Fanfiction: Starship Elyssa MS AU Episode 3 part 2
_+_+_
“Catherine?”
Jack stepped into the cold medbay, searching for his girlfriend. He came across Jacobs and pulled him aside immediately.
“Hey, have you see Catherine?” he asked him. Jacobs rolled his eyes and moved away from Jack’s grip.
“I’m kinda busy here, Jack. With all the refugees and all,” snapped Jacobs as he went on to continue his work. Jacobs started after him.
“Too busy?! Refugees?! Wait, Chase…” Jack followed Chase into the medical center where he found eleven beds filled, most of them being treated to.
“When did we pick up these guys?” asked Jack to himself quietly.
“About an hour ago,” spoke a masculine voice. Jack looked down to see he was standing next to the bed of an African man, a little older than him. His injuries seemed to be mostly treated, with the exception of his eyes. One was a dark color and the other was a bright yellow color. He sat up slowly, as if complete sore.
“I’m sorry,” rambled Jack. “We’re so far into space, I didn’t think we’d pick up transmissions for a while, let alone people.”
“Don’t worry,” assured the African male. “I‘m not offended.”
“Well, that’s fantastic, cause I offend lots of people, I mean, I can be really offensive, my girlfriend thinks I‘m actually really offensive,” Jack stopped talking after he realized he was spilling too much at once. “Hi, I’m Jack, I’m one of the ship engineers, and I also work with the beaming technology.”
“Hello,” chuckled the African male. “Your girlfriend doesn’t sound too forgiving.”
“Yeah, ha, tell me about it. I mean, she is, you know, forgiving, it’s just she never fucking forgets, you know what I mean? We’re just arguing and arguing the same crap over and over again,” complained Jack as he folded his arms over his chest.
“Most relationships are like that, I think. You know what the sign of a good relationship is?” asked the African male as if it was a secret. He curled his finger for Jack to come closer, so he leaned closer.
“Don’t argue.”
Jack leaned back laughing tremendously, like he hadn’t in a long, long time.
“Yeah that disqualifies three fourths of relationships in the universe,” Jack finished saying with a chuckle.
“In this plane, maybe, but there are relationships where people don’t argue. You just don’t know it,” he explained.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You can’t have a relationship with some defects,” Jack said as a rebuttal.
“No, I’m afraid you’re mistaken.”
Jack stared at him, both confused and irritated.
“Okay, then tell me in what universe does this relationship work?” asked Jack with discretion. The African male seemed in thought.
“Oh, it’s a great place, you should go some time. There is nothing but love, sex, and care,” he explained.
“Oh yes, and you’ve been.”
“No, but I know I can reach it.”
Jack stared at him as if he was both an escaped inmate and a man with a P.H.D.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re getting at here. Science clearly states that there may be parallel universes to this one, but in order to reach it, would be fucking impossible.”
The African’s confidant smile did not falter.
“It’s possible. And I have been.”
Jack shook his head, was attempting to disagree again, this time in a fervent rant, but the African man stopped him.
“You look like a man who believes,” began the African man, “in infinite possibilities.”
The African man traced the tough texture of his bandage on the back of his hands, and he looked back up at Jack with something mysterious ghosting over his eyes.
“You’re a man of instinct, impulse, and feeling. Things which have been taken for granted in this world,” he stated simply. “Rules are limitations, when they should just be guidelines.”
Jack stared at him, confused, shocked, but interested. He stared at him as if he was looking into the future but the crystal ball was too blurry and foggy to get a clear picture. There was only the pull and the feeling of what must happen next.
“Who are you?” asked Jack, quietly. The man’s smile broadened, if that was even possible.
“My name is Helios.”
_+_+_
“Captain?”
It had been twenty four hours since they had picked up the small party in the escape pod. They had become accustomed to life on the Elyssa. All of the crew were kind and hospitable toward the new arrivals, and many volunteered to give up their rooms to the refugees. Roads had chosen to sleep on Blair’s couch; things were still pretty rough around the edges with Jack. Not entirely healed, but not entirely fresh.
Roads was in the Captain’s Chair on the bridge, and she turned when someone said her name. It was Morgan Fatima, one of the refugees, escorted by Dr. Leonard.
“Miss Fatima, good to see you’re feeling better,” began Captain Roads as she stood up from the chair to greet one of her guests. In deed, the woman seemed incredibly relaxed, almost complete rejuvenated, but still held minor burns and bandages.
