Multiple Realms of Curiosity
USS Meridian NX-4765
Stardate 2265.25
Captain’s Log:
The Enterprise has departed from us. It was a pleasure to host some of their crew onboard, and I’m sure that many of them enjoyed are advanced facilities including recreational rooms. My personal favourite is the zero-gravity bubble. Inside there is now gravity (of course) and you are surrounded by the stars. The clear walls allow you to connect yourself with the space around you, and it is deeply moving. I find my soul is replenished and calmed whilst I reside in there. Complete silence where no communications or ensigns running to you with problems.
Just peace.
Anyway, I have found myself a little side-tracked.
On the way to our rendezvous with the Enterprise, we passed a rather curious system that deserved some investigation. The fourth planet seemed to have some evidence of a technology greatly contrasting the overall appearance of the planet. Just some weak signals and evidence of a concentration of man-made buildings objects etc. Possible colonisation perhaps? We shall not know until we return. The journey time is approximately 32 hours at Warp 7. I shall check in once we have arrived if there is nothing else to report.
Capt. K. Anderson
USS Enterprise NCC-1701 A
Stardate 2265.25
First Officer’s Log:
Our rendezvous with the Meridian has been completed. It seems that Star fleet have been assigning them far more insightful missions than our own, though this opinion could be from the fact I’ve compiled my twenty-sixth star chart in the last few weeks. We are set to chart and push the boundaries whilst they investigate the various curiosities that both of our vessels come across. I understand the justification. Maybe after so many extreme encounters over the past few years I have become accustomed to the threats to my own existence. And these duties, therefore, do not seem to incite as much as they once had.
Nevertheless, my scientific curiosity is being sated, and I continue to fulfil them to the best of my ability.
In regard to the Vulcan first officer on the Meridian. I did indeed inquire as to why she was still in service after the events with Vulcan. She however did not say anything of value. Perhaps that seemed rather hypocritical coming from myself, another Vulcan who is still in Star fleet service. I do intend to enquire further once both of us have grown accustomed to one another, as we will both meet frequently in this line of service.
Cmd. Spock
USS Enterprise NCC-1701 A
Stardate 2265.25
Captain’s Log:
The Meridian is gone, and we go our separate ways. The Captain, Katyana or however you spell it, seems to not be as stuck up as I thought. Though her ship lives up to its outwardly impression. Everything in it seems so… different. The hallways, the rooms, the glimpses of tech that I saw while I was there. It is not the same as being on a Star fleet vessel. It seems alien? Ironic I know. I get the sense she has multiple things up her sleeve. I did ask about how she got it and she simply said that it was her ship and she brought it to Star fleet. How does a Star fleet captain own a ship like that? I wonder if she’s doing something on the side to finance all of that. Wouldn’t be surprised.
In regard to Spock, we, meaning me and bones, have found out that Uhura’s upset with him again. Not that surprised but it has been a while since the last time. Something about The Vulcan first officer on the Meridian and something about leaving Star fleet. Spock has never said anything to me, but I assume it’s to do with Vulcan? Bones has said he’ll keep his ears sharp if anything else comes to light.
Anyways back to the task of logging stars. I suppose we need these maps but it’s so boring.
Capt. J. T. Kirk
USS Meridian NX-4765
Stardate 2265.26
Captain’s Log:
We have arrived at the system named, XC1390. Inventive name I know. The fourth planet seems unchanged and we have conducted scans in geostationary orbit to gain more information. There is evidence of an impact of sorts near the centre of this area, with the various modification of the surroundings spreading further out. There is evidence of energy traces of technology far more advanced than expected. T’Vrell advises me that these sort of energy readings do not match anything on Star fleet record. And I am inclined to agree. Not much in this universe piques my interest but this is one of those moments.
We shall conduct more scans and analysis before sending down an away team. But frontier exploration has certainly gotten interesting.
Capt. K. Anderson
USS Meridian NX-4765
Stardate 2265.26
First Officer’s Log:
Upon arrival to the planet XC1390-4, I have been inundated with work and reports. However, I still complete all the tasks within my duty hours, and as planned the Captain and I have kept our appointment together. This is our 37th evening together after I had been transferred almost two years ago. However, these evenings are becoming more and more frequent, and I for one do not resent this pattern.
As per human custom I have brought a small gift. She seems to enjoy having gifts that have meaning and invoke memories or thoughts, therefore my choice of an aesthetically pleasing mineral seems a good choice. It is carved and polished smooth into an artistic shape. I spent 23 minutes packing and writing a small note to go alongside the gift, and I await to see her reaction upon receiving it.
I arrived at her quarters at 20:30pm and was greeted with a small candle lit dinner. It seemed as if she took a meticulous approach. The cutlery was arranged neatly and encased in a small folded napkin. The glasses were sparkling in the dimmed light, crystal clear and awaiting their contents. The tablecloth didn’t have a single crease as it lay on the table. I complimented her arrangement and offered her the small gift. Her eyes softened as they often did when I participated on these courtship rituals. She also smiled, grateful for the present. But before she opened it, we partook in dinner.
Katiyana insists on cooking herself, and this allows for a larger range of foods to be on the menu and for more deviation otherwise known as creativity. The food of course was satisfactory.
Finally, we reached the point of exchanging gifts. She offered me my gift first. The item was neatly wrapped in pale blue shimmery tissue paper and a silver ribbon. I delicately untied the bow and underneath the paper was a small crystal dome. Inside the dome was a small flower. The base held a computer which artificially replicated the conditions for the flower to thrive. She said she found it while she was exploring a planet a while back. A rare flower to add to my collection. A very thoughtful gift.
She then opened my gift. Her fingers traced themselves over the curves of the stone, whilst her eyes examined the colours. She whispered her thanks. I did not think she would be as entranced as she appeared to be, so my choice was even more of a success. She put it on her windowsill along with other small treasures. Then the words I was not expecting.
“Where do you see us in a couple years T’Vrell?”
I answered of course with the most logical response I could.
“As I cannot travel through time, how could I have knowledge of our future endeavours?”
She did that small chuckle, that she often did with my logical responses.
“Then let me rephrase.” She sat next to me and gazed into my eyes. “Where would you like this to evolve into?” And to that I did not have an answer, not one that was well thought out logically. She saw my brain running logical permutations and decided to leave the conversation for another date.
That interaction of course has made me reconsider my standing. And now I am debating whether my curiosity will waver if I pursue this long term. Afterall I have expressed my concerns to her identity before. I have no reason to believe that she is being deceitful in regard to the relationship, or if any of these apparent secrets would be detrimental to her position in Star fleet or her life here as a whole. The question is whether these secrets would impact my trust or ability to have confidence in a relationship. Perhaps placing some parameters for pursuit may be in order.
Cmd. T’Vrell