Doctor Ijo Alea: Making a Choice

[Drex0379]

Parallel universes always show us reality from very different points of view. But some things remain unchanged, like the feelings of two soul mates @Oddas Aria 

 

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(( Science Directorate, Shai Bel ))

It was a bright day on the mountain - she was 18 and in love.  She had convinced Aria they needed to clear their heads, and a hike was a way to do it.  Aria had always been the better student, acing her exams but much more worried about the upcoming competition for the Command Track slots at the Military Academy.  Alea was just hoping to get into one of the Archeological tracks that were offered every year, and that the funding would not be cut as was rumored.

Aria grabbed the PADD she had smuggled onto the hike, a history of the Conquest and Occupation of Cardassia, and run ahead, teasing Alea about brining homework on the hike.  She was dangling it over the edge when Alea's world had ended.  The rock face disappeared out from under them - Aria had gone from smiling to terrified in an instant.  There was screaming, and it took her several seconds before Alea realized it was emanating from her throat.  

Then darkness, then her mother sitting beside her, sobbing, a hospital bed some days later and a blur as she was told Aria - the only person who had ever mattered to her was dead.

Now, there she was - the same blonde hair, and stern face the she knew given the right reason could explode into a smile of laughter, the same inquisitive look, the same brooding facade, the same confusion and wrinkle of her glabella.

Alea's throat was dry.  Was this some sort of trick?  Was the Colonel trying to trick her by bringing back this dead visage of her sister?  An illusion? A shapeshifter?

oO No, they are all dead - we made sure of that. Oo

The woman - Aria - was not alone, and neither was she, Alea had to say something.

Ijo:  ::softly:: You're dead.....

It was all she could manage, looking down at them.  She did not recognize the others either - a Denobulan, an Andorian, others - all looking like escapees from the slave pens.  She gulped.

Drex: Sir? 

Vahin: Who is she?

They were looking at Aria for direction, who was looking as distraught as she was - was this part of the ruse?  Was it possible that Aria hadn't died?  Would Ushow have been so cruel?  No - would the General have been so cruel?

She shook her head, no that didn't make sense - she had seen the body.

Oddas: ::barely whispering:: Please,  ::stammering, more loudly:: Please, please we can explain ...

She went for the direct route, suddenly aware One was right next to her.

  
Ijo: ::shuddering:: Is this a trick, a loyalty exam?

Drex: We need to find a safer place, sir… 

oO Sir? Some sort of command structure? The Resistance? Oo

Vahin: ::to Oddas:: I agree with the Lt Drex. I still have medication I need to administer.

Oddas: We don't know, but we will explain everything.

Alea started moving towards the stairwell - and towards the munition locker.  It wasn't as heavily stocked as the armory, but they might need to deal with the occasional worker that got out of line, so it had several phasers.  She pulled out a rifle, just in case.  The group with the Aria woman were moving about.  

Drex: Sir. :: He tried to get the Commodore’s attention once more :: we are an easy target here… we need to move.

Vahin: ::sighs:: Why have we stopped here? She might raise the alarm at any time.

Drex: She is loyal to your sister, Sir. We cannot trust her… :: His voice was on the edge of a begging ::

That hurt Alea in the heart.  

Vahin: At least we got away from that group that was following us.

Suddenly, another door on an upper Balcony opened, in storming in the Vorta assigned to the block and three trailing Jem'Hadar solders.  He saw her began barking out orders.

Vorta: Doctor, at what poin...

Before she could point out that his authority ended at the walls of the Security Directorate, at least on paper, he stopped and caught sight of the newcomers.

Vorta: You're under arrest, don't move!

The fact they were evidently under orders not to shoot and kill on sight was a welcome sign, and interesting - but she turned and looked at Aria, or the woman who looked exactly like her - and that's all she could think about.  

oO Aria .... Oo

She was making a decision, gripping her rifle, when the Bolian in the group yelled out, precipitating a response.
 
Vahin: MURDERERS!

The Bolian fired, and Alea took a chance - for only the 3rd time outside a ranch - she fired her rifle.  She fired over and over, twice at the Jem'Hadar first before diving behind cover, some equipment that had been stacked up.  

Any: Response
 
Vahin: MUR...der...ers
 
Alea fired again, searching for the Vorta - knowing that if she could hit him, it would cause fewer short term consequences.  Shooting meant she had already made her decision, how far she was willing to go to protect this Aria look alike was really the only real question now.

The Vorta yelled out, he had been hit.

Oddas: Cease fire!  Cease Fire!

She didn't know what was going on, Aria was yelling out as if she were in control.

Any: Response

A last blast fired out in the direction of the newcomers.

Vahin: ::wipes his eyes:: Sorry. ::softly:: I’m so sorry.

Any: Response

Alea moved over to where One was standing, and held her rifle steady but not quite aiming at him.  The truth was, she kind of liked the Remmillian, but he was fairly replaceable.  She also knew he was much more ideological than she was.

Ijo: I need you to make a choice.

One/Any: Response

Oddas: ::sternly:: Then we can tie you up somewhere.  ::to the Doctor:: Tend to the wounded.  Secure the area.

Any: Response

Ijo: ::nodding, then to Oddas :: Tell me I didn't just throw away my life for nothing.

Oddas: ::reaching out a hand gently:: Are you ... ?

Ijo:  Doctor Ijo Alea, Director of the Science Directorate.

Oddas:  Commodore Oddas Aria, Starfleet.  I think we should talk.

Any: Response

TAG, TBC

((OOC: Sorry for the length ....))

Doctor Ijo Alea

Director, Science Directorate

Shai Bel Expedition

simmed by

Commodore Oddas Aria

Commanding Officer

Denali Station

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