Shoreleave 95.1214: I'Kiith Hllue: A Diplomatic Br

[Deleted]

Well, that hadn’t taken too long... Govan had barely begun the tedious boredom of reports and paperwork that awaited him when a message had came through from Command, and it wasn’t particularly flattering either. Basically, he was being ripped up one side and down the other. ‘Embarrassing lack of diplomacy’ here and ‘disgrace to the Romulan Empire’ here...it would seem that they were less than pleased with his performance. As a result, the S’Harien had been ordered to Outpost 24 on the Neutral Zone border to deliver Ambassador Tedak to some diplomatic conference and the S’Harien senior staff was to attend as well. Apparently, Command thought they needed some sort of diplomatic lesson and that Tedak was a perfect teacher.

Hobnobbing with a bunch of diplomats did not sound like a party, in spite of the title of ‘reception’ that was being attached to the event. They may have been Romulan exclusively, all representing the interests of the different colonies across the Empire, but a bunch of Politicians and Ambassadors hardly qualified as the best of society in Govan’s eyes. This affair was going to be a whole different kind of nightmare, so as he sat in his chair, glaring at the now dark screen, Echal was already miserable.

His moody thoughts were interrupted by the chime at the door. Someone dared to disturb his dark grumblings. “Enter!” Govan demanded, only slightly mollified at the sight of Dor’vel on the other side. “Ah, Centurion,” he acknowledged. “What is it?”

Shifting slightly, the security chief entered. He had gone through what he needed to say many times but was still entirely aware of the risk in broaching these delicate subjects with Commander Echal. “I apologize for the intrusion, but there are some concerning matters which have recently been brought to my attention that I wish to discuss with you,” Dor’vel began, standing with his hands folded behind his back.

Raising an eyebrow, Govan didn’t verbally reply. He trusted the Centurion enough not to waste his time with trivial matters, but this was the first time the man seemed nervous. Echal decided to simply allow him to speak and see where it was going.

Pausing carefully, the Centurion continued. “While I was accompanying Tedak to sickbay, I observed him being...overly familiar with…one of the nurses. She was visibly uncomfortable with his…physical displays of affection, and I was concerned about her wellbeing, which is why I stayed in sickbay and then accompanied her to the bridge rather than remain with Ambassador Tedak as previously ordered.”

Dangerously quiet, Govan’s eyes were dark with fury, but he still said nothing. If he did, it wouldn’t be something he could control, and he wasn’t about to lose it…

Shifting again under Echal’s fiery gaze, Dor’vel couldn’t seem to stop talking. “I did ask her if she were alright, and she claimed she was fine and even requested that I not mention any of this to you. I, of course, informed her that it was my duty to report my observations to you, but I promised that I would attempt to convey that she was unharmed, and he had no ill intentions. She said that he was her friend, and that she had merely forgotten how overly friendly people on Assailant were.”

Still absolutely furious at the idea of Tedak touching Tamir, let alone making her feel uncomfortable, Govan couldn’t help but relax, just a little bit, at the idea of her making Dor’vel promise to try and calm him down. It was amusing and something she would definitely do… “You were right in staying with her,” Echal finally stated.

Grateful at this acknowledgement, Dor’vel steadied himself, as this had only been the first part of his report. “I was merely concerned since the safety of the crew is my priority. However, there was also something else,” he began, hesitating slightly.

Not thrilled at the idea that he had something worse to say, Govan braced himself.

“While we were speaking, she and I, she spoke in such a way that made it obvious that she was in some way...personally familiar with you. She immediately realized her mistake, and no harm was done, but I was concerned that if she were to speak in such a way to another member of the crew, she could get herself into trouble.”

Shaking his head in frustration, Govan momentarily dropped his guard. “I have told her over and over again that she needs to be careful. She’s going to get herself...” Realizing his own mistake now, Echal stopped, not knowing quite what else to say.

Smoothly stepping in to cover up the Commander’s slight blunder, Dor’vel continued. “I reinforced your warning to her, but I believe she does now understand. When I suggested she be more careful, she agreed and said something like, she was just beginning to understand why. I didn’t get a chance to question her further on this, but I got the impression that something had happened to demonstrate the danger.”

All embarrassment over his slight fumble forgotten, Govan no longer cared about keeping up appearances with Dor’vel. “You mean like someone threatened her or she felt threatened by their actions?” he asked, his voice dangerously low and cold.

Equally displeased at the implication, Dor’vel nodded. “That was the impression I got. And she was also somewhat…upset in sickbay over my response to Tedak’s friendliness. She was upset at what she perceived as my over-protectiveness as an extension of yours. I apologized for my intrusion, but her reaction was extremely disproportionate to my actions. She said people treated her differently and she was sick of it, and then made a comment implying others may have treated her poorly.”

Sighing, Govan slumped back in his chair. Tamir was unhappy and in danger, all because of him. “Perhaps I made a mistake bringing her here...I was a fool to think I could protect her...” Echal murmured, feeling a sick, sinking feeling in his stomach.

Still not knowing quite what to make of this situation, Dor’vel was surprised to see the Commander so open. Clearly, he cared for her, and there was indeed more to the man than most saw. “Sir, I do believe no matter what the cause, she does now understand the need for discretion. I see why you are concerned. She is…different from you and me, trusting. However, I do not believe any of the crew would dare to make a move against her directly. There is no need for any drastic changes yet.”

Only now realizing just how far he had dropped his guard, Govan looked up at the Centurion. There was no judgment in his eyes, only genuine concern. “You may be right,” he finally replied. “But I am not content to do nothing.” Regarding the man carefully, Echal had an idea. “She liked you, did she not? Or she didn’t dislike you.”

Shocked at this question, Dor’vel stammered a moment. “Well...she did appear to be comfortable around me. I don’t believe she dislikes me in spite of disapproving of how I treated Tedak. She was relaxed, open, but I don’t know if that’s unusual.”

“She is generally somewhat shy around people she doesn’t know,” Govan replied, the idea becoming more solid in his mind. “You should spend more time with her, become her friend. She will be safe with you, plus if you develop a friendship, she may be more likely to tell you if she feels threatened or about any mistreatment so we can deal with it appropriately. Plus, it will be good for her to have a friend here.”

Feeling like he had just walked into some sort of deadly trap, Dor’vel was stunned. “So you want me to be her friend?” he repeated, not quite believing what he heard.

The man’s disbelief was somewhat funny, so Govan raised his eyebrows. “Unless you have better things to do or you find the idea completely loathsome to consider.”

“Uh, no, Sir,” Dor’vel replied quickly, feeling like he was walking on quicksand. “It is an excellent idea. It will help ensure her safety. I will do my best to protect her.”

“See that you do,” Govan replied, more serious now. “I expect nothing less of you, Centurion. Dismissed,” Commander Echal concluded, returning his eyes to the padd.

Nodding in acknowledgement, Dor’vel turned and left feeling very uneasy. He had proved that Govan did trust him; however, he was now in a very dangerous position to prove he was worthy of it. One mistake of any kind, and it could cost him his life.

As the Centurion departed, Govan leaned back in his chair and tried to process all of this. The thought of Tamir upset was distressing enough, but to think that he had been the cause of it nearly killed him. She was all he had, and he was causing her pain and putting her in danger. At least he had Dor’vel now. He was the most loyal officer Echal had ever had working for him, and in spite of the danger, he trusted him implicitly. Now he just had to hope Dor’vel would be able to keep Tamir safe...

[Deleted]

JP between Taev Lhoell and Tedak
Taev quietly entered sickbay and observed the scene in front of him. His new task was to ensure that the disrespectful Ambassador had taken the fugitve into custody and debrief both of them. Not feeling the need for small talk he simply made his way to the fugitive and looked at the mangled corpse in front of him. Turning to the ambassador, he said, "I see you would rather play with cats than ensure the safety of a much needed prisoner."

“I am not tasked with the prisoner's security,” Tedak replied calmly, “I negotiated his return to us, and made sure he was returned. His safety now is in the hands of Doctor Sural. As for playing with felines, I do believe that is my personal business, and none of yours.”

"Everything on this ship is my business, Ambassador. You would be wise to take heed of that." Taev once again looked at the fugitive, who could nearly be called a corpse. Being clearly offensive, he said, "Seems your diplomatic skills need some polishing. I was not aware that standard procedures called for the returning of a corpse."

“He is very much alive, sub-lieutenant, and he isn't deaf either. Kindly keep your insults to yourself, or I'll personally make sure your next position will be a mere deck hand, and nothing of importance. I am a respected diplomat, you will treat me as such!”

A respected diplomat? hmph... Taev thought to himself. "A respected diplomat is one who is uses manipulation to get his way. So as for your conversational defense, you being manipulative hardly earns you any leverage on this conversation." The Romulan security officer let the point hit hard before speaking again. "Since you deem yourself such a good diplomat, feel free to explain to our superiors why this pathetic wretch is lying in our sickbay. He is a traitor to the empire, oh so respected Ambassador. He deserves death for his traitorous acts."

