Walkabout - Part II
Posted on Thu Oct 22nd, 2026 @ 3:05pm by Lieutenant Vura & Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Edited on on Fri Oct 23rd, 2026 @ 11:48am
1,516 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 18 - The Edge of Darkness
Location: Office of the Chief Counselor - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 1400 hrs
Kat looked at Vura for a moment, her expression serious. "Before I came to the Pioneer, I was stationed on Empok Nor. Tyler and I only saw each other when the ship docked at the station. I'm aware of the importance of making time for us to be together. I have no delusions about the difficulties of living with a baby. I also plan on making use of the holo-nanny so we can have some time. But babies grow up, and we don't want to waste that time, either." She smiled at Vura. "Thank you for your concern, but we'll be fine. Tired, but fine."
"Well, you seem to have your head well attached to your shoulders," Vura replied easily. She appreciated that Kat had good intentions, but Terrans had a saying about the road to hell being paved with them. "Just let me know if you need anything. I am here for you and your growing family."
"Thank you. I appreciate that." Then, to change the subject, she asked, "I know this is Tyler's business more than mine, but how are you settling in on the ship?"
Vura shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm surprised that Tyler did not tell you. I actually thought about leaving the ship for a moment. He convinced me to stay."
"He's good at keeping the personal lives of his crew personal--unless he wants my opinion or input. He knows I can keep his confidences, but that doesn't mean he needs to share them." Kat had heard a few things about Vura--both good and bad--but didn't know her well. "I know he's glad you're still on the ship."
"Well, he gave me a reason to stay that was irresistible, so, here I am..." she said as she opened her arms wide and dramatically. Her pitched raised as demonstratively flung out her arms. "Sometimes, though, it is hard to stay. I have a bit of wanderlust."
"Is that because you're looking for something, or somewhere to belong, or because you don't want any lasting ties?" Kat asked.
Vura laughed prettily. "I don't think that the latter is true. However, in Starfleet, many things are fleeting. People come and go, though it is less true on a starship. Beings have to be here for a while, at least until shore leaves."
"I don't think it takes a shore leave. People come and go all the time. It keeps the shuttle pilots busy. But even on a starship, you really don't see many people you don't work with."
The counselor wondered if she was unclear or whether Kat's pregnancy brain was hitting her. She had said it was less true on a starship, not that it did not happen. Maybe she was being overly technical. Vulcan counselors often had those issues with non-Vulcan patients. "No, you really don't. That's what makes extracurricular activities so important. That way you can form connections with beings outside of rank and build camaraderie."
"For those who are social." Kat grinned. "I admit that I've spent far too much time with the computer or in my quarters. But I haven't really felt social during my pregnancy. Until now, that is. I'll probably go back to keeping to myself for a while once the baby's born."
"That's only natural. When the baby comes, the maternal instinct will hit even harder and you will want to always be there for the baby. By the way, do you know what it is? Boy or girl?"
"Yes, but I don't know if Tyler wants to tell people just yet. We're still discussing names."
"That's so difficult," Vura replied easily. "It is one of many choices that we are saddled with. We don't get to choose so much in life at the beginning and yet it affects our lives so greatly."
Kat nodded. "I want a name that has meaning, but not one that's going to be a burden. So, it may take until the baby's born. I've read that some parents wait to see the baby and then decide the name. I'm not sure I want to wait that long."
Vura shrugged. "Every culture is different. Some name after the living. Others name after the dead. Some adopt names for their mythic heroes or Gods. In the end, you have to do what works for you and Tyler."
"Yes. We may end up with a combination of names." Kat shrugged. "But we still have time for that. What have you been doing in your spare time?"
"In my spare time?" Vura asked. "Not that much. Why do you ask?"
"Why is that?" Kat raised a hand. "I don't need details. I've noticed that much of my time is spent resting or getting ready for the baby. It makes me realize how little I did before I got pregnant. So, now I find myself thinking about what other people do with their spare time."
"Well, many of my activities are solitary and I'm not certain that many people would consider my hobbies that interesting. Sure, some would appreciate my sketches or such, but a lot of my time is concentrating on my inner space and experiencing many things that others would not spend more than a moment on, such as the tasting of a strawberry."
"Really? You spend a lot of time on sensory exploration?"
"That depends on what you call 'a lot.' It is a relative set of words."
"True, but you said a lot of your time was spent on experiencing things like strawberries." Kat was now curious to know what Vura meant by that.
"Yes, that is true. It could take me an hour to eat a full strawberry if I really want to experience all the sensations properly," Vura answered. "Making certain that every taste bud tastes each part of the strawberry, how it feels to have the textures hit my lips and tongue...." Vura's eyes started to widen and roll upwards as she thought about the feelings. One might think she was having a religious experience just thinking about it.
An hour. Kat couldn't imagine taking an hour to eat a strawberry. Or anything else, for that matter. Then again, she wasn't that familiar with Deltans. "Do you do that with every new food you eat?"
"No," Vura replied with a short shake of her head. "Only the interesting ones. Even so, I try to limit my instincts when others are around. It isn't polite in non-Deltan company to focus on oneself and one's sensations."
"That makes sense. But with the replicators and the holodeck, you have a lot of opportunities for sensory exploration."
"Oh, certainly, but the holodeck is not actually real, is it?" Vura answered.
"No, but it's the next best thing. And, as long as the safeties are on, you won't get seriously hurt. A good holodeck program makes you feel like you're actually there, so you can experience historic events and visit other worlds without leaving the Pioneer."
"That is true," Vura conceded. "However, there are also a lot of psychological risks to such things. There are many known cases where people have fallen in love with the holograms and avoided real people. It can be difficult for our emotions to tell the difference even if we intellectually understand they're nothing but energy made into temporary matter."
Kat nodded slowly. "And you can program your perfect mate. Or think they're perfect. In the end, they're too good to be true because they aren't. I much prefer the real thing." She also knew she was fortunate to have Ty.
"There are always more than a few crew members that we have to be concerned about with regard to those sort of trysts. It is unfortunate that there is no way to prohibit such things. Then again, prohibiting something often makes it more desirable, especially for humans."
"True." Kat's stomach grumbled and she put a hand over it, smiling ruefully. "Sounds like the baby wants food. Thank you for the conversation, but I think it's time for me to go back to my quarters for a meal and a nap."
Vura nodded towards Kat. "I could help with the food but a nap, not so much." The Counselor smiled and told Kat, "Anytime you want to stop by, please feel free to do so. This has been an enjoyable conversation."
"It has. I'll definitely be getting out more now." Then she smiled ruefully. "At least for a while. I'll figure out my next routine after the baby is born."
Kat managed to get up after her second try, then waddled to the door. "Thank you for the chat."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Commander Katherine Malbrooke
Starfleet Corps of Engineers, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
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