Sibling Rivalry: Soma vs. Lorian

Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.
Codes: A Captain Soma Adventure
Summary: Two brothers from two different time lines meet for the first time in a bid to save the future.

Chapter 2

Lorian sat across from Daniels, studying him as he considered the information the temporal agent had disclosed. Daniels had tried to impart to him the need for both he and his crew to return to their proper time-period. In fact, to the exact point that they had left. Lorian, although agreeing that their arrival had been a temporal accident, was not ready to commit his crew and ship to what would certainly be a losing battle against the Kovolans. They had barely managed to escape the heavy onslaught that the alien ships had delivered. A return would be nothing short of suicide.

“Aid Archer?” said Lorian, questioningly.

“That’s correct,” replied Daniels, shaking his head. The temporal agent looked at Lorian with a focused determination. It was clear that he intended to do whatever it took to convince the Vulcan captain. “If you don’t go back, you will not make contact with him again. Without your assistance, history will be changed. The results may very well negate everything that you and he have worked to preserve.”

Lorian took note of Daniels’ tone. It gave a quality of permanence to his words; as if they were inescapable phantoms, unseen but always there. He disliked time travel as much as his former captain. Unfortunately, it seemed as inescapable for him as it had been for Archer.

“How?”

“I can’t tell you that,” replied Daniels, leaning forward in his chair. “To tell you what I have, violates my duty as a temporal agent, but you have made it clear that without disclosure…you will not cooperate. To tell you when and how you are expected to aid Archer is neither relevant nor possible. To do so could alter the very event I am desperately trying to preserve.”

Lorian glanced at his first officer. He could see the doubt in her eyes. How could he trust the fate of his crew on the word of one man? Looking back at Daniels, he shook his head.
He wasn't’t convinced and Daniels could see the doubt that still lingered in his eyes.

Pushing his chair back in frustration, Daniels rose abruptly. Turning, he walked away from the table, towards the large view port overlooking the expansive star field.

“I don’t know what else I can say, captain,” said Daniels, resignation creeping into his voice. “I have a duty to protect the time-line.”

“And I have a duty to my ship and my crew.”

Daniels turned, looking at Lorian. “If you don’t go back, it will all be in jeopardy: your crew, your ship, and the future of the Federation. Billions of lives will hang in the balance over the decision you make here and now.”

Lorian could hear the pleading in the man’s words. Daniels believed what he was telling them. Unfortunately, Lorian did not share in that belief.

“There is a flaw in your reasoning, Daniels,” replied Lorian.

“Flaw?” he said, obviously missing what Lorian was talking about.

“My ship is in no condition to fight the Kovolans. We wouldn't’t stand a chance.”

“He’s right,” nodded Archer in agreement. “We barely made it into the corridor. If we go back, we’ll be destroyed.”

Daniels looked from Lorian to Archer. He couldn't’t dispute their chances. Their ship had taken heavy damage. If they could be returned to another location…but it was vital that they be returned to the same point. He couldn't’t reveal why, but he also couldn't’t dismiss their assessment of their chances. The time-line had been changed before. It was possible that Lorian’s ship was more severely damaged than in the time-line’s previous configuration.

“In order for us to fulfill our role in your plan, you have stated that we must return to the same point that we left,” said Lorian. “Doing so will result in our destruction. We will not be able to do whatever it is that you believe is so important.”

“Not if you have help,” said Soma.

Lorian looked over at Soma in surprise. His counterpart had been silent for most of the conversation, which suited Lorian just fine. However, Soma’s comment attracted his attention; at least for the moment.

“Help?” he said, a questioning look on his face.

Turning towards Soma, Daniels shook his head. He already suspected what he was suggesting. “Captain, you cannot go back with them; it would disrupt the timeline. The very thing we are trying to avoid. As a Starfleet officer, you are expressly forbidden from interfering.”

Soma waved his hand dismissively. “Mr. Daniels, I don’t need a lecture from you on Starfleet regulations.”

Turning away from Daniels, Soma looked at Lorian. Daniels did have have a point. His idea came very close to violating the temporal prime directive, but Starfleet regulations were the least of his concerns. More important right now was convincing Lorian to buy into it. He could worry about a court martial later.