“That is not for us to decide. He still has the Right of Statement, and should be given the opportunity to give it. In this condition it is hardly honourable to even execute him. It may even be argued that this creature no longer is Raltorr. I do not judge sub-lieutenant, I merely negotiated his release to us and succeeded. Now, was there anything else you required of me? Otherwise I am going to retire to my quarters.” The Romulan turned his back on the junior officer and started to walk away.

Seeing no need to continue the argument. Taev let the ambassador go. He once again looked on the fugitive before leaving of his own accord and going back to the bridge. Once there, he moved to the Captain's ready room and reported, "Commander, the fugitive is in sickbay. However, there is little of him left. I am surprised he is alive."

tag: Govan

[Deleted]

Sural was not happy at being dragged from sickbay to oncemore travel to the Federation vessel. He was somewhat relieved when it transpired that it was merely a patient transfer and more so when he found out that the Federation doctor was to be absent.

Raltorr or rather what was left of him was now residing in sickbay. The crippled form lay on the biobed barely recognisable as a life form. Extensive scans had revealed the extent of the damage and the fact that the mans situation was irreversible.

Monitored every hour of the day and fed intravenously there was very little more Sural could do. He knew the man was in pain. The mans pain receptors were badly damaged and despite repolarising the synapses there was nothing he could do to stop them firing in agony.

Sural looked at Raltorr hard, the humans had a saying 'there but for the grace of god go I' How true that felt. He thought of the horrors inflicted by Raltorr and the horror Raltor himself now felt.

"Tamir" He called,
The nurse looked up and walked over,
"Sural favoured her with a rare smile, "Your work in this matter has been exemplary. I am concerned about after affects of the innoculations. Could you do a follow up examination on a hand ful of their crew."

"Now" Tamir asked,

"Yes. why not. And do it in their workplace. I ll only have department heads after my blood if I take there crew afway from their posts."

Waiting for Tamir to gather her med kit and depart Sural filled up a hypospray and went over to stand by Raltorr. He stood for quite a time before finally leaning forward and injecting the contents into his bloodstream. He returned to his desk and returned the hypospray to its case and sat watching the monitors. Five minutes later he rose again and moved to Raltorrs side. He pulled back the blanket covering him and pulled it up over his head. Next he moved over to the comm unit and called the bridge.

"This is Sickbay. I m afraid our patient has expired. Time of death is noted in the log. Sural out"

Tag All

[Deleted]

It had taken some work, but Tamir felt she was ready for the doctor’s return. Based on what Sural had requested, it didn’t sound like the patient was in good condition and he would most likely require a great deal of care. Whether or not this could be improved upon, the nurse didn’t know, but at least she was well trained to care for critical patients, short-term or long-term. Sickbay had been rather hectic trying to prepare for his arrival, but at least things were calming down, and they were ready. As Sural and the team of medics that met him in the transporter room returned with the patient, however, sickbay was again thrown into the immediate chaos that came with the challenge of a new patient, a new set of variables, and new requirements.

One look at the patient, Raltorr, and it became apparent that this wasn’t going to be a temporary arrangement. What was left of the man was almost unrecognizable, and Tamir couldn’t even begin to imagine the level of pain he was in. Fortunately, they had been well-prepared by Doctor Sural’s arrangements, and soon, all of the necessary accommodations were in place, Raltorr was stable, if you could call his condition stable, and he was as close to comfortable as he could possibly be made.

So now, as everyone went their separate ways to attend to their previous duties or review his scans to determine if anything more could be done for him, Tamir was left behind to look after her new charge. He had clearly been well cared for on the Federation ship, so there was little more she could do but stand there and watch over him, trying not to think about the immense amount of pain he must still be experiencing, in spite of their best efforts to alleviate it. At this point, the nurse didn’t care what he had done. She didn’t think that anyone deserved this much suffering.

She was momentarily distracted by the sight of Tedak returning to sickbay. In his arms were...well she didn’t know quite what they were, but they were just about the cutest things she had ever seen in her life. As there was nothing more for her to do but worry, Tamir quickly exited the sterile field and moved to greet her friend.

"Tamir!" he called even before she’d exited the field, clearly struggling with the little bundles of energy. "Tamir, please help me with these..." Tedak requested before swiftly depositing them unceremoniously into her arms. "Please, give them a good home, Tamir. I was told to give them to someone who would care for them. I think you would do a very good job at that. I'd keep them myself, but with Sev and Nut... No, I can’t. They'd shred them apart, and I'd feel terrible if that happened. Please, Tamir, take care of them?" the Ambassador asked, looking a bit flustered and...ruffled.

They were so tiny…softy, fluffy, and absolutely adorable. When they looked up at her with their little blue eyes, she just about melted. “They are so precious!” Tamir cooed, already haven fallen in love with them. “What are they called? What do they need? How do I take care of them? Oh! Look at their whiskers...and their little ears!”

Tedak sighed as he locked gazes with Tamir. “These are kittens, roughly six weeks old, the nurse had told me. Their doctor's cat had five of these and I was told to take two and give them to someone who'd care for them. As you've always been kind to me, and haven't treated me like a pariah, I thought you should have them.”

Eventually, the nurse managed to catch enough of the important information about her new charges through her absolute delight and instant affection. “I’ll put them in one of the empty storage areas until after my shift. That way, I can keep an eye on them until then,” she finally decided, heading for the aforementioned space. “Oh, just don’t mention this to Sural. I doubt he would approve, and it’s just this once.”

“Thanks for thinking of me!” Tamir threw over her shoulder, as she hurried to get them settled in so she could return to her patient. She would have to check the file in the computer for more information about what they would need long term, but at least for now, she felt they would be safe in the small enclosure she’d arranged with some water and a couple of warm blankets. Her shift was almost over anyway.

It had only taken her a few minutes, and already they seemed delighted crawling around in the tunnels created by the blankets and pouncing on each other through the cloth. They were so cute, she hated to leave them, but at least she would be nearby, and they seemed perfectly content. With a reluctant sigh, she blew them a kiss and returned to Raltorr’s side. Fortunately, the sterile field took care of any bits of fur, dust, or other particulates that the kittens may have left behind on her.

She had barely settled back in when the door to Sural’s office opened. "Tamir," the doctor called, causing Tamir to quickly stand and move to where he was waiting. Much to her immense surprise, he actually smiled at her. “Your work in this matter has been exemplary. I am concerned about after affects of the inoculations. Could you do a follow-up examination on a handful of the crew?" he requested pleasantly.

Feeling a bit guilty at his praise, considering she was secretly hiding two alien, albeit perfectly harmless, lifeforms in his sickbay without his knowledge or approval, she hesitated, not knowing what she was going to do with the kittens and dreading the idea of dealing with any Intelligence officers again. "Now?” she asked uncertainly.

"Yes. Why not? And do it in their workplace. I’ll only have department heads after my blood if I take their crew away from their posts," he added before heading away.

Now feeling somewhat trapped and more than a little terrified at the idea of going back to Intelligence, Tamir nonetheless gathered her medkit and the supplies she would need to complete the assignment and left sickbay, only to dart back through a side door into the storage area. The kittens had apparently worn themselves out playing and were curled up together in the center of the blankets sleeping peacefully.

Smiling softly, Tamir then began to contemplate her dilemma. First things first, she had to get the kittens out of here. Very carefully, she lowered the forcefield she’d erected over the enclosure, and reached inside, gently lifting the two sleeping cats and their makeshift bed into her arms after swinging the medkit over her shoulder. Fortunately, it wasn’t far to her quarters, and she didn’t run into anyone along the way who might wonder what she was doing. The sleepy felines barely stirred even as she placed the blankets gently onto a soft chair once she reached her quarters.

Hurriedly accessing the database entry on their species and replicating all of the suggested, necessary supplies, and a few unnecessary toys, Tamir placed water, food, and what the computer called a liter box nearby and made sure all the doors were shut, so that they would be confined to the living area only at first. Now that they were taken care of, she turned her attention back to her others problem...

The last thing she wanted was to go back to Intelligence by herself and take more scans, and she wasn’t so sure about any of the other departments either. What if they were still mean to her like before or even worse, but what could she do? Did she even have a choice? Finally making up her mind, Tamir briefly consulted the computer and taking a deep breath opened a channel. “Tamir to Dor’vel, are you busy?”

[Deleted]

Watching the stars streaming past the window far too quickly and great in number to even consider the possibility of counting them, Govan’s mind continued to drift. Coming face to face with Megan had affected him far greater than he would have predicted or ever admit. The betrayal was still too deep and the emotions too close to the surface to be simply dismissed, even years removed. Deep down, perhaps a part of him had never recovered and never would. He wondered what she was doing right now, plotting her next mission against the Empire, writing reports or else completing one of the countless other tedious, administrative tasks of a First Officer, or maybe, just maybe, she was thinking about him too. It was difficult to separate in his mind the girl he had thought he’d known and loved from the woman who had betrayed him. They were so different and yet one and the same, blended together in some strange amalgam of a person whom he both deeply loved and deeply hated.

The sound of the door chime tore him out of his own thoughts. “Come,” he ordered.

"Commander, the fugitive is in sickbay. However, there is little of him left. I am surprised he is alive,” Uhlan Lhoell reported while standing at a respectful distance.

