Questions and Answers (Part I)

[Vakhtang_Dalsazashvili 0]

It had been 6 hours since the Manticore had arrived at Maturin Station. For about 5 ½ of those hours, Vakhtang had found himself sequestered in an office. It wasn't a brig cell, nor was it an interrogation room, it was someone's office. Its accommodations were more than he had expected them to be. The room was equipped comfortable chairs and a couch, it was well lit, and there was even a replicator, which the officers who had "escorted" him had even made a point to tell Tang that he was more than free to make use of. Yet after 5 ½ hours, the once "hospitable" surroundings was beginning feel like walls closing in on him.

 

Decided to lay down on the couch and try and catch a nap. He figured that, for whatever reason, he was still in the beginning stages of his semi-imprisonment. They had told him that he was to be questioned extensively, but that he had nothing to fear or to worry about. Despite their faux cordiality, Tang could sense their guardedness around him. It was almost as if he was just as much a specimen as he was a living, breathing being. But at the same time, he had no choice but to take everything they told him a face value. He was here, and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it for the moment.

 

"Computer" he said, closing his eyes. "Play classical Human Baroque period music, random selections." The computer beeped in compliance and began to play a piece he had heard before, but could not place in his mind. 'At least I don't have to lay here in silence' he thought. Moments later, he had drifted asleep.

 

* * *

 

Petty Officer 2^nd Class Aloysius Soandso sat in an office not to far from Vakhtang. He had been pulled off the Manticore less than 10 minutes ago, and his interrogation was to begin immediately. His escorts had not left them room, and seemed to carry with them a slightly less welcoming demeanor and attitude.

 

A figure walked through the door, a female human that Al did not recognize. His first impulse was to stand up salute, but he subdued that urge as he came to the realization that the woman was wearing civilian clothing. Her demeanor was not too far away from that of the guards.

 

"It has come to our understanding that you have inquired about the status of your counterpart's doppelganger" the woman said. No greeting or introduction, no beating around the bush.

 

"Yes I did, ma'am" he said. Keeping his answer short and succinct. He knew the ball game; keep your answers short and sweet, and don't volunteer information that they don't ask for.

 

"Why?" she said, her voice carrying a steely cold edge to it. It wasn't a question as much as it was a demand for more information.

 

"I was curious ma'am" he told his interrogator.

 

"Curious enough to risk breaking protocol?" she countered. "Curious enough to risk putting a dear friend of yours right in the crossfire of a temporal/alternate universe investigation?"

 

Al could feel the blood rushing out of his face. "I didn't want to involve anyone else" he heard himself answer. "The information I gathered was unclassified public domain and did not break any protocol."

 

The lowering eyebrows of his interrogator signaled to Soandso that he had just given a wrong answer. "You're treading on thin ice, Mr. Soandso. If I were you, I'd tread a little lighter."

 

Al did not respond, so as to not inflict anymore damage on himself than he already had. He knew he shouldn't have gone over to Pensacola .

 

"The fact of the matter is, Mr. Soandso, you didn't break protocol" his interrogator told him. "But more out of blind dumb luck than anything else."

 

She stood up, her gaze piercing through him. "Next time, don't let your common sense get overridden by your curiosity" she told him. She let her words hang in the air for a moment before speaking again. "Consider this your warning, Mister Soandso." With that, she turned towards the door and nodded to one of the guards as she walked out.

 

The guard waiting for the door to shut prior to speaking. "You're free to go" he told Al. "Proceed directly back to the Manticore and remain in lockdown on board the vessel until further notice."

 

Al stood up and walked out, barely acknowledging either guard as he exited the office. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to inquire about Vakhtang after all.