“He’s right,” said Soma, nodding towards Daniels. “I’m bound by Starfleet regulations not to interfere in the time-line. But I’m also directed to render aid and assistance to a ship in distress. We could repair…and upgrade your propulsion and weapon systems. It wouldn't’t be nearly the same as being at your side, but it would give you a better than even chance.”

Daniels stepped forward, “Captain Soma-“

Soma raised his hand, once again, pointing a finger at Daniels. “Not a word from you Mr. Daniels. You are here merely as a courtesy. Abuse that privilege and you can leave the way you came. This is a matter for Captain Lorian to decide.”

Daniels sighed. Soma proved at difficult to deal with as Archer, perhaps even more so, because the Vulcan was privy to more temporal incursion experience than the average Starfleet officer. Daniels realized that he had little choice but to do as Soma requested.

Lorian looked at Soma for a moment. He may have had personal reasons for disliking the man, but he had to admit that Soma had offered a practical solution. Lorian had dealt with his share of temporal anomalies. He was aware that it wasn't’t something to be trifled with. If he and his crew could return to fulfill whatever destiny Daniels was referring to then shouldn't’t he take it? It was a risk worth taking, wasn't’t it?

Standing up, Lorian walked towards the far wall. He had noticed the large white banner hanging from it, when he had entered the conference room. Looking at it closely, he could see what was on it. It was a star field inside a silver circle. On either side was a silver olive branch circling the perimeter. Looking beneath the star field, he read the inscription: United Federation of Planets. The future of Earth, Vulcan, Andoria and hundreds other planets in a unified and peaceful co-existence; that was a risk worth taking.

Turning, Lorian looked directly at Soma and the two men’s eyes locked.

“I accept.”

***

Captain’s log supplemental, I have assigned Commander Garrett to assist first officer Archer in requisitioning anything the NX-01 might need in the way of medical supplies, food and other essential non-equipment related resources. Chief O’Sullivan and a team of engineers have been assigned to assist Lorian’s chief engineer with any repairs and upgrades the two men think the X class vessel can handle. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Vendi and I will be overseeing assisting Captain Lorian’s tactical officer, Mr. Greer, with the ship’s weapon's modifications.

Archer and Garrett walked down the corridor leading to cargo bay three. Karyn Archer’s eyes roamed the expansive hallway as she and Garrett came to a junction. She couldn't’t believe how immense and sophisticated this Enterprise was. It made her's seem like a dilapidated freighter in comparison. Garrett had given her a quick tour of the ship, while they arranged the transfer of supplies from various sections. Archer appreciated Garrett’s attempt to be cordial. She liked her counterpart. She only wished her own captain felt the same. She had sensed Lorian’s disdain for his counterpart, almost from the start. Archer had considered speaking to him about the matter, but she knew better. Lorian was a very private man. If he had wanted her to know more then he would have told her.

“So how long have you been Captain Soma’s first officer?”

“About three years,” smiled Garrett. “I started as his science officer. You?”

“About six years now,” said Archer. “Lorian has been the Enterprise’s captain for a long time. He took command after Captain Archer passed away. He’s taken on a lot of responsibility over the years. It’s been pretty rough, but he’s gotten the crew through some difficult times.”

“Sounds like the right person for the job,” said Garrett.

Stopping suddenly, Archer turned, looking at Garrett questioningly. She wasn't’t sure if she should bring the matter of Lorian and Soma up with her counterpart, but she was certain that she wouldn't’t get any answers from Lorian.

“Rachel…” she said, trying to approach Garrett informally, “has Captain Soma ever mentioned Lorian?”

She shook her head. “No, this is the first time I’ve even heard of an alternate timeline.”
She had wondered when Archer was going to bring the matter up. They both appeared to be in the dark regarding the reason for the friction between the two men, but she was certain that they had both noticed it.

Karyn gave Rachel a questioning glance. She caught the look and realized what she had said.

“I’m sorry,” said Rachel sheepishly.

“It’s all right,” said Karyn. “I’d say we’re both alternates of each other’s time-line.”

She gave Karyn a reassuring smile.

“Has Lorian ever mentioned Jonathan?”

A smile played across Karyn’s lips and she shot Garrett another questioning look. “Jonathan?”

Garrett’s cheeks flushed, turning bright red. “We’re just friends,” she said defensively.

“I see,” smiled Archer. She wasn't’t sure she believed her, but she decided that it wasn't’t really any of her business. “But to answer your question…yes...he did mention him once.”

