The Cold Hard Truth

Posted on Sun Apr 13th, 2025 @ 11:01pm by Commander Izzy Schröder & T'lari
Edited on on Sun Apr 13th, 2025 @ 11:14pm

1,930 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: A Choir by the Bay
Location: Izzy's Office | USS Warbler
Timeline: Current

ON:

T'lari stood staring at the door to Commander Izzy Schroder's office. She knew what this was about. She knew she had to come clean about the incomplete program application. She'd submitted everything that was needed with professor referrals and signatures but the one thing she left out could mean she didn't continue into the program and thanks to some research on her part she knew that there was one thing that could help her with that but in order to ensure her spot and hold it she had to talk to Schroder.

Once again she had to be the adult in her own life and put on her big girl hat. She sighed as she took a moment to steel herself and then she rang the chime.

Izzy Schröder was surprised to hear the chime though composed herself for the conversation that undoubtedly awaited her. "Yes? Come in," she said and triggered the door to open. "Ms T'lari, she greeted the student.

"I regret that I must bother you Commander...I have...a confession to make."

"I'm not a priest, but go ahead. Make your confession."

"I...I applied for this program through my school on Vulcan because I wanted to start my life here in Starfleet. When I left I was not....forthcoming with my family. I see that we are asked to add an emergency contact. I do not wish my family to know I am here. My eldest brother knows but he has promised to keep it quiet. He wishes to marry my teacher back on Vulcan so I assume he will honor his word...not that they will care even if they are aware but I know that Starfleet does not like loose ends so...I wish to apply for...marcipan...I believe that is the word...where I am declared a legal adult even if I am not. Yes Marcipan."

The replicator unit nearby had taken T'lari's words and accepted it as a request, illuminating and whirring with the materializing of some marcipan, the almond dessert. Izzy Schröder smiled and found it amusing.

"Emancipated," she replied. "You want emancipated from your parents. T'lari, Vulcan is a Federation world. You are seventeen, you'll be legally free of them soon enough. I don't think you need to go through the long drawn out process. If your brother is your emergency contact, that's fine."

"Can my teacher be my contact? She is engaged to my brother....she is almost family."

"Yes, that would be acceptable. Now, as for the marzipan that you inadvertently ordered."

She blushed. "My apologies...um...what is marzipan?"

"A sweet, chewy, confectionery from Earth made from a type of nut called an almond. It also contains sugar" explained Izzy.

"I very much like sugar." She took a bite and chewed a bit. "It is...flavorful and bland at the same time. I very much like it."

Izzy smiled. "I'm glad you are liking some of the new things you are trying, T'lari."

She picked up the marzipan. "Well I should let you get back to your evening. Thank you...for listening."

"Thank you, Ms. T'lari. I do have several busy days ahead, and it is only going to get busier when we reach Pyrithia." This whole conversation was causing Izzy to feel as though she should reach out to T'lari's family.

T'lari who had stood stopped and turned back "Commander, I understand we are due to leave soon and I was wondering if I may have some leave...I... was somewhat distressed by the fact that we will not be in uniform all of the time." She looked down flushing green. "I left...quickly and thus only have a few items I can use but I was told I had a grant and funds were confirmed so I wish to use some of the credits to purchase new attire."

"We do have replicator aboard, T'lari," stated Izzy. She offered a kind smile. "If you'd prefer to grab some things, then you may. I just ask that you return before we leave."

"Is the replicator less credits?"

"You all have free use of the replicator, no credits, no rations, nothing to worry about. If we need to reserve power for whatever reason I'll let you all know."

Her eyes widened. "Oh..." She paused for a long time. "Can I ask one more thing?"

"What is it T'lari?"

"What is a cookie? You told me to ask you after the meeting." She walked back to her seat and sat down.

She thought for a moment and approached the replicator. "Computer, one plate of sugar cookies, warm."

She handed the plate to T'lari. "You may try a cookie or two. See if you like these, but there are thousands of different cookies and that's just on Earth."

T'lari's eyebrows shot up. "Oh...it is a sweet dessert!." She gently took on and took a bite. The sugary warmth was an explosion of flavour for someone who was used to bland food. She promptly stuffed the rest of the cookie in her mouth. "Um..." She said chewing. "uud." She finished the first and then quickly grabbed another.

"Good, you like those. We will have to try out different cookies along our many planets and voyages" commented Izzy. "I know most Vulcans are not fond of spicy things. How do you feel about spices?"

She gave a shrug. "I never say no to food. When I learned to cook form myself I...experimented a lot with different flavors. It has become a hobby."

