SBA MISSION 3.7 - Vendetta

[Ji' Zhan]

--- back-post before Tedak beamed to the hideout with Ji'Zhan ---

Ezdreiana looked over the transporter system and started to reply but couldn't form the words. Ji'Zhan wondered if she would allow him to help; and to be honest he did know what state her mind was in for 'viewing'. This frustrated Ji'Zhan because he had offered to help Admiral Lin but he had never gave him the chance to help with his Trill problems. Ji'Zhan only had a small look into them when Lin took a fall on his last visit to the planet, the multitudes of people in a joined Trill's mind was a bit alarming to Ji'Zhan. However, it didn't matter at this point because of the apparent danger Ezdreiana was facing.

Ji'Zhan, being of the mind to just find out, asked her if he could see her thoughts ... in a sudden jolt of energy Ezdreiana stepped back from Ji'Zhan and insisted he stand back.

Ji'Zhan feeling a bit embarrassed simply moved aside as Ezdreiana stepped into the transporter and in a moment was gone ...

Just then Tedak materialized into the room and without saying much jerked his hand back as the personal transporter dematerialized in his hand. Pausing to see Ezdreiana was gone ... just a quickly left leaving Ji'Zhan in a perfectly good secure location ... alone.

[evoran]

"What are you going to do about the Tholians?" Asked T'Val, "Their attack on us was a blatant act of war. The colony is in Federation Space, the Tholians have no business being here. Had they not covertly done this, Commander Tol would not have been killed."

"True, but it's not really up to me now, it's up to the higher-ups." Replied Voran.

She fixed a glare upon Voran and leaned towards him, "I believe that your failure to act is a direct cause for the Tholians to have attacked us. Sending us down without proper recon by marines was wrong, and it got Tol killed."

Voran snorted in derision, "Marines, they have no place on a Federation starship, perhaps in times of war, but not now. There are no marines aboard this ship and that's the way I intend it to stay." His expression turned dark, "Sure, I could second guess my decisions, wonder if I did the right thing, but I learned a long time ago that you only drive yourself mad by doing that. The truth is, the team I sent down was quite capable enough. I knew Mel Tol for more than 20 years, he was one of my closest friends, I'm sorry he died, but there are duties to complete at the moment, we can't think of that now."

T'Val started breathing heavily and then Voran was shocked to see tears streaming down the Vulcan's face.

"T'Val," he said, stunned, "what's wrong?"

<T'Val>

[Deleted]

T'Val started breathing heavily and then Voran was shocked to see tears streaming down the Vulcan's face.

"T'Val," he said, stunned, "what's wrong?"

T'Val didn't look up, didn't even seem to hear Adams' shocked question. Only when he gently touched her shoulder did she look up. "I...." she started, then faltered. She looked down at her hands, embarassed at her extensive display of emotion.

"I..." she started again, "I do not know. Tol's death seems to have affected me more than it should. Everything seems to be affecting me more than it should." T'Val looked helpless, almost childlike as she gazed up at the wisened and experienced El-Aurian. "Perhaps I should take Ji'Zhan up on his offer," she murmured, "I wish Stuart was here, he would know what to do."

She sighed deeply as she settled back in the comfortable chair. "I feel so inadequate, so...unfit to be Vulcan lately," she admitted, "and I cannot seem to figure out why. I am loathe to go to sickbay and have myself examined, I know I should but I just cannot bring myself to it. What am I to do?"

[Deleted]

For some reason she had become afraid, afraid of Ji'Zhan and what he would discover. She knew there was no reason to be afraid, but her instinct acted quicker than her mind. Once she realized what she had done, she immediately regretted.

"Stop fooling around Ezdreiana, you are a grown women and they are trying to help you," Ezdreiana told herself. As she looked around her location she realized that she was a good long walk from the saftey of the sancutary.

She knew it would be foolish, but she had decided already. Once she returned to the Debrune compound she would take a shuttle and go back to Assailant.

She would go to her office, sit down and bring back memories and qualities that she had long ago dismissed.

[evoran]

"I feel so inadequate, so...unfit to be Vulcan lately," T'Val said, "and I cannot seem to figure out why. I would loathe to go to sickbay and have myself examined, I know I should but I just cannot bring myself to it. What am I to do?"

"If you'd like, I could have a word with my CMO, Doctor Prin, she's very nice, and I'm sure she'd be happy to come and visit you in your quarters." Suggested Voran.

<T'Val>

Voran was very puzzled. These emotions were strange, even for T'Val, who was not as adept as most Vulcans at controlling her emotions. He had never seen any Vulcan this emotional, well, except during...

"T'Val," began Voran, wondering whether he dared mention it, "forgive me for being so forward, but...when was your last pon farr?"

