Soji leans forward, her face incredibly still, her eyes wide. “Do you—regret what you did?”
Jurati tilts her head, confused.
“To Bruce,” Soji adds. 1/8
Jurati’s lungs stiffen as if a lightning strike rattled through them.
“You—you don’t have to answer that,” Soji says. “I—I just sometimes blame myself for Picard’s—well, I’m so thankful you and Dr. Soong could give him a second chance.”
Jurati stood up and left the table. 2/8
“Oh,” Soji says. “Okay.”
Jurati sits back down with two a drink. “A special concoction I affectionately call a Sour Rios.”
Soji picks up a glass. “What’s in it?”
“Better not to ask,” Jurati says, smirking as she takes a swig. She gently places the glass on the table. 3/8
Soji sips the Sour Rios. “How are you even alive?” Soji teases.
“It’s funny—well maybe not, really—but I ask myself that a lot,” Jurati says, her face falling flat. “Like every day. Mornings. Nights. Now.”
“I’m sorry I asked the question,” Soji says.
“No, no,” Jurati says. 4/8
“My brain tells me that Oh is responsible,” Jurati says. “But my eyes saw his face, my ears heard my name on his lips, my—heart bears the—well, so, yeah, myself blames myself, if that makes sense.”
“I’m sorry,” Soji says. “How do you—deal with it?”
Jurati lifts her glass. 5/8
“But seriously,” Jurati says. “You.”
“Me?” Soji asks.
“You’re everything Bruce lived for,” Jurati says. “We lived for. And seeing you in this diplomacy gig—and killing it in that top—softens the guilt and grief—a little.”
“I’m all for the personnel serving with me to express what they’re feeling, but,” begins Jellico. “There’s a time and place for it. And that time and place is not on my bridge during a crisis.”
Kovich sits still, peering at Jellico through his glasses.
1/10
“If we’re thrust into a chaotic situation, the survival of my ship and crew depends on the orderly implementation of my commands by my bridge crew,” Jellico explains. “I would expect the same of my own child during a crisis.”
“So you are a father?” Kovich asks.
2/10
“Yes,” Jellico replies. “I have a son.”
“Have you ever been with him during a crisis?” Kovich asks.
“As a matter of fact, I have,” Jellico answers. “The Cairo was about to enter into a pretty nast ion storm.”
3/10
“Did you have a specific program in mind?” Saru asks.
“Perhaps, you might show me Kaminar?” T’Rina replies.
“It would bring me great joy to show you my home,” Saru replies, excited. “Uh, Zora. Please run program Saru 1.” 1/5
Simulated grains of sand vibrated into form beneath Saru and T’Rina’s feet. The hush of the tide streaking the beach conspires with the whisper of the trees to pull their anxious minds.
“In here, it is almost possible to forget about the danger the DMA poses,” T’Rina says. 2/5
“I am sorry that your home is in danger,” Saru says. “I know too well the pain of—of not being able to return to one’s home.”
T’Rina nods. “The scent is—intoxicating.”
“Ah yes,” Saru says. “The kelp is almost ready for harvest.” 3/5