Anti-Climax
Posted on Aug 22, 2014 @ 12:13pm by Captain Siobhan Reardon
Edited on on Oct 26, 2015 @ 2:25pm
Mission: The Tangled Webs We Weave
"Anti-Climax"
(Continued from "The Atta Girl/Oh Shit Balance - Part II")
=/\=
"All my life, I have wanted to fly. Perhaps my failure to do so has caused my heart to remain in flight... leaping from one thing to another... never satisfied, never complete."
-Leonardo hologram to Janeway, ST:VOY: "Concerning Flight"
=/\=
Location: USS PANDORA
Scene: Layne's Ready Room
SD: [2.14]0806.1930
Once they had cleared the immediate vicinity, and found a safe, non-blocked location from which to transport back to the ship, the two Captains had wasted no time browsing the information the mysterious Nausicaan had traded to them.
Tim eyed his Diplomatic Liaison Officer as he booted up the data, carefully scanning for malware and viruses. The left shoulder and sleeve of her dress was singed, and her right cheek and right leg were speckled with bloody spots and pinpricks. She looked a little rough around the edges. "Do you need to go to Sickbay?"
"Not immediately," she said with a smirk, leaning back in the plush chair, trying to stretch out a leg cramp from the impromptu run they took on the station.
"Here," The dark-haired CO said, tossing a PADD into Siobhan's hands. That way they would be able to look at the information simultaneously, he on the console and she remotely.
Sio got a glass of ice water while the ship's computer decided whether or not their 'pirate's booty' was worth the chip it was implanted in.
After an impossibly long forty-five seconds and a series of beeps, the hard fought information began to reveal itself. Sio grasped the PADD trying to speed read the contents. USS APPARITION. Commanding Officer. Tall. Australian.
"Aha," Layne remarked, having skipped down farther. "I don't think it's Jaxsper Lawrence we're after- he has a brother."
"But the surveillance looks exactly like him," she protested, frantically looking ahead for what the CO was driving at.
"*Twin* brother... or rather twin entity created due to experimental weapons fire. He chose the name Christopher."
A surprised look crossed Siobhan’s visage, punctuated by Natalie’s disguise. "That's pretty odd, and pretty cold to want to frame his own brother.. or at least willingly creating the confusion. Does he have any last known location?"
He looked across at her, stroking his beard. "We're not that lucky. I might be able to find the location of the APPARITION, or at least get a lead on the Intel-based ship."
"Someone would have had to have reached out to Captain Lawrence by now," Sio thought aloud. "Or even accused him of doing the deed himself… right?”
“We won’t know until we can confirm it,” Layne said grimly. “Let me work on this, push a few buttons and see if I can get things going. You go and get patched up.”
She wanted to ask if he was sure, but his face was set with a determination that did not indicate any doubt whatsoever. “Okay,” she said quietly as she left Tim to his own devices, reserving her concerns for more private introspection.
=/\=
Location: USS PANDORA
Scene: Holodeck 3
Time Index: 12 hours later
“I probably should have done this sooner,” Siobhan uttered as they entered the holodeck. The random thought crossed her mind throughout the trip to Sickbay, the longest, hottest sonic shower she could stand, and a night of near passed-out sleep. And the new day had only sharpened the idea in her mind.
“Yeah. A workout. Nice.” Ondrej Reardon was at the age where the line between honesty and sarcasm was crossed on a regular basis, and at times it was difficult to decipher between the two, even for an experienced Counsellor.
His mother glared at him in mocking anger, but her face broke into a smile before the illusion could take hold. “I think you’ll like it. I know I do and you’re way more coordinated than me. Computer, execute program Marxx-dojo-one."
"Who's Marxx?" Drey asked as the holodeck terraformed itself into a rectangular classroom with two toned green paint, foreign symbols on the wall, and an entire wall of glass with an imaginary southern exposure onto a terraced Asian-like hillside. Unbeknownst to the half Supai youth, the characters etched into the dojo wall were Vegan.
