Diving Deep

Posted on 29 Jul 2014 @ 1:19pm by Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D.

3,164 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 5, Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD08 - 1400hrs

[ON]

Despite the rough night he'd had, Oren was feeling incredibly optimistic about the day. His decision to be completely honest with Dr. Carlisle turned out to be the best thing he'd done on the Galileo so far. Of course, that wasn't saying much, considering how unhappy he was with most of the decisions he'd made so far. But, he was determined to make it better now and with that determination, he rushed through the corridors towards the holodeck for some well-deserved time off.

Staring a PADD to make sure his plans with Kita were going well, Oren paid no attention to the pre-planned program he'd scheduled to run earlier that day and simply walked inside.

Several steps inside, the ground beneath Oren betrayed him aI nd he was suddenly neck deep in clear, blue water. Spluttering in a panic, he splashed his arms to try and get a hold of himself but it still took a good ten seconds before he could. Taking rapid, shallow breaths, Oren looked around, wondering what in the world happened.

Turning around mid stroke, T'Vanna arched an eyebrow at the very large splash that occurred just behind her. Without pause she paddled up to the floundering officer and helped keep his head above water. "Easy there, hold still for a moment." She pulled the officer to the edge of the pool and draped his arms over the edge so he could keep his head above water. "You know... swimming with your clothes on does tend to be a bad idea."

Oren continued to splash and cough for several seconds more before finally feeling secure in his grip of the edge. Taking several deep breaths, Oren pushed his wet hair away from his eyes and finally looked at his savior. "Excuse me?" he asked, having missed whatever it was that she said.

"I said swimming with your clothes on is a bad idea. Are you alright?" She shifted him, so that he could feel the bottom of the pool under his feet. "You walked right in on the ship's pool program, I guess you didn't know the holodeck was booked?"

Finding his footing, Oren ran his hands through his hair, slicking it back. "No, I guess I didn't. It wasn't supposed to be. I booked Holodeck 1 this morning and it was free."

"How odd...I did the same thing and it said the same thing. You can swim though, right? You won't drown on me?"

"Oh, I can swim. I just...panicked," Oren said with a nervous laugh. "Well," he added. "I think thank you's are in order." He grinned brightly at the Vulcan. "I'm Oren Idris and thank you for saving me."

"T'Vanna Murray, and you're welcome." She threw the bright smile right back at him as she got to her feet. "Water ain't deep here," she suggested as she watched him, "you could of course just get properly dressed and join me for a few lanes. I'm not the fastest of people these days."

Momentarily confused, Oren finally looked down and finally noticed the woman's pregnant state. "Oh!" he just exclaimed and then looked back up into her eyes. "Congratulations!" She looked about ready to pop, from what he could tell.

"Thank you, it wasn't exactly planned." She released him and took a step back to create some distance. "So...are you coming in proper? Or were you planning on something different?"

Oren looked around at the room for the first time. He'd had other plans - a nice walk through a forest or a beach, but a pool was a good a distraction as any, he figured. Turning back to T'Vanna, he smiled and said, "Yeah, if you don't mind the company," he told her, pushing himself out of the pool to change.

"I'm just gonna go get myself a swimsuit." With that, he walked over the changing rooms, his wet shoes making squishy noises the whole way there.

"Sweet, I'll wait right here," she promised, casting him the brightest smile she could muster without being an outright flirt.

Minutes later, Oren came back out into the pool area, wearing a pair of forest green swim trunks. Feeling a little exposed in front of the relative stranger, he wasted no time before jumping back into the water, feet first.

"You look quite striking you know, in those green swimmers." She let herself float away a little though she kept her eyes on what looked to be a teenager. Not much younger than herself, she reasoned, as she looked a little younger than her actual age of 22 too. "Very handsome too, even when you were in the wet suit."

Oren laughed nervously, a blush creeping up on his cheeks. He cleared his throat and smiled. "Um...thank you. That's very kind of you." He was honestly at a loss for what to say. Although he remembered welcoming the extra attention in his past, these days it made him nervous more than anything else.

He debated returning the complement. T'Vanna was a beautiful woman, Oren would be the first to admit it, but he didn't wish to give her the wrong impression or lead her on without knowing her first. So he stayed silent and continued to blush to the tips of his ears.

"I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean to embarrass you. But you are handsome...if not a little young?"

Oren couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped him. "I'm not that young. I'm 75, almost," he told her, then shrugged his bare shoulders as much as the water allowed. "El Aurian."

"Ahh I'd never have guessed." Now it was T'Vanna's turn to turn a darker shade of green in the face. "I've heard of your people of course, and the tragedy that occurrect but I don't think I've actually ever met one...well until now. You certainly don't look your age.....and that makes you old enough to be my grandfather, technically...but still....age doesnt mean anything between different people does it? I'm twenty-two."

As T'Vanna's blush grew, Oren's seemed to diminish and he smiled at her. "I could probably be your grandfather," he said, but then shook his head. "But no, age doesn't really mean anything. If it's any consolation, I'm practically a child by my own peoples' standards."

