A Little Art Project

Posted on 24 Dec 2024 @ 12:00am by 1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross Dr. & Lieutenant JG Thex sh'Zoarhi

3,142 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 01 Captive State Part 2 (Incidentals)
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: Current

[ON]

- Themistocles Mess Hall -

The bustling atmosphere of the USS Themistocles mess hall was alive with the mingling of voices, the hum of the replicators, and the soft clinking of silverware against plates. Stars glittered through the panoramic windows. 2nd Lieutenant Gavin Ross sat at one of the numerous metallic tables, cradling a cup of coffee in his hands. He leaned back in his chair, gazing into the infinite expanse of space, deep in thought. As the vessel traversed the cosmos, he mulled over a personal project that echoed with every child’s laughter and tear he had encountered in his role as Marine Medic.

His ambition was to transform the sterile and unwelcoming atmosphere of the ship's pediatric ward into a colorful haven for his young patients. If it were one thing he could leave on the Themistocles for the following Medical Staff, he would do it. The thought of creating a vibrant space where they could feel at ease, even amidst the difficulties of long-term care, filled him with purpose. Just then, the door slid open with a soft hiss, and in walked a familiar figure — Thex, the Deputy Engineering Officer. Gavin’s pulse quickened as his gaze fell upon her brilliant blue skin, delicate antennae, and flowing white hair. She possessed an almost glowing beauty to him, which he secretly admired but felt hesitant to disturb by crossing the threshold of friendship.

“Good morning, Thex!” he called out, lifting a hand in greeting.

“Care to join me?” He gestured to the empty seat across from him. As she approached, Gavin’s mind raced with thoughts of her engineering prowess and how it might lend a hand to his burgeoning vision. Indeed, together, they could transform his idea into a reality that would bring joy and comfort to the littlest crewmembers of the Themistocles and, later on, the USS Tomcat.

" Hello, Gavin." Thex replied with a smile holding up her hands as she just passed a replicator. In a moment she was heading for her fried a tray landed with pancakes and bacon and eggs. The blue girl was very hungry. " How has life been treating you my friend?" She enquired as she took a seat.

“Life is…” He had been introspective. “Life is good.” He stopped and drank his diet coke as he watched the nice plate of food that Thex ordered. “That looks great.” He smelt the classic breakfast.

Gavin took a bite of his giant burger. Some toppings slid to the plate beneath as he chewed a deep bite. He was ravenous since he had been in the sickbay labs since last evening. “I don’t always approve of a burger and fries. But sometimes… I got to have a burger!” Gavin winked. He was swallowing, taking a napkin, wiping his mouth, and drinking soda.

“Hey, Thex.” Gav paused. “Would you have some spare time within the next few days?” Ross had wondered if Thex would enjoy completing a small art project on one of the pediatric ward walls. As it were, they were sterile and dreary.

" Sure i have some free time in the next few days. Provided the girl doesn't have an emergency that needs my immediate attention." She replied smirking slightly as she tapped the wall as if the ship could hear here.

Gavin smiled at Thex. "Hahaha.." He laughed at the Engineers joke. "This Sovereign Class. I doubt it. It's so large. I can't imagine how you get things done. How do you do it?" Gavin asked Thex curiously.

"And the art project is in the Sickbay, oddly enough." Ross relaxed into his seat and then took a bite of his burger, swallowing and continuing. Ross then relaxed, enjoying the company.

"Vinegar, brown paper, coffee and black magic. " Thex replied with a grin on her face. " So what sort of art project are you working on? "

“It is a children's pediatrics unit. It was included in the Main Sick Bay of the Themistocles. It is a newer addition to Sovereign Class models and other upgrades on Starships.” Gav explained. “The sterile environment, grey walls, and scary instruments promote unease in children. Perhaps art that would captivate a child undergoing serious medical treatment in the Medical Department would look better, hence feeling better.” Ross shrugged at Thex. He took a drink and showed her a padd of his thoughts. It's nothing spectacular since he hoped the engineer had a unique art view.

