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((Interrogation Room, Unknown Warship - Orbit Around Zakdorn)) ::Finally getting the resolution to his burning questions, Tor'kath was relieved to know that the endeavor had been successfully completed. The pilot Mar Valek had managed to secure the objective, and having finally broken the Starfleet captain Renos, he was certain that the warship's true intent at Zakdorn was still secure. He was ready to return Renos to nir own ship and disappear into the ethers, but his henchman had accidentally administered a mortal blow to the captive. Tor'kath had already risked the anonymity of his ship and the organization it belonged to by interjecting against the Darwin; if its captain was killed by his hands then all hopes of remaining incognito would be lost as Starfleet hunted them through known space. Tor'kath was close to panic.:: Tor'kath: Quit your simpering excuses, and go fetch a medical officer! He's breathing, but barely! ::standing and shaking a quivering fist at the henchman:: I swear, if you've killed him and brought the wrath of Starfleet against us, I'll shove that painstik down your throat! ::Sullenly, the henchman fled from the room, leaving Tor'kath to stand there and wonder why the fates continued to conspire against him. As if bidden by his sour thoughts, a slight shuddering shook the deckplates of the warship.:: Zixo: =/\= Tor'kath to the bridge. Immediately. =/\= Tor'kath: oO Why me? Why now? This was so close to being resolved!! Oo ::Casting one last desperate glance over the prone form of the J'naii captive, Tor'kath sprinted from the room enroute to the bridge, to see what else the fates had in store for him.:: ((Bridge, Unknown Warship - Orbit Around Zakdorn)) Tor'kath: Report! ::Entering the bridge, Tor'kath witnessed the USS Darwin displayed prominently on the viewscreen. Its orbit appeared perilously close to Zakdorn, and if he wasn't mistaken the hull was starting to glow as it encountered the thin exosphere around the planet.:: Tassa: The Darwin is going down. The dumb fools drifted too close to the planet, and they'll probably burn up in the atmosphere. Good riddance. Zixo: Warp drive is online, and we're ready to leave. The Darwin is hailing us, though. ::The warship's commanding officer was highly conflicted. On one hand, Tor'kath would like nothing more than to beam Renos back to the Darwin and high-tail it out of the system, leaving the Federation starship to its fate. However, he also knew that if the Darwin was destroyed, then Starfleet would never rest until they tracked him down.:: Tor'kath: What is the Darwin's status? Zixo: Shields down, venting plasma, ship-wide system failures. It's in rough shape, Tor'kath. Tassa: So what? They stuck their nose where it didn't belong, and now they're paying the price for their sanctimonious actions. Let's just leave and be done with it. ::The helmsman's dismissive attitude grated on Tor'kath. She wasn't looking at the full picture. If everything went south and their identity was determined by Starfleet, and the full force of the military arm of the Federation rained down on their organization, she could claim innocence through compliance of orders. Tor'kath would have no such protection from the wrath of his superiors.:: Zixo: Their commanding officer is hailing again, Tor'kath. Tor'kath: ::indecisive, conflicted:: Patch it through, audio only. Thomas: =/\= Captain, we have sustained a catastrophic problem with out power grid and we are drifting into the atmosphere. Our Chief Engineer is incapacitated…….and….we need help. Blasted, hate this more than you can imagine, but, please help. I’m not sure we’ll get power online soon enough to pull up from the atmosphere. =/\= ::Tor'kath was torn. He could hear the stress in the man's voice, and he could see the ventral hull of the Darwin continuing to glow brighter on the viewscreen. But, what could he do? What was the right choice? He cursed the fact that it had come to this. He had signed up to pick up a shuttle in neutral space, and whisk it away undetected. It was never supposed to get this involved and complicated. Now, he had a Starfleet captain in his possession, dying or already dead by his hands, and a Starfleet ship he had attacked that was about to be destroyed. And all of this was most likely recorded by the Zakdorns.:: Thomas: =/\= Captain, please. Do you really want a Starfleet vessel to go down with your name written all over the evidence. Don’t do this, please. We don’t have anything that you want…..but you do us. Please help us and return our Captain and we’ll be on our way. Captain, we don’t have much time. =/\= ::Putting voice to his own thoughts, the Darwin's interim commanding officer confirmed the worst case scenario. Should the Darwin perish, all blame would be placed on Tor'kath. He couldn't allow that to happen. With an exasperated sigh, he paced the deck in indecisive contemplation for a full minute before finally issuing a barked order.:: Tor'kath: Bring us back into orbit of Zakdorn. Lock a tractor on the Darwin and pull it to a safe orbit. Then, beam their captain back to them. Once that's done, we're warping the heck out of here. Tassa: What?! That's the stupidest - Tor'kath: ::exploding:: Shut up and do what I say! The sooner this is done, the sooner we leave! ::Sullenly, the helmsman brought the warship back into place around Zakdorn, and the tactical officer prepared a tractor beam. During the moments it took to do this, Tor'kath watched with growing concern as the Darwin's hull continued to ablate in the heat and friction of the atmosphere. The bulbous dome of the ship;s forward section appeared to take the brunt of the damage, as the ship sunk lower and lower into the atmosphere. He started to become nervous that he had waffled for too long, and that his efforts would become too little, too late.:: Zixo: We're in position, preparing tractor beam... Wait, Tor'kath, I'm detecting a surge of power from the Darwin! ::In total disbelief, Tor'kath felt himself frozen in place as he watched the Darwin break its descent and maneuver into an advantageous position. Having turned their backs to the Darwin in order to maximize their tractoring efforts, they now found themselves at a tactical disadvantage to the Starfleet vessel as it opened fire on them.:: Zixo: Dammit! We're in range of the Zakdorn satellites again! They're firing... brace for impact! ::The warship shuddered violently as it was plastered from all sides by incoming fire. Finding his seat, Tor'kath swore loudly as he came to the realization that the Darwin had stolen a move from his own playbook and used it against him.:: Tor'kath: Return fire! Full shields! Get us out of here! ::jabbing a finger at the ship on the viewscreen:: Hurt them in the process! Zixo: They have no shields on their sphere section, concentrating fire there! ::Their own phasers and torpedoes rained down on the top of the Darwin's forward structure, resulting in heavy explosions. The warship's tactical officer, fully aware that Starfleet design places a ship's bridge on their uppermost deck, tried to permanently disable the Darwin by destroying its command center. Based on the damage dealt, the starship should have been dead in the water if the breached and smoking top deck was any indication, but it continued coming strong.:: Zixo: We're losing shields, Tor'kath! We need to get away from the Zakdorn defenses! Tor'kath: Enough of this! Prepare to leave, maximum warp - Henchman: =/\= Chech'tluth to Tor'kath! I arrived back to the interrogation room with a medic, just in time to see the prisoner being transported off the ship! We've lost him! =/\= ::This was their ruse all along? To attack them just long enough to get their captain back? Tor'kath laughed at the irony of it all, considering that he was just about to send their captain back anyways.:: Tassa: The enemy is engaging warp, they're getting away! Tor'kath: Good riddance. To both Renos and the Darwin. Plot a course back to safe space, maximum warp. ::Aimed in the opposite direction that the Darwin had departed in, the warship jumped to warp, escaping the barrage of the Zakdorn defenses and the terrible set of circumstances that they should have never encountered in the first place. Though the battle was done, Tor'kath's trials were only just beginning. He would have to answer for all that had transpired to his superiors, and it would not be a cordial meeting.:: Tor'kath: Transmit the following message to the Darwin, audio only. =/\= It never had to be this way. You forced my hand from the beginning, and the status of your captain and your ship are on your own shoulders. If I never see your accursed ship again, it'll be too soon. =/\= Zixo: Transmission sent, though I cannot confirm whether they've received it or not. ::Slumped in the captain's chair, Tor'kath barely acknowledged the statement. He was drained, and wanted nothing more than to hide away from the universe. He had the objective in hand, but at what cost? He had engaged Starfleet, and they would not forget that, and neither would his superiors. This was a hollow victory.:: Tor'kath: ::mumbling:: I don't care. Just take us home. END MSPNPC Tor'kath aka Raikenoff - Commanding Officer, Unknown Warship~as simmed by~LtCmdr Maxwell Traenor - Chief Science Officer, USS Darwin NCC-99312-AGraphic Contest Taskforce =/\= Publicity TeamA239111MT0

Note, the forum ate the paragraphing so I had to re-space this myself, any errors in spacing are therefore most likely mine and not that of the original authors. (( Starbase 118 Promenade )) (Time index: just before the mission starts) :: It had been nearly three years since Chythar had roamed these halls. In fact, he hadn’t seen much of the base since it was attacked by metal-munching dragons, and pulling the then-Commander Livingston from an explosion’s aftermath and into sickbay. He didn’t recall the names of any stores or restaurants from his first tour of duty here as a medical officer, but then again he wasn’t here for a trip down memory lane. He was here to say hello to an old friend, and tapped his badge. :: Skyfire: =/\= Commander Skyfire to Commander Taybrim. ::Sal had been lounging in his office, slowly getting through the pile of paperwork on his desk in that way one processes things in the middle of shore leave. That ‘I’m here-but-not-really-here’ sort of mentality. He jumped when the call came through the commline. He hadn’t been expecting a call, at least not at this point, but curiously opened up the line to hear a very familiar voice.:: Taybrim: =/\=...CD?=/\= ::he sat up in his chair and punched in the information from the signal. This wasn’t subspace, this was localized.:: =/\= You’re here, on StarBase 118? =/\= :: He could almost hear the surprise in his brother’s voice, as he was at least a month early. The last letter showed he was on the Invicta. A lot can change in a month. :: Skyfire: =/\= In the flesh. Was going to grab a bite and thought you should join me, if your duties permitted. Taybrim: =/\= Why… yes! =/\= ::Technically he was on leave at least for another day or so. Working vacation is what Leo called it, but he was going to shortly exercise the vacation part of it:: =/\=I can wrap up what I’m doing and meet you.=/\= ::pause:: =/\= Any ideas where you want to head to? =/\= Skyfire: =/\= Not a one. Meet you on the promenade? Taybrim:::he chuckled:: =/\=Sure! =/\= ::a contemplative pause:: =/\= I suppose I probably know the shops better than you do, now. What are you in the mood for? =/\= Skyfire: =/\= Anything that looks vaguely pizza-like would be welcome. And brewski. Taybrim: =/\=... Brewski? =/\= ::Confusion filtered heavily through his voice:: =/\= Uhm… not sure if I know a store that sells that. But pizza I can handle. =/\= ::he rose, putting the paperwork aside and brushing off his uniform:: Skyfire: =/\= Beer. :: Pause. :: Remind me when you get here to explain Terran slang in greater depth. Taybrim=/\=: ::He paused just before exiting his office, boggling at the thought:: =/\= There’s more Terran slang?=/\= ::cough:: =/\=I have enough trouble just keeping up with Leo’s expressions! =/\= Skyfire: =/\= Righto. Meet you where, again? Taybrim: =/\= Right, right. I’ll meet you in the Promenade outside Buzz Johnson’s Ultimate Pie Shop. =/\= :: CD smirked as the line closed. Whether or not the commander’s duties permitted, he’d make the time just as they had done on the Excalibur during the early phases of Chythar’s incident with the mind meld. It wasn’t going to be as awesome as Stew Surprise, as he still had to make his appointment with the CMO and the security chief of the Columbia, but it’d be a chance for them to catch up. :: ~*~ ((Promenade - Buzz Johnson’s Ultimate Pie Shop - StarBase 118)) ::Buzz Johnson’s promised the most authentic Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza in a ten-light-year-radius. Sal Taybrim actually had zero experience with actual pizza in Chicago, Terra, however most of his staff had recommended the place and Sal himself was quite enthralled with the sauce-saturated pies that were so coated in cheese that you had to pull long strings of it off the dough and shove it into your mouth. It was one of those experiences that made him feel like a kid again. That and it boasted one hundred and twenty seven various microbrews on state of the art nitrogen-vaprozine line ensured to enhance your beer drinking experience to the utmost. The decor was smoky and vaguely seedy in a cartoonish manner, and their waitress was a blonde Risian with blonde curls all piled atop her head. She waited as the two men greeted one another before showing them to a table:: Taybrim: ::Grinning as he saw a familiar face in a familiar teal collar:: CD! Well, well, live and in the flesh. What brings you to my humble abode on StarBase 118? ::Moving forward to wrap his friend in a bear hug:: Skyfire: :: The doc returned the grin and the embrace, then ruffled Sal’s hair like a sibling would. :: Sal, Sal… :: and produced a PADD. :: A present for you so you call off the hunt. Stew Surprise. Just don’t let Vitor anywhere near it. :: He paused thoughtfully before he answered the second question. :: And a transfer to the Columbia. Taybrim: Excellent, excellent… ::And that last part processed through his brain:: What?! You’re headed to Columbia? I thought they had you roped down in the Garuda’s sickbay… or was that in Invicta? ::he couldn’t keep up with all the ships in the Menthar region:: Skyfire: :: nodded solemnly as he followed the waitress to the table. :: Garuda, then Invicta. Shortly after boarding the Invicta, I got a half-pip because Kells had to promote me before he was ordered to by Fleet Captain Egan Manno. As for why I was transferred: I suspect someone has a twisted sense of humor. :: The last time they saw one another in reality and not over subspace, CD was being transferred to the Garuda as their medical officer from the Excalibur. And now he was making a pass through the starbase on his way to yet another posting, on a different ship. He couldn’t explain the why part very well, other than someone with pips in the box had a desire to transfer him. He just didn’t know who it was. :: Taybrim: Wow. ::He nodded, processing it all:: The Columbia’s still a fine ship - I still miss it, even though Ops is home now. I’m sure you’ll feel at home there soon. :: Chythar nodded. He wished he could say the same about the Invicta, and after serving a year with the same crew he went through one counselor whom he actually liked, and started to feel for in a deeper way than just as a sister. A momentary frown passed over his features as he picked up the menu and had a look-see. :: Skyfire: I’ll miss them on the Invicta. Home will be wherever the med tape is. :: The joke seemed to be appropriate on his new audience -- he doubted Sal had heard that one before. :: Skyfire: I think what I’ll miss most about them is I actually stuck with one counselor through both ships. You know my luck with counselors. Taybrim: I do. ::he nodded his head, somewhat mournfully. Sal had left the Excalibur’s counseling department to take a stint on the Darwin. What a long strange trip that had been.:: I’m glad you found a few that stuck with you. ::a smile, before he directed the subject to an even brighter topic:: Ok, so one hundred and twenty seven microbrews… what’s your pleasure? Skyfire: :: He read over the menu briefly before his eyes settled on the Mack & Jack’s African Amber, his favorite of all of the microbrews from home. :: Mack & Jack’s. Taybrim: Mack and Jack’s it is! ::He ordered two and returned to find Skyfire perusing the menu:: So what bring you to my arm of the galaxy? ::he asked conversationally:: :: Chythar was staring at the menu and seemed to get so deeply lost in thought he didn’t hear the question. It took him a few moments to come back to reality as he set the menu aside. :: Skyfire: Hm? Taybrim: ::A lighthearted chuckle:: I asked what bring you to my arm of the galaxy? Seems you’ve had quite the changes since I saw you last. :: That...would take a bit of explaining. He didn’t have the answer on him, and his clearances had probably been revoked for the Invicta. :: Skyfire: Um...I’ll have to forward the relevant info on that once I get my clearances reset. I’ve had a few interesting… :: he snapped his fingers a few times as he fumbled for a word. :: ...moments since our last conversation. Both with regards to my abilities and time itself. Taybrim: ::He offered a slow nod:: You said you had some counseling? ::he prompted gently:: Skyfire: “Some” is probably a gross understatement, bro. More like lots. Mostly about… :: He hesitated for a moment. :: ...things. Mostly related to my abilities. :: He paused thoughtfully, as though trying to add more, but could not. :: Skyfire: ~My ratings have changed.~ Taybrim: ::A brow perked in surprise:: ~I can hear you clearly. I assume something beyond normal acclimatization went on?~ :: It wasn’t the first time he accidentally lapsed into telepathic contact with his brother of choice, his own brow furrowing and he swallowed hard. :: Skyfire: ~Last time we spoke about this, I was T2/E2. I’m now T4/E6. And mentally connected with Counselor Moonsong of the Invicta… Similarly to how I’m connected to you... ~ :: CD didn’t form additional thoughts, as though even his mind was fumbling for words on how to put it into something coherent. He expected there would be further questions. Though he couldn’t figure out what else he could add without showing Sal the test results and research that Saveron had done. :: Taybrim: ::he canted his head to one side. Partially because he rarely thought about telepathy in terms of ‘ratings’ and simply as something that ‘was’ or ‘was not.’ Then again Sal was born in a culture of telepaths, Skyfire was not.:: ~Did anything prompt that happening?~ Skyfire: ~I don’t know. First was the incident on DSX. Then there was a more recent incident on Astrofori One with Ris lashing out mentally as she looked for our companions. ~ Taybrim: ::He furrowed his brow and actually spoke out loud in his surprise:: I was unaware that counselor Moonsong was telepathic… ::He chewed his bottom lip a bit, considering it all. Sal rarely used his telepathy anymore, unless he was in contact with other telepaths. After he had seared his body with enough electricity to cook an unlucky person, telepathy was a dangerous liability rather than a strength. He had opted, early on in his recovery to focus on what he felt would serve him best and chose the constant, comforting feedback of empathy over telepathy. Meanwhile it seemed the Invicta was producing telepaths left, right and center. There was a small part of him that struggled with a fierce pang of jealousy - or if not jealousy at the very least anger at the inequity of the matter. He swallowed that with a well-timed gulp of beer. It was good beer.:: :: How the hell did one sum up the events of what happened over a single glass of beer with no pizza to eat? He didn’t know, and without his documented progression on what happened, he couldn’t answer that in any reasonable fashion. At least, he didn’t think so. Instead, he had a sip of his drink and attempted to encapsulate the essence into a few words. :: Skyfire: Counselor Moonsong played host to some ambassadors of the Community. After they returned to their collective, she was left… :: He bit his lip and hesitated for a word. :: ...altered. Is now I think the most powerful telepath on the Invicta. ::Sal couldn’t help but perk a brow at this. In his travels from ship to ship he had heard many similar stories. The crew of Starbase 118 had at one point been possessed by elemental forces far before Handley-Page took command. Officers had fought insane holograms in a fantasy land. Officers had been kidnapped and experimented upon by alien intelligences, or possessed, or traveled through time. Meanwhile Sal had slogged through political manipulations versus Romulans, dragged idiot engineers away from burning buildings, dealt with more Romulan politics and machinations. And more Romulans. And saving an idiot tactical officer from a court martial. And even more Romulans. He was starting to feel like the Romulans were the stable (if irritatingly manipulative and violent) element in the galaxy. And for the record he was quite fond of both idiots. But there were a growing number of officers who solidly ‘owed him one’ in the fleet.:: Taybrim: I see. ::he didn’t, but he said it anyways:: Sounds like it has been a long strange trip. ::leaning forward:: But that still doesn’t answer why you jumped the strange trip and are in my neck of the woods. ::he grinned:: ::And was that pizza they smelled? Not a moment too soon! One massive pie dripping with cheese and toppings was delivered to the table:: :: He could’ve sworn he answered that as he got himself a slice of pizza and mused over the riddle. What was he doing here? Was he requested? Was he just here to deliver the recipe? Nah, if he was just here to deliver the recipe then his orders would’ve said “Starbase 118,” not “USS Columbia.” He bit into his slice of pizza and chewed quietly for several moments. Once he’d swallowed the mouthful, gave an answer. :: Skyfire: I honestly have no idea. Like I said, someone in the Brass has a sense of humor, and they think transferring me is funny. Taybrim: ~I could probably look that up for you… if you really wanted to know.~ ::A shrug, he swallowed his mouthful of pizza and actually spoke the next thought:: Maybe MacLaren wanted to see you again? Skyfire: :: nodded slowly and had another sip of beer. :: I knew she’d been reinstated after being comatose from the suicide bomb thing on Argurtha, but I don’t know if she requested me specifically. Taybrim: You were close ::he waved a hand in the air:: I know she was released from here some months ago and placed on the Columbia with probably who she considered ‘the good old gang’ ::Well, truth be told they were a good old gang. They used to be Sal’s gang as much as MacLaren’s, even if he had never actually served with her. Like a few others, Sal seemed to be the sort that always ‘just missed’ serving with some crew.:: :: Interesting, but not altogether unexpected. And for now, it seemed like a good point in time to just muse quietly over his pizza until he had something else he wanted to ask. A few bites later produced another question. :: Skyfire: ~So, about my connection with Raissa. There’s something else I feel I should tell you.~ Taybrim: ::he took another slug of beer to prepare himself:: ~What’s up?~ Skyfire: :: had another sip of beer before he continued. This was hard for him, mostly because he didn’t know how to explain it. :: ~Because of my connection to her, I can physically touch her and not be at risk of having my mind nuked.~ Taybrim: ~I was unaware of the touch-prompting-mindsplosion part...~ ::he admitted with a furrowed brow.:: ~It sounds like you two were close.~ Skyfire: :: broke eye contact and stared at his pizza. :: ~I comforted her after her breakup with Carter. Gave her a hug. I’m apparently the only one capable of doing that without fear of injury.~ :: He paused and tried to finish the rest as he had another bite. :: ~She’s more than a sister to me, Sal.~ Taybrim: ::He canted his head a bit, indulging in another bite of pizza to give him enough time to digest his thoughts:: ~Did you want to stay with her?~ :: He managed a weak nod and continued to eat his pizza, gradually starting to lose his appetite as the pain of recent memories started to fill his mind. Despite his shields, a bit of sadness slipped through their connection. :: Skyfire: ~I did…~ :: He had another swig of beer and just stared at the plate, blinking back the tears of loss. :: Taybrim: You could have petitioned Starfleet for different placement - closer or in a different department. ::he offered quietly:: I can help you get that paperwork through. ::A small smile:: tricks I learned as a diplomat. :: He should have at least felt something with those words. There didn’t seem to be any point in arguing with the Brass’ decision to place him aboard the Columbia. He closed his eyes and forced himself to finish the slice of pizza he had in front of him, not sure what to say in response. He felt nothing. :: ::Sal sighed and the counselor part of his brain turned on, trying a different tact. If rationality wasn’t working, try sympathy, Sal.:: Taybrim: Transfers suck. They always suck and I’m sorry you’re moving again. But I hope the Columbia is a good of a move for you as it was for me. :: A wave of bitterness washed over Chythar as another thought entered his mind unbidden. He knew transfers sucked, as his previous scorecard on the Excalibur had shown. Oddly enough, for the Garuda and Invicta tour, he had one counselor for both ships. :: Skyfire: ~Another ship, another counselor to break….Ris didn’t break….~ Taybrim: ~Columbia’s a good strong ship, with good strong people - many who are your friends and who will be thrilled to see you again.~ :: That reassurance seemed to ease the bitterness that had overtaken the doc’s mind, though it was still somehow lacking in some aspect. He reached for another slice of pizza, despite his diminished appetite, and was going to eat it in order to survive the next forty eight hours of transferring ships. Again. :: Skyfire: ~Some of the people on that ship I think I helped train, too…~ :: Out of context, that probably could have been a non-sequitur. Though it seemed apt to mention at this point since they were talking about the crew. :: Taybrim: ~Then they will be especially glad to see you.~ ::Sal was the sort of person who believed that everything, in general, worked out alright in the end. Actually, his last two transfers had not sucked at all. They had been quite good - he had met good people, his career was upwardly mobile and he quite liked his position on StarBase 118 and the crew around him. He just kept that to himself, instead allowing the peaceful aura of ‘things become ok’ radiate from his mind.:: :: Chythar nodded faintly and helped himself to another bite, this time taking a long swig of the brewski and draining its contents. Alcohol probably wouldn’t help his mood, but at least it made him feel a bit better. :: Skyfire: ~Right. I’ll try to keep that in mind.~ Taybrim: ::He grabbed another slice of pizza and ordered two more beers:: So how is Devlin doing? :: The little canine wasn’t with him at the moment, as he was being watched by a friend. He blinked a few times and tried to form words as he took another bite of pizza. :: Skyfire: Sad we had to leave. He was taking quite a liking to Lt. DeVeau. I have a friend watching him at the moment. Taybrim: He must be getting pretty big. Skyfire: Last I checked, he was 15 pounds of adorable beagle. Taybrim:All the better to charm people with, my dear. ::A chuckle:: :: The doc let an eyebrow raise in mild amusement, which was an improvement over his earlier mood. He took another swig of beer as it arrived on the table. :: Skyfire: Meaning? Taybrim: ::blink blink:: Meaning people, in general, like dogs - especially when they are cute and cuddly? :: CD mulled that one over as he helped himself to another bite of pizza, despite not really being hungry now. He hated transfers. And was running out of things to say about the adorable puppy. :: Skyfire: He talks to me, sort of. Has trouble with “a”s unless they’re in the middle of a word. Taybrim: Talks? ::browperk, curious:: Skyfire oO [...]. Forgot to tell him this. Oo :: He had another sip of his drink before he continued. :: Skyfire: Shortly after my incident on DSX, I was still a T2/E2 but for some reason could communicate telepathically with Devlin. I have no idea why that is. Taybrim: Strange. ::he murmured. On his homeworld he had only communicated with other people, never the animals.:: How does a dog … talk? :: Good question. He never had to describe it to anyone else so he wasn’t sure for a moment and mulled through the answer over a bite of pizza. :: Skyfire: Simple words. He understands the basics: food, play, walkies, Master. :: He gave a thoughtful pause. :: And Lora. That’s the nickname he assigned to Lt. Alora DeVeau, apparently. Taybrim: Fascinating. ::he leaned back, thinking about the whole affair:: It’s been a long time since I’ve heard of such a fascinating interplay of telepathic development. :: That caused the doc’s Irish brogue to appear into his speech pattern, though he didn’t lapse into Gaelic. Apparently some mention of interplayed telepathic development rubbed him a little. :: Skyfire: Don’t get me started, laddie. Taybrim: Ok ::chuckle:: then you pick the topic of conversation! :: Skyfire chuckled in response and finished his second slice before he replied. :: Skyfire: How are things on the starbase? Taybrim: We’re in what you could call the ‘calm between storms’ ::he leaned back a bit:: After weathering riots, a crash and some terrorist threats we could use the calm, too. Skyfire: That...doesn’t sound like fun, for some reason. :: It wasn’t fun-sounding in any event. Fun was walking along the holodeck beach with Devlin and a game of frisbee during shore leave, not but that was his opinion. He seriously wanted Devlin and Sal to meet sometime, but it wouldn’t happen any time in the near future. Transfers being fluid and all, he barely had enough time to get Devlin squared away for this impromptu meeting. :: Taybrim: Well, anything that puts people in danger isn’t fun. ::he admitted:: I don’t like seeing the people around me and the people I’m responsible for get hurt. But in the downtimes there’s been fun. Camaraderie. I like this crew, they’re good people. :: CD could relate. He nodded grimly, and remembered the painful moments in which he was either extracting shrapnel, Trill symbiont, or burnt flesh from various Starfleet uniforms. Those thoughts were quickly suppressed as he took another swig of beer. :: Skyfire: No fun seeing people go to Sickbay either. Taybrim: I suppose not. ::he nodded. Never having been a doctor, he was usually the one at the other end, sending people to sickbay:: Which is why I’m glad it’s a calm time. All the better for rest, recuperation and pizza. :: Chythar chuckled softly. If there was one thing Sal was good at, it was lightening the mood with a little light-hearted mention of their present meeting. Whether it was pizza, or Stew Surprise, sans faeries, of course. :: Skyfire: Speaking of rest and fun...I just completed my first training class since getting promoted. :: Thoughtful pause. :: As the CO. You can keep your red-shirt. I’ll be in the teal, patching you up if you happen to get blown up in the line of duty. :: he replied with a wink. :: Taybrim: ::He chuckled:: Hey, I like the red shirt. ::A bit smugly:: I think it looks good on me. ::beat:: just like you look good in teal. :: Chythar nodded and leaned back in his chair, allowing himself to relax a little. He didn’t realize how much tension he’d built up in the last few minutes, and the emotional toll started to cause him to zone out a bit. For a few long moments, he said nothing until Taybrim spoke again. :: Taybrim: Well, seeing as we only have a limited time to spend together I think we should live it up tonight. What’s the most fun thing you can think of - and we’ll do it. Revel in the moment ::he grinned widely, feeling the effects of the tasty beer hit him.:: :: “Live it up” was a phrase that he hadn’t heard in a long time. He tried hard to think of some of his favorite holonovels or movies to watch, and was coming up with a blank. His transfer had apparently scrambled his sense of fun, and most of his movie titles were stored in a computer somewhere. :: Skyfire: You always said you wanted to take me to Risa. Any favorite Risian holoprograms you have? Taybrim: ::A wide grin:: Of course I have a favorite. Do you prefer lounging around in hot springs or windsurfing? Skyfire: Never tried windsurfing. Willing to give it a shot. :: He smiled at his brother. :: Teach me, oh wise sensei. :: and purely by accident let a Japanese word escape his lips. :: oO [...]. Oo Taybrim: Well, finish your pizza, we’ll lounge and let the food digest while I go through the basics and then enjoy the surf of Risa! ::he grinned, quite liking this idea. A good way to relax for a night:: :: Skyfire finished up the second glass, contemplating taking the rest of the pizza home for dinner since he kind of lost his appetite. :: Taybrim: ::Leftovers packaged up, Sal stretched and smiled:: Nothing like Risa at sundown. Skyfire: Windsurfing at sunset. Sounds great! :: he finished the slice of pizza in front of him and nodded his readiness to head off. :: END === Lieutenant Commander Chythar Skyfire Medical Officer USS Columbia, NCC-85279 History Team Co-Facilitator Medical Duty Post Facilitator Dear Doc Columnist O239002CS0 & Lt Commander Sal Taybrim Executive Officer StarBase 118 Ops