“He should have ended up dead to begin with,” Echal replied, dismissing the man’s condition. “It was a waste of everyone’s time for the Jefferson to transport him out of that shuttle. And now, it is the Empire who will pay for their weakness by car...”

=/\=This is sickbay,=/\= the voice of Doctor Sural interrupted as if he’d heard what Echal was saying. =/\=I’m afraid our patient has expired. Time of death is noted in the log, Sural out,=/\= the doctor concluded unceremoniously before the channel cut.

Not having expected that, Govan glanced at Taev in stunned silence for a moment. “Well...I guess that problem’s solved. Too bad it took so long,” he commented dryly. “You may return to your station now, Uhlan,” the Commander added offhandedly.

<Tag Taev>

Not at all bothered by Raltorr’s death, Govan now turned his thoughts to the rather unpleasant task of preparing for this little diplomatic sojourn of theirs. If there was any possible way to avoid it, he would, but sadly, that didn’t seem to be an option.

“Ambassador Tedak, report to my ready room, immediately,” Govan ordered. It was unfortunately time to inform the diplomat of his new assignment so he could begin ‘teaching’ them how to be ‘diplomatic’... It sounded like the most miserable torture...

<Tag Tedak>

~

Also gazing at the stars, Dor’vel was trying to come up with some sort of plan for how he was going to handle this new assignment. The more he thought about it, the more dangerous he began to realize this would be. If anything happened to Tamir on his watch, he was as good as dead along with whoever hurt her. If Tamir found out that he had been ordered to be her friend, she would be upset, and again, he’d be in trouble for allowing her to discover his assignment and upsetting her. Plus, if they were to become friends, what if he got too close or Govan suspected it? It didn’t take a huge leap to assume that the Commander would be less than thrilled and the angry, defensive, jealous type. The whole situation was just a minefield...

=/\=Tamir to Dor’vel, are you busy?=/\= The sudden, unexpected sound of Tamir’s voice startled the security chief, who ended up spilling what was left of his drink on his pants. Her contacting him like this was the last thing he had been expecting...

Biting back a curse at the drink, Dor’vel steadied his nerves before responding. “I am not currently occupied. Do you require my assistance?” he inquired carefully.

=/\=Well...I’m not really sure what to do... Doctor Sural has assigned me to take a series of scans of individuals who were inoculated in the various departments and I...I don’t really want to go back...I mean, I don’t know if I want to go by myself...=/\=

Instantly on alert, Dor’vel sat up straighter, forgetting entirely about the spill. “Do you not feel safe going by yourself?” When there was no immediate response, he merely replied, “I will be right there,” before closing the channel, standing up, and taking a step for the door before remembering he needed to get a fresh uniform...

A few minutes and a new pair of pants later, and Dor’vel was outside the nurse’s quarters. He felt awkward and on edge, though he knew he shouldn’t. Technically, this was perfect. She asked him for help first, but this was too delicate a situation to take lightly. Before he could signal for admittance, the door opened and Tamir gestured for him to step inside. Still feeling uncertain, the Centurion did so. “Wh...”

“Shhhh!” Tamir corrected him, and at his absolutely baffled expression, indicated toward the nearby chair with the sleeping kittens. “I don’t want to wake them up.”

Dor’vel had no idea what exactly was sleeping in that chair, but clearly they were important to her, so he obligingly lowered his voice. “What is it that you have to do?”

“He wants a scan of a few people in each department,” Tamir whispered. “All the inoculations were administered by department, first Intelligence, then Medical and Bridge, then Tactical and Security, Engineering, Operations, Navigation, and finally, Science. I’m supposed to scan a few people from each department to observe the results at different stages of reaction. He told me to go down to each department so as not to interrupt their work. It shouldn’t take long, but...” she began, unsure of exactly what to say that either wouldn’t sound paranoid or wouldn’t sound alarming.

Her reluctance said everything, and he wasn’t about to push it. The best way to go about this was to allow her to talk to him and trust him on her own without trying to force it. “I will accompany you,” Dor’vel stated simply reaching for her medkit nearby.

“Wait,” Tamir started, “Don’t you think it might look suspicious…you coming too?”

Thinking fast, the Centurion quickly replied, “This is a matter of ship’s security. I am Chief of Security. I was not involved previously because there were more pressing matters to deal with on the bridge, but now there are not, so I am attending to this.”

Finally starting to relax, Tamir smiled in relief. “Thank you. That does make sense.”

Nodding, Dor’vel quietly retrieved the medkit and gestured for her to exit ahead of him with a final glance at...whatever the creatures were sleeping on the chair. As soon as they were in the corridor, he asked, “Which department shall we visit first?”

Hesitating, Tamir considered this briefly before responding, “Well...Intelligence was inoculated first, so we should probably start there,” she replied carefully, deciding it was probably best to get this part over with first. “Then we can do everyone else.”

Her ambivalence was obvious, so clearly, this was what she hadn’t wanted to do on her own, or at least part of it. Not saying a word, the Centurion nodded, directing the lift to the Intelligence department. She already looked nervous and tense, so he decided he would have to be on his guard and pay close attention to this situation.

Fidgeting slightly, Tamir tried to stay calm. She knew nothing would happen to her as long as Dor’vel was here, but she was worried perhaps she was making things harder for herself by having him accompany her. He had come up with a perfectly good reason for being there too, but if they didn’t buy it, she could be in for more trouble in the future. However, she never would have been able to do this without Dor’vel. She would have been far too terrified to think of going back there alone...

As they entered Intelligence, Dor’vel observed the reactions of the officers nearby. There were whispers and stares, something that perhaps Tamir was used to by now, but at least that’s all there was for now. A single glance in her direction and it was obvious the poor nurse was absolutely terrified. Deciding to take charge, the Centurion cleared his throat. “All right, everyone. Doctor Sural wants a few of you scanned for side effects of the vaccine. As this is a matter of security, I am taking charge of this operation, so I expect your cooperation.” That seemed to shut them all up, so Dor’vel turned back to Tamir. “How many scans do you need, Civilian?”

Somewhat startled by his sudden change in demeanor, Tamir stammered, “Five.”

Glad she looked surprised, as this would help sell the act, Dor’vel quickly singled out five of the officers. “Ok, you five just volunteered, so let’s get this over with now.”

They all moved quickly and lined up, and Tamir quietly went about her work with the scans. It was all happening so fast and easily, and no one said a single word.

Everyone was cooperating, and Dor’vel didn’t see any sign of trouble. Then again, that might have been his presence. If their initial reaction was any indication, things may have been very different had he not been here. He was feigning boredom, to fit in with the act, but carefully observing everything around him. There wasn’t much of concern, but he did sense a different attitude toward Tamir, even if it was subtle.

This was going so well. In a few minutes, she’d be out of here, and it’d all be over. That is, until she saw someone in the Intelligence office. “Oh...Centurion, I need to inoculate Lieutenant Ch’varak. I suppose it’s not entirely necessary now, but he is the only one who hasn’t received his inoculation yet, but I am almost done here.”

Feigning an annoyed sigh, Dor’vel replied, “Very well, if it will only take a moment.”

Now beginning to understand what he was doing, Tamir suppressed as smile as she hurried to complete the scans. He was protecting her, and his act was perfect. Completing her final scan, with a timid smile of gratitude to the Intelligence Officer, who merely returned it with cold indifference, the nurse grabbed her kit and followed Dor’vel to the office. This wasn’t entirely necessary, but she was just doing her job.

The Centurion did not particularly like Tevio, especially not after his unauthorized trip to the Jefferson, and now that he strongly suspected something had happened to Tamir in the Intelligence department, he didn’t think highly of his administration skills either, but if she wanted to inoculate him, that was that. After signaling for their admittance, Dor’vel led the way into the office. “Lieutenant, the nurse is here to inoculate you. Everyone else has been already, but since you were...indisposed at the time, it will have to be now,” he announced, fixing the man with a pointed glare.

Quietly moving to the Lieutenant’s side, Tamir quietly retrieved the hypospray. “It’s been well-tested, and it only has very minor side-effects, if any,” she offered softly.

<Tag Tevio>

[Deleted]

OLD:
“Ambassador Tedak, report to my ready room, immediately.”

NEW:
“On my way commander.” He signed off. Tedak bowed politely and walked out of sickbay. Minutes later, he sedately walked onto the bridge. “You summoned me?”

“Yes, the S’Harien has just been directed to Outpost 24 for some sort of diplomatic reception that you are to attend along with the senior staff. Apparently, Command seems to think that we would benefit from further diplomatic experience due to the events of the previous mission, and that you might serve as an example,” Govan replied moodily, not liking this situation one bit. And Tedak had better not gloat.

“An example..” The diplomat groaned. “Just what I need.” He straightened, looking annoyed. “How does command believe <i>you</i> would benefit from diplomatic experience, commander. You're no diplomat, you're a tactician.”

For once, Govan had to entirely agree with the Ambassador. “I am now more than just a tactician. I am a Commanding Officer, and as this last mission demonstrated, I will occasionally be placed in a situation where diplomacy will be...unavoidable,” Echal grudgingly admitted. “So I suggest that we just try and get this over with as quickly as possible so we can get Command off our backs and go our separate ways."

