JPL (Backlog)|Cpt. Dhej, Lt. Entek|"Closure" Part 2 (Moll)

Posted on 241505.23 @ 2:03am by Lieutenant Katilya Entek MD, PsyD

=/\=1 Hour Later, Cold Station Theta Meeting Room=/\=

The guardian looked around at the group of participants and quietly said "The ritual will begin immediately. I have randomly selected who will join with which host. You will be able to end the ritual at any point, and return the memories to Captain Dhej. Also all interactions will take place in an adjoining room to protect the Captain's privacy." Looking around, he said "Katilya Entek, you're first. Please come with me."

Katilya nodded slowly, took a wdeep breath, swallowed hard and moved forwards with some trepidation. Not for the ceremony that was about to take place, but what could happen as a result. "Here goes nothing."

She entered the room and looked around. "So, err... None of my memories go to him, right?" She asked, feigning nervousness as she moved into the room. "What do I have to do?"

The Guardian shook his head and replied "No, none of your memories will be transferred to Karim. I will ask you to close your eyes and relax, and let the memories of Moll consume you."

Katilya nodded, slowly, somewhat more reassured than when she'd agreed to this crazy ritual. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply as she did so. She felt herself stepping backwards within her own mind, all these memories of children and classes, art, she likes art. Then, like the blowing out of a candle, Katilya went dark. A silent observer in the shadows of her own consciousness.

"Well this room will certainly just not do as my classroom. There's not enough light for the children and where are the art supplies?" While the accent was distinctly Katilya, it had a different quality to it, more refined, each syllable being pronounced exactly.

Karim had entered the room just after the joining had taken place. Clearing his throat, he said "Excuse me Miss Moll, may I speak to you for a moment?"

Miss Moll, who by this point had stood up from the chair and was busy fussing with a nearby plant, turned and smiled. It was a smile unlike any other that had been expressed on the distinctly Cardassian face before, one of genuine warmth. "Of course, dear. What's troubling you?" She asked in a manner not unlike that which would have been used on the children in her class.

Returning the smile, Karim thought about how to approach his conversation with Moll. Taking a chance he said "I was wondering if we could talk about your experience joining with Dhej? I understand you are the first host of the symbiont."

Moll smiled again, and nodded slowly, it was a perfectly reasonable question from an enquiring mind, she thought. "Well my dear, it was all new you see. I was scared, of course; it's a big responsibility to be joined in that way. I was the first, child, no memories that I could draw upon... but I felt Dhej, with everything that I did and felt and said, Dhej was there with me to experience it, and remember it." She said smiling once again.

Nodding, he replied "That sounds wonderful Miss Moll. I've never heard it described so beautifully. Thank you." Pausing he added "If it isn't too much of a bother, could we talk a bit more? I would be very interested in learning more about you. I've heard you are a great teacher, and it would be nice to chat with you for a while."

"Of course, child. Please, take a seat." She said softly indicating to one of the chairs in the room. "I don't know about great, but the children, they deserve as much as I can give. I liked art the most; it was a real way to get them to express themselves." She smiled softly, "Tell me dear, do you paint?"

Shaking his head, Karim replied "Not often Miss Moll. I've tried it, but haven't really developed an aptitude for it." Pausing, he thought of how to say the next question, then added "I want to tell you something, but I'm worried how you may react."

"Oh, child, that is sad. Painting is a wonderful way to express what you may be feeling or wanting to express. If my supplies were here, we could do some now. You could express what you wanted say. Never mind, child. Use your words. What is it you would like to tell me? I'm sure it won't be worse than that time Hayla put the spider in Jokas's lunch." She let out a small chuckle and shook her head.

Smiling, he said "O.K then, here goes. I'm actually the current host of Dhej and you are part of the zhian'tara ritual. I've recently been joined with the symbiont, probably close to a year ago." Pausing, he took a breath and added "I wanted to speak to you because I am having a hard time with some of your memories. I remember my children, sorry, your children, and how much you loved them. I remember when Nerel died, and how broken you were...." He trailed off, surprised at how intense the memories felt.

"Ah," Moll said slowly. Her smile faded, and the Cardassian features of Katilya showed such sorrow as she mulled over the request to talk about Nerel. "It was... such a sad day. I guess, it begun on the school trip to the beaches of Kassia Prime. Little Nerel, she was always so adventurous, wanting to explore, she got away from the group and we were so understaffed you see?" A tear rolled down the pale grey of Katilya's face. "She got into the... into the water when no one was looking... and..." Moll trailed off and buried her head in her hands.

Placing his hand on her back, he quietly said "She was your daughter wasn't she? I'm so sorry for your loss. I know you thought she was playing with the other kids." Pausing, he said "I thought about her a while ago, when I met the son of a colleague of mine. He reminded me of Nerel in some ways."

Moll sobbed into the hands of Katilya. "She... she was a little angel, always so happy, and I told her... I said Nerel, you must stay with the other children this time... I..." she choked on her words a little as more tears cascaded. "Oh! I failed her; I don't deserve to be a teacher... I didn't deserve that sweet little angel. Her death was all my fault."

Feeling tears form in his own eyes, Karim said "It wasn't your fault, it was an accident. I know it was a tragedy but it gave you the drive to become the teacher you are now." Pausing, he added "I can tell you something that maybe will help you feel a bit better. After you ... died, it was noted in your will that you wanted to start an academy for young teachers. It was named the Nerel Teaching Academy, and is still in operation."

Moll looked up and, between gasping for breath she looked at the man with hopeful eyes. "I always felt it was my fault, in fact, as you probably know, it was my last thought. You may not have known, Dhej may not have realised, I thought I saw her in that moment. Knowing... that her memory lives on, well child, that does fill me with comfort. Thank you." She said as her sobbing slowed.

Nodding, he said "Your welcome Moll. I'm sorry to have upset you. Thank you though for giving me insight into that memory. It will help me be able to accept it, and in time, move on from that memory." Pausing, he added "I do remember though your drive for perfection. It has helped me a bit with dealing with a lot of recent changes in my life."

"Yes, child, perfection and pride in what you do, it will take you far. I'm glad it helped you though, what changes have taken place?" Moll asked with interest before pausing. "And thank you, but you don't need to be sorry. I can rest a little easier knowing her memory lives on. I should be thanking you really."

Smiling, he said "A lot of changes have happened to be honest. I was suddenly joined with Dhej after the death of its previous host. I took some time off to recover, then suddenly found myself Executive Officer, then Commanding Officer of the USS Enterprise. It's a bit overwhelming to jump from being a Chief Medical Officer to captain."

"Oh my, you poor dear child. That is certainly change. Life, is a challenge, you must always remember to hold your head high and be proud of your accomplishments. Don't let those small worries concern you, you spend your life worrying about the universe and all that's in it, you often forget to be a part of it." She said with a warm smile.

Smiling warmly, he replied "I will try to remember that Moll. Thank you for everything." Standing, he left the room, as he waited for Katilya to return to normal and the next participant to enter.

Moll closed her eyes, and slowly Katilya returned from the dream-like state she had been in. "That... That was odd." She stood up, not fully sure how to feel. "Good... Good luck with the rest of it Cap." She added as she nodded slightly and left the room.

=/\= End Log =/\=

Captain Karim Dhej
Commanding Officer
USS Enterprise NCC 1701-F

Moll (Katilya Entek)
Teacher (Chief Counselor)
(USS Enterprise NCC-1701 F)