Post 399: Act Two, Scene Two

Stardate: 70817.2100
Title: Act Two, Scene Two
Author: Lt. February Grace
Scene: Conference Room, Independence
Time: Following Act Two, Scene One
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"There's not much you can do, Simon. You can't change him. I'm just. . .sorry you have to see this. Don't worry, I'm okay."

He nodded, and his eyes glazed a moment. Then Jevin made his presence known once again. "Well if you're not here for the entertainment of others, what is it that you do?"

"I am flight controller of the Federation Flagship." February informed him, her tone saying "so there".

"Rank?"

"Lieutenant."

"Senior Grade?"

She winced. "Not yet."

"At your age?"

"I've been sick, thanks to problems that Grace has had. It's not my fault I've had to take a lot of sick leave, it set me back on the promotions front. But at least we're all still here."

"Yes. Wonderful. Life's a bittersweet symphony." Jevin said, rolling his eyes and turning his back on her. "What do you do with your life, when you're not flying the Federation Flagship?"

"I. . .do. . .things."

"Sounds like quite a deep and definitive calling."

February didn't want to talk much about herself at this point, knowing that Jevin would likely find fault with every single thing that she did or said anyway so there wasn't much of a point.

"You know, Jevin, you're beginning to remind me of my mother."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You shouldn't."

Jevin walked back over to the window and stared out.

"What is so great about exploring space? Learning, that's what. And who do the great minds of Starfleet and the Federation count on to catalog all of that great knowledge? All of those amazing discoveries? Hmm? Answer me that, Miss lieutenant junior grade."

She knew where he was going with this. "Archivists."

"Archivists. We toil, we labor, we preserve every word, every important act and finding and discovery for generations to come afterward. But does anyone take our work seriously? No. Do they appreciate what we do? No. They call us librarians and dismiss us as being beneath contempt."

"I don't think that's so," Bru offered. "I've always loved books and libraries, and appreciated archivists."

"You're in the minority, I assure you."

At this point February decided to try another subject, any other subject. She went quickly through the topics of love (never been in) marriage (not even close) children (are you kidding me?) and finally, end of life.

"How did you die, Jevin?"

"You don't remember?"

"Long story."

Jevin harrumphed. "Why doesn't that surprise me. I died when a bookcase filled with ancient texts fell over and landed on me."

"No."

"Yes. That is what Kimare told me, at her zhian'tara. Then she tried to seduce the man who had loaned me his body."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

He seemed very nervous, and uncomfortable. She was having a hard time telling if it was Simon's discomfort at this point, or still just Jevin's. "If we're finished here, I'd just as soon wrap this up."

"Fine by me. Just, one more question?"

Jevin sighed. "If you must."

"Were you ever, even for just one day in your life, truly happy?"

Without hesitation, Jevin gave a succinct answer. "No."

"That's all I needed to know. Thank you for everything. Rigin!" She called the Guardian back in, and after Jevin had been removed from Simon's body, he seemed to shudder, and actually sighed with relief.

"Wow."

"You okay, Simon? I'm, really sorry about all that I had no idea he was going to be like that."

"Yeah, I'm okay. You?"

"Yeah."

"I'm just glad of one thing though," Simon admitted.

"What's that?"

"That I am not that guy."

Bru hugged him gently, being careful of his arms, to thank him. "I'll have something for you, in a couple days. Stop by my quarters to pick it up if I don't see you before then. I know we're headed for Earth, you looking forward to going home?"

Simon thought again about all Jevin had said, and he nodded. "Yes. It'll be really good to see my family."

Lt. February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791