SB Assailant - Mission 2.5 Lockdown

[Ji' Zhan]

"How are you holding up?" Tedak asked his companions.

Looking around with a bit of unbelief that he asked such a question, "Tedak my new friend, this situation has gotten out of hand. This makes me wonder how Starfleet has gotten this far. I will have to talk about security later ... this new planet will need to have protection until we can manage on our own."


"I am feeling ill," the Romulan confessed, "and responsible."


"There are people responsible for this ... but it isn't you." Thinking back to the images that he saw when he made the rebel comatose. "I understand more about why the Romulans want this split in our people now than I did before ..." Looking at the Romulan Ambassador, "tell me ambassador, why does the Romulan council want the Debrune back in their fold?"

[mercy]

Stuart could take no more. "Ambassador Tedak, I must warn you that if any further action on your part results in any more injury or death to anyone here, so help me if we survive this, I will hold you personally responsible. I will make sure that your services will no longer be required here on this station." Stuart was becoming furious for the mere fact that he couldn't do anything to help in this situation and things were not looking good for any of them.

"There is no need for that doctor," The Romulan said grimly as he stood towering over the young physician. Yet there was nothing threatening about his posture, and his entire demeanor suggested defeat. "I am taking full responsibility for this situation. I am a diplomat, and I failed."

Stuart noted the sincerity in Tedak’s voice and instantly knew that he was just trying to help save the rest of them. Stuart let it be and didn’t add any more fuel to the fire. He had to make sure that this Elder didn’t die on his watch, although he wasn’t sure how he was going to do that.

Stuart had observed and listened to the conversation between Ji’ Zhan and the rebel Debrune. Ji’ Zhan was trying to talk him down from the hostility. Before Stuart exactly knew what had happened another disrupter blast tore through the room. Stuart instinctively covered Jak’dor’s body, after which he felt a sharp pain in his arm. At the same time he heard a scream that caused him to look up. Stuartt witnessed another victim go down, with a large piece of glass impaling that man directly in his face. Stuart didn’t even bother to make sure he was dead. If he wasn’t, he would be within minutes from such a trauma without immediate attention from a modern-day, high-tech infirmary, and it’s full medical staff.

Ji'Zhan asked, "Doctor, are you OK?"

Stuart looked up at Ji’ Zhan with dismay on his face. He couldn’t answer…he had no answer. He never felt this helpless before. Then Lily’s voice came through.

_/\_ Venting of breathable atmosphere will begin in 15 minutes unless valid and current command level rescind order is made from within room._/\_

"Would the 'command level rescind order' be talking about you? ... can you give the order!" Looking at Tedak, "your an Ambassador on this base, can you give the order! We MUST NOT allow Jak'Dor to die!!!"

Slowly, the Romulan shook his head. "I fear not, though Doctor Mercy might be able to give it a go once he finds the time to do so. Right now he has other priorities. I may be a diplomat, but I am not in possession of command codes. I only have security clearances, but no command codes, which is just as well."

Before Stuart could even try to remember those command codes, Ji’ Zhan was already working on an alternate plan. It worked, and they were able to get out of this room of misery…only to enter a larger one Stuart noted. At least here, Stuart was able to retrieve a couple of medkits that were pre-placed for emergencies like this.

The elder was stabilized. The rebel Debrune with the knife wound had expired. Stuart couldn’t understand why and rechecked the wound. The blood had never coagulated, the wound had continued to bleed out. Stuart then remembered the other bag of medicine Ji’ Zhan had given him. It must have been different, an anti-coagulant. Stuart kept his thoughts to himself. This was not the time or the place for a confrontation.

The other Debrune was suffering from some type of severe head trauma and appeared comatose. There was nothing Stuart could do for him either. Stuart started helping some of the other people in the room who needed medical attention.

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan returned his attention to the open console.
“So whats the plan Admiro”
“That’s admiral and be quiet I m concentrating.” Magellan hissed at Laurana, “If I can reroute the system I should be able to… ah bingo.”
The Turbolift door swung open revealing a slate grey wall.
“Did nt you realise we stopped between floors?” Lauarna asked innocently,
Magellan ignored her and with gritted teeth reached up to the ceiling. He undid a few latches and pulled down a trap door.
“Stay here” He said as he hoisted himself up,
“not likely” she replied jumping up athletically and pulling herself up.
“You don’t give up do you” Magellan hissed,
“Nope. So which way?”
Magellan rolled his eyes, “Theres only one way… Up.”
Together they began climbing up the shaft. They had climbed at least three floors before an ominous warning came from the computer.
=^= Unauthorised Access in turboshaft 123. Please enter maintenance code.”
“Well?” Laurana asked,
“I don’t have one” Magellan answered
“But you’re the boss,”
“Yes and I have people to fix the shelves” he scowled and then looked down.
A whir and then a hiss of air echoed about the shaft as the turbolift began to rise towards them.
“Oh boy. Quick – climb quicker. We’ll get out on the next floor.”
The lift slowly began to accelerate at an alarming rate.
Magellan suddenly stopped,
“What are you doing?” Laurana screamed,
Magellan ignored her and tapped his badge,
=^= Alari I need a 2341 maint code.”
=^= Oh sure I have one right here in my pocket” the engineer replied dryly.
=^=ALARI NO JOKES=^=
=^= Well try mine – I doubt its changed… CetiAlphaNineZero.”
Magellan repeated the code and watched as the lift roared closer grinding to a stop only inches from Lauranas
Magellan breathed a sigh of relief,
“I think we better get out here” he commented pulling open the nearest door.
“I think so” Laurana replied wiping the sweat from her brow, “This is proving a tougher case than I thought”

[Deleted]

As soon as the nauseous ebbed away a little, Tedak found himself admiring Mercy's strength for the first time since they had first met. Despide the many injured and the three dead in the Fishtank, not counting the Debrune he himself had killed, Mercy tirelessly made his rounds past the seventeen injured that remained. Aside from that, he was also still caring for Jak'Dor and the comatose Debrune rebel.

The Romulan now joined the human doctor on his rounds, issuing what little medical knowledge he had where needed, tending to minor injuries. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw Ji'Zahn stiffle a relieved smile as the acolyte bent over the old Debrune elder. The nurse, Lana, was sitting beside them both, apparently listening to something the acolyte was telling her.

~probably a Debrune tale, or Jak'Dor's life story~ he thought with mild bemusement, as he knelt down beside a woman with a very young child. "How is she doing?" he asked the mother, as he checked the girl's vitals. Earlier, the child had been ran over by one of the now dead individuals, and her leg had been broken.

