Mission 1 : Swimming with the Fishes

[Ephrem Santos]

"What the hell are you talking about Captain?" Commodore Stone screamed across the table," are you telling me that she has been lying to us for over three years?"

"Yes sir, Mira Green joined Starfleet a year before she was eligible," Ephrem said," but as you can see in my report we should let this slide. Mira Green, even though she's young, is irreplaceable. Mira is the heartbeat of my ship and I don't want to loose her."

"I understand your position Captain, but I cannot give her a slap on the wrist," Stone said," for the time being I'll issue a formal reprimand into her file and give it some more thought."

"Thank you sir," Ephrem said knowing that the Commodore was helping him out. A reprimand was the best possible result under these circumstances, " is that all sir?

"No, Captain, I have new orders for you," Stone said as he passed him a his mission briefing," Captain Kirk visited Argo a few years ago. Command wants to know how things are progressing between the Aquans and the land dwellers."

"Argo?" Ephrem thought aloud," doesn't the planet suffer from siesmic activity?"

"Not anymore," Stone replied," we hope to admitt Argo into the Federation, but we need to make sure that both people have been able to get past their differences."

"Understood, when do we leave?" Ephrem asked.

"Tomorrow morning, at 0700 hours," Stone said as he rose from his seat to signify that the meeting was over," Captain please remember that you'll be spending a large amount of time underwater."

"I'm sure my crew is going to enjoy it as much as myself," Ephrem said with a smile.

[thalin]

The Andorian moved in front of the conference room that Santos had adjourned into, pressing the pressure plate in front of him to make sure that he was notified by the bell. As the door slid open, he stood for a moment to polite allow his commanding officer to finish what he was saying. As he did so, the science officer took a seat across from him, exhaling.

"Sir, I shall remain steadfast in your order to keep quiet on these matters. Now, however, I have something new to share with you. Are you familiar with the Aquashuttle? It will become of paramount use in any operation that we run it in....in fact, Kirk was using one when he first visited some sort of a water planet. Granted, of course, being the reckless Enterprise crew that commands that thing they destroyed the thing. Starfleet didn't recover it...as usual.There are some other terrain-specific vehicles that have come aboard as well, like a certain type of boat, that would become of use if we ever needed it.. With your permission, sir, I would like to prep these services for use. On a just in case basis. I am not suggesting I forsee any usage. Rather, being the scientist, I have a certain interest in whatever has had to come aboard. I await your further instruction."

[green]

Of course there was going to be punishment for lying to Starfleet, Mira had no doubt of that. It had surprised her that Santos hadn't erupted in fury when he confronted her with it. John's presence had been a huge comfort to her, but now she feared she would lose his friendship and his love over this.

She had stood before his quarters, having been stood there for little over an hour, just waiting and pacing, trying to come to a decision. At last, she knocked on his door and when it opened, she literally flew into his arms. "I'm so sorry," she cried, as she wrapped her arms around him, "I never meant to draw you into this."

Mira had spent a while, just lying in John's arms, quietly talking to him. When she finally left, she was feeling considerably better, knowing she hadn't lost him. He meant too much to her, and apparently she still meant a great deal to him too, which had reassured her. With a kiss, she took her leave. "I'll see you later?" she asked as she walked towards the door. "I'm on duty in a few minutes."

Later, the teenager walked onto the bridge, shoulders squared and a 'I dare you' look on her face towards anyone who would bother her with anything she didn't want to be bothered with right now. She froze as she saw the science chief exit the captain's office and clenched her teeth in anger.

"Rat," she hissed at him, before her right fist connected soundly with his left cheek. She felt hands pull her back, but she glanced down at the sprawled Andorian in satisfaction before shrugging the hands off. Without looking back, she walked on to her station, though she shook her right hand to get the numbness out of it. She didn't like people who ratted on others; she would've told Santos in her own time, when she was ready, but she certainly despised the fact that the Andorian had taken that decision out of her hands, especially without confronting her with his recovered information first.

[thalin]

...but she certainly despised the fact that the Andorian had taken that decision out of her hands, especially without confronting her with his recovered information first.

