The Romulan and The Vulcan

Posted on Sun Jun 30, 2019 @ 12:37pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer Samantha Summers

1,364 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Plaga Navis
Location: USS Victory's Mess Hall
Timeline: A Few Hours After Returning...

Senior CPO Samantha Summers was hungry. And tired. Soooo, she decided to head to the Mess to feed her stomach and to get some coffee to feed her brain cells and stay awake. Of course, at this hour of the evening, she was sure that the mess would be less crowded. She was wrong.

Upon entering, it looked to her like an convention was taking place. All the tables were crowded, and she was trying to balance her soup and coffee on the tray she was holding. She suddenly spotted a ' table for two, ' occupied by the recently arrived Lt. T'Mira. A wave of slight panic went through her body, but she sucked it in and approached the seated Lieutenant.

"Excuse me,Lieutenant, but would you mind if I sat here to eat?" She asked.

That was twice in one day. She held back a sigh. "Of course." He said as she started to unpack her tray in her usual order. First the salt, then pepper. She arranged the cutlery so that the spoon was horizontal to the plate a fork on one side, a knife on the other. The glass of red liquid to the left and a bit of toast to the right. She put the soup in front of her as she moved the mail to the side to be vertical to the knife at least 7 inches back. She put the napkin on her lap as she mentally went through images of the crew. "Chief Petty Officer, Senior rank, Summers." She said as the image and states came to her.

Summers nodded a 'yes' to her, and replied in kind; " And you are Lieutenant T'Mira, Security? You are what this ship needs right now, the serenity and brains of an Vulcan. " Summers took a sip of her coffee. " How do you like it - the ship and its personnel so far?"

"Actually I am the Chief Intelligence officer. I'm also doubling as head security detail for the diplomat." She said that last part with a clear distain. "It is a fascinating ship. Some interesting characters. I have studied the files of the crew in detail." She studied the woman.

Summers tilted her head a bit to the left. " My apologies...Chief Intelligence Officer.... " Summers then raised her right eyebrow and slightly smiled. " ' Interesting characters,' Hmmm? And what per chance did you find out regarding me? Or are you allowed to say?"

She studied the woman. "Just that you are not your usual self."

Summers put her coffee down. " Indeed, that would be true - we are the 'sum' of all our parts, someone once said.."

"True. Tell me about yours." She said casually as she ate. She studied the woman. There was something familiar. Vulcans were a telepathic lot, granted they were more touch telepaths but....something about this woman.... it seemed familiar a primal recognition.

" Spoken like a 'true' Vulcan - direct and to the point. Very well. " Summers sat back in her chair. " I am Samantha Summers, of the planet Earth. I am also Karee, a member of the Tal Shire, of the planet Romulus. Pleased to meet you."

She narrowed her eyes. "Tal Shire...I see." She raised an eyebrow. "Fascinating. Are we talking Katra placement or .... a really interesting form of multiple personality disorder?"

Summers took in a deep breath. " There is *no* disorder.....the Captain and crew know what happened and why. My mission here.... was ' interrupted.' I can not even now tell you what it was..or is...." Summers looked straight at T'Mira. " I am 'finished' with the Tal Shire..I am sure..if my parents on Romulus were still alive, they are now dead. ' Summers' parents on Earth know not what happened to their 'real' daughter. ' I ' am their daughter from my 'graduation' from Star Fleet till this moment. I know Summers' life and now bits and pieces of Karee's life are intruding in my thoughts..and actions. She is trying to return, physically and emotionally. " Summers looked away. Last night, I was carving into my dinner and cut myself. I bled green for a moment, then it turned red before I stopped it."

T'Mira had lost interest in her food. "I see." She'd have to look into security clearance and a few other things. She noted the name so that she could contact a few people in Section to find out all she can. "So you do not remember much of your previous life?"

"I don't wish to, " Summers began. " I have a life here oh this ship and in Star Fleet, and want to keep that."

"I see. You do realize that since I am the Chief Intel officer I must investigate....I cannot take you at your word after what you have admitted." She studied her. "It is...not personal. It is an occupational hazard."

Summers' right eyebrow went up again. " Very well, 'investigate' all you wish, but do not expect me to help you." She slightly grinned.

"Spoken like a true Tal Shire." She sipped her drink. "I assume the captain is aware of the two personalities?" She'd check regardless but hearing it from the woman and then having the captain confirm it was better. She'd have to see what security thought about this. It was ridiculous that nobody had taken action thus far.

Summers studied T'Mira more closely. " To answer your question, *yes,* the Captain knows full well about me and my 'situation,' and I can understand her possible doubts, *but,* I am aware of 'Karee's ' 'personality' so to speak, and I believe I am making strides to if not completely vanquish it, at the least keep it from ' popping up' at wrong times. "

"I see." She tried a different approach. "Tell me about Karee. When did you notice her? What is she like?"

Summers sat back in her chair and took another sip of coffee. " It happened a while ago, on an previous mission. I didn't 'notice her, ' as you say...she just appeared...something triggered her 'revival' prematurely....the mission I was on...the mission *she* was on..kill the..no...stop the ship?....." Summers blinked. " Why are you doing this to me 'cousin?' "

T'Mira quirked her head. "I do not understand. What cousin?"

Summers shook her head. " I *meant* it broadly, in that Romulans & Vulcans spring from the same 'tree,' yet have ' branched out ' from one another."

"That is factually accurate. In fact there is but a third group that has branched out just prior to the awakening. A fascinating history. For example..." She noted the look on Summers' face. T'Mira cleared her throat. There was a small silence. "I am doing my job." She said in response to her question. "I am ensuring the ship is safe."

Summers nodded her head in agreement. " *That* is good, I am sure you will do a fine job. I look forward to working with you in that endeavor. "

"Indeed." She said sipping drink. "You do realize I cannot take you at your word that you are harmless?"

Summers grinned. " I never said I wasn't, but, I do my best to keep Karee where she belongs - in the background. "

"I shall look forward to seeing you keep her in the background." She finished her food. "Have you thought of having a merging ceremony?"

Summers stopped eating and looked directly at T'Mira. " There will be *no* 'merging ceremony.' Samantha Summers is whom I am and that is whom I shall be. " Summers slightly grinned and raised her left eyebrow at the Lieutenant.

"Perhaps." She said. This was, indeed, proving to be an interesting crew.

Summers' mouth twitched at the Lieutenants 'Perhaps,' but she settled back in her chair and relaxed. " Well, we've been talking for quite a bit - I have to get back to do some inventory. I do hope we can 'get together' once again?"

"Indeed we shall." She watched the woman go knowing that she'd have to keep an eye on her. There was only one problem. She was fascinated with Romulan culture...this would be interesting.

 

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