Meeting with Intel

Posted on Wed Nov 4th, 2026 @ 4:38pm by Commander Nith & Ensign Keith Vail

1,101 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Frozen Acquisition
Location: Ensign Keith Vail's Quarters
Timeline: current

Ensign Keith’s chair balanced precariously on two legs as he worked, one hand steadying a PaDD against his thigh. He’d changed into his uniform on the off-chance someone actually came by to discuss the ice planet survey. The chime at his door proved him right.

“Enter,” Keith said, dropping his chair to the floor with a thud just as the door slid open. A Vulcan woman stood there, three pips glinting on her collar. Her eyes swept the room once before settling on him. Keith shot to his feet. “Commander. My apologies. I was just compiling the initial planetary data—had a backlog from Deep Space Nine to clear first.”

Nith stepped inside, hands clasped formally behind her back. Her gaze was analytical but gave nothing away. “I did not mean to interrupt your workflow, Ensign.”

“Not at all, sir.” Keith released a tense breath. “Initial scans show minimal traffic in that sector. A Ferengi marauder entered orbit some weeks ago and hasn’t moved. No other ships from the Ferengi Alliance have diverted to investigate.”

“The Ferengi are governed by self-interest above all else,” Nith observed. She paused, her dark eyes lingering on him a moment longer than necessary. “It is not uncommon for beings to act only when an outcome serves them personally. Such behavior implies no unique quality in the recipient—only utility to the actor.” For an instant, her gaze faltered, shifting toward the bulkhead. Keith could have sworn he saw something like discomfort tighten the line of her mouth.

“Commander?”

Nith’s posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. She gestured toward his terminal. “I was referring to the Ferengi.”

“With respect, Commander,” Keith said slowly, “you weren’t.”

One elegant eyebrow arched. “Explain.”

“You’re the Vulcan the EMH mentioned. This isn’t about the Ferengi. You’re talking about yourself.”

Nith regarded him coolly. “For a human, you are… perceptive beyond what is typical. Do you find me attractive?”

Keith’s throat constricted, a dry swallow catching in surprise. He cleared it softly. “In an… intimidating sort of way, yes. But would this work? You are my commanding officer. We’ve only just met.”

Nith regarded him with an unnerving stillness, one elegant eyebrow lifting a precise fraction of a millimeter. Her voice remained level, devoid of inflection, yet carried a weight that felt intensely personal. “The feasibility of such an arrangement depends on your motivations. You find Vulcans attractive. Clarify: is it merely an appreciation for common physiological traits such as the symmetry of features, the tone of skin, the pointed ears, or does your interest extend to qualities of discipline, control, and intellectual rigor?”

Keith felt instantly nervous as the beautiful Executive Officer sat on the desk in front of him and looked him over like he were some sort of science experiment. The dark eyes, the light skin, the pointed ears, the crossed legs, the way she leaned against her hands on the desk behind her. He swallowe and took a breath.

Keith’s throat tightened as the beautiful Vulcan Executive Officer perched on the edge of his desk, her dark eyes moving over him with detached curiosity, as if he were a specimen laid out for study. Her pale skin seemed to glow under the ship’s lighting, and the elegant points of her ears gave her an otherworldly grace. She crossed her legs slowly, the fabric of her uniform stretching taut, and leaned back on her hands, tilting her head just enough to suggest she was waiting patiently, logically… for him to unravel. He swallowed hard, the sound loud in his own ears, and drew a shallow breath.

“I would be lying if I said your appearance wasn’t part of it,” he began, voice unsteady. “But it’s more than that. I admire your control and the way you conceal so much, yet somehow that makes the possibility of being let in feel… intimate. I like that you’re smarter than me. More disciplined. You feel solid in a way I don’t.” He hesitated, heat rising in his cheeks. “I love Vulcans for that. But it also makes me nervous. What if what I have to offer? Emotion, impulsiveness, desire isn’t something you value I suppose? I know a relationship has to go both ways. I’ve just… never been with a Vulcan before.”

“Relax, Ensign. This is not an interrogation.” Nith’s voice was low, controlled, yet something in it hummed like a live wire. “I am curious. If we were to become mates, would the arrangement serve only as a biological necessity preceding my procedure, or would you wish to pursue intimacy beyond its functional requirement?” Her dark eyes held his, unblinking.

Keith swallowed. “It would feel… wasteful,” he said, the word clumsy in his mouth. “To share something that profound and then just… stop. If I were that close to you it would mean something.”

Nith inclined her head almost imperceptibly. “Then I propose we allocate significant time to mutual familiarity. Our goals, recreational preferences, and sexual compatibility must be thoroughly evaluated before committing to a permanent bond. It would be illogical to enter an arrangement that results in your long-term dissatisfaction.” Her gaze did not waver. “Or mine.”

Keith leaned back in his chair and considered the question. “Okay, Commander. What do you like to do for fun?”

Nith’s posture remained perfectly erect, her hands resting flat on her thighs. “I do not engage in activities categorized as ‘fun.’ The pursuit is illogical.” Her tone was even, but her gaze lingered a moment longer than necessary on the relaxed line of his shoulders.

“You have to open up a little. What do you find…” Keith took another deep breath while trying to find the words. “… okay what do you end up practicing often that doesn’t have any professional value in it, whatsoever, yet you end up practicing or doing?”

“Stand-up comedy,” Nith stated without inflection, though one eyebrow elevated a precise fraction of a centimeter.

Keith’s eyes widened and he started laughing. “Comedy? You? COMEDY?” He laughed some more.

“Your physiological response indicates the material is effective,” Nith observed. Her dark eyes tracked the movement of his laughter, noting the warmth in his expression and the slight crinkling at the corners of his eyes. She did not look away.

“Vulcans can’t be comedic!” Keith said with a laugh.

“All evidence to the contrary,” Nith replied. Her fingers shifted almost imperceptibly against her legs, a minute adjustment toward his direction. She continued to observe him, her attention complete and unwavering.

 

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