There were many moments of excellence in his career but the years had also been plagued by moments he would rather put to the black hole of memory, none though had ever given him the moment of unease that escorting the mass murderer to Sea Deck was. Ford wasn't one given to hysteria, but the prickle at the back of his neck as the cryo chamber wheeled by his side couldn't be denied.
Dr. Smith was waiting for their arrival, instruments in hand ready to evaluate the "patient". Wendy felt the discomfort in the Commander and Security Personnel, "Zellar?" Her rhetorical question was met by slight nods, the normal bustle of the Sea Deck sat in silence, all aware who was in their presence - on ice or not. She breathed deeply and motioned to those in the blue jumpsuits of medical, "Alright, let's get this hooked up." Things are bad enough without thawing him out, Wendy added to herself. Her team worked well together connecting cords and taking vitals. "Everything looks good with heartbeat and oxygen levels," one of the Nurses provided. Jonathan felt himself relaxing, the prisoner was contained again, those of his charge would remain safe.
In the bustle of activity no one noticed the silent shadow of Kaia. She wasn't even aware that her feet had carried from one side of Sea Deck to the other. Hands clenched, nails digging into her palms, numbness made her oblivious of the pain. She continued unnoticed as she melded into the sea of blue, she was careful not to cause dysfunction as she moved towards her goal - a small obscure panel, camouflaged into the bottom of the cryogenic pod. One slight touch and a keypad illuminated, as her hand hovered her eyes moved to the pod's ice glazed glass, for a moment she hesitated but then became resolute, permitting her hand to move, ready to abort the life that had destroyed hers.
"Dr. Williams," the voice was sharp and commanding. Her hand stilled as Kaia met the face of Captain Bridger, unaware that the routine around her had stilled as well, all eyes seemed focused on her wayward finger, realizing the Monster she had let out of her soul. The next few minutes moved as if in a dream, she was vaguely aware of Commander Ford grasping her wrist, pulling her through the portal, Captain Bridger close behind. The hall closed in around her, pride kept her from falling, determination kept the breath in her lungs. Kaia pulled herself straight, steeled determination into her being and prepared herself to face the consequences of her decision, regretting only the pause of conscience that had gotten her caught.
The two Senior Officers looked at each other, neither having an idea as to how to move forward. They were spared having to break the thick silence when Kaia spoke, she could see the concern on Bridger's face and knew it wasn't from just the past few minutes "Brody told you didn't he?" Her voice was flat, no emotion, no accusation just a statement of fact. He looked at her with the past in his eyes as he gave a soft affirmation, "He did."
Commander Ford was coming to see that he did not have all the pieces of the puzzle, but knew that the Captain would share with him later, so he wisely kept himself silent, watching with Bridger as Doctor Williams turned to stare into the depth of water that ran the halls of Sea Quest. It was obvious that she did not see the tank beyond, but a haunt of memories. Bridger's heart filled with compassion that had to be tamped by the role of a Captain who had witness the intent of a Crew Member to commit murder, whether the victim deserved it or not, it was still murder.
He forced his voice stern, "What were you thinking?"
Life stirred within, what was she thinking? What was she thinking? Without any further thought of consequences, Kaia whirled on her Captain. "I was thinking that I wanted justice," violet eyes blazed. "I was thinking that I want my little boy back, but I can't have him can I?" Fists clenched, voice a sneer, there was no image of the mild, professional woman he had come to know. "If I can't have my son, the man who took him from me shouldn't have his life." Captain Bridger faced his Crew Member with his own soul torn, "I understand wanting justice, but what I was about to witness wasn't justice. Murder, whether justified or not, is murder. What would your son think?" Bridger stepped too far and Kaia broke, "How dare you!" Bridger braced himself for a physical demonstration of her anger, but none came, although he was sure the desire was there. She held herself still as embers burned, Bridger knew that in that moment there would be no reason to overcome emotion. He sighed and pondered the best decision to make, "Commander Ford see the Doctor to her quarters, she will be under lock and key until further notice."
"Aye Captain," Ford acknowledged. Kaia was not surprised by the punishment. She brushed off the Commander's arm, she knew the way to her own cabin and she would be damned if she would be escorted like a common criminal.
They had almost reached their destination when Kaia caught sight of a nightmare. Ford was surprised when she stopped in her movement, "Doctor." Her eyes were fixed and he looked at the man at the end of the hallway, The Warden. It was in that moment Ford realized that the Warden's eyes were fixed as much on Kaia's as hers were on him. He looked back and forth for a moment, not understanding the underlying tension. Kaia spoke in a very soft whisper, Jonathan leaned towards her unable to hear, "I'm sorry Doctor, what was that?" No answer came, as Kaia had started towards the Warden, arms out, a banshee scream trailing behind her. Startled as he was, it took Jonathan a moment to realize that she was screaming the name Zellar. He ran after her, pulling his weapon, unsure at that moment who he was going to have to use it on. The Warden had raised his arms in defense as the small woman had started to pummel him with fists and kicks, scratches to his face. Crew Members moved curiously into the hallway from their posts, having heard the commotion, Jonathan was grateful for their assistance as they helped peel Kaia away from her target.
"What the hell is going on here?!" Captain Bridger's voice caused a red sea affect, navy blue uniforms split so that Kaia, Commander Ford, and a man whose clothes caused Nathan to assume the rescued Warden. The noise of commotion had reached him as he had started a discussion with Wendy regarding their newly acquired prisoner and "The Brody's." Disruption to his ship was too much, he held Kaia in a glare, immune to the struggles she made against the Commander's grasp "What is going on here?"
"Rubin Zellar," Kaia screeched as she pointed towards the Warden. "He's Zellar."
The Warden became the victim to her accusations, hands moving to the cuts her nails had raked across his face, the bruises already coloring, "Captain, I have no idea what this … this woman is talking about…" Even with the upset, he kept his voice smooth, calm, innocent. Kaia's rage helped her to wrench free, no one realized it until they heard the crunch as her fist connected with the Warden's eye. "Don't you dare lie you coward!" Ford regained his control of her as she screamed "I'll kill you!"
The Warden looked at her as if she was crazed, "I seriously don't know what's going on here Captain, I was simply walking down the hall ... and ..." he gave a gesture in Kaia's direction. "She attacked me for no reason."
Bridger looked from Kai to the Warden probing both, still confused as to what he had walked in on. Kaia accused again, "That's Zellar," she pushed against Commander Ford and the Crew Man who had come to his aid, both holding her tightly. "It's Zellar!" In the rationale of her mind, Kaia knew she wasn't helping her accusation by acting a mad woman, but she couldn't bring herself to care.
Bridger stepped closer to the Warden, examining him closely, "How do you know?" The Warden looked shocked by the question, realizing that the Captain was going to let Kaia voice her fantasies. "I stared into those eyes every day for months at his trial, I know every inch of that face." Her voice laced with hatred as she looked her enemy in his eye. "Don't even deny that you know me. Don't deny who you are."
The Warden held his hands in front of him, trying to deflect her condemnation. It was an error of action as it gave Bridger a moment to catch the scars on his hands, remnants of careful stitches at the fingertips. The Captain grasped the Warden's hand as the other man realized his error, he brought it closer to his eyes and knew in that moment that the Doctor was right.