Sio felt herself dip back into the well of feelings she had managed to wall off from the rest of her life. Her thoughts reached out like phantom fingers, rippling the surface of the water. As many moments of happiness as her sometimes nomadic Starfleet life had given her, there was still the nagging concern that she had made the wrong choice. She had chosen one type of love, over another. Had it been the right love? Finally she sighed. There was no purpose in reminiscing… or in trying to explain her long divorced ex-husband to her son. “My martial arts instructor.”
“If you know martial arts, how come you got shot yesterday?” Drey hadn’t seen her before the dermal regenerator made quick work of her minor scrapes, but the damaged dress was still very much present when she arrived back at their quarters.
“I already explained that- I was barricaded behind a bar. And we were outnumbered.” She knew there would be one day he’d see her with a bruise or an injury, but there was no need rushing into things. But he would need to learn that powering past physical limitations was good preparedness for pushing other limits as well. “Computer, create a sparring partner for me. Advanced Level.”
A crimson-skinned woman a little taller and certainly broader than Sio materialized, her angular features focused solely on the congenial redhead. “You just watch for now,” she said to Drey as the two women bowed symbolically.
Siobhan stepped back with her left foot and planted her right, hands held up in a neutral position. The simulation mirrored her movements, with slightly different posture. A few seconds later, the opponent came at her, palms turned into fists. Sio grunted and pushed them away with quick sweeping motions, trying to use her legs and feet to make a well placed hit of some kind and failing.
The Vegan woman, despite the successful arm blocks, was able to hit the side of Reardon’s torso with her leg. This threw the Captain off balance, but it also gave an opportunity for her to get a glancing blow against the shoulder and elbow of her attacker.
Before the other woman had the chance to respond, Sio tucked and rolled to the left, managing to quickly bring herself upright and turn to once more face her opponent.
The opponent swept her leg high upward and spun part of the way around, missing Sio’s body by only inches as the slightly shorter woman ducked and stuck her own leg out, striking the woman in the thigh. This caused her to stagger backward.
Sensing an opportunity, Reardon sprang forward and pummeled the adversary with her fists, about half of the hits finding their target.
The sparring partner grabbed at Sio’s arms in an attempt to stop them, and the redhead glared at her a few seconds as they struggled, before jumping up and straddling her opponent’s midsection with her legs. That brought both women down in a heap, Siobhan on top. She kept the Vegan woman held down until a buzzer signified a clean hold for three seconds. “Computer, end match,” Sio said, a little out of breath.
She rose slowly and looked over at her son. “So… what did you think?”
“Woah,” he said. “How long did it take you to learn?”
“I’m still learning,” she answered truthfully. “This isn’t the highest sparring level.”
“You want me to learn too.”
She nodded. “Yeah. Consider it a part of Officer training they don’t always mention at the Academy,” Sio offered. “Just because someone isn’t a Marine or a Security Officer doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to defend themselves with their own two hands. I wish I had learned that sooner.”
“You were a Counsellor first, right?” Drey asked.
Sio sat down on the mat next to her son. “Well, almost. I spent about a month on the USS PATRIOT as their Science Officer. But then, I was reassigned to the ODYSSEY as their Counsellor. It ended up sticking with me a while. You could say I was more interested in helping people heal their minds than I was in kicking the enemy’s ass.”
Drey laughed. “When did that change?”
“I don’t think it did. But I realized my opportunities were limited if I wasn’t able to fight my way out of a paper bag. How could I possibly command, or understand the facets of command, if I didn’t bring some balance to the mental and physical needs and stresses of being an Officer. It opened up missions for me that I would have been passed over for if I hadn’t continued to adapt.”
“Balance is important to you,” Drey observed. “I can tell you’re trying to be a good Officer and a good Mom at the same time.”
