Planet of Silence
Chapters Nine and Ten
Chapter Nine
Data's class had grown to almost one hundred and seventy-five people. Most were deaf men, women and children, but the number also included family members and friends. Since the group had become so large they were now meeting in the auditorium, instead of his quarters or the conference lounge.
All was quiet except for Data's voice and an occasional hand clapping against the other as people signed. Data insisted that if anyone wanted to say something they had to use sign while in his class. He explained that if one used the language exclusively, it was the easiest and fastest way to learn a language. So, if anyone wanted to say anything in class, they had to use sign.
However, today he had an exception. He was not only teaching sign on this day, but also begining to teach the art of lipreading. He had researched various methods in teaching lipreading and decided to incorporate some of them into his teaching methods.
He found teaching lipreading more difficult than he had thought it would be. The class sat in circles so all could see the person talking. However, he had to make smaller groups so that it would work even better.
Mriana, who's signing was coming along quite well, was finding it less difficult for herself to read lips. She assumed it was because she was relying heavily on her empathic sense. She also was finding that with the exception of Data, she was developing somewhat of a telepathic sense, but it appeared to be limited to those she knew well. She had no idea why her telepathy was sharpening, but she figured it was because of her heredity. Like Lwaxana, her mother was a very strong telepath.
"Mriana." Data used her sign name as he said it. The letter "m", which was the three middle fingers draped over the closed thumb, was used in place of the open hand facing the chest, with a forward middle finger brushing the chest upward. The sign meant feel, but since they used the "m" sign it became Mriana's signed name.
Mriana looked directly at him as he informed her it was her turn. Mriana was bored out of her mind with his class today and she could sense the rest of the class was also bored.
Data decided to call it quits after he tried to drill her on lipreading. "Class dismissed."
Mriana and Geordi rose to leave, but Data quickly stop them. "Counselor." He signed after he touched her on the shoulder to get her attention from behind. "I was noticing the class seemed distant today. Was it me or am I correct in assuming the class was disinterested in what I was teaching today?"
"It was how you presented it that bored us to death, Data." She signed.
"She's right, Data."
"Perhaps I should study further to see how I might better approach teaching the art of lipreading."
"Well, that and maybe taking the groups you have formed and make them into separate classes." Geordi suggested. "This class has out grown itself, especially when you add family and friends who are interested in learning sign language."
"That would be far better." Data agreed.
"Another thing you could do." Mriana signed. "Is to have two different classes. One for signing and one for lipreading. That way, only those who are interest will attend the classes they want."
"But should not all deaf people learn to read lips?" Data asked as he signed.
Mriana sighed. "Data, you can't force people to learn what they don't want to learn."
"Right." Data signed.
"So, Data." Geordi said and signed. "You have our suggestions, so what's your next step?"
"I'll start by scheduling each group on different days and meet somewhere other than the auditorium. That way we maybe able to sit in circles even better."
"That's a start." Replied Geordi.
"Then I'll go from there and find out how many are truly interested in learning how to lipread. That way I can decide when to schedule that class."
"Sounds like a plan, Data." Geordi stated.
"I think it's a good one." Mriana signed.
Meanwhile, on the bridge Captain Picard was talking to the Cardassians on the viewscreen. It was exactly one hour since they left to make their decision and true to their word, the Cardassians did contact them.
"We have decided we will give up trying to take over this planet, but only if we can have the innoculant." Informed Captain Tomalak.
"Granted, just as long as you follow through with your agreement." Captain Picard replied. "We will be placing warning beacons around this whole area, so we can inform others of the dangers of this planet."
"Very well. It is good that you are doing so." Tomalak agreed. "We will depart as soon as we have receive the innoculant. Tomalak out."
The screen went blank and Picard faced Deanna. "Counselor?"
"He seems to be honest in what he is saying. I sense no deception from him, but he also seems disappointed about all the losses. One of them, I assume is the planet."
"I don't trust them." Worf stated gruffly.
