SB Assailant Episode 1.5 The Reactor

[rex]

<Meanwhile on the Nevada>

Rex was dismissed from sickbay and now entering the bridge. Somewhat surprised to find a lieutenant in the captain's chair, he went to lieutenant Sharpe.

"Rex Bonar reporting for duty sir".

Lieutenant Sharpe could see the wrong interpretation of things by the slightly too firm a way ensign Rex stood in attention.

"At ease ensign", said Sharpe in a gentlemens' way surpressing the feeling he got from the situation.

"The Captain is down on the surface," he started to explain. After he'd filled in Rex of the relevant facts, Sharpe showed the ensign to his station.

Here Rex immediately recognised the buttons he'd seen only in simulators before. Eagerly to get to work on the bridge, he releaved the crewman standing on his position.

[Magellan Lin]

"Get up" Hrisvalar ordered,
The diminutive woman stood up and looked at the Andorian and his marine team.
"He left me. After all this time he left me." she stammered
"I m sorry Ma'am"
"Kavek"
"You know him, you know where he is?"
Shareena looked at him crossways.
"Perhaps"
"I dont think you owe him any loyalty" Harrias noted
Shareena seemed to weigh it up. Kavek whilst cruel and unkind to her had been her world. He had practically raised her, given her a job, given her a life... a life? That didnt sound right. Forced to work in teh shadows, victimised, put down, never trusted. Was that really a life, was that what she dreamed of at night, what she longed for. No.
"I do. I can I mean I will help you."
"Good now where is he"
"Kavek is very paranoid and very cunning he has booby traps all over the place. He has a shuttle somewhere, hidden its got all his stuff, his papers research everythng."
"Where?"
"I told you I don't know."
"The firelizard seems to have his scent" Hrisvalar noted
"I ll come with you" Shareena said "I know all his access codes, I can get you past some of his traps but not even I know of them all."

[Deleted]

Kavek looked up, startled. What was this ugly, hissing creature and where had it come from ? He reached for a weapon and fired. The lizard dropped to the ground with a thud, stunned unconcious. Kavek had no way to know that it was anything to do with the Federation team. It must have got through the tiny air duct system as there was no way it could have got through the security systems or titanium doors of course. He stepped over it where it lay breathing heavily and went quickly to the open turbolift. He glanced around, checking there was nothing of importance left behind. His research was now safely uploaded to the computer on the other planetoid and all transmission data erased. Time to go he decided.
He would make his way to his shuttle while the foolish Federation intruders tried to find him. According to the wall console, the secret panel in the main corridor had not been noticed at all yet, several marines having passed by it as they sought him out. The turbo-lift door closed and he was finally on his way to the shuttle bay to make his escape.

[mcduff]

The away team started moving into the corridor they saw Sev disappear in, finding sev after a few meters. Hrisvalar quickly scanned the firelizard with the tricorder he was carrying.
"He's okay, just heavily stunned", he continued to scan the environment, "there is a power signature moving downward some distance behind this wall", Zhuk continued while walking towards a part of the side of the corridor they were in.
-"This is getting nowhere", Harrias decided.
=^=
"Jira to Nevada, Rick we seem to have lost Kavek. He is supposedly getting to a small craft somewhere under the building. Be on the lookout for ships leaving the planet, intercept him if he tries to get away, disable his engines if you need to."

- "Aye sir"
=^=

After closing the channel to the captain Rick took a somewhat deeper breath. Time to get to work.
"Ensign Rubor, scan for any ships leaving the planet. Paul, stand by for pursuit. Ensign Bonar, stand by phasers, we might need to disable him."
While Rubor scanned the planet Rex also took a deeper breath, and after that activated the phaser array on a low power setting.
Rubor reported his findings, "I am not detecting any ships or landing platforms, there does not seem... correction, a subterrainian hangar just opened south of the complex... a small shuttle-sized vessel of unknown configuration is taking off... moving directly for us with a growing power signature."
-"Targeting signal", Rex reported

Kavek had detected the Nevada as soon as the reinforced bay doors had opened. Not that it mattered, they'd be in for quite a surprise. Ordering the computer to intercept this starship he keyd his targeting computer towards Nevada's starboard nacelle, and pressed a blinking red button on his console.

"SHIELDS", Rick called after Rex's warning, raising them just in time to take the bulk of the huge discharge from the small vessel.
"His weapon is some kind of heavy disruptor cannon, somehow not disturbed by the atmosphere and..."
-"Very interesting ensign, but i'd like some information I can do something with", Rick interrupted the somewhat perplexed young vulcan.
"Yes sir, the ship seems already moving at the equivalent of almost our full impulse, in a planetary atmosphere that is"
Rick tapped some controls on the panel under his left hand.
=^=
"Sharpe to away team, kavek is about to hurt our shields bad and have us eat some plasma exhaust. I suggest an alternate strategy. John?"

- "I get ya, standby Rick"
=^=

John Turned to the first officer next to him, "you like to fly don't you commander?", receiving a questioning nod from Agalacticae.
"Captain?"
- "Carry on", Harrias agreed.

=^=
"Nevada, two to beam directly to shuttlebay B", John continued.
=^=

Upon materialisation McDuff walked to a small craft in a corner of the bay.
"What's that?", Robert inquired.
- "That, commander, is Valiant"

[Deleted]

Sev whimpered softly, wheezing for breath as the stun effect was wearing off. Though when Zhukarak picked him up, and rubbed his hide gently, he started crooning. Soon, the effect was all gone and he hopped onto the andorian's shoulder, rubbing his little face against the officer's cheek in appreciation.

Sev chirped questioningly, peering at something in the wall, that was not seen by the away team's eyes or technical equipment. He settled his wings, and chirped again, a little louder. ~come on~ the fire lizard thought ~can't you see it? the panel, there!~ Had his caretaker been here, he would have made his thoughts known, but the caretaker was not here, nor was his littermate.