“I’m feeling a whole lot better. You wanted to see me?” she asked excitedly.
“Yes, I wanted to go over the details of what happened again, if you’re up for it,” asked Roads. Fatima went white
“No, no, no, no, no, I’m trying to forget about it okay, please don’t’ make me remember…” Fatima began clawing at her face and eyes as if trying to tear away a memory. Roads quickly hushed her, as Leonard tried to restrain her.
“It’s okay, I’m sorry, Fatima. Of course, you’re not ready. You‘re dismissed. Please get some rest,” apologized the Captain. Dr. Leonard escorted her out of the bridge, and Roads turned to the rest of the crew with a tired sigh and returned to her post.
“Lt. Cannito, I need to get in touch with Starfleet Command,” informed Roads.
“I’m on it, Captain,” she replied coolly, then a few seconds later, spoke up. “Er, Captain! I’m not…getting any transmissions. Anywhere. It’s all static.”
Roads’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Konei,” she started, but Konei was ahead of her.
“We’re no where near that strong of a magnetic source. Nor are we close to any station that could be emitting that kind of ray to disrupt our signal,” answered Konei. Roads bit her thumb in thought, then looked over to Cannito.
“Continue efforts to get through. In the mean time, Konei, I need you to figure out the source of the static.”
_+_+_
“Officer Habenicht, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine.”
Jack was sitting in the cafeteria with his new friend Helios when he gestured up to a young woman who was walking toward them. She was dressed in one of the female uniforms, for the ship had nothing else to supply them. She had long brownish red hair and freckles, with the same distinctive holes in her ears. She smiled down at Jack which made his tongue swell up and his mouth get incredibly dry. His heart beat faster, and he cursed himself for it. This was happening more and more around other women, and it made him uncomfortable. He wasn’t supposed to feel this way.
“Hi,” he said simply. He remembered to be cordial and extended his hand. “I’m Officer Jack Habenicht.” Maybe too cordial.
“I’m Morgan Fatima,” she introduced herself, shaking his hand. She slid into the seat next to Helios as he wrapped an arm around her. Jack could still feel the touch of her hand in his as he rubbed his finger together in his lap. Smooth.
“Morgan is my favorite,” explained Helios. He had long dark dreads, swept in a pony tail behind him. He was looking a lot more well than twenty four hours ago. He and Jack had become familiar with each other. Well, Helios had become familiar with Jack. Jack still hadn’t a clue who this man was. So far all he knew was he was a civilian on the cruise when it was attacked.
“Ah, I can see why,” Jack commented. Wait, why did he say that? Morgan smiled with a slight blush while Helios laughed deeply.
“Morgan is attractive, but she’s my favorite because she has a skill not many possess,” explained Helios. Morgan nodded in agreement.
“Huh, what is it?” asked Jack, excitedly.
“Oh, let’s just say she’s good with people,” explained Helios.
“I hear you’re interested in the Olympus project,” commented Morgan. Jack blinked, confused.
“No, I, I wouldn’t. What is the Olympus project?” he asked. Morgan gave Helios a concerned look, but Helios didn’t answer, just smiled confidently as Jack.
“Jack is interested in the chance of different planes and the manipulation of reality,” explained Helios.
“Well, yeah, quantum physics and what not, but not necessarily…well, okay, I can’t say that I really know what you’re talking about, what are you talking about?” asked Jack, now kind of frustrated. Helios looked at him long and hard, then traced his finger along the condensation of his drink.
“Jack, what1 if I was to tell you there’s a way to eliminate sadness,” started Helios.
“I’d say…. Are you Jesus?” scoffed Jack. Helios didn’t change his serious tone.
“Jack if you’re going to continue this friendship, I’m going to need you to treat me with respect, are you capable of respecting me? If you are not capable of common decency, I may be forced to terminate this relationship,” threatened Helios with the gravest tone, enough to send a man six-feet under. Jack stared at him, both alarmed and destroyed.
“Alright,” he answered.
“Do you swear?” he asked. Jack paused, licked his lips, then continued.
“Yeah.”
Helios searched his face for doubt, then continued.
“There is something called the Olympus project. It focuses on manipulating the energy around us into a form that is most desirable using the atoms and strings of matter. It can change inanimate material into animate material, living matter out of lifeless matter, matter out of thin air. It can collect the correct atoms and molecules to create an entity. It can change a toxic enviroment into a life-supporting planet. It can also assume its own identity but still follow the will of those in control of the mother unit. With it, it will be able to revolutionize the idea of acceptability. This world is good enough, this food is good enough, this time is enough,” explained Helios. “With it, humans wouldn’t need to explore to understand the universe. We could use to make our own.”