"She's doing fine ambassador," the mother answered, smiling gratefully, "you've set her leg quite well, for someone who's not a trained doctor. She's barely in any pain." She hugged her daughter close. "I'm still grateful I have her, her father was one of the dead."

"I'm glad to be able to help," Tedak answered, almost embarassed, "but Doctor Mercy will check my handiwork once he gets around to it. Right now I'm going to tell him to slow down a little. He needs rest." He glanced over in the direction of the young doctor. "He'll overwork himself soon, he doesn't want to hear of resting. But he's the only qualified doctor we have, and if he breaks down, or starts making fatal mistakes we're all in trouble."

He walked over to the human doctor, while feeling around in one of his own pockets for the right hypospray. "Doctor, come with me," Tedak said, sounding persistent. When the doctor protested, he merely pulled him aside. "You need rest doctor. Go get some sleep I will wake you in an hour, or when something urgent comes up."

<Mercy>

"I'm not taking no for an answer this time doctor," Tedak insisted, and jabbed the hypospray against Mercy's throat, injecting the contents of the inserted vial. He caught the human as he started to collapse. "I'm very sorry doctor, but you'll thank me when you wake up." Straightening himself up, he carried the now unconscious doctor over to where Ji'Zahn and Lana were still tending to the Debrune Elder.

"He's sleeping," Tedak explained, "I've sedated him, I didn't strike him in anyway." He didn't know why he felt the need to defend himself. "He'll wake up in an hour."

<Ji'Zahn/Mercy>

[Ji' Zhan]

Ji'zhan was talking to the nurse, telling her a story from the ancient text of the Debrune; one that now was simply a nursery rhyme that parents told their children. Ji'Zhan knew the importance of telling such history even if it was in that context. He knew that those stories would be researched and told anew later when the Divine child was introduced.

While talking, he saw Tedak almost dragging the Doctor up to a table and placed him on the table top. Aghast, "You didn't ..."

"He's sleeping," Tedak explained, "I've sedated him, I didn't strike him in anyway." He didn't know why he felt the need to defend himself. "He'll wake up in an hour."

"You didn't need to sedate the Doctor my friend, however I do understand you intentions behind it; I too had asked the Doctor to rest."

Tedak walked over to Jak'Dor's side, "how is he doing?"

"He isn't out of the woods, but he is stable ... for now. I'm afraid that if we can't get him to a hospital facility soon ... well," Ji'Zhan couldn't finish ... he didn't want to even think about that outcome. "Tedak, we need to find away to communicate with Admiral Lin, he needs to know that Jak'Dor is seriously hurt and needs medical attention." Wondering if Tedak had even thought about the child, "... I would also like to know if the child is OK ..." Tedak almost turned sick ... he hadn't thought about the child with all the commotion.

<Tedak>

[mercy]

"You need rest doctor. Go get some sleep I will wake you in an hour, or when something urgent comes up."

Stuart looked at Tedak with surprise at the care that he sensed in the Ambassador's voice. Of course Stuart knew that he was right. The festivities had started in the evening, and with all of the exitement they've been having, it was well past Stuart's bedtime. There were many patients here, and he had been working feverishly getting them all stabilized as well as he could, but he couldn't leave them unattended. "Thanks but I'll be alright. It's not like I've never pulled an all-nighter before."

"I'm not taking no for an answer this time doctor."

Stuart realized too late when Tedak had come around from behind and jabbed him in the neck with a hypospray. Stuart instinctively grabbed for his neck as he was watching the room and everyone around him slowly dissipate from his vision. As blackness fell upon his eyes, his ears barely picked up on the words being uttered from Tedak's mouth. "I'm very sorry doctor, but you'll thank me when you wake up." ~ Just...let...me...sleep... ~

[Deleted]

Wondering if Tedak had even thought about the child, "... I would also like to know if the child is OK ..." Tedak almost turned sick ... he hadn't thought about the child with all the commotion.

"What?" Tedak asked, not quite comprehending at first, "what chi-" The room suddenly was spinning before his eyes and he had to grab hold of the bar to remain standing. "Oh no!" he exclaimed, arousing Nut who prostested loudly. He felt a strong arm supporting him as he reeled.

Then a strong cold wind went past his face and he noticed Nut hovering in front of his face, flapping his wings furiously. The brown firelizard's eyes were whirling a comforting green/blue, and he received images of his son being safe with the Vulcan nanny, T'Shan. "He's safe," he sighed with relief, but colour didn't yet return to his face and he remained unstable on his feet for several minutes. "The child is safe," he repeated, if only to reassure himself.

As an hour passed, and then two as both men waited for the doctor to wake up again. Tedak himself was starting to feel the effects of exhaustion, and he assumed the Debrune acolyte would be too. They had taken turns watching over Jak'Dor, whose condition was stabilizing. They had also watched over the Debrune Rebel, who was still out cold.

"I'm going to wake the doctor," The Romulan then announced, "the elder needs his medications and neither of us are qualified healers. If he so wishes, he can return to his sleep once he's done his rounds." He walked over to the sleeping human and gently shook him, so not to injure him, while Ji'Zhan concentrated on Jak'Dor and continued to murmur his prayers for the elder's survival and swift recovery.

Neither of them noticed the rebel slowly waking up, and getting up from the floor. Tedak only noticed it when he felt someone touch his robe and then send him spinning across the room as he was forcibly shoved aside. Regaining his balance, he saw the rebel hold his honour blade to the young doctor's throat. Mercy's eyes were wide with shock and disbelief, the rebel's were half closed in concentration.

<Mercy>

"You don't want to do this," Tedak urged him, "let the doctor go."

<rebel>

His gaze locked with Ji'Zhan's and the Romulan slowly shook his head. Any form of agressive behaviour on their part would most likely cost the doctor his life, and Tedak wasn't prepared to have that on his conscience. He may not like the doctor, but he didn't want him killed. ~T'Val would never forgive me if I allowed that to happen~ he thought, realizing only now how much his wife cared for the doctor.

<Ji'Zhan, Mercy>

"Let him go," Tedak urged again, "you will gain nothing by keeping him hostage. If the computer notices, it will most likely cost you your life and I'm certain you don't have a deathwish....do you?"

He advanced slowly towards the Debrune rebel, who only held on more tightly to the doctor. Tedak stopped moving and took a step back. "I am unarmed," he announced, "you are in possession of my only weapon. Let the doctor go and you won't be harmed. On the other hand, if you do hurt him I assure you, I will personally kill you."

"I do not believe you."

"Ask the doctor, ask the acolyte, I will not hesitate. I killed your partner, I will not hesitate to do it again if I must to protect these people."