On the station, Tedak and T'Val had just had dinner, and Jessica, who had joined them had only just gone home to her own quarters to get some rest. The Debrune child, which T'Val had named D'beren, was resting peacefully in her arms. T'Val had taken a liking to the child, and her mother-instinct had kicked in. She had already made it quite clear that she wanted to adopt the child.

Just then, Nut zipped in, demanding attention from the couple. The child woke as the little dragon started chittering and screeching, and he wailed in fright. When the little brown hopped down on the childs chest, peered him in the face and then nuzzled him, the baby giggled to himself.

"Get off him Nut!" Tedak chided his little friend. He then turned to T'Val. "I will go see if Magellan is about, and talk to him about adopting the baby." He kissed his wife and went to find magellan. He found the admiral at OPS, talking to Paul Drew. "Good evening gentlemen," Tedak said, as he approached, "could I have a word with you please? It concerns the Debrune infant my wife has found." He went on explaining how she had found the infant, her inability to conceive, and her wish to adopt the child.

<Drew/Magellan>

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

After finding Sev nearly unconscious, Zhukarak was actually worried about this firelizard. Zhuk had used the tricorder to ensure Sev was okay and had given him a gentle stroking. Sev jumped onto his shoulders and nudged and crooned. After a few seconds Sev was back to business.

Commanders McDuff and Agalacticae had beamed aboard the Nevada, to catch up with Dr. Kavek. Captain Harrias, Lieutenant Hrisvalar, and the rest of the marine assault team followed Sev’s lead. Sev was chirping and hissing at the wall.

Jira: “What is it, Sev?”

Hrisvalar: “Hang on Captain. I’m reading a void behind this panel”

Zhukarak placed his hands around the area where the tricorder had sensed the difference in density along the wall. With one hand he had made a slight push, ‘WHOOSH’. The panel opened up and showed a secret opening.

<TAG><TAG><TAG>

[Deleted]

Drew smiled politely at Tedak as he approached, the Ambassador had been a great help in the recent troubles, and Drew was really starting to appreciate having him around. He would have liked to have stayed, and talked to the Ambassador, but Tomlinson was still waiting for him below decks.

With another smile he made his excuses, although not before wishing Tedak good luck, and giving Magellan a “let them do it” look. Reaching the large turbo lift compartment, he ordered it to the security level.

Walking out onto the wide area that served as the security base for all of Assailant, Drew noted a number of Security Officers busying themselves with various tasks; it looked to him as if they were preparing for the worse. He nodded his head in approval at Tomlinson’s teams; it was nice to know they would be ready, if needed.

Making eye contact and smiling at a few Officers, Drew found his thoughts drifting to his family, he hoped that they would be ok, the Nevada better get back here soon he thought to himself as he reached Tomlinson’s office door I would hate having to move again

Waiting for the sensor to announce his presence to Tomlinson, Drew continued to think of the what ifs of their current situation, as the doors whisked open though, he put all thoughts to the back of his mind. He had a job to do.

Tomlinson’s office was rather large, although it had yet to be filled with many personal items, a large desk was positioned in the corner of the room, with various screens around it showing the “hotspots” of the station. Drew knew that in theory, the entire Starbase could be controlled from in here.

“Admiral,” Tomlinson greeted him, the Security Chief was standing by another door in the office, one Drew presumed would lead them to the holding cells, where there “guest” awaited them.

“Lieutenant,” Drew replied, his voice crisp and professional, showing none of his fears.

“My Officers have him already for us,” Tomlinson told him, “For now though, he has been keeping quiet.”

Drew nodded his head in acknowledgement, “Let’s see if we can persuade him to talk.”

The two Officers walked through the single silver door, that opened up to revel the questioning area, and the holding cells of Assailant, the room felt lifeless, and apart from the blue status lights of the force fields, there was no other colour but Starfleet grey in the room.

The guest was sat in the far corner of his cell, curled up in a ball, he seemed to be rocking backwards and forwards, he certainly looked a lot healthy than the last time Drew saw him.

“We would like a word with you,” Tomlinson said in an authoritative voice.

The prisoner looked up at the two Starfleet Officer’s before him, and then looked back down at his knees.

“Did you hear me?” Tomlinson demanded.

Again the prisoner made no comment, this time he didn’t even bother looking up.

“You know,” Drew, said, speaking for the first time since entering the room, “You won’t be leaving here unless you help us.”

Still, they were met with silence, whoever this person was; he clearly had no intention of answering any questions that Drew and Tomlinson had for him.

“Well if that’s how you feel,” Tomlinson said, walking away, “I will contact Starfleet Security and have you sent to a prison colony.”

Drew gave the man one more look, and then turned to follow the Security Chief out, before either of them could reach the door the man called out behind them.

“Wait!”

“What was that?” Tomlinson asked turning around.

“You want to talk?” Drew asked, also turning.

“Yes, yes” the man spoke quickly, and much quieter than before, “I will tell you everything.”

[Deleted]

It was running late on Starbase Assaillant. The sickbay staff was just about to change shifts again, and the chief medical officer had already gone off duty, together with the DCS chief healer, T'Val. Firestorm to Ennien, a copper-red furred Sivoan male, was tidying up in sickbay, before his shift change would arrive.

Firestorm was one of T'Val's chief nurses, and as a feline, most patients drew away from him at first sight, but the younger patients, mostly the children of the diplomats, loved him. He preened his fur before leaving sickbay as he had a few last errands to run. First, he would have to see to the prisoner, who still required medical attention. When he arrived at the brig area, he saw both Tomlinson and Drew standing before the prisoner.

