5.2 Grounded

[Deleted]

"With all due respect to your connected racial origins sir, I would feel a lot better to kill of all the scheming little Romulan freaks right now. It would make everyone's jobs and lives so much easier. As for the situation sir, I have an SI Ghost squad here on an unrelated matter, and I'd like to have them assigned to shadowing Tedak, Vebn and Govan. Whilst ambassador Tedak may have brought forward this information, I still don't trust Romulans sir"

"As much as killing of every scheming Romulan sounds appealing to you, such a path is fairly illogical, for the galaxy in its natural and disturbed state created a species to fill the role of a mostly trouble making race by natural selection and if we were to get rid of the Romulans, another species would take its place and once again the cycle would continue. So I would rather deal with the Romulans whose bag of tricks we have already thoroughly studied than some other new species whose bag of tricks would need to be studied for the next few hundred of years. As for keeping an eye on the Romulans is concerned... make sure they are not seen, as Govan is a much slicker fox than he seems.", Saarok said

"I'd also like to be placed as a temporary DCS liason officer to the Cardassian delegation until the situation has at least been partially resolved. I feel that my joint expertise makes me both an appropriate liaison and an incognito bodyguard"

"You may proceed and keep an eye on the Legate, I do believe he is in the infirmary at this time and will remain in there for now. I will... conduct some personal inquiries into the recent happenings here, and will therefore be unavailable for several hours. If you need me, you may leave a message with my assistant in the Diplomatic office", Saarok said

After Tyr departed and left Saarok with the pad he handed the document to one of his guards as the group headed back to his office.

"I will not be needing your services in the next several hours, you should stand guard at the entrance of my office and do not allow anybody to enter no matter who it is, is that clear", Saarok questioned

"As you wish", one of the guards replied

When they finally arrived to his office, Saarok went inside while his guards stood guard on the entrance. He removed his robe from him and went to the concealed security box that contained some... items of no actual but quit a sentimental value. He removed two devices from the box before sealing it off again. One of the items he removed was a phasor of sorts, but which caused pain rather than any physical damage, if he used it on somebody and security became involved, he can always write it of as a malfunctioning phasor.

He placed the item on the table while he took the other device into his hand. A portable holoprojector capable of changing his appearance into anything he wanted and of course along with the visual image it also emitted a false biosign reading making him register as a thing he was masked as. He activated the projector and chose to pass of as a human engineer with the rank of ensign. Yes, that would do for now. He then pulled up the duty roster for the hospital and saw that a Debrune nurse was due to come on duty soon. Perfect for his plan, if V'shal thought she was going to beat him at his own game twice, she was wrong. He figured out the path the nurse would be taking and chose a secluded point along that path for his needs.

As he was ready, he placed the phasor in his pocket and took a syringe of a very strong sedative that was designed specifically for the Debrune. He took of Saarok's commbadge and placed it on the table. If someone was to go and look for him, they will find him being in his office. He also thought of his firelizards and instructed them to stay away. He left his office passing by the two partially confused security guards and headed towards the point where he would meet the nurse.

After a shorter trip he was in position, he played with a nearby power junction and made it look as if it was exploded before adjusting his mask to show of electric burns and just in time too the nurse was just on the way.

"Help, aaaaa", he yelled and screamed in pain as the nurse ran over to him

"What happened?", she asked as she quickly pulled out her tricoder to scan the seemingly injured man

But that was the last thing the nurse remembered for in the next moment she was lying on top of him unconscious. He moved her off him as he pocketed her tricoder. He picked up her body and carried her off into a nearby supply shed which was seemingly used he placed her on the floor as he injected her with the sedative. He then scanned her with his holoprojector and uploaded the new image to the memory banks. He then concealed the woman's body underneath some empty storage containers before activating the modified holomask.

He was finally ready, he slipped out of the storage room and headed towards sickbay. After arriving there he checked in as usual and proceed to do the job that was on the duty list for the nurse. He noticed he was working in the section right next to the Cardassian Legate, which suited his plans perfectly. Now all that was left to do was to wait for V'shal to make the next move.

<Tag All>

[Magellan Lin]

Feeling incredibly proud of himself, both for restraining his homicidal tendencies and for concocting an even more brilliant plan than the first, Govan added one final piece of the puzzle. “We’ll just overload my replicator. You will claim to have found me collapsed in my doorway with plasma burns, where I will claim I crawled to before losing consciousness,” the Major finished triumphantly. “Will that do?”

V'Shal nodded "That will do perfectly. I ll make the preparations immediatly and meet you at your quarters in one hour.

She departed quickly and returned to her shuttle to arrange a disguise. she donned something not to sophisticated and then began to think about what could be used to make a large enough distraction. She smiled to herself as she realsied the solution.

Nipping out of the main habitation area she went directly to one of the old terraforming stations. Now essentially abandoned the station stood within a new residential area. Inside remained the atmosphere exchange as vast tanks of ammonia and otehr gases. Grasping a rebreather she opened the valves out full. Very soon the ammonia gas would creep into the habitation causing a massive medical emergency, unlikely to be fatal... she was a murderer, but not a mass murderer.

