After Party
White ambient lighting mixed with reds, blues, purples, and greens to fill the reception hall with a bright and inviting hue that conveyed the restrained and professional tone of a formal party. At least, that was what Kebraka thought while studying the light patterns. Her solid black eyes took in everything at a higher saturation then the species hosting the event. As she watched the colors, Kebraka noticed that the hues had patterns that matched the orchestra playing their instruments at the opposite wall. The lights swirled and changed as the music changed in tempo and tenor giving off a hypnotic effect to the young Mariscoan.
Kebraka fell into a trance lightly swaying as the boney crown-like protrusion jutting from her forehead caught the sound vibrations of the variety of string and wind instruments hailing from the founding worlds of the Federation. Her coarse dark hair braided tightly and tied back with a ribbon swayed gently with her. The tight braids whipped softly at her back. She felt weightless and calm as the music seemed to flow through her. The hall and all its guests seem to disappear.
An award ceremony had wrapped up a few minutes ago. Captain Kebraka Eris Kells had been presented a medal, as had several other officers. Kebraka had worn her dress whites for the first time in ages and stood nervously before a crowd of hundreds as she had waited for her name to be called. The official handing out chest candy was a Bajoran man that served as a councilman for the federation. He had served as a stand in for the federation president as the man couldn't be everywhere at once.
The President was conducting a similar ceremony on Bajor for the officers and warriors that fought to stop the Hurq at Empersa, the Founders' home planet. Kebraka wasn't present for that battle. She had been assigned to a task force that defended federation worlds around the Bajor system. Kebraka and the other honored guests received medals for their role in the initial battle over Bajor against the Tzenkethi and the Hurq at the start of the conflict. Their smaller ceremony was being held at a large reception hall on Betazed.
The reception hall was luxurious, hardly the location for a small event. The hall had multiple support columns placed strategically throughout the space allowing for guests and performers to easily identify where they should be and what activities would be in which parts of the hall. The stage at the front had been used at the start of the ceremony with all the guests moving toward the back for the reception after the main event. The part of the hall designated as the back was open to an elaborate garden within an expansive courtyard decorated with various statues, artistic depictions of the humanoid form. The event was intended as a small celebration for Starfleet officers and their families but the Betazoids had other plans. The hall was packed with appreciative dignitaries from across the Federation along with curious and prominent upper crust types from around the planet.
Kebraka continued to sway to the music while standing near a pillar of well-polished marble. She was unaware of the small crowd gathering around her. Most were fully engrossed in their own affairs. Others were raiding the table near Kebraka, snatching up drinks and food items that had been arranged tastefully by color in a sort of rainbow pattern. The popular drink at the moment was a dull pale blue wine made on Tellar Prime. It matched Kebraka's skin tone perfectly.
"So what do you think, Captain Kells," said a young human commander. He stood directly in front of her holding a red colored drink. His pale skin and smooth features gave him an angelic look when matched with his dress whites. Angelic in some cultures at least. Three other officers stood around him enclosing Kebraka in a circle. One officer, a young Bolian ensign was finishing a small cake while the other two human officers were holding drinks of red and yellow.
Kebraka was a bit confused. She hadn't noticed anyone approach let alone start a conversation. "I'm sorry, I was engrossed in the music," she said in an apologetic tone. "What did you ask?"
The commander plopped his free hand to his face as the Bolian woman laughed with mushed cake visible in her mouth. The others smiled, swaying their upper bodies side to side in embarrassment. The commander wiped his hand down his face and took a drink before running his free hand through his hair. "Let's try this again," he stated quietly to himself. Kebraka was still able hear him.
"I wanted your opinion on retaining Task Force Vole beyond the Hurq conflict. See if the admiralty will support assigning us to a new mission area or something," the commander said. Despite repeating his words there was no sign of irritation. He seemed to enjoy the sound of his own voice.
Kebraka hadn't noticed the man at first but as she studied his face she realized that she was speaking to the first officer of the USS Resolution. Kebraka didn't know his name but she had seen him on the bridge of the Mercury-class ship on more than one occasion when speaking to Captain Edelson. Resolution was one of a dozen escort vessels that had been assigned to Task Force Vole. The task force was a quick response force capable of responding to threats using swarm tactics so the ships could better support each other. Kebraka didn't understand why the commander was asking about the task force but she suspected it was an attempt at small talk.
