School Days
Episode IV Part I
By James C Jones II

 

I met my Husband in Transporter Room three. We were beaming over to the other ship as an act of good faith. Commander Cranston, Dr. Foster, Commander Kar’nl, My Husband, and myself were to see Aefvriha Skaaran and his staff. The Aefvriha asked that we use his real title, Aefvriha – which was Romulan for Administrator.

We stepped up on to the Transporter Pads.

My Husband said, “Energize.”

In thirteen seconds we were on the transporter platform of the other ship.

“Captain, I am Aefvriha Skaaran, Welcome to the --“ The Aefvriha looked me straight in the eyes. He briefly displayed surprise. He recovered just as quickly. “-- the Terrh Havraha.” Standing beside the Aefvriha was a Romulan Female. She was wearing the full military uniform of a career officer and had the rank of Commander. “This is Commander Sienae.”

She snapped to attention and bowed her head.

Interesting. Her name meant ‘Sword,’ in Rihhansu.

My Husband turned to us. “This is Commander Cranston, my Chief Security Officer. Doctor Karen Foster, Chief Medical Officer, Commander Kar’nl, Chief Science Officer, and Cadet T’Irs, my Wife.”

Skaaran said, “If I may be so forward and bold on this first meeting.”

My Husband nodded.

Skaaran said, “You’ve brought your Wife along some deep into space?”

My Husband nodded, “She has just recently joined Starfleet. A month ago she was a civilian. Now she is going through training.”

“May I ask the specialty?”

My Husband replied, “Security.”

Aefvriha Skaaran nodded slowly, once, “Forgive me if I have offended you Captain Scar’an. My Wife, T’Irs, is currently on Vulcan tending to our home and children –“

My Husband raised an eyebrow, “Indeed.”

“—and we have not been in close proximity in nearly five years.”

“Would it be customary for me to show grief on your behalf?”

“It is permitted and welcomed.”

“I am sorry, Aefvriha Skaaran.”

Both bowed their heads briefly.

I found it interesting to observe the two. My Husband, a Starfleet Officer, emotional. Aefvriha Skaaran, seemingly utterly Vulcan. A most intriguing and fascinating predicament.

We waited in the Transporter room while the Endeavor crew beamed over. Aefvriha Skaaran was visibly upset. The Captain of the Endeavor introduced herself as Miriah Katasai. She was mixed. Klingon with possibly Orion. Her Security was a Human male by the name Patton. It was interesting to note that he wore Klingon armor. Aefvriha Skaaran was clearly upset – in a subdued sort of Vulcan way. Her Chief Medical Officer was introduced as Matae, a Vulcan Healer.

Aefvriha whispered something into Commander Sienae ear. The commander turned and walked out. A few seconds later Sienae returned and Aefvriha Skaaran lead out of the Transporter room into a hall way that ended into a large lounging area. The Johnson lay dead center in a large window with the USS Endeavor off to the right. Skaaran motioned us to sit on couches facing the window. Several chairs were in front of us, their backs to the window. Skaaran and Commander Sienae sat down. The effect was calculated. The Aefvriha was always in front of the Johnson. A move one way or another and the Johnson was unblocked. He clapped his hands several times. Several male Romulans brought trays of food and drinks – Romulan Ale. The Aefvriha took a glass, as we all did. He gave the toast, “kll’inghann-a fvaiin!” He drained his glass.

Two things I noticed. The Universal Translators did not translate his toast. The ship was full of Romulans and Humans. My Husband merely lifted the glass to his lips. He was not happy with Aefvriha Skaaran toast. I believe Captain Miriah and her group was equally put out. Matae lifted an eyebrow. He said, “Klingon dogs are not welcomed here.”

 

The banter was mostly superfluous. Neither side gave away any information that could be considered strategically useful. We did find out that the Klingons and Skaaran’s Federation had been at war for centuries. He also told us that the Romulans actively sought out an alliance with Humans. He said there was an old fable about a strange ship that pulled a Colonizer from the grip of a worm hole, patched her, and pushed her back through. He shrugged and said the rest was History. We listened intently. Apparently, the reason for the Timeline change occurred when the Endeavor’s crew allowed the Ancient Colonizer ship to reenter the Worm hole. The rest was History.

