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JP: Fleet Captain Diego Herrera & Lt Kael Thomas - Time To Say goodbye((USS Vigilant, Deck 1: Captain’s Ready Room)) ::It took Kael a little while to work up the courage to ask the captain what he planned to do. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to do it, he just didn’t want to have the discussion about doing it. T’Rella didn’t have anyone on board to look after her things, so Kael had hoped the Captain would allow him to do that for her.:: ::Diego looked up from his PADD as he heard the chime at the door. He hadn’t been short of visitors lately, which was to be expected after such a gruelling mission, and he wondered who he’d be meeting with this time.:: Herrera: Come in! ::Kael entered and found the Captain behind his desk. He was surrounded by PADDs, of which would likely be mission reports and briefings. The Captain looked as though he’d had a lot less sleep than he should have. :: Thomas: Captain. Herrera: Kael. What can I do for you? ::His chief engineer had been through the mill, that was for sure. His team had ended up almost literally up to their eyeballs in bluegill parasites and it was a miracle that most of them had made it back.:: Thomas: Sir...I know Ensign T’Rella, didn’t have any family close by. ::Kael hadn’t really talked about how he felt about all of the deaths he’d seen while on the mission. He witnessed Solor and Varis’s death, and arrived back to hear about T’Rella’s. Kael knew death was a natural thing. He was even taught, and somewhat conditioned, to expect it during the course of his starfleet career. But it was entirely different in person. It was entirely different to watch one of your own get infested by a parasite, to then tear the life from another. Kael’s dreams were of bluegills.:: ::Diego immediately put the PADD down because he could tell that Kael really needed some friendly support. He’d been with Solor and Varis’s team when they’d been killed and T’Rella had effectively been his assistant.:: Herrera: That’s right. What is it, Kael? Thomas: Well, I’d like to be the one to pack up her belongings...to...err send back home. ::Diego thought carefully about the idea. Being as he wasn’t related to T’Rella, there could, in theory, be a complaint if word got out that he’d packed up her things. However, Diego just couldn’t see a situation where he wouldn’t be willing to field that complaint, because he didn’t think that her family, who were Vulcan, no less, would speak out in anger about the fact her department head wanted to take some time to adjust to the fact she was gone.:: ::The Captain seemed to look at Kael for a while. Kael thought the Captain was about to deny his request.:: Herrera: I’ll do you a deal. You’re good to do it if I come with you. ::That seemed like the best solution. That way, any objections would have to be levelled at Diego, and he could keep the chief company at the same time.:: Thomas: Of course sir….Thank you. ::Kael hadn’t anticipated the Captain wanting to help or come along. It was easy to imagine the Captain didn’t personally know, or want to know everyone onboard. Being detached was a way to keep yourself protected, to shield yourself from the death, and the loss of those who serve under you. Kael wondered if the Captain was different, or was this simply a way for him to move on also.:: ::The pair reached the Ensign’s room, with very little conversation. Both appeared lost in their own thoughts and intentions.:: Thomas: It will be locked sir. You’ll need to override it. ::Diego raised an eyebrow and bit his tongue as he looked at the door. He wasn’t even sure if he was ready to walk into the room and he hadn’t known T’Rella even a fraction as well as Kael had.:: Herrera: Computer, override locking mechanism. Authorisation: Herrera phi three seven seven echo. ::As the doors opened, a scent hit Kael. It was the same scent that the Ensign had clinging to her clothes each day in Engineering. Her meditation candle. In the small confines of the room, it apparently permeated the cabin and all its occupants.:: ::The room was immaculately kept. Everything has it’s particular place, and everything was folded and left perfectly clean. He wasn’t surprised by that at all. She was a precise, almost fastidious person. It was not shock, that her room reflected her work ethic.:: ::Kael had arranged some containers for her items before asking the captain. Picking up one, he moved to the first cabinet. There was a picture of her and her family in the frame. A traditionalist, it looked as though the photo was a printed one, and not in a digital frame. The image of T’Rella instantly brought back memories, and brought back that he wasn’t going to see her again. That she was gone. Tears welled in his eyes, and streaked down his face.:: ::Wiping his face, and sniffling, Kael realised that hiding the fact that he had teared up was no good.:: ::It was a painful moment for Kael and Diego had the utmost of sympathy for him. It was always difficult to see people lose those who were close to them, even if that had largely been in a professional capacity.:: Herrera: You alright, Kael? You don’t have to do this now if you need some time. Thomas: I’m ok. Just hit me a bit when I saw her picture. ::That was understandable; he hadn’t seen her since before the bluegill mission after all and seeing her image on a picture would likely be enough to remind him that he wouldn’t be seeing her again any time soon, either. Diego felt the same way to some extent, although he was protected to a degree by the fact they hadn’t crossed paths all that often.:: Herrera: Yeah, that’s understandable. Take your time. ::Placing the picture in the container, he turned to face the Captain.:: Thomas: It’s not meant to be like this all the time is it? I don’t think I’m overly fond of people I work with… ::He trailed off, finishing that sentence wasn’t necessary.:: ::That really did strike a chord with Diego. Two of the people he had considered friends had become casualties during the last mission. One hadn’t made it. While he hadn’t been as close with the other two members of his crew, he felt like he was responsible for them and really did care about the fact that they were now dead.:: Herrera: ::Nodding slowly:: They tell you when you go through command training that you should keep a distance between yourself and those under your command. I don’t think I agree. I think maybe it should be like this all the time, because then it reminds you that your crew are the resource that you have to be the most careful with. On some level, losing three people wasn’t too high a price when the number of Laudean lives that had been saved were considered. That attitude is one that only people who didn’t know the people we lost can take, though, because I would pretty much do anything to not have had to write letters to the families of Varis, T’Rella and Solor. Thomas: Yeah, I know. I suppose you’ve got a harder time of it than most. ::Being the captain, and responsible for far more people than Kael, was a huge burden. One of those burdens was times like this and the need to place calls into the families of those who have lost their lives under your command.:: ::Diego waved off the comment almost as soon as Kael had made it, screwing up his face.:: Herrera: Agh… I don’t believe that. Sure, I’m the guy who has to make the awkward call home, but we all feel losses like these. I didn’t know T’Rella that well, but I know I’m gonna miss Solor because I’d known him for a few years. It’ll take time for us all to adjust. ::Swallowing that comment for few seconds, Kael acknowledged that he really had no idea what the Captain was going through. What he could acknowledge was his appreciation.:: Thomas: Thanks for coming with me also. It’s a little harder than I expected. ::This was a bit of a last goodbye, that he didn’t get to say to T’Rella. A sense of closure and a boot long for Kael to accept the loss.:: Herrera: No worries. I think this is gonna be good for me, too. ::He started helping Kael load up the first container that he’d brought into the room.:: Thomas: ::Taking a deep breath.:: This helps me, say a kind of Goodbye that I didn’t get to. ::The pair very sensitively packed up the contents of the room, ready for the handover to her parents. Kael was glad for the Captain’s company during a difficult time. He’d not spent much time with him over the past few months, and he’d certainly grown a lot of respect for him since then.:: ::Diego wordlessly helped Kael to square away T’Rella’s belongings, aware of how important a step it would be in the chief engineer’s grieving process. He and the lieutenant had been serving together for a good while now and Diego felt that he needed to make more of an effort to get to know him. He’d not found his way down to engineering that often since launch and that was something he needed to put right as soon as possible.:: ::The unlikely duo, finished packing up the late Ensigns room with minimal fuss, and great respect and compassion. With the contents packed and ready to be transported to her family, Kael paused to take a look at how her entire life was now packed into a few boxes. Kael pondered just what his box contents might look like when his time came around. :: ::Exchanging a nod of completion, and thanks, the pair parted their separate ways. :: TBC A JP by Lt Kael Thomas Chief Engineering Officer USS Vigilant & Fleet Captain Diego Herrera Commanding Officer USS Vigilant NCC-75515 Deputy Commandant: UFOP: SB118 Academy

(( Kjenta II, Command Center )) :: Struggling against the elemental forces of the planet, the Away Team boldly struck a path. From the wreck of the USS Cook to the antenna, they had been attacked and harassed at every turn. Rogg had collected some specimens before hurrying to rejoin the rest. "Hurrying" was a relative term here. The second planet of the Kjenta system had gravity almost three times that of Earth. :: :: The Away Team made it to the control center. The answers, the secrets behind the mysterious ions flooding the atmosphere, a way to return to Discovery -- everything should have fallen into place once they reached the controls of the antenna. Instead of answers the crazy Treng was waiting. And after she hurled Doctor Aven aside, everything went to pieces. :: ROGG: Aven. :: There were only a couple seconds. Treng was focused on Doctor Aven in a way people lacking telekinesis could not appreciate. What Rogg did understand was that she should not have singled out the small, benign Raskorian. The Dachlyd crossed the room furtively, although wary eyes in the Away Team could not have missed Rogg's relocation. :: :: With an imperious tone the former Starfleet Science officer continued to address her adversaries. :: TRENG: All you had to do was lay your down your weapons. We would have had a nice chat, perhaps a cup of tea, and then called home to your Federation. Once certain assurances were in place, we all could have beamed up to your waiting ship and gone home. Ticker tape parades, after-school specials, and a protection from your Federation using us so that old, fat, rich people could live to be older, fatter and richer. But no, you had to do things the hard way. oO I have no idea to what Treng refers. But, yes. There is that look in Tyr's eyes once more. Oo :: A lack of mammalian dermal responses saved Rogg any chills from disquiet. But the Dachlyd's breath caught short, and not just from the increased gravity. Tyr was usually easy-going and paternal. But the Dachlyd officer knew Tyr's unflinching gaze, recognized grim determination there. :: WALTAS: ::Snorting:: You mean NOT your way. There is a difference, Treng. I’m not offering a sit-down. Surrender or die. Those are your choices. And that’s more than you gave Moretti. TRENG: Moretti's death was never part of the plan. Jenkins had orders not to fire. You heard me give those orders yourself. Nobody was supposed to get hurt. WALTAS: So all of the puppets dance for you, and their strings don’t get cut? Maybe I’m just getting on in years, but I stopped taking orders a long time ago from megalomaniacs. Starfleet is founded on exploration and peaceful coexistence with other races, not dictatorial madmen who rule through fear and threats of death. :: The discussion was one of desperation. Frustration had given way to anger, and from a mutual rage Tyr Waltas and Treng were attempting to come to terms. It was not going well. Treng held on to the last tatters of a dream which likely died hundreds of years in the past. Waltas was already sizing up an opponent, formulating an attack. Treng probably did not even realize it. :: :: The Captain's words struck something within the Counselor. "Fear" and "threats". Already two lay on the floor from Treng. Rogg could not understand how Treng had diverged from being a Science officer to this, amoral thing. The Dachlyd understood the madness had to stop. :: TRENG: That may be, but I learned my lesson about how far Starfleet can be trusted. We played by all of the rules the first time, and six of my crew were killed for our trouble, and after that we were just abandoned. Two and a quarter centuries is a long time to wait Captain Waltas. PAVLOVA: It's true then? WALTAS: ::Casting an apologetic look at the Marine:: I’m sorry, Irina. It is. And we’re trying to get you home. TRENG: So again I give you the choice. Drop your weapons, sit down and we can talk things out like grown-ups, or you will never leave this high-gravity paradise of a planet. WALTAS::Shaking his head:: And again I tell you that a choice between death and your way is no choice at all. I’m sorry Treng but you leave me no- :: Rogg had just begun creeping closer to Treng, then there was noise. The report of ancient weapons pierced the room. One of the Security guards went down immediately in a spray of blood, and Pavlova seemed to be the other target. Tyr barked out orders.:: WALTAS: Everyone down! :: Lacking the combat instincts Starfleet had tried to impart via drilling, Rogg flattened against a wall. The green reptiloid would have made a comical target. But there were distractions on the other side of the room. :: :: Most of the Discovery crew followed Tyr's example. Doctor Aven was still in a daze across the control room. Rogg couldn't see where Raj had gone. Treng was so close by. The Dachlyd could smell her - breath, flakes of skin, oil, sweat, all mixing with the residue of chemical propellant spreading in the air. :: oO Too much. Where are all of these bullets coming from? Oo :: The intrepid Dachlyd did not notice much of what everyone else did. :: :: The room grew dark, but it did not matter. Rogg had the scent of Treng. There was more gunfire and the sound of people running. Someone screamed. Rogg's shields filled with the sound of Treng's breathing, her concerted movements as she searched around. She was alert for someone, someone charging her. There was a faint tang of oil and carbon steel. At the last moment Rogg almost hesitated, but that was merely a thought. The thought died. :: WALTAS: Rogg! Morningsong! NOW! :: The Dachlyd was already upon the despot of Kjenta. Seeking to drive her to the floor, claws clutched at exposed shoulders only guarded by thin skin. Treng fell, and twisted sharply, wrenched herself free from Rogg's unpracticed hold. Gouts of blood spattered to the floor. She was crouched and staring straight at her Dachlyd attacker. :: oO Her gaze. Her gaze. No. Oo :: Somehow Rogg believed Treng's mental powers shot from her eyes, but whatever Rogg's spurious logic the immediate effect was that Rogg went for them. Glittering, wet eyes beheld for an instant dagger claws. :: :: Rogg's breathing did not quicken, though Treng gasped and struggled. She squirmed and thrashed, Rogg held her closer, tried holding her head still to cease whatever unknown power she sought to unleash. :: oO No one else can die. Protect. Rings. Oo ROGG: Grakiss- hssalt. Ernt. ::A kick landed directly under the Dachlyd's ribs.:: Gahss. :: One of Rogg's hands instinctively flinched towards the injury. The Dachlyd remembered the power of Treng's eyes, resumed driving thumbs into them as Rogg's hands held her fiercely struggling head. Blood welled from gouged sockets and claws disappeared into the dark pools. :: :: The kick unbalanced Rogg, but with high gravity and a tail stable position was soon regained. A prehensile foot maneuvered out and up, tried to pin the kicking legs. Treng's foot struck Rogg in the crotch. Rogg shifted weight to the extended leg, counterbalanced by tail, and dug with the other foot. Curved claws capable of supporting one hundred kilograms dug into flesh unguarded by scales. Treng screamed in death agony, prompting Rogg to screech back in the unnerving, Dachlydish manner. The long toes raked flesh again and again until the blows to Rogg's groin ceased. Rogg's grasping foot sliced down unresisting thigh until claws snagged in the bundle of tendon and ligament joining the patella. :: :: The Dachlyd was out of breath, light-headed, breathed in fully, a bit more cognizant. Thumbs twisted slightly in Treng's still skull, advanced no further. The stricken woman screamed without cease. Rogg could feel the scrape of bone, warmth, fluttering pulse in a heart's panic. Dimly some xenobiology fact surfaced in the reptilian mind, that brain trauma was not guaranteed to be fatal. :: oO Tiger. Lion. Cheetah. Yawn. Oo :: A woman’s scream was cut off suddenly, violently, and then the room grew silent. :: oO Oh rocks, flaming rocks. Oo :: Treng's smell was everywhere. Cloying in its meat-stench, rank in Rogg's nostrils was a different, death smell. An awful taste, at once unknown and yet conspicuously Treng oozed over Rogg's tongue, refused to depart as the powerful, wedge-shaped head retreated, jaws parted with a smack. :: :: With all haste the Dachlyd rose. Fingers slipped out easily. Head looked up to a room of chaos, a room which felt surreal, a place with some familiar fixtures, faces -- and also strange and alien. Rogg moved a few centimeters and stumbled. Claws were tangled in tendons and powerful muscle tissue. :: :: Turning carefully, only the leg and its bloodied cloth cover was visible. Rogg crouched, freed the stuck claws. :: :: The reptiloid officer, ostensible Counselor of the USS Discovery, moved away and became resolutely interested in nothing. :: :: Power was restored to some degree. Two gunmen lay dead in the hallway. Discovery’s personnel had not escaped without harm: Duquzieny was dead, along with Tom Westerbridge. Pavlova lay bleeding out, and Raj had disappeared. Doctor Aven appeared to be ambulatory. Rogg looked away before the Raskorian could see. Rogg turned to note Captain Tyr Waltas. The warrior cleaned the edge of his blade with a cloth reserved for that sole purpose. :: WALTAS: ::Sheathing the katana:: Doctor, see to Pavlova. Rogg, come with me. Stavins, Amman, Eskyys, see what you can do with this equipment. I recognize this room from Treng’s transmission, so we can assume it’s still capable of transmitting. Try to raise the Discovery. The rest of you form a rear guard. No one comes into this room unless they are unarmed and wearing a Discovery uniform. Understood? :: Rogg made to speak, suddenly found himself gagging. :: ROGG: ::spitting repeatedly:: Aye-aye, sssir. oO This is not going away. What do I do? Follow Tyr. Oo MORNING-SONG: Is there anyone else who needs Medical attention ? :: Rogg almost chimed in, and thought better of it. The Dachlyd instead limped after Waltas. :: TBC... Lieutenant Commander Inarr "Steve" Rogg d'Squamos murderer USS Discovery-C, Away Team

((The Runabout Bar, Deep Space 6)) ::He had nothing in his hands except some mismatched cards, but without hesitating for even so much as a second, Cade Whitman pushed all of his chips towards the center of the table and leaned back in his chair like a man who had already won the pot.:: Cade: ::smugly:: All in, gentlemen. ::There was a ripple of surprise around the table, but Cade was only looking at the Ferengi sitting across from him. The expression on his grotesque face, so confident a moment earlier, had morphed into one of worried panic. He looked back down at his cards, then at the chips between them, then up at Cade.:: ::Years of playing Texas Hold 'Em had taught Cade that now was the perfect moment to grin. His legendary smile, which had gotten him out of as much trouble as it had gotten him into, was enough to make the Ferengi throw down his cards.:: Rek: I fold, Human. ::The uproar that Cade caused when he revealed his hand was just as much of a reward for him as collecting the large pot of money. Poker was never about luck. For Cade, it was all about subterfuge. A good thing, considering how little luck he'd had lately.:: ::There had only been that one bit of good fortune a few months back.:: ::After ensuring that his winnings were transferred to his credit line, Cade briefly considered a celebratory trip to one of the bar's holosuites, but ultimately decided against it. He had never had to resort to holographic sex, a fact in which he took great pride, and he refused to sink that low just because he couldn't get one particular woman out of his head.:: ::Not even the gorgeous half-Orion barmaid who had served him all night long had managed to drive that one woman out of his thoughts. Taking the waitress up on her unspoken offer would have been so easy, but Cade had just shaken his head and stopped ordering drinks. He had spent years settling for replicated meat product, but having tasted corn-fed beef once again, he didn't know if he'd ever be able to go back.:: ::Not that women were cattle. Far from it. Cade didn't figure there was a man in Starfleet with a greater appreciation of women than him, but he had known enough of them biblically to know the difference between someone who would be fun for one night and someone who would keep him interested.:: ::So far, he'd only met one of the latter.:: ::DS6 was light years away from rural Texas, both literally and figuratively. Cade strolled the promenade, hands in the pockets of his dark parks, taking in the sights, sounds and smells. Everyone back home, at least those who had never been off-planet, always asked him to describe everything, but how did you explain the overwhelming odor of a Klingon or the painful sweetness of a jumja stick to someone who had never experienced them? It was as difficult as describing a Texas summer to an Andorian.:: ::Cade had only been on the station for a few days, but he was already eager for his next assignment to begin. The USS Vigilant might have been a step down from the Washington, but it wasn't as if he'd been reassigned to a relay station. And he couldn't say that a fresh start wasn't exactly what he needed. Even with a permanent black mark on his records, he could build a new reputation on the Vigilant, a reputation that would take him all the way to his ultimate goal.:: ::He really should have expected to find the Ferengi Rek waiting for him outside his temporary quarters, but the problem with fake confidence was that in tricking others, it often tricked him, too. What was the first lesson he'd learned at the Academy? "A Ferengi and his profit are not easily parted.":: ::And this Ferengi had friends.:: Rek: ::snarling:: You tricked me, Human. ::Cade folded his arms as casually as possible.:: Cade: I can't deny that any more than you can deny that you let yourself be tricked. ::Rek and his posse bristled at this. Frankly, Cade was surprised his logic hadn't merely sailed over their bald heads.:: Rek: I demand a rematch!! Cade: ::shaking his head:: So sorry, gentlemen, but the game is over. If you'll excuse me... ::Of course they wouldn't. That he had expected, so when the first punch was thrown, he was prepared. One Ferengi opponent would have made for a boring win. Four, however, was a real fight.:: ::There were several moments, usually when a fist connected with his flesh, that Cade considered tapping his comm badge and calling for security, but he had never been one to wuss out of a conflict, physical or otherwise. Rek needed to learn that Starfleet officers weren't pushover peacekeepers and apparently it had fallen to Cade to school him.:: ::Rek's friends eventually fled when it became clear that they had messed with the wrong Human, but Rek was dumber and it was his profit in question. He held out until Cade had him up against the wall by the collar of his shirt.:: ::Nearly breathless, but pumped full of adrenaline, Cade pressed his other arm against the little alien's throat.:: Cade: You lost. ::He increased the pressure enough to make Rek gasp for air.:: Walk away. ::It was only when Rek nodded that he let go. The Ferengi scrambled to get away, leaving Cade battered, but triumphant in the corridor.:: ::In his room, Cade cataloged his injuries. Nothing serious he figured, although his ribs ached as if one of them was fractured. His knuckles were bloody and he was pretty sure one of his toes had been broken when Rek's friend had tried to kick his feet out from underneath him. They would heal on their own in time. No sense in bothering a medic.:: ::Besides, there was only one doctor he wanted to see...and that desire had nothing to do with her medical skills.:: ::Easing himself onto his bed with a bucket of ice for his hand, Cade cursed under his breath. There had to be a way to get Velana out of his head. He just hadn't figured it out yet.:: ::Until then, he would just have to enjoy his memories.:: Lt. Cade Whitman Ops Officer USS Vigilant as played by Lt. Commander Velana Medical Officer USS Vigilant

