Intervention

Moored on the outer docking rings of Starbase Lotus, with the base itself as a mural-like backdrop the USS Horizon provided those aboard the starbase with a fantastic visage. The flagship of Lotus Fleet sat silent as she underwent repairs from her encounter with Khan's USS Nemesis. Aboard the ship, the corridors were more silent than usual with much of her crew on leave, and those that remained aboard were in the middle of a sleep cycle. In effect, it was a peaceful night aboard the Horizon, but not for everyone.

Oseno Jureth, the Horizon's Bajoran Chief of Strategic Operations walked at an even pace through the ship's quiet corridors. He had just left the Horizon's integrated escort the USS Polaris after conducting yet another inspection of the Aquarius Class Destroyer's repairs. Oseno told himself he was just being thorough as the escort's commanding officer, but the truth was his constant presence was beginning to annoy the engineering crews. The Bajoran had slept very little since the Horizon returned to her home base and while others were on shore leave Jureth chose to busy himself with tasks that either didn't need to be done immediately, or could be delegated to junior officers.

Oseno did these things to keep his mind busy. Every time he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep the images from the Nemesis came flooding back to him. Images of his crew in antimatter containment pods being tortured by Khan Noonien Singh. In particular those of the Vulcan T'Lana whom Khan had chosen to use as leverage to press Jureth into giving up the command codes of the Polaris. The silent agony of the woman's facial features were burned into Oseno's mind. Every time he saw them the feelings of failure he had felt after returning from the Nemesis raged inside him. So, he chose simply not to experience them by not sleeping, and keeping himself occupied with things that a senior officer aboard a starship wouldn't normally be doing.

Now, Jureth approached one of the Horizon's holodecks to immerse himself in a workout program he'd brought with him from the Alsea. It contained a mixture of Klingon Mok'bara, and Earth martial arts such as jujitsu, and judo. It was effective in keeping up his martial skills as well as taking his mind off of everything else around him. As he approached the holodeck he was surprised to see the doors part and reveal another of the Horizon's crew, and one of his staff. It was his diplomatic specialist, the El-Aurian Adira Yiral. She smiled warmly at him as he approached

"Good morning Commander, up early for a workout?"

"You could say that, yes." Jureth replied not really wanting to let on that he had been up most of the night.

Despite the Bajoran's attempt to hide his sleeplessness it was not difficult for Adira, who had become quite adept at reading the galaxy's more emotional species during her diplomatic career, to pick up on the fact that Oseno seemed...tired for lack of a better word. His response to her perfectly normal question had been measured, and there was a weariness in his physical features that was not normally there.

"Commander, forgive me for prying Sir, but are you feeling okay?"

"Of course," Jureth replied with a half smile "just trying to keep up with all of the repair work."

"Actually Sir, from what I hear you've been around the Polaris quite a bit, and at odd hours."

How does she do that? Oseno thought. It was not the first time Yiral had revealed that she knew more information than she had initially let on. Aloud Jureth tried to deflect the comment.

"I am the Polaris CO, Commander, it is my job to make sure her repairs are proceeding as scheduled."

"In the middle of the night?" Adira replied with a slight twinkle in her eye "Sir, if I may be so bold, I've heard that Counselor Lyrya is quite good at her job. Perhaps you should contact her."

"That is bold Commander," Oseno replied slightly irritated at the suggestion "have a good morning."

"Of course Sir," Adira replied cheerfully "and please call me Adira!"

Jureth shook his head as he entered the holodeck, and then engaged his work out program. After the workout though, alone in his quarters Jureth thought hard about Adira Yiral's suggestion, and eventually came to the realization that the El-Aurian diplomat was probably right. If he didn't find a way to get some sleep he would be no good to anyone, perhaps Lyrya could help him get some of the images out of his head.

"Computer, is Lieutenant Lyrya aboard?"

"Affirmative."

Oseno tapped his combadge, "Commander Oseno to Lieutenant Lyrya."

The call did not rouse the Aenar chief counselor from sleep. Like all Andorians, she needed but four hours of sleep per thirty-two hours, the actual lenght of the Andorian day; she had been already up and doing her daily meditation while her spouses were also up and about, security lieutenant Tyvya moving out for a firing exercise on the shooting range of the ship and Captain Kheren taking a water shower. Unlike other Andorians, her skin was not blue but milk white; and the large eyes on her elfin face were colorless, pupiless orbs, obviously sightless. But like all others from her icy moonworld, she could still see colors and movement through the photoreceptors of the antennae that rose from the top of her forehead and thus move around with ease. They were also housing her auditory organs which were as sensitive as those of a Terran dog; hence why Andorians avoided the shrill, displeasing standard sonic showers for the more ancient types of cleaning ritual. Thus, she was activating her combadge almost the moment Oseno's voice was heard over the comm.

