Meet and Greet

Posted on Wed Apr 9th, 2025 @ 9:52am by Lieutenant JG Annika Johnson & Captain T’Kal

646 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: ARYL 1X01: Bound for Cold Frontier
Location: USS Ark Royal, Spacedock, Earth
Timeline: Before departure

Her transfer to the Saturn over with, Annika stepped through the umbilical linking Spacedock with the Ark Royal. This was her first time serving aboard this class of starship, she'd visited one before briefly but never served onboard, to say she was looking forward to it was an understatement especially with Castiel being assigned as well.

Having been informed of the Counselor’s expected arrival time, and eager to meet a Betazoid again, the Captain decided to wait in the gangway for her.

Women with nearly-black eyes and medical green on their uniforms were rare enough that she was spotted quickly. “Lieutenant Johnson? I am T’Kal, welcome.”

Annika smiled warmly as she greeted T’Kal. “Thank you Captain, it’s nice to be here. I’ve been studying the personnel files, I believe you’ve met Betazoids before?”

“Indeed,” T’Kal replied, turning to walk alongside the Counselor. “Before I joined Starfleet I served the Foreign Ministry. I was stationed at the Federation Embassy on Betazed for four years in the early 2250s. Before Betazed joined the Federation. Before you were born, I believe.”

Annika nodded. “Correct. So how did you find Betazed? It must have proved very different for you being amongst a populous who freely use telepathy as a method of communication? The laws on Betazed are considerably strict, and there are policies in place to protect the privacy of non telepaths.”

“I have had a firm control over my thoughts since I was young,” T’Kal said as a reply. “Those laws regarding privacy for outsiders were quite new then, but I was never concerned about anyone being invasive. I found the people to be kind and open, and most in touch with their emotions. They spoke true and rarely had secret motives. And the art scene was…inspiring, to say the least.”

Annika nodded. “Indeed there are some very gifted artists on Betazed, being in touch with our deepest feelings and those of others tends to inspire some very heartfelt art.” She offered a warm smile. “I’ve been sensing how controlled your mind is, it’s nice to be around someone whose mind doesn’t scream emotions and thoughts at me.”

"Have you spent much time around Vulcans, Counselor?" T'Kal asked as they reached a pair of quarters. "These are yours, by the way. Your husband's belongings will be brought here too once he arrives."

“Thank you Captain I appreciate that” Annika smiled warmly. “As for Vulcans I haven’t spent a great deal of time with any, a few weeks with a fellow medical professional aboard one of my ships but that was it really.”

“We are generally very good at keeping stray thoughts to a minimum,” T’Kal observed. “In fact, if you are picking up strong feelings or unusual thoughts from me, I will ask you to raise it with me immediately. It would be a sign of ill health that I cannot afford.”

Annika nodded. “Of course Captain, if I sense anything odd you’ll be the first to know.” She smiled warmly. “Might I ask a personal favour? I was learning Vulcan meditation techniques, they help with controlling my abilities, would you be willing to finish my teachings?”

"It is something we can look into," T'Kal agreed. "I am not an expert, but nothing is lost from an attempt. Let us meet one evening and meditate, so I can see how far along you are, and how I might best assist."

Annika nodded. “I’d appreciate that Captain, like you said nothing wrong with making the attempt.” She smiled warmly.

I shall permit you to get settled,” the Captain said. “And again, welcome aboard.”

Annika nodded and smiled. “Thank you Captain, it’s nice to be here.”

END


Captain T’Kal
Commanding Officer, USS Ark Royal

Lieutenant jg Annika Johnson
Chief Counselor, USS Ark Royal

 

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