"And that is a good hobby to have, a good skill to learn. That can be very useful."

"Indeed." She paused. "I also joined the pen pal program at Starfleet. I have been matched with a medical student he's just in final year at the medical academy he's doing medical and counseling. I hope to learn more about the program." She paused. "I am nervous. I am not good at making friends."

The discussion had made Izzy realize of the positions left vacant. She was in need of faculty in staff if this program was ever going to meet the expectations and vision that she had for it. "Pen Pals can be a wonderful thing to have. It will be awkward at first, but try to relax and just tell them about your day. That should help get your conversation started."

"Indeed. I am looking forward to it." She paused. "Is there anything I can do to assist you as we are preparing to leave...I am not one to sit idle."

"Yes, I would like for you to help the rest of the students settle in. Some of them are far from home, some didn't have the best home life, and well...Ronan is going to need some extra attention to get adjusted. Help them out, socialize."

Izzy smirked a bit. She knew what she had just asked of T'lari. It was more for T'lari' benefit than the others.

"I can do that. I do wish to study counseling so it is time that I pulled my weight. I will do my best not to disappoint you Commander." She thought a moment. "I...would, if I was an officer, ask for a file on Ronan since he was singled out however knowing that I am not an officer I will not ask for one. A good counselor finds things out when the client is ready, according to the writings of Counselor Anderson of the USS Abernathy. Is there anything you can tell me about the students that is not confidential. Ronan in particular."

T'lar stood and gave a small bow. "I will assist in any way that I can. Have a pleasant evening Commander. I promise to do my best." She turned and headed out taking a bite out of the Marzipan an deciding that she liked it!

Izzy waited for the girl to leave and another several minutes for her to ideally be out of ear shot. Vulcanoid ears, not as good as a Ferengi but still sharp as could be. Schröder opened a channel and went through the hoops to track down T'lari's brother.

Back on Vulcan T'Yari sat at the dinner table with Sodel. "You are worried about her."

He pushed around his food. "Perhaps a little too late."

She was silent a long time. "Perhaps. I believe it is never too late. She will need to work out her feelings with respect to the family and find herself before she is ready to forgive. That said you must seek forgiveness until she is ready to give it. Show your sincerity."

Just as he was about to say something the coms beeped and a notice from the Vulcan planetary coms came through that there was a call from the Earth region. He raised an eyebrow and headed into the office to take it.

The screen shifted and changed and soon he was faced with a frizzy haired human woman. Sodel, for his part raised an eyebrow delicately. He stared at her a moment and then registered that it could be something relating to T'lari, he didn't know any humans and couldn't think of anyone from Earth that would call him. His eyes, not unlike T'lari's stared back. "Hello?" The question was clear. Who are you?

"Commander Izzy Schröder, Director of Starfleet' Preparatory Program. Your sister is with me as a participant of the program. I believe you'll be her guardian on record. She seemed very hesitant to discuss family, and I thought it best to check in with you."

He sighed. "Indeed. I am her brother." He paused. "She listed me as guardian?"

"Congratulations," Izzy replied. "She did not have much choice in the matter if she was going to be on my ship participating in this program."

He sighed. "I ... I am grateful that she is on your ship. I will do what I can to help her." He paused. "I will support her as best as I can. My Fiancée is the professor that recommended your program to T'lari."

"I was reluctant to take your sister. Seventeen and on her way towards eighteen. She's going to age out of my program. These will be pivotal times for her to decide if she wants to attend Starfleet Academy, and if so, she'll need to start working on a strong admissions essay."

"How can I help. Assume that I will be the only help she will receive." He paused. "How much has she told you about...our family circumstances."

"Not really anything significant regarding your family" she assured him. "I do not need anything. I just wanted to ensure you were aware of her whereabouts and know that she's safe."

He sighed. "Indeed, I am. The rest of the family is just...satisfied that she is no longer here." He clenched his hands into fists. "She deserves better and I am hopeful that Starfleet will be that better."

"Whatever it is she chooses to do" replied Izzy. "It may be Starfleet. It could be University elsewhere in the galaxy. Maybe the Vulcan Science Academy" stated Schröder. "If she chooses The Aldebaran Music Academy I'll support her decision."

"Not Vulcan. It holds too many painful memories for her. When she left she left for the last time." He sighed. "If she needs anything I will be here. Please take better care of my sister then my family has."

"I'll do what I can. Schröder out."

He gave a nod. "Thank you Commander."

OFF:

 

RSS Feed