~F~ The Sentinel #5

[lucymalta]

Wow, new thread already.... So, what IS going on...

Enjoy.

Lucy


Chapter 57

Beverley was confused, every six months she routinely put people on the ship through a medical check-up, just to make sure everything was ok. Long term space travel could affect people in strange ways and she wanted to make sure that she was prepared for anything.

After Deanna had paid her a short visit with just a general query, she had become intrigued with Horatio’s records – though everything was in order for a normal human being, something had caught her attention. It was too normal…

Startled, she noticed that the three examinations she had performed on Horatio so far were completely identical. She would expect some kind of fluctuation – even a minute one, but there was nothing…

She wondered if it was the Symehk part of him that would keep his physiology so complete. Making a note in her log, she thought it was time for her to have a little chat with the Ambassador. This evening there was due to be a celebration in 10 forward as the diplomatic mission was now complete and the Enterprise received her new orders. Beverley checked her appointments and decided to ask Horatio to come and see her in a couple of days’ time.

&&

As she was preparing her clothes for the evening, Ehliena was surprised to see Horatio sink into a chair and close his eyes. As she moved closer, she saw his hand blur for a moment and shook her head. As she looked more closely, everything seemed to be fine, but that did not dismiss her concern.

“Horatio? Are you ok?”

The red-head opened his eyes and smiled softly, “Yes I’m ok, just really tired. The function this evening is the last thing I need, but if we don’t go, the Federation will look bad.”

Opening his arms slightly he gave Ehliena a soft look that would instantly bring her to his side, as she sat next to him, her arm on his shoulder he began to draw a little energy from her. “I just need a short nap, why don’t you join me? I have a feeling this evening will be a long one.”

Ehliena nodded and stood, holding out her hand to help him out of the chair. As they lay down together, Horatio began to give Ehliena a soft mind massage, which sent her to sleep in seconds. Pulling her as closely to him as possible, he began to draw a little more life force away from her body.

&&

Ehliena burst out laughing, she and Horatio were in a small group of people talking about other diplomatic efforts elsewhere and contrary to her earlier anxiety, she was actually enjoying herself. Horatio was quieter than usual, but she put it down to his tiredness, though when they had awoken after their nap, he had seemed much better and more refreshed.

Excusing himself, Horatio moved to the bar to get another drink for himself and Ehliena – not surprised that she joined him a moment later. The concern on her face scared him for a moment, made him feel sad – should he tell her what he was going through? Should he say what he was doing?

He rejected the thoughts instantly, no, there was still time. Indicating that they should join the Klingon Ambassador for a short moment, although Ehliena insisted that maybe they should leave, he turned to move and stumbled slightly.

Ehliena called out as Horatio fell to the floor, attracting attention from around the room. As she watched her partner, she became dismayed as his body seemed to contort for a moment, his features blurring in front of her eyes.

The next moment Horatio seemed to return to his Symehk form, the energy whirling around his body, before resuming his human persona. In anguish, Ehliena reached out to touch him. Before anyone could react, Ehliena was caught by an energy pulse that threw her across the room, where she slumped to the floor, unconscious.

[gonsy]

I have no words...... problems, serious problems.... How can I go to work and keep concentration now?

Gonsy

[Dr. Anna McBreadle]

OMG! things are going from bad to worse! whats going on??? hope that horatio and ehliena will be okay!
great chap lucy, but you can't leave us hanging like this??
luv
sam
x

[lucymalta]

Oh yes I can.....

Lucy

[sanne]

OH YES, she can Sam........and even more....SHE WILL.......

There are serious problems going on......and I guess things will come out in the open now....not way for H to hide it anymore.

Sandra

[pinkyster]

OMG, OMG, OMG. Well now Horatio is going to have to say something! I hope they are both ok. I have no other words right now! I will be sitting here impatiently waiting for the next chapter.....

Jen

[Dr. Anna McBreadle]

oh okay then! i will have to wait (impatiently) until tomorrow won't i?? i'm not good at waiting! LOL! ;D
luv
sam
x

[margaret1234]

Strange....what is going on?

Margaret

[NV Oracle]

No, this definitely is not good. Now he is going to have to say something, not only to Ehliena, but to everyone else, as well.