"So am I, if I were a pure blood Vulcan. Fortunately, by Human standards I'm long since an adult. "So....what do you do on this bucket of bolts?"

"I am the Archaeologist and Anthropologist on board," Oren explained, swimming circles around T'Vanna. "What about you?"

"Assistant chief intelligence officer." She walked in circles trying to keep her eyes on him. "Working on anything interesting right now? The way you had your nose buried into that PADD it must be..."

"Oh, that was for something else. We're trying to get rid of all the Tribbles, so I'm working with the Chief Engineering on something," Oren explained with a wave of his hand. "For my work, I'm just going through inventory to see what we have for artifacts on board."

"Oh yes Tribbles...had one nearly eat my lunch ...they're a pest. Can't they just be.. beamed somewhere? No enemy around to give them to as a present?" Playfully, she splashed at him.

"Hey!" Oren protested weakly as she splashed him. "What, you don't think I'd splash a pregnant lady?" he asked with a laugh before splashing her back.

"As for beaming, I had an idea of beaming them into the pattern buffer but we're not sure how many tribbles it'd hold or for how long, so we need to figure that out first."

"What about putting them in a shuttle, and taking the shuttle in tow?" She splashed him again, casting him a daring grin.

"I don't think the Shuttle could fit as many Tribbles as we'd like, but it's a good option if we have some Tribbles that we can't place," Oren explained before closing his eyes and trying to block her splash.

"Oh, you are so asking for it," he told her before using both hands to push water at her.

Laughing she tried to ward the wave of water off, but it was a futile attempt. "What about using a holodeck to contain them? Or a cargobay?"

"They have a weird way of sneaking out. Don't ask how, it's a mystery, but they seem to get practically everywhere, so containing them might be a problem," Oren explained. "Not to mention they multiply like...well, Tribbles."

"What if you place forcefields around it? And they only multiply when fed...I know they're born pregnant, but if you stop feeding them, they'll stop breeding." She shrugged. "Maybe chef could make tribble stew?"

"That's a horrible thought!" Oren said, a little outraged and hoping she was just kidding. "And I think they're somehow finding things to feed on because we've locked down the Mess, but they're still multiplying. It's insane. Right now Science and Engineering are both trying to figure out a way to solve the problem, even temporarily. But we can't devote all of our time to it because there's the main mission, which takes priority." Oren shook his head before diving under the water to cool off.

She waited until he resurfaced, then shrugged. "They keep multiplying, and there's no way to keep them all alive. Where would they go. Easiest would be to contain them on the holodeck, and within a force field. The most humane way to dispose of them would be to kill them I'm sorry. I don't see another alternative if they are becoming a pest."

"I just don't like killing things. I think the best way is to try storing them in the buffer and then putting the rest somewhere. At their current numbers, I don't think anything else can hold them comfortably," Oren explained. Just because the Tribbles were turning into pests didn't give anyone a right to just kill them like their lives meant nothing.

"I did say if they are becoming a pest," T'Vanna repeated.

"Well, just because something is a pest doesn't make it's life worthless," Oren pointed out.

"Oh very true but if it makes our lives impossible, then they will have to be exterminated." She pushed off and waved her arms around, while floating on her back, gently kicking her legs to remain afloat.

"So, what? Our lives are more important? Is that what you're saying?" Oren asked, though he guessed he already knew the answer. Part of his couldn't imagine such a view point. He knew in the back of his mind that there was a very good chance the ship could be forced to kill the Tribbles, but he didn't like thinking about it. How a person could state it so plainly was beyond him. Especially since she seemed ready to bring new life into the universe.

"If it comes down to us or the Tribbles then yes," she replied quietly, "I understand you don't agree with this, especially with your background, and all life is precious, but yes if it's them or us, then definitely us."

"And you have no problems with that? I mean, I'm not stupid, I know that, if it comes to it, it will happen, but I can't distance myself from it. Or justify it to myself. I don't want to, really," Oren said. "I just can't rationalize killing something or believing that someone's life worth is derived from it's usefulness. It's just not who I am."

"I never said I didn't have problems with it, but we do have the higher intelligence to make that choice. A tribble.. only seems to eat and reproduce. Has there ever been any proof of learning from them? Of intelligence?"

"Why does that matter? Life is life." Oren shrugged, as if it was just that simple for it. Which it was.

"Because in the end, it still is survival of the fittest."

Oren was quiet for a moment, then gave T'Vanna a half smile. "I guess if that's what you believe, there's nothing I can say to change it."

"Probably not. How about we let our beliefs be private, and we have some fun here in the water? It's very warm and relaxing."

"Alright," Oren agreed before proceeding to splash T'Vanna again.

"Hey that's not fair!" she cried out, flailing her arms and kicking to keep herself afloat.

"Tough!" Oren said and splashed her again, but this time more gently. He didn't need a drowning pregnant lady on his hands.

Finding her footing, she mowed her arm across the water's surface, creating quite the floodwave, which was sent directly to her companion. "As you wish," she laughed happily, realising she hadn't felt this happy and carefree in quite some time.

