Silver Strand -- Part III

Posted on Friday, 29 December 2023 - 4:41pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley

Mission: Operation: Lobes & Liberties
Location: Unknown
Timeline: During the Away Team Absence

Previously on Silver Strand....


His hand cupped her cheek and it felt solid. "Our children will have a good life. I promise you that. All of our children those of this world." He looked over at Alex. "I..."

The storm continued to rage above them while just a feet away there was a disquieting calm. At least until an agonizing scream pierced the air, reality momentarily piercing the illusion in her mind’s eye. The bond seemed to grow red hot, the pain arcing between both ‘worlds’ via that single thread even as it strained to maintain cohesion. While muted it was so very real and Lexi moved quickly to shield Soral from the inevitable agony, almost knocked off her feet in the process.

“Break it, please!” Alex screamed, for the first time seeming aware once again not just of Lexi, but her eyes now focused on Soral even as the ice cold water began lapping at her feet. Her fingernails clawed at the sand, frustration, fear, pain… all rushing to claim hold.


And Now, The Conclusion....


ON:

“It doesn’t matter which of you says it,” Lexi agreed as she regained her composure somewhat, leaning on Soral. “There is only one part of the reading to go. It doesn’t matter which of you says it…”

He stood rooted in place. "I cannot." He knew if this was real and not a nightmare of his mind he would be in a world of hurt. "I will not break our bond again."

“You must,” Lexi insisted. “It is best for her, it’s what she wants. Give her this peace.”

He shook his head.

Alex tried to focus around all of the distractions, of the certainty that time was not on her side and so not on his either. Breathing hard she tried to stand but her legs gave way she fell back down almost immediately. Tears of frustration welled in her eyes at the thought of failing. This was her fault, she had been so blind to the danger…

“Focus!” Lexi called out, “finish it.”

Soral started moving towards Alex. Maybe he could convince her to work with him. He couldn't let her go. Part of him believed that she would not sever their bond. He could maybe help put her in a meditative healing trance, give her time...

“You are impossible sometimes,” Lexi complained as she trailed after him. “And you know I hate sand!”

But sand was the order of the day as they left the meadow - or what was left of it - behind. Splashing through ankle deep water they moved further up the beach.

Alex struggled to lift her head as she felt someone kneel beside her, Instinct made her reach for him because she was certain it would be him. Even if this was just her imagination playing tricks, it was close enough. She would take it and she felt such relief as she found herself wrapped in his arms.

“Alex. I can assist you. I think you are hurt, you need to go into a meditative sleep, I can guide you..."

She shook her head firmly as he cradled her in his arms. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered as her eyes fixated on the moonlight while she grasped his hand in hers. “I broke my promise.”

“There is no time,” Lexi hissed impatiently.

Alex mustered enough energy to glare at her alternate self. But she was right. And she was so exhausted… once she did this she could just rest. With a little nod she gripped his hand tighter as Lexi guided her through the final segment. Each word weakening the connection between them.

As the strand unraveled Soral clutched his head. With each string cut the pain was blinding and he cried out. "Do....do ...do not do this." Vulcans could swiftly cut the bond but when a non Vulcan did it the pain was unimaginable. His heart too was breaking. As he doubled over in pain the green blood began to snake out of his nose.

Panic gripped Alex at the agonized cries. “He will heal quickly once the bond breaks,” Lexi interjected as she held Soral. Around them was nothing but sand, ice cold water and not a glimpse of their precious meadow in sight. The bond was close to shattering, so fragile now with only one word left to utter. It was a lesser of two evils. Just. And at least this way, he stood a chance. That was all that mattered to Lexi and that would never change.

“It’s almost over,” Lexi whispered to Soral, “you will be safe and you will heal. I promise.”

He heard the words through the pain but felt lost and desolate. He locked eyes with Alex one last plea. He heard another voice, a familiar calling from a distance. "COMMANDER! WAKE UP!" Through the haze he heard Oriana's voice.

His pleading eyes were too much, she couldn’t bear to see him in so much pain. Looking away she whispered the final word which was lost to the night but which shattered the bond between them and let her fall into a sweet oblivion while something akin to a lightning strike seemed to shock Soral to his very core. He gasped for breath, his eyes flying open. The room swam before him coalescing in the familiar face shaking him. Oriana.

"Commander. You're nose. I'll get medic..."

His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. "No...I ju...just need a moment." He lay his head back on the chair still gasping for breath.

Concern etched on her face she ran to the little bathroom and came back with a cloth. She batted away his hands and cleansed the blood on his face and neck. The uniform jacket would have to go. Then to her horror he burst into tears.

"Soral?"

"She....she's dead."

"What? Who? The ship repairs are going well the med ship is getting ready to tow the Light Seeker and her CO and XO and COM are on our ship...nob...

"Alexandra."

Oriana winced. "What? How? There's been no coms...we'll be heading back to the rendezvous point soon."

He tapped his head. "The bond is broken...I..." He shook his head.

Oriana didn't question. She continued to clean up his face as best as she could. "It will be okay...I promise it will be okay." She hurried out to get the Vulcans she knew might be able to help him.

Her words were of little comfort. He knew that things would not be okay.

OFF: