[2010: JAN-FEB] "Fragments"

Toni · January 26, 2010

"Fragments"

Posted for Lt Jg Thomas Gregory

"My name is Zackarias. In two hundred and forty one years I have

lived on countless worlds, in countless cultures and one thing I've

discovered is it's all simply the same. I travel through matter...

through space... through the ludicrous notion of linear and non

linear time and I come upon the same conclusions to the same

equations. It's been a grueling experience, my life. I have worked

the past thirty one years on my last project. It is a complex set of

equations to create a temporal bomb with the destructive capability to

end the universe. If upon completion there is still something out

there I hope my last accomplishment provides them with a glimmer of

the fragility of existence."

The video was paused and up walked the Admiral. "This is Zackarias

Miyaxerses, he's an Augment, a smart and dangerous [...]."

Commander Bacchus was sitting in a chair against the side of the

conference room to the left. He crossed his right leg and placed it on

his left then began. "He's from the 24th century, born on Earth but

that's all we know. Our profile shows him to be over two hundred

years. He's threatened to destroy the universe, it's our department’s

job to catch him before he makes good on his threat."

The Admiral walked back over to the screen and resumed the video.

"I realize there are certain 'safeguards' in place that will attempt

to restrict my actions. I would only request that you send someone who

can get the job done. I have little time to waste on the disposing of

Amateurs. Make no mistake I will be aware of anything you do no matter

'when' you decide to do it."

The video was paused once more and the Admiral ordered the original

lighting resumed. He walked to the conference table and sat in the

chair at the head. "After requesting authorization we were granted

permission to operate a 'subdue and restrict' operation. Our target is

the Augment Scientist."

Commander Bacchus brought the PADD in front of him up and tossed it on

the table. "This mission is singular; we've gotten the codes from the

highest levels of the brass upstairs. No other group will be involved

in this highly delicate operation. You all have your information and

we will be running simulation drills over the next three weeks.

Dismissed!"

The three other officers stood quickly and filed orderly out of the

conference room. The Commander rubbed his temples and sat back in his

chair. "We're making a mistake by sending Sam. He's gone through too

much already... he's liable too-"

"Sam is our best officer and has a flawless track record. He is the

best choice for this assignment." interrupted the Admiral. There was a

clearly discernable amount of tension between the two men. This issue

was controversial and usually ended with inconclusive but very heated

philosophical debate.

"He's not well, all you have to do is talk to the man and you see it!

You see it in his eyes!" Bacchus continued.

"You speak of him like that again I will hold you up on charges of

insubordination. Sam was given a full evaluation - like he's given

during every debriefing - and the evaluations say-" Debates tended to

often conclude at this impasse.

"The evaluations are WRONG." The Commander stood and the Admiral

grabbed his arm standing as well.

"You are over the line Bacchus! You want to make trouble for a

decorated operative? You want to question policy? You want to make a

philosophical point? Do it in writing! Now get out of my sight." The

Admirals hand left the Commanders shoulder. He turned and looked out

the window as Bacchus walked out without taking a breath.

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"Case File 21934A1 - Subject Codename "***" - playback from first

entry." The video log of events began as the screen showed an old

Victorian house. The video had a perfect view of the front porch. For

over 3 hours Sam watched the recording in disbelief. Every time he

went back over the events of the past hour he sat dumbfounded. "It's

not true. I don't believe it." Sam spun around in his chair and put

his face in his hands. His head dropped as his last shreds of clarity

vanished and the man began to weep in a horrified confusion.

Several feet away from Sam lay the body of Commander Bacchus. He lay

seated on the floor his back slumped against the wall of the office.

His head hung forward. His eyes were open and stared lifelessly at the

ground. For several minutes nothing happened.

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"I don't know what you're talking about!" Sam yelled at Bacchus.

"I'm talking Sam! About the video! We've got the proof! It's being

passed along the chain of command as we speak; you've got to listen to

me! Let me help you Sam!" Bacchus approached Sam with his hands up.

"Stay back! Don't come any closer, you hear?"

"Bacchus looked down and closed his eyes for a moment and then stopped

in the middle of the room. "You want to see the proof Sam? Do you want

to understand why I need to help you? It's right there on the

computer. I can show you-" Bacchus moved towards the computer. Sam was

shaking and his eyes kept going from the screen to the door.

