InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Wherefore art thou, Romeo?"

Christopher was as prepared as he could be for Declan Troi's visit. He'd dealt with numerous telepaths throughout his thirty year career in Starfleet and he was one of the biggest proponent of integrating new species into Starfleet. However, that didn't mean he wasn't going to take precautions. His office was spotless - the way he liked to keep it and he sat in his wheelchair ramrod straight - looking every bit as imposing as normal.

He'd suffered quite a bit of mental trauma after the Narada and the work he'd had to do at Starfleet medical after the attack had boosted his psi defences - not to mention he'd learned a trick or two over the years. He'd gone over Troi's record with a fine tooth comb and asked a few follow up questions of some of Troi's instructors. He was a ready as he could be.

When the door chimed, he cleared his mind, allowing the dull constant pain to settle back in before he called "Come in!"

He greeted Troi with a smile. "Commander Troi. It's a pleasure."

Declan smiled warmly as he walked in and offered his hand out to Admiral Pike. "It's an honor, sir, really. Such a welcome surprise to see your name on the list of travelers when I was preparing for this mission." He was well-versed in Admiral Pike's record, and with his death, and he thought the admiral was one of the most unique cases in this entire situation. Starting at the top, like this, was most welcome.

"I'm glad to be aboard the Enterprise," he said, waiting a moment and then sitting across from Pike.

"Well, no offense to the Temperance, but the Enterprise is still the best ship in the fleet." The look on his face gave no doubt as to how much he loved this ship and how proud he was that she was under Kirk's command. He adjusted his chair behind the desk. It was as intimidating as pacing the room while a cadet stood as attention, but he could still pull out the Admiral.

"It seems Starfleet's claims on its officers extend beyond death." There was was a hint of a smirk in his features before he steeled them and continued. "I'm curious about your work on the nebula, Commander. As I'm sure you're aware, we've been working on making sense of the anomaly's - I'm sure you've seen the reports from our science team. Do you have any theories as to what could be causing this?"

Declan kept his expression fairly measured as he listened to Admiral Pike, and he nodded. "Yes, I've read the reports. They've been helpful in my own research, however with the Enterprise still on its own mission, I don't think your science team has been able to conduct as much hands-on research as I've been able to. The Temperance was able to take me out to the nebula itself."

It had been an opportunity to gain valuable information about the phenomena and being here on the Enterprise was just the next step. "No theories that I'm willing to share yet, admiral." Or that he was authorized to share, but Declan suspected that Admiral Pike wouldn't want to hear that. "I'm sure your team has their own as well, don't they?"

Pike let the veiled insult about the Enterprise's science team bounce off him and focused on the present moment, grounding himself in the dull pain that was a constant in his life. "I'm sure we have more theories than travelers. But that's the nature of research. Even the most improbable explanation needs to be considered - and I'm living proof of that." He paused before focusing his gaze on Declan. "How long to do you expect to be with us, Commander?"

"The possibilities certainly are endless, yes, however there's always an explanation. It simply needs to be uncovered." Having worked with Starfleet Command for the past decade or so, Declan wasn't easily intimidated, and he also knew without reading Pike's mind that this was an interrogation. "My mission has no end date, admiral," he said simply.

He leaned forward a little. "Permission to ask a few of my own questions, sir?"

"Not yet, Commander." Pike adjusted himself in his chair causing a flare up of pain to cover his momentary annoyance. "You understand that despite my unusual circumstances, Starfleet Command has fully reinstated me to my former rank and privilege - which includes my security clearance. While Kirk is Captain of the Enterprise, as a flag officer and special advisor, I expect to be informed of anything that might interfere with this ship's crew, morale, or with the travelers aboard. Compliance that might be expected of Starfleet personnel cannot be mandated with the travelers. Although there has been some integration into our crew rosters, for the most part, they are to be treated as civilian guests. Is that clear, Commander?"

"I'm aware of your situation, sir," Declan said, working a little to get a better read on the admiral. He was making himself perfectly clear, so Declan didn't think a little prying wasn't going to turn up much. It didn't, except for the dull pain that flared up more intensely now and again. "And I have my orders as well. No one will be mistreated aboard this ship. I'm a research scientist," he continued. "I haven't conducted experiments in years."

The comment was far from reassuring. "Intent and impact can be too different things. And I'd like to request that a member of our medical team join you for your research conversations with the travelers. After all, most people aboard this ship would be unfamiliar with someone of your abilities."

"I have no intention to keep my telepathy from anyone I talk to," Declan said. "Is there a medical reason why any of the travelers, who, as you reminded me, are civilians and not part of the Enterprise crew and thus not under the same guidelines and restrictions as members of Starfleet, incapable of agreeing to a meeting with me of their own accord? Am I to understand that you don't trust them to be able to speak with me on their own behalfs, admiral?"

Oh, he was good. "Nothing of the sort, Commander. However, seeing as you've made it clear that you do not report to me, it would be thorough to have a member of our crew join you for your conversations so that they could report to our research teams. Besides, you may glean some information that may be useful to our Traveler Liaison Office or the the functionality of the Enterprise."

Declan smiled mildly. "Of course I'm happy to provide full reports to your traveler liaison office and to Captain Kirk. But I'm here to assure you and the captain that my presence here isn't to disrupt any of the Enterprise's operations or crew duties, so I can't ask that member of Starfleet, from medical or elsewhere, be diverted to my assignment."

Christopher didn't need to be a telepath to know that those 'full reports' would be highly redacted and edited. "Luckily for you we have travelers serving in our medical and science divisions who I'm sure would be more than happy to assist in such a situation, Commander. I'll make sure a roster of who's available when and their qualifications for assisting you gets sent to you as soon as possible. Now, was there anything else?"

Declan said nothing for a moment and then inclined his head. "I thought I might ask how you're enjoying this second chance at life, sir."

"I'm making the most out of every opportunity Commander."

"Are you concerned that this opportunity might end without warning the way it has for others? That's what I mean by saying you're a unique case, admiral. You are from this universe and, it would seem, the only to return from the dead having already lived here."

"It's a possibility. Then again, we might hit an asteroid field or encounter a hostile ship on the next shift. Life and stability is never a given in Starfleet. We know the risks and the dangers when we sign up and this is simply one more variable in my existence."

Of course Declan knew that, but he also wasn't the type of Starfleet officer to take those sort of risks. "Then you'd say your reaction to being brought here, back from the dead, is to continue living the exact same way you were previously?"

"Starfleet and its mission continue to be my top priority, Commander."

"Noted, admiral." Declan smiled. "Was there anything else you needed, sir?"

"Not at this moment, Commander. Don't let me keep you."