Posted by Lieutenant Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Unforeseen Developments - Starting Over

Posted by Civilian Kenzo B’tren-Hyrushi (Governor) in Unforeseen Developments - Starting Over

Posted by Lieutenant Sharah Fayth (Chief Star Fleet Medical Officer) in Unforeseen Developments - Starting Over
Posted by… suppressed (19) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
Janusz smiled and said “Of course. You took a solid step in asking for assistance. Next we just have to find you some help a little bit closer. But for now… just be, Sharah. Don’t think… just feel. It will be okay. I will talk to you in a few days. Good luck.” and smiled again before the call ended.

Korczak, Counselor

The screen went blank and then the Star Fleet symbol flashed on as a screen saver. Sharah started at it a long time before reaching out to log in. It wasn’t as simple as saying ‘I am off for two days.’ She was the CMO and acting Chief of Staff for Sacred Heart. Two positions that she felt hugely inadequate for. She had to make sure that the duty stations would be covered and someone who had been cleared through CCDA security could take her place. Maybe she could get away with going in for a few hours. Surely if she pulled the notice now, no one would notice.

Don’t be a difficult patient, Sharah. The best thing a doctor could so was set an example. So, despite what she wanted, Sharah made sure the shifts were covered and then logged off, hitting the button to turn the screen black. Yavia wasn’t happy when Sharah commed her to say she wouldn’t meet up with her. Sharah ended the call too quickly for Yavia to argue.

She started at the blank screen for awhile. She wanted sleep. Korczak anted her to just feel, Sharah wanted to be numb. She wasn’t but she couldn’t bring herself to scream and cry and break down like he suggested. She was simply too tired. If she sat in the chair long enough maybe she would sleep. She didn’t. She was supposed to feel her feelings, but what was hers? What was just Sharah? That was always the question. She found her pencils and paper, at first she sat on the couch, reaching for the blanket Markus had always left there because she got cold. It hurt, and she didn’t want to deal with the hurt. She ended up on the floor, papers and sketches strewn about.

It was hours before anything happened. She was hungry, that was good she guessed. She ordered a grilled cheese, her favorite. Out of habit or self torture or something, she called out “Hey, Markus? You” but she didn’t finish. It had been a running joke that they would find the perfect grilled cheese recipe. There was no answer, and there would not be. He left, she was alone, stuck on a planet with millions of strangers, alone in the masses.

She sat on the floor, knees drawn up leaned against a bulkhead, and cried. Wracking sobs that shook her petite frame and stole her breath. She cried for hours. The anguish noticed by the other empaths, drawing Ilena to check on her with no reply. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. When her body was finally to spend to cry more the only thing she had for her efforts was a headache, on top of the normal one. She didn’t feel better at all and she was still exhausted.

By the end of the second day, she didn’t care what Korczak said, she couldn’t stay in that room with empty memories any more. She felt trapped and like she might do something stupid. She didn’t want to hurt herself, just the memories that lived in the room. They were intangible though. She donned a long heavy sweater with a hood, hugged it around herself and ventured out. There was a cart, a block from her building, past security. She could get hot chocolate there before returning.

Fayth

There was a line, of course. There always was. The cart had some of the best fresh-brewed drinks in the city; and it was one of the local secrets that the residents of the city tried to keep from the tourists and transient workers.

A familair voice came from somewhere up in front of her said “Good afternoon, Doctor. Would you care to join me?” The voice was familiar, but the face was obscured by a pair of dark sunglasses and a large brimmed hat. The hair, though… long, straight, and jet-black gave it away.

Governor Hyrushi.

Why had she left her room? It wasn’t that Sharah was hoping to not be noticed, but she had hoped to run her errand with no fuss. Being asked to join the governor counted as fuss. She really wasn’t in the best place to play nice with others either. She wanted less to do with others now than 2 days ago. It also wasn’t like she had taken the time to make herself presentable. The most she could manage at the moment was to keep her own thoughts and emotions locked up very tight. Odd how that worked. She could stop from projecting or being read but couldn’t stop the input. “Good afternoon. Uh…oh, no thank you. I’m fine waiting.” There was a line after all and that would be rude.

The Governor looked at the three people who separated them in line and said “Would you mind if my colleague joined me?” and the three shrugged and nodded. Hyrushi beckoned her forward to his place in the line.

Hyrushi, Gov.