Sneaking back into the Hab dome she was pleased to see local people beginning to cough and splutter. She returned directly to Govan,

"Ready when you are" She said.

***

Tyr entered the office quietly, giving the Trill Admiral a polte smile as he locked the door behind him.

"Do you want the bad news, the really bad news, or the utterly catastrophic news first" he asked as an icebreaking joke, then launching into his report.
"The bad news is that Ambassador Tedak believes Vebn to be connected to the recent acts of terrorism committed by V'Shal. The rally bad news is that she's within the HabDome and tried to recruit Tedak for another attempt on the Legate's life. And the utterly catastrophic news is that a third party might have been behind D'Beren's death, and is thus likely trying to create an unprecedented intergalactic war between us, the Romulans, the Klingons, the Tholians, and now it seems the Cardassians. Governments fall, Empires crumble, and then someone steps from the dust and inherits half the galaxy" He paused.
"Don't suppose you've got anything to drink?"

"I do." Magellan replied pulling out a bottle of scotch and two glasses, he poured out a measure and passed one over, "It was foolish of her to go to Tedak. He has been the most useful asset the Federation has had in recent years within the Romulan establishment. Ive had half a mind to ask Starfleet Intellegience recruit him as a mole. It does confirm however that V'Shal isnt giving up. Perhaps we can use this to our advantage"

"I believe thats what Saarok had in mind."

"You mean hes going after V'Shal alone?"

Tyr shrugged,
"He just said he was going to conduct some enquires."

"So yes then" Magellan sighed, by now Saarok could be anywhere.

"Well we know the target is the Legate. Tightening security will only tip V'Shal off perhaps we need something more... subtle. Have your ghost squad on standby near the legate."

TAG ALL

OOC okay peeps lets wrap this mission up this week. Lets see if you can catch V'Shal

[Deleted]

"That will do perfectly. I’ll make the preparations immediately and meet you at your quarters in one hour,” V’Shal replied, much to Govan’s relief, before she left.

Rolling his eyes at her retreating form, the Romulan recycled the water glasses, replicated himself a drink, and removed the panel. Engineering wasn’t exactly his forte, but he knew something about basic sabotage. Within minutes, the replicator was rigged to explode following any request. After retrieving a small device from his hidden collection of items and using it to remove any trace evidence from the replicator, Govan decided to use it on the rest of the room to erase any slight indication V’Shal may have left of her presence by simply being in his quarters.

Feeling rather pleased with himself, Major Echal draped himself comfortably across a chair and sipped his drink waiting for the Vulcan to return. The explosion would eradicate the remaining evidence of his tampering, and there was no longer any indication he had removed the panel. When they came to investigate what had happened, if they decided it was necessary, it would look like a simple accidental power overload with no signs anyone had even opened the panel anytime recently.

In fact, if they were overly suspicious and got nosey, they could search the entire room and find no evidence that anyone other than the Major had been there. So sure was Govan of his work that he considered demanding they look into it to help defer any suspicion further. True, this was going to hurt quite a bit, but at least he was doing it for the good of the Empire. ‘At least that better be who that witch is working for...’ the Romulan mused grimly, taking a final sip of his inferior human ale.

Once the glass was empty, Govan placed it carefully on the table before returning to his little collection, retrieving a small injector before using it on himself. Even though the substance coursing through his veins caused no discomfort or symptoms whatsoever, the Romulan shuddered slightly knowing it was doing its job. As the door chime sounded, signaling his ‘partner’s’ arrival, the Major strode to the door causing it to open. “Don’t come too far in. I don’t want any evidence that you were here,” Echal warned stone faced, glancing both ways in the hallway before wiping his uniform sleeve over the control panel to remove her print and stepping inside.

"Ready when you are,” she announced calmly, causing Major Echal to nod once.

“Remain there. I will make a request to the replicator, which will then explode. I’ve calculated the proper distance from the explosion that will cause a serious enough injury for our plan to work without killing me. If I were standing right next to it, I would die, which should increase the credibility. I’ve also injected myself with an untraceable agent which will preclude my ability to pass out. That way, we can ensure that I will remain conscious enough to crawl to the doorway and from there you can help me to sickbay,” Govan reported, carefully avoiding a show of emotional reaction to this information, in spite of the immense pain it referenced. “It may take me a moment before I can move to the doorway. If I haven’t moved in a minute, you’ll have to drag me out and say you heard the explosion in passing.”

“I will attempt to remain conscious for as long as is possible in sickbay should you require my assistance, but I cannot guarantee it. They may end up sedating me.” Stepping to the spot he had chosen leaving V’Shal behind in the doorway, Govan turned away from her, closing his eyes briefly in preparation before taking a deep breath, squaring his shoulders, and finally requesting, “Computer, another ale.”

