Chapter Text
Maya still had plenty of time to prepare for her meeting, and that’s exactly how she planned to spend her remaining time. She could have gathered her thoughts, prepared notes with talking points, or reviewed the reports from the survey that had discovered the environment disturbances. Instead, it felt more pressing to focus on her appearance. Maya took a sonic shower, combed her hair, and took more time than she dared to admit trying to wrestle it into a neat bun. Selecting a change of clothes, however, proved to be more vexing. Unless she was on the dance floor (where nothing exceeds like excess) Maya dressed for practically alone. Everything she brought was plain, fit poorly, and in varying shades of gray. It wasn’t until every piece of clothing was laid out on the bed that she realized how frumpy she was going to look sitting in a room full of officers in tailored uniforms, and she couldn’t place why that thought bothered her so much.
She became increasingly more frustrated trying different combinations of clothing and not being satisfied with any of them. The process took far longer than it should have, and Maya suddenly found herself left with just enough time to get to the captain’s ready room. No matter how unflattering to was was, she would have to settle for the clothes currently on her body: a gray shirt and black pants that hung loose on her frame.
Though she was just in time for the meeting, Maya was the last to arrive. Sitting around the conference table were Captain Saavik, Commander Caraccilo, and a man she had not yet met. Saavik stood and greeted Maya with a respectful nod. If she felt any distaste from their first interaction, at least her Vulcan features hid it well.
“Maya Noonien-Singh,” Saavik began. “Allow me to introduce my chief science officer, Lieutenant-Commander Hollis.”
“A pleasure.” Maya offered Hollis a smile as she sat down in the chair across from him.
Before she began, Saavik looked to each person gathered around the table. “I would like to begin immediately, we have much to discuss. Maya, I take it you have read the reports.”
“I have.” Maya lied. It was the same mistake that ruined her relationship with La’an, and she couldn’t help but do it again because she didn’t want Saavik to think she was irresponsible or foolish.
“Then you understand the unique challenges we face. We plan to beam to the planet’s surface with supplies and an away teams team including medical professionals in the event that such assistance would be required. The supplies and short term will be given without condition.” While Saavik spoke, Caraccilo jotted notes down on his PADD. “The complication arise in determining the most logical, ethical approach to dealing with the survivors. I cannot, in good conscience, leave people on a planet that should not support human life, even if many of them have a history of war crimes. My intention is to grant safe passage to earth to anyone who wants it, with appropriate security measures and consequences to be determined on a case by case basis.”
“That won’t work.” Maya answered. “None of it.” All eyes were on her, and Saavik raised a perplexed eyebrow, a clear prompt to elaborate. “Without a way to communicate with the planet they have no way of knowing our intentions.”
“And you think they would perceive our presence as a threat?” Caraccilo guessed.
Maya nodded. “I have no doubt about it. I think the only way to do this safely is to beam down the supplies and leave.”
“I would rather not take such a minimalistic approach.” Saavik responded. “What are your reasons for believing that an earnest attempt to offer help would be met with such hostility?”
“I thought that would obvious, Captain.” There was a bite in Maya’s voice she wished she could have controlled. “I doubt if this would be seen as earnest offer, rather than a ploy to get close enough to kill the remaining Augments. Every interaction they’ve had with Starfleet has ended in disaster for them. These people are violent, arrogant, and willing to take every advantage they have. They assume the same is true of all people.”
Saavik nodded slowly. If she was bothered by the tone of Maya’s voice she didn’t let it show. “I will take this into consideration.”
Caraccilo jotted down a few more notes before he looked up to ask a question of his own. “What sort of recommendations do you have for an away team, if we end up pursuing that option?”
“Phasers set to kill.” Maya managed to control herself enough to keep her voice calm and steady.
“That seems a little extreme for a humanitarian mission,” Caraccilo noted. “Our goal is to save lives, not end them.”
“Do you think I like that suggestion?” Maya raised her voice again, but she stopped herself and took a deep breath. “Those people treated me poorly, and I hated them, but somehow I’m still grieving the ones who’ve died. All I meant is that an aggressive response is likely, and when that happens advanced weapons will be your only advantage. If it was so important to have me hear as a consultant, the least you could do is listen.”
“Understood,” Saavik answered with a nod. Caraccilo and Hollis seemed annoyed, but the Vulcan was still unreadable.
Caraccilo took a few more notes, and Saavik looked over his shoulder at his work. A strand of hair slipped out from behind her pointed ear, and Maya was enchanted by how elegantly she moved as she reached up to tuck it back into place.
Dammit, Joanna was right.
“Lieutenant-Commander Hollis,” Saavik continued. “I understand you also have information and insights to add.”