<T'Val>

[Deleted]

"If you'd like, I could have a word with my CMO, Doctor Prin, she's very nice, and I'm sure she'd be happy to come and visit you in your quarters."

"This is a private matter," T'Val suddenly snapped, "I will not have any doctor pry into my emotions and tell me that they are unusual for a Vulcan to have. I may not know what is wrong with me, but I will have no-one but my own physician prod and poke me."

"T'Val," began Voran, wondering whether he dared mention it, "forgive me for being so forward, but...when was your last pon farr?"

The silence that followed was long and very unsettling. T'Val bolted upright when he asked the question, it was unheard of to ask a Vulcan such a personal question. It was in fact considered rude and impractical. She stared long and hard at the El- Aurian who sat across from her, pondering what she should answer.

"I..." T'Val faltered, wondering if this could really be true. It would certainly explain a few things, but it would also get her into serious trouble now. "I have never experienced pon farr," she finally answered honestly, her cheeks flushing a darker shade of olive green. ~could this really be true?~ she thought, with a touch of worry. "I am still very young, and for a female to experience pon farr without being bonded to a Vulcan male is extremely rare. I am not even full Vulcan, in a way anyway."

Panic now filled her eyes. "What am I to do?" she whispered, anguished at the mere thought of it. She was scared, and any telepath would now be able to pick up on her fear. She was no longer able to properly mask her emotions. "What if..."

T'Val stopped herself. "No," she finally snapped, "you are trying to trap me. I am going to leave now. Good day." She got up, but never reached the door and turned to glance back at Voran. She stood there for a long time, lingering, hoping he'd call her back.

[Ji' Zhan]

... Ezdreiana knew it would be foolish, but she had decided already. Once she returned to the Debrune compound Ezdreiana would take a shuttle and go back to Assailant.

Ezdreiana thought she would go to her office, sit down and bring back memories and qualities that she had long ago dismissed.

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

Ji'Zhan, being upset at the outcome of both Ezdreiana leaving and Tedak rushing in and then out without a comment really, left the safety of the compound to search for Ezdreiana. Noticing the location of her transport out of the compound, Ji'Zhan hurried out of the sanctuary. He walked out into the warmth of the day and was halfway through the lush green sanctuary garden and saw Ezdreiana hurrying down a path all the while looking over her shoulder.

"Ezdreiana!," Ji'Zhan called out, "hurry, this way," pointing to a path that lead to an open door way.

Ji'Zhan took Ezdreiana by the arm, activating a personal shield device that the Debrune had available to them for years. Hurting into a turbo-lift type transport, they were on their way to the secure hanger-bay only used by the Elders.

A elegant, angular, burnt red colored shuttle was waiting for them. They both entered the shuttle and Ji'Zhan led Ezdreiana to a seat and offered a cool refreshing drink; the whole transaction was done in the silence of no vocal sounds. Motioning to the pilot, Ji'Zhan simply nodded and the door of the shuttle shut and with a smooth motion lifted off the dock floor almost without the sound of propulsion.

After leaving the atmosphere of the planet Ji'Zhan called Felix, "Elder Ji'Zhan to Commodore Savali ... I have found Ambassador Ezdreiana and we are on our way,"hesitant to tell the method of their approach, "have security waiting."

<Felix>

Turning to Ezdreiana, "Ambassador, I feel I have jeopardized your trust in me ... and for that I apologize. I will get you back to the Assailant; and if you need my assistance after, I will be glad to help.

<Ezdreiana>

[Magellan Lin]

"Simeth! If your life's of any worth to you, you'll get your sorry person out here now! I have a...business proposition for you! And if you don't agree, I'll have you locked away right now. And remember...I know where to find you, and your enemies."

Drolem rose wearily from his bunk and moved over to the edge of the forcefield.

"Very amusing" he said dryly, "I m supposed to help you. The man who beat me at election time, the reason why I m sitting awaiting trial. Yes I can see how that might work"

"Don't blame games" Tedak snapped, "Even in the brig I m sure you have contacts"

"What if I do... not that I m saying I do...but what possible incentive do I have to help you. None thats what.... none whatsoever."

"You have contacts within Starfleet and with all the criminals in the area. You WILL tell me what I need to know."

Drolem shrugged his shoulders,

"What ever you say. Tell you what theres only one deal that will make me talk.... the charges, have them drop all the charges... and I mean all and I ll help. No tricks. Im out of here somewhere safe before I transmit any information... Thats the deal on the table take it or leave it."

TAG Tedak

[Deleted]

"Ambassador, I feel I have jeopardized your trust in me ... and for that I apologize. I will get you back to the Assailant; and if you need my assistance after, I will be glad to help.