((Main Engineering)) :: Ashley strode into Main Engineering, purple eyes glancing curiously at all the equipment and crews goings abouts. He was on a search… as was usual for *some* crewmembers… for his next appointment. One Cadfael Peters, who he had last seen unconscious on the shuttle that had acted as his method of rescue from the Asphodel. But if the man was back on duty, he was healthy enough to attend a scheduled appointment. He wasn’t going to let people think he was a pushover about these things. :: :: Cadfael wasn’t known for avoiding the required sessions, though with all the transfers in his record it’s possible one or two sessions may’ve gotten lost in the administrative shuffle; and Ashley wanted to… as a Terran would say… “get the drop on him.” :: :: What this counselor wanted, this counselor got. :: :: Finding his mark hard at work at a panel, Ashley made his move. Silent and stealthy, he stepped up behind Peters to make what would be an apparently sudden appearance, his hands clasped behind his back and smile in place. :: Yael: Lieutenant Peters, I presume? :: Ashley let the man turn around and gather himself from the interruption. :: :: Peters heard his rank and name, grateful perhaps that the voice hadn’t recited his serial number and turned around slowly. :: Peters: Yes, ensign. How can I help you? Yael: Counselor Yael. ::nodding his greeting:: When last we met, you were quite unconscious. You’re feeling better now? Peters: Yes. Provided I don’t need to go back into Sickbay any time soon. Yael: Excellent! Then you can accompany me to the main counseling office for your routine evaluation. :: It wasn’t phrased as a question, though his polite smile stayed firmly in place. :: Peters: Routine? Are you sure you aren’t confusing it with my annual? Yael: Whichever you prefer to address it as, Lieutenant. :: The engineer’s brows furrowed momentarily, and he blinked a few times to formulate the words before he spoke again. The Denobulan smile was creepy, and a little disorienting. :: Peters: I had my annual eval when I came aboard, with Counselor Sheridan. I’m sure you’ll find his last note in my record. Though if you’re insistent this is mandatory after I had my ears blown apart, I will accompany you now. Yael: Consider it a Quarterly Update, with your injuries in mind. ::pausing, his smile never faltering:: Lieutenant, you seem a little frustrated? :: Peters gave a small huff of exasperation and picked up his tools. The console diagnostic would keep, and he was sure one of the other engineers would catch the results if he was still being held hostage by the counselor. :: Peters: Tends to make me a bit irritable when they get told “You need to drop everything and go to counseling to make sure you’re considered fit for duty.” If you want to discuss my case with Counselor Sheridan, go ahead. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to accommodate. :: This guy was downright annoying. Vance, at least, was personable. :: Yael: Counselor Sheridan is not posted at Starbase 118. I’m sure you understand that we counselors leave copious notations for our crewmembers future care, should we be personally absent. As for having you drop everything, unless it’s an emergency, it isn’t as important as your health, is it? :: The question was bluntly stated, yet still eternally polite, presented with a smile that said “I will stand here and harp at you as long as it takes.” :: Yael: You see, Counselor Sheridan himself noted you may attempt to *avoid* seeing a different counselor, should they not be persistent in seeing you. ::he paused, head [...]ing to the side slightly almost humorously:: Of course, you would *never* conduct such a professional sleight against a well-meaning fellow crewmember, would you? :: It was a load of bait. Ashley had had difficult clients to catch before, and had found the firm approach quite successful at ending their days of running away. If they knew a persistent Denobulan might creep up on them at any second, they’d at least be in the mood to get it over with, leading to them coming to him. :: :: It was also worth noting that several pairs of eyes belonging to the engineering staff were now quite interested in their conversation. :: Peters: You have no idea how much I would love to conduct such a sleight against you right now… :: His words were caked in sarcasm, but never the less picked up his tools and motioned for the Denobulan to lead the way. :: Yael: I like to know the crew I serve, Lieutenant. Humor me, and I’ll leave you in peace. ::pause:: Until your next regular bi-annual post-injury psychological update is due. :: He paused, then he gave Peters an easier smile. :: Yael: Just joking, Lieutenant. :: Stronger insults hinged on the edge of his tongue, and he didn’t like the fact this guy was starting to get on his nerves. Bringing up the bi-annual post-injury psych eval just made his mood less friendly. So instead of cursing the man out in front of the other engineers, he settled on the mildest one he could think of, in reference to a Star Wars beast of some sort. :: Peters: You...son of a gundark, you…. Yael: ::grinning, turning to lead the way out:: Flatterer. :: Cadfael’s mood had gone from chipper to angry in five minutes, just by talking to the Denobulan who seemed hell-bent on making his day a nightmare. There wasn’t anything he could do about it except humor Yael, then maybe earn five minutes or longer of uninterrupted work. The fact Vance was no longer posted to Starbase 118 just made it worse. Peters didn’t dignify that line with a response, inwardly thinking of all the ways he could punch the man’s lights out so he could get back to work. The thought of a court-martial flashed briefly through the engineer’s mind. :: Peters: oO It’d be worth it… Oo ((Main Counseling Office - 5 minutes later)) Yael: Please help yourself to the replicator. Or, I have some Denobulan coffee prepared if you’d like to try it. :: Ashley stepped up to the desk and poured the bluish, steaming, liquidated tree bark into a mug, waiting for Peters answer as he took a seat at one end of the couch. :: Peters: Coffee’s good… :: he took the offered seat as far away as he could manage from the creepy yet annoying Denobulan, not usually the sort to want to punch a guy after ten minutes. :: Yael: ::heading right into things:: I’ve been informed you and Vance Sheridan were close friends. You must miss him. :: That just stung, and Cadfael picked up the cup of Denobulan coffee. Every reminder Vance was gone just drove the knife deeper into his mind. He had a friend, then lost him because of a transfer. And he didn’t think he’d trust another counselor again. :: Peters: Don’t go rubbing salt into the wound, alright? It’s none of your [...] business anyway. :: Ashley’s smile never wavered, but he did manage a very slight expression that amounted to “tisk tisk.” :: Yael: No salt intended, Lieutenant. But the answer is very much there, isn’t it. ::the anger was definitely an answer of sorts:: Have you had many close acquaintances on the Starbase aside Mr. Sheridan? :: Cadfael’s muscles tensed, and he tightened his grip around the coffee cup. While he probably couldn’t break it, he was considering throwing it at the counselor just for being annoying. The smug grin on his face was creepy and annoying at the same time, and again the questions just pried open the fact he missed Vance. :: Peters: Look, doc. Not your game, alright? You don’t need to know whether I have any friends or not. :: There was a pause as Ashley set his mug down, before shifting slightly in his seat, hands folding easily in his lap as his purple eyes set solidly on Peters. :: Yael: Lieutenant, it is in fact my “game.” If I believe your habits to be unsustainable, negatively impacting you on a personal level, or downright unhealthy, I can… and *will*... pull you from duty. ::pausing:: Not to mention, as a professional favor to Counselor Sheridan, I have been asked to keep a “close eye” on you, as it were. :: The smile went from stern to wry all without changing very much at all. It was very much an expression rooted in the eyes, expertly masked and yet expressive all at the same time. :: :: The anger in Cadfael’s eyes burned through his otherwise neutral facial expression and he sipped the strange coffee in order to prevent himself from speaking. He sat in silence for several moments, unblinking. He didn’t relax, and wasn’t in the mood to play “be civil to the counselor” at all. He wasn’t Vance. :: Peters: Professional favor? :: It was a very pointed question, but that’s all. :: Yael: Yes. His personal notation in your file was vibrantly stated, and I intend to follow through with his request. ::continuing regardless:: I think it’s admirable, that you’ve earned the worry of a good friend. It demonstrates something of your character. :: Albeit, not the part that was currently glowering at the Denobulan. :: :: Cadfael sighed, and set down the coffee. He didn’t seem to notice he was now out of coffee, nor did his posture relax at all. It was clear he wasn’t going to win, but he did not feel comfortable around this guy after spending the last however long it was since they met wanting to punch him in the face. oO He isn’t Vance. Oo :: Peters: And what would that be? Yael: What do *you* think it is? :: Ahhh, the classic answering of questions with more questions. Ashley knew he was pushing the man, but it was the approach recommended to him, and he was sticking with it until proven ineffective. Peters’ anger would be something he might have to chip away at over time. :: Peters: That’s why Vance asked you to look after me, isn’t it? So you could tell me? Yael: No, Lieutenant. That was my personal observation. :: By the stars, was this Denobulan a smug little bugger…and personal observation be [...]ed. It was going to be a living nightmare to get this guy humored. :: Peters: So...what, you want me to warm up to you? Tell you whether or not I’m socially inept and awkward with everyone who isn’t Vance? Tell you about the Darwin and how everyone ignored me because I was caught in a space pocket? The Victory, where I can’t remember much of anything except the Sickbay? The smug yet intriguing little gremlin I met in the previously mentioned rift who wound up saving my life? My stupid and desperate maneuver to wire one implant into the ship’s comm system so I could hear the orders that were part of your rescue? The dual EARS implants? :: He stopped, furious at Yael for even bringing up the personal observations in the first place. Professional favor or not, apparently Vance’s loss affected Cadfael more deeply than he knew. And it hurt just relating these things in a string of questions he didn’t want to answer that were bound to come up anyway. :: Peters: oO What the bloody hell is wrong with me? Oo :: Even expecting an outburst, Ashley was surprised at the intensity. He’d been expecting *something,* sure… but not *that.* Purple eyes widened slightly, and he let Peters digest the moment of silence that came once he appeared to finish. He certainly didn’t want to interrupt if the man wasn’t done. :: :: After a moment, a kind smile on his face, he asked gently… :: Yael: Did that feel okay, getting all that out? You *have* been through a *lot,* haven’t you. :: Again, not actually a question. :: Peters: No slag, Ensign Obvious. Care to tell me something I didn’t know? :: He was irritable, frustrated as all hell, and this smug little….It was annoying. Some portion of him wanted to walk over there and clock him one across the jaw as he leaned back in the chair, silent for a few more moments. The tears of frustration started to blur his vision, and he blinked them back before he shed a few. :: :: The Lieutenants ire had certainly been earned, and the anger was obviously rooted in some serious emotional turmoil. But Ashley was less concerned with the engineer “warming up to him” than he was helping the man learn to actually process that anger, and possibly find the next Vance. Peters didn’t have to *like* Ashley. That was beside the point. :: :: What was more important was the microexpression Ashley had thought he had seen glance across Peter’s expression after his outburst. One of shock. :: Yael: I’m going to pencil you in for a bi-weekly session, Lieutenant. I believe you can greatly benefit from learning some anger management techniques, which will allow you better ability to socialize with your fellow crew in the future. :: Bi-weekly sessions. Great. He was going to be seeing this smug little frack twice a week for the rest of his career until such time as Cadfael didn’t need Ashley’s help anymore. This could only get worse from here. Why is it he got along fine with Vance and the new chief of engineering, but lousy with this guy? Maybe it was the persistence in the Denobulan’s manner or maybe that [...] smug grin that wouldn’t go away. He blinked a few more times to keep the tears at bay and just narrowed his eyes at the counselor as though daring him to provoke so he could throw a punch and walk away. :: Yael: ::indomitable in the face of the sizzling lieutenant before him:: It may be difficult going for you, but you may find yourself at peace with yourself… if you give it a genuine go. But for the moment, I suggest you find something relaxing to do. I’ll let engineering know you won’t be returning today. :: Enforced introspection wasn’t his preferred method, but he didn’t want the man to simply bury himself in work to attempt to forget all he’d said here. :: :: Keeping him from engineering was like taking away a canine’s favorite chew toy for punishment. And someone in the heavens was definitely punishing him. This was going to be a living hell for the rest of his tour on the starbase. :: Peters: You... :: He couldn’t finish the thought and finally, the [...] broke as a single tear streaked his face. Pure anger gleamed in his eyes, hands clenched tightly into fists as he started toward the door. :: Yael: Lieutenant. ::meaning to halt the man for one last moment:: :: Peters paused in his tracks, wanting to wipe that smug little grin off his face. But there was nothing he could do except walk away before he put himself in sickbay for a broken hand. :: Yael: Please keep in mind, it isn’t my intent to torment you. I do what I do entirely for your benefit. :: It was the only thing the Denobulan said without a smile. :: Peters: Yeah right. :: and walked away without another word, clenching his eyes shut to prevent further tears. :: END === Lieutenant JG Cadfael Peters Engineer Starbase 118 Ops 0239002CS0 & Ensign Ashley Deneve Yael Counselor Starbase 118 Ops http://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php/Yael,_Ashley_Deneve

