Vulcan Phobia?

Posted on Sat Jun 7, 2025 @ 5:11am by Commander Cara Letsul & Commodore T'mpest Michaels

1,887 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Captain's Ready Room

After the third time Cara walked out, T'mpest began to wonder what was going on with her new XO. Twice she'd walked out on a Vulcan--that T'mpest knew of, anyway. And once on the tailor.

She couldn't have her first officer offending people like this. But before she could decide the best course of action, she needed to know what was going on. So, she sent Cara a message to meet with her when she was free.

Cara was in her undecorated quarters, the place still in its original nondescript form, a blank canvas possibly. She was in the middle of doing some meditative exercise when she received the message from T'mpest. Drawing in a breath, she rose from the floor, got dressed in her uniform and went to T'mpest's office. She reached out to ascertain whether there was anyone else in the Ready Room, there wasn't. She stepped inside, feeling a little bit anxious.

"You asked for me, Commodore?" Cara standing at attention.

T'mpest waved off the formal stance. "At ease, I neither require nor desire the formality." She indicated a couch and chairs. "Please have a seat. I wish to speak with you...informally."

Cara made her way over towards one of the chairs and took a seat, at the moment her posture was a bit--stiff. "What can I do for you, Commodore?" she placed her hands in her lap, clasping them together. And she waited to see what was on T'mpest's mind.

The half Vulcan watched her for a long moment, then sat in the other chair. "I would like to know why you walked out on T'Lul, T'Vren, and Thavas." She stated it bluntly, without any elucidation, to see what Cara had to say on the matter.

"The experience where T'Lul is concerned shook me to my very core. I had picked up, in my own feelings she didn't want me there. And when I tried to engage in the conversation, to be included, her reaction was that of my not needing to be there. Hence I left. I stated as such before I left. She showed signs of bigotry, and also I gathered that I was an intruder when I offered a suggestion as to my recommending a civilian counselor to help with civilians needing help and counseling. Granted she has been on this station operating alone for quite some time, keeping things together under great odds. My feelings where she is concerned I do not feel she is fit to be a counselor unless she can become more polite and inclusive. Yes I left, I didn't feel that I should stay where I am not wanted, and looked down upon, being judged without due cause. That was obviously a matter that could have taken place when it was just you and T'Lul. Without getting to know me, T'Lul had already judged me and found me to be an interloper."

"T'Vren, I am now gun shy when another female Vulcan is in conference with you, after what happened with T'Lul. What will be discussed? Will the subject of Pon Farr be brought up again. I do not know." Cara still clasping her hands together.

"As for Thavas, he was selling wares. I saw how he addressed you, and me- -I was just a mere, how shall I say this, a mere insect, one to be ignored. There are little bits and pieces of hints as to the mode of addressing someone. He wished to curry your favor, offering services besides utilizing his tailor skills. I was once more, on the outside looking in through a window. You included me, wanting me to get to know the key members of the station. Showing that we are a team. Yes I walked out, giving a possible notion that we are not a team. In that regards I do apologize. With the exception of T'Lul, I did what I could do to politely make a departure, Commodore. I am not going to force myself upon someone who didn't wish me there. One must pick and choose the battles they wish to fight, and know when to do so." her voice was quiet, "Not that I wanted to be in the spotlight I wished to have been treated as a possible customer, not--like what happened."

While she hoped for better, it was what T'mpest surmised. She felt it important to be clear with her answers and her expectations. "First, T'Lul did choose an inappropriate time to ask a very private question. I put it down to her eagerness to follow up on something I said. she couched her words in such a way as to let me know what she meant without bringing you into a...delicate conversation. Yes, she should have waited. But she was not doing it to be condescending. She was taking advantage of the moment."

She didn't want to speak harshly, but she needed to make a point now before this became a pattern of behavior. Still, her voice was firm but calm. "You chose to take umbrage and made a point of letting the counselor and myself know that you were offended and made a dramatic exit. That is something I would expect of an ensign, not a commander. Especially one who has been an admiral and should understand the importance of remaining in control, even in the face of perceived bigotry."