“That would be most ideal as you've already threatened me with death once...I've no desire to see that repeated. It is unfortunate that Raltorr has...expired. However he was very much alive when I delivered him to sickbay. I find the circumstance of his death most suspicious.”

Ignoring Tedak’s petty complaints, Govan merely shrugged at the mention of the death of Raltorr. “Everyone I spoke to regarding his condition, yourself included, Ambassador, stated their surprise that he had even survived and was still alive, so I hardly find his death suspicious. His crimes were clearly deserving of death, so his passing seems to be fortunate for all involved, perhaps including himself."

“True. Except the way he died now serves no justice for all Romulans killed. Now, we can only hope that the Federation prisoner will be punished accordingly.” He paused. “What is the nature of the conference we are to attend?” he finally asked, after a long silence. He felt uncomfortable in Govan's presence, threatened. Yet, he had ordered his firelizards not to attend him and remain in his quarters until summoned. It was a signal of trust he was trying to give, whether it worked or not. “And what is expected of me?”

“From what I understand, it’s some sort of...reception for the representatives of the Romulan colonies in this sector. Just a bunch of diplomats and politicians crammed in a room talking,” Govan responded, suppressing a shudder. “It serves no purpose as far as I’m concerned, but I guess we’re just supposed to attend without creating some kind of incident, and you’re there to make sure we don’t,” Echal concluded.

“Then I shall endeavour to make sure we don't,” the older man promised, “so long as your men behave, I'm sure there won't be an issue.”

Glaring, Govan gritted his teeth together and replied, “We’re not stupid, and we’re perfectly capable of handling a bunch of stiff, boring bureaucrats. I have managed to spend time with you, haven’t I?” he shot back, chaffing at the man’s arrogance.

Tedak smiled slightly, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. “That you did Echal, that you did. But you can't claim that the time spent with me was utterly boring. You did get some excitement, I believe. I recall several events that were hardly boring for each of us, even though they were trying.” He dared Govan to reply to that, still smiling pleasantly. Tedak knew he was testing the younger man's patience, and could see it was wearing thin. Yet, he wondered what it'd take to have him snap; it was something he needed to know, if they were going to work together this mission.

How badly he wanted to wrap his fingers around the man’s neck and squeeze... It was almost something he could feel as he clenched his fists by his side. Alas, that wasn’t an option, no matter how great it would be. “Just because it wasn’t boring for you, doesn’t mean I wasn’t bored to tears. Clearly, we have different definitions of exciting,” Govan replied evenly, every muscle fighting to keep from responding.

This time, the diplomat grinned. “Ahh, but we've never agreed on anything before, so why agree now?” He shrugged. “I don't believe it when you say that being assigned to me was utterly boring. You did get fights and chases.” He studied the man. “And I know you're restraining yourself right now. Why don't you get it out of your system Govan, then we're done with it and we can move on. I know you've wanted to strike me ever since I've come aboard. My firelizards won't stop you from trying, I've ordered them away. And your security lackey won't interfere either, because you'll order him not to.”

It took everything he had not to take Tedak up on his ‘suggestion’, but as hard as it was, Govan remained where he was and even managed a grin of his own, though it was far from pleasant. “You think you can just goad me into acting like that?” he shot back. “I’m not that gullible. If you think you’re going to provoke me, you don’t know me as well as you might think. You give me a good enough reason and I’ll gladly respond appropriately, but I can spot a setup easily. Nice try, Ambassador.”

“Goad? I don't goad, commander. I act.” And with that, his left fist shot forward, catching the surprised commander clear on his jaw. “I don't take kindly to being threatened commander.”

Standing there in shock for several moments, Govan very slowly turned his head back around to face Tedak, eyes both deadly cold and absolutely furious. “Do you have a death wish, Ambassador? Because I will gladly oblige and end your sorry excuse for a life if that’s what you want, but I guarantee that if you try that again, you will not like how it will end,” Echal threatened. His senses were on alert now, and a single move from his opponent would set him off. “So…what will be it be?”

The older man's eyes narrowed, tightly focused on his opponent. “That's the second time you've threatened me young man,” he snapped, “for a warrior, you talk to much.” He stood, waiting, studying, his feet slightly apart, his hands balled into fists. He pivoted on his left foot, lashing out with his right fist, knowing that Govan expected the attack to come from his right rather than his left. With Tedak being dominantly left-handed, the Romulan thought to throw the man by using his other hand.

That was it. No one called Govan ‘young man’ and no one questioned his honor. It was past the point of tactics or maneuvers. With a roar of fury, Echal tackled the Ambassador, driving the man into the opposite wall with everything he had before beginning to kick and punch with all his might giving no thought of whatever hits may come. He wanted to get in as many as he could before snapping his filthy neck.

Tedak uttered a roar of his own, defending himself against the punches, though doubling over when a few landed hard and good. Yet he got a few punches in of his own. He was driven against the wall by the younger Romulan, which made him realise he was getting thoroughly out of practice. He cried out in fury as his fist connected hard with Govan's armour, then lashed out with his foot, catching the younger man against his side. Unbalanced, he crashed to the deck and rolled with his fall.

Blinded by fury and completely oblivious to any clear thought, Govan lashed out as hard as he could with his left boot, catching Tedak hard in the ribs as he rolled before leaping at him once more and throwing both of them into and through his desk, which collapsed and shattered under the force. He landed on top of Tedak, along with what was left of his desk, and reared back to continue to punch the man as hard as he could over and over, unable to feel anything but his own rage.

Tedak brought his hands up to his face to protect it against the blows. He was pinned between debris of the desk and underneath the younger Romulan. He had felt a rib snap as the commander's foot had connected, even though he was certain he'd done damage to the commander too. He slapped Govan's hands aside when he could, but did not suddender the fight. He'd go down fighting. When Govan paused ever so briefly, Tedak managed to retrieve his dagger from the folds of his robe and lashed out, roaring in fury. Whether the blade connected, Tedak didn't know nor care, so long as it kept Govan from striking him.

The Ambassador’s face was a bloody mess at this point, but he wouldn’t yield and continued to block and attempt to strike back. In a flash of metal, Govan saw that he had managed to pull a dagger and instinctively turned his shoulder to protect his vital organs, taking the blade in the left upper arm/shoulder area. Roaring more in fury than in pain, Echal struck Tedak as hard as he could across the jaw before ripping the dagger from his arm, not even caring if it’d hit anything important, and driving the weapon as hard as he could through the Ambassador’s shoulder into the floor/desk beneath. “I don’t need any weapon to kill you but my own two hands,” the Commander growled, wrapping his hands around the man’s neck and squeezing.

Tedak struggled, but with being pinned painfully to the heavy desk beneath him and unable to breathe, his struggles grew weaker with every second that passed.

Tag All

[Deleted]

Having been dismissed back to his duties, Taev once again was standing at tactical aboard the S'Harien. At this point, it was simply a time where he was running menial scans and checking the ship. It was quite a boring shift, as they traveled to Outpost 24.

The doors to the bridge swooshed open to reveal the Romulan Ambassador. I wonder what is going to happen to that diplomatic filth now... The Ambassador went to the Commander's ready room and he quickly went in. Taev simply glared in the Ambassador's direction and went back to his menial tasks.

A short while later, Taev began to hear raised voices in the ready room. This is getting interesting... he thought to himself as he strained his ears to see if he could hear anything. Of course, he could not and he continued scanning, but he kept a blind eye trained on the ready room door, trying to get all of his senses tuned to it and the room inside. The shouting began to get louder, and some of the other bridge crew were beginning to notice there was some commotion. Taev then heard the screams of rage and a hard thud to the floor. "Lhoell to Centurion Dor'Vel, something is occurring in the Captain's Ready Room. It sounds as if they are fighting."

(Dor'Vel)

Acting on impulse, Taev rushed over to the ready room door and hit the chime. No response. He hit it again and heard another scream. Someone was in pain. He overrode the security lock on the door and walked in to find a bleeding Commander Echal over an even more bleeding Romulan Ambassador, who, not only had a knife in his shoulder, was being choked. Knowing the reprecussions of what he was about to do, he drew his disruptor, set it to maximum stun and shot Commander Echal, who fell back in a crumpled heap. Taev looked down at the Ambassador, who he could tell was about to lose consciousness. Allow me to assist you... Taev thought to himself as he pointed the the disruptor at the Ambassador and fired. "Hmmm this is a mess," Taev said to no one in particular.

He access the ship communications system and said, "Uhlan Lhoell to medical and security teams. Report to the Captain's ready room immediately. Centurion Dor'Vel, report to the ready room immediately."

(Sural and Dor'vel)

He waited with his disruptor unholstered until the centurion arrived. Taev holstered his disruptor and said, "From what I understand, the Commander and Ambassador got into a physical debate. Both are injured, though it appears as if the ambassador is slightly more so. I have no knowledge of anything else that may have occurred."

(Dor'Vel)

"I will see to it that they are both restrained for now in sickbay. I believe at this point no matter who started this altercation, Commander Echal will surely be blamed. When they are secured I will report back to you."

(Dor'vel)

Taking his leave with his new detainees, Taev took them to sickbay, all the whie wondering what was said that led to the altercation. Upon reaching sickbay, he made certain the Commander and Ambassador were restrained and sedated, after which he returned to the bridge.

