Finally, Freedom

Anomaly TrekMUX Episode (#01-013) 8/15/00

Holding Cell Two - Station 419 - [IC]

This rectangular chamber is rather spartan, yet comfortable enough for its intended purpose. Although the lighting is sufficient, the muted blue-grey walls serve to soften it, creating a calming effect. The deck is covered in a dark grey rubberized material rather than the usual carpeting. A wide conformal shelf is built into the lower rear wall. Designed to serve as both a bench and bed, it is equipped with a thin pad.

Obvious exits:

Out <O>

From a distance, Balin arrives from station security, the heavily reinforced door sliding down slowly behind him.

From a distance, Balin has arrived.

From a distance, Balin deactivates the forcefield over Holding Cell Two.

The exit Out sparkles as a forcefield disengages.

From a distance, Balin passes under the deactivated force field archway of holding cell two.

From a distance, Balin has left.

Balin passes under the deactivated force field archway, arriving from the holding cell area.

Balin has arrived.

Balin nods. "Mr. Jade," he says in greeting as he steps through the arch. "You're a free man again."

Jade stood at the first sight of the Commander, to plant himself in the centre of the Cell, hands clasped behind his back. He smiles at the news, though not too heartily. "Thankyou, Commander... but is it really that simple?" A beat, and he tilts his head. "I mean... what's happening to the artifact? What will be on my record? What... about Wendy...?"

Balin says quietly, "It's not that easy at all. There are still secrets to protect, and I have to ask you to protect them. Not just for me, not just for Wendy, not for the Federation, but for the artifact itself." He moves to the bench and sits. "I'm hoping that the two of us can come to an agreement concerning it."

Jade remains standing, draws a breath, then shifts, turning his head to regard the officer sitting on the bench with eyes that might not be out of place in the head of a man far older than he. "Commander... I owe my freedom and quite possibly my life to your efforts, and that of the artifact." He swallows, goes on: "If there is one thing that, I believe, the Klingons have right, it is their dedication to honour..." He shifts again, turns his body fully to face Balin. "I owe a great debt to you, and honour requires that it is paid. The least I can do is reach agreement with you. More I will speak of shortly, if I may. What agreement did you hope for?"

Balin says "That you respect Starfleet's decision not to share information with other powers, and retain that secret. I must admit that you are still not out of danger. We pulled back the cover on a box of serpents, and they may still yet decide to strike. But I let Admiral Sinclaire know that in no uncertain terms, that if you have any 'accidents'.. I will blame her. And I will come for her. Starfleet Command is sending an investigator here to straighten matters out, though."

Jade draws a slow breath at that, shifts, tensing, but swallows whatever objection remains, unspoken. "Understood. I will comply with whatever investigation takes place. I already swore to Wendy that I wouldn't sell what I had learned - and I'll now swear to you that I will not pass it on, for profit or for free, to any that you decree should not know it - though that means I will have to know who is 'in the know'..."

Balin looks to him, nodding. "We will discuss that aspect at a later date. For now, assume that only myself, Ensign Tyler and Lt. Accolon are 'in the know'." He sighs, standing. "As far as Ensign Tyler goes, perhaps you should talk to her. That is, if you indeed did not use her."

"I didn't." That reply comes utterly instantly, and Jade's eyes do not leave the Commander's during it, or for several moments after. Resolute and clear. "And I never will." He relaxes, arms falling to his sides, gaze averting. "I'll claim I was never imprisoned. It's the simplest way. It would help if I could know what is being placed on my record with Starfleet..."

Balin shakes his head. "Nothing will be placed on your record, nothing at all."

Jade nods, slowly. "Easier still, then. If it will assist in mollifying the good Admiral..." The penultimate word there said with more than a hint of bitterness "Then I will agree not to leave this Station, at least for the foreseeable future. And I'll inform you of any travel plans, then. I don't mind having an eye kept on me, after all of this, but I must request that the privacy of my accounts is reinstated and maintained."

Balin nods. "I will look into the matter. Is there anything else I can do for you, Mr. Jade?"