Terrific chapter, Lucy. Will wait (semi)patiently for tomorrow's installment. LOL

Your friend
NV Oracle

[lucymalta]

How is Horatio going to say something...? He's unconscious....

Lucy

[margaret1234]

And so is Ehliena. ;D......so who recovers first?

Margaret

[Dr. Anna McBreadle]

if they're both unconcious, maybe something might happen to them telepathically! just a thought but i'm probably wrong as usual! LOL
luv
sam
x

[lucymalta]

So... Shall I tell you more....

Enjoy

Lucy


Chapter 58

Beverley cautiously moved around Horatio’s still body using her instruments to try and work out what was going on. They had moved him to sick bay using the transporter, afraid that anyone touching him would receive a shock like Ehliena. She currently had him in stasis, which had stabilised his condition – but was still no closer to finding out what was wrong.

Ehliena had been easier to diagnose and was currently in a coma, similar to that after the Romulan incident. Deanna was trying to reach her cousin telepathically and bring her out. So far she had reached the younger empath’s thoughts only to discover that Ehliena refused to return to consciousness, believing Horatio to be seriously hurt.

“She thinks that she has caused his coma by touching him when he was in Symehk form and doesn’t want to see him unless he is well.”

Beverley shrugged her shoulders and gave Deanna a helpless look, “I don’t know what to do… His body is held in stasis, but even then you see it blur occasionally back into Symehk form.”

“Maybe I can help”

The familiar voice surprised both of them and they turned to see Manager Mandela walk into the room, accompanied by the Captain and Lwaxana Troi. Taking a good look at Horatio’s still form he sighed and motioned to the others to join him in Beverley’s office where they could sit and talk.

“It is as I thought… Horatio has waited too long…”

“Too long? Too long for what?” Deanna was confused.

Slowly the Manager began to explain, starting with a brief background story to help his friends understand. The Symehk, as beings of pure energy were in a state of constant flux which occasionally became difficult to control. In order to control that energy, they would often combine with others – similar to the process of renewal - to keep a check on those energies. When the energy build up between two entities became too great, the Symehk would join, then divide into three, the smaller third entity being created from the excess.

“These were our offspring, and would slowly grow over time. They were born with the knowledge of their parents and acquired more as they grew older.”

The Manager went on to explain that when the Symehk discovered what had happened to their planet, excess energy was used to try and stabilise their world, but it was quickly discovered that it would not work.

“It was then that we decided to create the three most important roles of our society, the Teachers, the Historians, and the Sentinels. The Historians set out to collect all our archives together working closely with the librarians, the teachers too contributed. Anyone could become a teacher or a historian. The Sentinels however, were very different.”

“By necessity, we needed them to be self sufficient, understanding of the Ancients techniques of communication. We asked for volunteers that would sacrifice everything else in the search for help. Many of the first Sentinels were artists, scientists… Entities that were used to working alone. They readily volunteered.”

“To keep the loss of knowledge to a minimum, they became insular, renewing themselves only within their group. Their ultimate goal was to create a Sentinel that could reach far into the distance with the equipment we had. In time that goal was reached, but at great sacrifice. The numbers of the group diminished quickly as energies combined to create single forms.”

He paused, allowing those around him to absorb his words.

“The Sentinels were able to control the flow of energy around their bodies far better than anyone else. Their focus was much more concentrated on their task. In addition – they did not need to renew themselves as often. That proved to be a godsend – there were not many of them and as time began to run out, they began to combine – reducing their numbers further.”

“Horatio was the last of the Sentinels, the most focused, the most concentrated and the most alone of our people. For him renewal was dangerous – previous Sentinels could renew with each other so knowledge could not be lost. In Horatio’s case – he would lose a little of his knowledge every time he combined with another – although he obviously gained knowledge of a different kind from the other.”

[margaret1234]

Great chapter explaining how the sentinels were able to control their energy....but poor Horatio being the most alone out there is now suffering as a consequence.......so can anyone save him. I can only see that it will be Elhiena if they can bring her round. This story is not going to have a bad ending is it Lucy?

Margaret

[gonsy]

Great chapter, but we still have a lot of questions in the air...OMG....I hope we don't have a bad ending as well.

Gonsy