Lt A.Dewitt- Truth Hurts ((Repost))
Emma Banin
((Alpha Trionus Prison Facility ~ Warden's office))
Ayemet swallowed the small amount of bile that rose from her stomach to her mouth. She maintained her emotional barriers but inwardly, in that part of her that she kept to herself, she felt a terror. It was the casualness with which Tram had mentioned it. As if it was nothing; just like the Sheliak had treated her.
She smiled a warm smile of understanding for the outside world and , again locking her true feelings away for those who could read or sense beyond that. She was grateful when Shayne spoke first, a reprieve from having to construct an answer that wasn’t full of the anger that she felt.
Shayne: And these… examinations… they were voluntary?
Tram: It is well within my duties to examine the detainees to ensure they have not become ill, or have any kind of communicable infection that could spread. I take my job seriously, Captain. I am not here to coddle them. ::scoffing:: You act as if I am to befriend these...beings. The information I have gleaned has come from hours of dedication on my part. But the Sheliak and I have come to an...understanding of sorts.
A.Dewitt: How long did it take to establish?
Before Tram could answer, if he was ever going to, Lieutenant Matthews spoke up. More direct than either her or Captain Shayne he gave voice to the doubts that they all shared.
Matthews: Except the Sheliak language is complex, so much so that while we are still grappling with it. The ‘bastardized’ version of federation standard you’re talking about. It is one of several federation languages, they have mastered. They find federation standard incoherent or something along those lines. They just don’t deem to use it.
Ayemet looked at him carefully hiding her annoyance. She wanted answers and directly questioning Tram would only infuriate him. Whatever else he was, whatever horrors he had perpetrated in the name of science, he was not an idiot. Insufferably arrogant yes, but stupid no. This was telegraphing their action.
Tram: Yes. Very astute of you to observe that.
Shayne: Response
She had committed to play her part, and even if it ultimately proved to be an unfruitful exercise to stop playing the part would jeopardise not just herself but the captain and lieutenant. That’s what she told herself. That was her inner voice justifying her silence over the way Tram so casually treated the inmates.
But there was another voice one that spoke of pain and months of torture. That spoke of being treated as if she wasn’t even an animal, merely a thing to be probed and examined and mentally ripped apart all in the name of those that chose to do so, not because she deserved it, but merely because they could. Because she was powerless.
A.Dewitt: Do they understand what you are doing?
Matthews: And have they been given the chance to consent?
Tram: We are discussing prisoners, are we not? Did they ask Lieutenant Dewitt for her consent before....?
She looked at Tram simply shaking her head. No they had not asked her. They had not explained nor tried to justify themselves. They did it because they could, because they chose to. If they had a reason they did not say so, simply because they deemed her not worthy of speaking to. She breathed, slowly deliberately controlling her growing rage. She had to see these prisoners. Was it to see that they were not being ill treated or was it because she wanted them to be? She wanted to know that they could suffer just like she did? She breathed slowly, deliberately.
Shayne: Response
A.Dewitt: Mr Tram would it be possible to visit one of your :pause: subjects?
Tram: Is this part of the reason for your unannounced visit? A welfare check upon the beings we are on the brink of war with? Beings who caused thousands of lives to be lost all across the Isles..?
Matthews: It might be a good idea for us to check up on the prisoners then after all, sir. I think I’d like to speak with them.
It was too late now. The spring wine was opened, never to be fresh again. She could feel the emotional temperature rising. She almost felt like shaking her head, but she didn’t. She played her part and remained silent for the time being giving her captain the opportunity to speak. If a solution was to be found they would all have to reach beyond their emotions.
Shayne: Response
Tram: ::his obsidian eyes flashed dangerously:: Am I to understand you have somehow cracked the language barrier? How will you go about communicating? If they choose not to answer you, have to come upon a device to decode the impossible? ::scoffing:: Do not waste my time.
