Making Waves

Posted on Fri Aug 28th, 2026 @ 9:38pm by Ensign Skye Vos & Lieutenant JG T'Lar

2,036 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Mission 4 - Siphoning of Stars
Location: Rec Deck
Timeline: Sometime before the current bridge log

ON:

T'Lar Walked onto the Concord's pool deck. It was late and the complex was empty save for herself. She carefully set a towel down on a deck chair and removed the robe that hid a pale blue two-piece swimsuit. With practiced Vulcan control, she slowly stepped into the pool and in a rare moment that she let no other witness. she let out a long-contented sigh. Swimming was one of the few activities she could enjoy and perhaps let her more Vulcan control fall away, if only briefly.

About five minutes later, the door swished open to let the ship's pilot in. Skye Vos took a moment to stretch, cracking her head to one side as her arms reached up and her body shifted onto tiptoes. After hours spent chained to a chair, she *had* to move. Or she'd implode. It was a familiar pattern, and one the risk chaser had learnt could help balance the high of flying with the confinement of being trapped behind a console. She threw off her robe and shook out the black, angled bob of hair to pull her pent up energy into focus. She noted one other swimmer, and a small smile came to her. Plenty of space to make a splash then. Adjusting the strap of her red two-piece, she hopped up onto the low springboard. She made a run, jumping once, twice, then one last time before diving in the water.

T'Lar stopped floating and tread water curiously as she watched the other woman enter the pool in what a Vulcan would label as a rather boisterous act. As Skye surfaced and shook the water out of her hair, T'Lar saw the telltale pointed ears. She understood how... freeing the water could be. Even she let her control fall away for a while as she swam. The other woman however, seemed to disregard logic all together. A single brow raised in curiosity.

Skye sensed the eyes on her as she slicked her black hair back out of her face. Rather than ignore the attention, she waved vigorously, not giving her a chance to shy away. She swam towards her, closing the gap before resurfacing to gasp for breath. "T'Lar....right?"

T'Lar backed into the side of the pool as Skye swam up to her. "Yes, I am T'Lar. You are Skye Correct?" She appeared to be attempting to ascertain how or perhaps why the other Half Vulcan would choose to show emotion. She had her own struggles with her more surface level emotions that had threatened to overwhelm her in the past. She was unsure how to process the prospect of allowing them to function without meditation.

Skye gave a brisk nod and a smile at her knowing it already. Maybe it was the bridge time, even if they were tucked away on opposite sides of the command Centre. "I hear you've been making waves down in the security team..."

T'Lar raised an eyebrow at the turn of phrase. "A curious statement. If you are referring to my attempt to bring an added level of efficiency to the Security Department; Then you might say I am indeed 'Making waves.' " She paused as she studied the other woman. "Forgive the personal nature of my query. May I inquire as to the reason you choose to embrace Emotion?" Her question, also appearing innocent, held a certain level of emotional curiosity hidden among the shroud of logic.

Skye laughed good naturedly at the formal way she asked. She supposed she should have expected it. "I...guess the same reason you embrace logic. The other side seems too...much."

"Fascinating. Do the depth of Vulcan emotion, not overwhelm you?" Her question was perhaps as much as emotionally motivated as it was motivated by logical curiosity. A small part of her perhaps even admired Skye's willingness to embrace her Human half so freely. "May I inquire as to the causality of your decision?"

"Sometimes it's a lot," Skye admitted openly as she kicked towards the edge, resting back against it as she hooked her arms over the bar. She might not have been so open with others, but T'Lar...well, she was in the same boat. "Been in trouble more than a couple of times, but I don't know...I find trying to deny all of that...even harder. My parents were never together, so...I suppose I was always going to end up one or the other."

T'Lar joined Skye, Her legs kicking gently as she listened. "Indeed, it is uncanny how similar, and different our experiences might have been under different conditions. When I was younger, during my preparation for the Vulcan Science Academy; I was in a relationship with a young woman like myself. We did not see that emotion was to be shunned or controlled. We met in secret. Would allow ourselves to feel, to love. Eventually, we were discovered. My father and myself being of noble blood, escaped with very little in the way of sanction. She was sent to study with a master in the mountains. When she returned many ears later; she was a shadow of the young woman she once was. She was a perfect Vulcan of course; but the spark that made me .... Was gone. That was the day I chose to commit myself to pursuing Logic but coming here, the water is perhaps my way of remembering what it was to feel now that she cannot; and I too have struggled with containing the depths of that regret at times "

Skye watched her with a deepening frown, moved by the story. It must have been so hard, grieving for someone who was still alive. She could see why she would have sought refuge in logic. "The way I see it, we have one shot...you should be exactly who you want to be. Either way. Or something in between."

T'Lar considered the other woman's words for a moment. "Swimming is in a sense a way to lower my mental defenses safely.. to simply feel for an hour"

Skye nodded with a smile, able to imagine that. It was freeing, for both body and mind. She sighed as she dipped her hair back into the water for a moment. "That seems like a nice compromise. Literally dipping your toe in the water."

