Inhuman

Posted on 19 Sep 2015 @ 12:19pm by Nevedno Loz

1,763 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 09 - Empires
Location: ISS Galileo, Wintrow's quarters
Timeline: MD -06

ON:

Something was amiss aboard the ISS Galileo. There was an alien aboard. Two, really, but Nevedno barely counted himself amongst those with a more substantial existence. How many more could there be? A question he would have to look into later. For now, he had to indulge in his curiosity of this 'Wintrow Paragon.' Ignorant. Human. Betazoid. It was half hate and half pity that Nevedno felt. Which path of emotion would he take?

Oooooh. I know. Nevedno was very difficult to excite, but his moments of brilliance felt like an art-form to him. How beautiful his tricks where.

It didn't take long for Nevedno to acquire the uniform of a high ranking officer aboard the ship. Shit, half of them where careless on a good day. Even without his infinitely forgettable face he could have made off like a bandit with ease. He had donned the uniform and made his way to an unoccupied V.I.P. quarters. It was almost always vacant and Nevedno theorized that this was because the Terran Empire didn't have many very important people.

The door closed behind him. He sat down at the room's computer and turned it on. “Computer, patch me in to Second Lieutenant Wintrow Paragon's quarters. Mask the source.” Wouldn't want him getting wise to my setup.

Wintrow was sound asleep when his computer began to beep in a three second interval. “Incoming transmission,” the computer spoke.

The teenager woke instantly, and jumped out of bed. The only times he was ever summoned in the middle of the night was if there were secret errands to run. He did like the secret errands, as he'd get to sneak away from the ship and do his business. He liked trying to sneak in and out of an area unseen, honing his stealth skills. "Display transmission," he said as he pulled on his shirt. By the time the computer replied, he was already pulling on his boots.

The man, Nevedno, staring back at him was completely unfamiliar save for the Imperial uniform he was wearing. Whoever it was, he looked serious. "Lieutenant Paragon. I am the man that will keep you safe from secrets you have that even you do not know. Let me be brief and clear. I have a job for you and you are going to do it." There was a smirk on Nevedno's face that clearly said I've got you.

"That would somewhat depend on the job and what's in it for me," Wintrow replied flatly, "and you had better not wake me again with vague innuendo and idle threats. I don't appreciate my time being wasted, i have better things to do."

"I assure you that I am the last man in the universe to waste time, Lieutenant." He sounded rather calm for being talked down to by a 'subordinate' (where he of actual Terran rank. Just wearing the suit made him feel tainted). His face suddenly changed to a grimace and his voice became low and threatening. "But for the sake of brevity let me bring you up to speed. What you are going to do for me is whatever I ask of you. And you are going to do this because, as only half your allegiance lies with the humans, so does only half of your blood. You are alien, Lieutenant, and it is with a simple gesture and a word spoken that the report will be sent to Admiral Holliday himself."

"You're lying," Wintrow snapped back. "Both my parents were Human, I was born on Earth." He obviously didn't like being threatened, and obviously this wasn't the first time someone tried. "You are aware this isn't a secure connection," he countered, "and I always record my conversations just in case someone does try to threaten me. Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"

“I know more about who I am dealing with than who I am dealing with, it would seem," Nevedno replied with a genuine chuckle. "And you would be smart to erase your little video when we are done. And I know you are. But back to the matter at hand. Beside your bed is a folder containing blood test data. You'll see it matches up with your existing files perfectly.” A satisfactory smirk slowly formed on his face. “The technician has been taken care of, so for the moment your secret is still safe with us. Double check it if you can find a way without alerting anyone. Or call my bluff. But I assure you there will not be a second chance. Now, shall we discuss your new job?”

"I will not be blackmailed with false data," Wintrow hissed, refusing to be baited, "if you with to create a contract for the transport of goods we can but I will not be threatened. If you have nothing of value to discuss, leave me alone."