Oren yelped, instinctively shielding himself from the water. "If you weren't in such a delicate state, I would so win," he shouted back over the splashing water.

"I'm hardly delicate," T'Vanna challenged, a little annoyed. "I'm only pregnant...doesn't change anything about my constitution. And I take offense if you let me win."

"Well, my instinct would be to tackle you and I can't do that!" Oren whined playfully.

"Why not, we're in a bloody pool Oren, seriously, what can happen? Especially with the safeties on." She splashed at him again, then disappeared under water, dragging his feet along with her as she passed him.

Oren just barely managed to take a small breath before he was dragged down. Struggling a little, he managed to break away. Pushing up through the surface, he took a deep breath and looked around to see if he could find his assailant.

The culprit resurfaced a few strokes away, laughing merrily. "Gotcha!" she called out.

"Oh, now you're definitely dead," Oren vowed, swiming towards her with powerful strokes before finally grabbing her around the shoulders and falling back into the water, taking her with him.

Yelping, T'Vanna went under with him, realising the man with the visage of an 18-year old packed quite a bit of strength. Still, she laughed when she found her footing. "You're good, and sneaky, and quite strong for a scientist...what do you do, work out?"

Oren shook his head. "No, not really," he admitted. "But I guess moving archaeological equipment and artifacts around has its benefits."

"I'd count that as working out." TO test him, she squeezed his biceps, then showed her own. "Certainly stronger than me," she exclaimed with a cheeky grin. "Bet you can't throw me though..."

"Don't be so sure. We are in water, after all." As if to make his point, Oren suddenly slipped his arm under T'Vanna's knees and lifted her up. "See?" he asked, a satisfied grin on his face.

"Ahh but that's just lifting and not using much muscle," the woman objected, "this is water, and the safeties are on. Nothing can happen to me. Go on...."

"Alright. Then let's get out of the pool and I'll lift you," he said, sounding like the teenager he appeared to be. He was almost sure he could lift T'Vanna. Almost.

"Alright." She climbed out of the pool, water cascading down her normally lithe body, the swimsuit clinging to her body. Putting a hand on her hip while flipping her hair back with the other, she cast him a look of pure challenge.

"Alright," Oren pushed himself out of the water on the side before padding to T'Vanna. As he stood next to her, Oren suddenly felt awkward. It seemed less intimate, touching her in the water, but now he didn't know where to start.

"Well?" she challenged, taking his hands to put them on her hips. "You're not going all shy on me now are you? Don't worry, I won't consider this inappropriate touching. After all I did challenge."

"Alright," Oren said with a nod before giving his arms a little flex and shake. Hoping his muscles were warmed up enough, Oren bent his knees and, in one smooth movement lifted T'Vanna off her feet and into his arms.

"Ooooh!" she exclaimed, resting her hands on his well defined shoulders for balance.

Feeling very happy for himself lasted only a few seconds for Oren when he started to feel his legs and arms shake with exertion. "Okay, I'm putting you down now," he said quickly, trying to put T'Vanna back onto the floor as quickly but gently as possible.

"Not as strong as you claimed then," she teased, patting his arms as he got her footing again. "I'm not going to try and lift you, doctors said I can't lift anything over five kilograms."

"Hey! I said I could lift you, and I did," Oren argued playfully. "Guess I'll just have to wait and see how strong you are in...what? A month?" he guessed, looking at her pregnant belly.

"Two weeks at best," T'Vanna answered, following his gaze, "though I'm hoping a bit sooner. I'm quite done with not being able to do things. I'm not even allowed on away missions anymore. Not that I've had many of those during my academy time. I graduated about a month ago or so."

"Aww, are you looking forward to being a mommy?" Oren asked excitedly, looking at her with bright green eyes. He always loved children, especially when they were tiny and didn't talk back. They were so much easier to please then.

"I don't really have a choice," T'Vanna replied nervously, "I really don't know if I'm looking forward to it. But I can't wait for him or her to be born. I don't know how I'll be afterwards." She looked back at him. "Do you have children?"

Oren chuckled and shook his head. "No, I don't. I'm not ready and I've never met someone I'd have children with," he admitted, keeping the regret from his voice well after so many years of experience. "But I love children! Especially babies. I've been told I'm very good with them," he explained proudly. "So, if you need a babysitter, I'll be glad to help."

"I'll take you up on that, thank you. Sadly, I need to go now, if I still want to get some things done, and still have a walk in the arboretum. XO said to check it out."

Oren nodded. "I'd just stay out of the horticultural section in the far corner of the Arboretum. The botanist is...difficult," he warned, choosing the last word carefully.

"I'll do," T'Vanna promised as she walked over to grab her towel. "You're welcome to stay here, it's a public program after all." Wrapping the large towel around her body, she slipped her feet into comfortable slippers. "See you around?"

"Yeah, I think I'll stay and do a few laps," Oren said, watching her. "If you need anything, feel free to drop by the labs on Deck 4," he added.

"Until next time."

[OFF]

Ensign T'Vanna Murray
asst Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

Oren Idris, Ph.D.
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

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