"Yes, Commander; what can I do for you?"

"Lieutenant, I was wondering...do you have any openings in your counseling schedule?"

"How about right now?" proposed the Aenar.

Part of Jureth wanted to find something else to do, some inspection to conduct, or supply request to approve, but instead he replied

"That would be fine, where can I meet you?"

"Wherever you would feel most comfortable, Commander."

The Aenar did not read the Bajoran's mind; her cultural code of honor, her professional code and her personal discretion forbid her to telepathically pry into others minds. But it did not take any psionic power to perceive the deep concern that was heard in Oseno's voice. She didn't knew much, even with the praise and respect her husband shared with her about the commander he had worked with against the threat of the Azimuth Horizon and more recently in saving the Horizon from a transwarp eddy; but she had noticed the poise, discipline and professionalism of the man even under pressure and after dire situations. It would take much to shake such a person. And that is what she felt in the tiredness of his voice; something shook him deeply.

"We can use the forward observation lounge, there is enough of the crew on leave that likely no one will be there."

"I will meet you there."

"Thank you, Oseno out."

Jureth, not wanting to get allow himself to come up a reason to not go, immediately left his quarters and started for the Horizon's forward observation lounge. The walk and turbolift ride were not lengthy, and he found the room empty when he arrived. The observation port itself was closed, but Oseno remedied that with a command entered into the control panel. The blind retracted revealing a fantastic view of Starbase Lotus and the space around it. A few work bees flitted by as the morning work crews began their shifts, but mostly it was the starbase painted against the blackness of space. Oseno stood facing the port, arms clasped behind him and contemplated the scene. He thought back to his home, Bajor, and a time when he had first come to understand that his father had been a Starfleet officer. Jureth had been too young to remember his father of course, Karrath had been killed mere months after Jureth was born when his starship was attacked and destroyed by Jem'Hadar ships, but from the moment the young boy had found out what his father's career had been Jureth wanted to follow him to the stars. Jureth's mother had discouraged it, not wanting her son to someday meet the same fate as her husband had, but the stubborn young man that Jureth became would have none of it. On his own Jureth had sought out Kira Nerys and her sponsorship for his application to Starfleet Academy, and now here he was aboard one of the Fleet's most prestigious ships contemplating giving it all up. These were Oseno's thoughts when the door to the lounge opened behind him.

When the ship's counselor came into the vast room with it,s immense transparency open to the stary vastness of space, she was peobably the only person on board who didn't pause at the awesome spectacle of the universe. But not seeing the panoramic view didn't mean she was really blind to it; she could sense even without trying to the awe it generated in others... like the one lonely figure that was already there waiting for her.

"Greetings Commander."

Oseno turned from the observation port  "Good morning Counselor, thank you for taking time to see me."

"Is that what Humans call a joke, Commander?"

Her wide pupiless eyes blinked at him.

The lack of facial muscles in the Andorian face prevented her from smiling; but the tone of her voice was light enough to convey her intention to ease their meeting with the light jest. Her antennae were curving inward in the equivalent of a smile Andorian made and Oseno might now be sufficiently familiar with the ghelnoid species to catch it as well; after all, his ship sported one of the largest Andorian crews in Starfleet and his commanding officer himself was Andorian.

The Aenar waited for Jureth to initiate conversation and decide if he wanted to stand or sit in any of the comfortable chairs dotting the vast observation lounge. He was troubled and there was no need of her formidable telepathic powers or keen empathy to be made aware of it.

Until the counselor pointed it out, Oseno hadn't realized what he said and then when she asked him about what he said he wanted to smack himself in the head, but instead he offered a half smile.

"I'm sorry I........I'm just so tired I didn't think before I spoke"

Jureth sank down in the nearest chair and motioned for Lyrya to sit as well. "I'm sure you can tell this already, but since we returned from our mission, I haven't slept well or much at all to be honest."

She sat gracefully despite her blindness, with slow, deliberate movements that were strangely soothing to watch, almost as if she glided in slow motion  instead of walking and moving around.

"You've been through not one but two life and death crisis in a row without pause that related not only to yourself but also to friends and colleagues. What you experience is expected from most sentient species except those that have been dulled through it, either genetically like Klingons, through constant intense exposure like Andorians or through extraordinary discipline like Vulcans. fact is, you being inconvenienced so soon after the events is a good sign. Too many times, these... difficulties surface months, even years later, causing many psychological and sociological problems which become difficult to resolve so long after."

