JP Ens. Connor Dewitt & MSNPC Odyssey Station - This is the Way (Part 2)

[Marissa Jeffrey]

((Odyssey Station, ‘Control Room’))

In the control room, the Greeter known as Gareth-6 faded from view and became once again part of the collective consciousness. He was immediately accosted by the various thoughts of the other Greeters, all of which he asked to settle as he engaged the Guardian connections and joined the thoughts of the one now guiding the station.

Gareth-6: Before you travel the path you are on, you need to be aware and fully agree. Do you not remember where you were?

Dewitt: ::still feeling the strain:: Not remembering what?

The Greeter’s consciousness was only growing more solid, which was troubling. That meant the connection to the station was getting more stable. It would soon grow more difficult for him to be disconnected.

Gareth-6: You need to return to your team.

Dewitt: ::almost angry, accusing:: But how? You’re strapping me into the machine! Where am I? Take me back!

Connor felt the fear turning into rage, feeling helpless, when the Greeter approached and touched the man’s arm where he had envisioned the interface back in the control room. They did not yet understand, even now.

Gareth-6: This is of your own mind. You are the only one who can end it and return to your team. Otherwise you will become part of the station.

The engineer tried to calm down and comprehend what Gareth-6 told him. He felt his heart racing, and it became more and more difficult to concentrate. Mental strength had never been one of his strengths and he had almost experience with telepathic beings.

Dewitt: How do I get back? What is…

Connor’s voice faded as his thoughts were carried away. Gareth-6 allowed a thin stream of information seep through the mental connections to provide information to the man about the last Guardian. How he had remained linked to the station while a mirror holomatrix image of him wandered about with the crew of Ops until they had learned otherwise. Then they rescued his real body and left the station without direction. It hadn’t been too detrimental, really, but it had presented a few questions.

Most notably, who was going to be the next Guardian. After all, they could not go on for eons more without one.

Gareth-6: If you willingly wish to become the Guardian, you should stay, but take care to consider those ramifications. Otherwise, you have to choose to leave.

Connor felt his heart racing, his mouth dry. He was sure that it would only take a minute more of this before his head would explode under the pain. He remembered what the Greeter had said before, remembered that nobody will be harmed aboard the station. This felt different. Becoming the Guardian of a space station somewhere at the edge of the galaxy definitely did not play well with what he had planned for his career.

Dewitt: I am not your Guardian!

That sounded like a decision. The Greeter nodded slightly.

Gareth-6: Then leave.

With a deep breath, he took a heart and thought of the away team, about the Arrow again. He imagined the room they had entered, the central console he had so carelessly put his hand into. He put everything he had into staying focussed and imagining the access port that kept him hostage to open. And with that, the image of Gareth-6 in front of him vanished.

With a mechanical clank the locking mechanism set the young Ensign free. The force field shut down and Connor stumbled a few steps backward. His legs felt shaky and he fell to the ground, tried to get some more distance from the console itself - more out of instinct than out of logical conclusions. He was breathing heavily and felt that his uniform was damp from his sweat. His heart was still racing, his head feeling like he had drunk with a Klingon last night.

It took some time for him to orient himself until he recognized a familiar face kneeling down next to him.

Dewitt: I… This… I’m back. ::thin smile::

Any: Response

Connor felt his body relaxing and tried to calm down. His arms and legs felt like he had run a marathon while carrying Brom in his arms. He started to remember what he had just witnessed - what Gareth-6 had shared with him.

Dewitt: That console… Like Ayemet supposed… It’s the way to communicate what we want. I saw Earth.

Any: Response

Dewitt: I came back, because I chose to. They did not force me to do anything. I guess that connection takes a special mind to hold.

He looked to Ayemet. Connor still was not sure what this place was, not sure what its purpose was. The station had already communicated with her. He hoped that might be a good sign. Maybe it was a good idea for her to try the connection. He sat up and took another deep breath.

Any: Response

Dewitt: ::to Ayemet:: Don’t stay too long. They’re looking for some Guardian… to take over the place? And remember, I left on my own free will. They abide by their own Wayfarer’s Code. Whomever they are.

Any: Response

Connor looked up to Commander Collins. He saw the expression of a leader, but he imagined also to see the fear of losing someone. A feeling he knew all too well.

Dewitt: Commander, I think this is the way.

TAG/TBC

–

Ens. Connor Dewitt

Engineer

USS Arrow

A239901CD3

And

Odyssey Station

As simmed by:

Commander Ash MacKenna

Chief Intelligence Officer

USS Arrow

R238605KN0