The section 31 divide

Posted on Sun Jul 14th, 2019 @ 8:54am by Splendora Sage & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne

3,492 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Episode 98 - A Raid on Peace
Location: Various on SB400
Timeline: MD04 1300 hours

ON:

Ariana made her way to see Nivar as Hades had suggested, even though her father had warned her to stay away from all things section 31 she needed to know whether Nivar knew anything about her or the program her mother was part of. She pressed the door chime and waited.

Michael had just returned to his quarters after a rather strenuous workout. He was just sitting down on the sofa about to close his eyes for a nap when the chime rang. "Enter." He sighed and stood to face whoever entered.

As she heard a voice call from inside Ariana stepped just inside the door and looked around. “Nivar may I speak with you a moment? Doctor Hades suggested that I talk with you regarding section 31.”

Michael was weary about that yet how did she know to come here. He searched his mind. "Ah yes Counselor Monroe. You match your image in the database. Come in."

"Thank you" She smiled warmly. "Sorry I didn't mean to cause alarm with mentioning section 31." She gave Nivar an apologetic look. "The reason I asked was because..." She paused. "He's not going to like that I'm here but General Hurd used to work for section 31 and I'm trying to find out if they know anything about me."

"I see. Why would section be interested in you." It wasn't meant as an insult. It was his Vulcan way.

"I ask because....he's my father." She took the nearest seat. "We only just found out ourselves. He met my mother during an assignment for section 31, the strange thing is she was chosen by them for an experiment whilst in the early stages of pregnancy. It never worked for her but I think it has for me."

"Yes well Section is quite fond of those." He sighed. "Tell me what you know." He walked to over to the replicator. "What can I get you to drink...or eat...." He asked eyeing the fact that she was pregnant. Did pregnant women eat with their tea? He wasn't sure.

"Just a lemonade would be lovely thank you." She smiled warmly. "All I know is that my father was sent back in time, my mother used to tell me about the man she fell in love with. How soon he was gone and how she was contacted shortly afterwards by agents of section 31. They were working on a program dealing with increasing telepathic and empathic abilities for use in the field."

"I see." He typed in a lemonade and watched as it fizzled and materialized on the small platform. He hurriedly picked it up and handed it to the counselor.

She took the glass of lemonade. "Thank you" She sipped it before continuing. "The program was eventually scrapped because those it did work for had....personality problems. The program was designed to create a telepath that could be triggered in the field but those it worked on had serious problems afterwards.

"I am not familiar with anything of that nature. If you will send me the information on dates and so forth I will look into the matter as best as I can."

"I'll do that" Ariana sipped her drink again. "My father ordered me to stay out of everything section 31 but I need to know anything and everything you can find out. There are strict rules about interference in the timeline, I shouldn't exist! I need to know if this was part of a plan, hell this might all be a figment of my imagination!" She grinned.

He sighed, "Your father is right and very intelligent for saying that....which is why when I do find out I will have to take it to Bremer and he will speak with your father and you....if he deems in necessary."

Ariana nodded. "Of course, I'm a Starfleet Officer and Admiral Bremer is my Commanding Officer. I don't want to get my father into any trouble, I'm more worried about my father's safety where Section 31 is involved."

He gave a nod. "I understand." He studied her. "I will do my best."

"Stupid question time!" She smiled nervously. "What happens to me if it turns out that all this is true? What if I'm part of a generation of kids born from test subjects just waiting to be triggered by something?"

"I am not sure. I will let Admiral Bremer talk to you about that."

She paused for a moment her train of thought changed to Splendora. "How is Splendora? I haven't had chance to catch up with her yet."

"She is...alright for now." He said. "Doctor Hades is....watching her closely."

Ariana smiled and nodded. “Thank you, She’s become a good friend. If there’s anything I can do to help her please let me know.”

He scratched the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. "Actually....you might be able to help me with that."

“Anything!” Ariana smiled warmly. “What do you need?”

"I need you to keep Splendora's boyfriend occupied when she transitions..." He wasn't sure how much Hades had told the counselor.