"You have killed my friend, that makes this a question of honour. I have accepted my death. It occured at the moment Jak'dor was shot. I am not afraid. If Ihave to kill this doctor to ensure Jak'dor dies. Perhaps it would be quicker to just finish him off now" the rebel replied hefting the knife and staring at the prone figure of Jak'dor

[mercy]

~ The boat was shaking violently back and forth as the waves were hitting upon the deck like the tongue of the sea lashing out. A loud thunderous roar could be heard. It sounded like an allmighty sea serpent bellowing while the boat shook ever so violently. "Wake up, Mercy. Wake up!" ~

The boat, ocean, and bad weather all disappeared at once, realizing that it was Tedak trying to awaken him. Suddenly Tedak was yanked away and ended up sprawling along the floor some ten meters away. Just as Stuart had regained his full senses, a knife was being held at his throat indicating that he may just be going back to sleep again...forever.

Tedak was trying to reason with the rebel, but it wasn't helping any. Stuart winced as he felt the sharp blade being pressed upon his throat with a little more force. The force subsided a little once Tedak took a few steps back, ensuring he was no threat. Stuart was listening to the exchange of words. It seemed this rebel was ready to die, but Stuart wasn't. It was going to be up to him. What other choice did he have if he was going to be dead anyways.

Stuart lifted three fingers infront of himself for Tedak to see. He hoped he would understand once he started the process of a countdown. Two fingers...the rebel looked at Jak'Dor...one finger...the rebel took a final look of his fallen friend while the blade was applying a bit more pressure to Stuart's throat...no fingers...

...Stuart reeled his head backwards as hard as he could and drove it into the skull of the Debrune rebel. That blow allowed for Stuart to then drop straight down hoping he would clear the blade that was no longer directly upon his throat. At the same time Tedak had taken two long strides to cover the distance and tackled the rebel with one swoop, taking him down.

A tussle ensued, but Stuart did not witness what was happening as he was too busy feeling for the trickle of blood that was escaping from his throat. He was wiping it away when he then noticed that there was silence. Turning around Tedak's back was turned towards him as Tedak was looking down at the body of the rebel that was now laying there motionless.

Stuart did not approach Tedak, but simply asked, "Is he dead?", unsure if he would be delighted at the notion or not.

[Deleted]

Tedak stared down at the body of the remaining Debrune rebel, wondering whether he should check on his vitals or just leave him to his fate. "Is he alive?" he heard Mercy ask. Only then did he kneel down and feel the Debrune's throat for a pulse.

"Yes doctor, he is still alive," the Romulan answered as he reached over and pried his weapon from the unconscious Debrune's hand. "I suggest we tie him up so he won't surprise us again. I'm very sorry he caught us like this."

Then he turned around and faced the human. "You are bleeding," he observed, then pointed to the row of chairs the doctor had been lying on. "Sit!" he ordered as he guided the human to them, "and stay. I'm going to get a tricorder. You are fortunate he didn't use Ji'Zhan's blade, or you wouldn't be here to tell the tale."

Leaving Mercy's side for a few minutes he walked back to Ji'Zhan. "The doctor's injured," he announced, eying both the Debrune acolyte and the human nurse. "I need either your robe, or your tunic," he then told them, "we need to secure the rebel or he'll try this again. My robe is already used to keep Jak'Dor warm."

<Ji'Zhan>

"Lana, can you attend to the rebel? I need to attend to Mercy."

Lana could tell the Romulan was genuinely concerned about their welfare, but she could also tell that he and the doctor had a nasty history where probably a woman was involved. She had observed them and had noticed they didn't speak unless absolutely necessary, and no niceties were ever exchanged between them. The human did his job, as did the Romulan. "of course," she answered, "it'll just take me a bit to get there, unless you assist me."

Tedak held out his arm to Lana and helped her over to the unconscious Debrune, while he turned back to Mercy. "Just a superficial cut," he concluded, "again you are lucky that my weapon isn't poisoned, and generally clean or you'd be in trouble." He caught Mercy's accusing glance and shrugged. "You fight well for a medic," he then complimented gruffily, "now turn a little. I assume you will be having a rather massive headache now......you broke the Debrune's nose that much is certain."

Mercy turned obediently and allowed the Romulan to examine the back of his head. "No damage to skin and bone," Tedak announced, "though you do have a concussion. Lie back down and try to get some more sleep. You'll feel better when you wake up." He watched Mercy turn and open his mouth to protest but he silenced the doctor. "You will either do it yourself, or I'll sedate you," he threatened, "sleep doctor."

Leaving the doctor to get his sleep (or not) the Romulan went to assist Lana in securing the rebel, and then returned her to Jak'Dor and Ji'Zhan. "Any change?" he asked again, "until we can get out of the Fishtank, we're going to have to do with what means we have I'm afraid."

<Ji'Zhan>

[Ji' Zhan]

Ji'Zhan ripped a long strand of his robe for Tedak to use to secure the rebel. The nurse, being able to walk just a little better now after the med kit pain killer, made her way over to the rebel. Ji'Zhan didn't go over to the rebel electing to stay with his Elder.

The nurse hobbled back over to Ji'Zhan and opened a tricorder.

"Respectable," Ji'Zhan said.

The comment took the nurse by surprise,"I'm sorry?"

"I said, Respectable. You went to help the one who cause you so much pain and took your knee away." Ji'Zhan said while not looking up at the nurse.

"I didn't want to ... but that is my job and calling ... to help." A tear started to run down her face.

Noticing, "Your crying? ... are you OK?"

Wiping the tear from her face, "Yes ... I'm fine. I will just be glad when this is all over."

Ji'zhan didn't have time respond as Tedak had walked over to them. "Any change?" Tedak asked again, "until we can get out of the Fishtank, we're going to have to do with what means we have I'm afraid."