“You have done such thing Ambassador,” Ezdreiana said,” it is I who must apologize. My current state has proven most difficult for my physique and I would be more than happy for your assistant.”

<Tag Ji’Zhan>

The rest of the trip to Assailant was filled with silence and forebording. Normally Assailant was a place were everyone could feel safe, even when they were under attack, they knew that the starbase would protect them. But for the Trill Ambassador this was no longer the case. Baker was a master of tatics and if she was right he knew the starbase specs by memory.

=^=Elder Ji'Zhan please dock in shuttle bay 4. Security is waiting to escort Ambassador Ezdreiana to a safe location=^=

Ezdreiana knew that Starfleet security would not be able to safely escort her anywhere. Baker most likely wouldn't make a move, but she was sure that he was already working on his new plan.

"Ambassador, I'm sorry, but I will not join you in the shuttle bay," Ezdreiana said," I will transport directly to my office which has security that Baker will not expect. I will have to contact Lily with a coded message that we worked out before I went down to Qualinost. I will also contacted Commodore Savaili and Admiral Loskene."

The Debrune elder had his doubts, Ezdreiana could sense that, but he allowed her to mann the controls. She quickly contacted Lily and once she was clear she activated the transport.

As soon as she remateralized in her office she quickly opened her safe and took out her personal weapon. One that she hadn't used in years.

"Ezdrieana you have a new message, Priority One," Lily said. Before Ezdreiana could say open, the face of Admiral Long appeared.

"Ezdreiana I'm happy to hear that you are not dead," Long said with his fake smile," now that Baker has made a move on your life, I think it is time to make him even more careless. I will contact Ops control on Assailant and tell them that I will arive a day earlier. I will want to speak to you once I arrive. Long out."

"You idiot," Ezdreiana said to the blank screen showing the Federation logo."You stupid idiot." This was not good, Ezdreiana and the brass on Assailant hoped that they could take Baker out before Long arrived. That seemed almost impossible now.

"Lily once the America arrives in this sector contact me immediately, please," Ezdreiana said and contacted everyone that needed to know.

<Tag All>

[Deleted]

"What ever you say. Tell you what theres only one deal that will make me talk.... the charges, have them drop all the charges... and I mean all and I ll help. No tricks. Im out of here somewhere safe before I transmit any information... Thats the deal on the table take it or leave it."

"No tricks," Tedak sneered in response, baring his teeth at the criminal, "certainly. I'll let you walk right out of here now, drop charges against you and you'll disappear without a trace." He saw hope flare in the criminal's eyes when he spoke.

"No deal." The Romulan leaned against the wall beside the forcefield. "We'll see how you fare at your trial Mr Simeth, I believe you will be tucked away in an obscure place for a long long time." He smiled down on Simeth. "However if you help us, I can make certain you will be sent to a Vulcan rehabilitation centre, instead of Rura Penthe. The Vulcan centres are really quite good, and the treatment of their prisoners is excellent. Whereas on Rura Penthe...."

He let the thread trail off as he started to walk away. "You know where to contact me," Tedak called over his shoulder, then exited the holding cell area and went back to his office.

[evoran]

"What am I to do?" T'Val whispered, sounding scared "What if..."

Then she stopped herself. "No," she finally snapped, "you are trying to trap me. I am going to leave now. Good day." She got up, but never reached the door and turned to glance back at Voran. She stood there for a long time, lingering.

Voran stood up and went over to her.

"T'Val," he said, calmly, "I have had many Vulcan friends over the years and the only time I've seen any of them act like this was either when they were being controlled or interfered with, or when its'...well, you know...that time of the decade. You're not under my command, I can't order you to undergo a medical examination, but as your friend, I am asking you to. You know it's what Stuart would want if he were here."

<T'Val>

[Ji' Zhan]

“You have done no such thing Ambassador,” Ezdreiana said,” it is I who must apologize. My current state has proven most difficult for my physique and I would be more than happy for your assistant.”

Understanding her condition Ji'Zhan responded, "Then we will just put this behind us and get you to the Assailant." With that he smiled at the Ambassador and turned to look at the tactical read-out ever vigilant for surprises that seemed so common now around the Star Base.

As the shuttle made its approach and Ambassador Ezdreiana made her request to beam directly to her office, Ji'Zhan said to her, "I will be in my office on Assailant when you need me," and then watched her dematerialize in the familiar colors of a Star Fleet transporter beam. He turned to his pilot and instructed him to land in bay four as instructed.

Making his way to his office, along with his guards, he asked Lilly to inform Tedak and Savali that he was on the base and in his office.

