Fearful Symmetry - Part Four

Posted on Fri Jun 30th, 2023 @ 12:50pm by Division Admiral Talon Yeager & Lieutenant Commander Jerome Hunt & Post Captain Davijaan "Oddball" Yeager

Mission: Mission 120: All Along the Watchtowers - Part Two
Location: Various Locations - USS Shinano
Timeline: 1030Hrs - January 11th, 2394

Lt Commander Jerome Hunt regarded the woman he had loved as she stood before him. He decided to simply let her have it rather than fuck with her or toy with her husband. Who was sitting on the sofa? He had not said a word or even acted as if he cared about anything anyone else had said or done So he decided to make his feelings clear and plain on the matter at present. "From what I'm hearing. It sounds like I'm going to be stuck here for the rest of my days. The original version of me, the one native to this reality. Left me with a right mess to take care of. It's a shame I never got to meet him. I would have killed him for his affront to my name and... For what he did to you." he paused a moment. "I hate being here. In this reality. It's a sick and twisted version of the reality I once knew. Knowing that my home is waiting for me, with a woman who's missing me... It drives me insane. But I can't do anything as I'm stuck here in this place."

Talon knew this was good. He didn't disappoint her. She then grinned at him. "I never said we had given up Jerome. We are going to get you home, someway and somehow. We just have yet to find your home or origin. There are millions of timelines and alternate realities. With more appearing all of the time." she then huffed a sigh. "Also, keep in mind that we are unsure if the reality we're sending you to is actually the right one." she paused a moment. "But we there are higher powers. We could ask someone else to look at it for us. The Guardian of Forever... or the Bajoran prophets."

Hunt paused, this was an option that he had yet to consider. "I'd not thought of that." he paused. "I just miss my Talon. It gnaws at me, every moment of every day that I'm not with her," he admitted. "You look like her in all the ways that matter. But I have to contend with him and the crimes of the other me." Hunt then shook his head. "At times, it's just too much for me to deal with. Y'know?" He was unsure of how to word it and it showed. He then sighed as he had not intended to let her know so much in one sitting. But he wasn't interested in sugarcoating his issues or concerns.

"I do," Talon answered quietly. "Oh, yes. I do. Very much so." she added. "But saying it doesn't exactly help. Does it?" She regarded him with a measure of curiosity and unhappiness. Rather than pity and scorn.

"No," Hunt responded quietly. "I'm sorry Admiral, it doesn't." he then sighed softly. "Because in the end, it makes no difference. I'm still here, stuck in a reality that hates me and is disgusted by me. All because of the actions of the other guy who wore my face and held my name." he paused. "Now that, is too much to endure." he then sighed. "What's worse is that if none of the higher powers help me to go back to my actual place in reality. Then I am stuck, trying to make a life for myself. Here, in a reality that I utterly despise."

Talon nodded her head in understanding. She might not have agreed with his opinions but she did appreciate his directness and candour. "Because the rest of the world has come to hate you because of the actions of another," she said her response in such a way that she knew of his issues rather than asking it as a question.

"Yes," he answered bluntly. "Anyway." he wanted to end this encounter before he said or did anything truly stupid. "Captain Duval and the rest of the crew should be done moving the equipment into your cargo holds," he commented. "Do you have anything for me to take back to Captain Duval.?"

"Yes. Take this back to her." Talon answered. "I wish things had been easier for you Jerome," she added.

Hunt regarded her in silence for a moment. "It's not, and I have to deal with the mess that the other guy left me. Even my own parents have issues with me, because of him." he sighed softly. "I cost them, their grandchildren."

"No." Talon reacted angrily. "You cost me nothing," she added. "It was him, all him and nothing but him. My issues with him, died when he died." she added. "He was the one who was the author of my pain, not you. You have been nothing but civil and respectful to me since you walked through that door," she added.

Hunt paused as she accepted the PADD. "I will consider what you have said," he answered. "If you consider mine."

"I will," Talon answered softly. "On your way then. Give Captain Duval my regards please?" she asked.

"I will." Hunt turned and departed in silence.