"The task force was only assembled to patrol one key area. I don't see why it would be needed long term. Escort vessels are fully capable of a wide range of missions. No need to waste them on such a narrow scope," Kebraka said. Her dry throat quickly reminded her that she was the only person in the small group without a drink.
The commander's head slumped down as the other officers laughed. "See, what I tell ya! This is Starfleet, we don't restrict ships to warfare," exclaimed the human lieutenant. He was around the same age as the commander and seemed to be a friend. The other human officer leaned toward Kebraka, "Meyer tried asking Captain Edelson the same thing a few days ago."
"He asked Nichols, Roward, and Johaness-Prul too," The Bolian ensign said with a smile. She placed her empty plate on the tray of a passing busser before grabbing the commander in a friendly headlock, roughing up his hair with her free hand. "You're never going to convince enough captains to save the team, Kitty!"
Kebraka giggled at the sound of the commander's name. Or was it a nickname? Kebraka was certain a kitty was some sort of small furry animal on Earth. She doubted any human would name their child Kitty Meyer. The officers continued to stand around her, clearly intent on having a longer conversation. The human ensign that had told Kebraka about Meyer's requests turned to the table and returned with three drinks in her hands.
"Captain Kells, pick a glass, any glass," the ensign said. Her hands were outstretched, offering the three glasses. The middle glass was sandwiched between the other two and looked like it might fall so Kebraka grabbed it. The ensign quickly downed the other two glasses. The ensign's face turned bright red as she opened her mouth wide and stuck out her tongue as she exhaled loudly and belched.
"Woo! That shit did not go down well," the Ensign shouted. Her voice and sudden outburst quieted the room for a solid second before everyone went back to their own conversations. The ensign's friends looked at her with a bit of embarrassment. The only party that appeared unfazed was the musicians that had continued to play despite the outburst.
Kebraka gulped down half her drink. The contents gave a tingly sensation as it went down her throat. Gases from the carbonation traveled through her sinuses stinging her nostrils. The glass was filled with some yellow concoction that had a strong citrusy taste to it. She didn't taste any alcohol in the drink but it didn't mean it wasn't in there.
"I apologize for my friend's rude behavior. Silverthorn never really learned how to conduct herself at formal gatherings," Meyer said. Silverthorn turned to Meyer flashing him a dirty look. She then turned to Kebraka and covered her mouth. She stared at Kebraka like a wounded animal.
Kebraka Shrugged. "I don't really fit into high society functions either. This was supposed to be a smaller function." Kebraka nodded to Silverthorn and turned back toward Meyer. He had swiped a plate from a passing server and was politely stuffing his face. The Bolian ensign was also stuffing her face but she made no attempt to be polite about it.
The small group continued to talk for almost an hour. Meyer seemed to dominate the conversation with strange topics and even managed to bring up the fate of the task force a few more times. Kebraka found the group rather interesting and listened patiently. Most of her senior staff had opted not to stick around for the reception. They took their medals and went their separate ways. Some could probably be found in nearby bars or back on the ship.
Kebraka realized that the officers before her had managed to stay close friends from the academy until now despite some of them moving up the ranks faster than others. The officers reminded her of her own friends. Many of them were long gone. As a Mariscoan, Kebraka was long lived at the age of nine hundred thirty-nine. Still young by Mariscoan standards, not that it mattered.
Kebraka moved to the table to get something to eat. The other officers followed her as they continued to talk. Silverthorn and Meyer were trying to get Kebraka to authorize a battle simulation between the Resolution and Taurokado, Kebraka's ship. Kebraka finally grabbed a small rolled pastry. The officers grabbed food and drink and followed Kebraka to the courtyard.
Once in the courtyard Kebraka sat down on the stone steps. Ensign Silverthorn and the Bolian Ensign, Zel Barish sat with her with plates of food while Cmd. Meyer and Lt. Pratt stood at the foot of the steps. Kebraka pulled a small chunk of her pastry away from the main portion with her fork. She delicately placed the chunk in her mouth and chewed politely as Meyer finished his pitch for the battle simulation. The other officers stared at Kebraka waiting for a reply.
