Children of the Shadows
Posted on Fri Apr 15th, 2016 @ 4:17am by
Edited on on Thu Jun 2nd, 2016 @ 11:36pm
Mission:
Time and High Society
Location: Promenade 2, SB-332
Timeline: Day Shift
[ON]
Two things were true about Scooter Porkinsky. One was, he diligently followed orders. The other was, he often creatively interpreted exactly 'how' to carry them out. Following the humane roundup and relocation of parasite monsters from the starbase, he was required to submit a detailed report of the incident. He chose to carry out this duty while exploring the numerous food stands found on Promenade-2.
He explained whilst sampling Asian shish kabobs, "Monday, I don't need to attach all your scan searches to my report. Just say that you saw scary monsters and that I bravely saved your life."
She accepted a sample, "You are not very thorough in your work."
"Hey, too many details are as bad as too few. It makes my workload go up exponentially. Some bureaucrat with nothing better to do will want to dive into followup question. Don't... feed... the bureaucrats."
"Scooter, then why did you even call me here, other than to explore promenade merchant stands?"
"So I can say that I interviewed you personally."
Strange people dressed in long, dark robes and hoods caught Monday's eyes. She didn't realize that she became lost in thought until Porkinsky touched her shoulder.
"Hey, kid?"
"Oh, I am sorry. I was just... I've never seen those people before."
"What people?"
"The people walking with staffs over there."
"What are you talking about? There's nobody like that over there."
She tilted her head in mild disbelief, "They're right there! Next to the flower stand!"
Porkinsky looked, saw, and then mentally lost his focus. He took another bite.
"You saw them."
"Saw who?"
"The people over there! In the robes?"
He looked again, started to respond, then his mind jumped elsewhere.
Monday walked a circle around him, studying his eyes. At seeing the strangers moving out of view, she gave up, "Thank you for the lunch."
"Hey! No problem, kid. Try and stay out of trouble? No more space monsters?"
Ens. Starr hurried to catch up with the mysterious strangers. Everyone they passed seemed to have the same reaction as the pilot. They started to pay attention, then lost their trains of thought and went about their business as though nothing had happened. Monday considered contacting Dr. St. Louis about this strange phenomena, but she was engaged in complex surgery at the moment.
One of the shadowy people turned and gazed hard into Monday's eyes. She felt a numbing dizziness. It passed, but the next thing of which she was aware, the hooded strangers now encircled her. Their voices seemed to echo. "How can you perceive us?"
"I don't know. Who are you?"
"Travelers."
One of the others realized, "She is an Herisian... a probe."
Surprised, Monday took issue, "A probe?"
"You are a wandering probe who no longer has a purpose. They created you to dwell among and study humans on your planet, but they have long departed."
"I am a person! I am sentient, I have an identity."
"That does not change your origin."
For some reason, Monday didn't feel panicked. "You're teeps. You're invading and manipulating people's minds. You have no right to do that."
Each took a turn speaking, "Listen to yourself. Your Federation feels quite free to violate memories of people in the name of non-interference, and we do a far lesser thing."
Another caught her gaze, "This is how we protect ourselves. We do not have weapons and warships."
Monday settled a bit, "If your motives are pure, then I understand."
"The Federation has made you into a creature of fear."
"Assaults from many enemies have made me cautious, Sir."
"Yet, you do not appear to fear us. You have made no attempt to call for help."
Monday nodded slightly, "I am concerned, but I always hope for goodwill."
"Come. Let us walk. People are noticing how you stand here and talk to empty air."
"Have I a choice?"
"Not really." She felt the numbing disorientation push her forward. "Our guess is that you wonder why we are here."
"I do."
"We need supplies and sustenance as does everyone."
"Why do you not announce your existence to the Federation?"
"Do I really need to answer that?"
Monday's head lowered, "You'd be put under a microscope. Ferengi would exploit you. Starfleet would weaponize you."
"You do understand, Herisian."
"I wish it weren't that way."
"We wonder if you would report us."
Monday felt a stab of fear. If they couldn't purge their presence from her mind, then what lengths would they go to in order to remain hidden? "Are you just another one of the savage races who kill in the name of security?"
"Is that a fair question? Would you ever kill?"
"What do you want from me?"
"Let us do our business and be on our way. I think that you will respect our privacy. You have made no discrete attempts to scan us with your tricorder."
"May I walk with you while you do?"
"If that would reassure you. It would reassure us."
She nodded, "Very well. Thank you for not... thank you for respecting my life."
Monday felt like she was moving in a slow motion dream as the shadow people passed through the promenade and supply areas. Several of the stations were money-less resource distribution points dedicated to hosting visitors. The strangers picked up organics, special minerals, and latest newsstand updates concerning hundreds of planets. They then led her to space dock. One of them kept his gaze firmly upon her while the others boarded a strange shadow ship. After they were aboard, he nodded in a slight smile. After a moment of disorientation, she no longer saw him. The strange vessel silently lifted off of the dock and drifted out into space as though blown by a wind.
"Hey Lady? Are you all right?"
Monday staggered a bit as she turned to look at the passersby. Brain now exhausted by the strain, she collapsed. The next thing of which she was aware, her friend Ricki waved a tricorder wand over her in her quarters. "Lie still. You've had quite a shock."
"Am I...?"
"You'll be fine. I've had you spared from duty for a day or two. Mind telling me what happened?"
Monday met eye contact and whispered, "Shadow people."
[OFF]
Ens. Monday Starr
Dr. Ricki St. Louis
Shadow People
Starbase 332
Pegasus Fleet
