Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in What If…

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in What If…

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in What If…
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Lori waited in the hall. She didn’t mind. She had a feeling she knew what was going on, but she wasn’t sure of the cause.

Rand heard Bys speaking and then Pater mutter a curse. She didn’t think she could feel anymore, but something had happened.

Bys knocked on the door frame of Roman’s room. “Miss Farquharson?” But she wasn’t there. The Andorian was always stoic, but something about his posture or the tone of his voice said something was wrong.

Yeoman Rand

Roman had seen enough security officers to pick up on it. He got out of bed carefully. He was a bit dizzy, but he refused to let it keep him in bed. “In the bathroom. Let’s go.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Bys held up a hand. “It can wait until she is done.” Nothing could be done in the immediate moment. Not more than he had already done. He was irritated, but thankful she had already had her medication. He glanced down the hall where he saw Lori. She must be waiting for Rand. He caught her eye and motioned to her. Lori held up a finger for him to give her a moment.

“Rand?” Lori knocked on the door. “Are you alright? Bys needs to talk with you.”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Rand took a breath. She splashed her face with water. She patted dry with a towel and then opened the door. She saw Bys waiting for her. He didn’t look happy. She stopped in front of the door. “What is it Bys?”

“Perhaps you should sit down while we talk. You still look a little dizzy.” He glanced at Roman and ushered her towards him.

Yeoman Rand

Roman took her hand and sat her back in her chair, then sat on the edge of his bed, still holding her hand. Jay leaned forward in his seat. Simultaneously, the two men said, “What’s happened?”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand held his hand, tightly. She didn’t like the way everyone was looking so tense. Bys knelt in front of her, his antennae curved forward. “The car has been identified.”

“Oh, well, that’s happened before. We will just swap out. That’s fine.” She didn’t see the problem.

Bys set a hand on his arm. He had wanted to wait until tomorrow to tell her this. “That’s not all. There are pictures of you leaving the hospital with Cmdr. Alden. Getting in their car.”

Lori sighed, “That was fast. That was only a few hours ago.”

Bys nodded, “I have already talked to Dr. Hammond and hospital administration. I believe I know who leaked the information.”

“Well, we will give the Calianos one of our vehicles until this is resolved,” Rand said. She smiled kindly at Roman and Jay. “The paparazzi are a nuisance.”

“We’re alright,” Jay said. “We’ve dealt them before.” He didn’t elaborate.

Bys shook his head, “His name was leaked, as well as the registration of the vehicle was caught in the picture.” He squeezed her shoulder. “I am concerned, Miss. Your over zealous fan could use that. I am certain he intends to.”

Her brows pulled together, “Why? What happened?” Her grip tightened on Roman’s.

Roman squeezed her hand gently.

“He sent another letter. Electronically this time. He…”

Rand cut him off and held out her hand. “Let me see it.” Bys hesitated. “Bys let me see.”

He glanced at Lori then Jay and locked eyes with Roman before handing Rand the hand held device. She took it and read it. Her hand began to tremble and then shake. She turned deathly pale. Roman could see the pulse in her neck begin to accelerate. The PaDD slipped from her fingers.

Bys caught it and set it aside. He watched her catefully.

My Lovely Mira,

You were magnificent last night. You always are. I live for the stolen glances you give me. I know each line, each movement is just for me. All the glimpses of your true self, that you only let me see.

I have been studying. I knew the line, but could not remember the answer. Why did you not tell me that you were going to let me win a dinner with you? I was caught off guard and not prepared. Do not worry my love. I will not let another man touch you. I will make sure he cannot appear for dinner or ever again. I will come for you and take you away. You will never perform for anyone else but me. We will enter eternity together. Soon my dear, You have my word.

Yeoman Rand

Roman read the letter over her shoulder. Was that a threat towards him? Definitely a sign this stalker was getting ready to abduct her, but he wasn’t sure if that was all. Either way, the priority should be her safety. “We won’t let anything happen to you.” Roman said. “That creep won’t get near you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

The conversation moved around her, Rand wasn’t listening. This… this person was going to hurt Roman because of her. And Jay, he was coming also. Their parents. The paparazzi knew who he was, they could find their house. They would leak it, this person wouldn’t even have to try.

