Chapter Text
The Terran Empire was changing at its core, but aboard the ISS Portalnd one would not guess. Captain Albrecht insisted that the reforms (which challenge the very core of Terran culture and behavior) would remain a short lived trend and that in the far reaches of deep space such measures would be entirely unenforceable. She stood tall and spoke proudly, but T’Ralia could see the little signs of stress. Albrecht spoke less, had tired bags under her eyes, and carried tension in her shoulders.
Albrecht walked at a brisk pace as she entered sickbay. “Doctor Van Den Broeck,” she called. This was unusual/ Albrecht only ever called her by her given name. “Are you alone? We need to talk about something personal.”
“I am alone, yes.” T’Ralia was seated at her desk and did not rise to greet the captain.
Albecht perched on the edge of the desk. “It seems the reformers are more thorough and persistent than I expected. We’re taking a detour to Starbase 12 for what they’re calling an inspection but what will surely turn into an interrogation. I want everyone to seem to be above reproach until everything settles down and goes back to normal.”
“Understood.” This news did not concern T’Ralia. Stellek may have said that she was trying to become Terran, but the only time she had taken part in their worst traditions her hand had been forced. It was logical.
“And because ‘everyone’ includes myself, I have to release you from your obligation to me, and if ever it comes up, the whole thing was your idea.”
T’Ralia raised an eyebrow. “Understood. I take it this is a temporary measure.” Albrecht had been possessive and proud, such a sudden change was unexpected.
“No. The novelty of sleeping with you has long since worn off,” she sighed as she stood.
“Likewise.” T’Ralia had hoped this day would come for years, when this woman would grow tired of her and move on to someone else, but she felt no sense of relief, only instability when faced with this unmistakable evidence that everything she knew was changing at once.
Albrecht gave her an incredulous look. “You’ve always had a smart mouth for a Vulcan.”
“Captain/.” Her voice was stern. “To be frank, it would behoove you to keep such thoughts to yourself during the upcoming inspection.”
“And it would behoove you, Doctor, to realize that you are in a position to ruin a great many Terrans. Be careful what you say.”
The ISS Portland approached Starbase 12, and while most of her crew felt tension and fear, T’Ralia was calm and unemotional as ever. She had nothing to hide, but something did seem out of the ordinary: she could sense her bondmate. Stellek was on the starbase, but T’Ralia could not guess why. The time for T’Ralia’s interview came and she felt no fear, no need to rehearse in her head what she wanted to say, no shred of nervousness until the office door slid open and she saw who sat on the other side of the desk.
“Stellek?” Once again the sight of her bondmate caught T’Ralia off guard and tested her ability to retain control over her emotions. Of all the people in the galaxy who might find some fault, some reason to have her stripped of rank and disgraced she sat across from the one who was most likely and most motivated to do so. She tried to regain her composure. “Your presence here is unexpected.”
Stellek raised an eyebrow. “My survival was a direct result of my valued status to the reform movement. I thought you might have reached that conclusion on your own.”
“The purpose of this meeting is to assess adherence to Imperial Starfleet reforms. It was logical for me to expect a member of Starfleet.”
“An outside perspective was desired.”
T’Ralia gave a small nod. “I take it you have already reviewed my service records. You may ask anything.”
“A mind meld would be both more accurate and efficient.”
“I refuse.”
Stellek raised a perplexed eyebrow. “And your logical reason for refusal?”
“I have thought that I wish to keep private.”
“One might become curious as to the nature of these hidden thoughts.”
“I have endured trauma that I do not wish to re-live when talking would be sufficient. If your force me into a mind meld against my will, you will be no better than the Terrans who harmed me.”
A heavy moment of silence passed as the two Vulcans stared each other down. Stellek was the first to relent.
“Very well,” he said. “I stand by my initial assessment of your character, but aside from your loyalty to the Terran Empire, there is little you have done that is morally reprehensible.”
“My loyalty was based on the logical desire to preserve my safety. Over the years I have come to realize that you were right, the Empire was not sustainable. And about my morally reprehensible actions, you may ask. I can justify all of them.”
Stellek paused briefly to glance down at his PADD. “You killed a superior to take his position.”
“I responded with lethal force to a direct threat on my life.”
“Which would be a logical course of action if you had any evidence in your favor.”
“I have only my word and logic. I had no desire to become Chief Medical Officer when I killed Doctor Galanis. I was too inexperienced to be suited for the position.”
Stellek nodded and made a note. “I would also like to know your opinion of Captain Albrecht?”
T’Ralia felt a jolt but remained calm. “In what regard?”
“I understand you were the captain’s woman, surely she confided in you regarding the recent changes.”
“You will have a better understanding of where she stands on the matter when you speak to her yourself.” Too evasive of an answer, she couldn’t leave that without further elaboration. “She finds it unnecessary and bothersome but understands the value in compliance.”
Stellek looked at his PADD and kept his eyes down as he answered. “I suppose one cannot expect more from a Terran who would force a person into an intimate relationship.”
“Albrechtr never forced me!” T’Ralia snapped. Stellek raised an eyebrow, and as she calmed herself she realized once again that he had been right about her. Obeying a Terran authority was more important to her than revealing a truth that would expose a grave injustice. There was one moment when T’Ralia could have corrected herself, but T’Ralia let it go. To disobey was too great of an obstacle. “I pursued her myself. I wanted to be the captain’s woman.”