A Truth Divided - End of Mission (Integrated part 1)
by Lieutenant Commander Darok D'Tal & Commander Kathleen O'Shea & Lieutenant Jasmine Daisuki & Lieutenant Nathan O'Dowd & Marine Captain Dianna Foster
Post Details
*Dornia Prime - Rebel HQ - Mission Day 7 - Night*
The infiltration of the military base had gone off without a hitch. With the heavy distractions that Dianna and Nathan had cooked up, Darok had been able to easily find one of the aliens, and subdue him to take him back to the rebel headquarters. getting him out was the easy part... now came the hard part of getting information from him...
The senior officers were the only ones in the room now, along with Herrod. The leader, disguised as a simple janitor, sat tied to a chair, faking fear in the hopes they would let him go.
"What do you want from me?" Herrod said. "I'm just a janitor! What would I know?"
Kathleen slowly walked around the chair until she stood behind him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she leaned down and spoke quietly into his ear. "Your eyes say something different to me. C'mon...tell me a story."
Herrod cowered away from Kathleen as much as he could. "Y-you're crazy!" He said. "I clean toilets for a living!"
'That would explain why you are so full of crap' She thought as she moved back in front of him. "Why are you here? We already know that you are not of this world. And we know that your people have been doing...something to these good folks. There is nobody to help you...your done. So what's the harm in letting us in on your little project?"
"I swear I don't know anything!" Herrod nearly yelled out. "What makes you think they'd tell anything to a grubby janitor like me!?"
O'Shea was starting to loose her patience. "Look...there are two ways to go about this. You and I can have a nice chat, or...the man with the pointy ears? He's a spook...fleet intel. Trust me...he will get what we need from you, but it won't be...nice."
Herrod struggled briefly against the restraints. "Ok! Ok!" Herrod relented. "All I know is that we are looking for some type of artifact! That's all I know! I swear!"
"I believe he's lying, Commander." Darok said from where he stood.
Kathleen silently studied the man for a moment, then answered Darok without turning around. "Why I do believe that you are correct, Doctor D'Tal." Herrod's eyes widened a bit at the word 'doctor', but otherwise there was no reaction. She turned and started to leave the room. "He's all yours, doc." She paused after opening the door and turned to speak to Herrod one last time. "It was a pleasure speaking with you. Too bad you won't remember it...or much of anything, I suspect. Goodbye...toilet cleaner."
Darok hesitated before making a move. "It may be better if you stayed Commander." Darok said, not taking his eyes off Herrod. "This virus is rather unpredictable, and an incident would be rather unfortunate."
Herrod's eyes grew wider at the mention of the virus. The look of fear was more distinct as he struggled against his restraints. "Stay away from me!"
Kathleen moved back into the room. Crossing her arms, she leaned against the wall. "Sure, I'll stay for the show. Anybody have popcorn?"
Darok stepped forward so he was standing directly in front of Herrod. "You have two choices." Darok said simply. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way... The hard way is faster, but I can't be held responsible for the results."
Herrod held his ground, silently staring at Darok as if the very act would chase him away.
"Have it your way." With that, Darok stepped forward, placing his fingers in key spots on Herrod's face. "My mind to your mind... My thoughts to your thoughts... Our minds are joining... Our minds are one..."
*Mind Meld - Inside Herrod's Mind*
Darok found himself standing on the bridge of a ship that was similar to the one that had carried them to Dornia Prime. It was empty except for the alien standing and looking out a nearby window somberly. The scene outside the window appeared to be that of an ongoing war, this part of which was being fought in space.
Darok walked up to stand beside the man to look out at the battle unfolding in front of him. "Tell me the truth." He said. "I'm not going to leave, until I know what you're lying about."
The man turned to look at him with sadness in his eyes, and as he spoke, several scenes from his memories played out as if to visually show the things he explained.
"We have been at war with our own people for thousands of years... The war began when a precious artifact was stolen, but each side fights now in order to save ourselves from extinction, destroy the opposing faction, and gain posession of the artifact... In essence, you are caught up in the middle of what is now a galactic civil war."
As he spoke, the scene around them changed to show them on a battle field as bullets and other heavy weaponry flew around them and others advanced forward in battle.
"What about the virus?" Darok asked him.
The scene changed to a science lab where various scientists were working with microbes, and analyzing stuff in microscopes. One in particular stood out as she examined the contents of a small beaker. Glancing at her nametag, Darok could easily see the name Jana spelled there.
"The virus that you speak of is a highly agressive strain that has been genetically designed to target the agressive centers of the brain in order to make better soldiers as well as lower their moral values so that they are easier to control.
"Why did you create it?" Darok asked, probing further.
The scene changed to a dark room as the man became silent. In response, Darok lunged forward, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him up against the wall, producing a switchblade seemingly from nowhere and held it to the man's neck.
"You listen, and you listen carefully." He said as he held the man aggressively against the wall. "Out there in the real world, you're as safe as you can be, but in here, I'm in control, and if you don't tell me what I want to know, I will make sure you find yourself in more pain than you have ever endured in your entire life!" Darok pressed the point of the blade against the man's neck as if to emphasize how serious he was.
"We created it to give us an advantage in the war by taking over other cultures, making use of their technology, and using their sheer numbers to our advantage... There are always those who are immune to the virus, and so we hunt them down to remove any resistance before moving their people to the front lines."
"Is that what you planned to do with my team as well?"
"Yes. We were going to infect all of you, then perfect it for your species so that we could take your technology and use it to turn the tide of the war." The man said.
"What about a cure for the virus?" Darok asked.
"There is no cure... The virus was never meant to be cured."
"There is now." Darok said. "My team has come up with a cure, and just to be clear, we are going to cure the people of this planet, and all of your people are to leave this place and never come back... and there is nothing you can do or say to stop it." With that, Darok threw the man across the room, watching as he landed hard on the floor.
"It doesn't work like that, Vulcan!" Herrod exclaimed. "There are ships on their way to destroy all life on this planet... including us!"
"Then we'll just have to do something to fix that." Darok said in a rage, before he broke the mind meld.
*Dornia Prime - Rebel Headquarters*
Darok's eyes opened, and immediately filled with pure rage. Before he realized what he was doing, he picked the janitor up from his chair, holding him by the collar of his jacket. "You will pay for what you've done to these innocent people!!"
"Commander!" All eyes in the room suddenly turned from the two men to Kathleen. "Commander, put him down now." She was standing in a non-threatening manner...but did have her hand on the phaser on her belt.
Darok dropped him back in the chair roughly, backing off slowly. "You have no idea of the damage you've caused!!"
"Somebody get this freak away from me!!" Herrod yelled out in fear.
Darok ignored his outburst and turned to face Kathleen, the rage still in his eyes. "The problem is worse than what we thought." He said then walked past her towards the door.
She reached out and, grabbing his arm, spun him around to face her. "Listen to me closely. We have been through a lot, but there is no way in hell I am going to allow you to treat a prisoner in that way. You had better have a damned good explanation for that...how this gets wrote up depends on the next words that come out of your mouth."
Darok yanked his arm away, glancing at the others in the room who were now paying attention to the pair of friends, before turning back to her. "I'm going for a walk alone to get Ms. Daisuki and bring her back here." He told Kathleen as he tried to hide the agression he was feeling as best he could. "Considering how unstable I am at this moment, it would be in your best interests to simply leave me alone. I will talk with you in private when I return with her." Without another word, and before Kathleen could reply, Darok turned on his heels and left the room. He needed to calm down, and he knew he wouldn't be able to do that while in the situation he was in.
"Have it your way, then." She simply replied, and pulled her phaser out. Turning it up to the highest setting, she aimed and fired, disintegrating one of the statues that lined the hall, right next to Darok. "I wasn't through with you, Lieutenant."
Darok side stepped defensively as a reflex, then continued walking when he realized there was no real threat. "For now, Commander... You are done!" At that, he walked out the door from the end of the hall, closing it behind him.
