ILLUMINARRPG: (10-0730)- CSO Jaton Alyl, Dr. Riven Mias and Dr. Michaella Kirien- Mias- 0730)

[Charles Gatling]

NRPG: A short visit to the previous mission to a time where Riven could
begin the healing process for Jaton Alyl. This is the foundation of a
continuing story arc for the Trill and will carry into the future. This
contains some revelations but more are coming at the appropriate time. We
hope you enjoy.

RPG:


Mission: The Uncaring Stars

Day: 10

Stardate: 2445.10.23



(USS Illuminar - Deck 5- Counseling Suite 3- CSO Jaton Alyl, Dr. Riven Mias
and Dr. Michaella Kirien- Mias- 0730)



 “...and ever since, Q has haunted my dreams,” Jaton concluded, as he
opened his eyes once again and looked at Dr. Mias.



Riven had considered the words carefully. At one point during the story he
had asked the Trill to start over and speak slowly so that he wouldn't miss
anything. He had also asked questions and been monitoring Jaton
emphatically in order to gauge his emotional state. "I see. Interesting. Q
played on the fear and doubt arising from your miraculous rebirth which the
Prophets instituted. With that information we can now begin the mind
healing session if you are ready. I will need to bring in another to
monitor and assist. Is this acceptable to you?"



“Yes, I am ready,” Jaton said after a moment, nodding.



::We are ready to begin my love. Would you attend please?:: Riven had asked
for and received permission to use one of the counseling suites for the
mind healing session.



Michaella drifted in, a sunny smile touching her lips as she opened a
medical tricorder and placed it on a table, facing towards the two. She
settled in her seat across from the pair and took a deep breath, her body
and mind visibly losing tension until she was a still, serene figure. Her
thoughts and emotions would not intrude on the session and at the level the
two were bound, she could bring them out of the mind healing trance if
necessary.  And just because it had never before been required did not mean
that they would not need the training.  Michaella had been trained by one
of the Healer Priestesses of the Temple and was a medical doctor as well.



::Shall I provide the shielding so none of this leaks ?::





::That would be wonderful my love. Thank you.::



Riven returned his attention to Jaton. "This is going to take some time,
perhaps a few hours while I get to the root of the issue and try to get
some answers for you. An assistant is necessary in the event something
unforeseen happens during the mind healing and is simply a precaution. All
I need for you to do is relax and let your mind drift. Your memories will
guide me to the place I need to go." With the imminent departure of the
Illuminar looming Riven had opted to begin the sessions now.



“I understand.” Jaton sat back, and closed his eyes, letting his mind drift.



Riven settled in and closed his eyes then reached for Jaton's mind. The
conjoined minds of both symbiote and host were normally a tangled weave and
not easily navigated by the uninitiated. The mind and memories of the
symbiote in this instance were more subdued owing to the fact that Jaton
was the first host and while he could sense Alyl, Jaton's memories or
rather their combined memories were easy to follow.



The first image began to resolve in his mind, and he found himself on a
tram, crowded with the morning rush. He looked around and saw himself
holding onto the bar, a bright smile on his face. He was very young,
fresh-faced, and holding a guidebook in his hand.



 Riven was holding a vertical bar on the tram while clad in his white robe.
The press of people was notable and they were tightly packed around him.
Jaton was nearby. The mind healer smiled at the young Trill's enthusiasm
which was palpable within the memory as he wondered what this might have to
do with the eventual issue. Perhaps this memory was a yearning toward
simpler times or mayhap it stood as a line of demarcation within his
subconscious. The Betazoid decided rather than leave prematurely to stay
and see what might unfold.



The tram slowed and the conductor came over the comm system. “Cumhuriyet
Meydanı.” Jaton looked up from his book and remembered the name of the
station he had to get off at. He began to move towards the door and got off
the tram. He knew he only had a few minutes but he still couldn’t help but
marvel in awe at the scenery around him. The beautiful city square, flanked
by Kayseri Castle, which had been overlooking the area for over two
thousand years. Tresh might have had similarly old monuments, but even
still it was overwhelmingly beautiful.



