SB Assailant Mission 2.4 -Dreamweaver Fugue States

[mercy]

When the two Ambassadors hadn't shown up after the Colonel's emergency call, Stuart decided that he would look them up and go to them. He was sure something was up.

After locating them through Lily, Stuart had arrived at Ops. The Andorian marine forcefully excused himself as if he didn't want to be part of whatever was going on. A Captain, Cpt Jira, Stuart remembered from the briefing, also exited from Adm Lin's office with a dismayed look. The two Ambassadors could be seen talking to Admiral Lin, and it was obvious that no one was allowed to know what was going on.

Stuart looked on, through the view portal between the Admiral's office and the rest of OPs. It was apparent that Ambassador Tedak was having difficulty keeping his balance. Finally they were finished and came out. Admiral Saarok had some finishing words with Admiral Tedak before handing him over.

"Here you go Dr. Mercy. I appologize for the delay, but it was of the utmost importance that we spoke to the Admiral before seeing you. Admiral Tedak will need some immediate attention, he doesn't seem well. I will be down in your infirmary after I complete some other business."

Stuart took Ambassador Tedak to the Infirmary for a complete checkup. The scans showed that he was just suffering from a loss of equilibrium due to his inner ear having been traumatized, possibly from the quick maneuvering of their shuttle in their escape attempts of the enemy fighter. A hypospray dose of the right medicine to counteract the effects, and the Ambassador was back on his feet.

Ambassador Saarok arrived in a blue haze, just outside of Stuart's office. Stuart was surprised of this type of entrance by the Ambassador. "Could you not have at least warned someone?"

"Yes, I apologize doctor, ut I am in a hurry. I'm going to need a special procedure done, and quickly." The Ambassador explained what he needed done.

Stuart was taken aback. "I can't just do that at your request. I'll have to notify Admiral Lin and get his approval."

"Well then hurry, doctor. We don't have much time." Stuart went ahead and verified everything with the Admiral. He gave his approval without much explanation.

"Alright Ambasador, if I can get you to lie down over there onto that biobed. The procedure is going to take about an hour. Jill, would you please prepare everything we need?" After everything was set up and the Ambassador laid down, Stuart went to work with the assistance of Nurse Jill Tsomba.

[Deleted]

Tedak chuckled as he heard Saarok mention that he wanted to look human. "I sincerely doubt you'll pass for a human my friend," he laughed, "you're way too stiff, and humans show their emotions all the time. You're Mr Unemotional usually....at least before you lost your memory that is."

He gazed from Saarok to Mercy, and back to Saarok. "Oh no, I'm not going to change appearances," he said, stressing the word 'not', "however, since you're bound to get into trouble on your own, I'm not going to let you go on your own. But I'm not changing my appearance. You're going to travel with a Romulan, whether you like it or not. How we're going to do that is up to you."

<Saarok>

[Deleted]

"I assure you my friend, i can pass of as a human better then you would expect, there is more to me then .... the eye meets", he said as he lied down on the bio bed enabling Mercy to begin the surgery.

--1 hour later--

"Excellent job doc'.", Saarok said to the doctor as he observed his new appearance in the mirror, "Thank you"; he added

<Tag Tedak, Mercy>

"He gazed from Saarok to Mercy, and back to Saarok. "Oh no, I'm not going to change appearances," he said, stressing the word 'not', "however, since you're bound to get into trouble on your own, I'm not going to let you go on your own. But I'm not changing my appearance. You're going to travel with a Romulan, whether you like it or not. How we're going to do that is up to you.

"If you insist"; he said, "But I am not, i repeat, not taking a Romulan ambassador called Tedak with me.", he said, "I insist that you allow me to ... alter certain things that would make it impossible for anyone except of course V'Shal to recognize you", he said

<Tag Tedak>

"I will alter the records that exist on you and which link your DNA to Tedak's record therefore you will become someone else, for those that do not know you"; Saarok said, "You may pick a new name", he said

<Tag Tedak>

--Some time later--

"If you would be so kind to go and start up your vessel, while i pay a visit to an old friend here on base", he said to Tedak, "Oh and from now on you may call me Jonathan Cruz, special advisor to admiral Nor of Starfleet command, officially"; he said, "The lamest cover story you've ever seen, but just because it is so ... lame they will not suspect. Unofficially i am a slave trader for a certain Orion syndicate member who currently resides on this base, and i captured a Romulan and his ship which i will sell to the highest bidder at the Orion slave market"; he said

<Tag Tedak>

"Well you wanted to remain romulan, did you not", he asked

<Tag Tedak>

"Then meet me... at your vessel"; Jonathan said as he activated his handheld transported and beamed off

<Tag Tedak>

--In front of the office of one, Drolem Simeth--

Jonathan materialized in front of the office door of the stations major, Drolem Simeth. He chimed the door and a few moments later he heard Drolems voice.

"I told you Janice no one is to disturb me, if it's not exceptionally important you'll be looking for a new job. Jonathan entered his override code to the door and they swung open to reveal the surprised Drolem Simeth.

