Part I -- Memories...

Posted on Fri May 2nd, 2025 @ 3:41pm by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Zero

1,876 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Deck 15 | Arboretum | USS Ontario
Timeline: Current

ON:

Xavier decided to walk the ship, perhaps a trip to the arboretum to read the latest book on his list. He'd heard there was a little bench there while two ensigns were talking and he had to see it. There was something peaceful with being around flowers and plants...the kind that didn't try to eat you. A memory popped up from his University days that he hadn't thought about in a while. One of the few people that he'd actually talked to and he had gone to the arboretum to study when they were at the Academy and they met a plant...at one point that tried to take a bite out of them. He smiled.

Thanking of his old acquaintance always brought a smile to his face and for some reason the man had been on his mind a lot as of late. It was with counselor Lemming that he'd worked out that the reason was that they had actually been friends even though at the time Xavier didn't understand friendship.

Smiling he walked into the arboretum and quickly found a bench to sit on. He inhaled the various flowery smells. This was...amazing. He finally felt somewhat peaceful, especially after his run in with the demon Vulcan next door.

Zero walked through the doors of the Arboretum, his eyes fixed on the PADD in his hand, the metallic blue shifting slightly as his eyes took in the words. He was walked for a while before suddenly stopped to look up. As he eyes scanned the area, identifying it as the Arboretum, he wondered how he ended up there. This was the second time he found himself here without any reason to be. As if something inside him brought him here without him plotting a course to it. All he could do was look around the place and mutter softly to himself. "Curious."

Xavier smiled as he read up. He looked around noticing a few people around. As he scanned the group his mind landed on a solid figure. Eyes widening his mouth dropped open a little. The very many who had haunted his memories in the last few days stood a few feet away. "Zero?"

He heard his name and shifted his gaze over to where it came from. Almost immediately his eyes locked on the Lieutenant who called his name. The blue around his eyes seemed to turn slightly, zooming in to get a more detailed look. A hybrid officer of species 3259 and 3783. Vulcan and Romulan. His head tilted slightly as he was quick to identify the face. Xander, however he preferred Xavier. As he lowered his PADD to his side he began to approach the Lieutenant. "Xavier?" He said with a slight smile, which came as an involuntary reflex, before it faded quickly away. "You are a Lieutenant. Congratulations. What brings you to the Ontario?"

His mouth moved but no sound came out. It had been a long time. "Zero...I was just transferred here. Chief flight officer." A spooky memory flowed through his mind. The last time they had seen one another he'd made the comment that one they, when they were both Lieutenants, they would meet again. He wondered if Zero remembered.

"Interesting." Zero replied quickly. "Your skills as a pilot be come of great use onboard the Ontario. From what I recall, you achieved top marks at the academy so you are a valued choice as the Chief Flight Control Officer. Welcome Aboard."

"Thank you...It...is good to see you."

Suddenly their meeting came rushing back to him, a time when life had been difficult and kindness seemed to be elusive until he'd met Zero, the man who'd been so angry on his behalf and how he had been treated that he'd taken on an impossible number of people and had shown Xavier a kindness he had never experienced...


=/\= Many Years Ago - Starfleet Academy Year 1 =/\=

A Young Zero walked down the path outside the Academy building. His eyes were focused on a PADD, unaware of what was going on around him, as his eyes scanned the words and took it into his memory. He felt a breeze rush by, then another, then another. The weather report didn't signify for such an odd weather pattern, so he stopped and finally looed up from the PADD to feel another breeze rush by. This time he saw what it was. A cadet running by him. He observed another pass him and felt it necessary to see what was going on.

It didn't take him long to come across a group of cadets who had gathered in a circle. Most of them seemed more interested in what was going on than being a part of the commotion, so Zero decided to take a much closer look. As he pushed passed a few Cadets, he finally made it to the center to witness a familiar face. A Klingon Cadet and a few others were at the center, screaming and yelling at another Cadet who was on the ground.

"You do not belong here, petaQ. Your blood is tainted and without honor!" The Klingon Cadet shouted as the others students around him hollered in approval. "You should crawl back to whatever dark hole you and your kind live in and stay there until you-"

"Excuse me." Zero said, interrupting the Klingon Cadet's dialogue, as he walked towards them.