((Freighter Anatoli - Captain's personal bathroom suite)) (nine days ago) ::Seth Ralston raised the still-hot tip of the silenced phase shift disruptor to his thin lips and blew on it. There was no smoke - gunpowder and bullets hadn't been used in his line of work for centuries, but he had always been a fan of Terran 'old western' holovids and at times like this he fancied himself the spitting image of an old frontier bounty hunter. Before him Captain Grek's eyes bulged out of his head as he sank below the fragrant bathwater. Little bubbles filtered up to the surface marking Grek's last breath as his killer went silently to work. It wasn't hard to access the Ferengi's computer nor was it hard to destroy his trade records. The hardest part would be tracking down everyone that Grek had brought in to his trade network - and who might know the nasty little secret the Ferengi uncovered. His employer Drin Jerol has made it quite clear: no loose ends. Fortunately Ferengi loved contracts. And contracts gave Ralston a perfect list of people to find, follow and eliminate. No loose ends.:: ((Geneva VI Cargobase - Security Station)) (Four days ago) ::So far, so good, Ralston had tracked own the other five contacts in Grek's network. One left - and of course the last one proved to be the slipperiest of all. It was always that way. Nothing could ever be easy. Now he was standing in a shabby security office that served as both an evidence room and a trophy locker for Vintam Dalreth, the dimwitted mob boss that served as the owner of Geneva VI.:: Dalreth: I told you. He's dead. ::He tossed a sample case that had a small amount of charred remains in it.:: I'd love to say I fried him myself, but the plasma fire took care of it first. Ralston: I see. ::he nodded, taking out a scanner. Yes, the DNA matched his target, but Seth Ralston was an expert at tracking people. It was clear Vintam Dalreth was not. Seth was looking for different things - not the least of which included not just a presence of the right DNA, but the correct amount of it. At base, there just wasn't enough remains here to be an entire body. Of course a plasma fire was a nicely thorough destroyer of remains, but if this Rohan was as much of a survivalist as his history lent Seth to believe, he doubted the hybrid would get caught in a plasma fire to begin with. No, Seth Ralston was quite sure Zel Rohan was alive. Not that Dalreth needed to know that:: Ralston: ::Whistling at the charred little pile in the box:: Yes, I guess he most certainly is. Dalreth: ::smirking:: You should pay me for taking care of it for you. Ralston: technically I should pay your faulty circuitry. ::he dig in his pocket and toss a small bag of latinum towards Dalreth:: maybe with that you can hire a decent engineer. Dalreth: ::he snorted:: You got what you came for. Now get out. Ralston: ::a smooth smile:: I'm going... ::Hands up, he retreated, never even giving his name...:: ~*~ ((Passenger Ship Shangri-La - In the vicinity of StarBase 118)) ::After a nice thorough search of Geneva cargobase, Ralston decided that his quarry had, indeed, smuggled himself out of the area. So he had taken to some old fashioned detective techniques, and started listening in on every commline he could catch in a several lightyear radius. He figured that sooner or later the right information would come to him, and soon enough it did. It was something minor, a stowaway report on a freighter that had left Geneva VI. It was enough of a lead that Ralston was sure to follow. Problematically the destination was a Starfleet run starbase. Despite being Human, Starfleet bases were Ralston's least favorite places to hunt. They tended to have excellent security and plenty of naive, do-gooding officers all ready to stick their noses into other people's business. And his entire reason for tracking down loose ends was to do damage control and stop people like Starfleet from investigating what his employers were up to. He didn't like it. Operating on a Starfleet base meant being careful and patient, and yet he wanted - needed - to eliminate his target before the target had a chance to talk to Starfleet about what he knew. Because once Starfleet knew, there was no containing the secret. And Starfleet was a nasty animal when one started killing off its officers. Ralston didn't like it at all. Then again, he could always hope for one quick murder of a meaningless drifter and enough misdirection to make Starfleet drop their investigation. It would have to work, and he had to get there quickly. Time was running out. No loose ends. He repeated it to himself like a mantra. No loose ends. ~*~ tbc... ~*~ MSNPC Seth Ralston Bounty Hunter hired by Unsavory Sorts Simmed by: LtCmdr Sal Taybrim

((Starbase 118: Counsellor’s Office)) ::It was incredible how routine visiting the counsellor had become. Kellan’s conditional return to duty after Counsellor Sheridan’s breakthrough with him on the Einstein, which had stipulated that he would need to continue with regular therapy sessions, had led to a change in career goals and an increase in Kellan’s confidence after a breakdown that he had expected would see him locked away and medicated to the point where he would live his life as a vegetable. Then it had become clear that he wasn’t in Ravensville any more - this wasn’t some fabricated alien reality designed by cruel tormentors to watch the young Bajoran respond to one unbearable stimulus after another. This was real, actual reality, where you could be surrounded by people who wanted to help you reach a point where you could function from day to day and reach a point where no-one had to be your crutch around the clock. Someone had served that role for him once before, and Kellan didn’t know if there would be a day where he would ever not regret the way he had treated that man.:: ::It couldn’t have been more clear that counsellors were allies. When Counsellor Sheridan had transferred from the Einstein, Kellan had continued with a new counsellor, an older human by the name of Rosemary West. He hadn’t liked her quite as much as Sheridan, but they had got on well, and he had continued to progress under her care, to the point where his work had evidently attracted enough attention for him to be offered a department chief role. He wondered who he would be meeting this time.:: ::He pushed the chime on the office door to announce his arrival. He was prepared for there to be a wait as he was aware that appointments sometimes ran on. The door opened almost immediately, though, and he walked in to find the office empty other than a young-looking Denobulan Ensign. Denobulans had a reputation for being easy to get on with, so it seemed his luck was in.:: :: Ashley had taken to his office easily, skipping the whole decoration part for the moment. His sudden placement on the Starbase after his rescue on the Albion had taken him aback, and he felt utterly unprepared. First thing was first… the PC’s… the priority cases… as well as updating himself concerning the senior staff. He had only had time to skim the files, unfortunately, before jumping in head first into the thickness of his first appointments hefty case file in more depth. Not that he hadn’t done this at a rapid pace before. There were methods to this madness, thankfully. The entry of the Bajoran crewmember was his cue, and as was his method, he clasped his hands behind his back in that easy way he had… a way that almost guaranteed an avoidance of the traditional handshake other species seemed to hold to. He gave the man a smile and allowed him to enter and introduce himself. :: Kellan: ::Smiling:: Hi, I’m Lieutenant Kellan, here for an appointment at 1400. Yael: Quite right, good to meet you Lieutenant. Counselor Yael, at your service. ::pausing:: I’ve had just a few moments to go over your file. It appears you’re a regular visitor. Kellan: Yeah, I’ve been having regular sessions and it would be good to set some up here as well if you can fit me in. ::Given what was recorded on his file, the Bajoran was fairly sure that he wasn’t going to get any resistance on that front. In fact, it was quite likely that the request would be turned around the other way and he would be instructed to report for sessions rather than having to ask for them.:: Yael: Certainly, we can do that. ::knowing the complex and very *thick* file would suggest such a thing, and glad the man had volunteered rather than waiting to be voluntold:: But rather than leap into the thick of it off the bat… :: Ashley made himself at home at one end of the comfortable couch at room’s center, pouring two mugs of freshly brewed Denobulan coffee at the table before it. The liquid was slightly bluish in color, rather than the typical black or deep brown. :: Yael: … I’d rather we took a few moments to enjoy a proper cup first. If you don’t mind, of course. :: Giving them both a chance to easily chat, giving him a chance to gauge the Bajoran’s mindset and allowing him to set the pace. :: ::There was only one problem with that idea, which was that the ‘proper cup’ contained some weird-looking concoction that Kellan had never set eyes on before. He leaned forward and sniffed at it warily.:: Kellan: What’s it a proper cup of? Yael: This is a traditional Denobulan coffee. It’s made from a common tree, from which we grind and roast the bark, mixing it later with a dilution of its sap. It’s quite vibrant in flavor and has only a mild stimulant. ::It didn’t smell too bad. Even though Kellan wasn’t particularly sold on the tree bark description, he figured it was worth a try. It couldn’t hurt, really, and he didn’t tend to be over fussy about food and drink.:: Kellan: Sure, why not? It’s worth a try at least, right? :: Ashley only smiled, glad to see the man willing to give it a shot. Openness to new experiences was a trait common to those who aspired to the Fleet life, so could be called a healthy impulse. :: ::The Bajoran engineer settled on the other end of the sofa, picking up one of the mugs and resting it on the arm. The room was familiar, yet unfamiliar. There were things about it that were immediately comparable to the counsellor’s office on the Einstein, but others that were not. Part of him felt at home here, while the rest of him felt slightly awkward. He knew it was important for that not to become a barrier, though, so he decided to try his coffee. It was just slightly too hot, so it was an extremely small sip, but the verdict was…:: Kellan: I like that, actually. It’s not quite as bitter as Terran coffee. Or raktajino. That stuff could turn your eyeballs inside out. Yael: Gah… ::visibly disturbed by the very mention of the Klingon drink::... agreed wholeheartedly. Kellan: I feel like raktajino is like this acceptance ritual. Like, you know, if you don’t order a raktajino from the replicator when you go there then you’re not part of the gang. Did you ever find that? ::Maybe it was just on the Einstein, but he would certainly be interested to know if it was the Starfleet equivalent of being a jock, or an A-teamer. He’d given up after about two cups and decided to plough his own furrow.:: Yael: ::thinking on it, then, with a grin:: That sounds as if it could be true. I’ve had a similar introduction to *it.* Kellan: Well, I guess that’s the benefit of being Chief Engineer. I get to choose what the drink is. ::He smiled and took another sip of the interesting beverage. He didn’t really intend to play games here, but he did want to let Counsellor Yael know that he was confident about the role he’d been assigned to on the starbase. He wasn’t going to let it swamp him, and he knew it was going to be important to make his mark on his staff as well as on the base itself.:: Yael: ::a glint of humor in his eyes:: So long as you avoid programing every drink to become a glass of water with a goldfish… ::eyes landing on the Bajorans::... an old friend of mine, also Chief Engineer, exacting revenge for a previous prank. ::Kellan smiled in amusement. He hadn’t thought of that. It would be a good way to play a joke on his colleagues, though, if he felt so inclined.:: Kellan: Sounds like a fun character to be around. Yael: He was quite interesting. A tragic soul, but a vivacious and passionate personality. ::If one could call his old friend Chase’s hot-dogging “passionate”.:: I always wonder now, what mischief the Engineering Chief is up to. :: And he meant that generally, as in all Engineering Chiefs, and he gave Kellan a properly amused look of suspicion. :: ::Still chuckling away, Kellan found his eyes drifting towards the lone pip on Yael’s collar. He didn’t really think anything of it, as all counsellors underwent the same training before they could be assigned to active duty. He decided to use it as another leg up for a conversation topic, settling down a little more comfortably as he did so.:: Kellan: So is this your first posting? Or have you served anywhere else? Yael: Don’t let my rank fool you. ::the Denobulan chuckled lightly:: I’m not fresh from the Academy. I’ve some experience under my belt, and recently returned to active duty after an extended Leave of Absence. Kellan: Oh? ::The Bajoran was aware that extended leaves of absence weren’t usually taken for the happiest of reasons.:: Was everything all right? :: Mentally Ashley had to steel himself. He hadn’t tried this next part before… but he knew, with what he knew of what Kellan had experienced, relating to the man from the start in a profoundly honest way might be the best way to gain his trust. He wasn’t exactly looking *forward* to it, but it felt like the right path. :: :: And his days of hiding were supposed to be over. :: Yael: I was taken off active duty after experiencing a kidnapping and rather extended session of enthusiastic torture by a drug lord on Duronis II. :: He paused after the words left him with deceptive ease… it was nowhere near “ease,” to be sure… his eyebrows almost imperceptibly knotted together ever so slightly… then continued with a few more details. :: Yael: Afterwards I spent approximately six months under psychiatric care, and another year healing on Earth. Although, the time near Starfleet Headquarters gave me an excellent opportunity to study up on the specialty concerning Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. ::The sofa suddenly felt quite a lot less comfortable. All those times on Varo II when he’d been caught trying to steal food to sustain himself and Heril. He’d never been held and tortured, but he understood pain, and there was something behind this counsellor’s words that he felt he recognised.:: ::He realised he probably shouldn’t have asked.:: Kellan: I’m sorry, I uh… ::he floundered for something else to say.:: Yael: ::lifting a hand to dismiss whatever platitude he suspected was coming:: It isn’t something I want to tiptoe around any longer. I’m a big believer in “owning” one’s experiences, as it were. Taking control of them makes it harder for them to control us. :: He had placed those final comments in a more shared sense, insinuating that Kellan might also benefit from a mindset of personal strength in the face of adversity. :: ::A little off balance, mainly because he hadn’t expected that he would encounter anyone who actually understood what he’d been through rather than just doing a very good job of being sympathetic, Kellan nodded slowly.:: Kellan: Yeah, Counsellor Sheridan said something similar. ::The human had done the bulk of the work in helping Kellan come fully to terms with his experiences in the Ravensville simulation.:: I guess you’ve read my file? Yael: I have read your file, yes. ::pausing, he [...]ed his head to one side slightly, smile solidly in place:: I assure you, you will have to work *very* hard to surprise me. ::The Bajoran actually quite liked the fact that there were a lot of things he wasn’t going to have to rehash or explain in detail. When a counsellor change came along, it helped that there was continuity.:: Kellan: Hopefully that won’t happen. I just find it easier to cope with some things if I can talk about them. I mean, I feel like I’m doing well enough, but there are maybe a few things that I could work on and be better at, if that makes sense. And honestly, having regular sessions makes me feel supported, so you won’t have to go hunting for me round the station at any stage. Yael: Excellent news. I’m glad to hear you’re doing well. Your most recent file additions were quite inspiring, if you didn’t know already. :: Having turned the tone a bit low himself with his harsh but seemingly successful admission, Ashley now moved back to something positive to replace it. :: Kellan: Well, that’s good to hear. I was pretty happy to get offered a chief engineer position, honestly. Especially on a starbase. I don’t think I’ll be short of a few things to do. Yael: Too true. I do hope you excel at delegating. Kellan: What, you mean being bossy? ::He smiled again.:: I can do that just fine. Yael: I’ll believe that when I see it. :: The Denobulan was being good-natured about the common issue, not being accusatory. Chiefs were notorious workaholics, in his experience. :: Kellan: ::Confidently:: You will. I mean, I can’t promise I won’t work a bit of overtime during really busy spells, but there’s no good burning out, is there? And you can’t think if you’re too tired. That’s when mistakes happen. ::It sounded almost like someone else was talking through him, or he was reciting from a book. Those were things he did try to stick to, though. If the Chief Engineer was making mistakes through exhaustion then there was no telling what the repercussions might be.:: Yael: Would you say you’re well prepared for the role? Did it come as a surprise to you? ::Kellan took in a slow breath and turned around a little on the sofa, tucking up one leg and wrapping his hand around his cooling cup of coffee as he thought about how best to answer.:: Kellan: I feel like I’m prepared, yes. I shadowed the Chief Engineer on the Einstein for a while before I transferred over here, and I did a lot of reading up on the differences between keeping a starbase and a starship running. There’s no warp care on a starbase, obviously, so that means things are simpler in one way, but the fact that there are so many different facilities aboard, some of them unique, means things are much more complicated in another. I’m really looking forward to it. ::He took a longer sip from his mug. The drink was definitely a hit.:: Kellan: Was I surprised? I still don’t really believe I’m here. I thought I was going to have to plug away for years before I had a chance to progress. I didn’t know that they let you move up through the ranks if you were having counselling appointments, but apparently they do. I just didn’t really connect that seeing a counsellor doesn’t mean you’re automatically unfit for duty. ::He was also aware he’d been doing something right, so his approach to his life and his work since his switch to a gold collar had to be much improved from when he was wearing teal.:: Yael: ::chuckling as he took another sip of his drink:: No one ever believes us when we say such things. Counseling is entirely to your benefit, and all that. Those who shy away from us don’t tend to discover what you have… the secret is out. :: That the “head shrink” wasn’t out to gobble up your secrets for nefarious means. :: Yael: If I might move into a professional recommendation, on that note… ::pausing slightly::... your previous success indicates to me that one should not “fix what is not broken,” as Terrans are prone to saying. Do exactly what you have been doing, as much as you are able. Or in other words, change as little of your established routine as possible, at least in the short term. :: The short term, to a typical overly-patient Denobulan, meant in the new few months. :: Yael: Priority number one is adapting to your new role without derailing your progress. ::Kellan hung on the counsellor’s words. That had been key to his success so far.:: Kellan: I understand. Yael: It would be entirely normal to experience some pushback during a time of change, where you might feel you are regressing somewhat. Be certain to take the liberties you need as you move forward. Kellan: What do you mean? Like, give myself time off if I get stressed? ::He wanted to make sure he fully understood what Yael was recommending.:: Yael: If you feel it is necessary, yes. Or use other outlets. You’ve said you’ll be coming to see me regularly, that’s one. Holodeck time is another. There are also your hobbies, don’t forget them just because you’re an all-important Chief now. ::he said this in a positive way, with a grin:: They can be easily forgotten when we become overwhelmed or stressed. Kellan: Yeah, that’s true. ::He could recall a few occasions where he’d been thinking about heading to the holodeck for the afternoon, but had sacked it off and just sat on the couch eating junk food.:: Yael: What *do* you do, aside your profession? :: Ashley’s interest was two-fold. What hobbies a person took to told one a lot about them. It also opened up opportunities for socializing, which a Denobulan was rare to avoid. Unless it was something altogether terrifying, like orbital diving. :: Kellan: Well, I quite like boxing, but I’m not very good at it. I had a lesson from one of my old friends from the USS Vigilant a while back, just before I transferred, and enjoyed it. I don’t mind getting hit ::because a punch to the face or body barely seemed to register in comparison to some of the things he’d been through - he hoped that wouldn’t need explaining:: and I enjoy the challenge of having to think about tactics while you’re defending yourself and looking for openings. Yael: Boxing… good old fisticuffs. It does apparently have its draw. Afraid I’m not the right type to engage in it, but I do understand the appeal. ::pausing:: Anything else? Kellan: I took up running recently as well, actually. I was looking for something else that involved exercise, but where I didn’t have to go down to the gym. I’d rather be outside running around than cooped up inside. ::Well, depending on who was using the gym of course. Sometimes the view in there wasn’t all that bad.:: Kellan: I use the holodeck mostly, and I try to use a new program every time I go. There are hundreds, and they keep getting updated, so I don’t think I’ll ever get bored. Yael: Do you ever run with other crewmembers? Or do you interact with them in other ways? ::Kellan winced at the question. He had a feeling this one was going to get him some heat.:: Kellan: Uh, no… not so much. Usually I go running on my own. It’s good to get away from everything and just run sometimes. I did used to go and hang around in the ship’s lounge with a few friends on the Einstein, but I don’t really force the social side of things. If I’m friends with someone then I’ll spend time with them, but maybe not in massive groups just for the sake of it. Does that make sense? :: So he kept his friends close, and kept most others at bay? At least, that’s what Ashley heard behind the spoken words. :: Yael: I do understand. ::pausing before pushing a little deeper:: Do you know many of the starbase crew? Kellan: I do know a couple of people on the starbase already, yeah… ::He tailed off. One of them he was happy to have been reunited with, and was looking forward to finding the time to catch up with them. The other, he was very concerned about what would come of them being posted together, even though he was actually even happier to have found him again than he was to have run into his other friend.:: Kellan: Actually, one of them… well, I was going to talk to you about them. Yael: ::an eyebrow perking up in curiosity:: An old flame? Or perhaps, a rival? :: For work or play, either was a potent combination. Old friends could renew both the spirit AND old difficulties. :: Kellan: Old flame. It was me that screwed things up between us. I can see he’s still pretty angry about it, or cold, or whatever. Doesn’t seem keen on me being around is the overriding message. I don’t really blame him given how I broke things off. :: He, an old flame. Something that had not been in his file, but not at all an issue. Denobulans were known for their liberal social policies regarding family and orientation, after all… having three wives, who in turn had three husbands apiece, led to such things being complicated, but considered utterly natural. :: Yael: That’s unfortunate. If I may ask, what led you to break things off? Kellan: I was going through a tough time. Things weren’t exactly peachy for him, either, but we got assigned to different places. I got the Einstein and he got… I don’t even remember. I couldn’t face saying goodbye because I was upset we were being split up, so I just… ::he dropped his face into his free hand.:: I sent him a letter. Didn’t call him, didn’t try to see him. That was like, 6 months of a good thing right down the toilet because I couldn’t bring myself to try to figure things out and just assumed the worst. ::That was probably his biggest regret for a long time. When he looked up again, it became clear that he was deeply embarrassed by what he’d done more than he was upset. He’d had some time to come to terms with it and decided what he wanted to do, long before he’d met Richard again.:: Yael: I see. ::it was clearly an action that bothered the Bajoran:: Then perhaps this is a good opportunity to mend that tear. Not that you should pursue a relationship at this time, but that you could seek to resolve the conflict. Allowing him to say his peace in the matter may be hard for you to hear, but could resolve some of your *guilt* in the matter. ::pausing slightly, setting down his mug:: When we think we’re going to bed alone at night, we’re largely incorrect. We must be able to sleep peacefully with ourselves, after all. :: Every sentient being knew that battle. The one where the question of who they were, of their self-worth, came crawling into their mind when the lights were low and the bedroom silent. :: ::Oh boy, that would probably result in a death. Kellan wasn’t afraid of talking to Richard but he did think he understood how badly he’d hurt him. He felt like he could see some of it in that meeting.:: Kellan: You think that’s a good idea? :: Purple eyes set on the Bajoran carefully. He didn’t want to encourage something Kellan wasn’t prepared for yet. :: Yael: *If* you believe it may be beneficial in the long term, yes. The true answer may be if you are going to be put in a position where you will see or work with him often. Otherwise… laying low may well be in order. It’s your determination to make. ::Kellan smiled ruefully into his coffee cup.:: Kellan: I’ll be seeing him every day. Maybe I should bring on the showdown. :: Ashley couldn’t help a slight chuckle, but his expression translated into “oh no.” :: Yael: That may well take the answer out of your hands, then. ::Yes, it did, rather, didn’t it?:: Kellan: The only thing that makes this more complicated is that I still love him. I don’t think I ever lost that. But I know I can’t just walk right up to him and tell him that, otherwise there’ll be a boxing match for real, probably. I do want to fix this, preferably in a way that makes things better for him, but if there’s any chance of a salvage operation then I’d like to try to take it. Yael: Then, if I might make a suggestion…? ::He’d been hoping he might say that.:: Kellan: Please do. Yael: Whatever you may think *you* want from him is aside the issue of *his* mindset concerning you. With this in mind, I would suggest you attempt to… play the chameleon. Blend back into his view without making waves. Allow him to show you what he does… or does not… want from you. Give him the time he needs to process your presence. I do not believe it will be long before he tells you, verbally or otherwise, where he stands. You can make your move from there. ::So, in other words, let Richard take control and take things at his own pace.:: Kellan: That sounds like it might work. ::He felt a little encouraged.:: It’s definitely worth a shot. So, you think do the showdown thing first so he can get some stuff out of his system and then try to take it easy? Play things by ear? Yael: “Showdown” might be a bit dramatic. ::smiling at the man:: However badly things ended, it’s possible your expectations might be a little exaggerated. I doubt you’ll be pulling your six-shooters. :: He was trying to say this kindly while still being brutally honest. :: Yael: Approaching him may well see you rebuffed, rather than rebuked. But yes, I do think you should approach him. Make certain he knows you are not ignoring him… then allow him the space to decide what he needs and wants. ::Kellan stopped to think for a moment. He had been predicting some kind of apocalypse, or a beat down in the corridor, hadn’t he? It wasn’t so much that he was afraid of that happening as it was that he wouldn’t have blamed Richard if he reacted that way. Whatever had happened between them, he knew he wouldn’t hurt him, not in that way.:: ::In fact, it struck him that this was really the only thing that he was really afraid of right now. The fear of rejection. He needed to face it head on, like he had everything else, and be prepared to play the long game to prove to Richard that he could trust him again. If that led to friendship rather than anything else then he would have to live with it. In the meantime, he also needed to keep on top of his duties and continue to capitalise on all of the progress he’d made over the last year.:: Yael: Depending on his response, it may require stoicism on your part. Be prepared for anything, but expect nothing… that’s more of a personal policy of mine, admittedly. ::It was sage advice again, and he would certainly give it his best. He’d learned to cope with pain, negative emotions, irrational fears… maybe this could be tackled in a similar way.:: Kellan: I think I can do stoicism. We can talk about this in future sessions, can’t we? I think it’ll be easier to hold everything in if there’s somewhere to let them out again at some point. Yael: Certainly. I’m here whenever you feel you need me. ::Well then anything was possible, wasn’t it? Taking the risks Kellan was going to take would be a much easier thing to do if he knew there would be someone he could talk to afterwards.:: Kellan: Thanks. I appreciate that. I’ll let you know how everything goes. :: Taking that as a cue, Ashley set his mug to the table. There was a slight clanking sound as it hit the table, jittering slightly in a somewhat unsteady grip, but it did not spill. Moving on as if all was well, Ashley stood and smiled one last time at his guest. :: Yael: Please do so. It would be good to hear this situation has been resolved for you. :: Allowing Kellan to depart, the Denobulan-hybrid opened the man’s file and began taking notes, logging his recommendations and other details that might be important down the line. It was nice to start off with a crewmember he didn’t have to hunt down first. :: ::Meanwhile, as Kellan walked down the corridor, he felt as though he’d just been given an in to solving what had looked like an insurmountable problem. He would have to expect setbacks, but maybe he wasn’t staring into an irreparable rift after all.:: A JP by Ensign Ashley Yael Counselor Starbase 118 & Lieutenant Kellan Joran Chief Engineer Starbase 118