Jack stared at him.
“This project…creates God?” asked Jack. Helios gave him an answer in the small curing turn of his lips.
“We are created in his image,” said Helios simply.
Jack felt something in his stomache turning and turning, heavy like a rock, but light like a bubble, easing through him. His skin was hot, his head was numb, like he was caught in an entire mold, buried alive in his own thoughts.
“You’re creating God,” Jack whispered. Morgan leaned over and so close to Jack, which only made his blood get hot, his heart start beating even faster.
“We are the Argementalists. We don’t create God, we are God.”
_+_+_
With two gentle hands wrapped around the warm ceramic cup, the red headed orion sipped her tea in calm thought. She was curled up on the left corner of the couch in the rec room, over looking some work from earlier on a PADD. She felt the cushion next to her sink, and she anticipated some silly noise from Roads. Instead, she heard a new voice.
“Still working?” asked the blonde haired navigator. Blair looked up, surprised but not unpleased. She smiled.
“I need to finish these reports before I make counseling to the survivors,” explained Blair as she mulled over another sheet, checking her observations.
“Ah, the refugees. Funny how we found them floating around out there,” commented McQuarrie as he pulled out his own hand held device which began making noises like a video game. Blair rolled her eyes. McQuarrie would forever be glue to a screen.
“They’re lucky we did,” commented Blair.
“Lucky how? Now we have eleven more mouths to feed, and I have to sleep on Shea’s couch til we get to the next Starfleet base, and that’s after we drop off our precious cargo,” complained McQuarrie.
“Lucky for them, we were passing through; that part of space is almost always vacant,” Blair corrected him.
“Hello, preaching to the navigating choir?” McQuarrie replied with dripping sarcasm. Blair couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Jonathon, what’s with the no girlfriend thing?” asked Blair, abruptly. Jonathon paused his game then looked at Blair seriously.
“Because women steal the sheets, and I like my sheets,” explained McQuarrie, then went right back to his hobby. Blair nodded slowly, slightly disturbed.
“Good point.”
At that moment, the comm rang in the rec room.
“Officer Konei to Commander Blair,” said the voice. Blair stood up and walked over to answer.
“Commander Blair here, what’s up?” she asked, hoping it was something quick and easy, not something that would require tons of work.
“I’m in a bit of a… problem with my boots. Would you please meet in a location in which you can repair my clothing?” asked Konei with hesitancy. Blair paused confused, then turned to McQuarrie who gave her a shrug.
“Sure, where can I meet you?”
“…Cargo bay.”
As soon as Blair got off the lift in the cargo bay, Konei was standing there, waiting. There was nothing wrong with her attire, and now Blair was even more confused.
“Konei?” asked Blair approaching her.
“Commander, have you had a chance yet to talk to the refugees?” asked Konei immediately.
“No,” answered Blair, then raised a finger pointing to the Vulcan’s feet, “but what about your boots?”
“It was a decoy in order to get you meet me in a disclose location. I was not positive if I could speak of the situation without a dangerous reaction,” replied Konei. “Come with me, I need your professional opinion.”
Blair followed Konei to the larger part of the cargo bay, where Konei revealed to Blair the escape shuttle, around it people were moving cargo past it, in a sort of organized chaos.
“You wanted me to look at the shuttle?” asked Blair, stepping onto the lowered platform of the shuttle.
“Yes, do you notice anything wrong with the appearance?” asked Konei, following her now.
“Well…” Blair looked around. “It is in mint condition. Not outside damage…”
They walked in, examining their surroundings.
“You’re right, there is something wrong. It‘s too… It‘s too… perfect,” observed Blair. “It’s been worn down to the approximate number of days, the food storage compartment has been obliterated. This has been set up.”
“This is conducive to my findings. The gas tank is nearly half full. At seven days, it would have already been depleted if really deployed. Also the log states it has only been deployed for three.”
Blair bent down to observe an awful stain on the ground. It was still wet.
“This is too fresh to have been made a week ago,” observed Blair as she rubbed the blood between her fingers. “We have intruders.”
“My calcuations exactly.”
Blair stood up immediately and marched immediately to the lift followed by Konei in a rushed manner.