The evening finished and Aefvriha Skaaran and Commander Sienae escorted us back to the Transporter room. Throughout the entire time in the Lounge the Aefvriha kept staring at me. My Husband showed considerable restraint and mostly ignored the Aefvriha inappropriate behavior. Once back onboard the Johnson My Husband remained still. He said, “Command Staff to the briefing Room.” He turned to me. “T’Irs, you can take the rest of the evening off.”

I replied, “Yes, Sir.”

My Husband sighed and he looked sad. I said, “Yes My Husband.”

He smiled, kissed me on the forehead and walked out of the Transporter Room.

Later that evening My Husband asked me to join him in the Command Conference room. The entire Command Staff was there. I stepped through the doorway, walked up to the table and stopped. I saluted, “Cadet T’Irs reporting as ordered, Sir.”

My Husband clenched his jaw and saluted back. “T’Irs, have a seat, please.”

Commander Cranston offered me his chair.

“Thank you, Commander,” I said. I waited.

“T’Irs,” My Husband began, “we have a situation.”

I nodded.

“As you know, our timeline has been changed.”

I nodded again.

“We have several options, however, I’d like to find out more about this timeline.”

I waited.

“Aefvriha Skaaran has requested to speak to you – alone.”

I raised an eyebrow, “Indeed.”

My Husband nodded. “As much as I don’t like his request, this gives us an opportunity to get more information about this Neo-Federation.”

“I understand. This is my first assignment?”

“T’Irs, I really don’t like the idea of you going over there alone. Particularly, with him.”

I asked, “Your intuition is telling you something?”

He nodded, “A belly ache of it. Things aren’t what they appear.”

I returned the nod, “I am finding that out, Sir.”

 

***

 

A half hour later I was on board the Terrh Havraha. Commander Sienae was waiting when I transported over.

She said, “Aefvadh, v’rinam.”

I raised an eyebrow. Most extraordinary. She said, “Welcome, Adopted-Sister.”

I replied, “Is it customary for me to reply in kind?”

She smiled, “And you’re educated enough to ask. Most of my fellow sisters would not know how to respond. Usually, it is not, but in your case, I would be honored.”

I replied, “Aefvadh, v’rinam.”

We walked out of the transporter room and down a long corridor. Sienae walked like My Husband. Her gait was graceful yet powerful. Her eyes moved often and took in everything. She seemed well suited as a predator. After several minutes of walking we reached a black door. All the other doors along the corridor were colored green.

Sienae waved her hand slowly across a small polished mirror half way up the wall. The door opened and we walked in.

Aefvriha Skaaran was sitting on a couch. He stood up. “Ah, Cadet T’Irs, here you are. In the interest of InterTemporal Relations I thank you for joining me. Please sit down.” He motioned me to the couch.

I sat in a chair directly opposite the couch.

He frowned briefly. “T’Irs – may I call you that?”

I knew it was inappropriate, but understood Aefvriha Skaaran wished to control the situation. I said, “Yes, you may call me T’Irs if you wish, Aefvriha Skaaran.”

He frowned again, “Call me Skaaran, please. Or would you prefer Tryuid?”

“I will call you Skaaran. Forgive my bluntness, but I do not think it very appropriate to call you by My Husband’s private name.”

He laughed lightly.

I thought that highly unusual. “You laughed.”

He nodded, “Yes. In my timeline it is permissible for a Vulcan to laugh. We can feel emotions as well, however, most of us choose not too, at least not in public. The other members of the Federation think Vulcans are stiff stoic servants of the State. Not completely accurate, but useful at times.” He walked over to a desk and picked up several data cards. He placed them on the Table in between the chair and couch.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Are you wondering what is on them?”

I nodded, “I am curious. I am also curious as to why you asked to speak with me alone. You are aware that the request was highly unusual and suspicious.”

He smiled My Husband’s smile. “It was a test.”

“And the results?”

“Computer, two glasses of Ale, on the table.”

Two glasses appeared.

He picked up a glass and drained the contents. “Refill please.”

The computer complied.

He sipped this time. “You failed.”

I stared.

“I never would have let you come abroad alone. What is Chiita thinking?”

“That you are true to your word and that you have a measurable amount of integrity.”

He clenched his jaw. He understood my reply perfectly.

“T’Irs, that ship of yours is very interesting. In some respects the weaponry is much more powerful than ours. It’s interesting that the timeline could produce similar yet very distinct histories.”

I stared.

“I would venture that that ship could handle several of our ships simultaneously.”