Karyn nodded her head hesitantly. She didn't’t feel right discussing her captain behind his back, but as first-officer it was her responsibility to look after the welfare of the crew…and that included the captain.

“When I was younger…before I became Lorian’s first officer, we made first contact with a species calling themselves the Kzinti.”

Garrett didn't’t bother hiding her surprise at the name. She was quite familiar with Federation’s history regarding the Kzinti; a felinoid race of carnivores. They waged four unsuccessful wars against the Federation during the twenty-second and twenty-third centuries. They were finally defeated and the Treaty of Sirius was established, reducing their once mighty fleet to nothing more than a handful of police vessels.

“You’ve heard of them?”

“Only by reputation,” replied Garrett. “Captain Soma has had …dealings with them.”
It struck Garrett as extremely odd that both their captains would have dealings with the Kzinti. The Expanse was far from Kzinti space, even two hundred years ago, when the Kzinti Empire was expanding and a force to be reckoned with.

“Then you probably know how our first contact turned out,” said Archer. “The Kzinti claimed to be traders. They had scanned our vessel and told us that they had compatible units for some of our damaged engine parts. We welcomed the opportunity to make a new ally and obtain replacements for our warp engine.

Archer shook her head.

“Of course, they were only using that as a way to get aboard Enterprise. Once on board, they tried to take the ship by force. We managed to hold them off until reinforcements arrived. Then we drove them back to the airlock. They separated their ship from ours, then turned and attacked. Fortunately, they weren't’t any match for us. A few direct hits and we took out their weapons. They turned tail and went to warp. We couldn't’t follow, because of our damaged warp coil. Probably why they tried taking us with a boarding party.”

“Narrow escape,” said Garrett. “From what I’ve heard, the Kzinti don’t usually give up so easily.”

Archer nodded. “We didn't’t exactly get through it unscathed. We already had enough damaged systems aboard the ship. The Kzinti attack only added to them. Then there were the three crew members we lost repelling the boarding party. The captain took their deaths very personally. He said he should have been more cautious, but that he had allowed the opportunity of solving our warp engine problems to cloud his judgment.“

“I think that’s how most captains view a situation turned bad,” said Garrett. “It’s always their fault, no matter what they might have done. It’s never enough.”

Archer shook her head, in agreement. She suspected that her counterpart was being specific and not just making a general sweeping statement. Her own experience with Soma must have left her with a similar situation. Hopeful contact gone terribly wrong.

“Anyway…he made an odd comment. He said …’Jonathan wouldn't’t have made that mistake.’”

Rachel frowned, looked at Karyn. She was right, it was an odd comment.

Archer shook her head. “I’m not sure if he knew I had heard him. At the time, I thought he was referring to Captain Archer. I didn't’t press him about the comment, but it seemed strange. I didn't’t know the captain, but it was my understanding that Lorian had never called him by his first name. He had a great deal of respect for the man. Having met him, I can understand why.”

Garrett nodded in agreement. She didn't see any point bringing up her own relationship with the woman's grandfather, but she definitely agreed in regards to the respect Lorian felt for him.

“I had forgotten all about it…until today,” said Archer. “When Lorian explained who your captain was…when he told me his name…that comment came back like he had said it yesterday. I think your captain was who Lorian was referring to.”

“Jealousy?” said Garrett with uncertainty. “Is that why Lorian has problems with Captain Soma? Because Soma had a life that might have been his?”

“No,” said Karyn, shaking her head. “Lorian dedicated his life to making sure that Earth would be saved. He considered it his solemn mission. I’m not sure what it is that he has against your captain, but Lorian isn't’t a petty man. He may be half human, but he’s still a Vulcan. I’ve only met two…well three counting your captain…and none of them have struck me as being petty. To be honest, I’m more than a little surprised at Lorian’s attitude towards your captain.”

This time Garrett gave a questioning look.

“Lorian can be a very hard captain,” she explained, “but that’s only because he wants to keep us alive. He would never let his personal feelings get in the way of the safety of the ship or the crew.”

“And yet…” questioned Garrett.

“I could see it in his eyes. He was really considering not accepting your captain’s help.”

“And that’s been troubling you.”

“Yes” .