“Alert security personel immediately to restrict all eleven to their quarters. I need them to send the first ‘refugee’ in my office immediately.”
_+_+_
“Excuse me, sir.”
Jack looked up when he and Helios were stopped in the hallway by two security officers.
“We’ve been asked to make sure this refugee is returned to his room,” said one of the security officer.
“Why back to his room?” asked Jack confused.
“That’s classified information we are not able to disclose.”
Jack studied the man, then turned to Helios.
“I guess I’ll see you later,” Jack spoke to Helios. Helios gave a smug shrug, then whispered to Jack under his breath.
“Check on Morgan.”
Jack looked up at Helios confused, but he was already walking away with the guards. Jack watching him go, he realized something was terribly wrong. Jack rushed down to toward the lift, and immediately found Blair in the confined space. He had to ask her.
“Where are the refugees going?”
“Oh, I’m just going to have my counseling with them now, instead of later,” explained Blair, not alluding to her suspicions.
“Don’t you think maybe the need more than a day to keep it together?” asked Jack. The red headed Orion made no sign of changing her mind.
“No, I need to talk to them immediately,” reiterated Blair as the lift opened up and she exited the lift. Jack was quick on her heels before the door closed.
“But don’t you think-” Jack began.
“Jack, are you trying to beam some dick up my ass?” Blair snapped, irritated and not amused by this conversation. “Because unless you aren’t, then you need to return to your post on the engineering deck.”
Jack glared at Blair, but unable to come with a witty comeback, Jack stepped down and left.
“Thank you, Commander,” Jack muttered bitterly, as he left Blair’s company and continued down the hall. He went into the restroom and gripped the basin tightly, enough to make his knuckles go white. He stared at the sliver reflection in the singular then looked up to stare himself in the eyes. He closed his eyes, then breathed deep as he left the restroom. He found the nearest communication receiver and dialed numbers. There is no need to wait, immediately Road’s face came into view.
“Hi, baby, Can’t talk much, what’s up?” she asked.
“Catherine, I‘m not going to be able to meet you for dinner tonight, I’ve got a ton on my plate. One of the crystals is not responding well to the receiver and Teixiera is forcing me to work on til late tonight,” informed Jack into the receiver. Roads smiled into the picture,
“It’s fine. I’ll see you later, maybe?” she asked. “I would like to actually see you today.”
Jack paused.
“Sure, I’ll see you later,” he added.
“Okay,” Roads sighed sadly. “I love you.”
“…Love you, too,” and then he cut communication. He turned over to see the guard posted outside Road’s room. He walked over to him with purpose.
“Captain Roads has sent me to escort the refugee to counseler’s office,” stated Jack as matter a fact.
“The refugee has already been escorted.”
“Oh, well, then…” Jack slowly walked away and feared for the worst.
_+_+_
Blair was sitting in her office when a young woman entered, Morgan Fatima.
“Hello? You wanted to see me?” asked Morgan Fatima timidly. Blair nodded.
“Take a seat.”
Morgan took a seat in the room while Blair walked over to sit across from her.
“Please describe to me as best you can what happened,” started Blair. Morgan stared at her confused.
“ I can’t, I don’t want to remember, please, it’s been… Look, I really need to rest, I can‘t do this,” Morgan strayed off as she began fidgeting. Blair just continued staring her down. Morgan stopped and looked up at her confused.
“It’s been a day already. I need you to tell me what really happened,” Blair repeated herself.
“You’re not being affected,” whispered a shocked Morgan. Blair turned her head and squinted her eyes as if she did not quite understand.
“I’m sorry?”
“I need more rest,” reiterated Morgan quite solidly staring at her, almost glaring at her. Blair rose an eyebrow, intrigued.
“Look, I need you to tell me what really happened, what really happened, not what you want us to believe what happened,” Blair repeated herself a third time with implications. Morgan stared at her.
_+_+_
Jack darted into the medical lab and headed straight for Chase.
“Hey, Chase, up for, er, lunch?” asked Jack up real close in Chase’s face. Chase rose a brow confused, inches away from Jack’s face.
“Er it’s a little late for that now, don’t you…”
Jack’s hand clamped around a hypospray behind his back.
“Oh of course, yes, well, uh, see you later,” said Jack as he tucked the spray into his pocket. He turned around and headed down the hallway. He tried hard not to run, to keep a confident safe pace so no one would ask where he was going, so no one would noticed, so he wouldn’t have to lie.