((Bridge, USS Yamaguchi, Twenty-Five Years Ago: 2367)) ::The ominous black cube slowly filled the viewscreen until the stars behind it were blocked out. The screen flickered as a voice filled the room, and a figure--half man, half machine--walked forward.:: Locutus: Resistance is futile. You will disarm your weapons and escort us to sector 001. If you attempt to intervene, we will destroy you. ::As his bridge crew watched the assimilated captain of the Federation flagship on the viewscreen, Captain Marcelo Libório finally broke the silence.:: Libório: That'll be the day. ::A seasoned Starfleet officer in his early forties, Marcelo was no stranger to combat, having served throughout the Cardassian border wars that had left him only sorrow. Still, the fleet of forty ships Admiral Hanson had hastily gathered for this stand against the Borg incursion couldn't hide the desperation behind it. They hadn't even had time to evacuate the civilians when the orders came through.:: ::Tactical officer Gra called out behind him.:: Gra: The Melbourne and Saratoga are beginning their attack run. ::Marcelo nodded and looked to his helmsman, Ensign Carmen Vasser.:: Libório: Carmen, keep us in tight with the Bellerophon. We'll circle 'round their stern. ::Vasser returned an aye, not bothering to question where exactly the stern was on a cube as the bulky Ambassador class vessel began its turn.:: ::The Bellerophon and Yamaguchi made a coordinated attack on the Borg vessel, scoring a few direct hits, but the cube remained unscathed. Within minutes, the battle had turned into a slaughter, as the Melbourne and then the Saratoga were destroyed.:: Gra: Sir, Admiral Hanson is ordering the fleet to fall back to bravo point. ::The captain looked back at the Tellarite, annoyed as another blast of weapons fire shook the bridge.:: Libório: Tell the Admiral we'll get right on that when we can. Until then, keep firing until you empty out our entire torpedo payload. ::Marcelo turned to Lieutenant Commander H'lill, the ship's Caitian science officer and Marcelo's XO.:: Libório: H'lill, tell me we're doing *something* to that [...] ship! ::The normally friendly Caitain wore a grim expression as he checked the readouts at his station. He shook his head.:: H'lill: The enemy shieldss arre holding. No sign of any significant damage. ::As always when presented with a problem, he found himself fixating on how to get around it. Some kind of phaser modifications might be able to get through those shields, but they'd already programmed a sequence into the ship's computer. Further modifications would require hours. They had minutes - perhaps seconds - to come up with something else.:: H'lill: I'm tryinng another set of phaser frequenciess. ::It was the best he could do without more time. As he braced himself, H'lil's thoughts drifted to his wife and young son. How glad he was that they were safe. Far away from this ship, and Earth. These Borg were something out of nightmare.:: ::Gra's voice interjected again.:: Gra: Sir, the admiral- Libório: I told you, lieutenant, that- Gra: Sir, the admiral and his ship are gone! ::Marcelo cursed under his breath.:: Gra: Captain Amasov is ordering all remaining ships to follow the Endeavour. Libório: ::to Vasser: Helm, new course heading, 240 mark- ::The horrific whine of a cutting beam drowned out the captain's voice, and on the viewscreen, the green scalpel of light reached out and then tore through the screen itself, cleaving the saucer and the bridge in half.:: ::Vasser didn't have a chance as the beam sliced right through her. The rest of the crew had no time to react as consoles, chairs, and bodies began flying out into the vacuum of space.:: ::As Marcelo tumbled over and out of the center seat, he felt the air escaping his lungs. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was the burning hulk of his ship falling below him.:: ((Bedroom)) Mariana: Good morning. ::Marcelo groaned for a moment, blocking out the sunlight with his arm.:: Mariana: Come on now. It's already almost ten. ::Marcelo slowly opened his eyes. He could hear the sound of the Atlantic Ocean coming through the open windows. He sat up, trying to get his bearings.:: Marcelo: Mariana? ::The woman standing near the bed simply smiled as she crossed her arms.:: Mariana: Yes, love? ::He just looked back at her, stunned.:: Marcelo: But… how? ::How was he back in Fortaleza?:: Mariana: Always the comedian. ::She leaned in and gave him a kiss before heading out.:: Mariana: Don't keep us waiting too long. ::Before he could ask, though, a child darted into the room, jumping onto the bed.:: Andressa: Papai! ::Marcelo turned his gaze from the window to his five-year old daughter, whose wisps of brown hair now matched her mother's. Scooping her up, he sat her down on his lap.:: Marcelo: What are you doing here, you little troublemaker? ::She laughed as her father hugged her tight. But while he was happy to see her and his wife, he couldn't hold back the tears now forming as everything came together.:: Andressa: What's wrong, papai? ::Marcelo wiped his eyes and forced a smile.:: Marcelo: Nothing… just a little salt in my eyes. ::The girl shook her head, giggling.:: Andressa: You're silly! Aren't you glad mamãe's back? Marcelo: Yes, of course. Run along, now. Go help your mother. You remember how she gets when we're late for breakfast. ::Marcelo's eyes followed his daughter as she left, and they lingered at the open door.:: ::Out of sight from Andressa and Mariana, the tears came back.:: ::He could still remember those last few seconds on the bridge. It wasn't a dream. He *knew* it wasn't a dream.:: ::He remembered the battle. He remembered hearing the screams of his crew in his final moments of life. And he remembered saying good night to Andressa, tucking her in one last time before heading up to the bridge.:: --- Captain Marcelo Libório Commanding Officer, USS Yamaguchi as simmed by Roshanara Rahman (with Lt. Commander H'lill, as simmed by Cameron/Evan Delano)

((Starbase 118: Holding Cells)) ::Chen sat with his arms folded over the back support of the chair he'd wheeled out from behind the nearby guard station console. He'd spun it around and re-settled himself after sitting in view of Lukic for a good ten minutes, just watching him. With the seat backwards like this, he could lean forwards towards the cell and really pile on the pressure. He didn't need to tell Lukic why he was there. He didn't need to bombard him with questions. He certainly didn't have any desire to indulge in the interrogation methods that some of his black-collared compatriots might on other installations - on occasion, they would forget that they were Starfleet officers and cross more than one line. He didn't even have Sabina Tiam with him. This was about psychological pressure and winning the mind game that Lukic had started when he'd decided to try to play everyone in the Black Tower for fools.:: ::Lukic had begun by trying not to look at him. Then he'd tried turning his back on him. Now, the Serbian was sat in the corner of his cell, hands in his pockets with a resigned look on his face.:: Lukic: You're going to sit there all day, aren't you. ::It was more of a statement than a question, as though he was perfectly aware of the way things would play out.:: Chen: Until I get what I'm looking for. Lukic: And what is that, exactly? An apology? Do you want me to beg to be released? Give you a sob story of how a man like me ended up betraying my uniform because of outside influences beyond their control? ::Chen took in a slow deep breath through his nose. They'd reached indignance. He could work with this.:: Chen: I don't believe you ever had any loyalty to that uniform. And if you wanted to be released, you'd already be begging. I wouldn't describe you as a man, Mr. Lukic, so much as a loose end. We know what happens to those in your line of work. ::There was a pregnant pause.:: Chen: You know what I want, because you pretended to work for me. Just like you pretended to work for other intelligence chiefs before you came here. Lukic: You want to know who I work for and what we're trying to achieve. Too bad. ::His lip curled into a sneering smile. Chen had a feeling that he was about to get the "I know my rights" speech, the one where the guilty party quoted chapter and verse of every regulation they mistakenly believed would help to save their skin. He'd heard it many times, usually from a Romulan and involving the word 'extradition' - in this case, he had a feeling he would be hearing 'court martial'.:: ::He was going to shut that down before it started.:: Chen: If you're not going to tell me anything then maybe you'd be more useful as bait. Lukic: For what? ::He looked nervous all of a sudden, even though his tone was defiant.:: Chen: As I said, you're a loose end. Not to mention a liability, being as you wound up in a holding cell instead of doing whatever it was you were supposed to do. So, suppose I file a report exonerating you and turn you loose. I'm pretty sure we'd see someone from your organisation show up on the station and make some kind of an attempt to dispose of you. ::While that was a viable plan, Chen had no intention of condemning the man to death like that. It would be barbaric. They would have to take measures to make sure he could survive before rearresting him and sending him for trial. His words, however, seemed to have cracked the veneer of Lukic's resistance. A little more pushing and he was going to start getting answers.:: Chen: For example, we know there is at least one other operative aboard, because you sent a message to them on the Albion. ::There was a long silence as Lukic considered what Chen was saying.:: Lukic: They'll kill me if I tell you anything. Chen: They'll also kill you if you don't, won't they? Lukic: ...yes. Chen: What were your orders? Lukic: I... ::He opened his mouth and blunted.:: Chen: What were your orders? Lukic: I can't! I... Chen: ::Antennae tipping backwards, Irritably:: Computer, record an official amendment to the file of Warrant Officer Lukic, Adrijan, Starfleet serial number TX-832-538. Warrant Officer Lukic is hereby exonerated of all... Lukic: NO! No, stop! I was ordered to sabotage the satellite that you had in storage in the Black Tower. Someone pulled some strings to get me assigned here. I don't know who the other operative is, we don't get told anyone else's name. Just how to send a message. That's all. ::The traitor had risen to his feet. Chen remained in the exact same position, although his antennae slowly moved forwards, back into their neutral position.:: Chen: How were you supposed to sabotage the satellite? Lukic: Destroy as much of it as possible. Emitters. CPU. Eventually the transponder, although I used that to send the burst message to the Albion. I hoped someone was aboard to receive it, so that they could have a chance to stop the Albion from deactivating the satellites. Chen: They failed. You failed. We will track this operative down and we will detain him in the same way as we have detained you. If you continue to co-operate, you will be sent for trial and most likely held in a high security stockade. That's unless you give me a reason to drop charges and have you released before then. Is that clear? ::The answer was a grim nod.:: ::The best way to drag information out of Lukic was going to be to do it in small bursts. Chen couldn't risk pushing him too far, or he could start to resign himself to the fact that he was going to be hunted down - the trick was to keep him believing that there was a way for him to survive, have him thinking that Starfleet custody was somewhere he wanted to be. For now, knowing that the satellite could still be a target and, therefore, potential bait, was good enough for him to make a few plans.:: Chen: I'll be back, Mr. Lukic. ::He stood from his seat, and wheeled it back behind the guard console. Once he left the room, the regularly posted security guard would return and resume her duties.:: Until then, I suggest you make yourself comfortable. TBC Lieutenant Commander ChenChief Intelligence OfficerStarbase 118 Ops & PNPC Warrant Officer Adrijan LukicEx-Intel Ops & Sicarius OperativeStarbase 118

((Sick Bay "Ward" - SS Medina Ascending)) :: So things had become strange. The doctor who had come to nirs sick bay, knew more than nem, though ne not being a real doctor, that was not surprising. But it appeared to Dajunari that the Andorian was showing off. Or ne was simply paranoid because ne worried that the stories of Starfleet were true and they'd come to take over the ship and assimilate it into their 'culture'. Ne was careful, maybe paranoid, maybe a little too attached to these rooms, but the blue man had a point, when he had said, that both of them wanted to make sure that the crew got back to health. So ne decided to help, for now. :: :: Ne had just told the Andorian Doctor what was wrong with the people. Or rather what ne did not know what was wrong. Days of attempted treatment and they were still sick. :: Zinera: They got something against their sickness, the headaches, I used cleansing measures, bed rest, antibiotics.. Foster: I can see that on the scans. You did what should have worked. ::A frown, the obvious but unspoken question being 'ok, so why didn't it work?!' Zinera: Mrm... ::Ne thought and hesitantly asked :: Is it possible, that it has any correlation to your questions about my health earlier? Foster: Almost certain. I'm guessing the leak is causing widespread contamination of the atmosphere. Zinera: What is that about? Foster: Our ship did a full scan of the damages to your ship, and one thing they picked up was a sodium hydroxide and methane leak from your waste extraction system. In combination that's a deadly poison, especially in high concentrations. Zinera: ::pulling nirs orange red brows together.:: Are you sure? I have not noticed a difference. Foster: You said yourself the whole ship smells bad. It's a gas - you can't see it, can't hear it, and if everything stinks, a little extra smell won't ever be noticed. :: The blue guy moved to the next bed and began to scan. For a moment the Kameryan realized that ne was envious of the technology the Andorian had. It was able to help people better, to see more of what was going on. But ne would not mention that. Maybe that was one of those perks Starfleet pulled other ships' crews into their grasp. :: Zinera: If my tools did not notice it, you might need some of your things from your ship for it. Foster: Quite possibly. I'll need to check in with them anyhow. Zinera: Of course. :: Dajunari assumed that the Starfleeter would rather have privacy for this contact. Though ne would have preferred to hear what they had to say, in case something was wrong on here. :: I will be .. :: Ne thumbed towards the door.:: ... around unless you need me. Foster: Yes, I can handle it myself if you need to go. ::a pause:: One question before you do, though. Zinera: ::Dajunari had already begun to turn, but halted.:: Yes? Foster: You have all these people getting sick - do you have anyone who has not gotten sick? Who you haven't treated at all? Zinera: Actually... yes. Ras and Ab I haven't seen here. The Captain and his wife. Though I'm not sure if he would come here if he'd be bleeding out, proud man. :: Dajurani was not sure if ne had said too much, but it had been the truth. If ne wanted that the crew got back up, ne had to cooperate. Maybe Ras and Ab had something in their bodies, that kept them from getting sick, which could help them then. :: Foster: That is curious. Thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Zinera: Alright. Just yell if you need anything. .oO Not that the communications work so there is no other way. Oo. :: With that the Kameryan turned around and headed out of the ward. For some reason it made nem nervous to have told the Andorian that much and ne hoped that it was not something ne would regret later. :: --- Dajunari Zinera Medic SS Medina Ascending simmed by Commander Jalana Rajel Commanding Officer USS Constitution B Image Team Facilitator

((USS Darwin, Deck 1, Bridge)) :: As suspected the warship began to turn. Renos was willing to give Mister Jellico a chance. Ne’d had great advice and support from all of the bridge and ne believed in their ability to win this. So far they were managing to stick to the relative shelter of the tail. How could they lure the ship back to the planet without having to take the brunt of those forward weapons? :: :: Ne got up and quickly scuttled over to the science console where no took over. The J’naii Captain had enough of a scientific background to be able to confidently and proficiently take care of this task. No doubt Mister Valdivia would have been able to take care of this much better than nem but he was occupied helping with important matters elsewhere and having him report to the bridge would cost precious time. No… this was something ne needed to take care of personally. It would give nem great satisfaction to see this work. Fingers flew over the console to make sure everything was set up. :: Renos: I’m ready. Let’s do this. ::Unfortunately ne did not hear the responses because at that moment ne was engulfed by the familiar sensation and glow of a transporter beam. When the dark haired J’naii rematerialised blinking, on a comparatively dull bridge full of hostile faces. ((Unknown Warship - Orbit Around Zakdorn)) :: A tight knot of anxiety immediately formed in the pit of nir stomach but ne stood tall, proud and defiant in the face of nir captors. Renos was afraid but determined not to give them the satisfaction of seeing it. Standing in an aggressive posture ne cast nir eyes around the room and knew that if ne tried to do anything ne would be shot, possibly killed. Even if ne did nothing to provoke ‘Raikenoff’ ne may very well meet the same fate. The Captain remained frozen, barely daring to breathe. :: :: Renos had been chased all nir life. As someone who was genderfluid ne’d been chased by the J’naii government and deviant hunters who thought nit identification with a gender was some terrible illness, something shameful that needed to be corrected by terrifying, intolerable mind altering ‘treatments’. Ne’d escaped J’naii and decided to enrol in Starfleet to give back to the Federation after they gave nem back nir life. So Renos was not afraid to die and could easily imagine the government sponsored deviant hunters giving this guy a fat paycheck and pat on the back. If this was to be nir last moment ne would face it with courage. :: Renos: oO Death comes to us all but at least I have lived a good life in service to those who gave me freedom. Oo Tor'kath: Captain. Remember what I said about my patience? :: Renos tensed up. His tone, his body language and his words all painted the picture of bad things to come. The disruptor the captain carried was unholstered in what seemed slow motion. In a smooth motion ne saw if being aimed and moments after seeing the green light burst forth - there was nothing. Nir body crumpled and dropped heavily to the floor. :: :: When ne snapped back to consciousness it was to blinding pain that made nem cry out through gritted teeth in agony, while every muscle tightened uncomfortably. When the speckled white dots that clouded nir vision cleared ne found nemself in a small dark room. Looking around ne saw two individuals - only one of which was familiar - the captain. The other held what was recognisable as a Klingon pain stick. Nir mouth dried up as ne realised the ordeal ne was set to face. :: Renos: You’re digging a bigger and bigger hole for yourself and your crew, captain! ::Maliciously:: :: Starfleet did not look kindly upon those who attacked their vessels and kidnapped their commanding officers. The list of charges was lengthening by the minute. Whether ne lived or died ne knew that nir crew would do everything in their power to bring these people to justice for their actions. :: Tor'kath: Ah, Captain Renos! You're awake! That's good to see, you and I need to have a bit of a chat. :: Of course he did and whatever it was he wanted Renos wasn’t going to give him it. Instead ne narrowed nir eyes and glowered at him, projecting concentrated hatred at him. If it could only manifest itself into a physical form it would be a corrosive acid so strong as to dissolve the man before nem. :: Renos: I’m afraid I don’t feel particularly chatty today. Sorry! :: Ne gave him a false cheeriness despite knowing that no smart mouthed quip ever went unpunished. Unfortunately if the commanding officer was at all angered or annoyed he did a remarkable job to hiding it and it annoyed Renos considerably because ne was normally so good at reading people. It would have given nem great satisfaction to get under his skin because it would have taken some of the control back. :: Tor'kath: A Starfleet officer for over a dozen years... served on Starbase 118 and the USS Apollo-A before gaining command of the Darwin... ::looking up with mock surprise:: You are a doctor? How fortuitous! It appears you've suffered a bit of a contusion there. ::pointing at Reno's midsection:: :: Renos couldn’t help but glance down and grimaced a little to see it. That had come up quickly… or had it? How long had ne been out?! So… nir opponent had done his homework - bravo for him. That information wasn’t supposed to be easy to come by and ne wanted to know how he got it. For the briefest of moments ne entertained the idea of trying to trick him into thinking he’d picked up Iy, but it didn’t seem likely to wash. Maybe if ne’d been in civvies instead it might have stood a chance. What would it accomplish in any case? Ne sighed internally. :: Renos: oO It looks worse than it is. Oo :: Ne took little comfort in the thought because if it had felt bad before ne’d looked it felt even worse now. The worry of imminent death outweighed worry over the wound.:: Renos: oO ::Defiantly:: I’ll live! Oo Renos: oO Or will I? Oo :: Ne bit back nir first response because rather than hurry along the inevitable it was more likely to make them want to draw it out for spite. Ne had too much experience and was far too stubborn to play ball with this guy. :: Renos: So you can read… congrats. ::Sarcastically:: :: The captain appeared to be ignoring nir retorts and playing a similar nicey nicey game. Any moment now that limited patience of his would once again crack and perhaps Renos wouldn’t wake up a second time. Would it matter? Who would miss nem? The J’naii had a distinct feeling of loneliness was over nem. Ne’d been long separated from family and had only just started making friends with people on the Darwin crew. Other than that there was only nir contact in the underground and most of them had become numb to loss having seen so many comrades die. :: Renos: oO I’ll miss Traneor most of all. Well, not really… ::Ne realised how stupid a notion that was suddenly:: I’ll be too busy being dead to miss anything. Oo Tor'kath: As much as I'd love to sit with you and offer you tea, I've pressing matters to attend to. However, I'd like to ask you a few questions first. How you answer them will decide how quickly our conversation goes. Renos: You mean how long you draw out my death, yes? :: The answer came in the form of pain! Despite nir best efforts and determination not to let it show - it really was just too much. Ne howled in agony and strained against the restraints. Ne knew ne’d had that coming but still didn’t feel any more inclined to help. This could only end in death or if ne was particularly fortunate - rescue. The Darwin crew would try to get nem back. Ne needed to buy time. Not make nemself completely expendable by giving them everything they wanted straight away. :: Tor'kath: I haven't even asked the questions yet, and you've already answered incorrectly. Let's try again. Where are my operatives, and did you remove anything from my shuttle? :: Renos had no idea if the question about the operatives was a trap. Having transported nem from the bridge ne’d thought he would also have managed to collect all of his operatives. Was this a sign he was invested in both his people and the shuttle. Honestly Renos had no idea if Thomas or a member of his team had taken anything so whatever way you cut it he wasn’t going to like the answer. :: Renos: Someone-thing missing? :: Ne pulled a mock sad face as if someone had just told nem the last of some critically endangered species had just died. It was of course just a ploy to buy a little more time. One that was most likely to result in pain. Interestingly - or perhaps worryingly, the J’naii had been fortunate enough not to end up in situations this desperate in nir long career. Ne’d faced pain and peril - just, not like this. The anxious captain feared ne was about to learn the limits of nir pain tolerance all over again. :: Tor'kath: I want to ensure that all four operatives and everything that was on that shuttle have been returned to my ship. I don't want anything left behind that is none of the Federation's business. Do you understand? Renos: Shall we deal with one thing at a time? Tor'kath: Okay. Where are my two missing operatives? Are they still on your ship? Renos: I’m not sure I understand. Can you repeat the question again in Spanish? :: Renos didn’t even know Spanish and didn’t care. If he actually played into nir ridiculous games then that was the next thing he was about to learn. Maybe there was more to nem than what could be gleaned from a personnel file. Ne snorted, just stifling a snicker and knowing full well this was the most inappropriate time for it. Truth was, ne was pretty close to tears. With nir emotions in disarray and the overwhelming fear of torture till execution nir brain seemed to be trying to cope with dangerous results. :: =========================================================== Captain Renos - Commanding Officer, USS Darwin NCC-99312-A Also simming: Lt JG Tarna, Medical Officer, USS Victory NCC-362447 FWPA Co-Facilitator | Publicity Team Facilitator ===========================================================

