Chapter 5
DARK SECRETS OF A TRILL
(Two and a half years ago before the event took place)
(U.S.S. Olympus)
(Deck 4-5, turbolift)
(Stardate: 84253.12)
Michael was in the turbolift with Trixie after going to the Holodeck to re-enact a TV show that they both had watched.
“Michael, remind me again on why is it that, you seem to be playing female leads everytime?” asks Trixie.
Michael looked at Trixie and he gave a smile.
“Oh Sweety, come on? Do you really see yourself kissing that guy that many times with that lazy eye thing” responds Michael with a grin on his face.
Trixie looked at Michael, and thought about it.
She turns away from looking at him.
“You got a point there, I don’t think I could look past that” says Trixie.
Michael smiled even harder, but Trixie had a grin on her face. Michael was puzzled by why she was smiling.
“But you have to admit you do have weird taste for men” states Trixie.
Michael shocked with what she has said.
Just has he opened his mouth to respond back to what Trixie has said.
“Bridge to Markus?” says Braydon through the ship’s speaker system.
Michael moves his hand over to his commbadge and taps it.
“Markus here, what’s seems to be issue?” says Michael.
“Michael, there is an incoming transmission from a Trill scientist from the Planet Cheldor V” responds Braydon.
“Transfer the transmission to our quarters, I’ll be there shortly, Markus out.” says Michael.
Michael looks at Trixie, “Sorry Sweety, want to catch up later for lunch?” asks Michael
Trixie smiles and nods to his question, “Sure thing. Let me know when, I have a few appointments that are happening before lunch. Give me a buzz and I will let you know if we are free still.” replies Trixie.
“Deal. Computer re-route turbolift to Deck 3” requesting Michael.
Turbolift begins to slow down and softly shifts into a different direction.
Michael turns to Trixie and give her a hug and a soft kiss on the cheek.
Trixie gives a soft kiss back on the cheek as well.
The turbolift doors open up to Deck 3.
Michael slowly moves away from Trixie after giving her a hug and a kiss, and begins to walk out of the turbolift towards his quarters.
Approaching the quarters of his and Braydon’s, Michael was curious at who could be asking for him. Especially since he doesn’t know of any Trill scientist on Cheldor V, or know of any scientist that knows him.
Walking through the doors of his quarters, he walks towards his desk with a wall monitor display on the desk.
He taps the console to activate the transmission.
The image on the monitor displayed an elder Trill man who looks like he is 85 years of age, with grey hair. He is sitting in chair sipping from a glass. From the looks of it, it looks like a coffee or tea beverage.
“Counsellor Markus I presume?” says the elderly trill man.
Michael gathered his composure as he usually does. “Yes, this is Counsellor Markus, may I ask who is this?” asks Michael.
“Where are my manners? My name is Doctor Jilura Vek, I need your assistance?” responds Jilura.
He places his glass down on the table next to him.
“My assistance?” asks Michael.
Michael shifted a little bit from where he stood. He liked the idea of standing rather than sitting, it made me irritable.
“I require your assistance, your unbiased assistance.” replies Jilura.
“I am not sure I follow what you mean Doctor Vek?” says Michael.
Please Counsellor, call me Jilura, I dislike formalities of titles. Makes me feel like I’m too old.” Says Jilura.
“Ok…. Jilura, if you insist on this that you can call me Michael. But again why do you required my unbiased assistance?” says Michael.
“Well for a trill you sure have an odd first name? Is it an Earth name?” asks Jilura.
Michael was starting to feel uncomfortable with these lines of question that this doctor was asking about, he had a feeling that there was more to it than just a friendly chat, but he knew that until he had all the facts, he wasn’t going to be disrespectful.
“Yes, it is. My parent wanted to start a new life for themselves and of course, when they had me they wanted to give me a name that was different with meaning. But I’m guessing that my unbiased assistance has nothing to do with my earth name, doctor?” replies Michael.
“You are a very smart and quick to the point there Michael, so I will get to the point. I need your assistance for an operation?” says Jilura.
“An operation? I’m sorry but I still don’t quite follow? says Michael.
