Listeners

[Lawliet 0]

Listeners - Log by Captain Chirakis and Lt.(jg) Lawliet

 

 

As the doors slide open, Lt. Lawliet cautiously walks through the threshold into the Captain’s Ready Room. As he approaches Captain Chirakis’ desk, the doors behind him slide close; making him feel trapped. He stops just short and looks up to face the Captain in the eye.

 

“Forgive the intrusion Captain, but I was hoping you might have a moment?”

 

“Of course, Lieutenant. Please.” She gestured to the chair next to him and took a relaxed posture behind her desk.

 

“Tell me,” talking as he sat down, “do you know why my people are referred to as the ‘Race of Listeners?”

 

Leaning back in her chair, she rested her hands easily in her lap. “I had heard that phrase used, but am not quite certain of its meaning. I suppose you ask because there may be a meaning beyond telepathic ability?”

 

“Where other species explore to gain knowledge, my people sought to preserve it. When it came to our own culture, we felt privileged for what we knew and believed in it’s continuity.” Lawliet took this moment to look down and reflect on his life.

 

The captain sat for a moment, as though either processing this or expecting more. Finally she leaned forward. “And what, exactly does that mean, Mr. Lawliet?”

 

“I assume,” wrapping his arms on the Captain’s desk, “you're fully aware of the implications why my people came to the Alpha Quadrant in the first place.”

 

“Refresh my memory.”

 

Lawliet gives a regretful sigh, “Approximately one-hundred-thirty years ago, my homeworld was lost to the Borg Collective. It’s unclear how many of us escaped or at the very least, how many of us survived.” Gives off a pale complexion. He slides out of his chair and walks over to the viewport where he can see much of the Aegis’ shipping lanes. “After we were in the clear, speculations were made. Many questioned the existing knowledge of the incursion. These speculations lead to distrust...” turns around to face the Captain, “...and eventually to fear.”

 

“And this affects you how?”

 

“Captain, our pride was our own ignorance. While we tend not to consider it, the truth is we were responsible for our loss.” The expression on his face was the appearance of someone who was ashamed for everything he was.

 

Kirel watched him a long minute then broke the silence. “Mr. Lawliet, I fail to see how this pertains to our mission.”

 

He regains what compose he has before sitting down and continuing the conversation, “This has nothing to do with the concept of either gaining or preservation, but the sharing of knowledge. On their deathbeds, El-Aurians confided what they preserved to anyone of their choosing. It was considered one of the greatest honors of my people.” He points through the bulkhead where the Conference Room is, “Back there, I asked you what evidence suggested the presence of terrorist activity and you calmly brushed it aside.” He puts his hand up. “I know you have your orders and I’m not here to force the issue, but I’m old enough to realize when someone is withholding information from me.”

 

The captain looked thoughtful as he spoke his last and sighed a bit as she said, “I wasn’t aware I ‘brushed aside’ anything, Mr. Lawliet. If it appeared that way, perhaps I should have explained further. However, I am prepared to explain now.

 

“The Mist Station was abandoned by the Rihan Star Empire long ago and has been sitting there, almost begging someone to take it over, for nearly a hundred years. Frankly, I am surprised it survived that long before someone found it. Not that the property is prime, but the location and the possible amenities left there would make it desirable.

 

“All that aside, the ‘someone’ we believe has taken it may be the the same ‘someones’ who attacked and took over Aegis while we were away planet-hunting. We have enough evidence that suggests, mind you,” she emphasized with a raised finger of caution, “suggests they are using the base.

 

“Now, if this is true, our mission is indeed going to be dangerous. Those who took over Aegis were ruthless, self-serving, and extremely capable. Their armaments were effective enough to inflict considerable damage not only on the station but on the heavily-armed and protected Revenge and Starfleet’s newest, most formidable Akira class starship, USS Missouri. Data retrieved from fragments left in the debris field lead us to believe that they have sources that can furnish them just about anything they desire, plus the financing to obtain it.

 

“Now, if that is not true and it’s either not being used at all or being used by, say,” she gestured vaguely with one hand, “a miner getting what he could out of the asteroid belt much as they do in this sector, then we have nothing to worry about. However, with the safety of the crew in the balance, I choose to err on the side of caution.”

 

Lawliet takes this in for a moment before proceeding, “While I do appreciate the clarity, the reason I came to talk to you still stands. I know of nothing of either who or what, but I would like to offer you that which I preserved after the Borg Collective assimilated my homeworld. Not because you’re my commanding officer, but because I believe it will serve you best in the days to come.”

 

“And that would be that your race was the cause of its own destruction?”

 

“No, I just wanted you to know how serious I was before saying what I felt needed to be said: The greatest harm, can come from the best of intentions.” With no expression on his face, the Lieutenant just stared his Captain in the eye.

 

The captain met his gaze and nodded. “Will there be anything else, Lieutenant?”

 

Lawliet stands from his chair and looks down at the Captain, “No Ma’am, and I again apologize for the interruption.”

 

“No apology necessary, Mr. Lawliet. However, if you will excuse me, I have some preparations to make.”

 

“Of course Captain, I’ll be in Astrometrics with Commander Ferretti.”