Rekindling Part II
Posted on Sun Oct 27th, 2024 @ 11:04pm by Commander Jek'Lar Son of Koss & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Edited on on Mon Oct 28th, 2024 @ 6:30pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Empok Nor - Various
Timeline: MD002 1900 hrs
A woman who seemed to be chewing on bubble gum smiled. "Would you like a cup of coffee hon?" She said with a smile and then added. "I bet you would like one of those Klingon coffees a rachta somethin or other."
"Rachtijino..." Jek'Lar politely corrected the waitress, "...And yes that would be fine," he added.
"And for you darlin." The waitress said as she turned to Alyssa.
Alyssa smiled at the waitress. "Hibiscus lemonade, please." She turned to Jek'Lar. "Are you ready to order, or do you need a few minutes?"
"I could use a few moments." Jek’Lar said as he started to look at the menu. He was unsure about the cuisine. So, he thought to look it over. When the waitress left he looked at Alyssa. "What do you recommend?"
"I'm going to get a cheeseburger and fries. I hear the steak and potatoes are good, and the bacon and eggs. I haven't heard about much else. Maybe they have something for Klingons? They have Raktajino." Now she wished she'd learned more about this place. Next time, she'd definitely suggest something with more Klingon fare.
"Steak will do nicely, as long as it is practically raw." Jek'Lar said with toothy grin. The Klingon diet needed a lot of protein and they preferred their meat as raw as possible. "And perhaps I will have some of those eggs as well. I have heard that steak and eggs is a delicacy from Earth."
"It is a staple in many parts of the world, yes. I'm sure they'll be happy to make your stake raw." She was happy there was food he'd enjoy. She hoped this to be another beginning for them.
The waitress brought their drinks and smiled at Jek'Lar. "So, you two decide what you wanna eat?"
"I will have the steak and eggs. Make the steak as raw as possible." Jek'Lar said to the waitress and immediately took a sip of the raktajino.
Alyssa smiled politely at the waitress. "I'll have a cheeseburger, medium, no onions, and a side of french fries, please."
When the waitress had left Jek'Lar tilted his head quizzically. "You know it is fortuitous that I have been assigned here and the Pioneer is based out of this station. Almost like it was meant to be. That is if you believe in things like fate. Klingons believe that we make our own fate, it goes hand in hand with honor."
"I believe that opportunities arise and it's up to us to make the most of them or not. That's not the same as fate. We make our own choices, so in that regard, we create our own futures." She smiled. She was smiling more now that she and Jek'Lar were... What were they? She knew what she wanted, and she knew Jek'Lar was at least interested, but she didn't know if he felt the same way she did. She was a telepath, yes, but it tended to short-circuit when her emotions were tangled up.
Memories of their first date resurfaced. She'd bitten him then to let him know how she felt. She wasn't sure if she had the courage to do that now.
"Yes, quite so. That is similar to the Klingon belief. You make your own honor, your own glory. These are what everyone should strive for. The idea of a deity does interest me. It is fascinating to me that someone can believe that a spirit can interfere on their behalf. We believe that Kahless' teachings will guide our lives. Yet, we do not go as far as to say that Kahless will save us." They had truly hit on a subject that to Jek'Lar's recollection they had never discussed before. It was something that he was quite passionate about.
"Many of those who believe in a god also believe they have to follow the teachings of that deity. They aren't just saved because they believe, but because they believe AND follow. They also believe they will be saved in the afterlife. Much like the Klingon belief of Sto-vo-kor. Not all Klingons will be worthy of that honor. They have to show they believe by following Kahless' teachings. Similarly, Vulcans follow the teachings of Surak. However, neither Klingons nor Vulcans believe them to be deities."
"Exactly... And it is the belief in deities that baffles me..." Jek'Lar began and then sipped his drink. "...After going through and seeing everything that a Starfleet Officer sees it is rather hard to believe that there is a deity out there. I know most encounters with anything that is like a deity turns out to be just another alien being. Q for example." He sipped again and then laughed. "I am sorry I do not believe that you came here for a philosophical discussion."
"I came here to be with you, whatever that may entail." She reached her hand toward him, then set it on the table. "As a final word, yes, much of what we thought inexplicable ended up being an advanced civilization or entity like a Q. However, I've seen enough to believe in the possibility of some greater power or supreme being."
The waitress returned then with their orders. "Enjoy," she said, popping her gum before leaving to take care of another table.
Alyssa picked up a French fry and took a bite. It was just as she liked it, a little crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. "So, next subject. What would you like to do after we eat?"
Jek'Lar tucked into his meal before he answered her question. The steak bled when he cut into it, the perfect preparation for a Klingon. When he swallowed his first bit he smiled rather softly for a Klingon. "Perhaps a stroll around the station, or we can board the Pioneer and you can show me this garden you designed." Something he had learned over time was that human women liked it when you showed an interest in their accomplishments. This was something that differed from Klingon women.
Alyssa nodded as she chewed her bite of hamburger. She swallowed and took a drink of her lemonade before answering. "Either would be fine. Most of the science department and several Marines with experience in botany helped construct the garden. We've even have a section for children and families to grow something. I'm quite proud of what we accomplished."
After taking a few bites and some sips, he spoke again. "Then the Pioneer it shall be. It would be nice to see what you have done. Is Commodore Malbrooke considering families aboard the ship? The last I had heard he was against it. Thought that a ship as small as the Pioneer had no room for families."
Alyssa chuckled. "He's changed his mind. His former chief flight control officer married and adopted a Bajoran child. He was fine with it." She wasn't sure if word that the captain's wife was pregnant was public knowledge or not. "He's now personally invested in families." The burger was delicious, but between it and the fries, there was far too much food for her to eat. When she finished her burger and washed it down with the rest of her soda, she indicated the fries. "You're welcome to those if you like."
Jek'Lar finished off the final bites of his steak and sides. He was not a fan of most vegetables, but had developed a taste for some over the years in Starfleet, potatoes were not one of them. "No, thank you I think I may have had enough. Perhaps we should pay the bill and take that walk." He was interested in seeing the garden. But, mostly he wanted to go somewhere private to talk about the future, their future. He thought that perhaps it would have to be he to make the first move this time.
"Yes. A walk would be nice." With the crew on shore leave, there shouldn't be too many people in the garden, and she wasn't ready for the evening to end. She also wanted to talk with him, but she wasn't sure how to begin. Maybe she'd think of something while she showed him the old cargo bay.
Jek'Lar pressed his thumb to a scanner that the waitress had. This was to put the bill on his account. Then he stood and motioned toward the door. "Then shall we?"
Alyssa also stood and smiled. "Yes.” She wanted to spend more time with Jek’Lar, and she wanted answers. Tonight. One way or another, they would talk tonight.
A Joint Post By
Commander Jek'Lar Son of Koss
Chief Strategic Operations Officer, Empok Nor
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
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