"Simply answer that same question for me." Jade turns, moves to the area of the floor whereupon his overcoat lies, and picks it up, probably needlessly dusting it down, examining it as he goes on: "As I said, an agreement of total silence is only part of my repayment to you. I also offer my services and support to you and what officers know of my situation." He turns, sliding his arms into his overcoat, donning it. "The knowledge and intelligence of the Federation is mighty... but there are secrets that will not be whispered into a Starfleet ear, and places one must go to learn in which Starfleet cannot tread. I, or my contacts, can. And so I pledge my assistance, should you require it. It is the least I can do."

Balin nods once to him. "I appreciate the offer. We shall we what we can do, but the fact of the matter stands with me - all debts are paid." He smiles. "Enjoy your freedom, Mr. Jade."

Jade nods, once, and murmurs simply, hands sinking into his pockets once more, "I will. And now more than ever. Thankyou."

Balin nods to him and watches him leave. He sits down again on the bench of the cell and places his elbows on his knees.

Jade pauses, though he waits until he is beyond the where the forcefield layer stands before he does so, and turns, hand rising to run through his hair. Beat. "Are -you- alright, Commander?"

Balin nods to him. "Quite. Just need some time to think. And at least here, I'll retain a modicum of privacy."

Jade nods in reply, silently, then turns and leaves.

You pass under the deactivated force field archway.

*Movement*

Crew Quarters 403 - Station 419 - [IC](#655RJ)

Ensign Tyler's room is very spartan. The only adornment on the walls is a clear fluid-looking wave carved from transparent aluminum that hangs across from the bed. A stack of datapadds sit in a disorganized pile on a glass coffee table which sits in front of a boxy-looking couch. A large white plank, rounded on the ends, is propped up in one corner behind a chair. The bed and bath are separate, and her bed is unmade. A rumpled uniform lies in the doorway between the two rooms.

+roomhelp is available here.

Contents:

Tyler

Obvious exits:

Out <O>

Jade pauses far longer even than the previous time he called on Tyler, before pressing the entrance request pad on the wall beside her door. Beneath his thick cowlick of hair, he's on the verge of breaking into a sweat, and his hands are thrust deeply back into his pockets after pressing the pad. Even Alex cannot hold the concern, even fear, from his eyes.

Tyler calls through the panel, "Come in."

Jade steps inside the door as it opens, forcing his head up to scan the room, eyes darting almost manically about in search of Tyler.

Tyler's lying down on the couch. She turns over and looks at the door. Shooting straight up into a sitting position. "Jade?" she asks.

Jade fixes his gaze onto her, heart beating at that moment it takes to consider her position, expression, tone, and then darts forward with an unprecedented speed, arms rising and extending towards her. "Wendy..." Urgency in his voice.

Tyler frowns, but stands. She wraps her arms around him, but remains quiet.

Jade does the same, but frowns, inwardly and outwardly, at Tyler's silence. "Wendy, are you alright? God..." He presses his head close in to the side of her's, screws his eyes tight for just a moment. Relief, even amidst his present fear.

Tyler looks up to him. "I've b-been so worried about you.. I.." She goes quiet again and hugs him to her.

Jade kisses the side of Tyler's head, and again, as if he had only seconds to do so, then pulls back, eyes blazing. His hands rest on the girl's upper arms, his gaze on her eyes. "Wendy... I..." He swallows, lips crinkling for a moment as he loses focus. Then Alex sniffs, summons the will to drive on: "Wendy, less than a day ago, I thought I would end up in a penal colony or a grave, you in a stockade, and the artifact in a billion pieces... and... that's taught me to say what you need to when you can." A beat, a quickly drawn breath. "Wendy, I love you. You... personify everything that we should be. You're gentle, kind... you -care-... and you're trustworthy. And as I've said before, you are stronger than either you or the Admiral realise. And the greatest torture in that cell was not the thought that I would spend the rest of my life on some backwater prison colony..." His lips crinkle again, and he bites it back. "It was... that I'd spend it without -you-."

Tyler starts to cry, drawing him even tighter. "I'm s-s-so confused, Ah-alex. P-people have been suh-saying such b-bad things about you."