_+_+_
“Catherine?”
Jack stepped into the cold medbay, searching for his girlfriend. He came across Jacobs and pulled him aside immediately.
“Hey, have you see Catherine?” he asked him. Jacobs rolled his eyes and moved away from Jack’s grip.
“I’m kinda busy here, Jack. With all the refugees and all,” snapped Jacobs as he went on to continue his work. Jacobs started after him.
“Too busy?! Refugees?! Wait, Chase…” Jack followed Chase into the medical center where he found eleven beds filled, most of them being treated to.
“When did we pick up these guys?” asked Jack to himself quietly.
“About an hour ago,” spoke a masculine voice. Jack looked down to see he was standing next to the bed of an African man, a little older than him. His injuries seemed to be mostly treated, with the exception of his eyes. One was a dark color and the other was a bright yellow color. He sat up slowly, as if complete sore.
“I’m sorry,” rambled Jack. “We’re so far into space, I didn’t think we’d pick up transmissions for a while, let alone people.”
“Don’t worry,” assured the African male. “I‘m not offended.”
“Well, that’s fantastic, cause I offend lots of people, I mean, I can be really offensive, my girlfriend thinks I‘m actually really offensive,” Jack stopped talking after he realized he was spilling too much at once. “Hi, I’m Jack, I’m one of the ship engineers, and I also work with the beaming technology.”
“Hello,” chuckled the African male. “Your girlfriend doesn’t sound too forgiving.”
“Yeah, ha, tell me about it. I mean, she is, you know, forgiving, it’s just she never fucking forgets, you know what I mean? We’re just arguing and arguing the same crap over and over again,” complained Jack as he folded his arms over his chest.
“Most relationships are like that, I think. You know what the sign of a good relationship is?” asked the African male as if it was a secret. He curled his finger for Jack to come closer, so he leaned closer.
“Don’t argue.”
Jack leaned back laughing tremendously, like he hadn’t in a long, long time.
“Yeah that disqualifies three fourths of relationships in the universe,” Jack finished saying with a chuckle.
“In this plane, maybe, but there are relationships where people don’t argue. You just don’t know it,” he explained.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. You can’t have a relationship with some defects,” Jack said as a rebuttal.
“No, I’m afraid you’re mistaken.”
Jack stared at him, both confused and irritated.
“Okay, then tell me in what universe does this relationship work?” asked Jack with discretion. The African male seemed in thought.
“Oh, it’s a great place, you should go some time. There is nothing but love, sex, and care,” he explained.
“Oh yes, and you’ve been.”
“No, but I know I can reach it.”
Jack stared at him as if he was both an escaped inmate and a man with a P.H.D.
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re getting at here. Science clearly states that there may be parallel universes to this one, but in order to reach it, would be fucking impossible.”
The African’s confidant smile did not falter.
“It’s possible. And I have been.”
Jack shook his head, was attempting to disagree again, this time in a fervent rant, but the African man stopped him.
“You look like a man who believes,” began the African man, “in infinite possibilities.”
The African man traced the tough texture of his bandage on the back of his hands, and he looked back up at Jack with something mysterious ghosting over his eyes.
“You’re a man of instinct, impulse, and feeling. Things which have been taken for granted in this world,” he stated simply. “Rules are limitations, when they should just be guidelines.”
Jack stared at him, confused, shocked, but interested. He stared at him as if he was looking into the future but the crystal ball was too blurry and foggy to get a clear picture. There was only the pull and the feeling of what must happen next.
“Who are you?” asked Jack, quietly. The man’s smile broadened, if that was even possible.
“My name is Helios.”
_+_+_
“Captain?”
It had been twenty four hours since they had picked up the small party in the escape pod. They had become accustomed to life on the Elyssa. All of the crew were kind and hospitable toward the new arrivals, and many volunteered to give up their rooms to the refugees. Roads had chosen to sleep on Blair’s couch; things were still pretty rough around the edges with Jack. Not entirely healed, but not entirely fresh.
Roads was in the Captain’s Chair on the bridge, and she turned when someone said her name. It was Morgan Fatima, one of the refugees, escorted by Dr. Leonard.
“Miss Fatima, good to see you’re feeling better,” began Captain Roads as she stood up from the chair to greet one of her guests. In deed, the woman seemed incredibly relaxed, almost complete rejuvenated, but still held minor burns and bandages.
