The Ties That Bind Us

Posted on 13 Jan 2024 @ 4:45pm by Lieutenant Commander Stovek

Mission: Enigma Variations
Location: USS Cygnus, Personal Quarters
Timeline: Just prior to departing DS9

His trip to the vaunted Federation Outpost (now Starbase) Deep Space nine had been uneventful; nonetheless, Lieutenant Commander Stovek had been mildly irked for the vast majority of said trip. It had nothing to do with the crew of his transportation, the Reliant Class USS Sheridan. The crew of that vessel had been very welcoming and had accommodated him very comfortably, moreso than expected. The Vulcan Operations Officer had expressed his gratitude to the Captain and crew several times over the course of their eight day journey together.

No, this irritation had everything to do with one person: T'Lana, Stovek's ex wife and the mother of his son. She had been either messaging or calling Stovek via subspace numerous times per day, to the point that it had begun to interfere with his duties.

Stovek had only been on the Cygnus for twelve minutes and thirteen seconds before his next hail from T'Lana had arrived. Although he was under no obligation to take the call, Stovek deemed it prudent this time because what he needed to say to T'Lana was important. The message indicator, a high-frequency triple tome, came from the terminal at the desk in his quarters; Stovek, who was unpacking a small crate of personal items, took a seat at the desk and steeled himself. He switched on the monitor and saw the grim and cheerless face of T'Lana, his ex-wife and the mother of his son. She was dressed in a Starfleet duty uniform, gold for Engineering division and two solid golden pips to indicate her rank of Lieutenant.

"Husband," began T'Lana in greeting. "How are you today?"

"T'Lana," said Stovek with an exasperated sigh, "I have asked you exactly thirty seven times to cease referring to me as 'husband'. I do not need to remind you that we are no longer married."

"My apologies, Stovek. I still see you as my mate, regardless of the official legal status."

"You know my opinion on this matter, T'Lana. That was not our arrangement and you know this to be fact."

T'Lana tilted her head slightly to the right. "And please remind me of the details of that arrangement? I seem to have forgotten that I was not supposed to develop actual feelings for you."

"The fact that you did develop those feelings for me speaks to the fundamental illogic of your position." Stovek lowered himself into the chair at his desk. As usual, it was slightly uncomfortable for his rigid posture. "Our arrangement was a simple political alliance, designed to cement relations between our families and fulfill our cultural obligation to procreate." He leaned forward slightly. "And to allow both of us the freedom to pursue our own...interests outside of marriage."

"In reference to the interests you speak of, I wish to state once again that I was completely faithful during the course of our entire twenty-one year marriage," T'Lana said.

"And that was your choice," replied Stovek. "I did not choose to do the same. But again, as per our agreement I exercised the utmost discretion."

"Agreement. Arrangement. Was I nothing more than a contractual obligation to you, Stovek? And what of Xon?"

Stovek narrowed his eyes slightly. "You know better than to invoke the name of our son. I have been the best father that I knew how to be; if you dare to imply anything else, then rest assured that my emotions will bring you to a new understanding for the concept of contempt."He paused, allowing his words a few seconds to sink in.

"I have always respected you, T'Lana," he continued. "I have always attempted to treat you with the deference necessary for the position of wife and mother to my son. I believe that over the years, you mistook the term wife for mate. The two are not one and the same."

"I see," said T'Lana neutrally. "I do not think you have explained it to me so...succinctly before. Thank you for your candor."

"I was under the impression that you would expect nothing less than total honesty from me, seeing as we lived together for twenty-one years."

"I am curious how I am expected to fill the void that your absence leaves in my life, Stovek. Coping has been challenging."

"There is a new concept, I believe it is referred to as dating..."

"Sarcasm aside. How does one start such a thing?"

"Perhaps if you were less of a bitch, it would be easier."

T'Lana inhaled sharply through her nostrils, reached across the table and terminated the call in exactly five point seven seconds. Stovek rose from his chair immediately, exiting his cabin and headed to the bridge. It was time to meet the Captain and the XO.



Lieutenant Commander Stovek
Chief Operations Officer
USS Cygnus