[sb118-khitomer] Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva - Self Loathing
BC Cooper
((Brig Containment cell ~ USS Khitomer))
Ezra stepped toward the grey walls of the holding cell as the Petty Officer exited the room. A containment field stood between them. He moved to an at ease posture as Mr. Tram stood, laying his pig on the bench. They stood at attention, arms folded behind. Tram got as close to the containment field as they could.
Tram: ::Clinically:: I anticipated you would have more to discuss with me....
It wasn’t the first time he had gone to speak to a prisoner in the Khitomer’s brig. That first honor went to a Deltan by the name of Avedin, a former Helmsman of the USS Arrow who served under one Captain Carter. The Arrow was Ezra’s first ship he had been assigned to directly after graduating from the Academy. His right shoulder briefly flinched, thinking about the injury he sustain on the Arrow’s bridge after it had been stolen by its former crew.
Zerva: Indeed I do. ::eyeing the faded pig on the bench:: Questions that others might not want to ask.
Ezra noticed the scar that split along Tram’s brow as he raised it. Much like his own curiosity, Mr. Tram was equally interested in what Ezra had to say. Good he thought. Perhaps this could work to his advantage after all.
Tram: Why Lieutenant, ::he was intrigued enough to skip the insulting:: I admit you have my attention.
What? No insults? Could they really be willing to hear what he has to say? Their attention was now at the forefront of whatever it would be that Ezra would have to say.
Ezra held up the PADD that had the available information thus far on Tram’s research.
He had been discredited within academia due to his "Unhinged Guerilla Antics".
Zerva: ::holding up the PADD:: I need to understand more of the reasons why you did what you did to those prisoners.
Tram: ::tilting his head, eyes searching:: Would you believe I did not enjoy causing the discomfort?
Ezra found that rather difficult to believe. If Tram didn’t enjoy it then… why? Was it out of some sort of necessity that Mr. Tram felt for their “research”? Research that he; like Lieutenant Dewitt and the Captain, felt were barbaric methods. Methods that were no better than the Sheliak.
Despite all of that, there were things he needed from Mr. Tram that he could only get from talking to them in person.
Zerva: I see. While I agree with the majority of the crew that your methods were rather barbaric, I need more information than what I can get on a PADD.
At first Tram didn’t say a word. Would they remain silent? Or would their curiosity get the better of them?
Tram: And what is it you believe you would learn from my research?
He didn’t like this game of cat and mouse. Mr. Tram knew dam well why.
Zerva: I need this information because it might help us in combating the Lattice Alliance. It could give us more insight. I suspect you would agree? After all isn’t it your goal that your research will live on and become something of use to those of us on the frontlines in the Alpha Isles?
Tram: ::spiritedly:: That's it Lieutenant, don't let it go now. You want to weaponize my research. You will use what I have learned, tell yourselves that since the information is there, might as well see what it is all about, right? Just like the Human's art used the Unit 731 data, divorcing themselves from the trailblazing scientists who dared to do what would be considered...what was your word? Barbaric?
Unit 731. It was something that wouldn’t normally come up in casual conversation. It likely wouldn’t be something he as a non human species would have any reason to know what Tram was blathering on about. But this wasn’t an ordinary Trill. Ezra had been raised on earth since he was 11 years old. Fortunately for him, he’d taken history courses in school and at the Academy. On top of that, his younger brother had gotten Ezra into a variety of old earth television shows, movies, music, games and other culture from a time before earth’s third world war. It just so happened that included documentaries on a variety of subjects, including the great world wars and every subject surrounding all 3 of them. It was a difficult subject, one he wasn’t so sure was connected to Trams work, until they brought it up just now.
Now he wasn’t so sure if this was a good idea talking to Tram. His stomach began to churn feeling the weight of the cinnamon roll he had just prior to his conversation here.
He tried his best to hide a face he was about to make. And an uncomfortable one at that.
Was this a good idea? Would using Tram’s research; even if it was in Ezra’s estimation for a noble cause like stopping the Lattice Alliance, make him no better than those that came before him? No better than Mr. Tram. Was this right? Maybe Counselor Dewitt was right after all?
Zerva: ::look of disgust on his face:: Don’t. Don’t you dare. I’m not like those monsters. Like you.
Tram: Ah, yes but that is it isn't it? You will justify, and excuse, and say you are coming from a place of altruistic intentions, all while benefiting from the work you condemn me, and others like me for. ::his smile turned vicious:: And all these little lies will help you forgive yourself from being just as curious as I...the difference between us, dear Lieutenant, would be the fortitude to do it.
Dam it. He hated just how right this insufferable bastard of a human being was at that very moment. Just how much he hated himself for even thinking he was the better man.
Zerva: ::beat:: Oh I have the fortitude alright. The question isn’t that. The question is, will I sink to your level. Become the monster you’ve become. ::shaking his head in disgust once more:: No. I don’t think so.
Ezra half hazardly tossed the PADD on the console behind him. He couldn’t stomach to see this human of man any further, much less talk to him.
Tram: ::an exhausted, defeated sort of laughter escaped:: I know what awaits me when this life ends, and it will not be peaceful. I have a lot to answer for. I am prepared for my fate. And...considering you mostly came here to monologue at me and shove your judgement, so you can tuck yourself into bed and sleep soundly, there is very little that you can actually prove. ::a chime from his wrist:: Ah. I believe it is time for my required respite. I will summon you within twelve hours and forty eight minutes to continue our conversation. Should you wish.
Monologuing? Respite? Ezra snorted. The arrogance from Tram even here in the brig, was just as insufferable as it was in their office. Yes indeed Mr. Tram had a lot to answer for and they knew it.
Zerva: ::huffing:: Enjoy what little rest you have because it’s going to be a short one.
Did Mr. Tram even hear him as they turned their back and laid down on the bench? Was he asleep already? Just like clockwork.
Zerva: ::mutters:: Maybe I’ll come back sooner with a full marching band. ::raising his voice:: See how you’d like trying to sleep through that! Ha!
Who was he kidding. Tram was fast asleep and would likely not be bothered even by something as trivial as a Starfleet marching band. Phfff. Whatever. At least he got the last word in.
The lights dimmed and Red Alert flashed on the console along the opposite wall of Tram’s cell. Time to go Ezra said to himself. As he exited the brig, he took one last glance at Mr. Tram but they didn’t move. They had made their minds up and the ship needed its security officer. It would have to be someone’s
END
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Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva
Security Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A240101EZ2