"Gentlemen, the prisoner will need his medication," Firestorm announced, girl thingyfutting into the area like a true cat. "Ah, not having much luck with him, are you?" he said, "may I?" He stepped up to the prisoner and bristled, working up some anger. Baring his fangs, and unsheathing his claws, he hissed at the prisoner, who blanched at the sight. "Talk to them," Firestorm hissed, then turned to Drew, "I think he will talk now." He handed Drew a hypospray. "Administer this to him, I have some more errands to run."

<Drew/Tomlinson>

Firestorm left the brig area and went in search for Ambassador Steven's quarters. Records told him that she had skipped her medical examination, and that was compulsary for staying aboard the station. Delegate K'Tar had skipped them also. To his luck, he found both women in Steven's quarters.

"Greetings ladies," Firestorm purred as he stepped in, his tail corked in a tight screw to denote his pleasure, "I believe you both know why I am here. You ladies have skipped a medical exam. Would you both be convenienced to under go it now? We cannot delay it much longer, Starfleet Medical and DCS Medical are waiting on the reports of your health conditions."

<Jessica Stevens>
<K'Ehleyr K'Tar>


ooc: appearance of Firestorm to Ennien

Fur: Copper red with brown chest, black tips to his tail and ears

whiskers: long, black

Firestorm to Ennien is a Sivaoan male who has made his Walk and earned his name. He chose his name for the color of his fur, and his energetic personality.

[Harrias Jira]

Harrias stood at the top of the corridor and peered down into. He could make out the general line of the corridor in the murky darkness, but not much more. The marine team were fitting lights and generally preparing to head down into the tunnel. Just as the first one was about to enter, Harrias gave the order not to. Hrisvalar looked at him questioningly, and then obviously not been able to stop himself,

"But sir, what about the information?" The trill looked at him, at his eagerness to do his duty and get stuck in. He didn’t want to shatter his plans, and indeed his appearance in front of his subordinates, but this was no time to tender to the needs of his own subordinates.

"You think there is information on how to lock down a Debruni Reactor in there? I very much doubt the good doctor has ever looked at that particular problem. And besides, this looks to be no more than an escape route, which in fact, we already know that it is. No, we will beam up to the ship, and continue the chase there."

A few minutes they were indeed on the USS Nevada. The trill CO was pacing the bridge, aware that his nervousness must be being conveyed to the rest of the crew, but not particularly caring. If they weren’t nervous then they should be, it would make them work quicker and more efficiently. He was watching the twisting and turning chase that was taking place right in front of them. Dr Kavek was trying his utmost to evade the Valiant, firing phasers, photon charges and all other sorts of weaponry back in addition to his manoeuvres, but Commander Agalacticae was equal to them all. Harrias felt a swell of pride at this, but he could see that for all his skill, his first officer wasn’t managing to reign the doctor in.

"Can we get a tractor lock?" He asked without much expectation. Ensign Bonar fiddled with his console for a few seconds, and then gave the negative answer that Captain Jira had been expecting. Harrias went back to pacing once more. Now he was sweeping his glance across every console on the bridge, trying to determine a course of action that might work. He paused at one workstation as something caught his eye. It wasn’t anything to do with the working’s of the ship, but it had stood out. One of the young female ensigns had brought a cuddly sheep toy onto the bridge with her. A mascot of some kind, Harrias expected.

"That’s it! Sheep!" He spoke out loud, drawing weird looks from the rest of the bridge crew. The plan took shape in his mind, it might just work too.

"Lieutenant Sharpe, I want you and your twenty best pilots out in space yesterday. You have some shepherding to do." Although he was still giving Harrias a funny look, Lt Sharpe started to make his way to the shuttlebay. With most of the navigation team on it’s way out into space, Harrias took a seat at the navigation console. He wasn’t a brilliant pilot, but even he could manage the wide turns that the USS Nevada would be undertaking.

As he got comfortable, he saw shuttles starting to flood out of the Nevada and into space. He tapped his commbadge and opened a link to all the ship’s including the Valiant.

=/\= I want you to prove that you are the best pilot crew in the whole of Starfleet. I want you to force Dr Kavek’s vessel onto this-" he tapped the console and sent a file to the computers of all the shuttles- "course. Once he is there, keep him there. Harrias out. =/\=

Looking up at the viewscreen, Harrias saw the shuttles scatter across into space, and they started lashing at Dr Kavek’s shuttle with their phasers. As Harrias had hoped, each time he was attacked, Kavek adjusted his course to avoid the shot. Watching the shots, already Harrias could see that Kavek was been forced into a tunnel by the variety of federation shuttles, and Harrias checked the course heading and was happy to see that he was converging on the relevant course.

Happy that the shuttles had control of the shuttle, Harrias tapped a few buttons and the fighters all disappeared from the viewscreen, replaced by an empty starscape. At the security workstation, Ensign Bonar looked at him questioningly, but didn’t say anything. Harrias smiled, and then tapped his own console, before sliding his forefinger across it, finishing with an unnecessary flourish. Keeping it’s forward momentum, the USS Nevada started to spin sideways. A few seconds later, Harrias straightened the Sovereign class vessel up once more. She was now facing backwards, and the viewscreen once more showed a collection of fighting shuttles.

"Sir?" Ensign Bonar spoke up, his curiosity obviously getting the better of him. Harrias looked at him with a degree of satisfaction. Sometimes it was quite nice to keep his crew in the dark over what was happening, even if just to see the looks on their faces.

"Trust me Ensign, you’ll see." He smiled at the Tactical Officer once more. He then looked back up at the viewscreen and was pleased to see that Dr Kavek’s course was virtually straight. He checked the course, and then checked it a following three times until two of them tallied.

"Opening shuttlebay doors." This time he could see Rex Bonar positively itching to say something. Harrias cut him off.

