What Now?

Posted on Tue Mar 14th, 2023 @ 4:35am by Lieutenant Reeza Cuyu & Lieutenant Commander Rayek trLhoell

2,632 words; about a 13 minute read

Mission: A whole new world
Location: Counselor's private office-medbay
Timeline: Post-Meridian

ON:

Reeza had asked to see Commander trLhoell after his next session with R'elle. She figured that if they were both going to operate as Doria's caregivers/"parental units" of sorts, they should at least be on a similar page as to how that would work. Reeza figured the girl would live with the Cuyu's as long as it was necessary, and then could transition to her own quarters at a later time, if the three plus Captain Wilson all agreed. But Reeza didn't mind Rayek's wanting to help Doria, and she was happy that he thought about including Soja at times, though Reeza never insisted-she was her child to raise. Sometimes Reeza had to have Soja go with Lt. Farrar's wife to be babysat when she worked a late duty, and Doria would have dinner with the Commander or Captain, and she knew that that was how the proverbial cookie crumbled.

Since this wasn't a session, she was more casual than she'd be if it were a session-she replicated some coffee and just read files until he showed up. Normally, she'd be rushing around, getting the couch prepped, and PADDs set up, and etc. She also replicated herself a croissant and some Bajoran cheese she liked, and waited quietly.

The request to see Lieutenant Cuyu had arrived just prior to his session with Counselor R'elle. In the request to meet, it had stated that this was in regards to Doria's care. The request was not entirely unexpected given his acting position as Security Chief. Still, he was a bit pleasantly surprised by the welcoming atmosphere of the counselor's office when his chime at the door was answered. The smell of hot coffee and warm pastry filled the room as well as the sharp aroma of what he suspected was Bajoran cheese.

"Forgive me if I have come during your lunchbreak, Lieutenant. Your message had indicated to stop by after my session with Commander R'elle. We have just finished."

Reeza smiled. “It’s not an interruption at all. I can eat while we chat. Do you want anything?” She asked. “I wanted to talk to you for a little bit about Doria. If you and I are going to share charge of her, I think it’s a good idea to set some basic rules or things we expect from her-and each other. For example, if you have her for dinner, I’d expect her to follow basic etiquette rules and such. Things like that!”

Normally, the Romulan would decline such an offer preferring to eat in his office alone - if he ate at all - but given that she had accepted his offer of a meal when she joined him and Doria in his holodeck program of this home on Meridian, he felt it only polite to accept her hospitality in return. "Thank you. A glass of water and a croissant would be appreciated." Coffee had been Tess' drink of choice - just the smell of it reminded him of her. And while Rayek would have preferred a chai tea, he was trying to cut down on his caffeine in the hopes he might sleep better. Nearly two weeks of sleeplessness was beginning taking it's toll on him.

He took a seat opposite her desk, expecting that part of her offer was the fetching the request from her replicator for him. The Romulan listened as the counselor explained further why she called him in. He felt there might be a bit of a misunderstanding when she mentioned sharing charge of Doria, but could understand her misconception since he had just recently taken Doria and herself out on a personal outing with no advance warning. Perhaps this discussion was so that such things could be scheduled. Which was reasonable when dealing with children. He'd read up much on how scheduling was very important for young children - in preparation for Fvienn's birth.

"Of course, I completely understand and will abide by the rules you stipulate as her primary caregiver." he answered. "Though you might have to clarify which culture's basic etiquette you are referring to. If I were to say have her join Klarth and I for a home-made Klingon meal, I hope you would excuse the use of her hands to eat with... as that would be customary for Klingon etiquette." It was unlikely that would ever happen since Doria had already indicated an aversion to meat, but you never knew.

Reeza shook her head. "I didn't meant that, exactly. There's no "rules" I set forth, other than to be a decent person and to pick up and put away things you use. For both of the children. I meant in general-whatever you set up at your place or when you're out with her, or if you have charge of Doria that day...your rules would apply. And of course, she'd be expected to learn the basic etiquette for anyone she might come in contact with. I've only begun to explore her past...she is polite as one would be when one is traumatized but...I don't know how to break her of the "Master/slave" mentality. I don't want it to spread to Soja." She sighed. "Whatever input you might have, I am open to hearing. And maybe I'll speak to Counselor R'elle later..."She sighed again. "I think Doria views you as a sort of father figure so I figured you were the best person to ask."