“Take some advice from a fellow first officer,” said Garrett. “Starship captains have their own problems, plus ours, plus anyone else’s within sensor range. Somehow they have to cut through it all and make the right decision. Sounds like Lorian knows what it takes to be the captain. In the end, he made the right decision.”

Karyn smiled, giving Garrett a nod. “Captain Soma better be careful of you, commander. You’re on the fast track to getting his job.”

“When I’m good and ready,” she winked.

***

Captain’s personal log: Captain Soma and his crew have been assisting us with repairs and upgrades. The help they are supplying will give us a fighting chance to return to our own time-period without being destroyed. The situation is still critical and far from certain, but I am confident in my crew…and in Captain Soma’s crew as well. And yet…I don’t want his help. If there were another way…but I have no choice. My crew comes before any personal prejudice I might hold. I will accept assistance from a man I despise. But the sooner he and I have the gulf of time separating us again…the better.

Lorian stepped through the hatchway leading into the aft torpedo bay. Looking up, he saw his tactical officer, Mr. Greer, talking with Soma’s security chief, Lieutenant Vendi. Looking past the two men, he was more than a little surprised to see Soma inspecting a rack with what appeared to be black cased torpedoes.

“Captain Soma, is there something you require?” said Lorian, approaching the three men.

“No, captain,” replied Soma, with a smile.

“Then why are you here?”

Greer and Vendi looked at one another. They had both heard that there was some friction between the two captains, but they had both dismissed it as idle talk. Apparently, there was some truth to the rumor.

Soma’s brow went up. He wasn't’t surprised that Lorian was questioning his presence aboard the NX-01. He had half expected as much. It was more an expression of disappointment. He had hoped to smooth things out between the two of them.

“I wanted to personally supervise the transfer of equipment,” said Soma.

Lorian found it to be a convenient excuse. Certainly one he would have used. Turning away from Soma, he looked at his tactical officer.

“Mr. Greer, how are the upgrades coming along?”

“Everything is ship shape, sir,” replied Greer. “Mr. Vendi and I were about to go have a look at the forward phase canons.”

“Very well,” replied Lorian. “I’d like to have a look at our cargo. You and the lieutenant inspect the forward phase cannons.”

“Yes, sir,” he replied, hesitantly. Glancing at Vendi, he caught the man’s look. Neither of them felt comfortable leaving their captains alone.

Greer handed Lorian his scanner and headed for the hatchway. Vendi followed, stopping briefly next to Soma.

“Careful sir, that guy’s got some serious issues,” he whispered.

“I wonder…”

“Captain?”

“Get moving Mr. Vendi,” smiled Soma. “I promise, if Lorian decides to shoot me out an airlock, you’ll be the first person I call.”

“Aye, sir.”

Vendi and Greer made their way through the service hatch. Once they had exited the bay, they closed the door behind them, leaving the two captains together and alone.

A quiet stillness hung in the air as both men realized that this was the first time they had been alone. They had interacted several times after the meeting with Daniels, but there always seemed to be a crew member hovering nearby. Soma had considered what he would say to Lorian, if he were given the chance. He had formed several scenarios, playing them out in his mind. He felt confident that, given the opportunity, he would be able to talk to Lorian; straighten out whatever misunderstanding there was. Now that it had arrived, he was at loss as to just what he wanted to say.

Unlike Soma, Lorian didn't’t appear to be flustered by his counterpart’s presence. In fact, he didn't’t seem terribly interested in Soma at all. He seemed more interested in the rack of torpedoes that had been transported over from Soma’s ship than in Soma himself.

“Those are mark VI photon torpedoes,” said Soma, approaching Lorian from behind. “They’re the closest in compatibility to your Enterprise’s torpedo launchers. They don’t have the punch that our mark XII’s do, but they’ll show any twenty second century ships that you mean business.”

Lorian glanced at he torpedoes. He had no doubt they would come in handy against the Kovolans. Pointing his scanner at the casings, he studied the readings the device displayed.

“I’ve looked over the phase cannon specifications that your security chief suggested,” said Lorian.

“And?”

“They are unsuitable with our current field coils,” replied Lorian. “They can't take the buffer load of running the phase cannons through the primary warp core.”

“We can fabricate new coils. They should have no problem carrying the load.”