"Accelerating to full impulse." He then watched the gap between the two ships, large and small, close rapidly. As he was watching, his hands were flying over the controls. Suddenly Dr Kavek attempted to swerve to one side as he figured out what was going on.

"Valiant, get him back on line!" Harrias’ voice snapped over the comm. A phaser lashed out from off the screen and lanced right along the length of Kavek’s vessel, causing him to move back onto the required course. Still the gap was closing, and then, just like that the shuttle disappeared off the top of the screen.

Harrias’ fingers flew over his console once more, and the angle changed, allowing them to once more see the small shuttle. Hovering just above it, and guiding it with low-power phaser shots was the Valiant. Harrias called out.

"Confirm Kavek’s velocity?"

"5/6 impulse."

"Slowing to 11/12, 10/11, 9/10…" The speed with which the gap changed slowed, and thus the relative velocity of Kavek’s ship also slowed.

"Approaching shuttlebay, speed holding at 5/6."

"…8/9, 7/8…"

Once more the ship disappeared off the viewscreen, and Harrias changed the view with a movement of his little finger.

"Entered shuttlebay."

"6/7, 5/6 impulse. Relative velocity of 0. Engage shuttlebay internal tractor beam. Close main shuttlebay doors, let our back into the secondary shuttlebays. I want a security team headed by yourself in the shuttlebay right away." Harrias snapped off the orders. As Ensign Bonar left the bridge, Harrias breathed out a long, heavy sigh of relief. Finally, they had managed to get the doctor onboard. They had still to convince him to help them, but that was another task. He plotted the course back to Starbase Assailant and engaged it himself.

As the ship lurched into warp, he looked at the chronometer he had set on a countdown.

12 hours, 38 minutes

[Deleted]

***JOINT POST BY LIEUTENANT [JG] SIMON TOMLINSON AND REAR ADMIRAL PAUL DREW***

Now that their visitor was feeling a bit more talkative, Tomlinson and Drew moved closer to his cell again, both hoping that now they would find some answers.

Drew had to admit to himself he would much rather be helping solve the problems that the base, and the planet below were experiencing, but, right now, they needed to find out what this guy was up to.

“Let’s start with the basics shall we?” Tomlinson said, starting the questioning, “what’s your name?”

The man looked up at the two officers were shallow eyes, he still had his knees curled up, reminding Drew of a child, who had been caught out.

“My name..” the man’s voice broke up with emotion, “my name is Robert Patching.”

“What were you doing on that shuttle, Mr. Patching?” Drew asked, also joining in the line of questioning.

“Please,” Patching answered, his voice was weak, pleading even, “you don’t know what they will do to me, you have to help me, please, they will find me, I can’t stay here.”

“Who are ‘they’”? Tomlinson asked.

“I can’t say,” Patching answered, his voice was again breaking, and Drew expected him to break down in tears. Considering the injuries the man had suffered on the shuttle, it was possible he had already been a prisoner of some kind.

“We want to help you,” Drew began, before Patching interrupted.

“If you want to help me, let me go.”

“We can’t do that,” Tomlinson answered sternly, “Now tell us, who are after you?”

“They’ll kill me if I tell you.” The man was almost quivering as he spoke. Tomlinson looked at him pitifully.

“Trust me Mr Patching, unless ‘they’ are the Federation, the only way they are going to kill you is to destroy this starbase.” As he said this, he gave Drew a significant look. He wondered for a few seconds whether this could all be some elaborate way of killing this man, but almost as quickly dismissed it. There were much easier ways to kill someone. He continued on lying slightly, “and as I don’t see this starbase getting blown up too easily, I think it will be safe to talk to us.”

Robert looked around, as if checking for listening devices in the cell.

“I want to go somewhere else to talk. And I request political asylum.” Tomlinson moved out of view of the cell and gesticulated at Admiral Drew. The admiral shrugged back at him, and mouthed ‘Magellan’. Tomlinson sighed and then came to a decision.

“We can take you somewhere else, but you’ll have a security escort. And we can’t grant you asylum until we know your situation.”

He nodded nervously at them. Tomlinson decided this was enough, and ordered three of his guards to enter the cell. As they did so the man cringed into the corner.

“Don’t worry they won’t hurt you. They are going to put a pair of handcuffs on you, and then they will surround you to make sure you don’t try to escape during out journey. The man stammered a reply, and then they began a short journey through the ship to Admiral Magellan’s office. Tomlinson hit the call button, and waited for the starbase’s CO to respond.

[tiffani]

*jessica had been tired and headed back to her quarters for a little rest, she had just finished he
shower when the door chimes sounded, she sighed and got dressed really quickly before answering it*

Who is it? *she questioned with interested as she was new to the starbase and not many had
come to greet her*

K'Ehleyr K'Tar *came the reply from behind the door*

*interesting she thought to herself, why would a klingon envoy leader wish
to speak to me she ponder the reason and shook her head, snap outof it she thought
to herself

<Tag K"ehleyr>

greetings *she replied* Come in *she motioned for her to enter and have a seat, she gave the young
girl a warm smile* welcome to my temporary home *she said*

<tag K'ehleyr>


*just as the two had sit down to speak the door chimes sounded again* Gee seems like everyone on station
is paying me a visit today *she said with a chuckle and Answered the door again and frowned slightly as she looked at the strange creature like thing*

I have not skipped anything *she gave a frownish look* i was under the impression that i would be notified when it was time. *she gave a slight shrug of the shoulders* no matter
*she replied* But i will come to sickbay as i dont not feel it right to come into my home for a medical exam *she gave him quizzical look and then look to the other female present*

It will only take a moment *he said as he purred*

*she was unsure about this but agreed to go ahead with it to get out of the way*

*she watched as he scanned her then scanned the other*

*she waited momenitarily while he finished up* Is that all we can help you with?

yes *he stated and turned to walk out*

Interesting *she said as he left, she shook her head and turned back to K'ehleyr*

<tag K'ehleyr>

*The sit down and talked for a few hours before she suddenly her the beep to remind her of the meeting with Saarok, she had nearly forgetten*

If you'll Excuse me I must be off to meet with Saarok *she gave her a quick nod and
escorted her to the door* It was a pleasure to meet with you *she smiled to the girl when she walked off, shut some things off and made her way out of her quarters and to Saaroks office*

((OOC: Okay this should have me caught up um if not to bad:P*L*))

[rex]

As ensign Bonar neared the shuttlebay, he was happy to see that his security force clearly already had everything under control. Upon entering the bay he heard voices on the hallway.

