The Path Not Taken: The Interrogation (Part 4 of 4)

Posted on 12 Apr 2024 @ 1:37am by Lieutenant JG Montgomery Vala & Ensign S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor

3,617 words; about a 18 minute read

Mission: Episode 19 - Tomorrow's Galileo
Location: Okinawa, Japan, Earth
Timeline: Early 2396

Previously on The Interrogation...

“Cleaning would be productive, Varin, although it is probable that our deposit will be forfeited over this. We will also need to discuss options with your colleagues. They are not required to leave, but I want them to be aware of the alternatives available to them.”

“I imagine they will wish to, given the chance,” Vala’s tone had a resigned quality to it, “We are once again the ‘enemy’. So much for the higher sensibilities of the Federation.” He had the very Rihannsu urge to spit on the ground, but he would not profane his dwelling like that, “Indeed we should tidy up and honour the owner - they have been kind to accommodate us.”

“Yes. They have been. I will ensure they will not be required to outlay any funds to repair any damages within the house…shall we get started then?”

And now the conclusion...

[ON]

((Time Skip))

The comm chime was a welcomed distraction from the mundane tasks Sera had busied herself with to help pass the time until Montgomery returned home. Rushing through the house, she stopped in front of the comm and accepted the communication. It did not contain the desired itinerary. It was a formal apology.

”At this time Earth will not allow for your departure. Although this makes things more complicated, we shall use this circumstance for our favor. Your Starfleet personnel files indicated that you were quite a proficient engineer. I will be sending you objects to build and perhaps…utilize. Further communications will contain schematics. If nothing else this will serve to occupy your mind and your time. Peace and long life, grand-daughter.”

Komehk-il had not sent what had been promised, but was this to be considered a consolation prize of sorts? It potentially could give her something to work on - and although ‘guessing,’ Sera presumed what would need to be built would involve complex precision work. Certainly something to keep her busy. Anything would be preferable to ‘sitting around,’ waiting for her mate to return home.

The door chime sounded, and Sera made her way to the front door, and opened it a crack to see who it was. A delivery man.

“Delivery for…ah…” The human male blanched seeing the name.

“S’Ers-a M’Lyr’Zor?” She offered helpfully.

“Oh yes. I would have butchered that for certain.” He said with a shy smile as he handed over a shipping container. Sera took it, nodded once to him, and closed the door. Komehk-il wasted no time.

Taking it into the office, Sera set the small crate on the workbench tucked in the corner of the room and unlocked it. Inside were components, tools…everything needed to build something…everything except the instructions. Fvadt. Sera had determined at that moment that she was not a patient female…ruled by fire, indeed.

The comm chimed again, and Sera unconsciously grinned as she turned to the computer and clicked accept - and a secure transfer began. A small chime sounded indicating the download was complete and Sera tapped on the icon to open the file. A holographic object, blown apart to show the components and their locations in some type of complex device. Oh yes. This was going to be quite complicated work.

She identified the correct tools and pieces and began. Although not a warp core, the precision and intricacies involved with building this still mysterious device gave Sera a measure of satisfaction she had not experienced since feeling forced to resign from Starfleet.

Sera allowed herself to reflect upon all that had happened over the last few days. All of it felt…wrong, somehow. Starfleet had been meant to be a new life for her–Montgomery too!

And how different things might have been…there had been a willingness to accept much if only to remain useful; but Starfleet had been more than ‘happy’ to cut her loose and they had been far too willing to confine her adun into a position of uselessness. It was wasteful…Illogical!

The final ‘nail in the coffin’ was being taken by intelligence and treated like a criminal! Why they…no. Not ‘they.’ Varin had not been forced into a windowless room and questioned…humiliated. Just her.

He had said that meeting an old acquaintance, a ‘most important one.’ That this acquaintance helped arrange her freedom? It was a logical deduction to presume his association was in intelligence…and that nothing had been arranged. No doubt he had been questioned in a different manner, and his compliance had been obtained. There had been no logical reason to release her otherwise.

Her heart constricted at the thought. He had not told her the truth…but wasn’t she doing the same in not telling him what securing everyone’s passage off Earth cost her? Outstretched fingers began to tremble as she futilely attempted to delicately place a small processor into its corresponding spot on the schematics. The motion caused the tiny chip to fall from her grasp and Sera snarled a curse, barely reigning in the desire to fling everything off the workbench in an irrational rage.