"Drolem, my friend, it has been a while", he said as he entered the room and grabbed Simeth by his throat and raised him several inches above the ground

"Did you think you would get rid of me so easy, it is me, don't you recognize me, Saarok"; he said

"What cough cough... S...Sa..aaarok ... i did not .. i mean ... i...", he began

"Relax my friend i did not come to terminate you because i suspect you had something to do with the little accident i had a year or so ago, I require a favor", he said

"A...anything cough cough", Drolem replied

"Contact your friend at the Orion slave market and tell them you are sending a Jonathan Cruz, human who wishes to sell a romulan male into slavery for a hefty fee as the romulan was a member of some black opps and worth’s a lot, and that Mr. Cruz checks out and that he is your longtime friend", Jonathan said

"Y..yes, anything", Drolem said

"If you trick me, i will kill you, and you know I mean what I say"; Jonathan said as he threw the major into the bulkhead, "Until we meet again he said as he beamed out

[Deleted]

"If you insist"; he said, "But I am not, i repeat, not taking a Romulan ambassador called Tedak with me.", he said, "I insist that you allow me to ... alter certain things that would make it impossible for anyone except of course V'Shal to recognize you", he said

"It that's what must be done," Tedak consented reluctantly, "then you must do so. I am not going to let you go off chasing after her on your own, not when there's assassins on the loose bound to send you to what you Vulcans call Sha-ka-ree."

"I will alter the records that exist on you and which link your DNA to Tedak's record therefore you will become someone else, for those that do not know you"; Saarok said, "You may pick a new name", he said

The Romulan diplomat blinked, sure he wasn't hearing this correctly. "A new name?" he querried, surprised, "very well." He paused a few minutes, thinking hard. "Saryn," he suddenly said, "and this person will be only three quarters romulan. Sarynn will have a romul, an father, and a half romulan half vulcan mother. Only someone looking really hard will find any difference in Vulcan and Romulan blood and DNA."

--Some time later--

"If you would be so kind to go and start up your vessel, while i pay a visit to an old friend here on base", he said to Tedak, "Oh and from now on you may call me Jonathan Cruz, special advisor to admiral Nor of Starfleet command, officially"; he said, "The lamest cover story you've ever seen, but just because it is so ... lame they will not suspect. Unofficially i am a slave trader for a certain Orion syndicate member who currently resides on this base, and i captured a Romulan and his ship which i will sell to the highest bidder at the Orion slave market"; he said

"What?" Tedak exclaimed, "I'm not going to be sold as a slave, do you hear me?"

"Well you wanted to remain romulan, did you not", he asked

"Yes, well....but I didn't think to be posing as a prisoner," Tedak sputtered. He wasn't pleased with Saarok's cover story, but he surmised it'd have to do. How else would one explain a Romulan traveling with a human, in a Romulan vessel? "Very well," he agreed, "just as long as you make sure not to really sell me off."

"Then meet me... at your vessel"; Jonathan said as he activated his handheld transported and beamed off

Tedak sighed and walked down to the shuttlebay to start up his vessel, after going by his quarters to exchange his robes for something that'd stand less chance of betraying his true identity. When he entered the shuttlebay, he was wearing dark grey pants and a blood-red silken tunic. Over that, he was wearing a black long cape with a hood that could hide his face if necessary. He had just barely made it when he heard a voice behind him. "I thought I might find you here," a female voice sounded.

The Romulan turned sharply and smiled. "T'Val!" He walked up to her and took her in a tight embrace. "You're back! When did the Jefferson arrive?"

"Only minutes ago," T'Val said, as she allowed her husband to hug her. Since there was no-one else around, she would allow him to indulge in his emotions. "But I see you are about to go off again."

Tedak nodded. "Saarok needs my help," he explained, "his ex-wife has set a bounty on him, and she nearly killed us a few days ago." He caressed her cheek as he gazed down on her. "But I promise I'll be careful. And I'll endeavour to return before the Jefferson sets out again."

"I know," T'Val replied, and turned as a human male walked into the hangar bay. "Greetings ambassador," she said, as the human approached, "do please try to keep my husband out of danger." She leaned in and kissed Tedak briefly. "Be well my husband, and do not forget your promise."

Tedak gazed after his wife, as she departed the shuttlebay. "She recognized you," he stated, then entered his shuttle, "come we must go now. Do what you must do." He sat back as the shuttle departed Assaillant, and waited for Saarok's next move. He dreaded what his friend might do to improvise, and watched him closely.

<Saarok>

[Deleted]

After spending a few moments on greeting Tedaks wife, Jonathan and Sarynn boarded the Romulan shuttle. Jonathan took the helm while Sarynn sat in the back. It was .... satisfactory to be back at the helm of a ship again Jonathan thought while he was initializing the shuttle's systems. After the main computer came online Jonathan pulled out his tricoder and interfaced with it. After pressing a few keys he managed to modify the vessels id signature therefore removing all possibility of it being identified as a diplomatic vessel of a Romulan ambassador.

After all that was done he reinitialized the shuttles engines and within moments the ship was powered up and ready for takeoff.

=/\=Federation shuttle - 001, requesting permission for takeoff=/\=

=/\=Shuttle 001, permission for takeoff approved, have a safe trip=/\=

=/\=Acknowledged, Assaillant control, shuttle 001 out=/\=

After the formalities were sorted out, Jonathan activated the shuttles thrusters and slowly maneuvered the shuttle out of the bay. After putting enough distance between the Starbase and the ship he accelerated to warp and set course for Farius Prime in Orion space.

"Well it is now time to make you a more... convincing prisoner", Jonathan said to Sarynn

<Tag Sarynn>

"Well rather simple", Jonathan said as he pulled a pair of handcuffs and threw them over to Sarynn.

