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The Muse Chapter 14
Tom
You're probably wondering why, if you were reading my log about my adventures in the past, there has been no further entry in such a long while.
There's one reason for that, and one only.
Chakotay.
I can't say much here. Hell, I can't say much of anything, anywhere these days.
The upshot of it all is that Har...my old ...friend...helped Chakotay to figure out the device and I got a one way ticket home late one night while Travis was asleep. I didnt even have the chance to say g'bye.
Everything about that 'incident' as Captain Chakotay calls it, is classified. That means I can't share it with anyone, I can't publicize any more of it than was already out there...
At least, not here.
There is one thing I can do though, and I am doing that, and hang the consequences.
Baby, if you're reading this...I want you to know I didn't just run out on you. I didn't want to leave and I am trying to find a way back.
I guess the same restrictions must have been applied to you and the crew of enterprise as have been on me. I can't find anything in the archives my clearance gives me access to that even hints at our time together.
I know it happened, I know it was real...but memories are not much comfort ...
TM I...miss you.
Tom
Chakotay
My office is quiet this late at night. It is a time when I can have the time to think. To be alone, without the hundred and one little interruptions and issues of the Alpha shift to disturb the peace. I’ve heard many captains say that that the Gamma shift is their own time. Most captains like to be rostered on to it. I’m no exception to that rule.
I will admit that the situation with Tom is on my mind a lot recently. Not only because he keeps it in my face on a daily basis, but because it was a situation when I had to trust my instincts. I couldn’t turn to any other captain for assistance, because, as far as I know no other captain has faced quite this set of circumstances…no living captain, anyway. Archer, Kirk - Those two may have understood something of the dilemma I was in.
Then there was the other man involved in this whole sorry mess. Daniels. I’d only met him the once, briefly, when he’d managed to spirit Tom right out from under my nose. Who he was, or where he came from, I’d never been able to ascertain. Thomas can be damned stubborn at times, usually to his own detriment. His refusal to divulge anything more about Daniels was a part of what led to his current situation. He’s grounded, pretty much under house arrest in his apartment, tailed whenever he leaves it, and suffering it all with his usual stubborn and vitriolic attitude. He refuses to speak to me beyond what is absolutely necessary.
Shaking my head, I get up from my desk and move to the replicator, order green tea, sip it. It has little flavour for me of late, but the habit is there. I always drink green tea when I think. I fleetingly toy with the idea of trying to see Tom again. Even this late, I have reason to suspect he’d be awake, but our last meeting - let’s just say, it didn’t go well and leave it at that.
“Captain Chakotay?”
Startled I spin around from the replicator, almost drop my cup of tea, and manage to splash the scalding liquid over my hand. Cursing, I move to my desk, snatch up a napkin left there from my earlier meal and mop the hot liquid away, studying the injury for a moment.
“How the hell did you get in here?” I turn to my visitor with a growl. “Don’t you know how to use a doorchime? Besides…”
“I’m sorry, Captain, I didn’t realize you were holding a hot beverage, but I had to see you, and - a conventional entrance was not advisable, considering who I am.
I look at him, narrowing my eyes. He seems familiar. Where have I seen that face before? Then, memory dawns. The restraints clicking around Tom’s wrists, something odd in Tom’s posture, a sudden tension.
“What are you doing?” I stepped forward as the man who had called himself Lieutenant Daniels laid a hand on Tom’s shoulder, made some adjustment to the restraints. My instincts prickled. There was something very wrong here. “Stop!” I said, my tone commanding, but before I could do anything else, there was a sudden, blinding flash of blue light, a percussion on the air that sent both myself and my security officer reeling I was momentarily stunned. When I came to my senses Tom, and Daniels were gone.
“You’re…”
“Lieutenant Commander Paul Daniels, sir.”
I snort. “You’ve gained a promotion or two since the last time we met.”
“Actually, that time, I used a fake rank. It didn’t seem quite appropriate to use my own for that meeting.” His expression is vaguely amused. I suppose he feels justified in that. He’d managed to hoodwink me that time. I watch him, wary, waiting to see what stunts he's going to pull this time.
“Do you…mind if we sit?” he moves towards a chair. “What I have to say may take some time.”