"Move marines. Those starfleet security guys probably need our help"

Before Rex knew, he was almost run over by several marines. Lt. Hrisvalar followed their pace, but stopped at the sight of Rex.

"So you're the new CTSO,ey", the Lt. said in mild contempt.

Rex, somewhat taken off-guard by his reaction, quickly regained himself.

"I don't remember the captain, or me, asking for your teams' assistance, lieutenant. As you can see, we have the situation completely under control.", Bonar replied while walking into the bay. For him this conversation was over.

While he walked in the lt responded : "Just thought you and your boys could use some expert assistance".

The way the sentence was spoken made Bonar quivering with disgust. He couldn't help it but the first thing that came to his mind was 'marines shouldn't be thinking'

Lt. Hrisvalar ordered his team to guard the enterance of the shuttlebay, while Rex perfected the security perimeter around the shuttle.

"Dr. Kavek, you are now on board the USS Nevada. We mean no harm to you, but in fact we require your assistance. Please step out of your shuttlecraft so we at least can talk about it", Rex yelled into the bay.

No response came from the craft. In fact the only sound that could be heard was the shuttlebay door hissing open....

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan sat quietly as Tedak explained his plea. He looked up briefly as Paul got up and excused himself to see the prisoner, shooting him a look in the process.
He felt rather uncomfortable being privy to such personal details concerning T'Val and her relationship with Tedak.
It was an unusual request, not in its nature many people adopted, but more in the new dynamic it would lend to the couple. The pairing was already unusual given that Tedak was Romulan and T'Val Vulcan, now they would be adding a Debrune child into the mix.
"You understand this isnt an easy thing for me to rule on" Magellan stated,
"Of course" Tedak agreed, "But whoever said being an Admiral was easy"
Tedaks comment caused a wry smile from Magellan who nodded.
"We have plenty of child specialists aboard and many others who may wish to adopt."
"I am asking first"
"Yes I know." Magellan paused, "Its just that this is somewhat delicate, this isnt just about a child its about interstellar politics"
"No. I disagree regardless of politics surely the child comes first."
Magellan sighed
"Of course"
"Then you are contradicting yourself."
Magellan took a deep breath and changed tack.
"Its not that I want to stop you. Its in my power but I dont want to go down that road."
Tedak stood almost agressivly.
"Then what... you want to register your disapproval? Surely your re above such petty bigotry over interspecies relations."
Magellan scowled getting the feeling that he was being eaten alive by this experienced diplomat. Word games were the prevail of Ambassadors not Admirals with a background in Starship Operations.
"Now just one minute. If you ll give me a chance I ll put my point across."
Tedak relented and resumed his seat.
"I m sorry this is something very close to my heart, I will listen."
"Thankyou" Magellan entreatied, "What I am concerned about is the childs race, yes. But more than that - do we know if there is any family. We know that we have found bodies in teh family tomb, but is that all of them. Is there a Debrune out there" he jabbed a finger at the viewport "that has a claim. The Debrune are only just resurfacing and so far interactions with them have been less than favourable."
"I understand, But we have no contact with the Debrune how can we ask them when they remain hidden."
"I know, its frustrating but I am afraid I m going to have to turn your proposal down, it is not appropriate for you to adopt this child..."
"You must be joking" Tedak interjected angrily "Myself and T'Val would be perfect parents."
Magellan ignored Tedak and continued speaking,
"... at this time. Until we can establish contact with the Debrune or fully assertain there are no relatives still on teh planet I cannot give him to anyone else - it is not mine to give."
"But..."
"However," Magellan pressed on raising his voice and holding its timbre to that of steel "I do believe that the child needs a one to one carer. I believe that care can be provided by you and T'Val, she is a Doctor and you have a stable and important job. Both of you are Vulcanoids and so can provide better care than many, therefore I grant you TEMPORARY custody of the child, until such time my concerns have been satisfied."
Tedak nodded, aware that this was probably as good as he was going to get.
"Thankyou Admiral" he answered formally " I will inform T'Val."
"Good, Please give her my congratulations and thanks for her help planetside."
Tedak seemed to scoff and left the office.

[Deleted]

Disgruntled, Tedak walked away to tell T'Val the news. He'd have hoped that the admiral would decide to let them adopt the child. DNA tests had proven that the dead woman and man had been the infant's parents. The DNA of the mummified peson in the tomb was undisputedly Debrune, but not related to the child. He walked into his quarters, Nut flitting in after him. Tedak had not even noticed his little friend, and called him to his arm, then caressed his little friend. "T'Val honey, are you home?"

"In the living room," came the answer, "come this you must see!"

Tedak could tell his bondmate was excited about something, even if her voice did not show it. He took long strides and entered the living room. On the couch sat T'Val, the child in her arms, and he could instantly see why she was excited: the child was smiling up at her, making happy sounds. "He is smiling," Tedak noted, then motioned for her to put the child into his box. <the play thing, not an actual paper box!>

"There is something I must tell you," he said solemnly, "I have spoken to Magellan. He won't allow us to adopt the child, at least not yet. Somehow, he feels that if there are living Debrune, they should be able to claim the child first. However, he has appointed us as the childs official guardians."