“Transitions? What does that mean?” Ariana gave Nivar a quizzical look. “Don’t tell me you can’t tell me, for all we know I could be in line for either the same thing or something similar.”

"Probably not." He sighed, "I will be holding a briefing for Admiral Bremer and Doctor Hades will be there....perhaps it would help if you were there too."

“Please” Ariana nodded. “If I am partly the product of section 31 interference I’d like to be involved, plus I need to know what’s going on if I’m to keep Splendora’s boyfriend out of the way.”

Nivar sighed, he looked as though he had the world on his shoulders. "She is resting now....she went into cortical failure yesterday so Hades wants her resting." He looked at Ariana. "I was just about to go check on her if you like you can come along."

“Please Nivar, Splendora has become a very close friend and I want to do anything I can to help her. She’s been helping me and I’ll do everything in my power to help her!”

He sighed, "Alright. Come along then. She is probably not listening to doctor's orders anyway. I think we'll find her at the centre."

“I’m right with you” She stood up slowly. Carrying around a baby bump wasn’t very conducive to getting up quickly, as rushing to stand only caused dizzy spells. Joining Nivar she smiled. “Thank you for helping me Nivar and for letting me be a part of this.”

"It's not my choice. Ultimately the permission comes from the higher ups." They walked towards Splendora's quarters. Nivar clasped his hands behind his back in Vulcan fashion. They walked slow enough for Ariana to follow.

Soon they arrived at the centre and Nivar was right, she was indeed there. He sighed as he went back to her office where she was taking notes. "Why are you up?"


Splendora rolled her eyes. "Because I felt better." She smiled at Ariana. "Welcome! How are you?"

“I’m okay” Ariana smiled warmly at her friend. “How are you doing? Nivar tells me that you’re transitioning?” Ariana gave Splendora a curious look. “He’s willing to involve me, mainly due to the fact that it seems I might be tangled up in one of section 31’s experiments.”

She sighed, "Yes...a long story. I am not fully versed in it all but ... apparently all my organs will fail soon and then I have to be dead for twenty minutes and then I wake up...sort of... but different. My cells would have changed." She looked at Nivar.

"Something like that." He said. It was a simplistic way of looking at it but he'd let her have that one. He was still worried about the boyfriend and what he'd do when the time came.

“What!? You have to die!!” Ariana looked at her friend shocked. “What do you mean when you say wake up different?” She looked at Nivar.”

Nivar sighed. "I will let the CMO explain all the data."

Splendora sighed. "It'll be alright." She took Ariana's hand trying to steer the conversation in another direction. "How goes the baby prep?"

Ariana tried to shake off the shock. “It’s err....it’s going okay.” She gave her friend the best smile she could muster given the news she’d just heard. “I’ve gained another family member.” She paused. “It seems my biological father is here on the station.”

"That's amazing! Who is he?" She was genuinely interested. A biological father could be a good thing. She pictured him as an elderly man.

“Actually that’s where section 31 comes into it, it’s General Hurd.” She paused to let it sink in. “Long story short...it involves time travel, falling in love, and here I am!”

She blinked "....but he's...well not old enough to be your father! That might get... a bit odd. Does he know or is this something you just found out and are going to tell him?"

“He knows” Ariana smiled. “The worry now is what section 31 knows and if this was planned. My mother was chosen for a program while she was in the early stages of carrying me, it never worked for her but it seems to have for me.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Hence my needing Nivar’s help. Although my father will go spare when he knows I’ve asked.”

She looked at Nivar. "And you agreed?" She smirked.

"No I said I would look into it and give Admiral Bremer all the info I can. What he does with it is up to him."

She grinned at Ariana. "I thought so. This one is a hard nut to crack." She took Ariana's hand. "How do you feel about all this?"

“I’m....excited!!” She grinned. “I dreamed about my father when I was a kid and now I can get to know him properly! Plus he has a grandchild on the way too which he’s looking forward to.”

She smiled, "That's great! Hold on to those memories."

