Two days later, Nick found himself walking through the city of Washington, DC on Earth. The city was by and large a tourist destination, catering to history buffs from across the Alpha Quadrant who were interested in Human contributions to the ideas of representative government that Earth and the Federation currently enjoyed. It also served as one of the largest repositories of Human history and culture, between the Library of Congress, which still endeavored to store a copy of every Human written work, and the massive Smithsonian Museum. It was one of the later’s many buildings, specifically the Earth History Museum, that Nick had proposed he and T’Rehes meet.
Nick found T’Rehes in the section of the museum dealing with Earth’s 20th century. Despite the fact she was not in uniform, the plain off-duty clothing of a Vulcan ironically stood out among the more colorful choices of the other visitors. She was standing very still looking at a number of small displays on the wall that showcased common 20th century technology. As Nick approached, he noted one display under an archaic device that resembled an old flip-top communicator that read ‘cellular phone’. Next to it was a very bulky looking padd with the name ‘tablet computer’. Much to Nick’s surprise, T’Rehes spoke to him, without turning away from the display, before he had a chance to get her attention.
“Human technological advances are a fascinating contradiction. The speed at which you develop new technologies is remarkably fast, perhaps irresponsibly so, despite the fact that you remain anchored in design choices of the past that offer little functional value.”
Nick blinked in surprise, but recovered quickly.
“Our past holds a great deal of value to us. Additionally, I imagine many of us are more likely to adopt something new if it at least looks familiar to us.”
“Another interesting contradiction for a race that holds interstellar exploration as one of its top priorities,” T’Rehes said as she turned to face Nick in a very quick, deliberate movement.
While Nick had seen T’Rehes’ face in her dossier, he was still struck by her appearance. In addition to a Borg occular implant that covered her left eye and a web of metal connected to it, T’Rehes was completely bald and her skin and veins had the sickly grey tinge that was the hallmark of prior assimilation into the Borg Collective. It was striking to see in person and Nick cynically wondered if that was why most of the museum’s patrons were keeping their distance from them.
“Ah, Rear Admiral Ford. I did not notice you there at first.”
Nick was once again surprised. If she hadn’t noticed him, then why had she spoken to him?
Was she just commenting on Human history to anyone who walked by?
“Um, the pleasure is all mine. And please, call me Nick,” he said as he extended his hand. T’Rehes looked down at it and there was an awkward moment of inaction before she grasped the hand and gave it a quick, firm shake. She looked back at Nick and gave a quick nod that was more like a twitch than anything else.
“You mentioned in your communique that you had a proposition for me. Please elaborate.”
She gets right to the chase...
“Of course,” Nick continued with some unease. He hadn’t meant for them to actually discuss it here. While there was nothing wrong with what he was proposing, especially under Admiral Quinn’s new general order, he didn’t want the opposition within Starfleet to get word of it before he was ready. T’Rehes, whose eyes flicked around at passersby in successive quick studies, waited in silence for Nick as he thought of somewhere more out of the way. Finally, a grin crossed his face as just such a location came to mind.
“Come with me, I’ll tell you more there,” he said simply. T’Rehes raised an eyebrow at the cryptic response but followed him.
Some distance away in the interior of the museum was a section dedicated to topics relevant to Human social history. The Enlightenment, abolitionism, universal suffrage, the sexual revolution, the Bell Riots, and the global egalitarian movement following First Contact were all featured topics. The area wasn’t very well-traveled compared to other areas, and those that were here were mostly off-worlders. Nick had a few suspicions as to why that was the case, but they were for another time. For now, Nick simply lead T’Rehes to the middle of a large holographic mural that chronicled, via old images and video, the progression of Humanity’s social conscience. He stopped in front of an area that showed a black-and-white image of surprised young men being shoved by law enforcement officers into a tight group.
“Have you ever heard of the Stonewall Riots, T’Rehes?”
T’Rehes, much to Nick’s surprise, nodded. “A serious of spontaneous and violent demonstrations that took place in New York City in the mid-20th century. They are largely credited with starting a social movement which, for the next century, significantly altered Human thought on gender and sexuality from attempting to idealize one specific combination to accepting and conceptualizing multiple combinations and situations.”