A white flash of light was visible even from beneath his closed eyelids as his felt the wave of hot energy and debris slam into his unprotected face propelling his body backwards, unfortunately into a nearby glass table. He felt every agonizing moment, as his back shattered the thick surface and his skin was wracked with burns and lacerations. In spite of his efforts to remain silent, he couldn’t help the scream that tore from his throat as pieces of glass and metal rained down over his already battered self. Then finally there was horrific silence as the dust settled.

Crying out in pain and rage, Govan tried desperately to pull himself together and somehow ignore the immense agony that simply wouldn’t let up even for a moment. Although blinded by both the flash and the pain, the Romulan could almost see the stoic V’Shal standing in the doorway watching him, maybe even feeling a bit smug at seeing him brought to this low, too injured to even crawl like he was supposed to... This image, whether true or false, spurred the agent on, as he slowly grasped the twisted frame of the table with his charred fingers and pulled himself over.

Pushing at the floor with his feet and clawing at the carpet with his fingers, the Major gradually made his way across the deck in the general direction of the door, roaring in concentration and anger with every movement. “Back…up…” he managed to order when he felt he was almost at the door, and as if on cue he heard the doors slide open and two footsteps move away. Continuing to grunt and howl with each effort to inch onward, Govan continued to crawl and will his way forward until he brushed up against something with his badly burnt and bloodied fingertips.

Stopping to trace the unidentified object, Major Echal gradually came to realize it was the pointed toe of a boot. Sagging completely to the ground for a moment to gather himself, Govan barely managed to gasp out, “You...can...help me...now...” before his head slumped to the deck and his chest heaved with wails of agony. He knew the torture had only just begun, as he would have to somehow try and support some of his weight and assist in propelling him towards their destination, but for now, he allowed himself to succumb to a screaming expression of anguish.

<Tag V’Shal>

[Deleted]

Tyr nodded and departed the Admirals office, walking ony a short distance before he stopped at a computer junction in order to activate a site to site transport. Inputting his diplomatic codes, he waited for a brief moment before he felt the embrace of the transporter beam. A moment later he found himself back in his makeshift office. He opened the door and gestured to the team waiting outside to come in and make themselves comfortable. He leaned on his desk.

"New job before you go. There are three ranking Romulans present on this base, each of whom may pose a significant threat. I need all three tailed, and their movement and interactions monitored. This is purely intelligence gatherin, so personal arms only, and no conflict unless absolutely necessary. Tolerate everything up to them taking potshots at flag admirals before you get drawn into a firefight. Two of you on Vebn, two on the Major, and only one on Tedak. Apparntly he's a good Federation asset, but he's still a Romulan. These people are or were professionals, so keep a discrete distance, and for the love of the Four Deities, don't get caught"

"How are we supposed to justify hanging around outside the Romulan embassy all day?" the only woman in the team asked.

"Computer, activate Starfleet replicator pattern 526 Delta, create five copies, universal size. Authorisation Tyr 55 Kappa Zion"

At that moment, five Starfleet uniforms appeared in the replicator slot, pressed and folded. Removing a box from his drawer, Tyr moved over to the uniforms, and after a moment of fiddling with their collars, began to distribute them amongst the intelligence operatives.

"A junior lieutenant for you, two ensigns, a chief petty officer, and a petty officer second class. I'll use my access codes to open the personnel files, just dump your name and rank into whichever department you see fit. Anyone asks, you're just doing routine maintenance"

He turned to leave.

"I'll be with the Cardy Legate acting as his liason for the time being, so if you need me I'll either be in sickbay or the DCS rooms"

~A few minutes later~

Having brushed some of the caverns dust from his jacket, and having ensured his phaser was fully charged, Tyr walked into the sickbay, looking around for the Cardassian Legate. Considering he was one of the few Cardassians on Qualinost, he wasn't too hard to find, and Tyr moved over to sit beside the Cardassian and his aide.

"A pleasure sir, I am Retiarius Tyr with the Federation Diplomatic Corps. I have been assigned as your liason to ensure the facilitation of anything you need whilst you are still with us"

"You could facilitate me not being killed" the Legate moaned "I am Legate Damok, and this is my aide Glinn Tekar. Has progress been made on my assassins yet"

"Would be assassins I assure you" Tyr crooned patronisingly, having equivalent love for the Cardassians as he did for the Romulans "And I can assure you we have our best people on it"

With no small deal of mumbling, the Legate turned to converse on one side with his aide, clearly not impressed by Tyr's attempts to smooth things over. Tyr examined the room at this point, checking it over for any visual threats, whilst also secretly wondering if the Legate would perhaps show some more respect if he witheld his pain medications. His reverie was interrupted by screams of agony, as Govan was helped into the room by an unknown woman, apparently badly injured. Concerning his previous experiences with Govan, it was understandable that Tyr's hand went straight to his phaser, and that he did not relinquish his grip upon seeing the Major's blatant incapacitation. Quietly, he tapped his communicator.