"Centurion, what are your orders?"

(Dor'vel)

[Deleted]

With Tamir still out checking the inoculated staff and the beta shift not due for duty for another 2 hours Sural was pretty much on his own. A medical technician was in the pharmacy stocktaking but he hardly counted. With Raltorr finally dead a mountain of paperwork was required. He conducted a brief and cursory autopsy and began to fill out the requisite death certificates. In a way it was pleasing to be involved in the day to day running of the sickbay. He spent so much time in his lab that it was all too easy to forget the world outside. The S’harien was an unusual posting. On other postings he had kept himself to himself preferring to restrict his free time to his research, a research that had consumed his life since the death of his family. The Warbird was only his second starship posting and his time on the Syrannix had been during the War. He didn’t exactly like any of his crewmates but there was a bond developing there he realised they were becoming the only family he had. He was torn from his thoughts by the comm. Unit.
"Uhlan Lhoell to medical and security teams. Report to the Captain's ready room immediately. Centurion Dor'Vel, report to the ready room immediately."
“What is it now?” Sural demanded irritably
"From what I understand, the Commander and Ambassador got into a physical debate. Both are injured, though it appears as if the ambassador is slightly more so. I have no knowledge of anything else that may have occurred."
“Understood” Sural grunted and reached for his medkit. He had barely reached the door when Dor’vel countermanded the order and Taev arrived with the Commander and the Ambassador.
TAG Taev
Quickly Sural ran a tricorder over them. The Commander had some lacerations and severe bruising, The Ambassador was worse off with a deep shoulder wound and at least one broken rib. He moved over to Govans side and reached for a dermal regenerator. He caught a look from the Ambassador. Sural turned on him,
“Were this a purely medical issue triage would require me to treat you first. But as this is non-life threatening and we aren’t at war I m making a decision to treat the Commander first. If you have a problem with that file a complaint. Now Commander I know you won’t tell me where it hurts so I will treat what I can see. I m sure Tamir can help you with the rest.”

TAG Tedak, Govan and Taev

[Deleted]

=/\=Lhoell to Centurion Dor'vel, something is occurring in the Commander’s Ready Room. It sounds as if they are fighting,=/\= the voice of the security officer interrupted.

Not knowing who ‘they’ referred to, as it could have been almost anyone, Dor’vel glanced at a startled looking Tamir. “Acknowledged, Uhlan Lhoell, I’m on my way,” he replied quickly, before addressing the nurse. “You should return to sickbay. It sounds like someone will be in need of medical attention,” the Centurion suggested, before turning to Tevio. He didn’t trust the Legate, and based on what he’d heard, Dor’vel wouldn’t be surprised if Command was contacted as soon as he was out of sight. “You’re with me, Lieutenant,” he ordered, immediately heading for the door.

<Tag Tevio>

Tamir silently nodded, her face pale as she followed Dor’vel and the Legate out of his office to the turbolift. She would wait for the next one, but she was already on edge. It wasn’t entirely unexpected that Govan would get into a fight, but although he was perfectly capable of defending himself, that didn’t mean she didn’t worry...

Both Dor’vel and Tevio were silent on the way to the bridge. There was no need for words, and the Centurion didn’t really have anything to say to him. Frankly, it was surprising the Legate hadn’t yet received any serious consequences as a result of his actions. Most likely they were still coming, and Dor’vel considered him walking dead. Even so, he didn’t want to give Tevio one last change to lash out at Govan, so he had requested his attendance to deny him the opportunity of doing just that.

The bridge was semi-chaotic by the time they arrived. Security officers were already moving quickly across the bridge, while most of the other bridge officers had left their stations and were attempting in various ways to see what was going on in the ready room. “Assume your posts,” Dor’vel ordered forcefully, as he left the turbolift along with the Chief Intelligence Officer, headed straight for the ready room door.

On the other side, Taev had his back to the door, but his disruptor was still drawn and ready. “Uhlan Lhoell to medical and security teams, report to the Commander’s ready room immediately. Centurion Dor'vel, report to the ready room immediately.”

“I am already here,” Dor’vel replied calmly, stepping inside and taking in the scene before him. The room was a disaster, and the desk completely destroyed. Ambassador Tedak lay on the floor, visibly pinned to the deck and desk remnants by a dagger, while Govan was sprawled beside him with a gaping shoulder wound. Neither was moving, and it was hard to tell if either man was even still breathing.

=/\=What is it now?=/\= the disgruntled voice of Doctor Sural chimed in over the comm.

Responding both to Dor’vel’s presence and Sural’s question, Taev replied, "From what I understand, the Commander and Ambassador got into a physical debate. Both are injured, though it appears as if the Ambassador is slightly more so. I have no knowledge of anything else that may have occurred,” Uhlan Lhoell concluded.

=/\=Understood,=/\= came the Chief Medical Officers reply over the open comm.

“Wait, Doctor,” Dor’vel interrupted before the channel could be closed. “Remain in sickbay and prepare to receive the injured. I’ll have both taken directly there with a small security team,” he added, before closing the channel and turning to Taev. “I want you to accompany them to sickbay to ensure that they are not further injured.”

"I will see to it that they are both restrained for now in sickbay,” the Uhlan replied. “I believe at this point, no matter who started this altercation, Commander Echal will surely be blamed. When they are secured I will report back to you," he added.

Nodding, Dor’vel stepped aside as his security officers carefully carried first Govan than Tedak out of the ready room with Taev following closely along. The bridge fell silent as the group departed. And now, the Centurion was in a somewhat awkward position. Govan had never requested or selected a First Officer or indicated who should assume Command if he should become unavailable. Although he was the highest ranking senior officer, there were others aboard who outranked him, and it was not guaranteed that he should automatically assume to take Command, even though he felt fairly certain that was what Echal would want, but not entirely sure.

Addressing the bridge crew, Ch’varak, and the remaining security officers, Dor’vel decided the only thing he could really do was take Command. “Until we know for sure what happened in there, this incident does not leave the S’Harien,” he began, glancing pointedly at Tevio. “There is to be no communication with Command until there is an investigation, and I, or the Commander, make an official report, is that clear?” Dor’vel concluded, again blatantly looking in Lieutenant Ch’varak’s direction.

<Tag Tevio>

~

As Tamir arrived back in sickbay, the place was bustling with an activity that could only indicate they were preparing for incoming patients. The nurse surreptitiously joined in the preparations, but she was nervous, not knowing what to expect. When the doors finally opened and an injured Govan was accompanied by an injured Tedak, Tamir felt torn and incredibly disappointed. She knew they strongly disliked each other, but they were both her friends. She wished they could just get along...

As Sural got to work running scans, Tamir tried to stay out of the way. In spite of her concern, she knew this was a perfect example of a time when she should be careful to avoid appearing overly attached. Tedak was already beginning to come around as he was settled on an adjacent biobed. At first glance, the Ambassador seemed more badly injured, with the dagger in the shoulder, tell-tale bruises on his throat, and a lot of damage to his face, but in spite of this, he was at least conscious.

Govan’s most serious injury seemed to be a deep laceration to his left shoulder and arm, which was still bleeding, and he was clearly still unconscious. After running a few scans, Sural picked up the regenerator and moved to tend to Govan first. “Were this a purely medical issue, triage would require me to treat you first, but as this is non-life threatening and we aren’t at war, I’m making a decision to treat the Commander first. If you have a problem with that, file a complaint,” he quipped in Tedak’s direction before addressing Govan. “Now Commander, I know you won’t tell me where it hurts so I will treat what I can see. I’m sure Tamir can help you with the rest,” Sural commented, his eyes trained solely on the monitors and on the injuries.

“Uh...Sir? I don’t think they can hear you...” Tamir provided quietly, convinced Govan wasn’t awake and not even sure Tedak was actually aware enough to understand. “But that might be for the best... And may I suggest that once they’re both treated and conscious, they be moved to opposite sides of sickbay where they can’t see each other? That might be safer,” she added, somewhat glad Govan wasn’t awake.

<Tag Sural>

The nurse followed Sural’s lead in their treatment, providing whatever assistance and tools he requested and staying as quiet as possible so as not to show undue emotion. Tamir felt she’d done well, and that Govan and Dor’vel would have been pleased. Once they were treated and awake, then she would talk to them both to find out what had happened. She was terribly disappointed and upset with both of them, and she wouldn’t rest until she discovered what had prompted this argument.

~

So far, everything was going fairly well. No one had questioned his authority or even hinted that they did not believe he was rightfully assuming command. Dor’vel was closely monitoring all outgoing communications, and so far, no communiqués had gone to or from anywhere suspicious. It was only a matter of time before Command became aware of the situation and descended on the S’Harien to deal with it, but the Centurion hoped that by then he would have determined what had happened and they would be prepared with a response and an explanation for it, but this was going to be difficult. This was just the sort of excuse they needed for Govan to be removed from command, and it was going to be a tough battle to fight.

As the turbolift doors opened, and Uhlan Lhoell returned, Dor’vel rose to his feet. "Centurion, what are your orders?" Taev requested, moving back to take tactical.

