VOICEMAIL

[siteboss]

Commander Sylvester Terrell Jones












Objective: NOT GIVEN




POD E

This is Commander Jones. Leave a message.

[ End of recording. ]

Comments

[siteboss]

“Perhaps.” Jones glances out again.

[trilluminati]

“You know that Stones song--”

[siteboss]

“How awfully cliche.”

[trilluminati]

“Well.” Q rolls his shoulders. “I lost a brother tonight.”

[siteboss]

“And whose fault is that?”

[trilluminati]

Q doesn’t speak, so Jones speaks for him:

[siteboss]

“You would not lose anything without first believing that you deserve to lose it.”

[trilluminati]

Q works the equation out in the air, but Jones ruins the punchline.

[siteboss]

“Chicken-and-egg.”

[trilluminati]

“Aiight.” Q flops backwards against the rail. “That ain't all. We should talk. You need help. We both do.”

[siteboss]

Their jaws both stiffen at the admission. Nearly in unison.

[trilluminati]

“We’re trying to rebuild the world. A part of that is respecting the boundaries of society.”

[siteboss]

“I have the right to a jury of my peers.”

[trilluminati]

“Or at least a media outlet of them. Their papers. Protests.” Q smiles wanly. “It could be bigger than the last one.”

[siteboss]

“Ah, the next Hurricane.” Jones frowns. “I think I will pass.”

[trilluminati]

“The next Asad.”

[siteboss]

“Ah. I had thought that Pyunma was already occupying that position.”

[trilluminati]

Q frowns now, too.

“Kaya--”

[siteboss]

“Mr. Kirk.” Jones looks at him. “I’ve studied your patterns. I know your figureheads from your catalysts. There is only one component of the equation that I must be missing. Who could fill in for Dr. Roth? You know, even I was surprised when he betrayed you. His loyalty seemed absolute.”

[trilluminati]

“That don’t mean nothing,” Q hisses.

[siteboss]

“Ah, I knew he must be out there somewhere. Because of that, I wasn’t at all surprised when you came back from the dead again. You always have some sucker.”

Jones looks at Q, appraising just how angry he is.

“You’ve only ever hit me once. I remember that too. Is this moment comparable?”

[trilluminati]

Q’s nails grind into the railing. “Nothing is.”

[siteboss]

“You said that you can’t blame me.”

[trilluminati]

“I can still think you are a damn fool.”

[siteboss]

“There is no denying that Times took care of me.”