Well now she didn’t have a choice did she? The man had asked them, and who was going to say no to him? So now she would look surely and rude not to accept. The governor got whatever he wanted. She smiled and murmured a quiet thank you from her hood to the three people in line. She made her way to stand next to him, “Thank you.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Hyrushi remained quiet as they waited, looking ahead until they reached the cart. The batista smiled and said “Afternoon, sir! Good to see you. The usual?” and Hyrushi inclined his head slightly and said “Please and thank you. Also, whatever my colleague would like. Oh, and the three people behind us? Please allow me to pay for them.” Hyrushi looked at Fayth and said “Whatever you would like.” It was at that moment that something occurred… or perhaps was just realized. There was no empathic input from the Governor. None. Empathicalky, he may have simply been a part of the scenery. Those around her, of course she could sense… whether she wanted to or not. But the governor was a flat gray wall.

Hyrushi, Governor

The barista looked at her expectantly and then smiled as he recognized her under the hood. “Dr. Fayth! Hot chocolate?”

Sharah was slightly surprised by the lack of empathic input. People considered blocking their thoughts from telepaths, but very rarely, unless trained, considered or learned how to block their emotions. Mostly she was grateful for the small respite and too tired to consider it further for the moment. She did not want to be privy to the thoughts and emotions of the colony’s governor. Her pondering was interupted by Erzil’s question. “Yes, thank you, Erzil.” The Trill man was always at the stand most days and friendly no matter how long the line. Sharah tried to remember names. Let them know they were seen and appreciated in the crowds and chaos of the day.

The man smiled as he began making their orders and Sharah slipped her payment in as a tip. Erzil worked hard and deserved it. “How is Cmdr Woods? I haven’t seen him in awhile. I hope he’s feeling alright.”

The question was like a sucker punch to the gut. Her arms tightened around herself slightly, and she held onto her reaction to keep it from leaking out. “He’s fine. He was transferred.

There was an ever-so-slight pressure on her lower back- more like a stabilizing presence- as the Governor put his hand on her ever so slightly and helped her maintain her physical balance.

The touch shocked her and sent a stab through her heart because it wasn’t the person she wanted it to be. Instinct made her rock forward putting a tiny space between them. Betazoids were not touch telepaths, but Sharah had learned over the years that touch could amplify the signal. So she was always careful. There was nothing to amplify though, and that was a welcome relief. Korczak told her to accept support where offered and she settled back allowing his hand to rest against her back.

Erzil shook his head, “You fleeters sure don’t like to stay in one place. I hope you do though.” He set two cups on the ledge. “Here you go. Have a good day Governor, Doctor,” and he turned away to the next three people in line.

Hyrushi inclined his head slightly and said simply “Erzil.” and he began moving away.

Sharah took her cup and stepped away from the cart. She popped the lid off and let the steam and aroma waft out before taking a careful sip. She eyed her unexpected companion, wondering what prompted the invitation. Governor Hyrushi didn’t strike her as someone who did anything without careful consideration. “Thank you for the drink.” She thought telling him he didn’t have to do that was inconsiderate. Plus he k ew he didn’t have to.

Fayth, SFCMO

“You are most welcome. Would you care to walk with me? Or may I walk with you back to your building?” Hyrushi asked. “I am not trying to intrude but, if I may speak frankly, you do not seem your normal self Doctor. If you would like to talk, I have some time.”

Hyrushi, Gov.

Oh no she didn’t want to talk, not at all, not to anyone. It would be rude to sat so and the way she felt had nothing to do with the man. “A walk would be welcome.” She turned away from her building, not ready to go back and certainly not ready to have anyone enter into that prison with her, even in minute amounts. She sipped quietly at the chocolate. “I have not been feeling well. Don’t worry, it’s not catching. I wouldn’t be out if it was. Not even for Erzil’s hot chocolate.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Hyrushi smiled slightly and took a sip. “I did not believe the malaise was physical, Doctor.” He guided them down a sidewalk and turned them onto one of the nature paths that wound through the various green areas of the city. “Am I correct in assuming that there is something bothering you? Aside from the work load that you operate under, that is.”

Hyrushi, Governor

The nature path was welcome. Meant to look wild, Sharah’s trained eye could see the pattern and design. The flora didn’t feel wild either. Plants that grew in the wild had a tougher resolve about them. These had been carefully grown in hot houses and then transplanted. They welcomed the warmth of the sun and the breeze, but there was caution about how big the sky was now. It confused Sharah for a moment, until she realized it must be the dome. She hadn’t arrived until after the dome had come down. Yavia told her there had been days of celebration.

