Lt. Commander Yogan Yalu — Lik dis if u cry evertim

[Talos Dakora]

I thought this one was really well done by @Yalu. 

Due to an encounter with a telepathic hivemind entity a year or so ago, Yogan and Talos swapped bodies for a few days. As a result, the Yalu symbiont has a snapshot of Talos' consciousness as it was at that time as a "host' of sorts. 

I really appreciated the call back to a long-running plot thread between the two characters in this scene where Talos is afflicted by an unknown contaminant that's causing the locals and those with extra-sensory abilities to lose control and be driven to destroy anything and everything.


================SIM================

(( Turyon Planet Hopper, Tecra, Da’al ))

With the up-and-down escape underway, Yogan overheard Jones enlisting Hallia in his plan to test the stasis field theory. Occasionally, when he was certain they wouldn’t be fired upon, he glanced back over his shoulder to watch what they were doing. If this method worked, they’d need to implement it on a citywide scale, so Yogan tried to at least grasp the underlying scientific principles.

Jones: ::consulting his tricorder:: Right, so the frequency we'll need is an oscillation between 34.8 MHz and 22.2 MHz. Is there broadcast transmitter array on this vessel, or will we need to go somewhere else?

Dakora: How far away is this place? ::He grimaced.:: I'm doing... I'm doing real bad back here.

The interruption was uncharacteristic. Talos wasn’t usually a complainer. The Betazoid’s pained expression masked a roiling emotional state just beneath the surface.

Yalu: What can we do for him?

MacKenzie: I can’t recommend another dose of Lexorin – he’s already agitated and I think at this point additional drugs might only make it worse…

Jones: ::quietly to Yellir:: If he's willing to cooperate and hold still, we can do a short-range test on him.

Yellir: Respectfully doctor, I don’t think he’s in a cooperative mood. I’d feel safer if Lieutenant Osuna held him down and we tried the device on him. But that’s not exactly an ethical solution.

The thought of restraining Talos struck Yogan unexpectedly hard. He’d heard some of what Talos and MacKenzie went through as Klingon prisoners. It was grim and it was hard to listen to, but it wasn’t personal. This felt different.

Yogan had never figured out what to do with the memories of “Talos Yalu” that existed inside his symbiont. Only recently had he started thinking of Talos as more similar to his other hosts than different. His first step toward reconciling the effects of a terrible accident of Cytarian technology had yielded some positive results.

But now, as everyone discussed experimenting on Talos and holding him down, Yogan regretted blurring that boundary. He felt like they were talking about him, Yogan, and it was too weird.

Yalu: No. Let’s not do that if we can avoid it.

Osuna: Lieutenant? Talk us through it – what are you experiencing? Do you have control?

Thankfully, Osuna stepped up and got Talos’ attention. But not in a good way. Talos eyed Osuna’s phaser.

Dakora: Give it to me. 

Yogan’s hand shook as his thumb slid over the trigger of his sidearm.

Osuna: Sit down, Lieutenant.

MacKenzie rose from her seat and addressed Dakora directly. Given their strong professional relationship, and their awkward personal one, MacKenzie had the greatest odds of getting Talos to remain focused.

MacKenzie: Lieutenant Dakora, I order you to stand down.

Jones: Nearly there…

Yellir: I’m improving the power distribution systems so the device doesn’t burn out halfway through using it. Hopefully it doesn’t erupt into sparks when we use it.

Osuna: ::To MacKenzie::  Captain, permission to restrain Lieutenant Dakora?

MacKenzie: I think that would be wi-

Dakora lunged forward and grabbed at Osuna's phaser. Osuna stepped backwards but, given the craft’s small size, there was nowhere else for him to retreat. Dakora's hands closed around Osuna’s wrist.

Dakora: It's MINE!

MacKenzie: Stand down!

Yogan hesitated. He’d never fully given himself permission to process the slush of memories, and this was the consequence. He couldn’t shoot Talos, because it felt too much like shooting a part of himself. Time slowed and Yogan’s vision grew narrow. This wasn’t good. If not dereliction of duty, it was at the very least a “referral to the counselor”-level of unprofessionalism. Osuna butted the side of Talos’ face with his elbow. Yogan winced as if he felt the blow land on his own cheek.

Osuna: I said–

Dakora: I NEED IT.

Using his free hand, Osuna grabbed Talos’ wrist and twisted it backwards to free his phaser. The two stumbled sideways, knocking over a small crate, which clattered to the ground.  Everything happened so quickly. Yogan watched numbly as Osuna tussled with Talos. The sound of Yogan’s heartbeat drowned out the sound of smashing crates and bodies being flung over seat backs. 

Osuna: Last chance, Lieutenant. Sit down.

Dakora: Do... It...

The blur cleared instantly when the weapons fire charged the air with energy. Yogan felt like he’d just emerged from a bad dream. Talos lay unconscious on the floor of the craft and Osuna immediately checked on him.

Osuna: Dammit…   ::To Jones::  Make sure he’s alright.

Yogan didn’t notice—or maybe he purposely ignored—a tear running from the corner of his eye down his cheek and into his muddy, cakey beard.

MacKenzie: Well, I don’t know about all of you, but I’ve had enough excitement for one day.

Jones: Took the words from my mouth, sir.

Yellir: I’m looking forward to a long sonic shower when we’re back.

Erbil: Not much more hopping left. ::to Teolin:: Grandpapa used to fly these old birbs during my conscripted service days. ::beat:: That’s when I met your grandmama.

 

TBC