=/\=Ambassador Tyr to Tedak and Admiral Lin. I would like to inform you that it now appears that Major Echal has been the subject of an attack. Recommend assuming maximum security protocols, and considering evacuating the Legate to the Galaxy=/\=

<TAG Tedak, Lin and Govan>

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan tapped his comm badge in response to Tyrs comments

"Negative. Mr Tyr. The Cardassian Union do not want their delegate in federation hands. Besides the Galaxy is going to be busy. We ve just had reports of a major disaster in the Tekaran sector of the city. Ammonia leak. I need all emergency evac and first responders on site now. T'Val you will need to co-ordinate. Galaxy is sending what she can. Magellan Out."


****

V'Shal watched as Tyr appeared beside the Legate and looked at Govan. The Major had nearly done too good a job on injuring himself. She was pleased that Tyr had not recognised her. It would make things a lot easier. Well easier in some ways. Whilst Govan lounged about in agony she sideled over to the rear of the hospital facility. Through the open door way she could see the pharmacy and as the medical staff ran hither and thither she slipped inside.

She quickly searched the shelves for the gel and after a short search found it. She pulled from her pocket a label like device that she slapped on the container and then pressed a button. The container disappeared in the haze of a short range transporter beam.

With her insurance established she could now focus on what the Tal Shiar really wanted achieved, the death of Legate Damok. She slipped back into the room un noticed and came to his side. She would have to arrange Damoks death once the hospital was considerablly quieter and at the rate the medical staff were leaving for the emergency that shouldnt be too much longer.

[Deleted]

T'Val rushed to Govan's side the second he was brought in, snapping orders at her staff to start trauma care for a burn victim. Quietly, she peeled the burned remains of the Romulan's clothing away, while Rayna approached, carrying cooling packs. "This may hurt," the Vulcan told the barely conscious Romulan. She was oblivious to the major's companion, paying no attention to her at all.

Rayna placed the cool packs on the burned skin, after she had wrapped them in a thin cloth to prevent undercooling of the tender skin. She looked past T'Val to spot a visibly scared Tamir standing to the side. "Don't worry Tamir, he'll be all right," she called in Rihannsu, a look of promise on her face. She could see Tamir replied something, but could not hear the response.

The Vulcan saw the Betazoid diplomat appear in sickbay, sweeping up to the Cardassian's side. "Do not exhaust my patient Ambassador Tyr," she warned, "or I shall have T'Somba evict you from sickbay. The legate is well guarded and safe within these walls."

She listened as Tyr issued his report regarding Govan, frowning at him as he did so. Magellan's response concerned her, more than she would show anyone present. "Acknowledged admiral," she answered, tapping her own combadge, "I am on my way. Rayna, stay here with the legate, Tamir tend to Govan. Ambassador Tyr, stay if you must but I prefer you return to the diplomatic wing where you will be safe."

T'Val grabbed for her medkit, then rushed out the door with a traumateam close on her heels.

[Deleted]

The trip to the medical facility was absolute agony. Govan had used the drug he’d taken more times than he could count during interrogations but was just starting to truly understand what it did. He could feel everything magnified times ten, and he felt incredibly…awake, just when all he wanted was to be anything but awake. As he forced his legs to continue propelling him forward, the Major tried to make as little noise as possible, but with every moment some sort of gasp slipped out.

It irritated the Romulan to no end that V’Shal seemed so...unphased by his agony. True, she was a heartless, self-centered ice princess, but considering the level of sacrifice he was demonstrating just to help her, Govan felt she could show a little compassion or gratitude or something. But no...the woman just continued guiding him forward without any concern whatsoever. Well he’d show her, by moving as much as possible under his own strength without her help. As Major Echal tried to walk somewhat independently, he decided that he absolutely positively hated her.

As the two stumbled into the medical facility, Govan was exhausted from his effort. So exhausted was he that he was actually happy to see T’Val moving toward him. The Vulcan immediately began issuing orders, but it almost sounded like music to the agent’s ears. As she peeled back his clothes, the Major tried to bite back his screams, but only succeeded to dampen them to a pathetic whimper much to his own disgust. She warned him of pain, but he didn’t acknowledge her. Pain was all the same at this point. At least that’s what he thought until the cold was applied.

Crying out in anguish, the Major tried to hold as still as possible but couldn’t seem to prevent his body from writhing in agony of its own volition. Even in his condition, Govan made note that V’Shal was nowhere to be seen, most likely getting her gel, but why was T’Val still here? Hyposprays of what he assumed were painkillers were applied in rapid succession but they all did nothing. In despair, Major Echal realized he had simply applied an interrogation hypospray without separating the drug that kept you conscious from the drug that made pain worse and just about started to cry. Why hadn’t he taken the time? If only he had just taken the time…

Even as he struggled to regain his composure, Govan noticed the activity gradually shifting away from him. Something else was going on…the distraction! The part of him that was in pain wanted to cry again. Why was everyone leaving him…he needed help, please wouldn’t someone help him? Groups were thinning, hurrying out of sickbay. Why was everyone leaving him alone like this…when he wanted...

