Motion Through Space

Finally, the official part was over. The big ceremony was still to come when they arrived at the star base, but for the time being things were a little more relaxed. Captain Athon did not seem to think that way; he was clearly under stress. His high guest would absolutely not act as state visitors were required to in his experience. Instead she bombarded him with questions on warp drives or the transporter system that he could not answer. She was by far the most unusual head of state he had to deal with in his career. For example, she had sent her guards to the galley, urging them to try the ice cream. And she was engaging in conversation with the catering staff with the same naturalness that she used when talking to the big heads. Rank and titles seemed nothing to her. Her role as queen meant she had to take on certain obligations, but neither did that mean she felt above the common people, nor did it stop her from using a very direct language. And then she surprised the captain with diplomatic grace, that was in complete contrast to her common behaviour.

But maybe his biggest problem was himself: In the years of service for the diplomatic corps he had dealt with presidents, chancellors and ambassadors of all races, and considered himself good at his job. He had an air of arrogance around him that maybe was needed when dealing with the Klingon ambassador. But Po had a very subtle way of letting him know that she didn’t approve of that part of his personality.

So when the official program was over the Andorian captain was very grateful that he could hand his weird guest over to Ensign Tilly, although he wasn’t too fond of her either. She talked too much and he thought she was a pain, because she would always question decisions. However, Captain Pike had praised her in his reports. Although quite a lot of the story behind iDiscovery was confidential and inaccessible the reports clearly stated that Tilly was quick-witted and resourceful and that she kept a clear mind in a crisis. He valued Pike’s opinion enough to give the girl a chance.

Tilly had held her distance to the commanding officers during dinner. They sat to far apart from each other to have a conversation. And it was clear that the queen wasn’t pleased with the seating arrangement, but neither of them could something about it. So Tilly had kept quiet, just watching the girl on the other side of the table. None of the command officers had bothered to talk to her either, so she ate in silence.

When everyone had risen from their seats the captain led his guest towards Tilly.

“Your Serene Highness,” he began. “If it pleases you, I’d leave you in the capable hands of Ensign Tilly for tonight.”

“It would please me very much, Captain!” Po answered. “Maybe she could show me around the ship? I’d love to see your engineering deck.”

The captain nodded. “Of course, Your Serene Highness!”

“Tilly, show Her Highness around.”

Tilly couldn’t hide a smile. “With pleasure, sir.”

Captain Athon raised his brow at the Ensigns open enthusiasm, obviously seeing a lack of professionalism in Tilly. This caused Po to demonstratively put an arm around her friend.

“Let’s go then, love!”

And with that, the two young women left the observation deck. Caption Athon thoughtfully watched as they left.

“Truly remarkable.” He muttered to himself.

“Do you think that young Ensign will cause trouble?” His first officer ask.

“I hope not, Number One.” The captain replied. “But I think that Xahean girl is more of a source of trouble herself. I have no idea how to deal with her. She clearly has a political agenda, and I doubt she’s as naïve as she wants us to believe. And yet, she acts as if protocol doesn’t exist.”

“And that worries you? I was surprised how humble and grounded she is for someone in her position. I expected a spoiled brat. Maybe we can learn something from her.”

The captain looked at his first officer and nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, maybe.”

The two women walked down the corridors towards the turbo lift.

“What do you think about that dinner?” Po asked.

“Oh, well, the food was excellent.” Tilly said cautiously.

“The decor on the plates was very beautiful.” Po nodded.

Tilly looked at her friend in bewilderment. “That’s a strange thing to say.”

Po laughed. “It’s a diplomatic way to say that it wasn’t enough to feed a person. I appreciate that it was almost a work of art, but I’ve been travelling for two days. Not that my shuttle doesn’t have food. But to be honest, I’m still starving.”

“The galley then.” Tilly laughed and steered her friend down another corridor.

The ships galley was usually for crew only, and thus not much different from those on other ships in Starfleet. It was a simple hall, with tables and chairs and an automated food dispenser. Most food on board a star ship was pre-processed, although most ships were equipped with a kitchen. Processed food was simply easier to store and to handle than fresh food, however especially on long journeys fresh food was not a luxury, but a necessity. The Windhoek did not offer such comforts to her crew, but her travels seldom took more than a couple of days. Her kitchen was solely used to cook for state guests.

“Let’s get something really unhealthy!” The young monarch suggested.