“You see, I need your assistance to oversee a new candidate for my host. I want to make sure that this candidate is suitable for my replacement.” states Jilura.
Michael’s hands began to sweat and tingle. He knows something isn’t right with this. So he quickly pulled out his PADD and quickly looked up on the doctor, to see what and who he really is.
As he was typing away on the PADD to search up Doctor Jilura Vek. “Right.. And who is this candidate that you are wanting me to oversee? asks Michael.
Michael keep the look of someone professional while he gather his information.
“The candidate is you.” replies Jilura.
Michael stopped moving just as Jilura said who the candidate was. The PADD display screen had the information about Doctor Jilura Vek.
The PADD showed, “Doctor Jilura Vek, born on Stardate -527.700, educated in Genetic Manipulation on Trill. Published theoretical hypothesis of Technological Genetic Manipulation. Was deregistered as Doctor with the Trill Homeworld for reckless endangerment of life when experimenting on Borg technology in his field of Genetics. Exiled from Trill society.
Michael slowly looked up. “Doctor Vek are you asking me to go against Trill tradition and against the Symbiosis Commission rules as well? says Michael in stern voice.
Jilura knew the ruse was up. He knew that Michael was very smart at what he does.
“I won’t lie to you, Michael, but……” says Jilura until he was interrupted with Michael saying. “Counsellor Markus, Doctor Vek!” says Michael with a deep stern voice that he used previously.
Jilura stopped speaking. He looked at Michael with a glare. Michael quickly thought of what possible reason for why this man would ask him to assistance him in an unbiased operation in overseeing the candidate which is himself of course.
“You want me to be your candidate for your symbiont for an illegal joining.” asks Michael.
Jilura was becoming more impressed with Michael’s quick thinking and ability to see through things.
“Honestly, I am asking you to go against them. I know I made mistakes which can’t be unwritten and I apologise for lying to you. All I ask if you would hear me out and have an open mind about this.” asks Jilura.
Michael could see that the man was pleading for his life, and he knows and understands about making mistakes, but every fiber of him was telling to close the channel and report him. Instead he wanted to listen and hear more.
“And by having an open mind, you mean to hear you out and make my own choice in joining with your Symbiont?” replies Michael.
Jilura knew in order to be honest with Michael, he knew he would have to make a deal that he wouldn’t like.
“Yes. I am asking you to hear me out and to determine whether or not you wish to join with the symbiont.” states Jilura.
Michael thought for a moment, and a solution came to him.
“Alright I will hear you out. On one condition?” says Michael.
Jilura was shocked that Michael would hear him out, but confused as to what the condition was.
“And that is?” asks Jilura.
“That the Olympus’s Chief Medical Officer is to accompany me to your location and in the possible operation for the joining, if I agree to do so” stating Michael with his poker face of ‘take it or leave it’ look.
Jilura was surprised yet again, and he smiled.
Michael was thinking to himself when he saw Jilura smiled at his request for Trixie to accompany me to where he is.
“That is a fair and honourable arrangement, I will send you the coordinates to where I am at. See you then” says Jilura.
The monitor which Jilura was on went black and displayed only the Federation insignia.
Michael knew that he would have to speak to both Trixie and the Captain about this.
“Markus to Captain Ramosa and Doctor Willcox, can I see you both in my quarters please.”
“What seems to be the emergency?” replies Trixie.
“I don’t want to speak about over the Comms. See you shortly, Markus out.” says Michael
Michael knew that the Gianni and Trixie will listen to him about this. He wasn’t hoping for them to be excited cause he knows that the moment he agreed to see Jilura Vek about this operation to join his symbiont with him that he has already gone against the Trill society and traditions.
So what Michael is hoping to do is, get both of them on board and keep things on the down low about this. He knows that there are already other Trill crewmembers on the ship besides himself, and he can’t have them know either or he will surely will be reported and sent to trill to have the symbiont removed and he would die if they do that.
Michael quickly paced back and forth from his desk to the doorway of his and Braydon’s bedroom.
The doors chimed. He pulled himself together and was about to open the door when he realized that he had to be sure that it was them and no Braydon.
“Yes, who is it” asks Michael.
“It’s Captain Ramosa and Doctor Willcox” says Gianni.
