"More Worries and no Solutions"
{Previous Post: "Some Things Never Change")
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Stardate:61015.0200
Derek Stormwind's Vulcan mind was being assailed mercilessly by his human side. Trying to maintain a Vulcan distance in order to study the many possible parameters that were currently attempting to play out. The most distracting was his own fellow officer Ensign Mei.
As a Vulcan he was well aware of the factors that surrounded their erstwhile relationship, and the fact that any possible feelings on her side were based on a series of lies and his own interference. Yet his human side did not care, and the emotions were almost too strong to ignore, still so far he was succeeding.
The situation itself did not of course help. They were aboard the DRAGONSEYE with a local member of an up till now unknown underground. The princess whom they were sent to protect (supposedly) was on board the ANUBIS with the man she loved having been captured during their escape attempt. The Captain and the rest of the original Landing Party as far as was known were in the "cells" under the Royal Palace, for crimes against the kingdom, and the kidnapping of the Princess.
Not helping his state of mind was the recent conversation with the acting Captain of the ANUBIS … the Marine Commander Pravat, whose orders were basically sit still and do nothing. This was hard for him to do, especially when his big Hirogen friend was being held. Knowing the big hunter was loath to be confined for any length of time, Derek itched to go to his aid.
"Excuse me," stated Delph Knorr, "With your permission I will go gather the other members of my cell and see what information we can find on your comrades."
The FCO spun in the pilot's chair, "I think that is within the confines of my orders. How long do you expect it to take you?"
"It will take a few hours to get the group together, than a couple more to gather what intelligence we can. I would say I might have something by say 3 or 4 in the morning." Delph answered.
Reaching to his left Derek turned off the security systems and opened the main hatch. Reaching down to a small drawer he pulled out an old style hand communicator and handed up to Delph. "This is preset all you have to do is open it and I will hear you. Report as soon as you have any valid information."
Tossing an off hand salute over his shoulder the underground agent left the ship. Stormwind closed the hatch and reset all the security controls.
Looking up at Susan he knew he had only one real option, especially if he wanted to stay true to himself not only as a Vulcan but also as a male. Pulling the Serenity Candle from its storage bin he placed it on the floor. "Ensign I believe you have some … shall we say unanswered questions and I think now is the time for them to be answered." Derek quietly stated.
Lighting the candle he gestured to the space opposite of him. The Cns hesitated but slowly settled in and allowed the moment to expand. Finding herself once again in the large library that was a part of the Vulcan's well ordered mind, only something was off this time. It was than she noticed the shelf behind Derek that was empty except for a single thin book.
The FCO turned slightly and without a word simply pointed to that single book. Susan stepped forward and picked up the book, on its spine was the title "Ensign S. Mei".
"Most all of your questions will be answered once you open the book…" Derek said with an almost human sadness. "I will only warn you that it may be more than you really wish to know."
Susan looked into the FCO's eyes and saw not only sadness but perhaps a bit of fear and wariness. Still she felt that something she should know was about to be revealed, she opened the book.
She was assailed by noise, confusion, and chaos as uncontrolled emotions washed over her, feelings so strong that she felt buried and smothered. But than came the rest of the memories, the touch of a hand and the gentle feeling of caring and love. It was than Susan realized the depth of what had happened and the one glaring fact, that Stormwind had manipulated her mind, had caused her to forget what she had seen and placed a block in her mind.
It was all the half human could do to not talk, to let her assimilate everything. He watched as a look of understanding and shock crossed her face and she faded out as she returned to reality. He quickly followed her.
Derek gazed across the fluttering candle at a woman torn, and all he could do was wait...
Brian Matthews (dragonsslayer@excite.com)
As
Ensign Derek Stormwind
Pilot 2006 post #210
Setting: USS DRAGONSEYE
FCO
USS ANUBIS
VPS DRAGONSEYE
