Mystery of a Mind Part II

Posted on Thu Feb 5, 2026 @ 2:06am by Lieutenant T'Lul & Lieutenant Raiden Kosugi

1,764 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Chicken Run
Location: Counselor's Office
Timeline: MD 02 Late afternoon

Continuing on with his explanation, Raiden leaned forward "Now what I have been trying to figure out, did she decide that I didn't have the information that she was looking for, and decided to try to kill me? Her actions didn't seem logical at all. Definitely different than what I've encountered with other Romulans. They are calculating, they may display emotions and they utilize logic as well. It all boils down to the trouble I'm having and that is the replaying of that mental battle, I had with her. It affecting my sleep. I haven't been able to come up with any true logical reason why unless, it has been implanted in my mind, as I had mentioned previously." Raiden was someone who could be emotional but things also had to make some sort of sense.

Logically, T'Lul responded, "For finding out whether someone has implanted a memory or anything else in your mind, traditional diagnostic treatment or technology will not work. Hypnosis may work; however, the simplest thing would be a mind meld. You have indicated that would be an issue for you. I have no desire to traumatize you further, though."

A mind meld. her words echoed through Raiden's mind. He was tired of having the repeated dreams of the fight disturbing his rest. He was one who believed in balance. Something that was taught to him by his father in the practice opf his family's legacy of martial arts. Could a willing participant of a mind meld counter the forced one? It was something he was willing to do, it hadn't occured to him to have someone else do this, and he trusted T'Lul. HE needed to do so. He didn't get that sense of needing to be wary of her. Her demeanor was one of calmness and directness.

"Counselor T'Lul, I hesitate to ask this of you, as I do know that Vulcan's doing a mind meld can be a bit personal for them as well as the receiver. For my mental health though, I-" he took in a breath, before continuing on. "If you are willing to do so, I am willing to have a mind meld."

"As you said, a mind meld is invasive for both parties. It is a sharing of the minds. However, I see no other logical alternative. With the implanted memories, it would be logical to assume that there are implanted defenses, as well. This could be painful and carries risk. Are you still certain that this is your desire?"

"It is. I may have my own mental defenses, but for you, since I am allowing your entrance into my mind, I will do my utmost best in making certain they do not hurt you. How shall we proceed on this matter?" Raiden asked.

"If you are ready and you are certain, we can begin now." The Vulcan tilted her head to the left and forward, encouragingly and curiously as to his answer.

"So... what would be the most comfortable way to do this. My being a willing participant. Do I lay on the couch, do we face each other in a medatative state? What do you suggest?" Raiden was very sincere in these questions. "What would be most comfortable for you?"

"There is no 'most comfortable way' to do this as far as I am aware. It is the creation of a psychic link of sorts. It only takes a moment for me to prepare. My fingers will touch parts of your head and then it will begin. Given that you have experienced issues with such touch before, I would recommend that we go to whatever place makes you most comfortable. Or, as an alternative, I could attempt to place you in a hypnotic state to try and get over any subconscious rejection of the mind meld. It may also calm you somewhat to make the mind meld process smoother. Whatever you choose, I will respect."

"If you don't mind sitting near me on the sofa." Raiden turning towards T'Lul, having crooked one knee upon the couch in order to face her and give her access to the points upon his face.

"First off though, may I make contact with your hands before we begin?" holding his hands palm side up, on his bent leg."This is to help ground me, and create a bond chi wise, so that the mind will not give you trouble." Raiden calmly said, but there was a plea in his eyes as well.

Many Vulcans felt that contact was reserved for intimate situations. However, T'Lul understood that this was to assist a patient. For an answer, she placed her fingers delicately on top of his, not allowing her palms to touch his.

Her fingers touching his, Raiden didn't complain, he understood without her explaining. Closing his eyes, Raiden began his meditative breathing, his senses reaching out feeling the connection of their body's electrical field.

After a few moments, he slowly opened his eyes, "I am ready." His heartrate having gone to a more slower, calmer pace. His eyes were dark pools of serenity.

