An Ojnas confused

Posted on Mon May 4th, 2020 @ 8:24pm by Legate Imik S'Niohun [Lia Taylor] & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor]

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Savar's Office
Timeline: Current
1738 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON

Imik had headed towards the Councilors, this was something she normally wouldn't do. But the Sinkahue ha suggested it, so she would comply and seek their guidance.

Savar was in his office, he was reviewing his past appointments. Each had been interesting and each was different. He was satisfied with the outcome of each. He waited to see who would grace his door next.

Pressing the chime Imik waited for a response, she knew this person was Vulcan and she had yet to really sit and talk to a Vulcan. Her mind now extended into the room before her, she noted it simple yet functional furniture. A voice brought her back to herself, and she answered quickly.

Hearing his chime, Savar sat straighter behind his desk and called out, "Enter." To whomever was on the other side of the door and he awaited their entrance.

"Blessings to your house, I am Envoy Imik an Ojnas. The Sinkahue suggested I come and talk to a councilor as I know nothing of this void". She entered and stood before this logical being, his mind was closed she could feel his reserve and detached nature already.

Savar stood, gave Imik the Vulcan open palm greeting. "Peace and long life Envoy. I am Savar. How may I be of assistance to you?"

Yes he was a closed mind, she could feel the barrier. "The void, Commander. As an Ojnas I have many strange meetings, with many strange phenomenon. But I do not remember a place such as this, and our Sinkahue sorry our Captain suggested I speak with a councilor and explain my confusion". Imik found it hard to talk to another outside of her family, but as she was alone here this was what the Federation said she must do.

"I see." Savar replied. "Just what confuses you about the Void? It is an area of space is it not? The only difference is it is devoid of light. For a reason I am unable to explain. Would you like something from the replicator?"

"A vanilla milkshake please", Imik replied. She looked out of the window into the nothingness of the void, "Disorientation, is one thing I am feeling. Not knowing if this vessel is upright or upside down, feelings of confusion. Would a Vulcan understand feelings? I have never spoken or met one before today, but I have heard only of their logic and lack of emotions".

Savar moved to the replicator to get Imik's vanilla milkshake. A moment later he handed it to her. "Would it matter if the ship was upside down as long as your feet touched the floor?" Savar countered. "Confusion over the unknown is illogical. It must be explored, it's secrets exposed. Then there will be no confusion." He shook his head, "You have been misinformed about my species. True we value logic above all else. However we have emotions. We just do not let them rule our lives."

As she excepted the milkshake she instantly responded to Savar's question, "I was not always an Envoy, in our war with the Tholians I fought as a pilot. So the orientation of my ship was vital to my survival, this is true now as my mind can not except a lack of information about the ship's status. I have no visual markers to align myself with, as such I find myself in a confused state".


"I see where that could present a problem for a pilot." Savar conceded. "The solution is to expand your mind, to broaden your horizons if you will. Surely as a pilot you relied on other means of orientation besides sight. Is that no so? Savar questioned. "You must be both able and willing to adapt to your surroundings if you cannot you are working with a handicap."

Imik looked at Savar, "You are not a fighter pilot, sight is the primary requirement of a fighter pilot. If they do not see the danger, they will die". She pointed to the window, "Can you tell me which is way is up? This window directs us to believe we are standing on the floor, but as a pilot I know this window only refers to my orientation in relation to the window. The vessel it is attached to may well be upside down, my centre of balance tells me I am upright. But my senses question that, because I have no instruments or visual indicators to confirm it". She sipped her milkshake and looked back at Savar, "My instincts are paramount to my survival when flying a fighter, I can not simply broaden my horizons to encompass this void".

" You are correct Envoy, I am not a fighter pilot. However while sight is your primary requirement while flying it is not your only means to sense danger. You have instruments that can detect danger farther than your eyes can see and you do not discount the information they send to you." He paused and looked at her, "Yes, I can tell you which way is up. It is simple really. Each office, room, has a small sensing unit mounted at the bottom of the door. If I should suddenly see that sensing unit near the ceiling I would know we are upside down."