Jade swallows, purses his lips, and clings to Tyler once more, tightly himself. He steels his jaw a moment, again to hold back excesses of emotion, then murmurs, "I'm sure... I don't know who, or what, but... if you have fears about me, about what I am, then -please- tell me now... or it'll rot us from the inside. Ask me...tell me..."

Tyler looks up. "I've b-b-been told that you're using me."

Jade nods, slowly, pulling back so that his gaze move more meets Tyler's "I told Commander Balin that I had, and intended to tell the Admiral the same. I figured that innocence on grounds of diminished responsibility was the best way to guarantee you weren't stuck in a stockade...but it is -not- true..." That word said almost with striking emphasis, and echoed with a blazing flicker in Alex's eyes. "I will swear on my life and soul, those of my parents and family, and all the honour I have that I have -not- been using you... and that I -love- you...if you need any further proof that I can give, I won't hesistate to do so."

Tyler pulls away, tucking a rogue lock of hair behind her ear. "I d-don't know what to do, Alex. I'm.. I'm just so confused. I c-can't stop thinking about you. And wuh-when I do, I fuh-feel like I g-get sick to muh-my stomach."

Tyler sniffles and wipes her sleeve across her eyes.

"Why...?" Jade whispers, softly, fearful, that much clear in his eyes, his tone. His arms fall to his side, and he visibly sags.

Tyler runs her hand fully through her hair. "I don't know!" she cries. "I.. Get stupid." She wrinkles her nose and looks to him, her cheeks shiney with tears. "Is that love?" she asks softly.

Jade's own eyes carry the misty sheen of moisture as he replies, very softly, arms rising to hug his chest. "No one can answer that question except for you, Wendy... I wouldn't presume to try." His eyes fall. "If...it's time you need..."

Tyler sits down. "I thuh-think about you cuh-constantly. My stomach knots up, muh-my hands start to sweat. I've.. Nobody huh-has ever.." She sighs, frustrated. She buries her face in her hands. "I'm so confused," she whimpers.

Jade's brow furrows, lips again rippling. Now, like the inexorable bursting of an overstrained dam, tears start to streak down his own cheeks and he steps forward, kneeling, quickly. Then a beat, as his eyes dart over Tyler, he thinks of what he can do. His lips, hitherto rippling as their shape is kept in check, part, but no words emerge. A moment more, and he swallows, reaches out with one hand to gently tug away Tyler's hands. Another beat, and he reaches to cup her face with his free hand.

Tyler looks up to him. Her eyes are helpless and afraid as she regards him.

Jade leans forward, head tilting slightly to one side, his tear-filled eyes on hers until the last moment, slowly enough that she can pull away if she desires, lips parting to kiss...

There is no resistance. In fact, she leans forward and into it, kissing him tenderly on the lips. Her eyes close as her heart starts to pound in her ears.

Jade leans further forward, other hand sliding to be placed around Tyler's waist, the first still cupping the girl's face. Pressing now close to her, his muscles detense, he relaxes, shifting, the fear of rejection passing, and the intensity of his desire burning behind his already closed eyes.

Tyler places her hand on his chest, and pushes gently. "Wait.." she says, pulling out of the kiss.

Jade's passion broken on the moment of release and relief, he pulls back, brow rippling, but resisting the temptation to knot once more in fear. He does not speak but, almost breathless, keeps his eyes on those of Tyler, and waits.

Tyler's own breathing is coming in heaves. "This is.. all so.. overwhelming.." She blushes a bright crimson.

Jade's lips shimmer into something like a smile, then part as he whispers, "You're not kidding... but look Wendy..." He swallows, frowns, looks down as he goes on, taking her hands between his, clasped. "This is possibly bigger for you than it is for me, because it's all so new, not because we feel differently... so it's all your speed, your calls...I'm not expressing this well..." He exhales, looks up again to her eyes. "What I'm trying to say is, it's in your hands."

Tyler reaches up and touches his face, smiling. "You're v-very sweet to me, Alex." She leans back. "Wuh-we had a big d-discussion in the Wuh-ward room l-last night. I'm.. Thuh-thinking of resigning from S-s-starfleet.