"Many Vulcans would disagree" She replied in an almost sardonic tone.

"Well, good job we don't have to ask their permission," Skye replied with a lilt of amusement, winking playfully to her.

T'Lar raised an eyebrow at the playful statement. The briefest hint of a smile crept along her lips. It was an expression very few had witnessed aside from her reflection and T'Pela, the young woman from her past. "Indeed. It is.... nice to be able to converse with someone who understands the dichotomy that one feels when one finds themselves in between two opposing philosophies."

Skye smiled softly with understanding, tipping her head back to feel the water in her hair. "Humans would say you should do what makes you happy. I...know that's not the right tone for your situation. But maybe...do what feels...right."

T'Lar nodded slightly. "I will consider your advice Lieutenant. Perhaps there is logic in a more balanced approach in incorporating both philosophies."

"You're doing something right though," Skye pointed out with a chuckle, motioning towards her with a gentle hand. "Making waves in the fleet...good rank...great position..."

"I would surmise that even the most accomplished among my people would see the logic in pursuing a path where one's skills are much needed." She allowed a faint, rare smile.

Even the faint smile ignited a grin in Skye and she laughed softly as she nodded at the words. They were undeniable, after all. "So what's the big plan?" she asked with curiosity.

"To which plan are you referring?" The Half Vulcan asked.

"Life...Starfleet....whichever..." Skye shrugged with a light spirited smile, clearly not minding which way she took it. "End up leading Starfleet's defensives? Get a Captain's chair of your own?"

"I had not considered starship command when I joined Starfleet, however; it would be.... illogical to deny such a promotion should it be offered. it is not beyond the realm of possibility for Starfleet to offer command positions to officers in non-command track rolls, though it is rare." Her words were perhaps as excited as the logical species got when discussing such a topic. "On the other hand, being the head of Starfleet security does also have a similar level of logic. I surmise only time will tell which path seems most logical when that choice becomes relevant."

Skye chuckled softly at the musings of the other officer, nodding along. Because frankly, she could imagine her succeeding in whichever she put her mind to. And working hard to do so. "Tying up the bad guys *is* a pretty good way to spend your career..."

"You have an..... interesting idea of what we do...." T'Lar offered a wry smile. It was something she would not show just anyone. It was simultaneously a show of trust and a sign that perhaps her defenses were beginning to lower; at least where Skye was involved.

Skye responded to the smile, her own growing more confident with it. "You're not going to shatter my illusion by telling me that's not your very cool job, right?"

"I.... have yet to experience a situation where a lasso has been required." The half Vulcan said in what would be Highly sarcastic by Vulcan standards.

Skye laughed out loud at the words, clapping her hands above her head in appreciation for the image it brought. "Deputy T'Lar? It has a nice ring to it...I mean, it might be what we need out here. We have no idea what we're facing."

"Logic would imply that the Delta Quadrant would follow a reasonably close pattern to the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, since they share the same galaxy. While we cannot predict smaller, more specific actions with any certainty the Galaxy does seem to follow certain patterns of behavior when it comes to Spacefaring species." T'Lar replied in an attempt to appease any concerns.

"I like that theory," Skye admitted with a soft chuckle, watching how her hand sent ripples across the water as she disturbed it. "It's better than the alternative at least. Still...there's something rather...exhilarating about it too..."

"Contrary to popular belief, Vulcans do enjoy encountering new and fascinating phenomenon. It would be illogical to assume that we could have amassed such a wide are of space without some of the curiosity that Humans are so well known for." she replied with a hint of a more open tone to her voice.

Skye nodded in agreement, smiling gently at the way she'd put it. Indeed, the Vulcan interest in science made for some pretty thirsty curiosity. "We'll have some tales to tell when we get home, I'm sure..."

"Indeed. I surmise that our scans will keep many occupied for quite some time once they have a chance to study our data" T'Lar replied.

Skye couldn't help a small smile. It was nice to hear someone respond instinctively as if they'd get home for that to happen rather than pointing out it might not ever happen. "We'll keep them safe while they do the sciencing..."

T'Lar allowed a rare smile. "Indeed. I should return to my quarters and rest. I enjoyed our conversation." She climbs out of the pool and crossed the deck to grab her towel and dries off. Once she was dry she wrapped the towel around herself and nodded toward Skye before walking toward the corridor.

Skye chuckled softly at the ever so practical end to the conversation. Now that was a part of her Vulcan heritage she did enjoy. No nonsense, no wasted breath. Still, it was good to know she wasn't the only one trapped out in the Delta Quadrant. Taking a deep breath, Skye ducked under the water, pushing her feet off the wall of the pool to shoot through the water.

OFF:

Lieutenant JG T'Lar
Assistant Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Ensign Skye Vos
Flight Control Officer
[PNPC Wilde]

 

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