Part of USS Paramount: Episode 1 | Helping Hands and USS Paramount: Season 1

Act Six: Discovery

USS Paramount (NCC-75570), Alpha Quadrant
Stardate: 240104.25, 23:02
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The Betazoid officer walked into the interrogation room following behind her Bajoran colleague.

“I'm Lieutenant Zolath, this is Lieutenant Reno,” Arva said as the two of them sat down and began the interrogation.

“Do you know why you are here?” he asked the man who sat across from them. Alessa reaches out to him trying to feel for any strong emotions. But felt none. It was as if he was calm void of any overwhelming emotion. She noted his calm demeanor, relaxed posture, and steady breathing.

This discovery perplexed her. She couldn't figure out how he was remaining calm after fleeing from his home and the ship that rescued him had just experienced a catastrophic emergency. ‘This is strange she said to herself,’ the voices of Arva and the man fading out as she zoned out.

Though physically remaining in the room her consciousness drifted from her body into the next interrogation. As soon as she reached the next individual she could feel the overwhelming emotions emitting from the suspect. She felt the shock and numbness that she expected from all of them. She could feel the internal struggle as they tried to grabble at the events that transpired.

As she traveled through the rooms and sensed each one she discovered that the majority of the refugees had the same emotional state they all felt numb and in shock.

When she returned to her body however she could feel a stark difference. The tension in the room was so thick you could nearly see. Arva was pacing in front of the door grilling the man giving him barely any time to answer the question properly before moving on.

She could feel the heat and the agitation coming from Arva. These emotions reflected in his body language the way he walked the way his voice got louder and quieter at random intervals. She could also feel the calm and comsped emotions coming from the man. The main's calm and composed demeanor was a direct contrast to Arva's unrestful state.

She would however feel the iteration coming from the man. It was as if Arva was annoying him with his heated tone and probing questions, but the man remained cool.

Alessa tried to reach into the man's brain to try and find something and as soon as she did she was hit with an overwhelming emotional rollercoaster. She could feel the anxiety that was laden under the surface. With each accusation a surge of adrenaline went through his body she could feel the fear. The fear that he was going to get caught.

For what she did not know.

‘I’ve been in tougher spots before,' he thought to himself, ‘This is something else.’ Alessa heard his inner thoughts she hoped by listening she could gain some traction and find out what happened.

‘It's as if someone is trying to get inside my head,' he thought, ‘but who? I’m not going to cave to them. Nothing they do will compare to what Lord Eldus would do if he found out I failed.'

Eldus she thought to herself that name sounds oddly finial.

‘The emp detonated all we have to do is wait until we get the signal from his grace then we can leave this blasted ship,’ he thought to himself.

Alessa gasped out loud this caught both Arva's and the suspect's attention. In one swift motion, she stood from the chair and walked out of the room. Arva followed close behind eager to find out why she had left the room in such a hurry. 

“What is?” he asked her. She wasn't aware but he had only been stalling so that she would find the answers they desperately needed.

“We need to speak with the Commander. NOW!” she stated looking at Arva. 

Comments

  • I'm truly captivated by this post! It ingeniously interweaves the preceding narratives, showcasing how seamlessly Reno embarks on a drift, channeling a psychic Sherlock Holmes. The transition back to the present, highlighting Lieutenant Zolath's escalating tension, is masterfully described. You adeptly draw the reader back into the exploration, unveiling secrets in an exhilarating manner, detail by detail, word by word. The climax -- the grand reveal -- is sheer brilliance. You had my undivided attention from the very first word right through to 'We need to speak with the Commander. NOW!' This absolutely makes me eager to continue reading. NOW!

    March 18, 2024