((USS Avandar, Quarantine Quarters A)) :: She hadn’t moved in hours.:: :: As if locked in a coffin, T’Lea laid motionless on her cot with her hands folded across her stomach, and her eyes closed. A breath was taken every two or three minutes, which made her look dead between the rise and fall of her chest.:: :: Meditation was the only thing that quelled the burning rash plaguing her skin. Dark green discoloration had spread up her neck and the side of her face. The doctor had given her a cream to soothe the irritation, but all she could say about that was that it smelled weird – like plastic and mold. For all she knew, that’s exactly what it was.:: :: Rune had left the holo-deck in search of T'Lea as soon she reported to the Captain what she and Sylkar had found on the holo-vid. It of course hadn't been hard to locate the Commander but Rune was a little surprised at the condition she found her in. Was this why she was in quarantine? She silently watched for a few minutes before hitting the comm-button. :: Jolara: Commander... ::no answer... Raising her voice:: Commander T'Lea. :: The Romu-vulc in her deep, almost trance-like state of meditation knew there was another presence nearby even before the comm. squawked with a voice. It was the Counselor. Not somebody she wanted to see, and not somebody that T’Lea wanted to see like this, a splotchy green mess.:: :: Had she not been so embedded in Vulcan-mode she would have impolitely told the woman to go frak herself, but instead, the hybrid remained immobile on her hard cot, eyes closed.:: T’Lea: Counselor. What may I do for you? :: Getting an answer to that question would tell her a lot. Had Vetri sent her? Was this business? Personal? Or more punishment?:: :: T’Lea’s voice was smooth and calm. It was kind of creepy the way she just laid there looking all blotchy and dead, except for the talking part.:: Jolara: ::no hesitation:: Actually, I wanted to see how you were doing and if there was anything I could do for you. :: Normally her response would have been, “Yeah, you can get me the hell out of here,” but the inner calm she’d reached was dominating the other T’Lea, the emotional half.:: T'Lea: There is nothing to be done. :: Literally. Nothing. At all. To be. Done.:: :: Her response wasn't exactly what Rune had expected but she didn't move. :: Jolara: I must admit, you have looked better. T'Lea: Indeed. :: Rune was quiet. She had never seen T'Lea act like this before so it took her a moment to decide how to proceed. :: Jolara: Is it from being infected? T’Lea: No. The chemicals that were used in the decontamination processes caused a skin irritation. :: Rune tilted her head slightly. A skin irritation? :: Jolara: It looks to be more than that. Does it hurt? T’Lea: It is painful. :: By now Rune should have realized that T’Lea was riding the Vulcan truth-train. Everything the Counselor asked got a straight forward answer. The question was, would she take advantage of that, and would T’Lea let her.:: Jolara: oOShe is definitely not herself.Oo Has medical treated it or given you anything for the pain? T’Lea: They did. A cream. ::flat:: Its odor is odd. :: That was all she could say about that – as the medicinal properties had yet to take effect.:: Jolara: Has it helped? T’Lea: Not presently. No. :: It would take a day or two for the cream to saturate the skin enough to correct the cause of the rash.:: :: Without warning, T’Lea sat up on her cot, in an almost a robotic fashion. She planted her feet firmly in front of her, and rested her hands on the edge of the cot. With a ramrod straight posture, she lifted her line of sight toward the portal in the door and saw Rune’s blonde head occupying the window.:: :: Rune didn't show any reaction to T'Lea's movements, though she was very concerned about her odd behavior... At least to her, it was odd behavior. Since T'Lea was half Vulcan, it would make sense she was capable of acting like one. Was that it and Rune just hadn't seen it to this extent before? :: T’Lea: Did the Captain send you? Jolara: ::no hesitation:: No. She doesn't even know I'm here. :: Of course not. What would be the point of solitary confinement if the Captain sent a visitor. Oh right, sending the Counselor was probably part of the punishment, since she knew how much the hybrid hated head-shrinks. Only, the Captain hadn’t sent Rune, so that meant… Hmm… exactly what did it mean?:: T’Lea: I do not… oOunderstandOo… Then why are you here? :: If the Captain didn’t send her to torture her, then why was Rune there? They weren’t exactly friends.:: Jolara: ::faint smile:: I was concerned and wanted to check on you myself. :: Not sure what to make of that, T’Lea rose from her cot and approached the window in the door to further study Rune’s sincerity. Once she was satisfied with her evaluation, the Vulcan hybrid lifted an eyebrow of consent.:: T’Lea: You have questions. Ask them. Jolara: I'm curious. Why did you disobey a direct order not to beam to the surface? :: It was something an Al-Leyan would never do... well almost never. After all, it was what Rune had done when she refused to return to her homeworld. Except the difference there was, Rune's disobedience was to save herself. She was certain that had not been T'Lea's motivation. :: T'Lea: I have multiple reasons. Why does it matter? What is done, is done? Jolara: As I said, I'm curious. I would like to understand why. T’Lea: Very well. I did not believe the Captain had the emotional fortitude to order me into harm’s way, even though it was required. I disobeyed her orders because I was the only one that could, and I was the only one that could do what needed to be done on the surface. Jolara: What makes you think you are the only one who could salvage the gateway? T’Lea: That was not my original intention. I went there to destroy it. :: Again, that wasn't at all what Rune had expected to hear. :: Jolara: You wanted to destroy it? T’Lea: You witnessed the consequences that Iconian technology can bring if it is reactivated. Whole worlds die, and I will do whatever it takes to secure our future so that my children do not have to face whatever destructive force 12 Deities unleash. :: By the end of her statement she’d lost a little bit of her Vulcan cool, and showed a hint of fear for her family’s well-being.:: Jolara: Yet you did not destroy it. T’Lea: How could I destroy the one thing that may hold the answer to what happened to the away team? You were on the bridge when I suggested we fire upon the storm. I went down there because I had to see for myself what I had done. Della needed to know that it wasn’t her fault. She needed answers and I needed to make sure that nothing like this ever happened again. Jolara: We all know the risks of being out here. It was not either of your's fault. You made the best decision you could, given the information we had. :: Rune contemplated what she was about to say next. :: Jolara: Would this have anything to do with Eden? :: It was a reach, but considering Cmdr Tan's reaction to their initially finding the crashed shuttle, Rune had to wonder. :: :: The Romu-vulc gently shoved off the door she’d been leaning against and paced the floor a few steps. Did it have anything to do with Eden? What a stupid question. They were two completely unrelated things. The answer was no, of course.:: T’Lea: I spent ten years as Della’s First Officer on Eden. Ten years of watching her bear the burden of thousands of dead crewmen. Jolara: Captain Vetri seems to have put that behind her. Is that not the case? :: Of course, Rune knew she hadn't. :: T’Lea: She would have you think that. I would have you think that as well. I know I have stated that everything that happened on Eden was inconsequential to our reality, and technically it is true, but in here ::she pointed at her heart:: it is not. We lived the story of other people’s lives, of their deaths, betrayals and tragedy. Was it somebody else’s story? Yes. But it was still *us*. We lived it like it was the truth, and that is illogical and incorrect. It should not effect us in this reality. :: Well, this wasn’t how T’Lea had expected the conversation to go, but here she was facing Eden once again, and with Rune looking on.:: Jolara: Perhaps it wasn't physically real, but mentally and emotionally everything you all experienced was very real. Very real and traumatic. From what little I have seen, none of you have dealt with it. :: The AI-Leyan was more observant than she’d let on during her time here. Or perhaps, those that experienced Eden were not as good at hiding their problems as they thought.:: :: The Romu-vulc walked over to a wall and stared at the blank surface as she spoke her next words. It was easier to talk to the wall than face Rune.:: T’Lea: Ten years I was Della’s caregiver. She went through ten years of being blind, did you know that? It killed me to watch her struggle with it. I did everything I could to make sure she was safe, but it wasn’t good enough. People mutinied. We all died in the end. :: She turned to face Rune, not caring what came out of her mouth for once.:: T’Lea: It was my job to carry out Vetri’s orders, and to make certain that others followed her orders. I was her First-[...]-Officer for ten years, and when it was over, when we all woke up from the nightmare… Dickens was promoted to Commander, and everything I sacrificed for the Captain and the crew was swept aside like it didn’t matter. Hell, I even managed to convince myself that it didn’t matter. ::knitting her brow:: But it did. And it’s bullsh*t. And I’m angry about it. Jolara: Why did you step aside and not say anything? T’Lea: What I want and what Starfleet wants for me are two different things. Jolara: What do you mean? T’Lea: I am not command material, Counselor. I cannot be trusted with power. I have a history of killing people, and I am certain Starfleet frowns on that type of behavior. Jolara: ::continuing with her rapid fire questions:: I don't believe I found any mention of you killing anyone while under your command. :: There was a list of dead people under her command… just not while she was in Starfleet. Except one. One woman. One scientist. Her protégé. But it was easy for that kill to slip through the cracks, probably due to the way Vetri worded the report to Starfleet.:: T’Lea: Did you know I had one real mission as First Officer after the Eden incident? Lt. Blackwood died under my command, on my away team. I get people killed, Counselor. It’s what I’m good at. I either put them in the ground, or I dig them up to study them. But if I am not even allowed to be an archaeologist, to do my job… then why am I here? Am I anything to this crew other than the Captain’s bond-mate and general nuisance? Do I have a purpose here? Do I have a goal? :: It was a question she had been avoiding for a while. What was she doing with her career? Was this it? Did she want to be stuck a Lieutenant Commander forever? Could she live with that? Should she be doing more in the field of archaeology? Would joining a civilian operation serve her better?:: :: Rune showed absolutely no outer reaction. She couldn't help thinking how ironic this conversation was going. Yet, T'Lea was finally opening up to her... something she had been trying to get the Romu-Vulc to do since they first met. :: Jolara: Have you spoken to the Captain about any of this? T’Lea: I can’t talk to Della about this. She would take it the wrong way. She would harbor guilt and think that she’s stifling my career, which isn’t true at all. Jolara: Why are you here? T’Lea: I’m here for Della. I’m here because my love and commitment to her outweighs anything I want for myself-- ::she suddenly paused, and then scowled deeply:: Oh, frell… :: By now she had walked herself back to her cot where she rubbed her hands over her face in frustration and dropped down onto the bed.:: Jolara: So in a way you do feel she has stifled your career? T’Lea: No, it’s not that. It may be possible that some of the motivation behind disobeying her orders was to sabotage my career. To end it. Incredibly stupid, right? :: Rune shook her head. :: Jolara: How long have you been searching for Iconian... artifacts? :: What an odd question, thought T’Lea. She raised an eyebrow that said as much, but took a moment to calculate her history.:: T'Lea: I was raised by my Uncle. Zadok was an archaeologist whose primary study was on the Iconians. We traveled extensively in pursuit of their knowledge. It is something that I have been around all my life. Jolara: Making you an expert on the subject, correct? T'Lea: I am one of the few who have the most hands-on experience with the technology. :: Where exactly was the Counselor going with this, she wondered.:: :: The only way to find out was to follow Rune’s lead and see where it went.:: Jolara: How did it make you feel when Lt. Anora was chosen for the away team instead of you? :: She looked away at the far wall. She knew the answer to that question immediately, but hesitated to reveal it. Inside her head there was a mini-war taking place. A war between Vulcan indifference and Romulan pride, but eventually the latter won out.:: T'Lea: ::flatly:: Insignificant. :: That was a polite way of putting it. A few, more colorful phrases were running around in her head.:: Jolara: Much the same way you felt while First Officer on Eden. And once again, all you have worked so hard for was simply brushed aside as if it didn't matter. :: T’Lea didn’t say anything. She simply looked down at the floor in front of her feet. It was difficult to respond while being exposed to… well, *herself*. At that moment it was like Rune could see straight through her tough exterior, and had uncover the suppressed emotions that even T’Lea could not bear to shed light on.:: :: It would take a few minutes for the Vulcan hybrid to recover from this “awakening”. Luckily the Counselor continued.:: :: The entire time, Rune never took her eyes off the Romu-Vulc. :: Jolara: But it does matter. This time you couldn't just step aside. This time maybe you could take away the guilt both you and Della were feeling by helping to bring back four lives you thought you were responsible for taking. :: T’Lea suddenly really wished for Rune to shut up because it was increasingly difficult to listen to her helpful nature, a.k.a. the truth.:: T'Lea: Your words are logical, but do nothing to correct the situation that I have created. :: Stonewalled by a Vulcan. By now Rune should be used to this side of T’Lea.:: :: Rune leaned forward and smiled. :: Jolara: They are alive, T'Lea. According to the holo-vid *you* retrieved, they fell through what we believe is a gateway just before the moon was hit. :: The Romu-vulc slowly lifted her head as each word was absorbed by a brain cell, until finally the woman was standing on her feet, and right in front of the only window in the room.:: T'Lea: Do you have their location? :: She had hope.:: Jolara: We aren't exactly sure yet. :: [...]. There had to be a way to be "exactly sure", but there was nothing T’Lea could do to help by being stuck in here. She rolled her shoulder away from the door, and disappeared out of Jolara’s view.:: T'Lea: Thank you, Rune, for this. :: For stopping by, for listening to T’Lea rant, for helping her figure out her own emotions, for sharing information about the holo-vid.:: T'Lea: Your company is appreciated. :: Even though T'Lea couldn't see her, Rune smiled. :: Jolara: You are welcome and I don't think I ever thanked you. ::Before T'Lea could ask:: For saving my life when we ended up on the Rubari ship and again when we landed in the ocean. ::grinning:: Even if you did want to kill me. ::beat:: Anyhow, get some rest. I'll let you know when we find them. :: With that, Rune walked away without giving T'Lea a chance to say anything else.:: --- Lt. Cmdr. T’Lea H&A Specialist USS Avandar and Lt jg Rune Jolara Counselor USS Avandar

((Valley of Knives; Dorfmenland; Byzatium)) ::Arima, Belan and Varney dusted themselves off as the tall woman, who had rescued them from the Crazy and its tentacled master, pulled back her hood and glowered at the assembled trio.:: Cierva Calderan: I live in this Valley, and I know how foolish it is to wander here alone at night. I assume you’re resistance. ::Belan returned the woman’s steely gaze. He was determined to stand his ground. She may have saved them all, but that was no guarantee of friendship. For all he knew, she just wanted the prey for herself. However, he had to admit for an older woman, she was quite attractive.:: ::The trio didn’t answer.:: Cierva Calderan: Fine, have it your way. But if as I think, you were part of the convoy beyond the valley, then your trip has been wasted. ::Arima was the first to break cover. Like it or not, the woman’s actions had shown that she wanted the three of them to remain alive, at least for now. In this war, that was the best one could hope for.:: Arima Ossian: What do you mean? ::Cierva pulled her hood back up and folder her arms. She was intrigued by these kids, and the girl reminded her of her daughter, in her voice as much as her looks. Cierva hadn’t seen Nia for years, and wasn’t altogether sure the girl still breathed.:: Cierva Calderan: I am sorry to break this to you, but the resistance fighters there have all been killed. ::Belan growled at her. She must be a government agent.:: Belan Horobin: What proof? For all we know you are one of them. ::Cierva grinned at the feisty boy. She had expected this retort.:: Cierva Calderan: True, but then if so I would have let those two *things* devour you, or worse. ::Before the youngsters could discuss the matter, there was a new sound in the dark forest. Cierva didn’t look alarmed, but she was stirred into action.:: Cierva Calderan: Come, we must get moving. Follow me. ::Varney and Arima, having little choice but to trust her, began to follow. Belan stayed put. Arima turned to look at her battle brother, rubbing the cut on her cheek she had received from the monster’s barbed tentacle.:: Arima Ossian: Come one Belan, we must go…. Belan Horobin: No.. Arima Ossian: ::pouting:: Move silly! There are more of them coming.. can’t you hear? ::Belan crossed his arms. He did not take orders from women. Varney piped up next.:: Varney Groth: Don’t be a jackanapes Belan. ::Cierva didn’t slow down her long stride. They could come with her if they so wanted. She’d saved them once, she had no intention of doing so a second time if they chose to ignore her advice.:: ::Belan looked down at the ground, kicking over the soil. He then looked at the steaming mess of the dead Crazy.:: Belan Horobin: oO Stupid war Oo ::He looked up to see Cierva, Arima and Varney nearly out of sight in the dark woodland path. Burying his pride he started to trot after them. Into the night they went.:: ::After some time, Cierva slowed her pace and the three fighters clustered around her.:: Varney Groth: What happened to the rest of our patrol? Cierva Calderan: Government ambush. All slaughtered. The noise attracted the Omunic, who was feasting on the remains… as you witnessed. ::Arima and the others looked at each other. Was the Crazy one of their former comrades. It was hard to tell.:: Arima Ossian: Are you resistance? ::Cierva looked across at the young woman, barely out of her teens. Cierva’s eyes were hidden in shadow under her hood, and only the vague dappled blue moonlight gave them any illumination.:: Cierva Calderan: I am not part of any grouping. I merely look after myself and help where I can. ::She paused thoughtfully.:: Cierva Calderan: But if I am honest with you, I have no love for either the Omunics or the Pythron’s puppet regime in Gvenved City. However, I don’t trust General Telent. ::Arima and Varney didn’t say anything, but Belan was more vociferous.:: Belan Horobin: General Telent is a hero. He stood up to the Pythrons and the Omunics, and kept our hopes alive when all seemed lost. He is a great Dorfman. ::Cierva almost chuckled in her exhaling breath.:: Cierva Calderan: Oh, he is a *great* man, but beware those who aspire to greatness. I look for goodness instead. ::Belan snorted.:: Belan Horobin: He’s the best chance for Byzatium. I will follow him to the bitter end. ::Arima put her hand on Belan’s shoulder. She wanted to calm him, they had to keep quiet and keep moving.:: Arima Ossian: Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. ::Cierva didn’t turn to look at the gesture between the two youngsters, but she spoke quietly.:: Cierva Calderan: Hope is always good. Varney Groth: As is food. ((Time Jump – Banks of the River Jeryxias; Dorfmenland; Byzatium)) ::Cierva led the trio to edge of a tumbling stream. Arima looked at the water. It was about ten feet wide and looked, in the moonlight, shallow enough to wade across. She wondered if they were going to get wet.:: Belan Horobin: What now? ::sulking:: Swim for it? Arima Ossian: What’s your problem Belan? She saved us. Why are you so ungrateful? ::Cierva was unmoved by the boy’s surliness. He would learn in time. She knelt by the water’s edge and fumbled under a rock.:: Varney Groth: ::whispering:: What’s she doing? Arima Ossian: I don’t know.. Belan Horobin: A trap? ::Cierva finished releasing the *mechanism*. To the youngsters surprise a rock on the far bank slid to one side, and a row of stepping stones rose from the water. The woman stood and smiled.:: Cierva Calderan: After you, my lambs. Belan: Lambs?!?!? ::Arima moved ahead. Her face was sore where it had been cut, and she wanted to be out of the cold night. After the terrors of earlier, indoors was her idea of paradise.:: Arima: Oh get over yourself, Belan. ::Snapping:: ::Varney followed Arima across the stepping stones, looking across at the mysterious Cierva as he went.:: Varney: Is there anything to eat in there? ::Cierva rolled her grey eyes at the pudgy boy.:: Cierva Calderan: Don’t worry, you will be taken care of. ::Varney grinned, and bounded into the cave, eagerly expecting dinner. With the loss of the patrol’s supplies AND his prized drempa rat, his stomach had thought his throat had been cut. The trauma of the Crazy and Tentacle had only added to his hunger.:: Cierva: Coming? ::gesturing to the stubborn Belan.:: Belan: Do I have a choice? ::Cierva looked over his shoulder then back to his fixed gaze.:: Cierva: Of course you do. You can come inside with your friends and the person who saved your life, or you can stay out here in the cold dark forest and fight that Omunic that’s a hundred yards behind you, single-handedly.:: ::Belan spun around, and indeed the undergrowth near where the stream disappeared into the deep woods was shaking and he could make out terrible shadows in the moonlight.:: Belan: Ok, I am coming… ::They both went into the cave, the door sliding shut behind them.:: To Be Continued… Arima Ossian, Belan Horobin & Varney Groth (PNPCs) Free Dorfmen Resistance Fighters; Byzatium http://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Mutos_War Simmed by: Major Leo Handley-Page Strategic Operations Officer: USS Vigilant

((Communications Room, Deck 10, USS Tiger-A)) ::Standing outside the small communication control room, Alex paused and tapped his combadge. He did not have a chance to speak with Ensign Dirsye after the briefing so Alex decided to do so before starting his task.:: Blair: =/\= LtCmdr Blair to Ensign Dirsye. =/\= Dirsye: =/\=Tya here, how can I be of assistance Sir?=/\= Blair: =/\= I was hoping to catch you before you left the conference room. I know you volunteered to work on the Mauls, and I wanted to thank you. =/\= Dirsye: =/\=You’re welcome, you know it’s a bit of a self perseverance thing. I’m going out in that and I’d like to check and prepare it to be sure everything’s in perfect order.=/\= Blair: =/\= Your work there frees me up to fully focus on the COMM system and for that I am grateful. While I am completely confident in your skills and knowledge I expect be notified before any of the Mauls leave the ship. =/\= Dirsye: =/\=Of course=/\= ::Alex picked up on the tone of Dirsye’s voice and decided to press on. Alex trusted his staff to keep him appraised of all developments, but after the day he was having, Alex was not about to leave anything to chance and that included making sure he personally inspected the auxiliary craft before they left the ship.:: Blair: =/\= It’s not that I have a lack of faith in your work, I would just feel better about sending our people out there if a second set of eyes reviews the work. There are too many lives counting on those Mauls to survive their mission. =/\= Dirsye: =/\=Sir, do we have a problem?=/\= Blair: =/\=There is no problem Ensign. I would have the same expectations if it were Ensign Furvan or Turner doing the task.=/\= Dirsye: =/\=Maybe you should send Furvan or Turner to oversee my work!=/\= Blair: =/\=You are all capable and competent engineers in whom I trust. How would sending one of them help things?=/\= Dirsye: =/\=I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you. I always reported my work. Is it because I didn’t tell you that when the thing with shields didn’t work I used standard forcefields? I’m sorry, but that was standard procedure and since you were busy and I thought I don’t have to report every change in plan, especially if instead of something new and different I chose standard procedure.=/\= ::Hearing Dirsye’s tone and the fact that she began to repeat herself, it hit Alex. He had offended her and inadvertently questioned her ability as an engineer. Once the realization was made, Alex began to feel remorse.:: oOYou idiot! In your desire to protect everyone, you called one of your own people into question. You practically told her that you had no faith in her! How would have felt if Commander Atimen did that to you? Get your act together MARINE!Oo ::As he composed himself to respond, Alex paused and before he could speak, the ensign started again.:: Dirsye: =/\=I’m in a sickbay, waiting for ensign McColsen to end her medical and join me and Lieutenant T’Mihn in working on Maul. Since they have nothing much to do before the team leaves and send them some information and T’Mihn proved very capable I asked her to help me.=/\= Blair: =/\=That’s a sound idea Ensign. =/\= ::Again, Alex took a moment to compose what he was about to say when the Ensign started before he could speak.:: Dirsye: =/\=Yes Sir, just one more thing. Should I report when we arrive there, when we start scanning, when start removing plates from shuttles and where am I planning to put any of those before we start work or you want to come and check just when we finish? That may be wrong decision. I may choose to enhance wrong places on the Maul and endanger whole mission. What if I forget to report to you?=/\= ::If he wasn’t sure before, Alex was completely sure now that he had upset Dirsye. Without planning his words this time, Alex began to speak in the most sincere tone he could come up with.:: Blair: =/\=Ensign, I owe you an apology and an explanation. I am sorry that I called your engineering prowess into question. It was never my intention to do so, but I did it and I am truly sorry. There is something deep within me that says it’s my job to protect everyone around me. I know it’s irrational but I can’t help it. That deep seeded compulsion combined with the stress of us being on the ocean floor in a severely crippled starship is what caused me to contact you. =/\= ::Alex paused for a moment before he continued.:: Blair: =/\=With that being said, I have complete faith in you and your ability to do your job. The very short time you have been here, you have been a tremendous asset and I am grateful for your efforts. ::Alex paused before continuing:: I would like to give you a few words of caution though. Despite the fact that I offended you, the way that you have been speaking to me the past few minutes is borderline insolent and you should be careful. Many superior officers are not as tolerant or forgiving as I am. Maybe your reaction was the result of the action over the past twenty four hours and you’re just tired. =/\= Dirsye: =/\=No, I don't need to rest. I need some trust from people around me. Trust I never had at home what was the reason I run away from them and joined Starfleet. If you think I’m not capable of finishing my job then just remove me from the project and assign it to somebody you can trust. =/\= Blair: =/\=Once again, I am truly sorry for questing you Tya. In a short time you have proven yourself and more than earned the respect of everyone aboard this ship. From this point forward, I will make every effort show that I have complete trust in you. ::break:: I think it might be best if we forget this conversation ever happened and we start over again.=/\= ::There was a long silence which made Alex a little uncomfortable.:: oO Ok, let’s try again. Oo Blair: =/\=I know I can trust you to complete the Maul overhaul in short order Ensign Dirsye.=/\= Dirsye: =/\=Yes Sir. I’ll be on my way soon.=/\= Blair: =/\=Thank you Ensign, let me know if I can be of any help.=/\= Dirsye: =/\=I need just a moment and will go and check on McColsen and T’Mihn.=/\= Blair: =/\= Ok Ensign, Blair out. =/\= ::Once the channel closed, Alex took in a deep breath.:: oOA LtCmdr for less than an hour and you already crushed a member of your team. Way to lead your department! Maybe next time you can offend the first officer or the Captain? Oo ::When he was done mentally chastising himself, Alex decided to move on. Hopefully his apology was a good enough start and he could prove his trust in Dirsye soon, but first he had a communications system to repair.:: ---------------------------------------------------Lieutenant Commander Alex BlairChief EngineerUSS Tiger-A

((Hospital Complex)) MacLaren: Lt. Letant, we will begin setting up testing clinics on the outskirts of town. Eh noticed that most of the patients have been from nearer bye. We need to ken if those further out have avoided the plague or are simply unable to come here. Letant: You want to go out? But, that is so dangerous. Banks: Yeah... Well... ::He paused, not sure what to say.:: We'll have to be careful. MacLaren:: stifling a smile:: Weel, Eh think Dr. Banks has summarized it verra weel. Let's get started. ::MacLaren had decided everyone needed a break. So she'd decided to head out toward the outskirts of the settlement, where the farming land was less disturbed. He stepped off the transport along with everyone else.:: ((Settlement Outskirts - Agurtha)) ::For a while he listened quietly while a few civilians approached them. One seemed mentally ill, delusional even. They'd finally found some people, maybe somebody who'd developed an immunity. After watching for a while he decided to look over toward an open field. The place looked like a good area where corpses might have been deposited, maybe burned.:: ::He stepped into the slowly growing weeds. They looked a bit like rye or twitchgrass. The plants swished up against his feet, rhythmically brushing against him to the tune of his quiet breathing. Off in the distance he saw the outline of a house. Closer stood the hulk of a machine. A seeder maybe. When he finally did reach the machine he ran a finger along one of its roll cages, traced his hand across the the traction on the wheel beneath. He'd seen transplanters like this before:: ((Flashback - Earth, 27 Years Ago)) Farmer: C'mon boy! Come here! ::He ran toward the man, buckets in hand.:: Farmer: We don't have all day! ::The man was climbing up into the giant seeder. He needed the water to provide for irrigation for the small seedlings.:: ((Present)) ::The machine stood silently and David eyed it one last time, looking up inside the pilot's seat. Dale. His old boss in the summers during high school. He'd died of a stroke years later, weeks before David had joined up. Wanted David to come see him at the hospital, but he was too [...]ed keen on getting out to Fort Brock. He still remembered his dad shaking his hand as he left. He couldn't hug him any more. After all, David might die out there. So he needed to wash David out of himself before he had a chance to die.:: ::Presently David walked toward some trees on the edge of the field. The ground beneath him was softer here, and the weeds grew thicker, slowly cleaning out any sign that this land had been farm land. The war had cleaned David and his father of each other soon enough. It wasn't that either of them died. David never wanted to talk about those seventeen years. The war hadn't even been that long. But his whole career with the marines in the medical core was tainted by it -- peppered through with the brief pin[...] moments when he'd watched people die, accepted that most of the time you couldn't help. And when he did help and they lived, they just ended up screwed up afterward anyway, walking out of the service like corpses back into a society that didn't know what to do with them.:: ::And then one day Dad just stopped trying to call. By then his mom had died. That hadn't helped either.:: ::He leaned against a tree and folded his arms as he looked out toward the field again, eyeing the house that by now was a lot closer. Christ, he should have been here helping people rebuild their houses after the goddam plague. Not right back in the middle of trying to fix people. The people here were too messed up to be helped anyway.:: David Banks Medical USS Excalibur as simmed by Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Breeman Chief Engineer USS Excalibur

