This is going to sting

[Atragon9 0]

Captain Weyl sits in his VIP quarters on Manticore, realizing that he can no longer put off this discussion. He told the Engineers that he needed a big meal before the trans-dimensional jump, but he just needed time to "set his affairs in order."

 

+COM+ Admiral Atragon-9, this is Captain Weyl. May I speak with you in my quarters, please?

 

+A9+ Yes, Captain, I will stop down momentarily.

 

+COM+ Thank you, Admiral. ::he flicks the comm to a new channel::

 

+COM+ Lt. Brutus, this is Captain Weyl, please come to my quarters as soon as possible.

 

+BRUTUS+ Yes, Captain.

 

Weyl sits and waits, idly wondering who will show up first, but knowing that it will be Yancy. Sure enough, his door chimes in less than 3 minutes and he smiles, knowing that Brutus was never far away. "Come in"

 

Yancy Brutus steps into his Captain's quarters, trying to hide his ongoing concern for the state of Hermann Weyl's health.

 

Weyl> Please, sit down, Yancy. I am waiting for the Admiral, as I need to let you both know some details about this last jump. ::pauses:: Do I really look that bad to you?

 

Brutus> ::sitting on the couch:: Captain... Hermann, you always look worse after a jump, but after a "recovery time," you get back into fighting form. I have to be honest with you, sir, you look like Targ spittle.

 

Weyl> ::wincing and chuckling:: Ouch! C'mon Yancy, tell me what you really think, don't hold your punches!! My my, I'm going to miss your honesty.

 

Brutus> "Miss," sir?

 

::The door chimes again and Weyl looks to the door and then back to Brutus with an appreciative nod::

 

Weyl> Very responsive, this Admiral. You could do a lot worse for a commanding officer, my friend. Come in, Admiral.

 

::A9 enters and they stand to greet him, Brutus still looking at Weyl and trying to understand his last few statements::

 

A9> Please Captain, no standing on ceremony here. Hello, Lt., I wondered if I would find you by your Captain's side for discussions of importance.

 

Weyl> Have a seat - both of you. I need to bring you up to date on my research and plans for this final jump to get Manticore home. I have not shared this particular data stream with your Engineers because the results will be obvious to them as soon as they receive it. You see, the only way that I can successfully add a dimensional fold into the Tesseract bubble is by increasing the energy from the Artifact into the engine. We all know where that energy comes from, so I need you both to be prepared for the consequences.

 

Brutus> ::very alarmed, half rising from his seat:: Captain, what are you talking about? How much more energy??

 

::A9 stays seated, squinting his eyes slightly, but not looking very surprised::

 

Weyl> ::looking at Brutus, but talking to both of them:: Please, my friend, I had already been researching increased energy usage into the device as a method of transporting more than just one ship per drive, so this data has been verified, independently - if anonymously. There really is no way around this and no way to allow anyone else to provide their own "supply" for the device, as it has become tuned to my bio-electric pathways. I know you are ready to do anything for me, even making the ultimate sacrifice. However, the Manticore ... Our Manticore, has already paid that price.

 

::Brutus sits back down and nods, begrudgingly. Weyl continues::

 

Weyl> If it wasn't for my own arrogance and, well, laziness, that ship and those people wouldn't be gone. ::turning more to Atragon now:: I should be put on trial and executed, to repay some small measure of what I owe. The fact that I could offer my life in exchange for getting your people home is more of a gift to my soul than I could have imagined. I have lived with the knowledge of my pride, my hubris, for years. Now, I have lived with the horror of what my stupidity and arrogance has produced for weeks!! I offer my life and hope it can benefit as many lives as possible. Not to mention that it will take this technology to a Universe that isn't aware of the project... as far as we know. ::pauses and turns from Brutus's look of horror to Atragon's blank stare:: Admiral, you don't seem surprised by my news or my decision.

 

A9> Captain, I been wondering if you were looking for a way to give your life's work an honorable meaning after your initial confession about the Artifact. It doesn't surprise me that you already knew what the cost of our jump home would be and that you came to this conclusion so readily. I know it's not an easy decision and I know you desire to do more, much more, if it were possible. Total commitment and sacrifice for the lives of others is part of what makes a great leader and commander. I understand your decision, your desire and your sacrifice. I would expect nothing less from such an honorable man.

 

Weyl> ::shaking his head and blushing slightly:: No, Admiral, I am neither great nor honorable, I am a monster. It just took me too long to realize it and I have wasted Federation resources, ruined people's careers and killed living beings in order to sound that wake up call. I am shameful and I'm not worthy of anyone's respect.

 

Brutus> Sir, I must remind you that you have never been alone in this. I share the same responsibility as do everyone that had a hand in making this project possible. There must be a way to make the device work with myself or someone else. You don't have to sacrifice yourself for redemption on everyone's behalf.

 

Weyl> ::places his hand on Brutus' shoulder:: Yancy... my friend and confidant. I couldn't have made it this far without you, you know that. OF course, others helped design and build the drive, but it never would have worked without the Artifact and that was my greed for the spotlight. I do not want to go down in history as someone who designed something wonderful with terrible consequences. Oppenheimer, Kazanga, Daystrom... Weyl? No thank you!

 

It's too late to even attempt finding another way. I take this guilt with me to my grave, I don't want to ruin anyone else, ever again. My last order for you is to live your remaining years in peace.

 

Brutus> ::nods and looks down for a moment::

 

A9> ::Stands and nods to Weyl:: Captain Weyl, you have made decisions and discoveries that have been both questionable and spectacular. I am honored to have known you and worked by your side. Gentlemen, I will let you two finish your chat in peace and I will prepare my ship for the ride home.