Thalin laid there, sprawled across the ground in a state of unconsciousness. It was bad enough that she had struck him, however, he had landed upon his head. He was not to remain in the state necessarily long, but it was particularly embaressing for a member of his species to do such. As he awoke from his forced slumber, he touched the top of his head. No bleeding. Thankfully, the insectoid principles of his biological providence had saved him from breaking any blood vessel.

That having been said, however, he had something far more disheartening to be concerned with. His left antenna....was not attached to the crown of his head but rather laid behind him. It had been broken off. His hand slowly touched to the dead stump atop his head. Looking around him, he started to panic - things no longer appeared to him the way that they should have. Rather, it was though he were watching things monochromatically so that colors had been replaced with shades of grey.

[Ephrem Santos]

"I'm glad to know that you are interested in those vechiles Mr. Zarath," Ephrem said pleased that the Andorian had taken an interest in them," you are indeed correct about the Aquashuttle. We are travelling to Argo, a water planet. Mr. Zarath I would like for you and Chief Green to work on the shuttle. You'll recieve more descriptive details at the mission briefing."

(Mr. Zarath)

Ephrem was pleased to see that his Andorian officer was occupiying himself with more important things. Ephrem knew there would be a rough patch between John, Mira and Thalin, but he was sure that they would be able to overcome their differences.

"Mr. Zarath, if there isn't anything else, I need to get my mission briefing ready," Ephrem said excusing the Andorian.

(Mr. Zarath)

It wasn't more than a minute since Thalin Zarath left his office that Ephrem's yeoman rushed into his office looking bewilderered.

"Captain, Chief Green just attacked Commander Zarath," the yeoman said. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Ephrem bolted out of his office and looked at the turmoil on the bridge.

"What the hell are you doing Mira?" Ephrem screamed at the top of his lungs," tell me you just didn't assualt him."

"Captain, he will be alright, unfortnately I'll have to remove one of his antenna," Doctor Ryan said as he exaimened the injuried Andorian.

"Tell me when he comes to please," Ephrem said before he turned his attention back to Mira," Mira you are hereby relieved of duty. Get off my bridge!"

[green]

Mira turned, wondering what all that racket was about behind her. She wasn't prepared for Santos screaming in her face and swallowed a few times. "I didn't assault him captain," she answered meekly, "I punched him, only once. I never touched him otherwise, just one punch. And you know why too..."

She wasn't sorry but she felt exposed and humiliated for being screamed at right on the bridge. She held her breath, biting back an angry retort when he told her to leave the bridge at once. "yes captain," she replied, smartly turned on her heels and marched off the bridge. She avoided looking at the injured Andorian, wanting nothing to do with him at the moment, no matter how much he might want to.

Mira suspected that Santos would force her to apologise and she would, if the Andorian would apologise to her first. He had no right to do what he had done and she despised him for that. She had gained a small victory by catching the otherwise battle-ready Andorian by surprise, but knew she'd never be able to pull that off again.

Still seething, she walked into the gym, starting her training routine practically on auto-pilot.

[Deleted]

John had spent a long time calming himself down. He knew that if he had seen Zarath after the conversation with the Captain there would have been blood, so he had stayed in his quarters doing his best to relax. Mira had joined him, and John was glad to know he was not the only one still upset about the incident. All thoughts of Zarath, Mira's birth date, and the conversation with Ephrem disappeared for a while.

With a kiss, Mira took her leave. "I'll see you later?" she asked as she walked toward the door. "I'm on duty in a few minutes."

"I'll be up there in a bit," said John. "Doctor Ryan's been acting abnormally friendly, probably because I need to inspect Sickbay..."

After Mira had left, John closed his eyes and put his head against the wall. He had to talk to Zarath. If nothing else, at least he could tell the Andorian where he (John) stood. Leaving such open wounds untreated was bad practice.

John was in Sickbay wondering where Ryan had run off to when Zarath arrived. It didn't take long for John to hear what had happened. He didn't feel sorry for Zarath, but John no longer felt a need to avenge Mira - she had done that herself, in a much more efficient manner than John could have. The first officer walked over to where Zarath lay, eyes devoid of pity.

"Sorry for calling you down here," muttered Ryan as the CMO brushed past John. "I guess you'll need to come back later."

"Agreed," replied John. "What's the damage?"