((Embassy Grounds)) ::It was with an aloof, disdainful face that Tallis removed the members of the embassy’s marine corps that were guarding the power plant from existence. Evidently they had assumed that, because he’d spent time limited to an insectoid form, he didn’t understand the value of cover, or what setting 16 on a phaser could do to humanoid life-forms. Not so, and their underestimating him had cost them their lives. He stepped over the trio of corpses, phaser held ready his route to the engine room needed to be indirect; if the defence forces realised where he was going then they would easily be able to cut him off. This was a good body, built for running, and it would be a shame to waste it.:: ::He had entered the power plant with one purpose in mind. The guards had been easy to neutralise as they had underestimated him, but he knew he was still being tailed. The odds of getting to where he was going with three officers on his tail seemed to be slim at best; a little misdirection was going to be called for. He kicked off the cover of a maintenance conduit in the wall, then hit the opening mechanism on the door on the far side of the room before heading down the opposite corridor, intending to find the quickest route to his objective by using the computer systems to guide him.:: ::It was an unpleasant night; dank, wet and grim. Twenty four hours ago, Lucas had never even heard of bluegills. Now, he was facing more of them than he could count and, worse, it was the Federation ambassador that they were in the process of hunting down. The idea that a man who was responsible for the development of Federation/Laudean relations was currently loose and hell bent on murdering as many people as he could sent a shiver down his spine. Fortunately, he had been a soldier for long enough and seen enough conflict that he would have no qualms in doing his job and putting Ambassador Tallis down the moment he got a clean shot.:: ::Greir stepped over the fallen marine guards that Tallis had dispatched. His phaser was held up and ready as he carefully entered the power plant, looking all about for signs of trouble. There was no telling if Tallis was ducked behind cover waiting to ambush them. With tricorder in the other hand he scanned the area for lifesigns and found it clear.:: Reinard: Any ideas about his purpose here? ::The most obvious answer was that he would go for the generator and take it out but Greir wondered what else the bluegill might be interested in getting up to here. It might give them some clues about where to head.:: ::Lucas kept his eyes open and focused on their surroundings rather than the commander as he answered. The last thing they needed was for another member of the party to wind up falling victim to one of the parasites. The lobby looked clear, other than the awkwardly positioned bodies of the marines who had been standing guard.:: Borr: My first guess is that he’s going to blow the generator, Sir. Second is that he’s going to sabotage the power grid to deactivate the security perimeter. If I was him, I’d go for option one. It’s quicker and still powers everything down. Reinard: That seems the most likely thing to me as well. ::Nia nodded in agreement to the Laudean Commander.:: Calderan: You’re right Sir. The bluegills are a very cunning enemy, and will want to make maximum effect for minimum effort. ::Lucas’s knowledge of the embassy grounds came largely from having studied site maps in the Starfleet databanks. However, it didn’t take a genius to know what would happen if the power generator was fried.:: Borr: Commander, I’m sure I don’t need to point out that if this generator is destroyed, we lose main power. Everything goes down. The security perimeter, everything in the CIC, the computers in the medical centre... if we can get auxiliary power up then we can restore it, but who knows how many parasites and hosts will swarm into the grounds during that time? Calderan: That’s something I hope we don’t have to find out. ::Nia had already had her close calls with these creatures so far, and was only saved by LtCmdr Eerie at the last minute. She didn’t savour having any more. What needed to be done had to be done.:: ::It went without saying that the Bluegill couldn’t be allowed to complete its nefarious goal. It could cause significant damage and turn the tide of the war. If the Embassy fell to the Bluegills then as far as he could see, it was game over. It would leave only the ships in orbit to defend the planet and the kind of action they might be forced to take to stop the parasites didn’t bear thinking about. It sent shivers down his spine. Greir nodded to the maintenance conduit whose panel had been removed.:: Reinard: There’s a chance he went that way. Lucas I want you to check it out. ::If the ambassador had chosen the maintenance conduit then it would be very easy for him to spring a trap inside it. Lucas was already wrapping his mind around the possible eventualities as he answered.:: Borr: Aye, Sir. Reinard: Calderan you go that way. ::Pointing down one corridor:: I’ll go this way. ::Thumbing the other one.:: Maintain open comm channel and immediately report any sightings or other significant information. ::Nia wasn’t looking forward to wandering off on her own, but she needed to do her duty.:: Calderan: Aye Sir. ::Lucas prepared to enter the conduit, weapon first. Crawling along on his elbows and knees would be the best way to make sure he could keep his phaser ready to be aimed quickly if he did fall foul of a trap.:: Borr: Yes, Sir. Good hunting. Reinard: Computer, seal access points to the fusion generator room. Computer: Acknowledged. Security bulkheads deployed. ::Further into the complex and looking up his route on a computer console, Tallis heard the activation of a hydraulic mechanism in the distance. Cursing under his breath, he realised that Starfleet had anticipated what he was trying to do and were putting countermeasures in place. He sped off, hoping to get to the generator in time, but tripped over the cover of an access panel that had been taken down from an EPS conduit and leant against the wall; as he picked himself up he could see the blast doors finally close and lock into position, just a few yards away. Frustrated, he kicked the panel and sent it flying down the corridor; evidently someone had forgotten to replace it and it had just cost him precious time. Heading down the perpendicular corridor to the blast door, he knew he was going to have to find another way in; he was about to find out just how effective a Starfleet phaser could be.:: ::Greir took off down his chosen route. If Tallis was going for the reactor then they might not have much time. He was scanning with his tricorder and focusing his mind for fielding; trying to use any advantage he could to track him down.:: ::Nia Calderan made her way along the corridors as she continued her way through the Embassy’s lesser explored areas. She could see the bulkheads, and other industrial equipment all related to the power supply of the Embassy. There were a number of consoles of non-Starfleet design but with LCARS computer interfaces that she was tempted to use to see if she could locate this man Tallis, but thought better of it. If he and his bluegill symbiant were as clever as she feared, then these consoles were probably booby trapped. She sighed and continued hunting in the old fashioned way.:: ::Lucas’s progress through the maintenance conduits was slow. It was beginning to strike him that if anyone else had been inside, he would have been able to hear every point of contact with the metallic grate on which he was now crawling. He wasn’t sure whether or not these bluegills had any form of military training, but he very much doubted it. How could they? As he came to a junction, he paused, taking advantage of the slightly raised sealing to seat himself and check his tricorder with one hand, the other keeping his rifle ready to fire.:: ::Greir came upon a wall mounted console and on further inspection found it had been accessed recently . It confirmed Tallis’s target and showed his intended route. Greir immediately picked up the pace and bolted down the corridor, following the route as quickly as possible.:: Reinard: =/\= I can confirm he is headed for the generator. There’s one access point, meet me there. =/\= ::Commander Reinard had called before Lucas’s scan was complete; snapping his tricorder shut, he aborted it. Their target had been sighted and now he knew where he was going. The scan had at least given away the direction he needed to go in to make it to the nearest access panel and he started off in that direction with all due haste.:: Borr: =/\= On my way, Commander. =/\= ::Nia heard here Commander’s discovery and abandoned her search. She knew she was going to have run if she was going to get to Reinard’s location in time.:: Calderan: =/\= Calderan here Sir. Aye, I’m on my way. =/\= ::Whatever the blast doors were made out of was no easy material to cut through. There seemed to be some kind of coating on it that was partially absorbing Tallis’s attempts to cut through with his phaser. He growled with frustration at the lack of progress; he was going to have to cut a section out of the blast door if he was going to get through. His instructions had been specific. Once he’d set it to overload, he didn’t even need to get out of the generator room before it went up. All he had to do was stop it from being cancelled.:: ::He tilted his head at the suspicion of a noise, echoing down the corridor behind him. Taking his finger off the trigger, he focused on trying to figure out what it was.:: ::Footsteps. They were close!:: ::Whoever it was was approaching at a run and near to Tallis’s position. He had to react now, or he would lose the initiative. Whirling around, he aimed his phaser rifle as quickly as he could and hit the trigger. A beam of lethal golden energy burst from its tip, headed for one of the officers who had been hunting him, who had just come into view...:: ::Greir’s nerves were on edge as he approached the security bulkhead. If it had closed before Tallis had gotten through to the generator room as he’d hoped then he was about to come face to face with the bluegill. His heart leapt into his mouth as he sighted Tallis who was turning his weapon on him. It was a race to see who could fire first. Greir squeezed the trigger but because he’d been running his aim was off. His shot impacted the bulkhead to the side of where Tallis stood.:: ::The shot from Tallis missed too. Or did it? Greir barely had time to realise what the Bluegill had hit and raise his arm defensively when he was thrown backwards by a powerful force. He was immediately knocked unconscious and hit the ground so hard that his head and body were smashed and bounced off the cold, hard surface.:: ::One of the many perks of being inside a humanoid host was that you could smile when you were satisfied with your handiwork. The brutal explosion that had ripped from the conduit to smite Tallis’s attacker had pinned him against the emergency bulkhead in front of him but, other than what felt like a bruise or two, he was unharmed. His smile widened as he imagined the sight of the broken and burned corpse around the corner and he turned back to finish what he had started. The queen had given him a job to do and he intended to do it.:: ::Nia was fit, and running didn’t normally pose a problem for her, but the tension of the situation was making her breathing more laboured than normal. She was almost at the location.:: Calderan: What was that? ::The echo of an explosion rumbled down the corridor.: Calderan: Oh no.. ::Nia rounded the corner and came across a prone figure lying on the ground. Nia was shocked. The man.. was very badly burned, especially his face. For a moment she didn’t know who they were. Was it even the Ambassador they’d come to stop. Then the realisation gripped the Dorfwoman that this was Commander Reinard. The uniform and comm badge, or what was left of them, was clearly Star Fleet.:: Calderan: Commander!! ::Nia was no medic, but had basic medical training as a Marine Officer. She scanned the Commander, and breathed a sigh of relief. He was still breathing. He was alive. Then Nia pondered whether that was a blessing or not, looking at the crushed form in front of her. She tapped her comm badge.:: Calderan: =/\=This Lt Calderan calling for immediate medical evacuation.=/\= Zehn: =/\= Ready to go, Lieutenant. Who is it? =/\= ::Nia’s words caught in her throat. She couldn’t bring herself to fill in the identity. She looked at the Commander’s melted comm badge. It was useless now. She pulled off her own and placed it gently on Reinard’s chest.:: Calderan: =/\= One to beam out…they’re.. burned badly. Please use my comm badge location.=/\= Zehn: =/\= CIC to Medical. Casualty being transported in, patient has severe burns Energising now=/\= ::Nia waited for the transporter to do its stuff, but then she heard a noise behind her. Her nerves all felt like bursting.:: ::Lucas skidded to a halt behind Lieutenant Calderan just in time to see the last part of the transporter cycle. There weren’t too many things that could mean and he had a horrible feeling that the commander had just been taken out.:: Borr: Are we on our own? ::Nia shook her head gently.:: Calderan: I don’t know where the Ambassador is... ::He sighed and readied his weapon. Commander Reinard had really put himself out trying to help Lucas settle in. He really hoped that wasn’t going to be the last he would see of him.:: Borr: OK, so I guess we need to make sure we get our man and get back in one piece, Sir. Calderan: Aye Mr Borr. ::In front of them, a plasma fire roared, leaping from a ruptured EPS conduit. It was the only sound that the Laudean soldier could hear other than the Lieutenant’s voice. Reaching for his tricorder, he began a life-form scan. The Ambassador had to be close by; they were close to the generator room, which they had identified as his target.:: ::The tricorder showed that he was just around the corner. Snapping the sensor device closed, Lucas replaced it in his belt, then wordlessly pointed around the corner. There was a chance that the noise of the fire might provide them with enough of a distraction to have the element of surprise. There was also a chance that Tallis was lying in wait, ready to shoot the first thing that moved.:: Calderan: If we can’t see him, I think we should at least try and stun him. A grenade might work. What d’ya think? Borr: Worth a try. It could give us an edge. ::Lucas nodded and quietly lifted his phaser, edging towards the junction. Nia followed close behind. She didn’t want to take any chances, not with bluegills after what happened earlier.:: Borr: Ready when you are, Sir. ::He stooped low, ready to roll across the opening after the grenade had fired and lay down cover fire for his senior officer. Nia darted past him, and drew her stun grenade. She lobbed it into the area she thought that the Ambassador might be hiding.:: Calderan: Get ready. Now! ::With anger in her voice, Nia hurled the stun grenade into the darkness.:: ::Between the noise of the plasma fire and the continuous thrum of his phaser beam, Tallis almost didn’t hear the dull thud of the stun grenade as it bounced down the corridor. It emitted a high pitched whine as it powered up, leaving him with only enough time to duck and cover, turning the back of his neck away from the blast and covering his face with his arm. The force of the stun grenade was unpleasant; he could feel the pain that it caused his body, but knew that it wouldn’t be enough to put him down. He snarled as he reached for his phaser.:: ::Lucas rolled into position on the far side of the corridor. He waited until he heard the stun grenade go off before pointing the nose of his rifle around the corner, looking for a shot…:: ::Nia peered into the gloom. There was movement. Definite movement. She aimed her phaser at the shadowy figure. Whatever the man had been in the past - noble, wise and a leader of men, he was gone now. That body was just a vehicle now.:: Calderan: ::whispering:: I’m sorry… ::Nia squeezed the trigger, on maximum kill. The beam flew through the darkness, illuminating the corridor and leaving Tallis with no time to react. It struck him square in the head, his body crumpling and landing in a lifeless heap against the cold tritanium bulkhead.:: ::Lucas narrowed his eyes; Tallis Rhul had been such a prominent figure in the news over the last few months and had been a face that everyone has associated with Duronis II’s Starfleet contingent for a long time. Now, it would be difficult to recognise him as much at all; his benign face had been replaced by twisted, burnt flesh. He fought hard not to retch and looked away as quickly as he could.:: Borr: I can’t believe that was the Federation Ambassador… ::Nia moved towards the gruesome scene, phaser still raised. She ran a scan over the body. Neither the bluegill, nor the noble Tallis Rhul still lived. She tapped called in to the CIC.:: Calderan: =/\= This is Lt Calderan to the CIC.=/\=Zehn: =/\= Go ahead, Lieutenant =/\= ::She cleared her throat.:: Calderan: =/\= I have to report that.... Ambassador Tallis is.. dead.=/\= TAG/TBC A JP by PNPC Recruit Lucas Borr Tactical/Security Trainee USS Vigilant NCC-75515 SIMmed by: Fleet Captain Diego Herrera & Commander Greir Reinard First Officer USS Vigilant & Lt. Scania ‘Nia’ Calderan (PNPC) Marine: USS Vigilant http://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Scania,_Calderan Simmed by: Major Leo Handley-Page: SOO: USS Vigilant

(Bridge - USS Solstice) ::Despite using all the ship's various sensors, the search felt like it was going no where. The only data they had to go on was the planet, and the readings that one of the science team thought was similar to the Bajoran wormhole. The most promising news was that they hadn't found any of the usual debris left by the destruction of a starship the size of the Discovery C. Even a warp core breach left surviving pieces of debris, bits of the various alloys used to construct a starship's hull and warp core.. Complete destruction was a remote possibility. oO Which means there's a better than average chance something else happened to her and she really is missing again. Or so I have to keep believing. Oo ::He was currently using the ship's tactical sensors for searching since he had the most familiarity with them. His background was in the tactical department, having served at the tactical console on all four of the Discovery's. His career had started as a fighter pilot, then gone to security, then the helm, then to tactical, and then it started looping like a Gordian knot. Between the Discovery's A, B, and C, he had served as chief tactical officer, fighter squadron commander, First Officer/XO, and even Pre-Commissioning Officer, before always returning to the tactical department. During his off duty hours, he had dabbled in ship design, submitting various design ideas and concepts to the office of Shipbuilding. Most of his submissions had gone no where, but it had lead to the stint working for a BuShips as the Pre-Commissioning Officer for what had become the Sovereign class USS Discovery C. That experience combined with a series of personal issues had lead to him leave the Discovery and take the job at Utopia Plantia.:: oO As much as I love what I've been doing on the new ships and "Delta," I actually miss life aboard the Lady. The scream and bass thumping of the Red Alert klaxon, the high pitched whine of the phasers unleashing their fury as raw power, the "chump-whump" of the torpedo launchers spitting their eggs containing deadly yokes of antimatter. Oo ::Combat had become a way of life aboard the Discovery it seemed. The Lady and her predecessors seemed to be either dragged into or just somehow ended up in more combat in their careers, then a dozen other starships might have combined for. Only the Enterprise and her predecessors could give her a real run for her money in regards to who had been in more shooting matches.:: oO Its almost like a drug. Once its in your system, you almost look forward to it, want it, even need it. Oo ::So now plodding along at impulse, searching for a needle in a haystack was like torture to him, since he had lived on that high for so long. Plus, search work had just never been his favorite to do. But his scheduled shift was almost complete, yet he probably would work at least half of another shift. Unless Captain Avedon made him stick to the schedule. In the ten days Mitchell had been aboard, Avedon had seemed like a stickler for such. As if one thing upset the schedule, it would then cause everything to go wrong. :: oO Just a different type that's all. Guess he reminds me too much of the drag their feet types back at UP, who won't put forth any concept or idea without checking nine or ten times, via various means. Oo ::He was trying to focus his attention back to the sensors when a voice called for his attention instead.:: AVEDON: Commander, a moment of your time please. MITCHELL: ::looking up and turning to face the center chair.:: Yes sir? AVEDON: Any results during the last round of sweeps? oO You would ask that. But you know the answer. One of us would have called out if we had found anything. Oo MITCHELL: Negative sir. We have not found anything out of what could be considered ordinary for this system. Other than the unknown emissions we found before. AVEDON: I find it hard to believe there is nothing out there. MITCHELL: I agree sir. We should have found at least something by now. Its almost like the system has been "cleaned." AVEDON: How would one clean a star system Commander? MITCHELL: I don't know sir. But you know as well as I do, if the Discovery had been destroyed, we would have found at least some wreckage, some sort of debris. AVEDON: Correct. MITCHELL: So I think it's unnatural that we can't find anything. We should have found at least some random neutrinos and naturally occurring emissions the science team tells me. But we haven't. So I'm thinking someone or something cleaned up the system to erase any trace of the Discovery's disappearance. AVEDON: Very well. Continue the search. ::He paused and noted something on the PADD in his lap before continuing. :: You may also take another shift Commander, as long as you remain efficient. MITCHELL: Yes sir. Thank you. oO Like I'm going to leave unless you make me take a break. Its my friends lost out there, not yours. Oo tbc Commander Rode Mitchell Mission Specialist Aboard the USS Solstice

((Warehouse District)) ::Sakorra knew the precise moment something broke through her consciousness as being completely wrong that Solok wasn’t ok, and perhaps it had been seeping through before she realized this with sudden clarity. She had been such a bad wife that she had fallen back into a familiar pattern of sensing nothing or letting only a partial sense of him break through that it wasn’t until the group was deciding between the Countess and the Warehouse that a black foreboding settled in her bones, and it wasn’t until they were on their way to some address that she realized she hadn’t been feeling him because she did finally feel him. She felt a darkness, a knowledge of utter, total darkness.:: Pandora: I am detecting no life signs in the warehouse, nor any signs of active security measures. Rogers: No security measures sounds too good to be true. Reed: It is too good to be true in a place like this. Pandora: Interestingly, my scans suggest that the systems currently in place have been deliberately compromised. Rogers: Are you sure ? If that is true then either this is a trap or someone wants us to find something. In either case… Wait.. Reed: Your objective may be an unwise idea, Pandora. Pandora: We are under a certain degree of time pressure, are we not? :: Pandora twisted the handle before an answer could be provided, producing a loud crack of breaking metal as the lock gave way. Pushing the door open, she walked inside. Rogers chose to utter a few choice words. It was her experience that some humans generally felt better when vocally blaspheming. She might have done so herself, if such a thing were her practice. While she knew that they weren’t running as Starfleet on this mission, it seemed that the crew had welcomed the pirate personas perhaps a little too easily. And Juhani…. Sakorra had wanted to wrap her hands around that furry neck when she’d seen those two dead guards. Two lives gone. It didn’t matter for whom they were working or what they were doing. They were still two lives. Did they have families? Children? What if they had been undercover? Unlikely, but always possible. Juhani definitely had her own agenda, and whatever it was, it did not align with anything or anybody that had one counter to her own. It might be so simple as a desire to rule the roost, but Sakorra wouldn’t be a security officer if she believed only in such easy possibilities. She focused and tried to calm down, control her breathing. With Starfleet’s current practices, she could hardly blame Tomic. Shame flickered against her consciousness at that thought, but didn't intrude as far or as effectively as it should have. Rogers motioned them forward as he brought his disrupter rifle up to his shoulder and advanced to the door.:: Pandora: There appears to be little here but the remains of some sort of technical work. ::Sakorra let the discussion flow around her. There was no point to speaking or adding input. This was not her area of expertise. And Sakorra felt oddly removed suddenly, those emotions thick with annoyance and anger and despair gone. She was remarkably calm, and felt very little emotion in regards to anybody … save one.:: ROGERS: That is one of my strengths. Restating the obvious. Pandora, Sakorra and Juhani check out those offices there may be some useful information left behind. PANDORA: One moment. REED: Aye, sir. ::Sakorra moved to one area of offices. A gentle hum emanated from sleeping equipment. Her skin tingled with positive ions. The door to the back office opened easily, large computer equipment clashed discordantly, like a bad children’s choir. Chaos, like the group out there. Right now, she’d rather be in the dark with Solok. A prisoner. He had been imprisoned. She needed to get to him, but first, she had to report it to Rogers so he … chaos exploded. She came out of the offices to complete cacophony. Pandora had taken out someone’s kneecaps, and it sounded like some sort of animal or mutant creature had tried to take out Rogers and Krogg.:: :: Sakorra heard it perhaps at the same time Juhani did. :: JUHANI: :: whispering :: Shiong mao niao! We've been followed. ::Normally, Sakorra would have said something sarcastic, but she felt strangely subdued. Solok’s control had wrapped her in its embrace, and she welcomed it. They headed towards a sewer grating. Krogg and Juhani had somehow taken control. This, she did not like. Normally, she would have argued with Krogg over his idea to be a diversion without deferring to someone who actually was in charge . She was the security officer here and Rogers was the captain and in charge overall. But they did need a diversion, and it would be best to have someone non-Starfleet be that diversion.:: REED: Krogg… Krogg: No time for ranks here Reed..Go now.. ::There it was, a slight bristling inside at being ordered by her prisoner, but it was almost immediately soothed. This would, of course, be sorted out later. Her own feelings aside, or lack thereof, Starfleet directives had effectively been tossed out the window. Once again, she didn’t feel like she was even in Starfleet.:: REED: Disable only, Krogg. That is an order. ::Sakorra slid easily into the sewer system and landed on her feet. Sakorra activated a light panel on her disruptor to aid the others. A question had risen in her mind. What need had a place like this for a sewer system? They were advanced enough, after all. As the light shined and bounced off of the narrow walls, she realized that the sewer system had been left in place for a very specific purpose, likely to add to the discomfort of those kept down here. They were in a prison. It was a convenient setup made to capture those who tried to use it as a means of escape. Just ahead, and hanging from the overhead ceiling, was a man in a just barely recognizable Starfleet uniform. The pips had been ripped from his uniform collar, and a noose had been tightened around his clearly broken neck. His skin had mottled and bruised. He looked uncomfortably bloated. Also around his neck hung a sign, printed in Federation standard. It read: Last stop. Escape is Futile. :: Tbc LCMD ReedCOSUSS Drake

