Stardate: 70217:0208
Title: Mantra of Enlightenment
Author: Ambassador Thessyr Tal
Time: During 'Doppelganger'
Scene: Personal Quarters, Starbase 9
Having left Relentless to her own devices at last, Thess headed back to his
quarters for a moment and refreshment. Minder, his holo-companion and personal
assistant, greeted him at the door and handed him a bowl of tea as he helped
Thess take off the much-despised uniform, and he enjoyed a few moments in
quarters heated a bit higher than human comfort.
Stark naked and enjoying a fragrant tea he stepped into the kitchen to see what
Minder had prepared. The tiny storage and cooking area was alive with a bubbling
pot of water as it cooked dumplings in broth and a small steamer doing something
to seaweed.
It was one of his favorites and he beamed at Minder as he set down the bowl and
gave himself a good stretch. Joints popped and sinews stretched; the
Healer-turned-Diplomat hummed to himself with pleasure.
A sudden thought occurred and he paused, cocking his head as he contemplated it.
A small smile manifested and he stepped to his console, sitting down so the
pickup caught his naked chest from the ribs up and he tapped open a quick
com-call. With a few quick and low-key inquiries he confirmed his other self was
on the station, having not been on the destroyed Relentless of this universe
because he'd been assisting in medical on Starbase 9.
A quick call was made and other-Thess appeared on the screen, dressed in
Healer-Green and in the three-layered robes that Thess wished he could have been
wearing on ship-duty.
"Greetings," he spoke the Tongue, knowing the universal translator wouldn't have
a sample of it, although the UT was off anyway.
[Greetings,] his other-self replied with a smile of his own. [I felt when you
arrived here. A most-curious sensation, I admit.]
"Has the Light touched you?" Thess asked his other-self with a cocked head. By
way of answer other-Thess simply bent his head in concentration and Thess felt
the subtle flow of energy from the other, offering contact.
Using the viewscreen as a conduit, a focus if you will, the two men shared a
brief rapport and exchanged information. Thess of course troubled and
other-Thess inspired. "This war does not go well for you," Thess observed.
[The Light preserves,] other-Thess reminded him, making them both nod in unison.
[If there is time.]
"I will do what I may" Thess agreed and simultaneously, both closed the channel.
Minder's look when he set the tray of food and tea next to Thess asked if the
decision to make contact had been wise. Thess' look told him he felt it had.
Justification of that decision wouldn't be difficult, considering what he had
learned so far.
And could learn in a matter of minutes, if given the time.
"Ambassador Tal to Captain Khavok," he called to the ceiling, opening a channel
to his CO to ask for permission this time. "If you have a moment, Sir, I need to
ask a favor."
[Khavok here. What can I do for you Ambassador?]
"I would like to meet my other-self for a few minutes," he replied simply. "We
became aware of each other shortly after we arrived in this Universe and there
is a pressing need to..." he paused for impact, "'speak'."
The Captain was silent for a few moments thinking. Things were coming to a head
and he had the uneasy feeling that Starbase 9 was enemy territory and if they
could recover the Omega bomb they would have to leave in a hurry.
[Granted, Mr. Tal. However, under no circumstances are you to put yourself into
a situation where we can not beam you out at moment's notice.]
"Understood, Captain," Thess agreed, "Tal out." He turned as the replicator
hummed and Minder turned around with robes exactly like those his other self had
been wearing. Thess nodded his thanks and set about to dressing, needing
Minder's assistance with some of the more complex folds and layers. Between the
two of them it required just five minutes.
He paused, opening the awareness he had of his other-self and sent *?*, to which
came the image of the promenade, upper deck, near the Deltan Temple. With a
smile and a transmitted sensation of pleased agreement, Thess moved to
transporter room two.
It was a few more minutes before he materialized inside the temple, his
other-self standing a few meters away in an alcove, waiting. They both smiled as
they caught sight of one another, coming together and clasping forearms, bending
forward to touch foreheads in greeting.
With touch brought rapport, from rapport came understanding, through
understanding came experience and from experience came enlightenment. At least,
that was the mantra of Deltan experiential enlightenment. Both of the Thesses
were ‘Guides’ for their people, Healers and Diplomats but below all of that,
they were so much more. Silently, other-Thess led his foreign self to another
part of the temple, another alcove sequestered off from the rest of a series of
alcoves meant for solitary and group meditation.
Once they had been shut in, they helped each other with their robes, quickly
undressing. Sinking to the pillows underneath them, they clasped one another
gently, easing their bodies together until as much skin as possible was in
contact on both of them. Through touch came the rapport, from rapport came
understanding, through understanding came experience and from experience came
enlightenment. Both of the Thesses experienced the uplifting expansion of
perception that came from a Deep Share, both of them shedding their protections
and baring their spirits to one another. They merged into one mind, they became
one being so much so that it seemed that there was no separation of body.
And through fusion came truth.
===================
Ambassador Thessyr Tal
First Contact Specialist
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
===================
