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Down the Rabbit Hole: Part 2

Posted on Sun Jan 11th, 2015 @ 8:45pm by Commodore Kathleen O'Shea & Lieutenant Commander Rosaleen O'Donnell & Commander Andrew Matheson

Mission: Bloodpath
Location: USS Bettina

'What do you think you are doing?'

A dozen sarcastic and/or profane comments would have bubbled through his mind in most other circumstances, but Andrew was too single-minded to let that happen at the particular moment. "I'm following orders. I was told to be an anchor, and anchors aren't supposed to let things go away easily."

'You don't belong in our world. There is danger. For them and for you. This is not something that I control. It only is.'

"With all due respect, sir or madam or other, danger's part of the uniform here. If sending them back to where and when I am is something that you do control, I would dearly love your assistance in the matter." Andrew was annoyed to find his concentration starting to falter, so he went back and reaffirmed his image.

An image of Kathleen sitting on the bench by the pond with the old woman. An image of Rosaleen coming to the end of the path, overlooking the pond and the bench. An image of the two women seeing and recognizing each other. An image of himself, shrouded in the mists, offering a beckoning hand of friendship to them, the picture of charisma and serenity.

As to the image in the morgue, it was probably a good thing for the sake of the current operation that the doors had been sealed behind the captain - and that Rosaleen and Kathleen probably couldn't actually see him. His heartbeat and respiration kept dropping as his consciousness kept reaching for the points of light at the end of his psychic tethers, and his shoulder insignia was probably three shades darker purple from perspiration.

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The path opened to reveal a large meadow, filled with a wide variety of wildflowers. In the distance a pond was vaguely visible, as well as a pair of figures seated on something. Rosaleen could not recognize either person, especially given the distance. In the distance, storm clouds were darkening rapidly...not a good sign based on her earlier experience. She deliberated on her next course of action...to press on, or return to the calm of the wood.

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"What is it?" Kathleen asked, looking at the gathering storm clouds.

"Something that doesn't belong here. Something that is attached to you and will not let go. You have a choice to make. This presence means you no harm, but yet could potential cause such either to you or himself...or the other."

A quizzical expression spread across Kathleen's features. "The other? Who is this you speak of?"

The old lady smiled. "why, the one that you have come searching for my dear." Suddenly the thunder rolled much louder, causing the woman to look for herself. "Oh dear...they have come. I did not think that they would interfere with this." She looked back at Kathleen. "You need to warn him. The danger is great. They will do what is necessary to protect this place. Outsiders are not permitted here. It is one of our highest laws."

But Kathleen could not understand what she was referring to. "Who are you talking about? And...how do I break this connection you speak of?"

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Andrew was dimly aware of thunder and lightning as he kept trying to reach out to the women. It wasn't actual thunder and lightning in his case, just his receding pulse and flickering spots in his eyes from the beginnings of hypoxia. Even so, the deep recesses of his brain , while being unaware of the technical details, warned him that things were becoming serious.

With a growl of annoyance, he slowly pulled his PADD out of his hip pocket. In a faltering and weakening voice, he rasped: "Computer, record medical care instructions... for Andrew Matheson. As of... this stardate and until these... instructions are verbally rescinded, it... is imperative that I not... be placed into stasis... until total brain death is confirmed... The survival of... Kathleen and... Rosaleen... may depend on this... End recording... and display... priority alert indicia..."

And with that, Andrew laid himself on the floor next to the gurney, clutched the PADD to his chest, and closed his eyes. Any energy he wasn't using to keep himself upright was energy he could use to maintain the ethereal links that were growing harder and harder to hold. As he continued his mental projection, one quietly desperate thought leaked into the scene.

"Come... back... PLEASE..."

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Andrew's voice projected into bot Kathleen and Rosaleen's consciousness, but neither of them recognized the source. Kathleen had another problem though that was much more concerning. The distractions created by the voice and approaching storm were starting to make her existence unstable within the realm. This was manifested by a headache which, while not significantly painful at the moment, was still making itself known to her.

Meanwhile Rosaleen had processed the voice, classified it as inconsequential, and ignored it. Instead she concentrated on the two individuals that she was approaching by the pond. The storm was still growing, but again she had deemed it non-essential to her existence and blocked it off.