“I do and I always will, but it’s nice to have my father here to get to know.” She smiled warmly before steering the conversation back to the matter at hand. “Nivar has asked me to help Tom during your transition but to do that I need to know everything about what’s happening to you.”

She sighed. "Well find out soon enough. Hades thinks that it might be a couple months so he'll hold a briefing. I'm afraid I don't know much. Just that I have to train."

Nivar handed Splendora a drink of water. "Your body must be strong."

She smiled, "I'm not complaining about that. I've lost some weight training!" She gave Ariana a wink. "Just...keep Tom calm."

“With that in mind, in my opinion Tom should be included in these conversations. He needs to know what’s going on and what’s going to happen.” She looked at Nivar. “Is it possible to include Tom in the medical briefing?”

Splendora smiled, "Nivar is afraid to get in a fight with Tom." She grinned.

"I am most certainly not. I am afraid I might be forced to hurt him and then the Admiral would have my hide."

Splendora laughed. "yes there is that." She looked at Ariana. "Perhaps we can tell him when you are there. Just the four of us."

Ariana nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. If you want him to understand then he needs to be told the facts.”

She sighed, "Well....when he gets out of the brig." She smiled, "Now tell me about the baby's room! How are things with you and your gentlemen going?"

Ariana smiled warmly. “Very well thank you! On the room question, Kaden has sorted the crib and furniture for me in the spare room of their quarters. I’m beginning to feel like I made the right decision staying with Freya and Kaden for now. As for Cameron, our relationship is progressing....” She grinned. “Very well thank you. He’s talking about having another baby in the future already.”

Splendora smiled, "That is good. I've always admired women who choose to have kids. It is a difficult path but one worth traveling."

“Well I’m willing to take that path again in the future.” Ariana smiled warmly. “I’d still like to have a son in the future.”

She smiled, "Perhaps you will. For now enjoy your little girl."

“I plan to Splendora, she means the universe to me!” Ariana looked concernedly at her friend. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”

"I am ..."

Before she could finish Nivar, who'd floated out of the room came back in. "I must leave."

Splendora sighed, "I'm sure everything is okay." Yet something clawed at her. "I could do with a bit of a walk. How about we stroll a bit?"

“Sure if you’re up to it.” Ariana smiled warmly as she got slowly to her feet. “I don’t think either of us will be rushing about anyway!” She grinned.

She smiled, "Yes and you would out race me anyway." They laughed and walked and soon found themselves at the shops. "It always fascinates me how we live in a city that floats amongst the stars but I must admit I miss solid ground."

"I know" Ariana smiled. "We have an arboretum but it's no substitute for lush green meadows, with trees and flowers! I miss being out in true fresh air rather than recycled air."

"Once this all settles I'm thinking of heading to Bajor a while to clear my head."

Ariana nodded. "Splendora when you said you'd wake up different, what did you mean?"

She sighed, "The way Nivar and Hades explained it to me is that the cells in my body are changing. As I train and try to force these abilities to the surface I will be....activating those changes. My body will eventually begin to shut down. You know how the Borg assimilate...well those nanite like happenings will go on at a cellular level. Eventually it will be too much and my body will shut down....complete organ failure and I will have to be...dead for twenty minutes. After which my body will kick in again or....not." She sighed.

"Nivar is Vulcan...when he woke his eye colour was changed, his ears were human looking, there were changes in muscle tone, his hair lightened a bit. His personality was different. He was him but...different."

Ariana nodded. “My mother told me that those who were on the same program as her changed. Just not in the way you’ve described. She said their personalities changed, they became the personality that the program was designed to bring out in the field but it couldn’t be reversed the way the scientists were hoping. They wanted a personality that could, more or less be turned on and off.” She sighed. All I know is, my father has an implant that’s supposed to stop telepathic scans but to me he’s an open book!” She gave Splendora an apologetic look. “Sorry...it’s just I can tell you what I can’t tell others because you’re part of it! You will still remember everything? Remember our friendship?” She gave her friend a concerned look. “I don’t want to lose you Splendora, I’ve lost enough I don’t want to lose anymore!”

