Chronitons?

Posted on Sun Feb 16th, 2025 @ 4:30am by Commander Thomas Johnson & Captain Taiga Aisaka

1,480 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: The Nursery
Location: unknown
Timeline: Current

Thomas sat on the floor, looking around. He had went over every inch of the cell, and there as no sign of a ventilation system, or any duct that may provide an escape. But he didn't suffocate, so there was some ventilation going through so the technology had to be there. It was probably hours since the meal came, it didn't taste to pleasant, but it was edible... mostly. Surprisingly, it tasted better than things he tried before.

He had spent the few hours thinking about people close to him. Talia, mostly, how she was doing. Hoping that she was on the Tokyo safe. Nezuko, who had become closer friends than both he and Talia had ever thought possible. Of course the Tokyo and the rest of the crew he thought about as well. But for obvious reasons, not as strong.

After being bored for so long, he had actually found the bowl, made up of some onknown material was malleable. And after a bit of time, was able to bend it into a pretty close ball. And started bouncing it off the wall, and catching it on the way back.

The door to the room opened and there stood the Herland that Thomas had named 'Jeff'. It floated about six inches off the ground and as usual was holding its imposing staff.

"Human. You shall continue to answer our questions." The Herald said simply.

"First of all you won't get anywhere calling me Human..." Thomas replied as he tossed the 'ball' against the wall once again. "You know, I've been fed, but where are the facilities. Us mere humans do need to... relieve ourselves from time to time... and I don't know what is in that food... but its giving me gastro issues more than taco bell... Which is an old restaurant chain on Earth."

The Herd didn't respond immediately. "Your needs will be catered for." It remained at distance from Thomas. "You shall tell us about your starship. The Starship known as 'Tokyo' has been the only Starfleet ship to oppose the Elachi. Explain."

Thomas turned away, and couldn't help but grin. "Some interesting facts, did you know the Tokyo is named after the city of Tokyo, at which point the population of that one city, had over 37 million people residing in that one metropolitan area. Weird isn't it."

"We are not interested in your puny settlement. Tell us about the vessel." The Herald demanded. "How did such an inferior vessel stand against us?"

"If it bothers you so much, then I don't think you find it such an inferior vessel. Seems like you and your masters are scared, like little school children. After they have watched a scary movie. Hasn't your mother told you about watching those films."

"It is essential for our research." The Herald said. "What defensive do your starships carry? Do you possess Chroniton energy?"

Thomas once again threw the ball against the wall, and caught it. Then again, and again. Each time he caught it, he looked at the ball, then over at Jeff. "Tell you what. Call me Tom, put the staff away, and lets have a game of catch, and I will answer it."

"Do you possess Chroniton energy?" The Herald asked again without hesitation.

"I think there may be some... but it isn't the main power source." Thomas replied as he turned away from him. Smiling, wondering how far he could take jeff now. "I need some activity... he turned to face him again. "Now your... masters have said to moreless cater to me... for some reason, I am not complaining... I need some... activity. I will answer more questions, if you participate in a game of catch... you can put the staff down, I neither want to escape, nor the will currently. Mainly because if I escape... I have no idea where I am so it would be pointless. So how about it."

"DO NOT TOY WITH ME HUMAN!" The Herald bellowed. It raised its staff and purple lightning streaked out of it, striking Thomas square in the chest. "My masters want you alive. They never said I may not harm you!"

Being thrown to the wall, and down onto the floor. "That... tickled." He replied as he slowly got up. "So what do you say?" He picked the ball up and tossed it to Jeff.

The Herald stopped. "If we cannot get answers from you we shall extract them from the female." It said simply turning away from Thomas.

Watching the ball drop, he could handle, anything the herald or anything his masters could handle, he knew his job. He knew things could happen, and if he went, he would go down, with a bit of fun. But knowing there was another... knowing what they were doing to the females. His attitude changed drastically.

"What female... If I share knowledge, as you want. I need to know who the female is. I need to know she is not harmed in any way. And that she is not anywhere near the Elachi or anyone working for them." His expression went from that of kind filled with mischief, to a more serious tone. "I want to see her, and when I know shes safe, you will get what you want. Information is all I can give. Access codes will have been changed, they are changed frequently."

"This female is more... reluctant to provide information." The Herald said as it held out an open palm. A holographic image of Captain Aisaka sat crouched ob the floor appeared above his hand. She was cradling her stomach, as if protecting her baby. Her uniform was in tatters and she was covered in bruises and scratches.

"Our masters are willing to release the pregnant female. Should you provide us with information." The Herald explained. Then it clasped it's hand and the image of Taiga vanished. "Is it not your duty as her Executive Officer to protect her?"

"It is, and if you don't mind I would like a face to face with her." Thomas replied, "Then you get what you want."

"That is impossible." The Herald said simply. "You shall tell us what we need to know. Then it may be possible."

"Then get it from her... which I think you will find impossible. Being Captain, she would be willing to die before revealing information. Its part of our oath, and duty. Kinda like the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one. IF you have her, she knows the risks as do I. Now if you don't want a game of catch." He walked over and picked up the ball. "I am quite busy at the moment." Proceding to the wall, he threw it against it, catching it upon return.

"Fair enough," the Herald said in response. "However your Captain can be made to speak. There is one thing more precious to her than your Federation..." with that it turned to face the door.

"I ain't a scientist, nor is it my expertise, but chronitons are used." Thomas finally relented. "If you have the Captain, and you want more information... then let me see her, in person."

"If you continue being... co-operative. We shall return the female back to your people." The Herald said simply. "We are not stupid Human. If we allow you to talk you may attempt to work together to escape our grasp."

"Now, how much Chroniton energy can your Starfleet generate?" The Herald asked.

"All depends on the yield. We have the ability to adjust the amount when we deploy it." He turned. "Look this info I am giving freely. With hopes that a peaceful resolution can come out of it. The fact you aren't even considering my request, gives me ample evidence that you don't actually have the Captain."

"You Humans have a weakness when it comes to compassion to each other," the Herald said simply. "It will be your downfall."

"Many have said the same thing. The borg, The Romulans, the klingons. To name a few. Yet it ultimately proves to be our strength."

"You have the ability to produce Chronitons." The Herald said. "You shall be rewarded for this information." Wuth that said the Herald waved an arm. A large paper bag appeared in front of Thomas, from within the smell of fresh food assaulted his nostrils. On the front of the bag was an old logo from a long gone burger bar chain. "I believe this is what you requested." The Herald then turned and left the room, leaving Thomas with the food.

"Double big mac..." Thomas replied, as he took the burger out. If only Jeff knew that, chronotons, wasn't really that unknown. But it did make him think. What was it about chronitons that made him nervous.

Posting by:

'Jeff' The Herald
Iconian Herald

Commander Thomas Johnson
Executive Officer
USS Tokyo

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