Siobhan felt her throat tighten with emotion, but chuckled anyway. “And you’re a good kid for putting up with it. Because it’s all one grand experiment, you know? We guess, we try, we make mistakes. And tomorrow is another chance to do the same, learning all the time about ourselves and the world around us. But no matter how incredibly you mess up, you have to keep trying. You’ll never be able to fix what was wrong, but at times you’ll be able to do something so wonderful that it makes the errors totally worth it.”
“Like find Dahlia and Ben?” His green eyes met his mother’s.
Sio placed a hand on Drey’s shoulder. “By the All-Father, I hope so. I hope so.”
=/\=
Location: USS PANDORA, in the Armagosa star system
Scene: Bridge
Time Index: Three days later
Even though there was no need for her to be on the Bridge, Sio felt compelled to be there as they entered the place where they hoped to get some answers. A yellow alert had been called, and an eerie coldness crept in as the ship consolidated its resources as a means to prepare for anything and everything that might come their way.
Tim had spent his time calling in a series of favors that might take months to recoup, but all that mattered was the safety and well-being of those children. Somehow that had led them to the obscure system on the other side of Romulan space.
The immediate view outside was blank, empty, and dark. A nova had robbed the Armagosa system of its planets and star, leaving the equivalent of a shell behind. It only added to the remoteness of the location and the feeling that they were heading into an unknown situation. Sio began to search the faces of the crew for interest in the dimmed light. It was certainly more informational than the lack of landmarks in open space.
So far the only things they had found were the traces of a shipping container that had been blown to smithereens some time in the last week or so. The only good news, if there really was any to be had, is no signs of humanoid remains were present at the scene. Of course, that could have dissipated by now, but none of them wanted to entertain that idea. Hope was one of the few things they had to cling to.
“Captain, I don’t know what just happened, but our sensors are jammed and communications scrambled,” a nervous voice came from the console.
“Red alert, prepare for evasive action,” Layne barked, and the bridge was plunged further into darkness. “What the hell could be doing that?”
As if to answer that question, a shape coalesced directly in front of the ship, of a Phantom-class vessel.
“We’re being hailed,” Mac said without fanfare. “Whoever it is has control over communications.”
Tim and Sio traded glances before the Pandora’s Commanding Officer motioned to open the channel. “On screen.”
Captain Jaxsper Lawrence and the bridge of the APPARITION appeared. To say that Jax looked troubled would be an understatement. But as much as he looked concerned, he also looked in control. Which to an extent, he was.
“Captain Lawrence, good to see you,” Tim said. “But why such a production? We’re on the same side here… at least the last time I checked.”
Jax let the mild insult slide. {{Forgive my intrusion, Captain Layne. But I surmised it was time to put an end to this little game.}}
“I would hardly call the kidnapping of innocents a game,” Tim answered sharply. “And the fact that all evidence points towards your brother as being responsible.”
Jax drew a ragged breath. {{I assure you I am aware of my brother’s ‘accomplishments’ as of late. And they will be handled- by me. And me alone.}}
Tim shook his head angrily. “Who appointed you judge and jury?”
{{And who made you the space pirate?}} Jax said in a cutting tone. {{You have to trust me, and trust that justice will be served. Christopher was created from me, and I can exact whatever punishment I see fit. I am my brother’s keeper.}}
“Excuse me, but aren’t the kids more important than your brother?” Sio interrupted the two men. “After all, weren’t you once on good terms with Xana Bonviva and with Daisy Davidson-Byrne-Bonviva?” She wasn’t sure if all those surnames were correct, as she was still a little unclear about the link that made the two women co-wives. But she was so annoyed right now everything just spilled out, correctness be damned.
{{The children were already rescued from a storage container my dear brother had booby-trapped nearby. They were turned over to Jake Crichton on the USS CENTURY, who is also their legal guardian.}}
“Why didn’t you state that from the beginning?” Tim roared with relief.
{{To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven,}} Jax answered cryptically. {{All in due time.}}
“Wait a minute- the CENTURY? Nobody’s seen that ship for over ten years,” Siobhan exclaimed, interrupting again, thoughts flooding her mind of her one-time home.