“I’m feeling a whole lot better. You wanted to see me?” she asked excitedly.
“Yes, I wanted to go over the details of what happened again, if you’re up for it,” asked Roads. Fatima went white
“No, no, no, no, no, I’m trying to forget about it okay, please don’t’ make me remember…” Fatima began clawing at her face and eyes as if trying to tear away a memory. Roads quickly hushed her, as Leonard tried to restrain her.
“It’s okay, I’m sorry, Fatima. Of course, you’re not ready. You‘re dismissed. Please get some rest,” apologized the Captain. Dr. Leonard escorted her out of the bridge, and Roads turned to the rest of the crew with a tired sigh and returned to her post.
“Lt. Cannito, I need to get in touch with Starfleet Command,” informed Roads.
“I’m on it, Captain,” she replied coolly, then a few seconds later, spoke up. “Er, Captain! I’m not…getting any transmissions. Anywhere. It’s all static.”
Roads’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
“Konei,” she started, but Konei was ahead of her.
“We’re no where near that strong of a magnetic source. Nor are we close to any station that could be emitting that kind of ray to disrupt our signal,” answered Konei. Roads bit her thumb in thought, then looked over to Cannito.
“Continue efforts to get through. In the mean time, Konei, I need you to figure out the source of the static.”
_+_+_
“Officer Habenicht, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine.”
Jack was sitting in the cafeteria with his new friend Helios when he gestured up to a young woman who was walking toward them. She was dressed in one of the female uniforms, for the ship had nothing else to supply them. She had long brownish red hair and freckles, with the same distinctive holes in her ears. She smiled down at Jack which made his tongue swell up and his mouth get incredibly dry. His heart beat faster, and he cursed himself for it. This was happening more and more around other women, and it made him uncomfortable. He wasn’t supposed to feel this way.
“Hi,” he said simply. He remembered to be cordial and extended his hand. “I’m Officer Jack Habenicht.” Maybe too cordial.
“I’m Morgan Fatima,” she introduced herself, shaking his hand. She slid into the seat next to Helios as he wrapped an arm around her. Jack could still feel the touch of her hand in his as he rubbed his finger together in his lap. Smooth.
“Morgan is my favorite,” explained Helios. He had long dark dreads, swept in a pony tail behind him. He was looking a lot more well than twenty four hours ago. He and Jack had become familiar with each other. Well, Helios had become familiar with Jack. Jack still hadn’t a clue who this man was. So far all he knew was he was a civilian on the cruise when it was attacked.
“Ah, I can see why,” Jack commented. Wait, why did he say that? Morgan smiled with a slight blush while Helios laughed deeply.
“Morgan is attractive, but she’s my favorite because she has a skill not many possess,” explained Helios. Morgan nodded in agreement.
“Huh, what is it?” asked Jack, excitedly.
“Oh, let’s just say she’s good with people,” explained Helios.
“I hear you’re interested in the Olympus project,” commented Morgan. Jack blinked, confused.
“No, I, I wouldn’t. What is the Olympus project?” he asked. Morgan gave Helios a concerned look, but Helios didn’t answer, just smiled confidently as Jack.
“Jack is interested in the chance of different planes and the manipulation of reality,” explained Helios.
“Well, yeah, quantum physics and what not, but not necessarily…well, okay, I can’t say that I really know what you’re talking about, what are you talking about?” asked Jack, now kind of frustrated. Helios looked at him long and hard, then traced his finger along the condensation of his drink.
“Jack, what1 if I was to tell you there’s a way to eliminate sadness,” started Helios.
“I’d say…. Are you Jesus?” scoffed Jack. Helios didn’t change his serious tone.
“Jack if you’re going to continue this friendship, I’m going to need you to treat me with respect, are you capable of respecting me? If you are not capable of common decency, I may be forced to terminate this relationship,” threatened Helios with the gravest tone, enough to send a man six-feet under. Jack stared at him, both alarmed and destroyed.
“Alright,” he answered.
“Do you swear?” he asked. Jack paused, licked his lips, then continued.
“Yeah.”
Helios searched his face for doubt, then continued.
“There is something called the Olympus project. It focuses on manipulating the energy around us into a form that is most desirable using the atoms and strings of matter. It can change inanimate material into animate material, living matter out of lifeless matter, matter out of thin air. It can collect the correct atoms and molecules to create an entity. It can change a toxic enviroment into a life-supporting planet. It can also assume its own identity but still follow the will of those in control of the mother unit. With it, it will be able to revolutionize the idea of acceptability. This world is good enough, this food is good enough, this time is enough,” explained Helios. “With it, humans wouldn’t need to explore to understand the universe. We could use to make our own.”