Michael was relieved.
“Enter” says Michael.
Both Gianni and Trixie were standing at the door and walked immediately through.
“Please sit down, I need to ask you both something and no one else can know of this, not even the crewmember or Braydon” say Michael.
Trixie began to worry, she has never seen Michael like this before. Gianni was concerned as well. The look on Michael’s was bothering them.
“Michael, what’s going on, what is this about? Does this have anything to do with the transmission that you received?” ask Gianni.
Michael’s face went white. His eyes opened widely.
“What do you mean? What do you know?” asks Michael.
Gianni has now become overly worried and concerned. Trixie couldn’t say anything yet, she was just as confused and scared.
“All I know is that a Trill scientist wanted to speak to you, didn’t even know who or what this man is. What is going on Michael?” replies Gianni.
Michael was relieved and scared of what he is about to say.
“The Trill scientist is Doctor Jilura Vek. He is known for his theories on Genetic Manipulation on an technological scale.” says Michael.
Gianni was nodding her head to what she was hearing. Trixie’s mouth dropped. She knew the name. Trixie slowly walked forward towards Michael.
“I know him. He is a Trill Scientist that was exiled from Trill Society for his endangering experiments in Genetic Manipulation with Borg technology.” responds Trixie.
Michael began to sweat heavily, He knew that Trixie wasn’t going to like what he was also about to say.
“Yes, that is correct. He had also asked me to meet him.” says Michael.
Gianni and Trixie began to worry more. They both looked at each other with the concerned look on their face.
Michael? What did he ask of you?” asked Trixie.
Michael slowly turned towards his bedroom doorway and began to walk towards it. Then he stopped.
“He wants to me join with his symbiont.” says Michael.
Trixie’s eyes opened wildly.
“He asked you to join with his symbiont! Don’t you know what this could mean!” states Trixie in a loud voice.
Michael knew this was bad.
“Keep your voice down. I know and yes, I know what this would mean. If I am founded out about this I could potentially be asked to go back to trilled to either have the symbiont removed, which would kill me in the process or never be able to go to trill ever again.” says Michael.
Gianni was shocked at knowing this. She never knew of the penalties of Trill custom.
“Ok Michael, you asked us here for a reason. Which I believe I know what you are asking. You are wanting me to take you to him and for Trixie to accompany you?” says Gianni
Michael was glad that he didn’t have to say that.
“Yes I am asking you that and yes Trixie, I want you there as well.” say Michael
Trixie was shocked at what she is being asked of.
“But why Michael? Why are you doing this?” asks Trixie.
“At this moment of time, I haven’t agreed to join with him. I said I would think about it with an open mind, and I told him that I want to have a choice in doing this as well, plus I need you there to assess him on his condition. There is more going on then what he is allowing me to know.” says Michael.
Trixie’s eye softly eased up. She was more complacent then before.
“So if you decided not to go through with it, you can leave?” ask Gianni.
“Yes, that was the conditions I set with him” replies Michael.
Trixie was still worried but just not as worried. She was worried about Michael’s safety if he decided to go through with this and if he was to be founded out.
“Are you sure about this Michael?” asks Trixie.
“Yes Trixie, I’m sure” replies Michael with his soft toned voice.
Gianni looked at Michael. She walked slowly to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Alright, look like we have an agreement. Neither myself nor Trixie will speak about this to anyone unless you wish us to. Are you ok with this Trixie.” says Gianni
Trixie looked scared and worried still. Michael moved away from Gianni and Michael cuddled her. Trixie eased up and relaxed. She was thankful that Michael did that.
Michael unwrapped his arms around Trixie and placed his hands on her shoulder.
“Trixie I know you don’t like this but I am asking as a friend to support me on this, and Braydon and Sammy especially aren’t to know about this.” says Michael.
Trixie looked at Michael. And as always she nodded. Michael knew she was ok with it.
“Ok Michael, I won’t.” says Trixie.
Gianni clapped her hands together.
“Great, it’s settled. Do you have the coordinates of where he is at?” asks Gianni.
Michael walked over to his desk and taps on his console. He grabbed his PADD and noted down the coordinates.