{{A lot has happened while you two went galavanting off to save the universe,}} Jax chided. {{But the universe has done most of the work saving itself this time.}}
“Is that all, *Captain*?” Tim asked with some degree of contempt. They had just perpetrated a wild goose chase, and there was nowhere else for the frustration to go.
Jax thought for a few moments. He could tell they cared deeply about what they were trying to do, and despite busting their chops he knew they really were on the same side. But he also knew that the information Drake provided him with wasn’t meant to be shared. He had already crossed the line helping the C make its way back to Federation space undetected. {{Mystery solved, Captain Layne. Resume your regularly scheduled pirate-busting duties. Lawrence out.}} The APPARITION moved back slightly and re-cloaked, presumably lying in wait for the arrival of Chris Lawrence.
“Systems have returned to normal function,” a wavering voice from the comm console stated.
Tim leaned back in the Captain’s chair, a little more relaxed but no less ticked off. “Great. Effing great. Let’s get the hell out of here.”
=/\=
Location: USS PANDORA
Scene: Layne’s Ready Room
Time Index: About six hours after the rendezvous with the APPARITION
The door slid open and Sio knocked on the frame unnecessarily. “You wanted to see me?”
“Here,” Tim said as he handed a shot glass full of amber liquid to her. “I think you’re going to want this.”
“Are we celebrating, or is this a bitch session?” she asked. “Not that I need a particular reason right now.” She saw that the bottle on his desk was from a well known Kentucky distillery. This was the good stuff. She didn’t wait for his answer, downing the drink in one gulp, letting a sweet honeyed fire warm her throat.
Tim followed suit. He was already on his third, but she didn’t need to know that. “Your orders to serve aboard the PANDORA are being rescinded by one Admiral Richard Edgerton,” Captain Layne said as the PADD slid across his desk with a clattering sound. It was hard to tell whether he dropped it, or threw it.
“And what kind of moob is this *Admiral Richard Edgerton*?” Reardon replied with disdain, placing her empty glass back on the desk.. “Sounds like the name of someone with a stick up his ass.”.
“Probably,” Tim agreed, pouring another round. “Chief of freaking Staff, Starfleet. The explanation is pretty damn clear. He doesn’t see the need for a Diplomatic Liaison Officer, and it doesn’t look like Xana was in any position to argue with him.”
“What about Admiral Halle?” she asked before downing her fresh drink.
Tim sighed. “Looks like Edgerton and someone named Marie-Claire Martine overruled him by majority.” The CO let out a low whistle. “Martine is the new Secretary of Starfleet.”
Siobhan’s brow furrowed in concern as she played with the empty glass in her hand. “Was Xana… fired?”
“Resigned,” The sable haired Captain said flatly. “It looks like it was done shortly after she returned to Earth.”
Sio nodded. She could only imagine the peace Xana felt, knowing her children and Jake were safe and that they were all likely together now. And she was grateful for that, even though she had not been able to play a part in their rescue. The redhead thought again for a second; the name Edgerton sounded familiar. “Wait, Christopher Lawrence is a Starfleet Officer too, right?”
Layne punched a few buttons on his computer. “Yes. He got a law degree and eventually was assigned to JAG about 9 years ago. But it looks like Intel has also been one of his main interests- he’s been with them since last year. Oh shit,” Tim said unceremoniously. “He reports to Edgerton.”
Siobhan reached over and poured her own drink this time. “Damn… I really don’t think I like this guy.”
=/\=
NRPG: Okay, all this writing I’ve been doing lately actually generated a complete post! Who knew?
Taylor: Hope this provides a nice setup for the showdown between Jax and Chris.
Justin: Hope this provides a nice setup for what we discussed.
Susan Ledbetter
as
Captain Siobhan Reardon
currently unassigned
"I savored those stories; I read them slowly, one each day. And when I was done, I wished I hadn't read them at all. So I could read them again... like it was the first time."
-Melanie to Old Jake, DS9, "The Visitor"