Bringing Down The House: Part 4

Posted on Tue Dec 19th, 2023 @ 1:47am by Lieutenant Michael Amato & Ensign Carter Page & Ensign Tobias "Toby" Dienstag & Ensign Erahlik Ezazzan

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Mission 5: The Price of Paradise
Location: Deck 5: Dr. Amato's Quarters
Timeline: M5 MD06 (2268.07.29) 1900-1930

Erahlik turned to Michael next. "Doctor Amato, what of your family and history?"

"Well," Mike said, not sure how he wanted to start but he figured he would state the obvious. He sighed. "My elder brother, Joseph was the navigator on the Defiant... We lost him when the ship went through the Interphase. We didn't know what happened to him. My parents and I were stuck. He wasn't dead but he wasn't alive... He was sort of in between. Part of this last mission was closure for me... We could finally mourn his death."

There was a silence as Erahlik adjusted to what he had just heard. A brief moment passed as memories, swift and very vivid, flashed through the Gorns mind of the battle. Starfleet personnel of all races, cultures, departments and kinds battling it out in the most gruesome and brutal obligation of their career. Explosions rocking the ship, damage to every possible corner. Just as the medics on board rushed to the aid of crying crewmen, Earhlik rushed to the aid of the Midway as she groaned and screamed in agony. Each flare, spark, flame, sizzle and exploding bulkhead signaled another piece of her overall health undone. Yet with every patch and quick fix, the ship would fight on.

His eyes distant as he recalled what he was forced to ignore. The death. Officers and personnel in all states of both injury and near-death. Bodies either torn or blown in half. Body parts strewn across decks from explosions. The screams. One didn't have time to reflect on the horror of the moment when instinct required duty, but afterward the brain was able to process it. When it did, nightmares happened.

"Yes, uh ...," Earhlik managed, gulping. The memory of a screaming science officer on Deck 15 flashed in his mind. He had been cut in half, on fire, and burning to death. One way or another, the officer was dead, and Earhlik could do nothing but run past as he had tried to reach out. He never knew their name or who they were. "I ... uh .... yes. My sympathies for your loss. It was most assuredly a trying time."

By the end of his seconds-long recollection, his eyes manage to focus partially and back on Michael. He somehow managed to hide his tears. It wasn't like a Gorn to show tears in public, not around those who weren't Clan. Then again the battle had been brutal and ... he decided to not think further on it.

"I am glad you found closure then," Earhlik said, and didn't pursue it further. He looked to Carter then.

"Uhm ... Carter? What about you?" the Gorn asked, hoping something else didn't spur a miniature PTSD-episode.

"Oh eh, nothing much to tell," Carter responded, "I grew up in the middle of Indiana on a small family farm. Nearby town of Princeton had a population of about 1,000. My Dad was a Starfleet engineer before I was born and then became the chief engineer at the local power plant... Always was good at fixing things, guess that's how I ended up down this bath." The young man shrugged, "Oh and I ran track and they made me play basketball since I was tall and fast although to be honest I don't like basketball..." He chuckled.

Earhlik's eyes widened a bit at the realization of similarities with Carters background to a rather famous Captains. While it wasn't exact similarities, it was close enough to warrant appreciation. The Gorn gave a smirk, nodding at Carter.

"Humble beginnings often create the most stalwart leaders," remarked Earhlik. "If Captain Kirk is to be an example, anyway."

The young man chuckled and his pale cheeks blushed a tad, "Well that may be, but I'm not sure I'm that ambitious," Carter responded, "Just find with fixing things and cleaning up messes..." He looked at the reptile, "Well... It's your turn now... I know some of it now but Toby and Mike certainly don't "

The other two nodded and looked at the Gorn. Toby was genuinely intrigued since he was certainly a novelty in Starfleet. One they were trying their best to become accustomed to.

Mike took a sip from his glass of pinot noir and waited for the answer. His green eyes were peeking over the rim of the wine glass.

The Gorn looked between the three, cautiously at first as he felt the walls closing in - briefly, as if quickening for a kill. He realized they were merely curious. He had asked so many questions before, now they warranted a reply.

"Clan Ezazzan has a new tradition for choosing the best of the clutch for Starfleet service," said Erahlik. "I was chosen out of the clutch by my father as the honorable choice. I was apparently the best of my hatch-mates, had the most potential to survive, and so as a way to repay Federation kindness I was to be tutored for eventual Starfleet service - if such a thing as possible. Turned out my father was right and it was possible, as me being here now proves.

As I revealed to Carter earlier, Clan Ezazzan and the Gorn Hegemony broke ties in 2237. Twelve years later my mother laid and eventually hatched my clutchmates and myself, all six of us. What had driven Clan Ezazzan away was the violent and uncompromising way of our ancestorial home. The Gorn Hegemony isn't as united as outside appearances may indicate. There are fractures - delicate, almost hidden, but there are fractures. Typically the Hegemony is excellent at repairing those fractures. Clan Ezazzan was one such fracture that could not be repaired.

My father aspired for more. The Federation offered a place for a more liberal way of thinking. So he established the Ezazzan Trade Authority, currently a simple business of only a few vessels, but he has big plans for it. I, as the honorbound hatchling, am responsible for being the face and representation of goodwill by Clan Ezazzan to the Federation. My other clutchmates are helping the family business, as I once did in my training. If I had failed in my obligations, one of the others would have been tasked with it, but thankfully I did not.

We currently reside on Skoleos, a world stuck between the Federation and the Hegemony. Right now it's mostly at peace between the two powers and I hope it stays that way. Otherwise I may never have a home to go back to."

Mike and Toby appeared to be satisfied with the answer.

"That explains a great deal, thank you," Mike responded, before setting his wine glass down onto the coffee table, "How is it to serve with humans? We are an odd bunch..."

"That much is certain," Toby added before plopping down onto the couch next to Mike and setting his plate down onto the coffee table, careful as to not knock Mike's glass over.

"You are ... extremely unusual," admitted Erahlik. "I came here with the stoic intentions of remaining impassive and uncompromising, but legitimately extending a good natured representation. You three fractured that ... false tooth. Just as fear is masked by the desire for meat, for food, so too was my desire for friends outweighing my determination to be impassive. I admire that in you all. It is no wonder the Hegemony fears your capabilities - or so I am led to believe by the stories told by my father."

"What are friends for?!" Toby chimed in with a chuckle, a cheery grin and a twinkle in his eye.

"Friends, indeed," confirmed Erahlik, giving a smile. Unfortunately a smile from a Gorn was rather toothy.

 

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