"Noted, Mr. Worf." Picard replied. "However, they do need our assistance regardless. So, we'll send them the vaccine as promised and see what happens next."
There was a brief silence between all the officers. Riker decided to make light chit chat. "Well, it's nice to see Geordi and Mriana getting along again, isn't it."
"Indeed." Picard nodded.
"Yes, it is." Deanna agreed.
Silence again followed. This time no one attempted to make light conversation. Even Deanna could feel the tension in the air as they watched the Cardassian ship in their view screen.
When Mriana and Geordi finished conversing with Data, they headed to Ten-Forward. They were enjoying themselves when a smart-mouth ensign approached their table. He was a little too couragous from the temporary effects of the synthahol he had been drinking and was acting none too nicely either.
"So." He slurred. "You must be her ears and she must be your eyes!" He chuckled. "You make a charming couple! Together you two have all your senses!"
He and his friends around him roared with laughter. Geordi stood abruptly and Mriana sensed something was wrong. Geordi had refused to tell her anything. Instead, she sensed his wrath.
"Geordi, don't." She said aloud, but Geordi waved her off and got into the ensign's face as he grabbed him by his shirt.
"I will thank you not to make anymore smart-ass remarks like that again, because if you or anyone else who ranks under Counselor Mriana or myself does, I will have you, or whoever, wrote up. Then I'll personally file charges for disrespecting senior officers. Do I make myself clear?"
The ensign sobbered suddenly. "Yyyyyes Sir." He answered Geordi. Then her ran out of Ten-Forward.
Geordi sat back down in his chair and Mriana signed, "There for a minute I thought you were going to deck him one."
"I felt like it." He replied.
"You know, I wasn't sure what all was said, but you didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did. His behaviour was uncalled for and no one should have to put up with it. Especially senior officers, regardless if they can hear it or not."
"Exactly what was said?" Mriana asked.
"I don't care to repeat it." Geordi responded.
As if to save Geordi from further pressure from Mriana to find out what just happened, Guinan approached their table. "Everything alright, here?"
"It's fine." Geordi insisted.
"Would you two like more to drink?"
"Yes." Geordi answered.
"One Sumarian Sunset and an ale, right?"
Geordi asked Mriana if she would like another. She signed yes and Geordi told Guinan they would have the same.
Guinan left and within minutes returned with their drinks. There were others in Ten-Forward signing at various tables. Everything from finger spelling to Federation Sign.
"Things certainly have changed around here, since that illness. Haven't they?" Guinan stated.
Geordi translated for Mriana what Guinan was saying.
"Yeah." Mriana said a little bleakly.
"So how are things going with counseling the deaf people and their families aboard the ship? I mean, now that Captain Picard has allowed you to return to some of your duties."
Geordi had to fingerspell some words, but the conversation was going fairly well even so. "About as well as can be expected." Mriana signed. "A lot are botanist, biologists, the away team members and students who were studying for their enterance exams or in the lower grades. They are very discouraged."
"Yes, but within time, with some help, and a lot of encouragement, they may find the strength to continue their careers." Guinan encouraged.
"I hope so." Mriana said aloud and slumped back into her chair. "But sometimes even I don't want to continue."
"Don't you be discouraged. I hear you're a good counselor."
"I was before I went deaf." Mriana signed.
"You still are. Just because you have lost one of your senses doesn't mean things have changed that much. Whether you realize it or not, you can help them a lot."
"How?" Mriana asked aloud.
"Just from drawing on your own experience." Then as to make it a point that Mriana needed to think about it, Guinan slipped away from their table.
"I do hope Guinan is right. I still find myself disenchanted due to my own loss. I don't see how I can help anyone right now." Mriana signed.
"I understand." Geordi signed. "But, even so Guinan is right. You are still a good counselor, even if you do have a tendency to come close to breaking the Prime Directive."
"What's that have to do with counseling."
"Nothing. It's just you have a very strong desire to help people and sometimes that gets you into trouble."
"Don't remind me."
