58807.11-1630 - "Due Course"

"Due Course"

Lt. Cmdr. Shirik Lektar, Chief Operations Officer
Queen Lara of House Lektar, Queen of Drokar

Stardate: 58807.11, 1630h
Location: Lektar's quarters, USS Vanguard

***

Shirik had finished her dinner and now had another task to perform, one she was not looking forward to. Dr. Tyzur had requested medical information about Drokari. In her years in Starfleet none of her other doctors had done that, at least, not to her. That made him stand out. He actually seemed interested in learning about how to treat her species. Perhaps, he would be the one to continue Dr. Piche's promised work. 

That meant she owed it to him to at least try to get the information he asked for. She wasn't sure how her request would be received, or how much explaining she would have to do. Or even what to wear for the call. Strange, she thought, that nobody else had to think about what to wear or how to look when calling their homeworld. But every time she spoke to her sister it was a production, a display, a performance, a chess game. She hated calling home. She hated speaking to Lara. It was so exhausting. 

The last time she called it had been personal, a request for herself, so she had dressed as a Drokari Princess was expected to dress. This time it was a professional request, for her job, so she decided her uniform would suffice whether Lara liked it or not. The room behind her was still bare and spartan, a silent reminder of their previous conversation she hoped Lara would notice. Maybe it would motivate her reply to that request to come a bit faster. Likely not. 

Shirik sat at the desk terminal in her room, making sure every hair was in place, her uniform clean and uncreased, the bare wall behind her. Then she tapped in the communication request and waited, watching the Starfleet insignia on the screen until it was briefly replaced by the Drokari one and a woman came on screen. She looked a bit like Shirik, a bit older, her skin ebony black and her white hair held back with a clasp into a tail. She looked rather bored. "Yes, can I help you..." as her red eyes looked up at the screen they widened a bit in recognition and she was instantly alert. "Princess. Yes. How may I be of service?"

Shirik hated this. Always having to act the proper part. She put a bit of an annoyed look on her face and said, "I want to speak to Queen Lara. Now."

"Yes, Princess. Right away." Her face vanished to be replaced by the Drokari symbol once more. After a few moments the symbol of House Lektar replaced it, the coiled whip that now held more meanings than it used to for her. 

Lara's face appeared on the screen. Her hair long and adorned by diamonds and crystals, her black skin flawless, her violet eyes already searching Shirik's, seeking weakness. "Shirik," she drawled. "To what do I owe *this* pleasure?" she smiled, but it wasn't a friendly smile, more the fake smile Lara used for her little sister that Shirik always saw through.

She managed not to fidget. "I am calling in an official Starfleet capacity," she said, letting her know this call wasn't personal. "I have been assigned to a new ship, and this ship's doctor asked about obtaining some medical records, to better let him treat any Drokari." Inwardly she winced. They both knew she was the only Drokari in Starfleet, the only one any doctor there was ever likely to see. 

"Oh?" she asked, feigning concern. "Do you require some kind of treatment?"

"No." Shirik said flatly. "The doctor seems more thorough than most, and wants to be ready should the need arise. Will I be able to obtain them for him?"

Lara's eyes studied Shirik, looking for any hint of a lie. Shirik's expression revealed nothing. "I will consider the request," she said. "I'll contact you in due course. Lara out."

Shirik scowled at the black screen. "In due course," she muttered. That could mean next week or next decade. She was still waiting for the answer to her last request, over a year ago. Well, at least she tried. 

Two calls home to her sister in seven years. More than she wanted to make, and hopefully she wouldn't need to make any more any time soon.