Rayek tilted his head uncertain he understood what the Lieutenant was wanting from him, but he responded to want he heard. "I will ensure she follows basic etiquette when with me." Then spoke to Doria's subservient personality. "I suspect that her programming has a large part to do with that submissive mentality. I notice anytime she addresses herself as 'I'... she immediately apologies. It is apparent that self-identification was a concern for her creators, and they installed protocols that presently she is struggling with given our more liberal perspective."

He could understand Lieutenant Cuyu's concern about it affecting Soja. "It might not be possible to 'break her of that programming' since Engineering is still studying her - but perhaps we can overwrite it with new protocols that are to be her new operating procedures. Kind of like system update."

Reeza sighed. "I did think about that. That it was how she was programmed, and that it might not be possible. I will talk to Engineering. I have a friend who has worked with the Soong-type androids. Perhaps he knows something helpful." Her late husband's brother was into robotics and did that for his job. "Doria has said that she was...created...by a race called Exonians. Does that mean anything to you?" She queried. Their races-Bajoran and Romulan-were roughly the same age, but the Romulans were far better traveled.

Rayek mulled over the species name. It wasn't one that he'd ever heard of. He shook his head. "No, but that's not surprising given how xenophobia my people are." Prior to Hobus, the only Romulans to encounter an other species were the Empire's treaty regulated Ambassadors or those Warbird crews patrolling the Neutral Zone, or conquering planets within the Empire's expanding territory. "I'll do a bit of research on the species. See if there are any Federation encounters with them on file."

She nodded. "Thank you. I will see what I can dig up, too, at the research library."

Hearing that Doria viewed him as a father figure was both pleasing and troubling for the Romulan. He knew all too well how strongly he grew attached to people when he let them in. Romulan rarely did things in half-measure. It could be devastating for him to have to give up Doria when his opportunity to return to his own dimension came.

"Yes, Counselor R'elle would be a good individual to seek advice from." Rayek agreed, offering his perspective on the idea.

Reeza nodded. "We usually chat daily about things, so I'll ask her then." She paused. "Do you have anything you want to ask me or say? Anything you would like for me discuss with Doria this evening in regards to her...relationship with you?" Reeza was choosing her words carefully. Not only out of concern for Doria, but for the man, too-she didn't need to add more pain onto what he already must be feeling.

The way in which the woman paused before asking her question had Rayek alert to the fact that she viewed this as sensitive. For a moment Rayek mentally checked his recollection of the Lieutenant's personnel file - which he had access to via his Security position. Cuyu Reeza was full Bajoran according to what he'd read... so it wasn't that she was reading his thoughts or emotions like a Betazoid might. Were his emotions so easily read?

Or did this have something to do with the undressing incident the other day? Rayek wondered. Doria had commented something that he'd been concerned about. "Actually yes. The other day, Doria made comment that you told her that I would not harm her - I appreciate that but I have reservations regarding the remainder of her statement - particularly the 'unless ordered to do so'."

This was an issue more than just for undressing but any order really. Rayek continued offering an idea. "Given that she regards all humanoids as Masters that has to potential to be dangerous to her - and us, if she were to fall into enemy hands. I would like to suggest that the rule about who can issue her orders be amended: to her care-takers - you and I, and a select few in Engineering along with Command Staff - anyone else who wishes to issue an order to her should go through one of those people."

Reeza nodded again. She really needed to find a new routine. "Yes, that makes sense. I will clarify with her what I meant. I meant that you wouldn't hurt her, and neither would anyone else on this ship, but you can't be too cautious with strangers in general." She wasn't yet used to having to speak so literally; even the Romulans and Vulcans among them were able to pick up on context clues usually. "That's all I meant." She sighed. "But you're right; having a clear delineation of who can issue an "order" or request would be nice." She noted that on her PaDD. "Anything else? Has she said much to you about how she's adjusting to life here? With me, specifically??" She just wanted to make sure that Doria felt accepted and safe.

