The Vulcan and the Vampire

Posted on Fri Oct 30th, 2026 @ 2:58am by Captain Rovak & Lieutenant Lovan Dimitri

1,720 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Shifting Shapes [4-5]
Location: Lovan's Temporary Quarters - Delta Dock - DS13
Timeline: 48 Hours after 'Creature of the Night'

Rovak had not yet made the time to greet their newest arrival, aside from his normal duties, trying to convince specialists from across the Federation to consider providing treatment for his father's situation had been a series of failures. Still, the time in which they could hold him was about to expire, and he knew this was the only remaining appropriate time for him to meet this Lieutenant Dimitri.

Rovak pressed the chime on the door, and waited for a response.

Lovan glanced up from the PADD he had been given. He'd been passing the time reading while in quarantine. "Come," he said as he set the PADD aside and rose to his feet to greet his visitor.

Rovak entered, stopping just far enough away from the door for it to close. "Lieutenant, greetings. I am Captain Rovak. Thank you for your cooperation with our processes. I understand this might be quite a disquieting situation for you to find yourself in."

Lovan took a moment to study the newcomer who he'd not met before, but had expected to before quarantine was over. "Well met, Captain. As situations go, this one has been rather peaceful." He gestured to the seating area. "Would you care to have a seat?"

He had met Vulcans before, although had never really been all that familiar with any particular one of them. Their physical differences from Humans he found interesting. Outwardly they bore similarities to the elves from back home. But it was their heartbeat that fascinated him. He took a moment to listen to this one's, so fast by comparison to a Human that it could be mistaken for exertion or fear by one not familiar with them.

"Thank you." Rovak said, taking a seat. "As you may be aware, the quarantine period has expired. While Dr Iyel's report on your condition was vaguer than I expected, she is satisfied that you post no specific risk to the crew or station. With that in mind, you are free to move around of your volition."

He inclined his head. "Thank you, Captain. I look forward to having more permanent quarters to settle into. It will take some time to learn the layout of this place and familiarize myself with where everything is."

"I understand you are a member of Starfleet in the universe you have joined us from. I believe that would make you an asset to this crew, if you were willing to serve with us. I should state however that while I have no intention of violating your right to privacy, there are certain details I understand you have been reluctant to divulge publicly that would be required to enter into the record for me to be able to consider awarding a provisional rank or station." Rovak explained.

Whether Rovak took a seat or not, Lovan took his once more to be comfortable. "I would be honored to join your crew and be of service as I may," he said, watching the Captain. "What sort of information do you require?"

"Access to medical information that would allow us to evaluate readiness, safety considerations and mission capabilities. In addition to that, before I would be comfortable accepting your service, I would like to know who and what you are, where you come from, and why it is that our sensors seem to indicate that you have no physical presence whatsoever." Rovak explained. He felt something clawing at the edges of his consciousness as he beheld the Lieutenant. It was something his kolinahr training kept at bay, but he was conscious of the presence that seemed to gnaw at the edges of his control. "I would also like to know what the strange effect you seem to have on others is."

Lovan considered his words. "Have you spoken to Dr. Iyel about my evaluation?" he asked. "I'm sure she will tell you that I am not a threat to anyone here. Access to medical records is, as you know, restricted unless there is a danger to the station or crew. While I can tell you some things, I am not comfortable releasing everything in my medical report, as I'm sure you can understand."

"Of course." Rovak said with a nod. "As said, the only details I have received from the Doctor are precisely that. I am hoping to get a better understanding of your nature than to simply be reassured that in the absence of scanning data, you do not pose a specific a threat."

He folded his hands in his lap. "My kind do not register on sensors and tricorders, as we have no physical form. We are non-corporeal entities. While I can take a material form as you see, I am still non-corporeal. However, in this form I do have enhanced physical abilities and senses. I have strength equal to your own, if not more. I can hear and smell things that others cannot. I am faster and more agile than the typical humanoid, and I can also drop this form and revert to my natural one as desired."