Lorian looked at Soma for a moment. Shaking his head, he turned off his scanner and walked away. Soma watched Lorian cross the bay, stopping to examine another rack of torpedo casings. He still hadn't’t managed to pin down what Lorian’s problem was, but he was quite sure he had, had enough. It was time to throw out the diplomatic courtesies.

“Just what the hell is your problem, captain?”

Lorian continued to examine the torpedo. He didn't’t seem particularly interested in addressing Soma’s question.

Soma walked across the cargo hold, stopping on the opposite side of the torpedo rack.

“I asked you a question, captain.”

Lorian shook his head. “I heard you.”

“Well?”

Looking up, Lorian stared at Soma for a moment before shaking his head again.

“It must be so easy,” he said. “Being able to replicate and construct anything you need whenever you need it. To have everything you need at your fingertips.”

Staring across the torpedo, Soma’s eyes narrowed.

“Is that what this is about? The fact that I don’t have the so called hard life you and your crew have had to endure.”

Lorian shook his head. “You know nothing about a hard life, captain. I’ve kept this crew together for one reason…to save Earth. We’ve fought and sacrificed for that ideal. I’ve watched generations suffer and toil so that those who came after them would be able to live in safety.”

Soma wasn't’t certain why, but he wasn't’t buying Lorian’s story. It seemed too practiced. He had no doubt about Lorian’s convictions to save Earth, but he didn't’t believe they had anything to do with him or Lorian’s hatred for him. There was something else that he was hiding. However, Soma was never one to let such an obvious insult go unchallenged. If he couldn't’t open a dialogue with Lorian, he would at least put the man in his place.

“My heart bleeds for you Lorian,” said Soma, leaning over the torpedo. He hovered, inches away from the man’s face. “Don’t tell me about a hard life, mister! The price for keeping your freedom is often just as costly as the price for winning it. Try fighting the Klingons or the Romulans. Better yet, try being a prisoner of the Kzinti. It’ll do wonders for your outlook.”

Lorian’s brow arched. He hadn't’t intended to give Soma the satisfaction of a response, but the captain’s last comment surprised him.

Looking back at Lorian, he could see the curious expression on his face. He had said something that had jogged a memory. He was certain of it.

“Kzinti,” said Lorian.

Soma tried to gauge Lorian’s response. He was certain that Lorian had not only heard of the Kzinti, but had dealt with them. From the tone of his voice, Soma decided that whatever contact he had, wasn't’t pleasant.

“The Kzinti waged war on the Federation four times before they were finally defeated,” explained Soma.

“You were a prisoner?”

Soma shook his head. “During the fourth war, I commanded a task force of starships assigned to guard and patrol planets that were classified as non-aligned border worlds.”

Soma laughed as he thought of the irony behind those clinical words. He looked up at Lorian, who was not ignorant of the double meaning to Soma’s amusement. He merely required clarification.

“A bureaucratic phrase used to describe backwater planets where services could be sold to the highest bidder. The Kzinti knew Starfleet investigated rumors of smugglers or any traders who might be transporting cargo for them. It was only a matter of them putting out the right bait, to attract a high-ranking officer. One who might have tactical knowledge of use to them.”

Soma paused for a moment, shaking his head. Old memories came flooding back. Memories he would just as soon left buried in the past.

“Information led us to a small mining colony on a planetary moon,” explained Soma. “They were waiting for us, in force. We didn't’t stand a chance. My security team was killed and I was captured." He gave Lorian an icy stare. “I spent six months on one of their prison planets. Three of those were spent being interrogated for Starfleet’s tactical battle plans. They knew orders for a decisive attack had been issued to commanders in each of the sectors. As leader of a Starship task force, it was a reasonable assumption that I would know about them. They employed one of their telepaths to probe my mind. Fortunately, Kzinti telepaths have great difficulty reading Vulcan minds. He couldn't’t get past the mental barriers I erected. They were left to more primitive techniques.”

Soma gave Lorian another smile. It unnerved him and Lorian suspected that Soma preferred it that way.

“The Kzinti are quite methodical. They systematically broke bones in my body…reset them…let them heal and then broke them again.“

Pausing for a moment, Soma looked down at one of the smooth black torpedo casings sitting atop the rack. Lorian watched intently, waiting for him to continue; uncertain he wanted to hear any more, but knowing he really had no choice.