His comment made the corner of her lips quirk. It was both physical and all in her head. It wasn’t Sharah’s way to be secretive and misdirecting. She took so much from others without meaning to how could she be anything but honest. She found she didn’t want to share, she felt quite strongly about it. Perhaps it was the power the man kept like a cloak about him, or the fact he was half Betazoid. Her own people shunned her, and that made her overly cautious. She knew practically nothing about him. She had no way of knowing what side of the line he stood on. She didn’t much feel up to finding out.

“Nothing a good night’s sleep wouldn’t cure. Problems always seem worse when you are exhausted.” She lifted her cup feeling the warmth of the steam on her cheeks. The sensation was welcome after the damp claminess of tears.

Fayth, SFCMO

Hyrushi walked along slowly in silence for a moment and then said softly “You do not work for me directly, Doctor. But you do work for the people of this colony. As do I. And if there is something going on with those few and select individuals entrusted with the well-being of the people of thins colony… I would like to know about it. You and I are not friends, I know. Nor are we close.” and he set his hand on her arm very gently and held them from walking for a moment. “But sometimes… just sometimes… it helps to vent to a familiar stranger than it does to a friend. And I can assure you… you will get no judgement from me, whatever the cause of your pain is. And yes, I know you are hurting. It rolls off of you like waves crashing against the rocks during a storm. I would like to help… if you would let me. And it will go no further than you and I. On that, I give you my word.”

Hyrushi, Governor

Almost as soon as his hand touched her arm, her arm was no longer there. Both hands wrapped around her cup to lift it for a drink. It seemed perfectly natural and easy. It wasn’t a rebuff but a protective instinct. One Sharah had thought she didn’t need anymore. She came to a stop turning to face him.

Her eyes flickered to his. A storm was exactly right. She had used the metaphor many times in her life. How insightful of him. She drew a deep breath and focused on containing herself. Slowly the rage of the storm lessened to his awareness.

She resented the implication that she would put the welfare of those in her care at risk. Sharah didn’t have enough ego to put herself before anyone else. It had been drilled into her, her whole life that she had to be aware of her mental stability and to not affect others. Then she felt guilty, she had no cause to judge him, he didn’t know her either.

Her smile was sad and apologetic. “Your offer is generous, but not quite as easy as you make it sound.” She walked a few steps away, her hand resting on the trunk of the tree. “In order to vent about what I am feeling, I must first know what I feel and what they feel.” Her hand left the tree and waved in a way that encompassed the entirety of the colony. “They say like attracts like, and so it seems that my…anguish…focuses the connection to theirs.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Hyrushi was quiet for a long moment, just standing and looking at her. When he spoke, his words were calm… measured… and without judgement. “I think that may be an oversimplification… and I also believe someone may have done you a great disservice; although knowing how Betazoids react and view those with powerful gifts I cannot say that I would be surprised.” and he took a drink. “I may be able to help you, if you like. At least I can give you an opportunity to take a respite from all the emotional bombardment. If you have, say, an hour or two to spare?”

Hyrushi, Governor

“An extreme oversimplification.” The mention of Betazed made her sigh. “Hence why I can’t go back. They can’t,” she shook her head continuing to walk, reaching out to touch each plant within reach, “they won’t help me.” Most Betazoids didn’t know people like her exsisted, much outside their planet. Somehow it did not surprise her this man knew what she was.

Her immediate reaction was to decline his offer. It was an intensely intimate issue, and many had offered to help with no success. But all she could hear in her head was Korczak threatening to put her in a month medical leave. “I am off duty, and if I don’t show improvement, I will stay that way. You will forgive me if I am wary.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Hyrushi smiled a somewhat knowing smile. “Wary is a good thing. But this isn’t something you need to be wary of. All you need to do is come with me. Please… follow me.” As they walked he pulled out a micro-PaDD and tapped something. A few moments later, they exited the greenery and were on a path by one of the residential roads. A car stood waiting, with a Ferengi in a suit next to it. He opened the rear door. Hyrushi gestured to Fayth. “Please, Doctor. After you.”

Sharah eyed the car and wondered what she had gotten herself into. Ground cars were a novelty to her, a luxury. She preferred to walk if she could. She ducked into the car and slid over across the seat.

The car moved along the road at a steady clip, and Hyrushi remained silent, simply reading on the PaDD. He wasn’t being rude, that was obvious. But he was giving Sharah space. Not pyhsical space… but space from the onslaught of empathic input. Between Hyrushi’s own self-constructed walls and the fact that Ferengi couldn’t be read telepathically or empathically; it was much quieter in the car than in many other places.