He paused. "As for the effect I have, that is unintentional and I do control it as much as I can, but it is also a trait of my kind. I'm not sure exactly how to categorize it in your terms, but it's purpose is to make people relaxed and calm around me." He hesitated a moment, deciding how much more to say. "While I could use it to influence others, I do not. I believe in free will and self determination, and do not wish to exert my own will onto others. That is why I keep the ability in check, but it's always there a little in my gaze. I do apologize if it causes you discomfort."

"Respectfully, I would observe that your corporeality seems to alter at will. And the effect you describe, however passive or unintended, is a form of mind control. Are your abilities the result of natural evolution, or some other influence?" Rovak asked.

Lovan raised a curious eyebrow at that, since he hadn't altered his form at all in Rovak's presence and wondered how he made that assumption. "That is true," he admitted. "And you have only my word that I will not use it to influence others, but my word means much. I do not give it lightly or often. Even my own kind do not know exactly where we came from, or how we came to be this way." He paused once more to consider and said, "I am a disembodied spirit in essence, perhaps similar to what Vulcans call a katra, only I do not require a host and can still function as an individual."

"Your kind, are you the sole sentient occupants of your original homeworld, or do you share it with others?" Rovak asked.

"No, on my homeworld there are many sentient species. Races Humans are familiar with as mythological."

Rovak nodded. "And how would you classify your homeworld under Starfleet categories?"

"Class M, very Earth-like. In fact, there are theories that our world actually IS Earth, or was... I'm not sure, I'm not really a historian or sage. But humans exist there, at a very primitive technological level."

"That would present your people with a considerable advantage, no? How does this manifest insofar as relations and dynamics with other species?" Rovak asked.

Lovan sighed. "My kind don't have relations with other species," he said. "At least, the others don't." He paused. "Captain, may I ask that what I am about to tell you remains confidential? It would be best for all involved."

“I believe I have gathered enough information to deduce the outcome. I have a theory, that I would like to put to you as a question.” Rovak said.

"By all means," Lovan said with a tinge of relief.

“You are from a world peopled by beings that humans would consider mythical in nature. You are, by your own admission, more spirit than physical being. You have great strength, a hypnotic gaze, and enhanced senses.”

“The first indication of peculiarity that led us to undo your totem was an aversion to religious items. The totem itself physically avoided them, like a magnetic force. I suspect that you may have a similar physical reaction to such items. I have also learned that since you have arrived, you have only replicated beverages coinciding with visits from members of staff. In that same time, portions of blood have been packaged and beamed across the station. This was not an official report, but in such an unusual circumstance, people talk.” He elaborated.

He raised an eyebrow, having not known about the totem's reactions before he was released. "Interesting..." he murmured.

“So, with those factors combined, my theory is as such. Are you a Vampire, Mr Dimitri?” Rovak finally asked.

He smiled a bit. "Quite logical deduction, Captain. I wasn't sure whether you would be familiar with the Human myths of such things. The short answer is yes, I am. Aerthian, as I have come to learn in my travels that there are different types." He paused. "You can understand why I would prefer to keep such knowledge confidential, I wouldn't want to start a panic on the station."

"Of course. For operational purposes, the exact nature of all our multiversal visitors remains classified to all but senior staff and essential personnel. If I am not mistaken, your form is that of a baseline human? Is it your original body?"

He nods. "This form is more or less an idealized version of what I looked like in life."

"Then perhaps for classification purposes, it would be preferable to list you as an 'Aerthian posthuman'. This would be technically accurate and distinguishes you while preventing any concerning associations, at least on paper."

"That might be best, although some may question what that means. I think over time, as I gain the trust of those around me through my actions, what I am will become less of an issue than who I am."

"I hope so." Rovak said, standing. "There is someone I think it would be beneficial for you to meet, if you care to join me, Lieutenant."

Lovan rose to his feet as well, curious to see where Rovak would take him. "As you wish, Captain."

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