“Govan?” Tamir finally managed to approach the man who had caused so much pain in his life, but right now, all she could see was a man in absolute agony. He turned his head to look at her, and the sorrow and suffering in his eyes brought tears to her own. “It’s going to be ok,” she promised quietly, reaching out to touch his arm, trying to comfort him. The touch caused him to cry out, and she quickly jerked her hand back. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean…” she was about to start crying.

For a very brief moment, Govan forgot about his pain. “It’s ok. You were trying to help,” he reassured her gritting his teeth in pain. At least someone actually seemed to care about him…

The next thing he knew, V’Shal was back, not saying or doing anything, but quietly waiting. Frowning slightly, as she should be doing what needed to be done, Govan glanced around sickbay. From where he was, it looked mostly empty, but then his eyes fell on Tyr standing guard like an annoying statue that just wouldn’t go away. No…he wasn’t going to suffer this pain for nothing. “TYR!!!!” the Major called out, startling Tamir and allowing the anger he felt at what he was feeling to be expressed with that single word. “Don’t stand there like a coward. Come face me like a man, unless you can’t stand the consequences of what you’ve done!”

<Tag Tyr>

Govan wasn’t even listening to what the man said and didn’t really care. He just needed a distraction. As the Betazoid came closer, the Romulan mustered all the strength he had left and reached out to grab the front of the man’s clothes, weakly, leaving streaks of ash and blood behind but at least he got a piece. “You…you did this to me. Couldn’t even fight me fairly like any descent person would, instead you rig my replicator to explode. What kind of coward are you? I promise you, Tyr; I’ll kill you where you stand…” the Major threatened, intentionally showing as much fury while still coming across as severely weakened and gravely injured.

<Tag Tyr>

He could see V’Shal out of the corner of his eye, so knowing there must be someone there, the Romulan decided to try one last trick to get as much attention as possible. Trying to grab Tyr with his other hand, he intentionally missed and hit his charred hand on the edge of the biobed. Howling in rage and pain, but not letting go of the diplomat, Govan threw himself into a fit, tossing his body from side to side, screaming like a madman, and heaving himself up and down in spite of the horrid agony this caused, using the torture to cause further writhing to help his act.

Terrified, Tamir cried out for Rayna, who had managed to hear Govan’s cry of pain in spite of her hearing loss and had come running. Tears streaming down her face, the nurse begged her friend, “Rayna, please we have to help him. Help me…”

As he continued his little act, being tended to by the two Romulan nurses since Tamir had requested Rayna’s help with something specific, Govan noticed V’Shal was gone. He only hoped somehow his little show managed to give her enough time to do what she had come to do. The sound of a hypospray was the last thing the Romulan heard as his fingers slipped from the tunic of the Betazoid and his vision began to go dark. His last conscious thought was of hope for victory.

[Deleted]

Saarok observed the woman who came in with Govan who has apparently been injured, there was something familiar about her movements which was illogical as he did not recognize the face that went with it. But he decided to keep his eye on her and as the nurse going about her business, he had the perfect opportunity to do so. He observed the woman going into medical storage. So he crept to the door slowly and by entering a set of codes in the panel on the side managed to get them opened a bit. The woman seemed to have used some sort of a device that caused an all to familiar sound and displayed an all to familiar flash. This woman was apparently a thief of some sort and came here to burgle the medical supplies. Thinking he had seen enough he entered a new set of keys and the door closed while he went about his usual business.

The woman after that came out and began hanging around the Cardassian diplomat. That was highly suspicious and accompanied by the strange behavior the woman was exhibiting there could be only one reason for that. Just as he was about to investigate further Govan started to act strangely, as if he had gone mad, he accused Retiarius Tyr of setting up a replicator accident which got him injured in the first place. While this was going on the woman seemed to have crept even closer to the Cardassian but as she was doing this so was Saarok he was getting closer to her, but then to no surprise V'shal spoke:

"Saarok, i would recognize your scent any day of the week, why don't you drop the charade and act like a man", she said as she turned in the general direction of his position but see anyone but a nurse standing there

Saarok deactivated his mask as he faced V'shal.

"I should have known it was you, acting as if you owned the place, far too much self confidence for someone embarking on a suicide mission", he said

"Ah my erstwhile husband. How touching. You should know I don't go in for suicide missions."

"You know I am not going to let you go, it ends here.", he said

V'Shal shrugged
"I guess not. But to tell you the truth I m happy with that. I m at my best when caged as well you know dear, and we havent been together for such a long time. You can keep me if you like."

"Such a feeble attempt to seduce me you should know it would fail, and you did know it would fail but you simply are attempting to buy yourself time to think what you should do next. Have you never learned to make backup plans before going in for a kill?", he asked not really expecting a response

"I learned from you my dear so yes I did have an extraction avenue planned"

And in the next moment several thing happened. Saarok pulled out his weapon and fired at V'shal who ducked and the beam from his gun hit Govan who was in so much pain already that the beam merely overloaded his receptors making him faint.