The car was quiet, and it was a kindness that Sharah was greatful for. She stared out the window as the colony blured and focused as the car speed and slowed through the streets. She was lost the noise of the colony, allowing herself to be drowned, rather than fight with it. She was not sure this was a good idea, but it was too late to change her mind.

Soon the car pulled up to the private hangar section of the shuttle port. The car made its way through the gate and towards a hangar set behind the others, one of three that seemed to be private even within the private area. It stopped in front of the middle hangar, and the door was opened a moment later by the Ferengi. Hyrushi slid out and offered a hand to the doctor.

The door opened, letting in the air, brunging her out of ponderings. She stepped out of the car, a slight smile of thanks at the offered hand she didn’t take. Sharah felt she was giving far too much trust to a person she didn’t know. She had a sinking feeling settle into her stomach as he led her towards the hanger.

Hyrushi walked them inside the hangar where sat a single dark red runabout. It was obviously heavily modified and had a sleek look that said ‘Don’t mess with me.’ Hyrushi walked up to the ship and the hatch slid open. “Please, Doctor. This way.” and he walked inside.

Hyrushi, Gov

The sight of the runabout stopped her cold in her tracks. Memory, blissful, happy memories of the last time she was in a runabout stabbed and sliced like so many scalpels. She understood exactly what the governor’s intention was. Forgetting boarding a small craft with people she didn’t know, she had no wish to relive those memories with anyone. Sharah knew she couldn’t avoid her memories her whole life, but the sense of dread grew. The dread triggered another memory that was not her own, but belonged to her as surely as if she had lived it. Staring up at a massive colony ship on a dying planet, that would take her far from home where she would die.

Sharah blinked several times, but stood staring at the runabout. It was an insightful and kind what he was offering, she just wasn’t sure she could do it. Her eyes stung and she promised herself she would not cry. She also knew what would happen when they got far enough away. She swallowed nervously. “Do you have a medkit on board?” She should not do this. No matter what Korczak said she needed, when the input suddenly dropped so would her BP and she would passout, with complete strangers and no one who cared where she was.

Fayth, SFCMO

Hyrushi looked at her a moment and said “Everything you need is on board. And no, Doctor… I am not absconding into space with you. I have something I want to show you… or rather, somewhere. Come, you will be fine. I promise.”

Sharah looked at him and shook her head sadly. “I know governor. You misunderstand my hesitation.” In the end she stepped through the hatch. Korczak suggested she let herself feel. Eventually, she would refuse to feel this way anymore, she would fight against it, but that was not today.

Hyrushi went to the pilot’s chair and took a seat. “You are welcome to sit here or find a comfortable place. And if you wish to lie down, there is a bedroom in the back. Feel free to lock the door if you are too nervous.” he said as he began to power up the ship.

His comment drew a very small smile. “While I appreciate the sentiment, if you wish to show me somewhere, I can not see it from a bed. Besides, the time to be nervous would have been when I got in your car.” She took the time to explore the ship a little.

The ship was very well appointed. Somber colors led to a sense of calm and serenity. There was an aroma in the air inside as well… something light and delicate, and not unfamiliar. It took a moment to place, but then it was apparent…

Cherry blossoms. It wasn’t a perfume, but much much lighter. It made the normally stale air of the recyclers much more pleasant. The chairs were comfortable and fully adjustable to individual desires, and there was a well appointed bar set securely behind a transparent aluminum divider. The floor was plush carpet and the entire interior had an Asian motif in pictures and décor.

After a minute or two, Hyrushi said “Please get comfortable. We will be in flight for about thirty minutes.” and the ship whined as the engines came to life and they slowly rose off the ground and moved out of the hanger.

Hyrushi, Governor

“Cherry blossoms.” She said it quietly, a smile in her voice. She loved them, truly did as evidence by how well she cared for the Cherry Blossom Bonsai tree she had. She joined him up front and curled onto the co-pilot’s seat. While he went through his checks and pre-flight she rubbed at her temple knocking her hood off and her Medusa like curls bounced at the freedom. “Do you enjoy flying, or is it just a necessary skill?”