"Don't you walk away from me!" She screamed at the door. Kathleen threw down her phaser and, grabbing a large ceramic statuette off a pedestal, threw it at the door with all of the force she could muster. As it shattered against the door, she noticed that several of the crew had gathered behind her. Turning toward them, she shouted. "What the hell are all of you looking at!"
"Nothin' boss, but you might wanna avoid the caffeine." Dianna replied as everyone went back to what they were doing.
*Mission Day 7 - Dornia Prime - Rebel HQ - Late Night*
After the mind meld, Darok had remembered that Jasmine had gone to use the shuttle's computer to access the planet's information services. Now he was quietly moving through the woods on his way to get her when he stopped. Surface thoughts he didn't recognize, and a sound behind him caused him to spin on his heels, drawing his weapon. He instantly recognized who he saw from Herrod's mind.
"Hold it right there Jana!" He said as he trained his phaser on her, rage swimming in his eyes at the mere sight of her. "You even look at me the wrong way, and I'll drop you!"
“You kill me Vulcan and this planet will be destroyed and not by me.” Jana said coldly as she stared at him. Inside the shuttle Jasmine heard the perimeter alarms go off and brought up the screen to see who it was. It was difficult with her poor eyesight but she recognized Darok finally and a woman she didn’t recognize.
"If your goal is to take me into custody, I can assure your failure without killing you." Darok replied simply. "I know your plan, and I know who's coming... I won't allow you to interfere any longer."
"And you won't save the people on this world without me. Between the virus and the Commander, they are doomed." Jana said simply.
"Why should I trust you?" He asked her. "It was your people that created this virus for your own personal gains in your civil war... These people don't deserve the endless torture brought on by your actions."
“One *faction* of my people Vulcan. I merely do the job given to me because to tell those in power no means a certain and most painful death. Yes I helped engineer the virus, which also means I have the cure and a far swifter one than you could concoct before this planet dies.” Jana said with an air of certainty.
Darok stood there, the phaser shaking slightly in his hand as his agression seemed to build, pushing his concentration. "And what will you do when the threat to you is over?" He asked simply. "Turn me into your authorities so they can use me as a lab rat?"
Do you honestly think I could aid you and then return to my people? If so you are an idiot and we have nothing further to discuss.” The woman said, her voice turning chill now.
Jasmine finally exited the shuttle, looking between the two and feeling the tension despite her recovering vision. “Darok, we lose nothing for allowing her to speak of her plan. She is correct in that we are at a disadvantage for curing this world and if she is telling the truth we do not have the time we would need.”
Darok stood there for another moment before finally putting his phaser away. His temper had flared for only a moment at her insult, but considering the situation, he shrugged it off asbest he could. "You do realize that the people at the rebel camp are likely to shoot you on site don't you?" He explained. "They feel stronger about the damage done here than I do... and they're not infected."
“What I would need to do can’t be done at that camp, nor can it be done in this…body.” Jana replied, eying the two of them as her mind ran through the chances of this particular opportunity being a success. She had seen their technology and knew that if they became involved in the war then they would be the winning side. There was also some part of her that was tired of being forced to divert all of her study to warfare and tired of running from system to system, leaving destruction in their wake.
“If I were to do this thing, I want assurance of asylum in your Federation. That is the bottom line. I can cure the virus and I can give you an upper hand in any confrontation with our faction and that of the Others. And asylum is my price. I would be wanted by both factions if they even knew I was speaking of this… and if your answer is no, then someone isn’t going to live to walk away from this spot.” There was a tone of finality in her voice and both Jasmine and Darok could see her skin starting to quiver as if there was something crawling underneath of it. From his mindmeld, Darok knew that she was preparing to shed her host, the woman whose body this once was long since dead.
Darok listened to Jana's surface thoughts, looking for any signs of deception, of which he found none. "Then in the name of peace, I will grant such an asylum." Darok replied as he watched, feeling that this woman's body deserved some type of proper burial, which he would feel obligated to provide once Jana shed her host. "However, we will also need a way to get off this planet and contact our own vessel so they cane retrieve us."
“I….can… arrange… a ship…” Came the garbled words as the shedding process continued, the skin of the woman oozing a purplish grey substance that resembled a gel of some sort. It took several minutes for the process to complete until finally the alien was free of the dead body, which had a horrible aroma wafting from it now as it lay beside the quivering shapeless form of Jana which now stood maybe three feet in height. Tiny little bursts of bluish energy crackled along the surface and coalesced in an area towards the top. An orifice appeared there and after a shrill series of sonic screeches, formed into mostly recognizable speech.
“Re-turn base. I con-tact from ship. Talk. This. Hurt.”
Darok nodded his understanding. "I will bury this woman's body, then return to the headquarters and wait to hear from you." He told the energy cloud that was Jana. "I will also inform my superior officer of the deal we have just made... I do not believe she will object." He stood there for a moment longer, fascinated by her appearance. "Do not continue to hurt yourself... Go!"
The orifice swiftly disappeared and the alien oozed swiftly along the ground away from the two of them, Jasmine looking at Jana in wonder for she had never seen a true unknown alien lifeform before. Soon the surrounding forest hid Jana from sight and left the two of them standing there.
“It would be best we hurry Commander.” She said, though it was an obvious statement.
As Jana seemingly vanished into the woods, Darok walked over to the body that lay lifeless where she once stood. "This won't take too long." He said as he used his Vulcan strength to begin digging a hole with his bare hands. "She deserves to be buried..."
“If you wish, I can take a cell sample and we can try and locate her family to inform them.” Jasmine offered as she knelt beside him to help.
"Might be wise." He said as they piled dirt on the ground next to where they dug. "Although I don't think it will do any good until this world is cured of the Virus."
Jasmine simply nodded and removed a few of the hairs from the dead body, doing her best not to breathe the air near it. Whatever the alien had done to the internal organs was reacting strongly now that it was gone.
Within only a few minutes, Darok had dug a 6 foot hole. He wiped the sweat from his brow before picking up the body thatJana once occupied, and laid her in the freshly dug grave before starting to pile the dirt back in. "I hope this was a wise idea." He said breathlessly as he worked.
“Peace is always a wise choice Commander, but it must be given the chance to blossom. You cannot be faulted for giving it that chance and to look at it in a logical light, she gains nothing by leaving us both alive to continue doing what we must to free these people.” Jasmine said, finding working alongside of him oddly peaceful.
"I just hope the Captain understands." Darok replied as they placed the last bits of dirt. He found that working along side her gave him a sense of peace. "I would hate to see the hope of peace gone to waste by a misunderstanding."
"Does the Captain trust your judgment?" Jasmine asked as she brushed the dirt off her clothing.
"Normally yes, but considering my condition, I'm not entirely sure she would now." Darok said as he followed suit. After he cleaned his clothes as best he could, he looked at Jasmine. It was the first time he'd seen her in a couple of hours. She seemed ok, but felt he should ask. "How do you feel?"
"Slightly dizzy due to the changes in my vision, but otherwise I am much better now that I have been allowed to rest." She said, still feeling like she was a slight burden and a very clumsy one at that.
"We have to get back." He told her simply. "There are ships on their way here to eradicate everything living on the surface, and I have yet to even tell the Captain."
Jasmine nodded. “You may journey ahead if you wish Commander, for I am not able to travel as swiftly as the situation warrants.”
"I'm not leaving you behind." He told her. "If she was able to find us, that means there is the possibility someone else will. Taking your condition into consideration, I would rather escort you back."
She truly disliked moments where both parties presented logical viewpoints, and after a moment of thought about it she nodded. “Very well Commander, however should the situation warrant such, I will ask that you travel on ahead. The Captain must know of what transpired and I will not allow myself to jeopardize that.”
"From what I gathered during a mind meld, We have at least two or three days before the main threat to us arrives here." He told her as they started walking. "Since we do not have the Sentinel to provide us with support, I believe it would be best for us to be out of this system before they arrive."
"Is the shuttle functional to remove all of us Commander?" Jasmine asked, doing her best to walk briskly in the dusk generated by the concussion.
