ILLUMINARRPG: (1-0804) SFI - Lt. Michael Weston

[Al Muir]

Mission:  An Ending and A Beginning

Day: 1

Stardate:  2446.03.16



(USS Illuminar- Deck 1- Main Conference Room- SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 0804)


When Mias entered the room there seemed to be a calming effect.   Having been intimately involved with a telepath he recognized the slight tingling sensation in the back of his mind.  He was manipulating their moods.  It was very clandestine and barely noticeable.  He was a cagey old bugger.  However, he let the Betazoid into his mind as it was bringing him back into balance with his emotions.


He went around the room and acknowledged everyone there.  An old psychological trick to get people to be at ease with him.  Between his light and mirthful manner, and his minor level of empathic influence the near brawl that was about to unfold calmed down.  Emotions were still raw, but more… controlled.


Verin went through her explanation of her involvement with the Trill and how it affects their current circumstances with Leeza.  Her explanation was a bit confusing to him.  At one point she seemed willing to turn Leeza over to the Trill, while on the other had talked about the “interests of keeping a child living.”


Michael watched Riven listen.  He was focused and patient as he waded through all of the information he was hearing.  Then he said what he needed to say.  What Michael expected to happen when he started this whole thing.  He knew that the Trill would have to be told, by the right person.  Leeza needed more than a family.  She needed a village.  Gregory probably doesn’t see it yet.  How could he?  He’s been awake less than an hour and he’s already caused more problems than a tribble on a grain farm.


Then Mias laid it on the line.  "Whatever recommendation you make concerning her care had best be ironclad, airtight and demonstrably effective or the Symbiosis Commission will do everything in their power to have her returned to Trill, even to the point of threatening to leave the Federation or military action. This goes far beyond diplomacy into fanaticism. The symbionts are of more value to them than their own lives.... obviously. So if keeping Leeza Pel here is the desired outcome then you have your work cut out for you."


He assured them that he would do everything in his power to do what could be done. But there was one harsh reality.  “If Leeza cannot physically survive carrying a symbiont holding onto her will be an ultimately doomed gesture and you need to be prepared for that."


It was, indeed, a sobering thought.  But it was also not an option that Michael was willing to consider.  He stood up and began to pace.  He is mind was moving quickly as he weighed his options, but he was calm and collected.


“Well here is the reality as I see it,” he began, “as long as Leeza is with us, with me, she will be protected from others.  I am not convinced that simply being a host will kill her.  I’m not saying it won’t have its difficulties.  I’m not stupid.  But I know this, if we turn her over to the Trill they will kill her.”


He circled the table, talking as he walked, “Look, I know this puts the Illuminar, and the Federation in a… pickle. So here’s what I propose.  Let’s find out what we can about helping her physically survive.  Then Leeza and I can “steal” a shuttle and disappear.”


He looked at Gregory who looked like he was going to explode, “The rest of you have careers and lives to consider.  Plus the whole destroying the new alliance with the Trill thing.  I’m already an outcast in most of the universe.  Adding the Federation to that long list of people who want me dead won’t be that big of a stretch.  Sorry, Dieter, I know what you’re going to say, but I won’t let you throw away everything that you’ve built away.”


(reply any)

(posted by Al Muir)


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