I decided to let him think that. I did not know whether that was true. “I am certain it could. The Johnson is resilient.”

He nodded. “Tell me about the Johnson please.”

Sienae had made her way to the corner of the couch and waited.

I looked at her and then back to Skaaran. “Are you interrogating me?”

“T’Irs, of course not. I am just curious about the Johnson’s capabilities. It is not a normal ship.”

“Normal ship?”

“It’s a timeship, correct?”

The fact that he had to ask meant that this particular timeline lagged behind in certain technologies. “All ships are potential timeships.”

“T’Irs, I meant was the Johnson particularly built for time travel?”

“Aefvriha Skaaran, you are asking me a question that you could have asked when My Husband was on board this ship.”

His face darkened, “True, but I am asking now.”

Skaaran was trying to influence me psychically. I could feel pressure being exerted on my mental shield. That revealed another hint to this Timeline.

“It is a Deep Space Explorer.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Meaning?”

“Meaning, it was built to explore deep space and nothing more.”

He stared back. “Sienae, could you leave us for a moment please?”

She looked at Skaaran for a moment and then slowly walked to the door.

Skaaran said, “Computer unlock, door.”

It complied.

Sienae stepped out.

Skaaran turned his attention to me. “You look exactly like my T’Irs.”

“Is there a reason I should not?”

He smiled, “And you sound like her too. She is a follower of Surak. A replica of the Kir’Shara adorns our bed chambers. I’ve tried to convince her to join the Military, but she refused. Such a strong mind, I guess that’s why I’m attracted to her.” He stared at me and dropped his mental shield. I saw his unbridled id. “T’Irs, why did you join your Starfleet?”

“To protect my Husband.”

The glass in his hand shook. “You love him, don’t you?”

“I am a follower of Surak.”

He stared at me for a long time. He noticed he had Ale in his glass. “Just like my wife.” He drained the glass. “Refill computer.”

It did.

“The information on the data cards contains public knowledge of my Federation, maps, statistics, news, history.”

I reached out to grab the data cards. He placed his hand on top of mine.

“I hadn’t been with my T’Irs in over six years.”

I removed his hand from mine with my free hand. I grabbed the data cards and placed them in my uniform pocket. “I am sorry to hear that.”

“I suppose you would like similar data in return?”

He shook his head. “Not exactly.”

I stood up, “I must excuse myself from your presence Aefvriha Skaaran. I am due to communicate with the Johnson shortly.”

He seemed like he did not hear. “You are so very beautiful T’Irs. I bet you’re wild in bed. Not cold and stiff like a true Vulcan. I can hear it in your voice.”

I started for the door and he moved to bar my way.

He drained the glass.

“Aefvriha Skaaran, your behavior is inappropriate. Please allow me to pass.”

“I’m just like him, T’Irs.”

“I doubt that very much. Your actions have already shown me you are very different from My Husband.”

“—and the way you say ‘My Husband’ it’s as if the title is his name.”

“Aefvriha Skaaran –“

He grabbed my wrist –

-- I dislocated his.

To his credit, he did not scream out in pain.

“You dishonor your Wife’s name,” I simply said.

He looked hurt and disgusted. A moment later anger seemingly consumed him. He began to curse and yell.

I stood my ground and stared at him.

3.4 minutes later he stopped. “T’Irs, I am sorry. The Ale, it does that sometimes. My reasoning and judgment – clouded. I ask for your forgiveness.”

“Unlock the door please.”

“Computer, unlock door.”

The computer complied and the door opened. Sienae was waiting outside.

“Sorry, T’Irs, you will be staying as my guest.”

I stepped just outside the door way. I turned and faced Skaaran.

“This is how you strengthen relationships?”

“In your new Timeline you’ll learn things are different here. That ship of yours will make a welcomed addition to our Fleet.”

“That is ridiculous. My Husband will never let you take the Johnson.”

“I have his lovely wife.”

I stared at him. My Husband could maintain eye contact with me for hours. Skaaran was not a challenge. He looked away after a three seconds. Unfortunately, I was bound by morals and duty. I did not have a weapon to “phaser him out of existence.” However, I decided, that type of behavior was best left to My Husband. I did have one recourse. “Skaaran?”

He looked hopeful, “Yes, T’Irs?”

“You’re an asshole.”

The effect was what I expected. The door closed.

 

End of Part I