“Keep a close eye on all outgoing communications, especially anything directed to Romulus or Command warbirds and from the Intelligence department,” he ordered. “Also, review the sensor records from the ready room. There won’t be any audio or visual records of course, but anything might help, even just their general positions.”

<Tag Taev>

Determined to do all he could, even if there was no way to prevent what might be the inevitable, Dor’vel opened a channel to sickbay. “Bridge to Doctor Sural, once Commander Echal and Ambassador Tedak are conscious, you are to inform me.”

<Tag Sural>

[Deleted]

Tedak didn't think the pain would ever stop. He was bordering on the edge of unconsciousness, his left shoulder painfully pinned to the remains of Govan's heavy desk. He could feel the edge of the blade grate against bone and his breath caught in his throat in agony.

With Govan atop him, there wasn't much room to struggle, especially not when most of his energy went to trying to breathe, which was also increasingly difficult. Govan's hands were like tight vices around his throat, and no matter how hard he tried, there was no removing them.

At the sound of the doors opening, the Romulan diplomat's attention was briefly diverted to the newcomer even as he attempted to signal for help. His sharp hearing - though now slightly muffled by the sound of blood rushing past his ears as his veins desperately tried to transport oxygenated blood to his brain - picked up the low whine of a disruptor being charged. Relief flooded his features as suddenly a red beam shot right past him, striking Govan squarely in his chest.

The younger man was thrown off him and with it the pressure on his throat was gone. Air flooded painfully back into his lungs and he coughed, wincing as that particular motion caused agony elsewhere. Tedak tried to sit up but his movement was halted by the dagger pinning him down, it being buried all the way into his body up to the hilt. The diplomat winced again, looking up even as blackness danced at the edge of his vision, threatening to pull him down with it. His relief was of a brief nature as his barely conscious mind realised that the weapon was now trained on him.

He had no energy to cry out as the beam now struck him and the blackness that had already been tugging at his consciousness now pulled him down along with it and his body went limp against the desk, pinned in place thus he couldn't slide off it as gravity would have liked to do.

Some time later, he woke up in sickbay, tied securely to a bed. Except the restraints only half registered to his groggy mind. Breathing was still painful and even the slightest movement sent waves of agony down his left arm. A soft chirping sound next to his ear alerted him to the fact that one of his firelizards had come to check on him, but he had neither the sense of mind nor the strength to try and look up.

Through half-closed eyes he could see Sural cast him a glare, and he could see the man was saying something...but what? The nurse...Tamir?..she seemed to argue or plead with him, but Tedak was too much in pain to really care or notice. He exhaled once, a very raspy breath, then slid back into unconsciousness.
A

[Deleted]

The Intel chief only took notice of the two intruders when they eclipsed the light that had until then been bathing in his office in stark white light. It made a change to the usual dark abode he liked to characterise his office as, but he found he missed that shadow and the secluded enclave that it provided, within which he could think over the myriad of topics he liked to give his attention to at times.

Thus the blotting out of that harsh light was more welcome than it would normally have been, that was, until, he saw who it was that had disturbed him so. This... thing, was back; but his time, Tevio noted unsurprisingly, she had some company. Very unsurprising he thought - suppressing the devillish glimpse of a smirk - when one considered the experience she'd had on her previous visit.

The Legate looked past the two new arrivals to the main intelligence room beyond. He couldn't see anything untoward, as in, officers looking the nurses way, or anything else that was worthy of particular note. Good, he thought, he was glad the staff knew their limits.

There was prey, and then there was prey that carried a weapon. This case was of course the latter. His staff had been wise to temper themselves as soon as the Centurion accompanying the female had made himself known. Doubtless there would've been murmurs of the nurse being some sort of consort to the Centurion, perhaps vice-versa, and the usual comments directed purely at the female - deeply misogynystic of course.

"Lieutenant, the nurse is here to inoculate you. Everyone else has been already, but since you were... indisposed at the time, it will have to be now," the man Tevio knew to be Dor'vel said. Tevio nodded, hiding successfully his surprise at being spoken at in such a direct, forthright manner.

"It's been well-tested, and it only has very minor side-effects, if any," the nurse spoke softly as she readied the Legate's inoculation.

"What kind of side effects?" Tevio questioned, a little too quickly and a little too bluntly. "I must know if I'm to conduct my work without issue. The intelligence department has important information to handle," he explained away to his partial satisfaction. He was fairly sure that the nurse wouldn't have noticed anything strange in his response, but Dor'vel may have found it... curious.

"Just get on with it," the Legate demanded eventually, after the nurse had tried to give some details.

The inoculation proceeded smoothly, which was good for the nurse. Not that Tevio would have done anything if things did not go well... Not strictly true, he might've had to do something drastic if it turned out that this was some plot to poison him. The bridge interrupted, bringing quite unbelievable news that Echal had got into a serious fight - in his ready room.

Tevio did not react visibly, but inside he was scoffing at Echal in derision.

* * * * *

[Deleted]

They took a turbolift to the bridge, riding it in silence all the way up and forward. The contrast between the turbolift's noiseless tension and the bridge activity was as good as infinite. The Legate merely stepped aside as, after five or so minutes, first Echal and then - incredibly - Ambassador Tedak were taken from the ready room. He noticed the Nurse, Tamir he'd learned her name to be, nearby, next to the ready room door and watching the two highly ranked officers being carted out by security personnel. Tevio smirked in her direction, she was clearly affected by this. It was as if she had some affiliation with both parties. Knowing he had her attention, he too watched Echal and Tedak, his head moving side-to-side, making clear in a mocking fashion his disbelief at the quite ridiculous events that had unfolded.

As expected, Dor'vel took command, the man tentatively taking to the command chair clearly unsure whether he should be doing it or not.

“Until we know for sure what happened in there, this incident does not leave the S’Harien,” he began, glancing pointedly at Tevio. “There is to be no communication with Command until there is an investigation, and I, or the Commander, make an official report, is that clear?”

"Absolutely," Tevio answered, hollowly. Still, he would obey the order. "Besides, why would I report this to command before conducting my investigation?" he said, making it implicit that he would of course be taking charge of investigating what happened in that ready room.

He nearly challenged the Centurion's command right then and there, but didn't. He would leave it for now, and whether or not the climate was right, he would make his move in due time. He might not try it at all, if it went that way. But, at this stage, there was no loss in keeping one's options open.

The Legate chose to occupy the intelligence console for the time being. He planned to for the length of time that Dor'vel planned to sit in the command seat. Two locuses of power on the bridge at the same time - with the Commander not present - was a wise move in this situation. The Legate didn't like to call it a brewing power struggle, because it clearly wasn't. He had not even said anything yet, although admittedly his presence at the intel console - where he had never chose to occupy for a concerted length of time before - did suggest some forward thinking motive.

The Centurion had just finished a comm call to the sickbay, when an alert came up on Tevio's console. They were receiving a hail. Tevio did what he rarely did: worked a console as an ordinary member of the crew... He leant in intently, pressing buttons in rapid succession. The message was highly encrypted, thus explaining why the hail had not already been announced by the Uhlan at tactical (and also that officer was apparently meant to be monitoring outgoing communications). It was also from central command... Using the inbuilt functions for decoding such messages - that were a part of the intel console (any ship that did not have one would not have been able to decode the message) - Tevio opened it.

"Centurion," he stated, turning from his station, "We've received an encrypted message from central command. They're demanding information on when we'll be arriving at the diplomatic reception. They also wish for an immediate dialogue with Commander Echal. We're to respond to the message, hailing on the same encrypted frequency for a live dialogue.

"What shall we do, Centurion? I'm at a loss myself," Tevio mocked Dor'vel without disguise.

<Tag Echal (Dor'vel)> <Sickbay etc.>

[Deleted]

His tenuous grasp on command of the S’Harien was holding, though Dor’vel was far from feeling secure. Tevio had remained on the bridge at the Intelligence station, and it was perfectly obvious that he was lurking, waiting for any sign of weakness before pouncing. It was a battle of wits, a power struggle, and it had consolidated into a single focus: who would speak to the Commander and/or Ambassador first. The Centurion was well aware that Tevio would want to use this opportunity to take Commander Echal down, while the Legate was probably aware that Dor’vel would want to find a way to keep that from happening. It was anyone’s game to win or lose.

"Centurion, we've received an encrypted message from central command. They're demanding information on when we'll be arriving at the diplomatic reception. They also wish for an immediate dialogue with Commander Echal. We're to respond to the message, hailing on the same encrypted frequency for a live dialogue,” Tevio reported neutrally until adding, "What shall we do, Centurion? I'm at a loss myself."

Biting back an irritated reply, Dor’vel instead carefully considered how to handle this new problem. “Lhoell, send a message on that frequency giving them our ETA to that reception and explain that our comm system is undergoing maintenance.”

<Tag Taev>

Hoping that would hold off Command for at least a little while, the Centurion was trying to figure out how to hold off Ch’varak. It was only a matter of time before he made his move, against Dor’vel or Echal. His every move was being observed for any opportunity to undermine his current command, and it was like being under a very uncomfortable microscope. The moment he headed for sickbay, Tevio would either challenge his authority on the bridge or to conduct the interrogations first, and neither option was very desirable. This would be an extremely difficult battle to win. After giving it some thought, Dor’vel drafted a message to send to Taev’s console.