"Well, the antenna's been broken off, obviously. That'll take a few months to grow back. The patient may have sustained a minor concussion. We're still waiting for the report on that. It should take almost no time to take care of that, if it is even a concern." Ryan yawned and shook his head. "Damn absinthe... anyway, I'll tell you how he's doing after I'm finished with him."

"Thanks," replied John, glancing at Zarath once more before leaving. He had to get to Ephrem as quickly as possible to calm the Captain down.

[thalin]

"...You'll recieve more descriptive details at the mission briefing."

The Andorian nodded politely with a bit of an impish grin. Smirking carefully, he nodded with a small portion of his archetypical white hair falling out of place. "Sir, it would be an honor. In fact, Argo is that planet that the Enterprise crew wrecked their's on. Its typical, sir, isn't it? No offense, but those front line types don't know how good they have it. The rest of Starfleet doesn't get everything first in the way that they always seem to do it."

"Mr. Zarath, if there isn't anything else, I need to get my mission briefing ready," Ephrem said excusing the Andorian.

Raising a brow, he nodded, "There is sir. There is something else that I need to speak to you about. I wanted to make sure...to make sure that...excuse me sir. There is nothing else. Forgive me." With that, he carefully left the room in his aloof fashion.

------------------------------------------------


"Captain, he will be alright, unfortunately I'll have to remove one of his antenna," Doctor Ryan said as he examined the injured Andorian.

Zarath, slow and unresponsive, came to terms with those words as he looked to the relatively odd looking Doctor Ryan. Sighing slowly, he looked him over while trying to handle the sudden increase in contrast caused by a total lack of color. Nothing blended in the way that he was used to it doing.

Sighing carefully, he tried to stand with a bit of weakened breath, "This is the highest insult that a warrior may receive..."

[Alyana Ryat]

Aly and Stephen had played to best of nine at racquetball, he'd eventually won 5 against 4 and had then treated her to a meal as a 'thank-you' for a good game. She had learned that he worked in engineering and had been born on Mars. They talked for a good chunk of the afternoon. Aly was purposefully vague about parts of her background.

Stephen had had to leave and had said farewell with a kiss that left her lips tingling. They arranged another meeting the following day. Aly had realised that she had not warmed-down properly after their games and deciding that she would rather put in some effort now than be incredibly stiff tomorrow walked back down to the gym. She was slightly surprised to see Mira there, and even more surprised when the she didn't seem to register Aly's approach.

"Hi," Aly said, opting for as neutral approach as she could think of.

(Mira)

[Ephrem Santos]

Ephrem was ready to lock Mira up and throw away the key, but he knew that wouldn't solve the core problem between them. The animosity between them seemed to grow daily and Ephrem knew that he would need to end it immediately. Fortunately for Mira, Thalin's antenna would grow back in a few months and there wasn't any permanent damage. Even though Ephrem was angry with Mira, he needed her on the bridge. She was the best at her job and everyone knew it.

"Enter" Ephrem said when he heard the chime to his office ring, "look don't try and defend her actions John. I told her to drop it and she took things into her own hands."

(John)

"John if she continues to do her own things I will be forced to see that the problem is resolved," Ephrem said," and so you don't misunderstand me that means her off my ship."

(John)

"Anyway, I will need Mira and Thalin to work closely together," Ephrem said calming down a bit," Mira is the best pilot we have and Thalin understands the vehicles that we will be using during this mission. I believe Thalin will be able to do this and I need to make sure she can too."

(John)
"

[green]

"Oh....hi," Mira answered, without sitting up. She gripped the bar tightly with both hands, then started lifting it. With a total of sixty kilo's attached to either side of the bars, it was no easy feat, but she pulled it off just fine. "Come to gloat?" she asked coldly, "I'm sure it's all over the ship by now."

The girl's voice was mocking at best. "Chief Green floored the Andorian and got sent off the bridge. She should be in the brig for assaulting a superior officer," she quoted, "oh don't think I'm deaf, I've heard the whispers behind my back by now." She let the bar rest on her chest for a few seconds, before pusing it away again, with greater effort.

Putting it back on the standard, she sat up. "I'm in no mood for pleasantries," she continued, "so unless you need assistance with your work-out, I prefer to be left alone for now."