OT: A sim that was sent in several parts, so I put them together because I thought it was really awesome. I hope what I did was okay. ((Major Settlement, 83 Leonis)) ::He materialised in what was definitely an agricultural area, adjacent to a significant settlement, larger than the village overlooked by the Observation Post. Plants of different types were arrayed in geometrical patterns, spiney leaves of green-brown next to broad crimson ones, a brown grass with purple flower-heads nearby. Neat, tended and largely deserted.:: ::Largely but not entirely. The erupting volcano dominated the skyline but did not overwhelm it as it had at the now distant Observation Post, yet no one could have missed its presence. Clearly the small group of beings huddled together near a hut that bordered the field had not. There were three individuals that Saveron judged to be fully grown, and five juveniles of the same apparent stage of development. A litter perhaps?:: ::The beings had six long limbs each ending in a structure not dissimilar to his own hand. As he approached it was apparent that the knuckles of the hands were covered in hard keratin, and for locomotion the hand was rolled into a fist and knuckles contacted the ground. The juveniles locomoted rapidly on all six limbs, milling about the adults’ feet. Two of the adults stood on four limbs with their backs curved and forward section of their bodies raised, front two limbs touching each other or the wall of the hut. The third had risen up entirely on its two hind limbs, middle right hand holding the wall of the hut for support as it shaded two dark, bulbous eyes with its foremost left hand and sought a better view.:: ::They did not appear to be insectoid; Saveron could discern no obvious exoskeleton, but plainly their DNA had not been seeded with that of the humanoid species.:: ::One of the juveniles uttered a high-pitched alert tone and the three adults turned to look at him, twisting their flexible spines through angles uncomfortable for most Federation species. They made no sudden movement towards or away from him, and the Vulcan wondered whether perhaps they were not as surprised to see him as they should have been. One of them made a short, sharp sound.:: Alien: Who/what/why? ::The Universal Translator rendered.:: ::There was, of course, no guarantee that any language would be analogous.:: Saveron: I am Saveron, I have travelled a long way. I intent no harm. ::He endeavoured to assure them.:: ::His words were met with unblinking, stoic silence. Uncertain reception or a failure of the translator?:: Saveron: I have a gift for you. ::The was a frozen moment, then the individual who had stood on two limbs dropped down onto four, took a step closer and [...]ed it’s head.:: ::Moving slowly, Saveron unpinned the IDIC symbol that served as his communicator and carefully laid it on the ground before taking several slow steps backward.:: ::The alien ambulated forward and unfurled its middle right hand to pick up the pin, passing it up to its forward right hand for examination by those large, dark eyes. The pin was shiney and set with a sparkling crystal; if these beings had a sense of aesthetic that was in any way comparable to his own, they might find it appealing.:: ::Saveron bowed politely to the little group and stepped further back to take his leave. As he turned away the being that had collected the IDIC pin was affixing it to the garment that it wore. Satisfied, Saveron headed away across the fields in the direction of the settlement. He was of course now without a universal translator but it was a calculated risk. If anyone tried to beam him out they were going to get a surprise. They would have to use the Mercury’s sensors to search for a Vulcan life signature from orbit – no mean feat – before they could pull him out.:: ::That too was a calculated risk; he didn’t want to be interrupted before he’d had a chance to do what needed to be done. Commander Ross was correct in that there was a far firmer case for intervention, but it was not guaranteed. Captain Kells had been adamant about their not interfering; it was always possible that he would not be swayed.:: ::He judged that the Aron he had known would be compassionate, but the older Kells personality was an unknown, and what he had seen of it seemed uncompromising. It was a difficult thought, the idea that one no longer knew one’s friend. When time permitted he would meditate on it, and on the personal difficulty in going against his friend’s request. Aron had asked him, as a measure of his respect for him, not to counteract his orders. And Saveron had evaded the request, asked in turn what, exactly, one man could do?:: ::Quite a lot, if that man was determined, and he had known that then. So he had refrained from giving Aron the promise that he had sought. He spoke the truth but he lied by omission, and that was a heavy burden. But be that as it may, if Captain Kells stood by his earlier decision to refrain from interfering then those on the planet were doomed to die, their species with them. Saveron could not stand by and permit that. Not even he had that much self control, not when everything he stood for said that lives must be saved.:: ::And if Captain Kells changed his mind, then what he did would only assist their efforts. So he saw the situation. So he tested and checked and reconfirmed his logic as he approached his desination.:: ::The settlement was much larger than the collection of grass huts near the Observation Post. Many of the outlying buildings were grass but there were sturdier ones of mud daub further in, structures intended to last. The irony was not lost on him.:: ::Saveron passed amongst the outer buildings, sighting the hexapodal aliens here and there but avoiding them as much as possible; those that saw him seemed disinclined to approach, preferring to move away or ignore him in favour of watching their impending doom as the volcano began to spew hot magma and clouds of ash.:: ::One he was satisfied that he was well within the township Saveron set the sampling case that he’d carried with him the entire time onto the ground. Unlatched, the open lid revealed not the usual samplers, vials and preservatives, but a cache of Transport Signal Boosters. Removing the first one he set it carefully on the ground. It wasn’t active yet, he had no desire to give himself away. According to the Mercury’s sensors which would be tracking his comm. badge, he was still out in the field. Presumably collecting the samples he had wanted, so he hoped they would assume.:: ::Removing several more, he shouldered the box again and moved on, describing a circuit around the inside of the perimeter of the settlement, pausing at regular intervals to deposit another signal booster.:: ::He trusted that Crewman Leana would be ready to prove that her transporters were up to her quoted figures.:: ::The aliens were watching him but keeping out of his way as he worked, dividing their attention between his activities and the growing eruption on the horizon. As he moved on from his latest deposit he glanced back and saw one gently touching the Transport Signal Booster he’d set up, but it did not seem intent on disturbing the device. They were robust items, even if the alien knocked it over it would still function.:: ::He worked quickly and with an economy of movement, knowing that as soon as those aboard the Mercury realised that he was still down on the planet they would likely attempt to contact him, if not beam him aboard outright. And when they tried that they would realise his ruse and his time would become very limited indeed. So he had to move rapidly.:: ::The boom of a distant explosion rolled over the land as the volcano belched another great cloud of ash and rocks glowing cherry-red began to rise from its maw to spread out across the land in a rain of destruction. The settlement was distant enough that it wasn’t in imminent danger of impact, but there was no indication as to how violent the eruption would become.:: ::His long legs covering ground rapidly, Saveron found himself in sight of the first signal booster he’d set up, having completed the circuit of the settlement. Turning then he headed inwards towards the centre of the settlement, where he found a dirt square, an open space perhaps used for gatherings or some such. There were more of the aliens here and they watched him with an unreadable air; he knew too little about them and there was too little analogous with humanoid species for him to judge their thoughts. They were, at least, not attempting to interrupt him.:: ::There were two Transport Signal Boosters left in the case that he carried. He set one up at either side of the square, pausing in his step as a juvenile scurried out of his path. Ignoring the looks that he was getting he made his way to the exact centre of the square and paused to look over at the volcano. As if on cue there was a particularly violent explosion from it and another cloud of ejecta – ash, rocks and magma – filled the air. Some of the rocks landed rather closer to the settlement this time. Looking away he took the last object, the emergency beacon, from the case and keyed it’s activation.:: ::As the Transport Signal Boosters received the emergency signal they activated, lighting up and generating the signal boost field that would encompass the entirety of the settlement and be easily locked onto from orbit, allowing the mass capture and evacuation of life form signals. Meanwhile the emergency beacon sent out it’s distress call on all available frequencies, as powerfully as it’s battery pack could manage.:: ::There was the option with these devices to include a voice message and Saveron took that option, button firmly depressed beneath his thumb.:: SAVERON: =/\= MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY! To all Federation vessels, this is a sentient settlement on 83 Leonis II. Destruction due to eruption of supervolcano is imminent, mass endangerment of sentient life. Immediate evacuation required. MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY! =/\= ::He keyed the message to repeat, betting his life and those of the sentients around him on the fact that while the Prime Directive was a Starfleet regulation, the right to call for emergency rescue was enshrined in Federation law. The signal from that beacon wouldn’t stop at this system; it would continue out across subspace, eventually reaching Federation outposts. Any Federation ship within range that failed to answer such a call would have to answer for their actions in a Federation court. Thus he hoped to override any other considerations going on above him.:: ::If he was wrong, he could die for his cause, along with the aliens around him.:: ::It was an archaic law, yet one which had parallels in the history of almost every Federation species; that right to call for assistance in emergency situations. The term used – chosen for its ease of pronounciation - was drawn from Terran history; an ancient language called ‘French’. ‘Mayday’ derived from the term ‘m’aider’ which meant, quite simply, ‘help me’.:: ::The emergency transponder in Saveron’s hands showed a steady indicator light; it was repeating his message over and over, along with its powerful sub-space emergency signal. It would reach Mercury and the Aquitania within moments, and travel beyond them to Federation space.:: ::Every so often the aliens peered at him and at the devices he had placed in the square, their powerful field just waiting to be tapped into. The Transport Signal Boosters would cause the life forms within their field to light up like a Terran Christmas Tree to the sensors of the ships above, enabling them to rapidly extract them in large numbers. That was their design and his intent.:: ::The first whine of a transporter beam-out seemed to confirm that his plan had indeed come to fruition, until he realised that the only thing affected by the beam was the emergency transponder that he held. He started to release his grip as it shimmered, but rather than disappear it suffered a critical dissolution, a contained explosion that badly burned the sensitive palms of his hands and scorched the front of his blue tunic.:: ::Not even his Vulcan mental control was prepared for the agony of burns to his highly enervated hands and the doctor dropped like a stone, severe shock momentarily turning his joints to jelly. He lay curled on his side, injured hands tucked against his chest, his shoulders curved to shield them.:: ::Even as he registered the damage he fought for the physiological control that he had wielded over a lifetime, shutting down the pain signals and the false sensations from the complex network of nerves that gave him extremely detailed touch perception, and also facilitated his touch telepathy. Gradually the pain receded and he was slowly able to assess the damage and direct his body to begin healing; without a dermal regenerator it would be a slow and painful process. Instinctively his mind sank into the deep healing trance that his people used to focus and direct their body’s healing; largely oblivious to all else around him.:: ::On one level he micromanaged his body’s response to the damage, but on another he attempted to determine what, exactly had happened. The transport had initiated, but it had failed. And it had failed to lock onto him. That was illogical. Federation transporters were very precise, and with the Transport Signal Boosters active they should easily be able to lock into every life-signal within the field. No, the transporters had specifically locked onto the emergency signal transponder. And like a flash of light in the darkness he suddenly knew.:: Saveron: oO Code 14. Oo ::It was a cold light, and a harsh one. He knew with a sudden certainty that the transponder had been deliberately destroyed; no accident could be so precise. And as he accessed his external senses for a moment he perceived that he still lay within the square of the settlement, volcanic ash beginning to settle on his prone form, soft and suffocating.:: ::The message had gone out, the beacon’s powerful subspace signal had already been sent, and there was no way of stopping it. It would reach Federation space. The Federation would know of the emergency, and if the ships above failed to act to save the lives that were subject to the emergency, her legal entities would want to know why. That was the bind that Saveron had deliberately sought to put the Captains into; failing to respond to an emergency beacon when one was within range was a Federation offence.:: ::Yet the signaller had been destroyed, and the transport had not commenced. The only logical conclusion was that his gambit had failed; that Captain Kells, regardless of the situation, had ordered that there be no intervention. The aliens of 83 Leonis II were to be allowed to die, and he would die with them. If that was what Starfleet had come to, if it valued secrecy over life, then he wanted no part of it. The Federation’s courts would deal with those responsible.:: ::There seemed little point in observing his own death, so he dove deeper into the trance, slowing his metabolism and focusing on his thoughts. He still believed in his cause, could find no fault in his logic. He held only one regret; Saavok:: Saveron: oO Forgive me, my son. Oo ***** ::Sensation disturbed his healing trance and Saveron bestirred his consciousness enough to receive external input and determine what, at their hour of doom, was touching him. He was being shifted and then lifted, and he opened grey eyes to a far closer view of a alien visage than many might wish. Middle arms held him whilst upper arms dusted a thick layer of ash off him and the being walked deliberately on it's hind legs towards one of the mud-walled buildings. He was acutely aware of the heavy irony of the situation; he had come to rescue them, and one of them in turn was rescuing him.:: ::But only for the moment. Everything on this world was doomed, whilst the ships hung above as silent witness, refusing to act. The alien tried to lie him down in the lee of the builing but he made an effort to get his feet under himself, careful not to use his blackened and blistered palms, the burnt skin cracked and oozing green blood. He managed to stand and received a look from large, dark eyes as the alien who'd moved him made a series of piping whistles and low, moaning sounds. Talking, he knew, but without his universal translator he had no idea what it was saying. Maybe it was asking what was happening, or what he was doing. Perhaps it was demanding to know who he was, or why he was here. It could even be acusing him of creating their current strife, he had no way of knowing.:: ::That wasn't entirely true. He had no way of knowing what it was saying, but he could know what it was thinking. Reaching out he carefully laid a burned palm on a bare alien forearm as the being steadied him, activating the nerves again and suppressing a sense of relief as, through the pain, he sensed the thoughts of the other. Surface thoughts only, he sought no deeper connection with so different a mind, but it was more than enough. Concern, fear, hope, desparation; nothing unexpected. Sudden surprise, but that too was expected. Saveron wanted to project reassurance but it would be a lie; he could give the creature only gratitude, and grief. They shared a fate, and there was nothing further that he could do about it.:: ::Convinced that they had been abandoned, he was unaware of the activites aboard the USS Mercury; the DNA matching, the dithering over transport, the rescue of Commander Rahman. He couldn't know about conversations between senior personnel aboard both ships, about changing of plans and minds. He was deaf and blind on the surface to what went on up above. Not to what went on on the surface however. There was a louder, ominous booming from the direction of the volcano, as the destructive processes underway there ramped up. A whistling noise and a sudden whump as a building across the square was demolished by a hot boulder, spraying the surrounding buildings with fragments of baked mud. Around them there were high-pitched shrieks of what he could only assume was terror.:: ::This was it. Some of the planet's inhabitants would last until the atmosphere began to cool, but not them. They were too close to the volcano's fury.:: ::He looked into the unfathomable eyes of the alien who'd carried him from the ash.:: oO I am sorry; I tried. Oo ::More rocks landed, stirring up the fallen ash into great billowing, choking clouds that made breathing impossible. He started to cough, and heard sounds around him that could only be the alien equivalent. He might last longer than most, he was adapted to low-oxygen environments, but it would not be a pleasant survival. He was condering whether to opt for a trance, unobserving of his own end, when he heard a familiar whine, felt the familiar tingle. Transporters! Someone, up there, chose to put lives first. The alien before him glowed blue in the transporter's beam, and there was the familiar moment of disorientation, before everything changed.:: ((USS Aquitania )) ::The air was clear, the ground was stable, bright lights illuminated them. The decor however was pastel, soothing and eerily unfamiliar. It took a moment to come to the logical conclusion: they were aboard the Aquitania. He didn't get any further in his observations as the need to breath bent him double in a fit of coughing. Around him he could hear people of varying descriptions moving, and a sudden voice.:: Crewman: Sir! One of them's not an alien! Officer: What do you mean Crewman? Crewman: We've got a Vulcan, or ::taking a second look:: could be a Romulan. ::Saveron was busy coughing ash from his lungs, but he straightened part-way up and found his voice, however croaky.:: Saveron: Vulcan. ::Cough.:: Doctor Saveron, USS Mercury.

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

Polling closes at 11:59pm on Sunday, September 22. This is a run-off poll, where our general membership will choose from the top sims of Rounds 13-18 to find the best sim that will proceed to the final round of the contest. Please read the sims below, which were chosen by a panel of judges (one from each ship) to find the best sims from each round of Set 3: Diego Herrera, "Super Brother"David Whale & Oliver Weston, "Namesake"Tyr Waltas, "Lost Time"Javan Tark (Liam Frost), "Curtains Up"Greir Reinard & PNPC Chen, "Come Hell And High Water"Roshanara Rahman & Dre'lith Chaun, "Falling Away"If any crew is found "stuffing the ballot" -- having everyone on the crew vote for the same sim to ensure it proceeds to the final round -- that crew will be eliminated from the contest for the remainder of the year. Good luck to the nominees!

((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

((OOC: This is a two part sim, which I combined into one for the competition. It is written by the USS Mercury's PC Lt.Cmdr Roshanara Rahaman... part two is her PNPC Lt. Dre'lith Chaun.)) ((Shuttlecraft Valentina Tereshkova, deep within the volcano on 83 Leonis II)) ::The shuttle buckled around Roshanara Rahman as she lay against the [...]pit window. The alarms now had turned into background murmurs, and her vision was cloudy. An unsightly cranial contusion had formed from the impact her head had made against the overturned shuttle's hull minutes earlier.:: ::Sharp static cackled over the comm, but whether it was from the captain's away team or the Mercury, she couldn't tell. Part of her just wanted to close her eyes and fall asleep. However, she knew if she stayed here, she would die.:: ::With a groan, she propped herself up to sit back against the ceiling of the shuttle. Squinting her eyes, she could see the console controls still lit up. The navigational display continued to track the shuttle's movement as it drifted farther out from the center of the volcano and deeper into the surface. She grabbed the edge of the console and pulled herself towards the controls.:: ::From the navigational display, she saw that the shuttle was trapped within the tunnel of lava, and it looked as if the shuttle would only continue to sink below the rock. She tapped a few commands into the console to power the engines. The thrusters fired with a sputter before exhaling a final breath. She punched at the panel again, but the thrusters remained dormant.:: ::With one hand still grasping the edge of the console to keep her balance in the rocking shuttle, she held her head in the other hand, massaging her injury.:: RAHMAN: oO All right, what's still left... Oo ::She looked over the systems status display, turning her head sideways to read the tiny report.:: ::Engines: offline. Transporter systems: offline. Main power: failing. Shields: failing. Weapons systems: inactive. Communications: offline. Life support: fail-:: RAHMAN: oO Weapons systems! Oo ::She tried to hold her aim steady against the shaking console as she adjusted the energy levels, diverting the remaining power to the shuttle's phasers. It wouldn't be at full power, but it just might be enough.:: ::She tilted her head up and looked at the other chair and console of the copilot, now hanging above her. She bit her lip in frustration. The tactical controls were out of reach from where she sat. She strained as she pulled herself up using the other pilot chair. Despite the piercing pain that shot through her, she reached her arm out to activate the targeting sensors. Fortunately, they were defaulted to aim straight forward. That's all she needed.:: ::She set the duration of fire for a continuous beam. With one final press, she fired the shuttle's phasers and watched for a brief moment as they pierced through the rock ahead, causing some of the lava to follow through into the new passageway. The shuttle lurched back violently as it shifted direction with the lava, causing Roshanara to fall back down once again against the [...]pit window.:: ::This time, though, she was looking up at the portside window. She saw the dark rock of the volcano drifting by quickly. She tried to stay awake, but she felt so tired now. She just needed to rest, if only for a minute.:: ::As she closed her eyes and drifted away, she could have sworn it looked as if suddenly the rock had turned to sky.::((Bridge, USS Mercury)) ::The antennae on Lt. Dre'lith Chaun twitched. He didn't like this situation one bit, and if it were up to him, he'd have beamed up the stubborn chief engineer immediately once she reported damage to the shuttle, but then again, it wasn't up to him. That much was clear as she closed the channel, leaving him to sigh as he sat feeling rather ineffectual in the Mercury's captain's chair. Perhaps someone was enjoying the delicious irony of it all.:: ::A few minutes later, though, sensor alarms began ringing. Ensign Cardosa looked over the scans from the science station.:: CARDOSA: Sir, the volcano's eruption has intensified. It is proceeding to the next stage. ::Dre'lith's eyes went wide, but before the Andorian could reply, a dire call came in from the captain.:: KELLS: =/\= Kells to the bridge. =/\= CHAUN: =/\= Lt. Chaun here, sir. =/\= KELLS: =/\= Lieutenant, lock onto Commander Rahman's signal and beam her out immediately. CHAUN: =/\= Aye! =/\= ::He relayed the command to the transporter room, but Crewman Leana couldn't get a lock. He looked over at Ensign Tivall at the engineering station, but the Vulcan woman simply shook her head.:: TIVALL: Given the current dynamic location of the shuttle and the geological disturbance currently on the surface, we are unable to secure a proper lock on the commander. ::He looked back at her incredulously.:: CHAUN: That's it? You don't have any suggestions, ensign? TIVALL: It is an unfortunate set of circumstances. ::It was said with the usual Vulcan dryness that had annoyed Dre'lith during the time he had served on the USS T'Plana-Hath with its nearly all-Vulcan crew complement. The woman was talking about her department head's imminent death as casually as if she were describing a bit of rainfall during a game of springball.:: CHAUN: Not good enough, ensign. ::His antennae twitched again as he thought out loud.:: CHAUN: You say we can't lock onto the commander. Fine... but what about the shuttle itself? ::The engineer looked over the scans of the planet surface.:: TIVALL: The Tereshkova's positional readings are still inadequately faint, lieutenant. If it were free from the volcano- CHAUN: (annoyed) Then we wouldn't be having this conversation. ::That caused the Vulcan to twitch.:: TIVALL: Indeed, sir. ::Just then, the turbolift doors opened. Dre'lith turned to get a quick glance at the new arrivals but his focus soon returned to the viewscreen. He wasn't about to abandon the stubborn Trill--or rather, Kriosian, he had later learned--just yet.:: CAPRONNE: Trouble, Lieutenant? What's going on? CHAUN: The volcano has proceeded to the next stage of the eruption, sir... with our chief engineer still inside it. ::Dre'lith saw that the other new arrival, an Andorian commander, was sizing him up, but he didn't care. He'd deal with him another time.:: ::Just then, Tivall sounded called out to the three men gathered in the center. Her voice was unusually animated for a Vulcan, which is to say she sounded almost alive.:: TIVALL: Sir, we have a positive lock on the shuttle. ::The Andorian lieutenant wanted to throttle her. Why was she even waiting for an order?:: CHAUN: Then beam it up now! TIVALL: Already in progress, sir. (beat) It's done. The Tereshkova is aboard. ::Dre'lith let out a sigh of relief. Apparently, the ensign wasn't as dense as he had feared.:: CHAUN: Good work, ensign. Inform sickbay and beam the commander directly there. ::As Tivall nodded and set to work, Capronne turned to the other Andorian, seemingly pleased with what he had just witnessed.:: CAPRONNE: Well, there you go, Commander: If Lieutenant Commander Rahman is well enough after beamout, then she was just on the planet's surface and was with the captain, so she should have much more information about the situation down there. ::The unknown commander simply walked away, as Dre'lith expected, and after a conversation with the ambassador, the bridge was now occupied by the returning senior staff. The Andorian pilot excused himself and returned to the shuttlebay, taking the scenic route by way of sickbay.::Lt Cmdr RahmanCheif EngineerUSS Mercury & her PNPC Lt. Dre'lith ChaunHelmsman & PilotUSS Mercury