[Magellan Lin]

"No tricks," Tedak sneered in response, baring his teeth at the criminal, "certainly. I'll let you walk right out of here now, drop charges against you and you'll disappear without a trace." He saw hope flare in the criminal's eyes when he spoke.

"No deal." The Romulan leaned against the wall beside the forcefield. "We'll see how you fare at your trial Mr Simeth, I believe you will be tucked away in an obscure place for a long long time." He smiled down on Simeth. "However if you help us, I can make certain you will be sent to a Vulcan rehabilitation centre, instead of Rura Penthe. The Vulcan centres are really quite good, and the treatment of their prisoners is excellent. Whereas on Rura Penthe...."

He let the thread trail off as he started to walk away. "You know where to contact me," Tedak called over his shoulder, then exited the holding cell area and went back to his office.

Drolem kicked back his heels and leaned back on his bunk. The brig wasnt the ideal location to be but at least here he had time to rest and collect his thoughts. He knew Tedak had no leverage, Rura Penthe was a Klingon prison, the Federation wasnt in the habit of sending its people to other prisons and were even less likely to do so on the say so of a Romulan mayor.

No he would bide his time. His trial was scheduled for a few weeks time, his superiors on Tammeron had been most gratious and arranged top class lawyers, he would just wait and see what transpired.


---


Zoilip was just finishing a second sensor sweep of the Arcade when a loud commotion caught his attention. He moved away from the Ops console and out in to the corridor as he did so he saw Ensign Dermon come flying round the corner shortly followed by Major Korok. The Klingon stormed on past Zoilip and into ops.

The Bolian quickly slipped inside and reached for a phaser,

"THIS IS AN OUTRAGE" Korok roared slamming an already smashed PaDD on to the Desk. Loskene emerged from the Office and all the staff span round.

"What is Ambassador?" Loskene asked cautiously,

"Do you know about this?" the Klingon growled

"Perhaps you could tell us what you are refering to" Felix suggested,

"This... " he jabbed a finger at the mangled PaDD that amazingly still managed to display half of the original information, "Tholians."

Felix looked at Loskene,

"What about them?"

"According to my sources they have established Colonies on 16 planets, 12 of which are in Klingon Space, the rest in yours. What are you doing about it!!!!!"


TAG all

[Deleted]

"T'Val," he said, calmly, "I have had many Vulcan friends over the years and the only time I've seen any of them act like this was either when they were being controlled or interfered with, or when its'...well, you know...that time of the decade. You're not under my command, I can't order you to undergo a medical examination, but as your friend, I am asking you to. You know it's what Stuart would want if he were here."

T'Val sighed miserably, while visibly struggling to get her emotions back under control. "If you say so," she answered, straightening up to look squarely at Voran. "As my friend, will you accompany me?" This time she looked embarassed. "I am...afraid. And please call Loskene for me? He is a telepath, I may need his assistance."

Tedak

When Tedak returned to his office, the first thing he noticed was the presence of security guards. He nodded a greeting at them, thereby acknowledging their presence, then walked over to feed his two firelizards. The Romulan took note of the fact that the two guards were looking on in disgust as he fed the two ferocious flying lizards, but didn't acknowledge it.

Once they were done, he walked back to his desk to check his messages. To his surprise, he saw a message from Ji'Zhan, and without further reading it, hastened himself to the Debrune's office. "Where is Ezdreiana?" he spoke, before he was well into the office, "is she safe?"

[Ji' Zhan]

Walking into his office, Ji'Zhan's base staff was a bit shocked to see him. He wasn't much for base life and spent most of his time on the planet; rightly so being one of the three Elders. He greeted them all with the normal pleasantries and made his way into his office. Sitting down he started to read about the new Romulan Ambassador and what was known as far as public record shown. Still, he knew that record was full of holes and more than likely ... lies.

Reading the most recent report about the Romulan's on the planet's surface he saw that they were not really noising around ... just staying on the surface observing ... and if that was all they did ... he wouldn't' be so upset about that. However, before another thought would enter his mind, Tedak burst in and asked ...

"Where is Ezdreiana?" Tedak spoke, before he was well into the office, "is she safe?"

Looking up from his reading, "Indeed ... she is. I found her after you left the planet's surface in your hurry ... she had beamed into the gardens near the compound. I got her to my shuttle and once near the base she beamed directly to her office ... where she has been safe for the past several hours."

<Tedak>

"... if you wouldn't have been in such a rush to leave the planet ... maybe you could have found her before me. Now, does that really matter?" Ji'Zhan said shocked at Tedaks apparent lack of composure."

<Tedak>

"My friend ... she is safe and that is all that matters ... now ... where is that boy ... it has been a while ... I must see him."

