Post 346: Promises Part Two

Stardate:70803.0300
Title: Promises Made, Promises Broken Part Two
Author: February Grace
Scene: Symbiont caves at Mak'ala: Trill
Time: Following Part One
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The two doctors, Reece, and Grace materialized just outside the caves at Mak'ala.

Trind quietly filled Hood in on February's medical history and current condition as they walked, and Reece brought Bru safely through the winding entrance to the caves.

He held her hand and led the way down the steep stone steps inside the cave which led toward the interconnected, subterranean bodies of water known as the Symbiont Pools.

They didn't get far before a Trill symbiont Guardian approached them, arms waving frantically.

"You can't be here! This area is restricted, even from Starfleet! Unless you have special clearance, and a proper escort!"

The man was small, pencil thin, and sported a very bad comb-over. His voice was nasal, high pitched, and immediately grated on everyone's nerves.

"Rigin, buddy!" Dabin put on his best game face. "It's Reece! Remember me?" He enthusiastically thrust out his arms as if to hug the man, who now appeared truly frightened.

"It can't be," he stuttered. "R-reece?"

"In the slug!" Dabin put his arm around Rigin's shoulder. "I brought some old friends with me, see? Over there is Trind, and right here," the Guardian suddenly appeared shocked and emotional, as if he'd had a surprise family reunion sprung on him out of the blue.

"Trind!" Rigin interrupted impulsively, "Your host is certainly looking well!" He began to blush as soon as he heard himself speak the words.

This elicited a small giggle from Ashlyn. "Thanks."

"And, now, don't tell me, Reece. This, it's," he rushed up to February and put his small, almost feminine hand on her belly. "Oh, by the gods. It's Grace."

He gasped as it became evident to him that Grace's current host was stone blind.

"What's happened to you, Grace? The symbiont and the host, they're both," he couldn't seem to bring himself to speak the words needed to finish his sentence.

"They're dying." Ashlyn concluded softly. "And we can't quite figure out why. That's why you've got to help us."

The man was clearly panicked at the idea of losing one of his beloved symbionts and needed no further urging.

"Yes, yes. All of you, out of my way." He took February's hand with the tender affection of a parent for a small child. "Come, dear, what is your name?"

"February."

"Come, February Grace. We must see what is what." He led her around a corner. "The rest of you must leave."

"But," Hood objected, "we're medical supervision."

"She has all the supervision she needs here. This is something she must do alone. So go back wherever it is that you came from, and leave Grace to me for a while."

"We should go," Ashlyn whispered, "We don't want to spook him, have him contacting the Commission before she goes into the pool."

"Agreed. But someone has to wait for her," Hood insisted. From the stories Dabin had told her in the past, she believed that they had no reason at all to trust the Symbiosis Commission, or their appointed Guardians, for that matter.

"I'll wait." Dabin announced. "He likes me a little, but he likes you too much." he nodded to Trind. "You two wait outside, just beyond the caves. I'll watch over her, and we'll find you as soon as we're done."

A moment later, February reappeared, dressed in a simple white frock, her feet bare.

"OUT!" Rigin demanded again, pointing to the exit. "Get!"

"We're getting, we're getting." Ashlyn retreated, but Hood hesitated, and looked back at Dabin with concern. "Be careful." she whispered.

He nodded, and watched as she finally disappeared from view. Then he sat down on a rock, averting his eyes politely from the young blonde girl who was now taking her first slow, tentative steps into the milky water of the symbiont pool.

He drew a deep breath. He only hoped that his instincts were somehow off this time.

Way the hell off.

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Lt. (jg) February Grace
Helm/Flight Controller
USS Independence NCC-90791