Jack stared at him.
“This project…creates God?” asked Jack. Helios gave him an answer in the small curing turn of his lips.
“We are created in his image,” said Helios simply.
Jack felt something in his stomache turning and turning, heavy like a rock, but light like a bubble, easing through him. His skin was hot, his head was numb, like he was caught in an entire mold, buried alive in his own thoughts.
“You’re creating God,” Jack whispered. Morgan leaned over and so close to Jack, which only made his blood get hot, his heart start beating even faster.
“We are the Argementalists. We don’t create God, we are God.”
_+_+_
With two gentle hands wrapped around the warm ceramic cup, the red headed orion sipped her tea in calm thought. She was curled up on the left corner of the couch in the rec room, over looking some work from earlier on a PADD. She felt the cushion next to her sink, and she anticipated some silly noise from Roads. Instead, she heard a new voice.
“Still working?” asked the blonde haired navigator. Blair looked up, surprised but not unpleased. She smiled.
“I need to finish these reports before I make counseling to the survivors,” explained Blair as she mulled over another sheet, checking her observations.
“Ah, the refugees. Funny how we found them floating around out there,” commented McQuarrie as he pulled out his own hand held device which began making noises like a video game. Blair rolled her eyes. McQuarrie would forever be glue to a screen.
“They’re lucky we did,” commented Blair.
“Lucky how? Now we have eleven more mouths to feed, and I have to sleep on Shea’s couch til we get to the next Starfleet base, and that’s after we drop off our precious cargo,” complained McQuarrie.
“Lucky for them, we were passing through; that part of space is almost always vacant,” Blair corrected him.
“Hello, preaching to the navigating choir?” McQuarrie replied with dripping sarcasm. Blair couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Jonathon, what’s with the no girlfriend thing?” asked Blair, abruptly. Jonathon paused his game then looked at Blair seriously.
“Because women steal the sheets, and I like my sheets,” explained McQuarrie, then went right back to his hobby. Blair nodded slowly, slightly disturbed.
“Good point.”
At that moment, the comm rang in the rec room.
“Officer Konei to Commander Blair,” said the voice. Blair stood up and walked over to answer.
“Commander Blair here, what’s up?” she asked, hoping it was something quick and easy, not something that would require tons of work.
“I’m in a bit of a… problem with my boots. Would you please meet in a location in which you can repair my clothing?” asked Konei with hesitancy. Blair paused confused, then turned to McQuarrie who gave her a shrug.
“Sure, where can I meet you?”
“…Cargo bay.”
As soon as Blair got off the lift in the cargo bay, Konei was standing there, waiting. There was nothing wrong with her attire, and now Blair was even more confused.
“Konei?” asked Blair approaching her.
“Commander, have you had a chance yet to talk to the refugees?” asked Konei immediately.
“No,” answered Blair, then raised a finger pointing to the Vulcan’s feet, “but what about your boots?”
“It was a decoy in order to get you meet me in a disclose location. I was not positive if I could speak of the situation without a dangerous reaction,” replied Konei. “Come with me, I need your professional opinion.”
Blair followed Konei to the larger part of the cargo bay, where Konei revealed to Blair the escape shuttle, around it people were moving cargo past it, in a sort of organized chaos.
“You wanted me to look at the shuttle?” asked Blair, stepping onto the lowered platform of the shuttle.
“Yes, do you notice anything wrong with the appearance?” asked Konei, following her now.
“Well…” Blair looked around. “It is in mint condition. Not outside damage…”
They walked in, examining their surroundings.
“You’re right, there is something wrong. It‘s too… It‘s too… perfect,” observed Blair. “It’s been worn down to the approximate number of days, the food storage compartment has been obliterated. This has been set up.”
“This is conducive to my findings. The gas tank is nearly half full. At seven days, it would have already been depleted if really deployed. Also the log states it has only been deployed for three.”
Blair bent down to observe an awful stain on the ground. It was still wet.
“This is too fresh to have been made a week ago,” observed Blair as she rubbed the blood between her fingers. “We have intruders.”
“My calcuations exactly.”
Blair stood up immediately and marched immediately to the lift followed by Konei in a rushed manner.