Rayek nodded his appreciate of her agreement then at her questions about how Doria was adjusting, Rayek could only give a slight negative head shake. "Yesterday was our first interact that wasn't work related on my part. I hope she is adjusting."

Reeza nodded sagely. "I wasn't aware; I only have been alerted to things with Doria that directly involve me; for example, the Chief Engineer wants to work with her this evening after the "school" lets out, and so I will go with her to that, but it's after my duty time. I am not told what they're doing to her, just that I can be there when they do it. I assume they're just examining her. I will ask more questions later, but I've been a bit busy today." Managing her time was a tough thing-if she wanted time to herself, she had to get up a half hour before the children did, and it made her a little tired. Getting Soja out the door for the day had always been a project-she wasn't a "morning" type, but having TWO children to get ready had become its own chore.

Hearing that the Chief Engineer was 'working' with Doria again, had Rayek a little puzzled. He knew the initial study request he'd put in that first day had been done the day after. What more could the Engineering Team be intending for Doria? He wondered.

"Anything else you think I have missed? PLEASE tell me; you don't have to spare my feelings. We've both raised children; the other reason I wanted your input. You know how crazy it can get."

At Reeza's implying that he'd raised children prior, Rayek cocked his head quizzically. "Where did you hear such?" He questioned with a frown. "My son, last I saw him was only 9 months old. Though I suppose looking after my siblings, 5 and 7 years my junior, might be a consideration."

"But back to the topic at hand... Yes, I will inform you of anything troubling I might hear." Rayek assured.

Reeza shrugged. "I didn't realize he was that young. I apologize. I thought he was older. But yes, siblings are much the same. 9 months, huh? Such a difficult age! It must be hard for you to think about him being so young and alone." Shoot. She had been trying to help, and likely just stuck her foot in her mouth. Again. She was always misspeaking!

By her expression, Rayek could tell that Reeza was regretting her words. He offered a slight nod. "Yes. It is." He could have pointed out his sleeplessness and penchant for studying dimensional quantum theory at all hours of the night but he wasn't visiting the Lieutenant in her role as a counselor but rather as a care-taker for Doria.

"Oh, I nearly forgot to mention, I have requested a redacted copy of the Engineering Teams findings to be send to you as sort of 'First Aid' Manual." Rayek said returning to the topic of Doria. "I hope that will prevent incidents such as what happened at the pool from happening again."

Reeza smiled. "Thank you, that is most helpful! And don't feel bad. She's doing fine today. I don't think she even remembers it." Children were very resilient, and hopefully the same held true for android children.

Rayek quirked an eyebrow at her statement. "While I have no doubt that she is doing fine presently, the fact is that the incident will be recorded in her memory banks forever. It is in the file I have sent, but Doria stands for 'Data Organizational Recording Information Analysis'."

Reeza blinked once. "Right...I knew she was an android. I didn't know that Doria stood for something in particular....could her programming be overridden? It's old tech, right? Surely the Federation has someone out there that could!" It wasn't really a question, just a statement of wistfulness. "And don't feel badly about it; she doesn't blame you, and you can't blame yourself. Sometimes, things with the little ones just...HAPPEN, and you can't do anything about it. It was a learning experience for all three of us!" She tried to reassure him.

"Anyway. That was all I had...if you don't have anything else, I guess...I'll see you later?" She said.

Rayek's expression frowned slightly at the counselor's suggestion of overriding Doria's programming. While technically he supposed it was possible, he wasn't sure of the ethics of it. Doria's programming was her 'personality'. Unless there was a direct threat to the ship or crew, he didn't feel it was there right to impose what should or shouldn't be in her programming unless directly asked by Doria. But he supposed that would be the Captain's call, not his.

"No, nothing else." Rayek stood. He glanced to his untouched food and beverage, and gave the counselor an apologetic look for not having accepted her hospitality appropriately, and for leaving her with a mess to clean up. "Jolan'tru, Ms. Cuyu."

"Jolan'tru, Commander. You can call me Reeza," she said absently, and waved a little. She set about tidying, not minding it as she had invited him.

OFF: Lieutenant Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell
Counselor Reeza Cuyu

 

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