"I was never one for combat, simulated or real. My crew does their jobs well and I appreciate the skills you and your crew have exhibited during the last conflict. I see no reason to challenge that." Kebraka spoke in a calm manner, peeling away layers of pastry as she ate. She watched Meyer's eyes shift from her face to her chest.
Her dress uniform, on the rare occasions she was required to wear her medals, was loaded with chest candy dating back to the Federation's first conflict with the Cardassians in the 2340s. Kebraka wasn't an ambitious sort. She didn't consider herself as a soldier or warrior. She had simply served Starfleet at times when conflict was inevitable. If anyone paid close attention to her medals and commendations they would realize most where for participation and humanitarian pursuits rather than acts of bravery or valor. Meyer didn't seem to notice the distinction.
"Is the ancient war hero too good for a young crew or have you suddenly gotten fearful," Meyer asked, clearly offended. His friends all looked at him with concern. Barish giggled in an attempt to keep things pleasant, to diffuse any further outburst. It didn't seem to work. Meyer was still clearly angered by Capt. Kells's refusal.
"Forget it, Commander. We're at a party. Let's have fun," Barish said. The Bolian Ensign stood and offered her hand to her friend. Meyer continued to stare at Kebraka; his face was twisted in an anger that surprised his friends as much as it did Kebraka. Barish pivoted and extended her hand to Pratt. The lieutenant took his friend's hand and the two ran up the stairs passing an elderly human man that was shuffling to the courtyard at a decent clip.
Meyer watched two of his friends leave. Silverthorn remained next to Kebraka. She was staring at her friend. There was an unspoken conversation between the two. As if they knew in that moment exactly what the other was going to say.
"What is your deal, Kitty?" Silverthorn finally asked. Silverthorn's voice was stern until she said his nickname. She was visible concerned and confused over the incident.
"Captain Kells seems to think she is too good for us, too good for me! We been talking to her for a while now and all she can manage to do is say no to everything we have to say," the commander shouted, clearly forgetting the reception, decorum, and the rank of the officer he was shouting at. Kebraka finished her cake and looked up at the commander but said nothing. Her dark eyes seem to reflect his twisted expression. Meyer broke eye contact when he saw what he thought was his own reflection glowering at him with oddly void eyes.
"Kitty, you been drinking too much, maybe you should beam back up to the ship," Silverthorn pleaded. She shifted where she sat.
"I'm not going anywhere until Captain Kells agrees to the battle simulation," Meyer barked. His face was red and his eyes watery with no other indications of intoxication.
"Captain Kebraka Eris Kells doesn't have to do anything, commander," said a gravelly voice behind Kebraka. The tone of voice was slightly familiar despite the sternness in it.
Kebraka watched as the commander's eyes widened in surprise. He stiffened to attention and nodded. Kebraka stood and turned to see the man that had interrupted the confrontation. She didn't recognize the man at first. He was a human of advanced years and hunched over slightly. It was his eyes she recognized first.
"Michael, is that you?" Kebraka asked. Memories flooded back of the last time she'd seen him. He was her commanding officer aboard the Ouagadougou during the tail end of the Dominion War. He was also her best friend at the academy.
"I'm sorry Admiral, I don't know what came over me," said Meyer. He barely managed to keep from stuttering. Fear had clearly got the better of him.
"Of course you're sorry son, but only because you know that I could pull some strings and have you commanding a cleaning crew maintaining waste extraction facilities on a starbase," Lim said. Admiral Michael Lim was retired from active duty. His civilian attire was a clue to all in attendance that he no longer served. His retirement wasn't by choice. He had been gravely injured during the Iconian War. Doctors gave him a choice, face medical separation or accept retirement. Still, the old man was highly respected by those that had served with him, some even feared him.
Kebraka extended a hand to greet him as humans generally did. Ignoring the commander, Lim grabbed Kebraka by the forearm and pulled her close. His strength had greatly diminished over the years but Kebraka trusted him enough to allow him to pull her closer. Michael Lim wrapped his arms around his old friend with more affection than she was comfortable with. Meyer chose at that moment to slink away up the steps into the reception hall.
"I haven't seen you in so long, Kells. You're a captain now, I'm so proud of you." The admiral was starting to tear up. Lim moved his arms up her back and through her course black hair. His hands stopped at the boney crown sticking out from her forehead. Kebraka realized at that moment what her old friend was trying to do. She leaned in as he pulled her toward him. Her crown touched his wrinkly forehead.
