snip

From Tamm’s perspective, the connection changed as Pawl withdrew from the immediate activity of Engineering and concentrated more directly upon the Entity. Tamm perceived the effort immediately.

The barriers surrounding its consciousness strengthened—not replaced or reshaped, but reinforced. For a moment, the foreign presence pressing against them receded. The intrusive pattern remained, probing along the edges, searching for another path inward.

Across the connection came Tamm’s response. You strengthen what is mine.

Another harmonic pulse passed through the Chernov, and Tamm reacted differently this time. Instead of merely resisting the intrusion, its own resonance shifted around the foreign pattern, attempting to isolate it from whatever lay deeper within.

Then came a sudden impression through Pawl’s connection: recognition. It has touched me before. The foreign presence withdrew sharply, but did not disappear. It came from the other vessel.

Tamm’s presence steadied around Pawl’s reinforcement. It will try again.

Gamemaster Nosferatu
Your Darkest Nightmare

Pawl knew well that Tamm was right. Another attempt is coming soon. Pawl thought to himself. ~”I hate to use my powers for an attack action, but at times there is no other choice.”~ Pawl sighed hard. ~”Yes, I have strengthened what was yours your important to me. I will protect you, Tamm.”~ Pawl said with determination through the link. Pawl took a moment to focus and refocus his mind and powers so that whatever he did would not harm Tamm, but would protect him. ~”And will attempt to trap the intruder. “~ Pawl let Tamm know exactly what he was doing so there were no surprises. Pawl opened his mind to Tamm with no barriers. none. Pawl knew this would be a special gesture on his part. To show his trust and honesty in his words and intentions, and to show that he was not hiding any ulterior motives. He was loyal to his friends. And Tamm was not an exception. It did not matter if it was a newly formed relationship.

Lt. Commander Pawl Batario
Chief_Engineer Officer Uss_Chernov

Tamm perceived Pawl’s intentions through the connection, including the deliberate lowering of the barriers around his own mind. For several moments, the Entity remained silent, its presence steady against the reinforced boundaries Pawl had helped establish.

Then a thought moved through the link. Your trust is understood. But you need not leave yourself unguarded to prove it. Tamm’s awareness shifted, following the lingering trace of the foreign presence back toward its source. The sensation carried with it something more tangible than before—a faint awareness of the beings responsible.

The contacts from the other vessel remain aboard the derelict. They are contained.The impression sharpened, allowing Pawl to understand what Tamm perceived. A barrier surrounds them. A forcefield. They cannot reach me from where they are.

Yet the alien presence that had touched Tamm remained distinct from the physical contacts themselves. Its residue still lingered along the edges of Tamm’s consciousness.
But what touched me was able to reach beyond that barrier. The forcefield contains their bodies. I do not believe it contains this. Tamm tightened its own defenses around the remaining trace.

If it returns, we will recognize it. Then we may trap it together.

Gamemaster Nosferatu
Your Darkest Nightmare