"I'm afraid that this will drag on until we lose him," visible frustrated, "where is all the Star Fleet people!!! ... can't they get one station in order!" Ji'Zhan said with voiced raised. "Ahhh! ... this is holding the plans back for my people! We should have been back to our home world ... the council was meeting about what to do next." Ji'Zhan slumped to the floor, face in his hand, "what are we going to do if Jak'Dor dies ... "

[Magellan Lin]

The past hour had been a close to hell as Magellan could recall. So far Lily had tried to crush them with the turbolift, gas them with anestehzine in the corridor, vent them into space near an airlock and drown them with the sprinklers in a maintenance bay.
"This is starting to wear a bit thin" Laurana wheezed wet hair hair plastered to her face.
"Your telling me."
"So where now?"
"We have three decks to go. I think we should be able to manage it by Jeffries Tubes"
Laurana looked at him skeptically,
"I m not sure if I should be worried that your computer is so inventive in trying to kill us, or that your security systems are so bad that we ve managed to escape."
"Given that the former means our death I m glad of the latter" Magellan replied.
He paused a moment and looked thoughtful,
"Problem?" Laurana asked,
"No not really. Its Lin he communicates with me oddly at times."
"Oddly, how?"
"Its like the link isnt a blend, we have to work at being one mind. Hes picked up a disturbance detected by Dinas."
Lauarana shook her head
"Who?"
"Ah Dinas is my Firelizard, they are telepathic and bond with the owner, Dinas bonded to Lin rather than our joined mind."
"And this Dinas knows something?"
"Sort of hes detected uncomfortableness from Nut and Sev"
Laurana shook her head in despair,
"I m sorry I asked. But what does it mean."
Magellan rolled his eyes,
"Usually that Tedak has got himself into a whole boat load of trouble. We need to end this lockdown now."
Laurana pulled open the hatch and turned to him,
"Well lets get moving then"

[Deleted]

The Romulan forcefully pulled the despaired acolyte back onto his feet and shook him roughly. "Get a grip," he snapped, "we will not lose the elder. You watch over him and utter your prayers. Doctor Mercy has done all he can and said the elder is stable for now. I have known the elder to be strongwilled, he will fight himself through this."

Despite his strong words, Tedak himself was starting to doubt the elder's survival. He gazed at the seventeen survivors which they had encountered in the Fishtank. "Are there any engineers among you?" he called as Nut settled on his shoulder, informing him that Dinas had been in contact with Lin. Several hands raised into the air. "Very good, if you are able to walk, try to get us a way to open the doors that lead to the promenade." He paused as the engineers grouped themselves. "Any medical staff?"

Again one or two hands were raised. "Report to Lana here, she will tell you what to do. Our doctor is injured and we have a dying patient on our hands. Any assistance is welcome." Two women walked over to Lana who instantly began to issue them orders. One walked over to Mercy, who glaring at them, and began to fuss over him.

Despite the situation, Tedak smiled ever so slightly at the human. He was a little annoyed that the human didn't take his advice, he had a concussion and had been cut with a rather sharp blade, even though the cut hadn't been severe. ~he's been lucky~ he thought with respect anew. ~he's a strong man, I can see what she sees in him now~

The more he got to know Mercy the more he was starting to wonder if T'Val was happy with him. ~I need to talk to her~ he thought, then shook his head ~but first we need to get out of here.~ He gazed at the remaining people, some of which were also severely injured. There were also other children among the group.

Tedak walked over to the woman with the child whose leg he had set. "Ma'am there are children in this group, do you think you can keep them occupied while we work on a way out?"

The woman nodded, picked up her child and beckoned the children to follow her to the far end of the Fishtank, and began to show them children's games she played in her youth. Soon, the laughter of children resounded through the Fishtank, and several people smiled themselves. It was a refreshing sound in a dire situation.

"Nut, tell Dinas we're in the Fishtank. Have him tell Lin that there are injured here and four dead, and that we need relief teams here as soon as possible." Nut squawked and let him know the message was sent, and that Lin's bronze would pass on the message. "Let him know we're not in immediate danger, and that the surviving rebel has been secured for now."

Again Nut squawked. "Good boy," Tedak praised and caressed his little brown. He walked back to Ji'Zhan who was leaning over Jak'Dor and joined him in examining the elder. "He has lost a lot of blood," he commented, "and I've gathered this rebel doesn't have a compatible blood type." He pauzed, then locked gazes with the acolyte. "But mine is reasonably compatible. We have the same basic blood type...." He let his statement hanging in the middle, waiting for the acolyte to respond.

Without proper medical fascilities, giving a transfusion was risky, but the Romulan knew that if something didn't happen soon, their worst fears would indeed become reality. Another problem was that giving blood would leave him severely weakened, and with so many injured they needed every able-bodied person they had to assist in taking care of the injured, and defend them if needed. "Do what you must," he told the acolyte, "Mercy will probably not consent, so you will have to do it yourself. I will trust you to be careful."

<Ji'Zhan>

[Deleted]

“Right, it looks as if I’m going to have to let you out of there. I don’t think I need to mention what will happen if you try and escape?”
“Other than your mad computer killing me?”
“Oh, I don’t think you need to worry about the computer.” He smiled sweetly at her. “I doubt you would get that far.”

She shifted her weight slightly, but made no reply. The security chief tapped his code quickly into the brig, and the forcefield dropped. Simon was thankful it had worked. He was half afraid that it would either not let him lower it, or that he would get shot at. Imoen was stood still inside the cell, making no move to come towards the security chief at all.

“You may as well come out, if we don’t trust each other, I sincerely doubt we will even get out of this room.”
“I wouldn’t shoot you commander. I like your uniform too much.”
“Yeh, I’m sorry if that doesn’t instil me with confidence.”
She stuck her tongue out tartly at him. “I don’t have a weapon anyway. You made sure of that.”
Simon let his eyes run down her body. “You’re inventive. I wouldn’t put it past you to have something hidden on your person.”

The thief gave him an askance look, and then flipped two knives, each no longer than her fingers, into the air.
“Like these you mean?” She caught them deftly by the finger-sized grip at the end, and then before Tomlinson could see what she did with them, they were gone once more.
“Oh yes, and now I feel really confident. Get your [word deleted] in front of me.” Simon spoke gruffly.
“Like looking at it do ya?” Imoen retorted instantly. The security chief rose an eyebrow at her, but didn’t deny the implication.

“You obviously know how to get around this station without the security systems detecting you. Lead the way.”
“Back then there wasn’t an extremely large chance of death.”
“I thought thieves worked better under pressure?”
“Yes. Well I thought security chiefs did too.”
“Oh no, I far prefer to sit on my comfy chair and let others go into the high pressure situations.”