Lim smiled, tears still welling up in his eyes. "It's been so long I thought you forgot about me," he said. He stared into her eyes for a moment, his weathered face reflected back at him with more warmth than was actually visible on his face, before allowing her to stand up straight. The touching of crowns among the Mariscoan people was something done as a greeting among family. The act itself brought back the memory of the first time he had greeted her this way.
Kebraka had been a cadet for a year and had yet to make any friends. Michael Lim had approached her with two other cadets. They had talked to her initially out of curiosity, asking about her people, their culture, and why Kebraka had joined Starfleet. Lim must have seen how sad she was. After his friends left he put his forehead to her crown and told her that if she no longer had family then he would be her family.
"I didn't forget, I just…I didn't think you were still alive," Kebraka said, tears welling up in her eyes. She was long lived and had seen many people grow old and die in what seemed like mere moments. She had feared he had already died for some time. Her fear had kept her from looking him up after they lost touch on the Ouagadougou. Lim wasn't dead yet but by the look of him, he didn't have too many years ahead.
Lim extended an arm toward Kebraka. "If you'd care to escort an old man I'd love to see the garden and catch up," Lim said. Kebraka linked an arm with her old friend and carefully lead him down the steps into the garden. Lim's posture and gait seem to improve as they moved. He had regained his composure; his face was still wet with tears.
The garden was shaped much like a maze with cobble stone walkways leading off into various dead ends with exotic plants blocking certain routes. Most of the plants were only about a meter in height allowing the guests to see each other throughout the garden. A few tall trees marked seating areas at certain dead ends. Light poles strategically placed along the paths in the garden kept the area well lit. The lighting was enough to keep the garden from getting dangerous while providing privacy for anyone needing a private or intimate moment.
The two walked the garden slowly as they made small talk, mostly about recent events. Kebraka guided the elderly man through the paths as he talked about his consulting work on Bajor. He had been assisting a company with the development of new harvesting equipment for the mountainous regions of Dahkur province. He had been on Bajor when the Tzenkethi attacked. He had been fortunate enough to avoid the conflict.
Kebraka guided her friend to a bench at the center of the garden. There were four benches placed around a large statue of two Betazoids, a male and a female. They were locked in a pose that looked both hostile and affectionate, as if depicting a desperate fight and a longing for a warm embrace at the same time. A lantern carried by the male figure lighted the area. Once seated, Lim guided Kebraka to sit beside him; he didn't let go of her arm until she sat down.
"The air out here is wonderful. I need to spend more time outdoors," Lim said looking up at the stars as a cool and gentle breeze swept over them.
"It is nice," Kebraka said. She wasn't very good at talking to people in social situations. She found herself wanting to ask him a million questions but she didn't know where to start.
The two sat for a few minutes in silence. Kebraka could still hear the music from the reception. They were playing a waltz of some kind. A few guests dancing inside the building were visible from their bench in the garden. Kebraka broke the silence first.
"How's Miriam?" She asked.
Lim smiled. "I don't know. We divorced back in seventy-six."
Kebraka was dumbfounded. Miriam and Michael had gotten married in 2357. Miriam was a lieutenant that served with them on the Bainbridge. She left Starfleet after the pair had their first child. They were still married when Lim and Kebraka were on the Ouagadougou.
"The kids, how are they?" Kebraka asked a bit nervous. She wanted to catch up with her old friend but she didn't want to pry if it bothered him.
"Henry's in Starfleet, made Captain a few months ago, taking after his old man." Michael wore a smile on his face. He was clearly proud of his youngest son. "He was assigned the Porterville."
"He was just a baby when I saw him last!" Kebraka was surprised by the news. Humans seemed so fast paced with their lives. In around 15 years Henry had moved from Cadet to Captain. Kebraka had only been promoted to captain in 2409 due in large part to the casualties during the Federation Klingon War. She spent most of her career as an Ensign.
Satisfied with his answer, Michael Lim moved on to his second youngest child. "Millie is living on Earth with her husband. They have five kids, they even send me messages."
"Millie never liked the idea of you being in Starfleet." Kebraka said. She remembered the little girl. Constantly sending messages asking when daddy was coming home. She was adorable.
