White Turned Red

Posted on Sun Mar 23rd, 2014 @ 12:32am by Commander Robert Gates

Mission: New Frontier
Location: Shuttle Enroute to Starbase 80

Robert Gates stared out of the window of the shuttle enroute to Starbase 80. He starred out silencing all around him. A gold flask in his hand with the top off. A sip taken. His eyes red and watery. Gates was in deep thought. Tears beginning to bubble.

=Flash Back=

It had to be a day that saw the purist of white, fall onto the grounds of the Adirondacks. Winter finally showed it's face as snow blanketed the land as far as the eye could see. From the cold misty falls at Niagara to the apple orchards west of Poughkeepsie. This was where home was for the Gates family.

Generations of them living here on this rich land of fertile soil and fresh pine and oak, full of peace and tranquility. It was on this particular day, the saddest of days bound to bear heavily on them. On them both.

"Land over there! Over there!"

Then, Lieutenant Commander Robert Gates, ordered the pilot as he approached a vast acre of land behind the Gates estate. The shuttle landed as Robert pounded the ground with his feet and ran to the already assembled persons present. A local police officer and a robotic medical unit cornered Gates' younger brother, John.

Robert made it to the group and saw things much more clearly. The police officer held onto his holster but did not yet take out the weapon. The medical robot just scanned the area for medical concerns. It could not ascertain the gravity of the situation but Robert was glad for its presence. John was roughly 15 yards ahead of them, stationary, and just moving in a wild manner. He wore no shirt and must have been freezing. He was also holding something in his right hand. Robert focused his eyes even as the snow fell and blurred his vision a tad bit. The object in John's right hand was a large pair of scissors with blood covering his hand. Puncture wounds on the left side of his chest showed his true intentions.

Robert now looked at his brothers eyes as John saw his.

"John, wha.... What's going?"

"... Oh nothing much, Rob."

The last part of his sentence was said after an enormous sigh. Blood slowly dripped down on the pristine white icy snow from the scissors.

"John what happened to you? Why are you bleeding?? Tell me what's going on buddy?"

"Don't .... Don't call me that "buddy" shit, Robert, don't call me that "buddy" shit!"

"Alright, John, I'm sorry. I won't call you that anymore, I'm sorry. Just tell me what's going on? Why are you out here in the snow?

Robert walked slowly toward John without appearing to do so.

"Robert... Why can't I be like you? Why can't I grow up to be a man that's proud and accepted?"

"What? You are accepted. You are loved. There is no one that I know that isn't more loved than you. Hell, even aunt Marie loves your smile. More than mine."

Robert giggled on that note.

"No Robert, don't tell me lies! Don't tell me lies, Robert."

"John there are no lies here. You can try to find them but you won't because they are not here. Please let's go inside and drink some hot chocolate like we used to together."

"I failed the Starfleet Academy's entrance exam for the fourth time. I got the notice today. Last week, Katherine left me without giving me a slither of a reason. And you? Ha.... Your never around anymore. Why did you even come here? You don't care about shit, Robert!"

John looked up at the sky and at the falling slow. A small bird flew passed John's vision against the wind and headed westward.

"I'm sorry John. You are correct. I haven't been the brother I should be with you. I'm truly sorry about that. Let us go inside and talk, let these people go and we can take care of this together. In private."

"I don't want your help, can't you see that? I want to earn it like you have. I want to be a man and solve my own problems. Like dad had. Like mom. Why is it so hard for me, Robert? Why can't I be like everyone else?!"

"There is a place for you, John. I'm sure there is. Let us sit down and look through the position and departments in Starfleet. We can both find a spot for you. Lets talk about what happened with Katherine, together. C'mon John, drop the scissors and let's go inside."

Robert took a few more steps toward his brother. He was now a mere 6 feet away now.

"I'm tired, Robert.... I'm tired...."

John held the scissors up over his head and thrust down hard into his throat. Blood squirted and painted the snow.

"No!"

Robert ran and grabbed his brother as he fell to the ground.

"John..... Jesus Christ"

Robert grabbed his neck and held down the wounds. The med unit arrived after detecting the wounds and started medically assisting John.

"Lieutenant Commander, please step away from the patient. Please step away from the patient."

The robot continued stating the obvious. The officer grabbed Robert and pulled him away. The medical unit attempted to provide medical assistance as Robert was being dragged away. The screams and echos vibrated along the trees and gently, Robert's vision blurred.

= Return to Present =

Commander Robert Gates sat on the transport heading to Starbase 80. The shuttle was in final decent into one of the shuttle bays as Gates looked out the window watching shuttles leave and enter. He was in the zone as a young Lieutenant walked over and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Commander, we are about to land."

Gates turned and looked to her.

"Thank you so much."

"Robert got comfortable and readied himself for the landing. His new home awaited him.