(( Counselor’s Office - USS Thunder-A )) :: Counselors. It was a word that not only made him irritated, but resigned to the fact that they were an integral part of Star Fleet. The human capacity to care for their people both mentally, physically, and emotionally was impressive; Nugra felt that it was sometimes too much. :: :: Now he stood in front of the counselor’s door for the dreaded annual appointment which he had to attend. The one back on Starbase 118 while applying to join Star Fleet a third time was as painful as a poisoned Vss’Kot blade. :: :: Ringing the bell on the side of the door, he awaited for entry. :: :: Inside the office, Ashley had prepped for his sessions of the day already, and was relaxing over his second cup of tea for the morning. Camomile, caffeine free. Except his cup was a coffee mug... a bit larger and heavier than a tea cup, and easier to handle. Far less unsteadiness as he set it atop his desk, sliding his hands behind his back in that formal way he tended to, a casual smile lightening the severity of the posture. :: Yael: It’s open. :: Stepping inside, Nugra nodded. :: Nugra: Lieutenant Commander Nugra here for the 0930 appointment. :: He handed the PADD to him. :: Nugra: If you could sign the clearance, I can get back to my duties. :: Taking the PADD offered to him... making certain to have several inches space between his hand and the one holding the PADD... he held it in hand for a moment, smiling with the slightest amusement at the very direct attempt to circumvent the session Nugra was here for, and set the PADD unsigned atop the desk. :: :: Nugra watched as the PADD got set down and his eyes narrowed. It continued to prove that counselors all counselors were annoying. :: :: Purple eyes lifted and settled on the silver-eyed Gorn, who stood a good deal taller than himself. In fact, Lieutenant Commander Nugra outweighed him drastically as well, and cut what normally would have been an intimidating figure. But being small of stature did not mean being a pushover, and Ashley kept his casual smile in place. :: Yael: Lieutenant Ashley Yael. ::pause:: Please, Commander. Make yourself comfortable. Nugra: oO Comfortable? I’m in a mind bender’s office Oo :: He sat down without a vocal word. :: Yael: ::sitting, remaining straight up, opening Nugra’s file on his computer:: I’ve been going over your records. Overall, you appear to be a straight-laced, dependable officer. :: He kept eyes on Nugra, watching for any response the Gorn might have. Species such as his were far harder to read directly, but it was not impossible when one knew what to look for. :: :: He listened carefully to the man’s words. Overall, was the operative one here. Was Yael suggesting something else? He hated these mind games. :: Nugra: I pride myself on that. Yael: You’re a fan of the martial arts, isn’t that right? Nugra: I do enjoy a bout or two. I am fluent in quite a few different forms from over the galaxy. :: That was a point of pride for him. Able to defend the ship from weapons to bare claws. :: Yael: And what do you do when you are *not* on duty, or otherwise training? :: What was the man up too? Nugra shifted ever so slightly in his chair. :: Nugra: I focus on logic training through chess, use my holodeck program to improve my reaction time, and sleep. :: Ashley was aware that the answers weren’t exactly deep introspection, but the Gorn appeared to be rather stern, or at the least unwilling to expand on the conversation. This in itself told the counselor a few things. But that wouldn’t cut it if Nugra wanted his signature on that data padd. So he dove into something a touch closer to home. :: Yael: And your family? How are you getting on with them? Or should I say, how are you doing aboard... especially as you are the only member of your species aboard. Nugra: They’re dead. Yael: ::eyebrows pushing upward:: Oh...? I’m sorry. ::beat:: If you don’t mind my asking? :: The question was clear. :: Nugra: My brother was killed in Star Fleet, my family has disowned me and so by Gorn law and tradition they are dead. ::It was difficult to keep the bitterness out of his voice. :: Yael: That is quite... unfortunate. There were problems, I take it, within the family? :: The Denobulan certainly wasn’t giving up at the sudden turn toward the mans tragedy. He could hear the bitterness behind the words... it was still raw territory. The fact that it had come out so easily and so early in their session meant it was at the least on the Gorn’s mind, and something simmering that hot had a tendency to impact behavior. :: Nugra: Difference in opinion with the Gorn Civil War. :: He was not going to volunteer anymore as it was his personal business. :: Yael: I take it your family was involved in the War. ::sensing an icy reaction to his further probing:: But there’s no need to worry, Commander. I don’t need you to tell me your life story. We’ll just start with your childhood and go from there. :: A slight smile, though he doubted he’d get one from the Gorn. :: Nugra: My culture considers our private lives just that. Private. May I ask what this has to do with the Annual? I had one in Star Fleet medical when I re-joined. They found me fit for duty though with a tendency to be to official. Yael: ::failing to be impressed, but still smiling casually:: Yes, the annual exams do tend to come around now and then. Just about once a year. ::pausing:: I do not require you to tell me anything you do not *want* to tell me, Nugra. But aside the formality, I’m just trying to get to know you a little better. It makes my job infinitely more pleasant, and may well lessen your burden in the matter as well. :: Lifting the mug of tea, Ashley took a slight drink, holding the mug in both hands carefully. He was having a good day, technically speaking... but it still shook ever so slightly. Almost imperceptibly, before he set it down again. :: Yael: Though, from the little information I have, it seems you’ve become quite isolated. From your family and your culture. How are you handling that? :: Nugra listened quietly as he spoke. Out of all the counselors that he had met, Yael was good at dancing around, making him sound like he had a choice, and then bringing the question right back around. Nugra: Fine. :: It was unhelpful and it came out before he thought about it. :: Nugra: oO Krr’Mkk. He’s getting to me. Oo :: The smile spread slightly as he took in the one word response. If Nugra was anything, he was direct. Perhaps not giving in his answers, but there was no indication of deception, from what Ashley could tell of the Gorns expressions. What few he had. This would be an interesting challenge, figuring out what made this man function. But there was time for that... this was a simple introduction. :: Yael: That’s good to hear. ::taking a moment:: Then I suppose it’s going to be chess. :: He nodded affirmatively, as if he’d made a decision just then. :: Nugra: Excuse me? Yael: I need a partner. Terribly difficult to find anyone of late who plays. Nugra: Then you’re decent at it? Yael: ::leaning forward slightly:: Oh... I’m decent. Three tiered or flat plain? Nugra: Either. I prefer flat plain as it’s easier to carry around. Three tiered is a newer variant of the ancient game. Yael: A very steady officer, focused, highly trained. I imagine you’d make a marvelous opponent. In a game of chess or in the field. And you have seen action, most recently the Klingon invasion. Why don’t you tell me about your experience then? Nugra: Why? Yael: Why not? Nugra: I don’t see how my actions in the Klingon Invasion have bearing on this line of questioning. Yael: I didn’t ask about your actions, Nugra. I asked about your experience. I assume you joined the fight? :: Nugra’s mind went back to his first arrival to Duronis II with the Klingon invasion in full swing and the dead ships in orbit. :: Nugra: Yes, I was part of a team that participated in liberating the embassy from the Klingons and Orions. :: Nugra thought about to that action and decided he might as well give the Counselor something. :: Nugra: I do sometimes get concerned on the... :: he didn’t know how to phrase it without sounding like a monster. :: ...ease and efficiency killing came to me. Yael: ::nodding:: Anyone involved in such a violent action is bound to wonder, concerning their actions, their behavior. Why they did what they did, how they did it. Would you say your actions there were perhaps... more extreme, than you might have normally taken? The situation was quite dire, I realize. Nugra: It wasn’t method, but the ease that concerns me. ::Sinking without hesitation into his next question. :: Yael: And how many did you kill? Nugra: Six. Yael: Yet, every one of them was done out of necessity. :: He kept keen purple eyes on the Gorn, watching for hints of distress or other reactions as he continued. :: Yael: And because of your actions, you saved the lives of others. Didn’t you? Nugra: Of course. Yael: So for all the downfalls of your battles, you could say they were... if still violent... but they were honorable pursuits, am I right? :: Something strange, coming from the mouth of a pacifist. :: Nugra: Killing isn’t honorable as more duty. The people needed protecting and that is what I have sworn to do. My concern is how it is becoming easy for me to kill. My report does mention the War of the Singularity. Yael: I’m not familiar with that conflict. :: This was said in a tone that was hopeful Nugra would explain more to him. That was about the first thing the Gorn had offered up without a verbal battle, so it was clearly important. … as if the impact of *any* war wasn’t important... :: Nugra: It was a battle in a temporal anomaly around the planet Dekthos on the edge of Gorn space in the unexplored regions. My fleet was trapped for 200 years with an enemy fleet. We fought to the last man with no quarter and no mercy. Yael: That... sounds absolutely dreadful. oO Even for a skilled fighter, who survives that sort of situation... intact? Oo Nugra: My estimate in how many I killed for Star Fleet’s report was...conservative...It wasn’t a dozen as I mentioned. :: The number was something he hated. He wished he could lose count. :: Nugra: I killed four hundred and fifty eight in single combat, many more in ship to ship combat. :: Four hundred, fifty eight, and then some. Plus six more. So the Klingon invasion was just a dash in the mix. :: Yael: It appears you are a Gorn with many secrets. ::pausing:: That’s okay, we’ve all got ours... but... these things are massive. You’ve been in several extremely serious, life threatening events. You don’t have to harbor them alone. :: Nugra wanted to let out a sardonic chuckle. Life threatening events. Yes, he had been through quite a few. Traveling to the mirror universe, being attacked by an alien probe when he first joined the Gorn Fleet, facing war of 200 years. They were becoming almost expected now. :: Nugra: It is my issue, my actions. I do not see the need to involve anyone else in it. Yael: I understand the instinct. To keep it to yourself, to not involve others. It’s cleaner that way. At least, for a while. But then you realize, maybe not all at once, that it’s impacting you still. A dream here. A flash of memory there. One thing leads to another, and suddenly you’re living each day with those events on the edge of your mind. Becoming a perpetual threat to your mind, now that it’s no longer a threat to your life. Nugra: I see...and what do you suggest is the remedy for so many nightmares? oO I bet it’s something pansy and human like. Oo :: It wasn’t exactly a full admission, but Nugra’s interest and reference to nightmares... whereas he had said dreams, the Gorn had advanced it to nightmares... led him to believe he was on the right track, so he dove into it. Though, he kept a keen eye on the Gorns responses, just in case he was pushing too far. :: Yael: To begin with, I would suggest a full round of memory-engram treatment, via sickbay. It is a series of hypos over a few weeks duration that can help aid with disconnecting the fear from the events in your memory. It’s hormonally based, I believe... it is not remedy in and of itself, but it can aid the process of breaking down the roots that have grown. It can help to curb the nightmares. Nugra: Interesting choice, though most engram therapy I am familiar with is designed for mammals. The Federation does not have that many reptilian species in their membership. Yael: The process works well for mammalian species. I don’t know that it’s been adapted for Gorn, but there’s no reason we can’t ask Doctor Derrida to try and adapt it to your physiology. Nugra: And after that? Yael: After the series... assuming you agree to them of course... we begin other methods, as you see fit. ::pausing:: The one thing we do *not* do, Nugra... is ignore it. Let it fester. Believe me, the sound of treatment may seem annoying and intrusive, but no more so than the breaking down of your ability to function in the future. Which, if you *are* suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, you may well be heading toward. Beyond that, there are several means we can try via psychotherapy, which would be my specialty. Nugra: You have some interesting suggestions. Yael: I suggest nothing more than taking it by the horns and wrestling it to the ground, as you would any other enemy. You would not ignore a man with a weapon standing behind you, waiting for an opportunity to strike. Do not ignore this. Nugra: I am listening to you, Counselor. Your plans are a good idea though we might have to skip the memory engram part of it. Yael: Oh? And why is that? :: There was no hostility to the question, just curiosity. :: Nugra: Well, one of my many “exciting” life moments was when I was a Senior Ensign in the Gorn Space Navy, I was attacked by an alien probe. It was trying to remove all my memories. Yael: ::an eyebrow rising:: And no doubt you are now more protective of such things. Nugra: Our doctor designed a substance based on a narcotic that would lock my memories in place. It worked and saved my mind from being drained, but it rendered all engram memory modifications impossible. I remember everything now. So, we’ll probably have to handle this the old fashion way. Yael: I see. More protective than I thought. ::smiling lightly:: Then the engram treatment will have to go to the wayside. But I’m glad to see you’re willing to explore the process. The old fashioned way takes more time, but can be just as effective, so long as you take it seriously. Nugra: No promises, but I’m willing to give it a shot. Yael: All that in mind, I’d have to call this a productive annual evaluation. ::his smile returned to him:: It will be my pleasure to help you however I can, Commander. If you do find yourself having trouble, I am “on call,” so to speak. Denobulans don’t need a lot of sleep, so consider it 26-7. Nugra: I will remember that, I usually only need four hours myself. :: Ashley set dual fingertips to the data PADD sitting before him on his desk, giving his approval and applying it to Nugra’s formal file. :: Yael: I’ve given you the go-ahead. Consider yourself approved for duty. :: The gorn nodded taking the PADD and he made his way to the door. :: :: Ashley stood as Nugra stood, and he set his hands behind his back, standing straight. There was one last thing to cover before they parted ways... something Nugra might not expect, but needed to be said. :: Yael: Before you go, one last thing, Commander... Nugra: Yes? Yael: When I take an officer off duty, I do so for very specific... and vital... reasons. I have that authority, as ships counselor. ::pausing just slightly:: When I do this, it is not done lightly or without serious consideration for all parties involved, and that includes the senior staffs need for all posts to remain filled and active during our endeavors. :: Nugra waited silently as the man continued. :: Yael: When you put Mc Ghee on light duty, you negated my authorization in the matter... and to my knowledge, without a full understanding of the situation concerning his removal from duty. ::pausing again, letting it sink in:: Though I understand you found his involvement necessary, if you negate my authority in such a manner a second time, I will find it necessary to file a formal complaint with the chain of command. :: The entirety of this last comment was said without an ounce of hostility or ire. It was simply what he would have to do. It was only that he hoped Nugra would take his comment on the matter to heart, and not repeat the maneuver a second time, saving them any formal strife. It was his way of asserting his authority in the matter without being aggressive. :: Nugra: Lieutenant, I understand your words, but you should realize that one, you were not stationed here when i relieved him of duty hence your authority was never challenged. Two, there are quite a number of capable people who have and did perform in his shoes while he was absent, and three, I’d rather have the ship without an engineer than commanded by a man who chose to abandon his post and his crewmates. :: Nugra turned to the door and then stopped. :: Nugra: oh, and my actions were approved by the captain when I presented the evidence and last I remembered, your authority stops when the captain makes her decision. Yael: Commander, the Captain left the ship before I could report to her concerning Mc Ghee’s status. Her being out of reach does not negate my authority. And if you’ll recall, I am one of the few people on this ship that has the authority to take even the *Captain* off duty. ::pausing:: But I’m not interested in debating the issue. I am simply informing you of the slight, and my actions should it occur again. My authority in the chain of command is not a matter of discussion, and I expect you to abide by that chain of command, as I expect of the entire senior staff. :: There was still an absolute lacking of any hostility. They clearly disagreed on the boundaries of their stations, but Ashley wouldn’t let that professional disagreement become a personal one. But the fact that Nugra had no idea the danger he’d put them... and the Romulans... in by ignoring the counselors authority couldn’t be an argument he used aloud. Not if he wanted to maintain Jaxon’s medical privacy. :: Yael: Aside that, feel free to disagree as you please. :: No doubt the crews time without a counselor had led them to believe his post was not necessary... or that it was necessary to respect it. That would be a flock of birds he recaged from free-flight, crewman by crewman if need be. :: :: War with every crewman wasn’t necessary and the Gorn decided to bow out of this fight until he knew more about the counselor's position. :: Nugra: I will heed you for now, Lieutenant. :: With that, he left. :: Lt Cmdr NugraDeck OfficerUSS Thunder-AEmbassy, Duronis II & Lt. Ashley Deneve YaelCounselorUSS Thunder-AEmbassy, Duronis II

(( Holodeck, Duronis II Embassy )) :: Hannibal stood with his wedding party, standing in the mouth of a cave, which was lit with torches going deep into its interior The six humans, and one massive Klingon prepared to make a quasi- perilous journey together, one undertaken by countless Klingons and a few humans. The journey would test them all, as it was designed to do, and test their endurance. Ha'Rouque stood before them, with a knowing glance between Hannibal and him. The journey was about to begin... :: :: After receiving the invitation to this very Klingon ritual and considering what had occurred during the invasion, Jaxon had been reserved about taking Joel along with him. Even so, as Hannibal had said, Joel was more a man than lad and so the Welshman had sought his son's opinion on joining them. He wasn't really surprised that Joel had been eager, almost proud that his uncle chose him worthy to join the other adults for this ceremony. Jaxon did however notice that upon entering the holodeck, some of this eagerness seemed to evaporate as Joel saw the large Klingon warrior standing with Hannibal. He wasn't sure if other noticed, all the same Jaxon casually maneuvered himself next to his son and gave his shoulder a fatherly squeeze. Two pairs of blue eyes caught for a moment, conveying more than words could have in twice the time. :: Ha'Rouque: Today is a new beginning. We travel a road in celebration of the union of a member of our house. It will be difficult, and will test your courage in ways you have not imagined. We share its difficulties together, and we celebrate in song. Each of you will find something unique on your journey, but once finished, it is an experience which you will keep with you the rest of your lives. Prepare yourselves for the journey...:: :: Hannibal looked at the ones he had chosen to make the journey with him, and they all looked back at him...:: Parker: Thank you all for coming. I know this will not be easy, which means much to me. I am in your debt... ::Rhul shook his head; whether or not this was easy or difficult, it was for Hannibal and he was prepared to go to whatever lengths were necessary to see them through to the end of the ceremony.:: Tallis: Not at all, Hannibal. No debt necessary. ::Diego wasn't entirely sure he shared the Bajoran ambassador's gung-ho approach, but he was certainly prepared to endure the road to kal' Hyah for a friend. Not only that, but his competitive side was telling him that failing to make the cut just wasn't an option.:: Herrera: ::Looking at Tallis:: Hey, you can write it off if you want, Ambassador, but I intend to collect a bottle or two of blood wine once this is all said and done. :: Jaxon looked to his son and still seeing the faint signs of tension only a parent could read, chose to answer for both of them. :: Mc Ghee: I think I can speak for us both :: indicating to Joel :: by saying it is an honor to walk this path with you. :: Joel looked to his adoptive uncle and nodded in silent consent. :: Vess: Of course Ah'd be here. :: The cave was hot, humid as they began their descent deeper into the cave. HaRouque and Hannibal began to sing as they travelled to their first challenge...:: :: Ha'Rouque and Hannibal sang the song twice, and as they started for the third time, everyone was getting into the act. Following the two giant men into the cave, Jaxon and Joel quickly picked up the words and joined in. Having Welsh roots meant both had an appreciation for songs for the occasion; many Welshmen could still sang the ancient national anthem from 1856. :: :: They came to their second challenge..their first, deprivation, they were currently undergoing. Most of them had had no food or water in at least a day...with the second challenge facing them, they stopped in what appeared to be an open area, essentially a room with bare rock walls. Ha' Rouque gathered them all in a circle, and spoke to them...:: Ha'Rouque: This is a trial of blood. We shed blood to defeat our enemies, and we shed blood to bind ourselves together in brotherhood. Who shall be first to shed their blood to bind themselves to the other? :: Hannibal was first to step forward:: Parker:: In a loud, proud voice:: I shall be first to bind ourselves together.... :: Drawing his dak' tar, Ha'Rouque took Hannibals' outstretched hand, and made a cut, just deep enough for the blood to flow over the knife..:: Ha'Rouque: Our blood flows together to become one, united against our enemies. :: Looking at the rest of the contingent:: Who shall be next to join us? :: Rhul was next. He stepped forward proudly and offered his hand to Ha'Rouque.:: Tallis: I shall be second! ::He wasn't entirely sure if that was the appropriate response or wasn't. Jaxon stepped up right alongside him, ready to be next in line. He didn't flinch when the knife cut him; he had endured pain worse than that.:: ::Jaxon watched the ambassador let his palm be ritually cut before also offering his own hand to the large Klingon Warrior. The stabbing bite of the blades passing through his flesh brought memories of past knife-fights, but strangely enough not of the night on Duronis; S'Caan had always been the better fighter of the two Mc Ghee's.:: ::Joel felt the uneasiness in him rise the very moment he saw Hannibal willingly hold out his hand for the Klingon to cut into. Then another man did the same and so did his dad and none showed signs of hesitance. When the huge Klingon man came to Joel, the teenager looked up at the warrior and he knew ritual, friendship and family presence still couldn't wipe away his anger and slight fear at standing unarmed opposite an armed Klingon.:: Jaxon watched his son and his hesitance, resisting the urge to place a hand on his shoulder, certain the display of support wouldn't be appreciated. Joel held out a hand, its slight trembling vanishing as the Klingon grasped it tightly. Jaxon noted that Ha'Rouque performed the ritual more swiftly than with him or the others and suspected the Klingon was responding to Joel's reluctance. :: ::Each of them took their turns in the bloodletting, with Joel being initially resistant... his near- death experience with the Klingons not too long ago was clearly bothering him... one of the reasons Hannibal wanted him to come was to lose his fear..and to accept that not all Klingons were intent on killing him... Hannnibals' hand stung from where the knife cut him, but that was part of the trial...:: ::Alucard's hand stung slightly, and he glanced down at the slight cut across his palm. There was almost no blood. Already it was starting to close up, as the advanced platelets afforded to him by his genetically engineered heritage rapidly fought the intrusion into his body.:: Vess: ::Glancing around.:: oO What will these crazy Klingons come up with next?Oo ::Diego had ended up being last in the queue, more by virtue of physical position than by specific choice. The Klingons' propensity for swapping blood through used knives didn't strike him as particularly hygienic, but he was confident his immune system would be able to handle it. He held out his palm to take part in the ritual, feeling the bite of the knife and the sensation of his blood running down the edge of his palm.:: :: As each trial was undertaken, Hannibal was more than resolved to finish it. Having been through it once before was still not enough preparation for a second trial...it was the same, yet different. Each trial he and his shipmates undertook let him know above all else, he had friends who were more than able to stand the rigors, and even Joel bore up well to the multitude of discomforts being thrown at team. He was proud of them all..they were sweaty, dirty, and exhausted..but their eyes spoke their true spirit...they would not be broken. and they were persevere. Once they reached the end of their journey, Ha'Rouque saluted them all...:: Ha'Rouque: Congratulations! We have arrived at kal'Hyah! You have all done well. Now...we prepare to eat, drink, and enjoy the evenings' entertainment:: Looking at Hannibal:: I hope you have the strength left to enjoy the delights I have brought to you.... :: Without missing a beat, Hannibal spoke up.....:: Parker: A little bloodwine and I will be just fine! Bring on the evenings' entertainment... I might even be better able to enjoy... and sustain... :: Hannibals' Starfleet shipmates gave him a dubious look:: Herrera: Maybe some water, first? We're all pretty dehydrated and even if you do tick the box of colossus on your medical forms, blood wine in your current state is quite likely to knock you out, rather than spur you on. ::Diego didn't want to be a killjoy; the idea of Hannibal passing out part way through his bachelor party was something he was sure wouldn't be particularly palatable to the big man.:: Tallis: I have to say that I'm with Captain Herrera on this one. It's my job to make sure you stay in one piece for the wedding, right? ::Rhul still wasn't entirely sure what he made of Diego Herrera. He seemed awfully laid back and casual to be worthy of wearing four pips, but in this case he couldn't deny that he had a point.:: Vess: Ah'll make that a third. Drink some water. Parker: It will be fun....and also, another test.... Jaxon: Another test? Joel: I hope it will not be as hard as these were.... :: As they all left the holosuite, they knew it would soon be converted into the banquet hall for the “other†bachelor party..:: Parker: We be back here in an hour, gentlemen...prepare to enjoy yourselves! ::Rhul nodded. An hour would be enough time for him to prepare for the evening and check in with Toni. Diego, meanwhile, figured that an hour would be just enough time to rehydrate and check up on the work he had been doing before he started out on the path to kal' Hyah. He wished he could give Hannibal's wedding celebrations his full attention but had been glad he could take part so far.:: Parker: Don't drink too much water! We will have much more to consume!!!! JP by: Fleet Captain Diego HerreraUSS VigilantAmbassador Tallis Rhul Duronis II Embassy Ensign Jaxon Mc GheeEngineer, USS Thunder-A/ Duronis II Embassy Joel Mc GheeTeenager Commander Alcuard VessFirst Officer, USS Thunder-A/ Duronis II EmbassyMajor Hannibal Tiberious Parker 2nd Officer/ Marine Commander/ Chief Of Strategic Operations USS Thunder-A/Duronis II Embassy Ha'Rouque Adjutant to Chancellor Martok Imperial Klingon Empire

((Folds' Quarters, Starbase 118 Habitat Ring)) ::He had only seen his new home on a map of the station's layout, and a generic picture of an empty, apartment-style quarters he had pulled up, quickly, in one of his few free moments between receiving his assignment and checking in. When the doors opened, they revealed a stark, empty, grey room -- not entirely unlike what any other small, one-person apartment might look like in between residents.:: ::Folds stepped inside and poked his head around. His duffel bag and trunk had already been delivered here, and sat next to a small table in the middle of the living area. Turning to his right, he found a doorway and a small bedroom. He slung the duffel over his shoulder, took three steps, and dropped it at the foot of the bed. The mattress was even a little softer than he had expected (or that he was used to from the Academy). But the pillows... He felt one, then lined the two provided up and punched them lightly. He would need to find better pillows.:: Folds: ::with a sigh that turns into a yawn:: Home sweet home... ::He sat on the bed and, keeping both feet on the floor, leaned back and closed his eyes. He didn't want to take a nap, or go to sleep, not just yet. He only wanted a moment or two of rest...:: ::The medical rounds had been fairly uneventful; MacLaren had been right that many of the patients would probably be ready to be discharged in the morning. Still... he should review what had happened before coming in. And Captain Dubeau's files, if he had access to them. Would he have access to the records of patients he wasn't assigned to? This must have been covered in the Academy, but he was too tired right now to remember.:: Folds: ::eyes still closed:: In the morning, Folds. You can take a little time off, get acclimated. :: 'You can take a little time off.' He remembered his sister telling him that, many years before. It wasn't long after she had left the Academy -- so he couldn't have been more than twelve.:: ((Flashback -- Folds Household, Savannah, Georgia -- 2374)) ::Anscom was sitting in his bedroom -- it had been his since Fiona had moved out to go to the Academy and Cyril had been allowed to take over her old room -- poring over work at his desk, the only piece of furniture other than a twin bed and a dresser. Fiona, eight years older than he, had come in to check on him. And offer to take him on a walk, to get ice cream, a soda, anything.:: Folds (age 12): ::excitedly and hurriedly:: Well, you see, I've got to finish my homework, and then finish these extra assignments Mum and Dad have me doing, and then Mum wants me to help review some of the data that she's brought in -- it'll be really exciting, she's finally letting me help her! -- and *then* once I'm done with all that, I get some time to myself to read, or maybe to get ahead on tomorrow's work. Mum and Dad say it's best to stay a day or two ahead of your teachers, if you can. Fiona: ::smiling lightly:: You know, Ani, you can take a little time off sometimes. Folds: Don't call me that. Fiona: Sorry. ::She left him to his work then, lowering a hand to rumple his hair in apology for the nickname before leaving.:: ::Later that evening, the entire family was together around the dinner table for the first time in over a year: Anscom, Fiona, the middle sibling, Cyril, and their parents, Rolan and Stella. In the background, however, voices from the news station Fiona had left on were filtering into their table talk. Dominion forces on Betazed ... Planetary defenses failing ... Casualty reports ... Ships missing or destroyed ... Federation and Starfleet insist on the security of Earth and Sector 001...:: Rolan: Will you turn that off? Fiona: No. They ought to know what's going on. And I *need* to know. You should want to, also. ::Some earlier tension Anscom hadn't noticed boiled over the moment Fiona turned to their father and addressed him directly.:: Rolan: You care so much but you can't bother not to flunk out in near-record time! Fiona: Record time isn't three semesters. It's the guys who pee their pants when the upperclassmen come around to "welcome" with Academy "traditions." ::pauses, looking at her food and then at both of her parents:: And it's not for lack of trying. I tried. You'd know that if you listened to anything other than your own failed aspirations. Stella: Fiona! Rolan: You'll not talk like that at this table. Fiona: I just believe in letting Cyr and Ani ::she winked at Anscom here, he thought:: know the truth: I just wasn't good enough. Like you just weren't good enough. And there's nothing shameful in that. It's not like I was doing anything worthwhile, sitting around in a classroom by the Bay with a stack of textbooks and simulations while Betazed's in flames and the NOOSE -- KEEPS -- TIGHTENING! ::Her face had turned, quite suddenly, red as her voice rose and she banged the table with a fist to punctuate each of the last three words. The rest of the table was silent and looked at her; she had risen halfway out of her seat and no one knew whether she was going to return to it or leave it. Even Fiona, taking a deep breath and pushing hair out of her face, seemed surprised to find she was no longer sitting down.:: Fiona: I'm going to actually go do something now. ::looking at her father:: And if actually cared about making a difference, like you say in all your speeches, you'd get up and go do something, too. Rolan: ::gruffly:: If they didn't want my help twenty-five years ago they wouldn't want me now. ::But Fiona was already on her way out of the dining room. As she passed by Anscom's chair, she reached over and pinched his back. He flinched, instinctively, then turned to look after her, but she was almost gone. They didn't hear from her for almost six months -- had no idea where she was or what she had done. A message came in one day letting them know that she was serving aboard a freighter, that they were in between runs and far enough from combat zones that she was allowed to send subspace messages home again.::