"We aren't close but she encourages the kids to correspond with me." Michael's voice grew serious. He clearly regretted missing large portions of her childhood. The Dominion War played a big role in that.
"What about Duc?" Kebraka asked. She was curious as to why he hadn't started with his first child.
"My Eldest? He is on New Romulus with his husband." Lim seemed almost dismissive.
Kebraka was confused by his tone. Duc Lim had gotten to see his father quite often. Miriam left Starfleet after their first child but Starfleet soon authorized officers to bring their families aboard most starships. Kebraka even joined them for dinner some nights.
Kebraka was surprised to hear Duc was on New Romulus. The boy never seemed the type to join Starfleet. "When did he join Starfleet?"
"He didn't. Duc became a freighter captain. He has been helping the Romulans ever since the supernova. It's how he met his husband, Caldus." Lim practically spat the name out.
"You don't like that Duc is married to a man or that he married a Romulan?" Kebraka asked. She knew humanity was very accepting of other beings, cultures and ways of life but sexual preference seemed to be an issue that still made some humans uncomfortable.
"What?! No! I just don't like the fact his husband is a Cardassian!" Lim looked at Kebraka clearly irritated by her suggestion.
"Wait… but you said he was on New Romulus? How did he meet a Cardassian there?" Kebraka asked.
"Not sure, He didn't even tell me about Caldus until after they had their wedding." Lim was angry. His words were filled with hurt rather than rage.
"Why does it bother you so much?" Kebraka was attempting to look into his eyes. Lim had turned away from Kebraka as though he knew what she was trying to do.
"It shouldn't. It's been years since the war with the Cardassians. I just…every time I see one, I can't help but think they need to be gone… away from me. I think that is why he stopped contacting me. He knew I wouldn't accept Caldus." Lim was tearing up again. He pulled Kebraka close to him lowering his head toward her lap. Kebraka put her left arm on his back and rubbed it in a circular motion out of support. "Had I been invited to the wedding I wouldn't have gotten in the way. He should have trusted me! I just wanted to see him happy…"
Lim cried for a short moment before regaining his composure. He sat up and patted his friend on the back as he wiped the tears from his eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up my problems like that. Memories have a bad habit of showing up when you least expect them. This is supposed to be a happy night. Please, let's change the subject."
Kebraka thought for a moment. There were still so many questions she wanted to ask. She was about to ask about his time as an admiral when Lim broke the silence.
"What about you Kebraka? You meet anybody special yet?" Lim jabbed her in the side with an elbow. A smile crept across his face, his eyes still moist. Their eyes met briefly. Lim saw a reflection in Kebraka's eyes of him smiling as a younger man, when he had gotten his teeth knocked out during an anbo-jyutsu match.
"I… kinda stopped looking," Kebraka said. She turned away from him briefly. Her social life wasn't really a comfortable subject.
"Why?" Lim's voice grew more serious.
"Well… I just… well I realized that it was too silly to look for a relationship yet. My species doesn't even hit the age of reproductive capability until around one thousand years." Kebraka had only discussed her physical maturity with Federation doctors. Mentally and chronologically she was well old enough to join Starfleet but physiologically Kebraka Eris Kells was still an adolescent. She wasn't expected to hit puberty until she turned one thousand years old.
"Are you serious? Why did you try dating than?" Lim was shocked. He had even raised his voice. It was the first time either of them noticed the other guests walking around in the garden.
"I saw everyone around me doing it. It made me feel… alone… not having someone to socialize with. It's why I hung around you and Miriam all the time. I just wanted to be a part of something… to be a family."
"Well, that explains a lot," Lim said. He seemed relieved.
"What do you mean?" Kebraka asked.
"I always loved you. You were a true friend but I wanted more. You just never seemed…willing… I guess." Lim was now visibly embarrassed. Their eyes met for a brief moment. Lim's thoughts were on her body. It was as if he was noticing her under developed form for the first time. "I guess it's a good thing we never did get… involved," Lim said.
Kebraka chuckled at the notion but said nothing. Lim also laughed. He seemed to have a weight lifted off his shoulders. Kebraka couldn't help but feel the weight on her shoulders getting heavier. Kebraka was the last of her people. Even once she reached the age of sexual maturity she would never be able to have children of her own, a family of her own.