But after a moment he shook off the feeling and got back down to business.
He couldn’t be late on his first day after all. He began to look around. He
found a friendly looking face, and went up to ask the man for some help.



“Pardon,” he began in halting Turkish, “ben bir öğrenciyim. Kayseri Lisesi
nerede?”



The man smiled at the young Trill and answered him slowly, making sure
Jaton understood what he was saying. Jaton then walked towards the alley
between the castle and the mosque, and disappeared.



Riven wasn't familiar with the area at all but Jaton's memory supplied the
details which was Kayseri, Turkey on Earth. The castle was an imposing
edifice being hundreds of years old, made of stone and in remarkably good
condition having stood the test of time unlike most of its European
counterparts. The streets were abuzz with color and activity as hawkers
called out the quality of their wares. The memory of spicy smells permeated
the air. Riven followed the hurrying figure into the alley only to step
through into another memory. Or was it the same? He had no temporal mark by
which to judge.



They had passed the outer walls and joined with a group of gaily clothed
students. The looming structure ahead was adorned with streamers of scarlet
and yellow and the great door leading inside was bound with iron bands. The
language being spoken was staccato and sharp with many gestures and the
waving of hands. Riven noted that most of the heads were covered by wound
swatches of cloth or very simple coverings that sat loosely upon them. He
kept Jaton in sight as they passed through the door into an expansive room
with a soaring ceiling and walls of stone. Age seemed to hang heavily over
the castle but rather than decay it spoke of solidity and permanence as
though it existed in a timeless place.



The memory faded and a new one took its place. Jaton found himself in his
old quarters on the Paladin, lying in bed. He looked at the clock and saw
he was on duty in a half hour, so he should get moving. He sat up, the
blankets strategically covering his lack of underwear, and heard a voice
from behind him.



“Mmm must you go?” It was Addison’s voice.



He leaned back to take in her beautiful form, and kissed her neck. “I have
to. I’m due on the bridge in a half hour and I get the feeling I’m skating
on thin ice with Straton already.”



Riven leaned against the wall around the corner unnoticed. The memories
didn’t include him and he was just an observer here though he could
interact with them to a certain extent as he had when treating Sienna. This
was a ship certainly though without the context of Jaton’s memory he
wouldn’t have known which one. Riven himself had never set foot on the
Paladin though he had certainly heard of it. That ship had been well known
within the 52nd fleet and he was aware that Eva Straton had once commanded
it. Their paths had crossed on the USS Hades and their first meeting had
been in a word … strained. Eva Straton in many ways was yin to his yang,
Betazoid and a strong telepath but trained for a far different, more
martial purpose. And the mind healer could well imagine her reaction in
that instance, she had been combustible certainly and quick to anger.
Riven’s mental image held a small smile at that meeting. He hadn’t given
any ground to her and they had eventually come to terms as well as talked
through the initial sparks struck. Because while Riven was as mild-mannered
as they come he was not one to back down from a confrontation either.



He found the context of these memories interesting in the extreme. Jaton’s
first day at school in Turkey and a memory that began with a lover on board
a ship of his posting. There was no sign yet of the trauma that would ensue
in the future. These memories were untainted, pristine and showed that
while the joined Trill harbored anguish he also had many pleasant memories
of his life to draw upon. The mind-healer smiled at that sudden thought.
“And that in itself is a coup in the struggle to tear down the post
traumatic stress disorder he suffers from. To divert his attention from the
trauma and replace it with pleasant memories. And if I’ve learned anything
today it is that he has many to draw from.” The light at the end of the
tunnel had made itself known at last.



The memory drifted away, and Jaton found himself shifting into a much
darker place. Jaton was tightly bound, hands behind his back and gagged. He
could feel Alyl writhing in his abdomen as they both felt their panic
rising. Hunter then placed his phaser against Jaton's temple. He couldn't
pull away. His eyes went wide and he could feel himself on the verge of
crying.



