From: Aaron Melton (kiroskarn_at_mac.com)
Date: Tue Jan 01 2008 - 11:14:22 PST
“Truth and Consequence“ continued from “Rest Assured” =/\= Location: USS STONEHENGE SCENE: Main Engineering STARDATE: 2.80101.1231 It peaked his curiosity, from the arrival of the alien vessel to the guests that had been hurried onto the vessel, and their secretive meetings. Kiros knew that it had to be like this, at least for the time being. After all this was Starfleet’s most secretive vessel. He was still familiarizing himself with the D-Drive and all the other advanced technology aboard the USS STONEHENGE. The Trill engineer slid into the seat at his terminal and pulled up information regarding the roboform. Sorek had spent the last several hours working with the science department investigating the compacted form of the creature/device and subsequently Kiros had spent another several hours reviewing the information, readouts, etc. Even though it was no longer a threat it still needed to be cataloged and reports needed to be filed. After all who knew what little bit of information they could find that might help in the future. The other issue was becoming accustomed to the holographic interfaces aboard the ship. He had been raised on a Starfleet vessel, but they only used standard tactile interfaces. Lieutenant B’rak placed his clawed hand on the shoulder of the young engineer, his green eyes shifting down toward him as he began to speak, “you’ve been working at that for hours.” “All part of the job,” Kiros Karn returned. “Yes, but you shouldn’t try so hard to impress Sorek or Lieutenant Zanders,” the 8’ tall Akh’Mrpk continued. “They are Vulcans and are not easily impressed.” “You’re probably right, but this is my first assignment...” “You are Trill, so you’ve had several lifetimes,” the engineer replied. Kiros smiled, it wasn’t something that he spoke about, or that he’d come to terms with himself, but unlike most joined Trill he did not retain the memories of his previous hosts. “Actually my previous host died and the accident caused neural damage to the symbiont. We do not communicate like other Trills.” “So I guess you have to live this life without any grand experience to guide you.” “That is one way to look at it,” Kiros replied, “and you are right, my shift ended a couple hours ago..” his statement was cut short by the entrance of the ship’s counselor - A hybrid Bolian/Vulcan woman. “What is that witch doing here,” Lt. Sierra Wainwright exclaimed from across the room causing Kiros to glance in the direction of the entrance. The counselor’s raven hair was pulled back in a an elaborate braid. “I need an engineer... Someone competent.” Sierra Wainright was the engineer on duty, but anyone else could tell that the Counselor was just ruffling her feathers. Kiros wondered why, then recalled a story he’d heard about a run-in between he two women. “I’m the engineer on duty,” Sierra exclaimed. Lt. Phia returned coldly, “Like I said - someone competent. I was told we had decent people down here.” “I am a damn good engineer...” Wainright returned. Behind the scenes, Lr. B’rak slid out a back exit, leaving Kiros to the wolves - as it were. “Are you as good at understanding engineering as you are at understanding genetics?” the counselor replied. Kiros looked on in shock as Sierra lunged at the counselor. The counselor easily side-stepped the lunge, and withdrew a phaser pointing it at the woman, who had just lifted herself from the ground, “Paper, rock.. Phaser; I win. Get your ass back down where I can shoot it more easily.” Two things ran through Kiros’ mind. First that the counselor was in need of some serious counseling of her own and secondly that a phaser discharged in Main Engineering could cause a great deal of problems. “Wait... You can’t fire a phaser in Engineering. Are you suicidal?” His statement was followed by a long uneasy pause and a realization that he was speaking to a superior officer so he added - as an afterthought, “Ma’am.” “Only on the days that end in the letter ‘y’, Cadet.” the counselor remarked. “You any good?” Kiros arched his brow slightly. The counselor’s attention was pointed at Sierra, but her words were aimed at Kiros. “At engineering,” the young Trill inquired. “No, at peek-a-boo,” Lt. Phia replied with a dry sarcastic air. “Yes, engineering.” “Yes, I am.” Kiros replied. “Fine you’re with me,” Phia added as she tucked her phaser back into her holster, and exited Engineering. For a moment Kiros stood wondering if he was supposed to follow, then hurried after her. For some reason he expected that the counselor would explain why she had pulled a phaser on another fleet officer, but he would have to come to terms with the eccentric behavior of the ship’s counselor. After arriving in the counseling/sickbay reception area she turned to the cadet, “You have two things you need to do.” She watched as the trill nodded. “First off, the Captain wants you to double check spoor activity. Report back if you find anything important...” “And the second?” Kiros asked as he shifted his stance slightly. “Make an appointment with them...” nodding toward the pair of Bynares sitting