She blinked at him looking directly at his face just as if she could see him.

"The easy solution is medication; but sometimes, when the scars run too deep or later reopen through other stressful situations, it only postpone, or worse, expand the inner wound behind a veil of numbness, until it damages you beyond help. However, addressing the problem as soon as possible with your conscious mind is hard, sometimes painful; but in the end, it helps statrts a real healing process."

She leaned towards him, her antennae pointing straght at him.

"Can you tell what exactly troubles your sleep?"

"Khan..." Oseno said with pain in his voice "While I was aboard the Nemesis he demanded I give him the command codes for the Polaris. Of course I refused, baited him, goaded him, told him I would rather destroy the asteroid and everyone on it rather than give him what he wanted."

As Jureth told the story to the Aenar counselor the memories flooded back to him. The dead bodies on the bridge, the smell, and Khan...as if he were standing in front of the Bajoran again. Oseno closed his eyes for a moment and then continued

"It was as if he knew what I would say. He put my crew in antimatter containment pods, and then he activated one of the fields. Lieutenant T'Lana, an officer that was with me on the Lotus, and the Alsea, and one that I've come to respect and admire greatly, was inside. He...raised the power on the field, and I could see her pain, the agony on her face, and I....I couldn't watch it...I surrendered the codes for the ship."

Jureth felt the beginnings of tears trickle down his face, tears of frustration, anger, and sadness but still he continued looking at Lyrya "I saved their lives...but I failed them. I failed them, I failed the captain, Starfleet, Bajor, and the Federation...because I gave him exactly what he wanted. Without the codes to the Polaris, the Nemesis wouldn't have had enough antimatter to get underway...."

Lyrya was silent, listeniing to him; not so much to his words than to his voice, the way those words came out. That's where the real person was, the one in torment. When he stopped speaking to get back is hold on himself, she allowed some time for him to resume his thoughts if he wanted to.

Jureth trailed off...the Bajoran had spent his tired mind in getting that far, and needed to stop before he completely broke down.

As silence went on, she broke it before it became a weight on his already crushed conscience.

"It is not for me to judge you actions as an officer. That is for the captain to do. But tell me this; had you not given your access code when T'Lana was being tortured before your very eyes, what would have happened?

"I...don't know...I assume that he would have killed her, maybe killed them all...or maybe he knew I would break and never intended to kill them at all."

"Let's assume the worst; they're all dead... and so are you; would it have stopped him from getting what he wanted?"

"Probably not," Oseno admitted "Though my death would have slowed him down. Only I had full command access to the ship."

Jureth wasn't trying to be contradictory, he was being honest. In the chaos surrounding the first launch of the Polaris he hadn't had time to designate a second in command for the ship, and so no other officer aboard had the command authorization that the Bajoran had.

"Did he truly want your ship... or just what was in it?"

Oseno had to think about that question, he had assumed at the time Khan wanted the Polaris, and her weaponry. In hindsight it was likely that Khan had only wanted to strip the ship of her antimatter, and parts to repair the Nemesis damaged systems.

"In hindsight, it is probably safe to say he would have probably had the Jem'hadar strip her for parts in addition to siphoning off her antimatter."

"Of course, at the time you couldn't have known. But then, at the time, did you feel as troubled as you feel now?"

"Troubled....no. Scared...yes, for the lives of my people and for anyone else he might hurt in his attempt to exact his revenge."

The Aenar cocked her head on a side, as if to hear him better; which was meaningless since she had no ears, the antennae on top of her head doing the job as good as the ears of Terran dogs. but it gave her a concerned, attentive expression that was meant to both soothe the man in front of her and keep him in a rational state despite the emotions she deliberately stirred in him.

"Your people suffered then... so did we... and you... but all are now safe and sound and Khan will never be able hurt anyone else again... thanks to you. So... what is troubling you now?"

"I wish I had a simple answer for you Counselor," Oseno replied with resignation "All I know is that nearly every time I try to sleep I relive the events that happened on that ship, and I see T'Lana's face as Khan exposes her body to the magnetic containment field. It is as painful now as it was then, and yet I can't say that I would have done anything differently. I find myself wondering how I can face my people and my friends, and if surrendering my ship to Khan makes me unfit to be a Starfleet officer.  If you look in my medical records you will find a note regarding a scar that I had which was the result of fight with a Cardassian on Risa. I left it the way it was to remind me of the results of my own stubborness and arrogance. I had it regenerated after Operation Horizon believing I'd changed as a man and an officer, but now I wonder if that was really the case. I played right into Khan's hands from the moment his Jem'Hadar first tried to get the command codes from me. I acted with the same stubborn arrogance that I did with that Cardassian on Risa..."