"Part I." he said, "And now for part II.", he said as he pulled out an odd looking phaser

<Tag Sarynn>

"A surprise", Jonathan said as he pressed a few keys on the phaser after which he aimed it at Sarynn

"Hold still"; he said

<Tag Sarynn>

After another set of complaints from Sarynn was done, Jonathan started discharging his phaser at the Romulan. He started with the man’s face then moved down to his chest and abdomen. After his was done, Sarynn's face showed several nasty looking bruises, his clothes were torn in several places and marks which appeared to be from a hand to hand combat could be seen through the holes on the man's clothes.

"Told you it would not hurt", Jonathan said after he lowered his phaser and returned it to his belt

<Tag Sarynn>

[Deleted]

"Well it is now time to make you a more... convincing prisoner", Jonathan said to Saryn

"And how do you intend to do that without resorting to physical violence?" Tedak asked with interest, though also a little apprehensively.

"Well rather simple", Jonathan said as he pulled a pair of handcuffs and threw them over to Saryn.

"Part I." he said, "And now for part II.", he said as he pulled out an odd looking phaser.

"Front or back?" Tedak asked, looking down quizzically at the pair of handcuffs. At last he fumbled with them and snapped them on with his hands on his back. A little uncomfortable, he stared at the phaser in his friend's hands, as he leaned back in his seat. "What are you going to do with that?" he continued, keeping his eyes on the weapon.

"A surprise", Jonathan said as he pressed a few keys on the phaser after which he aimed it at Sarynn

"Hold still"; he said

"You have got to be kidding," Tedak complained, "you're not serious are you?"

After another set of complaints from Saryn was done, Jonathan started discharging his phaser at the Romulan. He started with the man’s face then moved down to his chest and abdomen. After his was done, Sarynn's face showed several nasty looking bruises, his clothes were torn in several places and marks which appeared to be from a hand to hand combat could be seen through the holes on the man's clothes.

"Told you it would not hurt", Jonathan said after he lowered his phaser and returned it to his belt

"Easy for you to say," Tedak muttered, as he winced, "you have just destroyed one of my favourite shirts, and have covered me in bruises which for your information do hurt. I won't have to fake injury or pain, you've done a marvelous job at inflicting it. Next time, my friend, you're the prisoner."

He rubbed his jaw against his shoulder, where one of the burns was actually itching. "Next you're going to tell me you really need to punch me, just to show you've actually done some of the hitting yourself?" His eyes held an almost pleading and fearful look, as he actually dreaded a positive answer.

"Let's just get this over with.....I already don't like where this is going."

[Deleted]

Off: A joint post by your two most favourite ambassadors out there Tedak & Saarok aka Jonathan and Saryn

"I apologize", Saarok said, "For 'causing unnecessary pain it would appear i still am not 100% my old self"; he said, "It would appear that by accident i have set the phaser to a .05 higher setting then required"; he said

"By accident?" Tedak huffed, "I thought your memory was fully restored, surely you'd remember a setting on that weapon of yours?"

"It ... i did not use it the painless setting very often i am afraid, therefore something as unnecessary as that is simply a too tiny detail for me to .... remember right away"; Jonathan/Saarok said

"Right," Tedak replied, but he wasn't convinced in the least. "I'm sure you enjoyed it, being human and all. For your sake, I hope you can keep hold of that weapon. We wouldn't want the Syndicate to get hold of it, and use it on the both of us."

"That is highly unlikely. They never proved much of a challenge for me therefore it is logical to assume they will not be a challenge this time either", Saarok said, "Now for some .... personal bruises...", Saarok said as he approached Tedak and smacked him with his fist right in the left eye, "Now you look like someone who was captured spying on Earth", Saarok commented as he stepped back

The Romulan blinked, completely caught by surprise. "Was that absolutely necessary?" he grunted, now wishing he hadn't tied his own hands on his back. "And who is to say they aren't a challenge now, you just admitted that you may not be entirely yourself yet!" He paused, glaring at his friend with his good right eye, as the left was now swollen shut. "Don't make me regret joining you...."

"The ... skills we need here are those which i have used... often enough and therefore they are sufficient to deal with my dear wife, i assure you she will not .... live to enjoy her profit", he remarked, "And do relax, you are much to tense", he said, "It was necessary as now you'll have something to be angry at me about and that will entertain the guards at the slave market, they .... simply... adore those who resist", he added

"You don’t sound too sure of yourself," Tedak retorted, still glaring at his friend. "And I'm not going to be a convincing prisoner if I'm going to be relaxed now am I? Rest assured, were I able to right now, you'd be nursing a black eye as well......"

"Ah, that is more like it", Saarok remarked, "But you would not stand a chance, if i remember correctly V'Shal was able to get the better of you and I... well there is no need to increase the level of exposure"; he said as he heard the computer beeping

He went over to the console and saw that the access codes from Simeth have arrived. He stored them in a file and returned back to Tedak,

"That message was from my ... friend on Assaillant, we now possess the codes to enter the Orion slave market", he added

"Hmf," Tedak snorted, remembering the embarrassment of being subdued by the Vulcan woman. "You know, you should be nursing a black eye too......you're not going to be very convincing, being unscratched and all..." He narrowed his good eye as he stared at his friend, hope shining in it for a second. "I really do hope you're not intending on selling me, because you will regret it"

"Of course not... well not permanently. You are much to valuable as an ally to loose you", Saarok said giving the appearance of not even hearing the comments about him being unscratched

"Really," the Romulan replied, sounding sarcastic, "and what guarantees do I have? You're not the one sitting tied up, and rather unable to move without pain, unable to move at all at that! Nor, might I add, do you have impaired vision right now." He wrung his hands behind his back, attempting to get a little more comfortable. However, he was failing miserably, and the only thing he achieved was sliding down the seat slowly.

