Just Because - Part II
Posted on Thu Oct 22nd, 2026 @ 4:51pm by Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Vura
Edited on on Sun Oct 25th, 2026 @ 10:56am
1,618 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 18 - The Edge of Darkness
Location: After 11 - Deck 11 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD004 1900 hrs
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.
"No, I'm no counselor." Alyssa smiled. "Just a curious scientist. I don't know if we know each other well enough to be friends, but we are definitely more than acquaintances."
"So, there you go.... And, how would you suggest that we get from the 'more than acquaintances' to friends?" Vura gave Alyssa a playful, near giggle smile.
"I could give you the anthropological response, but I don't think that would be appropriate in this situation," Alyssa replied, smiling at Vura. "So, we'll have to settle for the old fashioned hit and miss. Talking. Going to lunch. Comparing hobbies."
Alyssa shrugged. "I'm just as likely to get into a conversation about what someone is reading as what they like for lunch."
"Well, then, I should never bore you, as I rarely ever want to do the same thing twice."
"You haven't bored me yet. And I often do the same things over and over without being bored." Alyssa smiled. "Science is all about doing the same experiments or tests and getting the same results. Until they don't. That's where it gets exciting."
"Well, even in counseling, we have to use mass data in order to formulate theories and general ideas for treatment. However, our data tends to have more self-reporting, which causes a higher probability of error," Vura answered back scientifically.
She did not often talk about the technical aspects of her profession. It was not overly interesting to most people. Somehow, though, she suspected that Alyssa might find it somewhat intriguing.
"Social science has the same problem," Alyssa replied. "Archaeology can also be subjective as you're dealing with scientists who can often interpret what they find because there isn't enough empirical evidence."
"Would it not be interesting to go back in time and see if you are correct or not?" Vura countered.
Alyssa thought for a moment. "Sometimes. But only with some worlds and some cultures. There are some things I would rather not see--or verify. Although I would like to go back and get more copies of stories and songs from the past. The things that don't always get preserved."
"There's even more than that that does not get preserved," Vura replied agreeing with Alyssa. "It is the everyday person that is lost to history. Most often it is only the big names that get preserved: the Einsteins, the Kirks, the Zephram Cochranes, the Suraks.... But what about the Joe Smiths? Their lives meant something. Yet history forgets them and their deeds."
"History forgets most of the important people, too. We have so little to tell us what the past was really like." Alyssa paused, then smiled. "I guess I would like to go back just to see what life was like then. It was something I used to think about, but not so much in the past couple of years."
"Why not?" Vura asked curiously. "Why the change?"
"Being a department head is very different from examining and setting up archaeological sites, or working on them. I don't have much time for research and I rarely get to work in my field. So, I tend to focus on the Pioneer and the scientists here, which leaves little time for studying history."
"Now that is concerning to me," Vura replied while her eyes narrowed slightly. "You have to make time for the things that you desire. It is really important that you keep a work-life balance."
"Yes, but there's never enough time to do everything one desires," Alyssa countered. "You have to do what is necessary, then decide what you want to do with the rest of your time. And that has to balance everything else. I have my work. I have professional journals to keep up with. I have my personal life. I need to sleep. So, some things have to be put off for later. Every day is a choice. Eventually, I'll get back to field work and teaching, but not now."
She raised an eyebrow as she looked at Vura. "Do you find time for everything you want to do?"
Vura giggled when she thought about that. "I'm not certain that any Deltan could do everything that they want to do. We're rather concentrated on experiences and there are just so many to have. Nobody could do everything in their lifetime." She sighed pleasantly at the possibility.
"However, I don't think that's what you meant. I think you meant whether I am able to balance my work and pleasure. Like anyone, I have my struggles. However, for the most part, I think I do balance them alright," Vura concluded.
Alyssa wasn't so sure about Vura's work-life balance, but she wasn't going to comment on it. "I'm glad you've found a way to have some fun."
"Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?" Vura asked Alyssa.
"Only once. Well, only on one dig site. It was the most efficient way to get to and from the site and our camp. Why?"
"Millie took me on one on the last shore leave. Quite invigorating! I think I may have to try one on my own at some point on the holodeck."
"You should. Once you get the hang of riding on roads, you should try off-roading. That's where you ride up and down dirt hills. I hear it's quite the adventure," Alyssa said. It wasn't something she wanted to try, but she thought the counselor might like it.
"Oooh!" Vura replied, her voice rising in pitch and nearly cooing. "That sounds delightful." Then a pout started to form on her face, "Though, I haven't ridden one alone yet. I probably need some holo instructor first."
Alyssa nodded. "That would be a good idea. And keep the safeties on. I hear it can be dangerous. Me, I'm happy with a good book and a quiet evening."
Vura exclaimed, "We need to get you out to do something! Let's give you a bit of excitement! Put a little oomph into one of your days. What do you want to do? Something you've never done before!"
Alyssa paused. "I really don't know. Most recently I've learned how to throw knives. And I've been taking belly dancing lessons. I'd have to do some research to see what else I'd like to try."
"Belly dancing is great exercise!" Vura replied enthusiastically. "I just love dancing and that is certainly one where I don't need a partner, so don't have to worry about hormonal effects," she told Alyssa with a mischievous grin. "That doesn't mean I can't tease and play!"
"The dance itself is flirtatious. It's part of the fun," Alyssa admitted with a smile. "As is wearing the costume. So, you've tried belly dancing before?"
"I have," Vura confirmed with a nearly ravenous grin.
The grin made Alyssa laugh. "I have fun dancing, but clearly not as much as you. I'm glad you enjoy it." It was an easy bet that all eyes would be on the counselor when she danced, too. That was probably something else Vura appreciated. Alyssa not as much. She danced for the joy of dancing, regardless of whether she danced alone or not.
"If you are going to do something," Vura replied, her grin stayed fixed, "then you should do it with all the passion that you have. Experience whatever it is to its fullest. I think that's what life could be about. After all, why constrain yourself?"
"That is another conversation entirely," Alyssa said. "And one I don't think you'd particularly care about. I'll just say that you can also learn a lot by practicing self-restraint and self-control." From her limited perspective, it seemed like the councilor preferred to live a life of extremes. Alyssa thought it sounded exhausting.
"Oh, there's quite a bit to be enjoyed about restraint and control," Vura answered. "Quite interesting sensations." The counselor restrained herself from allowing her tongue to lick across her lips.
"I'll let you know when I go belly dancing again." Although Alyssa wasn't sure if she'd regret that decision later. Maybe she could get a couple other women to join them. Didn't Millie mention wanting to learn?
She glanced at her empty salad plate, then back to Vura. "Time for me to head back to the lab. Thank you for the company. We'll definitely do this again."
"Absolutely!" Vura replied enthusiastically. "I can't wait to do this again or to belly dance with you. I bet we could teach each other something!"
She then pouted and said, "Darn! We did not even get something to eat this time. We'll have to fix that on our next outing."
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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