Blood Brothers?

Posted on Tue Jun 14th, 2022 @ 1:19am by Captain Stenn & Ensign Michael Sloan

Mission: Mission 6 - Memory
Location: Turbolift
Timeline: Day 299. 1020hrs
2507 words - 5 OF Standard Post Measure

Stenn was on a lift when it stopped on E Deck and Sloan stepped on. Before Stenn’s coma Sloan had been in charge of the ships Armory. Since that time, it had been discovered Sloan was a Romulan. He was the first one Stenn had knowingly encountered.

“You are a Romulan" He said, his tone neutral, rather than accusatory, simply announcing a known fact.

“Yes,” Michael replied simply. He had already argued the finer points of the genetic manipulation and memory graphing mixed with the failed activation trigger had left him as both Human and Romulan while also being neither. But, for the sake of argument, the simple answer was a yes.

“Your people collaborated with Administer V’Las to try and incite war between Vulcan and Andoria. Had that plan come to fruition millions of Vulcans and Andorians may have died in a senseless conflict.

Were you placed on the Atlantis to ferment a similar conflict with Humans?” Stenn asked him directly, but calmly.

“The Romulan Senate anticipated a coming conflict with United Earth,” Michael explained. Accessing memories that felt like someone else’s life, he further said, “I was an Engineer who's job it was to reverse engineer technology from other species. I was selected to learn about the best of Human technology and report back a full detailing of the capabilities of United Earth. Secondary objectives were to disrupt any potential battle by any means necessary.” He left silent both how the term selected gave the illusion of choice to a situation that had none, and just how much damage an activated sleeper agent could have caused behind the tactical console of one of the most advanced ships in a fleet.

Stenn nodded, the actions Sloan described seemed logical for an infiltrator. "And what now, now that the ship in many light years from Earth and you with it?"

"I was captured during our contact with the Vrav, who tried to repair my mind," Michael began, knowing that the Vulcan before him had been incapacitated during the mission. The Chief Engineer continued, "During that process, they were unable to finish the job before I was rescued. It left me with two people in one mind. Lieutenant Darru was able to mind meld with me to combine the Human Michael and the Romulan Alidar together, so there is no danger of a trigger and I am committed to getting everyone home safely." Since everything happened, Michael had learned to be open with the questions. Some people accepted him and others would never trust him again. Either way, the air was clear and he would learn exactly where he stood with certain people.

Stenn nodded, the news about Darru mind-melding with Sloan was new. That would require some consideration later. But it was logical for the man to want to work to help the ship return, thereby preserving his own life as well as others.

"It is said that our people once shared a common heritage but that your ancestors still followed the path of violence and aggression.

Yet the Captain has chosen to show trust in you. Why do you think she did that?"

Carefully considering the question, Sloan replied, "Because not all of me is the Romulan agent. I am also still the Human who risked everything in the Xindi attack on Earth and the one who helped hold things together when Captain Morgan was killed in the anomaly that pulled us across the quadrant. Though truthfully, I cannot speak for her and I do not know the full reason." It was a question that Michael still grappled with every day. "Romulan society is not built upon violence and aggression, we have simply decided to live with our emotions closer to the surface than those who remained on Vulcan."

"Those actions, while commendable, are still both self-preserving, regardless of your external physical appearance." Stenn commented. "I think you will find you will have a problem trying to be both Romulan and Human when you were sent to Earth as the enemy of Humans. Your nature is Romulan, as such you can choose to be at peace with and cooperate with Humans, as Vulcans
do, but that does not mean you should pretend to be one. Even though you would appear to share similar emotional traits"

“I am not pretending to be anything,” Sloan replied in a cold tone. “Perhaps we shall find out what reception I’m met with in about a century and a half,” he added. Perhaps it was because the Romulan technology that created him was beyond the grasp of Vulcan understanding or maybe because the MACO was incapacitated during the encounter with the Vrav, it was clear that he did not understand what exactly Sloan was.