"Very well," T'Lul answered. So that Raiden would remain calm, she narrated what she was doing. "I am going to remove my hands from yours and I am going to place them at the locations on your face and head for the mind meld." As she talked, her fingertips left his, she let several heartbeats pass as her right hand reached for Raiden's face. Her thumb touched his chin, while her index finger touched under his right eye, and the remainder of her fingers spread out above his right eye. She started the mind medl. "My mind to your mind. My thoughts to your thoughts."

The touch of T'lul's hand upon the points of contact, it was a vastly different feeling than the memory of the other. Hers was steeped in logic, and yet there was a gentleness in that contact. Raiden felt immediately relaxed. His eyes closed, as the doors of his mind opened.

If there was some imagery to translate where they both could be found standing, at the lower area of an ancient archway, carved in stone. Vines with white flowers of jasmine entwining up the surface. Beyond the arch was a door, with protective symbols.

Raiden in this imagery could be seen in robes of silk, grey in color. His eyes were somber. "Through there is my inner mind."

The Counselor, unlike Raiden, looked identical to the way that she appeared on the exterior. She was in her duty uniform and her hair remained long and down. "Very well. Do you wish to lead the way? It likely would be easier. I might get rejected."

Raiden gave a nod. "Most definitely." he paused to look at her outfit, then his changed to one that was more practical, grey tunic top and black trousers. then he moved forward to the door, the symbols seeming to glow, his hands reaching out and touching the symbols in a pattern, then he spoke " She is with me, our minds are one."

The door creaked open revealing a corridor, the floor a rich ochre colored wood. The light was from lamps nestled inside the dark sone face walls. He stopped in the doorway, looking towards T'Lul. "You may proceed."

T'Lul gave Raiden an appreciative nod. As she walked through, she felt the need to note, "That was rather a rather formal way of telling me that I could enter. Any particular reason that you chose such a formal phrase?"

Raiden's face registered some surprise. "Formal training, honorifics, a result of my childhood. Difficilt to break a habit I've grown up with. A bow of respect," he explained giving T'Lul a smile. "We can move further down the hallway-" he stopped suddenly as thought he had saw something, a flash of reddish fur disappearing around the corner.

T'Lul would have caught sight as well.

Raiden's face turned slightly pale, "Did you see that?"

"If by that, you are referring to a reddish furry thing, then yes."

A relieved expression appeared, it confirmed to Raiden that T'Lul was indeed seeing what was in his mind. He moved forward to follow that red furry fox like being. "T'Lul, where we are now going, chasing after that furry creature. That is a creature that is referred to from my ancestry as a kitsune. A fox demon. A trickster, and dangerous. And the one that I have been battling in my mind as I have mentioned earlier." He took point. "You know, I think this will be the first time I am making the first move," Looking over towards T'Lul. "I hadn't even thought of doing something like this. It's always been a reactionary solution and not truly going in and seeking out this entity."

"My understanding of kitsune was that they were divine messengers for the Shinto deity Inari, acting as benevolent guardians or as mischievous tricksters," T'Lul considered aloud. "Am I in error? It seems that you only consider it a trickster. I also understand that many of these kitsune transform into beautiful women." She continued to muse the problem before agree with Raiden, "Whatever the situation, I agree that pursuit is the correct course of action."

"Not all are that way," Raiden answered as he continued down the hall. "There are benevolent Kitsune, there are those who are tricky and outright evil that cause harm, called Yako." He had heard a noise coming from the left where the kitsune had disappeared.

It was the sound of claws raking across a metallic surface, Raiden cringed slightly when he heard the sound memory of that feeling he's felt time and again of the claws raking through clothing he had.

"Do you recognize that sound?" T'Lul asked.

"It's her claws; she's trying to toy with me. Those are razor sharp and painful when making contact. I still check to see if there are claw marks in my flesh from the last few fights. Thank goodness she's not Freddy Krueger."Raiden commented.

He didn't know if T'Lul knew of him. Or of other entities that manifested injuries through mental fights.

Rounding the corner there she was, the woman with sharp features which looked vulpine in nature. She stood in front of something the thing that she had been clawing at, the metallic and stone surface of what looked like a vault door.

"I see you Kosugi." the Kitsune snarled turning to face Raiden. "You will fail this time."

TBC

Lieutenant Raiden Kosugi
Pilot
Deep Space Five

Lieutenant T'Lul
Chief Counselor
DS5

 

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