Bodies in the Reeds

Posted on Fri May 30th, 2025 @ 2:54pm by Lieutenant Commander Atna & Captain Rovak & Ramielos Volsunga

1,246 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Serpent's Tooth [3]
Location: Lower Dock, DS13
Timeline: 2130 - MD08

"Captain," Atna said as soon as Rovak emerged from the turbolift. "You appear well. What is Commander Flynn's condition?"

"As do you, Commander. She is recovering, but she will be unfit for duty until at least the day after tomorrow. I will need you to take over her duties as First Officer.” Rovak told his fellow Vulcan as they walked.

“Understood. I will liaise with Slar.” Atna said with a nod. They had entered the observation room quickly. Two Romulans stood on one side of the room. Half a dozen starfleet security officers filled the space. Through the opening cut earlier, Volsunga was still meditating in the centre of his cell, facing outwards.

“How was this achieved?” Rovak asked, viewing the segment of wall that had been cut out of the cell.

“A phaser. We recovered one from the Engineer.” Atna said.

“Polyphron. The Alliance Colonel says she is their double agent. I have agreed to release her to them.” Rovak explained.

“Curious. We believe she is the one who infected our computers. Perhaps she can be made to restore them.” Atna suggested.

“I will speak to the Colonel. Did they see anything?” Rovak asked, gesturing to the Romulans.

“No. They say when they arrived there was only Volsunga and the dead. Only this one was found outside the cell." Atna pointed to the body of Hekate, suspended in a stasis field.

"Do we know how they died?" Rovak asked, fairly confident he could guess.

"Blunt force trauma for those inside the cell. This one's neck was crushed. So was her hand, and a torture device like the one I am told Hera used on Lieutenant Thul." Atna explained.

Rovak saw a dessicated husk of a serpent on the floor. It looked like it had split apart. "Is this the symbiote?"

"Yes, it seems to have abandoned the body after it's death but succumbed to its own injuries." Atna explained as the security staff had already deduced. She had agreed with their conclusions, even if they couldn't quite explain the haggard condition of the Goa'uld.

Rovak crouched down closer to the floor, looking closely at the elderly host. There was something on her cheek, a strange purple patch. Not a bruise, it was something on her face. "What is this discoloration?" He asked.

"Symbiote blood. We found a decapitated symbiote within. Despite that it is still in far better condition than Hekate. Nobody has extracted it from the cell yet. You may find it interesting that I am also detecting the same blood around Volsunga's mouth."

"He bit the head off the symbiote?" Rovak asked, arching an eyebrow as he returned to his usual standing posture.

"A logical reaction if one were to be intruded upon by a symbiote seeking to reach the brainstem. It would not surprise me to learn they could not penetrate the synthetic layer under his skin through the back of his neck. The 'black carapace' as he termed it." Atna mused.

"Nobody has spoken to him?" Rovak asked.

"No. I arrived only shortly before you did, and no other officers have been available to attend. Current policy is for a full Lieutenant or above to be present for any interactions, sir." Atna said.

"Yes, I set that policy. How does he seem?" Rovak asked of the Space Marine.

"At ease. He may be meditating." Atna guessed.

Rovak crossed the space to the threshold of the cell, stepping into it, noting the rather distasteful presence of the Jaffa bodies either side of him, chests caved in. "Mr Volsunga, may I enter?" Rovak asked.

"This is your station, Captain. I'm not in a position to grant you permission for anything." He responded with a grunt, slowly standing as he spoke.

"I would not enter if you do not consent to it." The Captain responded.

"Fine. Doesn't make a difference to me."

"Did you kill these people?" Rovak asked.

"Yes." Volsunga answered honestly and without affect.

"Why?" Rovak asked.

"They tried to enslave me with some kind of serpent. It didn't work." Volsunga said, with the slightest grin at the end.

"It does not bother you that they are dead?" Rovak asked. He noted that their weapons still sat abandoned on the ground. Volsunga had not bothered with them.

"They also shot me a few times. And the old woman had some kind of weapon I've never seen before. It was like Drukhari technology. Designed to torture and incapacitate. So no. They came to me. They made their choice." Volsunga said.

"Do you require medical attention?" Rovak asked.

"No. Takes more than they had. I heal fast." Volsunga said dismissively.

Rovak looked to Atna, in the event she had further questions.

"The way is open, but you remained your cell. Why?" Atna asked of the Astartes.

"Where would I go?" He asked her in return.

"Anywhere. Out. Away. To freedom." Atna suggested.

"Freedom is of no interest to me." Volsunga answered in his standard monotone. "You are my captors. This is my fate."

"We hold you here for your own safety, as well as that of our people. You may recall that you persisted in breaking through the shield we set up when we first brought you here, causing yourself hypoxia." Atna said, confident he did recall.

"Harming your people is of no interest to me. Nor is harming myself. I was angry. I am at peace with it now." Volsunga admitted.

"It?" Atna asked.

"My fate." He said.

"What fate is that?" Atna pried further, sensing the marked change in his attitude since they'd last spoken.

"Captive. Oddity. Exhibit." Volsunga said.

"You could be more, Mr Volsunga. We do not wish to keep you in this cell if it is not necessary. Your skills and abilities could be of great assistance to us. But for the meanwhile, if we were to find you regular quarters aboard the station, will you give me your word that you will not deliberately harm anyone or anything aboard or beyond, unless your life or wellbeing is threatened?" Rovak asked.

Atna looked at the Captain with unexpressed concern.

"I doubt your quarters would accommodate me." Volsunga said.

"Our crew includes Brikar who can weigh up to three tons, and Tholians who require temperatures in excess of 200 degrees celsius. We will find accommodations for you." Atna said.

"Fine. You have my word. No damaging anyone or anything that isn't trying to damage me." Volsunga maintained his gruff exterior, but the idea of something else to look at pleased him. There was only so many times he could recite the litanies and count the lights out the window.

"We would like to send some people in to clear out the dead. Someone will accompany you once quarters have been prepared. I must ask that you do not leave or attempt to go anywhere without an escort. I do not wish to mistrust you, but the sight of you may cause a panic before we have an opportunity to disseminate the news of your new accommodations." Rovak said.

"I understand. Thank you." Volsunga said with some hesitation. The words seemed alien to him, like something involuntary he remembered from childhood.

"Until next time, Mr Volsunga." Rovak said with a nod.

Atna followed behind, less willing to take her eyes off Volsunga until she had reached a certain distance. To her mind this was not a good idea, but she could not deny Rovak's observation that he would be a significant asset.

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