Dracas woke with a cry. His phaser was in his hand and he waved it about, madly trying to find his enemy. Realising there was no tangible foe, he returned it to the shelf next to the runabout's bed. The bed itself could easily accommodate three men Dracas' size. He briefly enjoyed the humour in that carnal piece of fantasy.
His humour abruptly died. Dracas cursed himself. He'd been woken by a dream.
A dream! He mentally snarled as he rose from the bed. He went into the attached sanitation unit and looked at himself in the medicine cabinet's mirrored surface. He looked worn and haggard. It was only a dream, he reminded himself.
"Gods above," Dracas whispered, "let it only be a dream."
Dracas returned to the bed and sat at its edge. He recalled its elements and shuddered again as the images replayed in his mind. The Roman Emperor Alaric had foresworn contact with the Federation. Dracas was ordered to kill the entire SID team.
Macen's death had been the hardest to accomplish but they had fallen one by one. Next, he slew Kiv Rever. Dracas had no idea how his stepfather had come to be on the Obsidian nor did he care. Stan Guthrie had appeared at the last, armed and prepared to fight to the death. He'd made one last effort to talk to Dracas but Joachim had killed him while he was still speaking words of encouragement.
Finally, his bloody work done, Dracas activated the ship's auto destruct sequence but first he contacted the Emperor. He reported his success and then he fell on his own sword. The ship scuttled itself shortly thereafter and its destruction had woken Dracas.
I'm losing my edge, Dracas lamented while being wracked by grief and remorse, I'm failing as a soldier of Magna Roma.
Dracas recalled asking Rab Daggit how he retained his readiness now that he and Parva were married. Daggit had smiled and informed him that he was more battle ready then ever before in his life because he'd finally found something worth fighting for. Dracas had always thought that serving Alaric was his highest pursuit. Now, it crept up on him, it seemed he wanted more than that.
Out of loneliness and despair Dracas had forged a comfortable niche for himself with the SID. He discovering the joys of friendship, and if Guthrie were any indication, maybe he was ready to experiment with love. Having been deprived of both for most of his life, he wasn't certain of what to do next. How did his obligations to Alaric fit into this? Dracas desperately needed to talk to both Macen and Daggit about these issues.
Wide awake now, Dracas moved to the cockpit. He toyed with the idea of activating the comm and querying Macen that very instant. Something held him back, something intuitive. Checking the computer's auto pilot Dracas ascertained that the Seeker was on course and travelling at the appropriate speed. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair and proceeded to the rec room to use the resistance machines located there. Anything was better than reliving that cursed dream and nursing his doubts.
"Hello," Radil smiled brightly as she entered Parva's room, "how's the happy couple?"
"Hello yourself, Jenrya." Daggit smiled.
Parva's smile glittered in its brightness, "Hi there!"
Radil stepped back, "I thought you didn't like me."
"I didn't trust you." Parva replied, "Like had nothing to do with it. But everything changed after you started hanging out with that cute friend of yours. You're no longer after Rab so I can be nice to you again."
Radil blushed at the oblique reference to her strange relationship with Abby Collins. Danan's words had provoked a lot of introspective thought. Unfortunately, Radil hadn't come up with any conclusions. All she knew is that she enjoyed Collins' company so she was going to keep on revelling in it.
As far as the present went: Parva looked fabulous! She hadn't been this vibrant or looked this alive since her injury had occurred. If it weren't for the slight slurring of her speech and the conspicuous absence of certain details in her recitation of events or people, she'd be whole again. Radil said most of the former and withheld the latter.
If anything, Parva glowed all the brighter, "Why thank you. I don't remember ever feeling better. They're supposed to let me go home tomorrow. They'd better!"
"I agree." Radil laughed.
"So are just dropping by to say 'hi' or is there something you wanted?" Daggit seemed to sense Radil's underlying tension.
"I'd like to talk to you…alone." Radil informed Daggit.
Daggit looked to Parva. Parva merely smiled, "Go ahead Rab. She's harmless now."
Daggit grinned at the thought of anyone calling Radil "harmless". Grabbing his jacket, he followed Radil out of the hospital building to the walking path that meandered through the grounds. Daggit noted that despite their tranquil setting, Radil was armed.
"Getting as jumpy as the Captain and T'Kir are we?" he joked.
"What?" she asked through her distraction.
"Jenrya," Daggit stopped her by taking hold of her arm, "what's wrong?"
"Do I seem as though I'm in love?" Radil blurted.
Daggit was surprised, "No. At least you don't to me. Are you supposed to?"
"It's just something Lisea said." Radil begged off.
"Lees is very insightful but she isn't omniscient. What's going on?" Daggit was definitely intrigued now.
Radil was sorely tempted to bare her soul but she couldn't do it. Not yet. "It's just something that needs to stay private for a while longer…at least until I sort things out."
"Are you in love?" Daggit asked.
Radil met his piercing gaze, "I honestly don't know. That's what I have to figure out."
Daggit processed this and asked, "Is this about Abby Collins?"