" Hum," Thex said taking a look at the padd. " An interesting idea. I guess the problem would be finding an artwork that promotes ease on a base level. Not everyone is going to be put at ease by the same thing after all."

Doc had not considered that. "That is true. I hadn't thought of that. I have not read any reviews of alien psychology journals yet," Gavin had agreed. "What would you suggest?"

" Hum." Thex said having a think. " I always find a frozen forest calming. What about you?"

He grinned, retaking a bite and wiping his mouth, and swallowed. “I agree. Although, our versions of Forests might be a tad different. What is a cold forest-like back in Andoria?”

" Probably very different from your own. Most of Andoria is an ice ball during the winter period and even the summer temperatures is just above freezing. The forest tends to grow around the hot springs as does most life. The first day of spring as the light comes over the mountains is a truly breathtaking sight as life returns."

“That sounds nice. If anything. That sounds like similar winters back at home in Alberta on Earth.” Ross slightly smiled at the thought of returning home to his parent's log cabin in the woods near the Rockies.

“Thex, do you find it relaxing? Out in the bitter cold. The silence you hear. The bite of the cold on your nose and face. Do you have sports or stuff that you do in the Andorian Winter for fun?” He was curious.

" Well, I enjoy the cold as much as I enjoy the heat. A good hike in the mountains where you can let your mind just relax and listen to the silence. Nothing like a good game of kochek to get the blood pumping. It's a cross between hockey and jai-alai played between 3 teams wearing spiked footwear on ice. Then there kharakom and hleshvalath are martial arts. " The blue girl replied

“I have heard of kharakom martial arts. Do you practice any?” Gav wondered. Thex certainly was lilith in movement. She could easily take down any man with the Andorian martial arts.

“I have to visit Andoria. I love the cold winters, and we have a thing back on Earth called hot springs. You can step into hot, warm, bubbling waters heated by the natural vulcanism of the Earth, which is so nice after a long day out skiing. I bet you haven’t been skiing in winter on Earth before?” Ross coyly suggested.

"No, I've not been asking on Earth before. " Thex reply came calmly. " I still do practise kharakom and hleshvalath. One of the positives of being raised by a bunch of andorian doomsday cultists. They made sure i could defend myself."

Ross raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Kharakom and hleshvalath? Those sound intense. What do they involve?”

" Kharakom is a form of kick boxing and hleshvalath is a wrestling move set. " Thex explained. " Due to our nature there a lot more violent than human martial arts. They are great for getting the blood pumping though."

“Sounds like something I could use after a tumble down the slopes,” Ross chuckled. “Maybe you could show me some moves? You know. I can’t resist a challenge,” Ross replied, grinning. “Just imagine it: you teaching me some Andorian martial arts. I could film it and put it on Earth—Training with Thex: A Galactic Adventure.’”

The blue girl chuckled. " I'm more than up for teaching you some of the moves, though if you film it it will most likely get the martial arts community on my ass for how badly i fight compared to some Andorians."

“Well, you're in Starfleet; somehow, I thought you might be in the Andorian martial arts scene,” Gavin posited.

" Oh I am, but there are masters of the sport who make me look like a drunken ferengi when i do them. " Thex explained. " Andorians are a proud people and some devote a lifetime to the martial arts. "

Gavin listened and leaned back in his seat. Thex was refreshing. Ross had become so headlong into the literature of medicine and studying medical sciences that he couldn't help but be free from its bureaucratic mindset. "How long have you practiced your martial artistry, Thex?" Gavin was curious about the body, its movement, and its form of fight and defense practices. So he was interested in the fact that an Andorian athlete like Thex practiced something he probably never could have experienced. "That's cool." Ross shrugged, "Just as long as you don't kick my ass!" Gavin laughed.