Fayth, SFCMO

“I find it necessary, but I have never felt drawn to piloting as a calling. Not to say that I don’t enjoy it from time to time.” Hyrushi said. The runabout lifted off and was soon soaring high over the city. Hyrushi banked the ship gently and soon they were moving at a starling speed east and away from the city. The city gave way to the barren and dust covered surface of Oed. But here and there were signs of what was to come. Small mining outposts, the odd refinery… and every so often a terraforming segment where plants were being tried and studied for viability. As they moved further and further from the city, Hyrushi looked at Fayth and said “Feeling any better?”

Hyrushi, Governor

Sharah watched as the city disappeared and the landscape changed to barren dirt and rock, dotted with signs of life and returning growth. She stared silently ahead. It would be rude ro say no, and that wasn’t exactly true. Sharah, like other super sensitives had an incredible range. She could still hear the city, even from orbit. Not to mention the people working in orbit, but the people were in clusters, making the noise localized rather than encompassing. Giving her distance and a reduction in the volume. But with that her own turmoil bubbled and stormed to the surface. “Yes…and no.”

Fayth, SFCMO

Hyrushi nodded, but said nothing. He simply flew them towards whatever destination he had in mind, seemingly content to not fill the silence with needless chit-chat.

Sharah wasn’t inclined to talk either, rather simply being still as her emotions raged, and trying to keep it contained so as to not disturb the governor while he flew. At some point she pulled the hood of her sweater back up over her head. Mostly she cried silently. Heartache, fear, frustration, loneliness all broke over in waves.

Almost an hour later, he banked sharply right and they entered a small canyon. The ship slowed significantly and soon it came to a stop over a large outcropping of rock just largee enough for the ship to land on. At the back of the outcropping was a cave.

As the ship settled and powered down, Hyrushi stood up and said “Come. Follow me.” and he walked back to the hatch, opened it, and stepped outside. The sunlight was partially obscured by the walls of the canyon, so they stood in shade. Hyrushi didn’t wait, he just walked towards the cave.

She unfolded her small frame from the chair and stood, following him out of the runabout. Her gaze scanned over the rock face and the large opening. She followed him closer to the entrance and wondered if this was one of the caves the people had sought refuge in. She felt a pull a desire to go further in that she couldn’t explain. They were cast in shade and it made it hard to see very far into the cave.

The opening was large, almost 3 meters high and just as wide. It was a natural opening, probably an outlet for water at some time long past. “Walk in slowly. Let your mind adjust as you enter.” he said from just inside the entrance.

Inside the cave was cool and quiet. Very quiet. The empathic noise was silent.

Hyrushi, Governor

Sharah nodded, a simple acknowledgement that she had heard him. She moved forward slowly, letting her eyes adjust and paying strict attention to the input. The drop in input with each step was measurably noticable. She was too surprised and curious to really react. The point at which the shadows became noticably darker (but not black) the input dropped to nothing. Like a nerve block above an injured limb, the drop in input and pain dropped her blood pressure significantly, making her vision grey and made her light headed. She threw out a hand to catch herself until her equilibrium returned. She was sincerely thankful for his words of caution. The effect wasn’t so sudden she blacked out. “Imglath?” or Betazoid for ‘home’ or more specifically where one belonged.

Fayth, SFCMO

Hyrushi chuckled and said “No. You belong exactly where you were. Helping people who cannot help themselves. This place, however…” and he beckoned her forward into the dim passage. Twenty meters in, it was pitch black. “Just feel along the wall. There are no hazards. It will lighten up soon.” And true enough, after another fifty meters or so, it did…

And quite spectacularly.

They stood in a massive cavern. The walls, ceiling, and floor were made of a jet black rock with what appeared to be glowing blue and silver motes of light embedded in it. The cavern must have been at least a hundred meters wide and high. It was like they stood inside some kind of-

“It’s a geode.” Hyrushi said suddenly, his voice echoing in the large chamber while he stood staring at the walls and ceiling as if for the first time. “I do not know the material, nor have I taken a sample of it for analysis. An associate of mine discovered this place about nine months ago. His is a unique form of empathy, and when he entered he suffered a mild heart attack. He called me once he was able to pull himself out of the cave. I came and helped him, and we spent a few days exploring… one of my rare vacations, I suppose. Since then, I have isolated this area from mining and surveying. It is now privately owned, with a strict no trespassing policy in place.” He looked at Fayth and said “The only empathy or telepathy that functions is that which comes from inside. Nothing from the outside can penetrate.” He began looking around and then said “I am researching who may be best suited to analyze the material. Someone used to keeping secrets and who has no desire for exploitation of such a rare find; but also possessing a keen scientific mind. I have a candidate in mind, but I have yet to reach out to him.”

Hyrushi, Governor