"I am ..... shocked by your lack of trust in me, do you not remember that Vulcans do not lie", he said as he moved over to the helm console to check the time remaining till they reach Farius Prime

"Vulcans may not, but I know you to occasionally bend the truth," Tedak retorted, "a lot in fact. And you are posing as human now, and humans are known to lie right out if needed. Who am I to doubt that maybe you are attempting to act human right now? So far, you haven't done anything to convince me that all I am is bait and nothing more. You're going to have to do a little better than that my friend......"

"I do not have time to deal with your... lack of trust", he said as he pressed a few keys on his tricoder which released Tedaks handcuffs, "But i really do not see the point in you staying handcuffed during the entire journey", he said, "You cuffed yourself prematurely", he added, "Here, put this on", he said as he threw Tedak an odd thin looking device, "Try to conceal it somewhere on you but keep it somewhere you will be able to press it if things get ugly", he finished

Raising both eyebrows, Tedak rubbed his wrists and concealed the item in the waistband of his pants. He suddenly rounded on Saarok and his right fist connected hard with the Vulcan's jaw. "Now you have proof of resistance," he growled, as he sat back down, shaking his hand and flexing his fingers. He quickly concealed a painful expression as he winced slightly. "How long until we get to keep up appearances."

"That was.. unnecessary", Saarok commented but did not show any appearance as if he was in pain, "But my friend, we will be there by the time you wake up", Saarok said as he placed his hand on Tedak's shoulder and pressed lightly. After Tedak was out he returned to the helm and increased speed to the highest the shuttle could manage

"Wake-" Tedak started, as Saarok's hand clamped down at the base of his neck. His eye(s) rolled up and he slumped to the deck.

[Deleted]

When Tedak woke up again, he found himself tied up again, and again with his hands on his back. He was still lying on the deck and he had a massive headache. The Romulan struggled himself into a sitting position, wincing every now and then as his muscles tensed up and protested against the movements he made.

His left eye was still swollen shut, but to his satisfaction he saw that Saarok's jaw was showing a nice discolouration as well. Diverting his gaze to the main viewscreen, he noticed that they were on vector approach to a planet, and he tried to recall the name Saarok had mentioned before.

"You'll have to teach me that trick," Tedak suddenly said, as he tried flexing the muscles in his shoulders and neck. He chuckled as he saw Saarok start, obviously his friend hadn't counted on him waking up just yet. "So....what's next?"

When Saarok didn't reply, at all, Tedak murmured angrily to himself. His hands were starting to feel extremely cold from being tied up, as he leaned against the equally cold wall of his own vessel. He had pulled up his feet towards his body for balance, and prevention of sagging down, but every movement was actually hurting him, still.

"Hey!" he suddenly called, as he watched two vessels aproach them. One of them was unmistakeably an Orion vessel, the other he couldn't identify. "I asked you something," he added. At the helm, Saarok tapped a few buttons and turned, walking up to him slowly.

Anxiously, the Romulan gazed up at him, and was startled at the determination displayed on his friend's face. For some reason, he had the feeling that his friend was up to something as he strode past him, apparently paying no attention to him at all. He could hear Saarok murmur something, and could hear the footsteps as he approached once more.

Fear washed over him when Saarok kneeled before him, and stuffed something soft into his mouth, after which he secured it with what appeared to be some sort of cloth. He gagged against the object, and his breathing quickened as adrenalin was coursing through his veins. ~what the~ he thought, as Saarok shot him an apollogetic look.

"I cannot have you betray us, you must remain quiet," Saarok whispered, "I am sorry my friend."

Tedak leaned back in resignation and fear, wondering what was going to happen now. He had no way of knowing since apparently Saarok wasn't going to tell him, and he couldn't sense it either since he was no telepath.

<your turn now Saarok.....please don't sell him! please?>

[Magellan Lin]

Gremmel awoke groggily yet again. Why did he feel so ill? What were they doing to him here. He had to get back get back to the Pacifer, who knew what might have happened by now!!.

He noticed the same man outside the room. He assumed this was somekind of body repair facility, however he continued to note the armed officers hovering around.

He decided his best option this time was to watch and wait. Let them make the next move.


*********************************************

V'Shal if she were human would have been grinning from ear to ear, as it was only the very edges of her mouth curved upwards. Sopek walked alongside her as additional protection. Hidden within the heel of her shoe was the all important information - downlinked into an isolinear chip.

"This is going remarkably well" Sopek commented,
"As do all my missions" V'Shal replied haughtily, "It certinaly helped having Saarok under my thumb."
"Hes turncoat - if Section 31 could see him now - cavorting with a Romulan Ambassador. In Sloans day he would have met with... an accident."
"Indeed. Those days were much more efficient. Still in 3 hours we will have met with Grolk and got our money and we need never see each other again."
Sopek paused,
"We have worked well together, it would be logical we continue to do so." he suggested,
"I work alone" V'Shal answered tersly and then paused "... although in the future I will consider you for any future missions"
Sopek nodded and said,
"that would be agreeable."

[mercy]

The surgery for Ambassador had gone well, although it was badly timed. The Alien reptile had awakened, mumbled a few indiscernible words in its own tongue, and collapsed back into its slumber.