Sera pushed herself away from the table and stood there gripping her hands in an attempt to stop the latest round of irrational anger from causing any damages that she couldn't fix. Maybe she should just cook end-meal. Sera left her work and padded across the house towards the kitchen.

Fvillhu mewed and followed her. He knew it was time for treats. It had taken some time to adequately train the two-legged female, but she had come along alright.

–-

Vala’s day had been a galling experience. Upon arrival at Daystrom he had been called to meet the Director. He had dragged himself to the vulcan’s actual office, on the top floor of the administrative hub, and been subject to a very strange conversation. Grake had apologised for not seeing him on the previous day, and that he had been waylaid. He had only positive reports of Vala’s work in xenogeology and that he should keep it up, for in this time of conflict it was only logical that science would be the key to a peaceful future.

It had been something of a puppet show, and Vala knew that Vialluh was likely behind it. Just a hint at how far the web of Starfleet Intelligence had been allowed to spread in wartime. Given that he was supposedly doing such fine work, he decided he would not go back to work after the meeting. He simply returned to the municipal transporters and headed back to Bise.

Upon materialising in the little village he wasn’t sure what to do. He was very heavily drawn to returning to S’Ers-a, but things were… complicated. He couldn’t wrap his head around this intervention from her clan and her foremother, nor did he wish to have to go over the previous days events in the cold light of day. What he had promised to Vialluh for her freedom would be unacceptable to her. She could never know.

He sufficed to spend the afternoon at the sushi restaurant by the sea. It was peaceful. He attempted to use the tranquility to internalise some of the goings on of late but he was not adept at meditation. He simply span through the many worries in his life and gazed at the sea.

Such anxiety at least had the impact of passing the time. The sun began to sag in the sky, and he shook himself from his angst. It was time to return home. He paid the owner for the drinks he had consumed and took the short trip through the centre of the village back to his dwelling at the light began to ebb away.

The walk was not his usual decompressing stroll. Paranoia had ruined Bise for him. He couldn’t help but glance around for the eyes of Intelligence Agents around every corner. Expecting to see the sardonic gaze of Vialluh in every alley. The sooner they left the better.

He walked cautiously up the path to home, sensing S’Ers-a within. She was still unhappy. Understandable after the events of the day before.

The door remained slightly crooked, and required more of a shove to open than he was used to. Ultimately he won the battle with it, and he stumbled into the main room.

“E’lev?” He inquired to the vacant room, “I have returned.”

Sera’s reply came out of the back of the house, from the office of all places. “There is soup warmed on the stove.”

She was in the process of fitting the last of a series of components into their respective spots on the frame. It took a moment, but the piece finally laid level, and Sera put down the tweezers and proceeded to go out to greet Montgomery.

She wasn’t dressed in the colorful yukatas she had favored of late, but rather was clothed in an ak'shem-ai (a traditional bodysuit - like what T’Pol wore on Enterprise) style that was not remotely ‘human.’ Over that she had on an oversized Vulcan cloak, which she had donned earlier in the day to ward off the ‘chill’ of the sea air.

“Are you ready for the end-meal? I managed to find a bottle of Kali-fal that was not confiscated during the search. Would you care for some?”

"Uh…" Vala stumbled a little as S'Ers-a addressed him. It was exactly as difficult as he had assumed it would be, "Y-yes, hann'yyo." Regardless of anything he needed a proper drink. The Earth beer of the sushi restaurant may as well have been water.

Breezing past him, Sera entered the kitchen and pulled out a clay mug and poured some of the already opened bottle into it and handed it off to him. She had already drunk two servings prior to Montgomery returning home from work and the effects of the libation had made the turmoil in her mind cease...for now.

He bowed his head slightly and drank deeply. It was not lost on him that neither of them had initiated the ozh'esta - an aberration of their normal routine. Something was wrong here. S'Ers-a was dressed differently and… she had been drinking too.

"Has your day been satisfactory, e'lev?" He asked in a soft tone.

“Hmm?” Sera replied in a distracted manner. “Oh…yes.”

Was she lying to him? It felt like a lie. She was…uncertain.