[Alyana Ryat]

"Come to gloat?" she asked, "I'm sure it's all over the ship by now. Chief Green floored the Andorian and got sent off the bridge. She should be in the brig for assaulting a superior officer. oh don't think I'm deaf, I've heard the whispers behind my back by now."

Aly, surprised at the strength of Mira's reaction took a step backwards away from the angry young woman. "I hadn't heard anything." she said simply, doing her best to placate her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

Mira settled her weightlifting bar and Aly finished her warm down. "I'm in no mood for pleasantries," she continued, "so unless you need assistance with your work-out, I prefer to be left alone for now."

"Okay," Aly said, wondering what had happened. Had Mira's recent experiences given her a taste for punching out officers.. Aly doubted it. "You've no doubt got better friends than me," Aly said as she picked up her things "but if you ever want to talk, I'll listen."

Aly left the workout area still wondering what had happened, despite being a communications officer she hadn't really settled into the shipwide gossip network yet.

[green]

Better friends. Did she? Mira shook her head in misery then tossed her towel aside into a random direction. One of the other sporters cried out in outrage when a soggy towel hit him in the face but Mira ignored him.

She ran after the retreating Trill, tripping over her own feet as she tried to catch up. "Alyana wait!" she cried, skidding to a halt beside the woman. "I'm sorry ok? I'm in a really bad mood, and it hasn't got anything to do with you."

The teenager wiped her hair from her face and rubbed her eyes, fighting to regain composure. "I was thrown off the bridge. I'm sure you heard about Zarath's accident? Well...I slugged him and he fell bad. One of his antennae was removed but he'll be fine in a while. He did something very bad, he discovered something about me and instead of talking to me, he ratted on me. And I hate rats."

[Alyana Ryat]

OOC: A touch short on inspiration sorry.


Aly had only got a couple of steps down the corridor before Mira tore out of the room behind her. "Alyana wait!" she cried, skidding to a halt beside the woman. "I'm sorry ok? I'm in a really bad mood, and it hasn't got anything to do with you."

Aly stopped, it was obvious that Mira was stressed and upset. She was having difficulty talking normally. Her first instinct was to give Mira a hug but that wasn't exactly appropriate here, it was her paternal instincts kicking in again. "I was thrown off the bridge. I'm sure you heard about Zarath's accident? Well...I slugged him and he fell bad. One of his antennae was removed but he'll be fine in a while. He did something very bad, he discovered something about me and instead of talking to me, he ratted on me. And I hate rats."

Aly wasn't quite sure how to reply to that, she didn't know exactly what had happened, but seeming some secret of Mira's had come out and she wasn't happy. That Aly could well understand, if someone discovered her secret and then told someone else with talking to her first she would be unhappy. Aly swallowed. "I'm really not sure what to say. I can see why you are in a bad mood though," Aly admitted "If he'd talked to you first what do you think would have happened?"

[thalin]

The Andorian stood up, wandering slowly around sickbay. It was difficult to exist in a colorless world. Unlike colorblind humans, who have difficulty distinguishing colors, he could see very little color at all now. In a monochromatic world, it was laborious to perform even the smallest of tasks. This became worse, when one added in the fact that, having lost an antenna, he was now rather unbalanced.

Andorians had superior depth perception when in full faculty of their organs. However, in a case like this, he was hardly able to tell very much about his surroundings.

Even without this incident, he was embarrassed that so much of his time was being spent in sickbay as of the last mission. He noted that he was in for some time after the monstrosity was defeated. On top of that, he was in here now. This was just not Zarath's day.

[Ephrem Santos]

Ephrem had been assured by his first officer that personal feelings would not interfere with the work that needed to be done. The people of Argos promised to better their ways in hopes of admittance into the Federation and Ephrem's report would help the Federation Council's decision. If he was to do this effectively he needed his people to do their best work.

Knowing that he wasn't in any condition to speak to Mira at the moment, Ephrem decided that he would speak to Thalin about the current situation on board. Andorian's were proud warriors and Ephrem knew that Thalin's pride had been damaged by Mira's actions, but Ephrem was positive that the Starfleet training in him would overcome and personal vendetta he may now have against the young navigator.

