[BRIG – USS CHARON]
Lamont sat quietly on the floor of his cell within the brig legs folded as he carefully controlled his breathing and concentrated on the faint, rhythmic beating of his heart. With little to do to pass the time meditation was a method to both pass the time and help reflect on recent events which had wounded his psyche, pride, and heart. The last few days had been difficult as he grappled with a past he had neither anticipated nor prepared for.
Confinement had actually been something of a blessing. The quiet confines of the brig had forced him to reflect upon his actions. Several days of quiet contemplation made him feel much removed from the person he had been only a few short days before. That was a person and a persona he never again wished to meet. Even now in the peaceful walls of his cell Lamont could barely believe his actions which had led him here back to the brig. Despite the embarrassment he wasn’t bitter. In fact he was almost grateful for his incarceration. The past few days had been like a hazy nightmare. Had that nightmare continued, Lamont may have found himself in an eternal darkness from which there was no escape.
Lieutenant Tyrax’s visit had helped him to navigate the stormy waters. It had taken time, but finally the dark clouds that had filled his mind were slowly subsiding. The turbulent waters within him had been calmed and while he had yet to fully escape the sting of his past actions at least he had met them head on and accepted his deeds for what they were. Sharp filaments of guilt still tore at his consciousness, but their pain was fading as the wounds they had caused were slowly healing.
What was the old human axiom, “Whatever did not kill one made them stronger?”
Ian slowly exhaled feeling relaxed after several hours of quiet self examination. There was little else to do within the cell but reflect on the past and determine what lie ahead for him in the future. Slowly standing he made his way to the tiny basin and washed his face and neck. The cool water felt refreshing as he dried his face with the small cloth provided. Leaving the cloth to dry, Ian moved to the front of the cell.
A lone guard tended to his duties at the security station in the corner. This officer was exceptionally fastidious and attentive to his duties unlike some of the other officers in the duty rotation.
“Lt. Hamilton is it”, Lamont said. “Would you care to engage in some conversation?”
“Duty prevents me from conversing with inmates”, came the reply.
“Well I hardly constitute a inmate”, Lamont answered.
“Ian Lamont, Ambassador. Service Number 1170779-RX994. Times incarcerated aboard the Charon; two. Offense one, striking a superior officer and insubordination. Offense two, striking a superior officer, disorderly conduct, and mental instability. If you are not an inmate sir, then how should I classify you?”
“Touché lieutenant”, Lamont relented. “So the rules are iron clad? You cannot speak to me at all? If this is the case then you have already violated the aforementioned regulations.”
Hamilton looked up from his work with a wry smile. “Do not attempt to entrap me Ambassador. I have my duties and as an inmate who is incarcerated you no doubt have yours. I have heard of your guile and past abilities to influence others however I have explicit orders to keep you under lock and key.”
“No doubt”, Lamont mumbled in reply. Suddenly his decision to chat up the officer was proving to be more of an exercise in frustration than a simple, friendly conversation.
Leaning against the wall, Lamont eyed the cocky officer before dropping the matter. The lieutenant was obviously poor conversation and continuing to harass the man would serve no purpose. Lamont folded his arms content to simply watch the lieutenant. In any event he was about the most entertaining thing to view in the brig – if one could call such a thing entertainment.
A few moments passed when suddenly the lights flickered within the brig a moment before they snapped back on. The brief and unexpected event was interesting for an Ambassador in need of distraction.
The power fluctuated again, longer this time, and when it resumed a low spiraling hum faded around the Ambassador. He glanced at the guard who in turn shot a stern look back.
Lamont, with a curious inclination, slowly extended his arm outside the confines of his cell. To his surprise there was no forcefield to impede his attempt. His actions were not lost on the lieutenant.
“Stay in your cell Ambassador! That’s an order. What the hell is going on?”
A tiny smile formed across Lamont’s lips. He quickly decided to have a little fun with the situation. He took a step closer to the edge of his cell much to the irritation of the guard.
“I said remain put Ambassador”, Hamilton barked. “Brig to Engineering!” When no answer was forthcoming Hamilton became agitated. “Brig to Security!” Still no answer.
“Problems lieutenant”, Lamont asked moving dangerously close to the barrier that no longer existed.
“I will not remind you again Ambassador. Return to your cell!”
“Oh come off it lieutenant”, Lamont responded. “The power is out. Some technician probably ran a diagnostic on the wrong circuit. What’s a little stroll through the park going to hurt? I’m not going anywhere. And even if I did where could I run to aboard the ship? I have no desire to remain stranded in a Romulan port, nor do I care to have the bulk of the security department hunting me through the bowels of the ship although I will admit that does sound like an interesting challenge.”
Hamilton’s face twitched slightly, but eventually relaxed. The young officer was smarter than he looked. “Very well Lamont. You may enjoy this momentary disruption however you will remain near your cell and when the power is restored you will be expected to return.”
