Vulcan To Vulcan

Posted on Wed Dec 4th, 2024 @ 6:26am by Captain Kett V'Laass & Lieutenant N'vok Holv

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Deck 6-Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD3
1421 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

The windswept rock formations were casting sharp shadows in the afternoon sun, the arid landscape stark and apparently lifeless. Two figures walked among them.

"One forgets the beauty of Vulcan," said N'vok, walking at a measured pace. "A hard world that could have made a hard people."

Ket nodded his agreement as he surveyed the dry barren terrain before them. It had a dusty red and yellow quality to the rocky sandy terrain. "Indeed." He stopped and looked around him. Although a Vulcan, Ket was born on a Federation colony world, Cestus three. He had spent several years on the Vulcan home world but their was much of it he had yet to see. "I am unfamiliar with our current location though" asked Ket quizzically in that familiar emotionless Vulcan tone.

"Officially, it is M'tal's Pillars, but to my mother, it was the Columns of Memory, a long family tradition, appropriately," said N'vok. "It is a place to reflect on the past but especially the past of one's family." He continued moving towards them. "Where on Vulcan does your family come from?"

Ket thought back to the stories his grandmother had told when he was younger "I believe it was Han-shir in the Kel Province." He raised a quizzical eyebrow as a thought occurred to him "At least on my mothers side. My grandmother was one of the first federation colonists to return to Cestus Three after the Gorn attack." Tek looked out at the arid landscape. "my mother was born on Cestus Three. My father never really spoke of where he was from on Vulcan."

N'vok nodded. "My family have been city dwellers for as long back as we can easily trace. Yet, these stones form part of our family traditions as well. it is a . . . pleasing paradox. Last I was on Vulcan, we trekked here, it must be traveled to on foot for the journey to have meaning." He looked out over the stones. "It is the part of Vulcan I think about most often, how memories intertwine, and how I miss my family."

Ket nodded thoughtfully "Indeed. It has been many cycles since last I stood on the surface of Vulcan." He breathed deeply as he tried to take in the air. It smelled like Vulcan to his senses, even if it was holographic. "I spent several years in a Vulcan monastery, up in the mountains of Tr'aan. A very peaceful environment. But never what I could call home. I do contemplate what my family might be doing now on Cestus Three. Most of them are in politics in some form or another. Does your family have a central calling as it were?"

"Scholars and scientists," replied N'vok. "I have been both, attending the Academy, served in Starfleet, retired to academia. married, raised a family and then, rejoined Starfleet. Where I feel I have been able to do some good science and some teaching." He looks out over the Columns. "It was our last time together as a family when we visited here, I must have subconsciously chosen it."

"Indeed" said Ket nodding sympathetically. "I have no spouse or offspring of my own. I imagine this distance between you can be....." Ket trailed off struggling to find the correct word ".....Challenging." Ket had gone through long spells without seeing his family so could empathise with his fellow Vulcan.

"We agreed that rejoining Starfleet was a solid path forward for me," said N'vok continuing toward the columns. "Though we had not anticipated such a . . . great distance between us. I had been used to talking with T'lol, my wife, at least weekly and my children every few weeks, so all I can do now is record messages for them. It is less than ideal."

Ket clasped his hands behind his back as the two Vulcans continued their walk through dry terrain. "To be away from ones family for so long, especially a spouse and children, it must be difficult you have my sympathy" responded Ket without feeling. "I often wander if there would be a time where I perpetuate my own line."

"At least my children are adults," said N'vok. "I cannot image the mental stress for those separated from young children. Though, admittedly, Vulcans are better mentally equipped for such than many other cultures." He glanced over to the other Vulcan. "Being part of a family and being a parent can be very rewarding. However, the number of Vulcans here are extremely limited. Would you be opposed to forming a bond with someone outside of your species?"

"It is logical" responded Ket, with the very slightest tone of wistfulness. He spoke more to himself rather than his Vulcan Colleague. Ket had had few relationships in his lifespan. Only two of which he would consider 'serious.' the first had been a Bajoran the second a Romulan. Ket brought himself back into the now from his revere. "Yes indeed. That would be logical."

"In our current situation, eminently so," said N'vok. "Though we have a better chance, statistically speaking, to make it back to the Federation than some of our shipmates." He reached down and picked up a handful of dried soil and let it run through his fingers. "I am reminded of the words of a Terran poet,"
'To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour'

"I am not familiar with the passage" responded Ket thoughtfully, "but it is poignant." Ket watched the grains of sand run through N'Vok's fingers and then scattered into the wind . "I will certainly take it under advisement,

"The poet, Blake, was a Christian mystic but some of his poems contain exceptional imagery," said N'vok watching the last of the dust blow away. "While I have never found that I needed anything beyond our system of logic and scientific inquiry, I believe in trying to understand systems of faith and accepting people who follow such."

"Logic is the beginning of wisdom, and one cannot be wise without seeing the beyond one's own sphere of imagery." Ket paused a moment. "I must admit that I am not that accustomed to the philosophies of faith. Though I did spend sometime on Bajor, and all though not a logical people they are greatly ruled by their faith and passions."

"I would like to visit Bajor someday," said N'vok. "While I have known a fair number of Bajorians, both in Starfleet and Academia, I do not feel I have a deep insight into their faith. One of my best friends in my first term of service in Starfleet was a Jesuit priest as well as an excellent physicist, I learned much of Terra's faiths from him."

Ket nodded. "The benefits of a mentor and friend are logical. Especially in the context of a ship and crew of so many cultures and species. Sometimes they can be a challenge to navigate."

"Indeed," agreed N'vok, "and we are trained to have a template for the understanding of others. I often wonder how other cultures manage without such explicit structures. Though, admittedly, our tools are not well crafted for understanding faith or other beliefs not structured around logical understanding. For all of our scientific belief and structure, our relentless application of logic to the situation at hand, we Vulcans still manage to remain very conservative in our cultural outlook."

"Even as a Vulcan growing up on a colony world like Cestus Three, my parents still managed to keep our "cultural" integration to a minimum. I always queried the logic on that decision, given the nature of their diplomatic roles and responsibilities, I would consider it more logical for them to encourage a mingling of such things." Ket trailed off a little as he linked N'vok's point to an earlier in the conversation "perhaps a relationship with one of a different species will improve my abilities of cultural understanding."

"It should," said N'vok. "Though it can be challenging. Many consider Vulcan cultural norms off-putting. It will require study and patience to make it work but it is very rewarding when one does find someone you can mesh with."

Ket Looked at his Vulcan Colleague thoughtfully. "Are you speaking from experience" questioned Ket politely.

"Yes, I have had several very good friendships with non-Vulcans, including some here on the Elysium," said N'vok.

Ket stroked his beard. "Thank you for your time N'Vok. Your advice has been most insightful"