Jade shifts his position onto one knee, better to remain there without discomfort for the duration of the discussion, brow rippling back into a frown even as he does so. Still, he think before speaking. "I know you feel you don't belong... but you -are- needed here. If anyone can figure out the mystery of the Anomaly, it's you. -But-... you should always go with your heart. And if you don't want to stay here any more... then rather than choosing misery..."

Tyler shakes her head. "I d-don't like Admiral Suh-sinclaire any more. I used to. B-but yesterday, wuh-when she admitted that shuh-she had planned on.. kuh.. kuh..kuh-killing you.. It chuh-changed the way I see Starfleet." She looks to her hands and sighs.

Jade takes the report as old news, nodding gently. "I can guess... but..." Alex pauses, then draws a breath, as if thinking through what he is about to say. "But when I spoke to her, then heard what she planned to do, I was enraged. Not because of the evil of her intentions - the Romulans, Klingons, Ferengi, all of them - have done far worse. It was because it's such a deviation from what the Federation stands for. I guess what I'm trying to say is... don't change your perception of Starfleet because of one Admiral, in the same way you don't start hating the sea after one rough crossing. You have the measure of her now, we all do..." He peters out, sniffs, looks down, shrugging his brows and shaking his head. "Can't believe I'm defending Starfleet..."

Tyler chuckles and wipes her eyes again. "I cuh-can't believe it either. You'd huh-have been a good officer." She sniffles. "You should reapply."

"I gave my word I wouldn't leave the Station... and I couldn't leave you..." Jade reaches out again to cup Tyler's face, just plain needing that contact. "Besides... I somehow doubt they'd have me, or that I'd fit in. But look, this isn't about me, it's about you..." He regards her soberly, closing his mouth for a moment and breathing softly. "Just know that one Admiral doesn't make a fleet... and that your Commander Balin is a better man than you knew. He saved my life, Wendy..."

Tyler shifts in her chair, somewhat. "He's nuh-never treated me wuh-well.."

"I think that he might just have associated you with Sinclaire... I don't know... but he cares about life, and he saved mine, and far more importantly, that of the artifact. She was going to..." Jade tails off, that last sentence carrying a little more power, some anger, which is released in a breath as he cuts the statement short, waves it off. Sniffs. "Well, perhaps that will change now. We'll see." The hazel of his eyes still holds with Tyler's. "Are... you going to be alright?"

**Tyler**

Her long, straight straw-blonde hair is tied back in a floppy ponytail. Her blue eyes are the color of ice, the sparkle of youth still entrenched there. Her nose is a slender slope, bracketed by high cheekbones and a very attractive smile. She tends to blush a lot. She's pretty, and has an attractive figure, but she looks.. Well, she looks a little young.

She is wearing a tailored, durable black jumpsuit over a blue turtleneck undershirt. Along the collar is a single circular gold pip. The shoulders of the jumpsuit are padded with a medium grey ribbed material and a single blue stripe encircles each cuff. A stylized silver chevron on a matte gold rectangle is attached to the upper left side of the jumpsuit, just below the shoulderpadding. The legs of the jumpsuit are fitted snugly over a pair of polished black halfboots via stirrups.

Tyler is carrying the following:

Comm Pin.

Tyler nods quickly. "I think so. It's b-been a very confusion few weeks f-for me, though."

Jade also nods, more slowly, lips curling into a smile. "Good." Both hands fall to Tyler's, clasping them again. "Good."

Tyler sniffles again. "I shuh-should be getting on duty.. I thuh-think I'm late as it is."

"Alright." Alex releases Tyler's hands, shifts back. "I'll be around if you need to talk, whatever you decide about... about us." He rises, almost wearily, and extends a hand downwards to help the Ensign up, a purely gentle smile borne on his face. "Or anything."

Tyler nods gently. "I'll see you soon.."

Jade retracts the hand, then steps backwards. Then turns, what concern still lies in his heart, covered, and warmed in any case. He reaches the door, hits the exit pad, then half turns. "Fare well, love. I'll be thinking about you." And then Alex steps outside.