((Woodland Outside of New Seattle, Walking Distance, Planet Izar)) :: The two of them had walked for what seemed to be a short while towards the woodland. After the events that had unfolded earlier in the day, there was a sort of time-dilation taking place in his mind. There was no shortage of adventure that had gone down, but throughout it all, there seemed to be this lingering train of thought on his mind, one that could possibly change the way he participated in Starfleet. it was one thing that was important to him on many levels, and he could think of no better person to go over this with than the one he loved. But for now, he was enjoying the walk. :: :: They had made their way up to a marked trail that was clearly meant for tourists as they journeyed up to the cliffside to scope out the views of Izar. Before they could step onto the paved pathway, he stopped for a moment and took Jal’s hand. :: Lanius: Care to take the road less travelled? Laxyn: ::looking around she knitted her brows.:: I only see one road. ::raising her eyes to Vik she looked at him quizzically.:: What do you mean? Lanius: An old earth expression I suppose. Read it in a book somewhere. :: Chuckling. :: Just wondered if you’d like to stray from this path a bit... Explore. We’ve got time. Laxyn: ::Time sounded nice. Especially after that time in the hotel where at times it seemed as if they would not have much of it left.:: Sounds good, I’ll follow you anywhere. Lanius: I thought you might :: touching his forehead to hers for a moment. :: ::She closed her eyes for just a short moment as their foreheads touched and squeezed his hand slightly before straightening up again, starting to follow him to the side of the pathway, with no hurry.:: Laxyn: How do you know about this place? Lanius: I read about it just before coming down for dinner. There was a flyer on the wall in our suite. It was talking about the beautiful Argon pleasures of Izar’s night sky. Figured we’d have a look. Laxyn: ::smiling:: I cannot remember that flyer.. might have to do with the distracting company I had in there. :: They took their first steps off the pathway through some initially thick brush. He had a decent sense of direction, and could get from point A to point B without the help of a tricorder or PADD. It was something that he learned as a boy, growing up in woodland and farmed areas. Getting lost was often the best way to find yourself in the right spot. :: :: They made it past the brambles and tough sawgrass in the area, finally coming into an area of tall oaks, or what he could equate to oaks, with high tree tops and few branches. He immediately thought of some of the great halls in ancient Rome; pillars of marble and obsidian running in lines; rows upon rows of greatness. There was something magnificent about the woods. Something that made him feel at home once more, and he loved it. It was things like these that he enjoyed showing Jalana the most. :: :: Her green eyes slowly wandered over the surroundings, knowing that his hand would lead her, make sure that she would not fall. The way the nightlight played in the crowns of these majestic trees was quite magical to her. Here and there the wind bent the twigs, making room for a distant star to peek through the gap onto the couple, watching them for just a moment, before the leaves decided that they had seen enough.:: :: It felt so different than the city. Even though the trees stood close it felt more spacey as if they had all the room they ever wanted to have. As she stretched out her free hand her fingertips brushed the rough bark of the tree next to her. Something jumped around in the crowns but it was too dark to see what it was. But that just added to the mystery of the forest.:: Laxyn: ::whispering:: This is beautiful. Lanius: If there’s one place, on any planet, in any system for me... its the woodlands. Laxyn: ::keeping her eyes gen the sky, trying to see anything up there in those trees.:: Don’t you feel just small with those giants around? They must be so old.. do you think that the settlers brought them here or have they seen the time before? :: It was a brilliant question, one that made him want to ask the trees themselves. Oh what sights they must’ve seen, how many countless sunrises and retirements they’d laid eyes on. One thing was for certain was that this forest was old. He could feel it; smell it. He knew that there was more history here than the city of New Seattle, and he suddenly wished that he’d more time to stay and explore. Then again, he would need a lifetime to learn its secrets. :: Lanius: I have a feeling that these wonders have seen countless wanderers. Many people who’ve probably asked the same thing. These just may have been here before either of us knew what trees were. :: There was a cracking sound behind them somewhere and Jalana winced, swirling around. That movement also wrapped her in Viktor’s arm as she scanned the space behind them. Her heart rate jumped up and chills ran over her back. Followed by a wave of relief, as a small animal came out of the bush, looked at them for a short moment and ran away into the other direction. Jal raised his hand to kiss it gently. She really did not want to feel jumpy like that, it seemed that despite her attempts to ignore it the whole thing was still a bit in her bones. :: Laxyn: :: muttering:: Just an animal.. Lanius: Seems the toils of others bent on revenge is lingering with you? Laxyn: No... yes... I .. ::sighing she looked up to him.:: I have not ever before looked into a rifle for wanting to do my work... or in general really. :: It was times like this that he had his black ops background to thank. In terms of the lady and gentleman in the Vittian, all he could really do was sit back, enjoy his drink, and watch as they carried out their deeds. He thought it child’s play compared to the sights and horrors he’d seen. If there was ever a time he thought to change careers, it would be to that of a writer, and the first thrilling novel he’d publish would’ve been titled, “Trials, Tribulations... and Massacre of an Innocent Mind.” Of course, he had always grappled with the fact that he himself volunteered for the at-the-time experimental mental conditioning program... but he never expected the horrors that he was exposed to then... no one could really. :: Lanius: Revenge is often one of the hardest things to reconcile with. There were a few individuals in that room that would stop at nothing to slaughter a few innocent Starfleet officer and Federation citizens. It’s their nature. The only thing they didn’t have in their corner was complete and utter revenge. :: Jalana looked at him, listened to his words and let them distract her from what was on her mind. She was not sure why it pulled her thoughts away but she did not care, everything was better than thinking about how close she’d been. :: Laxyn: What do you think went wrong for them? Lanius: It was Bratunk’s own heart that was his undoing. His empathy that lead to the failure of his mission. Laxyn: ::Thinking about that she continued to walk slowly next to him:: Really? Lanius: Their actions affect everyone. Your empathic heart threatened them greatly. Think about that for a moment. Your greatest weapon... :: chuckling :: A big heart. Laxyn: ::grinning:: Well looks like I have a really big weapon then. Let’s hope that whoever comes in our way next does as well. :: She pushed the returning pictures away, she wanted to enjoy the time with him now, though they were really nasty little buggers nudging at the back of her head every now and then, demanding attention she did not want to give them.:: :: They continued to walk for a moment longer, and he took notice of the surroundings once again. He could just feel the anxiety from Jalana, and for a moment, he thought that the woods themselves didn’t seem to help any. It could, at times, be your darkest fear, or your lightest embrace. :: Lanius: You know... I grew up in places like this. It was often times my only friend, and sometimes my greatest enemy. There’s a balance out here... one that you can’t find anywhere else. At times, there is a quiet so vast:: raising his voice a bit, cancelling out most of the noise as the bugs seemed to take the que :: that even pin drops quiver in anticipation; and then again, :: lowering his voice to almost a whisper softly into her ear, as the bugs began their song and dance once more :: a chorus of life that could bring down empires. ::Moving forward once more :: Lanius: All beings have struggles... but in the end a balance is struck. And I think this place is the best example, the greatest anecdote I could ever share to illustrate that. It’s trials that make us who were are. Much like this walk. Taking the path of uncertainty, running into critters you’ve not seen before, but trusting enough that things will turn out ok... that builds you up. :: She thought about that, wondering how things would be if she would not think that things turned out to be okay. She would not take risks, she would not fight for things, she would not be able to do her work or even basic living because what was it worth doing it all for when things did not have a chance to turn out well? Then she could give up right away. But this way they grew thought experiences, but why could that growing stuff not happen right away? :: Laxyn: I think you are right. ::smiling slightly up to him:: It might just take a bit for my mind to really understand and get through this. Lanius: One of the greatest minds I’ve ever known. Don’t ever doubt that about yourself... not for a second. :: He knew that their walk was coming to an end, as he saw a break in the treeline up ahead. The twilight hours were beginning to dwindle now, and he knew that the sun would be rising soon. he could smell salty water now, and knew that the coast would share its vastness with them soon enough. A few more paces... :: Lanius: There! :: He made a break for the gap in the trees, where the nicely paved trail made its re-entry to the woodline. The cliffs were vast, sprawling even. They seemed to take up most of the coastline. And to think he almost left the planet without even seeing them. :: Laxyn: ::gasping slightly, as she spots the scenery in front of her.:: Oh my. I had no idea that there are places like this here. :: He stood there with her in his arms, looking out onto the horizon. It was still plainly dark out there, but the stars were amazing, each one brighter than the next. The water crashed gently against the cliff side, spraying a salty smell and light breeze up their way. Her hair was waving across his shoulder as she lay her head against him. He could start to see it happening. The purple and gold brilliance was beginning, even before the sun made an appearance. :: :: Strands of white pearls at the horizon rolled on the surface of the uneven mirror before slowly sinking through tiny cracks beneath the surface, as if finding new places to hide for divers seeking treasures. It was almost as if they wanted to find their way down to the ground, before the guest of honour would arrive, though knowing that they would not be fast enough and had to greet her if they were in the mood or not.:: :: Despite their race, the peace covering the scene like a blanket was all too apparent. Just for a few heartbeats time stood still, nothing would be able to disturb this quietude. Gentle breaths of the couple mingling with the gentle salty breeze floating over them from the waterside, twirling around their bodies, before taking refuge in the forest behind. :: :: Then a first subtle change, the celestial canopy shifted from dark purple to violet shades, interrupted, though not violently, a bright orange aura peeked over the edge of the world as they saw it this very moment. Gradients of pantones arranged in circular manner slowly showed more of themselves. As the first beams broke free from their restrains finding their way over the rippling surface of the ocean, gradually turning the dark blue into a sea of light.:: Lanius: And with all things... in darkness... comes the greatest light you’ve ever seen... :: holding her tight now :: :: Right on time, the sun began to poke up over the horizon, still a vibrant hue of bronze, not quite bright yet. It was unlike anything he’d seen before. Here in the hall of the wilderness, with his greatest love, he was seeing the dawn of something new. If there was any time more perfect than now... he’d not seen it. He began to slowly reach into his pocket now, reaching for something he’d held onto for the longest time. It was something near and dear to him, that he’d had since he was young. He could feel the smooth metal patterns on the outside, and even the engraving on the inside. He held it tight for a moment, thinking once more about what he was about to say. :: Lanius: :: Standing beside her, he turned to meet her eyes, looking down slightly. His hand caressed her cheek gently, as he eyed her, looking for signs of intuition. :: What would you say if I said to you that sometimes when you feel what you feel, and you know what you know, and you know that something is just... right... would you agree? :: She watched the stunning display of natural beauty in front of them before she felt his hand taking hers and she turned her head to look up at him, at his lips as she listened to his words. For a moment she had a hard time following them, but her mind started to sift through them, sorting them and repeat them a bit slower. Just then she nodded slowly.:: Laxyn: Of course, why do you ask? Lanius: Well we’ve learned that life is vast and unpredictable... much like this coastline. It’s sprawling with possibility, and can be lifeless, or full of adventure. The skies here are a gleaming metaphor for the web we spin. Vibrant and brilliant, ever-changing :: now looking out to the sky once more as the sun crept a bit higher :: You see, the thing is, we’ll see this today, and then by tonight, we’ll be gone. Just like that. Whisked away to some other place. :: Her gaze followed his, the bright sphere of warmth and life had started to engulf the world with its might that would last until the moon would demand its time. His words were kind of sad, how fast things went by, how they changed from one to the other moment. The Trill turned her head again to look up to him, her mind in wonder what he was trying to say. :: Lanius: Things change in an instant. And we can lose track of some of the smallest things. Some of the most beautiful things. I don’t want that. I want this sunrise... these woods... I want you and I. For as long as we can. :: He had in that time, pulled his hand from his pocket, placing a small ring in the palm of her hand. It was his mother’s claddagh ring; her wedding ring. He watched her carefully as she opened her hand, now realizing that there was something in it. He was excited, but serious in his next set of words. :: Lanius: Jalana, this is something my mother wore. She wore it because it reminded her of some of the best times in her life. She received it from her mother before her, and never left it alone. It was her sunrise... And I want it to be yours... ours... If you could be my sunrise for the rest of my time here... That would make me the most humble person in quite possibly the universe... :: The moment his arm moved it pulled her attention away from his face and she looked down upon his hand that slowly opened. In the beginning light of the day she saw a short glimpse of the reflection of light on metal. Though the next moment she realized that he held a ring on his palm and her heart skipped a beat. He wouldn't... would he? She did not move, not an inch and just when her lungs screamed for air she realized that she had held her breath and gasped.:: :: Her green eyes raised in wonder, wide open and looked at him. His words singing the most beautiful melodies in her ears with a direct connection to her heart. This was unlike anything she had ever expected to find here on Izar, here after this day, that was washed away even if only for a moment by his speech.:: Laxyn: ::Fighting with her ability to speak she looked at him for a long time, finally pushing the sound of a word over her lips.:: I... ::She gulped and then laughed slightly, with no idea where it came from. Which also went for what she heard herself say.:: With our time here... I hope you do not mean until the shore leave ends. Lanius. :: For just a second, his stomach sank even lower than where it normally resided. He was a bit confused at her response, but suddenly realized she was at a loss. :: No! No not at all :: laughing a bit :: Laxyn: ::Raising her hand to her lips, it finally sank in what it meant, what happened here. She had known but now her whole body finally caught up and her voice was merely a whisper, her head nodding in support just to make clear what she was saying.:: Yes... I - I would love that. Lanius: You would?! :: he could do nothing more than to place both hands on her head and pull her in for a kiss, closely thereafter hugging her, picking her up off the ground.Holding her there for a moment, not hurting of course :: Then this is ours, from here on. Our sunrise... :: As he picked her up she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her head dropping forward to be next to his, her laughter bubbling through her lips. She couldn't believe that this really happened, but now she could not imagine anything better filling the moment. She still remembered the first time she had seen him, the way he had peaked her interest in a field of music, without him even knowing it. It was breathtaking how far they had come, how deep she had felt for him in a short time. And now they had done this new step, a huge step.:: :: He had taken one of the biggest steps in his life with Jalana, and she was apparently ready to take that step with him. He thought back for a moment to what he had told her earlier. People had a way of just knowing when something good came along, and he knew that that something, or rather someone, was Jalana, since the day his eyes met the beautiful greens of hers. This was absolutely right in every way, and with a few close calls in recent times, he knew this was something he had to act on before it was too late. Quatal brought that into perspective for him. :: Laxyn: ::Still without ground beneath her feet she held his shoulders and looked down to him, for the first time she seemed to be a bit taller than him, that it was only because he held her up didn’t matter.:: Will it change anything? Lanius: Well if you mean in terms of the Apollo... I don’t think it’ll change a thing... It shouldn’t. Laxyn: I do hope that Jaxx won't object, I'm not sure about any regulations... Lanius: That doesn’t matter to me. All that matters right here, right now, and from this point forward, is you and I. :: he slid the ring over her left ring finger, and without really having a way to know ahead of time, he was glad it seemed to fit fine. The silver ring was brilliant before, but he thought it even more brilliant now on her finger.:: :: Watching him slip the ring on her finger, the light sparkling on it as she moved her hand slightly, was a moment she would never forget. It was perfect, anything she could have ever wished for. The words he had spoken before came back into her mind, this ring had history. Quite a bit actually. It had been passed on through generations and now it made her part of the story. :: Laxyn: ::choking at the words:: It is beautiful. Lanius: It’s yours now, :: resting his forehead once again to hers :: And I want it to bring you the same luck it brought my mother. I want it to be perfect for you. Laxyn: ::Laughing slightly, she placed her hand on his cheek, gazing up into his beautiful eyes:: Yes. ::She whispered:: Everything is perfect. :: Perfect was something that simply didn’t do the situation any justice. For once, in the weird and wonderful imbalance of the world, the two of them seemed to blossom into their own field of existence, and in it, their two worlds combined to make one. And with the sun in its place, the Agron auroras slowly subsiding leaving a wake of pearl like particles to float along with the wind, it seemed almost a snow had fallen on the two of them. With the trees in their places, they’d once again seen a couple of wanderers making their way through their dense underbrush, brambles and endless limbs. They had walked through to find their own coastline, their own sunrise... Their own balance. ::

OOC: The disagreement in this post is purely between the characters. The writers have full respect for each other. ~~~ (( Interrogation Room - USS Thunder-A )):: It was only a few hours ago since he had received the final pieces of his puzzle and it was time now to question the large, burly, human had been brought in by security and set down in the little white room with only the table and two chairs. Nugra was standing in a corner with his arms around his back running over everything in his head. There was evidence even though it was circumstantial and his conclusion took a lot of liberties with some of the missing data. Questioning Parker was not going to be easy, but if this man was violating Federation law, he would burn like the rest of the criminals. :: :: Hannibal was enraged. Knowing he had done nothing to warrant being summoned to the Security office and by not being asked nicely, it was only Kamela who saved the rest of the Security staff from being injured...even now they were at a discrete distance, knowing that if they tried to restrain him, they would join their brothers in Sick Bay. The Marines were buzzing, angry as bees at seeing their commander being escorted out. The harmony he was trying to create between the two forces had evaporated in a microsecond by their actions...:: Nugra: Good Afternoon, Major. Parker: ::seething:: What the hell makes you think it's a good goram afternoon, Commander? Nugra: You were officially summoned to give a deposition in to a case file. There was no need to resist Security as you were not under arrest. Parker: Really? So why did you send eight armed Security officers to the Marine barracks to bring me here, of which four of them are now in Sick Bay? Nugra: For the obvious reason that you just demonstrated. You have a right to a JAG lawyer. Do you wish one or are you going to waive that right for this meeting? :: Hannibal knew that he had done nothing wrong, but he also knew that having a JAG officer would help him defend himself in whatever circumstance he was now confronted with...currently, he was too mad to consider the ramifications of not having one...:: Parker: I have no need of one...now...what the hell do you want? You are making one hell of a mistake, Commander.... :: Hannibal was going to split Nugra in two when this was over...this dishonor would not go unchallenged...:: :: Nugra sat down and activated his PADD and fixed his cold reptilian eyes directly on to the brown ones filled with fury. It was amazing how much self control the marine lacked. It was amazing he didn't leap across the table and give the Gorn an excuse to put him down. :: Nugra: Please state your name, rank, and position for the record. Parker: Major Hannibal Tiberious Parker, Marine Commander, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. :: The Gorn glanced down to his data and began his questioning. :: Nugra: On stardate 238703.11, you were stationed aboard the USS Challenger-A under the command of Commander Tal Tel-Ar. Is this correct? Parker: That is correct. Nugra: Are you familiar with a Crewman Hannah Martinez who presently serves aboard the USS Thunder-A? Who is now a Lieutenant JG? Parker: Lieutenant Hannah Martinez is the Weapons Specialist aboard the USS Thunder-A. What the frak is this all about, Commander? Nugra: It seems, I cannot find any data on how she got aboard the USS Challenger. Her files are sealed, but furthermore, I cannot find out how her transfer to the Thunder was so easily pushed through. It seems she has had a lot of help to get some nice assignments. Almost as if somebody helped bend a few rules to get her aboard. :: Hannibal did not like where this was headed, not one bit. Hannah had served with honor since she had come aboard. He had given her the chance she needed to rebuild her service record..and this lizard was not going to undo what he had done to help her...:: Parker: I don't like your tone, Commander. Lieutenant Martinez has served with distinction in every duty post she has held since she joined me on the Challenger-A, and every post she has had since then. recently she received a commendation for her actions during the Klingon invasion for her actions on board the USS Rodimus Prime.:: With a low and very angry voice::What the frak are you getting at, Commander? Nugra: I am not challenging her record, Major. Are you familiar with the Fraternization rule between officer and enlisted? It carries an admonishment from your commander if it is proven. In the Gorn Navy, you'd be thrown out as a criminal. Parker: This is not a Gorn ship...this is a Federation starship, and from what I have seen of the Gorm fleet over the years, they could do with some...shall we say...updated rules..now, cut to the chase so I can get back to work....and you can get your people out of Sick Bay.... Nugra: Okay, I'll be blunt. Did you or are you having a sexual relationship with Chief Martinez? :: So...that was it...a one time sexual dalliance between two consenting adults. He wondered if Hannah had told him, but he knew that if she had, she would have given him a heads up. He was not going to open up her history to this Gorn, or anyone else. It was going to stay sealed, and classified.....:: Parker: That is none of your business. Is that why you called me down here? To ask who has been in my bed? :: Slowly standing:: I would love for you to try to make me answer that question, or any other.... :: Nugra was hoping there would be a rile. He had been in a bad mood for so long. He stood and enunciated his words. :: Nugra: SIT. DOWN. Major! This is an official investigation in to the possibility of actions prejudice to good order, you are on record, and you are required by law to answer my questions. Parker: Well, in that case, perhaps when I kick your [...] you can make a real case out of this, instead of this wannabe kangaroo court you are trying to run.... :: There was nothing Hannibal wanted to do more right now than to turn Nugra into a pair of boots with matching belt...he knew he was not making things easier for himself, but he knew he had done nothing wrong...and he was not going to be led to slaughter by this man....Nugra: If you plan to strike me, you better be ready to be cashiered out of Star Fleet with a bad conduct discharge as I'm completely within my rights as Chief of Security. The law is on my side. Not yours. Parker: The law MAY be on your side, but it does not mean you are right.... :: Hannibal, still standing, had no plans to yield, his gaze matching the Gorns...neither one would blink as they continued to stare at each other. Hannibal knew the Gorn meant business, but so did he. He knew he would have his chance at the Gorn...one way or another, and he slowly began to lower himself back into his chair...:: :: Nugra waited for him to be sitting again. The Gorn lowered himself back in to his chair. :: Nugra: Now. Are you refusing to answer the question? Parker: Under the Starfleet Code Of Military Justice, I hereby request formal council to assist me with providing this officer with a positive defense. :: Hannibal knew Nugra knew he was stalling for time, and he still had a few tricks up is sleeve..the [...] was not going to get away with this... :: :: Nugra hid his grin. Hannibal wasn't as much of a dumb tank as he seemed to be. It seemed he had realized that this wasn't Nugra: You can have your lawyer. It just makes me think you're guilty anyhow. You are hereby instructed under Security section 32a that you are not to discuss this investigation with anyone except your lawyer and my security staff. We will reconvene this briefing once you have your lawyer present. Parker: You won't have to wait long, Commander. This witch hunt is going to end, and then you and I are going to have a serious discussion....about honor...Nugra: Yes and while we are at it we'll discuss the law. Things like striking security officers unprovoked who are doing their job, I think it'll be a VERY interesting discussion. :: Hannibal did not appreciate the rather aggressive stance the Security Department took on since Nugra had been given command...and their laying of hands on him would clear him of assault charges once the security feed was reviewed...but for now, he knew he needed help, and whatever quest Nugra was on, nipping it in the bud was now high on his list of things to do..:: Parker: Oh, that it will be...perhaps I will be the one filing charges against you and your men...or perhaps, you can take your departments' punishment for them.. :: Hannbal stood up, and never took his eyes off the Gorn.He had just made himself a very dangerous enemy, not only from a combat standpoint, but shipboard as well..:: Parker: oO How dare he insult me, attempt to dishonor me, in front of my men, in front of my command? This is far from over....you have just declared war...Oo :: Nugra did not say a word as the infuriated officer left the room. He quickly made a note in his notes. ::Nugra: oO Major shows immediately defense of Chief Martinez. Though the fraternization is unimportant in the grand scheme of things, there might be a case of abuse of power and using of rank to show preferential treatment. Look into Major Parker's career and anyone associated with him. Oo Lt Cmdr NugraDeck OfficerUSS Thunder-A &Major Hannibal Tiberious Parker 2nd Officer/Marine Commander/ Chief Of Strategic Operations USS Thunder-A/ Duronis II Embassy

