Getting a different opinion

Posted on Wed May 27th, 2020 @ 12:44pm by Lieutenant Kah'lyn Chiara-Rivers & Lieutenant Xalanth

1,329 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 106 – Stalemate
Location: Starbase 23
Timeline: MD5

{ON}

Kah’lyn had spent a somewhat restless night going over events of her and Croesus’ captivity with the Romulans. She’d tossed and turned so much she’d almost woken Croesus from his slumber.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts as she walked along Starbase 23’s promenade that she almost walked straight into a reptilian Officer. “I’m sorry! I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

" It's okay." Xalanth said having just finished his shift. " Are you okay it looks like you haven't slept". He added as he got a good look at the hybrids face.

Kah’lyn waved off his concern. “Just a rough nights sleep that’s all.” She offered a smile. “Thank you for asking though.”

" Okay then. I'm Xalanth by the way only recently got here. "The lizard replied offering his hand

“Kah’lyn Chiara” She gently shook his large reptilian hand. “I’m one of the new crew assigned Starbase 400. I work in Operations.”

" What a surprise I'm the new assistant chief of security. Well will be when we take the station back." The lizard said doing his best to give a moderate handshake. " Want to grab something to eat I'm famished after my shift."

“Yeah sure” Kah’lyn smiled. “I need to get some caffeine into me to wake myself up anyway.” She tucked her hair behind her pointed ears, something she didn’t normally do in public, but was too much in a sleepy daydream to realise she’d actually done it.

" I know that feeling." The lizzard said as he lead the way. He noticed her pointed ears, but didn't say anything. His first mate was half vulcan and the new many hybrids like privacy and not being judged by appearances.

Kah’lyn suddenly realised that her ears were showing and quickly covered them with her hair again. She gave the large Lizard a curious look wondering why he hadn’t questioned her heritage.

" If you're wondering why I haven't asked about the ears my mate told me to not judge people by the shape of there ears," Xalanth responded noting her moving her hair. " I'll have a chicken stew with a dragonian ale." The lizard said into the replicator."

“That’s a wise mate you have” Kah’lyn smiled and turned to the replicator. “Chicken stew and a glass of Pepsi please” Once her dinner materialised she picked it up and headed across to a table to sit down, making sure there was plenty of room for her companion to sit as well.

" She is. Trained nurse in Starfleet and mother of two of my wonderful girls. " the lizard replied as he took a seat.

“What’s it like? Being a parent?” Kah’lyn looked at Xalanth curiously. “I’ve never really thought about being a parent, I’ve always been too caught up in my own concerns.” She picked up her glass and sipped her drink.

The lizard paused as he thought It through in his head. " It changes you. Suddenly you have this small lifeform who takes over your life and you start to worry about all the time. I wake up every day worrying i am not doing a good job as a dad for all of my girls. I love them all more than my own life and I would die to keep them safe. Yet it's wonderful at the same time. The first word, first walk, run, and jump. Being told good night daddy after I read them a bedtime story."

Kah’lyn smiled. “It sounds so wonderful. I’m not planning on having children anytime soon but I think I’d like to in the future. I just worry that my children would be subject to the same suspicions as me, just because they’d be part Romulan.”

That explains the hair the lizard thought to himself though he didn't mention it. " I kind of know-how that feels. Many species still have a primal fear of big lizards and my people's brief conflict with the federation hasn't earned us many friends. I can't imagine what it must be like for you though. Not that it should matter. You've put on the uniform and sworn the same oath as the rest of us."

“Exactly, but not everyone feels the way you do. Even Admiral Bremer has his doubts as to whether he can trust me or not!” She sighed. “Recent events with the Romulans haven’t helped either ...” She paused realising what she’d just said.

" What recent events with the Romulans?" the lizard inquired.

Kah’lyn sighed. “I guess you’ll find out once you’ve read my report, and being in security I’ve no doubt you’ll get it eventually.” She paused for a moment. “Long story short Commander Croesus and I were caught by a Romulan ship while out checking reports of damaged sensor drones. We’re sure they set it up but strange thing is they kept us for a few hours and then let us go! The Commander is doing some research into our time there for his report, but ...” She paused. “I think he’s suspicious of me now, why would they let us go?!” She offered up her wrists. “Maybe you’d just better lock me in the brig now and have done with it.”

The lizard let out a hum as he thought that through in his head. " Maybe they did it to spread confusion in Starfleet ranks for cover whilst they do something else. Romulans are masters at psychological warfare."

Kah’lyn nodded. “Maybe, but there’s more to it. We did a holodeck recreation, it showed I was awake when I don’t remember being awake!” She paused. “Why don’t I remember that?”

The lizard paused again as he thought it through in his head. Leilani was the head expert in his grouping. " Could they have altred your memory? " he suggested. " it's not like the romulans don't have access to such technology."

“I ... don’t think so, but who knows!” She shook her head. “I’m just digging myself a deeper hole here aren’t I?”

"You're concerned about your mind. You shouldn't be ashamed for being concerned about that. Especially if you're being used by the Romulans in one of their mind games. Have you seen a counselor about this?" he inquired in a friendly yet concerned manner.

“No I ... haven’t yet but I will.” Kah’lyn nodded. “It makes sense, a Counsellor can tell me I’m not crazy even though I’m starting to feel it.”

" Book an appointment. Have you had a medical checkup to see if they left anything behind that could be causing this? " The lizard added

“As soon as I got back, they said I was fine.” Kah’lyn offered a smile. “Thank you for all this, I don’t usually offload on the first new person I see so I appreciate it.”

" According to T'para I have a voice that makes people trust me." The lizard replied with a grin spreading on his face as he finished his drink.

“Then T’Para is quite right, I will make that Counsellor’s appointment.” Kah’lyn smiled. “Let’s hope it’s just me worrying over nothing.”

" I'm sure it will be nothing. " The lizard said as he finished his meal.

“I certainly hope you’re right” Kah’lyn smiled as she stopped twiddling her fork in her food and finished it before it got cold.

" Wel it's been nice meeting you Kah’lyn. We'll have to do this again." the lizard said as he cleaned his plate and prepared to stand up.

“Indeed we will” Kah’lyn collected her things and stood up. “Thank you for listening to me and giving me advice.”

" No problem. If you have an issue that you think i could help with just call me." the lizard responded.

“I will, thank you” Kah’lyn nodded.

{OFF}

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