appreciations Lt. Silveira: I thanked a CloQ and all I got was old trauma and a deaging face-lift.

[Theo Whittaker]

This is simply superb. @Vitor S. Silveira has written one of the most emotionally affecting posts I've seen since I've been here. Bravo!

 

--

 

((CloQ’s Realm))

 

They were taken. Again. And this time to the Lions Den itself.

Confronting CloQ Vitor stood his ground opening his heart to the creature, explaining his thank you that appeared to have caught the powerful being by surprise.

 

Silveira: It made me again realise how I need to improve. To better myself so I can help my Commodore, my comrades. ::Vitor's smile widden:: My family. So your failed entertainment was another growing process for me. Because…

 

Vitor tilted his head and opened his arms, waving them around.

 

Silveira: I mean, someone as powerful as yourself at least has to serve some purpose.

If it wasn’t for that you were insignificant.

 

That must have struck a nerve with CloQ.

He began to tower over Vitor menacingly.

It looked like a fantasy tale, where the powerful wizard rose against the insignificant mortal that took his stand against him.

Jor shot Vitor a look of incredulity.

 

Vitor wasn’t sure how CloQ was going to react, but he offered Jor a reassuring smile and a nod.

 

CloQ: Insignificant? I? How fundamentally ridiculous. I will show you how insignificant you are, you little worm. You pustule, you snivelling little gnome.

 

CloQ’s angry tirade almost brought Vitor a smile. If it wasn’t the concerns he now had about them.

 

Tiberius: Sil, please stop.

 

Calmly Vitor stood his ground. Speaking with a neutral tone he was serious. Most likely dead serious, as he looked up into the entity's eyes.

 

Silveira: My apologies if you consider my words an insult. That was not my intention. But truly for someone with your sort of skills, even you have to admit serving to help a mere mortal is a bit desapointing.

 

CloQ apparently ignored his words.

 

CloQ: I have quite enough of you, Vitor Silveira. Yes, I know your name. I know EVERYTHING. I know everything about you and your life. More, in fact than you do. ::they pressed their watch, freezing time around them. The away team was conscious but they could not move:: I could take years off your life, my friend, leave you a babe, mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms, or I could advance you through time, skipping over every painful interaction that you will have and leave you a frail, old man. Or perhaps, Vitor, I could warp you to that delicious agony you have yet to experience - the moment when you are assimilated. But no, that would be a spoiler. No, instead, my friend. I will allow you to grow again, to “better yourself” all over again. Remember your encounter with the Iconian? Let’s send you back then. You’ll still remember everything that’s happened since, but that trauma will be as fresh as the day you stepped out of that coma.

 

CloQ pressed down on something of his watch. Vitor was frozen in place. A feeling he knew all too well. But he kept his defiance as CloQ returned to human size again and took Vitor’s face in their hand.

 

CloQ: Tell your nightmares CloQ says hello.

 

 

 

And with that CloQ and his realm were gone.

 

((USS Excalibur-A, The Round Table - Present))

 

They were back. Vitor felt the cold back in his body, due to his short attire. He could hear the familiar voices around him.

He knew where he was.

He knew when he was.

He knew with whom he was.

 

But part of him wasn't here.

He was back in time, space… And fear.

 

In the background as a distant echo he could sense the motion of the Round Table and his comrades.

 

But he couldn't move. Like before his body didn't followed his mind. He was trapped like when he woke up.

 

He hit the ground. Like a fallen statue. But he hardly felt any pain. Only entrapment.

Like a weight all over him. A immeasurable pressure pinning him down.

Suffocating.

 

Vitor was fully conscious. Totally aware of what was happening. But ignoring it for the turmoil of surprise, fear and panic.

 

Back then, when he finally woke up, he sensed the Doctors and Nurses around him.

Now even his senses were blurry and he didn’t knew who was around him.

He wasn’t sure what they were doing to him

 

He fought for control. For movement. Trying to move. Breath. Something.

 

Every time he failed his anxiety raised. He lost track of time. He was close to give in to panic.

But he kept going. He kept fighting.

 

He kept still.

 

Bloqued.

 

Frozen.

 

Trapped.

 

He panicked.

 

He screamed. He jumped. He fought. He cried. He gave it one last desperate jolt in the middle of the panic and terror now set in his mind.

 

He jumped moving his hands, looking around. Crawling away from the others, from anyone as his mind and body still weren't yet in sink.

 

Crying, shaking as if he was in a place below zero, he saw the shapes of his comrades.

He raised his hand begging.

 

Silveira: Help me…

 

Any: ?

 

 

 

TAG/TBC

 

Lt. Vitor S. Silveira

Tactical Officer

USS Excalibur-A, NCC-41903-A

O238907VS0

[+ Vitor S. Silveira]

Thank you so much. It took a few days to write and I honestly never thought it was that good. I am glad I was wrong.