"-I said that's far enough!" and Sam lunged at Bacchus. Bacchus wasn't

taken completely by surprise and was able to back up before Sam

grabbed him. From the corner of his eye he saw the computer signal the

program could begin playback. He couldn't wait any longer and so he

yelled "computer begin-"

Sam grabbed the letter opener from the desk and tackled him into the

wall. He felt the opener break skin and held his arm across the

Commanders chest. The security logged video of a horrific sight. Sam

stumbled backwards letting go off Bacchus who fell back into the wall,

slumping down until he was seated bleeding out on the floor of the

office. Sam stumbled as he stepped backward and landed in the chair.

It spun around as he grabbed the console.

The screen read "Case File 21934A1 - Subject Codename "***" - playback

from first entry."

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Sam closed the front door of the car he procured. Since "Zackarias"

had been operating a double life he was able to provide methods of

transportation that offered the most stimuli. Sam leaned against the

car and closed his eyes for a moment. He looked up at the second sun.

The planet moved around at such an odd angle. Around 1300 hours the

afternoon began to fade into evening but then a strange second mid day

began and lasted for several hours before the planets spin causes the

second sun to set quickly. Sam looked back down at the PADD he held.

It didn't look familiar, just another assignment.

Sam starting bringing up the files and the door to the shack opened.

Bacchus stormed out quickly towards Sam. When we got about two meters

from Sam he stopped and looked around.

"I'm glad you reported back. Come inside." Bacchus was trying to hide

something from Sam. His voice was highly trained but Sam was good at

looking for the telltale signs that he's being lied to. For as long as

he could remember he made a living by knowing a deception. He double

tapped on the Padd and put it back in his case. He held the case up in

front of him and as he looked directly at Bacchus he snapped the case

shut.

"I came as soon as I got your message." Sam said with a neutral

expression as he walked past the Commander inside. The Commander

turned and walked bewildered after him. The inside connected to a

complex where Investigations was operating a small research and

control station. They eventually entered a small office with a

computer console in the center. The console had a chair on wheels

facing it.

"I'm afraid a serious error has been committed and a terrible burden

inflicted upon you Sam. We've kept you in the field too long, too many

missions. It's starting to affect your memory, your personality and

your life. For your mental wellbeing I'm pulling you from this

assignment." Bacchus looked so sincere standing there in front of him.

Sam knew the best poker faces and could spot the most unconscious

flinches. The Commander didn't give him any signal so Sam paced for a

moment.

"You're good Commander, one of the best. I almost believed you there,

but we both know I have a job to complete." Sam stopped pacing and

stood facing him.

"You're job is over, you don't even know what you're doing do you?"

The Commander looked Sam hard in the eye.

"My duty…"

"You're losing perspective Sam!"

"I've got to take you in Zackarias. The Admiral informed me of your

plans and I'm afraid you are out of time."

"Zackarias? Think hard Sam, about what you did to the Admiral."

"We spoke at the rendezvous point."

"Madison St?"

"You aren't supposed to know that information."

"If I'm such an excellent mad scientist then why wouldn't I Sam?"

"The Admiral said you'd try to confuse me. But I know who you are!"

"The Admiral wasn't even there Sam! You want to know what happened. I

found the Admiral. He was dead, laying face on the ground in an old

house on Madison St. You killed him Sam. You had an argument and you

killed him."

"You're trying to confuse me! Stop talking and stay back."

The Commander went over to the computer and put his hand on the

screen. "It's right here Sam, you just have to watch. The video of

you! You walked out of Madison St by yourself; there was no one with

you!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Sam yelled at Bacchus.

"I'm talking Sam! About the video! We've got the proof! It's being

passed along the chain of command as we speak; you've got to listen to

me! Let me help you Sam!" Bacchus approached Sam with his hands up.

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Sam spoke quietly into his PADD as he sat in front of Zackarias.

"My name is Sam. I work for Temporal Investigations. If we've met,

we've likely met before."

"For as long as I remember I've tracked down dangerous threats and

neutralized them for the Greater Good…"

"My latest assignment is Zackarias. This report will illustrate the

newfound facts of the case and will serve as a reminder of the course

I will follow to the end. It seems that Commander Bacchus is Zackarias

and will be the next target to be neutralized. I've come around to the

idea that something encompassing like 'time' should not be permitted

to be 'policed'. Therefore I have decided of my own free will to carry

out a complete sterilization of what many term 'the universe'."

Sam looked at the clock on the wall. It read 0200. He set the PADD 20

minutes ahead and placed it in his silver case. He grabbed his phaser

and case.

Sam stood up and vaporized the remains of the deceased Zackarias

Miyaxerses. He tugged on his shirt and walked to the door. He exited

the small bunker and walked to the first mode of transportation he

could find. It would be mid day soon. Sam stopped at the first car and

got inside. Sam drove for almost 20 minutes before he arrived at

Commander Bacchus's staging area.