"John you have the bridge, I'll be in sickbay if you need me," Ephrem said as he walked out of the bridge and into the lift. He didn't really know what to say to Thalin, but he knew that he would apologize for Mira's actions. It was the least he could do. "How is he doctor?"

"He will have problems with balance and perception for a while captain," Doctor Ryan said," I can give him some drugs that will help him, but he won't be one hundred percent until it grows back."

"Thank you Doctor," Ephrem said as he walked towards the clearly confused Andorian," Mr. Zarath I would like to apologize for the Master Chief's actions. As Captain I should have foreseen this possibility. As Captain I should have fixed the problem immediately."

(Thalin)

[green]

Mira shrugged. "I don't know," she answered honestly, "I might've asked him to keep the information to himself and quite possibly explained him why. I would've told the captain eventually...I just wasn't ready. I was ready to tell Captain James, but then he went missing in action..." She trailed off, looking at her feet.

After a full minute of silence, she looked up at the Trill. "I don't know what's worse," she admitted, "the lies, it coming out, Santos' disappointment in me, striking Zarath, or being thrown off the bridge." She fidgeted with her hands, not quite sure how to behave. "Part of me is sorry I struck him, he's been very friendly to me before, even offered to show me Andorian fighting techniques. But the other part hates him for going behind my back."

Again, she looked away. "I suppose I should apologise to him eh?" she then said, casting her friend an impish grin. She gave Ryat a brief hug. "Thanks for listening," she said, then trotted away, towards sickbay.

Yet when she walked in, she froze and stood rooted to her spot when she saw Santos was talking to the Andorian. She turned a deep scarlet before taking a few deep breaths. She felt her cheeks heat up in shame, but she fought the feeling down. Straightening her shoulders, she stepped in, allowing the doors to slide shut behind her.

Spotting Dr Ryan, she walked up to him. "How is he?" she asked softly, "can I see him?" More urgently, she whispered. "I really need to talk to him, it's important."

Ignoring Ryan's protests, she marched forward as soon as Santos walked away. "Commander..." she started, trying to meet his gaze but she found herself unable to. "I just..." She faltered again, took another deep breath and managed to look him straight in the eyes. "I'm sorry," she finally whispered, seeing his ragged appearance, the one antenna missing. She felt for him, this had never been her intention; she had just meant to punch him, throw him off, but hadn't counted on him falling against the desk.

Mira sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for the Andorian's hand, looking utterly miserable. "I'm so sorry," she repeated, "would you..." She sighed, annoyed at her own inability to even utter an entire sentence. "Would you be able to forgive me?" she finally asked.

[thalin]

"Thank you Doctor," Ephrem said as he walked towards the clearly confused Andorian," Mr. Zarath I would like to apologize for the Master Chief's actions. As Captain I should have foreseen this possibility. As Captain I should have fixed the problem immediately."

The Andorian tried to nod, though he found it quite difficult. Seeing the Captain in monochromatic tones certainly did not help the situation any either. This was not an easy thing for Zarath emotionally, and the physiological aspect of it all did not assist him in any means.

“Fret not, Captain, if you are worried of my matters of pride. I shall not have any violence or bloodshed against Mira. To attack in such a way is dishonorable. We Andorians are warriors, yes. We are from a unilineal system that values personal and familial honor above all, yes. But I am not going to allow a personal vendetta to interfere with my duties as a Starfleet officer.”

“I want it to be known, however, that I do not personally wish to have any quarrel with Mira. I do not quite understand how humans would have handled the situation. However, if I had been lying, I would wish for someone to tell upon me. That way I might move on without allowing things to fester. I want to make little more of this.”

With his eyes shutting, they were finally opened a short while later by the voice of Mira.

"Would you be able to forgive me?” she asked.

“I would be able to forgive you if you could forgive me. I too, am sorry. I now know that humanity works far differently than…well..then all of my people do. I should not have done that to you.”

[Alyana Ryat]

"I don't know," she answered honestly, "I might've asked him to keep the information to himself and quite possibly explained him why. I would've told the captain eventually...I just wasn't ready. I was ready to tell Captain James, but then he went missing in action..." Mira's words trailed off and she looked at the deck.

