Ghosts of the Past War

Posted on Fri Jan 21st, 2022 @ 5:11pm by Major Tatiana Skobelova

Mission: S2:4: If Not Like A Mirror
Location: Camp Sunshine

Sergeant Major Konstantin Ntombi was already seated as Major Tatiana Skobelova entered the interrogation room. Tatiana focused on the tall, ebony skinned man. Ntombi's face and head was free of hair. His features were deep and distinguished.

Ntombi kept his hawkish eyes on Tatiana as she took her seat across from the ex marine. "Well, the red headed corporal has done well for herself." He told her.

"Hello, Sergeant Major." Tatiana politely replied.

"Still quiet and unassuming? When you were first promoted to an NCO, I wasn't sure you would make a good leader. Of course, time has proven me wrong." Ntombi admitted to Tatiana.

Tatiana smiled politely to Ntombi. "As much as I would like to talk about old times, Sergeant Major, I am here on business."

"You were always so empathetic. What happened to you? Didn't you read over the prisoner list? Why didn't you try to help me or any of your other old mates?" Ntombi asked.

"I did know you were locked up down here. I didn't make any kind of personal visit is because you aren't the same person you once were. You are down here for good reason, Sergeant Major. You're dangerous." Tatiana replied.

"That hurts Skobi." Ntombi used Tatiana's old nickname. "We're down here suffering. We don't have contact with our families. We can't leave and have our lives back. We are under a prison sentence without a trial or release date. It is like we are living ghosts."

"I'm sorry you and the others are suffering down here. You are isolated from the rest of the humanity while we warehouse you down here. That said, you and the others down here have been exposed to a contagious disease. A disease you want to spread at all costs. You're too dangerous for the rest of us." Tatiana explained.

"I understand that." Ntombi replied with a little frustration. "I'm just asking you give us some ability to directly talk to our loved ones and maybe a few comforts."

"I'm sorry, Sergeant Major. That decision is out of my hands. You're infected with something we don't understand. Something that makes you a fanatic for an alien government." Tatiana apologized.

"What happened to your humanity? Did you read the list of which of us is down here? Cherkat, Verducci, Tsolin, and Chung are also here. Marines you once stood shoulder to shoulder with fighting. You're turning back on them." Ntombi accused Tatiana.

Tatiana stood from her chair. "Again, out of my hands. I'm ending the interview here."

"You don't have to follow official channels. You can sneak out messages for us. For your friends." Ntombi told her.

"Are you joking?" Tatiana replied as she moved towards the exit. "I'm not jeopardizing the security of this station. Even if it is for humanitarian reasons."

"Then what about saving your own career and freedom?" Ntombi asked.

"I'm sorry, I don't follow you."

"You don't remember? I'm very surprised. I didn't forget."

"Forget what?" Tatiana shook her head in befuddlement.

"The Dohla Crossroads Power Plant." Ntombi cooly told her.

Tatiana's eye quickly widened as she heard Ntombi's words.

"Oh, so you do remember. You remember know what you did there?" Ntombi sternly remarked.

"What we did there." Tatiana corrected him. "Dohla V was a mess after the invasion. I doubt Starfleet even knows what happened there."

"Oh, they do. I read the report." An evil grin grew on Ntombi's face. "Starfleet intelligence thought a Klingon marine unit was responsible, not their own."

Tatiana was silent for a moment as she searched for a response. "You have a lot more to lose than I do should that get out."

"Do I?" Ntombi was still grinning. "What will they do to me? Lock me away on some isolated planet? Take my freedoms away? No, Major, you are wrong. You have everything to lose. Poor Captain Macintosh might try to cover for you and the rest of us but, he didn't survive the war."

"Are you blackmailing me?" Tatiana asked.

Ntombi laughed. "No, not yet. Just something to think about. Keep in touch, Major."