While Stuart proceeded with the surgery, with the help from Dr. Lorre, Lily was busy extrapolating the speech patterns of the alien.

"Trek la...back. You must send me... Kamet rik Die..."

That was the result Lily had arrived at. “Dr. Lorre, do you think he means back to the artifact?”

<Melain>

“You are right. He has been getting weaker since his awakening. I don’t think he is a threat since he appeared to be more frightened when he ran off the last time. Look, he’s awake again.” Stuart pointed at the creature.

<Melain>

“I believe the Nevada is still docked, although I don’t think it will be for long. I’ll have to notify Admiral Lin of our theory, and see what he thinks. How about you notify your ship and see if you can hold them up.”

Stuart notified the Admiral and informed him of the idea of letting the creature return to the artifact, although under guard, while Dr. Lorre placed a call to the Nevada.

[Deleted]

"Stuart?" Lily called, trying to get the attention of the young human doctor, "there is a Vulcan healer waiting for you for quite some time now. She says she's tried to get your attention before but apparently you've missed her."

The computer entity paused for a few seconds. "I believe you've met her before, but under less ideal circumstances. It's Ambassador Teeedak's bondmate."

<Mercy>

"Yes Stuart, I'll let her know."

In the mean time T'Val was waiting in the CMO's office, noticing that the office hadn't changed much except for getting a bit more of a human's touch to it. It had been several minutes now since she'd entered SBA's sickbay, and she was quite eager to get some work done. Beside her on the floor sat D'Beren; the boy was playing with five firelizards. T'Val's own green had swooped down on the boy, nuzzling him with excited chirps. Tedak's bronze and brown had never left his side, and just now, Saarok's golden queen and blue had joined him as well.

This troubled T'Val, because she knew Tedak would never go anywhere without at least Nut with him. She also knew that Saarok generally was accompanied by golden Aeris. She did know that the two close friends had gone on some adventure together, with Saarok disguised as a human.

[mercy]

After Stuart had contacted the Admiral and received his 'marching orders', he finally had some time for Healer T'Val.

Stuart went to his office where Healer T'Val was waiting. She didn't seem to happy...for a Vulcan...to have been waiting this long. Although, Stuart noticed, her slightly angry expression gave way to a more refined beauty in her face. She was quite beautiful to look at. ~Easy there, Stuart~

"Please accept my sincerest apologies. As I'm sure, you are well aware of the dire situation that we all face at the moment. How can I be of service to you?"

<T'Val>

"I see. As a matter of fact, I could use your help. I have read your dossier,and seeing how Admiral Lin has allowed you to serve as the CMO on the Jefferson, I don't see why I can't let you loose around here. It just so happens that I am to depart with the Nevada shortly. If you would like, Your help would be greatly appreciated if you were to continue to research for a cure of the Angel crew, and of those Aliens the Nevada brought back through that gateway. They are currently all in stable condition, and all of our current research files of their tests are logged in the LCARS system. Is this acceptable, or were you looking to be more involved with nursing?"

Stuart watched and waited for her answer. He knew she would be offended by the nursing comment, but he just wanted to see her reaction to see if she could be any more radiant than she was now. It was too bad he had to leave, as he was sure he would enjoy her company. ~Don't kid yourself, Stuart. She is married...but still beautiful.~

<T'Val>

[Deleted]

"Please accept my sincerest apologies. As I'm sure, you are well aware of the dire situation that we all face at the moment. How can I be of service to you?"

"Yes I was aware of that," T'Val said coldly, "and as you seem to have your hands full, I thought I should offer my assistance. The Jefferson is currently docked and until Admiral Loskene requires my presence back on the ship, I have time to help out here."

<snip>

Stuart watched and waited for her answer. He knew she would be offended by the nursing comment, but he just wanted to see her reaction to see if she could be any more radiant than she was now. It was too bad he had to leave, as he was sure he would enjoy her company. ~Don't kid yourself, Stuart. She is married...but still beautiful.~

"I am not certain if you listened doctor," T'Val replied, "this used to be my sickbay. And I am a trained healer, not a nurse. I am certain that I can still find my way around, unless you have changed the entire lay-out of sickbay?"

The Vulcan raised an eyebrow at the young human, and didn't miss him staring at her in a very perculiar way. "However, I can only stay as long as Admiral Loskene allows me to, and I have to make sure he rests as well. The admiral has a knack for overtaxing himself, and not wanting to hear of bedrest."

She walked around the desk to stand beside Mercy. "Is there anything specific I need to know about, before I get to work?" she asked coolly, causing the green firelizard on her shoulder to lift her head and squawk in protest as the woman moved.

[mercy]

Stuart smiled to himself as Healer T’Val had taken the ‘nurse’ bait. She indeed became more sensuous as she became more upset. At least as upset as this Vulcan allowed to show outwardly.

“My apologies again, I did come across that part of your file where you ran this facility. I’ll have you know that not much has changed around here with my coming onboard.”

This seemed to have appeased her anger a little. He did notice her raised eyebrow as he was watching her.

She walked around the desk to stand beside Mercy. "Is there anything specific I need to know about, before I get to work?" she asked coolly, causing the green firelizard on her shoulder to lift her head and squawk in protest as the woman moved.