[Magellan Lin]

The jeffries tubes were uncomfortably hot. It had something to do with the plasma conduit running just behind the thin bulkhead.
"How much further?" Laurana asked breathlessly
"Another level" Magellan replied above her on the ladder.
"Okay then we get to rest right?"
"Well you do. I have a station to get back into shape."
The two of them contiuned their ascent and quickly recahed the correct level. Magellan pulled apart the hatch and began to pull himself out. A pair of pasty hands reached out and one of the Bynars helped him out.
"Thankyou" Magellan answered turning to assist Laurana out "And just what in the name of the pools have you done to my station"
Treski stood mildly defensivly,
"This wasnt my doing, the integration of your AI and the computer wasnt secure."
Alari in the background shook his head,
"He meddled where he didnt need to Sir."
"We'll deal with this later. For now what can we do?"
Alari started to explain before Treski could,
" the old security protocols for 2341 were activated, Lily is subsumed within that programme, if we can give the computer 3 valid command level codes."
"3 - any in particular"
"Any one of CO, XO, Cheif Engineer or CoBS"
"well we have 2 of the 3. And Tomlinson is onhis way."
Alaris nodded,
"But hes a very long way away."
"Thats not good especially as I get the feeling that something is wrong in the Fishtank."
Treski hovered and then stepped forward,
"I believe the CO's codes and one others would be suficient to end the lockdown of the secure cordon in the upper sections of the station - those within the Starfleet Cordon."
Alari nodded in agreement,
"Yes it should work."
"What would that give us access to?" Magellan asked,
"Ops, Fleet Offices, Base Offices, Sickbay, The Fish Tank..."
"Okay lets give it a go. Computer acknowledged Commanding Officer - Admiral Magellan Lin. S47-Alpha-Omega-9-6-1."
=^= Commander Acknowledged.=^=
"Computer Acknowledge Lieutenant Alari. S47-Sigma-nine-alphabet."
=^= Chief Maintenance Officer Acknowledged.=^=
There was a brief pause and then Lilys voice came out of the either.
"Admiral Sir. I seem to have limited control oncemore."
"Very good Lily, What access do you have?"
"I now have full control over upper SF restricted areas."
"Thankyou Lily. Work with Alari and Treski to see if we cant get access to the rest of the station."

Magellan moved away from the computer core and opened a Comm Channel.
=^= This is Admiral Lin, as you are aware we are having some difficulties, those that can hear that are now in an unlocked location. Starfleet Officers in these locations must reoprt to their stations if they are in that area. Any that arent are to report to Ops for assignment. Civilians should go to the fishtank where staff will be on hand to assist shortly. No one. repeat NO ONE is to attempt to leave the Starfleet Cordon. I will contact everyone when I have more information.=^=

[Ji' Zhan]

The crew that were working on the doors were finding it hard to get around the locking system when all of a sudden the door just simply opened.

"Did you do anything?" one Engineer said to the other.
"uh ... no ... did you?"
"I don't think I did ... but I was working on the power supply to the locking mechanism"

As they were talking the comm sounded ...

=^= This is Admiral Lin, as you are aware we are having some difficulties, those that can hear that are now in an unlocked location. Starfleet Officers in these locations must report to their stations if they are in that area. Any that arent are to report to Ops for assignment. Civilians should go to the fishtank where staff will be on hand to assist shortly. No one. repeat NO ONE is to attempt to leave the Starfleet Cordon. I will contact everyone when I have more information.=^=

The second Engineer turned to the other and said, "I guess we both didn't do anything ... "

Ji'Zhan was startled out of the middle of a prayer when Lin's voice instructed what should be done.

Ji'Zhan turned to Tedak, "We don't have to do the transfusion here ... I'm guessing that your hospital is in part of the section that is unlocked now?"

Tedak responded, "Yes ... it is. Lets move Jak'Dor there now. You take one side of the table and I will take the other." Looking over to the Doctor Tedak said, "Doctor, we need to get this man some blood ... will you please get to your Sick Bay and see if you can accommodate."

Ji'Zhan and Tedak made their way down the corridor and into Sick Bay. The same play was being acted out there as it had been in the Fish-tank. The Doctor, still dizzy from his injury, cleared a bio bed in the surgery suite and with the help from another of his team started to prep.

<Tedak ... Doctor>

[Deleted]

"Doctor Mercy is in no condition to perform the transfusion," the Romulan commented, "he is still in shock and injured himself. There are no qualified doctors present in this hospital other than him, and he is at present not qualified to do anything."

Tedak ignored the angry glare Mercy shot at him, because he knew it to be truth. "You must do it yourself," he insisted, as they transferred Jak'Dor to a biobed. "Prepare him for transfusion, I must inform Lin that we are safe."

He stepped a few paces away. "Tedak to Admiral Lin, I don't know how you did it, but my compliments. Your swift actions have probably saved the life of Elder Jak'Dor. We are now preparing him for transfusion as he has lost quite an amount of blood and my blood is comparable to his. Ji'Zhan is going to perform the procedure as Doctor Mercy is injured himself. Once the procedure is completed I shall contact you again. Tedak out."

The Romulan walked back to Ji'Zhan and took place on the neighbouring biobed. "Proceed," he told the acolyte, "ask nurse Lana for assistance if she's up to it. By no means ask Mercy, I saw his hands shaking earlier. I wouldn't want him to slip and accidently hurt anyone." It wasn't meant as a snide comment, but it might as well have been one.

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan listened to Tedaks comments and blanched as he heard Jak'dor had been injured.
"I ll be right down." Motioning for two Security Guards to accomany him Magellan headed for the door.
"Alari, comm me when Tomlinson arrives. And Laurana this time you stay here."
Laurana locked gazes with the Admiral, she could see he had softened somewhat, the steel in his tone had gone. At last she felt the ice had melted.
"Very well, on one condition."
Magellan scowled,
"Go on - one condition."
"That is that you return to Trill with me."
Magellan paused,
"I have duties"
"Thats teh condition and once I tell you what I know you will want to return to Trill if only for a short time."
"Deal" Magellan nodded, "Now stay here."

The few medical staff that had been inside the Starfleet Cordon were rushed off their feet in teh small Starfleet Sickbay. Dr Mercy weary and run down directed all the triage with calm efficency. Lana sat with Jak'dor who lay deathly white in a small annex to sickbay on a slim biobed, Ji'Zahn ever at his side.
He twisted in pain. It came and went. The blast he knew was fatal, he hadnt always been an Elder and as a youth he had served his time in the military. Starfleet maybe miracle makers but he knew that too much time had passed and too much blood. He could see that the Doctor knew. It was in his eyes, only Tedak and Ji'zahn failed to have registered the fact.
Weakly he held up a hand and grasped Ji'Zahns robe.
He tried to speak but barely a whisper emerged.
Ji'zahn bent and held his ear to the old mans mouth.
"Alone let us be alone."
Ji Zahn looked down,
"Theres no time they are going to operate."
"No. I am gone. But we must be alone, it is an order"

TAG Ji Zahn

As the last of the personnel left the annex and Ji'Zahn was sure that everyone was well out of ear shot and there was no chance of being over heard he returned to Jak'dor.
"Its is done Elder, now be quick, Mercymust operate soon."
The Elder beckoned him closer and again whispered,
"It is over Ji'Zahn, You were my star pupil you will go far..." he paused and his breath came in ragged bursts "You must unite our people.... you must know the truth."
"The truth?"
"I found the divine child. He was to unite our people, he was my hope,"
"Was? Tedak said D'Beren was fine"
Jak'dor coughed and blood appeared,
"No... No... You see I lied... we needed him now - D'Beren is not the divine child... none must...everrrr...knoow" Slowly The Elders eyes closed and his head lolled to one side, the grip he had held around the robe of Ji'Zahns robe loosened.

