The Stranger (Part II)

Posted on Tue Apr 8, 2025 @ 4:52am by Commander Cara Letsul & Commodore T'mpest Michaels

1,515 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Promenade

[PREVIOUSLY]

A shifting of her body as Cara turned to regard Vex. "I hope that it will be, time will only tell. My name is Cara Letsul" She got a good glimpse of Vex, his features, the way he held himself. "I have recently come to this station myself. It will also depend on if the station itself will accept me. " Cara turned to purchase the spices from the Bajoran vendor. "I will return especially since you have quality spices." she said with a warm genuine smile towards the Bajoran woman. The woman smiled in return, pocketing the latinum strips that Cara had given to her.

[CONTINUED]

Cara lifted up the spices to her nose to breathe in deeply of the scent. Lowering them, she asked, "If you don't mind, care to meet the commodore?"

Vulcans--even half Vulcans--are born with heightened senses which were developed over millennia in the harsh climate of their homeworld. T'mpest had positioned herself not only where she could observe, but where she could hear the conversation. She was not familiar with the name, but she would look him up as soon as she got back to her office. There was still so much she needed to learn--and read--before she truly felt like she belonged here. It was likely she'd leave again before she learned half of what she wanted to know.

"I am here," T'mpest replied quietly. Vex, she knew, was aware of her approach.

Vex had been aware of the Commodore’s presence long before she spoke. Her positioning was deliberate—not directly engaged, but close enough to observe and assess before making her move. A methodical approach. Logical. Efficient.

When she finally stepped forward, he turned smoothly to meet her, his posture composed—straight, but not rigid; formal, but not stiff.

“Commodore.”

His voice carried the careful precision of Vulcan speech, but with something beneath it—a quiet ease, a Betazoid awareness that softened the otherwise measured cadence.

“Lieutenant Kael Tharien, formerly Strategic Operations aboard the USS Resolute. Though I prefer ‘Vex.’”

The distinction was subtle, but intentional. His past position—one of coordination, intelligence, and tactical oversight—was a statement as much as an introduction.

He clasped his hands neatly behind his back, his dark gaze steady, though not unyielding.

“The commander and I were discussing transitions, the nature of belonging. Whether a station such as this is merely a waypoint, or if it becomes something more.”

A brief glance toward Cara, acknowledging her words, before his attention returned fully to T’mpest Michaels.

“Some say a place like this makes that decision for you.”

A pause—measured, deliberate, just long enough to carry weight without overextending the silence. Then, his voice shifted ever so slightly, just a trace of something wry beneath the restraint.

His gaze held the Commodore’s now, his tone returning to one of calm, analytical inquiry.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of your personal attention, Commodore?”

No unnecessary pleasantries, no embellishments. A Vulcan would ask plainly. He chose to do the same.

She raised an eyebrow. "Curiosity." She kept it simple and straightforward. She now had a name. A former appointment...and what? He was no longer on the Resolute. The question now was why. "And are you? Looking for a place of belonging?"

Vex let out a slow breath, not quite a sigh, but something close. His posture relaxed slightly, the carefully measured Vulcan restraint giving way to something more natural, more Betazoid—an ease that suggested he wasn’t just calculating his words, but actually considering them.

“Starfleet sent me here to… wait.” There was a flicker of dry amusement in his tone, the kind that came with recognizing the irony of one’s own situation. “That’s all I was given. No assignment, no clarification—just instructions to report to Deep Space 5 until further notice.”

He glanced around, taking in the bustling promenade, the mixture of species, merchants, travelers, and officers passing through, before returning his attention to T’mpest.

“I don’t know if I’m transferring to a ship en route, waiting for reassignment to a planetary facility, or if this station is meant to be my destination.” His lips quirked slightly, though the expression didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Seems I’m in transit, Commodore. Just… not sure to where.”

There was no frustration in his voice, just the quiet acknowledgment of uncertainty. He had spent his career pulling strings, anticipating moves, reading the game before it was played—but this time? He had nothing to read.

And that, more than anything, was unfamiliar territory.

"Yes. That would be frustrating." But T'mpest had no answers for him. Not yet, anyway. "As far as I am aware, I have nothing for you...but I will see if a message was sent to the former commander, and I will ask for clarification. Meet with me tomorrow and I should have information of some sort." At least, she hoped she would. "I have no problem giving someone a second chance, but I expect honesty and a good work ethic in return."

Cara turned her attention back towards Vex, "Respite from being on duty this would give you a chance to refresh yourself inside and out." She decided to share some of herself. "When I found myself at a crossroads, I couldn't decide what to do, a friend had offered a place for me to have time to consider options. I worked at his tavern Admiral on Deck. Doing tasks as a civilian. It helped immensely." a brief pause, then she added. "This all can be spoken of Tomorrow when you come in to talk more about this."

Vex gave a small, respectful nod to the Commodore. His tone remained composed, but there was a trace of something quieter—acknowledgment, maybe even appreciation.

“Understood. I’ll report to your office tomorrow.”

He didn’t press for more. The gesture was enough—for now.

As Commander Letsul spoke, he turned slightly to face her, listening with intent. There was no need to speak over her or fill the space with unnecessary commentary. He heard her.

When she finished, his response came with a calm sincerity.

“Thank you, Commander. I don’t often find much value in waiting… but your words suggest there may still be something worthwhile in it.”

He remained beside them at the vendor’s stall, hands loosely behind his back. He didn’t shift, didn’t retreat. He was here. Present. Listening.

After a quiet pause, his attention returned to Cara more directly. His voice stayed calm, deliberate—Vulcan in cadence, Betazoid in tone.

“Commander… should your schedule permit, I would be amenable to continuing this conversation over a cup of coffee at a later hour.”

A brief pause, then, with the faintest hint of dry Betazoid nuance:

“Spices, after all, often reveal more in context.”

He left the invitation resting in the space between them—unforced, unhurried, and sincere.

A small smile graced her lips, a twinkle in her eyes as she heard his words. Cara gave a nod. "I am amenable to that. A place to meet-Upper Observation Deck- Level 141. I will be there in two hours." To her it was the most feasible place to meet and she'd not been there yet.

T'mpest gave them both a half bow. "Lieutenant, I look forward to our next meeting. Commander, I will take my leave of you as well. Would tomorrow at 1100 hours work for the two of you?" That would give her time to hear back from Starfleet, and to have a good look at Vex's service record. Her first impression of him was favorable. She hoped the second would be as well.

Vex met Commander Letsul’s gaze with a slight nod, his voice low and even, yet touched with something subtly warmer than before.

“Agreed. I will see you there in two hours.”

There was no flourish in the words, only intent. He had made the offer; she had accepted. It was understood.

As Commodore T’mpest addressed them both, he shifted to face her, offering a crisp but respectful nod.

“1100 hours will suffice, Commodore. I’ll be present and prepared.”

There was no doubt in his tone, only clarity. He recognized the meeting for what it was—an opportunity to define the uncertain edges of his posting… and perhaps his place on this station.

With that, he stepped slightly back, allowing the space between them to settle. No retreat, just respect for the moment and the officers before him.

"Thank you. I will see you at 1100 then." T'mpest gave him a half bow. Then she decided to continue down the aisle to look at another shop. Cara could join her or continue to talk with the new arrival.

Cara bowed as well, "I will see you later on then." to Vex giving a smile, then headed after T'mpest. Much more to see and perhaps talk about.

OFF

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

Lieutenant JG Kael "Vex" Tharien
Star Fleet Officer
Deep Space 5

 

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