"At this point... no." He told her. "If Jana manages to get us another ship, we may not have to worry about the shuttle."
"Perhaps we should send a person to assess the damage as a precaution to see if the shuttle is of any use to us at all." Jasmine replied.
"An engineer would be best, but unfortunately we don't have one with us." he said. "Maybe Mr. O'Dowd could work on it, or one of his men."
"I am not very familiar with shuttle systems to be of much use, perhaps there are marines who might know something as well." The Japanese woman said as she stumbled slightly over some rocks in the underbrush.
Darok reached out his hand to help keep Jasmine steady, then offered it for her to hold for balance as they walked. "When we get back, I will scan you again to see your medical progress." He said. "You seem to be doing better, but it is still best to be sure."
"Thank you for your concern Commander. I am certain the effects of the concussion will be gone soon." She replied with a small smile, still feeling that she was being far more of a burden than an aide in their situation.
"The concern is well deserved." he told her as he heard her surface thoughts. "Had it not been for you, I may have done some serious damage to another person."
"It was my honor and joy to aid you Commander" Jasmine said, finding that she liked her hand in his, as illogical as it felt. She forced her mind away from such thoughts and back onto keeping her footing in the twilight of her vision.
"As much as I'm glad you did, I honestly hope you never have to do so again." He said, also enjoying holding Jasmine's hand as they walked. "I would much rather continue to be healthy and safe than burden someone with such things." As he said it, he realized that his thoughts on the matter of help were identical to hers. "Not that I think helping you is a burden." He added quickly.
"Helping others is never a burden. It is the water, air and soil for the growing plant that is ones soul. I know of no greater feeling than to know I was able to render aid." She said, the very concept a cornerstone of her values and life.
"Perhaps." He said as he thought about the incident with Kathleen shortly before he had come here. "Although sometimes I think when trying to help others, it causes more problems than it solves." Though his demeanor didn't change, his voice gave the impression that something was a bit off.
“You cannot know the fruit of your intentions, but to not attempt it for fear of the outcome is not the correct response Commander. If we all acted in such a fashion, the universe would bea poor place to exist in.” She said as she looked over at him briefly.
"I lost my control in front of the Captain." He told her simply. "When I warned her to keep her distance for her own good, she didn't exactly take it very well."
“If your intentions were for the correct reasons, then you simply have to accept such. If people… the Captain in this case – do not understand what made you choose such actions, then perhaps you should attempt to explain them now rather than have such an event rest ill at ease in your mind.” She offered up.
"I've known her for some time, but this was crossing the line." He explained. "I'm hoping she will understand once I explain the effects this virus has on me in more detail." He looked up at the night sky as they left the woods. "I wish you could see the stars as I see them now... they are a beautiful sight during such a rough time."
“The stars have always been inspirations to those who study them, regardless of where one is from. I find them peaceful and have even attempted to do justice to them with my painting, though they never truly seem as real.” She replied
"It is hard to capture real life in any form." Darok said simply as they approached the town. "Even in the stars."
“The essence of life itself is completely free from the grasp of man, nothing can fetter it in any way, even in a painting. But that is the path of artists, to always try and fall short – yet in that effort they bring joy to those around them in their offerings… so they do succeed in that regard.”
Darok laughed lightly. "A week out of space dock, and already I'm beginning to think this will be an interesting post..." He said. "If we manage to get off this planet alive that is."
“Life is always interesting Commander, sometimes… just not in the way we prefer.” Jasmine commented in a quiet voice.
"Your Vulcan parents taught you well." He replied. "How long did you say you lived on Vulcan?"
"I was an infant when my biological parents moved there; I only left when I joined Star Fleet Commander. Vulcan is a very beautiful world and there are times when I wish I could go back and visit my adopted family." She replied, the going a little bit easier now that they were out of the forested area.
"I spent 8 years away, then returned for a short time." Darok told her, neglecting to mention his time in prison. "When I was 28, I left Vulcan, and didn't look back."
Jasmine didn't comment, for she was not one to pry into the affairs of others, and even if she was so inclined, he was still her superior officer. That was not to say she wasn't curious, for few Vulcans ever left their homeworld. "I miss the peace present on Vulcan, it is often quite difficult to replicate except for in the holodeck." She wasn't exactly sure why she was engaged in idle chatter with him, other than it gave her a fleeting feeling of the peace she was just talking about.
"Some of my memories from my time there are not pleasant ones." he said simply as they entered town, strolling down the street towards the building they had been using as a command center. "Mostly due to my father, and positions he put me in."
She thought about his words for a moment before speaking. "Only you can define yourself Commander, by your actions to your environment and the place you give the memories and the lessons you learn from them. While there are many unpleasant things around us, we are empowered to transform them into positive outcomes for ourselves and others. You cannot control what others do, but you guide how it affects you. It would be illogical to harbor poor thoughts when they need not be so."
"It is also illogical to harbor emotions in any contradictory manner." Darok replied. "Never the less, I do so at times... as has been evident this past week."
"Vulcans are an emotionally active people Commander. They simply control them rather than allow them to influence their choices. It is highly probable and even expected that one loses that control at times. No one is perfect, we simply strive towards less imperfection in our lives. The ancient proverb of life being more about the journey than reaching a goal is very appropriate in explaining this phenomenon." Jasmine said, forgetting that her hand was still in his after all of this time.
"The fact that I am not entirely Vulcan has a bit to do with it Lieutenant." Darok replied as they stood at the door. He seemed to be working the nerve to go in. "Perhaps now would be a good time for me to talk to the Captain." He let go of her hand, but stood there for a moment longer as his focus seemed to shift slightly.
"I would wish you luck Commander, but you will not need it if you hold true to your purpose." Jasmine said with a smile, her hand feeling cold now that it was no longer in his. "Thank you for escorting me back and for the conversation... it was refreshing and insightful."
"I agree." Darok replied simply, before opening the door, and stepping in. As they walked in, Darok saw Kathleen talking to one of the rebels. Though he had promised Jasmine he would check her when they got back, he felt this conversation was more important at the moment.
"Commander, a word with you in private please?" he said as he stood near the door, seeming far more calm now than he had earlier.
The look that Kathleen gave him when she turned could have frozen a supernova. "Well, look who decided to join us." She glanced back at Jasmine before continuing. "One would hope that you have at least used your time to come up with a good excuse...no, wait." She stared directly into Darok's eyes. "There is no excuse for behavior like you exhibited earlier. If you were anybody else, we wouldn't even be having this conversation." She indicated toward an office. "After you...I insist."
Darok went into the office with Kathleen following. he waited until she closed the door behind her before speaking. "You're right." He told her. "There is no excuse for the way I've been acting. However, the emotions you've been seeing in me are the result of this virus." He pointed out. "I do apologize, and will understand perfectly if you choose to write me up for it."
'Well aren't you the clever one...' That was the one response that, without a physician to either confirm or deny his excuse, she couldn't pursue any action against him...for now. "Listen to me, and listed good. Never..I repeat, never disrepect my authority in front of the crew in that manner...or any manner, I should say...ever again." She walked over and sat behind the desk, forcing herself to calm down.
"My apologies Commander." Darok replied as he straitened up reflexively. "Unfortunately in my current condition, I cannot gaurantee that i will not make the same mistake." He moved to sit down in the chair across from her, then continued. "You may understand things a bit more once I explain what I've learned."
O'Shea leaned back in the chair, silently studying Darok for a moment before speaking. "Very well...enlighten me."
"I have learned that this virus was genetically engineered to attack the agressive areas of the brain, and lower the victim's moral standards greatly in order to create a more effective soldier." He explained. "The reason behind this is a civil war between the seperate factions of the aliens which have invaded this world. These aliens were planning to use us to perfect it for our two species in order to gain the use of us and our technology for that purpose." He said simply.
"That is...most disturbing. But what was their endgame? If they went through this much trouble, there has to be a much larger plan in place."