Stuart couldn’t believe it. She came around to stand next to him. Of course she remained professional, but they had played enough tit-for-tat now that she had to know this would affect Stuart. ~She’s good.~ Stuart enjoyed this little game and anted up. “As you can see here, this virus is specifically attacking the Adrenal Medula and quite possibly the Adrenal Cortex as well, causing epinephrine levels to elevate exponentially in the Dradrians and causing this madness the Angel crew is experiencing. Dr. Lorre and I are guessing that it is targeting the entire Endocrine system. A few of the Dradrians seem to be unaffected however.” All the while he was enjoying her closeness to him, if it only wasn’t for that green firelizard.

“Please, have a seat, look over our tests and results, and tell me what you think. I have to contact the Admiral as to my staying here. If I knew for sure that your ship wouldn’t be sent on another mission soon, I would very much be able to leave you in charge here while I go along with the Nevada. However, that may not be the case and besides, I’m sure that Dr. Lorre can handle things on the Nevada without me. So if you’ll excuse me…” He gave her a smile as she just looked at him expressionless, and turned to leave his office to contact Admiral Lin.

<T'Val, Magellan>

[Deleted]

T'Val sighed as Mercy left the office. It was one thing to get back to the station and have to wait long enough for her to have actually gotten some work done in the time she had to wait; it as another to be working with an upstart doctor who seemed to be flirting with every female he came across.

Then she smiled to herself. Knowing that Tedak had his adventures, which sometimes might include flirting with women, she supposed she could do the same. ~see what a human male does if a married Vulcan goes into his advances~ she thought ~Tedak might find this interesting as well, when I tell him of this when we meet again~

She focused on reading the data and found that she concured with Mercy's findings. She stretched as she leaned back in her chair, fully aware of the fact that Mercy was standing in the doorway again. She smiled innocently at him, making sure that only he would actually see it, and might believe he was not believing the information his eyes sent to his brain.

T'Val waved him over. "What else is known about your patient?" she asked sweetly, as she made way for him to sit down again, and leaned over his shoulder. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, and she smiled again to herself. "Apart from the viral infection in his adrenal glands, he appears to be irrational. Has the virus spread to his brain?"

She leaned even further forward, her long hair falling into his neck, tickling him slightly as she pointed at the screen. "It may have," she pointed out, "he is showing signs of insanity, thus allowing for the hypothesis that his brain is affected too. The only unknown is whether it is this virus, or something else. What state was he in when he was beamed aboard? Did anyone of his crew survive, besides himself? Perhaps we should examine the dead, see what we can find there."

She gazed sideways at him, her face very close to his as she raised an eyebrow at him. She sensed his reaction, then nudged him in the side to indicate he should move over. Surprised, she glanced up at him when he literally jumped, and landed beside the chair. "Are you all right?" she querried, as she sat down again, and accessed the Angel's crew manifest.

"Hm, apparently nobody else survived, but there are plenty of bodies base our research on. I suggest comparing reaction between males and females first, among the human crew. Then look at variation between species, and then correlate it back to the fact that this individual is still alive." She raised her eyebrow again, noting that the young human was still sitting on the floor. "What do you think?"

[mercy]

Stuart couldn't believe it. She had stretched purpousfully, ensuring that he was watching. She came around so close that her hair dropped onto his neck, and then she had faced him so close that they were only a breath apart from...then she nudged him to where he jumped. As he did, the chair moved back and Stuart landed on the floor. All the while, T'Val was going on with her theories as if nothing else was going on.

She had indeed noticed his interest in her, and her point had been made. Stuart got up and straightened his jacket all the while addressing her. "Healer T'Val, I have come to realize that we are professionals at what we do, and that we must remain so, at least while on the job. So let's go to the morgue, perform our exams on the dead bodies, and see if we can narrow down what is causing all of this."

Healer T'val straightened herself from bending over at the terminal, and was now facing him. Stuart walked up to her close. They were face to face now. "Perhaps you would allow me the pleasure of your company, while off duty, for a meal let's say?" He was looking deep into her eyes now.....

[Deleted]

T'Val stared back, and smiled inwardly at the range of emotions she sensed coming from him. This would most certainly be an interesting experiment, and she knew Tedak didn't mind her doing this at all. "Now that you mention it," she said softly, while putting her PADD down, "I have not yet enjoyed lunch. What do you recommend?"

She kept herself close to him, and monitored his reaction. She now knew it had been a wise move to put on a brown suit which had a metallic hue over it, rather than her usual healer's dress. Since she wasn't starfleet, she wasn't required to wear a uniform. Taking a step back, she smiled ever so slightly, though the rest of her expression didn't change. "After we see to the bodies in the morgue," she added, picking up her PADD, and now also her tricorder, again. "Lead the way."

"Ah no, ladies first," Mercy said, smiling brightly at her.

~ah~ T'Val thought, pulling the see-through fabric of her 'dress' straight ~so we are playing this game now~ She walked out in front of him and flipped her hair back over her shoulder. She knew exactly what it was doing to him, and she glanced back at the human doctor. Back and up, because he was nearly two heads taller than she. The Vulcan barely reached his shoulders, being only 1.60 meters tall; short, for a Vulcan.

She walked into the morgue, a place she always felt very uncomfortable being, especially after the vampire indicent. ~at least there are no mirrors~ she thought, as she pulled open the first cabinet. "A female of unknown species, approximately thirty-six years old," she announced, "let us start by figuring out what exactly killed her." She gazed up at Mercy, who was standing opposite her, her face only paling ever so slightly as she watched the corpse.

T'Val motioned at the other cabinets. "We have a total of six corpses, two females and four males all of the same species, of which there is no mention of the database. However, we need to figure out if whatever has killed them, is tied to the insanity that has spread among the crew of the USS Angel, and if the captain - a human female- is differently affected than the rest of the crew."