Radil coloured. Throwing up her hands, she exasperatedly asked, "Is there anyone on this frinxing rock that doesn't know Abby's fallen for me?"
"I didn't know that." Daggit chuckled, "I was asking about you."
"I'm just confused." Radil confessed, "I don't know what to think."
"It seems to me you need to discuss this with Abby and not everyone else." Daggit opined.
"I'm afraid to." Radil admitted.
"Then you already have your answer." Daggit revealed, "The odds are you just don't know if you can live with it."
Radil pondered that. She exhaled slowly, "Thanks Rab. I knew I could count on you."
"That's what friends are for." Daggit wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. Startled and crushed, Radil didn't respond. Daggit let go of her and she grinned.
"I think I like the 'new' Rab." She admitted.
"I know I do." Daggit confessed.
"Tell Parva she does good work." Radil urged.
Daggit chuckled, "Thanks. I will. How about you? Will you be all right?"
Radil nodded, "I think so. We'll be off on a mission in a few days. That'll give me time to straighten my thoughts out and figure out what I really want."
"Nothing like combat to clear the ol' head." Daggit grinned.
"Exactly." Radil started to walk away, "Later!"
"Good luck!" Daggit called after her. She gave him a thumb's up. Satisfied, he returned to the hospital.
"Who or what, specifically, are you here to investigate?" Danan's voice and eyes were icy.
"I already gave Commander Riker my answer." Prentiss doggedly clung to that answer. It was the third time she had used it in this general line of inquiry, "I am bound by confidentiality to withhold any other information."
"Hang confidentiality." Danan hissed, "I can help you or hinder you as I see fit. Give me a reason to help."
"You were Captain Macen's lover and confidant for a time. You served as his 1st Officer both in the Maquis and directly after the Dominion War. Why should I believe that you'd do anything to assist me?" Prentiss demanded.
"This is about Dracas and that wretched sword of his, isn't it?" Danan pressed on. Noting the surprised acknowledgement in Prentiss' eyes, she elaborated, "This is about his interrogating people at sword point."
"Very good, Commander." Prentiss referencing Danan's Reserve commission, "You may prove useful after all."
"Listen, Commander," Danan snarled, "I won't be your puppet. Ask me whatever you want and I'll answer honestly. I want to see justice prevail as badly as you do."
"We'll see." Prentiss was confident again. She was back in control and things would stay that way, "Don't you think we should rejoin Commander Riker? He's undoubtedly wondering about us."
"Follow me." Danan said gruffly and led the way to the airlock.
T'Kir was standing by a biobed when Macen arrived. He ran over to her and swept her up in her arms. He lavished her with kisses until she finally stopped him. Laughing, she demanded to be put down.
Macen seated her on the bed, "You're really fine?"
"I'm perfect." T'Kir joyously replied, "Hayley was about to step outside."
"Why?" Macen wondered.
"I can 'read' her everywhere in this room." T'Kir revealed, "Now we're testing for proximity and distance."
Galloway attached her newly fabricated comm badge to her blouse, "Ready?"
"When you are." T'Kir jovially replied.
The Sickbay doors opened to admit Grace, "Nice disappearing act, Captain."
"You dawdled." Macen retorted.
"I have never dawdled in my life." Grace shot back.
T'Kir looked at Macen, "Let me see it." After a moment's silence, T'Kir apologetically looked at Grace, "Sorry Honey, you dawdled."
"Sure, take his side." Grace grumped.
"Somebody has to." T'Kir pinched Macen's cheek
"Stop that." Macen swatted her hand away.
"You're just too cute." T'Kir cooed. Macen rolled his eyes.
"I'm going now." Galloway announced to no one in particular and stepped out into the corridor.
"Hand me my comm badge, will ya?" T'Kir requested of Macen. He produced the badge and she held on to it.
T'Kir's comm badge chirped. She tapped it with her thumb, "T'Kir here."
"I'm five metres away from the door. How are you doing?" Galloway asked.
"You're getting' fuzzy." T'Kir reported, "Try reporting in every metre or so."
A moment later, "What about now?"
"I can sense your presence but I can't read your mind." T'Kir answered, "Try one more metre."
A longer period of time passed and then the badge chirped, "Anything?"
"Nope." T'Kir wistfully replied, "Come on back."
"Well," T'Kir rallied, "I may be a fraction of what I was but at least I'm still me."
Macen and Grace each hugged her. Galloway started to remove her comm badge but T'Kir stopped her.
"Keep it. You're family now. Wear it when you visit." She informed Galloway.
Galloway was touched and it showed, "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." T'Kir replied, "Am I cleared to leave yet?"
"Just gather your things off of that bed and use the dressing room and you'll be ready to leave." Galloway discreetly ran scans while T'Kir gathered up the clump that comprised her belongings. While T'Kir dressed, Galloway addressed Macen, "Her scans read 'Normal' but she should be watched for signs of confusion, dementia, or blackouts. If any of those occur, call me or the nearest neurologist."