[evoran]

"As my friend, will you accompany me?" Asked T'Val, looking embarrassed. "I am...afraid. And please call Loskene for me? He is a telepath, I may need his assistance."

"Of course I will, now let's get to sickbay." Said Voran, in a comforting voice, then he tapped his combadge, "Voran to Loskene, if you're not busy, could you join me in the Galaxy's sickbay?"

<Loskene>

As they entered sickbay, the Galaxy's CMO, Doctor Janora Prin came over to them.

"Captain, Healer, how can I help you?" She asked.

"If you don't mind, we'd like to discuss this matter in private." Said Voran.

"Of course." Said the Cardassian woman with a smile, "We can use my office."

Once inside she asked, "Now what's the problem?"

<T'Val>

[Deleted]

Swallowing at the sight of no less than a Cardassian healer, T'Val sat up a little straighter. Her eyes darted from Voran to the Cardassian, Jonara Prin, and back to Voran and she felt too nervous for her own comfort. She heaved a sigh of relief when finally Loskene sauntered into sickbay, a worried look on his face. At least now there was someone present she felt comfortable with.

Again, T'Val sighed, not sure where to start and how to explain. "I need a physical," she finally spoke, "a thorough one to confirm something. It is...private." Yet, didn't conversations with doctors usually remained private unless it'd compromise ship's security? "Captain, would you....please step away?" Perhaps she might feel more comfortable then, even though Voran knew. She glanced up at Loskene, who stood close to her now.

T'Val sensed Mercy's somewhat angry mental response on Loskene's proximity to her, even to Voran's assistance, but she pushed it away. "I am...I have entered the first stages of pon farr," she finally explained, then cast Prin a fearful look. "My first..." She sighed. "And my mate is lightyears away...I am...afraid."

(Loskene/Prin)

[Deleted]

"Indeed ... she is. I found her after you left the planet's surface in your hurry ... she had beamed into the gardens near the compound. I got her to my shuttle and once near the base she beamed directly to her office ... where she has been safe for the past several hours."

"Her office? Safe?" The Romulan couldn't believe what he was hearing. "How..." He gawked down at the Debrune Elder annex diplomat, disbelief registering on his features.

"... if you wouldn't have been in such a rush to leave the planet ... maybe you could have found her before me. Now, does that really matter?" Ji'Zhan said shocked at Tedaks apparent lack of composure.

"As long as she's safe," Tedak insisted, cleary beside himself with worry for the older Trill diplomat. "I'm trying to gather info about this Baker figure, but so far all my leads have run into dead ends. I've even resorted to blackmail." He didn't sound too proud of it, but did make it clear it had been his last resort. "I'm sure Simeth will become nervous soon enough. I've threatened to have him sent to Rura Penthe...I'm sure there are Klingons about who'll want a piece of him."

"My friend ... she is safe and that is all that matters ... now ... where is that boy ... it has been a while ... I must see him."

Now, a smile appeared on Tedak's face. "Ah yes, D'Beren would be eager to see his uncle Ji'Zhan. Last I saw him he was with Rayna. You remember? Tall hansome Romulan girl? He's either with her, or T'Val would've picked him up. Speaking of which, I'm worried about her. Would you pop in to see her later, perhaps you can get through to her. I get the feeling she's distancing herself from me, and I also feel she's in some kind of trouble." He didn't want to cause a breach of privacy by telling Ji'Zhan what he suspected, he valued T'Val as a friend too much for that.

[Ji' Zhan]

Ji’Zhan was thinking of D’Beren as Tedak was telling him about the ‘trouble’ of T’Val. Ji’Zhan always held a place in his heart for the two, D’Beren and T’Val, and thought of T’Val as a good friend too. Looking at the date on his desk computer, his mind started to think of T’Val’s age … and like someone who was just startled … thought that it must be about time for her to go through pon farr.

Turning to Tedak but trying to not give away he may know the trouble she was in, “I will find her and see if I may be of assistance … also it is about time for D’Beren to spend some time learning meditation from a celebrant during his training too. I will see if I can arrange this with T’Val. … … Oh, and if you need help with finding this Baker figure, I may be able to help Ezdreiana with her memory of him.”

<Tedak>

As Tedak left his office, Ji’Zhan quizzed Lilly … “Lilly, where is Doctor Mercy?” … “Doctor Mercy is not on the station.” … “Where is the Doctor?” … “He is away, serving on the USS Jefferson.” … “Thank you, Lilly.”

He knew that the Jefferson was light years away by overhearing an officer talking about the ship earlier that day. He also knew that pon farr for a Vulcan women was more of an unknown subject … especially onboard a Star Fleet station. Standing from his desk, he set out to find T’Val.