The Mariscoans had been an advanced race that had attained the ability to travel the galaxy long before the federation ever existed. They credited their prosperity and intellect to their gods. They lived to serve their gods until the day their gods decided they were no longer useful. A synthetic gene implanted in their DNA had been activated sterilizing all future generations until the race simply died out.
When news of what had happened had reached the general public it was already too late to reverse the problem. Most Mariscoans chose to end their lives out of devotion to their gods. A last ditch effort to please their gods and hope for a heavenly after life. Others chose to live out their lives on the home world. Kebraka lived on the home world with her people until she realized she was the last of her kind.
Michael Lim threw his arms around Kebraka in the strongest embrace he could manage. "I still love you my old friend." He drew his eyes to her and touched his forehead to the bony crown at her forehead. She felt the warmth and comfort radiate from him as her mind shared with him the feelings she would never voice to him, could never voice to him.
"I love you too."
Kebraka still had one more question to ask her friend. It was something more out of curiosity rather than anything important. "Why did you retire?"
"It wasn't by choice, trust me." Lim let go of her and sat with his back against the bench. "I got injured during the Iconian attack on Earth. My ship was crippled and most of the crew onboard were killed. By the time anyone came to get me, there wasn't much they could do. So, I'm unfit to serve," Lim said in a regretful tone. "Seems like a lifetime ago," Lim said. A smile crept across his face.
Kebraka noticed a commotion near the entry to the garden. Commander Meyer was attempting to enter while two of his friends, Silverthorn and Pratt, were blocking his path. They were clearly arguing. Meyer's voice kept getting louder as other guests of the gardens looked on. Lim tapped Kebraka on the shoulder to bring her attention back to him.
"So, where were you during the Iconian War?" Michael Lim asked. He seemed conscious of what was happening at the entrance but clearly wanted to ignore it.
"I was given a battlefield promotion after the attack on Starbase gave me command of a retrofitted Xindi vessel. It's in orbit now, USS Taurokado." Kebraka spoke as though she were recording a captain's log. She wasn't overly attached to the ship. It was an older design of a reptilian Xindi vessel. The design was nearly 300 years old. The ship was younger by only a few decades and the retrofit left the ship too over powered for its internal wiring.
"I met the Iconians, Mike," Kebraka said. She was looking down as she spoke. "They were the gods of my people. They are the ones that killed them all." She looked up at him. Michael's face was hard to read in the moment.
"How did it go? Was it difficult to fight them?" Lim asked. His face had changed to a look of concern after asking.
Commander Meyer managed to get past his friends. He walked straight for Kebraka and Lim trampling the bushes and flowers that divided the trails. Silverthorn shouted something Kebraka didn't catch. Pratt and Silverthorn made no further effort to stop their friend, remaining at the garden entrance. Both wore terrified expressions.
"I killed as many as I could. I destroyed their ships, dismantled their constructs, I put every effort I could into stopping them and it still wasn't enough." Kebraka's eyes met her friend's. The memories brought anger back to the forefront of her mind. Lim could see the images of death and destruction dance in the depths of her eyes.
Meyer stopped in front of Kebraka. His uniform trousers were stained green from his trek through the garden's walls. "You know the battle simulation is a part of my proposal to the Admiral for keeping the task force together. It's why you won't do it. That proposal is the key to my promotion and you're robbing me of that." Commander Meyer was shouting at the top of his lungs, his face contorted into something unrecognizable.
Kebraka looked at Meyer. She was angry at the memories that flooded up to the surface of her mind from her time in the Iconian War. It was the wrong time to approach her. Lim understood and knew what to expect from looking into her eyes at that moment. Meyer wasn't so fortunate.
Meyer's eyes met her own for a brief moment. Commander Meyer suddenly felt a strong sense of dread as Kebraka's mind raced through his. Meyer's thoughts, ambitions, and fears reached the surface of his awareness and then vanished so fast he wasn't even sure what had happened. Two Iconian Constructs, a Herald Thrall, and a Defiler appeared behind and to either side of the bench Kebraka and her friend were sitting.
Meyer's mouth fell open in sheer terror, his voice failing to work as he screamed without producing a sound. The Thrall raised its boney hand pointing at him, giving the order for the attack. The two Constructs marched forward reaching for him as he fell. Meyer rolled into the fetal position and suddenly found his voice, "SOMEBODY HELP ME PLEASE!" Meyer screamed with such intensity that his voice went hoarse.
