Sam Carter's Past Life

Chapter 5: The Core

Later on, Sam was in Ten Forward contemplating what to do next. The stakes were higher, and she did not know what to do about it. She just sat there motionless for what seemed forever. Later on, a male Vulcan came to her table and asked, "Can I help you?"

Hesitation flickered in her eyes, but she firmed her jaw. "No, I don't think so. Not this time."

"Please, let me be the judge of that. Sometimes having two heads thinking the same thing might be the solution."

Sam smiled, "Please have a seat. Sorry for not offering you one right off."

After having a seat, he said, "Nonsense. You were thinking very hard, from the looks of it. I am just a mere Vulcan trying to find the meaning of life." He gave a slight grin and continued, "I was hoping you would know how hard you were thinking."

She smiled broadly. "Lately, I've been realizing my life is a lot less conventional than I ever thought it would be. Never in a million years did I think I'd be the Empress of the Jedi Knights and have the powers beyond reality.!"

"Living a life that rich in experience," he said, a thoughtful crease forming between his brows, "must have exposed you to a lot. Maybe your past holds the answers we're looking for."

"I just don't know."

"Interesting answer. To admit failure is the key to success."

She looked at him inquisitively. She finally said, "I have to admit, I find you very interesting." She paused, "my name is Samantha Carter... a retired Major of the United States Air Force."

He nodded with no emotions and replied, "I am Stauron."

She perked up and said, "You're Cassie's husband. Good to meet you. How is she now?"

"Resting comfortably. The sedative I gave her, from her mother, not only cleared her hangover from that awful swill she was drinking, but it will allow her to sleep for a few hours."

"God, I know how bad that is. I was stupid and took some myself earlier, and..." (shudder) "Seeing how much she's hurting... it breaks my heart. And I can't help but feel like I'm the one who caused it."

"A person cannot be responsible for another, even if that person is a child."

She sat there motionless for a moment and said, "I see you know an impressive deal about me."

"Ah!" He paused, "that was not why I said what I did. I was talking in general terms. Even though you are a counterpart of your evil persona, you still cannot be responsible for her actions."

She averted her gaze for a moment, wrestling with the turmoil within. When she met Stauron's eyes again, a tremor ran through her voice. "I lack the experience," she confessed, "and these memories I have... they're fragmented, confusing. But one thing is clear: I'm of noble birth. That can't be meaningless. Yet, the weight of it all — the past, present, and the future pressing down - it threatens to crush me."

With the same Vulcan emotionless stare, he said, "Then do not. I mean, do not deal with it alone. Have advisors and your friends to help you."

"Believe me, I have thought of having help, but would it be right for me to get others involved in my past, present, and future?"

"That is why we have friends to begin with — to share all aspects of who we are."

Sam smiled, "Not once have you called me by a royal title."

"Either by rank or title as you put it does not make you who you are inside. I have not called you anything."

Her eyes lit up. "Exactly! You haven't."