(( Holosuite - Deck 2 - USS Thunder-A )) :: The holosuite had taken on an old earth look with the white marble floors, and polished wood seats, witness stand and judge’s bench. Nugra had spent a few hours going through different planet’s law rooms and decided on the human 21st century version. The only change he made sure to program was that the judges bench could sit three, the senior officers who would be judging the Captain’s Mast. :: :: It would begin in a few minutes and by his order, it would be a closed hearing except for the ones that Mc Ghee had invited. Nugra might not be the Chief Security Officer anymore, but by Gorn tradition this was his case and his case to prosecute. :: :: Jaxon Mc Ghee, an enigma in itself. The man who abandoned his crew and comrades in the middle of a fight and would not explain himself. There had been some things that had happened from what he heard through the ship’s grapevine, but nothing that would absolve him of the cardinal sin he committed. :: :: The minutes counted down slowly with the Gorn continually adjusting his PADD to make sure that it was absolutely perfect. It was exactly 1100 hours when the doors of the holosuite opened and the members of the court martial entered. Nugra stood quickly. :: :: Captain Turner, Commander Vess, and Major Parker all wore faces of solemnity as they took their seats and Jaxon Mc Ghee took his place on the defense side of the courtroom. Jaxon allowed his eyes to briefly rest at Hannibal’s person as he entered, knowing he could rely on his chosen brother to hold his word. The Vulcan hybrid suspected that had Hannibal known what he planned for his defence, that he would never so readily agreed to remain objective and silent regarding the true events of that fateful day. :: :: Hannibal hated proceedings like this, but he knew they were necessary. This was his first time heading a tribunal... usually he was on the other side, the one being judged. He especially hated the idea that his first tribunal involved his adopted brother. Hannibal knew well the events of that night, and he had done what he could to make provisions for what happened that night. He hoped it would be enough..:: ::As soon as the tribunal had settled in their seats, Toni looked to Hannibal and Alucard, and when she received their nods, she began.:: Turner: Lt. Commander Nugra, we're ready for you to proceed. Nugra: Yes, Ma’am. Case File 238912.22-Hash-2: Lieutenant Commander Jaxon Mc Ghee VS Starfleet Command. :: Placing his hands behind his back, Nugra began his speech. It was well rehearsed. Even T’Ana had gone over it a few times for effective wording. :: Nugra: On Stardate 238910.01, Lieutenant Commander Jaxon Mc Ghee willfully broke Article 99 section one, three, and five, Misbehavior before the Enemy. He willfully left the USS Thunder and her crew in a state of peril jeopardizing the lives aboard said ship. Article 92, Disobey a Direct Order, to stay at your post until properly relieved committing dereliction of duty and Article 133 Conduct unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman. :: Hannibal wanted to cringe at the charges... he knew Jaxon was no coward but each charge was like a knife sticking into him... and he despised the Gorn who pompously dared to stand in judgement of a man he knew almost nothing about. :: :: The Gorn resisted the urge to pace. :: Nugra: These said charges are extremely serious and not to be taken lightly. His actions could have been responsible for more deaths in the final destruction of the Thunder than we could possibly know. His actions has shown he is unfit for the pips he wears. :: It was everything Hannibal could do to stay in his seat, his face impassive. Inside, be was boiling like a volcano, but he had to maintain control, no matter what. :: ::Even from the depths of his meditation induced serenity, Jaxon still felt a small glow of anger at the Gorn’s words. The man spoke insults with same ease as a mentor voicing advice to his pupil. Deep from within Jaxon knew there was some truth in this colorful description of his actions, as it was always easy to simply place blame on only one surface. He felt the urge to speak out the real reasons, quietly, soberly and with honesty that would disarm Nugra’s verbal lashes for good. It would also be so simple to explain away the complex states of affairs that had blinded his judgement and led to him abandoning his colleagues. But there also lay the problem, a full confession would also be too light a path, and one as dishonorable as his actions themselves.:: Turner: Lt. Commander Mc Ghee, having heard the charges brought against you, how do you plead? :: Before answering the Captain, the engineer reconsidered the charges the Gorn had brought up against him. Since Nugra had charged him in Hannibals cell, a lot of time had passed and he could have spent his spare time to study every jurisdictional event similar to his to prevent the disaster he expected as the outcome. However such a course would only be betraying those lost on the Thunder once more and thus, there was only one answer for the Captains question. Even though the Welshman had spent most of his time recently in deep meditation, Jaxon was still far more Human than Vulcan and now this fact shone through; he turned his blue eyes onto the Gorn officer to see his reaction, here he could also avoid Hannibal who was likely less than pleased at his words. :: Mc Ghee: :: steadily gazing at Nugra :: Guilty in all three charges, Ma’am. ::His words stung. Toni had expected the truth from him, but she also had expected him to explain the circumstances behind his actions. Had those reasons been the same reasons that had kept Counselor Yael from telling her the details of his sessions with him? Without giving away her feelings in her countenance, she watched the reactions of Hannibal, Vess and Nugra for anything that would give his plea creedance. :: ::Alucard had been taking a sip of his coffee when Mc Ghee accepted the charges against him. It made him pause with the cup to his lips, eyeing the engineer with some curiosity before finally putting it down. Surely he understood the gravity of the situation, and that his career, let alone his freedom, hung in the balance.:: :: Hannibal bit his lip...he didn’t expect Jaxon to fall on his sword, but now he was left vulnerable, subject to whatever punishment the tribunal decided to mete out. He wanted to stop his brother from doing this, but the quick look at him told him his mind was made up, and it was too late to change it now...:: :: Nugra was caught by surprise at the guilty plea that was introduced, but quickly looked at his notes to make sure he was correct. The Penalty Phase would begin immediately to decide the fate of the man across from him. :: :: In ways, Nugra felt that the law was being harsh on Jaxon. There was a secret that he was keeping and it seemed he was willing to sacrifice his whole career for the sake of that secret. The law was very plain. The human had threatened the safety of the Thunder, he had abandoned his post, and even though there might have be reasons to mitigate that, the damage had been done. :: Nugra: The Prosecution would only ask that the Tribunal consider what has happened since the destruction of the Thunder and what Commander Mc Ghee has truly done. We feel that is all the proof needed to show how horrible his choice was to his ship and to ship crewmates. :: Again there was a brief moment in which Jaxon felt the dull anger rise in him, this time stronger and sharper than before and yellow framed pupils dropped wordlessly to the floor in hurt contemplation as his mind left the courtroom and returned to the battlefield. The Gorn had a way of stating the obvious and in this case it was a painful truth that instantly caused a list of names to appear in the Welshman’s mind. After all the time that had passed, especially in those restless nights he still recalled everything, sometimes even cursing his mind with passion as it relentlessly displayed information he wished he could suppress with the same ease as his emotions. :: ::Alucard cleared his throat before glancing left to Turner, then right to Parker.:: ::Convinced that there was more to the story than what was being told, Toni withheld comment, passing it to the other members of the tribunal.:: Parker: No comment.... :: Hannibal tried to keep his voice even, unemotional... he wasn’t sure if he succeeded in the attempt...:: Vess: Thank yeh, Commander Nugra. Commander Mc Ghee, do yeh have anythin’ t’ say in yer defence? :: Nugra sat down and waited to see what Mc Ghee would say in his favor to mitigate the sentence that the Tribunal would be forced to put on him. Something in his gut was telling him this was not a simple cut and dry case like his report said it was. The reptile wanted to ignore the feeling, make Jaxon pay for abandoning his crew and move on. A memory of a lost Gorn ship in the war surfaced, but he quickly subdued it. :: Mc Ghee: :: Briefly looking at Hannibal :: There is nothing relevant to these charges or to my defence that I wish to add at this time. ::Alucard’s eyes narrowed sharply. A man who wouldn’t even defend himself was hiding something darker.:: :: Standing again, feeling like a kid’s toy the Gorn respectful bowed his head. :: Nugra: The prosecution has nothing further to say. Turner: Thank you, Commander. Parker: I have heard all I need to hear... :: Hannibal wasn’t going to endorse or indict Jaxon... his best bet was to say nothing. He held one card, one very big card, and soon, he might have to play it, to save his brothers’ career. :: Vess: Commander, now is the chance t’ explain yerself, t’ give yer reasons fer yer actions. Ah’m sure yeh can understand that yer career is in the balance here. If there’s anythin’ yeh feel would help yeh, say it now. :: During the many hours of his meditation, Jaxon had contemplated this eventuality and had already put together the answer. Just like his reports it also omitted certain aspects such as S’Caan’s appearance, or that both teens had only been saved and revived because of Chang’s help. Now the same information had to be relayed and presented to ensure justice would be served. :: Mc Ghee: I discovered that Cabrew, Joel and Bolt were still on the planet and with our battle group engaging the enemy far from the planet and the Thunder in such a state, there were no options to effectively locate and rescue them. I chose to abandon the ship in favor of searching for them personally. :: Nugra remained silent. This was not the time for him to speak as it was only Mc Ghee’s chance to salvage what was left of his career and dignity. :: Turner: And where was the Raven at that point? Mc Ghee: :: turning to look at Captain Turner:: The Raven was unable to directly scan the Embassy as she was needed to hold the Thunder in orbit, we would have lost the ship immediately otherwise. Instead I used her drones to scan the Embassy grounds and direct me in my search of the grounds. :: Jaxon looked briefly to Hannibal and hoped that he would forgive him for maneuvering him into a position from which he could not help him. While important passages were simply not told, so far everything was true enough. Considering any close range sensor logs had gone down with the Thunder and that the manipulation of the Raven’s logs was already complete, there was nothing that could point to Director Chang ever being in orbit, or to S’Caan’s malicious appearance and its outcome for the enemy. He could only hope that Hannibal had the sense to do the same, the Marine sense of honor was unpredictable at times. :: Nugra: The Prosecution would respectfully remind the Tribunal that these logs are not in evidence as they were destroyed along with the Thunder. :: Jaxon had to admire Nugra’s thoroughness, here he was not even trying to defend himself, however his prosecutor was still making sure protocol was being followed. :: Turner: ::turning her full attention to Alucard and Hannibal:: Commanders are you ready to pass judgement? :: Commander Vess silently nodded his head at the Captain’s question. :: :: Hannibal saw this as his one and only chance to save his brother...time to play that card..:: Hannibal: I move to sentence Commander Mc Ghee to time served. Any further testimony on the events of that night have been classified by Starfleet Intelligence. The defendant cannot be compelled to testify on classified matters unless ordered to do so directly by Starfleet Command, and only a flag officer can make such a request.... :: Hannibal had indeed had Chang classify his after-action report, something he routinely did after covert operations. Their actions that night...what he, Hella, and Kamela had done, Changs’ involvement...would never see the light of day. He hoped the Captain and Commander Vess understood the situation..especially the Captain. Kamela killed the double agent who was getting ready to kill her in the opening hours of the invasion. That report, too, was classified...:: :: Hannibals words caused Jaxon’s head to turn sharply towards the Major, a frown furrowing his brow, this approach surprised the Welshman completely. Of course he knew that Hannibal was trying to save him, however he didn’t want redemption as none would ever be enough. There was no words, actions or deeds that could excuse abandoning his colleagues in a time of such need. Regardless of his personal feelings, he had placed the lives of his son and Cabrew over that of men and women who were under his command, in essence Nugra was right. :: Vess: Ah dunna know if time served is enough here, given the extreme loss o’ life that resulted from Commander Mc Ghee’s actions. ::While Toni was inclined to agree with Hannibal, she felt there wasn't sufficient information to justify such a move. She had trusted Mc Ghee implicitly since the day he had come aboard, and he had never disappointed her, but without a word in his own defense, she had no choice in the matter than to investigate further. And Hannibal had given her the means to do just that.:: Turner: Commander Mc Ghee, I'll give you one more chance to redeem yourself. If you refuse, then I, as a flag officer, will be compelled to request that the full report of your actions of that night, to be declassified, and in doing so, anyone who aided you in them will be implicated. ::What she didn't say, but felt it was made clear enough to him, was if he didn't do it voluntarily, he would be endangering those he was evidently trying so desperately to protect.:: :: Hannibal had placed himself square in the crosshairs, believing that Captain Turner would indeed request that classified report... but he also knew that if she did, Chang would sanitize it as much as possible... which would place him even further in her debt. Captain Turner he trusted implicitly, but the seriousness of the situation meant that even her fairness would be taken to an extreme. Hannibal was ready to sacrifice himself to save Mc Ghee, Hella, and Kamela... and none of them would ever know what he was willing to give up to save them... :: :: The Welshman looked up and over the Tribunal, blue eyes briefly settling on Hannibal for a fraction of a second. Parker had been trying to help him, but now had possibly maneuvered himself into a situation where he could have caused harm to himself. Jaxon’s eyes settled back on the Captain, he didn’t want to lie to her but couldn’t allow Hannibal to take harm either. Careful wording would have to do here. :: Mc Ghee: Ma’am, I am guilty as charged. Defence where none is necessary is... :: frowns :: ... illogical. :: The Welshman pauses before continuing :: My choice to rank the life of only one person as more important than that of those under my command is something that is inexcusable. The fact that it was my son is irrelevant. :: A silence fell over the mock courtroom as Mc Ghee held himself out to the mercy of the court. Hannibal would never forget the glee Nugra showed as he crucified his brother. There was no doubt what he did was wrong, and he deserved punishment, but not destruction. Hannibal had given his advice, and now, Commander Vess and Captain Turner, who held the ultimate responsibility, had to make the decision. Hannibal found it hard to look anywhere but straight ahead, even to look at Mc Ghee. Finally, the tortuous silence was broken, and sentence would be pronounced....or not....:: ::The tribunal discussed the problem privately in hushed tones huddles at the table, and once Alucard had rendered his opinion, Toni would have to pass sentence.:: Vess: Ah believe we have our answer. ::Leaning back, they settled in their chairs, facing Mc Ghee.:: Turner: Lt. Commander Jaxon Mc Ghee, please stand for sentencing. :: Jaxon left his seat and stood up, fixing his eyes on the wall opposite the desk before him. Through his chosen silence he had left the tribunal with little to no choices and even though he had a rough idea of what was surely coming, his heart began beating faster as he awaited judgement. Inside his head, he felt a strange kind of pressure, on one side stood the seven and more years of work since enrolling at the academy, his learning to run department, half of which wasn’t even on the ship. All that stood vis-à-vis to this was some dark and swirling cloud, a huge kaleidoscope of guilt and shame, regret and anger over his actions and what had caused them. It was the third time in his life that S’Caan had influenced his actions and caused havoc. :: ::As he stood, Toni dreaded the job that Mc Ghee, himself, was forcing her to do.:: Turner: Jaxon Mc Ghee, with your guilty plea, you have left us no alternative but to find you guilty of breaking Article 99 section one,three, and five, Misbehavior before the Enemy when you willfully left the USS Thunder and her crew in a state of peril jeopardizing the lives aboard said ship; Article 92, Disobeyed Direct Order, to stay at your post until properly relieved committing dereliction of duty; and Article 133 Conduct unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman. For those offenses, we strip you of the rank of Lt. Commander and status as Chief of Engineering. Hereafter you will assume the rank of Ensign, and remain in the Engineering department. Further, when not on duty, you will be considered under house arrest and be confined to your quarters whether it will be those on the USS Thunder - A or at the Embassy, unless otherwise specified. :: The Welshman’s blue eyes closed upon hearing the loss of Engineering, one of the few achievements he was truly proud of. Regardless of his imposed Vulcan serenity emotion flashed like lightning of a distant storm over his face while he listened. :: ::She stopped long enough to take a sip of water.:: Turner: However, we will not be closing your case. If at any time you feel you can offer a reasonable explanation for your actions, we will reconvene this tribunal for an extended hearing. Also, should it be necessary for you to attend the functions of the crew as a whole, you will be under obligation to attend, but will have to be accompanied by at least one of the following officers Lt. Commander Hannibal Parker, Commander Alucard Vess, Lt. Commander Nugra, or Counselor Ashley Yael. ::looking straight into his eyes.:: If you understand this sentence, please surrender the applicable pips, and return to your quarters at the Embassy. :: There …. it was done. Her judgment becoming a mirror to their from now on strained relationship; Captain Turner had placed trust in him very early on, surely seeing something within a freshman Ensign that he himself hadn’t known was there, while at the time oblivious to what was within him. Irony pure. Now this mirror lay in broken shards, a reflection of her trust in him as a person and officer. Jaxon turned his head smartly to Fleet Captain Turner and called on his composure. :: Mc Ghee: ::returning her gaze:: I understand Ma’am. I will prepare a final report for the new Chief Engineer. In the meantime I suggest either Commander Hendon or Chief Hopkins to oversee Engineering until a replacement arrives. :: The short Welshman reached up to his collar and removed the pips, his memory recalling the mission’s that had led to his earning them. Memories of quiet days in Engineering, controlling and checking the systems, of times when alarms wailed and orders had been screamed back and forth or when he stood shoulder to shoulder with Isaac fighting down the enemy while Marines fell alongside them. Sometimes the galaxy appeared to be as fragile as it was merciless. So much work and achievement undone by only one action. The newest Ensign to engineering silently set the one and one half pips on the desk, squared his broad shoulders and stood behind the defendant desk awaiting to be dismissed. :: Turner: This tribunal has come to a conclusion oO for now.Oo Everyone is dismissed. A JP by, Lt Cmdr. Jaxon Mc GheeChief Engineering OfficerUSS Thunder NCC 70605-AEmbassy Duronis II and Lt Cmdr. NugraDeck OfficerUSS Thunder NCC 70605-AEmbassy Duronis II and Major Hannibal Tiberious Parker2nd Officer/Marine CommanderUSS Thunder NCC 70605-AEmbassy Duronis II and Commander Alucard VessFirst OfficerUSS Thunder NCC 70605-AEmbassy Duronis II and Fleet Captain Toni TurnerCommanding OfficerUSS Thunder NCC 70605-AEmbassy Duronis II

((Captain’s Ready Room)) ::Now that Greir had properly talked to Chen it had taken them barely a few minutes to work out how and who had played them both for fools. Greir was understandably very angry at himself for not spotting it and for being tricked; he was also very angry at Gwinnett for doing it. Having thought about it he wanted to know why she had done it. Chen said he’d had problems with her before and he was about to get to the root of it.:: Reinard: =/\= Captain Reinard to Sergeant Gwinnett. =/\= ::Gwinnett was just putting her equipment away at the end of her shift. She heard the chirp of her comm badge.:: Gwinnett: =/\= Yes, Sir. Gwinnett here.=/\= ::To Gwinnett it sounded very formal, so she figured that she’d better be on her best behavior. Normally things came through the major. This was unusual, but not totally.:: Gwinnett: oO This could be very good or very bad. Better play it straight.Oo Reinard: =/\= I want to see you in my ready room immediately.=/\= Gwinnett: =/\=Yes, Sir. On my way...=/\= ::Gwinnett hightailed it to the bridge, which she considered officer’s country. In fact, she had not even been on the bridge, but had studied the diagrams of every deck, and she made her way to the Acting Captain’s ready room. She buzzed the door, and then entered. She came to instant attention, briefly glancing in his direction.:: Gwinnett: Reporting as ordered, sir. Reinard: Sit down, you have some explaining to do. ::His voice was firm and it was clear he was not in the mood for any more nonsense but stopped short of displaying the anger he felt. Gwinnett had a seat, but sat there rigidly.:: Gwinnett: Yes, Sir? ::Gwinnett was confused.:: Reinard: I’ll cut to the point. How about you explain to me why you’ve been deliberately interfering in the relationship between Lieutenant Chen and myself. ::He gave her a hard look that dared her to try and deny it.:: ::Gwinnett could feel the boom being lowered on her. She was quickly trying to think of something that would get her out of this jam. She had hoped that Chen would transfer out, to get him off the ship but it hadn’t happened, she was now having to deal with her mess.:: Gwinnett: Sir....I might have stretched the truth a bit. ::She could feel it getting awfully warm in the office.:: I.... ::She didn’t have a clue about what to say. It was like being caught red handed. She desperately wanted to shift her position, but it was like her feet were stuck in cement.:: Reinard: I want a complete and honest report Sergeant. What you did was completely wrong and unacceptable so I expect you to explain your actions. ::He wasn’t messing about here and wanted answers fast. He would be well within his rights to take the matter further and take action to have her disciplined for this. He couldn’t discipline her himself due to being involved in the case but someone above him could after the due investigation. He was pleased that she wasn’t out and out lying even if she wasn’t telling him everything.:: Gwinnett:Sir... Captain... I just don’t... I really don’t want to go into it. Their kind is so monstrous. So revolting... ::Just the mental image of Chen now occupied her mind, and the image of the Crazy that tortured her, it made her visibly shake. She finally got a grip on it and came back to office and Reinard.:: ::Greir paid close attention and immediately picked up her comments. She wasn’t just implying she had a problem with Lt Chen but perhaps his entire species. If that was the case then she was clearly a racist and he wanted to know why.:: Reinard: Are you saying that you have a problem with Andorians? Gwinnett: Sir... I respectfully... I really... ::The old nightmare, came back and she could almost feel the tentacles being wrapped around her body as the twelve year old.:: ((Flashback - 14 years ago)) ::Brooks Gwinnett had been mad at her father and had decided to teach him a lesson. She would leave the encampment and strike off on her own for a while, heading off into the no man’s land. This would prove that she was could be trusted to navigate more freely in and about the camp. She had mastered every weapon that she could physically handle, and while not a front line soldier, was capable assisting the dependents of the band of 50 or so paramilitary and their dependents. She was caught by a crazy on her return trip and knocked incoherent.:: :: She awoke bound in a dark cave except for a solitary light. She had been in there for hours when the Crazy came from the shadows. The creature had tentacles that came out of it’s hideous head that touched her and then wrapped around her. Brooks screamed only to hear herself echo in the cave. She could feel them all over her body as she struggled to get free. Finally with her mind on overload she gave one final scream and passed out. It was hours later that the ad hoc relief force finally homed in on her transmitter and found her in the cave, alone, cold and clothing in tatters. :: ((End flashback)) ::Gwinnett hadn’t had the experience in almost 7 years. She had successfully pushed it back into her subconsciousness and buried it deep. He next words came out like a scared child.:: Gwinnett: I don’t want to be with a Crazy... I can’t... I can’t, not anymore, I won’t do it. It has to go... ::It was disjointed and then she realized what she was saying and she snapped back to present.:: Sorry sir... bad memories... ::Which was a vast understatement.:: ::Greir didn’t like the way she was talking firstly because she sounded like a completely different person and secondly because of what she was saying about another member of this crew - as if he wasn’t even a sentient life form. Why would she consider him - or Andorians as a people to be crazy? She clearly had a big underlying problem and he was beginning to have a feel for the best way forward with this. First he needed more answers.:: Reinard: Let’s take this one question at a time shall we? Why did you do this? Gwinnett: I wanted to get Chen off the ship. Sir. ::Greir was angry to hear that but pleased that she was honest enough to admit it at least. Perhaps there was still some hope for her after all.:: Reinard: Did you think about the consequences of your actions? They were not just limited to Chen whose life and career here you intended to ruin but also my own. Do you have a problem with me? Gwinnett: I don’t have a problem with you. I just want him... gone. Not life taken or career ruined, bad memories, or dreams... not sure.. they rotate...::She looked confused, and her speech was disjointed, as she fought the images out of her mind.:: ::Greir was concerned about the way she was talking. Bad memories seemed to be distracting her. Was she hallucinating? He couldn’t tell but she was behaving very strangely and knew something big was underlying all of this.:: Reinard: So who is crazy... Chen, me, the Andorian species or someone else? Gwinnett: Sir... It is a sub species on Byzatium... an experiment, a terror. Nasty things. Reinard: ::Leaning forward a bit:: What makes them crazy then? Gwinnett: They were created by Omunics as slaves, mutated into whatever evil creature they could think about. Some of them just wandered the wastelands, their minds twisted, perverted. ::Her tone was unusually flat, and monotone. She was trying to hold in the terror of them and the things they did the rest of the population of Byzatium.:: ::They didn’t have any subspecies like that here so Greir needed to find the link. What was the connection that made her think of them when she saw Chen. There was no way he could let this lie. If she had got her way and Chen had transferred this would have repeated the next the they got an Andorian on the ship. They couldn’t and wouldn’t ban Andorians from serving here and what of other species? How many more had the potential to remind her of these things she had left undealt with and buried?:: Reinard: Tell me about these bad memories. Gwinnett : I don’t ever want to relive that experience again sir. Respectfully. No one should.::Her voice was firm and resolved.:: It was my bad, sir, I take and accept full responsibility. I will accept any punishment, but I don’t want to talk about it. ::Greir could understand and in fact expected that she didn’t want to talk about it but this problem was now affecting her working relationship with colleagues to the point where she would jeopardize their personal life and act vindictively towards them. Unfortunately due to the serious nature of them problem she was indeed going to have to talk about it and resolve it, whether she liked it or not. A slap on the wrist or some disciplinary action wouldn’t be enough to stop her behaving like this in the future. The underlying issue that was causing the attitude problem needed to be discussed.:: Reinard: What does Lt Chen, or is it the Andorian people, have in common with this sub-species that would make you behave like this? ::Gwinnett really wanted to bolt. This was striking way too close to the truth, bringing up memories that she had spent years trying to bury deep. Only her training, and having nowhere to run to, prevented her from running out the door.:: Gwinnett: I have nothing against the Lt. personally... too many similarities... Sir. ::She fidgeted a bit.:: Reinard: I find it hard to believe that you have nothing against the Lieutenant when you would act this way towards him. Clearly it’s something very personal, so tell me what similarities Sergeant. ::Insistently:: ::The memory flooded back and again she was just a girl of twelve, seeing the head and the tentacles that reached out to her. She could feel the icky, things wrapping around her. She could smell it again.:: Gwinnett: ::Raising her voice a bit.:: The tentacles... I want them to stop... stop touching me. ::The voice was not of her, but of a child a long time ago. There was a pleading in her voice.:: They came out of the head. ::She couldn’t maintain her position, she looked for the nearest corner and started to move back into it. Only to stop and find herself in the corner. She looked around in confusion.:: ::He immediately recognised what was happening and needed to halt it before matters became even worse. If he wasn’t involved in this he could have provided her with the counselling she needed. It was bad practice and against regulations for him to get involved. He needed someone else to do this. For now he needed to cool things back down again.:: Reinard: Alright stop. That’s enough for now. You are going to need counselling for this and I’m making it mandatory. I can’t provide it myself since your actions have impacted upon me and I am involved. Gwinnett: Counseling? I haven’t had those thoughts in years. Don’t make me relive them again...please sir .::The words of counseling hit her like a bucket of cold water. She straightened up and moved back in front of the desk, now at attention. Reinard: Something will be arranged as soon as possible and you’ll be called for an appointment. Should you miss any appointment made for you or your counsellor feels your issue is not improving, or is becoming worse you will be taken off duty until there is an improvement. Your negative behaviour and attitude towards Lieutenant Chen must cease immediately. He is not of this sub-species from Byzantium. He is an Andorian and unless there’s something you’ve failed to tell me - neither him nor his people have done anything to you to merit this. Should your behaviour continue disciplinary action will be taken. Do you understand? ::Gwinnett felt like this was almost a fate worse than death. A marine was going to see a counselor. It was so humiliating. She was sure that something like this would make it through the ranks. Gwinnett visibly slumped, as in defeat.:: Gwinnett: If... I have to sir. :: For the bombastic, and over the top Brooks, the voice was low and withdrawn, all the moxie and energy had been taken out of her. She looked defeated after the reliving of the experience that she thought she had finally buried. Now to go into counseling about it, was the final straw.:: ::Greir was getting fed up for her constant attempts to weasel out of it. He could well understand that a marine would see this as a punishment worse than disciplinary action itself. Nevertheless, whether she hadn’t had those thoughts in years or not something had caused this buried issue to resurface and it was causing her to actively attempt to ruin other, innocent officers careers and personal lives. So when he told her that this was happening and that it was mandatory, asked whether she understood he expected the appropriate response. He was beginning to wonder how much of that had just sunk in.:: Reinard: Don’t give me that Gwinnett, as a marine you of all people should know actions speak louder than words and yours have been unacceptable. Like I said this is mandatory. You will attend your appointments and you will cooperate in resolving this issue you have. It likely won’t be easy or quick to do but you’re going to do it because you need to for yourself as much as your continued career. Do you understand? ::Gwinnett had never really given much thought to the future or her career, like most of her kind life was simply a day to day struggle. Taking as much pleasure from it, and trying to avoid getting into too much trouble. It had been a pretty simple formula, and the marines tended to put up with a bit more of the rough and ready types. She had been dismissed from several jobs after leaving the home world because of her cavalier attitude, before enlisting into the marines. Gwinnett had been know to start fights and causing general mischief, but she had always performed her duty. :: Gwinnett:oO Career? I thought that was only for other people. Both my father and brother is dead. Frankly I am surprised I am still alive.Oo ::Gwinnett also knew that despite the current down side, she knew that since joining the marines, it had also proved part of a family structure that she hadn’t had in a long time. The corps was the only thing that keep her functioning on a somewhat normal level. It provided her a framework, of some type, and she didn’t want to lose it..:: ::It took her a moment, but some self respect finally returned to into her. She raised her downcast eyes and looked at Reinard:: Gwinnett: Yes, Sir. I will attend..::It wasn’t the normal forceful Gwinnett, but there was some determination behind it.:: ::Greir resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It still wasn’t the answer he was looking for but he got the feeling that she understood the situation just fine. He would need to sort out the referral and get something arranged for her as quickly as possible. :: Reinard: Right then, you’re dismissed. ::He didn’t even wait for her to finish leaving the office before snatching up his padd and beginning his report.:: A JP by: Lt Cmdr Reinard Acting Commanding Officer USS Vigilant and Sergeant Brooks Gwinnett Marine USS Vigilant Simmed by Eerie

