Doorways
Posted on Nov 22, 2016 @ 10:15pm by Thomas Varn
Edited on on Nov 22, 2016 @ 10:15pm
Mission: Aftermath
“Doorways”
(Continued from “Time Drawing Out” )
Location: Starfleet Headquarters, San Francisco, Earth
Scene: Corridor
Stardate: [2.16]1122.2044
The lights seemed to flicker causing the shadows to dance across the walls of the corridor where Thomas sat. His body, slightly slouching as his mind slowly moved in and out of local consciousness barely aware of the noises created by those that passed him by. He had never considered all the things that would ever happen to him when he first enlisted in Starfleet, never thought that all that has happened would come to pass. His mind, slowly faded into the present and into its own consciousness of thought before being disturbed.
“Excuse, excuse me sir,” a young cadet softly spoke moving closer to Thomas looking over his shoulder and around him constantly, “can, can you help me?”
Thomas gaze froze upon the floor before him shifted slightly moving his eyes to gaze upon the small statured creature. Raising his head slowly leaving his eyes focused upon the Ensign his brows slowly moved into position to show his displeasure before straightening his posture, “what is it?”
Location: Starfleet Medical
Scene: Diagnosis Chamber
Time Index: Twenty Four Hours Prior
The lights in the diagnosis chamber slowly began to raise as medical personnel slowly trickled into the room rousing Thomas from his medication induced slumber. Thomas shuttered slowly as his mind cleared and he could feel the chill present in the air making contact to his skin. Trying to lift his neck he began to realize the extent of his captivity. Taking a deep breath Thomas moved his eyes looking around the room taking note of how the force fields holding his body down and specialized equipment holding his wings out as if he were a altered version of da Vinci’s vitruvian man.
“What is it,” a cold and star voice emitted near Thomas’ head as a figure began scanning Thomas with a medical tricorder, “what species?”
Stepping from the darkness a fully covered figure in medical scrubs, including face mask, held up a padd before accessing it, “the report provided by a Doctor Cade Foster, states that he was an human male before genetic alterations were received.”
The face mask of the individual scanning Thomas body wrinkled as the hidden displeasure of the knowledge that someone allowed their body to be changed in such a way was almost completely hidden, “to allow oneself to endure this treatment is disgraceful and unbecoming of a starfleet officer. Further supporting the logical move of the Council and President to remove your less than exemplary species from power.”
Thomas’ eyes shifted slightly in the direction of the figure before a small grin stretched across his lips, “do I detect the wonderfully self-superior and overly confident in one's on intelligence of the Vulcan species?”
The doctor’s eyes fixated on Thomas face before reaching up and removing his face mask slowly, “self-superiority and confidence are both emotions, which as you know…”
“Vulcans do not have,” Thomas smiled before laughing softly, “right, just like you can’t lie but have an uncanny ability for finding truth loopholes. Just like trying to provoke me with that jab concerning the council.”
Silence filled the room as the other medical personnel stopped what they were doing turning their attention to the conversation between Thomas and the Doctor T’Pak. Thomas’ eyes softened slightly before taking another deep breath, “it's not like it matters to me anymore. I’m no longer human, i’m not alien, i’m just some where caught in between. My own shipmates, turned against me, and now i’m here.”
T’Pak’s hands slowly began to move again scanning Thomas’ body once more, “you betray yourselves, and those you care about. Your assessment of your species failings are quite accurate.”
Thomas eyes closed slowly before sighing, “we aren’t the only ones to have failings or none of you ray would be here.”
The medical team stopped what they were doing once again only for a moment before being instructed back to work by the T’Pak. Placing the medical tricorder down on the medical tray he slowly lifted a hypospray taking a sample of Thomas blood before motioning for other samples to be collected. Thomas’ body remained motionless as pieces of his skin, hair, feathers, eye fluids, cells, and other items were collected for study.
“We need to collect samples to see if reproduction would be viable with any other humanoid species,” T’Pak stated watching as others in the room began to question the course of actions taking place today, “you have your orders.”
Thomas slowly opened his eyes looking to a shorter heavy set figure who had been staring at him for a few moments without being noticed. His eyes softened slightly as the pain of being exactly what he did not want to become was happening and there was nothing he could do about it. The figure slowly moved closer before putting a hand on his cheek, “shh, sugar it will be ok we are almost done.”
T’Pak quickly turned his head before approaching the woman moving her away, “we do not help those who are here because of crimes.”
Thomas chuckled softly, “what crime have I done? Existed after being mutilated genetically? Or being drugged and dragged here against my will and being experimented on without consent?”
The heavier set woman gasped softly as others in the room turned holding several specimens in their hands that had been collected, “what did he say?”
“There is no use in trying to lie to us,” T’Pak stated, “besides we do not need permission when you have been labeled as causing harm to yourself or others.”
“You mean I’m here because you’re afraid people are afraid of me?! Because Cade was afraid of me,” Thomas’ eyes swirled slowly changing to red, “where is that spineless back stabber.”
Leaning in to look Thomas in the eyes T’Pak raised his mask over his mouth muffling his voice, “Dr. Foster was not included in our fact finding session.”