"They are fightng over some type of stolen artifact, but it does get worse." Darok told her simply. "Due to their failure to aquire us and our technology, there is at least one vessel on a direct course for this planet, and their intention is to destroy all life here. this includes the Dornians, their invaders... and us."
Kathleen sat upright. "Then that means..."
Darok put up a hand to signify he wasn't done. "Yes I know. We have to get off this planet." He said. "I think it would also be wise to let you know that I've made a deal with one of the aliens in the name of peace." He told her. "She is going to release a cure from the atmostphere that will remove the affects of the virus on a global scale... She will also provide a way off the planet." Darok looked right at Kathleen at this point. "In return, I granted her an asylum with the Federation."
O'Shea stood. "Darok, we have to get that ship running. The question is, how? When we left her nothing would work. It was if something had drained all of the power...no, that's not right. She had power, but nothing would work." For the millionth time Kathlen wished that the Sentinel would suddenly appear, flying to their rescue.
"Jana said she would provide a ship." Darok said simply. "However, at this point, I believe we should keep this information between ourselves. We do not want to start a panic with either our people, or the Dornians here." He gave her a weary look as his control slipped slightly. "I hate to keep information from our own people, but I believe it is best that everything you have learned stays between us... at least for right now, as Jana will contact me soon, and will not talk to anyone else."
"Do you really trust her?"
"If she intended to kill us, she would not have left us alone to pursue our current course of action." He explained, then remembered that she knew he could read some surface thoughts. "The surface thoughts I caught from her also showed no deception... I can't say that I trust her, but right now, this is the only choice we have."
Kathleen stood and walked around the desk to stand by Darok, who was still seated. Looking down at him, she spoke so quietly that he had a hard time hearing her at first. "Commander...Darok, this must never happen again. You broke my trust in you today, and while what you have told me has helped, it doesn't wipe the slate clean. I consider you my friend, which is why I am going to let this go. But never do that again, or you will pay the piper...do I make myself perfectly clear?"
"Believe me Kathleen. I did not mean for that to happen. To be honest, had you come to get us a few days earlier, the results would have been much worse." He gave her a look that passes among friends when the situation is serious. "I came close to choking the life out of Captain Foster when I was at my worst. Lieutenant Daisuki is the only reason I have not done worse than I have... but your order is understood."
"Well then..." O'Shea started toward the door. "Let's go and see if we are as clever as we like to think that we are." She stopped when she realized that Darok wasn't following her. "You may rise, XO."
*Dornia Prime - 8 Hours Later*
Jana didn't have far to travel in her natural form, for one of the outposts wasn't very far off. From there she would be able to catch a shuttle to the main base and then put her plan in action. She hated this world and she loathed the Commander and even Herrod she was irate with. All that seemed to matter to them was the senseless war they had gotten into over the Artifact... which could have easily been averted by looking for an alternate method to replace it. Instead science was now only for weapons and if you didn't support that path you didn't live very long.
It would take Herrod quite a few hours before he figured out what she was doing, and hopefully that would be long enough to get the agent in the air; once it was, there was nothing that they could do about it. The only thing left to chance was whether or not the Vulcan would keep his word. Everything she had studied seemed to indicate that he would, and she was tired of living this sort of life regardless. Freed of her human sheath, she was able to travel far faster, her body molding to the terrain regardless of what it was and in no time at all she began actions which she couldn't take back.
Her authority as the Chief Scientist of the project easily got her a tube shot to the northern most part of the planet, and in a few hours she was in her lab accessing the formulas and materials needed to produce the serum.Some of the formula resided only in her head, a safeguard against treachery. No one questioned what she was up to or the fact she had arrived in her natural form. Humans were quite fragile and it no longer surprised anyone when they had to get new hosts. Part of her wondered when the Commander would arrive, though her training afforded her a rough idea of travel time, which she put at at two to three more of the Dornian days. A small window for error in getting full aerial dispersion, but she was counting on the fact that the Others weren't far behind and he would not be as methodical in his precautions against the very form of treachery she was performing.
Laernan contacted her once for a status, which she said she still had not detected the alien's access and was now working from the main base to refine her search. After a few tense moments, the woman accepted her answer and cut the communication. She doubted Laernan would go to Herrod since she hated him more than Jana did herself - not a small feat. It was now eight hours after she had left the Vulcan and phase 2 was about to begin.
Overhead, a tiny light that some might think of as a shooting staar left the icy northern region and sped towards the higher atmosphere. Only then did suspicions get raised, for using their own ships was a very restricted activity requiring authorizations Jana didn't quite have. Those at the launch facility assumed she did, but the orbiting sensor array didn't receive the transmission of the code and alerted those below - including Herrod.
The special shortwave radio system they had setup crackled to life. "Jana! What the hell are you doing!?" Herrod's voice. "you get your a** back here with my ship, or I swear on my life that the Commander will be the least of your worries... JANA!!"
Jana ignored the incoming transmissions, instead sending out her own encrypted one to the rebel station. The comm officer on duty wasn't quite sure what to do when an odd metallic voice requested to speak with the Vulcan Commander. Sever minutes passed before he arrived at the rooms where the aliens were staying.
"Excuse me... there is a communication for the Vulcan Commander?" He said, not exactly sure who it was, but figuring whoever it was would step forward.
Darok looked over at the man who had brought the news. "I am the Vulcan Commander."
"Please follow me. Due to the nature of the call it can't be routed here." He said, gesturing for Darok to follow. Jasmine watched the interaction, knowing it was probably the alien...and relieved that they had chosen the option of peace. She couldn't be certain, but she was hopeful regardless.
Darok turned to the others. "I will return shortly." he said, then followed the man out of the tent.
The young man led Darok through the compound to the underground room which served as their communications HQ, directing over to a large computer console which was archaic by Federation standards but advanced for this world. There was a pair of headphones which he indicated. "Just press the green button on the bottom of the panel to speak."
Darok sat down, and pressed the green button. "This is the Vulcan Commander."
The voice that came across was metallic but far better quality than the words spoken in the forest.
[[Vulcan. I have kept my word. The cure is being released now and will have full effect in 12 Dornian hour units. My faction will attempt to stop me now. You must escape while you can in your own vessel. Contact me then.]]
"That may not be possible." Darok replied looking somewhat concerned. "Our shuttle is damaged, and it may not be possible to aquire the necessary materials we need here."
There were a few moments of silence before Jana spoke again as she considered the options, the ship soaring through the atmosphere, releasing the neutralizing agent into the air. Already her sensors were detecting incoming craft and she would have to start paying attention to her weapons systems and shields.
[[Try and repair your shielding. The others will try and destroy your craft soon. I will attempt a pick up in four Dornian hour time units. The dispersion will be complete at that time ]]
"I will do what I can." Darok replied. "My commanding officer has agreed to grant you an asylum... i will await your communication and arrival again in 4 hours."
[[It is Agreed]] Jana replied and then cut the communication, the comm officer arching an eyebrow and looking a bit skeptical at Darok's words. There was no disguising the fact he was very curious at who the other person was and what this was all about.
Far above their heads a single craft sped through the skies, looking like a small shooting star.
Darok removed the headphones and stood up from the chair. He noticed the young man standing there with a skeptical look. "Cheer up." He said as he lightly clapped the man on the shoulder. "Things are working in our favor." With that, Darok walked past him, heading back towards the tent his team was staying in.
When he got back, all eyes seemed to turn to him. "In the next 4 hours we need to repair the shields on the shuttle and, if we can, the engines so we can break out of the atmosphere." He said simply. "Any questions?"
The room erupted in them no sooner than he had spoken the words, the only one not saying anything was Jasmine, who nodded her head, knowing exactly what had happened. There was a renewed sense of relief in her soft gaze as she gave silent thanks for the balance being restored. Dornia now had a chance of survival, albeit slim.
To be continued...