The silence stretched, Aly didn't quite know what to say she didn't know what information Mira was talking about, it was apparent that she was thinking her way through the situation. As she had said, Aly was quite willing to listen so she stayed silent and waited. "I don't know what's worse," she admitted, "the lies, it coming out, Santos' disappointment in me, striking Zarath, or being thrown off the bridge." She fidgeted with her hands, not quite sure how to behave. "Part of me is sorry I struck him, he's been very friendly to me before, even offered to show me Andorian fighting techniques. But the other part hates him for going behind my back.

"Again, she looked away. "I suppose I should apologise to him eh?" Mira broke into a grin that made her look younger, this was the Mira that Aly had first met, she was pleased to see her return.

Aly was very surprised when Mira gave her a hug, she didn't feel that she had done anywhere near enough to deserve such treatment, or maybe that was her guilt talking.

"Thanks for listening," Mira said and then head towards sickbay. Aly smiled, she was pleased that she could do something to help. That made being here worthwhile. Aly returned to her quarters and checked her messages, it seemed that the Excalibur had a new mission, the were bound for the planet Argo and the Captain had scheduled a staff meeting early tomorrow morning. Aly knew she should probably get some rest but somehow the idea of the water world intrigued her more. She called up the Aquan language files, this wasn't a language that she spoke but it probably wouldn't be too tricky to learn.

Aly knew she was tired, the words on the screen in front of her were starting to blur. She smiled to herself and switched off the computer screen, she felt that she was starting to get a grasp on this new language. Aly set an alarm to ensure that she would be awake in time for the staff meeting and went to bed.

[Ephrem Santos]

When Mira entered sickbay, Ephrem felt a knot develop in his stomach. Was she here to start more trouble or to mend the fences? Ephrem was ready for anything and allowed Mira to approach the clearly disorientiened Andorian. As she approached, Ephrem couldn't help but think of the questions that Thalin had just asked him about humans. Starfleet and the Federation welcomed everyone but it was obvious that it was led by humans. For some reason that didn't sit well with him.

"Would you be able to forgive me?” she asked.

“I would be able to forgive you if you could forgive me. I too, am sorry. I now know that humanity works far differently than…well..then all of my people do. I should not have done that to you.”

Ephrem couldn't help but smile as they began to mend the fences. It wasn't going to be alright immediately, but he know knew that there was no reason to worry. They would get the job done and get it done well.

"Mira, Lt. Zarath does not wish to press any charges and I know that you are truly sorry," Ephrem began, " but I cannot ignore what you did. I will put reprimand in your record and consider your punishment as time already served."

(Mira)

"Lt. Zarath, I know that you will not be yourself for a few months, but I really need you during this mission," Ephrem said," it will take us to long to understand the technology needed during this mission. Starfleet was not able to find a suitable engineer to teach us, so its up to you."

(Zarath)

[thalin]

Thalin was able to resume his duties after a bit of rest, however, the time spent resting was not totally in this form of the word. Rather, he had to be 'trained' to cope with his temporary disability.

Ensign Wundt had been helping train him with a beside unit armed with tapes filled with colored images. Thalin participated in an exercise in which he had to be able to identify different patterns, despite his inability to see colors, before he was able to return to duty. Once this had happened, after what seemed like an eternity, Wundt finally gave him not only a clean bill of health, but also, the ability to return.

As he finally retook his place on the bridge, and relieved the Vulcan who had been working in his place, the Andorian smiled to himself. Stretching gently, he was advised to sit wholly at his console and not stand. That being said, he was proud to have retaken it anyways.

He was looking over his position, sighing slowly. They were still a bit off from the mission goal at the time being.

[Ephrem Santos]

Taking a few hours off to take in everything that had just happened within the last few days, Ephrem decided that he needed to retake control of the situation. He was allowing life aboard the ship to just pass like nothing important was happening. The lives of the 439 people were in his hands and they were all doing important things. Ephrem as captain needed to keep this in mind at all times and from now on he would make sure to let his crew know how much he appreciated thier efforts.

"Captain Santos, I have discharged Lieutenant Zarath, he can return to duty immeditately," Doctor Ryan said over the comm. Slowly approaching the comm system on the wall, Ephrem thanked the doctor for the report and told him to prepare inoculations for sea sickness. The senior crew would need them once they arrived at Argos.

