Talking History
Posted on Mon Jan 27th, 2025 @ 6:45am by Lieutenant Commander Tarian Aloria & Commander Marisa Sandoval
Edited on on Sat Feb 1st, 2025 @ 11:45pm
2,214 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Like Sands Through The Hourglass
Location: Office of the Chief Temporal Mechanics Officer - Deck 4 - USS Herodotus
Timeline: MD003 0900 hrs
When Marisa learned that the position of temporal operations had been filled, she checked the computer to find out where the commander was and went to say hello. She made it a point of meeting all the senior staff before they departed the station as she liked to know the people she would be working with. While one meeting wasn't really enough to know a person, it at least gave her a basic understanding of who they were.
She paused at the door to the chief's office and rang the chime.
Tarian was down in his office on Deck 4 when he heard the door chime ring. He turned around as he put a PADD down and said, "Enter."
Marisa walked in and gave him a Vulcan half-bow. "Hello, commander. I am Marisa Sandoval. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Yes, Commander. It's nice to finally meet you. Sorry I haven't come by to meet you or the Captain quite yet. I've had a lot to unpack after arriving onboard, as well as a lot to catch up on. Want anything to eat or drink? I was thinking about getting something for myself," Tarian asked, walking over to the replicator that was on the nearby wall.
"I will have a spiced tea. Thank you." She waved off the apology. "Right now, we are all getting settled in so there is time to meet with us."
Tarian ordered up the spiced tea for the first officer and something sweet for himself. Once the orders came up, Tarian took them off the replicator and walked the drink over to Marisa. Taking a sip of his own drink, Tarian asked, "So, when do we get underway to take a better look at the spatial anomaly? I'd like to get some more detailed scans of it to better understand what or who might be behind it."
"That is up to the captain. There are a number of us who are curious about the anomaly, but it will depend on what is needed." She knew they could be sent out immediately, or they could have some time to run scans, but right now, she had no idea which it would be. "I am sure the captain will tell us once everyone is on board."
"Oh, I thought I might've been the last one to arrive onboard. Especially with how long it took me to get here from Earth. How many people do we have onboard anyways? Seems like a bit of a smaller ship, so it seems like it'd have a smaller crew," Tarian asked, curious as to how many people actually were working onboard. But, for a moment, he thought it might be classified. So, Tarian quickly said, "If that's information that I can be privy to knowing."
"I think most of us came here after stopping at earth." She assumed he came here after talking with Isaacs. "We still need two more senior staff and a couple of enlisted, so the number we have now will not be the entire compliment--but it will be a small crew." She paused to take a sip of her drink. "What made you choose temporal science?"
Tarian took a few sips of his own drink as he listened to the First Officer talk about the crew that they were getting and already got onboard. But, it was the question about why he got into the temporal sciences that really got him thinking. He had to think about it for a moment, as Tarian had been with Starfleet and the DTI for quite some time. "You know, there's a lot of reasons why I decided to go into temporal sciences. I think one of the big parts is due to my mixed heritage and all that I've seen over my time. Being over 300 years old allows for one to view History and temporal sciences in an interesting way."
Tarian took a few more sips of his own drink before redirecting the question back. "How about yourself? What made you want to study temporal sciences or become a part of such a ship?" Tarian asked, putting his cup down on the nearby table.
"I was asked." Marisa shrugged. "I studied counseling and science and learned some temporal science as part of the job, but I am most interested in ancient civilizations and all that entails. I knew of DTI, but never considered it a career path until I received orders to meet with the director. He offered me the job and I accepted. Then I met with Captain Thorrin and met with his approval. At least enough to still be here." She didn't mention that she was fascinated with the possibilities of learning first-hand about the past.
That made Tarian think about his own life and path into the DTI. Tarian smiled as he replied, "I don't think anyone truly goes into our line of work, thinking they'd become a part of the DTI. We're just a part of something bigger that just leads us to that point. For me, I found that I loved history and enjoyed it more than just being a part of it, since I'm part El-Aurian myself. The DTI director made me an offer years ago that I just couldn't refuse."
"Yes. He is good at that." It was both a good thing and a bad one, as far as she was concerned. "The main problem with history is that it comes from such a narrow viewpoint. Rarely do we get a complete picture from different points of view. I think that is what ultimately led me to accept the position. It is a rare opportunity to see history as it actually was. Even if I can't write about it, I can experience it." She smiled as she spoke, clearly looking forward to the opportunity.
"That's part of what caught my eye about this ship. I don't know how much the Captain or the director has told you about my professional History, or how much you've looked into my true personnel file. But, I've been out here saving the timeline from imploding on itself. I thought it'd be nice to see History without trying to always be saving it. I'd like to see what this ship can do too," Tarian said with smile before taking another sip of his own drink.