She gazed at Mercy and caught him glancing at her, instead of the corpse. She smiled weakly at him, fully aware of how she looked. "Doctor?"

[mercy]

He was 'caught' again, staring at her. In truth he wasn't observing her beauty this time. He had noted how her composure had chnged as they walked into the morgue. She seemed, unsettled, a little frightened perhaps. It was surprising to see this range of emotions from a Vulcan. What was it that seemed to disturb her here?

"Doctor."

He was brought back from his deep thoughts. He did hear what she had said.

"Ah, yes. Six of an uknown species brought here by the Nevada from some type of gateway in space. And here we have the Captain from the Angel, human. The Angel was on the other side of this gateway, to be more precise...on our side. The one thing all of these bodies have in common is that they were all in the same vicinity as that of the Artifact as it was travelling through space and through this gateway."

Stuart had to admit, he felt like he was a bit in over his head here. He was glad to have the help from Healer T'Val, and also that of Dr. Lorre and Counselor Mitchell on the Nevada. This was huge, and if they didn't solve it soon, two more starships could be affected.

"Miss T'Val, I have prided myself in the saving of lives, but that's with working on live people, not corpses. I'm in a little over my head here. Short of studying the tests that have already been taken from these bodies, how do you suggest we proceed?"

It was an honest question.

[Deleted]

T'Val stared at him. "Mrs," she corrected him absentmindedly, as she returned her gaze to the female corpse. A good question indeed, how to proceed now? She didn't quite know it herself. "I believe we should dissect them the old-fashioned way," she finally announced, after several minutes of silence.

She ran her hands through her hair as she continued to stare at the dead body. "Yes, I believe that would be the best course of action right now, and get tissue samples from all organs, and run viral and bacterial tests on them. Something has to come up at some point. Has Doctor Lorre any medical records, or other data on this species that we might use?"

When she looked up, she caught the young doctor staring at her again. "Doctor, attention please," she said softly, "I asked a question, do please keep your attention on the corpse for a minute would you?" She smiled uncertainly at him, on purpose, though shuddered at the thought of having to work more in the morgue. The place unsettled her even more than she had thought it would. Even Yade stayed in main sickbay, apparently not wanting to have to do anything with it.

[mercy]

'Disect them the old fashioned way.' She said. "Get tissue samples from all organs.'

When she looked up, she caught the young doctor staring at her again. "Doctor, attention please," she said softly, "I asked a question, do please keep your attention on the corpse for a minute would you?" She smiled uncertainly at him, on purpose, though shuddered at the thought of having to work more in the morgue. The place unsettled her even more than she had thought it would.

Stuart was caught again just staring at her. It was obvious that she was troubled, and this had made her vulnerable.

Miss or Mrs, it didn't matter. Stuart went around the table, unsure himself of what he was about to do. He stood directly infront of T'Val, who by now was looking unknowingly into his eyes... ~or did she know after all~ he wondered.

It didn't matter, it was now or never. What did he have to lose? Stuart leaned down slowly. She didn't turn or step back, but kept looking expectantly into his eyes. He proceeded until their lips finally met.

It was a passionate kiss that shouldn't have lasted as long as it did. It would have lasted longer if the doors to the morgue hadn't opened to reveal Admiral Magellan with a surprised look on his face.

Stuart and T'Val seperated quickly.

"Yes, Healer T'Val an old fashioned autopsy is in order here."

<Magellan, T'Val>

[Deleted]

It didn't matter, it was now or never. What did he have to lose? Stuart leaned down slowly. She didn't turn or step back, but kept looking expectantly into his eyes. He proceeded until their lips finally met.

T'Val stood frozen, like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. Part of her wanted to move away, and part of her didn't. In the end, she found herself responding and, much to her own annoyance, actually enjoying it.

It was a passionate kiss that shouldn't have lasted as long as it did. It would have lasted longer if the doors to the morgue hadn't opened to reveal Admiral Magellan with a surprised look on his face.

Stuart and T'Val seperated quickly.

"Yes, Healer T'Val an old fashioned autopsy is in order here."

The Vulcan healer gave the Trill admiral an almost frightened look and she felt as if she were about to either faint, or sag through the deck in shame.

As Mercy cleared his throat and spoke up, she gave him an equally frightened look, then attempted to compose herself. "Yes I believe I did suggest that, but we need to know more about these people," she managed to say, though her voice was trembling.

~what did just happen?~ she wondered, and also wondered if he dared doing it again. If he did, what would or rather, should she do? "Admiral, do you know of what species these bodies are?"

<Magellan/Mercy>

She turned back to the female corpse, pressing her hand to her nose and mouth, and not just to cover for her embarassment. The body was giving off a foul odor, and she was standing in close proximity to it. That combined to the shock of being caught kissing someone other than her bondmate made the blood withdraw from her face. Without a sound, she suddenly sagged towards the deck, having fainted.

[Magellan Lin]

"Doctors" Magellan noted with a curt and diuscreet nod.

"Ah Admiral do you know what species these bodies are?"
Magellan noted T Vals change of subject and decided to go with the flow - this was none of his business after all.
"I m afraid not. The Nevada picked them up from another galaxy, They are not in our cultural databases, I have no idea who they are. Im more interested to know if there is any relationship to the alien currently on its way back to the Artifact. Jira reported a similar artifact near these aliens station?"
"I see " T Val replied,
"We hope these autopsys wil help with that"
"Excellent. Never been a fan of a persons innards" Magellan replied and then turned for the door "Well I ll leave you two to get down with it... err on with it...err... complete your analysis. Keep me informed"

[mercy]

After the Admiral left...


