[JP] Lt. JG G. Xerix, Lt. S. Neathler - The Clash For Victoire (Part I)
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Ghant Xerix
Jan 1, 2020, 9:19:16 AM1/1/20
to UFOP: StarBase 118: USS Gorkon
((Security office, USS Gorkon))
Ghant had finally found him. Months of waiting, a princely sum of money to information brokers. But he had finally found the one person who could make or break his case. He had asked Admiral Reynolds’ permission for leave, which she had granted. Now he had an idea forming that he wasn’t sure about at all. Samira stood at the window, PADD in hand, but whatever was on it, had lost her attention minutes ago, as she was just staring to the passing stars. She heard the familiar sound of the doors opening but didn’t turn around.
Xerix: Excuse me, Lieutenant Neathler?
She looked at the reflection in the window, Ghant being the last person she expected to see in the office. She only briefly met him during the Admiral’s reception but otherwise... She frowned, stopping her train of thoughts. She’d seen more of him on the Skarbek then back here. She inhaled deeply before she turned around, pointing towards one of the empty seats in the office, a silent invitation for him to sit down.
Neathler: Mister Xerix, what can I do for you?
Xerix: I was hoping I could have a moment of your time. oO And a couple days of your protection. Oo
Neathler: Of course I do, lieutenant. What’s on your mind?
Xerix: I am taking some personal leave to deal with some family matters. The last time I went to Betazed, my friends and I were nearly killed. ::He looked around a bit self-consciously.:: I am nervous to return home. And I have to find someone on the less-than-safe Dessica II.
Samira raised an eyebrow as she sat down, laying the data-padd she had been holding, in front of her, leaning back in the chair. If the lieutenant didn’t want to sit down that was his problem. Nor was it her business that Xerix wanted to take a personal leave, so not many options remained why the younger man was standing there.
Neathler: And you want me to track down who nearly killed you, or…?
Xerix: I know it’s a lot to ask of you, and outside of...whatever you want to call “over there” you and I don’t know one another well, but I was hoping you would come with me.
She was reaching for the PADD again as his question reach her mind and her movement stopped. A bit of confusion on her face showed when she looked in his dark eyes. He was correct in saying they hardly knew each other, so why he even picked her was a mystery to her.
Neathler: You want me, to take a leave, to accompany you to Betazed and Dessica II?
Betazed filled with mind readers, the last place she wanted to be, not after having Q in her mind. She gritted her teeth together at the thought alone.
Xerix: Yes, sir. That’s what I’m asking of you.
This time she did pick up the PADD and made some useless notes on it. Ghant did his best to keep his expression neutral.
Neathler: I’m sure I can appoint you someone from the crew if you need protection Mister Xerix.
Xerix: I would be in your debt, Lieutenant. ::Cringing internally at his forthcoming honesty.:: And if you’ll forgive me, I could use a friend right now.
That bit of news made Samira stand up again, crossing the short distance to the window, looking outside while she leaned against the bulkhead. He considered her, mostly a stranger as a friend?
Neathler: A friend mister Xerix? ::She turned looking at him.:: I thought you had plenty of friends on the ship?
Xerix: I have plenty of them, sir. No one I feel I could trust to watch my back. I’ve …::He struggled to find tactful words.:: ..not gotten off on the best foot with this crew.
Samira said nothing for a while, she had heard of his romantic interests if one could call them that way, yet somehow in her opinion and from what she had heard there was very little romance involved, and the lieutenant got in trouble because of it, on more than one occasion. Had the man finally come to his senses seeing he was asking things first now instead of acting on a whim? Or maybe something else was at play here.
Neathler: Trust works in both ways Mister Xerix, maybe something you should keep in mind. ::She inhaled deeply.:: And what are those family matters about?
Because if this was just one of his romantic escapades again, Samira’s answer would be known rather quickly.
((Flashback - Versailles, Earth - 239604))
Ghant found Choupette standing with Addison once he had changed. Everyone seemed to be euphoric after a successful show.
Xerix: Well I imagine you’re quite pleased, Choupette.
Choupette: Yes I think that went rather well. Excuse me, I think a courier is waving at me.
MacKenzie: ::Amused, with a gentle hint of sarcasm.:: Quite the outfit, Mr. Xerix.
Xerix: Yeah, it wasn’t exactly something I’d choose. But it’s over now thank the Fo-
Just then, an explosion rocked the area near where Ghant had seen Choupette standing. His hearing blew out and he felt sick to his stomach.
::Addison had been knocked to the ground, but was unharmed.::
Xerix: Addison, are you alright ?!
MacKenzie: ::Springing to her feet, disoriented.:: I think I’m fine - what the hell was that?!
Xerix: Stay close to me, we have to find Choupette.
((End Flashback))
His voice went to nearly a whisper as recounted finding his cousin Choupette’s lifeless form covered in soot. His frantic search for her daughter, who had been located with a note on her back from the terrorist group responsible.