Imik glanced at the sensor, "I pointed at the window, not the door. my example was using only the window. A fighter does not have a door, and yes I accept the information my instruments provide. But this window has no instruments, nor sensors only a black void with no visual indicators". She continued having sip of milkshake and thinking of how to logically construct an example to get across her confusion. "Logic is your foundation, is it not? My species also once used similar logical reasoning until we were attacked and evicted from our world for three thousand Earth years, I do not say Logic is flawed. But it does not have all the answers, sometimes feelings must direct a beings direction. And it is those feelings which now confuse my instincts, and no logic will abate those feelings".

"Correction Envoy, you asked me to prove if we are upside down or not even as you pointed at the window. I can do the same for the window if you wish another demonstration?" Savar replied. "Yes logic is the cornerstone of all Vulcans. I have never professed that logic contains all the answers. How could i be so presumptuous? When there are questions still waiting to be asked." He shook his head, "Feelings have a place, just as logic has a place. The two must work in unity or there is chaos. Your feelings are conflicted with your instincts." He paused for a moment, "I confess I do not know much of your species Envoy but Vulcans meditate in times of extreme stress to calm our minds and bodies. Does your species take part in any such meditation ritual?"

She nodded in response, "I have indeed meditated much on this, I have even walked my mind around the entire vessel but it brings no relief". Imik looked at Savar and then explained her last statement, "We Ojans can walk our minds, we simply mentally visit any location and see and hear what is happening there. Before I entered, you were sat there checking your future appointments. You straightened up when you heard the chime, I walked my mind here to see what awaited me".

"I see. Then perhaps a different type of meditation is what you require Envoy. One which quells the turmoil of your mind. A meditation that frees your mind from stress and anxiety. You say you walked your mind here. What was your impression?" Savar asked.

Imik had to now think about that question, "My impression was one of disappointment, this place is sterile and holds nothing of the person who works here". She looked at the floor, "My first impression of Vulcans is one of lost emotions and closed minds, I apologise if this offends you but this is what I felt as I entered. We Ojnas communicate, visit, and enjoy family mentally. We are all joined in a link, but we live our lives surrounded by others. It appears the Vulcan's have closed that avenue of others by closing their emotions down".

Savar had listened in silence as Imik gave her observation, now as she finished he replied. "No apology is necessary Envoy. You have not offended me as I asked for your impression. I am reminded of an Human saying, which is appearances can be deceiving. In this case it is quite true in it's application to Vulcans. Vulcans are quite passionate both in their love and their pursuit of knowledge and other interests such as the arts and music. We just do not incorporate the fanfare of emotions into our pursuits or interests."

"No fanfare is required or needed to show understanding or love. But some species require a visual marker, Humans and we Ojnas both share that requirement" She now made to leave but didn't wish to insult Savar, "I will think on what we have spoken about, but I fear my thoughts have fallen on stony ground". She bowed to Savar, "Blessings on your family and your house, but I must return to my duties. Such as they are".

"I too shall think on our conversation Envoy. It was most informative as well as enlightening." He lifted his hand to her in the Vulcan greeting. "Live long and prosper Envoy. I would like to continue this conversation or another with you at a later date." Savar nodded at her statement of leaving. "I shall keep you from your duties no longer."

She looked at this being and wondered if they could ever show their true feelings, "Thank you for listening Commander". Raising her right hand she now responded as she thought she should, "Peace and long life". Imik smiled, "I learned that from the computer before I arrived, was it the correct response?"

A ghost of a smile appeared on Savar's face at her response "Most correct Envoy. I commend you on your diligence. it most appreciated. It does credit to your character and speaks well of your people." He answered honestly. The Onjas intrigued him. He hoped for another opportunity to converse with her.

TAG

Kie-Rathshu Imik S'Niohun
Ojnas Envoy
USS Elysium

Lt. Cmdr Savar
Counselor
USS Elysium

 

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