She blinked her sightless eyes at him; yet it was as if she was staring into his very soul.

"Did you... really?" she asked. But her tone was not truly a questionning one. And then, it became that of a genuine question; " Can you please refresh my memory and tell me what is General Order 17?"

"Starfleet General Order 17" Jureth quoted directly from his academy lessons  "Starfleet vessel captains are to consider the lives of their crew members as sacred. In any potentially hostile situation, the captain will place the lives of his crew above the fate of his ship."

Oseno saw what the counselor was getting at and truthfully he hadn't considered that particular order in the midst of placing all the blame squarely on himself. So, surrendering his ship was justifiable...legally anyway. He sighed aloud "That justifies surrendering the Polaris command codes, and I suppose in the midst of all of this I hadn't stopped to think about it. If that is the case then, why do I keep reliving those events? Why do I feel so responsible for their pain?"

"Could it be because you just don't like to loose?" 

Oseno leaned back, of course he didn't like to lose. He'd never met a Starfleet officer, much less a security officer, that did. Could that really be the only reason? 

"Of course I don't," he said voicing his thoughts aloud  "I don't know any officers, much less any security officers, that do. Do you really believe that is all it is? My own unwillingness to admit that Khan beat me?"

She didn't smile. She simply couldn't. But her antennae sharply curved inward.

"Did he?"

Jureth caught the change in the Aenar's antennae and while he had no way to read the meaning, something he made a mental note to read up on, he also caught the meaning of her question.

"I suppose he didn't. I escaped, my people escaped, even Tess escaped, and my ship was liberated thanks to Commander Redding and his team."

"And yours," added Lyrya. "Your entire crew was back at their post when Commander Redding brought everyone back. They also saved all the refugees of the Jem'Hadar camp, Lieutenant-Commander K.Leysha along with you and even freed the Jem'Hadar from their own meaningless exile and self-chosen enslavement. Moreover, can lost everything; his base, his chance to return and conquer, even control of his ship-body when the Admiral Redding hologram confronted him."

She made a pause to let all the data of their successful mission before continuing.

"Please refresh again my memory. Who again was it that risked his own ship and crew to allow the Horizon to reach safely the edge of the galaxy and find this threat and those lost people? Who was it that brought aboard the Nemesis the datachip containing the Admiral Redding hologram...and allowed to rescue Tess? And who was it that risked his own life to hamper and distract Khan long enough for all this to happen?"

"To be fair, I had no idea what the data chip contained, other than Commander Redding's previous memories, and knowledge," Oseno pointed out "as for the rest of the events...that was me." Jureth realized at that moment what Lyrya was trying to tell him. "I didn't fail at all..." he said softly "so, is it all in my head, and if so how do I fix it?"

"Go see T'Lana," simply said the Aenar. "Your mind is lingering in the past. Seeing her now, speaking to her now, working with her now, will reorient you away from the past... and towards tomorrow."

Oseno nodded "I will, thank you Counselor. I think that it may still be a little bit before I'm able to not see those images so vividly, but you've helped me a great deal today."

"As the Vulcan are fond of saying, we come to serve," Lyrya answered with a nod of her white-haired head. "And as any doctor will tell you, true healing is done by the patient, not the pill. "

Her pale, delicate form rose with a grace that almost made one beleive she was floating.

"By the way, remember that the captain asked Starfleet to recognize your valor and also certify you as the commanding officer of the Polaris. Maybe you should try dreaming about your new career as a decorated starship captain, even if it is under the great wing of this big bird," she added, rolling her eyes around as if to look over the immense starship around them. "Active dreaming is an easy skill to learn and will do much for your psyche. If you wish, I can start you with some basic exercises."

Oseno nodded in reply "I'll welcome anything that will help."

"Come by my office when you have time before you go to your quarters," she then offered in parting.

"Thank you again," Jureth replied standing "oh, and something else, I don't think I ever had a chance to thank you for your help during Operation Horizon. Without your guidance as to what the Undine were thinking I might not have had the insight to change my strategy."

"I just happen to have bigger ears than yours, Commander, " simply acknowledged the Aenar, wiggling her antennae. "You are an exemplary Starfleet officer and a perceptive individual; at the first hint, you would have tried the peaceful solution over the violent one and probably achieved the same success. You're quite like my husband in that regard; always choosing life over death, peace over violence, reason over base instinct.... but always ready to do the right thing the right way. That's probably why he respects you so much"

Oseno nodded solemnly "Bajor and I suppose the galaxy at large have seen too much war and death in our recent history. I personally think it's about time for some peace, even if I do have a tendency to keep a phaser at my side. When I started with Lotus Fleet I was the prototypical Starfleet security officer, I believed Phasers were for peace and quantum torpedoes for diplomacy. Having to take command of the Alsea changed a great deal about my thinking as did working with the captain. I am a better being, and officer for having experienced both of those things. Now, I believe I have a friend to visit. Thank you Counselor, enjoy the rest of your day."