[Ji' Zhan]

magellan said:

"No. I am gone. But we must be alone, it is an order"

"Elder, your going to be fine ... the Doctor here can help you. Jak'Dor, you will lead our people back to their greatness." Ji'Zhan said more to reassure himself than anything.

The Elder beckoned him closer and again whispered,
"It is over Ji'Zahn, You were my star pupil you will go far..." he paused and his breath came in ragged bursts "You must unite our people.... you must know the truth."
"The truth?"
"I found the divine child. He was to unite our people, he was my hope,"
"Was? Tedak said D'Beren was fine"
Jak'dor coughed and blood appeared,
"No... No... You see I lied... we needed him now - D'Beren is not the divine child... none must...everrrr...knoow" Slowly The Elders eyes closed and his head lolled to one side, the grip he had held around the robe of Ji'Zahns robe loosened.

Ji'Zhan felt his robe loosen as he heard the last breath exhale from his Elder's mouth. "No," he whispered, "you can't go," tears started to roll down his face. "I ... I don't know what to do," he continued to whisper to his fallen Elder. The coldness of the moment started to fill the room. Ji'Zhan always believed the ancient words that the Elders of their people made a choice when they died who they would accompany for the rest of their walk. Ji'Zhan new that in that moment that each of his steps that remained in his life would never be alone.

Ji'Zhan reached down to close Jak'Dor's eyes and perform the Hegh, a accent ceremony from the most elder of the Debrune people. "I will miss you my afweirrea."

He turned to face the door, "Tedak," he said loudly, "Doctor ... I require your assistance."

The two walked into the room, both knowing what had happened and both were so shocked that words just wouldn't come to their mouth.

"I need you Doctor," Ji'Zhan said, "I need for you to prepare the Elder's body so I can take him back to his beloved home world. You may use any method you wish seeing how we are not on our home world ... however, I will need all his blood sealed in a clear container. I will have a burial robe to you that he will need to be in ... I will also send along one of your PaDDs that will instruct you how to cloth the robe on the Elder." Ji'Zhan walked over to the Doctor and placed his hand on his head and after a few words in Debrune, "you have been blessed Doctor, there will not be a need for my people to assist you."

<Doctor>

Ji'Zhan walked over to Tedak, "my friend, would you arrange a transport for Jak'Dor and myself back to our home world. Please, would you also request the presence of Admiral Lin?"

<Tedak>

"Tedak, the child will also need come with us." Ji'Zhan didn't understand why Jak'Dor had lied about the child ... the accent text had said that this would be the time that the divine child would come and lead them back to their glory. But, he also knew that if the truth were made known now ... his people would scatter to the four cardinal stellar winds. Ji'Zhan was going to keep that fact unknown ... as far as everyone would ever know ... the divine child lead the Debrune to greatness.

[Deleted]

Tedak lay on a biobed, feeling somewhat feeble after giving the transfusion to Jak'Dor. He heard soft voices coming from next to him, behind the curtains, and instantly he knew something was wrong. His feelings were confirmed when a pale-faced and grieving Ji'Zhan emerged through the curtains.

"No," Tedak whispered, sitting himself up slowly, "no, he didn't...please tell me he didn't die!"

Ji'Zhan nodded sadly as he came walking over "My friend, would you arrange a transport for Jak'Dor and myself back to our home world. Please, would you also request the presence of Admiral Lin?"

"But of course," Tedak said softly, still not believing the stoic elder had died, "I will get on it immediately. Is there anything else I can do?"

"Tedak, the child will also need come with us."

Though not liking this in the least, Tedak nodded slowly. "Naturally," he agreed, "the Divine Child needs to attend the funeral. I assume that I cannot accompany him?" Assuming a negative answer, Tedak stared directly at the grieving acolyte. "I entrust him into your care for the duration of the ceremony. Please alert me as soon as I can pick him up, or when you will return him."

<Ji'Zhan>

With that, Tedak got up from the biobed, instantly feeling extremely light-headed. He ignored Mercy calling him back as he staggered away to give the Debrune Acolyte some room to be alone and tapped his combadge. "Admiral Lin, this is Ambassador Tedak," he called, and then his voice caught in his throat. "Admiral," he started again, his voice hoarse, "Elder Jak'Dor has passed away. Please get to sickbay as soon as you can. You may want to send security ahead of you, because I cannot guarantee I won't kill the surviving Debrune rebel.......he's responsible for killing the elder, at least accountable for it."

"I m on my way" Magellan replied gravely.

Tedak found his way back to his bed, and caught Mercy's attention. "Is there anything I can assist you with? I need to keep occupied, otherwise I'll not have my actions in hand. I can't think straight right now and I have this strong urge to kill that rebel! And nothing you can do will stop me if I get the chance."

<Mercy>

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan accompanied by two security guards made his way qucikly to Sickbay.
He paused at the door to view the carnage. People lay all over the place, some seemed to have been crusshed, some were still bloodied.
"Dr Mercy, Are you on top of this?" he asked the haggard Doctor,


Tag Mercy

"Okay Doctor do what you can. As soon as Tomlinson unlocks the rest of the station I can get the hospital opened up and you more staff"

Magellan then crossed over to JiZah, Tedak and the corpse of Jak'Dor,
"My condolences JiZhan, Jak dor was a good man."

TAG JiZahn

"What happened, I d like you and TEdak to run me through exactly what happened, thats if you able" Magellan asked.


OOOC Wil continue this later when I get home

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan listened carefully as Tedak and Ji'Zahn related the catalogue of woes, he frowned as he heard of the number of deaths caused by the incident.
"And they are Debrune?" He asked pointing to the remaining rebel,
"It would appear so" Ji'Zahn replied "They siad Jar'ron sent them."
"Jar'ron?"
"He is the Elder who leads the rebels and has signed a pact with the Romulans"
"This Jar'ron seems to be one to watch. What will happen now."
Ji Zahn paused and looked out the window,
"We will bury our leader and then elect a new one."
Magellan nodded,
"We'll do what we can. I ll have the Debrune locked up and prosecuted. Then as soon as the lockdown is lifted I ll have you and the Elder escorted Planetside."

