Not The Might Of A Klingon Fleet
Planet Vulcan has no oceans, and therefor no beaches.
Alpha Centauri, however, has among the most fantastic beaches on any Federation member world. Which is why Suzen, despite being Vulcan, chose to retire on beachfront property in his 181st year. Conversely, Alpha Centauri has no deserts.
Suzen was completing one of his frequent walks along the beach, immersing himself in the particular sensations intrinsic to a beach environment, when he saw someone awaiting his return at the rear of his beach house. As the distance between them shrank, Suzen recognized an old acquaintance from a previous life.
Getting within earshot of his visitor, Suzen said, “I had projected a 47 % probability that you would arrive today. However, I had expected your arrival two days ago at 92%.”
“So,” the visitor teased, “what took me so long, right?”
Now standing a meter away from his uninvited guest, Suzen merely raised his right eye brow, bemused and assenting.
“You know why I’m here,” Suzen’s old comrade stated, not asked.
“And you know my reply,” Suzen stated, not asked.
A wall of companionable silence fell between them, but only briefly, until Suzen broke through.
“Amela, it is agreeable to see you again, of course, but I cannot do what you have come here to request of me.”
“Can’t or won’t?” opposed Amela.
“Regardless,” Suzen replied, “the result is the same. I cannot help you.”
“This is a chance for you to be of service again,” proclaimed Amela.
Suzen remained quiet, having already given his answer.
“Your insight,” persisted Amela, “was vital in resolving the Romulan war.”
“Klingons,” Suzen rebuffed, “are not Romulans. The Romulan War was a century ago. This war is not that war. And I am not that person anymore.”
Finished with this discussion, Suzen moved passed Amela, toward the back staircase.
Determined, Amela urgently followed, pleading to vanity, “So you’re saying you are obsolete?”
He paused in his casual ascent, and Amela caught herself abruptly, preventing herself from bumping into Suzen, who did not look back at her.
“Yes,” he conceded simply, stoically; then resumed his somber climb up the steps to the sliding glass rear door.
“But maybe you’re not,” she insisted, hopeful, “maybe you don’t have to be.”
Suzen said nothing as he opened the door and entered, leaving it open as indication of invitation for Amela.
Undeterred, Amela pressed onward, “You innovated psycho-therapy by applying child psychology to adults… by treating the child that resides in every adult.”
“It is illogical,” Suzen deflected, “to tell me what you must surely be aware that I already know.”
“Yeah,” Amela translated, “I’m stating the obvious. The point is, your unorthodox approach is why the Terran President assigned you as her chief advisor during that other war. After you impressed as her daughter’s councilor. The time between which, you two became friends.”
“My friend,” shirked Suzen, “is long since dead. Please do not leverage her against me.”
“At the risk of stating the obvious again,” Amela tenaciously asserted, “The war is going badly.”
“Not for the Klingons,” Suzen retorted.
“Whuh — Was that a joke?” asked Amela incredulously.
Suzen sighed, belabored.
“After a fashion, I suppose,” he admitted, then continued, “The approach that created a problem shall not be applied in resolving said problem.”
“What does that mean?!” declared Amela.
Suzen simply waited patiently, allowing her to analyze.
“I mean, I know what it means,” she clarified, “paraphrasing Einstein — “
“Surak,” Suzen interrupted, correcting her.
“But,” she went on, undisturbed, “why did you say that?”
“I am from an era that has passed,” he elaborated, “The present has no use for me; time to let someone else in younger generations to begin where I end. That is why I decided to retire.”
“So much of our reactive patterns and behaviors as adults,” Amela quoted Suzen from years past, “are created from the mindset and viewpoint of a child.”
For a moment, Suzen gave Amela the equivalent of a Vulcan glare, then solemnly responded, “Explain”.
“What happened to you as a child,” she challenged, annoyed and frustrated, “to justify your abdication?”
“Abdication?”, he rebuked, “You are in error. I merely recognize and accept my limitations. Now, you are welcome to stay, drink tea with me… but we will speak no more on this matter.”
“But Suzen — !”
“Amela… what kind of tea would you like?”