“In a few minutes, hand over tactical to Uhlan Masek and go to sickbay to wait for Commander Echal and Ambassador Tedak to wake up. Tell Doctor Sural not to report to me that they are awake until after you have a chance to speak to both of them and determine what happened. Then, report back to me with your findings.”

<Tag Taev>

Finally relaxing slightly, Dor’vel felt confident in his plan. Taev would speak to the Commander and Ambassador before Tevio was even aware they were awake yet. Then, when Doctor Sural reported in to the bridge that they were awake, Dor’vel would “reluctantly” allow Tevio to go to sickbay, Taev would report to the bridge, and the Centurion would know exactly what had happened and maybe be able to handle the situation before the Legate had even completed speaking with them. It was a perfect plan, and although the chances were still slim, it provided the best opportunity for getting out of this without Govan losing command of the S’Harien.

<Tag All>

[Deleted]

Taev watched intently at what went on, or rather, did not go on as he remained at his station on the bridge. It was clear and obvious that the Intelligence Chief wanted command, but for now, Centurion Dor'vel retained it. At this point with the Centurion being in command, Taev realized that it would mean that he would be responsible for conducting the interrogation, but as he eyed Tevio, he could tell what the officer intended on doing. For now, however, Taev would wait until he was ordered to act.

The intelligence chief received a message from command. As ordered, Taev sent a message back, informing command that the communication systems were non-responsive, but they planned to arrive on schedule. After inputting and sending the message, Taev went back to keeping an eye on the bridge. The mood on the Bridge was tense, to say the very least and everyone was on edge. Not a single Romulan on the bridge spoke of what they saw, but they all though the same thing. What will happen now? It was only a matter of time now.

Taev looked down at his console seeing that he had received a message from Dor'vel. After reading it, he quickly erased it and all memory files related to it. He made a few quick scans of the ready room, but finding nothing, he turned the console over to Uhlan Masek. He proceeded off the bridge in a very discreet, though conspicuous manner, so as to not draw too much attention. He proceeded to the sickbay, where he found the two bodies as he left them, both unconscious. He saw Dr. Sural and told him, "I have been ordered to inform you that I will be conducting the investigation and you are not to report that the Commander and Ambassador are awake until I have questioned them."

(Sural)

"Please awaken the Ambassador, so I can briefly question him. As I do so, please awaken Commander Echal."

(Sural)

[Deleted]

Tedak had awoken a second time, expecting to be in less agony than he had been before. Sadly, his left arm still felt stiff and he couldn't move it much. Overall, he still was in a lot of pain and briefly he wondered if he'd been given any pain relief at all. At least the dagger had been removed from his shoulder and the injury seen to and cleanly bandaged. The dagger was lying on a stand beside the bed, closely guarded by his brown firelizard, Nut. As usual, bronze Sev was nowhere to be seen, yet Tedak knew the little bronze was close by as well.

The diplomat shivered at the memory of nearly being choked to death and was momentarily grateful to the officer who'd shot Govan causing him to release his choke-hold. Absentmindedly, the diplomat's right hand went to his throat, gently touching the injured area. He still couldn't breathe quite right, but that was still part of him that was recovering slowly.

He looked up, as a shadow fell over him, and he recognised the officer that had saved - and shot - him.

Taev glanced over the now awake Ambassador. It was obvious the diplomat was still in pain, but that was only to Taev's liking. He rather enjoyed the thought of the foolish ambassador being in pain. Most likely, he deserved it, but nevertheless, Taev had to remain as objective as possible.

"Ambassador Tedak. I am here to question you about the events that transpired in the Commander's Ready room. You will be as straightforward and to-the-point as possible. Do you understand?"

Tedak blinked a few times as if to clear his memory. "I understand," he replied clearly though his voice was laced with pain and sounding a little rasping. He struggled to sit up a little straighter. "Continue," he commanded.

Taev ignored the rank insult and began his interrogation. He spoke clearly, making sure to emphasize everything. "Describe the events that transpired from the moment you walked into the ready room until the moment you lost consciousness."

That took him by surprise for a moment. "You honestly think I can remember evey single detail?" he queried brusquely. Yet he closed his eyes and searched his memory. "I was called to meet with commander Echal," he continued in a softer tone of voice. "We argued for a while, tension between us growing. We've never been friends, but never quite adversaries. Yet, I felt the need to relieve the tension to improve further relations. Insults were exchanged, I struck him."

He trailed off, before continuing a nearly exact account of what happened. He opened his eyes. "That is what happened," he concluded curtly.

Taev nodded, taking note of the Ambassador's willingnesss to admit guilt and take responsibility for his actions. It was commendable if it was sincere, but Taev couldn't discount the possibility that this was just a ruse. The point of the interrogation was to ensure that no political consequences would befall Commander Echal. For all Taev cared, the Ambassador could wilt and die.

"I see," he finally said. "Is there anything else you wish to say?"

"What is there to say. I made the first attack," Tedak replied evenly, "I could very well lie and destroy Govan. I know that, but what would be the point? He hates me, I know that too. But I am a diplomat, bound to recover truths and avoid innuendo. My own honour is at stake here, and I'd be stupid to throw away what little honour I have remaining to me after this." He paused. "Govan stabbed me with my own dagger, and nearly killed me, true. But would he have if I hadn't challenged him? Likely not now, but perhaps later. But then there'd have been time for us to...reconcile, possibly. I don't know."

Taev nearly scoffed at the diplomat at his mention of honour. He kept his composure however. "Ambassador, know this. It would give me great joy and pleasure to see you decimated in front of your own kind, but my own honour forces me to be objective. You will be held only for your own actions and not those of Commander Echal. He will answer to his own mistakes." Taev began to move away.

"So long as it's clear that him befals no blame," Tedak shot back, wincing as he tried to sit up again, "I attacked him, he defended himself. I stabbed him first, before he nearly killed me. I am to blame, no-one else, and I am quite prepared to face the consequences. Remember that Lhoell, don't twist the facts. I'll know if you did."

Taev abruptly looked back. "And you'll do what, Ambassador? Attack me too? I would not advise it, Tedak, as I will not make Govan's mistake of letting you live. There will be no one to save you. Remember, the only reason you live is by my hand, so as far as you are concerned, your life is mine." Taev had a harsh tone and it was well deserved. Taev reached for a powerful sedative and harshly held down the Ambassador. He administered the sedative.

Tedak smiled, though his eyes widened as he was startled by the sudden injection and being held down. "Diplomatic immunity," he murmured, still smiling though struggling feebly. "My life is my own," he continued, trying to fend Taev off. The sedative worked quickly though and the ambassador went limp under Taev's strong hold as he lost consciousness once more.

[Deleted]

Once the Commander and Ambassador had been moved to opposite and separate areas of sickbay, the doctor had woken Tedak, and Taev had gone to speak to him, Tamir turned to Sural. She knew this probably wasn’t a good idea, but she had to ask. “Sir, would it be alright if I woke Commander Echal and spoke with him first? I think it might be...safer and easier for everyone that way...” the nurse suggested.

<Tag Sural>

Nodding, Tamir moved quickly, knowing she probably didn’t have long before the tactical officer would want to speak to Govan next. Doctor Sural had never said a word before about her association with Govan, and he had always treated her with respect, so she didn’t think she would be in too much trouble for her request. Now she just had to hope she would be able to calm him down and find out what had happened before Taev came back. Loading the appropriate vial in the hypospray, Tamir applied it to his throat and waited. The restraints were still activated, but she hoped they wouldn’t be necessary, not for her sake of course but everyone else’s.

Eyes opening slowly, Govan blinked against the light and tried to figure out where he was. The first thing he saw was Tamir, and this puzzled him. What was the last thing he remembered...? Visions of Tedak returned to his mind all too quickly, and Echal instinctively tried to sit up, stopped immediately by the invisible barriers. The nurse had not said a word yet, just stood over him with a mixture of sympathy and disappointment on her face. Finally giving up on the struggle against the restraints, the Commander settled back, feeling uneasy under her disapproving gaze. “Is he dead?” he asked, not entirely sure whether he wanted to answer to be yes or no...

Torn between wanting to make him feel better and being angry with him for hurting her friend, Tamir took a steadying breath before replying. “No, he’s here, resting.”

“Hmph...” was Govan’s only reply to that, as he shifted against the restraints. “Why am I restrained?” Commander Echal questioned, though he knew perfectly well why.

Sending him a mild glare, Tamir eventually sighed and relented. “I’ll release them, but only if you promise me you’ll behave. I won’t be responsible for more trouble.”

Feeling very much like a scolded school-boy, Govan nodded. “Fine...” At another glare from her, he sighed heavily. This just wasn’t fair... “Alright, yes, I promise...”

She reached over and released the forcefield, somewhat reluctantly, but she just couldn’t stand seeing him trapped like that. “Don’t make me regret that,” she added sternly, before sighing again. “Oh, Govan...why did you do that? You nearly killed him. I know you two have never really gotten along, but that’s no reason to resort to this. I thought you were working on your temper. I can’t imagine what he would have done to warrant that kind of reaction. And you know that Tedak is my friend...”