((Holodeck 3)) ::The light brown kimono and tabi that she wore, in addition to the sword hanging across her back, had attracted attention as she had padded quietly through the corridors leading from her quarters to the holodeck, but, being in her own mental world, the jet-black-haired young woman hadn't even noticed. The fact that it was a mans kimono didn't seem to occur to anyone, thankfully; Chloe found that she could move better in it than in a traditional woman's version with its unattached sleeves. Now she stood outside the holodeck.:: Mannin: Computer, display a Japanese dojo, Hokkaido style, in winter. ::The computer responded with its ubiquitous beep and the room around her became a wintery terrain, with deep snow drifts. Chloe stood on the edge of a courtyard, about 30 feet on a side, with a light snow falling through the calm air. :: ((The image to have here is the courtyard in Kill Bill where O-Ren and the Bride fight it out. -- Chloe)) ::I have always loved snow, ever since I was a little girl. The sharp crisp air in my lungs, the light kisses of the flakes on my face, the crunch of new crystals beneath my feet. All of it makes me feel well alive.:: ::Taking the sword from the sheath, Chloe placed the latter on the edge of the steps, laying it precisely parallel to the long boards that made them up. Six steps backwards into the courtyard, crunching lightly in the snow, gave the young woman enough room to move. She began with Gathering Energy, rolling the sword forward, then up in an arc, reaching center and focusing her mind, clearing it for the rest of the forms.:: ::Mediation is a basic aspect of my life. I am able to cope because I am able to quietly reflect and consider, as if from an outside perspective, the events of the day and the actions that I have taken in response to them.:: ::The Fair Lady Weaving came next, with the sword tip weaving back and forth, as though it was pushing numerous opponents on both sides back. This was followed by the Crane Exercises Wings; with the sword itself moving from hand to hand, then from low to high stance position. The Crane moved into Drive Tiger Away, a quick series of forward steps, Grasp the Bird's Tail, her hand sliding down to the end of the pommel in a risky grip that gives an unexpectedly long reach to startle the enemies, rolling into Repulse Monkey, a forceful step-and-push combination.:: ::Dance is the active manifestation of meditation. The motions are predetermined, a routine and because of that the mind can be clear as the body moves of its own volition.:: ::The space poses complete, the defensive stances came next. Repulse Monkey became Wave Hands like Clouds, where a spinning sword moves back and forth between the hands, creating two slightly overlapping circles that look something like clouds. Consoling the North Wind pushed the woman forward and to one knee, as if a high slash was going over her head and back. Within the Cyclone stood her up and put the sword into a spin around her body. The Wild Horse Resists involved jumping over a low slash, while the Eights Strands of the Brocade put her through vertical blocks to each of the compass points in turn. The stances were finished by the Tail of the Pea[...], an upward sweep behind the back designed to block thrusts coming from behind. ::Swordplay, for me, is more dance than martial. My blade is a partner, one to respect and move with, rather than a tool, something to command and dominate. Try to force the blade to do something it cannot and you will only end up hurting yourself... or worse. It is a relationship, like with a dance partner, of respect.:: ::The Offensive forms finished the set: the Cobra Unwinds, a forward thrust that turned 180 degrees right back over the wielder's head as she leaned backward, was followed by Flexing the Single Whip, snapping the sword in a wrist-driven slash down and across. Encompass East and West incorporated a vertical cut down to the right that turned into an upward one to the left. The Five Elements attacked from multiple directions: upward (Earth), downward (Air), across diagonally (Fire), across horizontally (Water), and was finished by a thrust directly forward, aimed at the opponents heart (Spirit). Archer Releases His Arrow repeated the final thrust of the Five Elements, but turned it into a throw as the woman's hand slid off the handle and only caught the sword by the long tassel. Finishing with the Scissors Cut the Silk, a quick-combination down-then-up slash, Chloe closed the exercise with Gathering Energy once again, re-centering herself and calming her ragged breath.:: ::I think of swordplay as meditation, as well. It clears and centers the mind. It exercises the body, if done right, loosening every muscle. It focuses the thoughts, draining away the stress of the day. The respect that dancing with a blade demands is very one-sided, though. A true partner respects you, sees that cooperation is best for both people. The blade cares nothing for you. A moment of distraction... even an instant... it will cut you.:: ::She began again, moving faster through the forms the second time. As the slender woman reached the middle of the defensive stances, the jingle of a comm badge echoed through the room. Her concentration broken ever so slightly, the spinning defensive stance of Within the Cyclone slipped slightly out of place and, in the blink of an eye, she lost control and had to dodge her own sword.:: ::Whoever this is... is going to regret it, she thought as she caught her ragged breath.:: TBC Lt. Commander Chloe Mannin Strategic Ops Officer USS Victory

((Corridor, USS Garuda)) ::She was roaming through the halls, so that was a good sign, wasn't it? Okay, maybe not roaming, but she was free to move about, so that was something. As Alora trotted to catch up with Rahman, her lips soured into a frown when she realised she'd been stripped of her uniform and her rank. That was not so good a sign.:: DeVeau: Hey. ::The science officer slowed to match strides with the Kriosian, a friendly smile that couldn't mask her concern fixed upon her features.:: DeVeau: Are you okay? ::Making her way to her quarters from the Captain's ready room, Roshanara turned, surprised to see the science officer. Truthfully, she had hoped to avoid running into anyone as she ran back to hide in her quarters. Even on a ship as large as a Galaxy class vessel, gossip traveled at warp 10, and it wouldn't be long before people's curiosities could turn into something much uglier.:: Rahman: Alora! What are you still doing here? You should be enjoying your shoreleave. DeVeau: Yeah, well, I wanted to see if you were okay. Rahman: Thank you, but I'll be all right. Really. ::Rahman was awarded with a quirk of her mouth. All right? Yeah, sure. She'd only been stripped of her rank and any and all access to what had once been her job. Her career was gone. If it hadn't, then she'd still be wearing a uniform.:: ::She looked back at the young science officer with a sad smile. Would this be the last time she'd talk to her, at least from outside a prison?:: Rahman: Alora, promise me... whatever happens, you don't lose your sense of hope and wonder while you're out here. I know it can be scary at times... but don't forget what made you want to come out here in the first place. Cherish the opportunity you have while you're aboard a starship. ::The advice was unexpected, and those bright green eyes stared at her for a moment. What she had said sounded so final. Rahman had been stripped of her rank, but did that mean she was leaving?:: oO Well, what else does it mean, stupid? If she did, or even if they think she really did what she's been accused of, what exactly do you _think_ is going to happen. Oo ::Alora halted and caught on to Rahman's arm, gently, but firmly, her gaze steady and piercing as she focused on the Kriosian's eyes.:: DeVeau: Nara...what happened? What really happened? That wasn't you, right? Tell me it's just some...huge cosmic joke. Some mistake. Some sort of mixup. ::Roshanara glanced over at a pair of crewmen who were walking the other way down the corridor towards them. She beckoned Alora to follow her into a cross junction away from the main pathway. Alora did as bit, tucking herself as far out of the main corridor as possible.:: Rahman: I'm afraid I can't. DeVeau: You can't because you actually did do what they accuse you of or you can't because you can't explain what really happened because you don't know yourself? ::There _had_ to be an explanation. Even if it was, 'that person looked like me but that wasn't really me doing what they said I did even though it looks as if I'm the one actually doing it'. Surely Rahman was truly innocent. Wasn't she?:: ::The former chief engineer sighed.:: Rahman: Alora, the less you're seen with me, the better right now. After Commander Ross's apparent betrayal... the sabotage... there's something much more nefarious and larger than we think going on. DeVeau: So you _are_ innocent. ::Roshanara didn't affirm that statement, instead looking directly into Alora's eyes.:: Rahman: Listen, don't worry about me. I wasn't kidding earlier. There could still be others hiding aboard or nearby. Watch yourself, Alora. Don't trust anyone, no matter how many pips they have on their collar. ::That had been Roshanara's mistake, hadn't it?:: DeVeau: Nara, wait. ::It didn't make any sense. None at all. What was she trying to tell her? Alora was really bad at figuring out clues. She always was surprised by the end in mysteries. Well, maybe not always, but most of the time. She just wasn't the sort who did well resolving that sort of question. In a way, it wasn't that much different from coming up with a solution to a scientific problem - except she just couldn't seem to catch on in that manner.:: ::Another set of crewmen passed by, and one of them--the same guard who had escorted Roshanara earlier to the Captain's ready room looked at the two women curiously as he passed.:: DeVeau: I want to help. What can I do to help? There's got to be something I can do! Rahman: ...look, forget I said anything. Don't worry about me now. You still have a lot more to see out here. ::She gave a sad smile and touched Alora gently on the shoulder.:: Rahman: Go enjoy your shoreleave. I need to go. DeVeau: No. ::Alora's hand found Rahman's arm once more, her hold tighter. She stepped closer, closing the space between them.:: DeVeau: No. I'm going to worry about you. And worry about you. And I'm going to start doing some digging and looking into things. Tell me what's going on. I want to help. ::Well, Roshanara couldn't deny the science officer's commitment was touching. But she needed to protect her.:: Rahman: Alora... ::But she could tell from the look Alora was giving her, it wasn't going to be any use to try and convince her otherwise.:: Rahman: Just be careful, all right? And if you're going to look into things... don't do it alone. ::She thought for a moment.:: Rahman: Seek out Captain Kells. Maybe he can help figure out what's really going on out here... with Ross... with everything. ::Kells. Don't trust anyone, but seek out Kells. Did that mean she could trust Kells? She wished Saveron were still there, Alora knew she could trust him more than anyone else. The Kells that had returned was almost a stranger to her, not that the former Captain had been _much_ more than that.:: DeVeau: You know, you're really not giving me much to go on. Rahman: ::smiles:: I know. ::She took a deep breath and gently removed Alora's hold of her.:: Rahman: Good luck, Alora. I'm sorry I can't give you more, but it's for the best. DeVeau: Are you sure about that? ::The other woman nodded and then stepped back into the corridor, but turned one last time to Alora.:: Rahman: Don't follow me. Please. DeVeau: Nara...wait... ::Roshanara paused as asked.:: DeVeau: Look...I may not have the same sort of 'contacts' as most people around here, but I have...well. I'm not without ways of getting information or providing assistance. So...if you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. Okay? Rahman: I'll keep that in mind. --- Lieutenant Alora DeVeau Chief Science Officer USS Garuda & Lt. Commander Roshanara Rahman Under Investigation Awaiting Transfer to Custody of StarBase 118 JAG

(( Outside Roshanara Rahman's Personal Quarters, Deck 35, USS Garuda )) ::Quinn had found her way back to her quarters, after leaving sickbay. She'd showered, she'd cried, she'd paced, and then she'd showered some more -- mostly while pacing and crying. Officially, she was on medical leave, but the Director of Intelligence was still the Director of Intelligence, and it didn't take long for information to find its way to her. ::So here she was, for no logical reason she could fathom, hanging off a door chime on deck thirty-five. Finally, it opened, and she dragged her gaze off the floor to meet that of Roshanara Rahman. She held it for a moment, and that was all she could tolerate. Without waiting for an invitation, she stepped past the other woman and into her quarters.:: REYNOLDS: You owe me an explanation. ::She spoke quietly, her otherwise soft voice stained by hoarseness and exhaustion.:: RAHMAN: Pardon? ::Roshanara assumed she'd be getting visitors at some point while she still remained aboard the Garuda waiting for the JAG to arrive. She figured her friends at least--Reez, Lidia--would stop by, but none had come actually. She understood, or told herself she did. She couldn't imagine what they must have thought when she was still making sense of it.:: ::But she certainly didn't expect the person who would visit her to be Captain Reynolds.:: REYNOLDS: I'm... fairly sure you heard me. ::Her eyes took in her surroundings. She was already aware that Rahman had declined much the much larger quarters due to her for this box room. Not even a double bed, just a small single bunk, a fresh uniform laid out in waiting. There was little of the engineer's personality stamped on the room -- from the PADDs thrown across the desk, you'd think she did little else but sleep and work.:: RAHMAN: Is this part of a formal investigation? REYNOLDS: No. RAHMAN: Then I'm afraid, Captain, I have no explanation to give you. ::Reynolds didn't answer. Instead, her gaze had settled on the uniform on the bed. If the intelligence director was trying to intimidate the former engineer, Roshanara remained firm in her stance. And despite everything that had happened to Captain Reynolds--or at least what Roshanara had gathered from overhearing the security staff's chatter while she had sat in the brig for the past few days--she still didn't trust her.:: ::Her eyes locked onto Quinn's, her voice cold.:: RAHMAN: I think you should leave. REYNOLDS: ::She nodded.:: Probably. ::Quinn watched her for several heartbeats, looking for something. Anything. She wasn't even sure what. Some trace of regret? Remorse? Maybe just an acknowledgement.:: REYNOLDS: ::Quietly,:: Do you just not… care? That you helped him torture me? That you helped him to do things that are quite literally unspeakable to me? ::Roshanara's determined gaze broke as her brow furrowed, a mixture of confusion and surprise. And hurt. She turned away, unable to face Reynolds and her accusation directly.:: RAHMAN: Do you really think I would have helped him if I knew what he had planned to do to you? To this ship? Do you really think I'm that kind of a monster? ::Yet it wasn't an accident that she phrased it as a question than a statement of denial. What truly frightened Roshanara was that even she wasn't quite sure if knowing would have made a difference. ::When Harry--when Commander Ross asked her to "take care of a few things" for him, she hadn't even questioned why. All that was important was ensuring it be done. For him.:: REYNOLDS: A little while ago, no. But, you know. Then I was kidnapped and tortured by someone I was suppose to be able to trust, so now… I just don't know. RAHMAN: When the captain came down to Engineering that day and the first acts of sabotage were discovered, I wanted to believe it was someone else. Someone we didn't know... that it was all just a terrible coincidence... ::But as she had said earlier to Doctor Kotir, there were no such things to an engineer. As a former engineer herself, Captain Reynolds no doubt knew that as well.:: RAHMAN: But once you and he had left the away team on the surface-- ::Quinn flinched, her eyes narrowing slightly at Rahman's choice of words. "You and he", as though she'd had some choice in the matter. As though she'd been complicit.:: REYNOLDS: You knew. ::There was an uncomfortable silence before Roshanara spoke again.:: RAHMAN: I'm sorry, captain. For what he did to you. For my part in allowing it to happen. But if you're looking for why he did what he did... I don't have the answer. REYNOLDS: I wasn't asking why he did it. I was asking why *you* did. ::She paused.:: You're not stupid, and yet somehow, he convinced you to switch off security in some of the most secure areas of the ship. ::Roshanara wanted to say something back, but what? Reynolds wasn't wrong about being owed an explanation. But it wasn't just owed to the intelligence director. Roshanara owed an explanation to herself -- for what she'd done. How she had allowed a man, even one whom she had greatly admired, manipulate her into doing his bidding. She was fortunate no one had been killed by the acts of sabotage. The only casualty would be her career.:: ::A pair of sad eyes looked back at Reynolds, and another silence fell upon the room.:: REYNOLDS: Anyway, you were right. I should go. ::Quinn turned to leave but then paused on her way to the door, a short journey in the small quarters. She looked back toward the other woman.:: REYNOLDS: You should get yourself a good advocate. They're going to want -- to need -- to crucify someone for this, and with Ross gone… ::She shook her head.:: ::Roshanara nodded back gently.:: RAHMAN: Thank you, captain. ::And with that, Quinn departed, leaving the former chief engineer to her tiny cell.:: -- Captain Quinn Reynolds Director of Intelligence USS Garuda & Lt. Commander Roshanara Rahman Under Investigation Awaiting Transfer into Custody of StarBase 118 JAG

((Sickbay, USS Atlantis)) The faintest blue Across the blackest mirror A pulse of the soul A song of the heart The softest whisper Ever slower Requiem For a fading flower Bleeding scarlet For a world Too proud to remember. Tears of scarlet Falling Painting A bleached shell Whose spark of life That faintest blue Across the blackest mirror That softest whisper Ever slower Bids farewell To a brother To a lover To a world Too proud to remember. A poem by: ==================================== Lt Emerson Ravenscroft Xenolinguist USS Atlantis NCC-74682 as simmed by: Cmdr. Raj Blueheart

