The 4th victim

Posted on Tue Oct 13th, 2020 @ 11:01pm by Lieutenant Darru & Lieutenant Aurelius Davis & Ensign Kathryn Bell & Renee Rooke

Mission: Mission 3 - 100
Location: Deck F - Science
Timeline: Day 47, Month 3, Year 0 09:00
870 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Kate and Renee decided the best course of action was to tag team the Vulcan. Not that they blamed him--well, Renee's eyes might be spitting sparks, but Kate was a bit calmer about the situation. Perhaps it was because she understood Vulcans, at least a little, and knew something of their language.

The two of them entered Daru's lab, and Bell went first.

"Mr. Darru, I understand your point to this... Thing..." She looked with distaste at the information displayed on the tablet in her hand. "However..."

Renee interrupted. "Have you considered, at all, that some of us MIGHT NOT LIKE MEN!!!" The last of this was uttered in a near-scream. "Kate can stomach them, if she has to, but me...!"

The Vulcan calmly turned as the women came into the laboratory and looked them both up and down as he saw the air practically vibrating with emotions. He raised an eyebrow at the near scream that was directed at him. "I believe that I have never raised my voice to you and would expect the same respect, Miss Rooke." The man said simply looking the woman up and down before he looked at the Starfleet officer.

Bell tried to intervene, "Lieutenant, this... Matching... While it might be advantageous from a purely logical, genetic point of view, its not very... Human. How would you feel if one of us tried interfering with a marriage bond set up by Vulcan parents for their children? ... And don't deny an emotional response--Vulcans have emotions as well, they're just better at hiding them."

"Morning," Aurelius said as he saw the two coming. "What are we discussing?" He glanced back and forth between them sensing some tension in their language and how they were holding themselves, well Bell anyway.

Far too many humans knew about Vulcan practices for his liking on this ship. What was it that humans like to do again? Ah yes, gossip. Vulcan's were obviously the best gossip fodder for them at the moment. "You would be foolish to inter as we take genetics and common life goals into those practices," Darru said looking at Aurelius as he strode in. "Good Morning Lieutenant. Are you well?" He had been trying to engage more with the grew and Davis seemed to be one of the few who accepted the changing attitude.

"Very well, thank you," Aurelius grinned, resisting the urge to tell Darru that he was 'fit as a fiddle' as he knew the Vulcan would have no idea what he was talking about and would give him one of his long stares. "What is the topic this morning?"

"My project," Darru said simply knowing Davis was already aware of it. It was not a secrete at all. Most men on board had not been matched due to no compatibility or genetic issues that would be passed onto offspring. He knew it had upset a few people but it was part of the long term survival of any species.

"Still on about that hmm. You know most humans choose their mates different right?" Aurelius assumed at some point that someone had had the conversation with him but maybe they hadn't. He really hated to be the one to do it though. Then again it was probably his job as morale officer.

"Of course I am aware of that Lieutenant Davis," Darru said with a small incredulous look that the an thought that he thought that him so unaware. He was not stupid, he knew their practices were different but they needed to adapt to survive. How could they not see that? How would they so blinded by the here and now that they were not considering the future?

"Good, just making sure. Humans are resistant to change their ways, even if their circumstances have changed. Just out of curiosity, who are you matching me up with?"

Rooke shot Davis a side-long glance. "You seem oddly calm about this. Don't you realize he,"--she jabbed her finger in Darru's direction--"is ruining people's lives?"

"That's enough, Renee." Kate's tone was firm, almost coldly commanding. "Control yourself... We will deal with this situation calmly, like rational adults."

Rooke bowed her head, holding back her response... For now.

"I am not ruining peoples lives Ms Rooke just thinking of the bigger picture as all crew members were asked to, to allow us to survive," Darru said simply turning back to his console to signify it was over. He was not going to be yelled at in his own lab when he was trying to help them all survive for the future. He looked at Davis almost waiting for him to argue or agree with the Civilian who was so angry.

"Just because he's suggesting people hook up doesn't mean we actually have to do it," Aurelius chuckled. "Take a deep breath. Arranged marriages sometimes took place on Earth remember? Try to look at it from his point of view."

"Doesn't mean I have to like it," Renee almost snarled. "This makes what you and I discussed all the more urgent, Kate."

"What, getting married?" Kate was taken aback. "Are you sure? We're kind of in the middle of a crisis at the moment."

TRUNCATED