She sighed and continued. "T'Vren did nothing. You must have dealt with dozens of Vulcans in your time. I am Vulcan. And yet, when you see me with another Vulcan, you immediately assume we are going to talk about private matters and run away. Again, I have to question your fitness to be stationed here where diplomacy and decorum are necessary.

T'mpest then went on to the third issue. "Yes. Thavas did want to curry favor. He is an information broker and I am the station commander. Your timing is what was the problem. You could have waited a few minutes for our conversation to move on. Or you could have spoken to Tiza if you had a question about material. Sometimes getting to know the assistant is more important that getting to know the owner. That was a lost opportunity. The tailor worked with T'Lul leading up to the attack, but that does not mean I wish to her to be the only contact when seeking information from him. And I do want him to design several outfits for me. They may come in handy in diplomatic settings."

She wanted to run her hands through her hair: a very human reaction she did not wish to indulge. "I was assigned here because I have command experience, yes, but also because I am a scientist and a diplomat. You were assigned here because you have experience on a station and because you are supposed to be a people person. We are supposed to work as a team. We cannot do that if you continually run away at every perceived offense."

She paused, assessing Cara for a moment. "So, what do you propose we do about this moving forward?"

Cara wasn't upset as to the commodore's perception, this was a good way to get things out in the open. Cara had felt the frustrations from the Commodore. With this being a sensitive subject, Cara locked down her emotions.

"I have been thinking over my reactions as to certain situations, adjustments are needing to be made and will be made on my part." Cara began, then addressed the commodore's statement as to her fitness as being an XO.

"You do have every right to question my fitness as to my being your XO. If you see fit to put someone else in my stead that would be your prerogative." Cara let her statement settle in the air for a moment or two before she went on. Her demeanor wasn't one of being hurt, just stating a fact. "I am not perfect, nor have I claimed to be, Commodore. There will be growing pains, there will be bumps in the road. I do own up to my mistakes and I do endeavor to make amends. I also will not offer up any excuses either. True I did ignore the assistant, as I had been very interested in what he was wearing." there was no sparkle in her eyes when Cara spoke of the cloth. "I did mess up an opportunity to observe and gain knowledge about the Tailor. Perhaps I will be able to have a second chance. And I did let my emotions get the best of me."

Cara had her own feelings and perceptions as to why things were happening. She could offer up her perception as to this was the first time she was in a command staff with the CO being female. And the fact that she could feel the tension all around this huge station. That though is something she will need to work on personally. All the reasonings Cara thought of, they sounded to her as just excuses. This was a wakeup call for her.

"I do appreciate your candor, Commodore." Cara added.

"I find obfuscation and deflection cause far more trouble than simplicity and clarity." T'mpest shrugged. "I understand why you felt that T'Lul was excluding you. She appears to be questioning her Vulcan stoicism and wished to ask me why I have adopted a balance between my Vulcan and human heritage. Her intentions were good, even if her timing was not. The other two...were more concerning. It was necessary that you understand my concerns for us to continue working together."

"I have been concerned as to my reactions as well. Before you called for me, I was meditating upon my behaviour." Cara's voice placid. "It will not happen again, Commodore. I can offer the platitudes of someone saying, I promise or the saying of trust me, let me prove myself I will not do so. I believe more in the saying; actions speak louder than words." Cara's body language and her expression were sincere.

T'mpest nodded her head once. "Good enough. I do think you should apologize to T'Lul and Thavas."

"I do agree, there does need amends to be made for them both, and perhaps our newest addition to the crew. T'Vren. I will be making certain to reach out and get to know her. I have, I feel missed an opportunity to observe what she is like when she spoke to you." Cara giving a nod.

"I, too, believe she will be a good addition to the station. A linguist can sometimes pick up on subtle nuances a universal translator cannot." T'mpest's posture relaxed slightly. "That was all I had to say. Since you are here, is there anything you would like to bring up?"

"No, I do not have anything else to bring up." Cara giving a nod.

T'mpest nodded. "Then I will let you get back to your other responsibilities. Thank you."

This time being dismissed officially, Cara left the Ready Room pausing at the door, to give a bow of respect towards T'mpest. almost Vulcan like in nature, before she stepped through the door. Much work needed to be done.

A Post By

Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5

Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5

 

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