The Path Not Taken: Incarceration (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on 13 Aug 2024 @ 9:23am by Lieutenant JG Montgomery Vala & Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor

1,944 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: Ophir, Central Otago, New Zealand
Timeline: Late 2397

Previously in Incarceration...

“Varin…I joined Starfleet in a less than thought out attempt to escape a life that had already been planned out. It is ironic that I only delayed the inevitable. Your Elements have decreed a particular fate for me…however, I am most gratified that I will face that future with you.”

Sera reached across the small table and ran her index and middle fingers over the back of his hand down his fingers in a manner to convey comfort.

“Everything I have done has been to secure your safety. After our bonding, I demanded your placement on the clan rolls. You are my mate - a Vulcan now by marriage. Regardless of the reasoning behind your defection from the Empire - none will dare to touch you. Not with the power my clan wields…and my request forced T’Ael’s hand. I bargained for her promise to protect you as well.”

“Do you comprehend?”

And now the conclusion...

[ON]

It was an answer. Some pieces clicked into place, others stubbornly remained awry. It was not the answer though. He had not asked the correct question…

“Why…” His voice still echoed. Where S’Ers-a had been able to articulate herself properly, Vala remained muddied in the milieu of their minds, “...Why did you not…” The scene remained in the banquet hall, but was jarred by the disturbances of Vala piecing together the narrative of the past several months.

“...not give me agency? Not… tell me?” He was not speaking. One did not truly speak when minds came together. Sometimes it appeared thus, but the scenery, the physical manifestation, the avatars of them were just… comprehension. Vala was struggling in that regard.

“I…” Sera looked down to her hands which were placidly placed on the table top. “I do not have an answer that will satisfy. You had a right to know and I failed to disclose this to you. I was not raised to be so…transparent. I realized that I had erred, but I did not know how to rectify it.. She…” She paused. No. It was not logical to foist blame onto her foremother. T’Ael had merely offered the ‘chalice.’ Sera chose to drink from it. “I promised my Komehk’il I would reveal nothing. I am…breaking that vow. I erroneously allowed another to come between our commitment to one another. I am concerned that this will become a theme in our lives together.”

That was the thing about melds. It wasn’t just a conversation. There was no hiding or secrets here. Her shame and self-incrimination swirled about her. She felt his pain over being left out of a crucial decision that involved him acutely.

“Mnhei’sahe,” Vala uttered, his voice finding clarity, “One must honour their forebears. Their requests. Their wishes.” He, of course, had never had many obligations in this regard, but raised as a true Rihannsu he knew of the strings and knots of clan life.

“How shall the shapes of things be known, except that Truth burning give light thereto,” he quoted the Song of the Sun, his eyes shimmering, “We must proceed without secrets,” he simply said. Her admission was enough surety.

In this mind's-eye view, Sera smiled softly. It wasn’t often that Montgomery quoted S’Task.

“We don’t seem to be very good at doing that, adun.” Sera replied earnestly. “Or perhaps we are quite adept at allowing all sorts of things to come between us.”

"Neither of us were born in a culture of openness," he acknowledged, his voice stabilising and echoing less, "Perhaps some bonds, some marriages, are perfect from the time they are established. But for us, we must continue to understand one another, and grow together." He held out a hand to her, "We must surpass our instincts and strive more and more to become one."

“I am in complete agreement, adun. I had…hoped we would have returned to Vulcan. To have a proper marriage ceremony.”

Sera paused, realizing what she was saying had no meaning to him. She quickly placed her hand in his outstretched palm and sighed ‘aloud’ in this dreamscape of the mind within the meld. This was the ‘oneness,’ she desired, what was missing from their bond. Perhaps it was from her inexperience in such things, or the fact that he was physiologically different from her, but their connection was…different, perhaps somehow less than what it would be with another Vulcan. She had accepted what they did have, and then knowingly went about to subvert it somehow. That knowing brought her pain, which he no doubt felt in this moment.

And yet…that he desired a closer communion brought her great satisfaction…no. Joy. That in spite of the games they had been playing, he still wanted her. She did not deserve his loyalty, and yet here it was, bared for her to see and feel and relish in.

“Our bond is…different, Varin. But that you desire oneness…you are a worthy mate.”

Vala averted his eyes, "I can but try, Rhiana." He looked back to her and as a long moment passed, the mindscape around them finally settled into tranquility.

Sera removed her fingertips from the side of his face and slowly pushed away from him. “I have read about various times in human history that such internment camps were utilized to segregate others. Oftentimes it was framed as a way to keep those undesirables separate from the general population…for protection. It then often disintegrates to willful destruction of said undesirables. We already do not have enough food or medication, and our requests are met with silence. I do not care about the galactic war being fought…however, I care about the people we have been placed with. The vast majority–and I can be quite specific in my numbers if you would prefer–have absolutely no ties to any form of government or military entities. You, technically, are an outlier…”

She stopped speaking for a moment, realizing she was, according to Vulcan norms, babbling.