Tilly smiled. “Fish and Chips coming up.” She turned towards the food dispenser and pressed the Order button.

“Two plates of fish and chips, please” she instructed. The computer beeped. “And if you patronise me, I’ll kick in your speakers!”

“Order taken.” The computer responded, but did not comment on her eating habits, as it usually did when she ordered a triple espresso.

A few minutes later she balanced two trays over to her table, complete with two cups filled with cranberry lemonades. Po jumped up and took the cups before they could fall.

They sat down and started eating. “How do I eat these?“ Po asked pointing at the chips.

“Fingers.” Tilly said, already with her mouth full. “The knife and fork is for the fish.”

The queen grinned mischievously and started stuffing her mouth with chips.

“So much better than the dinner.” She stated. “Not that that wasn’t good, but most of the time I felt guilty destroying the artwork on my plate.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Tilly nodded.

“What is this?” Po asked pointing to the fish. “Tastes like it’s from the sea.”

“It’s cod I think. Well, this one is synthetic, but it almost tastes like the real thing.” She picked up a chip. “These are chips. Also known as fries. They are made from the roots of a plant we call potato.”

“Po Ta To?” Po asked. “Sounds like some kids mocking my name.”

Tilly had to laugh. “Does it mean something in Xahean?”

“Not really, but children would make up mock versions of a name in one-syllable rhymes like that.”

Tilly thought of her school days, and how the other kids used to call her Silly Tilly.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to laugh at you. Were you bullied as a kid?”

The automated translator, that the two still used although Po’s English had considerably improved over the past three years, had some trouble translating the word.

But finally Po nodded. “From time to time, when I was little. Now the caricatures are more grown up, I guess.”

“I’m sorry.” Tilly said flatly. She had never thought about how a public figure like Po had to endure ridicule. She thought of the times she had laughed at a vicious depiction of a Federation politician, and blushed.

Po noticed that her friend felt uncomfortable and changed the subject back to the food. She sniffed the lemonade.

“Never mind. What’s this?”

Tilly’s mood lifted again. “Cranberry lemonade. A carbonated drink made from berries. Well, there’s as much fruit in there as there is actual fish in the fish. But it does the job.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t taste like it rotten fruit.” Po sighed.

Tilly was shocked. “Do you think I’d serve you spoilt food?”

“Your captain did.” Po said after taking a nip from her cup. “I didn’t say anything, because everyone else seemed to enjoy it, but the beverage they served at the dinner tasted like it was rotten.”

“That’s because it is rotten.” Tilly said, trying not to laugh. “It’s called wine, and it is the most expensive kind of rotten. And you don’t say rotten.”

Po was astounded. “Really? That’s some sort of delicacy for humans?”

“I suppose so.” Tilly answered. “It was the most expensive glass of wine I ever had, that’s for sure. I suppose you don’t drink alcohol on Xahea?”

“I thought there was something like ethanol that in it. Isn’t it a bit of a risk drinking it for recreational purposes?”

“Yes. Most of the time, it is used in social situations like the dinner we just came from. But some people overdo it and act, well, unseemly then.”

“On Xahea ethanol is banned as a drug.”

“Oh!” Tilly was shocked. “I was told you could digest it as well as humans can. That maybe something, I should tell the captain. Not that one of you end’s up with alcohol poisoning or something.”

Po took a bite from her fish and continued. “It takes a lot more than a glass of your wine to harm or kill us. But more ethanol can make us lose self control. People can get into Xul V’ahid from drinking it.”

“Xul what?” Tilly asked, confused.

”Xul V’ahid” Po repeated. “The mind of the predator. Our biological ancestors were fierce predators, hunting creatures much larger than ourselves. Long before we invented tools and weapons. What do you think these are for? ” She held up one hand, and showed her long fingers each of which ended in a long black claw.

Tilly swallowed. “I never thought of your people as like that. You are so…peaceful.”

Her friend smiled. “Not always. Our sister, Xahea, showed us the way of civilisation, by bringing the Great Unity. Before that, warriors prepared for battle by drinking large amounts of fermented drinks to get themselves ready for battle. In their rage, they knew neither pain nor mercy.”

”Oops.” Tilly said. ”I usually just get very emotional when I’m drunk. I cry mostly. And then I throw up.”

“You’re the most peaceful person I know. That’s what I love you for.” Po gently put her hand on her friends arm..

“When we’re done eating, can you show me the rest of the ship?”

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