Lt. JG Haukea-Willow: Watch The Waves, My Darling
Aly Drolet
((U.S.S. Narendra - Deck 6 - Computer Core))
Almost in a show of heartlessness Solus drew their own phaser, matching the two aimed back at them from the doorway. Haukea herself stepped up to meet it, putting herself betwixt Solus, the phaser and Gogigobo. To save a life Haukea would certainly spare hers, despite the uncomfortable itch the emotions provided at the excessive use of phasers, the ever present element of death. Yet it was clear she was protective; security was certainly not for those unwilling to risk their own lives for the greater good.
Fairhug: It’s *you* who needs to resist, Sol. I know you’re in there, I’ve seen it.
Solus: There is no point in resisting.
Willow: But if McLaren isn’t in there anymore, I’ll make sure everyone else makes it back safe. However, if she is, I want her to listen: Fight. Fight for your life. Like I’ll fight for the lives of the crew I serve with day in-day out.
Fairhug: The same crew that you are a part of, Sol. Remember?
Willow: ::Taking a step closer:: Do your worst and I’ll do mine.
Haukea-Willow, although she preferred words to acts of violence, was beginning to see, plain before her, from the phaser directed her way, that those assimilated by the Borg had no sense of self, they cared for nothing if not to be the only set of living creatures in the universe.
And likewise, preferring not to sustain further injury or death, Haukea, as a reasonably protective individual, largely towards found and biological family, knew, in this instance, she’d rather put her own life at risk for the sake of Gogigobo Fairhug coming out the other end alive.
Overall, the whole situation was evolving into one where words, platitudes unreceived, were no longer reliable. Action was the greater course and she would bear the consequences.
Fairhug: Wait! Wait! ::pausing to think:: Sol, what about Sal? What about Rustyy? If you continue with what you’re doing, they will be hurt. I know you don’t want that.
Perhaps, in a strange twist of fate, words, not platitudes, personable in nature, unlike before, could change the outcome for Solaris McLaren, allowing her to falter, if only for a moment.
Solus: Once they join the collective we will be as one.
Willow: Joining the Collective changes you into an unrecognizable monster. That is not you.
Fairhug: What about Masha?
Solus: ::With a more significant pause:: Masha?
Fairhug: Remember at the restaurant on Bardeez? We spoke about all of our loved ones. Is this what you really want for them?
Haukea, having no previous personal connections with Solaris, relied on Gogigobo, his phrasing, tone and demeanor penetrating into the recesses of Solus’ mind. Despite that, Fairhug, even herself, with limited experience against the Borg, floundered. The Executive Officers eyes, if not facial expression, sending a plea to neutralize the Borg drone rather than the individual.
Being a Crisis Response Officer called for individuals, within the security field, who were strong at dealing with distressed individuals. Yet, Haukea, her experience faltered. There was no off switch for Borg drones. Ethically speaking, merely incapacitating the drone, waiting for a cure, was not possible. Likewise, as a Collective the Borg had intelligence enough to escape other tactics. In the end, it was down to McLaren herself to grapple with their own sense of self.
Solus: ::Their hand shook, aim drifting:: I- ::They paused as more conflict wracked them:: I-I will-- ::They went silent::
The actual hard work was now beginning. McLaren’s consciousness was aware, confined within a cage, stepping backwards behind a console. Yet, clear as crystal, a piece, Borg or otherwise, was fighting back, sending a warning shot, missing the pair.
Willow: You will fight.
Currently, human eye watering, Solaris’ was in control, panic-stricken, placing herself against the wall, attempting to hide. Again a phaser beam burst forth, striking the bulkhead behind them, sparks raining hot. Luckily none landed on Haukea, saving her from further injury.
McLaren: ::strained:: Gogi... It's so hard... to…
Willow: You’re going to have to fight. I know it hurts. Don’t stop.
Fairhug: Response
McLaren: I'm sorry. I didn't…
Willow: What you did was not your fault. You were not in control. No one will punish you for it.
Fairhug: Response
Out of all the missions the Risian had been assigned, presently was when her particular skill set was to be utilized. In a display, if not command, of care, Haukea placed one foot in front of the other, reaching out for the phaser Solaris struggled to hold and lower. She reached, signaling that the burden was not Sol’s alone.
McLaren: I can still hear them... they're trying to pull me back... it's so hard to resist it.
It was a risk, as Solaris fully encapsulated themselves against the back wall, for Haukea, a woman of words, non-violent actions, to move forward, extending her comfort to the distraught woman. The Risian herself extended this comfort, endangering her life, by sitting herself next to Solaris.
Though she made no physical contact with Sol, Haukea provided noise to the silence that had surrounded them, humming out a low yet steady tone.
Willow: Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. ::She demonstrated the breathing pattern as she went along::
Fairhug: Response
Solus (McLaren): Response
Willow: Watch the waves, my darling,
As they cover you tonight; Watch the waves, my darling,
Sand beneath your head.
Haukea’s voice was steady, notes practically unwavering in range, though she was out of tune. It was a traditional Risian lullaby of a traveler being tucked by the waves, sand for a bed. And although she had not heard it sung in many years, sections of events missing, she “sang” to comfort, to remind, to bring Solaris back to herself.
Fairhug: Response
Solus (McLaren): Response
Willow: Watch for me beside you,
Safe against your sole; Watch for me as you wake my dear,
Far across the shore.
That was typically the moment when the story, song, entered dream land, and while Haukea was likely to confuse sections of the lyrics, it was true, at least to the natives on Risa, that even if at a distance, an individual always came back to themselves, if not family, end of each day, when they woke.
Fairhug: Response
Solus (McLaren): Response
Lt. JG Haukea-Willow
Security - Crisis Response
Starbase 118 Ops
M239512BG0