Previously on StarBase 118: Mercury... 2392: "Allah Yerhama"2404, Parts 1 and 2: "The Life After" And now the continuation... Dr. Del Vedova and LtCmdr Rahman: Definitive Diagnosis "Do not be afraid; our fate Cannot be taken from us; it is a gift." —Dante Alighieri, Inferno (( Sickbay, USS Mercury, 2390 )) :: Del was a pacer only in the most extreme of situations, and considering what he was about to do to his friend -- probably his best on the Mercury, given how little he saw Aron these days, and how (literally!) old he'd become -- he thought that this situation qualified. He almost wanted Rosh to come up with an excuse. Say you have to fix all the hamster wheels on deck thirteen! Make something up about a dual-polarized matrix kebabing machine! But she'd asked to meet with him -- and only him -- specifically. That was the basis of the friendship. She trusted him. He felt sick to his stomach: That was about to end. When the doors opened, he hoped it was anyone else, but she was usually on time and it was exactly 2100. He tried to smile at her. He didn't. :: RAHMAN: Thanks for meeting with me, Del. DEL VEDOVA: Hey, uh, there. :: She walked over and hopped onto a biobed as he followed. She gave him an apologetic smile, shrugging slightly. :: RAHMAN: Sorry for cutting into your evening. :: He smiled at the floor. :: DEL VEDOVA: I'm happier when I'm busy anyway. Don't worry about it. :: She nodded as she sat back with one arm held out against the bed to support her. :: RAHMAN: You and Dr. Hawkeye will be pleased to hear I feel pretty spry, all things considering. DEL VEDOVA: Well, I'd be surprised if you didn't. I'm sure Hawkeye will be very pleased to hear that. RAHMAN: Please send him my compliments. I'm sure he did all the work. :: She chuckled, but the medical bay's ambience remained somber. The switched-off monitors, dull hum of the atmospheric ventilation system, and deserted scene around the two of them only highlighted how tonight's meeting was anything but the typical follow-up appointment. :: DEL VEDOVA: (quietly) I will. RAHMAN: Anyway, I think... :: She paused and looked around, as if making sure there was no one there to eavesdrop on them despite how clearly vacant the triage area was. Still, she leaned in, her voice lower than before. :: RAHMAN: I think the surgery wasn't successful. DEL VEDOVA: What? :: How could he do it, then? No, if it hadn't worked, then what Aron had asked him to do ... made perfect sense. More sense than it would have made if the surgery had worked. Del couldn't meet her eye. :: DEL VEDOVA: What makes you say so? RAHMAN: The headaches are back. They returned slowly over the weeks following the operation. But it's not just that... :: She stared back at him shamefaced, as if she had disappointed him. :: RAHMAN: It's the other issue I... brought up with you before... DEL VEDOVA: Mm? :: He wouldn't commit to confirming this; he'd jumped right back into doctor mode and despite what lurked beyond, his concern was his patient and his friend. :: DEL VEDOVA: Tell me exactly. RAHMAN: Those... strange feelings and thoughts we talked about? They've started up again. Not as distracting as before, but they seem to come to me more easily now... :: The worry in her eyes said it all. :: RAHMAN: I think we might have made things worse. :: Ven would be displeased. That was Del's first thought, that Ven would be displeased. This wouldn't be a landmark case at all, it'd be just one more failure. Never mind the implications to the relationships around him. He had to tell her-- :: RAHMAN: I mean... I know there weren't any guarantees, and I chose to take the risk. I'm not blaming anyone but myself for getting my hopes up. I just... I was hoping you might have some ideas on what we could try now? :: Too much. This charade was over, as collapsed now by him. He leaned in close to her and spoke in a quiet voice. :: DEL VEDOVA: Go on, get out. Quickly. :: Too late. Del felt more than heard Aron's entrance out of the office. He didn't look around, not at her confused expression nor at Aron; he looked down. It was done. Et tu and all that. He sighed, but very softly. :: :: Aron strode towards Roshanara Rahman on the biobed. His face was set, the results of the pertinent tests on a PADD in his hand. He tried not to look angry as he neared, but it wasn't easy, not because he was angry with Rahman but because he hated what he was doing. But, at the same time, he knew it was necessary. Or was that just a fine placatory thing to say? He knew that the consequences of their mission to 83 Leonis II should never be allowed to recur: He knew, even if he wasn't willing to admit it, that he'd kept Rahman on that shuttle not entirely for her own safety but as an attempt to circumvent the fate that awaited her in the years to come -- and that he had played a part in setting into motion. His intention on 83 Leonis II may have been well-meaning but proved ill-thought-out and had nearly cost her life. He couldn't do that again, absolutely not. It was time to confront her. :: KELLS: Lieutenant Commander, a word, please? RAHMAN: Captain! I... :: She looked again at Del, still shocked at the sudden intrusion, but the doctor didn't say anything. :: RAHMAN: I, um... didn't realize you were here. I was just checking in with Dr. del Vedova for a follow-up. KELLS: I know. That's why this is an ideal time to talk. You don't have to move. Dr. del Vedova, you may continue the exam. DEL VEDOVA: ::dully:: The exam's over. The procedure didn't work. Her condition is worse than it was before. (beat) In fact, with the introduction of the mechanobiota, we may have accelerated its onset. :: She couldn't believe it: Del knew the captain had been here all along, waiting to intrude. He had planned for it! She was livid. She wanted to scream at the doctor. She wanted to leap off the biobed, shove him to the deck, and run out of there, never to return. And if the intruder had been anyone else on the ship, she would have. But Del had chosen to break her confidentiality with the one person she couldn't run away from. :: KELLS: I do apologize for seeking you out here, Lieutenant Commander, but I am concerned about your performance. :: Her performance? Is that why he had seemed so concerned earlier in the ready room? :: RAHMAN: Captain, given the circumstances, I don't believe anything else could have been done on the surface differently. And with the recovered sensor readings from the shuttle, we should still be able to expose what really happened down there. KELLS: Not on the away team. I'm referring to a larger pattern of behaviors and events that may carry into the future. Most specifically, though, I'm referring to the elective surgery you underwent several months ago. :: That was what he was referring to? She was taken off-guard by the sudden shift of focus back onto her medical condition. She felt her heart racing as her eyes darted between the two men standing over her. Part of her just wanted to die right there. :: RAHMAN: As I assured you previously... ::Her gaze flashed over to Del, who continued to scan without making eye contact with her.:: ...and I'm sure as Dr. del Vedova will attest now, I remain fully able to perform my duties as chief engineer. KELLS: I don't doubt that. Now. (beat) But in less than two years, you will lose the ability to make quick decisions in critical situations. :: Her eyes, filled with confusion and fear, locked onto his. Here, she was fourteen years younger than the woman he had found on that remote Dopterian ocean colony. The coffee and final conversation they had shared then was a faded memory, seventeen years old for the eldest Kells. Once, they had been but a few years apart in age; now, nearly three decades separated them. He looked down at her, slight and made even shorter by sitting on the biobed, and he felt irritatingly paternal. :: KELLS: The ramifications will cost you your Starfleet commission. :: Her voice was shaky. :: RAHMAN: ...what? KELLS: That's not all that's at stake. Within five years, you'll be overwhelmed by the splintered personalities in your mind and will no longer be able to be anywhere near people. You'll lose not only your career but your friends, your family, the life around you. (beat) I'd like to avoid that. :: For the moment, she set aside her feelings of anger and betrayal. The captain's ominous words -- coupled with how uncomfortably close he was standing over her -- caused her to hesitate in reply. :: RAHMAN: How... how do you know this? KELLS: Because I've seen it. (beat) In the future I came from, Doctors Ven and del Vedova also performed an experimental surgery and, accidentally, accelerated the condition's onset. (beat) In the words of the doctor. :: Del was not looking at either of them, and while Aron was sorry for having used his friend, he knew what had happened in his future when he'd been ignorant of Rahman's condition and how that had brought down their relationship anyway. Well, if this did the same once again, then so be it -- at least he had his own hand in the action this time. Aron's immediate reactions, upon deciding to reveal everything he had, were a heady flush of catharsis, followed by guilt. After both incidents when he had merged with his future selves, he'd been briefed extensively about the Temporal Prime Directive, and the only time he'd ever broken it before was to tell Didrik Stennes about their relationship. This, though, was an entirely different situation. He could argue that one Starfleet engineer was not enough to turn things around, but he'd studied causality with his biology degree back at the Academy. He hadn't paid it much attention then but had since studied it in much greater detail. Helping Rahman with a stabilization of personality was something that violated the directive, no question, but, he wondered, was it the act of telling her about it or the action of doing something about it that violated the directive more? No matter, because he planned to do both, now that he'd done the former; and if he had to bear the consequences, well, then he would. But he knew what it was like to have too many voices in one's head, and though he was able to control his to some degree, he had some idea of what it would be like to lose his sanity and his sense of self to those overwhelming voices. Yes, if he could help her avoid that, he would, no questions asked. :: :: She remained very quiet, looking up at him as he continued. :: KELLS: Now that the surgery has happened in this timeline, we must anticipate the ramifications if we are to prevent what I've seen -- what I know will happen otherwise -- from occurring. :: And yet … the youngest Kells pointed out the obvious: No Kells of the three in his head had remembered a supervolcanic catastrophe at 83 Leonis, nor the consequences thereof, and that meant plainly that things had already changed. His memory of Roshanara Rahman and the events leading up to her medical discharge from Starfleet were no longer going to happen -- at least, not exactly how it had before. Her fate had yet to be decided in this timeline, which was both a comfort yet one of his greatest fears: Because what if it were worse? He knew one possible outcome, yet the knowledge tortured him rather than serve as some sort of divine insight. Applying that knowledge to influence her fate indirectly had ended in near disaster. Choosing to remain silent indefinitely from now on seemed no more liberating. If the future he had seen for her -- and Del -- still came to pass, he would know that he had dismissed the opportunity to stop it; and if it didn't, then he would have lived a lifetime wracked with guilt and uncertainty for nothing. But, he reminded all of his selves, this wasn't about him. This had everything to do with her and his recollections of his years chasing Roshanara Rahman into the first decade of the twenty-fifth century. [...]it, he thought, if he wasn't going to help her, even if she refused to help herself. :: KELLS: This is very far beyond orders and books. I have no authority to make you act dependent upon a possible future I observed. (beat) But the alternative, doing nothing and watching you deteriorate quickly while feigning ignorance, is not something I'm going to continue. This is your condition and your choice, and I know that I am, for all intents and purposes, practically a stranger. I'm not asking you to trust me, and I know that you probably can't, not yet. But I am asking you to let me help you, because I can do that. RAHMAN: How? KELLS: Dr. del Vedova has informed me that you, he, Dr. Ven, and the entire medical staff are working off an unknown diagnosis: You see a problem, yes, but not the larger puzzle into which it fits. (beat) Roshanara, I do know what's really going on here. TBC... Dr. Nic del Vedova Chief of Emergency Services, USS Mercury & Lt.Cmdr. Roshanara Rahman Chief Engineer, USS Mercury & Captain Aron Kells CO, USS Mercury

((Mercury: Holodeck Three)) ::The room was constructed of wood logs, each stacked uncut, with just the top end with branches removed. The moss was still on the tree, faintly breathing in the dark and breathing out a soft glow, filling the room with a shifting blue light. In the center was a small fire, casting red shades against the blue. Charles was wearing a robe, long and deep green. He had dyed it himself, dipping it in a paste that came from plants that had come from the replicators. It had streaked as it dried, dirt stains and grease that had spilled onto it when the last ceremony had been so strangely interrupted. It was heavy, and he rested on his cane as he walked. He carried a small bag in the other hand, made of the same cloth, though undyed.:: ::Mag walked beside him. Her robes were just as long and a lighter shade of green. It trailed behind her on the ground as she walked; she held his hand in one of hers, looking up at him.:: ::It wasn't personal this time. But it was bigger, much bigger; bigger in ways that took it beyond their ability to process, to understand.:: ::They were not alone, this time. The holodeck had a few people sitting, kneeling, reclining on the floor already, wearing replicated robes. Sitting up against one of the walls was the chief tactician, a small cat sitting in his lap, being idly petted by his hands. Crewman 'Sparky' was picking at bits from the floor, his tail twitching occasionally. Others he knew; others he did not know, not well.:: ::He took a loaf of bread from the bag, pulled a piece from it, and handed it to Sparky, gesturing for him to do the same. The bread was slowly passed around, and he released Mag's hand and took his own seat.:: ::Mag looked at him, fear crossing her ears for just a moment. He nodded back to her, and she cleared her throat. She paused a long time after each sentence, speaking slowly as the room filled quietly with the sweet scent of the small fire:: MAG: We gather today to mourn the rosh of Eighty-Three Leonis II. We mourn the destruction brought by the volcano. We mourn those we were unable to save, the lands covered in fire and ash. MAG: We mourn with those we could save, for the world that they have lost, for the friends left behind. We join them in crying for justice against the people who have wronged them: through experimentation on them and through igniting the volcano. Our tears flow with theirs. What happened was not right, and we will carry the wound from it on our hearts as a scar. It will not be forgiven. It will not be forgotten. It will be forever on our hearts, and we shall not walk this road again. They are rosh, like us; we are rosh, like them. ::She came back then, sitting by Charles. A moment of silence passed before she whispered quietly:: MAG: How was that? HAWKEYE: Well stated, Mag. ::Her ear tilted forward just a touch with a silent smile, and she settled down, taking a bite of her bread.:: ::In the center of the room, above the fire, before them all, hung a holographic image of the ash-ridden world of 83 Leonis II.:: -- Hawkeye

((Dark Room - USS Apollo)) :: Liam still had trouble working his head around what might drive a man to do what the Colonel had done. On a very basic level, he understood. There was only so much a man could take before he reached his breaking point,and it was obvious that Tark had reached that point. But what caused him to cross the level of anger that he must have had was something Liam couldn't get his head around.:: :: And perhaps there was a reason. There was a passion in the Colonel's words. A conviction to his speech that betrayed the sense of loss the man felt, and the sense that what he was doing was a part of something much greater than himself. It was, in a way, not unlike the reason Liam had decided to join Starfleet. But this conviction fell on the opposite of the emotional spectrum. Whatever pride Liam felt for the work he did, the Colonel must have felt in loss.:: :: Perhaps, he realized, it was not an inability to understand, but rather an inability to relate. As much as Liam had been through, including an all to real brush with death, it was nothing when compared to the things that the Colonel had seen, or at least what he believed that he had seen. It was the kind of loss that one couldn't understand without experiencing it.:: :: Liam's philosophical musings were cut short by the sound of Janus having completed the task he had requested. A report had been located, filed by the USS Nighthawk and filed with SFI. Liam was slightly surprised he even had the clearance to view it. He skimmed over the highlighted sections of the report, connecting it with the report he had filed. One name stood out in both reports.:: Frost: Tark... :: He downloaded a few sections of the document on to his PADD and began to make his way out in to the corridor.:: ((Brig - USS Apollo)) :: For all intents and purposes, all that existed of Javan's world was the few square meters that comprised his cell, and what little contents it had. He was genuinely surprised by what it afforded him. The bed was more comfortable than some of the field barracks that he had slept in during the revolution, and they had been gracious enough to allow him one of their PADDs and limited access to their library. It gave him enough to read to stave off the boredom most of the time. There was even food replicator, though the choices were understandably limited. But as unpleasant as it was, it was a [...] sight better than he would have faced in a prison on Galaras. If he had made it that far.:: :: He had spent most of his time reading, particularly about the history of Earth. He was surprised to find that these humans had, in their past, experienced the level of despotism that he had vowed to fight against. So far he had found at least half a dozen names that reminded him of why he was here; Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Khan Singh, Phillip Green. All of them had promised their people a better life, and each and every one of them had, eventually, led those same people to ruin.:: :: It was, in a way, comforting to know that Humans had eventually shed that past, and had moved far enough to become a founding member of an organization like the Federation. It was something that he hoped his own people might one day be able to accomplish, though he wondered if such an event were likely to happen in his lifetime.:: :: HE was snapped out of his musings by the sound of the door to the brig opening. He watched as a man in a black ad grey uniform entered the room. He an air of confidence around him, despite the fact that he barely looked older than Javan's own son. He carried the markings on his collar, the most Javan had seen on any officer thus far. But there was something familiar about him...:: :: Liam entered the room with what he hoped was a good mix of casual and purposeful bearing. He gave a nod the the duty officer, who allowed him to pass without delay. It was one of the advantages of his new position. He made his way towards the cell that he wanted.:: Frost: Colonel Tark. :: Javan looked at the man carefully before his memory put the pieces together. This young man was one of the individuals sitting at what he had, at least in his own mind, referred to as the table of heroes. He was friends with the blue one who had caused them so much trouble.:: Tark: And you are... Frost: Commander Liam Frost. Starfleet Intelligence. :: Intelligence? That explained why he was the only one Javan had seen wearing a black uniform. It also meant that this was the kind of man that Javan had been trying to reach. And he had been a witness to what had happened in the hotel. It had the potential to further his plan, or deal the final blow to it, depending on what kind of man he was.:: Frost: You're being transported with us to Earth to face trial for your actions on Izar, as I'm sure you already know. Tark: I am. But I will say this, Commander. What I did, I did for the good of my people. I didn't plan for it to end the way it did, and for that I am sorry. And I will gladly face whatever justice your government sees fit. But I will not apologize for trying to stand up for my people. :: Liam could see the conviction in the man's eyes. He believed with all of his being in what he was doing. Ad while he was far from agreeing with the Colonel's methods, but it was hard not to sympathize with his motivations.:: Frost: I'm not here to ask you to, Colonel. I heard the speech you gave. And if you're telling the truth about what what's happening on your planet, then there's a part of my that understands why you ended up here. :: Liam watched the man's reaction carefully. It appeared, for the moment that the Colonel was taking him seriously. Frost: Make no mistake, I don't support what you did. But a part of me understands. :: Javan could see something in this man, something that hinted at a wisdom that belied his age. Tark: With due respect, Commander, I don't think you do understand. I don't think any one of you understands what I've seen. :: He paused. The COmmander didn't understand what Javan had seen. But if he chose his words carefully enough, he might be able to at least give him a hint of understanding. At least enough that he might be willing to pass along the information to his superiors.:: Tark: Your history is filled with the names of men who promised their people a better world. Hitler, Singh. Green. They all promised the same thing. And they did it for those loyal to them. But at the cost of millions of lives. My world is no different. :: Javan thought back to all the things he had seen, all the things that he had believed that he was fighting for during the Revolution. He was fighting for the freedom of his people.:: Tark: When I joined the Revolution, I fought for what I believed in; for the rights of my people to live in the kind of world that you take for granted. But the people in power did more harm to our people than the people we overthrew. They murdered dissidents in the streets, and sent anyone suspected of plotting against them in prison.Including my wife. Your people have an equivalent, I believe they called it the Soviet Union. :: Liam was aware of what the Colonel was talking about, at least in a general sense. They had overthrown a monarchy and replaced it with one of their own making. They claimed it would usher in a utopia, where the people and the state were one and the same. But paranoia and distrust led it's leaders to commit atrocities against it's own people for the sake of their own power.:: Frost: There are parts of our history that we're not exactly proud of. But it's a part of what makes us what we are now.But none of that was why I came here today, Colonel. ::Turning to the deck officer.:: Ensign, if you wouldn't mind. :: The crewman did as Liam asked, and for forcefield shimmered for a moment before disappearing. Liam handed the Colonel a PADD before the field was reactivated.:: Frost: I thought you might want to see this. :: Javan looked at the device. From what he could read, it appeared to be an intelligence report. He had seen enough of them in his career to recognize the format. The majority of it appeared to be redacted, no doubt to keep him from seeing anything he was not meant to. But there were sections that were readable. And unless he was imagining things, it looked like it was referring to Galaras.:: Tark: What is this? Frost: It's an intelligence report from the USS Nighthawk. After some of the reports that came in from your world, Starfleet Intelligence sent in an observation to see if there was any truth to the claims. A lot of what they said appears to back up your claims. I can't say for certain if we'll be able to do anything to help you, but I thought you should know that at least someone is taking you seriously. :: For a long moment, Javan had no idea what to say. It was the best outcome he could have hoped for, though he had wondered if he would have lived to see the day his people's plight brought out into the light. He might not see his home changed, but knowing that someone on the outside knew what was happening gave him some measure of relief.:: Tark: Thank you, Commander. Frost: There's something else you should know. One of our agents was able to get inside one of the prison camp. She spoke to a lot of the prisoners to gather evidence of what was happening. :: Javan looked at the man in front of him. There was something happening here that Javan couldn't figure out. This was undoubtedly a classified report. There had to be why Commander Frost was showing it to him.:: Frost: The name of one of those prisoners.. was Leandra Tark. :: Javan looked down at one of the sections of the report that was highlighted. For a moment his knees went weak, and he very early fell over. He was able to steady himself on the wall. He knew the reputation of the labour camps, what happened to those that went in. He had made peace with the idea that he wasn't going to see his beloved again. And in a way, that was still almost certain to be the case.:: :: But there had always been that small part of him that had wondered, that had wanted closure about what had happened to her. If she was dead, he could have accepted that in time. But it was the not knowing that had kept him awake at night, wondering if she knew he was out there thinking about her, or if she knew what he was willing to do to see her free, even if it meant never seeing her again.:: :: Liam watched as the Colonel reacted to the news that his wife was alive, and it confirmed what he had believed. Tark spoke of grand ideas like freedom, and a better life for his people. And he had no doubt that that was part of it. But there deep down, it was the woman he loved that motivated him. And his redemption was to right the wrong that he had allowed to be done to her, even if she wouldn't know that he had done it.:: Tark: Thank you, Commander. :: Javan heard the sound of the door opening as Commander Frost left the room, but he wasn't really aware of it. He was too occupied with the report. Someone knew what was happening to his people. And perhaps that knowledge might one day set them free. He knew he might not live to see a truly free Galaras. But knowing that it might happen one day, perhaps, in the end, it was all worth it.:: Colonel Javan Tark Galaran Resistance Front & Commander Liam Frost Chief of Intelligence USS Apollo