at the reception desk,”...for a consult. THere are nine counselors, including myself. Pick any you want, I don’t care, and see them. Assuming you pass that consult we should never have to see you unless an issue arises. And if you’re one of those whiny crybabies who feels the need o complain about everything in your life, don’t make an appointment with me.” She quickly turned and exited there area leaving the Trill with Roger and Hammerstein. Kiros took a deep breath trying to figure out the counselor, then turned to the Bynares, “Can I make an appointment with someone sane?” “We’re sorry Cadet, but no one --” “-- here fist that description.” The Hammerstein ended Roger’s sentence. Kiros bit his lower lip and nodded, “Of course”. “Perhaps you should schedule --” “-- an appointment with the medical staff first.” “Sounds like a plan...” Kiros replied then smirked as he asked, “are any of them sane?” “Yes” the two Bynares replied in unison. =/\= Scene: Counselor/Medical Facility Kiros Karn stepped into the reception area and toward the Bynares. “I guess you can schedule me for an appointment with Lt. Phia.” “That is a joke --” “-- it has to be a joke.” “Actually I’m quite serious, if I am going to have to delve into my deep, dark, pasts then it might as well be with a pschopath - at least then I know I didn’t drive her insane with my insecurities...” “We are not certain --” “-- we understand.” “You don’t have to,” Kiros returned as he finished unrolling his sleeves. “She has an opening --” “-- tomorrow morning...” =/\= Scene: Lt. Phia’s Office Kiros looked at the plants that sat in the windowsill as he shifted in the papsan chair. “Remember what I said yesterday cadet - I don’t want to hear you cry about your past.” The woman stated bluntly. “Let’s start with your symbiont transfer...” “It wasn’t the typical transfer. Ambassador Leona Karn was the previous host. I’m not sure what happened, but during her death the symbiont’s neural system was fried. They weren’t even sure if the joining would take. The result is that we don’t communicate via words, not even images, but instead through emotions.” “So you didn’t gain the insight of the previous hosts,” Phia returned as she sat in her papsan chair across from him. “No... I”m on my own... The Commission equated it to a reboot for the symbiont. It would be as if I was the first host,” Kiros offered. “What else do we need to know about you,” the woman asked coldly. “Not a whole lot. I was raised on the USS Vanguard, my father is their Chief Medical Officer and my mother is a counselor...” “Just remember I’m not your mother... I don’t care...” “Ever heard the saying that you attract more flies with honey...” “Why would I want to attract flies...” “Nevermind...” Kiros returned as she unfastened his collar. “You’ve probably looked over my files already so...” “Of course I’ve read your files...” “Sarcasm... They say that sarcasm is the recourse of a weak mind...” Kiros returned. “Are you trying to start a fight cadet...” Phia continued, “Remember that I have to pass you before you can return to duty.” “Frankly counselor, I don’t think that you have it in you to fail me, because it would bring attention to you and your personal issues. When is the last time that you had to sit through a counseling session of your own?” “Don’t try to psychoanalyze me.” “I’m not, but someone needs to bring this to your attention and it might as well be me, since I’m new around here. Quite frankly I’ve noticed that everyone is afraid of you... you push everyone away and yet you claim to be a counselor.” Kiros stood and began pacing. “I don’t know what happened to you Lieutenant, but it was obviously traumatic. You need to talk to someone about it...” “Cadet this session is over, I will schedule another one for you with another counselor,” Phia stated moving past Kiros. Kiros placed his hand on her shoulder, “Look counselor I may not be a certified counselor, but I can listen and can offer you something no one else here does... honesty.” “Take your hand off me, and I don’t need your help cadet...” “Of course you’re right - you don’t need anyone’s help... No one needs help, right. Then why be a counselor? Why take up a career that requires you to help people with their problems.” Kiros sighed, “I just hope that you do know what you’re doing to yourself and to those that at one time cared about you. Do you even know how many people you’ve hurt, how many you’ve pushed aside?” “Get out of my office Cadet...” “Trust me ma’am, I’m leaving your office, but I am not leaving this ship, and I’m not done with this. You need help before you hurt yourself or someone else on this ship and if no one else will do it then I will...” “I don’t want your help...” Kiros stopped as the door slid open, “No one wants to be helped ma’am... No one wants to admit they have issues that they need to work through... but we all do and you should know that better than anyone else.” =/\= NRPG: Sarah... I hope I handled her ok. =/\= Aaron Melton <kiroskarn_at_mac.com> Cadet Kiros Karn aCEO USS STONEHENGE From HyperNews_at_youth.net
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