OOC: There are a couple more posts to come out. One or two smaller posts, and another larger post. once those are out, we will be on our way back to Earth.
by Lieutenant Commander Darok D'Tal & Commander Kathleen O'Shea & Lieutenant Jasmine Daisuki & Lieutenant Nathan O'Dowd & Marine Captain Dianna Foster
Post Details
| Title | End of Mission (Integrated part 1) | |
| Author(s) | Lieutenant Commander Darok D'Tal & Commander Kathleen O'Shea & Lieutenant Jasmine Daisuki & Lieutenant Nathan O'Dowd & Marine Captain Dianna Foster | |
| Posted | Sat Jun 27, 2009 @ 8:06pm | |
| Location | Dornia Prime | |
| Timeline | Mission Day 7 |
The infiltration of the military base had gone off without a hitch. With the heavy distractions that Dianna and Nathan had cooked up, Darok had been able to easily find one of the aliens, and subdue him to take him back to the rebel headquarters. getting him out was the easy part... now came the hard part of getting information from him...
The senior officers were the only ones in the room now, along with Herrod. The leader, disguised as a simple janitor, sat tied to a chair, faking fear in the hopes they would let him go.
"What do you want from me?" Herrod said. "I'm just a janitor! What would I know?"
Kathleen slowly walked around the chair until she stood behind him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she leaned down and spoke quietly into his ear. "Your eyes say something different to me. C'mon...tell me a story."
Herrod cowered away from Kathleen as much as he could. "Y-you're crazy!" He said. "I clean toilets for a living!"
'That would explain why you are so full of crap' She thought as she moved back in front of him. "Why are you here? We already know that you are not of this world. And we know that your people have been doing...something to these good folks. There is nobody to help you...your done. So what's the harm in letting us in on your little project?"
"I swear I don't know anything!" Herrod nearly yelled out. "What makes you think they'd tell anything to a grubby janitor like me!?"
O'Shea was starting to loose her patience. "Look...there are two ways to go about this. You and I can have a nice chat, or...the man with the pointy ears? He's a spook...fleet intel. Trust me...he will get what we need from you, but it won't be...nice."
Herrod struggled briefly against the restraints. "Ok! Ok!" Herrod relented. "All I know is that we are looking for some type of artifact! That's all I know! I swear!"
"I believe he's lying, Commander." Darok said from where he stood.
Kathleen silently studied the man for a moment, then answered Darok without turning around. "Why I do believe that you are correct, Doctor D'Tal." Herrod's eyes widened a bit at the word 'doctor', but otherwise there was no reaction. She turned and started to leave the room. "He's all yours, doc." She paused after opening the door and turned to speak to Herrod one last time. "It was a pleasure speaking with you. Too bad you won't remember it...or much of anything, I suspect. Goodbye...toilet cleaner."
Darok hesitated before making a move. "It may be better if you stayed Commander." Darok said, not taking his eyes off Herrod. "This virus is rather unpredictable, and an incident would be rather unfortunate."
Herrod's eyes grew wider at the mention of the virus. The look of fear was more distinct as he struggled against his restraints. "Stay away from me!"
Kathleen moved back into the room. Crossing her arms, she leaned against the wall. "Sure, I'll stay for the show. Anybody have popcorn?"
Darok stepped forward so he was standing directly in front of Herrod. "You have two choices." Darok said simply. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way... The hard way is faster, but I can't be held responsible for the results."
Herrod held his ground, silently staring at Darok as if the very act would chase him away.
"Have it your way." With that, Darok stepped forward, placing his fingers in key spots on Herrod's face. "My mind to your mind... My thoughts to your thoughts... Our minds are joining... Our minds are one..."
*Mind Meld - Inside Herrod's Mind*
Darok found himself standing on the bridge of a ship that was similar to the one that had carried them to Dornia Prime. It was empty except for the alien standing and looking out a nearby window somberly. The scene outside the window appeared to be that of an ongoing war, this part of which was being fought in space.
Darok walked up to stand beside the man to look out at the battle unfolding in front of him. "Tell me the truth." He said. "I'm not going to leave, until I know what you're lying about."
The man turned to look at him with sadness in his eyes, and as he spoke, several scenes from his memories played out as if to visually show the things he explained.
"We have been at war with our own people for thousands of years... The war began when a precious artifact was stolen, but each side fights now in order to save ourselves from extinction, destroy the opposing faction, and gain posession of the artifact... In essence, you are caught up in the middle of what is now a galactic civil war."
As he spoke, the scene around them changed to show them on a battle field as bullets and other heavy weaponry flew around them and others advanced forward in battle.
"What about the virus?" Darok asked him.
The scene changed to a science lab where various scientists were working with microbes, and analyzing stuff in microscopes. One in particular stood out as she examined the contents of a small beaker. Glancing at her nametag, Darok could easily see the name Jana spelled there.
"The virus that you speak of is a highly agressive strain that has been genetically designed to target the agressive centers of the brain in order to make better soldiers as well as lower their moral values so that they are easier to control.
"Why did you create it?" Darok asked, probing further.
The scene changed to a dark room as the man became silent. In response, Darok lunged forward, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him up against the wall, producing a switchblade seemingly from nowhere and held it to the man's neck.
"You listen, and you listen carefully." He said as he held the man aggressively against the wall. "Out there in the real world, you're as safe as you can be, but in here, I'm in control, and if you don't tell me what I want to know, I will make sure you find yourself in more pain than you have ever endured in your entire life!" Darok pressed the point of the blade against the man's neck as if to emphasize how serious he was.
"We created it to give us an advantage in the war by taking over other cultures, making use of their technology, and using their sheer numbers to our advantage... There are always those who are immune to the virus, and so we hunt them down to remove any resistance before moving their people to the front lines."
"Is that what you planned to do with my team as well?"
"Yes. We were going to infect all of you, then perfect it for your species so that we could take your technology and use it to turn the tide of the war." The man said.
"What about a cure for the virus?" Darok asked.
"There is no cure... The virus was never meant to be cured."
"There is now." Darok said. "My team has come up with a cure, and just to be clear, we are going to cure the people of this planet, and all of your people are to leave this place and never come back... and there is nothing you can do or say to stop it." With that, Darok threw the man across the room, watching as he landed hard on the floor.
"It doesn't work like that, Vulcan!" Herrod exclaimed. "There are ships on their way to destroy all life on this planet... including us!"
"Then we'll just have to do something to fix that." Darok said in a rage, before he broke the mind meld.
*Dornia Prime - Rebel Headquarters*
Darok's eyes opened, and immediately filled with pure rage. Before he realized what he was doing, he picked the janitor up from his chair, holding him by the collar of his jacket. "You will pay for what you've done to these innocent people!!"
"Commander!" All eyes in the room suddenly turned from the two men to Kathleen. "Commander, put him down now." She was standing in a non-threatening manner...but did have her hand on the phaser on her belt.
Darok dropped him back in the chair roughly, backing off slowly. "You have no idea of the damage you've caused!!"
"Somebody get this freak away from me!!" Herrod yelled out in fear.
Darok ignored his outburst and turned to face Kathleen, the rage still in his eyes. "The problem is worse than what we thought." He said then walked past her towards the door.
She reached out and, grabbing his arm, spun him around to face her. "Listen to me closely. We have been through a lot, but there is no way in hell I am going to allow you to treat a prisoner in that way. You had better have a damned good explanation for that...how this gets wrote up depends on the next words that come out of your mouth."
Darok yanked his arm away, glancing at the others in the room who were now paying attention to the pair of friends, before turning back to her. "I'm going for a walk alone to get Ms. Daisuki and bring her back here." He told Kathleen as he tried to hide the agression he was feeling as best he could. "Considering how unstable I am at this moment, it would be in your best interests to simply leave me alone. I will talk with you in private when I return with her." Without another word, and before Kathleen could reply, Darok turned on his heels and left the room. He needed to calm down, and he knew he wouldn't be able to do that while in the situation he was in.
"Have it your way, then." She simply replied, and pulled her phaser out. Turning it up to the highest setting, she aimed and fired, disintegrating one of the statues that lined the hall, right next to Darok. "I wasn't through with you, Lieutenant."
Darok side stepped defensively as a reflex, then continued walking when he realized there was no real threat. "For now, Commander... You are done!" At that, he walked out the door from the end of the hall, closing it behind him.