“Was your day…satisfactory?” Sera got out a bowl and poured a helping of the soup that had been simmering all day and placed it in front of him at the kitchen counter. A few steps, the opening and shutting of a drawer, and a spoon was presented to him as well.

“It is not my best…work. However, it is not burned.”

“Satisfactory,” Vala said vaguely, “Well as much as possible. The Director saw me and congratulated me on all the good work I am doing,” he snorted derisively, “so I return to you full of kudos.” Oh how would he continue to deceive her… it was a living nightmare. He drank another large draft of kali-fal. And what was going on with his e’lev? The lack of touch niggled at the back of his skull.

He tasted the soup and gave S’Ers-a a weak smile, “It is pleasant. I appreciate your efforts.” He gazed at her, “Have you found much to occupy yourself with today?”

“Yes. Komehk-il sent a package. It contains…a puzzle of sorts. It has occupied most of my afternoon.” Sera answered honestly, and managed to give away almost nothing of import. She was treating him in the manner she would treat any Vulcan, not her mate.

“Hmm.” Vala gave a noncommittal sort of grunt by way of reply. Vulcan or Rihannsu or whatever her foremother was… they did not send games of frivolity. This puzzle was something of substance and… his mate was avoiding the truth of it. He shivered as if cold water ran down his back. They were both taking part in some manner of dishonesty.

“Anything I can help you with?” He asked casually, “I am adept at solving complex problems. My mind tires from the lack of them at work…”

“It is a mechanical item; I am simply putting it together. It is not a warp core…but it is something.” Sera tilted her head and reached out for the bottle of kali-fal, and poured another serving in the cup she had been utilizing for the purpose. “But…if you would like to see, you may.”

She picked up the cup and took a deep pull from it and walked out of the kitchen, her destination was the office. Sera felt his presence behind her, and thereby knew he had followed.

“Here.” Sera said as she gestured to the work bench. Scattered across its surface were multiple small parts laid on quite meticulously. In the center, under a pose-able light was a small object, still well under construction. She glanced over her shoulder to Montgomery and raised a brow in silent question.

His eyes scanned across the bits and pieces of technology, a frown gathering on his brow. This device, even in its young state, was very intricate and it would clearly take much meticulous work to finish it. What it would become he could not say, but he recognised the form of many of the components. They were not like anything he'd seen in the Federation, that was for certain.

His mind worked through the possibilities, but failed to reach a conclusion. Only one thing was clear: they had both become puppets to a grander design.

"What is it?" He asked softly.

“I do not know. The schematics do not outline the device’s purpose.” Sera replied honestly. “Possibly something to aid us? It does not have the power cell necessary to be a weapon.”

Vala stared at the object. It was surely a piece of Rihannsu technology. Mostly at least. He tried to control his breathing but it was difficult not to take in unusually deep breaths to keep his mind clear.

She looked over at Montgomery and quickly ran the backs of her fingers over the top of his hand. “Are you alright, Varin?”

Her touch was a mixture of a most soothing and dangerous sensation. It was important he did not slip and let her in too deep. He had to maintain composure to keep her safe. “To build something of unknown design… that is a dangerous endeavour S’Ers-a.” His voice was laced with a deep worry, “What if it is found here? It may condemn you.”

“Kaiddth, ashayam. I was merely attempting…transparency.”

Vala let out a shaky breath. It was one thing to omit and obfuscate, but to have the situation addressed directly… Quite another. It took all his strength to resist divulging his own necessary secret to her. He had to keep her safe.

Her hand reached up to run her finger tips over his cheek but instead of feeling the encompassing intimacy of their bond flaring to life she felt overwhelming reticence. Her soft expression fell to blankness and she quickly withdrew her hand and looked down to the floor.

This was all her fault. He did not trust what was going on, and rightfully so. She needed to tell him the truth, no matter what the outcome.

“Varin…” Sera began, finding herself suddenly at a loss of how to begin.

“I accepted my foremother’s terms for our safety…however, I failed to discuss this with you before making such a unilateral decision. It would be easy to blame my actions on the libations of the evening; but in truth I had been giving this much thought for some time. This…was not the correct action. I ask for forgiveness…I am certain you have concerns. It would be logical to address them.”

So that was it. His mate had also made a bargain for safety. He closed his eyes and tried to maintain his composure.