“Of course”, Ian said with a nod. Taking a few steps beyond his cell the ambassador tasted freedom for the first time in several days.
The doors to the brig suddenly opened as a lone engineering technician entered. The tech went about explaining to Lt. Hamilton the situation which appeared to have knocked out the power and communication systems.
Ian carefully watched the technician. Something suddenly struck him as odd. He couldn’t put his finger on it. It was just a feeling, a vague impression, and while slight it had Lamont’s attention. Ian pretended to ignore the pair until the technician suggested Hamilton should leave to fetch additional help from engineering. The technician offered to stay and keep watch over the ambassador.
Odd, coming from a technician. Something was certainly unusual, but Lamont’s knowledge of things mechanical was roughly as good as his relationship with the captain – in other words, bad. However, sensing an opportunity, Lamont made his way toward the exit.
Hamilton suddenly interrupted the technician. “Where do you think you are going sir?” A least the lieutenant retained his use of protocol when addressing a superior, even one who was incarcerated. Lamont gave the lieutenant a few mental kudos.
“Well obviously there is a problem. I’d like to hear more about it.”
“There is a momentary power issue. I’ve been assured it will be rectified.”
Lamont smiled. “Well I’m not deaf or blind lieutenant. It would appear communications are also impaired.”
“Only for a moment. They should have them back up quickly. Now return to your…”
“No power and no communications? Ouch, what an unfortunate problem to have especially in a ship’s brig.”
“Ambassador Lamont, you are not going to take advantage of this situation!”
“Whose taking advantages? I’m simply stating fact. What we have here is a potential problem. Engineering no doubt has a problem to solve, you must deal with two issues, your prisoner and this mechanical trouble. You can keep me here or you can fix the issue, but you cannot do both.”
“In everyone’s best interests I should return to my quarters until engineering can sort out these issues and the brig is once again safe. I’d hate to be caught in that cell with no communications and questionable safety systems in place. What if there was a fire or worse?”
“A fire”, Hamilton shouted. “That’s ridiculous.”
“I’m not staying in an unsafe environment.”
“Ambassador, YOU ARE UNDER CONFINEMENT!”
“Indeed. And so I shall confine myself to my quarters pending the outcome of repairs.” Lamont took a step toward the door only to stop as the lieutenant drew his phaser.
“Hold it Ambassador. You may carry with you the rank of commander and the authority of the Federation Council, but you are not leaving here again! Not this time!”
Lamont smiled looking at the phaser and back at the lieutenant. “Put that thing away before someone gets hurt lieutenant. We both know you aren’t going to shoot me.”
“Stand down Ambassador. I won’t warn you again!”
“Would you really stun me in front of well whoever he is? That would be quite embarrassing, especially since my cell is not habitable.”
“It’s perfectly fine. Now I suggest you return to it NOW before I have to take certain measures.”
“Do what you will. I’ll be in my quarters.” Lamont headed for the door just as a phaser beam whizzed by his head missing by a safe, but close margin.
“I will not repeat myself Ambassador. You are not leaving.”
“Fix your problems lieutenant. I give you my word I will return at that time.”
“Lamont, I will stun you!”
“Will you?” Another smile flashed across Lamont’s face as the technician droned on about repairs or some other such nonsense. Ian turned and made his way passed the engineering technician, but not before noticing points on the well concealed ear of the engineer. Ian’s eyes locked with the ‘jade green’ ones of the technician for a split second as he passed by. The two held an unusually long stare before it was broken by the ambassador’s forward progress as he exited the brig much to the consternation of the security guard.
Lamont continued on down the hallway as the doors to the brig closed behind him. In the distance he could hear the security officer bearing into the technician for his interference and practically yelling at the man to repair the systems that had crippled the brig.
Ian was unable to hold back a laugh. That now made two times he had managed to slip past security. Like Henry Houdini, the great escape artist from Earth’s history, he had also escaped confinement again. Of course this one had to be attributed to sheer random fortune, but an escape was still an escape. He could almost picture the veins on Rehu’s forehead bulging if and when she got the news. Would she cause a scene and have him dragged back forcibly to the brig? She might. Then again, she might not. The medical department had no doubt informed her of his mental state. While it was true he had had a momentary episode of physiological trauma, he was no worse for wear in the days that followed. They would want to keep him under observation, but his health had long since been cleared.
He couldn’t help but buck the system. It wasn’t out of spite necessarily as much as it was his need to simply see what happened. If the captain was riled slightly in the process then so be it. As a negotiator he enjoyed risk – especially when Captain Rehu was in the equation.
Ian headed for the lift at the end of the hall. True to his word he would remain in his quarters and see what events unfolded.
[ To Be Continued… ]
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Ambassador Ian Lamont
Diplomatic Advisor, USS Charon