"Don't you walk away from me!" She screamed at the door. Kathleen threw down her phaser and, grabbing a large ceramic statuette off a pedestal, threw it at the door with all of the force she could muster. As it shattered against the door, she noticed that several of the crew had gathered behind her. Turning toward them, she shouted. "What the hell are all of you looking at!"
"Nothin' boss, but you might wanna avoid the caffeine." Dianna replied as everyone went back to what they were doing.
*Mission Day 7 - Dornia Prime - Rebel HQ - Late Night*
After the mind meld, Darok had remembered that Jasmine had gone to use the shuttle's computer to access the planet's information services. Now he was quietly moving through the woods on his way to get her when he stopped. Surface thoughts he didn't recognize, and a sound behind him caused him to spin on his heels, drawing his weapon. He instantly recognized who he saw from Herrod's mind.
"Hold it right there Jana!" He said as he trained his phaser on her, rage swimming in his eyes at the mere sight of her. "You even look at me the wrong way, and I'll drop you!"
“You kill me Vulcan and this planet will be destroyed and not by me.” Jana said coldly as she stared at him. Inside the shuttle Jasmine heard the perimeter alarms go off and brought up the screen to see who it was. It was difficult with her poor eyesight but she recognized Darok finally and a woman she didn’t recognize.
"If your goal is to take me into custody, I can assure your failure without killing you." Darok replied simply. "I know your plan, and I know who's coming... I won't allow you to interfere any longer."
"And you won't save the people on this world without me. Between the virus and the Commander, they are doomed." Jana said simply.
"Why should I trust you?" He asked her. "It was your people that created this virus for your own personal gains in your civil war... These people don't deserve the endless torture brought on by your actions."
“One *faction* of my people Vulcan. I merely do the job given to me because to tell those in power no means a certain and most painful death. Yes I helped engineer the virus, which also means I have the cure and a far swifter one than you could concoct before this planet dies.” Jana said with an air of certainty.
Darok stood there, the phaser shaking slightly in his hand as his agression seemed to build, pushing his concentration. "And what will you do when the threat to you is over?" He asked simply. "Turn me into your authorities so they can use me as a lab rat?"
Do you honestly think I could aid you and then return to my people? If so you are an idiot and we have nothing further to discuss.” The woman said, her voice turning chill now.
Jasmine finally exited the shuttle, looking between the two and feeling the tension despite her recovering vision. “Darok, we lose nothing for allowing her to speak of her plan. She is correct in that we are at a disadvantage for curing this world and if she is telling the truth we do not have the time we would need.”
Darok stood there for another moment before finally putting his phaser away. His temper had flared for only a moment at her insult, but considering the situation, he shrugged it off asbest he could. "You do realize that the people at the rebel camp are likely to shoot you on site don't you?" He explained. "They feel stronger about the damage done here than I do... and they're not infected."
“What I would need to do can’t be done at that camp, nor can it be done in this…body.” Jana replied, eying the two of them as her mind ran through the chances of this particular opportunity being a success. She had seen their technology and knew that if they became involved in the war then they would be the winning side. There was also some part of her that was tired of being forced to divert all of her study to warfare and tired of running from system to system, leaving destruction in their wake.
“If I were to do this thing, I want assurance of asylum in your Federation. That is the bottom line. I can cure the virus and I can give you an upper hand in any confrontation with our faction and that of the Others. And asylum is my price. I would be wanted by both factions if they even knew I was speaking of this… and if your answer is no, then someone isn’t going to live to walk away from this spot.” There was a tone of finality in her voice and both Jasmine and Darok could see her skin starting to quiver as if there was something crawling underneath of it. From his mindmeld, Darok knew that she was preparing to shed her host, the woman whose body this once was long since dead.
Darok listened to Jana's surface thoughts, looking for any signs of deception, of which he found none. "Then in the name of peace, I will grant such an asylum." Darok replied as he watched, feeling that this woman's body deserved some type of proper burial, which he would feel obligated to provide once Jana shed her host. "However, we will also need a way to get off this planet and contact our own vessel so they cane retrieve us."
“I….can… arrange… a ship…” Came the garbled words as the shedding process continued, the skin of the woman oozing a purplish grey substance that resembled a gel of some sort. It took several minutes for the process to complete until finally the alien was free of the dead body, which had a horrible aroma wafting from it now as it lay beside the quivering shapeless form of Jana which now stood maybe three feet in height. Tiny little bursts of bluish energy crackled along the surface and coalesced in an area towards the top. An orifice appeared there and after a shrill series of sonic screeches, formed into mostly recognizable speech.
“Re-turn base. I con-tact from ship. Talk. This. Hurt.”
Darok nodded his understanding. "I will bury this woman's body, then return to the headquarters and wait to hear from you." He told the energy cloud that was Jana. "I will also inform my superior officer of the deal we have just made... I do not believe she will object." He stood there for a moment longer, fascinated by her appearance. "Do not continue to hurt yourself... Go!"
The orifice swiftly disappeared and the alien oozed swiftly along the ground away from the two of them, Jasmine looking at Jana in wonder for she had never seen a true unknown alien lifeform before. Soon the surrounding forest hid Jana from sight and left the two of them standing there.
“It would be best we hurry Commander.” She said, though it was an obvious statement.
As Jana seemingly vanished into the woods, Darok walked over to the body that lay lifeless where she once stood. "This won't take too long." He said as he used his Vulcan strength to begin digging a hole with his bare hands. "She deserves to be buried..."
“If you wish, I can take a cell sample and we can try and locate her family to inform them.” Jasmine offered as she knelt beside him to help.
"Might be wise." He said as they piled dirt on the ground next to where they dug. "Although I don't think it will do any good until this world is cured of the Virus."
Jasmine simply nodded and removed a few of the hairs from the dead body, doing her best not to breathe the air near it. Whatever the alien had done to the internal organs was reacting strongly now that it was gone.
Within only a few minutes, Darok had dug a 6 foot hole. He wiped the sweat from his brow before picking up the body thatJana once occupied, and laid her in the freshly dug grave before starting to pile the dirt back in. "I hope this was a wise idea." He said breathlessly as he worked.
“Peace is always a wise choice Commander, but it must be given the chance to blossom. You cannot be faulted for giving it that chance and to look at it in a logical light, she gains nothing by leaving us both alive to continue doing what we must to free these people.” Jasmine said, finding working alongside of him oddly peaceful.
"I just hope the Captain understands." Darok replied as they placed the last bits of dirt. He found that working along side her gave him a sense of peace. "I would hate to see the hope of peace gone to waste by a misunderstanding."
"Does the Captain trust your judgment?" Jasmine asked as she brushed the dirt off her clothing.
"Normally yes, but considering my condition, I'm not entirely sure she would now." Darok said as he followed suit. After he cleaned his clothes as best he could, he looked at Jasmine. It was the first time he'd seen her in a couple of hours. She seemed ok, but felt he should ask. "How do you feel?"
"Slightly dizzy due to the changes in my vision, but otherwise I am much better now that I have been allowed to rest." She said, still feeling like she was a slight burden and a very clumsy one at that.
"We have to get back." He told her simply. "There are ships on their way here to eradicate everything living on the surface, and I have yet to even tell the Captain."
Jasmine nodded. “You may journey ahead if you wish Commander, for I am not able to travel as swiftly as the situation warrants.”
"I'm not leaving you behind." He told her. "If she was able to find us, that means there is the possibility someone else will. Taking your condition into consideration, I would rather escort you back."
She truly disliked moments where both parties presented logical viewpoints, and after a moment of thought about it she nodded. “Very well Commander, however should the situation warrant such, I will ask that you travel on ahead. The Captain must know of what transpired and I will not allow myself to jeopardize that.”
"From what I gathered during a mind meld, We have at least two or three days before the main threat to us arrives here." He told her as they started walking. "Since we do not have the Sentinel to provide us with support, I believe it would be best for us to be out of this system before they arrive."
