<USS Atlantis> "Not All Business"
- From: "T'Kirr of Vulcan" <tkirr@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: ussatlantis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 19:46:05 -0700
So you can all get to know Dugahn a bit better, I present:
"Not All Business"
By Lieutenant Commander T'Kirr
The corridor was hushed in both activity and ambience, the door in front of
her unmoving. She asked herself why she was hesitating, and her mind
responded with the weak excuse that she didn't want to appear too interested
in his visit. It was an illogical path of thought. She was very much
interested in knowing more about his sudden appearance at just the right
time, and the significance he meant to imply by it.
T'Kirr had approached very quietly, aware that if he were awake, he could
very possibly hear her outside his door. Knowing she wouldn't rest well if
she turned around, she decided to get on with her only other option and
activated the bell to Dugahn's guest quarters.
"Come in."
The room was sparse but pleasant, ready to receive its guest's travel
belongings if needed, and basic enough to cater to most species likely to
stay for a time within its walls. Along with the rest of the room, the bed
was also so far untouched. Dugahn stood next to the window, having no doubt
been watching the stars zip by while Atlantis glided through warp towards
the Kepler expanse. He now watched T'Kirr as the doors swished closed
behind her, not even a hint of surprise on his face at her presence. In
fact, Dugahn portrayed no emotion at all. She had to check herself, at
first. His expressionless appearance from most other people on board would
mean something, and she found herself trying to interpret it. His, however,
implied nothing. It was a refreshing change from life on Atlantis--one she
had begun to again become accustomed to during shore leave on Vulcan. It
calmed her, like sweet, fresh air after a long, challenging held breath.
"Are your quarters satisfactory?"
Dugahn bowed his head. "They are."
He waited patiently for her to explain the purpose of her late night call.
T'Kirr decided instead to sidestep. "I expected you to be asleep. Are you
having trouble resting?"
By the tiny spark in his eyes, T'Kirr could tell he had noticed her evasion.
"Actually, I was waiting for you." He paused, watching her as she took in
that bit of information, then continued, "You seemed uneasy tonight, and I
know it wasn't all due to..." a long, slanted eyebrow perked upwards, "the
surprise party."
"Your appearance was quite unexpected." She thought a moment. "I had last
seen you at my mother's funeral. I thought perhaps your presence was
somehow indication that a related issue had arisen."
"No. We had spoken about the irony of her death being so near your
birthday. I simply wanted to be with you during this time." Dugahn took a
step towards her. "It was unfortunate you had to leave so soon after the
ceremony."
T'Kirr's eyes fluttered as she dropped her gaze. "Yes, I only had time to
stay a day on Vulcan due to travel time."
Dugahn took another step, then stopped. "You seem as uneasy now as you were
earlier."
She looked up, meeting his eyes. "On the contrary. I am glad you are
here." T'Kirr turned her head, indicating the room around them, perhaps
even the entire ship. "I am often alone, even with others all around me."
Dugahn's looked down with an understanding nod of his head. "It is a
difficult path you travel. However, despite having to deal with their
emotional nature, it must be rewarding to have the senior crew members care
so much for you."
"It is," she responded quietly. T'Kirr turned and walked over to the bed,
sitting down on the edge. She had been on her feet all day. Dugahn
followed and sat down beside her.
"They don't seem to care too much for me, though," he mused, almost as if to
himself. "For being very welcoming with their words, it was quite obvious
what they really thought of me."
T'Kirr looked over at him. His elbows rested on his knees, and he was
staring hard at the floor, as if lost in thought. She studied the
attractive angles of his face. "I'm sure they were merely confused due to
the nature of your arrival, as was I." Dugahn looked back at her, his brown
eyes searching, and T'Kirr realized she must have sounded rather cold.
"Whereas I know you and was only concerned about the reason for your
arrival, they had never met you, and did not have proper introduction from
me before you came aboard. Perhaps if you had--"
"I understand. And, you're right. I should have told you sooner. It was a
last-minute decision aboard the Starbase."
They shared a minute of peaceful silence, T'Kirr thinking about how strange
it was to have him aboard. Finally, she spoke up. "How long did you plan
to stay?"
Dugahn took a deep breath, scooting his elbows on his knees until the
fingertips on both hands could meet in a splayed manner. "I had originally
planned to only stay for the eve of your birthday. I wasn't expecting you
to... well, your crew had other plans for you." His eyes sparked again. "I
could stay through tomorrow, if you have time after your shift, and leave
the next morning. I don't want to go too far towards..." he blinked.
"Where is it you're headed now?"
"Kepler expanse," T'Kirr muttered absently as she stared off, thinking about
how she only had one more evening with him. She supposed it was better than
having no time at all other than the day of the funeral. Dugahn reminded
her of home and the calm, logical security she had left behind. The
difference between her life on Vulcan and that aboard this vessel full of
emotional species was like the difference between a calm, still pond and the
raging torrent of the ocean.
"The Kepler expanse?"
The amazement in his voice as he articulated her response back to her
brought T'Kirr out of her thoughts. She looked over to him to find his
eyebrows up in a curious expression. "Yes, why?"
"Why are you going there?"
T'Kirr's sense of duty took over. "It's not for me to discuss."
Dugahn nodded. "You're heading out to the colonies. I'm guessing right to
the heart."
T'Kirr stared at him, not understanding how he could possibly know. His
pointed ear twitched--a quirk of his she had not seen in over a year. He
must have found her expression amusing. "What do you know of the colonies?"
"Intelligence has been watching them over the years. In the past, they've
assisted with monitoring comm chatter in the region on the border side. I
was assigned there for a period." Dugahn sat up straight and watched T'Kirr
as she took in this information. Because she knew the Vulcan Science
Academy had offered to help map resource locations several decades ago and
been declined, she was surprised to know the Vulcan Intelligence Agency was
involved even now. Dugahn cocked his head in an attempt to regain her
attention, and continued. "I've met the man that more and more are calling
their leader. I also know, unless they've changed significantly, some of
the patrol and cargo routes." Dugahn's eyebrows lowered in a frown. "I
find it interesting that Starfleet hasn't asked the assistance of Vulcan
Intelligence in this mission."
He seemed to know so much about Atlantis' goal. T'Kirr hadn't said anything
other than their destination to the Kepler expanse. The source of dissent
within the expanse was apparently more widely known than she had first
assumed, and Vulcan Intelligence appeared to be of the better informed. She
gave Dugahn her best emotionless expression. "Are you offering your
assistance?"
Dugahn returned the look. "I suppose I am." Their eyes remained locked for
a moment, and his voice inherited a slightly lower pitch. "Not only could I
be of help, but it would be a welcome reason to extend my stay."
"Then I will suggest it to Admiral Blackthorne in the morning." T'Kirr
stood, his gaze following her. "Until then, rest well."
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