Sun Setting Before Life Awakens (Challenge Mission)
Posted on Sun Feb 6th, 2022 @ 1:49am by Captain Natacha Patani
Mission:
MISSION 0 - History Speaks
843 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure
Zindagi khuli na thi ki haay dhoop dhal gayi
paanv jab talaq uthe ke zindagi fisal gayi
Natacha was sitting at her desk, two actual books open in front of her. One contained a diagram made up of geometric shapes and lines with numerous logographic characters posted at different parts of the diagram. The second book contained a chart that translated the same logographic characters into Standard.
paat paat jhad gaye ke shaakh-shaakh jal gayi
chaah to nikal saki na tar umar nikal gayi
Natacha was drawing and writing in a sketch book, in both Standard and the same strange logographic characters, as she referenced the first two books, flipping through different pages as she did so.
tar umar nikal gayi
geet ashk ban gaye, swapn ho dafan gaye
A song from a mid-twentieth century film (the lyrics written by Gopaldas Neeraj, one of the most famous poets of the era) was playing in her wireless ear buds. When the singer observed that "life wasn’t even awake when the sun went down, it slipped away before feet got off the ground," Natacha felt a catch in the back of her throat. The sun had set on her career only weeks after her thirtieth birthday. Natacha had barely gotten her bags unpacked before she had screwed the pooch. Now she was confined to quarters until the Elysium reached Starbase 351. From there, Natacha would be officially separated from the Corps and shipped back to Randeer Three, with a ten to twenty year detour on Jaros Two.
Natacha couldn't help but wonder if life might have been better if they hadn't let her in the Corps in the first place.
saath ke sabhi diye, dhuaan pahan-pahan gaye
aur ham jhuke-jhuke, mod par ruke-ruke
umr ke chadhaav kaa utaar dekhte rahe
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"You need to wake up, Natacha," the Vulcan said, giving his wife a shake on her shoulder.
"Five more minutes, Stovinn," Natacha answered, rolling over, a sleepy smile on her face. "Or fifty more minutes," she added with an exaggerated leer. "Either way is guaranteed to make me more awake."
"At this time, neither would be a logical choice," Stovinn answered. "We are required to give a briefing in a hour's time. The Trill representative has questions."
Natacha rolled out of bed, stretching. Shrugging, Natacha answered, "Good thing we don't answer to the Trill government. If they've got a complaint about what happens to a joined trill, then they should make sure that joined trills don't get involved in criminal enterprises." Natacha leaned in and gave her husband a quick peck on the lips. "Let me get a quick shower, and I'll be ready to roll."
Stovinn watched his wife enter the bathroom of their residence. The conclusion that her marriage to a Vulcan had made Natacha more human would seem prima facie illogical, but it was nonetheless true.
Stovinn had first met his wife when a group from Randeer Three was invited to the Vulcan Institute for Defensive Arts to put on a demonstration. The visiting group were members of the Sangamithra Society, an order of women dedicated to meditation and martial arts.
Randeer Three had been settled by humans during a particularly turbulent era on Earth, just prior to its unification. The humans who had settled on Randeer Three had engineered themselves for its high gravity, and had restricted initial colonists to intelligent individuals with demonstrated broad interests. The eruption of a super volcano in the early days of the colony further "honed" Randeer Three's population.
Natacha had been the youngest member of the visiting group, and was definitely the most stoic. Some might even accuse her of trying to be "more Vulcan than Vulcans."
After their demonstration, members of the Sangamithra Society engaged students and instructors of the Academy in individual bouts.
The young Natacha dominated every match she was in.
Stovinn had been on leave from the Federation Security Agency when he observed the demonstration. After a brief conversation with the most senior sister present from the Sangamithra Society, it only seemed logical to recruit Natacha for the FSA.
Although Natacha was a "psychic null," it was discovered that Stovinn had a rare genetic trait that allowed him to establish a telepathic rapport with Natacha. Stovin called it a fortuitous coincidence. Natacha called it Fate.
Whatever the case, when Natacha finished her training, she was partnered with Stovinn. The two scored an impressive string of successes together. They also grew closer. The mental bond that Natacha established with Stovinn allowed her to come out of the barrier she had created between herself and the rest of the universe.
Natacha reemerged from the bathroom wearing just a towel. When she caught her husband's attention, she dropped the towel. "Sure we can't be a little late?"
Stovinn arched an eyebrow. Natacha gave an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. But when we get home tonight, we are going to get seriously illogical." With that, Natacha went to her closet to get dressed.