Raising slowly the T’Pak took a deep breath slowly turning only to find his face making contact with a balled fist. As his head jerked slightly to the right the his mouth squared itself as small amount of green blood trickled from the corner of his lips. Reaching up feeling the mask fabric that had torn from the punch T’Pak sighed.
“You Vulcan…”
Holding his hand up T’Pak stepped forward, “Dr. Foster, you were not scheduled to…”
“Supposed to be here, you mean,” Cade stated looking around at the room noting the data displaying on the wall and specimens being taken, “you, how could you?”
T’Pak walked slowly towards Thomas before motioning to the screen, “you yourself Doctor Foster stated that he may be a potential hazard to himself or others. It was also an opportunity that we couldn’t ignore, as we have had few interactions with this specimen than we would have liked. It would seem that that someone or something has been protecting him from Starfleet Medical since his discovery.”
Cade stepped forward his face wrinkling as a soft groan was emitted from his throat. Reaching his hand to his waist Cade pulled a phaser pointing it at T’Pak, “there have been a line of officers protecting this man from individuals such as yourself that abuse their power and de-humanize anything they can’t explain.”
As the phaser fired T’pak fell to the floor only to hear a scream emitted from the others in the room. Cade continued to fire in the room before walking to the medical console and slowly entering commands watching all the recorded data erases. Holding the phaser up Cade fires on the computer controls watching the monitors flicker and force fields disappear.
Thomas slowly sat up before wrapping the blanket that was around his waist completely around his body. Standing up slowly he sighed before slowly walking to the exit of the room. “Thom, Thomas,” Cade called out watching.
Turning his head Thomas looked at Cade his eyes pale and grey. His face tired and weary, his breathing weighted with the realization that he would never be himself again. Turning away from Cade Thomas stepped into the hall and disappeared down the corridor.
Location: Starfleet Headquarters, San Francisco, Earth
Scene: Corridor -> Office of Chief of Operations
Time Index: Present
The small statured Ensign jerked slightly as his body almost physically shook approaching Thomas, “I’m sorry, to disturb you; but, do, do you know where I can find the office for the Chief of Operations?”
Thomas’ laughed weakly shaking his head, “it would seem that I can’t get away from this.”
“I beg your pardon,” the youth stated watching Thomas with eyes full of caution and fear.
Standing slowly Thomas motioned with his hand before walking down the corridor, “follow me.”
As the duo walked Thomas allowed his mind to slowly identify the origin of his impromptu tag along. Watching the man walk he noted his small stature almost looking to be a younger teenager by human development standards. His skin seemed to be a shade of pale yellow that caused his head to almost reflect the light of the corridor on his skull, due to lack of hair. There were two circular shaped devices attached to the corners of his mouth constantly blinking a red and green light to show they are functioning.
As the young man noticed Thomas watching him he fidgeted slightly becoming uncomfortable before rubbing his arm. Thomas smiled softly, “I’m sorry Ensign, it’s not often that one sees an Aaamazzarite within the halls of Starfleet.”
The young ensign smiled softly, “it’s not often that many know where I am from.”
Thomas laughed softly, “I may not look like much but I used to be a respected scientist aboard a starship, held a rank and everything. Lieutenant Commander, Chief of Science no less, although Xenobiology is my specialization, and Thomas Varn is my name.”
The young man stopped watching Thomas take a few steps only to swallow hard when Thomas noticed he was no longer being accompanied and turned back to face him, “The Thomas Varn?”
“I’m not sure what that means,” Thomas stated raising an eyebrow, “but yes, the Thomas Varn.”
Looking to the floor the Ensign sighed, “i’m sorry sir, I like most everyone else were made aware of those that were involved with liberating earth.”
Thomas sighed holding up his hand, “just stop ensign. We’ll find the office of the Chief of Operations at the top of this turbolift and at the second door on the left.”
“Yes sir,” the ensign stated looking down before entering the turbolift with Thomas.
As the turbolift came a complete halt and the doors opened Thomas stepped out walking slowly down the corridor. The ride had been insufferably quiet for the both of them as the ensign shifted his feet every few seconds or so. The corridor was quiet and almost deserted except for the few officers entering random offices. Stopping just outside the Chief of Operations office door Thomas watched slowly as the ensign stepped forward before awkwardly entering the doorway realizing Thomas wasn’t stepping inside.
The room was empty except for the receptionist seated behind the desk outside Captain Arjun Malhotra’s office. Stepping into the room Thomas watched as the young ensign walked up to the desk and standing at attention, “Ensign Arak Schad reporting mam.”
“Very well ensign please take a seat the Captain will be with you in a moment,” the young andorian woman stated smiling using her hand to direct Arak to a seat, “however, Mr. Varn if you will kindly follow me Captain Malhotra has been expecting you.”
Nodding his head Thomas slowly walked across the room passing by Arak not acknowledging the youth before disappearing behind the office doors. As the doors closed behind them Thomas slowly approached Arjun’s desk standing behind the chairs placed in front of it.
