A Point is the Intersection of Two Lines

Posted on Wed Sep 30th, 2020 @ 5:56am by

Mission: End of Line
1683 words - 3.4 OF Standard Post Measure

"Attention crew. We've arrived at Starbase Adna. The Majestic only needs a skeleton crew to run while we're docked here. All hands that can be spared are hereby granted shore leave. Please check with your department heads and otherwise... enjoy your time."

Cassie barely raised her head, so absorbed she was in her work. As was her usual when she was attempting to solve a dilemma, she was sat on the floor, surrounded by PADDs and screens detail various information.

She heard the door being opened and her name being called, but she didn't acknowledge it either. "Cassie. We're at the station," she heard Jennifer say. "Shoreleave!"

Cassie nodded and waved her away. "Go. Have fun. I'll be there shortly," she said in such a way that her assistant would never believe her but would nonetheless leave her be.

One screen had Leyana's absolution written on it. Another had the Tulian's response, which held executive orders for her exile. Stripped of her title and lands, to be arrested on sight if she enters Tulian territory. It would make things difficult for her, as she had next to no contacts anywhere else. Even the Sozon had rejected her, the population being led to believe that she was part of the cause of the ongoing conflict, now that the marriage was not taking place, as evidenced by the few media clips Cassie was able to access.

Various PADDs strewed on the floor in front of her detailed options that could be possible for the princess. Considering her background, there weren't many.

The young diplomat sat cross-legged, eyes closed her elbows resting on her thighs, her steepled index fingers pressed against her forehead. "Bragi, Hermes, diplomats to the divine, what in bloody hell do I do?" she muttered to herself, almost as a prayer.

Tightly clutching Herbert's arm, she stood in front of the diplomatic office. "I'm so scared," she sobbed, the reality of her situation had come crashing down on her and despite the man's support and company, she'd never felt so alone. Even her handmaidens had left without so much as a goodbye. She felt abandoned, by her own people. "What if they'll say no?"

“It’s alright, my sweet. I have reassurances from the Captain that you can stay on board, with me.” He replied holding her tightly. “We’ll get through this, I promise.”

"With you?" That did make her feel a little better, but no less abandoned and alone. With trembling hand, she reached out to press the chime, then returned it to clutch the man's arm as she had done before.

Cassie intertwined her fingers and brought her hands up in a deep stretch as she heard the chime. She took a moment to breathe and take stock of her surroundings. "It's a pigsty in here," she muttered, glancing at all the PADDs on the floor. She cursed, then took another breath. "Come in," she finally called.

Still shaking, Leyana stepped inside, pulling Herbert with her. "You wanted to see me?" The young woman was almost childlike, looking every bit the lost little girl she really was now despite really not being a child at all.

"Yes. Please, sit. Don't mind the mess," Cassie instructed, gesturing to the floor before her, then looked up at Barr. "Would you replicate a kettle of that fruity reishi blend the Tulians like so much? Thank you," she told him.

Bert smiled and nodded as he headed over to the replicator and ordered what was requested. A few moments later the fruit blend replicated, he picked it up and headed back to the table with it.

Cassie cleared an area so that the kettle and cups could be set between her and her royal guest. "Before we get to this," she started, gesturing to all the paperwork on the floor, "I want to apologize for this fiasco. I failed to help secure a lasting cease-fire, and it resulted in the situation you and your people currently find yourselves in," she said solemnly as she poured the herbal tea in the cups. "I've been trusted with this assignment, and while I'm not entirely to blame, I take full responsibility for what has transpired during our stay on Sozon II," she concluded. She didn't expect forgiveness from the young princess who had lost almost everything, nor did she ask for it.

“I think they enjoyed Starfleet being at their beck and call,” Barr commented as he took a seat next to Leyana.

"I don't think the emperor ever intended on going through with this," Leyana answered as she sat down, "I think they wanted the membership, but not the peace. I don't think I would've survived for very long even if I had married him. He's a monster, they thrive on war. My..." She faltered, they weren't her people anymore, were they. "The Tulians would've been eradicated, eventually."

