Fearful Symmetry - Part Two

Posted on Fri Jun 30th, 2023 @ 12:49pm by Lieutenant Commander Jerome Hunt & Post Captain Davijaan "Oddball" Yeager

Mission: Mission 120: All Along the Watchtowers - Part Two
Location: Various Locations - USS Coral Sea / USS Shinano
Timeline: 1010Hrs - January 11th, 2394

"Pardon?" Hunt asked the other man before him. A confused look on his face. He had no idea what the man before him wanted, however, he suspected that he was not going to like any of the answers to any of the dozen or so questions that came to mind.

"Oh, right." the Captain answered. "You didn't know that I was waiting for you," Yeager commented. "Well. Let me introduce myself before we have our little chat. I'm Davijaan Yeager." he introduced himself. "I have so wanted to meet you for quite a while now," he added.

"Have I done something to offend you, sir?" Hunt asked quietly. He had not yet moved to step off of the transporter pad. Despite the fact that he was here to hand deliver a report to Admiral Yeager. Hunt then suddenly made the realization that this was Admiral Yeager's husband. Talon's husband in this reality.

"You mean you, personally?" Yeager asked, still wearing a rather jovial smile. "No. I got nothing against you," he commented. "Welcome aboard Commander."

Hunt paused as he stepped off the pad. "Did Captain Duval say I was coming?"

"No," Yeager answered. "I was waiting for her or for her representative. I suspected that she might send you in her stead. I know you have unfinished matters between you and Talon. I know she has her own concerns to take care of regarding you as well. But I wanted a moment to meet you before I escort you to her." Yeager explained himself. "I want to know your mind. So, let's go for a stroll," he added.

Hunt knew that the man before him could order him to do it and he would be compelled to obey the order. As simple as it was. Hunt sighed softly. As he once again found himself answering for the crimes of someone else. "It's because of the other me... Isn't it.?" Hunt asked.

"Yes," Yeager answered bluntly. "Oh, you have the right to speak freely. Do not feel the need to repress yourself because of what the other guy did and said."

"Why am I still paying for his crimes...?" Hunt all but demanded in an angry tone of voice. "I am not him. If I am to be judged and sentenced for the crimes of another... Then judge me as I am, not by what he was." Hunt regarded the other man as the two walked down the hallway. "I know what he did. I watched his video recordings in his own logs. I heard his crimes. I know what he did to Noel. To Talon... To his... my other children." he growled.

Yeager grinned. Oh yes, he liked this man and it showed too. "Because he was a cruel and cold man. He treated others like pawns and playthings. But... You. No." Yeager turned his head. "You may wear his name and face. But you are nothing like him. Which makes me very happy actually."

Hunt skidded to a halt. "What?!" he hissed.

"Yes." Yeager turned to face the man, now standing behind him. He smiled. "You ended up getting pulled through a subspace anomaly and you got sent here. To this point, we have yet to duplicate the manner or even locate the reality you come from." he paused. "Except nine years had passed for you. You ended up facing the love of your life when she was a decade older and having been traumatized by him." he paused. "I wish I had better news," Yeager added.

"I didn't think Starfleet had succeeded. It was too much to hope for." Hunt answered with a long sigh. "But I'm going to be direct with you. I hate this reality and everything in it. I want to go home and the sooner Starfleet can arrange it, the better for us all."

"Is that because of him or in spite of him?" Yeager cocked his head ever so slightly to one side.

"Both," Hunt answered. "He's left me nothing but ashes."

"Well, actually. Thats not true." Yeager commented. "Captain Duval took you onto her ship as her senior tactical officer. She did it because Talon asked her to do so."

Hunt paused. "What?" he regarded the other man. "I don't understand... After what the other man did to her. Why would she help me?."

"Isn't it obvious?" Yeager asked gently. "Talon knew you were in a reality that was a sick parody of the one you came from, so she wanted you to have the best chance of integrating. In case you were here for good." Yeager explained. "See. Talon does know something about how you feel as she has a new sibling who came here from another reality. A darker one which it's Federation if you wish to call it that. Tended to abuse its own rather than help them, as ours does." Yeager explained. "Astrid has had a far easier time settling in rather than you seem to have," he added.

Hunt paused. "I didn't know that," he added in a quiet tone of voice.

"Indeed." Yeager nodded, he clearly knew that Hunt didn't know. "Now that we have had our little chat. Let's go see Talon... Yes, she is expecting you." he added before he turned away. He started walking again as Hunt realized that he was expected to follow. He did so, in silence.