“Did you know that the Human Sloan was on course to become a MACO?” the Chief Engineer asked. “Perhaps he may have found his way under your command?”

"Assault Command, like Starfleet, would be logical choice to place an infiltrator" Stenn acknowledged. He would check King's records to see if he had filed a report that Earth's military could have been breached as Starfleet had. "I am curious as to why you refer to yourself separately, in the third person, for example the Human Sloan?"

"You have not read any of the reports have you?" Michael asked, giving the Vulcan a puzzled look. Deciding that it would save both of them time and patience if he just briefly explained it again, "The fully Human Sloan was the MACO recruit who was mortally wounded in a shuttle accident during survival training, the fully Romulan Alidar was an engineer in the Empire. The Empire's intelligence agency recovered some of the bodies of the shuttle and found that he was the best candidate. Alidar was pressed into service to become genetically modified, to match the Human exactly. Memories were then implanted over the Romulan consciousness, burying the Romulan identity until some kind of trigger brought the Romulan mind to the surface. I had no identity awareness other than Michael Sloan and was placed with the shuttle wreckage. Upon my arrival on Earth, I joined Starfleet. Up until the Vrav captured me, I had no idea that I was not Michael Sloan, born in Johannesburg, South Africa. However, the Vrav were able to somehow sense that my mind had been damaged. They attempted to repair the damage, but were unable to finish. Thus I was left as both identities driving me insane. That is until the mind meld with Darru was able to combine the two." Taking a short rest to look into the Vulcan's eyes to gauge where Stenn was, Michael continued, "To answer your question, I view both the original Michael and the Romulan known as Alidar as two different people. Everything that has happened since I became what I am is me."

Stenn resisted the urge to say "Fascinating" although the technology involved sounded highly advanced.

He instead spoke factually. "You are correct, in that I do not have access to Starfleet personnel files. You are stating that you were essentially altered to replace the original dead Michael Sloan along with his memories and with your own Romulan consciousness repressed. The contact with the Vrav created a mental imbalance with both Human and Romulan personalities in conflict, Darru assisted you to resolve those."

"You now regard yourself as a third being, one created from those parents Why then do you retain the name of Sloan? And perhaps more importantly, where do your loyalties lie?"

Considering the questions for a moment, Sloan had to admit to himself that they were excellent questions. “It’s not that I necessarily see myself as a third identity, though it is probably that truth. The memories I had from before, from both sets of memories, felt disconnected. Almost as though I was watching archive footage in my mind.” Considering further, Michael added, “I decided to keep the Human name for two reasons. One, it felt easier to keep the same name. Second, I’m not sure that the crew would have reacted well to a person with a Romulan name.” The loyalty question was most definitely the difficult one. Considering his words, Michael answered, “I consider myself loyal to this crew. United Earth does have better laws and more freedoms. An individual does not have to constantly be on guard for loyalty agents, and you may refuse orders in certain circumstances. However, I hold no illusions about the future. A military tribunal awaits me. However, it is my hope that a century of living with this crew can help in my plea for defection.”

Stenn listened to the man's explanation thoughtfully. "You intend then to request political asylum on Earth? Should we eventually return there" He asked. "That is an interesting proposal, requesting asylum with a people who have never encountered your species and who do not yet know your own people are already their enemy..."

"I note also you believe that your cooperation and loyalty to this crew will stand you in good stead for such a request with Earth authorities" He continued "Just how much are you prepared to be cooperate? Are you willing to provide details of all Romulan activities concerning Earth and Vulcan that you have knowledge of?"

It was possible the man could become a major intelligence asset. Romulan involvement with members of the previous Vulcan High Command was known, but very few details of their plans had ever been discovered.

Likewise the Romulans were believed to be behind the drone attacks, using holo-projectors to disguise the craft to provoke conflict between Vulcans, Humans, Andorians and others.