“I have them right here on this PADD.” says Michael
Trixie and Gianni smiled and began to walk to the door to head out of the quarters, then Michael just realized.
“Wait…….. What are we going to say to the crew about why are we heading to this system?” says Michael
Gianni stopped and turned back to Michael.
“I will say that you are being asked to assistance this man with a situation regarding his mental capacity in an operation that he has been asked to conduct for a patient. And he wishes for you to consult and assess the patient on mental capacity as a precautionary as well.” say Gianni.
Michael was shocked that she thought of that pretty quickly.
Gianni turned back around and walked out of the quarters and quickly says, “See you on the Bridge.”
Michael smiled at the support that Gianni is giving. He turns to Trixie who is giving a concerned face as well.
“Trixie are you sure you are alright with this?” asks Michael.
Trixie looks as Michael and softly smiles and says, “I am alright with this, I just don’t want anything to happen to you, especially with the joining process, cause once you joined your personality changes as well, I just don’t want to feel neglected from this change.”
Michael total forget about this, he didn’t think of how it would change him and his habits and personality as such. He tilted his head down and quickly breathed in and out. And tilted his head back up to face her and he says, “Nothing would change the friendship that I have with you. Nothing will.”
Trixie smiled, she looked relieved with what he said. She quickly turned towards the door and left. Michael smiled that he has helped settled her fear. He knows that he needs to keep an open perspective on this.
He turns towards the windows of his quarters to look out into space. He thought to himself for a moment, “When one door closes, another one opens”.
He know he is doing the right thing. He head to his room and grabs his things together and grabs a bag from underneath his bed in a draw and places it on his bed and he also grabs, a change of clothes and some PADD.
He zips up the bag and grabs the bag one hand, and turns towards the doorway of the main quarters, but stop next to the drawers which has a photo framed of him and Braydon on their wedding day on Qo’nos, he softly smiles and rubs the side of the frame with his other hand, whilst softly tracing the edging of the frame.
He closes his eyes and the image of the wedding went flooding through him, the heat from planet temperature on the day, the traditional Klingon food that was on the table which no one touched except for Braydon’s Klingon friend that he brought the ceremony, the moment that they shared the passion kiss when they said “I Do” to each other.
Michael eyes opened and he felt a tear running down his cheek, he softly brushed it off and continued to walk toward the door of the quarters and softly places the bag on the couch before exiting out of the room.
Michael walked towards the turbolift and the doors to the turbolift opens and he walks in.
“Deck 1, Bridge” says Michael.
The turbolift doors closed and it proceeded to head towards his destination.
Michael placed his hands behind his back and softly shifted from side to side. He thought to himself, “Why haven’t they thought of playing some music in the turbolifts when you’re waiting?”.
Michael sighed and shrugged his shoulders to the disappointment.
The doors to the turbolift opened and he walked onto the bridge. Michael could see Braydon talking to the con officer, he softly smiles at him. Braydon gave a soft grin back in return. Michael continued to walk to the banister and walked around it to the seat next the Gianni on the left side of the Captain chair.
My initial thought of the Intrepid bridge was, cozy and efficient, he just didn’t like the colour of the walls and floor.
Gianni looked to Michael and placed her hand out for the PADD that Michael had. Michael gave her the PADD and she quickly read the coordinates of where they are taking Michael and Trixie to.
“Helm, set course for the Cheldor System Warp 7.5.”orders Gianni
Con officer quickly returns to his station and taps in the orders that Captain Ramosa had requested.
Braydon looked at Michael and Gianni, he looked confused and turns and to the Tactical station and speaks to the Tactical officer.
“Aye Captain, setting course to Cheldor System, Warp 7.5.” responds helmsman.
“Engage.” says Gianni.
Gianni quickly stands up and says, “All senior officer are to report to the briefing in a half an hour, I will be in my ready room Counsellor, please come with me.”
Michael was curious at why she wanted to speak to him after agreeing to doing this. Braydon looked at the Captain and says, “Aye sir, All senior officer are to report to the briefing in half an hour.”
Gianni walks to the doors of her ready room, and Michael stands up and begins to walk to her room, when Braydon intercepts Michael at the stairs and pulls Michael to the side.
