Finding the Possibilities Part 3

Posted on Tue Mar 6, 2018 @ 7:54pm by Lieutenant JG Jacob Hartley & Ensign Willow Riordan

Mission: Falling Star
Location: Holodeck/The Black Hole
Timeline: MD 30 || 1700 Hours

"I've read some of them, and I will admit, they are among some of the bravest warriors I have ever heard about. And I respect their dedication to honor, people could learn a lesson from them. I think their idea of love works for them. The only species I don't think I can understand when it comes to love is the Ferengi." Jacob said.

"That's easy to explain," Willow said. "Just show them a strip of gold pressed latinum and they'll do anything you want."

"Yeah, I prefer women who have morals. But when I looked into the Ferengi Culture, women considered pregnancy to be a rental. Of course, they would rent out anything, or used to, until Grand Nagus Rom began making some changes." Jacob said.

"He's the strangest Ferengi I've ever heard of," she said as she finished her mollusk and started on her salad. "He let the women wear clothes and conduct business, too."

"Started with his mother, if the records are accurate. She earned more profit than either of her son's ever did, which is impressive. But then, whilst some people may disagree with how they were, or how they are, humans used to be the same way. We've learned a better way, but the Ferengi do act like some humans used to, centuries ago of course." Jacob said, as he enjoyed more of his salad. "It does make you wonder, though, if there is an underlying principle every species has in common, even if they don't know about it. Exploration, honor, courage, love...species are more alike than they think."

"Well, if the stories about the ‎Preservers were true, we all have common ancestors," Willow said. "We were all spread out across the galaxy and evolved according to the planets we were seeded on. So why wouldn't we be alike in some ways?"

"True enough." Jacob agreed, before taking a sip of his drink. "I've read the reports of the Preserver's, and all the theories, but I like to think it is true. Life, united by a common ancestry, showing how our progenitors were like us in many ways, wanting to explore and know more about the galaxy, and to bring light to the darkness. Nothing wrong with that."

"Although there's some life forms which clearly evolved from other stock," she said. "Ones like Species Eight Four Seven Two." She shuddered. "I read the Voyager files at the Academy and there's no way those things could ever have been human. Or the Founders."

"Actually, I'm not entirely sure about that. During the Dominion War, the Founders turned Odo into a solid, with a nervous system, stomach, heart, lungs, everything. Wouldn't that imply that a long time ago, they had to have had those things, otherwise it might not have worked." Jacob replied. "As for Eight Four Seven Two, they came from a different realm, as it were. Could be that they had their own version of Preservers."

"Okay, you have a point about the Founders, but wouldn't evolution have had to go above and beyond for them to come from human stock?" Willow asked after a bite of her salad. The young woman certainly had an appetite and wasn't afraid to show it despite her slim figure.

"Possibly, or for all we know they created their own evolution. There are species that have evolved by using technology to help them. Earth had the Augments, for example. The Organian's once were human, or human like anyway, before they became beings of pure energy. Could have been they needed to adapt to an environmental disaster, or even an accidental evolution with what they did, trying to cure a disease and they became what they did." Jacob replied. He took another bite of his dinner, waiting for her response, curious about what she would think of that view.

"That seems like a bit of a stretch, but I won't deny that it's possible," Willow admitted. "But how do you explain the Q and Douwd? Wouldn't they be in the same category as the Organian's?"

"It's possible. We only see life as it is. It's...a linear progression." Jacob said. "But we know that there are far more possibilities than what we know of. There are examples everywhere. The Prophets, the Q, the Organian's...anything is possible. And that, I think, is the real exploration we're looking for out here." He said.

He took a sip of his drink. "Yes, we're exploring new worlds and cultures, but we don't know everything about what we're capable of. For all we know, the Q are simply the next stage of evolution of humanity. Opening our minds to new possibilities...it's one of the reasons I love Parkour, because I see new possibilities in any environment, and it reminds me that the same can be said for the universe."

"I just thought of something," Willow said. "Remember the Traveller and Wesley Crusher?" From somewhere nearby, someone said "Shut up, Wesley" and the redhead laughed.

Jacob couldn't help but laugh at the nearby comment. "When did Captain Picard come aboard?" Jacob asked. He then looked at her, and nodded. "I remember the reports, yeah. That's more proof that anything is possible. That's what life is about, finding the possibilities, finding that which you didn't think was real or possible and learning about it." He said. He couldn't believe how much he was enjoying the meal, and the company. It was definitely the deepest conversation he had ever had, and he was loving it.

"It certainly makes you think," she said. "And that's why we're out here, isn't it? I don't know they made people like you, Jacob and I'm glad I came in on your training program. You're one of the most interesting men I've ever met."

