[Locked to Picard] Hailing frequencies open

[empathic_pathfinder]

The more Terzen looked into it, the more obvious it was.

He was sat in his assigned quarters, almost a day since appearing here, going over what computer access the crew of the Enterprise had given him, looking, hunting for something to explain away all of this...

...But it didn't. All it did was confirm what he already knew, and that was very worrying.

Reaching for the comm panel on the desk, Terzen activates the internal circuits.

"Commander T'Karr to Bridge. I'd like to speak with Captain Picard as soon as he is available, please."

There was something the Captain needed to be aware of. As soon as possible.

Comments

[empathic_pathfinder]

"They could submit to allowing their memory engrams to be wiped." Terzen suggests, taking a sip of his own tea. "If a way home without Q is discovered, and they agree to it, of course."

This is a pain. A mess of convoluted timeline threads that threatens to make Terzen's headache return.

"I'm a communications specialist, not a temporal physicist, but... There's a lot about the fabric of space-time we don't know." A frown, there. "As far as I know, it's possible to fold it like Andorian Origami and be able to be everywhere at once." A shake of his head. "I hope a way appears, or Q will be benevolent enough, to prevent pollution of timelines too much."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

"It is an option, but one I would prefer not to pursue unless absolutely necessary," he nods. "These are Starfleet officers, they know their duties and responsibilities as well as any of us do, but they are also entitled to their personal freedoms while aboard this ship."

Suggesting to Doctor McCoy that his memories be removed is not a conversation Picard wants to have. The mere thought is enough to make him facepalm, but he shows a good deal of restraint in Terzen's company. He must say he admires his sense of duty; however, putting "benevolent" in the same sentence with "Q" only serves to make Picard sigh.

"We can all hope for that," he says, eyebrows arched. "Q has made it inescapably clear that his knowledge of space and time far surpasses our own. Humans are but babes in his eyes, barely weaned. I am confident in my crew, that despite whatever he decides we will weather the consequences and find a desirable solution."

He pauses. "I must ask, since you are Betazoid... have you any notion of why Q has shown interest in you? Or in any of the visitors aboard, for that matter?"

[empathic_pathfinder]

A frown there. "I can't say. Honestly, I can barely sense Q's presence, other than an overwhelming power. Something alien. If what I'm sensing are emotions, they're nothing that humanoids experience."

A shake of the head. "I'll be frank, captain. You're much better off asking Counsellor Troi over myself. Our powers may be equal in strength, but she knows how to interpret them. I..." He smiles. "I'm rather lost at the moment."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

"Hmm, yes," he murmurs, rubbing his chin in thought. He gives a small wave of his hand, as if telling Terzen to cease and desist all attempts for his personal well-being. "What Counselor Troi reports is quite similar to what you have just described."

He wanted to hope that perhaps Terzen could provide more, or a different perspective at least. But he knows that Betazoid abilities are not as strong with half-Betazoids, and he isn't about to invite Lwuxana to come give him her expertise. Besides that, Terzen is still adjusting to a brand new set of circumstances on a much larger ship than he is used to.

"I hope that you find your footing soon enough," he says with a small smile. "You are also half-Trill, as I understand it? You must forgive me, I find that rather fascinating. Our knowledge of the Trill at this point in time is not much; I'm afraid I understand little of your needs, and I certainly wasn't expecting to encounter a Trill-Betazoid Starfleet officer."

[empathic_pathfinder]

"My thanks for your concern to my wellbeing, captain. It'll just be like the Academy again, and if I can survive the hazing there, I can survive the Enterprise."

He takes a sip of the tea, contemplating for a second, before looking up.

"I wouldn't worry about my needs, sir. It seems Q has provided for them. Dr. Julian Bashir has knowledge of Trill, particularily Joined individuals. I couldn't ask for a better doctor."

He bows his head slightly, before looking back to Picard.

"I need no special treatment. I'm a Starfleet officer, after all, sir. We seek out new experiences." A smile. "If I can answer any questions, however, please. Feel free to ask."

[tea_earlgrey_hot]

He appears rather fond at the mention of Academy hazing, though the true reasons for that will remain hidden for the foreseeable future. Yes indeed, if one can survive the Academy then one should find life aboard the Enterprise less taxing.

"Ah, well I suppose even Q has his sensibilities," Picard says, peering into his teacup. He finds at times he rather misses the lazy swish of dregs at the bottom of his cup. "I do not know much about Dr. Bashir either, but his assistance is welcome here, and my chief medical officer seems to have some faith in him.

"I wouldn't wish to overwhelm you with questions, though some general knowledge might prove helpful to all of us," he continues. "The Trill can survive both with and without a host, is that correct? How do you go about making your selection?"

[empathic_pathfinder]

"That is true until we are Joined. Once we are, the host and the symbiont are one, and can't survive without each other. A Joining is usually something that takes place at the end of the host's life, or if the symbiont is at risk."

He pauses, frowning, remembering his ordeal through the Symbiosis Commission's trials. The Academy was easier.

"The Symbiosis Commission controls all aspects of joining. We need to pass all tests provided, and have our application approved by the commission, along with a positive recommendation from a Field Docent."

"Only one Trill in a thousand is capable for Joining, so the Commission has to be... thorough."