However, there were others for whom the outside presence had their complete attention. They were the Guardians of the Realm, and for them this intrusion only meant one thing.

Danger

Into the storm the pair of essences projected, and they were not there to talk. They were there to deal with the outside force, using any means necessary to expel it from their existence.

They were there to do battle. And they were very good at it. Their first probes, however, were still non-malevolent. They wished to at least know their enemy before dispatching it. Their first words rang out in unison in Andrew's subconscious.

'You are no match for us, out-lander. You have been warned more than once to leave. Why is it you press on so?'

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Andrew winced at the new psychic contact. There was definitely power there; he didn't think he could hold against it with his full concentration, let alone with his current exertions.

"I am not intending to be a match for anyone in a confrontation. I have been asked to serve as an anchor and link for a person who I suspect has entered your realms, and I sense a second connection to another person who may have entered your realms as well. I mean no harm; I seek no trouble; I apologize for the inadvertent intrusion, but I am resolved to aid my friends in their return to the realm from which I currently project. I would ask your assistance, or failing that, your guidance in this undertaking; once it is complete, I will leave as quickly as possible."

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Rosaleen stared at the building storm. There was something familiar contained within it's alien landscape. Something that called out to her even in the face of mortal danger. She closed her eyes and blocked everything else out. Everything around her faded away...faded...just concentrate on...

The essence that she sensed was unmistakable. It was the same as that from the storm on the path. But it was...stronger, for some unexplainable reason. It shouldn't be. It wasn't even possible, but yet, there it was. She locked her senses onto it, pushing past the Sentinels and placed the extension of herself between the guardians and the prey.

Which immediately amazed her as she had no idea she was capable of such a thing. Wait...never mind...concentrate...

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'Why is it that you insist on this course of action? It can lead to nothing but failure. You are not of this world. You have no power here.'

Andrew sighed. 'You have your duties to your realm; I have my duties to my friends. I've been asked to help bring them back from wherever they are. Please... help me if you can.' If this kept up, soon he was going to have to engage in rather desperate measures to hold on to that contact.

'No...I am new here. I don't protect this realm. I am standing between you and those whom would see you destroyed.' Rosaleen sent a mental command to the Guardians to hold their ground while she tried to reason with the outside presence. For some odd reason they complied without comment. But there was something even more perplexing to her. 'How is it that you have friends in our realm? As I understand it, outsiders are never permitted here.'

'Then I guess Kathleen and Rosaleen aren't outsiders to your realm. I don't have any particular idea about how that is working at the moment, but the decking I'm laying on has a distinctive pattern on it digging into my back so I haven't gone anywhere physically, I don't think.' Andrew thought he felt something familiar in the contact, but he was having a hard time focusing on things at the moment. It might have been his psionic center working overtime, or it may have been the oxygen deprivation catching up with the rest of his brain. He wasn't in a position to say or know at the moment.

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'How is she doing that?' Niochellete watched in amazement as Rosaleen projected herself in between the guardians and the outside presence. It should not be possible for somebody so young and untrained. But yet, there she was...

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'I do not know this 'Kathleen' of whom you speak, but I am Rosaleen. And I assure you that I do not know you. You endanger yourself by your presence here. Go back while you can.'

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Andrew felt like he'd been kicked in the gut. ~Of course, this can't be easy where people actually remember their previous lives during an out of body experience. I have to get the interesting cases.~ Clamping down on his frustration, he dredged up all his memories of his brief time with Rosaleen and projected them at the consciousness that had identified itself.

I can't imagine you'd forget me so quickly after taking a bullet for me, Rosaleen. This is Andrew Matheson. We met a few days ago at a place called Starbase 80. You told me a fair bit about yourself, including that your name was Lady Galeahle Sionnach Tir na O'Rosaleen Etain Ní O'Donnell, Countess de Maige Tuired, Cosantóir de Tuatha de Danaan. You also showed me that you could control time, living in a moment. Kathleen and I think that's what's happening now, that you slipped out of phase after your accident. She's looking for you, and I'm trying to get you both home. If you doubt me, look into my mind. I can't lie to you there.