Even though thier mission would be diplomatic in nature, Ephrem felt that it was important for them to look in the Aquans ancient city. Federation scientist weren't allowed to study the city for long, but Ephrem felt that the city could help them understand what happened on the planet for two separate dominate species of humanoids to survive on the planet. With all the problems aboard his ship, Ephrem remembered that he was a scientist and that knowledge was the reason that everyone was onboard the Excalibur.

"Santos to the bridge, increase speed, I would like to arrive on Argo in two days," Ephrem said as he pressed the comm button. The realization that he would go back to doing what he loved; instead of worriying about who punched who, gave Ephrem a new sense of energy and purpose.

(Tag All)

[green]

Mira had returned to the bridge, after her talk with Zarath. Though she worried a little about the captain's response, she felt that in this situation, her place was at the helm. "Best possible speed," she acknowledged, "at warp seven, we will be there in a little under two days, but I don't know how long engineering can hold this speed. We may need to slow down once in a while."

She paused, checking her readings and adjusting their heading. "Course for Argo has been laid in and executing speed command," she continued her report as efficiently as possible. "And pray nothing goes wrong with the engines, or we won't make it. If we spend longer than six hours below warp five, we won't get there in time."

She looked back at Ryat who was sat at the communications console. "Anything from Argo?" she asked, looking worried as she crossed glances with John Mann. He hadn't said a word to her since her fight with Zarath, and it scared her even more than the captain's wrath.

At the sound of the turbolift, she smiled thinly as the Andorian walked back onto the bridge and resumed his station. He looked off, but still quite proud, and she was glad they weren't exactly at odds any longer. Checking her station and readings, she rose from her seat and crossed the bridge, coming to a halt at the Andorian's side.

When he looked up, a quizzical look on his face, she rested a hand on his arm. "I was wondering if there's anything I can do to help you be comfortable," she offered, "I know you're having a bit of a sight problem right now, and I want to help."

[thalin]

When he looked up, a quizzical look on his face, she rested a hand on his arm. "I was wondering if there's anything I can do to help you be comfortable," she offered, "I know you're having a bit of a sight problem right now, and I want to help."

Many humans would have denied her this. They would have shrugged it off with the opinion that they could do it themselves, in a crass manner. However, Zarath was hardly human. Instead, he nodded, "I thank you for the kind offer. Is there a way that I could have my console display the lighting controls in a way of text instead? Everything looks the same to me - I cannot see their colors."

He then...smiled at her. Genuinely. "In exchange, I can offer you something. I have heard that, although it is strange to use shields during warp, they could be used to theoretically make the vessel lighter from the warp field's point of reference. It may actually be possible to allow the ship to maintain this speed without slowing down....granted, I would not want to be the gentleman in engineering who has to clean out those nacells once we are done with the journey."

He laughed slightly as he leaned into the chair that he formerly used so infrequently. He looked to her, again smiling. And again, it was not forced. "Thank you for being so forgiving. I hope that I shall be allowed to call you friend. Where I am from, that comes with a request of formal permission."

[green]

Slightly taken aback, Mira then smiled back, resting her hand on the Andorian's arm. "You don't need my permission in my culture," she confided to him, then pointed at his console. "As for being temporarily colour blind, we could apply images to your keys?"

The teenager chuckled softly. "Give me a few minutes and I'll be right back..." She walked over to the captain, whispered something to him then left the bridge, with a promise to indeed be right back.

Mira hurried to her quarters, rummaged through several boxes to find the proper disk she needed to acquire the items she needed. A few minutes later, with her arms full of equally coloured small items, she walked back onto the bridge. Smiling brightly, she ignored Santos' raised eyebrow as she made her way back to the science station.

Unceremoniously, she dumped the contents of her arms onto the console, then one by one the buttons were covered with something in all kinds of sizes and shapes, varying from simple squares and circles, to stars, moons, suns, cones, balls, cubes and even small starships and starbases. For each button, she had managed to find a different shape. "Here's a list of what each shape represents," she offered, handing a stylus to the stunned Andorian. "That should help you until you regain your proper sight. And...I'm on hand to assist from my console, should you require it."

The young navigator bowed slightly, though she looked very serious. "It's the least I can do." That settled, she walked back to her own console, allowing Zarath to figure out the new looks of his console.