when encountering Romulans. Tar'Mok like every night, spent an hour meditating in his quarters.

 

He recited some Vulcan chants and burned some insence. After that, Tar'Mok changed into a special robe and proceeded to Holodeck 2. As the crew was still running command assesment simulations on Holodeck 1. Tar'Mok booked an hour of holo-deck time, and called up his programme. "Computer, initiate prgramme Tar'Mok, Delta-5". The computer beeped. "Programme complete, enter when ready." Tar'Mok enters the holodeck, and is taken to 18th-century Japan. He enters a temple, and is greeted by a small, old man. Tar'Mok bows to the old man. "Hello, Sensai." says Tar'Mok. The Old man bows and greets him back. "How are you doing, Mr. Tar'Mok?" he said. Tar'Mok tilts his head. "I am fine, Sensai, but I feel that some combat and meditation will help eleviate some stress." The Sensai nods. "Hai, I see young Tar'Mok. Meditation is key to a oneness with your mind."

 

"Indeed it is, Sensei." Tar'Mok and the Sensei spent another hour meditating. "very good, grass hopper. Have you fond oneness?" Sensei asked. Tar'Mok nods. They then exit the temple and walk over to the dojo. Just then, a young man bows and greets them. "Hello, Mr. Yoshi." Tar'Mok says. "Greetings, Tar'Mok sann." Yoshi says. They then got down to business. Tar'Mok and Yoshi picked up two samurai swords and started dueling. Tar'Mok always showed an interest in Terran history. He was especially interested of the Japanese Samurai. Like Klngons, Samurai were honourable and formidable warriors. But unlike their Quo'noS counterparts, they were more one with their emotion and very respectful to people.

 

Tar'Mok found the samurai holo-programme intellectually and physically stimulating. He liked to go here to eleviate stress if meditation doesn't quite seem "to let everything out."Dueling swords with Yoshi gave Tar'Mok a 'rush' meditation doesn't provide. Tar'Mok ducks a sword swing from Yoshi, and swings at his sword with a spark, the force is so great Yoshi looses his grip of his sword and flies to the floor. The sensai stops the fight. Yoshi and Tar'Mok bow. "Congratulations, Tar'Mok, san." says Yoshi. Tar'Mok thanks Yoshi, and sensai. They bow, and say their goodbyes for now, and Tar'Mok ends the programme. Now feeling alot more refreshed Tar'Mok takes a deep breath. He went back to is quarters, took a sonic shower, changed and finally drifted off to a blissful (blissful for a Vulcan anyway) deep sleep.

Edited December 8, 2003 by Seiben