Angel Drop-in

Posted on Sun Mar 19th, 2023 @ 6:15am by Lieutenant JG Alena Alessa

1,363 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 5 - Objects In Motion
Location: Alena's quarters

Alena sat on her bed with one of Mrs. Anderson's old books. There had to be some reason that she had been able to read some of the words back when she was on the T'Kon ship. But why, and how?

While she loved a good mystery book to read, Alena wasn't a fan of being stuck in one herself. There were too many why, when, what and if's. She sighed. Lately, she had had the feeling that she didn't know her Ma and Mrs. Anderson as well as she had liked to think.

Niska held her basket and fluffed back her hair before pressing the chime.

“Well hey there sugar,” she smiled. “Thought id drop in and see how your doing.”

Alena recognized Niska's voice from the other side of her door. She put down her book with a smile and went to open. "Hello Niska. It's good to see you. I'm doing alright, considering all that has happened lately", she told the other woman. "Come on in. What about you? How are you doing?"

“As well as one can. I brought you goodies from the bar. Foods only going to spoil. The cakes too good. Someone's got to enjoy it. Where can i put this down,” she smiled at her.

Alena smiled widely. "I've heard rumors about your food", she told Niska. "From what I've heard, your food is the best". She gestured to her desk. "You can place everything there. Do you want tea? or coffee?", she asked.

Niska smiled. "Now that is a compliment I will happily take. Tea please. I don't trust the coffee out of those Cardassian replicators. You have nice quarters. Big ones. Mine are about half the size. I keep half my belongings at the lounge," she said looking over her shelving and books. "May I?" she asked indicating one.

"Of course", Alena said with a smile. "Sorry about my books lying all over. That was always something Ma "complained" about. Sometimes she found books the oddest places. Like in the cupboards of her kitchen. And that was just one place", she chuckled at the memory. "My school bag was heavier than the other children's bags. I always had a lot of books with me".

Pretending to pick up the book and leaf through it while the other lady ordered the tea, she gently placed the tiny pendant she had been instructed to deliver on the shelf but as far away from the book she picked so not to arise suspicion. It tucked neatly between the last book and the vase with flowers. Luckily working the circuits in her old haunts made her sleight of hand exceptional and those flowers would need replacing in a few days so she would find it.

"You get a lovely view of the planet as well. You did luck out," she smiled. "Will you be going down to help set up the colony with Liam?"

"I don't know, to be honest", Alena admitted. "I figure that I should start talking to those who has a hard time coping with that nightmare that we all went through not long ago. I believe that that should be my priority", she went on, pausing to think about what she had said. It was truth. Hell, she still had to cope with the events with the T'kon and the into-the-past events they had endured.

Niska nodded. "They are rude those T'Kon. And plotting. They come into the bar, noses down and hushed voices. I cannot the be only one who does not trust them?"

"While they did help us at the into-the-past experience, I do not trust them completely. I need to see proof that they can be trusted before I make up my mind about them", Alena said. "Just because they helped us back then, doesn't mean that they'll be nice now", she went on.

"They are angry and bitter. I have been practicing Liam's exercises in my office in the bar," she said. "How fairs your practice?"

Alena smiled. "I've done the exercises daily. Going a bit farther out every time, and still being able to return to myself without getting bombarded by emotions and stray thoughts", she said. "As for the T'Kon. If they want to be on the space station, i hope they'll come around enough to not be angry at us all the time. I have no doubt that they have had it tough. But at some point one has to let go of the past. Easier said than done, but still", she went on, pausing to think over her words. "I wish they would share some stories with us, be it small or big ones. I think we need a way to break the ice".

"What do you suggest?" Niska nodded. "The Ferryman can be at your disposal."

Alena thought it over. "While none of us can provide classified information, for the safety of everyone that is, maybe we could start inviting them to things, a lunch at the Ferryman, or just showing them around. I'm nowhere near certain that it'll work, but we've got try something. As it is right now, the tension is so thick you can cut it with a knife", she said. "I wonder whether it would any help to ask them to share a meal, or talk about their cuisine".

Niska shrugged. "Anything is possible. And you seem determined so that will work in your advantage, I'm sure. I can knock up a lunch for you no problem. If they are open to that and not just rude then it will take time. Imagine it. Your entire race lost and extinct for hundreds of thousands of years and only a few of you here due to sheer crazy circumstances. How do you trust when your whole reality has been pulled from under you?"

"Indeed", Alena agreed. "We wouldn't even get close to imagining it. "I'd like to try and show up at your bar. Something tells that if they get used to see some of us, not threatening them at all, they might feel a bit more at ease", she paused, thinking her words over. "I don't think a full-sized feast with many people is the way forward. I can only try to imagine that they see a greater threat if we are many people".

"Well you can but try sugar," Niska smiled. "My place is at your disposal." She sipped the tea. "Any idea what T'Kon like to eat?" she mused.

Alena shook her head. "I guess that is something I'll ask them about. I am rather curious about the T'Kon to be honest", she said. "They are from a completely different time than us. I wonder if they have some wisdom to share, and whether they actually want to share it with us". Alena paused and thought over her words. The part about sharing knowledge was as true as it could get. She sighed inwardly. Getting the T'Kon to open up about themselves would take some work.

"Maybe the question is "should they share anything with us?" Niska said a little more darkly that she intended.

"That's a good point", Alena said. "But we have to start somewhere. We can't expect them to start talking to us if we aren't willing to talk too. I get that they more likely than not have their reasons to not share what they know", she said, thinking over what she had just said. The T'Kon species was a mystery.

"Im just saying they have knowledge far surpasses ours. Is it wise to share?" Niska said. "I'm not saying don't talk to them."

Alena nodded her understanding. "Their knowledge is vast. It won't be easy to get them to talk. I'm just hoping that they might tell us about their daily lives from back then. That might be the best place to start", she said.

"Well don't be disappointed Sugar if its as boring as ours," she winked at her. "Right I better get back and get started ready for the lunch trade. Make sure you eat that cake now!"

 

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