All about Tyler
Posted on Fri Mar 29th, 2024 @ 6:29am by Major Cornelius Tremble & Captain Edmund Merrick
Edited on on Fri Mar 29th, 2024 @ 6:59pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: After 11 - Deck 11 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 1000 hrs
It was near noon when Merrick felt he had the time to speak with Neil. What took place the day before with Tyler, really bothered him. However before he could go talk with someone, especially Tremble, Edmund got swept up into the duties he needed to perform; as in keeping up on the day to day part of being Tremble's XO for the Cure.
It was the next day, and there was a lull in this day's business. His stomach growled, giving Edmund notice that food was needed to be found. He placed the padds he had been going over and pushed his chair back from the desk and rose up, stretching his back slightly to loosen it, twisting side to side. Taking a glance back at the padds, he shook his head. Time for some nourishment, then his thoughts went towards Tremble. Has Neil had lunch yet? And also he needed to talk with Tremble about Tyler. Two birds one stone.
Edmund reached up to his combadge to give Neil a call then decided against it. Instead he sent a message.
Neil, got something to talk with you about privately, also its lunchtime. Two birds one stone, didn't want to send out a message via combadge. You got someplace we can chat and eat in private? -Merrick
Neil read the text.
Considered, then opened his eyes to his quarters critically. He'd been trying to calm his head, clear his migraine. It had subsided but was still there. Just like some little bug was gnawing on the inside of his eye. Interestingly, it was his non-contact eye.
He'd have to mull on that.
The text message blinked again and he reached to his wrist and began tapping his wrist, his com system switching Morse into text before it sent. Right. Food. After-11, fifteen minutes."
Reaching up, he grabbed the inversion bar, lifted with his left hand and moved to do a series of fifteen pullups. Then he dropped to his feet and looked for his boots. Remembering something, he dug around on one shelf and pulled out a sealed jar. Neil shook the jar slightly, then grunted in satisfaction as the organism twitched inside and he headed for the hatch.
Right on time Merrick showed up at After-11, stepping in he stifled a yawn he was feeling a bit tired. He scanned around the room to see if he could spot Neil, stepping further inside the place. His eyes also settled upon an area that was in the far corner where he and Neil could talk without any eavesdroppers. He headed straight for there to wait for Neil.
Neil entered behind Ed and moved through the lightly populated lounge, giving the Cure's XO time to get seated and catch sight of him. When Ed met his eyes, Neil raised a hand in acknowledgment and slid into the seat across from him. The jar he'd been carrying slid onto the dark lacquered surface and Neil moved it to rest between them.
"Captain. How goes the war," Neil asked, his tone light.
Edmund flashed a grin, "Oh you know the same old same old sort of thing. Paper work and putting our people through the grind. That sort of thing."
Waitstaff came up to the men, "What can I get for you today?" he asked.
"A green salad, Steamed fish on brown rice, green tea and a lemon to go with the tea as well as the fish." he responded.
The waiter turned to Neil." And you sir?"
Neil glanced at the waiter. Drummed his fingers for a moment then said, "Marine Supplement #67 was in my queue today, so punch that in." He kept his face straight and was rewarded by the waiter pausing longer than normal before they replied.
"Uh. Right. I'll take care of that."
As the person bustled off, Neil smiled at Ed and said, "That never gets old. Number 67 is from the India region on Earth. Rajma Chawal, Naan bread and a banana smoothie, basically, though I think that's called a Lassi. I do know it's a spicy, creamy protein rich dish. Has some spice too."
Neil took a sip of his water and said, "So. What's up?"
Edmund chuckled, "That was a good one. " his smile faded away, and looked around to make certain no one was near. Seeing none, he took in a breath steeling himself to ask his question. "Okay here goes. When was the last time you spoke to Tyler? He was rather off when we had that briefing. He didn't seem quite like himself" there it was, the opening of what may end up being a difficult talk.
Neil glanced about then pulled a small box from a cargo pocket. He orientated it, set in on the table and activated it by squeezing the sides. A low hum indicated it was working and he met Ed's eyes. "Hush field generator. We should be good until the waiter brings things back. It's not picking up any recording devices either. It should also blur anyone trying to read lips."
Giving Ed a thin smile, he said, "Somethings up. I spoke to the Commodore earlier and he looks on his. His biometrics are way off baseline and he's...bouncy. That being said, It could be any number of things. I'm trying to get a consult with Hermia but I'm having a problem tracking her down on the sly. What have you seen?"
Edmund nodded in approval at what Neil did. "I went to go talk to him, to get another read on him. You see I knew him during academy, and when I came onto the ship and met with him, he was that same warm self. However something was a foot. I went to his ready room, he wasn't there, but his yeoman Sofia was. I saw the signs of something having had happened, and from she said, she and Tyler had a fight. He came shortly after and we spoke. There was this look in his eyes, that just wasn't right. If looks could kill, I think Sofia and I would have been dead a million times over. He did his best to cover it up, but just something is way off."