Xerix: Victoire is one of the only family members I have left. Her mother was like my sister. Now, the girl’s grandmother who has never before attempted to see or know her is fighting for custody. And if I felt she was the best guardian for Victoire, I would give up custody in a moment.
As Ghant told his story, Samira had been looking at the stars again, the lieutenant’s words made her wonder how she’d react if one of her brothers would tell her she’d become an aunt.
Neathler: What about the people raising Victoire now, isn’t she safer with them?
Xerix: My father has shared temporary guardianship. Betazed isn’t like the rest of Starfleet, sir. The use of our mental abilities is encouraged. What I felt and seen from the Grandmother’s mind sickened me. She would use the child as a tool.
Samira was frowning at the stars, she hardly knew a thing about Betazed culture or its houses. Yet there was another concern she had.
Neathler: Mister Xerix, you say Victoire’s mother died in a bombing, there has been an attempt on your life on Betazed. Is this all connected somehow? And if so who has a grudge against you or your family?
Xerix: ::He began fidgeting with the pips at his collar.:: There is a terrorist group contriving to force Betazed to secede from the Federation. They have shown themselves as willing to do anything up to and including killing Betazoids who are too friendly with the rest of the Federation.
Neathler: And the custody is the reason for your visit to Betazed?
Xerix: Yes. And to see Victoire.
Neathler: What about Dessica?
Xerix: Dessica has the one person who can make or break this case. I’ve arranged QSD transport to both destinations. What do you say, Sir?
Samira still had no idea why exactly he came knocking on her door. Was it because of the ruthlessness her other self had shown on the Skarbek thing or was it something else. Yet on the other hand it might do her good to get away from everything for a change and put a few things in perspective after everything that had happened with Q. She turned around, looking at him, as she walked behind her desk again.
Neathler: There’s two conditions, mister Xerix.
Xerix: oO This ought to be good. Oo
Xerix: Alright.
Neathler: You learn or teach me how I can guard myself somehow against all those mind readers.
Even though she knew it would be futile against someone as a Q. Still she never had been a huge fan of mind readers in the first place. Some things ought to remain private no matter what.
Xerix: And the other, Sir?
Neathler: ::She grinned lightly.:: You stop calling me sir during the trip, Mister Xerix. You’re reminding me of my parents the whole time, and I can do without that.
Xerix: ::He winked at her.::I can handle that, sir.
TBC
Lieutenant JG Ghant Xerix
HCO Officer
USS Gorkon
V239505GX0
&
Lieutenant Samira Neathler
Assistant Chief of Security&Tactical
USS Gorkon
G239508SN0
Ghant had finally found him. Months of waiting, a princely sum of money to information brokers. But he had finally found the one person who could make or break his case. He had asked Admiral Reynolds’ permission for leave, which she had granted. Now he had an idea forming that he wasn’t sure about at all. Samira stood at the window, PADD in hand, but whatever was on it, had lost her attention minutes ago, as she was just staring to the passing stars. She heard the familiar sound of the doors opening but didn’t turn around.
Xerix: Excuse me, Lieutenant Neathler?
She looked at the reflection in the window, Ghant being the last person she expected to see in the office. She only briefly met him during the Admiral’s reception but otherwise... She frowned, stopping her train of thoughts. She’d seen more of him on the Skarbek then back here. She inhaled deeply before she turned around, pointing towards one of the empty seats in the office, a silent invitation for him to sit down.
Neathler: Mister Xerix, what can I do for you?
Xerix: I was hoping I could have a moment of your time. oO And a couple days of your protection. Oo
Neathler: Of course I do, lieutenant. What’s on your mind?
Xerix: I am taking some personal leave to deal with some family matters. The last time I went to Betazed, my friends and I were nearly killed. ::He looked around a bit self-consciously.:: I am nervous to return home. And I have to find someone on the less-than-safe Dessica II.
Samira raised an eyebrow as she sat down, laying the data-padd she had been holding, in front of her, leaning back in the chair. If the lieutenant didn’t want to sit down that was his problem. Nor was it her business that Xerix wanted to take a personal leave, so not many options remained why the younger man was standing there.
Neathler: And you want me to track down who nearly killed you, or…?
Xerix: I know it’s a lot to ask of you, and outside of...whatever you want to call “over there” you and I don’t know one another well, but I was hoping you would come with me.
She was reaching for the PADD again as his question reach her mind and her movement stopped. A bit of confusion on her face showed when she looked in his dark eyes. He was correct in saying they hardly knew each other, so why he even picked her was a mystery to her.
Neathler: You want me, to take a leave, to accompany you to Betazed and Dessica II?
Betazed filled with mind readers, the last place she wanted to be, not after having Q in her mind. She gritted her teeth together at the thought alone.
Xerix: Yes, sir. That’s what I’m asking of you.
This time she did pick up the PADD and made some useless notes on it. Ghant did his best to keep his expression neutral.
