Beginnings

Series by Lt.  Torial Alexander

Part 4:

Finals week, every college student’s worst nightmare, and that is not just the nightmares one dreams up of going to take a final naked.  Long hours of staying up late, cramming, drinking caffeine; all in a vain hope to garner a passing grade.  Stress at Starfleet Academy was already at an all time high, news of the Cardassian/Dominion alliance shook up the nerves of a lot of the student population.  There was already talk going on at the academy about the possibility of going to war, that some cadets were even seen being pushed through classes and instruction courses at an accelerated rate.

Even with this side distraction, Torial sat at his desk going over class notes for two of his finals in for the following morning.  He wasn’t looking forward to one of his exams; basic flight instruction would be a living nightmare for him, as his mother was the proctor for the exam.  Sighing, Torial resolved to go over his notes for Exobiology, pushing he flight test notes to the side.  After a good solid start of studying he stood up and walked to the replicator, PADD still in hand, ordering a mug of Raktajino.

Torial was deep in thought and concertration on his notes, he barely heard he audible chime for the front door, “Yes? Who is it?” he responded, not looking up from the PADD.

The door slid open, a Vulcan female, wearing the red color uniform of command, two solid, golden pips adorned her collar, and flanked by two security guards, Torial only assumed she was with Starfleet security.  She was just slightly shorter than him, but her calm presence made him uneasy.  Raising an eyebrow as she watched him pacing, studying him for a quick second as the security guards flanked the entrance to the door way.

“I am Lieutenant L’kanna, Starfleet security, you are Cadet Torial Alexander correct?” her steady, cool tone had Torial a bit apprehensive.

“I am, and whatever it is you are here to investigate, I’m innocent and don’t know who did what,” his response was quick and terse.  Torial was always acutely aware of the logical mind games Vulcan’s love to use to trap people in web of lies and deceit.  Yet, Torial this time was innocent of anything.

L’kanna raised her brow again, a usual sign of amusement for Vulcan’s, “I am unsure of what you mean by that Cadet.  I am under orders to bring you to the Bajoran Embassy immediately and without delay.”

Torial stopped as the words of her last comment settled, why would he need to go to the Bajoran Embassy.  His father was still planet side that much he knew, but if this was his father’s idea of getting him to come see him more often, his sense of humor was substantially lacking.  “May I know why you are taking me to the Embassy Lieutenant L’kanna?”

“I’m sorry cadet, but that information is on a need to know basis,” Torial rolled his eyes as she said the most famous line of any officer who worked for security or intelligence.

“Yeah I’m sure it is,” his tone was sarcastic as he put down his PADD and the mug of coffee back into the replicator to be recycled, “Lead the way then Lieutenant.”

The lieutenant escorted Torial out of his dorm room and out of the Hall he had been living at.  It must have been a sight to see, being escorted by L’kanna, walking lock step with him, while the two security officers walked behind them.  Torial kept looking out ahead as they approached a sitting shuttle craft in the middle of the quad, guarded by two other security officers.  Rolling his eyes he found a seat in the shuttle and let the pilot take him and his escort to the Bajoran Embassy.

It was only a short jump from the Academy grounds to Starfleet headquarters and the different Embassies the circled the grounds.  Torial had been here on multiple occasions for state dinners with his parents, but rarely did he come for a social visit.  Today had him a bit more apprehensive, it wasn’t that he was being escorted by security forces; it was the secrecy that surrounded him.  Being part Betazed, keeping secrets wasn’t in his nature, but at times he learned to accept them.  He stretched out his mental abilities, he could feel the uneasiness the security guards had as they walked up to the front entry of the Bajoran Embassy and posted themselves outside the entrance.  L’kanna was the only difficulty mind to gauge.  Stupid Vulcan and their lack of emotions, especially Vulcan women, they had an easier time controlling emotions; they didn’t have to go through a Pon’farr every seven years like the men had to.

As Torial walked through the front doors, he was greeted by a sense of urgency and danger.  Everywhere he looked, techs, secretaries, staffers, and others were all running around in a tizzy.  PADDs were scattered on desks and laying on top of boxes.  Cabinets and shelves were laid bare of knick knacks and other items.  It was utter organized chaos to Torial; a small smirk crept on his face as he walked with L’kanna towards his father’s office on the second floor of the complex.

