Death Visits An Eagle... Part II

[eagle 0]

Death Visits An Eagle...Part II

 

A joint Log: Captain Lo'Ami, And Lt.Jg. Eagle...

 

Post-shift, Eagle found himself chiming at the door to the ready room.

 

Lo'Ami sat in the captain's ready room, organizing the data (or general lack thereof) about the planet Axrekrav, its people and its culture. The interruption was expected. "Enter," he said.

 

The door slid open. Eagle walked in and said "Sir, thank You for taking the time to see me...."

 

"Have a seat. What's on your mind?" Lo'Ami had the lowest possible psi rating, but he could tell that Eagle was distraught.

 

Seating himself gathering his composure..Sir, as you know upon our egress from the void, All pending communications to this ship were automatically delivered through the Federation's repeater systems. I have received, for lack of a better term, a terrible message, from my in laws on Vulcan.

 

Lo'Ami said, concerned, "What happened?"

 

Eagle responded. "It appears my wife, T'Linna, was killed in the line of duty while on a unknown mission. The particulars have not been made available as of yet. As you may know, she was pregnant at the time, sir. The report from Ambassadors Sotak and T'Lan, her father, and mother, did report the twins survived and delivered prior to her death.

 

Lo'Ami replied. "I'm sorry to hear that." He paused. "Do you need time off from duty to work things out?"

 

Looking at Lo'Ami, Eagle choked back the urge to take the offer. "No, sir. I cannot ask for that given our current assignment and the unknown possibilities we are facing once again. I just needed to speak with someone whom has a working knowledge of life, and death sir...I understand you are joined are you not?"

 

The captain looked back at Eagle. His devotion to duty was admirable, but he could only wonder whether he was making the right decision. "After this mission, take some time off. Everyone deserves time to grieve." He then allowed Eagle to change the subject. "Yes, I am joined to a Trill symbiont. It stores the memories and experiences of previous hosts, if that's what you mean by a 'working knowledge.'"

 

Eagle, Looking on, said: "Aye sir, after the mission I was going to ask for a few days to go to Vulcan and meet my children, It appears they are around one year old Vulcan time, three years Terran. I was asking you on the symbiont joining, sir, as it does relate to the past experiences with their previous host." Eagle loosened up a bit,feeling a bit more comfortable now speaking to his Commanding officer. "I know it sounds crazy to most when they hear the words 'mental link,' 'Telepathic communications,' etc. Sir, the Link I had with my wife was nothing short of amazing to most, as well as causing a variety of mental/physical problems. Have you had any negative encounters with your symbiont, sir, or more to the point ..any memories relayed to you of the past lives of the host??"

 

The captain responded. It wasn't often he talked about this. "It's hard to go through any life without a single bad thing happening. And, indeed, all of the previous Lo'Ami hosts had experiences, both good and bad. As you probably know, I'm half human. When I was first joined, I lived as the symbiont's host - it became part of me - but I was unable to access the previous hosts' memories. It was quite a shock to suddenly not just be part of something more than the self, but to be experiencing it as if it were self. I guess in some sense it is similar to a telepathic connection. But, the previous hosts are essentially static. They can't gain new experiences the way another who is telepathically linked to can, except through me."

 

"I see sir, At least you do acknowledge the existence of telepathy and seem to have a non judgmental attitude towards those of us that do. I was hoping to find an answer to my question with you sir. I suppose those questions will have to wait until I can go to Vulcan. I do find it necessary to assure you I am dedicated to my job, sir. I, as well, do think it is the right decision at this time. I will not let either this ship, crew, or my commanding officer down, sir."

 

The captain continued. "I certainly don't doubt the existence or power of telepathy. It is a well known phenomenon, and, although still not completely understood, it's quite powerful for those who do possess it. It is something that I can't experience on my own. What question was it that you were trying to answer?"

 

"The question, sir, is: I can still feel her presence at times, actually feel her mind and thoughts, if you will, sir. Ergo the question of the relationship with your symbiont sir. T'Linna's Father did indicate her Katra had been successfully recovered and placed in something referred to as an Ark...to what end that is I do not know sir."

 

Eagle continued, "The subject of my PSI abilities are on record sir, And in my Fleet file sir. I am just wondering if the possibility of T'Linna's living mind/spirit is still reaching out to me Sir...and if so is it she wishes me to come to Vulcan. I know sir that probably sounds entirely insane, I apologize Captain."

 

The captain thought a moment before responding. "I'm not fully familiar with Vulcan practices. To the best of my understanding, the 'katra' is what humans used to refer to as the 'soul.' A repository of the essence of a living entity's being. And, no, it doesn't sound insane at all. I may not understand telepathy, but I ... well, previous hosts ... have fallen in love, married, and raised children together, and lost the ones they loved." He paused again. "Science may put it together as the movement of molecules and electrical impulses, but many feel that there are some connections that form that last beyond death, and experience those connections too."

 

Eagle looked back at Lo'Ami. "Aye sir,then, perhaps, I am not going insane then. I certainly do appreciate the opportunity to have been enabled to discuss this with you. Sir..your answers have helped more than you know . The bond between us appears to have survived ..smiling,feeling a warmth move over him. Sir, I do have one more question, if permitted, sir."

 

"Of course," Lo'Ami answered in a calm, even tone.

 

"Well, sir, I indicated to the Vulcan ambassadors the subject of Soltak, and T'linna Eagle...The children are to be raised in part by both families, essentially splitting the year between Vulcan and Earth..to better understand both of their ancestral cultures. Ambassador Soltak objected at first of course , However I being the surviving parent did make the decision for it to be made so. Sir the question is during the interim would it be possible for the twins to be here with me until the proper arrangements can be made for them with both families...sir?"

 

Lo'Ami responded: "Families are, in general, allowed on Arcadia and we do have support facilities for them. While we try to keep them as safe as possible, understand that your children would be exposed to the same risks as yourself. If you are willing to take that risk, then, permission granted. It's likely that we won't be able to arrange transport until we leave Axrekrav."

 

Straining to contain his exuberance, Eagle replied: "Aye, sir..understood completely , I am willing to assume the responsibility Sir. I may even be able to find them a Nanny when I do get the opportunity to venture to Vulcan. I thank you again Captain, Your understanding and advice Sir. The Captain and Eagle continued the exchange for a time. Eagle listened intently to Captain Lo'Ami as he related his own experiences with his symbiot over the years. The remarks helped from Lo'Ami to ease my mind a bit."

 

The conversation ended ..."Thank You Sir for your precious time and the taking of the same to help set my mind at ease." After excusing himself, Eagle headed for the TL all the time reflecting on the conversation with the Captain. Entering the lift and telling the computer his desired deck, he could only hope there are others that are as helpful and understanding as his Commanding officer.

 

Entering his sparsely furnished quarters ,Keying the computer terminal ..Computer begin communication to be sent to Ambassador Soltak of Vulcan,CC to be sent to retired Star Fleet Tactical Advisor Angus Eagle, And Ambassador Mari Eagle.