~It can't end like this. Please don't let it end like this.~



"The Orions don't take kindly to anyone trying to push onto their patches
and they take less kindly to anyone trying to stop it. Let this serve as a
strong warning to all of you. Don't mess with the syndicate," the sinister
voice hissed.



A burning iron was pressed on Jaton's temple. In front of him he could see
his parents and a starfleet officer he didn't recognise. He handed them a
folded Federation flag and faded from his vision. His mother collapsed to
the floor and her wails cut right through him. The pain in his head
intensified and got worse. He felt the heat burrowing through his temple
and into his skull. He could feel his brain matter beginning to liquefy and
then start to boil. He reached out his hand towards his mother.



"ATSAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"



 And then nothing.



Riven's mental projection stepped forward and took in the scene. He could
almost sense the acrid taste of fear. This was fear given life, the last
moments of a being departing in terror. The where and when in Jaton's mind
was now set and the mind healer could access it at will … and would. It was
an easy thing and natural for someone to mull over the erasure of a memory,
those with no experience would consider it but the priest of the goddess of
Betazed knew better. Erasing memories left gaps in the psyche, holes that a
mind would circle frantically in a desire to KNOW. But more than that
erasing a memory would not rid the patient of the emotions, they would be
de-linked, free to move around and contaminate other pristine memories with
their shadow.



PTSD had 2 cures, long term counseling or a mind healers cure. Jaton had
already undergone extensive counseling but this dark day had not
diminished… that was why Riven was here. The cure had to be tailored to the
patient just as he had fashioned Sienna's; he would have to fashion Jaton's
and he already knew what he was going to do.



But first he had made a promise and would fulfill it. He was going to probe
the dark time of death to see if it held any clues. That time from this
moment until the Trill had awakened on Mars. Jaton had told him the
Prophets had claimed intervention. Perhaps he could confirm or deny this …
or perhaps not. It was time to take a look.



He stepped forward …



The scene was gone and he was surrounded by velvety blackness in this
interim of thirty odd years, the time during which Jaton Alyl had been in
the stasis capsule. There was no sou …



His head jerked around. Had he imagined it? Like a whisper at the edge of
hearing. Another came then another gradually rising in volume until he
could make out words.



"Kah'li she'comb neosa." His head jerked toward the sound.



"Ke'sha kosa zu melok." He turned. There were others around him.



"Who are you? Why are you in the mind of Jaton Alyl?" It stood to reason
that these were not true memories at all but were bleeding over from
another or others. In that case there would be no answer but it behooved
him to try.



"You are the child of Zomu."



He spun in shock toward the voice. "Zomu?"



"She who you worship, patron of the Illuminari. I bid you welcome."



Could a mental image have its jaw hit the floor? He was tempted to consider
the possibility. "You are not memories. You are living, sentient."



There was amusement in the reply. "You are correct. We live here … in this
time."



He could see nothing in the darkness if there was anything to see. "During
his death or in our time?"



"In both, in all."



"You are the ones who rekindled his life force." This was not a difficult
leap of logic.



"Yes."



"You know Zomu, goddess of Betazed?"



"We do. She is like us though not of us."



"Who are you? Are you of the Prophets? Those of the Prophets claimed to
have resurrected him."



"We are."



Riven turned in the direction of the new voice. "Why have you not shown him
this before if you reside here? You exist here … in his mind. Surely you
could communicate with him."



"You are wise Riven of Zomu but you are not all-wise. There is a time for
all things. A time for rebirth and a time for inspiration. The rebirth has
been accomplished. The time for inspiration has not yet been reached. The
awakening of knowledge is still distant."



Riven turned at the sound of another voice. "He will know some but not all.
For this reason we say no more."



All sound died and the quiet and tranquility of darkness returned. Riven
remained still for a moment listening before turning his mind back to his
other purpose. He had learned all he could for now. It was time for the
healing. He turned and stepped back to that frozen moment.