Jacob smiled at the compliment. "And you are the most interesting woman I've ever met. You have a mind that enjoys knowledge and appreciates it, you see beyond what is obvious." He complimented her. He took another sip of his drink.

"The thing is, even a month ago, I wouldn't have even thought a lovely evening like this would be possible. The fact is, I've often shut myself off from the world, focusing on my work. It was...comfortable, and a known quantity. But it was lonely as well. I didn't have many friends, but sitting here, enjoying this conversation and meal...it's actually the nicest evening I've ever had." He confessed.

"Thank you," Willow said. "I always try to expand my horizons any chance I get. Just think, if I hadn't been nosy about the holodeck, we likely wouldn't have met and we'd just be two more people in Intel who never knew."

"Perhaps it was part of the unknown which we were talking about. You had an urge to explore the holodeck, and we met. Like I said, there are always possibilities." He said, with a smile. "When we're finished here, I'd like to show you something on the holodeck, something I think you'll like."

"Finished? We haven't had dessert yet," she said. "But I'd love to see whatever you have in mind. After all, it's all about exploration."

===After Dessert===

"That's what I'm telling you, I've never had Strawberry Pie before. But you were right, it was delicious." Jacob said, smiling as they walked down the corridor together towards the holodeck.

"You've been missing out on so many things," Willow said. "I still can't believe you've never had strawberry pie. I'd short change a Ferengi for a slice of that."

"Well, you won't have to do that. I'll learn how to cook it, if you like." He offered, as they reached the holodeck. "What I'm about to show you...I've never shown anyone before." He said.

"Computer, run program Hartley Moon Alpha One." He ordered. "Authorization Hartley Omega One." He added.

"Program activated. You may enter when ready." The computer replied. Jacob took a small breath, and smiled as he walked forward, the doors opening to admit both of them.

"I'll hold you to that," she said as she entered the holodeck. The first thing that caught her attention was the scent of fresh air filled with pine and fir and the moisture of water. Then the sound of running water over rocks turned her attention to a waterfall which turned into a small lake. She stepped forward and let her gaze travel across the serene scene and settled on a rustic, warmly lit log cabin and a slow smile crossed her lips. "It's beautiful," she said.

Jacob smiled. "Rien qui approchait ta beauté." He said softly to her, the smile on her face matching his. "It's a real place, on Earth. It's a plot of land in Scotland that my parents...that I own. Someone manages the land, and I go there when I can. It's been in my family for...well, centuries. It's on private property, so no one goes there, the groundskeeper has a property on the edge of the area, and they keep people off of the land, to preserve it." He explained.

Another blush crept up her cheeks as she heard the translation. When the holodeck doors closed behind them, she stepped towards the lake where the cabin was in took a deep breath. "This is really amazing," she said. "It's like being there. The detail is incredible, but I suppose that you had holoimager images of it to add in. Places on such beauty seem few and far between but to have such a place you can go back to...." Her words trailed off as she realized that it couldn't be put into words she had.

Jacob nodded, and stepped forward next to her. "For my whole life, I've always been able to appreciate the beauty of this place. But I never met anyone I wanted to bring here before, and yet...I stand here, and you complement the beauty." He said. He took her hand and gently kissed it. "I'm glad you're the first person to see this."

For a moment, Willow wondered if he complimented her or meant that she complemented the beauty of the place. In either case, it was indeed a compliment to her and she smiled when he kissed her hand. "You don't just say that to all the girls?" She asked with a coy flutter of her eyelashes.

Jacob smiled at her. "Never met a girl I wanted to say anything like that to." He said, feeling a sudden warmth rush through him as she fluttered her eyelashes. "If you think this is nice, you should see the inside." He said, leading her gently into the cabin, and into the living room.

It was warm, and beautiful, with a fire in a stone fireplace giving both light and heat to the room. A bookcase stood in the corner, full of old books, with brown leather chairs and a sofa. Pictures of different scenery hung on the wall, completing the charm. A balcony was above them, which was the upper level leading to the bedrooms. Everything screamed of home, and of peace. In another corner was a wooden desk and a chair, with bundles of paper, and an inkwell with a selection of quills in a pot. "No replicators, no computer terminal, nothing modern. There is a fridge and freezer in the kitchen for food storage, and a cooker. Oh, and light fittings of course, as well as a water heater, but they are the only modern conveniences. Everyone in the family who owned this wanted it to be a refuge from the modern world." He explained.

She looked around the interior, her eyes darting from one piece of furniture to a painting, to the fireplace and back to him again as she listened and absorbed the ambiance of the cabin. "It's like stepping into another world, Jacob," she said as she walked towards the fireplace. "I've never seen any place like it." She glanced at the railing overhead and then to the bookcase. "Are those actual books?"

