Stardate: 61108:2100
Title: By The Pricking Of My Thumbs...
Author: Thessyr Tal, Federation Ambassador
Time: Just prior to "Intruder Alert"
Scene: Starbase 9, Relentless port docking collar, corridor

Thess hated being rushed.

He had always hated being in a hurry, even when there was a need or whatever needed to be done was a quick thing. Ritual and careful execution had always been a factor in his life and taking the necessary time allowed one to regard possible errors. And he was something of a perfectionist.

He had made it to Starbase 9 only because there happened to be a lineage transport headed this way that he could catch a ride with. His connecting runabout had missed him at McKinley and none of the starships there had been heading this way. But Deltans were a coordinated lot and all he had to do was inquire.

A day later saw him hurtling towards Starbase 9 at a warp speed that exceeded the recorded design specs of the ‘civilian’ ships in what most humans would have considered ‘decadent’ comfort. To a Deltan, it had been ‘tolerable’.

He knew he was unusual, even for a Deltan, especially travelling alone. Almost as a rule, Deltans required the companionship of their own species and travelled in at least pairs. And of course, they ignored the sexual prudery of other species snickering behind their hands about Deltan ‘team sports’.

That joke had been old in Archer’s time.

He smiled warmly, acknowledging everyone he passed with a slight nod and eye contact. Klingon, Bajoran, Human, Ferengi, Vulcan (who nodded back of course), Efrosian (who grinned and bowed politely, which of course forced Thess to stop and return the gesture of grace), Axanari (who lit up and smiled as he passed) and more humans. He kept up his reflections as he strode purposefully and yet comfortably to his destination.

His robes were heavy, keeping him warm in the slightly cool environment that Humans seemed to favor. Delta Prime, even 4th in orbit, was a good deal warmer than most of Terra’s temperate zones. Its people had adapted to a warmer, more tropical, clime. The robes, three layers, were in mixed tones of ivory and were his normal wear. He wouldn’t wear them at certain ship functions, instead wearing the Starfleet uniform with the royal purple color and piping trim that indicated Diplomatic Corps. He hated it, it was uncomfortable to wear and the standard issue was far too cool for him.

That was why he had his own version.

Outwardly, it would look the same. But as Deltans were taught, appearances were deceiving.

At last he arrived at the docking port and stepped to the security guard on duty. His hands had been folded up into the cuffs of the voluminous sleeves of his robes. He parted them and in one hand held a padd, which he handed to the security guard with a gentle smile and a slight bow. "Ambassador Tal reporting for duty please," he was pleased that the young human seemed a bit flustered and reacted to him. He kept watching the young man’s face, taking in the entirety of him, drawing the essence of his spiritual model. This was a good man. Silently Thess closed his eyes and bade the Light guard this young one and give him experience and progeny worthy of his deeds. When he opened his eyes he found the ensign staring at him, holding the padd, a blush having reddened his cheeks.

"Don’t worry son," Thess bade him, taking a fatherly orientation, "I’m a Deltan. It’s not you, it’s me."

"Uhm, yessir," the human blushed still harder and looked down as Thess passed him, more embarrassed because of his reaction and being caught. He wasn’t the slightest bit interested in other men but this Ambassador had made him feel…odd.

In moments, after Thess had passed, he had reasoned away the reaction and the situation and was back to being bored.

As Thess entered the ship’s docking collar and the port docking corridor he paused, smiling as if he caught scent of something pleasant. He turned and looked around him, above and below; reaching out stroked the bulkhead itself. He smiled wider and chuckled, pausing to pat her before pulling his hand away. "So it is true. I am pleased to meet you Relentless. I look forward to getting to know you."

"Sir?" a yeoman asked as she caught sight of him standing there, very obviously not your everyday average crewman. "Can I help you?"

Thess turned to her and cocked his head, assuming a faint posture of positive inquiry, "Can you direct me to the bridge?"

Her eyes glistened as she licked her lips and her throat flushed. She smiled confidently, "I’ll take you there myself sir."

"Excellent," he agreed and bowed slightly, gesturing for her to take the lead and surrendering to her knowledge. She flushed again and fell into step with him as he asked for her name.


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Thessyr Tal
Federation Ambassador
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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