Neil nodded and settled back into his seat. "Trouble is, he needs to be really off to do something. A Captain's position in pretty sacrosanct. Get a fit for duty test outside normal conditions runs risks. I don't mind running risks, but tilting at windmills draws a line. Plus we need Hermia and Rowena to agree that theres a problem."
"I am all for looking into that, Neil. Just something isn't right." he leaned forward to rest his forearms upon the table top. "I don't think we've even spoken about that mission in the underwater lab. Or how I found Rowena unconscious. Shy, I found out had been taken over from that entity there." he paused and sat back. "I digress though, as we are talking about Tyler and just how to figure out what is going on with him." he reached up and scratched at his jaw, wondering about something. Once again his thoughts turning towards Rowena and Andrew Shy.
"That mission was something of a mess," Neil acknowledged as he leaned into the seat back. "Only thing we can do about the Captain is continue to monitor. And insulate the crew from as much as we can. As we can."
Sighing, Neil ran fingers through his short hair and said, "If needs be I can get word to the General without anyone aboard knowing about it and maybe get him to move some pieces around. Get an inspection scheduled so that it looks like a normal bit of business." That's more long term. Short term, we'll just have to be watchful."
Edmund nodded, "That is what I am going to continue on doing."he gave a slight sigh not being able to move from talking about the mission. "Right now, I am a bit worried we brought something with us from that mission. That, that thing we saw, what possessed Shy, I am going to be checking on the Serenity, and I am worried about Rowena, she spoke to me about something going on with her. An entity which is haunting her."
"Shy didn't follow SOP's. It's why his ass is in a sling right now," Neil said, frowning. "It's possible something came back but it shouldn't have made it through decontamination. When I went through the data, the Kavicus entity seemed to be water...or at least fluid based. Andrew's suit had readings on it. I think those matched the others too."
Neil raised his eye toward Ed, "Did you check the hard files taken from the suits recorders in the Morgue? The Serenity began it's life as a Fleet shuttle, so it's base systems still follow those routines. The EAS suits are marine gear and only copy to Fleet. If something fishy is going on, you might find answers there. Or more questions. I can check on that when I go down there, if need be. Make sure those files are still locked down."
Edmund gave a nod, "The recordings of the suits are next on my list. I do apologize for my delay in checking on the information. I feel like I am one step behind on something, just don't quite know yet what that is but I'll figure it out, we'll figure it out." he glanced over to where the wait staff was headed their way, "And the decontamination of us, could there have been something missed. That is what I will be checking on as well."
Nodding, Neil saw their food coming and deactivated the bug-stomper and sat back to allow the plates to be placed. Tapping the jar he'd brought, he then picked up a fork and inventoried his plate, planning the attack. "Got these from a courier while we were on Poseidon. Native, slightly parasitic life form from a back-water, planetoid. The imaginative scientist that studied them, called em Tinglers."
Merrick raised an eyebrow at that,"What can they be used for? "Giving a slight shudder as they brought a thought of the blue gill which tried to take over the Federation. "Nasty piece of work there."
Glancing at the jar, Neil grinned at Ed. "Be nice. They can serve a couple of functions. First off, when you twin one on with a cuff, they can mask your own bio-readout from sensors, basically cloaking you to look like background noise in an area. Sort of like a feedback loop that masks local environmental readings." He turned the jar slightly and then continued. "Secondly, they live in colonies. Always at least two, but when they do they all take on the same radiation signature, even while mimicking the surroundings. If you scan them, they come off as background radiation. They communicate via that colony link. Some of the Corp recon teams are using them to communicate back and forth with decent success. Range is about 5 clicks. Down side, you have to use something like the old Morse code and tap out messages back and forth."
Neil raised his left fist as he stabbed at some of his ration with his right and said, "The cuff links to it's tail and it embeds along your forearm. Then you tap the cuff to send out a signal and it goes out to the team...and the cuff displays the message, allowing you to read it. I have mine linked to my contact."
Edmund picked up one of his lemon wedges and squeezed it over his fish, then popped it into the tea he had ordered. "That sounds like a natural cloaking device, and this is something I've not heard of until now. Pretty interesting but all the same just a little bit creeepy if you are saying these are being willingly allowed to embed itself into the arm like a tick?" taking a bite of his fish.
Neil shrugged. "All sorts of parasites and other creatures do that. Look at the Trill symbiots. They're really just smart parasites. These only need to be used as needed. Otherwise they're happy to hang out in their aquariums. If we decide to move forward with them, we'll put an aquarium for them near the wall of the gift shop."