T'Val sat stunned. She had so hoped to adopt this child, she had become very attached to the little boy, and it had meant a lot to her, given her medical condition. She nodded, and picked up the child again. "Then, until Magellan tells us otherwise, we shall be his foster parents," she said, her voice having a pang of sadness to it. Nut hopped over to her and nuzzled her cheek, sensing her distress. He chirped at her, then gazed at the child. He chirped again, and now T'Val smiled. "Yes Nut, for now he is part of our family. Guard him well as you guard us."

Tedak smiled too and sat down to give his wife a hug. "Tonight, we shall go out for dinner, to celebrate that we have become official foster parents," he said.

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

Upon beaming back aboard the Nevada, Zhukarak Hrisvalar had heard that a new CTSO had arrived while he and his team was on planet. Apparently he was a new recruit and would probably need all the help he could get. When Zhuk had heard that Dr. Kavek was captured with his shuttle in the shuttlebay, he immediately dispatched his marines.

As ensign Bonar neared the shuttlebay, he was happy to see that his security force clearly already had everything under control. Upon entering the bay he heard voices on the hallway.

"Move marines. Those starfleet security guys probably need our help"

Before Rex knew, he was almost run over by several marines. Lt. Hrisvalar followed their pace, but stopped at the sight of Rex.

"So you're the new CTSO,ey", the Lt. said in mild contempt.

Rex, somewhat taken off-guard by his reaction, quickly regained himself.

"I don't remember the captain, or me, asking for your teams' assistance, lieutenant. As you can see, we have the situation completely under control.", Bonar replied while walking into the bay. For him this conversation was over.

While he walked in the lt responded : "Just thought you and your boys could use some expert assistance".

The way the sentence was spoken made Bonar quivering with disgust. He couldn't help it but the first thing that came to his mind was 'marines shouldn't be thinking'

Lt. Hrisvalar ordered his team to guard the enterance of the shuttlebay, while Rex perfected the security perimeter around the shuttle.

"Dr. Kavek, you are now on board the USS Nevada. We mean no harm to you, but in fact we require your assistance. Please step out of your shuttlecraft so we at least can talk about it", Rex yelled into the bay.

No response came from the craft. In fact the only sound that could be heard was the shuttlebay door hissing open....

It seemed this young Ensign Bonar had everything under control, but Zhuk noted that it was due to the experience of the security force, as the ensign was too new at this. In fact while making the announcement, he had kept himself in the open instead of behind some cover.

SSG Carrera (marine): “Hey El-Tee. If that ensign doesn’t suck in some of his pride, he’s going to get hurt.”

Hrisvalar: “Yes, I know sergeant. Just go in there and cover him. Make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

SSG Carrera: “Yes sir.”

Sergeant Carrera took up a position, aiming at the shuttlecraft exit ready for anything. In the meantime, the wait for Dr. Kavek seemed forever…

[Deleted]

The message console on Tedak's desk beeped insistantly, and no matter how he had tried to ignore it, finally Tedak stood up with a sigh and walked over to the console. There was a message from Admiral Hunter waiting, telling him that he had been assigned for a mission to the USS Hope. General Traks would be awaiting his arrival on the Federation vessel.

Tedak looked up, somewhat surprised. Why would a Federation vessel ask for his assistance when they clearly needed a Federation representative? HE would be certain to ask the general upon arrival. "I have to go on a mission," he told his wife, as he returned to the living area, "will you be all right here? You may have to speak to the admiral in my stead during my absence, but I have the utmost faith in you." He smiled down at his wife, for he was indeed certain that she would speak up, certainly when D'beren, the child, was the topic of discussion. He and T'Val had decided not to give up their fight for adoption of their, now, fosterson.

Later at ops, Tedak told Magellan about his assignment. "I will return when the USS Hope returns," he said, "T'Val will remain here. I will take Nut with me, Sev will naturally return to T'Val when the Nevada returns." Without waiting for Magellan to reply -Tedak was still disgruntled about the Trill's decision concerning the child- he walked out of OPS and headed for his own shuttlecraft. Minutes later, he was on his way to the USS Hope.

<continued on the Hope board...>

[Deleted]

Sev, still sitting on Zhukarak's shoulder, hopped down to the man's arm and chirped questioningly, peering sideways to the shuttle, as if to say "want me to chase him out?" The little firelizard had a score to settle with the scientist, who seemed very reluctant to leave his vessel. Sev sprang aloft and glided over to the entrance of the shuttle, right past Rex who seemed a little startled.

The bronze chirped, chittered and then screeched as he entered the shuttle, grabbing kavek's tunic and arm hard as his talons got grip on both skin and cloth. There was no way that he was going to be gentle with a person who had shot at him. He spewed a little flame past the man's face, without hurting him of course, but only to make a point who was boss. The little bronze figured that, if he kept the doctor distracted, his blue friend would charge in and take over.

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

Lieutenant Hrisvalar seemed to be getting very used to having the firelizard around. He was almost oblivious to the fact that Sev was still sitting on his shoulders when they had set up at the shuttlebay.

While Sev charged in to retrieve the fugitive doctor, Ensign Rex Bonar was about to reach for his phaser when SSG Carrera put a reassuring hand on the ensign’s shoulder, “No need for that sir. Just watch.”

“All right, all right. I’m coming.” was all the doctor could say as he was being ‘clawed’ out of the shuttlecraft by the firelizard. Ensign Bonar was still too startled to act, so Lieutenant Hrisvalar took charge. “Sergeant Carrera! Secure the man, and have him escorted to the brig.”