((Tal Tel-ar's Quarters , USS Apollo)) :: So Tal was out of Sick Bay again. Sherana wanted to check on him, to see if getting him off that planet had been worth it or if he decided to make it all a waste. When she arrived, the Nurse had told her that he had been discharged. Well, that was good, so at least they didn't run around in the heat for nothing. The Orion hated how it had made her feel, when he disappeared. She had not only been angry, that he went out alone to such a place without any company in that condition... but also worried. She cared more than she wanted to admit, and that was probably what he wanted to achieve.:: :: Either that or wanted to give her the chance to realize it. She had known that she cared, just not if she cared enough for a relationship. She knew the answer, but she had to tell him as well, since that was a thing she could not do alone. Arriving at his quarters she looked at the door for a moment, not quite sure how to even begin, but she would do what her people did for a long time: go with her guts. So she pressed the chime.:: :: Tal took the last knife off his wall, wrapped it carefully and then walked over and placed it in the case in it's slot. Just then his door chime sounded. :: Tel-ar: :: Tal turned and moved to his door as he spoke. :: Enter. :: When the door opened Sherana stepped forward. She moved to within arms reach and then stopped. As always the sight of her made his senses swim. He had never felt such a need before. It was primal, almost animalistic and it was very hard to fight. :: :: Looking up to him, she took a deep breath, inhaling his scent that floated to her as it always did. She did not say a word. Instead she pressed her hand on his chest, pushing him back further into his quarters, a growl in her throat as the doors closed behind her. She kept pushing until something got in the way, pressing in Tal's back and she stepped so close she could feel his warmth through her clothing. :: :: The feel of her hand against his chest made him want to pull her close as he allowed her to push him backwards. The low growl that escaped her throat almost forced a similar one from his own throat and while his mind fought with his desire for her the small fragment that still functioned realized she was not acting like herself. :: Tel-ar: Sherana... what... :: That's as far as he got before she interrupted him. :: Sherana: :: growling :: Never. Do. That. Again! :: Not giving him the chance to reply she pulled him at the collar of his shirt and crushed her lips into his, pressing her body against the big blue man and her free hand held on to his hip, her heart pounding wildly in her chest, heat rushing through her veins, making her blood boil. Yes, she knew what she wanted. She wanted him. She had wanted him for quite a while, why had she closed her eyes to that until now? :: :: When she pulled his head down and kissed him a fire exploded inside. He could not help but feel her body pressing against his. He gave in to his need, kissing her back while he slid his arms around her. His hands wandering over her body as he lifted her so that kissing her was easier. He spun while holding her, walking the half dozen feet over to his bed where he turned and sat, then lay back while turning on his side, still holding her, kissing her the whole time. :: :: She wrapped her legs around him, the moment he lifted her from the ground. Vaguely somewhere in the back of her mind she realized that they moved, but she didn't care, the urge of feeling him close, to make sure that he was really well won the fight over her curiosity. As she found herself lying on the side, she just used that chance to press herself against him with the support of the bed, their breaths ragged and heavy filling the air. :: He lost track of time. His whole mind becoming consumed with desire, his senses drowning in the sensations being produced by such close, intimate contact. Finally he broke off the kiss. It was the last thing he wanted to do but the last tiny shred of logic won. :: Tel-ar: Sherana.... what... what's changed? :: Her actions... heck even her reactions to his response was so out of character that he had no idea what was really happening. :: :: She did not want to talk, she wanted to feel him, catch up on what she had missed, on what she had refused to have. She had almost lost him, and it again reminded her how stupid it was to not live in the moment. She looked up into his eyes.:: Sherana: I wasted time thinking too much like some human nuchpu', until you almost died, and not the way we wish for as warriors. I cannot throw away another minute. //Feigling :: Tal stared deep into her eyes for a moment. Her response was not what he had expected.... it was more than he had hoped for... he kissed her again. This time trying to convey his passion, his desire for her through his touch, using his entire body to let her know that he wanted her. Finally... long... long moments later he managed to regain enough mental control to break contact. He rolled back and sat up. Undoing the top of his uniform as he did. He could feel the bed shift as Sherana also sat up. :: :: His kisses befuddled her, make her vibrate and tremble in desire, burning in her veins. As he pulled away again and started to undress, her eyes followed, taking him in, until she saw something next to the bed that she did not remember seeing before. Sherana sat up and stared at it. A container stood right there and as she looked around there were more, some were open and half full, others were closed and marked. What in Gre'thor was going on here? :: Sherana: Why are these containers here? :: It took Tal a few seconds to understand her question. By the time that he had he had pulled his arms out of his tunic and he was naked from the waist up. :: Tel-ar: I am packing. Sherana: :: Turning her head to face him:: Packing? You are going to leave? :: Tal stopped and turned to face her again. He still felt the desire, the need but her question cut him worse than any knife ever had. He had spent the last year here on the USS Apollo and the only thing he would miss, the only thing he wanted with every fiber of his being was her. :: Tel-ar: I have been transferred... :: That answer was not what she had been expected. Her dark eyes were fixed on him in disbelief. She was blown away but that. She finally wanted to throw everything on one card and he wanted to leave?:: Sherana: You are kidding me. Tel-ar: No... :: For the first time in his life Tal wished he was kidding. Saddly he was not. :: Sherana: Did you ask for this transfer because you could not wait for a decision? :: She was surprised how calm she sounded, but she needed answers and she would not get them if she slit his throat.:: Tel-ar: No. I would have waited as long as it took. :: short pause. :: These orders were waiting for me when I returned to the ship. Sherana: I ... understand. :: She really did. The Klingon Empire did not do it much different. While one had a position on a ship, it could change any time when one was needed elsewhere. She had seen many warriors leave for greater cause, for smaller cause, for the cause that needed people at this time. It was military life and for the first time she hated it. :: Tel-ar: Sherana, I wish it was not true.... but.... :: Tal stopped talking as she stood up and moved away from him. :: :: Standing up from the bed she walked a few steps, her hands clenched to fists as she ground her teeth that tried to cage the growl in her throat. Her dark eyes darted around from crate to crate and found something that looked like a stone, maybe it was a souvenir, she didn't care but grabbed it and pressed her fingers against it, as if she tried to squeeze any possible life out of it. :: Tel-ar: :: Tal stood and moved over close to her before he spoke again. :: I am sorry Sherana... :: Hearing his voice broke any possible focus she had tried to keep to contain her anger. Without thinking she spinned around with a swift swing of her arm and sent the stone shattering into the wall next to Tal. She heard a terrible scream like that of an animal in pain, but realized a moment later that it was her own. She had no idea where all this anger and pain suddenly came from, but it broke free with a shattering force that threatened to tear her apart.:: :: For a moment Tal did not know what to do. Her reaction baffled him. Then he realized that she was simple expressing the same pain and anger he had felt at the news. Instinctively he reached out and took her into his arms. For a moment she fought him but in the end she too needed to be close. The feeling of her pressed so close provoked him to speak. To say what he felt. :: Tel-ar: Sherana... I wish I could take you with me... I wish I had more time... weeks and months before I had to leave... but I don't... I have never regretted being a Starfleet officer... and I have never hated an order as much as I hate this one... but... :: As he spoke he reached up with one hand and caressed her cheek, then tilted her head so that he could see into her eyes... as always her beauty took his breath away and for a second he seriously considered punching his fist through a wall. If nothing else it might, just might make him feel a tiny bit better. :: :: She had not wanted for him to hold her, but after a short half hearted fight she had given in and leaned against his big overshadowing frame. She was not the type to cry, she could not remember ever doing so, but her hands trembled in fury, digging into the fabric of his shirt, forcing herself to not tear it apart. She had to collect all willpower she could muster to speak, though a low growl vibrated in her voice. :: Sherana: I know. Don't forget that I was an officer. I grew up with this kind of knowledge, the chance of sudden change. Tel-ar: The advantage of a warriors upbringing... still... :: Tal could not help it. He had to kiss her... to hold her... he leaned down as he pulled her closer. Her chest was pressed tightly against him and he could feel her, 2 firm round mounds squashed against him as his lips captured hers. One hand tangled in her hair as his antenna leaned forward to touch her, to drink in her scent, more intoxicating than anything he had ever enjoyed. It lasted forever.... then suddenly she pushed against him and against his will Tal let go. :: Sherana: ::Looking up into his eyes:: Does this mean we end before we even started? Tel-ar: I do not know.... I Sherana: You don't want anymore. Tel-ar: Of course I want you... :: Tal reached out and pulled her closer, grabbing one of her hands and pressed it against his naked chest as he did. :: You can feel my heart, it's racing, you cause that simply by being here... :: Her eyes dropped from his to his chest, her fingers held by his and she could feel it strong and fast. Her voice was merely a whisper, surprised as she was by it. :: Sherana: I feel it.. Tel-ar: At this moment, I feel more like a man than I have ever felt. Sherana: :: knitting her brows:: Do you really mean that, Tal? :: Again Tal reached up and caressed her cheek as he replied. :: Tel-ar: Yes I mean it... I will never lie to you... everything I have said I have meant... all of it... Sherana: :: Nodding she faught with her voice. She was not used that it left her so often. He made her weak and for the first time in her life she did not mind as much. :: I believe you. Tel-ar: I am glad.... :: The suprising thing was that he really was. :: Sherana: You will have to leave soon, your new crew will await you. :: She did not want him to leave, but she knew he would have to. She was not the type to beg him to change his mind, nor did she want him to do that, it was his duty that would pull him away, his honor. And that she could respect, even though she hated that they did not have more time to explore what had started between them. And she did not have any idea how couples that were stationed on different ships were dealing with the situation. She did not think she could deal with that herself. :: Tel-ar: Unfortunately.... yes... I have to leave... Starfleet waits for no man. :: She turned her gaze up to him, thinking about his words, about possibilities. She'd come here to not waste anymore time after almost losing him in on the planet and then on Sick Bay. Now she would lose him to duty and it tore her apart. She raised her hands a bit more to grab his neck, pulling him down to her. The dark brown eyes were fixed on his as she whispered. :: Sherana: Let them wait, just a little bit more. :: With that she tiptoed, pressing her lips against his, wanting to feel at least once what she would have to leave behind. Not wasting any time of the few glimpses they had left. If their souls cried in anguish, she wanted that least something in their memories would be worth to sing about.:: :: Again Tal pulled her close, lifting her as she wrapped her legs around him. His antenna leaning forward to touch her. Grateful that his departure flight to the Mercury was still more than a day away. It would still not be enough time but... Tal stopped thinking at this point, letting himself go. Really letting go and reveled in the contact, the passion. :: ((33 hours later)) :: Tal laid on his back staring up at the ceiling. Soon he would have to get up. Get dressed and then leave. For a moment he wished that the station would get stuck in some weird spacial anomaly that forced them to remain stuck, unable to move. Unfortunately he knew there were none anywhere near the station. :: :: With regret he turned and looked down at where Sherana lay pressed up against him. Her ebony hair lay loose, spread out like a mystical black curtain. With a smile he reached over with his free hand and gently pushed back the few strands that had drifted down to cover her face. The feel of her soft skin under his hand, the contrast between her green skin and his blue making it easy to tell where her body started and his ended. :: :: Soon he would be leaving her, transferred off to another ship, another posting. One that would take him far, far away. He felt a sudden surge of emotion. A confusing maelstrom of conflicting urges, feelings and desires. One that left him so confused that at first he did not notice the wetness on his cheek. Once he did, he reached up and touched it. More confused than he had been. Tears??? He had never cried in his life, not even when Elina had told him that she wanted a divorce. He wiped them away and returned his look to Sherana. Was she the reason??? :: :: She was beautiful true, exotic, thrilling... just being with her was enjoyable. The whole time he was thinking, watching her he held her. His entire side warm from the intimate contact. Her one arm draped over his chest and her legs intertwined with his. She shifted in her sleep, squirming against his side. The contact was invigorating and he felt his passion jump back to life. For a moment he almost woke her up. Seriously considered it. :: Computer: USS Hayes will be leaving the station in 3 hours. :: The sound of the computer warning him to the fact that the ship that would bring him to the Mercury would soon be leaving shattered the peaceful moment he was enjoying. It also served to waken Sherana. As a result he no longer forced himself not to awaken her. He rolled slightly towards her, touched her cheek and then kissed her. One thing led to another and time vanished, consumed in a firestorm of exotic possibilities and explosive conclusions. :: ((2 and a half hours later)) Computer: USS Hayes will be leaving in 30 minutes :: Tal lifted his head, his hair soaked with sweat as was his entire body. He gazed down into her eyes, a fierce desire to claim her as his thundering through his mind. :: :: Stretched with a yawn, she had spent more than a day in Tal's quarters in the knowledge that this might as well be the last time she'd see him. And she had enjoyed every second of it, savouring that she had forgotten the world outside of these quarters for a while. As he looked into her eyes, she returned the gaze. He made her feel like a woman, understanding why her mother saw this as an important part of her life. Though she still was herself, which meant that she was not a sappy kind. :: Sherana: You have to get up. Tel-ar: I know... Sherana: Will I see you again? Tel-ar: I do not know... Sherana: :: She had expected as much and nodded slightly. :: We will see. ReH 'eb tu'lu'. //There is always a chance. :: Tal leaned down and kissed her before she could finish speaking. The kiss became more, his hands wandered and suddenly he pulled back. If he did not stop now he might never leave this bed. Both a welcome thought but one that was not realistic. He did not need anyone coming down looking for him and finding them like this. Especially as he should have been off the ship hours ago. :: Tel-ar: I would rather spend the rest of my life here, like this than anything else..... Sherana: You will have to leave though, it is your duty. Tel-ar: I know... :: He kissed her again, then rolled away, throwing the sheet off as he did. Then he got up and headed towards the shower, pausing before he went through the door into the bathroom to look back. A smile on his face as he saw her there, sprawled out on his bed. A sudden thought provoking a question. :: Care to join me? :: Sherana looked at him, and though her face did not show any reaction, her eyes lit up and rolled out of the bed and hurried after him into the shower.:: (( A few minutes until departure )) :: Tal and Sherana had walked along the docking ring and now stood in front of the airlock that lead to the USS Hayes, which would bring him to his new destination, his new post on the USS Mercury. During the last day a lot had changed between them, but they didn't change too much really. Still the Orion had her hands in her wide pants pockets as before, still she wore a wide sweater, her heavy boots and her hair in a ponytail, but she felt the change anyway. One that would possibly leave with him. :: :: What would stay for a little while would be the pain of the bruises, scratches and possibly some other marks of their passion. Thankfully Tal did have a medkit in his quarters so the small fractures and tears had been fixed already. She would remember him every time she moved, that much she knew. :: Crewman: Sir, we are going to depart in 3 minutes. Tel-ar: Understood. :: Tal turned away to face Sherana. This was the moment he had been dreading, the one he could not avoid. :: This is it. Time for me to go. Sherana: I know. :: She looked up into his eyes. :: Tel-ar: I am going to miss you... so very much. :: As he said it Tal reached out and took hold of one of her hands. Holding it in his . :: Sherana: :: Feeling his hand on hers, her face softened slightly. :: I will remember you. Tel-ar: I hope so :: Tal replied with a smile. Then he pulled her close and kissed her. Putting his entire heart and soul into the kiss while his antenna leaned forward, his enhanced senses awash in her scent, so unique, just like her. :: :: Even though she still was not one for public display, she returned his kiss, taking in any scent and taste, burning it into her mind. She did not regret anything, but maybe to have waited so long. But their lifes would go on, and they both understood the importance of living the moment, as it may be the last. :: Crewman: Sir, we are departing, you need to step aboard please. :: With regret Tal broke off the kiss. With even more regret he let her go and stepped back. :: :: Once Tal removed his lips from hers she stepped back and put her hands back into her pockets. :: Sherana: Fight well and with honour, Tal. Tel-ar: I will. :: Tal smiled, his steel gray eyes alive with some mysterious spark as he spoke again. :: Till we meet again Sherana. You will live in my heart forever. ::Then he gave a slight nod of his head, then turned and walked away, through the air lock and out of her life for now. :: :: She watched him as he stepped through the airlock. Now that he was out of sight, she headed back to the docking spot of the Apollo, seeing the other ship pass by the windows as it maneuvered away from its position. Tal was on his way to his duty, so she should go back to hers as well. And no matter how much she understood that he had to leave, no matter how much she respected him for doing his duty, a part in her hated to see the airlock close behind him, cutting through the line of their time. That same little part of her hoped that she might see him again at some point. And be in that he might be granted a honorary spot in Sto'Vo'Kor.:: **** Sherana Botanist USS Apollo simmed by Lieutenant Commander Jalana Laxyn Chief Medical Officer USS Apollo & Cmdr. Tal Tel-ar Tactical Specialist USS Mercury

Voting closes Sunday, October 28th, 2012 at 23:59 PM. This round of voting only qualifies one sim to move on to the next round of judging. REMEMBER: This is NOT a popularity contest. Vote based on MERIT, not the fact that someone is your crewmate. Any crews found “stuffing the ballots” or ratings, will be disqualified PERMANENTLY. Yes, that means the whole crew!

((Pierce's Quarters, USS Apollo)) ::The updates to her medical log were sporadic, incomplete. Pierce worked diligently trying to detail her headaches by duration and intensity. She wrote out the descriptions of her empathic 'visions' longhand on paper before dictating each one. The most intense one had been during the mission briefing, but the more the counselor thought about it, the more she remembered. Little flickers of colour or sound, easily dismissed as fatigue. Something was certainly happening here. She hadn't dosed in around half a day. Minimal headaches.:: oOStill possible those visions are hallucinations. Can't rule that out.Oo ::She still hadn't been in for her cranial scan, but that could wait. Detailing this process was more important, especially if something was going right. Or wrong. She leaned back and shouted towards the replicator for a cup of pumpkin curry soup. Eyes narrowed at the screen for any typos or inconsistencies, she slid her chair back and unzipped her jacket, finally desiring to change the shirt underneath. Stopping at her wardrobe she changed the slightly damp grey shirt for a sleeveless teal one, hanging her jacket in the closet. She wasn't quite off duty, there was still another hour or so, but if she received a call it wouldn't take a moment to slip her uniform back on.:: ::Sidney let out a long, pleased sigh as she put the first spoonful of soup into her mouth. The portion size was small, but it was sometimes hard to convince her stomach to eat food after a tiring day. That required working out the knots first. Within minutes, though, she had devoured her soup and made a second cup, this time with bread and butter. She almost felt like a real person again. Almost, not quite.:: ((Flashback – 2381 – Betazed)) Isla Reed: No. That's not happening. ::Sidney looked down at the table. Her parents were together for dinner for the first time in several years; unsurprisingly arguing over something. Something Sidney herself had said, of all things. She felt a ball of guilt begin to form in her stomach.:: Lionel Pierce: If it's what she wants, I'd like to see it happen. Isla: Starfleet, Lionel? Really? That bunch of stuffed shirts? Lionel: … the same people that, nine times out of ten, are funding your salary in some way? Or do you think that the work you do is funded entirely by the faceless corporations you work for? :: Isla's eyes narrowed. Sidney balled her hands up, hoping the argument was almost at an end.:: Isla: Does it make you feel good to belittle my job? Lionel: ::stammering:: T-that... that's not even what I... ::He brought up one hand, covering his eyes:: We're getting off-topic. If Josie wants to go into Starfleet, see the world, I say we let her. ::He lowered his voice, maybe thinking that because he was far away, Sidney couldn't hear him. He was wrong.:: Lionel: This is one of the only times she's ever asked for anything. Isla: ::hushed:: Except for a change of school after staying here with you. Lionel: It's just as hard to raise a child on exploratory missions and deep-earth surveys as it is on a planet whose primary race is empaths. She stuck it out. ::He looked at Sidney:: She was very brave about it. :: Her mother looked at her. The terraformer's blue-gray gaze cut through the wall of silence Sidney had put around herself and forced her to stare back.:: Isla: What do you want to do? ::That had been such an easy thing before. Sidney knew she wanted to help people and would go to Starfleet to do it. Different races, all working together to bring the Federation closer to harmony. Now that her mother was looking at her, that seemed stupid.:: Sidney: Help people. ::She paused, and Lionel nodded for her to continue. He could always tell when she had an unfinished thought.:: Sidney: I don't know how, yet. Maybe as an engineer, or an architect. Or a science officer. ::looking between her parents:: You're both scientists. That means I'm genetically predisposed to have a good logic center, right? ::Her mother laughed softly.:: Isla: You've been spending too much time with your Dad at work. Lionel: She's like this all the time. Soaks up medical transcripts like a sponge. Tests better than a lot of Terrans can on active and passive observation, too. ::chuckle:: I'm making her sound like a patient. ::Both of the adults laughed. Sidney thought back to a time where all of their dinners had been together, to a time where there had been endless video calls from her mother when she was away for work. She thought about sitting on her mother's lap as her parents explained why they weren't going to be in the same house anymore. Being asked to choose.:: Isla: The test score requirements are high. ::The young girl's heart jumped. There was a chance, she needed to act quickly.:: Sidney: I'm already almost a year and a half accelerated. I'm the youngest in all of my classes. ::Isla looked at Lionel, who shrugged.:: Lionel: I could have told you, but I didn't think the point five of a year mattered. She's not two years ahead of the curve. ::Her mother finally nodded her ascent, and Sidney's face brightened like a sunrise. Her father passed over the menu and asked what she'd like as a celebratory desert. Pie and ice cream. It was always pie and ice cream.:: ((End Flashback)) ::Two cups of soup and bread away, Sidney found herself going back to the replicator one last time. She ordered a slice of apple pie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. As it formed, her mouth was already turning up at the sight of it. She had done her job today. She had earned this.:: Lieutenant Sidney Pierce Counselor USS Apollo