...She turned back to the female corpse, pressing her hand to her nose and mouth, and not just to cover for her embarassment. The body was giving off a foul odor, and she was standing in close proximity to it. That combined to the shock of being caught kissing someone other than her bondmate made the blood withdraw from her face. Without a sound, she suddenly sagged towards the deck, having fainted.


Stuart raced to her side, checked her vitals and checked her head for any injuries. She was alright. It was apparent that she didn't care for the morgue, and that getting 'caught' by the Admiral probably didn't go over well either.

Stuart pulled out a small glass ampule that was encased in a cloth like fabric. He carried a few of these around for just such occasions. He broke the glass within the cloth and swept it infront of T'Val's nose back and forth. The potent smell had brought her back to.

"What happened?" SHe asked.

"Well, I'd like to think it was the kiss that caused your blood to rush from your head, but I think better of it. You simply fainted. I take it that you don't care to be surrounded by a bunch of dead bodies. Let's get you up."

Stuart helped T'Val to her feet, holding onto her arms as she got up. A look of embarrasment swept across her face, together with a slight smile. Stuart felt responsible and wanted to make it up to her by getting her to relax and comfortable again.

"How about this. We have a crewman who is an excellent medical examiner, pathology is his forte. He can perform the autposies to my specifications, process the organs and tissues, and we can then look at those results when they are finished. In the meantime, how about we do get that bite to eat? I think you could use some food just about now."

<T'Val>

[Deleted]

"Lunch would be acceptable," T'Val said, as she was helped to her feet. She held on to the human's arms to steady herself, and keep herself from falling again. "And your proposal is acceptable too."

Once she felt confident to stand on her own, she released him, but continued to smile softly. ~I actually enjoyed that~ she thought guiltily, then gazed up at Mercy. "Why did you do that?" she asked him, knowing he knew exactly what she meant. ~do it again~ she thought, as they walked towards sickbay's doors.

"What is your hypothesis on the viral infection that has affected the human captain, and the cause of death in the aliens?" she finally asked him, keeping close to him under the pretense that she might need his assistance, "and is Magellan correct in assuming that it is related to this artifact he mentioned? I believe that this may be a sensible assumption, and we should obtain data from this artifact too."

<Mercy>

[mercy]

"Why did you do that?"

Stuart was helping her up as she had asked that question. He noticed that the question was not in anger, but more out of curiosity and wonderment.

"I'm...I'm really sorry about that Healer T'Val. I have overstepped my bounds both professionally and personally. To be honest, I don't know why. I mean there seemed to be a moment there....I just got caught up....well, you are a beautiful woman and we were exchanging a few flirtatious moments, at least I thought we were, and I let that get the better of me. Again, I am very sorry about that and I hope that you don't think the lesser of me."

Stuart was sincere in his statement, but didn't want it to end. She was married though, and there was nothing that he could do about that. He needed to remain respectful.

She did not reply to his explanation, but moved right along to the research that was at hand. ~Does she hate me now? How do I play this...like nothing happened? Maybe so, it seems to be the best for the both of us. *sigh*~ These thoughts were racing through his head. He did seem to like her, but what was he to do? He listened on to her questions as they were on their way to the Habitat levels of the station.

"What is your hypothesis on the viral infection that has affected the human captain, and the cause of death in the aliens?" she finally asked him, keeping close to him under the pretense that she might need his assistance, "and is Magellan correct in assuming that it is related to this artifact he mentioned? I believe that this may be a sensible assumption, and we should obtain data from this artifact too."

"I think the endocrine system becomes overloaded to the point that the natural reaction of the immune system cannot cope fast enough. I still can;t fathom why the captain died, unless she was in direct contact with this virus. The Dradrian species might be more susceptible to this, hence they die right away."

They had finally reached the Arcade levels. Three levels of restaurants, stores, and other mercantile representing many species from many systems. It was vast. Stuart guided them into the The Nebula Coffee Shop.

He figured they were only here for lunch, so a full restaurant was not in order. He had heard there was quite a variety of foods in here for most of the UFP species.

As they sat down he continued with his hypothesis.

"Yes, I do think the artifact is the key, and our reptilian friend aboard the Nevada. There was a mention of a green beam that had engulfed the Angel. This could have been the cause of the infections in the first place. Maybe some type of defense mechanism. Hopefully we'll find out more when the El-Sal and the Nevada report back? In the meantime, shall we eat?"

They were now seated at a table for two. Menus were at hand on the tables and Stuart started browsing through his, all the while watching T'Val. His thoughts about her hadn't wandered far from that kiss they had shared. She hadn't refused it, and hadn't made a big deal about it. ~Maybe it's just the way Vulcan's are. they can just forget a minor incident, except it wasn't minor for me...~ Stuarts thoughts were getting the better of him again as he didn't hear her and she had caught him staring at her again.

"Doctor Mercy. I asked what will you be having?"

"Oh, sorry. I was deep in thought about the virus." he knew that wouldn't fly, but it was the best excuse he had. He was trying to respect her, but something was happening here...at least to him.

"Hm yes, I think I will just have some tea and a sub sandwich with roast beef, ham, and turkey on it. You know, Terran meats. How about you?"

<T'Val>