“Yes Captain. I’ve studied the reports from the survey that discovered the disturbances. The planet is no longer Class M, but Class K.” He looked to Maya. “Like Mars.”
Maya rolled her eyes. “I know the planetary classifications, I had two years at Starfleet Academy and I do remember most of what little I actually learned.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean any offense.” Hollis shook his head and held up his hands in a sign of surrender. “Anyway, the survey also reported extremely high winds and sand storms. I’m concerned this may make beaming in difficult. I’ll talk with the transporter chief, but won’t have a clear answer until we’re in orbit. We should have a shuttle ready as a backup.”
“Did you read any of Doctor T’Ralia’s reports on the Ceti Eels?” Maya asked.
“I have. I understood that she developed a serum that can kill the eel while sparing the host. We’ll be sure to have plenty synthesized just in case.”
Maya took a deep breath. The Ceti eels had taken two of the few people who had shown her kindness: her mother and Captain Albrecht. “Pray you don’t need it. It’s side effect is severe brain damage.”
“Doctor T’Ralia also developed an antidote, I understand. We’ll see if it can be improved.”
Saavik sat upright and glanced to each person in turn. “We have discussed everything on the agenda. If there are no further questions or comments, we can conclude this meeting.”
While Hollis and Caraccilo rose from their seats and left, Saavik and Maya stayed behind. Maya spoke first.
“Captain…” Maya paused and scratched the back of her neck, trying to think of how best to put her thoughts into words. As she considered this, Saavik looked right at her, and gazing into those bright eyes made her heart flutter. “I wanted to apologize. I’m afraid some of things I’ve said might have come off as overly blunt or even rude, and I’m sorry.” She forced a smile, more for her own benefit because she knew it wouldn’t matter to a Vulcan.
“On the contrary. I appreciate you candor.” Saavik stood tall, with her hands clasped behind her back. “Often humans fail to speak their mind or hold back opinions that need to be shared because they wish to avoid causing offense or having uncomfortable conversations. It is not logical. It is counterproductive at best and harmful at worst.”
Maya breathed a sigh of relief and placed a hand on her heart, but she tried quickly to regain her composure. She still couldn’t get a read on Saavik, but she feared such a reaction might seem a bit foolish.”Glad to know we share that same sentiment.”
“I would like to continue to speak to you, to learn more about the nuances of life of Ceti Alpha V, and to gain more insights into the people we will be facing.”
“Well, I’m not fond of talking about my past, but this is why I’m here. Did you want to talk now, or later?”
“Later, and in a more casual setting. Do you play chess?”
“A little.” Very little. She hadn’t played in years, only knew the basics, and never cared to learn beyond that. A game of chess against an arrogant full-Augment could quickly crush a person’s self esteem. It didn’t take long for Maya to reach the conclusion that chess was not her game.
“Then we will have our discussion tomorrow over a game of chess.”
“I look forward to it.” The forced smile grew to reached her eyes.
“As do I.” After Saavik, spoke, Maya was sure she could see the corners of her mouth lifting ever so slightly to form a faint smile, but she dismissed that observation. A Vulcan wouldn’t smile at her.
When she left the ready room, Maya had a spring in her step and a giddy lightness in her head that she hadn’t felt since she was a teenager. Her excitement, however, was tempered by nervousness. This was another interaction that she might run the risk of ruining horribly, and she also tried to remind herself to not read too deeply into it. This was another professional consultation, not a date.
She needed advice, someone to talk to, but there was only on person on this ship with whom she had any sort of rapport. She had a brisk pace and a light head as she returned to sickbay, filled with the hope that Joanna was still there.
When she stepped inside, her face lit up to see that Joanna still sat working at her desk. “Joanna! I need your help,” Maya called. Joanna looked up, concerned, but her face softened when she saw that Maya hadn’t come here because of a medical emergency.
Joanna leaned back in her seat, crossed her arms, and smirked. “You know, usually people who rush into sickbay in need of help aren’t grinning like that, so I’m guessing you aren’t hurt or anything. What can I do for you?”
Maya rushed over to the desk and began to drum her fingers on the surface, eagerly taking any opportunity to burn off some of her frenetic energy. “Do you know how to play three dimensional chess?”
“I mean, I’m no grandmaster, but I like to think I’m pretty good for a casually player.”
“Perfect. Saavik wants to have a chat tomorrow over a game of chess, but I’ve only ever played the 2D version and was terrible at it.”
“Well, there’s no need to try to impress her. Vulcan logic might work to your advantage. If you tell her you’re a complete beginner, she’s not going to think any less of you for playing like a clueless beginner. Everyone starts somewhere.”
Maya smiled. “I’m still not used to not having to impress people. If you have the time, though, I’d like to play a practice round.”
“Give me an hour.”