--- later ---

It took a while to find her, ‘I should have started by looking in sick bay first,’ Ji’Zhan thought. She was standing with other people he really didn’t know, but found a moment to ask her in private.

“T’Val,” he asked to get her attention, “how are you?” She answered by saying she was fine, probably to not bother him with her problems, but Ji’Zhan wasn’t going to buy it. “I know you must be frightened to be going through this with out the Doctor?” T’Val looked at him with a bit of disbelief that he might know, but asked him “through what?”

Ji’Zhan wanting to show her that he cared, place his hand on her shoulder, “… well … through pon farr … my people may have split from the Surak’s ways … but we share the same seven year cycle as you.” The look on her face shown she had never really thought about it, but understood. Ji’Zhan offered, “I want to offer you a method that my people use … meditation … along with medication, theta 12 alpha, I believe we can hold this off until your mate returns. All we need are a few ceremonial items, including full robes, that I’m sure can be replicated on base.” Looking for a response and hoping her logic wasn’t effect as of yet by pon farr, he waited … seeing the emotive already in her eyes.

<T’Val>

[Deleted]

“I want to offer you a method that my people use … meditation … along with medication, theta 12 alpha, I believe we can hold this off until your mate returns. All we need are a few ceremonial items, including full robes, that I’m sure can be replicated on base.”

T'Val was in conflict with herself. She didn't really want the offered help, having the need and urge to figure this rather private affair out by herself. Yet she also knew she couldn't carry on the way she had been, she knew she needed the help, especially now that Stuart was out on a very important mission. She could hardly put her own need before that of many others, could she?

She didn't know what medication theta 12 alpha was, she'd never heard of it before, but she trusted Ji'Zhan enough to know he knew what he was talking about. At least the Debrune didn't insist on going to Qualinost, something she appreciated as SBA was her home and she didn't want to leave her home, lest Stuart return early.

"I can arrange full robes and ceremonial items," she answered, "if anything, the holodeck could provide proper settings." T'Val really appreciated what Ji'Zhan was trying to do for her, and she gave him (and Voran) an appreciative smile. Yet she scowled at the female doctor, casting her a glare of almost pure hatred. ~a rival~ she thought, backing away from her. She sensed Mercy's feelings echo her own previous jealous thoughts.

She almost backed into Loskene, who gently steadied her as she nearly lost her balance. "I need to meditate, now," she urged, almost pleading, "but I do not wish to be medicated."

[Ji' Zhan]

Ji’Zhan was hearing her words, seeing how he never took his hand from T’Val, he knew her thoughts … and they were getting stronger, it seamed, by the second. Ji’Zhan saw the look T'Val took at the other female in the room, the shock on her face was a novel in it self, her thoughts were echoed to Ji'Zhan only interrupted as T’Val bumped into Loskene. Almost hearing her words before she spoke them, the sounds came after, "I need to meditate, now," T’Val urged, almost pleading, "but I do not wish to be medicated."

“I understand, we will simply take this one …,”looking around the room and deciding not to say it … thought it while looking at T’Val … ‘one emotion at a time’. She ‘heard’ his voice and didn’t know at first that it wasn’t an audible sound. In fact she was getting mad that Ji’Zhan would say that ‘e’ word around others. Ji’Zahn continued to speak to her in her mind, ‘T’Val, she isn’t a threat, she isn’t even near the Doctor’.

--- later ---

After Ji’Zhan took the time to search through the bases libraries on Vulcan sanctuaries, in frustration he called his own personal file from his database on the planet. [holodeck] The two were sitting in the center of an amphitheatre style rock structure dressed in full ceremonial robes needed for the safety of Ji’Zhan mostly. The rock was smooth to the touch except for the over hanging stalactites that were menacing at best. The structure was partially covered by the over-hanging rocks; the only sky visible was burnt red that waved as to hint to the heat of day. The scale of the place made one feel as if the whole universe had forgotten about it … one could feel very alone here. Ji’Zhan and T’Val were locked only by his hand on her forehead, the other near her radial pulse point on her left arm. The table that was between them was not normally part of this ceremony; Ji’Zhan added that as a last thought ‘this could turn ugly if the meditation didn’t work’. Also, unknown to T’Val, he erected a force field of such properties that mind energy couldn't penetrate; the Debrune had learned of this method during their isolation from the universe - underground home world.

Ji’Zhan breathed in the hot air that was as thick as trying to inhale some thick gel, “emafa kito, pon kae nirsh plak tow”. T’Val reacting to the words as if a world of voices spoke at once but then silence … silence in her mind that she hadn’t had in some time. Now it was just her and her own emotions … a trek she must start on her own; Ji’Zhan could tell she hadn’t faced them in some time. “Don’t start with all the strings of thought at once T’Val, pick one and isolate it … see what it tells you …”

<TVal>

[evoran]

Voran entered the observation lounge. It had been a hectic few hours. One the one hand, he was relieved that he had been able to help T'Val somewhat, on the other hand, he had just finished speaking with Commander Tol's wife. It was a painful task, to say the least; he knew the woman, liked her and of course, he shared her grief.