Tarian thought about a few things and asked, "If you could see any part of History, which part would you wanna see?"
"That is a tough question." She paused to consider it carefully. "I think I would like to see Surak. I am not one of his followers, but I appreciate what he did for the Vulcan people." Then she smiled. "And he is an important part of my history. after that, I have a list of a dozen ancient civilizations I'd love to visit."
"I've had the chance to visit Vulcan and read some of his original works, as well as visit where they were holding the Kir'Shara. I thought it was interesting how Surak was able to keep his katra in that thing for so long," Tarian offered up as he thought about that visit to Vulcan. It was a fun, but dangerous mission for the DTI about twenty some years ago.
"That must have been fascinating. I've read some of his original writings, but only as a historian and student. While I don't follow his teachings, he changed Vulcan at a time it needed changing." Marisa wasn't sure she'd have a chance to visit ancient Vulcan, but the idea was appealing. But if not, she knew that most records from Surak on were mostly accurate.
"Honestly, I'd love to see that time of Surak as well, now that I'm thinking about it. I'd love to see the early difference between the Vulcan and Romulan people, as they are two bands of the same species. I'd love to see how they started to grow into their own species," Tarian said, knowing that they'd have to be careful if they ever were to view this period in time. The early Vulcans and Romulans were both going through their own growing pains at the time, but would be fun to learn about.
Marisa nodded. "It would be interesting. As for the differences, that comes down to environment and adaptation. We all evolve differently based on our environment. Vulcans and Romulans are no different. But I would love to see what the Vulcans in that time were like, and if there were any Romulans around."
"You know another time period and species I'd love to go and visit? I'd love to visit the Klingon homeworld during the time of Kahless. I'm sure it'd be an interesting period for them as well," Tarian replied with a small chuckle, thinking about how Kronos would be like during that period.
"That would. There are so many. But we can only hope." Marisa smiled. "There are far too many worlds and times I would like to visit. But for now, at least we have the data in the computer library."
"That's very true! I'm just glad to have been able to do the stuff I have in our line of work. I know that a lot of people probably couldn't fathom what we are starting to do here on the Herodotus," Tarian replied with a smile equal to Marisa's own smile.
"It is an incredible opportunity. Which brings me around to asking if there is anything you need to add to your department. I have a list of items to acquire before we leave."
"Well, what kind of stuff do you have on this list of yours to acquire before we leave port, skipper? I don't want to keep adding anything that we might already have on it," Tarian asked, wanting to see what else might be on the list as well.
"So far, the list is short, but I expect to get more as everyone gets settled in and has a good look around their department." She shrugged. "I want to give everyone plenty of time--especially as we have no idea how long the ship will be here. Basically, I am asking for department-specific needs." Then she chuckled. "My Vulcan side wants all the Is dotted and the Ts crossed. So, you have time if you need it."
"Well, if we have the time, I'd love to look around my department and see what we might need. Since I just came onboard and haven't had the chance to really look around, I don't know what we've got onboard that could be useful and what we might need in order to help us out," Tarian replied honestly. He wasn't sure what the Temporal Department might need and what they had readily available on hand.
"We should be here for several days, so you have time to look around. I asked because now you can keep a list of needs as you do so." She smiled again. "It keeps you from doubling your efforts. You should have time to explore the station as well."
"Well, let me make my rounds around the ship and see what I might need and I'll try to get something before we head out. I know that you must be busy and I don't want to keep you waiting for me to just make a list like that," Tarian said with a small chuckle, as he hadn't had much time to truly tour the ship and see what he might need for the mission. Most of the stuff he had when he transferred onboard.
"That will be fine. As I said, there is no rush. I believe we will be here for a few days." She smiled again. He was another officer she looked forward to working with. "And if we ever do go back to ancient Vulcan, you and I will need to listen to Surak. Or at least get a good look at the Vulcan culture."
Tarian couldn't help but chuckle before replying, "Yeah, that would be a fun time! But, I know you must be busy and I've taken up enough of your time this afternoon. Is there anything else I might be able to help you with on this lovely day?"
"No, there is nothing else." She gave him a half bow. "Enjoy your time on the station." It had been a pleasant conversation, but she knew that he, too, had things to do.
"Thank you for spending a little time down here in Temporal Ops and like I said, hopefully, I'll have that list for you in the next couple of hours or days. Hopefully, you have a good rest of your day!" Tarian offered as he stood up and walked the First Officer out of his office. When he stood back and allowed the door to close, he realized that he was going to fit right in with the crew.
A Joint Post By
Commander Marisa Sandoval
Executive Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
Lieutenant Commander Tarian Aloria
Chief Temporal Operations Officer
USS Herodotus DTI-30656
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