"I was never officially part of the intelligence department," Michael admitted. "My knowledge of Romulan subversive activities was limited to my own mission. However, I can discuss the process of recovering technology from wrecked and adrift ships and reverse engineering it. I'll freely give up that information, not that it would matter in a century and a half." Continuing, Michael added, "Romulans are by nature paranoid of everyone, even each other. The Tal Shiar, a kind of hybrid secret police and intelligence agency, has agents everywhere. However, much of it is decentralized and need-to-know." Pondering a bit about the future, he conceded, "We have a long journey home. I am confident that all of our species will have had plenty of contact by the time we get home. I have no idea what to expect, I could be welcomed with a parade just as easily as I could with a waiting firing squad."

"I do not believe Human's execute prisoners anymore" Stenn replied "And to my knowledge, Humans have never encountered Romulans, neither have Vulcans directly. It is, therefore, unlikely the crew would distrust you more, or less, on the basis of using your real name, a name from a species they do not know." Stenn said. "That is not a logical position to take.

It is my experience that Humans, while they have their faults, can be quite open and welcoming. You might find that being honest about your true nature, is a better position to take, than attempting to continue to portray yourself as bio-replication of a dead Human.

One should be true to one's own self in all things. You may find it is better to be viewed as an altered Romulan who wishes asylum, than to be seen as a..."
He paused to get the Earth term and pronunciation correct "A doppelganger who is not the Human they thought you to be..." His eyebrow raised in question.

"You say be true to who I am," Michael started. Shaking his head slightly, he said, "That implies that I know who I am. Calling myself Alidar is just as alien to me as calling myself Michael. Therefore, neither name is entirely logical as I am neither fully the Human who died nor am I fully the Romulan engineer pressed into service." Shrugging, Sloan finished with, "Sometimes logic can not answer all of life's mysteries."

"That remains to be seen" Stenn replied.

Resisting the urge to smile, Michael retorted, "You should have a drink with Gerhard. I'm sure the two of you would get along famously, discussing your distrust of me." As the ship's former First Officer and Chief Armory Officer, Sloan truly understood where the two of them were coming from with their suspicions. He would not trust someone like himself.

"I do not consume alcohol" Stenn replied honestly. "Why do you think I distrust you?

“You are the first Romulan I have encountered directly, to form a judgement of you on the basis of so little information is not logical or productive. I believe you will act in a manner consistent with your own self-preservation as would any sentient, intelligent being, and as that coincides with the preservation of this ship and crew.”

That you are likely to act in an emotionally driven manner makes you no different to every Human aboard. I therefore believe I am able to trust you." Stenn concluded, with the caveat "at this time.”

Despite your alteration to appear Human, if the ancient legends are true, your species and mine share a common heritage..."

Explaining his thought patter, Sloan responded, “Romulan society is built upon mistrust, I believed that this was a soft interrogation.” Nodding to his the remark about their species being linked, he added, “Our species are indeed linked. I believe your people refer to us as those who march under the raptor’s wings. We were exiled during the time of Surak’s reforms.” Conceding a small point, Sloan added, “However I do not know if the exile was forced or self-imposed.”

"I have heard that term," Stenn acknowledged "If that is the true beginning of your people, at least they did not annihilate themselves after rejecting the path of peace and logic. Although a civilization built on fear and mistrust, whose citizens would seek asylum with another species seems destined to fail..."

"You would be surprised," Michael shrugged. He then pointed out, "If people feel secure and their needs are met, a less than democratic civilization can stand for a long time. Nobel ideals and democracies seem to be the ones that end up falling, history is full of examples." Motioning with his hands to indicate himself, Sloan explained, "Having memories of both, I would rather live free without someone looking over my shoulder. But, some societies need exactly that."

"A society without structure and order is anarchy, but control and domination is repressive" Stenn commented. The elevator came to a stop, he nodded to Sloan and stepped off "Good day Ensign"

"Good day," Michael replied with a polite nod as he made room for the Marine to walk off the elevator. Being one of his first one-on-one interactions with the Vulcan Marine, Sloan still did not know where exactly he stood. The next stop of the turbolift was Main Engineering.

 

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