Duty Log | Lieutenant Vanik, Chief Counsellor/Diplomatic Officer | "Mandating Emotion?"

Posted on 241402.23 @ 7:27pm by Lieutenant Orson Odan MD, PsyD

Mission: Where no man has gone before.
Location: Earth/USS Enterprise

Diplomacy Suite A, Federation Mediation Service
Earth

“I don’t care if you need it for new scientific research developments, it’s OUR land!” yelled an irate elderly Human male across the table toward a young, somewhat nervous, Bolian ensign.

“B..But Starfleet is manda... mandated under… Section, Section… 5?” the Bolian stuttered clearly not prepared for a conflict. He had been told it was supposed to be easy. Explain to the local farming association that the land was required, offer a settlement and relocation. It had not gone well and for the past three hours the head of the association, Giles Harkin had been standing up, waving his arms about and shouting down the terrified Bolian who had only been out of the Academy for six months.

As the battle raged across the boardroom table, the third person in the room remained stoic and silent. Vanik was deep in thought, yet still taking in the discussion in front of him. Had he really succumbed to Pon-Farr with his closest friend? While it was true he thought he had feelings for the woman, showing them was… irrational by his exacting Vulcan standards. He was confused by her, the reciprocation made no sense as neither had expressed any interest of this prior. Why was he now thinking about it? Was he… happy? No. that made no sense. Displaying no outward emotion beyond a slight twitch of the eyebrow the inner turmoil of the past week continued to weigh on the half-Vulcan’s mind. By his people’s standards, he would be considered an emotional wreck. Thinking some more Vanik decided that the only explanation for what happened was the result of the biological effects of Pon-Farr on his body and psyche, and their familiarity, closeness and physical proximity at the time. Yes, that was it. She was the only real logical choice at the time.

Vanik turned his attentions to the bumbling and unprepared ensign and merely raised a brow. While not fully Vulcan, it would have been impossible to tell in that instance. “I believe what Ensign Galan has failed to mention in the past three hours, thirty-six minutes and twelve seconds is the reconciliation package being offered, I am told it is quite generous” he interjected stopping both men in their tracks as they turned to look at him.

He was dark skinned, bald and dressed in an immaculate Starfleet uniform with white undershirt. It signified his role as a trained Counsellor and Diplomatic Advisor. While only a lieutenant, Vanik had impressed peers with his ability which had earned him a promotion to a chief role onboard the Enterprise. From what he could gather his colleagues were jealous of this because of the prestige and nostalgia carried with the name. Vanik, however, did not fully understand this concept to their further frustration.

“Yes! That’s right, very generous. Look!” the Bolian said shrilly pulling out a PADD and passing it over for the union representative to look over. As the room fell silent, Vanik returned to his thoughts. Being half-Human allowed him to experience emotion far more easily than most Vulcan’s, however, his upbringing had all but stamped this out in favour of logic and reasoning. He couldn’t help, however, contemplate the personal benefit of emotion in certain situations and the ancient texts on Vulcan emotion fascinated him greatly. Was it ok to feel? He asked himself philosophically.

Vanik had been meditating heavily since ‘the incident’ to try and restore his sense of being and control and thankfully had the time to do so between assignments. Unfortunately for him, however, this job came across his terminal as the only available trained mediator in the sector who wasn’t engaged with far more important negotiations.

“So we get compensation that’s fine and help relocating to our choice of land… but I want a thirty per-cent increase for agreeing ahead of the deadline…” Giles said breaking the silence and Vanik’s trail of thought.

“I believe you appreciate that this is a far better position for you and your families considering the current circumstances. The choice of agricultural real estate in a torn Federation is not a luxury often afforded or indeed readily available elsewhere but we are agreeable to the increased payment terms on the condition you accept today” Vanik commented.

Giles was silent for a moment then rubbed his wrinkled, weathered face. Sighing he fell back in the chair nodding. “Fine, yes, ok – we’ll agree to these terms” he said after a moment.

“Very well, I am sure although you display outward disappointment as no doubt you believe you could have negotiated a higher price you will come to accept, in time, this was the only logical course of action considering. The court process would have considerably depleted your member funds and caused unnecessary… turmoil.” Vanik said rising from the table. “Ensign Galan will finish up here” he explained inclining his head slightly and heading out of the room.

Galan sat, mouth opened slightly not fully believing this nightmare was over and he could bring positive news to his superior officer. “Yes… sign here…” he said hurriedly before anyone changed their mind.

USS Enterprise, McKinley Shipyards

In the few hours that had passed since his mediation session Vanik had collected his few possessions together in crates and was now sitting in the transport shuttle with several other crewmen as it approached the ship. Vanik could appreciate the design aesthetic as the shuttle banked round revealing the Odyssey class Enterprise for the first time. He observed the other members of the new crew onboard with him, their gasping at the sight confusing him a little. While he knew it was normal behaviour to gasp when excited he wondered if this was one of those moments or if perhaps the oxygen levels were set too low in the cabin.

The shuttle docked and he stepped off the open back platform onto the shuttlebay deck showing his transfer documents to the arrivals officer on duty as he did so.

“What are you gunna do first? Don’t you just wanna explore everywhere? See what she’s like?” a voice from behind him said.

“She?”

“She, yeah the ship!”

“I am confused why you call it a she. A starship has no gender after all” Vanik commented.

“And. No. Starfleet regulation clearly mandates new crew that upon arrival their first duty should be to report directly to their superior officer, followed by quarters assignment from the Quartermaster. While I appreciate you are excited, you should contain it until you can fully express it in a productive and appropriate manner. Although, I certainly appreciate the benefit of knowing ones surroundings.”

“Wow… aren’t you a barrel of laughs.” The crewman commented knowing he wasn’t going to connect with the Vulcan.

“I do not understand how laughter, a non-phyiscal entity, can fill a barrel crewman” Vanik said raising a brow quizzically.

“I bet you’re a scientist or security guy. I’m operations myself” came the response from the over-excited crewman”

“On the contrary, I am your Counsellor and diplomatic advisor” he replied nodding to the stunned crewman and heading out to find one of the command team so he could report in.

=/\=

Lieutenant Vanik
Chief Counsellor/Diplomatic Officer
USS Enterprise