"Is the shuttle functional to remove all of us Commander?" Jasmine asked, doing her best to walk briskly in the dusk generated by the concussion.
"At this point... no." He told her. "If Jana manages to get us another ship, we may not have to worry about the shuttle."
"Perhaps we should send a person to assess the damage as a precaution to see if the shuttle is of any use to us at all." Jasmine replied.
"An engineer would be best, but unfortunately we don't have one with us." he said. "Maybe Mr. O'Dowd could work on it, or one of his men."
"I am not very familiar with shuttle systems to be of much use, perhaps there are marines who might know something as well." The Japanese woman said as she stumbled slightly over some rocks in the underbrush.
Darok reached out his hand to help keep Jasmine steady, then offered it for her to hold for balance as they walked. "When we get back, I will scan you again to see your medical progress." He said. "You seem to be doing better, but it is still best to be sure."
"Thank you for your concern Commander. I am certain the effects of the concussion will be gone soon." She replied with a small smile, still feeling that she was being far more of a burden than an aide in their situation.
"The concern is well deserved." he told her as he heard her surface thoughts. "Had it not been for you, I may have done some serious damage to another person."
"It was my honor and joy to aid you Commander" Jasmine said, finding that she liked her hand in his, as illogical as it felt. She forced her mind away from such thoughts and back onto keeping her footing in the twilight of her vision.
"As much as I'm glad you did, I honestly hope you never have to do so again." He said, also enjoying holding Jasmine's hand as they walked. "I would much rather continue to be healthy and safe than burden someone with such things." As he said it, he realized that his thoughts on the matter of help were identical to hers. "Not that I think helping you is a burden." He added quickly.
"Helping others is never a burden. It is the water, air and soil for the growing plant that is ones soul. I know of no greater feeling than to know I was able to render aid." She said, the very concept a cornerstone of her values and life.
"Perhaps." He said as he thought about the incident with Kathleen shortly before he had come here. "Although sometimes I think when trying to help others, it causes more problems than it solves." Though his demeanor didn't change, his voice gave the impression that something was a bit off.
“You cannot know the fruit of your intentions, but to not attempt it for fear of the outcome is not the correct response Commander. If we all acted in such a fashion, the universe would bea poor place to exist in.” She said as she looked over at him briefly.
"I lost my control in front of the Captain." He told her simply. "When I warned her to keep her distance for her own good, she didn't exactly take it very well."
“If your intentions were for the correct reasons, then you simply have to accept such. If people… the Captain in this case – do not understand what made you choose such actions, then perhaps you should attempt to explain them now rather than have such an event rest ill at ease in your mind.” She offered up.
"I've known her for some time, but this was crossing the line." He explained. "I'm hoping she will understand once I explain the effects this virus has on me in more detail." He looked up at the night sky as they left the woods. "I wish you could see the stars as I see them now... they are a beautiful sight during such a rough time."
“The stars have always been inspirations to those who study them, regardless of where one is from. I find them peaceful and have even attempted to do justice to them with my painting, though they never truly seem as real.” She replied
"It is hard to capture real life in any form." Darok said simply as they approached the town. "Even in the stars."
“The essence of life itself is completely free from the grasp of man, nothing can fetter it in any way, even in a painting. But that is the path of artists, to always try and fall short – yet in that effort they bring joy to those around them in their offerings… so they do succeed in that regard.”
Darok laughed lightly. "A week out of space dock, and already I'm beginning to think this will be an interesting post..." He said. "If we manage to get off this planet alive that is."
“Life is always interesting Commander, sometimes… just not in the way we prefer.” Jasmine commented in a quiet voice.
"Your Vulcan parents taught you well." He replied. "How long did you say you lived on Vulcan?"
"I was an infant when my biological parents moved there; I only left when I joined Star Fleet Commander. Vulcan is a very beautiful world and there are times when I wish I could go back and visit my adopted family." She replied, the going a little bit easier now that they were out of the forested area.
"I spent 8 years away, then returned for a short time." Darok told her, neglecting to mention his time in prison. "When I was 28, I left Vulcan, and didn't look back."
Jasmine didn't comment, for she was not one to pry into the affairs of others, and even if she was so inclined, he was still her superior officer. That was not to say she wasn't curious, for few Vulcans ever left their homeworld. "I miss the peace present on Vulcan, it is often quite difficult to replicate except for in the holodeck." She wasn't exactly sure why she was engaged in idle chatter with him, other than it gave her a fleeting feeling of the peace she was just talking about.
"Some of my memories from my time there are not pleasant ones." he said simply as they entered town, strolling down the street towards the building they had been using as a command center. "Mostly due to my father, and positions he put me in."
She thought about his words for a moment before speaking. "Only you can define yourself Commander, by your actions to your environment and the place you give the memories and the lessons you learn from them. While there are many unpleasant things around us, we are empowered to transform them into positive outcomes for ourselves and others. You cannot control what others do, but you guide how it affects you. It would be illogical to harbor poor thoughts when they need not be so."
"It is also illogical to harbor emotions in any contradictory manner." Darok replied. "Never the less, I do so at times... as has been evident this past week."
"Vulcans are an emotionally active people Commander. They simply control them rather than allow them to influence their choices. It is highly probable and even expected that one loses that control at times. No one is perfect, we simply strive towards less imperfection in our lives. The ancient proverb of life being more about the journey than reaching a goal is very appropriate in explaining this phenomenon." Jasmine said, forgetting that her hand was still in his after all of this time.
"The fact that I am not entirely Vulcan has a bit to do with it Lieutenant." Darok replied as they stood at the door. He seemed to be working the nerve to go in. "Perhaps now would be a good time for me to talk to the Captain." He let go of her hand, but stood there for a moment longer as his focus seemed to shift slightly.
"I would wish you luck Commander, but you will not need it if you hold true to your purpose." Jasmine said with a smile, her hand feeling cold now that it was no longer in his. "Thank you for escorting me back and for the conversation... it was refreshing and insightful."
"I agree." Darok replied simply, before opening the door, and stepping in. As they walked in, Darok saw Kathleen talking to one of the rebels. Though he had promised Jasmine he would check her when they got back, he felt this conversation was more important at the moment.
"Commander, a word with you in private please?" he said as he stood near the door, seeming far more calm now than he had earlier.
The look that Kathleen gave him when she turned could have frozen a supernova. "Well, look who decided to join us." She glanced back at Jasmine before continuing. "One would hope that you have at least used your time to come up with a good excuse...no, wait." She stared directly into Darok's eyes. "There is no excuse for behavior like you exhibited earlier. If you were anybody else, we wouldn't even be having this conversation." She indicated toward an office. "After you...I insist."
Darok went into the office with Kathleen following. he waited until she closed the door behind her before speaking. "You're right." He told her. "There is no excuse for the way I've been acting. However, the emotions you've been seeing in me are the result of this virus." He pointed out. "I do apologize, and will understand perfectly if you choose to write me up for it."
'Well aren't you the clever one...' That was the one response that, without a physician to either confirm or deny his excuse, she couldn't pursue any action against him...for now. "Listen to me, and listed good. Never..I repeat, never disrepect my authority in front of the crew in that manner...or any manner, I should say...ever again." She walked over and sat behind the desk, forcing herself to calm down.
"My apologies Commander." Darok replied as he straitened up reflexively. "Unfortunately in my current condition, I cannot gaurantee that i will not make the same mistake." He moved to sit down in the chair across from her, then continued. "You may understand things a bit more once I explain what I've learned."
O'Shea leaned back in the chair, silently studying Darok for a moment before speaking. "Very well...enlighten me."
"I have learned that this virus was genetically engineered to attack the agressive areas of the brain, and lower the victim's moral standards greatly in order to create a more effective soldier." He explained. "The reason behind this is a civil war between the seperate factions of the aliens which have invaded this world. These aliens were planning to use us to perfect it for our two species in order to gain the use of us and our technology for that purpose." He said simply.
"That is...most disturbing. But what was their endgame? If they went through this much trouble, there has to be a much larger plan in place."