The senior staff of the Galaxy were gathered in the observation lounge, they all looked a bit miserable; it had been a difficult couple of days.

"I know you've all been affected deeply by Mel's death and I'm sorry you've had to work so hard in this troubling time, but I know that he'd be proud of they way you've all handled yourselves under this pressure. That being said, there are still duties to be performed. I'm faced with the task of choosing a new first officer. Although Commander Hogan is the highest ranking officer, we both agree that he belongs in engineering. Therefore, the new first officer of the Galaxy is Mr Harris."

He smiled and shook hands with Harris.

"I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and Executive Officer of this vessel."

"I wish it were under better circumstances." Said Harris.

"We all do, but there is a situation arising: According to the Klingons, the Tholians have established 16 colonies recently, 12 in their space, four in ours. I want you to prepare the ship for anything, in a situation like this, we could be called away at any time."

The officers all nodded, somewhat flabbergasted, and exited the room. All that remained now, was to wait for further orders.

<Anyone? Orders please!!!>

[Deleted]

~He's close, I know it~ Ezdrieana thought as she placed her weapon on the table. As she loocked at her pistol she realized that if she was going to die, she would take him with her.

"Lily continue recording." Ezdreiana said.

"As for all my personal property, I hereby bequeath it all to my son T'Brel Peers," Ezdreiana said," this includes my homes on Trill and the Ambassadorial house on Vulcan."

The last few hours had made Ezdreiana realized how much she missed her only son. She had always known that he would join Starfleet, but she didn't realize that he would be gone so long. In the last five years she had only seen him twice. She was so proud of her son and she knew it deep down that he knew as well.

"DCS recommendation, I know I have know authority to ask this, but if I should die, could my husband Ambassador T'Reed take my place."

"Ezdreiana, the USS America has entered the system," Lily reported.

"That can't be, Long told me they were more than a day away," Ezdreiana said as she activated her screen. Sure enough the registery for the USS America was transmitting strong. "Damn you Long, you're going to get yourself killed."

"Lily please get me Captain Voran on the Galaxy," Ezdreiana said.

"Patching through," Lily said and then the face of the Captain appeared.

"Hell Captain, I know that I have military authority to give you orders, but could you please escort the America until it arrives at the station. Admiral Long is unboard and Baker might have something set up to celebrate his arrival."

<Tag Voran>

[Deleted]

OOC: warning, LONG joint post!

The robes she was wearing were heavy on her otherwise bare shoulders, far heavier than any other formal robes she'd ever worn. She was conscious of Ji'Zhan speaking to her, in her mind. While she didn't understand the words, she understood the intent, or so she hoped. And then, there was a complete silence, voices and people she usually sensed were suddenly gone. She tried desperately to focus on just the one thought as Ji'Zhan was suggesting, but somehow she couldn't remember how.

She opened her eyes and gazed at the Debrune, who still sat gently touching her. "I do not know how," she whispered.

"T'Val, take one emotion and see what texture if has ... don't think of the points or facts around a past event ... just the emotion of it ... again, don't grab all of them at once ... it will be too much ... just one." Ji'Zhan said reassuringly.

"... don't be afraid of being despised or humiliated ... don't let in to the desire of being approved ... just reach out with your minds hand and touch one emotion you are seeing." Ji'Zhan added.

T'Val sighed and closed her eyes again, feeling a little like a child getting a berating. It wasn't so much the want of approval or the fear of humiliation. She understood she wasn't like other Vulcans, and she tried dealing with it, but it remained tough. She released her thoughts and let her mind wander as though she was experiencing a daydream. She found herself smiling when she first met Havoc, the Cardassian diplomat who against all odds, had befriended an accident-prone Romulan. Yet, the memory of this particular Romulan also brought on the pain of separation and other trouble.

She wrenched her eyes shut, willing the memory away. A new memory, finding D'Beren, a lost and orphaned infant from a lost culture. This time, she let the memory run, smiling as in her memory the child was growing up to the happy three-year old he was now.

Ji'Zhan zeroed in on a feeling of being forgotten ... 'no he thought, separation' ... then as soon as that feeling came, it was gone. A new one in its place, one familiar to him, it was about D'Beren. He could go with this feeling, he liked this one; so he simply suggested in his mind to her, 'yes', and let the feeling continue. A small, alomost unnoticeable tear ran down his own face as the thought of the child continued to fill both of their minds.