"You know." Geordi continued. "It's not always easy for me to remember all the signs. Sometimes I wonder if you are having a hard time understanding me. I mean, I find it much easier to fingerspell, as you know, but that is so."
"Slow and boring." Mriana said and signed.
"Well, yeah." Geordi said with a shocked expression.
"You know, when you have to learn a new means of communicating you work even harter at it than you would if it were not a necessity. It helps to compensate for the loss in a way." Mriana was signing and speaking at the same time. "You don't have to learn it. You are learning sign because you want to. That can make it seem harter."
"Harter?" Geordi quoted verbally.
"What?"
"Oh, nothing." Geordi signed.
"Geordi." Mriana used the sign name she gave him. It was the sign for "g". The thumb and forefinger pointing sideways with the other fingers closed. She ran the "g" sign past her eyes to symbolize the visor.
"Yes?"
"You know I'm part Betazoid. You can't hide a feeling from me, especially if it is concerned amusement."
"I. Well. Maybe it was just me." Realizing he had been caught, but was glad she also sensed his concern.
"Geordi, What?"
"I think you're slipping." He fingerspelled slipping.
"Slipping?" She asked aloud.
"How can I put this. Your p-r-o-n-u-n-c-i"
"My pronunciation?"
"Never mind." He signed.
"No, I wanna know." She demanded aloud.
"It's hard to explain." He signed.
"Explain it." Mriana crossed her arms after she finished signing the phrase.
"Well."
They continued to sign and talk back and forth for about an hour. They not only talked about her speech, but general things too. They laughed and enjoyed each others company the whole time. Then Geordi escorted her to her quarters for the night.
"Geordi, would you like to come in for a few minutes." She signed.
"I probably should be turning in for the night."
Mriana smiled at his statement.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Why don't you stay?" She signed as she continued to smile.
"Well, maybe for a few minutes."
Then he was shocked as he started to translate aloud to himself what she said next. "We could pull covers over us together." Smiled mischievously at him.
"You sure you haven't had too much to drink, Mriana?"
"If you hadn't repeated it aloud, no one but us would know what I said." She smile suggestively as she signed.
"You've had too much to drink." He thought as he followed her into her quarters.
"No, Geordi." She sent. "I only had two drinks the whole time we were in Ten-Forward for about three hours. You were there."
He stared unbelievingly at her. "Yes, Geordi. I sensed your thought."
"This is a little unusual." He thought.
"It's easier with you, but not always. I can't do it all the time." She signed.
Geordi walked over to the replicator. "Coffee. Black. Hot."
"Geordi?" She said aloud.
"Not for you. For me." He signed.
"So, you stay or not?" She signed.
"You sure you want that?"
"I wouldn't have invited if I didn't."
"I don't know. I think I should go."
As Geordi started to walk to the door, Mriana grabbed him and kissed him passionately. When she released him from the kiss, he said, "I should go."
Then he walked out and Mriana became furious. She threw the nearest thing she could find at the door. "I don't believe you!" She screamed. Her words were almost unintelligable, because her anger kept her from concentrating on her speech.
Outside her door, Geordi leaned against the bulkhead. "I think I'm in over my head." He thought sadly. "Last time I stayed, we became bonded in some sort of Imzadi deal. Then it went arie and we parted. She started seeing Worf in front of my eyes. I don't want to risk that again or see that again. I love her too much to loose her again."
Chapter Ten
The next day on the Bridge, Picard was telling everyone that the vaccine had been distributed to the Cardassians. Now, they were preparing to leave orbit and head for Betazed. On the way, they would be picking up some guests.
"Captain, incoming message from the Cardassian ship." Stated Worf.
"On screen."
"Captain Picard, we would like to thank you for your help. Maybe our people can learn something from your people. Your counselor, Mriana Troi, was very impressive." Informed Captain Tomalak.
"You're welcome and I'll pass the message on to Counselor Mriana. I'm sure she'll be glad to hear of her impression."