"The memory is there. I don't know how things will go. I just know I feel myself changing."

Ariana nodded. “I never noticed until now but...” She gave Splendora a curious look. “I can feel...something different about you but it’s not anything I could put into words.”

She sighed, "I loved being a counselor. I loved my patients, my practice but....it's not enough. When Nivar puts me through training I can fight, I don't know how I can but I can. Reflexes I've never known before and it's like it's me but not me. I feel bolder...I can't stand how I look. I threw out my entire wardrobe. My temper is shorter....I feel like I'm falling apart and being put together like Humpty Dumpty."

“Well no matter what I’ll be there for you, to help you through it.” Ariana smiled warmly. “I want to help in any way I can, just tell me what you need and I’ll do it.”

"Right now there is nothing." She sighed.

“Fair enough” Ariana smiled. “Then we need to speak with Tom next, he has to know what’s going on.”

"He's still in the brig a few more days." As they walked she stopped at a store and stared inside. Clothing of all kinds sat here. She looked at it. The tight black leather pants and tank top, the leather jacket....it called to her. "I want that." She said pointing at it. It was as if she was mesmerized. She entered the store not looked to see if Ariana followed.

Ariana watched as Splendora went with her feelings. She almost felt like she was stating to lose part of what she and Splendora had in their friendship, she hoped not. She sat down outside and waited for Splendora to return, taking the time to enjoy not being on her feet.

After several moments Splendora came out with a few shopping bags. "Sorry...I just get drawn to things and...things I wouldn't normally like." She sat next to Ariana. She pulled out a leather jacket. "I would never have worn this...now....it's me?"

"Like you said you're changing....I suggest you follow what you feel is right. Within reason of course!" Ariana smiled. "Just remember that I'm there for you, anytime day or night. I may not be super speedy but I'd be there if you needed me." She grinned.

"I'm glad we're friends Ariana. This won't change anything. I won't let it."

"I'm glad" Ariana smiled. "This little one will be needing her auntie Splendora!" Ariana rested her hand on her bump. "No matter what I'm going to aim to be there when you go through this, I want to be there for both you and Tom when you wake up."

She sighed, "If I wake up. Michael says many have not."

“Don’t you dare go and die!!” Ariana stopped and looked at her friend. “I’ve had enough of losing what I care about! You showed me a miracle in the holodeck, we both saw my husband and son. You bought me inner peace and a chance to move on. There’d be a part missing if you weren’t here.”

She shrugged. "I will do my best..." For the first time in a long time a stalk of fear grew inside her. What if she did not survive?" She had a lot to do to plan for what if.

“Is there anything you need help with?” She looked at her friend and offered an understanding smile. “Just incase...”

She thought a moment. "Perhaps. Actually I'm going to take advantage of Michael not being my shadow to think about that." She thought a moment. "Ariana do you like animals?"

“I love animals!” Ariana smiled. “Why do you ask?”

"I'm trying to find a home for my puppy Phoenix. She's a two year old Great Dane and I think you two would be a nice match. She's got the momma bear vibes."

“If that time comes then I would be honoured my friend.” Ariana nodded. “Anything to put your mind at rest, but this is only if the worst comes to the worst which I certainly hope it doesn’t.”

She smiled. "Well I should go."

Ariana nodded. “I’ll walk you home, make sure you get there okay.”

"Actually I was going to head to sickbay and make sure things were okay."

"Then I'll walk you to Sickbay!" Ariana gave Splendora a determined look. "If you want me to go after that I will."

"How about I walk you home. You need rest and that little one does too." She linked her arm with Ariana. "Let's go."

Ariana smiled and nodded. “I guess I am more tired than I’d care to admit.” It didn’t take too long for the two friends to make their way back to the Ross Quarters where Ariana was staying. “Did you want to come in?” She looked at Splendora.

"No I have a few things to get done. Rest well my friend." She left Ariana and headed out.

Ariana watched her friend leave, hoping that whatever the transition brought for Splendora it wouldn't be an untimely death. For now all she could do was wait.

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