"You missed, how cute, you do still love me", V'shal taunted him as she fired a weapon of his own at him

Saarok bulked over the nearest biobed hiding himself behind it.

"You know i can not allow you to live even if it meant that i would go down with you.", he said

"Live? You would kill me? But we are alike dear. Two peas in a pod. I just sell my services."

He was buying time by attempting to distract her while he prepared a plan to take care of her. He set his weapon to overload in 10 seconds from now. And then prepared to strike.

"Tyr", he shouted, "Do not let her get away", he said

And in the next moment several thing happened. Saarok leapt from his position and threw himself at V'shal. While he was flying through the air towards her she managed to shoot him in his shoulder but he ignored that wound as he grabbed her around the neck and as both of them landed to the floor and began to roll as if they were a ball of yarn. Soon he thought as she attempted to free herself from him by jabbing her fingernails in his most sensitive regions. But he held on, he was not going to let her get away again. And seconds after that there was a blast, his weapon overloaded hitting both him and V'shal with a wave of excruciating pain that even they could not withstand, the weapon disintegrated and along with it so did the consciousness of both Saarok and V'shal. He had her, he finally had her. Was his last thought before he was overwhelmed by the pain and before he was gone to the real world and entered into the world of unconsciousness.

<Tag Everybody>

Off: there we go Mag, all yours

I ve modded in V'Shal - And thanks Saarok - Magellan

[Deleted]

=/\=Ambassador Tyr to Tedak and Admiral Lin. I would like to inform you that it now appears that Major Echal has been the subject of an attack. Recommend assuming maximum security protocols, and considering evacuating the Legate to the Galaxy=/\=

Tedak sighed, wondering if he was ever going to get the rest he needed. So far he was being pulled from one end of the habdome to another, and now that he'd finally gotten home, he was paged yet again. "And what would you like me to do about it ambassador," he replied tersely, pulling his long robe back around his shoulders, smoothening the fabric after he was done. A quick check in the mirror told him he was still reasonably presentable and he walked out, heading back to the medical facilities.

He sighed again. "I'm on my way ambassador." While Govan was a pain in the [word deleted], Tedak couldn't consciously abandon him. He was a fellow Romulan, and more than that, he was his bodyguard. What if Govan hadn't been released from his guarding duties? The Romulan shook his head in dismay; he wasn't going to talk himself into feeling guilty.

He was just about to walk into sickbay when an explosive seemed to have detonated. Instinctively, he ducked away, then fought himself a way in through the debris. It was that he was entering the medical facilities, otherwise he would've called a medical emergency. When the smoke cleared, he saw Govan lying limp on a biobed, his skin an odd shade of green mixed with black, Tamir overing over him. Rayna was tending to Tyr, who hadn't come away unscathed either.

Looking around, he spotted the source of the explosion. There were two heavily charred bodies lying on the deck. Kneeling, he examined the bodies and to his relief found a pulse on both of them, though barely detectable. A second look learned that both bodies were Vulcan and that in fact he was able to recognise one as Saarok. "My friend, what've you done to yourself," he murmured sadly.

He sat up, beckoning for a nurse. The nurses however had all fled for cover, only the two Romulan women remained. "Tamir!" he bellowed, trying to get her attention. The girl was hovering over a patient she could presently not assist. "Vaed'rae," he snapped when the girl didn't respond, "h'ta-fvau." He gestured irritably. "Move!" he added, turning back to Saarok. Ignoring the woman, he lifted the Vulcan ambassador in his arms and deposited him on one of the remaining beds.

Locking gazes with Tyr, the Romulan tapped his combadge. "Security to the medical bay," he reported, then tapped his combadge again. "Admiral Lin, there has been an accident. Ambassador Saarok was severely injured. There was an explosion of some kind in sickbay."

ooc, meaning of the romulan words:
vaed'rae -hear me/attend me
h'ta-fvau - to last-place, immediate-return! (come back here!)

[Deleted]

When she reached her destination, T'Val was surprised to find nothing out of the ordinary. "Admiral Lin, are you sure there was an emergency here?" she asked, "because I can see nothing wrong."

She motioned for her medics to spread out and move around, to report anything that could be amiss. In the mean time, T'Val walked around with her tricorder in hand. Security would evacuate the sector anyway, with the science team that came along trying to contain a possible ammonia leak.

Frowning, she puzzled over the readings she was getting, then walked over to science officer Denice Phillips. "Are you readings showing the same as mine?" she asked quietly, her worry showing.

Denice checked her own readings, then double-checked them. "If you are reading nothing, then that would be the same as what I am reading," she reported.

Shortly, they were joined by security officer Jacques Pellier. "Evacuation's going as planned doctor," he reported, "we're almost done, and we've managed to keep the calm too. We've not come across anyone who's gotten unwell but we're keeping a look-out anyway."

"Thank you lieutenant," T'Val responded, before turning back to Phillips. Then she froze, a look of pure agony crossing her face.