“You know…the Vulcan resolve is an amazing thing,” said Soma, resuming his story. “We can endure physical punishment that would make a Klingon whimper. I managed to hold out until they gave up. I was left in a cell. Probably to rot. But I was quite proud of myself. For all they had done, I beat them.”

Lorian looked at Soma. He could see a pained expression on his face. It struck him as uncharacteristically odd. In the short time he had interacted with Soma, he found the man guarded his true meaning behind a mask of charm and overt pleasantry. There was something else which he wasn't’t telling him.

“Something happened,” said Lorian.

Soma took a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, he nodded.

“I had been languishing in my cell for nearly a month. I hadn't’t seen a single Kzinti in all that time. They would just pass food through a floor slot.” Soma smiled. “Raw meat.”

Lorian’s nose crinkled. The thought of eating meat was abhorrent to most Vulcans. Given the brutal behavior Soma related regarding his captures, Lorian was at a loss to even consider what the meat might have once belonged to.

“You can imagine my surprise, when my cell door slid open,” said Soma. “I was certain that they had given up trying to get anything out of me. They led me into a large auditorium of some kind. I was told that my crew had discovered where I was being held. It was an impenetrable fortress. No way for a starship to lead a successful attack. So, my first officer, along with my security chief and several of the crew attempted to sneak into the prison by stealth.”

“They were captured,” said Lorian.

“Six of them were,” replied Soma. “Two had been killed during the rescue attempt.”

Looking away again, Soma focused his attention on the far bulkhead. “They questioned me again, telling me that if I didn't give them what they wanted, that my crew members would be tortured. I knew that Command had put a great deal of time and effort into the battle plan. If successful, it would prove a decisive turning point in the war. With the plan’s actual date fast approaching, I calculated only a thirty nine percent probability that it had been abandoned.”

Soma looked at Lorian blankly.

“It wasn't’t enough,” he said. “Too many lives were at stake to gamble that Starfleet had changed its strategy. So, I refused to cooperate and the Kzinti tortured six of my crew…and made me watch.”

Looking at Soma, he wanted to say something, but knew words would be nothing more than hollow platitudes. Lorian knew what losing crew members felt like…even for a Vulcan.

“Did you know an interesting cultural fact,” said Soma. “The Kzinti believe that their enemies must be completely and totally destroyed. In ancient times, on their home world, they held feast ceremonies to celebrate their victories of fallen enemies.”

A cold shiver went down Lorian’s spine as he suddenly realized where this was heading.

“When the last of my crew had been killed, they laid their bodies out on a large, smooth table. I think it might have been stone,” he quipped. “I’m not certain. It was a long time ago. They held a small impromptu ceremony. Nothing elaborate; just a few words I didn't’t understand at the time. I thought it might have been some honorable acknowledgment to a fallen enemy. Of course, I realized that wasn't’t the case…when they proceeded to eat my crew.”

Lorian looked at Soma. He wouldn't’t or couldn't’t look up at him.

Closing his eyes, Soma let out a slow sigh. “I was returned to my cell. They didn't’t eat me because they believe Vulcans, pacifists and eaters of roots and leaves, unworthy to be considered an enemy. Not long afterwards, Starfleet broke the Kzinti’s fleet. It was scattered and the Kzinti knew they had lost the fourth and what would be their final war against the Federation. It didn't’t take long for Starfleet to send relief ships to rescue us. I spent the next three months at Starfleet medical. While recuperating, I spent some time reviewing the final attack that led to the Kzinti’s defeat. Starfleet had abandoned their original plan and opted for a secondary maneuver, which proved successful. So…in the final analysis, six of my crew we’re brutally and needlessly killed because I erred on the side of caution.”

Lorian considered how he should respond or even if he should. Soma’s account from his past left Lorian with mixed feelings regarding the starship captain.

“I wasn't’t cautious enough,” he replied, finally.

Soma looked up at him in confusion.

“When I met the Kzinti, it wasn't’t in battle,” he explained. “Not at first, but it turned to that. I let down my guard, because I thought it was in my crew’s best interest. I was too trusting and as a result…three people died. It’s a mistake that I can never rectify.”

Soma nodded. “It’s the price we pay for making the hard decisions, captain,” he said somberly.

Lorian shook his head in resignation. Turning away, he walked towards the hatchway. Stepping through, he looked back at Soma.

“Come with me, captain. There is someone you should meet.”

TBC…