"They are fightng over some type of stolen artifact, but it does get worse." Darok told her simply. "Due to their failure to aquire us and our technology, there is at least one vessel on a direct course for this planet, and their intention is to destroy all life here. this includes the Dornians, their invaders... and us."
Kathleen sat upright. "Then that means..."
Darok put up a hand to signify he wasn't done. "Yes I know. We have to get off this planet." He said. "I think it would also be wise to let you know that I've made a deal with one of the aliens in the name of peace." He told her. "She is going to release a cure from the atmostphere that will remove the affects of the virus on a global scale... She will also provide a way off the planet." Darok looked right at Kathleen at this point. "In return, I granted her an asylum with the Federation."
O'Shea stood. "Darok, we have to get that ship running. The question is, how? When we left her nothing would work. It was if something had drained all of the power...no, that's not right. She had power, but nothing would work." For the millionth time Kathlen wished that the Sentinel would suddenly appear, flying to their rescue.
"Jana said she would provide a ship." Darok said simply. "However, at this point, I believe we should keep this information between ourselves. We do not want to start a panic with either our people, or the Dornians here." He gave her a weary look as his control slipped slightly. "I hate to keep information from our own people, but I believe it is best that everything you have learned stays between us... at least for right now, as Jana will contact me soon, and will not talk to anyone else."
"Do you really trust her?"
"If she intended to kill us, she would not have left us alone to pursue our current course of action." He explained, then remembered that she knew he could read some surface thoughts. "The surface thoughts I caught from her also showed no deception... I can't say that I trust her, but right now, this is the only choice we have."
Kathleen stood and walked around the desk to stand by Darok, who was still seated. Looking down at him, she spoke so quietly that he had a hard time hearing her at first. "Commander...Darok, this must never happen again. You broke my trust in you today, and while what you have told me has helped, it doesn't wipe the slate clean. I consider you my friend, which is why I am going to let this go. But never do that again, or you will pay the piper...do I make myself perfectly clear?"
"Believe me Kathleen. I did not mean for that to happen. To be honest, had you come to get us a few days earlier, the results would have been much worse." He gave her a look that passes among friends when the situation is serious. "I came close to choking the life out of Captain Foster when I was at my worst. Lieutenant Daisuki is the only reason I have not done worse than I have... but your order is understood."
"Well then..." O'Shea started toward the door. "Let's go and see if we are as clever as we like to think that we are." She stopped when she realized that Darok wasn't following her. "You may rise, XO."
*Dornia Prime - 8 Hours Later*
Jana didn't have far to travel in her natural form, for one of the outposts wasn't very far off. From there she would be able to catch a shuttle to the main base and then put her plan in action. She hated this world and she loathed the Commander and even Herrod she was irate with. All that seemed to matter to them was the senseless war they had gotten into over the Artifact... which could have easily been averted by looking for an alternate method to replace it. Instead science was now only for weapons and if you didn't support that path you didn't live very long.
It would take Herrod quite a few hours before he figured out what she was doing, and hopefully that would be long enough to get the agent in the air; once it was, there was nothing that they could do about it. The only thing left to chance was whether or not the Vulcan would keep his word. Everything she had studied seemed to indicate that he would, and she was tired of living this sort of life regardless. Freed of her human sheath, she was able to travel far faster, her body molding to the terrain regardless of what it was and in no time at all she began actions which she couldn't take back.
Her authority as the Chief Scientist of the project easily got her a tube shot to the northern most part of the planet, and in a few hours she was in her lab accessing the formulas and materials needed to produce the serum.Some of the formula resided only in her head, a safeguard against treachery. No one questioned what she was up to or the fact she had arrived in her natural form. Humans were quite fragile and it no longer surprised anyone when they had to get new hosts. Part of her wondered when the Commander would arrive, though her training afforded her a rough idea of travel time, which she put at at two to three more of the Dornian days. A small window for error in getting full aerial dispersion, but she was counting on the fact that the Others weren't far behind and he would not be as methodical in his precautions against the very form of treachery she was performing.
Laernan contacted her once for a status, which she said she still had not detected the alien's access and was now working from the main base to refine her search. After a few tense moments, the woman accepted her answer and cut the communication. She doubted Laernan would go to Herrod since she hated him more than Jana did herself - not a small feat. It was now eight hours after she had left the Vulcan and phase 2 was about to begin.
Overhead, a tiny light that some might think of as a shooting staar left the icy northern region and sped towards the higher atmosphere. Only then did suspicions get raised, for using their own ships was a very restricted activity requiring authorizations Jana didn't quite have. Those at the launch facility assumed she did, but the orbiting sensor array didn't receive the transmission of the code and alerted those below - including Herrod.
The special shortwave radio system they had setup crackled to life. "Jana! What the hell are you doing!?" Herrod's voice. "you get your a** back here with my ship, or I swear on my life that the Commander will be the least of your worries... JANA!!"
Jana ignored the incoming transmissions, instead sending out her own encrypted one to the rebel station. The comm officer on duty wasn't quite sure what to do when an odd metallic voice requested to speak with the Vulcan Commander. Sever minutes passed before he arrived at the rooms where the aliens were staying.
"Excuse me... there is a communication for the Vulcan Commander?" He said, not exactly sure who it was, but figuring whoever it was would step forward.
Darok looked over at the man who had brought the news. "I am the Vulcan Commander."
"Please follow me. Due to the nature of the call it can't be routed here." He said, gesturing for Darok to follow. Jasmine watched the interaction, knowing it was probably the alien...and relieved that they had chosen the option of peace. She couldn't be certain, but she was hopeful regardless.
Darok turned to the others. "I will return shortly." he said, then followed the man out of the tent.
The young man led Darok through the compound to the underground room which served as their communications HQ, directing over to a large computer console which was archaic by Federation standards but advanced for this world. There was a pair of headphones which he indicated. "Just press the green button on the bottom of the panel to speak."
Darok sat down, and pressed the green button. "This is the Vulcan Commander."
The voice that came across was metallic but far better quality than the words spoken in the forest.
[[Vulcan. I have kept my word. The cure is being released now and will have full effect in 12 Dornian hour units. My faction will attempt to stop me now. You must escape while you can in your own vessel. Contact me then.]]
"That may not be possible." Darok replied looking somewhat concerned. "Our shuttle is damaged, and it may not be possible to aquire the necessary materials we need here."
There were a few moments of silence before Jana spoke again as she considered the options, the ship soaring through the atmosphere, releasing the neutralizing agent into the air. Already her sensors were detecting incoming craft and she would have to start paying attention to her weapons systems and shields.
[[Try and repair your shielding. The others will try and destroy your craft soon. I will attempt a pick up in four Dornian hour time units. The dispersion will be complete at that time ]]
"I will do what I can." Darok replied. "My commanding officer has agreed to grant you an asylum... i will await your communication and arrival again in 4 hours."
[[It is Agreed]] Jana replied and then cut the communication, the comm officer arching an eyebrow and looking a bit skeptical at Darok's words. There was no disguising the fact he was very curious at who the other person was and what this was all about.
Far above their heads a single craft sped through the skies, looking like a small shooting star.
Darok removed the headphones and stood up from the chair. He noticed the young man standing there with a skeptical look. "Cheer up." He said as he lightly clapped the man on the shoulder. "Things are working in our favor." With that, Darok walked past him, heading back towards the tent his team was staying in.
When he got back, all eyes seemed to turn to him. "In the next 4 hours we need to repair the shields on the shuttle and, if we can, the engines so we can break out of the atmosphere." He said simply. "Any questions?"
The room erupted in them no sooner than he had spoken the words, the only one not saying anything was Jasmine, who nodded her head, knowing exactly what had happened. There was a renewed sense of relief in her soft gaze as she gave silent thanks for the balance being restored. Dornia now had a chance of survival, albeit slim.
To be continued...
OOC: There are a couple more posts to come out. One or two smaller posts, and another larger post. once those are out, we will be on our way back to Earth.