"Doctor are you all right?" Denice asked, steadying the Vulcan woman.

T'Val shook her head. What she had felt was both amazing and horrifying. A single shriek had echoed through her mind at the exact time the explosion in sickbay occurred. Her little green firelizard had remained behind with Rayna, so she could be kept appraised instantly just in case. The little green had been too close when Saarok's phaser had overloaded and the blast had instantly killed her.

"I have to get back to sickbay," she said flatly, "contact nurse Melinda Davids if you need anything."

"Of course," Denise and Jacques both agreed, surprised to see a Vulcan display so much distress.

The Vulcan healer hurried back to sickbay, where Tedak stood, looking a little forlorn with the charred and limp form of a green firelizard. "I'm sorry," the Romulan whispered, his voice filled with grief. On his shoulder, his own brown Nut keened piteously, craning his neck to nudge the green.

T'Val took the creature from her ex-husband, cradling her close. She felt as though part of her had passed away in the passing of her loyal pet. "I wish Stuart was here," she whispered back, before looking around. "What happened here?" She looked from Tedak to Tyr, then to the unconscious form of Govan on the biobed, two frightened Romulan women and back to Tedak and Tyr.

"Why is my sickbay wrecked? Who did this, has it been reported yet?" Of course it had been reported, there was no doubt of that. "Security to the medical bay," she reported and, knowing Lin was busy with the evacuations, she contacted the next best person. "Commodore Savali, we have a situation."

[Felix Savali]

Felix had only just been able to convince the hospital staff that he was fine and that the bump he suffered was not that serious and that he could leave and now he was being called back again. If he were paranoid he'd think it was but a trick to lure him back and keep him there so that the hospital staff could have fun poking and proding him, but they're lucky... he is not.

=/\=I'll be right there=/\=, he replied

And then again, only minutes after arriving to the improvised operations center he left it. He headed down the corridor then into the next habdome until he finally reached the sickbay. He was just about to ask what was wrong when he saw a mess. FIrst there was some sort of a dead animal in the hands of T'Val, then there was Govan Echal badly burned by the looks of it, on one of the biobeds. There was also a blackened woman lying on the floor and another vulcan male was lying on a nearby biobed.

There were also marks of a recent explosion on the floor nearby. Well seems like someone had fun Felix thought.

"What happened here", he questioned

<Tag all>

[Magellan Lin]

By the time Magellan was able to get away from the evacuations Commodore Savali had managed to wrap things up.

The ammonia leak had been shut off by Alari and only a few hundred people had been affected, and only with mild respiratory complaints.

"Report Commodore" he asked Savali as he entered the civilian hospital.

Sharon Vanetti and a team of heavily armed officers surrounded the room with a large number beside one bio bed.

"Looks like an attempt on the legate. Saarok spotted it an intrevened." Felix said, "The fool set his phaser to overload damn nearly killed them"

"V'shal?"

Felix nodded and walked Magellan over to the guarded Biobed.
"Shes injured but T'Val tells me she will live. Ive already contacted command to arrange a prison transport. They suggest placing her in stasis."

Magellan nodded,
"That would probably be wise. And Saarok?"

"He should be okay after some rest"

"Good good." Magellan nodded, "With V'Shal out of the picture the Legate should be safe for now. We'll move him up to Assailant immediatly. I ve just recieved word the SCE have finished and we can move back in."

"Excellent" Felix stated, "You want me to help over see that"

"Thanks Felix. I need to get the paperwork on this done. Make sure Saarok gives a full report once hes able."

OOC: this kinda winds this mission up. Finish up your characters pieces and we'll get ready fro the next mission.

[Deleted]

Once matters had settled somewhat in the hospital Vebn made his way down to see Govan.

The man lay on a biobed, his hands wrapped in iso plastic. A nurse the one Govan had made him rescue was carefully applying a dermal regenerator to his burns.

"Major. I hope you will not be away from your duties too long." he said curtly

TAG Govan

Vebn turned to Tamir,

"Leave us."

Tamir looked at Govan who gave a slight assent of his head

"Well?"

Vebn sat on the edge of the bed, thus reducing the chance they were over heard,

"I see the Legate still lives. Is this indicative of a failure for our government"

TAG Govan

"Well. I just finished speaking to them. Given the circumstances they deny all knowledge of contracting the legates assasination. Were someone to have attempted to kill him they must have been freelancers or mercenaries, definetly Romulans... understand.

TAG GOvan

"Good. I will see you back at work as soon as you are able then" Vebn rose and left a silently fuming Govan to his rest and recuperation.

[Deleted]

As Tamir carefully applied fresh salve and bandages to the severe burns on Major Echal’s hands, she watched the patient carefully for any signs of…well life. Since the incident, the Romulan agent had been practically comatose, barely moving to even acknowledge those around him, let alone speaking. When asked questions, Govan responded with the slightest of nods or a shake of the head to indicate yes or no. As far as the nurse was concerned, he was almost scarier like this than usual.

