chaotica: (18)
Hugh Cambridge ([personal profile] chaotica) wrote in [community profile] ten_fwd2015-07-10 10:47 pm

ota

Cambridge really hates it here.

He supposes, on some level, this is mostly petty spite. Starfleet ships aren't that different, really; while one might have a more informal atmosphere, and another goes purely on ceremony, and another contains families and the other just a scattering of scientists, they all have certain commonalities, in atmosphere and content. For example, most ships are more like each other than they are like Starfleet Medical, where Cambridge spent twelve years before being assigned to Voyager.

But, he hates it anyway. There's something missing in the atmosphere, and while the gel packs on Voyager don't have a smell of sorts, he imagines that there's a scent of ozone that's not there that should be. The uniforms look all wrong, and Cambridge resents it every moment, from bustling, bright ensigns to non-coms repairing open conduits.

Eventually, he settles on working on unsolved archaeological mysteries from the last few centuries. Alien, not human. It's at least something to do, and it's well within his area of expertise. Part of the time, he works in Ten-Forward, at a table with a handful of PADDs, frowning fiercely, cross-referencing. "No," is what he says to anyone who approaches him. Without looking up from the PADD.

The rest of the time, he works in his quarters, which he has to himself. And when he works like this, so intently, he doesn't care much for the organization of his room. Things end up on tables, on the floor. At one point he kicks a pair of pants aside, towards the doorway. Unfortunately, the next time the door opens and closes, the cloth gets in the way. So the ankle of the pants sticks out into the hallway, like a flag.

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-13 06:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Emma nods, trusting that he's not bragging about his memory. It's a silly thing to lie about, especially to a telepath. She takes the seat across from him, whether he likes it or not. Now she has his attention, at least. "If I know my people we'll do what we can to ensure things go as chaotically as possible. Foiling timelines is something of a hobby to my adopted son. It can't be that hard."

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-13 06:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Emma mulls the new information over for a moment, pressing her lips tight together. After she has given it due consideration she nods once, as though in reply to an unasked question. "That is your prerogative, as the person who knows what's going to happen. It must be a heavy burden to carry."

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-13 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"I understand. Decisions like that are heavy and it must feel a little like a betrayal to not tell your fellow officers. I don't envy your position." She spoke calmly, her manner soothing and comforting, now. She doesn't pity him anymore, now that she understands his dilemma. Really she's just damn glad it's not hers to handle.

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-13 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
The subject change was obvious, but so was his discomfort. Emma allowed the change though she was desperately curious about the dangerous event.

"I'm one of the strongest and best trained in my world. That doesn't amount to much, though. Most telepaths are stronger than the kind you describe. We're lousy with them back home." The difference between worlds means that Cambridge is one of the few around her that actually possess mental shields. The noise is occasionally unbearable.

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-13 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes. It's dreadfully noisy in here usually. It's rather refreshing to talk to someone and not know what they're going to say." She wonders if she ought to flag down a waitress and get a drink. Probably not, it would give the impression she was intending to stay past her welcome.

"I'm Emma Summers." She held out a hand to him to shake. "I arrived from some time in the past with my daughter, Faith."

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-14 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
His shake pleases her. It's businesslike, not overly friendly. She doesn't like a shake that lingers. She give him a smile and puts her hands in her lap.

"A pleasure. Were you an archaeologist in your time?"
Edited (tense agreement) 2015-07-14 18:39 (UTC)

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-14 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)

"A counselor as well. Couldn't pick a career?" She is clearly teasing, assuming he is capable of handling a little benign riffing. "You must know a lot about some of the various cultures present on the ship. I've recently been evaluated for a counselor position myself. I'd appreciate your insights." The more she knows about the cultures and lifestyles of her potential clients. "It would be an even trade, I'd be happy to tell you about my people."

Edited 2015-07-14 20:12 (UTC)

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-14 08:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'd prefer not to talk about my people in the open, but for your part, perhaps you could help me understand what sort of people I'd be dealing with. What is the Federation's scope in this time period?" She wishes for her own PADD to take notes on.
Edited 2015-07-14 20:17 (UTC)

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-14 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Emma can't maintain her composure under the weight of his memories. Her eyes open wider, a soft gasp slipping from between her lips. When it stops she's shaking, holding Cambridge's hand tightly. "My God," she whispers. "No wonder you're so acerbic."

She takes a moment to regain her composure, smoothing her hair self-consciously. Few people ever see such a genuine reaction from her. Without thinking she calls Faith closer, scooting out the adjacent chair. Once the red haired little girl is seated Emma puts a protective hand on her shoulder. "We'll prevent it. There has to be a way."

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-15 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
"I've found you to be quite stimulating," Emma replies, stroking her daughter's hair absentmindedly. His new thoughts are interesting, but she tries to put up her own defenses against hearing him. It's nice to know someone thinks she's trustworthy.

"Would you care to establish a telepathic line of communication? It will make explaining my people much easier and safer." She miight trust him, because of his reaction to her powers, but she doesn't trust the people who might be listening in. Picard reminds her too much of Xavier when she looks at him. Trusting the captain is difficult. "I promise not to abuse my welcome."
Edited 2015-07-15 01:14 (UTC)

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-16 06:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Emma smirks, retracting her hand from Faith's hair. The girl opens her coloring book back up and begins working on a new page. Her coloring isn't terribly neat, but she looks like she's enjoying herself.

"Not all electrocution is a terrible thing. Some people are quite fond of it." She ought to know, it is her great pleasure to induce that type of shock. "As for your mind, I've often found that the worst minds are the most fascinating. I'm not afraid of monsters, though I hardly think you are one." Still, she waits patiently because he hasn't said clearly that he'll permit her to use her powers. Like those pleasant electrocutions the recipient must be as willing as the provider or the whole thing becomes torture rather than a nice night in.

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-16 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course. Close your eyes, it tends to be less disconcerting that way." People don't like to have conversations with voices in their heads. "Also answering aloud is unnecessary. I'm sure you knew, but a reminder seems prudent."

With that said she closes her own eyes and reaches out with her mind. His is the closest little light, a tiny candleflame similar to all the other non-telepathic minds. She makes gentle contact, then speaks in a voice slightly deeper and with a slight Bostonian accent. "On my world people with abilities like mine are called mutants. We're largely feared and I suppose I can see why. I'm something of a special case among the mutants here, but we'll get to that in time."

The second reason for having him close his eyes is so that images projected in his mind wouldn't fight with his vision for dominance. She shows him the Xavier school and her students. "I was a teacher, that's my real passion. Shaping the young minds of the future leaders of the world. In my dreams I was somewhat racist," she pauses, then admits, "Quite racist. I had personal reasons and so did many of my students and peers. It was a cruel, terrifying world for us in my dreams."

She refers to the dreams in a strange way. It's like they're real to her, as real as her own memories. Though all the images of battles she fought as an X-man are from another universe they are as crisp and clear as her recollection of her real life. She is aware of her identity issues and it's perhaps her largest challenge.
Edited (tense agreeement) 2015-07-16 22:34 (UTC)

[personal profile] diamonds_are_forever 2015-07-24 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Very much. Emma agrees. It was a common enough problem among our kind. HUman were our oppressors. I behaved quite poorly as a result of that, in my dreams.

Now she shows him the Hellfire Club and her participation in the coup that wrested control from rich old men to powerful young mutants.

I'm not native to that universe, but I have all the memories and feelings of that Emma. Most of the mutants here are natives and I would do anything to protect them from the things they experienced there

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