Lori and Bys discussed what to do about the play. Bys had already called the director. Pater had called for two new cars. Bys argued with Jay and Roman about switching their parents’ car and providing g protection. They may not want it, but for their parents they should accept it. He had a feeling Mr. Caliano would be just as stubborn, so he leaned heavily into what could happen to their mother. Even if they refused, Bys would assign a team to keep watch anyway.

Bys had already made arrangements to change Rand’s residents. Their backup team was already packing their things.

“Bys,” Rand said suddenly. Her voice was tight, but kacked the telltale signs of anxiety. She was afraid. “Take me home. Now.”

“We can’t, Miss. We’ll go to a new house. It will be safe.”

“No. Take me home, to Braemar. It’s small. We know everyone. A stranger will be easy to spot.”

That was a bad idea. Bys shook his head. It was the first place someone would look, and rhe town was sprawling and open. Rand stood suddenly, causing Bys to have to back up. She took two steps before her drop in blood pressure caught up to her and she dropped.

Lori looked like a ghost. “Bys… that line. At the end. It’s from the play next month. The new one, from Delta IV. The… the hero… it’s what he says to the heroine before …” she shook and swallowed, “before the suicide scene.”

Yeoman Rand

“Wherever Rand goes, I go.” Roman said firmly. “I won’t let harm come to her. Jay and the Captain can manage themselves here.” Roman moved to Rand’s side as she dropped, catching her and settling her back into the chair. “There you go. No need for panic. You’ll be alright. I’ll make sure of it.

Rand shook her head. No. No. He couldn’t go with her. As long asbthey canceled the dinner then he would be fine. They couldn’t be seen together. She would make a statement to the press. He was leaving in a week. Then he would be safe. She would pay for the Caliano’s protection herself.

“Roman, you’ll take the protection and you’ll follow every order they give you.” Jay said. “I’m not letting them go after you.” Roman shook his head. “There’s nothing in that letter solidly indicating myself as a target. It’s all about abducting Rand.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

“Yes, there is.” Her voice was soft but overly loud in the tense silence. “I will not let another man touch you. I will make sure he cannot appear for dinner or ever again. That is a threat to you. When this… person sees the release of your name and me getting in the car with you, that’s it.” She looked up, “Go back to the Ardent.”

Yeoman Rand

“Eh, that might just mean he’s going to kidnap you.” Roman said. He gave her a look. “Our vacation doesn’t end for a week. I won’t let some coward scare me off.” He was still holding Rand gently. “We are staying with you.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand looked at Bys. She didn’t know what was most likely to happen. Was it just her? Or was Roman and his family at risk? Bys’ expression was sympathetic. He hated this short acquaintance was turning out this way. Rand took a breath and gently tried to move away from Roman. It was the last thing she wanted. She felt safe with him holding her, she could think without panic. She had to put him and his family first.

She looked at him, doing an admiral job of masking the fear from her face. “No. I won’t let you do that. You have a family and a crew that need you. And Mushu. What would that poor lizard do without the two of you?” She shook her head, “No. We’ll work it out that we are seen separately and never together. Make it clear it was happenstance. I can make a public statement.”

Yeoman Rand

Not again. She couldn’t let anyone else die because she made the wrong decision. She couldn’t tear their family apart.

“No.” Roman stated it firmly, with all the authority he could muster. “I’ll be alright. You needn’t worry about me.” He looked at Bys, “I’m not a Security officer but I’m a First Officer, I have training. I can be an extra set of eyes.”

~ Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

She looked up at him. The authority and confidence in his manner surprised her. She’d never heard him talk like that. Then again she barely knew him, and he was going to get hurt because of her. She was gripping him tightly, but some of the tension seemed to leave her as he spoke.

Bys was discussing the logistics with Roman and Jay. He didn’t like leaving the Calianos without that extra set of eyes. He suggested they inform Star Fleet security of the threat. Bys wouldn’t object to an extra person on board, but Roman was deeply emotionally involved. That was a situation asking for disaster.

She must protest, she couldn’t let him do this. She shook her head again, both hands gripping his arm that was still holding her. “Please. Stay with your family. Don’t do this.” The words caught around the fear inbher throat. Her eyes showed ot clearly, she was afraid for him, for all of them.

Yeoman Rand