He felt weak: disgusted at himself as he could not risk her safety by telling her what he had been tasked to do. Vialluh had made it quite clear what the consequences would be.

"Rhiana…" He spoke softly, his eyes glassy, "you do not need to request forgiveness from me. I understand. We must escape this place…" He gazed at her, "But what was the price you had to pay?"

“I will most likely return to the duties for which I was trained."

Sera made a non-verbal gesture that was the Vulcan equivalent of a helpless shrug. “Have I told you Komehk’il oversaw all of my education? What do you think she might have taught me, Varin?”

"Well I know she taught you Rihannsu…" The implications of that alone were vast, "So I have tended to assume it was not a typical Vulcan upbringing. What duties might you expect to be conducting when you return?"

“Duties? I…” The rest of her statement died on her lips. She was not going to tell him that she did not know. That would be a lie. “No doubt anything she may feel is necessary.”

It wasn’t a clear answer at all. Looking down at the pieces on the bench, she swallowed and closed her eyes, as if that would make the next statement any easier to utter.

“Varin. Intelligence was not…incorrect in detaining me.” She turned and looked him in his eyes. “I pledged my allegiance to my foremother’s cause. I am Lyr’Zor, and she holds the power of the clan. Her cause is my cause.”

Vala nodded but did not truly understand. He knew enough of the Lyr'Zor to know they were not typical Vulcans. Beyond that, their goals, their aims, he did not have much of a grasp of it.

"You should dedicate yourself to your own cause and devices," he said simply, "You must do right by your duty, of course. Mnhei’sahe, dictates such things." He kept his eyes affixed to those of his mate, "But Rhiana, it also demands that you do not utterly subsume yourself to another's machinations."

“Your concerns are noted.” Sera finally replied after a lapse that bordered on uncomfortable. Montgomery wasn’t wrong, but as he had said in the past, he had never belonged to a clan…he did not understand.

He had rather hoped to have them more than noted, but such was the way of things. He would be puppeteered by Vialluh and she would be puppeteered by T'Ael. Their autonomy was to be washed away and, he suspected, in diametrically opposed ways. But what could be done? He had to proceed or her life would be forfeit. He wondered whether a similar arrangement was true for his mate.

"I'm not sure I would know where to begin with this," he gestured at the mechanism. The less he knew the better. "I hope it is not something that will lead to your demise," he gave a sanguine look, his eyes betraying his fear of such an outcome, "I could not exist without you."

“Death is certain, Varin. However, the hour is not.” Sera replied as she stared back at him and saw fear reflected back at her.

“Varin…I…” Sera paused for a moment. Nodding once to herself as if coming to an internal decision she leaned into his face so that her lips were centimeters from his ear. Her voice in a whisper, she continued, “I am the heir to Lyr’Zor.”

He stood there allowing the soft breath of words to wash over him. The heir to a vulcan clan… what did that truly mean? Nobility? Royalty? Such concepts and traditions were utterly foreign to him. He had ever been an outsider to such things.

After a few moments he spoke equally quietly, "I do not…" He shook his head a fraction, changing his course, "So there is purpose for us there?"

Sera nodded hesitantly. “I…believe so? In truth…” There was a pause. “I do not know if it would be a purpose you would find acceptable, but perhaps it may be preferable to…rocks?”

Vala had not laughed in some time, but he allowed himself a light chuckle, "I am certain most things would be." He shifted back slightly and looked into his mate's eyes, "My purpose is to remain by your side. If Vulcan is our destination then so be it. I will find something to occupy myself with." As long as you are safe, he whispered internally, then we prevail.

Sera nodded in reply and glanced back over to the table. Reaching out, she turned off the table light and looked back to Montgomery. Given his reaction to seeing her new…hobby, she would ensure that her work was carefully put away before he returned home every day. Causing him any further distress was not acceptable, and yet it felt like compartmentalization.

There could be secrets all around them but there had never been secrets between them. As Sera relied upon Montgomery for, well, just about everything at this point, this new normal between them only reinforced her isolation. Frankly? It sucked, but she just didn’t have it in her to fight this. Kaiidth…for now.

[OFF]

--

S'Ers-a M'Lyr'Zor

&

LTCMDR Montgomery Vala
Chair of Xenogeology
Daystrom Institute

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