Andrew had a subtle sensation that the connection between them was growing lighter and becoming easier to maintain. He was past the point of perceiving that his consciousness was starting to detach from his body - and past the point of knowing what sort of bad things that could lead to.

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'Andrew.'

Kathleen's conscious memories suddenly snapped back with amazing clarity. She suddenly remembered exactly who she was, why she was...........

Gasping, Kathleen sat upright on the gurney, looking around in confusion. Was it a dream? Was it...

Then she saw Andrew laying on the floor, and quickly jumped down to kneel by his side. Placing a hand on his chest, she could sense the variances coursing through his body. What in the hell...

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'How can this be?' Rosaleen's concentration wavered, and her physical form suddenly fell to one knee as the guardians pushed against her projected self. But she did not falter...and even with the momentary lapse, she felt herself strengthen once again. She turned her attention away from the guardians...they would not interfere unless she directed them to now. Instead she focused on the outside presence that seemed to know so much about her. Still she did not answer though...

----------------

Andrew felt a slight pressure on his chest, and suddenly the world became a less painful portion of the background noise. He started stabilizing back into his body as he detected a psychic presence in contact with him. He cracked an eye open and saw red hair slowly come into focus. It was too close to be Rosaleen's presence, so by process of elimination... "Welcome back, Commodore. I still have contact with Rosaleen, though she doesn't seem to remember us. I'm trying to get her to look at my memories, if you care to join in on the call. You know more about her than I do by far."

He didn't dare pressure Rosaleen any harder after the offer he had just made; he kept his mind open waiting to see what she did next and held the contact. He turned his head slightly and winced; no matter how this came out, the next few days were going to be miserable.

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"Your skills are amazing."

Rosaleen turned to find Niochellete standing next to her. She had somehow ended up at the side of the pond. Turning her head towards the water, she could see the storm clouds were gone. All was calm once again...back to normal. Except...

"Who are they?"

Niochellete's smile was a motherly one. "Well dear, 'they' are in the world that you are from. Your friends have risked much for you, especially the outlander. And...I'm afraid it's time for you to return to them. At least for now."

Rosaleen turned colder. "But I wish to remain here and learn more. I belong here, not there. Not in that world."

"Ahhh, but you belong in both. And others as well. But that is a conversation for another time. You are always welcome here. You must practice though...your entry into this plane was by accident. Talk to Kathleen. She figured it out. She will guide you for your next attempt. As for now....farewell and pleasant journeys." Niochellete turned and started to walk away.

"But.." Rosaleen took a couple of steps toward her. "I don't know the way to that place."

Niochellete stopped and turned to face Rosaleen one last time. "Oh, but of course you do, my dear. Just follow your heart."

'Follow my heart? That makes absolutely no...' Suddenly the point of light that had been haunting her since the first moment she found herself on the path was visible once again, only this time it was a brightly glowing orb. It was just out of hands reach. She only needed to take a couple of steps...

'A journey of a million years begins with one simple step...'

The world turned white, then fell away...........

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Every alarm on the stasis unit was screaming now, alerting anybody within hearing distance that the occupant was critical and needed attention immediately. Kathleen jumped off the floor and ran to it, activating her commbadge as she moved. "Jey, get in here now!" She made it to the unit and hit the emergency release, catching Rosaleen before she could fall and easing her to the floor. "Computer, disengage lockout!" As she lay Rosaleen on the floor, she felt for a pulse, and found it. It was as weak as her now apparent respirations were, but they were both there. "C'mon, Rose...don't do this to me again!"

Andrew felt his consciousness slam back into his body as Rosaleen flickered back into the stasis chamber. Then his world erupted into light, noise, and pain as the alarms went off and his brain started to process exactly how hard it had just pushed itself. He attempted to sit up and help Kathleen, but the world swam before him as he tried. Groaning quietly, he laid back down and waited for things to settle down.

----------------

Commodore Kathleen O'Shea
Commanding Officer
Starbase 80

Rosaleen O'Donnell
Commodores Personal Assistant
Starbase 80

Lt Commander Andrew Matheson
Chief Diplomatic Officer
Starbase 80

 

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