With so many injures, it was taking some time to properly regenerate such a large portion of his body. As a result, higher priority had been placed on the most critical damage, leaving his face blistered and his hands still horribly scorched. New skin was being grown, but it wasn’t ready yet. All pieces of shrapnel had been removed and the puncture wounds left behind mended. The burns that had covered his arms, chest, and shoulders had also been mostly healed, but his hands and parts of his face, which had been most seriously burned, still needed constant attention.

As she dabbed the cooling balm to the open wounds on his palms, the Major made no movement or sound, in spite of the fact Tamir knew it had to sting. “Am I hurting you?” she finally asked hesitantly, sighing as his head turned slightly to the left then slightly to the right before facing center again in response. Finally getting an idea, she added, “Oh dear, that’s not good. If you’re not feeling that, it could mean there’s nerve damage, which means you’ll be here awhile. I should get T’Val…”

Glancing at him, Tamir detected a slight twitch in his expression, as his eyes met hers. She raised her eyebrows at him, calling his bluff, and eventually received a concession as Govan nodded once. Continuing to treat his hands, the corner of her mouth turned up slightly. “I knew that was hurting you. No point in pretending it doesn’t,” she chided receiving as much of a glare as the injured man could muster.

“You know, you don’t have to be such a tough guy all the time,” she continued, thinking it was actually rather nice when he was incapacitated and silent. “Everyone feels pain, and there’s no shame in admitting it. I mean, honestly, you can’t be so scary and intimidating all the time. You have to feel something... There’s got to be more to you than that. Isn’t there someone out there who’s not terrified of you?”

Another momentary twitch in his otherwise stoic expression crossed his face before he replied, “Yes, but I don’t like them much.” Tamir couldn’t help it and started to giggle, only to stop at the second, half-hearted glare she received in return. Still unperturbed, especially because of just how much she was getting away with, the nurse began applying a protective wrap over the treated burns and grinned at him.

“Got you to talk,” Tamir teased, still grinning. “I knew you hadn’t lost your voice.” Govan glared back at her once again, but she was almost positive she detected the tiniest hint of a smile, though it vanished just as quickly as it had appeared. “I can’t be certain, but was that a smile?” she asked in mock shock. “YOU, Major Govan Echal, are actually capable of smiling?” The Romulan agent continued to scowl at her in reply, but it looked to her like he was trying too hard to look angry.

“You know, you should smile more often,” she declared, as she secured the wrap and reached for the dermal regenerator to try and repair some of the edges. “You don’t look nearly so frightening when you aren’t trying so hard to look gloomy all the time. And I don’t mean the triumphant, ‘I’m going to successfully do someone in’ smile. I mean a real, actual ‘I’m happy’ smile, or at least content or amused... ”

"Major. I hope you will not be away from your duties too long,” Vebn stated as he approached the biobed, causing Tamir to fall instantly silent, lowering her head to glance down at the burns she was treating. The momentary light mood evaporated.

The nurse's constant, inane chattering, while terribly annoying, had momentarily allowed him to forget about current circumstances, but seeing Vebn’s face brought it all back in an instant. “I can only hope so,” Govan replied dryly, trying not to look at Tamir as he said that. She may have helped, but he didn’t want to stay here long.

"Leave us," the Ambassador ordered Tamir, who glanced questioningly at Govan. Granting the nurse a slight nod to let her know it was ok to go, the Major was further irritated when Vebn added, "Well?" to encourage the girl into leaving more quickly.

Glaring at his boss, Govan nodded again, actually offering a mumbled thank you. Smiling slightly at this unexpected show of gratitude, the nurse nodded and left.

As Tamir moved off, the Ambassador invited himself to sit on the edge of the bed, which further irritated Govan. "I see the Legate still lives. Is this indicative of a failure for our government?" Vebn asked, not wasting any time with pleasantries.

“I wouldn’t know,” Govan replied, his voice flat. “I was never told who the orders came from, nor that the Legate was the target. I only knew about five-hundred ml of bio-mimetic gel and access to sickbay, both of which I facilitated to the best of my abilities. As to the success or failure of acquiring the gel, I do not know, nor do I know for sure that it is our government or the Tal Shiar that has not achieved their objectives. I simply know I was apparently nearly blown up and shot for nothing.”

"Well. I just finished speaking to them. Given the circumstances, they deny all knowledge of contracting the Legate’s assassination. Were someone to have attempted too kill him they must have been freelancers or mercenaries, definitely not Romulans…understand?” Vebn responded, receiving a single nod from Govan in reply. "Good. I will see you back at work as soon as you are able then,” the Ambassador added before turning to leave the disheartened, discouraged man.

With a heavy sigh, the Romulan turned his head to the side, ignoring the pulling of the newly regenerated skin on his neck. Would he ever manage to catch a break, or would anything, maybe even just one thing, go his way, just once? Somehow, at the moment and considering his run of luck, Govan Echal sincerely doubted it.