((USS Vigilant, Deck 5: Sickbay)) ::It was easy to lose track of time when all he could remember were fits and starts of consciousness. Lately when he had woken up, he’d felt the sensation of someone holding his hand, and he’d latched onto that, tightening his grip a little whenever he could gather his wits enough to do so. There were things he remembered, too, although he wasn’t sure how much of it had been real and how much had been a dream.:: ::This time, as Chen’s eyes drifted open a fraction, something felt different. He felt like he had a little more strength. The fog that had been clouding his head seemed to have lifted and, rather than his vision swimming with white, he could feel his eyes coming into focus as he blinked the haze out of them. The familiar vista of sickbay’s ceiling was there, clearer than he could remember seeing it, but that wasn’t what drew his immediate attention. Greir had been there the whole time. He was the one who had been holding Chen’s hand. Chen knew that they had things to talk about but it was obvious just how much Greir cared. He squeezed his hand, properly this time, rather than a feeble attempt from someone who was half conscious.:: ::Greir had been nodding off when the squeeze of his hand drew his attention; he raised his head, opened his eyes and looked at Chen. He’d gradually started regaining some of his lost colour and when he looked into his gorgeous green eyes, he noticed they seemed a little brighter and more alert. It was a good sign that Chen was regaining some of his strength. Greir immediately smiled.:: Reinard: Hello sleepy head. How are you feeling? Chen: Like I got fed through one of the bussard collectors but better for seeing you. You’ve been here the whole time, haven’t you? ::He already knew the answer well enough. He imagined that Greir would have had cause to leave a couple of times but he had always seemed to be there whenever Chen had drifted awake. As his vision and hearing began to settle, he felt his antennae, which had been hanging limply backwards, slowly start to move. Naturally, they were trying to point straight at Greir. He hoped that he would be alright with that but, given that he’d been by his side so much, he had a feeling he would.:: Reinard: As much as I could. ::He’d had to leave for duty shifts, rest breaks and the like but he’d made every effort to be with Chen as much as he could. He felt greatly relieved to hear Chen say his presence made him feel better and some of the worries that had been making him feel edgy seemed less prominent.:: Chen: Thankyou. I really appreciate it. ::Chen had aches on aches from being in the same position for so long. He wasn’t sure whether or not he was supposed to sit up but he knew he couldn’t stay lying down for much longer.:: Chen: Could you help me up? My back’s killing me... Reinard: Yeah of course. ::Greir released Chen’s hand and slipped an arm under him to help him sit up. :: Reinard: Better? I can help ease some of that backache, if you wanted? ::Now that he was sitting instead of lying down, Chen already felt a little more comfortable. Greir’s offer felt like a lifeline, though; he knew he would probably have to lie down again later on and didn’t expect to be back up to full strength right away. His back would no doubt remind him that he’d been in that position for far too long once again when the time came.:: Chen: That would be amazing, thanks. ::Greir hopped up onto the biobed and sat just behind Chen so he didn’t have to do this at an awkward angle and possibly make the backache worse. He was certainly no professional masseur but he had taken a course on massage a long time ago on the USS Washington. He’d decided it would be a useful skill to have since he was often involved with officers with back problems – whether it had come about from an injury that had caused physical and mental trauma, or pregnant officers. He’d felt it was skill that would relieve the medical department whilst allowing him to build trust with people he was working with by helping them relax and ease their aches. He’d been transferred before finishing the course and never learned as much as he wanted. :: :: Usually these things were done lying down but Chen had done nothing but lie down the last few days and he couldn’t see the Andorian wanting to do too much more of it. He was aware of the muscles in the back and used his fingers to feel the muscles and ease out tightness and knots using some pressure from his fingers and thumbs. :: Reinard: Let me know if this is helping at all. ::Chen’s eyes rolled upwards with relief as he felt the tension being worked slowly out of his back. He put his hands onto his knees and leaned forward a little bit more so that Greir could have a bit more room.:: Chen: That’s exactly what I needed. ::He closed his eyes and cradled his head in his hands, enjoying the massage and murmuring with relief every now and again when Greir managed to tease out a particularly difficult knot. Once it was done and Greir stopped, Chen opened his eyes again, feeling much more comfortable and relaxed.:: Chen: That’s so much better. Thanks. ::Greir removed himself from the bed and returned to his stool after finishing the massage. He was terribly glad that it had helped Chen. :: Reinard: You’re very welcome. ::His eyes smiled at Greir, full of gratitude. He hoped that Greir didn’t have to go anywhere for a while and he shifted his legs to get more comfortable. The sheet that was over him brushed against the stump at the end of his right leg; he felt his heart rate rise for a moment as he realised for the first time that his foot was still missing. Evidently they hadn’t been able to replace it yet. He allowed himself a brief glance at it; part of the biobed had been extended over it and had obscured it from view during the back massage, so he hadn’t seen it.:: ::His rational mind quickly kicked in. If he hadn’t lost his foot, he wouldn’t be alive. That was the choice they’d had to make back on Asav. It still freaked him out a little and he was certain he wasn’t ready to see what it looked like underneath the blanket yet but he knew that a biosynthetic replacement was likely to be a possibility that he hoped they could explore soon.:: ::With any luck, very soon...:: ::For the time being, though he was just glad to be sitting up and awake. He had no idea how long he’d been out of it. He was also glad that he was finally going to get a chance to talk to Greir.:: Chen: I really missed you, y’know. ::Greir had missed Chen a lot too and had been worried sick about him the whole time he’d been unconscious. Now that he was properly awake and alert Greir could finally express his deepest gratitude. He hadn’t been aware of the danger he’d been in at the time but it had soon caught up with him. Just thinking about what would have happened had Chen not acted as he had gave him the chills.:: Reinard: I missed you terribly. I’m so glad to see you awake again at last. I have something important I need to say. ::Chen imagined that they both had plenty that needed to be said but he was happy enough to listen to Greir first. It was the least he could do.:: Chen: OK. Reinard: ::Leaning forward a bit and being completely sincere:: I am deeply grateful for your actions in the… ::Thinking about the place gave him the shivers to the point he couldn’t even talk of it directly. He blinked slowly, gave a tiny shake of the head and re-phrased it. He had a lot on his mind and so many bad things had happened recently that it was all just reaching boiling point for him. He just wanted to tell Chen how he felt about all this mess.:: Reinard: … on Asav. Immeasurably so. I am so terribly sorry you were hurt as a result. In fact… I’m sorry about everything. No one means more to me than you and none of it should ever have happened. ::At this time he wasn’t sure if he could ever forgive himself for that. His mind had continually played it back, much like the time he’d seen the Battle of Bondi. He kept wondering about ‘what if…’ What if he’d been faster, what if he’d missed a release valve that could have freed them, what if he hadn’t fallen on top of Chen… what if… He just felt like if he had been a better person or a better leader then somehow these problems could have been avoided. He wasn’t even sure he was getting his message over as well as he wanted to, his mind and emotions were in dozens of places at once.:: ::Chen felt his guts tie in a knot as Greir said that no one meant more to him, even as his spirits tried to lift. He was drowning in guilt and it seemed a fitting punishment that he still didn’t feel completely himself. Seeing how much Greir still cared about him and hearing him thank him for what had happened in that tunnel were things that he felt he didn’t deserve.:: Chen: You have nothing to apologise for. This is my fault. ::Greir’s face twisted into shock. The fact that he would blame himself for this was completely crazy as far as he was concerned.:: Reinard: No, the blame is mine alone. None of this is your fault. How can you even say that? ::The Andorian shook his head, a forlorn expression on his face. There could be no hiding from the truth. He’d berated himself internally several times during the Asavii mission about the way he had acted beforehand. There was no way that Greir could be indebted to him in any way; Chen might have saved him from being sliced in half by emergency bulkheads but, were it not for what could only be considered as the highest level of bravery, Chen would still be stuck in some random access conduit under more water than he cared to think about. Each one had saved the other’s life.:: Chen: It was my idea for us to go into that conduit. I wish I’d thought of something else. ::Greir was still not buying any of it because one huge, inescapable fact remained.:: Reinard: You had an idea. That is all and you cannot be blamed for that. I was the Commanding Officer and it was my call to make. I could have had us go another way or find another solution but I didn’t. I made the decision, end of debate. ::Chen bit his lip and took a deep breath. Greir was being really good about this; he didn’t really feel that it was right for him to take all of the blame but in the end the important thing was that they’d both managed to get out of there. It wasn’t as simple as wishing everything away and they would both have work to do to get over what had happened on the planet but there was more that needed to be addressed if he was really going to put things right. The first thing to do was to try a better way to alleviate Greir’s guilt.:: ::Chen bit his lip and took a deep breath. Greir was being really good about this; he didn’t really feel that it was right for him to take all of the blame but in the end the important thing was that they’d both managed to get out of there. It wasn’t as simple as wishing everything away and they would both have work to do to get over what had happened on the planet but there was more that needed to be addressed if he was really going to put things right. The first thing to do was to try a better way to alleviate Greir’s guilt.:: Chen: If you really feel that way then I want you to know that I forgive you. I would do what I did a hundred times over if it meant that you could be safe. You did the same for me. Getting me free took more guts than I’ve ever seen from anyone and you were able to do it when I needed you to. ::He reached out to take Greir’s hand again.:: So I don’t just forgive you, I want to thank you for it. ::It was true that doing what he’d done really had taken guts and Greir really hadn’t wanted to do it but the alternative had been completely unthinkable. Chen’s words did ease his conscience a little and he knew he had acted to save Chen’s life. He was very relieved Chen had taken that attitude towards things rather than getting really upset or angry with him, although if he had he would have completely understood. He nodded in acknowledgement, squeezed Chen’s hand a little and held it tight, not wanting to let go. :: ::He clammed up a bit, feeling a bit unsure about how to respond to that and where to take things next. It took awhile for him to respond and when he did there was a touch of finality to it, as if he felt nothing more needed to be said about it.:: Reinard: Okay, well as long as you’re okay. ::Physically speaking, he was obviously still missing a foot and emotionally he was a long way off OK. This time, however, Chen was going to make sure things were patched up. Properly. He’d flown off the handle at Greir and said some things that were absolutely unforgiveable, in his estimation. He was lucky that Greir was even prepared to talk to him after the abuse he’d hurled at him.:: Chen: About that I’ll be OK, yeah. But in general I don’t think I can be. I care so much about you and I said some awful things to you before that mission. ::He was becoming more animated, his emotions a little harder to control thanks to the fact that he wasn’t fully recovered yet.:: Chen: I’m surprised you can even look at me after that. ::He didn’t want to let go of Greir’s hand but his eyes dropped and his antennae drooped with shame. How could he begin to excuse the fact that he’d used personal information that Greir had trusted with him as barbs to hurt him with? No matter how angry he’d been, that was deplorable. He still couldn’t believe he’d flown at Greir quite like that and allowed his own emotional vulnerability to rule his heart and mind with such an iron hand.:: Chen: ::Quietly:: I just want you to know how sorry I am. Telling you that I didn’t mean any of it doesn’t lessen the damage of what I did, but I really wasn’t thinking straight. I don’t believe any of the things I said to you to be true. ::He couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt more ashamed of himself. He wished he could wind the clock back more than anything.:: ::Greir thought back to that crazy night when everything had gone wrong and their budding relationship had failed so badly. Chen’s behaviour had come as a complete shock, especially as he’d been led to believe Chen didn’t care for him as much as he thought he had. Chen had been incredibly upset with him and he understood only too well thanks to his training and years of experience as a counsellor how people lashed out under those circumstances. For that reason he found it very easy to understand the reason for the behaviour. What he didn’t understand was the underlying trigger.:: Reinard: Chen I understand that you were lashing out. We don’t have to talk about it now – we can wait until after your recovery if you prefer but what I still don’t understand is why you bailed on our date without so much as an explanation. I didn’t think of you as that kind of guy and then later when you came to my door… ::Chen let go of Greir’s hand, feeling his self worth shrink to minuscule proportions. He pulled his left knee up towards himself and was about to follow suite with his right, intending to wrap his arms around them until, with a wave of revulsion and fear, he realised he had nothing to prop his right leg up on. He tried to keep that from showing on his face as he stretched his right leg back out again.:: ::Greir felt a massive pang of sympathy and guilt for Chen. He wished he could take it back and hadn’t said anything at all about the matter. As much as he wanted to give Chen room if he needed it, as a result of everything that had just happened, he also just wanted to sort it out and get to the bottom of it.:: ::Although what had just happened was making his skin crawl, Chen forced himself to plough forwards. He owed Greir an explanation and he intended to give him one. He just hoped that it would be enough that they would be able to salvage something of what they had at least. He would be devastated if they couldn’t find a way forward. His voice was considerably more scratchy than it had been as he tried to think back to what had happened on what he considered to be one of the worst nights of his life. He stared down at the bedsheet as he spoke, unable to look Greir in the eye.:: Chen: This sounds so stupid to me now but I was really worried that you didn’t care about me as much as I thought you did. ::Greir was surprised, not least of all because he thought Chen would talk to him if he’d had concerns like that rather than get angry and lash out. There was something even more puzzling though.:: Reinard: Why would you feel like that? ::Chen took a deep breath as he continued, feeling worse about himself as he carried on.:: Chen: Right as I was about to start getting ready for our date, I had a little visit from Gwinnett. She was acting strangely, like she knew something that I didn’t. I was coming close to kicking her out of my quarters, I mean, I know that she always likes to bait me but then she claimed that I was only getting to see you whenever she was prepared to let me... or something, like the two of you were in some kind of relationship. I didn’t believe her but then she produced what I thought was one of your uniform shirts, then disappeared out of my quarters, taking it with her. I know I shouldn’t have, but I felt like I needed to get some kind of evidence to prove her wrong. By the time I’d found my tricorder it made me late for our date and when I came into the Watchpost, she was right there, taking my place... ::Greir scratched his head and he could feel his mood sinking quickly. He was starting to feel incredibly angry with himself. He’d felt like this before when he’d thought Chen had tricked him having failed to spot any deception. Once again he felt he was too trusting and too willing to believe people and had let someone he had barely even met destroy the kind of happiness he could only have dreamed of before.:: Reinard: I see. Well here is the part you don’t know. She did come and join me despite that I told her I was waiting for you. She was a bit of a pest and I didn’t much enjoy her company. She told me she’d seen you with another man and that you were clearly going to be spending the night with him instead. I did not believe her but the night wore on and you did not answer the comm so it seemed that she was right... ::He leaned forward on his stool, with elbows on his knees he put his head in his hands, partially obscuring his lower face.:: ::Chen’s brow was furrowed and his face set with a frown as he looked up at Greir. He felt stupid for having had the wool pulled over his eyes. If anything, that made him feel worse about the fact he’d ended up popping off at Greir later in the evening. He also remembered enough about the night to know that he’d not had any calls through from Greir at all, which didn’t add up. There was no reason for him to lie about it now and he was showing, through his actions, that it was Chen he really cared about and not Gwinnett.:: Chen: oO My badge... Oo ::The Andorian shook his head as he refocused on his bed sheet. Yet one more thing he’d managed to screw up during that wretched night.:: Chen: I jumped to conclusions when I saw her with you and got angry. I threw my badge. I found it the next morning and I’d dislodged the power supply... ::Greir shook his head slowly in disbelief.:: Reinard: It looks like Gwinnett engineered a situation that would open up doubts and keep us apart from each other long enough for us both to buy into her web of lies. She was pretty crafty and lucky to have pulled it off. Surely she must have known her deception would not last for long? Do you know of any reason why she would do this? ::The reasons for her actions had clearly evaded him on the night but, with perfect hindsight, it was glaringly obvious to Chen why Gwinnett might have done what she’d done.:: Chen: Yeah. She has a big problem with me for some reason. She’s made a couple of racist references before, so I guess she has a problem with Andorians in general. Either way it looks like she was trying to get at me... and she did a [...] good job. ::He knew that he would have a few choice words to say to her the next time they crossed paths, whenever that happened to be but, for now, he just wanted to make sure he’d said everything he wanted to. There were things he needed Greir to hear.:: Chen: Greir, the way I acted, right from when she came to my quarters... I’ve had plenty of time to think about it and I’m totally ashamed of myself. I should have made more of an effort to come and find you and talk to you but... ::He screwed his eyes closed, mortified. There was a pause as he tried to find the right words.:: ::Greir waited patiently to let Chen think about it and see if he wanted to carry on. Even now, he was more concerned about seeing to Chen’s needs and ensuring his health and happiness than his own. As much as he wanted to finish this and resolve it, if Chen didn’t want to continue, if for any reason he needed to take a break, stop and come back to it, then he would honour that. :: Chen: I was terrified when she showed me that shirt that there would be a chance I could lose you and that everything that had happened between us wasn’t real. When I got to the Watchpost, that fear took over and then I ended up making it happen. Idrove us apart. ::He was starting to talk more and more quickly.:: It was because I wasn’t thinking straight because I care about you so much and the idea that you didn’t feel the same way... I don’t think I’ve ever hurt like that... ::He tailed off, again remembering his foot. Pain had been the theme of the last few days, it seemed. He was glad that he could see an end to it now. He finally looked up at Greir again, his eyes conveying his regret.:: Chen: ...and I don’t think I’ve ever been more sorry. :: Greir’s own feelings echoed that too. When he’d waited, listening to those poisoned comments he’d had a mounting fear of losing Chen. He’d felt inadequate and second best, it had played on a lifelong insecurity. He had resisted it at first and hadn’t wanted to believe it. He’d tried to reason and explain it all away but when Chen hadn’t even answered the comm it had seemed to confirm all of his worst fears. He’d never felt so devastated about anything before. He still couldn’t believe he’d become so emotionally attached to Chen in such a short time.:: ::He thought it over carefully having listened closely to Chen. In a backwards kind of way it was flattering that Chen really did care so much that he’d get so upset and worked up over the thought of losing him. Now that everything was out in the open and he understood the trigger it spoke volumes about how much Chen really did care. To Greir that was all that mattered.:: Reinard: I forgive you and I hope you forgive me for my behaviour and anything I did that night to exacerbate the situation because I am so sorry. I meant what I said to you before – we were made for each other. You’re extremely brave and intelligent, in fact, you’re my hero and there’s nothing I want more than to be with you. We were both duped and I think I can say with confidence that we’ll never let that happen again, if you want to try and make a go of things again that is. ::Chen had held it together so far but he could feel his emotions bubbling up to the surface. Hearing Greir say that he forgave him was the best possible thing he could have hoped for, or so he had thought, but he’d gone even further than that. He wanted to smile and cry at the same time.:: Chen: You’re the most compassionate and honourable man I’ve ever met. You’re the source of my strength, Greir. I can’t think of anything that I want more. ::He vowed to himself then and there that he was going to live up to what Greir had said about him every second. He felt honoured beyond measure that Greir saw him as his hero, even if he didn’t feel all that heroic for the moment. That urge to smile and cry at the same time overtook him and he did exactly that as all of the pent up emotion finally found release; he was too exhausted to stop it.:: :: Greir smiled at the compliment and felt his mood lifting significantly. Greir recognised he had those traits and felt they were good traits to have and aspire to, so to hear someone else recognise him in this way was spectacular. He was really hopeful that they could put all of this behind them and move on together. He saw Chen welling up with emotion and got up off the stool and wrapped his arms around him to hold him in a hug.:: Reinard: ::Reassuringly:: Everything’s going to work out Chen, I’m going to sort it. ::It felt good to be close to Greir again and Chen wrapped his arms around him as best he could from his seated position. He took deep breaths to try to get himself under control again, a feat that was considerably easier now that the two of them were back on the same page. There were still a lot of things about the future that were uncertain but, with Greir by his side, he was confident that he would be able to take them all head on.:: TBC A JP by PNPC Lieutenant Chen Intelligence Officer USS Vigilant NCC-75515 SIMmed by: Captain Diego Herrera and Lt Cmdr Reinard Acting Commanding Officer USS Vigilant