Xavier looked up at the new arrival. His eyes widened at the former Borg. Was he here to rag on Xavier too? He took a moment to shift away from the Klingon. He'd known that Klingon's didn't like Romulans but this ... not only was it alarming here in Starfleet but he'd left Vulcan for this specific reason because he'd seen it on Vulcan from his schoolmates and he'd gotten the putdowns from his own family.

Upon seeing the Liberated Borg approached, the Klingon became more frustrated as he was familiar with him as well. "What do you want, Borg? This does not concern you!"

Zero stopped by the downed Cadet and kept his eyes focused on the group causing the commotion. He had his own dealings with this group and knew immediately they were in violation of Academy guidelines. "I only wish to point out your error." He began in his emotionless tone. "He is not a petaQ. The Cadet is a Hybrid of two species. Species 3259 and Species 3783. More commonly known as Vulcan and Romulan. Notice the points of his ears and the sharp slant in his eyebrows. There are more features that identify his origins, but you are in a clear hostile state, so you would not be able to identify them, Cadet Aklak."

Aklak let out a growl as he approached Zero. "I will REMOVE YOUR ARMS FROM YOUR BODY, BORG! Do not interfere! His people are responsible for many deaths in the Klingon Empire. Some of that Klingon blood came from my own family!"

"And are you certain that their blood was spilled by members of his family?" Zero countered as he pointed down to the grounded Cadet. He knew very well what was going on here. The same thing happened to him. In fact, it was Aklak who demanded the same thing from Zero. The Borg killed many Klingons. Some Klingons were friends and family. He demanded Zero's blood be spilled to make up for it. Zero prepared was aware this would happen to him, he even accepted it and allowed some to take their bit of flesh, but he would not stand by and allow the same to happen to another Cadet. "You demand blood be shed by someone who knowns nothing of your loss or pain. You have no evidence that places the Cadet or any of his relations at those battles. I must ask you to refrain from this action and walk away before this fight costs you your career in Starfleet."

Xavier listened to the Borg cadet, who was fighting anger with logic and he had to admit to being a little mesmerized. He'd never been defended before and something tightened in his chest. There was a distinct burning in his eyes. He used all those feelings to push him to his feet.

Aklak took another step closer to Zero, grinding his teeth, as he fumed with anger. "I am not afraid of you, Borg." He said softly as he placed his hand on his shoulder. "I am allowing you to walk away and remove this from your memory. Take it... or I will damage you too."

The Liberated Borg looked at Aklak, the metallic blue in his eyes shifting slightly, as he observed the look on his face. Clearly, there was no way to talk him out of his actions or persuade him from leaving, so Zero made a decision. He placed his hand on Aklak's as he replied in his emotionless tone. "I must decline your offer." He said as he quickly twisted the Klingon Cadet's hand, the sound of a bone or two snapped was immediately head, before he placed his hand on his chest and shoved him back. The Klingon was flung back into his group of friends as they were all knocked over as he screamed in pain, gripping his hand. The group of Cadets surrounding then all gasped and shouted at the actions. "I must also warn you that, further action, may result in more bodily harm. Walking away now will prevent such damage. Please consider this as a warning. Not a threat."


=/\= Present Day: Arboretum USS Ontario =/\=

Xavier shook his head dispelling the memory from the day he'd met Zero. The day someone had stood up for him. He studied Zero. "Would you like to sit down?" He motioned to the bench behind him.

Zero looked at him, in a way some might consider cold, but for Xavier it was something he was used to when it came to interacting with Zero. "I shall accept your offer, Lieutenant." He replied as he walked over to the bench and sat down. It was almost mechanical in nature. Paused slightly between each action until finally sitting down at the bench. He looked straight ahead for a moment before turning his head to Xavier. "You appear to be reading, Lieutenant. I did not mean to interrupt that. You may continue if you prefer. I also apologize for causing such an interference. I do not know what triggered me to come to the Arboretum. It was not my destination. This is the second time I found myself in this location unexpectedly. It is curious and also... perplexing."

Xavier smiled. "I've been thinking about you the last while so perhaps this is what the Gods call fate. As for reading I prefer catching up with you." He studied Zero. "You have not changed since the Academy. Perhaps a bit more mature but still very much the same. I must say I'm...ashamed that we did not keep in touch."


To Be Continued...


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Lieutenant Zero
Chief Operations Officer
USS Ontario

&

Lieutenant Xavier
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Ontario

 

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