The nearby guests came running over to see what had happened. Two Starfleet officers pulled phasers they had concealed under their uniforms. One officer was familiar to Kebraka. The officer was a Betazoid woman and Taurokado's first officer, Ungra Ronez-Romero. Commander Ronez-Romero had always been a no nonsense officer since Kebraka had known her. She was a very by-the-book officer, the last person Kebraka would expect to carry a phaser to a formal reception.
"Are you folks alright?" Ronez-Romero asked.
"Everyone is fine commander," Michael Lim said. He tapped Kebraka on the shoulder.
Kebraka was still looking at Meyer up until Lim had tapped on her. She closed her eyes cutting her psychic link to Meyer's mind. The Iconian heralds vanished as quickly as they had appeared. To the guests around them, the Iconians had never appeared. Meyer continued to lie on the ground staring vacantly at nothing. He had been present on New Romulus during the ground engagement at the beginning of the Iconian war. He had nearly died there.
"Commander Kentrell Meyer, you are fine. Now get up," Kebraka said. In the moment she had probed his mind for his fears she had also learned his first name along with other bits of information. The young commander was ambitious but also a closeted narcissist and generally an arrogant prick. He was used to getting what he wanted from others and often refused to take no for an answer.
Meyer began to stir. He looked around for a moment. He was shocked that no one around him seemed scared. Meyer quickly moved to stand. "What happened just now?" Meyer asked.
"You got smacked by the queen of nightmares," Ronez-Romero said with a smirk. It's the first time I seen it in action. The Betazoid woman looked at Kebraka for a second before turning back to Meyer. "Commander, she could have done a lot worse." Ronez-Romero concealed her phaser, placing it in a holster under the tunic of her dress uniform.
Ronez-Romero turned to Kebraka and took a slight bow, "Ma'am, if there is nothing else I will take my leave…" Ronez-Romero straighten to attention and smiled-"there is still plenty of fun to be had."
"Carry on Commander," Kebraka said with a bit of embarrassment playing across her face.
Meyer stared daggers at the accumulated crowd. The look was enough that the guests dispersed returning to their own affairs. Meyer turned to Kebraka, tears started to stream down his face.
"You may take a seat Commander, collect yourself." Kebraka stood and offered her seat which the commander took without hesitation.
"I haven't heard that name in ages," Lim said. He looked up at Kebraka with a smile. Mariscoans were a telepathic species with extraordinary abilities to read minds and manipulate the senses. Their abilities did have limitations. They needed to touch their boney crowns to their target or make direct eye contact.
Kebraka was far from a master of her abilities. She often worried she would harm an innocent or show a stranger her intimate fantasies. As the last of the Mariscoans her ability, despite its crude and undisciplined nature, was a site to behold. She had been using her talents since the Cardassian War. She hadn't earned the name Queen of Nightmares until the Dominion War. An admiral had witnessed her attack on a Jem'Hadar soldier during a boarding incident. The Soldier had died of fright before he even lifted his weapon.
"I…I'm sorry ma'am. I didn't know…It was the alcohol, made me stupid." Meyer was looking down and fidgeting. If he was crying Kebraka couldn't tell. Kebraka had determined that Meyer wasn't intoxicated when they were linked. He was simply trying to excuse his behavior. "I didn't realize you… I didn't think you could…" Meyer's voice trailed off.
"Do you want to talk about it son? It'll help." Lim asked. He was looking at the man with a comforting look. He had placed a reassuring hand on Meyer's shoulder. "Look, Captain Kells here is a very nice woman and a dedicated officer. You know you shouldn't have been trying to push her around and quite frankly if you talk to other officers the same way I'm surprised you haven't gone on report."
"I said I was sorry!" Meyer shouted with a red face and moist eyes. "Why did you pick the Iconians?" Meyer asked Looking up at Kebraka. He kept his eyes away from her face.
Kebraka explained how her ability worked and how she was able to probe his mind to find his deepest fears. She told him about how she can show people her thoughts and how she can manipulate the senses of other species to create hallucinations. Lim joined in to tell Meyer about the time Kells made a Klingon piss himself after staring into her eyes. At the time Klingons were at peace with the federation and Kebraka's ability had been relegated to a party trick.