Sev hopped onto Zhuk’s arm, where he was given a few taps on his head. Zhuk then addressed Rex, “This, Ensign Bonar, is a firelizard. He’s one of us.” “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to notify the Captain that Dr. Kavek has been detained.” Zhuk walked towards the exit when a smile came across his face. He then turned around to address the ensign one final time before exiting, “Oh Ensign. You might want your security team go over the shuttle, making sure it’s safe and secure.”

In the hallway, Zhukarak made his call =/\=Captain Jira. Dr. Kavek has been detained and is being escorted to the brig.=/\=

[rex]

Rex was somewhat confused over what had happened in the last few moments. But he was sure he didn't like it one bit.

To prevent the rest of the securityforce present knowing of his authority being affected by the last remark of the marine lieutenant, he waited for the marines to leave the shuttlebay. Then he let them secure the shuttlecraft.

"Be sure you don't touch anything onboard. Leave that up to the engineers."

He waited outside untill one of the men called "All clear".
Rex ordered two men to guard the craft, while reporting to the captain over the commsystem that the craft and the docter were secured.

Still confused and angry, Rex left the shuttlebay and returned to the bridge.

[Felix Savali]

Off: As due to lack of time i am unable to participate in this mission, i am making this post as a note to all that ill be absent.

If you'll Excuse me I must be off to meet with Saarok *she gave her a quick nod and
escorted her to the door* It was a pleasure to meet with you *she smiled to the girl when she walked off, shut some things off and made her way out of her quarters and to Saaroks office*

When Jessica arrived to the office of ambassador Saarok she was greeted by cmdr. Johnson one of the ambassadors security officers who was packing some pads.

"Is ambassador Saarok here?", she asked

"No, im affraid you just missed him, he was called away to Earth on urgent business, and will be absent for some time", Johnson said

<Jessica>

"He has told me to inform you, should you need something to go and see admiral Magellan.", Johnson finished

<Jessica>

"If you would excuse me now"; he said , "I have to leave, the ship wont wait much longer, stay safe", the officer said and winked at her before he tapped his commbadge and beamed of the station

<Tag Jessica>

[Deleted]

Starbase Assailant – Holding Cells.

As Tomlinson went to contact Magellan, Robert looked up at Drew with pleading eyes, the man was clearly desperate, and whoever was after him certainly meant business. Since his arrival in the system, he had already tried to fire on the base, evaded capture, been seriously injured, and now he was requesting political asylum.

“I don’t understand,” Robert said in a desperate tone, “you’re an Admiral, can’t you grant me asylum? Please, will do anything!”

Drew shook his head slowly, “Admiral Lin is the senior officer, and he alone can grant your request.” The way Robert threw his arms up in the air made Drew glad their was a force field between them, he was starting to get a fair idea of the sort of man this Robert Patching was, and his only conclusion was mental instability.

Before Drew could think, or say anything else, he heard footsteps behind him, turning around he saw Healer T’Val approach.

“Can I help you Healer?” Drew asked, what he really meant of course was what are you doing here, but he was much too polite for that.

“I am here to check on my patient,” T’Val replied, in that clam Vulcan voice of hers.

“Speaking of which,” Drew said pulling her aside, “I am worried about his mental stability.”

Before T’Val could comment, Tomlinson returned back into the room, Drew and T’Val both raised an eyebrow as Admiral Lin walked in behind him, clearly Robert was about to get his answer.

<tag Magellan, T’Val and Tomlinson>

[Zhukarak Hrisvalar]

Once Dr. Kavek was safely secured in the main brig, 1LT Zhukarak Hrisvalar and his marines were able to stand down. As the main brig is located on Deck 8, Zhuk and his marines didn’t have far to go as their quarters were also on this deck.

It made sense to house the marines in the crew quarters of Deck 8 as this deck was in close proximity to everything the marines needed. The secondary armory was here, with a full complement of weapons, as was the firing range for practice. Transporter rooms 1 and 2 were also located here, which made rapid deployment very feasible. If they needed to deploy via shuttlecraft, the main shuttlebay was just one deck above on Deck 7. As there were several officers’ quarters on other decks, LT Hrisvalar kept his quarters here, among the junior officers quarters on Deck 8, to stay close to his marines. Albeit, it meant he would be running into the new CTSO, Rex Bonar, more often, since his office was also located here on Deck 8 near the main brig.

After checking in his assault gear, Zhukarak returned to his quarters, together with Sev the firelizard, who was inclined to remain with the Andorian. Zhuk wanted so desperately to take a sonic shower, but decided to relax for a minute on his bed instead. He was going over the days’ events, mainly of the assault/capture mission. It was a sort of after action review in his mind.

What they had done, what worked, what didn’t work. What could have been done better? [glow=Black,2,300]‘At least no one had gotten hurt.’[/glow] was going through Zhuk’s mind. Sev chirped and gawked at him. “Yes, you’re right. You did take a phaser blast. At least it was on stun, and you’re alright.” Zhuk raised his eyebrows and his antennae pointed forward in astonishment. It was then that Zhukarak realized that the firelizard could sense what he was thinking. “You understand, don’t you?” and Sev chirped accordingly. Even though Zhuk couldn’t read or sense anything from the firelizard, he assumed that the original caretaker of Sev could. They were probably of a different species that made that possible.
This firelizard was becoming more and more of a welcome surprise.

LT Hrisvalar now wondered if Captain Jira was making any progress with Dr. Kavek.

Will Dr. Kavek help Starfleet?

How much time is left before the reactor on Qualinost was going to overload?

[Harrias Jira]

With the ship well on it's way to Starbase Assailant, the base only a couple of hours away at main warp, Harrias realised that it would be mostly his job to placate the doctor and get him to work for the federation. Although of course, in the worst case scenario, they could just force him to be near the reactor, and if it blows up it would kill him. However, Harrias was at heart more or less a nice person, and he wanted to get the doctor on their side. He tapped his commbadge.