"However, I have some distressing news." Tomalak stated as though what he was about to say would be a depressive situation. "The comroderie aboard this ship has deteriorated. Some laws were broken after the news about Counselor Mriana Troi got out. We now have seven fugitives."
"What would you like us to do?" Asked Picard.
"We would like you to return them to us if you find them. That way our laws can be carried out."
"I'm sorry, but we cannot get involved in this matter any further."
"Ah, yes! But they're seeking protection. I hope that you will deny any such thing." Tomalak said it like it were a warning.
"If we run across them, we will hear their side."
"They can not communicate or be communicated with." Interrupted Tomalak.
"As I was saying," Picard restated. "We will listen to what they have to say and then go from there."
"I'm warning you, Picard, for your own sake, return them if you come across them. If you don't, you will have hell to pay. Tomalak out!"
With that the screen returned to the planet.
"Very compassionate people." Riker sarcastically remarked.
"Even so, without further ado, we must meet the Regalant to receive the new teachers and interpreters."
"Aye Sir." Riker replied. "Ensign, take us out. Warp five."
"Aye."
"I hear Lwaxana Troi will also be coming aboard." Picard stated without enthusiam.
No one made any comment about this last statement. However, Picard and Riker wondered secretly if she was still in "phase".
Changing the subject, Picard inquired, "Mr. Data, how long until we meet the Regalant?"
"Two days, three hours, thirty-four minutes, and twenty-four seconds."
"Mriana's anxious to meet her interpreter that's been assigned to her." Informed Counselor Troi after being silent during all this. "But she's not excited about seeing her aunt."
"I don't blame her." Commented Riker. Deanna shot him a look that stung and he mocked being shot in the chest. Then he amended his statement. "I mean, I would have trouble explaining such a loss to my family also."
All fell silent for a brief moment and then Deanna broke the silence. "Well, she doesn't want us to feel sorry for her. Besides, I have some appointments and a briefing to attend." Then she departed from the Bridge.
"Will, I need you to go down to the transporter room and brief them on what will be happening in two days. That way they will be prepared for the mass transport. Take Data with you, so that he may assist them, if need be."
"Aye Sir. Mr. Data." Will then took the next lift to the transporter deck.
Mriana entered the lift Will and Data were on and she began to sign to Data. "You must promise to keep this conversation between the three of us."
"I don't understand, but I will." Data signed in reply.
"Will?"
"Yes?" Will replied as Data interpreted for her.
"You're a man."
"Last I looked."
"I'm being serious, here."
"I'm sorry. What is it you want to ask?"
"If De gave you an obviously suggestive invitation for you to stay, would you?"
"I would think, so. Why?"
"Nothing."
"You and Geordi doing OK?"
"Really, Will. It's nothing." She replied sadly and then exited the turbolift.
"Sounds like I need to have a talk with that officer." Will said to Data.
"I'm not sure I understand." Data replied. "Isn't this a personal matter and not a personnel matter?"
"Only personal in that Mriana is Deanna's cousin and Geordi is a good friend of ours. Personnel matter in the fact it is a morale matter."
"Morale matter?"
Will smiled. "Yes, Data. If the crew is not happy, then they don't work as effectiantly."
"I see."
As Mriana walked down the corridor, she caught up with Deanna who was talking to someone outside her office. She smiled at the two of them as she approached.
"Well, I'll let you take care of business, Counselor. I'll bring my daughter by later."
"Very well, but I still say Mriana would be better suited to counseling your daughter."
He looked at Mriana. "I'll give it some serious consideration. Thank you, Counselor."
As he walked away, Deanna turned to her cousin and sent, "You seem in better spirits today."
"I am. I've decided that even if Beverly can't restore my hearing I might as well accept the fact that I am and forever will be, deaf. I'll never hear again like I use to and should get use to it."
As they entered Deanna's office, Deanna looked her cousin over and knew the acceptance was not total. "Mriana. I hope you don't get your hopes up to high about an implant that works. If Beverly says there is no known implant that will restore your hearing, then I would try not to get my hopes up."