She looked up. "I think you are apologizing for something that was set to fail from the start ma'am."

"Quite likely," Cassie responded with a small smile. "And yet, I felt it should be out in the open."

"I appreciate the honesty ma'am," the younger woman answered politely, as befitted someone of her well, former station.

"The first step would possibly be requesting political asylum," Cassie said as gave Leyana a PADD. "I can't guarantee it will be approved, but I'm confident Captain Saulitis will be sympathetic to your request. After that, the options are practically limitless, within the confines of Federation law."

Leyana looked up at Herbert for guidance. "I think I should do that," she said softly, "and not just political but even general. I have no home now, I have nowhere to go. The Sozon will execute me, and the Tulians have issued a similar order. I can't go home, I have no home." She bit her lip, her eyes glazing over again as she fidgeted with her hands in her lap. "I have nothing," she whispered, swallowing hard to contain her panic.

Herbert nodded, “I agree. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I’m sure, with Captain Saulitis’ backing, the Federation would grant such a request for asylum.” He said with a comforting smile before looking at Cassie. “What’s the correct protocol to request political asylum?”

"The whole process is usually buried under red tape. Federation bureaucracy, you see. But!" she said, lifting her finger, "we're lucky enough that this ship has two people who can help expedite that. You only need to formally request asylum, ideally in writing; there's even a standard template on the PADD I just gave you. The best person here to hand the letter to would be the Captain. After that, there's usually a short hearing, after which the request is either accepted or denied," she explained. "Like I said, I'm fairly confident it will be the former."

Barr nodded his understanding before he looked at Leyana. “Seems pretty straight forward. I think something extraordinary would have to happen for them not to accept the request.” He said giving her a reassuring smile.

The young woman nodded, drawing the PADD towards herself. "I'll use the template," she said. "How long will it take before a decision is made? What should I do in the meantime? Is there anything I can do while I have to wait?"

"In your case, it shouldn't take too long: a few days, at most. But I'm taking this shore leave into account, so the hearing may be held sooner," Cassie said, giving her own reassuring smile. "Hearings can be nerve-wracking, but this should be rather informal. In the meantime, get some rest, take advantage of the station's facilities. We can discuss what you want to do once the hearing's over."

“We’ll get through it. I’ll be with you.” Barr said reassuringly.

Leyana nodded slowly, casting the other woman a more than grateful smile. "Thank you ma'am," she said, "what can I expect of this hearing? Anything I should prepare for?"

"The Captain will probably just want to confirm with you what we already know about your particular situation. You know, your identity, your betrothal, the annulment, the reasons behind your exile. The way I'm saying it, it sounds like it's going to be an awful interrogation, but it's really not." Cassie answered. She then flicked a few documents from her database to the PADD Leyana was holding. "Here's the betrothal contract, the absolution decree, and the exile orders. It might be a good idea to go over them again. I also have access to the Alliance's and the Empire's lawbooks, should you want to familiarize yourself with them," she concluded with a wink.

“We’ll go over them again, make sure we know what’s what etc.” Bert said to Cassie before looking at Leyana. “Don’t look so worried, it’ll be fine. There’s a lot of paperwork and procedure but it’ll be worth it.”

"I hope so... what if it's denied? What'll become of me then?" Leyana felt she had every reason and every right to be scared. "Can I still stay with you then?" She looked up at Cassie. "I know the law, Tulian law that is. I was raised to rule. I was learning Sozon law, but stopped when I learned what evil he embodies. I don't regret not marrying him, he would've killed my.. the Tulian people regardless."

"If it's denied, you can appeal the decision to the Refugee Appeal Division of the Federation Immigration and Refugee Board. If it comes to that, I'll be glad to help you, but I'm fairly certain it won't. Everybody here is sympathetic to your situation, Princess, I can assure you," Cassie replied in a calm tone. "I don't see any reason why it should be denied."

"I'm not a princess anymore," Leyana whispered as tears spilled down her cheeks in despair, "please, don't call me that anymore. I'm just Leyana now."

Barr took hold of Leyana’s hand and gave it a gentle and reassuring squeeze. “It’ll be fine, I promise.”