Close Quarters

Posted on Tue May 19th, 2026 @ 5:14pm by Lieutenant T'Vei

1,195 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Lines in the Vacuum
Location: USS Frontier, Science Lab
Timeline: Gamma Shift, Day One

BANG, the sound improbably loud in the small confines of the bunk space as T'Vei's rotation smacked her elbow into the wall. She fidgeted, carefully maneuvering the tangle of blankets to avoid choking her.

She stared out at the faint glow of light outlining the door to the small cabin while she listened to the snores of her roommate above her. The lanky Vulcan tried to stretch out, her foot escaping the confines of the multi-blanket cocoon, requiring another adjustment.

When she imagined serving with Starfleet, this is not what she had in mind. She rotated to face the bunk wall again.

BANG, this time it was her knee that collided with the too small space, the sound causing her roommate's snores to stutter, still, and then restart.

Enough was enough. T'Vei pushed the blankets away and extracted herself from the narrow bunk without hitting her head this time. She dressed carefully in the dark before stepping into the corridor.

Free of the claustrophobic cabin, she breathed deeply and stretched, removing tightness from her muscles before she decided to take a walk.

There was no gym aboard the Froniter, nowhere to burn off some excess energy and Vulcans did not indulge in the human tradition known as midnight snacking, even if the meager mess hall had offered better than resequenced vegetables, so a walk was the best she could do.

Her patrol--as she preferred to think about it even without full uniform--led around the outer corridors of the Frontier. The lights were dim for gamma shift and she exchanged a few nods and greetings with her personnel on duty on actual patrols and engineers ferrying parts and tools for minor repairs and adjustments.

After several slate grey corridors had passed without encounter, T'Vei was contemplating returning to her quarters and trying once more for sleep when the muffled sounds of stringed instruments reached her ear. It was unlike the tal'ren or the harp or even the human guitar, deep and haunting. Curious, she followed the sound and found it coming from a door marked "Science Lab 2".

She had to press the door chime twice before a voice, higher pitched, called. "Enter."

The lab was even smaller than her quarters, barely bigger than a closet. Inside was a computer terminal with several monitors flush with the wall and a U-shaped series of tables bolted in, a set of simple stools for seating, one tucked underneath the table and the other occupied.

The occupant was a human, likely fresh from the Academy by their youthful features and the single gold pip on their teal lined uniform. Their hair was the color of straw and hung in several jagged layers and their eyes were the unnerving, vibrant blue that some humans possessed. T'Vei couldn't accurately predict their gender presentation, certainly not in uniform.

"Computer, pause--" the human began.

"Don't. The music is pleasing," T'Vei interrupted. "If you are busy, I can depart."

"Can't sleep either? There's a lot of that going around. Sentinel Station quarters spoil people," the science officer said. "Pull up a chair if you want. I've got nothing going on that can't wait."

T'Vei stepped into the closet lab and claimed the only remaining stool. She had to raise it up to its maximum height to fit even half comfortably.

"You're Lieutenant T'Vei, right? The armory officer?" the human asked. "Ensign Ridley. I'm in science." They didn't offer a hand like so many humans tried to do. "Xenoanthropology," they admitted after a beat, gesturing up at the screens. They were filled with data on Nausicaan culture and rituals. Everything known and recorded by Humans, Vulcans, Tellarites, and Andorians on the species.

"I am," T'Vei said, turning to the screens, but her eyes only skimmed over the glut of information while she focused on the music. "Have you learned anything interesting about them?"

"Nausicaa has a long full history," the xenoanthropologist said. "It boils down to the strong rule, the weak obey. If they're picking a fight with us then we need to show them we're not going to be so easily bullied."

T'Vei nodded. She had come to a similar conclusion and had ensured that if the captain gave the order, the Frontier would be ready to show her teeth. "What instrument is this?"

"A cello. It's an Earth instrument, big, Italian," Ridley answered. "Although the composer of this piece is Russian. It was made to be more of a bass accompaniment but it's the star of the concerto. I have recordings of a lot of classical human music if you're interested."

"I am curious," T'Vei said. "Do you play?"

Ridley laughed, it was a throaty chuckle that was distinct and mildly alarming coming from such a small person. "No, no. Just a fan. I tried to play violin when I was a kid, but my fingers couldn't keep up. What's your instrument?"

"The tal'ren. It's a long-necked stringed instrument," the Vulcan explained. "You might think of it as a cousin to your violin." T'Vei blinked. "I did not bring it. If I had, I doubt there would have been space to practice."

"Probably not," the science officer agreed. "I'm in a cabin with three other ensigns. At least it's only for a few days."

"Indeed," T'Vei acknowledged. She stood and made to leave.

"How tall are you anyway?" Ridley asked, causing the Vulcan to pause.

"I am 1.93 meters tall," T'Vei answered. She was growing accustomed to the Human habit of remarking upon her height, if not comfortable.

Ridley stood from their stool, an amused grin on their face as T'Vei looked down on them. They were a good third of a meter shorter than her, shorter than Burkh and definitely slighter. "I'm a little jealous," they said.

"I know many an engineer who would rather value your size," the Vulcan said. "And there was a time when I would have gladly been your height instead of my own."

"I imagine being tall comes in handy in your line of work," Ridley said.

"But not when sleeping aboard the Frontier," T'Vei said.

"Touche," Ridley said. "You didn't answer me earlier. Do you want copies of some of my music library?"

The only sounds for several seconds was the hum of the cello and the melodic sound of clarinets. "I would."

Ridley's grin widened. "Great. I'll prepare a data card and can give it to you at lunch tomorrow."

She raised an eyebrow. "Lunch?"

"Best time to socialize," Ridley said. "Lieutenant, you didn't really think a xenoanthropologist would let you get away without asking you a few questions about Vulcans?"

T'Vei pursed her lips. "I suppose not. I am new to Human customs and will ask many of my own," she warned.

"That makes it even better," Ridley said. "Good night, Lieutenant."

"Good night, Ensign."

T'Vei stepped back into the corridor. The Frontier still felt small, but, she supposed, there were a few advantages to being forced to be close to one another.

====

Lieutenant T'Vei
Chief Armory Officer
Sentinel Station

Ensign Ash Ridley
Science Officer (Xenoanthropologist)
Sentinel Station

 

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