Macen memorised the list and then smiled, "Gotcha. Thank you."
"First we have to see if it's a permanent fix." Galloway replied, "I was awfully conservative in the adjustments I made. They may not hold."
Macen shrugged, "Then you'll be a little more liberal next time. If there is a next time."
T'Kir emerged from the dressing room wearing a bright and happy smile, "C'mon Lover, I'm hungry."
"For actual food?" Macen asked.
"Of course." T'Kir replied, "Why? What were you thinking?"
"It could've been anything." Macen grinned, "Your tastes run the gamut."
"Yah, yah." T'Kir dismissively waved her hand, "Just feed me."
"Hannah," Macen faced his chief pilot, "Can you take Ms. Galloway back to the surface in the shuttle? It's parked at Tier Seven, slot B."
"And how are you two coming home?" Grace enquired.
"We'll take the commuter shuttle." T'Kir replied. She made shooing motions, "You two, get out. I wanna sample that new restaurant on Level Two of the station's Galleria."
"The one Chef co-owns?" Grace asked accusingly, "You just don't want to foot the bill for two more."
"Actually," T'Kir smiled sweetly, "I just had a delicate procedure performed upon my brain and I'd like a quiet moment to celebrate its success with my husband. Understand?"
Grace deflated, "We'll just be going then."
Galloway was all smiles as she exited Sickbay, "Enjoy yourselves."
T'Kir turned to Macen, "before we go, I was wonderin' if you'd help me out with something?"
"Like what?" Macen asked, instantly curious as to why she was acting conspiratorially.
"I want you to authorise Tessa to subdue Shannon Forger if she tries to rewrite any of Tessa's subroutines." T'Kir revealed.
"Shannon will just deactivate her and do what she wants." Macen countered.
"I want to disable her deactivation command." T'Kir grinned, "She'll only be inactive if she chooses to be."
Macen shared T'Kir's grin, "But she'll still activated by vocal command?"
T'Kir pushed at his shoulder, "Of course. What d'you take me for?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Macen teased.
"Watch it buster," T'Kir warned, "or no nookie for you for two weeks."
Macen grinned, "I could stand to catch up on my rest."
T'Kir backhanded his arm, "You can be such a nincompoop."
"I try." Macen beamed, "I truly do."
"Can I adjust her program or not?" T'Kir demanded.
"Tessa," Macen addressed the EMH herself, "What do you think?"
Tessa wore an evil grin, "I like the idea. No one's gonna frinx with my program."
"And I'm supposed to wonder who you've been hanging out with?" Macen mused. Turning to T'Kir he said, "Go for it, dearie."
T'Kir gave a thumb's up as she accessed the holomatrix. Macen and Tessa talked while T'Kir whiled away her time. Just over thirty minutes later, T'Kir finished.
"Try turning yourself off." T'Kir requested. Tessa vanished. T'Kir grinned, "That worked."
"Computer, activate EMH." Macen ordered.
Tessa appeared. Her face was scrunched up, "I'm not gonna say it."
"You don't have to." T'Kir wore a giddy smile, "It's optional from now on."
"Thank you." Tessa said with the utmost gratitude.
"Computer, deactivate EMH." T'Kir ordered. Tessa looked hurt but when nothing happened, an evil smile crossed her features.
"Let's see Kort shut me up now." She growled.
"You give him what for when he tries." T'Kir urged.
"I will." Tessa said and then when the couple prepared to leave, she suddenly spoke up, "Would it be possible to place holoemitters somewhere else in the ship? Somewhere besides Sickbay?" Tessa's courage faltered and she mumbled, "I was just wondering."
Macen grinned, "I actually have technicians arriving tomorrow to give me an estimate of how much it would cost to install holoemitters throughout the ship. What's the point of having an EMH if she can't travel to an emergency?"
Tessa threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek, "Thank you!"
T'Kir wore a bemused expression, "So, do I have to put you on a leash?"
"Maybe so." Macen grinned, "You'd better be good to me."
"No nookie you, four weeks." T'Kir declared.
"I'd feel threatened but you'll never last that long." Macen sagely informed her.
T'Kir wore a goofy grin and bobbed her head, "I know."
"Want to blow this joint?" Macen reached out and took T'Kir's hand.
"Yes." T'Kir emphatically agreed, "I'm starving."
"Then let us be off." Macen turned back, "Bye Tessa."
"Later Honey." T'Kir called out.
After they left, Tessa returned to the physician's desk. Sitting down at it, she retrieved her padd. Today's selection, like yesterdays, came from Macen. It was a compilation of the most accurate biographies of Captain James T. Kirk. Macen had selected them based upon their strengths and historiography. So far, they had proven delightful. Tessa could easily see why Macen had referred to Kirk as his personal hero.
Tessa was beginning to think that Macen was hers. She idly wondered how T'Kir would react to that bit of news. Tessa felt it was better to keep it a secret. After all, she was an Emergency Medical Hologram. She had no tangible mind to read. Wearing a guilty smile, Tessa returned to her reading.