[Deleted]

The young thief looked around the room. Neither her nor Tomlinson had yet figured a way out of the large chamber. Unfortunately, it being part of the brig, it was pretty secure. Finally, Imoen’s gaze stopped.

“What’s that?” Tomlinson followed her gaze to a ventilator duct.
“It’ll be covered by the security blanket.”
“But you can override that right?”
“Normally, I could do it with ease, but under these circumstances…”

Regardless, she moved towards it, and after pulling a hyper-spanner from her sleeve, she deftly undid the cover, but left it in place.
“Have you a blade on you?”
“No, but I noticed that you have.”
She glared at him, but nevertheless, two of the blades came forth, and she placed them lightly on his palm.
“There will be two sensors. Here-” She placed a finger on the part of the cover hiding the sensor- “and here. When we take the cover off, we will need to immediately cover the sensors with these blades. If we fail… well, I suspect it won’t bother us for too long. Ready?”
“I suppose.”
“I’ll slowly take the cover off, you slide them in.”

He nodded at her, but his mind was already concentrating deeply on the task before him. He knew that the young girl was right. If he didn’t succeed, their death would be almost instantaneous. Still, that wasn’t a particularly comforting thought. Imoen gave him a significant look, and he placed the tiny blades each side of the cover, adjacent to the sensors. She levered the cover slightly off the wall, and immediately, he pushed the blades in underneath it. He kept sliding them in as she pulled the cover completely from the wall.

With the cover completely off, Imoen stepped away from the wall. Simon was stood with both his arms out in front of him, holding blades either side of the newly revealed hole in the wall. Imoen ducked under one of his arms, and then stood up between the two, in front of the hole. She turned to the security chief and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Very well done Mr Security.” She twisted herself about until she was standing on her hands, her chest against the wall, her legs folding into the hole. With a push from her hands, she disappeared further into the hole, her whole body completely inside it now. She propped herself up inside the tube, and looked at the security chief.

“Now, you will need to twist the blades around so that the grips are available to me, never leaving the sensors uncovered.”

Tomlinson sighed, but completed the task without too much effort. Slightly harder was passing over grip of the small weapons to Imoen. He had to inch his fingers down the blade, which resulted in his thumbs getting cut on the sharp edge. However, with only a small amount of blood, they managed the exchange.

“And now, the more complex attempt. You must get in here, and pull the cover back on. While I keep a hold of the blades.”
“There isn’t enough room in there for us both.”
“Oh come now, there is plenty of room.” She shifted to one side, which left just about enough room for Tomlinson, though it would be tight.
“I’m telling you, there isn’t enough room.”
“Well, it’s your code we need so you’d better be coming through.”

Tomlinson sighed, and hoisted himself up into the tube, pulling the cover after him. As he pulled it into place, the thief levered her blades away from the sensors, to be replaced by the cover. With her arms both above her head, her breasts were thrust out against Tomlinson’s chest. He tried to ignore the warmth of them, and as she wiggled her way further down the tunnel, she couldn’t hide the smug grin from her face as her body pressed against his.

Once they were separated, their progress down the tunnel was swift, and eventually they came to a juncture of two such passages.

“Which way now?” She asked him, crouching down in the now taller section of tube.
“Up.” He said, his eyebrows raising as he tried to figure out how they would climb a smooth vertical shaft.
“How far?”
“Roughly… let me see… We’re in the habitat level, we want to get to the control level, right at the top.”
“Not the engineering level?”
“No, that would be easy. But this is, oh… 3 kilometres up I reckon?”
“Oh great.”

With that, she stood up, and motioned for Tomlinson to lift her higher into the shaft. When he did, she pressed her back against one wall, and her feet against the other, and started to use the two to ascend the narrow shaft.

“3km like that?”
“As far as we can get. Then you are free to come up with your own plan.”

He sighed, and followed her up into the shaft. The narrowness of them explained why noone had thought to completely include them in the security net, although the covers were all rigged up as the other had been. Tomlinson made a mental note that he would now need to upgrade both these facts. It was a tight squeeze for the well built human, but it was something that he was almost used to. It was sometimes necessary to ascend mountains this way, and so he had some experience of this from his youth, when he had spent long hours mountain climbing.

Still, in those days it had been a far rougher surface that had allowed him much more grip to climb. And he had been much smaller and lighter. Regardless, he managed to slowly make his way up the warm shaft. Indeed, before they had been going for ten minutes, he had removed his jacket, and without anything else to do with it, had let it drop back down the shaft. It was obvious to see why Imoen was such a good thief. She was climbing much faster than he was, and had stopped and waited for the security chief almost constantly. Simon reflected that it had only been a combination of luck and his knowledge of the base that had let him apprehend her before.

[Ji' Zhan]

Ji'Zhan finished explaining to Admiral Lin what had happened but wanted to talk to him more.

"Admiral, may I have a word with you?" Ji'zhan requested

"Of course, What can I do for you?" Magellan replied.

"I need to get in contact with the council on Qualinost," leaning in, "I need that transmission to be secure. Can you assure me that it will not be intercepted?"

"At this moment in time that maybe difficult. Much of the station is still in lockdown. We do have comms but I d be happier if Tomlinson had checked over security before we broadcast anything sensitive. As soon as we are 'unlocked' I ll comm you."

"Very well, I will be there as soon as I can get things in order here ... and Admiral ... I would like to know how those rebel's got on to this base. I am very disappointed, the Debrune trusted Star Fleet with the safety of the Elder. We will be allowed our own security detail from this point on ... " Ji'Zhan said to the Admiral not wanting to upset him, but to express his disappointment.

Magellan coloured, "It is indeed a concern. Security on this station in fact in this whole sector leaves much to be desired. I can assure you it is not for want of trying. This is a lawless area. You have been absent from it for a long time, things have changed a lot, its not an excuse but perhaps a reason. I can assure you myself, Starfleet and the Federation support you."

Tedak walked up to the the two and Ji'Zhan stopped his next question to the Admiral. "Tedak, I need to talk to you my friend."

<Tedak>

"Fine, let's go somewhere away from this noise," Ji'Zhan suggested.

<Tedak>

Ji'Zhan turned back toward Lin, "Admiral, I take my leave from you however, I trust we can put this behind us? May we have dinner after all of this is cleared?"

"Of course any. Any time you want to just contact my Aide Zoilip and set a date. I must see to my staff. Once again I m sorry for your loss."