Lyrya looked as if she was smiling although none of her rare face muscles moved. But the feeling was felt never the same as he soft, empty eyes lowered in answer before she did a small bow and left.

Oseno lingered a moment looking out again at the magnificent view of the Starbase..

"computer, close blind."

With that command Jureth turned and left the observation lounge heading for Sickbay. Upon entering the Horizon's medical facility Oseno inquired briefly with the duty officer regarding his friend's condition.

"Excuse me Ensign," he said pleasantly as he walked up to the desk. "Can you give me the status of Lieutenant T'Lana?"

"Of course," the dark haired human woman said with a smile "One moment Sir." She tapped a few commands into the console in front of her, and then looked up

"It seems the lieutenant regained consciousness this morning. She is resting pending evaluation for release to duty."

"May I see her?"

"Yes Sir," the young officer replied pointing toward a row of biobeds. Oseno scanned with his eyes and found the Vulcan woman whom  he considered not just a colleague, but a friend as well. Jureth walked over to the bed side and T'Lana looked up at him with what still appeared to be tired eyes.

"Commander, I am told that we have been back to base for some time."

"T'Lana, it's good to see you awake,"

"Thank you Sir, the doctor informed me that my injuries were quite severe."

Oseno nodded solemnly and took a moment before he responded "T'Lana, I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry, the injuries you sustained could have been lessened if I had given Khan what he wanted."

The Vulcan looked at him and her expression did not change "Commander, as I understand the events that took place there was no action that you could have taken, therefore it is logical that you have nothing to apologize for. You did not inflict my injuries, and you acted in the manner prescribed by Starfleet regulations."

Oseno felt somewhat relieved by her response to his apology. He should have known that T'Lana would not hold anything against him, but he had let his emotions overwhelm him. Counselor Lyrya had been right, and some part of him knew that she had been even during their conversation. He smiled at T'Lana

"Thank you T'Lana, I hope to see you up and about soon. The ship needs you, and I need you."

"The Bynar tell me that they wish to observe my condition for a short time longer, but that I will be cleared to return to duty soon."

Oseno nodded, "Get some rest. I'll see you soon."

Jureth left Sickbay feeling that his mind was somewhat rejuvenated, and felt that with some rest his body would soon follow.

***

Oseno Jureth woke from his first full night's sleep, and then some, since the Horizon had been back from her maiden voyage. It didn't take him long to pull on a fresh uniform and step out into the cavernous corridors of Lotus Fleet's flagship. He smiled and nodded at both familiar and unfamiliar faces as he made his way to the docking bay of the USS Polaris. As he entered the bay he passed by the two security officers outside after allowing them to confirm his identity and took stock of his ship. Her hull plates showed no signs of the stress they'd encountered during the ship's tumultuous launch from the Horizon and subsequent encounter with the Nemesis. In fact, the ship looked as she had the first day Jureth had laid eyes on her with the exception perhaps of the two MACO soldiers standing vigilant guard outside her docking hatch.

"Commander!" exclaimed Major Duncan MacGregor "Tis good to see you up and about Sir."

"Thank you Mac, I'm glad to see my security measures haven't lapsed."

"You've nary a worry with Fireteam Echo on the job Sir." he said with a smile

"You don't look any worse for the wear from your incarceration either Major."

Mac's expression changed to a look of disgust "I wish we'd had a proper crack at those Jem'Hadar, woulda taught them a lesson."

"I know you would have." Jureth said "I'm just glad we all got back alive."

"Aye, that we did Sir."

"You know Major, I hear our new security chief is a MACO officer."

"Aye, heard o' the lass I have, has quite the reputation."

"A good one I hope."

"Aye, that she does, best an brightest and all o' that."

Oseno smiled "Good, I also hear your squad is being transferred under my command."

"Aye, I heard that as well Sir. Lookin forward to it."

"Good, I'll be aboard ship for a bit."

"Aye Sir."

Oseno boarded the Polaris and again found her much like the first time he'd come aboard though this time he felt the familiar hum of the small ship's warp core as he made his way to the bridge. Once there Jureth wasted no time in taking the command chair and pulled out his personal PADD. He had an office aboard the Horizon of course, but he had found working aboard the Polaris almost comforting plus he was less likely to be disturbed here..