Neil tore at the nan bread, then mopped up a bite of stew before popped it into his mouth. The spice got him immediately, then the richness of the other spices and the creamy broth. He enjoyed the burn and felt it nearing his tear ducts, but not quite making it that far.
"So with them,is it easy enough to get them to detach themselves when not needed for use or are they a one shot use sort of thing." Edmund glancing back at the tinglers. "Would it take surgery to remove them?" reaching over and picking up his tea to drink from the cup.
"Nah," Neil said, patting the jar and ripping at more of the nan. "I wouldn't do that to them. They can be removed with minimal damage to the host. The marks mostly go away after a week or so and the enzyme they secret only causes discomfort and possibly a rash for a week or so. He mopped more of the stew and said, "They're fairly hardy and pretty happy once their habitat and colony is established."
Glancing up at Ed as he bit, he asked, "How's the fish?"
"Ohh its good." Edward glancing up from contemplating the tinglers. "The food is good. How about your food? I'll have to try that dish sometime. And about those tinglers will try it sometime, probably after we take care after a certain event." giving a nod. He took another bite of the fish. "You know you certainly have quite the collection of interesting equipment."
"Supplements pretty well done," Neil said, eyeing the smoothy, then looking back up to Ed. "The right bit of gear can save your bacon. And I believe in being prepared, so I always look for new things to confound and disturb the enemy."
"That is something I agree on. And looks like I need to get more involved in working on being even more prepped. Of all the people I have served with, you definitely are a level above them. I am learning from you, and something I approve of greatly." he tucked into his food, starting to feel like time was drifting like sand through an hour glass.
Neil eyed Ed for a moment as he chewed. After swallowing, he said, "Such flattering. You need a loan or something Ed?"
Edmund looked up sharply from his eating and stared at Neil. "A loan for what? I was just stating a fact. Though you seem to be the sort of man who doesn't take compliments too well. This isn't idle flattery, Neil." not realizing that he actually called Tremble by his first name, something that Merrick didn't often do.
"I just don't look for flattery and compliments aren't necessary," Neil told Ed between bites. "I appreciate your appreciation but it's all about keeping my Marines alive. They'll keep me alive and we all take care of each other." Then he grinned, "And I suppose we keep a few Fleeties alive in the process too."
Pointing his currently empty spork at Ed he said, "You're a better people person than I have. You've integrated with the Pioneer's crew much faster and better than I ever have. We all play to our strengths."
Edmund shook his head, "I don't know about that Neil, me integrating with the crew. They seem to like me, but I'll probably be leaving bleeding hearts or wounded limbs in my wake. As time goes on."
Quirking up an eyebrow. "All I am doing is just trying to find my own way on whatever path life has set me on. Seriously though, I'd say you blazed the trail for me, getting to know the crew. Its not a trail that I blazed myself, you are where you are, due to you earned it. Took a lot of work, a marine becoming an XO. Going beyond what the norm was, just Star Fleet in positions of command. It may not look like it but, I've been keeping a space between me and the crew." He looked down at the remnants of his fish, then back up to Neil. "Now I am worried, since I actually called you Neil...." he stopped there, he didn't want to have his superstitious nonsense be stated.
Ever since Edmund lost his wife, he'd been careful not to get too close to anyone. After all, bad luck seemed to follow after him.
Raising an eyebrow toward the Captain, Neil said, "I'd been wondering if you'd work your way to doing that or you'd keep it formal. Most Detachments and units this size get fairly familiar with each other. If you need to remember the troops of my authority by constantly using my rank, there would be a problem. Likewise if I needed that to feel good about myself." Shrugging, he continued "I don't. The new members of the crew I expect it of. Especially the non-line officers. The Fleet likes to fuzz that out, making it feel less regimented, but that's their way. I might even relax a little more if I'm in this post long enough."
Edmund gave a wry smile, at what Neil had said. "I am working on being able to relax as well. Years of keeping people at arms length, is a habit difficult to break. At times it has been a good thing that I have but other times... not so much." he finished off any crumbs that were left on his plate. "I'll keep working at it Neil, and maybe let others behind my walls." giving a wink and a laugh. "On that note I had better get going, still need to go check on Rowena, I've not been able to meet up with her as of yet. I seem to keep missing her for some reason. If you see her let me know. " with that Edmund rose from the table, and cleared up his dishes.
Neil took an other fork or two of food as he watched Ed bus his dishes. Making sure the Hush field generator was tucked away, he contemplated the jar with the Tingler and let his eyes lose focus for a moment as he thought through all of the drama that was playing out around him. Something WAS off. The ship felt different and he knew most of it could be dropped at the CO's feet. But what was causing Tyler to freak out.
Gathering his own dishes, Neil moved them to the recycler and then headed for the exit. He'd made up his mind.
It was time to talk to the General.
A Joint Post By
Captain Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Major Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
RSS Feed