A Moonlit Stroll
Posted on Fri Nov 15th, 2024 @ 5:48pm by Commander Jek'Lar Son of Koss & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Edited on on Tue Nov 19th, 2024 @ 11:02pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: Garden Cube - Deck 10 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD002 2030 hrs
The cargo bay garden had transitioned to night, with moonlight bathing the plants and walkways for any who chose to visit. There were frequently people here to work or enjoy the flora, but with most were on shore leave, it was empty, except for Jek'Lar and Alyssa.
As they entered, Alyssa indicated the walls and ceiling that were also covered with plants and vines. "We're doing some experiments with vertical gardens. A number of the plants here are edible, or produce edible fruit."
"That is a genius idea. If it works it could revolutionize food storage for backup to replicators. This is some feat of engineering that is for sure." Jek'Lar looked around and was quite taken by not only the plants, but the systems were just as marvelous. "This is very impressive. You should be proud. You have brought honor to your family and your ship."
"Thank you. It was a group effort. I had scientists from Starfleet and The Cure help put it together, as well as some brilliant work from operations to design the infrastructure." There were so many things Alyssa wanted to do with her garden, but she was very pleased with the way it turned out. "I'd like to eventually try some experiments with bio-luminescent fungus. For now, we're working on a few hybrids that will increase food production. We also have sections for families and starters for those who want to grow plants in their quarters." She smiled, unable to hide how proud she was of the work they'd accomplished so far.
"That sounds like a great start. With the fungus I would make sure that they do not reproduce with spores, or that could create a problem for environmental controls." It was the only plant knowledge that he had. Well, that and the fact that most of the species of plants on the Klingon homeworld were carnivorous. "I am sure that this place will add a lot to the community of this vessel."
"I hope so. We've had more visitors than I expected, so we're off to a good start." She slipped her hand through his arm and led him to the back where they were doing a majority of the experiments. She liked this part of the garden best because of the fruit-bearing vines on the ceiling and the herbs and edible plants along the sides. It had been sectioned off to give it three plant-bearing walls that were partially shielded from the rest of the garden as the opening was on the side so it wasn't visible until you came to the back. Inside was a circle of benches around a fountain.
She led him to one of the benches and sat down. "I feel I should tell you more about what happened in the pocket universe," she began.
Jek’Lar sat down next to her and wondered for a moment. As a Klingon he loved a good story of duty, honor, and the like. However, the tone in Alyssa's voice did not indicate that this story was going to be a tale to be enjoyed with blood wine. "I am here to listen." That was what he felt was the best and perhaps only thing he could say at the moment.
"You probably know that the senior staff disappeared into a pocket universe. Did you know we were sent there by the same entity that possessed Commander McGowen?" She glanced over at him. "I had an encounter with that entity in my office on the other Pioneer." She looked away, focusing on the plants. "He looked and sounded like you."
Jek'Lar raised an eyebrow in the Vulcan manner and it seemed rather out of place on a Klingon face. "I see... It could be possible that the being took something from your brain, your subconscious and used its form in an attempt to illicit some kind of response from you. But, please go on."
"That's exactly what he--it--tried to do. He asked about Mozart and how he died. He wanted to know how it felt to face loss. He asked about losing you. Then facing death when I wanted to cut off my foot. He focused on my pain and loss." She took a slow breath as she remembered. "When I had BIID and wanted to cut off my foot, I focused on science. It was something I read once in a book. Mathematical equations, the periodic table of elements, taxonomic ranks, major species in the Federation, stellar phenomenon...anything that required concentration. It worked. I tried to share that with Mignon, but I couldn't reach her telepathically." She shook her head. She was getting distracted. "I tried that with Malificus, but it was only a minor distraction. So, I started focusing on the positive. I remembered the times we spent together, when Mozart would exercise with you. When you and I..." She stopped again. There was one more thing she had to tell him, and she wasn't sure if he'd walk away when she did. She hoped he wouldn't. That maybe he still cared for her. She took a deep breath. "The one thing that drove him away was remembering how I felt about you. How I still feel about you. He didn't like positive, happy thoughts. So, he left. The entity fed off pain and fear, but it couldn't handle love."
It took a moment for the Klingon to process that story. It seemed that Alyssa had been through so much in so little time. However, it was her expression of her feelings for him that really hit home as it were. Jek'Lar remembered that when they started their relationship she had bitten him as was Klingon tradition. However, perhaps it was time he returned the favor. Jek'Lar placed his hand on top of hers. "I love you, too." he said while he looked into her eyes. It was something he remembered reading about human interactions.
For a moment she did nothing as the words sunk in, melting away the fear that felt like a frigid lump in her stomach. He still loved her. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and hug him. She wanted to cry. But there was one thing she wanted most. She put her free hand on his cheek, leaned forward, and kissed him.
It is said that there is nothing that Klingons do not do without passion. For Jek'Lar this kiss proved that old adage correct. He let all of his feelings, everything that he had missed about her since their parting, all of it, pour from him and into that kiss. When the kiss broke he looked at her and smiled. "You are, after all, par'Mach'kai."
"Yes." After all the time and misunderstandings, it was wonderful to have him back in her life. Her fingers caressed his cranial ridges, his cheek, then his lips. "I only have one more question for you." She smiled softly, her eyes shining with her love for him. "Your place or mine?"
"I believe mine would be closer." Jek'Lar smiled as he felt that second warrior's heart beat once more.
It was a second chance for both of them, and Alyssa could not be happier.
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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