Author’s Note: I’ve decided to turn this next ‘episode’ into a slower, more character driven short story. Almost like a collection of vignettes.
I toyed around with the idea of introducing a ‘problem’ with Tamarian society, but upon reflection, I think…on the whole, the Tamarians would have a relatively decent culture. It will have its idiosyncrasies, of course…and I have already stated in a very early story that D’nas was basically drafted into serving, due to his language skills. So, that will be addressed.
At any rate, I thought it was high time to explore the characters a bit more, rather than having a lot of action.
*****
"That's how you communicate, isn't it? By citing example... by metaphor! …"
"Sukat, his eyes uncovered!"
- Picard and Dathon, TNG: “Darmok”
PROLOGUE
Stardate: 54073.7 (27 January 2377)
USS Independence
Entering Orbit of Tama
The Steamrunner-class Independence glided though the darkness of space. It was dwarfed by their Tamarian escort. It had met them at the border of Tamarian space.
D’nas, the Tamarian exchange officer, informed Captain Aurelia it was a Lokima on the River- class dreadnought, the same type of vessel that the Enterprise-D encountered nine years ago.
Aurelia had Acting Security Chief Lemipil run a few discreet scans. The ship was impressive and could make short work of the Starfleet cruiser. Its shields were nearly equivalent to the ‘old’ Independence, 835,000 terajoules. The real story lay in its phaser output. Its primary weapon could produce a discharge of 340,000 terawatts, four times Starfleet’s, top of the line, type-XII arrays…and the Indy was only armed with type-X’s. It was no wonder why the Federation was so eager to foster a friendship with these people.
Admiral Borel once told her, if the Dominion War had lasted much longer, the Federation would have signed an alliance with the Elder Council, the decision making body of the Tamarian government. The talks feel apart, once the war ended. The exchange program, however, remained…at the behest of the Elder Council.
Provisional Ensign D’nas was selected for the program over a year ago. He was one of the few Tamarians that could wrap his head around how the ‘Rai of Luwani’ spoke. He came aboard the ‘old’ Independence at Starbase 375.
Sintina remembered how she felt at “baby sitting” a diplomatic appointee. Little did she know how well the young Tamarian did his job in the pilot’s seat. Besides the ‘Nechayev Incident’…a term she used to describe how the former Fleet Admiral brought her into the circle of her little resistance group…D’nas had served well.
She stared at the back of the Tamarian’s head. A hint of regret formed in her gut. She never really got the know D’nas.
In fact, she didn’t know many of her officers or crew every well. There were only 212…205 now, people on her ship. Sintina heard of captains memorizing every face and every name on much larger ships. She never bothered to do that. Her excuse was she didn’t want to get to know too many people that she might send to die. It was a half-truth. The other half was she had no interest in getting to know them. She had her core group of friends: Karim and Kimula. That’s all she needed.
D’nas turned back, “Captain, they are requesting we assume an orbit 1,030 kilometers above the surface in a geosynchronous orbit of Bashi, the central city.”
“Alright, make it happen, Ensign.” Aurelia continued, “And D’nas…”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Welcome home.”
The Tamarian grinned and re-assumed his station.
END OF PROLOGUE
I toyed around with the idea of introducing a ‘problem’ with Tamarian society, but upon reflection, I think…on the whole, the Tamarians would have a relatively decent culture. It will have its idiosyncrasies, of course…and I have already stated in a very early story that D’nas was basically drafted into serving, due to his language skills. So, that will be addressed.
At any rate, I thought it was high time to explore the characters a bit more, rather than having a lot of action.
*****
"That's how you communicate, isn't it? By citing example... by metaphor! …"
"Sukat, his eyes uncovered!"
- Picard and Dathon, TNG: “Darmok”
PROLOGUE
Stardate: 54073.7 (27 January 2377)
USS Independence
Entering Orbit of Tama
The Steamrunner-class Independence glided though the darkness of space. It was dwarfed by their Tamarian escort. It had met them at the border of Tamarian space.
D’nas, the Tamarian exchange officer, informed Captain Aurelia it was a Lokima on the River- class dreadnought, the same type of vessel that the Enterprise-D encountered nine years ago.
Aurelia had Acting Security Chief Lemipil run a few discreet scans. The ship was impressive and could make short work of the Starfleet cruiser. Its shields were nearly equivalent to the ‘old’ Independence, 835,000 terajoules. The real story lay in its phaser output. Its primary weapon could produce a discharge of 340,000 terawatts, four times Starfleet’s, top of the line, type-XII arrays…and the Indy was only armed with type-X’s. It was no wonder why the Federation was so eager to foster a friendship with these people.
Admiral Borel once told her, if the Dominion War had lasted much longer, the Federation would have signed an alliance with the Elder Council, the decision making body of the Tamarian government. The talks feel apart, once the war ended. The exchange program, however, remained…at the behest of the Elder Council.
Provisional Ensign D’nas was selected for the program over a year ago. He was one of the few Tamarians that could wrap his head around how the ‘Rai of Luwani’ spoke. He came aboard the ‘old’ Independence at Starbase 375.
Sintina remembered how she felt at “baby sitting” a diplomatic appointee. Little did she know how well the young Tamarian did his job in the pilot’s seat. Besides the ‘Nechayev Incident’…a term she used to describe how the former Fleet Admiral brought her into the circle of her little resistance group…D’nas had served well.
She stared at the back of the Tamarian’s head. A hint of regret formed in her gut. She never really got the know D’nas.
In fact, she didn’t know many of her officers or crew every well. There were only 212…205 now, people on her ship. Sintina heard of captains memorizing every face and every name on much larger ships. She never bothered to do that. Her excuse was she didn’t want to get to know too many people that she might send to die. It was a half-truth. The other half was she had no interest in getting to know them. She had her core group of friends: Karim and Kimula. That’s all she needed.
D’nas turned back, “Captain, they are requesting we assume an orbit 1,030 kilometers above the surface in a geosynchronous orbit of Bashi, the central city.”
“Alright, make it happen, Ensign.” Aurelia continued, “And D’nas…”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Welcome home.”
The Tamarian grinned and re-assumed his station.
END OF PROLOGUE
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I'm not going to lie, this is the first story where I really don't know where it's going. ...So you know just as much I do. ...hopefully, it will work out. 