"I realize that there may never be any hope." Mriana thought glumly.
"You remember the five steps an individual goes through with any loss?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"I'm just concerned that you maybe pushing yourself through them in order to get back to doing all your duties sooner."
"Deanna, if you really believed that, why haven't your brought this to Captain Picard's attention, instead of assigning me new patients?"
"Well." Deanna began with caution on her phrasing of her thoughts. "I also believe that work, within limits, can not only take one's mind off their loss, but it can also be, in certain situations, theraputic."
"I agree. So, what you're saying is, I need to spend less time thinking to myself I must accept this, so I can help others. Then return to my duties."
"Not exactly. I'm just saying, don't push yourself. It will come when it comes. Just let yourself experience the emotional process as it comes, but go ahead and return to your duties gradually as they come."
Deanna then got up and requested two hot cocoas from the replicator. She handed one to Mriana and sat down again.
"Thanks, but you don't have to console me about a loss. I'm fine."
Deanna finally changed the subject. "I have one of your patients, since the illness."
"Yeah?" Mriana sent curiously. "Who is it?"
"Sara Connelly and her family."
"What's happened?"
"Sara has gone into a deep depression. Her parents are refusing to accommodate her deafness. They insist she should learn to lipread and not learn sign language."
"Really? And how does Sara respond?"
"At first she went ahead and attended Data's classes."
"I remember. Her father came into the class and dragged her out of it a couple of times. I sensed anger on both their parts, but I don't think it's just because she was attending Data's classes. I believe it's because they don't want to accept that she is completely deaf. Much like I am." Mriana thought sadly.
"Since she's only been practicing lipreading techniques, she's gotten very depressed." Deanna continued. "You know as well as I do, lipreaders get approximently twenty percent of what they see on the lips. I really believe you maybe able to help her and her family."
"How is her sister taking it?"
"Sharon says she's, and I quote, "Cool with it." "
"But in reality?" Mriana sent back questionally.
"I sense mixed emotions. Anger, frustration, and wistfulness. All mainly directed at her parents, but some of it is directed at Sara, too."
"I see." After a brief pause, Mriana inquiringly sent, "How do you think our family will react?"
"Well, I figure, given the fact we're Betazoid, it'll go much better than how it's going with Sara."
"I hope you're right." Mriana sent sadly. "We can talk to each other telepathically, which makes it easier for us."
"That's true. So why are you procrastinating about telling them?"
"I don't know." Mriana finally said the first verbal statement in their entire conversation. However, it was very gloomy.
"Are you afraid that knowledge of the fact that you are now deaf will make you seem more inferior than just being empathic?"
"Maybe, but to be honest, it seems that a latent tendency to be somewhat telepathic is developing. Believe it or not."
"Mriana, it's a myth that our other senses make up for a sense that is loss."
"Is it?"
"It's not your fault that you're not full Betazoid, nor is it your fault that you contracted that illness, but your other senses can't make up for your loss of hearing."
"Really? Then explain why I have picked up a few people's thoughts lately. Explain why I know what's on Will's mind even."
Deanna sat shocked for a few seconds, then she blew off Mriana's last statement. "That was just luck. You know Will almost as well as I do. It's not too hard to read his mind."
"I've even sensed Picard's thoughts a couple of times and gave him a shock."
"Again, just pure luck."
"Is it really? Or are you in denial now?"
Deanna did not give her any answer. Instead she changed the subject. "Mother will be here in two days."
"I know and I'm still dreading it. You know how she is about tradition. If she can't get you to follow in our mothers' footsteps, she'll encourage me to follow through with the training my mother tried to instill in me before I left Betazed. Regardless of what house it is, it's either you or me to be the next delegate from Betazed. I just know she'll plow right into that subject now and my mother will be right behind her."
"Maybe not." Deanna sent, but they both knew better. Lwaxana and Briana made every attempt to influence one of them to be a Betazoid delegate and instill in them the traditions of their houses. Mriana's deafness was going to give them new ammunition to get one of them to follow tradition.