“My request is simple. Whenever you are in the employment of humans or under the orders of the Terran Empire you will make things difficult for them. Sabotage. Impede. Whatever you can do. Nothing grand is required, though. You need not endanger yourself unless you are inspired to do so. After all, you're not one of them. Just think of what they would do to you.”

"I'm Human," Wintrow insisted, "and if you keep insisting that I'm not, I'll report your harassment to my commanding officer. I tell you again, leave me alone! I'll do nothing of the sort, I'll not endanger my friends and comrades, and I'll certainly not hamper my primary employer."

An unnaturally warm and understanding smile crossed Nevedno's lips. Of course he was going to be uncooperative. “Know this, Wintrow. I am closer than you might think. Know that I could step into your presence at any moment and end you without you even realizing it. Just like that,” he said as he snapped his fingers. “But that just wouldn't be as much fun. Now, the admiral finding out that there's an alien aboard his ship? That would be exciting. Even if it was proven false, as you seem to think it would be. But do find out for yourself. I think it would help put things more into perspective for you. I'll give you time to think and do your research. You won't die tonight for resisting me. I'm not a monster.” That couldn't have been farther from the truth.

"I doubt that," Wintrow challenged, eyes sparkling furiously. "By all means, come here and prove me wrong, I dare you." He didn't seem afraid at all, on the contrary, he seemed so sure of himself that he absolutely refused to even acknowledge the file that had appeared on his desk.

“Oh, but I don't have to come and see you. I already have. How do you think I got your blood? And how do you think I found out about your family?Your loving wife and two daughters. I almost feel bad using the two of them against you, but they are mostly human after all. Mostly. You should be getting the news rather soon. A few days maybe? The Terran Defense Force just received an anonymous tip. They will be testing your children's blood and I can guarantee you that their blood will not be fully human. I can only imagine what will happen to the two of them and their mother. But, what will happen to you? I assure you the tests will be positive and I assure you they will have no evidence of tampering because there will be none.

“Now I suppose that will leave you with two options. You can find a suitable fall man, someone else to frame a Betazoid and accuse him and your wife of adultery. I'm sure it won't be difficult for a smuggler to get his hands on a bit of Betazoid blood in short time. Maybe have it placed in someone's file? Think of it as an opportunity. You can frame anyone you want. Consider it a favor.” Nevedno formed a small, kind smile. It really was a nice favor after all. “Or your other option? Admit that you are their father and die a proud Betazoid. Now, as romantic as that sounds, don't you think you'd be better off avenging their deaths repenting for all your wrong-doings? Redeem yourself by wreaking havoc against your real enemies?”

Now the man had his attention. "Don't you dare touch my family," he snapped, "if anything happens to them, you're a dead man. I will hunt you down and I will kill you. Do you understand?" There was no way he'd accuse his beloved of adultery, even if this was true, but he didn't want to risk his children being harmed either. "How do I save them."

"The message has already been sent. All you can do is deal with the outcome as you see fit. Or perhaps intercept it or otherwise stop the investigation before it starts? I suppose that is a possibility, but then wouldn't you still doubt the truth of my claims that you are not human? I do think it would be much better for your future if you where to see the blood work for yourself."

"I doubt your claim, not your threat. I am going to get my family to safety first. If they are in any way harmed I will hunt you down."

"Don't make due on my request and you won't need to hunt me down! Remember that," Nevedno growled at him. He was growing tired of this game. "Now, you have a family to take care of. I am rather excited to see how many of them make it through this little ordeal. I do hope this will at least be enough of a wakeup for you. You have one week to start making good on my orders. Do not disappoint. Now, if you will excuse me, Wintrow, I have other things to take care of. I do hope to never see you again, and I hope you feel the same." The last thing Wintrow saw was a sly grin cross Nevedno's face before the screen went blank.

Wintrow stared at the screen, then started to get to work in getting his family to safety. Truth or not, he wasn't going to let his family fall victim to a possible lie.

OFF:

2nd Lieutenant Wintrow Paragon
ISS Galileo crewmember
pnpc Tyrion

Nevedno Loz
ISS Galileo
[PNPC played by Jynn]

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