" Since i could run. My family were a bunch of doomsday cultists so me and my siblings were made to learn how to fight at a young age." The blue girl replied her antenna and voice dropping slightly as she did so. It was clearly not the most happy mememory. " When i joined stafleet it seemed like a skill worth practising. One of the few things they gave me that i don't regret."

Gavin listened. He couldn’t understand all of Thex’s history, yet learning that she was born into a doomsday cult would be very traumatic for a young child. He felt his heart ache for her pain. Of course, as a doctor, Ross had taken courses and departments taking care of newborns—Maslow's hierarchy of needs, one of the pillars of psychological manifestations.

"Thex, that would have been a confusing, turbulent childhood."

" It was. " Thex simple reply came. " I was very messed up when i joined the fleet. Lucky for me Nainaa manged to screw my head back on and get me sorted out."

Ross did not want to press Thex on that part of her life. He listened to her and was a listening ear—Ross listened like any good friend would. He felt he must be open and caring to Thex.

“I cannot understand. Begin to process what that must have been like for you, Thex; I am sorry you had to go through that.” Ross offered that Gavin's counseling thoughtful nature came out of his medically trained background. Thankfully, he listened to his crew mates. They are a fantastic crew.

“That was a moment in your life. You are in a new era now as a Chief on a Starship. That is incredible in itself.” Ross smiled.

" I know. " Thex said returning the smile. " Cheif of a starship, talented athlete and dancer. Not bad for a girl from the wilderness of andor. "

Ross had personally felt a sense; even for a human, he sensed other patients, their bodies' nonverbal ethereal human-level communications, and their lack thereof. The kind used to identify and pay attention to common illnesses vibrated emotionally and vocally as an empath.

“I can sense how painful that must feel for you, Thex. However, I could never fully understand it. You have my thoughts.” Ross gave a solemn nod to Thex.

" Thank you, my friend. Now enough about me and my tragic backstory how about we get back to the art piece?" Thex replied with a warm smile.

- Sick Bay; Medical Department Deck. Hallway of the Children's Hospital -

Gavin was walking back from the Mess Hall, where he had met Thex at one of the tables. He had zero understanding of Art. He felt in some way that Thex would have a unique expression.

Bright lighting and a warm glow enter the hallway and the officers within the complex.

“What do you think? I always excelled in finger painting as a child.” Ross shrugged, placing a hand on the wall, feeling its glossy finish that shone white. “Hand painting… absurd as it sounds. A genuine quintessential form of early human communication, universally recognized across continents as far as millennia in the universe.”

“What do you envision here? Ross then jogged down the distance with his white lab coat and stopped some large distance. “To get the big picture!”

" Hum" Thex said looking at the blank wall. "Perhaps we could ask every one of the crew to put a hand print on the wall? " She suggested.

"That's an excellent concept, given the time it takes to complete," Gavin remarked, studying the wall that would be adorned with Thex's ideas. "The imagery is universal; I believe the hands symbolize willingness and humanity."

Dr. Ross continued, "What are your thoughts, Thex? We have a vibrant array of multicolored hands stretching along the right wall, creating an impactful display."

" It sounds like a great idea. I could try and rustle up some paint mixed with some metachrosis gell. Would change colour across the day. All i'd need to do is add a heating system to change the tempreture behined the wall. " The blue girl responded.

Perhaps the wall could emit a diurnal beat that can soothe and relax. “Some infants in their early ages need a constant diurnal memetic wave of energies. It helps their initial birth from first thing to next.”

“Do you think you would ever have a child?” Ross paused as he pondered the wall and Thex's question. I understand how incredibly complex the Andorian physical and sexual reproduction system is; I did multiple studies in Medical School.”

Thex was quiet for a second before replying, " I hope to someday, but my ability to form a quad seems to be the one area I struggle in. I have plenty of playmates but no quad."

"Thaan, Chan, Shen and Zhen." Ross replied, somewhat knowledgeable in the subject.

" Yeah," Thex replied with a slight sigh. " If only getting that part of my life sorted out was as easy as keeping the ship running."