Neathler: I’m sure I can appoint you someone from the crew if you need protection Mister Xerix.
Xerix: I would be in your debt, Lieutenant. ::Cringing internally at his forthcoming honesty.:: And if you’ll forgive me, I could use a friend right now.
That bit of news made Samira stand up again, crossing the short distance to the window, looking outside while she leaned against the bulkhead. He considered her, mostly a stranger as a friend?
Neathler: A friend mister Xerix? ::She turned looking at him.:: I thought you had plenty of friends on the ship?
Xerix: I have plenty of them, sir. No one I feel I could trust to watch my back. I’ve …::He struggled to find tactful words.:: ..not gotten off on the best foot with this crew.
Samira said nothing for a while, she had heard of his romantic interests if one could call them that way, yet somehow in her opinion and from what she had heard there was very little romance involved, and the lieutenant got in trouble because of it, on more than one occasion. Had the man finally come to his senses seeing he was asking things first now instead of acting on a whim? Or maybe something else was at play here.
Neathler: Trust works in both ways Mister Xerix, maybe something you should keep in mind. ::She inhaled deeply.:: And what are those family matters about?
Because if this was just one of his romantic escapades again, Samira’s answer would be known rather quickly.
((Flashback - Versailles, Earth - 239604))
Ghant found Choupette standing with Addison once he had changed. Everyone seemed to be euphoric after a successful show.
Xerix: Well I imagine you’re quite pleased, Choupette.
Choupette: Yes I think that went rather well. Excuse me, I think a courier is waving at me.
MacKenzie: ::Amused, with a gentle hint of sarcasm.:: Quite the outfit, Mr. Xerix.
Xerix: Yeah, it wasn’t exactly something I’d choose. But it’s over now thank the Fo-
Just then, an explosion rocked the area near where Ghant had seen Choupette standing. His hearing blew out and he felt sick to his stomach.
::Addison had been knocked to the ground, but was unharmed.::
Xerix: Addison, are you alright ?!
MacKenzie: ::Springing to her feet, disoriented.:: I think I’m fine - what the hell was that?!
Xerix: Stay close to me, we have to find Choupette.
((End Flashback))
His voice went to nearly a whisper as recounted finding his cousin Choupette’s lifeless form covered in soot. His frantic search for her daughter, who had been located with a note on her back from the terrorist group responsible.
Xerix: Victoire is one of the only family members I have left. Her mother was like my sister. Now, the girl’s grandmother who has never before attempted to see or know her is fighting for custody. And if I felt she was the best guardian for Victoire, I would give up custody in a moment.
As Ghant told his story, Samira had been looking at the stars again, the lieutenant’s words made her wonder how she’d react if one of her brothers would tell her she’d become an aunt.
Neathler: What about the people raising Victoire now, isn’t she safer with them?
Xerix: My father has shared temporary guardianship. Betazed isn’t like the rest of Starfleet, sir. The use of our mental abilities is encouraged. What I felt and seen from the Grandmother’s mind sickened me. She would use the child as a tool.
Samira was frowning at the stars, she hardly knew a thing about Betazed culture or its houses. Yet there was another concern she had.
Neathler: Mister Xerix, you say Victoire’s mother died in a bombing, there has been an attempt on your life on Betazed. Is this all connected somehow? And if so who has a grudge against you or your family?
Xerix: ::He began fidgeting with the pips at his collar.:: There is a terrorist group contriving to force Betazed to secede from the Federation. They have shown themselves as willing to do anything up to and including killing Betazoids who are too friendly with the rest of the Federation.
Neathler: And the custody is the reason for your visit to Betazed?
Xerix: Yes. And to see Victoire.
Neathler: What about Dessica?
Xerix: Dessica has the one person who can make or break this case. I’ve arranged QSD transport to both destinations. What do you say, Sir?
Samira still had no idea why exactly he came knocking on her door. Was it because of the ruthlessness her other self had shown on the Skarbek thing or was it something else. Yet on the other hand it might do her good to get away from everything for a change and put a few things in perspective after everything that had happened with Q. She turned around, looking at him, as she walked behind her desk again.
Neathler: There’s two conditions, mister Xerix.
Xerix: oO This ought to be good. Oo
Xerix: Alright.
Neathler: You learn or teach me how I can guard myself somehow against all those mind readers.
Even though she knew it would be futile against someone as a Q. Still she never had been a huge fan of mind readers in the first place. Some things ought to remain private no matter what.
Xerix: And the other, Sir?
Neathler: ::She grinned lightly.:: You stop calling me sir during the trip, Mister Xerix. You’re reminding me of my parents the whole time, and I can do without that.
Xerix: ::He winked at her.::I can handle that, sir.
TBC
Lieutenant JG Ghant Xerix
HCO Officer
USS Gorkon
V239505GX0
&
Lieutenant Samira Neathler
Assistant Chief of Security&Tactical
USS Gorkon
G239508SN0
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