This choice: Kirk visits Ann and cautions her to stay alert. • Go Back...Chapter #5Kirk visits Ann and cautions her to stay alert. by: Clockworange   Dr. Ann Mulhall is in her private quarters on Deck 3F, room 67, studying from a series of astrobiological tapes on her computer screen. On her desk is a digital clipboard, where she is occasionally ticking off pieces of information with a laser pen. She is dressed in a red uniform with a Starfleet brooch fastened near the neckline above her breasts. She wears a headband that pulls the bangs out of her eyes. Her straight hair covers the ears and extends down the back of her neck and shoulders. Her legs, encased in stockings and black dress boots, are crossed underneath the desk. Her eyes are bright and piercing. Her voice is unintentionally sultry. She hears a knock at the door. It is Captain Kirk.
Mulhall: Come in. Oh, hello again, Captain Kirk.
Kirk: Dr. Mulhall. I hope... I am not interrupting you right now.
Mulhall: Not at all, Captain. I've been studying some Federation record tapes to check for past encounters with pure-energy beings. So far, any description I've found hasn't matched what we discovered on that planet. They were a unique species, sir. Possibly requiring a new type of quadronomial nomenclature for classification.
Kirk walks slowly toward Mulhall, scanning the room for her various articles and personal items. She has a computer bank, three or four digital posters of news releases from Starfleet, and a vanity table with various types of makeup, perfumes, and cosmetics. Her bed is neat and tidy. There are no stray clothes on the floor, as everything is well placed and accounted for. Aside from these things, the room is mostly empty, as if it had not been fully lived in.
Kirk: Do you know what was the first thing I noticed about you? Your sleeve braid. The double-gold-bar designation means you're a lieutenant commander, and I would have seen that on the ship before if you weren't so new.
Mulhall: A very good first observation, Captain. Many men notice other things about me first.
Kirk: I am not like many men. I'm a starship captain, it's my duty to familiarize myself with every person on board the Enterprise, and that goes double for commissioned officers.
Mulhall: I see.
Kirk: I wasn't aware that my ship had another lieutenant commander aboard. It's a pleasant surprise, but a surprise nevertheless.
Mulhall: That is because I am here on a temporary assignment en route to Starbase 6, Captain. I came aboard the Enterprise on stardate 4220.3, during your rendezvous at Miller's Outpost. The USS Lexington is in need of a commanding science officer, and I understand we are to meet them there in less than 2 months.
Kirk: And they will be lucky to receive such a talented officer. The way you approached uncertainty in the field was admirable. And your dedication to helping the alien species showed a kind of courage that goes beyond many others.
Mulhall: Why, thank you, Mister Kirk.
Kirk: You are the highest-ranking woman aboard the ship. Is there any way I can persuade you to remain with us instead of going over to the Lexington?
Mulhall: It seems unlikely at this point. We all have to follow orders, and Starfleet Command would wonder why one of its ships has two commissioned science officers and the other has none at all. Your Mister Spock is well known throughout the Federation. He is better equipped to serve aboard the Enterprise than I.
Kirk: Yes, he is a good man.
Mulhall: So are you, sir.
Kirk stands over Mulhall, placing his hands on her shoulders. She is interrupted from reading the telescreen, as she looks up at the captain in curiosity. He has been reading her astrobiology notes over her shoulder. Or is he?
Kirk: I've come here to caution you about the alien species. Mister Spock and I have talked it over, and we aren't sure whether or not Sargon and Thalassa have really disappeared.
Mulhall: But you heard what they said on the bridge earlier? They decided to join the rest of their deceased civilization in oblivion.
Kirk: I know, I said the same thing to Spock. But with their powers, their... ability to cloak themselves from detection, it is possible they are still around here. Have you seen or heard anyone behaving in a strange manner recently?
Mulhall: No sir, I have not. But I'll be on the lookout and report the instant I get news of something.
Kirk: Thank you, Dr. Mulhall.
He begins to leave, then turns around.
Kirk: Doctor... Mulhall. Your... doctorate is in astrobiology. Why, then, are you staffed in our operations department? A better post in the meantime should be the sciences department.
Mulhall: I was wondering the same thing. I've submitted a request for change of duty, but I have not yet heard back from Yeoman Rand, who I understand is in charge of staffing aboard the ship.
Kirk: I'll see to it myself. Continue your research under advisement, Ann.
Mulhall: Yes, Captain.
Kirk leaves out the whooshing doors of Mulhall's private quarters. She resumes examining her tapes, pausing to look toward the door again.
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