“Varin…I have upheld my end of the bargain made with komehk’il…I performed the tasks asked of me…and still we are here. Given our circumstances, I do not believe it would be logical to rely upon her further at this juncture. I am partly responsible for this escalation; I will do what I can to help these people.”

Vala bowed his head slightly, acknowledging the realities of the situation, "You will not be alone, e'lev. There are many with expertise here. Innocent people. I am sure we can work to improve things."

Sera blinked at Montgomery, but her mind had focused on their current problems and how to overcome them. “We will need to determine everyones’ skillset. Of particular one who is competent with security protocols…and how to override them. Perhaps one with communications experience, so that we may learn what is going on outside our…settlement. A ship, a transport large enough to carry all within the camp, would be ideal.”

He nodded as she spoke, seeing where her line of thought was going, "I am sure there are individuals with these skills, however…" He glanced back towards the settlement, "The technology required to make effective use of people's talents are hoarded by a few that will require some benefit for themselves if they are to share."

“Sharing is not necessary. What I speak of is…liberation. There is a spaceport in Dunadin. I propose we go there and obtain the necessary transportation. Or perhaps I could attempt to contact our Ferengi ‘friend?’”

"The goal is sound, but we will need to bargain with one party or another," Vala lightly caressed her shoulder, "The Ferengi will exact a high price no doubt, I am unsure what we have that they will be interested in… besides people's expertise." He glanced away, the idea of becoming suborned to Ferangi was distasteful, "But if not them then we must extract, peacefully or otherwise, assistance or equipment from those who have power here. They too may wish to escape, but they are not particularly… aligned to us."

“Currency is of no concern if the best route is through the Ferengis…regardless, I am in agreement with your sentiments over asking them. Nonetheless, all options must be considered. Pertaining to the alignment of our fellow prisoners. You are also correct; but it should be offered. I am willing to offer assurances of safety…it may only prove relative, perhaps, but I will also give them something they haven’t had since hostilities have broken out…a choice.”

"A choice…" Vala repeated, slowly nodding his head, "I doubt there's anyone here who wouldn't rather be somewhere else." He sighed and a determined look crossed his visage, "We are in accord. Let us make it possible."

“I am gratified that you see the logic of my proposal.” Sera replied, inwardly quite pleased. The water of the hot spring soothed the aches in her body; her mind was, for the first time in months, again at peace. In a rare outward expression of emotion, Sera softly smiled and again moved closer to him, insinuating herself between his legs, their chests almost touching.

“It would be illogical to squander the respite we have been given here, adun.” Sera purred.

A smile graced Vala's lips, "Illogical… Yes. We must be thankful for these mercies." He moved into a close embrace, "I am sure our plans can wait until we return."

---

FNN: Federation News Network
SPECIAL REPORT

[14:00:11] CAROLINE CABRERA, FNN CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, this is Caroline Cabrera. I want to welcome our viewers around the Federation and here on Earth. We interrupt this scheduled program with breaking news.

Right now we are following reports out of New Zealand regarding a prison camp breakout unfolding on the South Island near Dunadin. Phaser fire and explosions were reported at the Ophir internment camp housing roughly 200 of Earth’s highest-risk Romulan and Klingon detainees. Details coming out of the facility are sparse at this time, but reports of casualties are coming with at least three confirmed dead, and another six currently in serious or critical condition.

We are awaiting the arrival of correspondence on-scene shortly and–

::The newscaster tilts her head and puts her hand up to her ear, hearing something that has not been broadcast to the public::

I’ve just received an update; apparently a transport ship docked at Dunadin spaceport has been commandeered by the escapees; early reports indicate they have taken hostages. Let’s go to news correspondent Tera Zh'evekress to hear the latest…

Tera: Thank you Caroline. I am broadcasting from Dunadin Spaceport where a mid-range warp capable transport ship, Al-Kathir has just left Earth orbit and entered into warp…Starfleet Intelligence has identified these 5 individuals as the likely leaders of a Romulo-Klingon terrorist cell.

::Pictures flash on screen of the five ‘criminals,’ Mongtomery Vala, Imin Volskiar, S’anra Krotash, K’ratak of House Grevaq, and S’Ers-a M’Lyr’Zor::

“These leaders have been identified as Romulans: Mongtomery Vala, Imin Volskiar, S’anra Krotash, and Klingon, K’ratak of House Grevaq…and well, this is rather unusual, Caroline, but the fifth suspect–and suspected leader of the terrorist cell–has been identified as S’Ers-a M’Lyr’Zor, a Vulcan and former Starfleet Officer…”

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor
Untrustworthy Citizen of the Federation

&

Montgomery Vala
Barely Remaining a Citizen of the Federation

 

RSS Feed