“Lieutenant Commander Varn sir,” the young andorian woman stated before nodding to the Admiral and Thomas while exiting the room.
“Commander Varn how good of you to come and see me,” Arjun stated leaning forward on his desk placing the padd down that was in his hands, “I hope that…”
Thomas chuckled, “spare me Captain, let’s get this over with please.”
Straightening her posture and sitting in the chair Arjun sighed, “very well Mr. Varn as you know my appointment is temporary due to current circumstances; but, while i’m in office I am to right some wrongs. In short I am offering you your commission back. After receiving the report from Dr. Foster verifying your health and reporting what had happened with Dr. T’Pak…”
“You mean you hope by giving me my rank back and placing me somewhere it will keep me quiet,” Thomas smiled shifting his stance before laughing, “very well, i’ll play your game.”
Smiling Arjun nodded before tapping commands into her console, “very well Lieutenant Commander you are once again in Starfleet.”
Location: Starfleet Headquarters, San Francisco, Earth
Scene: Main Corridor -> Corridor outside of Office of the Secretary of Starfleet
Time Index: Thirty Minutes Later
Ensign Arak took a deep breath before stepping out of the turbolift his eyes moving from face to face in the main hallway looking for Varn. Walking down the corridor slowly Arak watched as faces passed by only to stop in horror as someone noticed him and slowly began approaching. Looking around Arak tried to find a place to move only to find that his path was cut off by officers walking on either side.
The unknown man slowly approached with a smile on his face that made Arak uncomfortable. He wasn’t wearing a Starfleet uniform, dressed in civilian clothing but plainly seemed intent on reaching Arak. “Ensign Arak?”
Nodding slowly Arak swallowed, “y..yes?”
Reaching into a messenger pack that was hanging across his shoulders the man smiled, “I have been looking for you. I have something for you here. It looks like a letter from a Lieutenant Commander no less. Moving up in the world. We’ll I don’t have anything else, good day.”
Arak took the padd watching as the man walked away and disappeared into the crowd. Shaking his head he activated the padd reading the contents only to be confused by what was there and yet some how proud to have the device. Arak took a deep breath tucking the padd beneath his arm before weaving his way through the sea of officers entering a turbolift nearby.
The ride didn’t take long and Arak wasn’t quite sure where he was going but luckily for him the corridor was almost deserted except for two officers leaving an office. Moving closer Arak noted the pips on the collar of the older gentlemen wearing red before snapping to attention, “Ensign Arak Schad reporting sir.”
As if connected by some force Michael Turlogh Kane and Cantor Von both blinked in confusion watching the young and small ensign stand at attention before them. Kane shook his head, “there must be some mistake ensign.”
“No mistake sir,” Arak stated puffing up slightly at the chance to talk to one of the main players in the battle for earth, “I was instructed to bring this padd to you sir.”
“Very well…”
Reading over the padd Kane’s expression changed before looking up to Arak then back to the padd. Reading the information again he sighed in frustration, “ensign who asked you to deliever this?”
“A messenger sir,” Arak snapped.
Cantor Von watched Kane before stepping closer, “bad news?”
Kane looked back to the padd, “unexpected and unpleasant.”
From
------
Lieutenant Commander Thomas Varn
Science Officer
Starfleet Command, San Francisco
To
---
Michael Turlogh Kane, Captain
Starfleet Command, San Francisco
Captain Kane,
In the time that this message reaches you then all that I have planned after my meeting with Captain Malhotra, temporary head of Chief of Operations, has come to pass. If you were not aware, then the following report submitted by Cade Foster former Chief Medical Officer of the Phoenix will enlighten you. After returning to earth I was taken by Doctor Foster, against my will, under the power of a drug to render me unconscious to Starfleet Medical for testing. While this may seem wonderful as you can see by the letterhead it resulted in my rank being returned and commission along with it, it was not something I would like to experience again.
As you will see by the report the presiding Doctor, a vulcan named T’Pak ignored my claims to being there without consent and excluded Doctor Foster from the test and plans for future experiments he had planned. The data and specimens collected were destroyed; but, the report from Doctor Foster will detail what was being done and who was involved.
Captain, I learned about earth’s fate within the assembly while being “checked out” by Starfleet Medical. Sir, humanity is not the only species with skeletons in their closet and they weren’t the only ones involved in the neo-essentialist plot. It is with this knowledge that I hereby declare to you that I am resigning my commission in Starfleet. I was once asked sir why I joined Starfleet, and my answer sir is to stop men like Richard Edgerton. I had forgotten that; but, I did not stop Edgerton just to allow President Sardak step in and much in the same manner. I have sent word to Sylvia, letting her know where I’ll be if she should want to find me.
Captain, should you need me I will answer the call. You can find me where I first saw the sun as a changed man, and never reached as a dead man.
,sincerely
Thomas A. Varn
NRPG: Well guys, I had plans for Thomas but found that I was not wanting to write for him any more. I didn’t want to kill him off so I just sent him away and I bring you Ensign Arak!
Justin K. Owens
Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Varn
Formerly Starfleet
&
Ensign Arak Schad
Science Officer
Starfleet