“Michael, how are you this morning? Did you and Trixie have a fun morning on the Holodeck?” ask Braydon.
Michael was relieve that Braydon didn’t ask about the transmission that he took in their quarters earlier.
“It was great, Trixie really enjoyed herself. I think she should do more often.” replies Michael
Braydon smiled and says, “That’s good to hear, I do agree she should get out more often. By the way…..”
Michael knew he spoke to soon.
“What was that transmission from that Trill scientist about? Does that have something to do with the everyone meeting up soon?” asked Braydon.
Michael knew Gianni was going to state to everyone about what is going on soon, so he thought to “white lie” and say, “Yes, that transmission does have to do with the meeting shortly. Just wait until then, ok.”
Braydon looked puzzled with the response he was given. He knows if Michael knew about something he would tell him. But this was definitely different of Michael to say that. But Braydon didn’t want to push it, so he left it as it was.
“Ok Michael. Oh and another thing?” says Braydon
“Yes? What is it?” says Michael.
“Do you want to have dinner on the holodeck with our ‘’favourite program’’?” says Braydon with a wink of his left eye.
Michael knew what he meant. Michael blushed and grinned at the idea.
“Well, I don’t know. I may have to have some convincing to be done?” says Michael ever so sweetly and seductively
Michael’s hand softly brushes against Braydon’s groin for a moment. Braydon went red in the face so slowly.
With that Michael turns away and enter through the doors of the Captain’s ready room. Leaving Braydon for a moment ‘’compose’’ himself before turning around.
Michael looks to Gianni and she looks up.
“Michael, please sit.” says Gianni
Michael walks to the chair in front of her desk. He softly giggled to himself as he sit down.
Gianni looked at Michael with a confused face and said, “What did you do to Braydon, before coming into my ready room?
Michael couldn’t help but laugh. Michael went red in the face and was having difficulty in breathing. He slowly calmed himself and says, “Well, I just left Braydon with a posting to deal with!”
Gianni mouth dropped and she began to laugh and with that Michael resumed in laughing as well with Gianni.
They both laughed for a couple of minute until they tried to calm themselves enough. Gianni face was red and tears were rolling down her face. Michael face was red.
Gianni fixed her hair and asked, “I’m guessing he is curious about the briefing room meeting that I announced?
Michael pulled his vest down and wiped the tears from his face and said, “He did, but I was leaving it you to say something about it.”
Gianni nodded her head with agreement and said, “Yes, that if he doesn’t need more time.”
And they both laughed again. Michael was grabbing his stomach. He loves laughing, just not that much when he stomach hurts. Gianni was again fixing her hair and wiping away the tears from her face.
Michael look at Gianni and with a straight face he said, “Make sure he is kept busy when I am gone.”
Gianni looked at Michael and she knew what he meant.
“I will Michael, don’t your worry about that.” says Michael.
Michael smiled. He knew that Braydon worry a lot when Michael is away on mission for a few days. Braydon hated the idea of not having me around where he knew I was safe. Plus Braydon is a very needy person when it comes to satisfying him and all.
“Michael, are you sure you are ok with this?” says Gianni.
Michael looked at Gianni and softly frowned and says, “Gianni, I am sure and yes, I am aware that I may come back different a little bit. I know the risks.”
Gianni shifted in her sit and laid back a little bit.
“I know, I know Michael, I am just making sure.” says Gianni.
Michael softly smiled again. He stood up and walked towards the door and he stopped. Gianni looked and waited. Michael turns to her and says, “Just keep a transporter lock on me just in case ok?”
Gianni smiled and says, “One step ahead of you”
With that, Michael turns back toward the door and walks through it door as it opens. Braydon is consulting with the operation’s officer on the other side of the room. Braydon softly smirks at Michael for leaving him high and dry before. Michael slowly walked to the sitting near the Captain’s chair and softly frowns.
As Michael sits down and lays his head again the banister, he closes his eyes once again and images of Braydon at Starfleet Academy came to his mind, the first day they meet and the dates they went on during their academy years. He smiled to each image the appeared in his mind.
Michael hears a soft voice, whispering into his ear.
