Refocusing

Posted on 03 Dec 2023 @ 8:21pm by Aiden Dhow
Edited on on 06 Feb 2024 @ 8:23pm

Mission: M4 - Falling Out
Location: El Aurian Colony, Obsidian
Timeline: MD 04 - Noon
835 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Previous:

“Is this really necessary?” Cyrus spoke up now, his laconic tone at odds with the tension in the room. “The Captain just stated that - for all intents and purposes - whomever was responsible has no reason to believe the lad still lives.

S’Task glared at him. “It is perfectly relevant. If his charade was broken, we deserve to know who might come knocking at our door should he remain here on the planet.”

Shaking his head to the man, Kit’s shoulders slumped in resignation. “He was controlled by the Orion Syndicate.” The uproar that resulted from that was beyond the Council’s ability to control. As Cyrus ushered Kit away from the council room before an outright mob could develop, the face of the Romulan father passed his line of sight - pale skin washed with a flush of anger, and then it was all shut away as a recess was called. Leaning his head and shoulders back against cool rock, Kit could only hope the council could talk some peace into the mass before all hell broke loose.


Continued:

Shirin leaned against the wall as she stood guard over the younger Dhow. While the council had managed to regain some semblance of control, Cyrus has suggested it might be best to have someone keep an eye out - just in case someone decided to take matters into their own hands before a verdict was reached. Currently, the young man was tucked into one of the corner benches, back to the wall and legs drawn up before him. With his chin resting atop his knees, she had to admit he looked very much like one of her younger nephews.

“For what it counts, I know the Captain would not vouch for you just out of family loyalty. He’s not the sort to play favorites like that.” He didn’t respond, other than a slight shrug of the shoulders. “And considering the council were the ones to give you permission to use the camera in the first place, they’re basically trying to conserve their image more than anything out there.”

“I didn’t tell them about the Syndicate.”

Her mouth quirked at that. “No, you didn’t. And neither did the Captain because it was no one’s business. Bunch of busy-body nonsense because one distracted parent couldn’t keep tracks on his little hellion.” She would have continued, but the door opened to admit Kit into the hallway. The older man looked slightly frazzled, but he was smiling somewhat. “They come to a decision?”

Kit glanced at Aiden. “They reached a compromise; you can continue living here regardless, but you will have to have an escort moving through the community. The requirement is not permanent - given time, as the members of the community grow more familiar with you, they will hopefully lose their suspicions. You can also continue with the photography, as long as any images you wish to take off-planet are approved first by the council.”

Aiden considered the offer; he was used to being tailed, kept in line. He had thought maybe that would be a thing of the past, but apparently not. “So that’s it?”

“More or less. Right now they’re deciding who best to assign to the duty, or if it should be a rotation of individuals.” Kit glanced at Shirin. “Cyrus put your name in the pot along with his.”

“No harm there. It would keep me from being cooped up around here all the time.” She glanced over at Aiden who had relaxed a touch, though he still seemed wary. “Think you can teach me how to use that thing of yours?”

He frowned. “I’m still learning myself. Not sure how good of a teacher I would be.”

“You know more than me already. What, are you afraid I’ll show you up?” The remark garnered her an amused snort as Aiden shook his head. “Alright then. Tell the council I’m more than willing to serve as escort - full-time if they wish, unless they’re afraid the scary former Orion operative will convert me to his ways.”

Kit chuckled. “Will do. Aiden, you sure this is something you can work with? I don’t want you to feel like you have to leave, but you’d have a good deal less scrutiny on the station.”

“Until someone up there takes offense, and then what? This works.” He sat upright, rolling his shoulders slightly. “Maybe I can get to know the rest of the planet some if they let me outside the colony.”

“No problem there - you can come with me on my rounds to the villages. They know me there, and they’ll just see you as another one of us.”

“Alright, then. I’m going back in to share your opinion - I’ll let you know what they say.” Kit slid back into the chamber, leaving the two alone in the corridor once more.