Hladson

Hladson Kappler thrashed against the Romulan containment field. He didn't feel any pain. You needed a body to feel pain and his body was long dead. Like other members of his species, Hladson lived in two worlds. One of physical matter and one of energy. Physical death was not the end of life for a Megan, simply a chance at a fresh start.

He had given the Carolina a fresh start when he pushed Captain Seelowe into the time-space portal. He still didn't know how they had corrupted his friend. How could Aimhigh willingly hand the Carolina over to be lobotomized by supposed agents from the Federation's future? He saw only one option. Set the Carolina free even if it meant his own death.

The portal had transported the crew to different space-time coordinates and Lieutenant Commander Kappler found himself stranded on an asteroid on the edge of Federation space. Weakened by the Chroniton Radiation of the portal and with only a crashed cargo ship for shelter, he was able to make a short range transmitter and send a call for help. His body was already dead when help arrived in the form of a Romulan Tal-Shiar research ship.

It was the worst case scenario for him. The Tal-Shiar had long been aware of the Megans and their unusual abilities. They were more than happy to beam the non corporeal energy life form to their ship for further study.

They tried to break him. They tortured him with Chroniton Radiation. They allowed him to regrow a body only to kill it the moment he awoke in his new physical form. They questioned him about his people, the Federation and most especially about the USS Carolina. Where had he seen her last? How was she alive? What were her weaknesses?

He gave them no answers. He knew the Romulans were as patient as they were stubborn. He would be at their mercy for a long time unless one of them made a mistake. That is what Hladson longed for. Just a fraction of a second where he could be free of this infernal containment field. Then he would give them answers. He would show them the full power of a Megan in their non corporeal form. He would show them the resourcefulness of a Federation officer, especially one who knew his way around an engine room.