D'Beren was a topic in Ji'Zhan's mind of great emotion ... emotion that he has spend a considerable amount of time growing and nurturing. He know that that stable emotion was being felt too by T'Val ... maybe the example would help her.

The Vulcan indeed picked up on the emotion and savoured it, but it didn't make her current problem go away. In fact, the thought of her adoptive son strengthened the yearning for a child of her own, a child she very likely never would have. The tranquil expression on her face made way for one of anguish and feeling of being forlorn. Again, T'Val opened her eyes and this time she broke away from Ji'Zhan's gentle and assuring touch. "I do not want to do this," she said. "I know I need to meditate, and try to control my...urges and my jealousy, but it is becoming too much. Soon, I will not be able to control. The plak-tow is not yet fully upon me, but I am scared...I have no friends who went through this. I have no means of comparison."

Ji'Zhan's eyes opened as T'Val took her hand from his and moved back from his other. "You speak to much of others during this time T'Val, you see, you will not be able to make it through this until you face for yourself at least some of the emotion you have pushed back for so long. Even if Mercy was here, your state of mind during pon farr would most assuridly harm him ... all because of your persistant need to push back." Ji'Zhan reached into his robe and took a small bag of incense and with a small flick of his wrist, a flame was burning. The smoke started to rise from a small pit hued in the table where he placed the incense. It quickly filled the air around them, "T'Val, close your eyes and reach out one hand ... "

"I would not harm Stuart," T'Val argued while closing her eyes and holding out her hand as instructed, "I am a healer, other's needs tend to come before mine. And if Stuart were here, I would not need meditation, we would both be...swept up in this."

“You don’t understand the power of pon farr, especially for one who has done very little meditation as apparent by the unkempt closet of your mind. You would indeed cause harm to the Doctor as he would not be ready for the flood of emotion that is unleashed during this time.

“… I place in your hand the medicinal control that will help you through this.” Ji’Zhan placed the theta 12 alpha vile in her hand. “You have the choice to allow this to help you through your meditation … as this will not cure you of pon farr, but will delay its timing until a more suitable person can go through this with you.”

"I need Stuart to go through this with me," T'Val said, "and if he would not be ready for this, he would not be bonding with me. The bonding helps, we are not officially bonded yet and will go through that first." Yet she accepted the vial. "I will use this when I feel I need to. I thank you for your kind assistance and patience." She smiled genuinely this time. "You do not know Stuart, Elder. He is human, and humans have very strong emotions of their own. Perhaps it is I who may not be ready for his emotions, but only time will tell."

With an understanding face, Ji’Zhan placed in her mind a small emotional part of himself. He knew that she wouldn’t accept this token of help freely, but he also knew more than she that it would be needed. “This is a part of my control that is absent of me, there isn’t any part of me in that … only the ability. I have never placed such an arie'mnu with out asking, but your mulish mind needs what it can’t yet know it needs. When your faced with an emotion that brings forth rage, call upon it by the name of ‘arie’ … it will calm the resulting feeling and allow you to control your next response.”

Ji’Zhan then started a second holodeck program that in contrast to the other was serene and still with the sound of running water. “Take your time here T’Val and continue with this … the time you spend here will ease pon farr … and too will ease the bonding between you and the Doctor.” Ji’Zhan stood and blessed her with a blessing from the Debrune, knelt down and softly kissed her forehead and left the holodeck.

T'Val was left on her own, sitting beside the waterfall, listening to the sound of the running water. Unlike many Vulcans, T'Val loved water and this program was something that just might help her ease her fears. She watched Ji'Zhan leave, then lay back on the soft moss ground, staring up at a holographic dusk.

[evoran]

"Hell Captain, I know that I have no military authority to give you orders, but could you please escort the America until it arrives at the station. Admiral Long is unboard and Baker might have something set up to celebrate his arrival."

"Understood, Ambassador," said Voran, glad to have something to do, even if it didn't involve the Tholian situation.

Voran strode onto the bridge where he found his new first officer, Kyle Harris in the centre chair, red uniform and extra pip. He got up as Voran entered.

"Set course to intercept the USS America, we're to escort them back to the station." Said Voran.

"Aye sir." Said the helmsman.

Voran then turned to his security chief, "Mr Morley, let's go to yellow alert and security sweep all decks, just to make sure the Baker isn't on board."

"Yes sir." Said Morley, punching the commands into his tactical station.

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

The America was on the viewscreen, travelling through space.

"Open a channel to the America." Ordered Voran.

"Open." Said Morley.

"I am Captain Elarus Voran of the Galaxy, we've been sent to escort you to the station."

<Long>