Just Because - Part I
Posted on Thu Oct 22nd, 2026 @ 4:49pm by Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Vura
Edited on on Sun Oct 25th, 2026 @ 10:55am
1,617 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 18 - The Edge of Darkness
Location: After 11 - Deck 11 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD004 1800 hrs
Vura was sorting through all the beings that she knew on the Pioneer. Looking at the Chiefs of Staff, half were gone from when she originally arrived on the ship. It was a hazard of being in Starfleet and sometimes it was a blessing, as beings did not get to know her too well.
On the other hand, she still needed to form and have relationships to the extent that she could. Recently, she had worked with Alyssa in opening diplomatic ties with the Silence. However, they had not talked since. In fairness, they had not talked together since Vura had arrived on the ship, other than on away missions. That had to be rectified.
So, Vura tapped her commbadge and said, =^=Commander Maren, this is Lieutenant Vura. Would you like to dine with me in After 11? =^=
Alyssa was compiling a requisition order for the Garden Cube. It was doing well, but she still needed supplies to keep it going. Plus, she wanted to build another wall to section off an area for water plants. When she heard the message she sat back and checked the time. "Sure. When do you want to meet?" She could use a break.
=^= Would lunch be too soon? Or would you prefer to do dinner? =^= Vura inquired with a curious tone in her voice.
"Either is fine. I have no plans today." Nothing that couldn't be interrupted by food, anyway. "Which do you prefer?"
=^= My day is rather light today. Why don't we do lunch? =^= Vura replied enthusiastically.
"Yes. Lunch is fine. Shall we meet in After Eleven in half an hour?" Alyssa asked, looking at her computer. It would take her about fifteen minutes to finish what she was doing. Maybe twenty.
This pleased Vura. She had no idea why they did not spend more time together, but this would be a start to that, maybe. =^= A half hour is fine. It will give me some time to complete some paperwork. See you then!=^=
Alyssa was five minutes early, so she got herself a chef salad and glass of lemonade, then found a table and did some people watching while she waited for the counselor.
Vura arrived a couple of minutes late. She seemed to be rather unconcerned by that. Of course, she was unconcerned about the looks that naturally drifted towards her. It was typical. She made a show of visibly searching for Alyssa and when she found her, Vura gave Alyssa an enthusiastic wave before heading to the table where she was located. The counselor sat down with a pleasant sigh. "Sorry that I'm late," Vura told Alyssa. "I hope that you were not waiting long."
"Not at all." She was amused at the counselor's enthusiastic wave. "Besides, I enjoy people watching on occasion. I don't get to do it often. Most of the time I eat lunch in my office so I can catch up on my reading. How has your day been so far?"
"My day has been dreadfully boring today," she answered with dramatic flair, and flouncing her chin somehow elegantly onto an upturned palm on her hand which now had an elbow resting on the table. "So, I was thinking about people that I have not talked to in some time and your name came up in my mind."
Vura picked up her head and put her arm back down underneath the table. "I don't think that I have spent any time with you since our first meeting in my office. That's just tragic!" the counselor exclaimed.
"Doubtful. There's always something to do around here," Alyssa replied cheerfully. "I often find the day is over before I've completed my to do list. Then again, I have a dozen journals I read on a regular basis, plus I'm on a discussion board about archaeological finds, so there's always something I want to read or do." She cocked a head to one side. "What do you do when you aren't talking to someone?"
"I suppose that depends if I want to be around people or not," Vura replied thoughtfully. "Perhaps I should assume by your question that you mean when I want to be alone?" she wondered. "If that's accurate, then I do like to do a fair amount of drawing and sketching. You could often find me in an arboretum doing that, though sometimes I'll just sit around here and sketch some of what I see here."
Vura laughed slightly at that. "Of course, that's often difficult because people seem to focus their attention on me." She shrugged sweetly. "Just part of the Deltan charm. What can I say?"
Alyssa had no doubt some of the crew couldn't keep from looking at the counselor, but she knew others who were quite happy avoiding her. However, that was not a conversation she wanted to have, so she ignored that part of Vura's statement. "Yes. I've noticed some people drawing in the garden cube. I've noticed a couple of Marines who like to do that and sell their art in the Cure's gift shop. What else do you like to do in your off time?"
"Merrick has sketched with me in the garden," Vura replied with a sly smile. "What else do I like to do? Oh, I like to make jewelry, create pottery, and...." While placing a hand delicately over her heart, with the other floating up into the air dramatically, "acting! Of course, the makeup that goes along with it and my every day looks. There's no reason not to look one's best, you know?"
Vura's smile was...both odd and disconcerting. What was it about drawing with Edmund that would make her smile like that? "Do you have many opportunities to make jewelry and pottery on the Pioneer?" Neither were skills Alyssa had, but they did sound interesting.
"Opportunities?" Vura considered it. "Whenever I'm feeling in the mood, I can always arrange some holodeck time to do it. Of course, everything is left there and disappears. So, if I wanted to do something much more permanent, I would have to get more space and replicate the equipment."
She shrugged. "I suppose that there's not a lot of reason for me to do it often as I have a good deal of jewelry and if I don't have it, I could always instruct the computer to replicate whatever I dream up."
"That's a good point. There isn't much cause for wearing jewelry with a uniform anyway." Alyssa shrugged. "There wasn't much point wearing jewelry in the field, either, so I don't have much myself. But I do think it's important to develop one's talents."
"I appreciate your encouragement," Vura replied genuinely. "Unlike you, who needs your hands and body available in the field, I'm a counselor. I don't even have to wear a uniform if the Commodore allows. Counselors have a lot more freedom to express themselves."
The Counselor switched the topic and asked, "How are you doing on expanding away from compartmentalizing everything?"
"I'm a scientist. Some parts of science require compartmentalization. But I've found more balance." A lot of that had to do with a certain Klingon on Empok Nor, but she wasn't going to bring that up.
"Really?" Vura asked interested. "Please, tell me about that! I would love to hear about what is going on in your life."
Or maybe she was. It wasn't really a secret, even though she didn't talk about her private life much. "I've been spending what time I can with a man on Empok Nor." She shrugged. "We're both busy, so it's not as often as we'd like, but we're making it work."
"Really?" Vura asked, leaning forward toward Alyssa. "Is it that handsome Bajoran counselor? What was his name? I only met him briefly. Lieutenant Jayak Zek?"
That made Alyssa laugh. "No. His name is Jek'Lar and he's Klingon. We met years ago when we both served on the same starship. We lost touch after that. But now..." She smiled. "We spend what time we can together. It's not much, but we're making it work."
"A Klingon?" Vura asked rhetorically. "Interesting!" Vura replied enthusiastically. "I've heard that their mating rituals can be quite aggressive. I have to say I would not have expected you to engage in that sort of behavior.... Unless, of course, things have not progressed that far. Either way, I'm happy for you!"
Alyssa has no intention of satisfying Vura's curiosity on any of the personal details of her relationship with Jek'Lar. Or anyone, for that matter. "Have you been able to make friends on the Pioneer?" She knew Vura couldn't do more than that right now, but friends were still important.
Vura giggled like a school girl who knew a naughty secret. "Impressive attempt at redirection. I'll let it go for now. Just remember, I am a professional. I've heard it all. No need to be shy. Besides, whatever it is, it is probably very tame compared to anything we Deltans might do."
She smiled sweetly at Alyssa and with a wink asked, "Are you trying to be my counselor now?" Vura then continued, "But, I have friends here. Perhaps we are, as well? Or maybe something more than acquaintances? After all, we are here and I'm not 'shrinking' your brain."
Alyssa just nodded and headed back to work.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer, USS Pioneer
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