=/\= Captain Jira to Ensign Bonar. Can you bring the prisoner up to my ready room please? =/\=

The new CTSO replied affirmatively, and a few minutes later appeared with the doctor and a pair of guards, who he instructed to wait outside.

Captain Jira looked up.

"Ah, doctor. You are presumably wondering why we have gone to all this effort for you?"

"I expect it has something to do with Captain Magellan?" Kavek almost spat out the name, such was his disgust. Harrias smiled at him.

"That is Admiral Magellan, doctor."

"You lot made that idiot an Admiral?" He said, in a mixture of anger and laughter.

"Indeed, anyway as much as he may want you dead, or at least rotting in a high security prison, he and us need you. I admit it is a most unfortunate series of events. I would far prefer to see you in a prison myself. However, we have a problem that only you can solve."

The doctor smiled, realising the power that he know held. "And if I don't help you?"

The smile slowly faded from Harrias' face, and he turned to see how his CTSO was going to react as he spoke. "Then you will not leave this ship alive. In fact, I have a marine officer who would be quite willing to remove your limbs one at a time until your death."

"A threat Captain, I am impressed. But I fear, it is an empty one. Your federation woul not allow that."

Harrias looked at him, noting the slight fear in the doctor's eyes, and the tightness in his shoulders. "I want to make one thing clear to you Doctor. Although the federation converns Starfleet, only one person governs what happens on this vessel. And that person Doctor, is me. The federation doesn't know whether we recovered you from the planet or not. It wouldn't be very hard to say you were killed in an unfortunate incident. You are going to either help us or die, Doctor."

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan followed Tomlinson in to the holding area and waited for the Ensign to take his seat.
Tomlinson sat beside the main security console and despite stationary appeared as alert and ready as if standing. His hand whilst relaxed was well placed to reach his side arm if the need arose.
At the edge of one of the cells Paul stood. He leaned casually on the side of the wall waiting for him. He nodded at Magellan as he arrived.
Inside the Cell the man sat with T'Val, who bent next to him tricorder in hand.
"This 'im" Robert asked Paul jerking a thumb at Magellan
"Yes thats him"
"Lotta brass for such a station."
"Starfleet Personnel Assignment is non of your concern" Magellan replied curtly, "I understand you now wish to talk."
"Depends" Robert began.
Magellan held up his hand to halt him.
"T'Val. How is he?"
T'Val remained quiet a moment and then looked up.
"He still has some swelling, but is essentially well - for a human. I will need to check on him regularly though."
"Good. Then perhaps you could give us some space."
T'Val looked up an eyebow arched.
"Of course Admiral." She stood and exited.
Magellan thought he detected a bit more ice in her tone, no doubt Tedak had spoken to her. He resolved to deal with that later and pressed on with the matter on hand.
"So then Mister...?"
"Robert"
"So then Robert, what exactly is that you want?"
"Asylum"
Magellan laughed "I see, and would you like fries with that? Why would I offer you asylum?"
"I 'ave information, important information."
"well out with it then."
"Oh no it dont work that way. Safety first then..."
"No you dont realise I m base CO its talk and then Asylum. If at all"
Robert looked flustered and looked at Paul for help.
"Hes the Boss" Paul shrugged
"Okay okay. heres the deal I know some pretty shady people, real low lives. You know this system was once a haven for pirates well some still hang around I can point a few out for you. Let me out and I ll finger them."
Magellan nodded.
"One moment. Paul"
Paul and Magellan crossed to a corner of the room.
"So what do you think?" magellan asked
"Hes hiding something. He didnt even know Assailant was here to start with, hes biding time and hes scared, very scared of someone."
"Hmm. maybe, but just to let him out."
"Well we let him out with escort I suppose, thats if we believe him."
"Granted. It would be good to mop up some of the pirates in the system. Lets say we let him prove himself give him enough rope for him to climb or hang himself."
Paul nodded.
Magellan turned back to Robert.
"Ok Mr Robert its a deal. provisionally. Mr Drew and Mr Tomlinson are your new best friends point out some of your mates and your right then its a deal, you get protection and asylum. If you dont you ll be clapped in irons and on teh first transport to the New Zealand Penal Colony."
As Magellan turned onhis heel he whispered to Paul
"Watch him and keep me posted. I need to check on teh Nevada I ll try and catch up with you as soon as I can."

[Deleted]

Sev chittered, his eyes whirling blue-green as he hopped down onto the table in Zhuk's quarters. Now that they were nearly going to be docked at the starbase again, the little firelizard knew it was time to be going home again. He hopped forward, folding his wings neatly on his back, and wrapped his tail around his talons as he nuzzled the andorian's hand. The next moment, Sev jumped up and zipped out of view, leaving a surprised Zhukarak behind. The little bronze was capable of bridging quite a distance through the empty voids of space, and arrive safely at his destination, even if his destination was lightyears away.


~~ brig area ~~

Sev zipped in just besides T'Val's shoulder, startling the Vulcan healer a little. "Ah there you are," T'Val said, allowing the little bronze to land, "Tedak is not here. He and Sev have gone on a mission.

Sev nuzzled her face in response, warbling happily at her. He hid is face in her hair and wrapped his tail around her throat lightly as Magellan re-appeared from the holding cell. Her warm expression changed instantly to a cold one, as she glared at Magellan. "I will be returning to my patient now, admiral," she said curtly, stressing his rank, "and I will not be disturbed. My patient is very ill and I would have preferred to treat him in sickbay.

With both Magellan, Drew and Tomlinson gone from the cell now, she had a chance to observe her patient alone. From his hiding place in her hair, Sev hissed softly, making T'Val extra alert. "You are not well," she stated matter-of-factly, "your monocyte count is too high, your pupils are dilated and you are perspiring in abundance. Have you been experiencing fatigue?"

<prisoner>