The tone of the voice and the sensation of the air coming from the voice gave Michael goosebumps, and Michael felt very ‘’firm’’ in his pants.
He opens his eyes and he sees Braydon staring at him.
“Looks like you need a moment too.” says Braydon with a wink and a smile at the same time.
Michael quickly places his hands over his groin and shifted slightly in his place.
Braydon looked at him and gave a cheeky grin with a soft laugh at the same time.
An hour after the meeting, the senior staff were told that, the transmission that Michael had received was a request from a scientist, who is needing assistance from both Michael and Trixie down on the planet surface. Braydon requested to accompany both of them to the planet, and as promised, Gianni declined his request and told him that he needs to have a full manifest of the crew evaluation, ship’s system reports and ship’s weaponry compliments in todays and not to hand it in without having it checked over twice.
Gianni knew how to keep everyone busy on the Olympus, but she likes to have a ready and able ship for whatever the circumstances are.
Michael returned to his quarters to grab his bag off the couch.
“Burnett to Markus” says Braydon.
Michael was just about to walk out of the quarters when he heard that.
“Markus here, go ahead.” says Michael.
“Can you please report to our bedroom.” says Braydon.
Michael grinned and quickly walked to the bedroom and he saw Braydon in the bed underneath the sheets.
Braydon softly smiled and winks at Michael and he softly taps the top of the bed, to indicate to jump in. Michael dropped the bag on the floor and walked to bed where it was empty. Michael took his shoes off and got into bed.
Michael move his hand to Braydon’s chest and all Michael could feel was Braydon warm, softly haired chest. He moved his hand up to Braydon’s neck and slowly moved it down to just above Braydon’s groin.
Braydon growled softly to Michael’s hand movement. Braydon’s hands went to Michael’s uniform and he slowly unbuttoned it Michael’s vest while softly kisses his neck. Michael loves being kissed on the neck. Slowly pieces of Michael’s uniform were being pulled off of Michael. First the vest, then his shirt, next was his pants and eventually his jocks.
Both of them were cuddling and kissing each other for a while. Braydon didn’t want to be aggressive with Michael when it came to making love with him. They began to softly rub each other and softly bite each other on the neck’s.
Michael was teasing Braydon’s nipple while he moved his head over Braydon’s other nipple.
A loud voice boomed with the speaker system in the quarters.
“Bridge to Commander Burnett and Counsellor Markus.” says Gianni.
Michael was ignoring Gianni’s voice, Braydon growled with pleasure and annoyance.
“Yes Captain, go ahead.” Says Braydon.
“Is Michael with you?” asks Gianni.
Michael pulled his head from out of the blankets, and huffily responded, “In a manner of speaking?
Braydon looked at Michael when he said that, he began to go red in the face.
Gianni’s voice began to shake in response, “Well…..umm……… we have arrived in the Cheldor system and ummmmm…… Transporter room 1 is waiting for you. Ramosa out”
Michael laughed at what he heard and Braydon was shocked and became more redder in the face.
Braydon softly placed his hand on Michael’s face and with one finger pull his face toward his and passionately kissed Michael on the lips.
“Michael?” says Braydon as he pulls Michael’s face away from his.
Michael looks to Braydon, “hmmmm, yes babe?”
Braydon frowned and says, “Come back safe to me.”
Michael smiled and says, “I always do.”
With that Michael jumps out of bed, grabs his clothes and redresses himself, grabs his shoes and the bag he dropped on the floor and walks towards the doorway of bedroom leading to the main part of their quarters.
Michael stops and turns to Braydon still lying in bed still under the sheets. Michael walks to Braydon’s side of the bed and Michael place’s his index and middle fingers of his left hand on Braydon’s chin and pulls Braydon’s lips to his lips and kisses softly.
Michael softly whispers, “I love you” as he pulls himself away from Braydon’s lips.
Braydon whispers back, “I love you too”
Michael removes his hand and continues to walk to the door of their quarters and heads to the Transporter Room 1.
Michael quickly thought to himself once more, “If only I have 5 more minutes and we wouldn’t have heard Gianni at all.”
Michael smiled at his walks into the turbolift.