Tedak and Ji'Zhan walked out of the room and to a secure location. The station was really a mess. Uniformed people running here and there, medical teams rushing the injured to make shift hospital wards and in general ... chaos. The smell of the air was still very pungent as the ventilation systems had not been back on-line long enough to rid the air of its smell. Ji'Zhan covered his nose with the sleeve of his robe. Tedak noticed this but didn't' say anything. Two young children were crying in a doorway, both Tedak and Ji'zhan stopped to help them find people who would help them to the Fish-tank where hopefully they would find their loved-ones. Continuing, they entered a dark room ... pausing Tedak called for the lights. The room's shadows retreated into the corners. Checking the room the two sat down to talk.

Ji'Zhan was first, "Tedak, because of our past several hours, I have been calling you friend. This is something that I'm sure Jak'Dor made you aware of, but if he hasn't ... experiences shared brings people together. And ... its shows the inter character ... one's true self." Ji'Zhan was looking into the Romulans eyes but continued to speak, "I need to know your relationship with Jak'Dor ... how was it?"

<Tadak>

"Now I must ask you, tell me how the Romulan Council feels about the Debrune?" Ji'Zhan asked.

<Tadak>

"Who will they support? ... if any side?" Ji'Zhans questioning continued.

<Tadak>

"Will you then come with me to Qualinost with the child? I need to show my people that we have a voice in a Romulan seat ... no matter what is thought ... I feel this would deliver a blow to the other factions." Ji'zhan stopped there waiting for Tedak's response ...

[mercy]

Stuart was still a bit weary in his head, but had become quite elated to find the doors to the Fishtank open. Now that they were back in his Infirmary, the atmosphere alone was enough to give Stuart a full sense of recovery, but it was just that...a sense. He knew he couldn't perform the transfusion that Jak'Dor required, and at the same time he also knew that it was a futile attempt. The time they had all spent locked up was just too long for his loss of blood. Reality had set in when the news came of the Elder's demise. It was a sad day. Stuart was sitting in his office when Ji'Zhan appeared in his doorway.

"I need you Doctor," Ji'Zhan said, "I need for you to prepare the Elder's body so I can take him back to his beloved home world. You may use any method you wish seeing how we are not on our home world ... however, I will need all his blood sealed in a clear container. I will have a burial robe to you that he will need to be in ... I will also send along one of your PaDDs that will instruct you how to cloth the robe on the Elder." Ji'Zhan walked over to the Doctor and placed his hand on his head and after a few words in Debrune, "you have been blessed Doctor, there will not be a need for my people to assist you."

Stuart was not sure what he meant by that, but felt that he had just been bestowed a high honor by who he was sure would be the new Debrune Elder. "Ji'Zhan...Elder Ji'Zhan, you have my deepest sympathies for the loss of a great man and I'm sure a dear friend of yours. I will be honored to prepare his remains as you have instructed. He is in good hands." With those final words, Ji'Zhan left Stuart's office.

Stuart took a moment to reflect the days' events. It had been a crazy day to say the least, and it wasn't over yet. The feud between Tedak and himself had subsided due to this mutual threat they had faced, and Stuart could see the strength and wisdom that he was sure T'Val saw within Tedak. Was he fooling himself, that he and T'Val could have a future together? He was severely attracted to her and it seemed she was to him as well. Only time would tell.

Stuart was starting to feel much better. his concussion was subsiding and he proceeded to leave his office to see where he was needed. Stuart noted that Tedak found his way back to his bed, and caught Mercy's attention. "Is there anything I can assist you with? I need to keep occupied, otherwise I'll not have my actions in hand. I can't think straight right now and I have this strong urge to kill that rebel! And nothing you can do will stop me if I get the chance."

Stuart was not surprised by this reaction of Tedak. He understood very well of the loss he endured, for he felt it as well. "Yes Ambassador. Feel free to help me assess incoming patients. You can direct the most serious injuries to me. Go ahead and treat minor injuries such as cuts and minor burns, if we get any of those." Stuart reached out to give Tedak a hand out of the biobed and as a gesture of respect. Together they started to triage and take care of casualties, resultant of the lockdown.

Magellan accompanied by two security guards made his way qucikly to Sickbay.
He paused at the door to view the carnage. People lay all over the place, some seemed to have been crusshed, some were still bloodied.
"Dr Mercy, Are you on top of this?" he asked the haggard Doctor.

"Stuart simply turned his head and gave the Admiral a quick "Yes, I am!" before returning to his current patient.

[Deleted]

Tedak excused himself and followed the Debrune acolyte out of sickbay, and back to the Fishtank where they found themselves a quiet spot. He tried to speak up, but Ji'Zhan silenced him and spoke up first.

"Tedak, because of our past several hours, I have been calling you friend. This is something that I'm sure Jak'Dor made you aware of, but if he hasn't ... experiences shared brings people together. And ... its shows the inter character ... one's true self." Ji'Zhan was looking into the Romulans eyes but continued to speak, "I need to know your relationship with Jak'Dor ... how was it?"

"If you mean, were we friends, then the answer is no," Tedak replied, "we were not friends, but we respected each other's opinion, and since he allowed us to adopt D'Beren as our son, I was grateful to him as well. But we did get along just fine, we weren't arguing about petty things all the time."

"Now I must ask you, tell me how the Romulan Council feels about the Debrune?" Ji'Zhan asked.

"They feel the Debrune are a large group of renegades," Tedak replied, starting to feel immensely uncomfortable in discussion the subject, "they tried to coerce me into changing my own views of the subject by kidnapping the child. You may or may not remember this. They also tried to blame me for certain other things happening on Qualinost."

"Who will they support? ... if any side?" Ji'Zhans questioning continued.

"Assuming you mean the Council, I am certain they will support the Debrune wishing to join the Empire," he answered, "they will welcome home any Debrune who wishes to come home as they see it. They will continue to see the Debrune as rebel Romulans. Personally, I will support the Debrune Council. I believe that the Debrune may be the mother species, and not the Romulans. My wife is part Debrune, thus she has Debrune ancestors." He paused. "I support the council on Qualinost," he repeated.

"Will you then come with me to Qualinost with the child? I need to show my people that we have a voice in a Romulan seat ... no matter what is thought ... I feel this would deliver a blow to the other factions." Ji'zhan stopped there waiting for Tedak's response ...

"I have already told you that I will entrust D'Beren into your care," the Romulan replied, rather impatiently. He wasn't comfortable in discussing the subject of the Romulan stance towards the Debrune, because he felt he was alone in his views regarding the Debrune. "As to having a voice in the Romulan seat, I am rather impopular with the Romulan Council, they would rather see me gone, than doing my job properly. They dislike me for having pro-federation views and advocating against their xenophobic ideals. But certainly, I will accompany you, I was going to request permission to come anyway."

Before Ji'Zhan could reply, he held up his hand. "However, Admiral Lin must clear my transport to Qualinost."

<Ji'Zhan>