She looked at Nick and sharply raised an eyebrow at his surprised expression. “Your ship is the USS Stonewall, Nicholas. It would be foolish of me to agree to meet with you without querying your file. The name was unfamiliar to me, so I queried it as well.”
T’Rehes looked back at the mural and made another passing comment without looking at Nick. “Additionally, the social history of Humanity is an interesting case study in the principles of Kol-Ut-Shan, or IDIC in your tongue.. The standard Vulcan education curriculum incorporates it, along with our own social history and that of other species.”
Something about the comment made Nick grin a little. He looked back at the image and nodded. “IDIC; Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations. I’ve always liked that philosophy. It, along with Humanity’s ideals of diversity, stand in such contrast to the monolithic spectre of the Borg.”
At the mention of the Borg, Nick thought he saw a very fast, almost ephemeral, twitch on T’Rehes’ face. Some moments of silence passed before T’Rehes spoke.
“I was told of your promotion speech, Nicholas. You have no evidence to suggest that the Borg currently pose a threat to the Federation, and yet you claimed it to be so at the expense of Starfleet’s credibility. Many would say that your logic is unsound, if present at all. They would say that your past experience with the Borg has corrupted your judgement and made you a slave to your fears and emotions.”
Nick studied T’Rehes closely. The Vulcan was looking at him in turn, but revealing nothing. It certainly wasn’t the response Nick had expected from what Admiral Quinn had said of her, but there was something in her voice that betrayed the true meaning of her words. It sounded more like T’Rehes was speaking from personal experience than her own thoughts on the subject.
“And what do you think, T’Rehes? Do you honestly believe that the Federation is safe from them?”
“I know that logic requires all necessary evidence to make a correct conclusion,” she said simply, looking Nick right in the eye. “And... I know that many do not have the evidence that I... we... do.”
Nick’s curious expression caused her to elaborate. “Perhaps you are not as sensitive to it as I am, given the differences in Human and Vulcan neurophysiology. When you are asleep, or when you are alone in your thoughts, you feel you are not completely alone. They are there as well, their voices faint and beyond intelligible, but they are there.”
To anyone else, T’Rehes would have sounded like someone with a severe mental disorder. Her sharp, twitchy mannerisms didn’t help. However, Nick knew exactly what she was talking about. He didn’t hear voices, but it was a distinct feeling. It had always been there; the feeling of never being alone even if he was the only person in a room. He had sometimes woken up and remembered feeling like he was being called out to.
“... and it’s been getting worse,” Nick said gravely.
T’Rehes nodded. “They are disposed to, perhaps even justified in, ignoring what we hear. However, that ignorance will come at a price that may destroy us all. That said, what do you propose, Nicholas, if Starfleet will not listen to us?”
Nick nodded, and explained his idea to form the secondary fleet that Admiral Quinn had proposed. As he spoke, he realized just how nebulous the concept still seemed to him. T’Rehes seemed to have realized this as well.
“Your suggestion regarding what this fleet will actually do seems vague at best. However, I agree that to do anything, we must find others that share our view.”
Nick smiled. “I’m glad you feel that way, T’Rehes. Our little fleet is already growing!” he added with a smirk. The humor seemed lost on her though.
“We will need more. When is the Stonewall scheduled to leave Earth?”
“Tomorrow, actually,” Nick said, his grin deflating. “We are headed for the Klingon Front.”
“I recommend you visit Vulcan on your way. Captain T’Laris is currently there representing Starfleet at a conference being held by the Vulcan Science Academy. She is one of few that I can say with confidence will lend an ear to our concerns.”
The grin on Nick’s face returned. “Really? I will send her a message as soon as I return to my ship.”
T’Rehes nodded. “Unfortunately, I must remain on Earth for another week as my ship was severely damaged in an engagement with the True Way. While I am here, I will attempt to identify others that will would join us.”
“Thank you, T’Rehes.” Nick felt emboldened by T’Rehes’ agreement and support. Half-jokingly, he mentioned that they were going to need a name for the fleet soon. T’Rehes, who once again took the comment seriously, looked back at the black-and-white image on the holographic mural.
“Given your sentiments, Nicholas, I would guess that you already have a name in mind.”