The scowl of the Orion, the terror of Jaton Alyl hit him again, almost like
a physical thing. The encounter had reduced his clinical detachment. He
would need to work quickly and precisely lest Michaella be forced to
intervene. This memory stood like a wall between Jaton and older, more
pleasant ones. He would not tear it down but would weaken it by tying it to
a multitude of others. Would it poison those more pleasant memories? No.
The connections he began weaving would go only one way. A lovers embrace,
the excitement of youth would remain pristine. This poisonous memory
however would weaken and diminish until it took its place as just another
unpleasant and unwanted thing. It would be robbed of its power over him
though.



He kept his mind completely on what he was doing. He had encountered many
pleasant memories during his time here and this was good for the more he
used to combat this the weaker it became. Finally he stopped satisfied not
knowing how long he had been at work. The power of the memory was already
beginning to fade and over the coming weeks would continue to diminish. He
checked his work thoroughly before being satisfied that it was solid and
would not fray. Once it had weakened sufficiently however that wouldn't
matter. Once robbed of its power it wouldn't regain its strength. He
realized he was nearly spent, the work was complete and solid so he rose
from the Trill's mind until his eyes opened. Jaton Alyl was dozing
peacefully in the chair before him.



He turned to Michaella and croaked. "How long?" There would be time later
to consider the questions arising from this session. How had they known
him? Had he been expected? Had this meeting and mind healing been arranged?



Michaella stared at her mate and shook her head slightly before stiffly
rising. Taking his hand, she drew Riven away from the dozing Alyl. Wrapping
her arms around him and holding onto him, Riven could feel her trembling.



::There was a period of time, almost ten standard minutes that you
disappeared from my senses. Completely.  The only time I have had that
sense of you disappear so completely was when you healed the young
Priestess Shierrai five years ago. It scared me Riven.:: Her trembles began
to subside once the warmth of his body was felt by hers.



::What happened? I could see nothing, sense nothing. Only a blackness so
deep and profound that…:: She sighed. ::The only reason I did not
immediately break the link was that your vital signs were steady and within
the norm for you.:: Her dark eyes looked up towards him.



::The Prophets of Bajor were there … to greet me I believe. And perhaps
show their handiwork. And to provide some insight as well else they would
not have spoken what was said. Their hand is in this, his rebirth and
perhaps his healing today as well. But there is more to come of which they
wouldn't speak.:: He stared into her eyes. ::And they revealed something
else as well which you will be interested in hearing but first I need to
rest and drink something. I feel like I've been at this all day.::



Michaella laughed, nervously.  "You have been. It is well into the ship's
night. 2219. Let Alyl rest and let us get you fed. I have a desire for
earth spinach lasagna."



Riven puttered around the Trill for a moment making sure he was
comfortable, the chair was deep and plush. "I hope you don't mind if we
grab something from the replicator. I am completely drained." He walked to
the couch and collapsed into it. "I don't think I'll be moving from here
for a while."



She smiled shakily at him then moved quietly around the small office,
replicating two slices of the human lasagna, two side salads and a pitcher
of iced water with lemons in it. The water had all the minerals and
electrolytes that they would need. She placed a wooden lap tray across his
thighs then added the food. She then poured them both a glass of ice water
and loaded a hypospray with a mild pain reliever.  "I need something after
sitting there for so long. You?" She asked, injecting herself with a dose.



"I suppose so yes. My back stiffened up a little. An analgesic would be
welcome." He took a deep drink nearly draining the glass before setting it
down and cutting into the lasagna. "Thank Zomu, I am famished."



Michaella nodded, injecting him next. "If you do not have relief in a few
minutes, tell me." She was too hungry to comment on the name he used to
speak to the Goddess.



(Reply: None)



(Posted by Spencer O'Dowd (Jaton Alyl)

Charles Gatling (Dr. Riven Mias)

And Melinda Gatling (Dr. Michaella Kirien-Mias)



Charles Gatling
Commanding Officer
USS Illuminar
NCC 61240


"The light shines brightest amidst the deepest darkness."
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