"Oh yes. The ones back home are genuine books. Some of them are originals from hundreds of years ago, some are reprints, but all of them are real." Jacob replied. "There's something about holding the book in your hand, feeling the paper and the words. It's not something a PADD can ever replicate." He said, smiling. "One of them was written by my great grandfather, a story about two people who fell in love, yet found that everyone was against them, so they had to find each other, despite the obstacles they faces." He explained.

"There's also a few books of poetry, and the complete works of Shakespeare printed in the 20th century." He added.

"That's amazing," Willow said as she went to look at them, but holographic or not, she didn't touch them. She glanced back at him. "You do realize that Shakespeare was a Klingon, don't you?" she asked him with a sly look.

"I've heard that theory. But considering none of his plays include throwing heavy objects during love scenes, I question that." He replied, returning the sly smile. "But I do have it in the original Klingon. My grandfather brought it, thought it was interesting." He added.

"Everyone dies, there's bitter feuds in every tale, there's no mercy and the insults are thrown with abandon," she said. "Just like the Klingons. Chancellor Gorkon and General Chang even said that Shakespeare could only truly be experienced in the original Klingon."

"Yes, but General Chang also felt that the Klingon Empire and the Federation should be at war, so what did he know? As for Gorkon, he trusted Chang, so his judgement is suspect as well." Jacob replied, with a small smirk.

A spark of the flames that resided in her soul reared its head and Willow turned her gaze on him. "Are you saying that they were wrong about Shakespeare?" she asked in a cool voice that threatened to heat up.

"No, just that it can be experienced in more than the original Klingon. I think that the beauty in some of it is lost in some of the Klingon. It's a shame, because they do perfect some of it. But Shakespeare...it tends to give me goosebumps when done properly." He replied.

Now Willow laughed, a delightful sound that had a touch of youth to it mixed with the heart of a warrior. "You talk a good argument, Jacob," she said. "We will debate more over bloodwine another time."

"Oh, you'll have to drink the bloodwine, I'm afraid. I don't actually drink alcohol. I'll admit, I've never actually tried it, but I've seen the effects it can have on people." He replied, smiling at the sound of her laugh.

"You've never drank at all?" she asked as she turned away from the books and looked at him. "What about synthehol?"

"Not even synthehol." He replied. "I've seen people lose control on alcohol, so it never really appealed to me. I know synthehol is different, and you can shake off the effects, but I just didn't see the point of it." He replied.

"Not everyone does it and that's fine in my book," Willow said. "Care to take me on a tour?"

"Gladly." He said, smiling at her. He led her into the kitchen, which consisted of a cooker, an old fashioned fridge freezer, several counters around the edge and one in the middle, with stools around it. "The kitchen, as I mentioned, has no replicator, so cooking here is a must. I'm not a gourmet chef, but I have enough skills to get by." Jacob said. "There's a garden with fresh fruits and vegetables in the garden, for that fresh taste with food." He added.

"I heard there's an aquaponics bay on the ship, but haven't gotten to it yet," she said. "I love fresh veggies. I want to grow some of my own herbs, too. You have the perfect setup here."

"You'll have to visit the real place when we return to Earth. I think you'll enjoy it." He said. "There is something about fresh vegetables that tastes better than replicated ones. The same can be said for most all food, of course. Some people say they can taste the difference between real food and replicated food. The reason for it, of course, is because the replicator follows a set pattern, so everything is the same, and so a little bland. Fresh food is different, because of environmental circumstances, or growth times." He said.

"I've had fresh veggies before, but the only thing I noticed was that they seemed to be juicier and better tasting," Willow said. "A shame we can't grow them in holographic environments."

"To be honest, we possibly could, but the power requirements would be greater than would be feasible, because we would, in essence, need to run the holodeck all day, every day for months at a time." Jacob said. "But when the Triumphant returns to Earth, I'll make you a Strawberry pie with real strawberries. You think you liked it before, wait until everything is made from fresh, real ingredients." He offered.

He stood by the back door in the kitchen, which led out to the garden, where a selection of trees, fruits and vegetables could be seen growing. "Everything that's happened today...whilst I could never have predicted it, I wouldn't change a single moment of today. This has been perhaps the most perfect day I've ever experienced." He said, smiling as he looked at her, standing a few steps away from her.

Willow smiled. "It's certainly been fun," she said. "We should do it again sometime."

"I'd like that." He said. He took her hand, and kissed it gently. After all, it was only their first meeting, or date, depending on who you asked. And it really had been the most enjoyable day he had ever had. "Just tell me when."

"Surprise me," she said with another smile. "Until then?"

"Until then." He agreed. He was sorry that the evening was ending, but all good things did end. However, this wasn't an ending. It was, in fact, a beginning, or rather, Jacob hoped it was.

A beginning of possibilities, and of finding the possibilities of the future.