Nearing the doors, two Bajoran security guards eyed L’kanna and Torial before opening the door.  The same scene that greeted Torial on the first floor was the same on the second in his father’s office, “What in the name of the Prophets is going on here father?”

Kiel looked up from under his desk that he had crawled under to retrieve a dropped PADD, “Ah thank you lieutenant, you can go now,” L’kanna gave both Torial and his father a short bow before doing a quick about face and leaving them alone, “Isn’t it obvious Alexander, I’m packing.  All Bajoran citizens inside Federation controlled space is being recalled back to Bajoran territory.”

“What?!” Torial looked at his father with absolute amazement, “What do you mean recalled? I didn’t receive any mention of this. What is this all about?”

“First minister Shakkar and the Vedek assembly signed a non-aggression pact with the Dominion, under guidance from the Emissary.  War is brewing, and Bajor needed to be kept safe apparently,” Kiel continued as he walked around the office, packing up his belongings, placing them in boxes on the floor, “Thus it wouldn’t much make sense to keep the embassy here open anyways now would it?” his eyes twinkled as he smiled and chuckled.

“This has got to be some sick joke father.  What about mother, you can’t just abandon her here.  And what about me, why am I not coming with you, what about the other Bajoran students at the academy?”

“You’re mother will be fine, she’ll be staying with her parents on Betazed in the interim after you’ve completed your finals here on Earth, the few Bajoran students will be discharged from service at the academy and returned to Bajor without any incident,” Kiel said quite matter of fact.

“Father, what about me?” Torial’s hands slammed into fists on the oak desk counter top.  His dark eyes where aflame of questions and passion.

“You aren’t allowed to return with us Alexander,” Kiel said softly, his voice hurt and filled with anger as well as love of his son, “Since you are only half Bajoran, the Dominion sees you and others of the same background as a threat to their security.”

“Oh that is a load of,” was all Torial got out before his father silenced him.

“I know how you feel, your sisters pretty much said the same thing when I told them I was coming home and you would be staying back on Earth in exile.  Don’t let this bother you too much Alexander, you are strong, and so are the will of the Bajoran people.  We will see each other again, but for now you need to stay here, no matter what happens back on Bajor, I don’t want you to get any ideas or delusions of grandeur.  If you set foot in Bajoran territory unless specifically under the invitation of the Dominion, you will be arrested and executed as a spy. Do I make myself clear Alexander?”

Torial stood there, facing his father, his eyes searching his father’s face for any sign that he was joking or for a hint or clue that he could later use as a flaw to go to Bajor.  But his father’s jaw was set, his eyes stone solid as they looked his son over.

“Do I make myself clear Cadet Torial?” his father’s voice was more irritated now. Torial could only nod as he let the hurt of being left behind.  His thoughts immediately went to his sisters; he knew he wouldn’t be able to communicate with them until this crisis was over.

“How much time do you have left before you must leave father?” Torial’s voice was strained as he fought back tears.  He had been in near constant communication with Lyta and Awyn at least once a week, sometimes twice.  He wanted to get a letter written and send their 16^th birthday gifts with his father.

“0600 hours, you have until 0530 to get whatever you have planned done by then.  If you have anything for me, your grandparents or sisters, make sure to have it to me by then, I’ll be at the main star port in the Bay.  Landing pad C if you need to know,” Kiel’s voice returned once more to that of a loving and concerned father, “I love you my son, and please promise me you’ll stay out of trouble for the time being.  I’m sure this will be over fairly quickly.”

“I love you to father, I’ll see you at 0500, I have a final at 0530 with mother.  Promise me you’ll look after Lyta and Awyn since I cannot,” Torial stood stoically, but needed to leave quickly before he completely broke down in front of his father.

“I will my son, I’ll see you in the morning,” quickly Torial did an about face and hurried out of the embassy and to the waiting shuttle that took him back to his dorm room.  He had only a few hours of time left to get his gifts for his sister’s together and write a letter to them.  Wiping away a few stray tears, he cursed himself for getting emotional; sometimes he wished he could be just as logical and aloof as a Vulcan.  That last thought made him smile a bit wryly as he started on the letter home.