Matthews: :: Fingering the tricorder at his side :: I know a few of the languages listed that the Sheliak are fluent in. It should be fine. Maybe I can call in a communication officer for backup? B’Ella maybe?
Her hands tensed as she fought the desire to tighten them into fists of frustration. In many ways the direct approach was to be admired. Peeling back the layers of false civility and decorum and showing Tram that he was not the only one capable of dealing with the Lattice Alliance and that they were not fooled by the persona of humble warden that he had created was honest and powerful. However Tram was determined and had the ability to put aside any moral quandaries that others might have. He had a goal and would be prepared to do anything to reach it. Hurt people hurt people, the situation was spiralling out of control.
Shayne: Response
Tram: ::clearly agitated:: Oh, you speak several languages the Sheliak have learned have you? Wow. Color me impressed. I have clearly not tried otherlanguages to communicate. By the blessed Four, if only you had arrived sooner. Whatever would I have done without your valuable insight.
A.Dewitt: Mr Tram you’re clearly pushing the boundaries of research here. If we can see this, use it…
Again she was cut off. Biting her lower lip it was all she could do to stop herself from screaming at the ceiling, but she did manage to stand there as the others continued to press their point whilst simultaneously trying to keep the escalating argument contained.
Matthews: You can rest assured that everything is fine now, and you won’t have to worry about that. Maybe I’ll have better luck getting one of the prisoners to talk to me. Maybe it isn’t so much a language barrier it just :: He paused and shrugged :: you, that they’re a little afraid of you I mean. You are the warden after all.
Shayne: Response
Tram: ::tossing his hands up dramatically:: You come to my station on this accursed rocky hovel, and now I am being questioned on how to perform my duties? You wish to inspect my lab?
A.Dewitt: Mr Tram. Don’t you want the Federation to know what you’ve achieved? How can it be a benefit if no one knows about it?
She stared directly at him, willing him to listen to see past his own agenda and ambitions. What he was doing increasingly sounded and felt like what the Sheliak had done to her and if it was true that the prisoners here, led by the Tholian, were the ones who eventually would lead the Lattice Alliance to devastating victory not only was he sinking to the level of torturer but in doing so he was merely fuelling their hatred of, and the need to destroy, the Federation.
Shayne: Response
Tram: Without prior notice, and completely Uninvited I might add. Captain, let me see your orders of inspection. I will determine how legitimate they are and what all I am required to comply with. ::he stood, his wild eyes taking on a manic sort of gleam:: Present them for my inspection, or vacate this facility.
Matthews: Sir, if you need, I can get that for you.
Tram was blustering, his face a picture of anger. There was no pretence now. The irritation had transformed into fury aimed precisely at them, but underneath it all was that underlying…regret? Guilt? Despair?
Shayne/Tram: Response
Matthews: If you do not have the orders that is. I should have them right here.
The Lieutenant continued unfazed by Tram’s outburst. Ayemet felt the emotional depth of Tram. It did not excuse his actions but it might explain them, and if it did that perhaps he could be reasoned with. Perhaps.
A.Dewitt: :quietly: Who was it?
Matthews: If you do not have the orders that is. I should have them right here.
Matthews continued, but so did she stepping towards him understanding clearly visible. It wasn’t sympathy, nor was it pity. It was a realisation and empathy to someone that had faced deep emotional scarring. Monsters weren’t born; they were made.
A.Dewitt: That you lost. Who was it?
Shayne/Tram: Response
A.Dewitt: Mr Tram. I don’t begin to imagine what you’ve been through, but I know something about pain and loss.
Tram: Response
Ayemet looked back at Shayne and Matthews then reached out to Tram,slowly gently.
A.Dewitt: It won’t bring them back. No matter what you do or what breakthroughs you make it won’t bring them back, but if you help us you just might be able to stop it happening to billions of others.
Matthews/Shayne/Tram: Response
TAG/TBC
Lieutenant Ayemet Dewitt
Ship Counselor
USS Khitomer
NCC 62400
A239810JA2Q