((Conference Room 1, USS Tiger-A)) ::The Fleet Captain left the conference room before everyone had cleared out of the room. She headed to her ready room to drop off the PADD she was carrying. She looked over at the cat bed by the door and it was of course empty. She hadn't seen Andy since before they had been caught in the temporal displacement wave. Shaking her head she exited the room, walked across the bridge like she was in a daze and entered the turbolift. When the doors closed she leaned heavily against the wall, her face holding a reflective and melancholy expression.:: ::It hadn't been that long since the Vaadwaur had invaded the Ithassa Region. That war had been brutal and not just in a physical sense. Memories of the last war came flooding back as she closed her eyes against the harsh light of the turbolift.:: ((Flashback 238709.18)) ::The Terran/Deltan nodded. Time to play poker and if she lost that hand, then it was time to play chicken.:: Riley: =/\=This is Captain Sidney Riley of the USS Independence to the Vaadwaur on Deep Space 17. You currently have us in a tractor beam. You will release us from that beam.=/\= ::She paused.:: Marari: =/\= You, who are without mercy, now plead for it? I thought you were made of sterner stuff. =/\= :: He emitted a hoarse, throaty laugh. :: Marari: =/\= Oh how the tables have turned, Captain! Suddenly, it is *you* who is left to beg for the lives of others with *nothing* to give in return. Tsk tsk tsk... and to think, my birthday isn't until *next* month. Please, amuse me-why-ever should I release you? =/\= Riley: =/\=Because if you don't you have a problem. Our current trajectory takes us into an essential part of the station. When we hit you will lose at a minimum 66 percent of the station, and that's without our armed photon torpedoes which will explode on impact.=/\= Marari: =/\= Hah... you're bluffing. You're a spineless, despicable, selfish coward who gloats with the upper hand and, apparently, resorts to pathetic bluffs with a losing one. I suggest you try begging next, Captain.=/\= Riley: =/\=I suggest you release us now. You have sixty seconds before we help your tractor beam out.=/\= Marari: =/\= You are bluffing, mammal! Pathetic waste of flesh and air! I will enjoy watching you die, Captain- I don't care if it kills me! I don't care if it destroys this whole STATION! I will END you, Sidney Riley! When I am done, you will BEG for a death you never receive! BEG! BEG LIKE A SIMPERING- ::Sidney motioned for Townson to cut the line.:: .... Riley: I'll take Ops...::Sidney motioned for the Ensign who was seated to stand. She moved as quickly as she could and took the seat. She cried out in pain as her hip protested. She bit down on her lip again, a small drop of blood issuing from the wound, and looked over at Townson.:: You can do this Lieutenant. I have complete faith in you flying this ship. Kobylarz: Well we could over load the capacitors on the remaining phasor bank it might add a little to the effect. ::The Captain looked down at the console and began shutting down all the non-essential systems that hadn't been cut yet, there weren't many. She cut everything she knew she safely could and then pulling life support down to minimal, she looked over at Townson. Her bright green eyes were wide, confident, but somewhat hesitant. Was she asking too much of the crew? She felt her stomach twist.:: Riley: oO Not now...no second guesses...Oo Ten, nine, eight..... ::Sidney closed her eyes, only opening them when she felt the ship move in a strange way. She looked over at Townson, her eyes wide.:: Riley: We're lose! Move us back from the station, out of tractor range!....Someone either took the beam down or the Vaadwaur shut it off... ..... ::Sidney smiled a small, sad, tired smile.:: Riley: I told you everything would be okay. ((Flashback 238709.18....Moments Later.....)) :: Smiling widely, he stepped over and saluted. Sidney was in no condition to salute back. She looked up at the Lieutenant and pushed herself up as best she could on the console...:: Riley: oO I have to be strong...Oo ::Her bright green eyes held a far away look as the leader of the CAG gave his report. :: Tan: CAG reporting, sir. We lost Red Three but the crew egressed successfully. Five victories by my count, but there might be more. Th- ... :: he stopped. :: Captain, you're bleeding. Are you okay? ::Sidney let out the breath she'd been holding as she tried to deal with the pain. She blinked and her gaze fell on the rest of the bridge crew before she looked back at him. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion.:: Riley: I am fine Lieutenant. ::Sidney stayed seated at the Ops console, but pushed herself up further in the chair to a more upright position. Her side screamed, and she bit down on her lip again to keep from crying out.:: :: Tan gave a firm nod.:: Tan: A'right, well... permission to accompany you to sickbay, sir? Riley: There are still things that need to be done here. ::The Terran/Deltan gripped the console. Remaining seated she didn't want to admit she couldn't stand. She looked over at Lieutenant Townson.:: Riley: Lieutenant, I believe I should get to sickbay. ::She took in a sharp breath.:: You have the bridge. ((End Flashback)) ::The looming news of war and going back to Bilire IV dregged up all manner of unpleasant and unforgiving memories. Several soft tears strolled down the Terran/Deltan's cheeks.:: ((Surgical Suite 2, Main Sickbay, USS Independence-A, 238709.20)) ::Light:: ::It threatened to break through her consciousness, disrupting the hidden darkness. Enveloped by soft comforting, clean, antiseptic smells the light was inviting, welcoming. The Terran/Deltan opened her eyes and instantly closed them against the offending onslaught of light. She moaned a little as she tried to move, but the lower half of her body didn't want to respond to the commands issued from her brain. Slowly she opened her eyes and took a deep breath of the clean, calming smells.:: ::She knew instantly where she was, sickbay had been her home for years, but she wasn't sure exactly how she'd gotten there. The entire ordeal was a fuzzy mess. She shook her head lightly from side to side trying to gain some perspective.:: Faryul: Doc, she's coming around. Zhou: Thank you, Nishal. If you could give us some privacy? Faryul: Do you want me to talk to the command staff... ::raises an eyebrow:: or whomever else? ::The Bajoran was obviously hinting at a specific someone else, but the Trill/human let it go.:: Zhou: No, that's all right. I'll inform them myself of her condition when I'm done here. ::Faryul exited the suite, leaving Zhou and Riley. The doctor walked closer to the bed and sat down next to his patient:: Riley: oO Sedated...anesthetized. Oo ::She took in a deep breath and saw a welcoming, smiling face.:: Zhou: Captain. Riley: Doctor. ::Her voice was weak, much weaker than she'd expected, but she returned his smile.:: Zhou: Do you know where you are? ::The Captain smiled brightly. It was a standard question and she laughed lightly.:: Riley: Sickbay. Zhou: That's right. You were brought into sickbay several hours ago. Do you remember anything else? ::She could remember flashes, pieces, like a puzzle. One piece was Counselor Avandar, asking if she was okay. Another Alleran Tan, standing with his flight suit in the turbolift his arms around her holding her up. Lieutenant Townson at the helm; she looked nervous. The voice of the one called Marari. The biggest piece however, was the memory of the pain, the pain running up and down her side. It had been almost as intense as the pain she'd felt at the hands of Parrin's torture, and that was saying a lot.:: ::She ran her hand down her side. She couldn't feel anything now.:: Riley: I don't remember everything. The Vaadwaur surrendered...I was on the bridge, the Counselor and... oO The man in the flight suit....Oo After that everything is fuzzy. ::Zhou nodded as the captain recounted the events. While such questions seemed almost akin to small talk, they were actually used to check a patient's mental status, and fortunately, it appeared the captain hadn't suffered any severe neurological damage.:: Zhou: That's all right. You were brought to sickbay by the counselor and one of the pilots. ::Zhou let out another smile.:: Despite your best efforts to sacrifice your health for that of your crew, you were taken to this surgical suite and sedated for an immediate operation. You were hurt pretty badly. Riley: How bad? ::Sidney's expression took on a serious tone.:: Zhou: You suffered severe trauma, including ruptured blood vessels and several pelvic fractures. Your life-threatening injuries from the vascular damage have been stabilized, and we performed a synthetic bone graft to repair the fractures. Riley: ::She paused.:: I can't move my lower left side. ((End Flashback)) ::Sidney opened her eyes and looked up at the offending light. For several moments she wished she could turn it off and stand in the darkness....:: ((Flashback, 238710.03)) ::Clack lowered his head as if considering her comments deeply. All the time, his eyes flashed from yellow to red as he stared directly at Sidney.:: Clack: I was thinking earlier, ::rising to his feet:: I am glad that the Independence is old and big. A home cannot be made habitable in a day, and after all, how days go to make up a lifetime. The walls of my home are broken and the shadows are many. The wind breathes cold through its broken and decayed encirclement. ::He reached down and lit a cigar shielding the flame with his left hand. As he did, the light from the flame cast disturbing shadows across his face as if another one lay hidden just underneath the surface. One that was too disturbing to consider.:: Clack: So I ask you why am I here? ::Sidney watched as the smoke from Clack's cigar rose into the air. It danced with a life of its own around the outline of his face. Blinking, she thought about his question. Her first thought was if he was there, he was obviously there to see her. But then why would he have asked her such a question? She felt herself bristle slightly under the man's gaze.:: Riley: I don't know Darius, why are you here? Clack: ::smiling:: Answer a question with a question.. ::She tried to sit up and failed miserably. She collapsed against the pillows again, a deep frown crossing her face, suddenly she felt very tired.:: Riley: I can't think right now...what are you talking about? Clack: I could hear you from deep within the lower levels of engineering.::break:: The blood nearly froze in my veins for the words that I heard. I don't believe you are really all that well. Riley: I can't! ::Her voice was raising.:: I can't! Don't you know? It's over Darius. Over! Zhou told me I'd never walk again! ::She looked at the Klingon her green eyes flashing. She was breathing heavily and quickly.:: Clack: Over? What do you mean over? ::looking confused:: Riley: You have no idea what I've been through! ::The light from the room seemed to dim briefly around his body for a few seconds.:: Clack: What you have been through? ::He rose to feet and stood directly over her.:: Clack: What you have been through? ::he repeated:: Are we to feel sorry about the poor circumstances that we now find ourselves? ::The Terran/Deltan frowned.:: Riley: I am not feeling sorry for myself. I am...::Pause.::...facing facts. Clack: I image that no one could have possessed a happier childhood than yourself. Come now, ::his voice dropped an octave:: didn't you have to fight for your position here? Or did it come natural to you? ::The Terran/Deltan took in a sharp breath, her eyes flashed.:: Riley: Happier childhood? ::She glared at the man.:: You shouldn't talk about things you know nothing about! ::She felt the anger beginning to grow in the pit of her stomach. Shannon had essentially told her the same thing. How dare he assume things about her! She lost everything in her childhood, including her father and her sister. Everything had been taken from her.:: I've fought for everything I have ever had...I have always taken what I wanted. ::She gripped the sides of the bed. Happier childhood...:: oO Yeah that's why I ran away twice...Oo Clack: Are you going to lie there like a coward or are you going to meet your challenge head on. Riley: I am not a coward! ::She felt herself trembling as she tried to slow the tears running down her cheeks. His comment cut straight to her heart.:: This is different... Clack: Perhaps I should finish the job for you. ::With one hand, Darius raised Sidney up from her lying position. He held her suspended against the wall high off the floor.:: ::The motion was so swift she found herself looking down at Darius Clack from where he held her against the wall before she knew what happened. Bright green eyes met his directly. Her eyes held no fear, there was a hint of anger andsomething else, something that was always hidden just beneath the surface when she looked at the Klingon man. Taking a deep breath, she glared at him.:: Clack: What will the others say such as Admiral Mar? ::break:: Captain Sidney Riley was found after coming in second place against the only adversary that she couldn't find the courage to meet head on? Riley: You put me down Darius Clack! ::She cleared her throat as the tears stopped falling from her eyes. Her gaze was intense.:: And Mar is not an Admiral.... ::The comment seemed to confuse Darius. He absorbed it like a boxer would a right hook.:: Clack: I can smell the fear in you. Your eyes and your words conflict. Riley: I am not afraid! How dare you insult my honor! Clack: Honor? What is honor? ::break:: Honor without action is meaningless. ::She tried to wiggle out of Darius' grip, but he was much stronger physically than she was. After a moment, she let her body go limp.:: Riley: I've never settled for second place! Not by choice! ::Her eyes went wide and she paused, her voice was angry and passionate.:: You *$&%^*#&^$#, you put me down Commander! Clack: You always have a choice. Riley: Who are you to dictate to me?! If you wanted to finish the job you would have done so already! You don't play games. Darius Clack, am I to believe you have changed? ::She looked down into Darius' eyes.:: Clack: Changed? Changed from what? Riley: And just who are you to question my personal life? Haven't you ever looked into the vast expanse of nothingness and wanted someone, something to share it with? ::She looked towards the far wall with her eyes.:: Perhaps...::She paused and then looked directly at him, her expression one of seriousness.:: I am living a lie. Clack: When you look into the vast expanse of nothingness, don't you realize that it stares back at you? ::break:: You can't see the forest for the trees. ::Slowly a small knowing smile crossed her face.:: Riley: There is only one I've ever stood in second place for. ::Pause.:: At least I'll be in good company living that lie. Clack: Lies are like a vortex of perpetual wishes bundled up awaiting to destroy everything around it if you allow it. Riley: Now, you put me down Darius Clack, that's not a request! Clack: As you wish. ::Darius gently lowered Sidney down into her previous position.:: Clack: It seems that you search too hard for things. ::She blinked as he set her down and looked up at him with a somewhat confused expression.:: Riley: What do you mean? Clack: You search too hard to satisfy your personal intimacy. ::he turned to leave:: You can try too hard, you know. Riley: I do try ::Her green eyes sparkled as she looked at him but held a melancholy sense of apprehension.:: but still there are some lines which are difficult to cross. Clack: Remember when the Reapers invaded the Tiger? ::Sidney paused for a moment. That seemed like so long ago...so many things had happened since then.:: Riley: Yes. Clack: I don't know what happened to that Captain Sidney Riley, I hope she returns to us one day. ::Slowly he turned around to face her. Gently, he leaned down and kissed Sidney.:: ::A sense of almost surprise and confusion came over her all at once. Darius had never kissed her like that before. She closed her eyes. She felt like she could melt, like she was floating all at the same time. When she opened her eyes, they were full of fire and sparkled in the darkness with a sense of life.:: Clack: Everything is up to you now. ::break:: You are an intelligent woman. You will make the right decision. ((End Flashback)) ::Sidney took a deep breath. Darius was right, she couldn't do this...she had a choice. Things had been bad last time, but this time...this time she was stronger. Her hands balled into fists at her side. The doors to the lift swished open without ceremony. Sidney stepped out onto the deck. Her mind drifting further as she walked.:: ((Flashback, Twilight's Edge, 238803.28, Ehlanii/Brice Wedding)) :: Sidney turned towards the Vaadwaur woman seated at the table. :: Riley: Hello, you must be Yin. :: Yin inclined her head slightly towards the woman. The woman's demeanor reminded her somewhat of herself when she was in duty mode. The inclining of the head sort of like a nod. :: Yin: I am called Yin, yes. I have been told you are the Captain of the Independence? Riley: Yes, I am Sidney Riley. :: Yin nodded again, her arms by her sides. The woman looked so stiff. It reminded Sidney of duty and decorum. She took a small breath and offered an encouraging smile, so far things were going okay...just okay...not bad, not good...just...yeah.:: Yin: You were known to me even before....After the events of what you would call "Operation Bright Star" the Vaadwaur have taken to calling you "Al'alashi", or in your own language, "The Stormbringer". Your losses then were light, as was my understanding, a testament to the courage and skill of your crew. They bought themselves and their Captain great honour. ::For a moment Sidney's face held a surprised expression. Al'alashi, the Stormbringer... Storms, they had been a consistent element of her dreams since Operation Bright Star...thunder, lightening, wind, tornadoes...elements of wonder and strength but if not respected destruction. The Terran/Deltan looked down at the table for a moment, when she looked back up her face held a serious expression, equal to Yin's in it's steel and determination. The way the woman spoke to her surprised the Fleet Captain, there had been losses on both sides, and still this woman seemed to regard her with a certain amount of respect even though, their ideals and convictions had not been the same. Sidney nodded lightly.:: Riley: I am honored by your words Yin, as is my crew. ((End Flashback)) ::"The Stormbringer".....Sidney knew she had a reputation in battle. A formidable one... Hopefully this would not descend into a full scale war, especially not against the Klingons. They were an honorable race, a full proud culture. They were strong allies....:: ::Her brisk pace stopped as she rounded the corner towards her quarters. She turned abruptly and headed towards engineering at a leisurly pace. There was someone she wanted to visit.:: TBC.... Fleet Captain Sidney Riley Commanding Officer USS Tiger-A

((USS Mercury - Deck 3, Corridor)) ::Isaac stood outside the VIP quarters shortly after making the last of his preparations. The game of cat and mouse was over. He was going to end this here and now. He took a deep breath to center himself, then closed his eyes and opened his mind, searching for his prey. It didn't take him long to find them inside the VIP quarters, along with several menials. Zolrak and Dreth stood off to one side of the room, probably whispering beyond earshot of the other Cardassians present. He could feel their excitement, their eagerness. They were waiting for the call to beam down to the planet so they could make their move. Isaac opened his eyes and growled. They would never get the chance.:: Bale: Computer, execute program Bale Delta Seven, phase one. ::Isaac removed a small device from one of his combat suit's pouches as he counted down the twenty seconds until the VIP Quarters would open before him. The device was programmed to emit a series of bright flashes and tremendously loud bangs, effectively overloading the sensory input of most humanoids. Even as he readied the device, the Mercury's environmental control systems were rapidly dropping the temperature inside the VIP Quarters to just above the freezing point. Cardassians didn't like the cold, and could not easily cope with the drastic change in temperature. The rapid climate change combined with the device in his hand would disorient everyone inside the room, and give Isaac a good 15 to 20 seconds of distinct advantage. He intended to make them count.:: ((USS Mercury - VIP Quarters)) Zolrak: What? What’s happening. The cold? Dreth: Bale... :: His eyes lowered and a sneer crossed his wretched mouth :: ::The doors opened and Isaac tossed his distraction into the room. He ducked to the side of the door and drew the compressed air gun from his hip as he waited for the flashing lights and the thunderous report to pass. As soon as it did, he was on the move. He spun into the room, bringing the gun up in front of him as he did, and quickly sorted through hostiles. Zolrak and Dreth were right where he expected them to be, though both were now reeling from sensory overload. With practiced marksmanship Isaac fired one shot into the neck of each of them, planting a small metallic dart deep enough into their flesh to require a minor surgical procedure to remove.:: Bale: Computer, execute phase two! Zolrak: Argh! You! ::Dreth rolled to one side and felt his neck. The man had shot him with something, although he wasn't quite sure what it was. He picked up the phaser rifle to his right and pointed it at the pathetic Betazoid.:: ::Recognizing Isaac's command, the door leading out to the corridor closed and sealed behind him. He would not allow these men to escape. They were dead already, they just didn't know it yet. As soon as the door sealed, a dampening field sprang into existence to fill the room. It wouldn't last long, a few minutes at most, but that was all Bale needed. The room went dark, save for the light of the stars streaking past the large view ports, and one of the Cardassian menials cried out as he recovered from the shock only to discover that the disruptor he now held had been rendered useless. Isaac charged straight at him and leaped into the air. A heavy boot connecting squarely with his nose sent that man to the floor and ended his confusion.:: Zolrak: Star Fleet…. Scum! Ooof! Dreth: Smart boy... But a boy nontheless... ::The hooded Cardassian revolutionary had seen his fair share of battles, had beaten countless lifeforms in combat, and wasn't about to quit now. He lunged at the man throwing whatever punch, elbow, knee and kick he could muster. He was having trouble finding an opening. He made a grab for his close range blade, throwing it at Bale, to which he ducked quickly sending the blade instead into the eye of one of the other Cardassians.:: ::Isaac moved like lightning. Every move... every spin, duck, dive and tumble left him perfectly in balance and continuing his momentum. With the three remaining menials in close proximity and still slightly stunned, Isaac rained blow after blow against them until all three were unconscious next to the man who had drawn the disruptor. Only Zolrak and Dreth remained. Isaac stalked toward them slowly, allowing them to regain their senses. He wanted them to see it. He wanted them to know. His eyes... his heart... held nothing but hatred. These two men were the embodiment of everything their people had done to him. They had taken everything from him. He didn't even know if Velana still lived. They had taken that, as well. These two men may not have been there all those years ago, but after what had happened to Velana, he was holding them responsible for all of it. He took that blame and draped it across their shoulders like a mantle.:: Zolrak: You… you will be punished for this! Dreth: The time for words has passed... You... Boy... You won't survive this day. Bale: I don't care. Zolrak: We will… make an… example of you… Dreth: ::He made sure to smile grimly at the man.:: An example... just as I did your girlfriend... ::A small laugh could be heard:: ::Isaac almost paused in his advance at Dreth's comment. Almost. Was that what Velana had become to him? It didn't matter now. Dreth was trying to play a psychological game. He had no idea who he was facing. Whatever Velana meant to him, Isaac had decided to kill these Cardassians. Nothing would stop him now.:: Bale: ::slower this time:: I don't care. Zolrak: But? Dreth: ENOUGH! ::he rasped to Zolrak:: Bale: ::drawing a combat blade into each hand:: I don't care. ::Isaac rushed forward at the two Cardassians. To their credit, they moved in concert. Zolrak went to the left and Dreth to the right, forcing Bale to divide his attention. He swung a blade at Zolrak's face, forcing the Cardassian to lean back and put himself off balance. Rather than taking advantage of that, Isaac had to spin around in the other direction to duck under a heavy two-handed punch from Dreth. Again he was forced to reverse direction, and he kicked one foot out to the side and behind him into the gut of the fast approaching Zolrak. He took several hits as the exchange continued, but his balance was enough to roll with the blows and prevent any serious damage. Still, he needed to end this quickly.:: ::Zolrak knew he was fighting for his life. Somehow this Betazoid had uncovered their crime, and was not going to allow them to escape. The cold and the stinging on his neck were not helping Zolrak in his actions, but he gritted his teeth and continued his life or death struggle.:: ::Dreth wasn't as dumb as he looked. He moved to the side of the advancing Betazoid and drew his secret weapon. The hypospray was primed and ready for injection. This would be the last time the young man would fight.:: ::Isaac turned his attention to Zolrak as the man grabbed a heavy sculpture off the shelf on the wall next to him. He stepped forward, shifting his weight onto his left leg and raising that sculpture high above his head. Just as Isaac was about to side step the hammer blow that was coming his way, he caught the slightest flicker of Zolrak's eyes over his shoulder. Time seemed to slow down as Isaac sent his mind forcefully into Zolrak's. He saw through Zolrak's eyes, for one brief moment, Dreth coming in behind him with one arm outstretched... and a hypospray in his hand.:: Bale: oO Now. Oo ::In one smooth motion Isaac spun around toward Dreth, flipping the knives in his hands as he did so, so that the blades extended down opposite his thumbs. Stepping inside the reach of Dreth's extended arm, Isaac brought the edge of his first blade smoothly and powerfully up across the wrist of that same arm. The razor sharp weapon neatly severed blood vessels and tendons alike, sending the hypospray flying harmlessly away. Isaac dropped down low and reversed direction as he continued his spin. He extended his arm and drove his second blade deep into the back of Zolrak's leading leg, forcing the man to drop the sculpture or go to the ground with it. His leg would no longer support the added weight. Before either of the Cardassians could react to their sudden injuries, Isaac rolled out to the side away from them both. He came to his feet a few meters away and stood at ease facing them. Dreth was grasping his torn wrist with his opposite hand to keep his life's blood from escaping, and Zolrak could no longer stand without the support of a wall.:: ::A stream of Cardassian expletives shot from Zolrak’s foamed mouth.:: Zolrak: ****** you **** Betazoid. Dreth: AAARRGGHH!!! ::Dreth collapsed to the floor looking at the dangling meat that used to be his hand. He couldn't help but notice the black marks along the incisions. He suddenly felt ill. Violently ill. He immediately puked a stream of clotted blood to the floor.:: Bale: ::calmly, coldly:: Computer, execute phase three. ::Lights filled the room once more as the dampening field disappeared, and the two Cardassians looked at Isaac with curious expressions. Isaac turned and stabbed his blades into the table next to him, displaying the slow rivulets of Cardassian blood sliding down each of them. Very slowly... very deliberately... Isaac removed the two empty sheaths that had held those blades from his belt. He held the sheaths forward, drawing the eyes of both men, and tipped them over to let the greasy black liquid ooze out onto the floor.:: Bale: You remember the Arboretum. Zolrak: Noooooo! oO It can’t be?Oo ****** you. Bale: ::ignoring the curses:: Computer, execute program Bale Delta Seven, final phase. ::It took only a moment for the Mercury's transporter system to lock onto the transponders planted in the Cardassians' necks by tiny metal darts just minutes before. As the two men disappeared in that familiar blue glow, Isaac hoped they would keep their senses long enough to feel every second of the pain. ((Planet’s Surface)) ::Dreth and Zolrak emerged alone and gasping on a rocky landscape, the air punctuated by explosions and rumbles. Zolrak gazed up, his vision beginning to blur. A horde of giant Klingons charged towards him, rifles aimed at him. He slumped to one knee.:: ::When Dreth's vision returned, his training from the Cardassian military had sprang forth once again. He tucked and rolled, getting back up to his feet. He turned one last time to see a group of Klingons surrounding Zolrak, his face crumbling from the affects of the poison they had been injected with. Dreth looked at his own stub seeing it begin to turn black. He remembered the small vial in his pouch pocket...:: Zolrak: F..Friend! ::looking and reaching towards Dreth:: Klingon: Karadat Nunaak! ::The Klingon group was closing in as Zorlak was helpless. He couldn't even run if he wanted to with the wound on his leg slowly spreading. The Klingons growled and snarled in their crude language. Dreth just watched from a small crater.:: Zolrak: Help? Klingon: Grishnak Vorndak! Zolrak: I… don’t understand. ::Zolrak's wound was growing. Black pustules were forming on his exposed skin, and he was slowly losing consciousness. The latter was in fact a blessing, as the pain of his festering body was excruciating.:: ::Dreth took the ampule of antidote from his pocket and ingested it. The course would run slower through his intestines, but at least he would survive. He would need to find sufficient places to hide, and eventually a ride off of this blasted rock. As for Zolrak, he served his purpose...:: Zolrak: Dreth.. go! I failed. ::Dreth said nothing, only glared at the man melting before him.:: ::With Dreth making his way, the Klingons surrounded Zolrak’s crumpled form, watching in fascination as this Cardassian slowly melted in front of their very eyes. They didn’t have to wait long before the spectacle was over and they could continue their charge for glory!:: ::Baren Dreth ran as fast as he could; to where, he didn't know. He was beginning to feel better by now, but a contempt filled his still-cold heart. He stood upon a cliff-like embankment staring upon the battle that raged below. He'd never lost an incursion to anyone... And soon enough, he would have his revenge...:: To Be Continued… Lt.(j.g.) Isaac Bale Starfleet Intelligence USS Mercury NCC-99812 & Zolrak Aide to Councilor Prianna as simmed by Lt. Commander Eyas Wulfantine Chief Tactical Officer USS Mercury NCC-99812 & Baren Dreth as simmed by Lieutenant Viktor Lanius Acting First Officer USS Apollo NCC-71669