The Conduit of Memories

Posted on Thu Jun 18th, 2009 @ 9:59am by Captain Elsie Halliwell

515 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Behind the Mask of Familiarity
Location: Kerr's VIP Quarters
Timeline: Current

Captain Lane stood to the door of Altir Kerr’s quarters and took a deep breath. He held it for a moment until the spent oxygen began to burn within his lungs. Expelling it through his cheeks, he inhaled once more and did the same. The little wooden box that contained the silver ring of his father’s was clutched tightly in his hand, the knuckles white with pressure.

Tapping the control panel lightly, the Trill could hear the chime sound through on the other side of the sealed doors. A lowly shuffle could be heard before they silently parted to reveal the elderly Trill, dressed in a medical gown, standing looking frail and weathered.

“Altir!� Lane exclaimed, worriedly. “Is everything all right?�

A smile fractured across his weak jaw and a twinkle in his eye returned. “Dear Coltan,� he started, patting his on the shoulder and turning around to make his way awkwardly back into his room, “I am just fine. Just a bad night’s sleep is all. How are you?�

Lane ignored the question and strode in after him. “You should be in sickbay, Altir,� Lane chastised, knowing that his words would fall on deaf ears. “If you’re not well, then you shouldn’t be here on your own.�

“Oh, stop your bothering, Captain,� he retorted with affection. “Doctor Elde is only visiting Counsellor Carter. And I’m not an invalid just yet. Plus, you think that I want to lie on a biobed with that… that… creature lying dead on a slab next to me?�

Lane sighed again but with a futile sentiment. “All right,� he said after a beat.

“Now, Coltan, what do I owe this pleasure?� he managed in between a heavy coughing fit.

Lane simply held up the box into view.

“Ah,� the elderly Trill mused. “You’re ready to talk.�

“No, Altir. I’m here to ask why they contacted you, after all these years, to get to me. They know that I enrolled in Starfleet. They knew that with all of their highfaluting friends that they have in the senate and across the Federation as a whole, that they could get back in touch with me whenever. But sending this through you, is unacceptable!�

“Coltan,� he began.

“No, Altir! I’ll not have you making excuses for them!�

“You’re father’s sick.�

Lane felt as if he had just walked into a forecfield . The shock physically knocked him back as his eyes narrowed onto the man before. “How sick?� he asked after he managed to regain his Captain’s composure.

“Sick,� Altir merely replied.

“I can’t leave, Altir,� Lane continued after searching his dark eyes with his own.

“They understand,� he said, as he wrapped his cold, old hands around his and the box. “They know.�

“Which is why they approached me before I left for you.�

“Why?� Lane replied. “What is it?�

A warm expression flooded his face. “You’ll understand with the passage of time. You’ll come to understand.�


OFF:

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Captain Coltan Lane
Commanding Officer

 

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