Mystery Woman Number One

Posted on Mon Nov 13th, 2023 @ 8:21pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant Inara Senn

Mission: Hard Earned Peace
Location: Officer's Lounge
Timeline: 1900 Hours

Inara had crossed her legs in the very empty lounge. She preferred it this way, coming to the lounge at any other time would end with getting to know people. And she didn't want that 'One can take anything if don't get too close... You'll feel less pain when they abandon you.... Or when they leave you behind.'

She opened a book and began to read it, an actual book rather than a PADD. She had many of them in her quarters. 'The Count of Monte Cristo.'

Shran quietly entered the lounge. He didn't come here often. As the captain he had several locales on the ship dedicated just for him and his senior officers that she could go to, but the lounge areas were places where his crew would congregate, and he believed in being amongst his crew. His periodic trips to these parts of the ship while being a captain began during the war, and he believed them to be important. He was surprised to find the lounge so empty and quiet at this time.

He saw his new science officer sitting and reading. He walked up slowly, not wanting to disturb. "Found yourself a quiet area I see. Most people prefer to read in their quarters. You seem to have lucked out finding this pace so empty at this time." He took a moment, "My apologies if I am disturbing you. I see you enjoy ancient Earth literature. That is certainly the best of Dumas work." He thought for a moment and then offered a quote that seemed apt, “When you compare the sorrows of real life to the pleasures of the imaginary one, you will never want to live again, only to dream forever.”

"Ah Captain. I have much in common with Edward Dantes. And you couldn't have said it better about life. Even Edward Dantes, at some point, wanted an imaginary life compared to a reality of indescribable heartbreak. But that would have been a disservice to Mercedes." Inara noted. "And that would be letting wicked people win, and that is the action of a Coward, no? I do so adore stories of revenge. You should read The Princess Bride sometime."

"Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die" Shran said with a sly grin. "You'd be surprised with how well versed I am in ancient Earth literature. Humans have produced an immense catalog of literature on a wide variety of subjects. I read quite a few of such works in my time at the Academy and read even more in my time working for Admiral Carroll in Intelligence. The admiral was an astute lover of literature and expected all those under him to share in his passion. All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts."

"All the Shakespeare you quote, Skipper." She noted. "Careful now, for actions must speak louder than words. Don't make the mistake many in the Federation make by believing words will always sway everyone we meet out there." Inara noted. "Peace with the Klingons, once upon a time, was only possible through action. Actions of brave people. Those actions revealed that the worst of both of the Empire, conspired with each other for war. See how words can backfire on us, as diplomacy... has its limits. I have my opinions about James T. Kirk. But when he saw the true horror of the Gorkon Conspiracy, something inside him changed that day." Inara noted. "What we do now that the war with the Dominion has concluded, will be the sum of our actions."

Shran was amused with her line of thinking. "I think you misunderstand the events that lead to the Khitomer Accords. Yes, action was required, but so was diplomacy. A rather hot cold war between the Klingons and the Federation was already in place when events allowed for Spock to open a dialogue. It is true, some on both sides, and helped by the Romulans let us not forget, decided it was better to die on their feet. I believe the humans would use the phrase, better to rule in Hell than serve in Heaven. Kirk acted as he needed, and then he allowed diplomacy to take hold. That said, while I am happy to use diplomacy, you'll find that we tend to use actions rather than words more often here, and we see a lot more action than your average ship. I'd like to say you will have your hands full with science, but you'll find yourself just as busy with potential combat as anything else."

"Oh, science is dangerous, Skipper." Inara noted. "If you want a safe job in Starfleet, go into command. I hear they don't let you go on away missions." She smirked. "Too bad for you. You have to sit on a chair here and let us do all the fun." She teased him.

"I didn't get to being a captain by sitting in a chair. I'm fully aware that the fun and the danger is reserved for you younger officers, but I still get out on away missions from time to time" Shran replied is a jovial yet serious tone.

Inara chuckled a bit. "Serving here is going to be interesting... Very interesting. Hell, I wanna stay here. To give you an interesting challenge with a challenging crew member."

Shran offered her a sly grin. "You are most welcome here lieutenant. I do enjoy a good challenge, and you may find equal challenges await you here. As I said, we seem to run into strange things often, and we get far more action here than the Academy prepared you for." A server came over and brought the captain a drink. He topped his glass towards Inara, "As my old mentor Admiral Carroll would say, slainte!"

Inara nodded. Something was bothering her, though she was very good at keeping things to herself. "It must be nice... having someone to go home to."

"Family is everything to Andorians. I have a rather large one, though I don't get to see them nearly as much as I would like. Such is the life of a StarFleet officer. " Shran sipped at his drink. "Do you have family lieutenant? Surely you have a special someone."

Inara remained silent as she sipped her drink. "Had... Captain."

Shran heard the words and felt his heart sink. Death was simply a part of life, even more so for those in StarFleet. But to lose loved one's was something different than losing your own life. "I am sorry lieutenant. I was unaware..."

"Oh, you think that, Captain. But it was not only death. It was betrayal." Inara noted. "I can say no more. Not without some unpleasant people from temporal investigations showing up." Inara concluded. "But that is the past, relatively speaking, and I must move forward."

"Very well lieutenant. I won't disturb you further. I have dignitaries to tend to, and more coming aboard tomorrow." Shran replied clumsily. He exited the lounge, leaving Inara to return to her reading and he hoped relaxation.