“Hey, if things get a bit too stressed,” Ross looked at the Chief. Just remember some relaxation.” He breathed in and out and helped mimic it in front of Thex's face." Placing his hand on Thex’s shoulder, "he breathed in, Thex holding moments, and then releasing proportionally... Let go!"

" Thanks, I'll remember that. Your a true friend Ross." came the blue girls reply.

Gavin blushed as he smiled. "Thank you."

" Shall we get back to the art piece?" she winked.

“Sure!” He groaned, unable to make a definitive decision on what to do.

We could have a bunch of information screens of children on other starships, Starbase’s, Starfleet, and medical and pediatric wards. Given the state of the children in the Paediatric Unit, we ensure they do not need to get up from their hover chairs, etc…”

“So, what's the social impact here, Doctor Ross?” asked the Federation Project Coordinator. She toured the room via auto visualization of the room's sensors as if the Federation bureaucrat saw from every corner.

“I think this would be a revolutionary idea!” Stated the Federation Bureaucrat in charge of giving a yes or no.

Thex gave a smile as she looked from the bureaucrat to Ross. " I can get started tomorrow Ross. Provided the ship doesn't need me."

Lieutenant JG Thex sh'Zoarhi, we are impressed as Dr. Ross told us of your ideas which became part of the project. This Is much your art piece!" The Art Director and Curator gestured to them both.

"What she had said." Dr Ross grinned at Thex with a wink back.

" Thanks but it's your idea as well Ross." Thex replied with a grin of her own.

The FPC then signed off the line. Ross had turned to Thex as he smiled eyeing her up and down, unable to hide his sexual appeal for the incredibly fitted, uniformed Andorian female ever he had seen!

"So..." Gav had turned toward Thex and grinned widely. "What do I owe you for your...." He reached forward, his hand to place into hers, Thexs hand into his as he gently pulled her. As he snapped a finger, one of his favorite bands had begun...

"Services..." He whispered in her ear before pulling away playfully and then beginning to lead them into a dance as the music that Ross had just snapped with his finger was pre-programmed as Baroque Big Band. Ross learned how to dance at a young age when chaperoning females at the golf course events his family held at the course on Earth.

" Well," Thex replied her own body starting to move to the beat. Anyone could tell she was a talented dancer as she moved with her partner. She could tell Ross was attracted to her. " How about we get out of here and see if there a free holodeck available?"

Ross had pleasantly found himself quickly two steps out of his league. That was a pleasant surprise; frankly, it turned him on that the Andorian knew how to. The talented drew him in like a moth to fire.

“That was… Wow!” Ross had nodded to Thex’s question regarding the holodeck suggestion. “Sure, holodeck sounds like fun!” He gestured for Thex to lead.

Thex smiled as she led the way to the nearest turbo-lift. " Have you ever been to an Orion dancing lounge Ross?" Thex enquired

Ross shook his head back and forth, “No! Not ever. But I have seen what happens. Are you suggesting we visit one on the program?!” Gavin’s eyes popped open as he could tell Thex’s smile had meant a ‘yes!’

“Let's go! Let's do this! I am so excited.” Gavin laughed in glee, clasping his large surgeon hands.

“I bet you know how to dance. Dear lord! Oh, my god…” Gavin had laughed thinking this through.

" I'm a trained dancer in the animal woman and blade dancer styles," Thex replied with a sly smile on her face.

This was fun and invigorating. Gavin enjoyed Thex's talent. As an Orion in the arts of dancing, she was well-trained. Ross was interested in her culture. He would have to visit more places with Thex on the holodeck!

"I am sure that must be impressive to see."

" It is i can assure you that." Thex said as the turbo-lift doors opened. " Shall we go Doctor Ross?" she said stepping into the tturbolift.

[OFF]

Lieutenant JG Thex sh'Zoarhi
Acting Chief Engineering Officer
USS Themistocles.

&

1st Lieutenant Gavin Ross, Dr.
CMO, Medical Dept.
USS Themistocles

 

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