Meyer decided to tell the two why he feared the Iconian heralds. During the invasion of New Romulus then Lieutenant Commander Meyer had found himself fighting in close quarters with an enemy that was bigger and faster then he felt he could manage. He barely survived the invasion ultimately locking himself in a locker inside an abandoned building. A search and rescue party found him four days later afraid to move. He didn't mention it but it took four months of counseling and therapy to get Commander Meyer back to normal. Had Kebraka wanted to kill him he would have found himself back in the locker with the Heralds scraping at the door.
Commander Meyer's voice trailed off as he spoke. He seemed stunned and unable to move after he finished his story. He didn't move from the bench when Michael stood up. He continued to stare vacantly as Kebraka and Michael walked back to the reception hall. Once they had gotten to the stairway entrance to the reception hall both turned back to look at Meyer one last time. Much to Kebraka's approval, Meyer had stood up and began to walk toward his friends near the entrance to the gardens. It would take some time for the man to regain his composure but he would recover in time.
"Well, I think I better go," Kebraka said to Lim. "The reception is winding down and I get the feeling I've over stayed my welcome."
"I couldn't help but notice that none of the Betazoids got too close to you. Well, except your XO." Lim stared into her eyes when he spoke.
"They can read my mind well enough, but sometimes they can find dark corners in my head they really shouldn't be in and I have to guide them out. It's exhausting." Kebraka's eyes showed Lim the first time she caught Ronez-Romero snooping around in her mind.
"So, you tell them not to poke around with your mind?" Lim asked.
"I project the warning in my mind. Some of the Betazoids accept the warning but most of the others see it as me being rude or difficult so they have been keeping their distance." An image of Kebraka mentally shooing away guests to her mind danced over her eyes. The image transmitted from Kebraka to Michael along with emotions of loneliness and slight aggravation. Kebraka felt the transmission of her emotions had concerned and alarmed Lim. Before he could react she threw her arms around the hunched old man and squeezed tightly.
"It was good to see you again Michael," Kebraka said keeping her arms tightly around him. Lim held her as firmly as he could manage as the transferred emotions quickly dissipated. After a short moment the two released each other.
"Please keep in touch Kebraka. You can reach me on Bajor for at least another month or so." Lim said. He didn't have a PADD with him to transmit communication details but finding him through Federation comm channels wouldn't be difficult for a Starfleet Captain. Lim turned to shuffle back inside the reception hall.
"I will. You can count on it," Kebraka said watching him walk away.
"Bye for now my friend," Lim added while waving back to his old friend.
Kebraka suspected his sudden departure and refusal to turn and watch her leave was his attempt to spare her the emotions of seeing his old friend leave. Kebraka moved off to the side of the stairway before tapping her combadge. "Captain Kells to Taurokado," she would normally request immediate beam out but she wasn't sure the ship was within range given all the traffic on and off world.
"Captain Kells, this is Lieutenant Kekkonan. What can I do for you?" Kekkonan asked while smacking his thin lips. The Tactical officer was likely eating on duty again but giving their current situation, it was best not to make an issue of it.
"I'm ready to beam back," Kebraka said. She turned to look in Michael's direction again. He had made it to the dance floor and got ambushed by an older Betazoid woman. She seemed to recognize him. Kebraka winced when she saw the woman smack Michael loudly on the back as she laughed hysterically.
"Ronez-Romero beaming up with you ma'am?" Kekkonan asked while biting something crunchy.
"No, it's just me." Kebraka said. She watched Lim as he pretended to throttle the Betazoid woman he was talking to.
"Alright, beaming you up ma'am, standby." Kekkonan managed to say with a mouthful of something.
Kebraka felt the annular confinement beam envelop her as she watched her old friend shuffle away from the dance floor with the Betazoid woman escorting him. She smiled at her old friend, promising herself that she would stay in contact with him. Kebraka's vision filled with azure light as her body was broken down into its constituent particles. The particles were transferred through the matter stream as data to be reassembled aboard her ship. The transportation would take only a second with Kebraka Eris Kells rematerializing on the pad without issue. As she walked out of the transporter room on her way to the bridge, Kells felt a part of her was left on Betazed.