“Alert security personel immediately to restrict all eleven to their quarters. I need them to send the first ‘refugee’ in my office immediately.”
_+_+_
“Excuse me, sir.”
Jack looked up when he and Helios were stopped in the hallway by two security officers.
“We’ve been asked to make sure this refugee is returned to his room,” said one of the security officer.
“Why back to his room?” asked Jack confused.
“That’s classified information we are not able to disclose.”
Jack studied the man, then turned to Helios.
“I guess I’ll see you later,” Jack spoke to Helios. Helios gave a smug shrug, then whispered to Jack under his breath.
“Check on Morgan.”
Jack looked up at Helios confused, but he was already walking away with the guards. Jack watching him go, he realized something was terribly wrong. Jack rushed down to toward the lift, and immediately found Blair in the confined space. He had to ask her.
“Where are the refugees going?”
“Oh, I’m just going to have my counseling with them now, instead of later,” explained Blair, not alluding to her suspicions.
“Don’t you think maybe the need more than a day to keep it together?” asked Jack. The red headed Orion made no sign of changing her mind.
“No, I need to talk to them immediately,” reiterated Blair as the lift opened up and she exited the lift. Jack was quick on her heels before the door closed.
“But don’t you think-” Jack began.
“Jack, are you trying to beam some dick up my ass?” Blair snapped, irritated and not amused by this conversation. “Because unless you aren’t, then you need to return to your post on the engineering deck.”
Jack glared at Blair, but unable to come with a witty comeback, Jack stepped down and left.
“Thank you, Commander,” Jack muttered bitterly, as he left Blair’s company and continued down the hall. He went into the restroom and gripped the basin tightly, enough to make his knuckles go white. He stared at the sliver reflection in the singular then looked up to stare himself in the eyes. He closed his eyes, then breathed deep as he left the restroom. He found the nearest communication receiver and dialed numbers. There is no need to wait, immediately Road’s face came into view.
“Hi, baby, Can’t talk much, what’s up?” she asked.
“Catherine, I‘m not going to be able to meet you for dinner tonight, I’ve got a ton on my plate. One of the crystals is not responding well to the receiver and Teixiera is forcing me to work on til late tonight,” informed Jack into the receiver. Roads smiled into the picture,
“It’s fine. I’ll see you later, maybe?” she asked. “I would like to actually see you today.”
Jack paused.
“Sure, I’ll see you later,” he added.
“Okay,” Roads sighed sadly. “I love you.”
“…Love you, too,” and then he cut communication. He turned over to see the guard posted outside Road’s room. He walked over to him with purpose.
“Captain Roads has sent me to escort the refugee to counseler’s office,” stated Jack as matter a fact.
“The refugee has already been escorted.”
“Oh, well, then…” Jack slowly walked away and feared for the worst.
_+_+_
Blair was sitting in her office when a young woman entered, Morgan Fatima.
“Hello? You wanted to see me?” asked Morgan Fatima timidly. Blair nodded.
“Take a seat.”
Morgan took a seat in the room while Blair walked over to sit across from her.
“Please describe to me as best you can what happened,” started Blair. Morgan stared at her confused.
“ I can’t, I don’t want to remember, please, it’s been… Look, I really need to rest, I can‘t do this,” Morgan strayed off as she began fidgeting. Blair just continued staring her down. Morgan stopped and looked up at her confused.
“It’s been a day already. I need you to tell me what really happened,” Blair repeated herself.
“You’re not being affected,” whispered a shocked Morgan. Blair turned her head and squinted her eyes as if she did not quite understand.
“I’m sorry?”
“I need more rest,” reiterated Morgan quite solidly staring at her, almost glaring at her. Blair rose an eyebrow, intrigued.
“Look, I need you to tell me what really happened, what really happened, not what you want us to believe what happened,” Blair repeated herself a third time with implications. Morgan stared at her.
_+_+_
Jack darted into the medical lab and headed straight for Chase.
“Hey, Chase, up for, er, lunch?” asked Jack up real close in Chase’s face. Chase rose a brow confused, inches away from Jack’s face.
“Er it’s a little late for that now, don’t you…”
Jack’s hand clamped around a hypospray behind his back.
“Oh of course, yes, well, uh, see you later,” said Jack as he tucked the spray into his pocket. He turned around and headed down the hallway. He tried hard not to run, to keep a confident safe pace so no one would ask where he was going, so no one would noticed, so he wouldn’t have to lie.
_+_+_