“I know,” Echal snapped, not used to being talked to that way and not liking it one bit. “But you know, before you started lecturing me, you could have at least asked what happened rather than assuming this is all my fault. I know everyone else will, but I would have at least hoped for the benefit of the doubt for you,” he mumbled.

Beginning to feel a tiny bit guilty, Tamir humored him. “Alright...what happened?”

Crossing his arms over his chest defensively, Govan glared at the ceiling. “He was trying to get me to attack him. I don’t know why, but that’s the only way to explain it. We were talking about the S’Harien’s interim assignment, which involved him, so I was explaining to him what the orders were and what was required of us. I was civil…not nice, but definitely civil. He insulted the crew, but I didn’t rise to the bait, just...shot something appropriate back. We exchanged a couple of barbs, and then he...challenged me, said I had wanted to hit him since he came aboard and that I’d feel better if I did. He was goading me…trying to get me to start a fight with him.”

“Why would he do that?” Tamir asked, not entirely sure she was buying this. “And besides, just because he was goading you didn’t mean you had to actually do it.”

“I didn’t!” Govan shot back defensively. “I wanted to, but I didn’t. I knew since he was trying to provoke me into it, I probably shouldn’t, so I resisted. You know how hard I’ve been working on my control... I called him on what he was doing, but I still don’t know why. That’s when he hit me. That’s right, HE hit ME first. I didn’t even see it coming...I was so focused on restraining myself, not to mention I never expected him to do that. Even then, I still didn’t hit him back. I just...warned him not to do that again, or he would regret it. And then, he insulted my honor, so yeah, I hit him. I...I snapped, alright, but he was asking for it. No one insults my honor...”

Trying to process all of this, the nurse still wasn’t entirely convinced. Tedak wasn’t the type of person to do something like that. It was entirely out of character. Still, Govan was not the type of person to lie, and he had no reason to lie to her. He’d never lied to her before... “So...he started this? Tedak started this?” she repeated.

She didn’t believe him...and if she didn’t believe him no one would. Slumping back against the bed, Echal turned in the other direction. “I know it sounds ridiculous, but it’s the truth. I honestly did the best I could not to fight him, Tamir, but he was literally asking for it. I had to defend my honor...I had tried not to retaliate, but I couldn’t let that go. And now, it’s over. No one’s going to believe me, not even you do, and so I’ll lose everything for attacking an Ambassador. For all I know, that’s why he did it.”

No longer angry, and now convinced he was telling the truth, Tamir reached out and placed her hand over his. “I do believe you, Govan. You have never lied to me before, and there’s no reason for you to start now. You have to admit, it does sound a bit crazy, but if you tell me it’s the truth, than I believe you… It’s going to be ok.”

Still not able to look at her, Govan shook his head. “No, it’s not... More likely than not, I’ll lose my command, my commission, end up incarcerated, and if that doesn’t kill me, my enemies will eventually track me down, and they will.” Now turning his head to look at her, Echal flipped his hand over and held onto hers. “Just promise me one thing, Tamir. When this happens, stay close to Dor’vel. He’s the only one I trust, and he will protect you because I will no longer be able to…promise me...”

The pleading in his eyes was almost more than she could take, and blinking back tears, she nodded. “I promise, but it’s not going to come to that. I’m sure it will be fine.”

No where near convinced, Govan didn’t try to correct her. He didn’t want to scare her any more than he had to, and that request had been enough… “You probably shouldn’t be here. You’ve been left alone with me for long enough. I don’t want to get you into any further trouble. I’ll be fine, and I did promise I would behave,” he added, trying to lighten the mood with a tiny hint of a smile, the best he could manage.

Appreciating the attempt, Tamir smiled back. “Alright, I’m going to hold you do that promise,” she teased, glancing around to make sure no one was within sight before dropping a quick kiss on his forehead, grinning at the grumpy scowl that earned, as the slight amusement in his eyes and the way his mouth fought against a smile gave him away. “I’ll be back to check on you in a little bit,” she promised as she left.

Grumbling and muttering under his breath, Govan nonetheless appreciated what she was trying to do. He wasn’t used to getting support or encouragement, but he had to admit, it wasn’t all that bad. As she faded from view, he slumped back on the biobed again. The more he thought about it, the more he realized everything was probably over. No one got away with attacking an Ambassador, and no one would believe this was Tedak’s fault. Considering Command had been looking for an excuse to get rid of him, he would probably be finished before getting released from sickbay. He just had to hope that Dor’vel would take care of Tamir for him…

As she moved to leave, Tamir’s smile gradually faded, hardening along with her eyes. Seeing Govan lying there, so vulnerable and desolate made her angry, an immensely unfamiliar emotion. She was going to speak with Ambassador Tedak...

[Deleted]

OOC: Joint Post Between Tamir, Commander Echal and Lieutenant Lhoell

Storming from the other room, Tamir was getting madder with each step. How dare Tedak do something like this? She had thought so much better of him than this, but now, she wasn’t so sure. So focused on her goal, to give the Ambassador a piece of her mind, that the nurse didn’t even see the tactical officer until she’d practically plowed him over. “Oh! I am so sorry!” Tamir stammered as she tried to get up off the floor. He was certainly solid. “I didn’t see you standing there... It was my fault.”

Taev looked down at the nurse and helped her up. "Don't worry about it. Where are you going in such a hurry?"

“Thanks,” Tamir replied, brushing herself off, blushing slightly at her carelessness. “I was just...going to see to Tedak,” she explained, hoping that being a nurse would imply she was going to take care of him rather than yell at him. “Are you going to speak to...Commander Echal now?” she asked. “Because...a word of advice? I’d tread carefully if I were you. He’s really not in the best of moods at the moment...”

"Tedak is indisposed at the moment," Taev said. "I assume Govan told you what happened? Can you tell me anything that might help his case?"

“Indisposed?” Tamir questioned, feeling incredibly disappointed. She had been so ready to give him a good talking to now. She didn’t want to have to wait. “And as for Commander Echal, you’ll have to speak with him. Just...don’t push too hard. I don’t want to have to end up returning your favor and helping you up off the floor.”

Taev nodded. "I will be able to handle it. We are just on a tight schedule. If you will excuse me, I need to speak to him now." Taev moved passed her and walked towards the door.

Nodding, Tamir headed off to see what ‘indisposed’ meant. As soon as she could, she was going to speak with Ambassador Tedak, and no one was going to stop her.

Glancing up at the sound of footsteps returning, almost expecting Tamir to come back, Govan instead saw Dor’vel’s assistant step into the room and his defenses immediately went up. He was coming to find out what had happened, and Echal did not know enough about the officer yet to know whether he could be trusted or not.

Taev walked into the room, seeing Govan immediately. "Commander, I am under orders from Dor’vel to find out what happened in your ready room. I believe Ch’varak is on his way here now and it is vital I find out the truth before he gets here."

Relaxing only slightly, but still suspicious, Govan nodded. “Then ask your questions.”

Taev nodded. "I will keep his quick sir. I need to know as much as you remember from the moment the ambassador entered your ready room until the moment you went unconscious."

Carefully considering exactly what to say, Govan paused briefly before responding. “I had called the Ambassador to my office to discuss the upcoming assignment. I relayed the details to him and suggested that we attempt to make the best of this situation and get through it so we could go our separate ways. We exchanged a few, mild insults, the first from him, and then he challenged me to hit him. I refused and warned him not to bait me, and he then struck me. I again warned him to back off, but then he insulted my honor, and I...retaliated. He pulled a dagger and stabbed me in my left arm. I removed the dagger and pinned his shoulder to the deck, and that is when I lost consciousness. The next thing I remember is waking up here.”

Taev once again nodded. "Thank you, Sir. Is there anything else you wish to add to this?"

Again pausing to consider this, Commander Echal debated making some sort of statement against Tedak, but decided against it. Hopefully, the facts would speak for themselves, though he still doubted that he was going to survive this incident. “No, that is all,” Govan concluded. “Inform Centurion Dor’vel that I...wish to speak to him at his earliest convenience,” he added awkwardly at the unfamiliar request. He could have made it an order, but somehow, that just didn’t feel right. “That is all.”

“Thank you, Sir. I will inform him." Taev nodded his head in respect and left the room. He walked over to the doctor and said, “Now would be a good time to inform the bridge they are awake." With that said, he left sickbay.

<Tag Sural>

[Deleted]

When the nurse entered the room where Tedak was, she found him unconscious, which was very strange considering Doctor Sural had just woken him up and Taev had just spoken with him. A quick scan revealed a sedative in his system, a strong one but not a particularly high dosage. Normally, Tamir never would have acted without consulting with Sural, but he was supposed to be awake, and she wanted to to speak to him, so she retrieved an equally strong stimulant and administered the appropriate dosage to revive him. He started somewhat at the strength, but as soon as his eyes were opened and focused on her, she crossed her arms and glared.

A very sick feeling washed over the diplomat, as stimulant warred with sedative over the power of his conscious mind. He blinked a few times to focus his vision and was startled to find Tamir glaring down on him. Focusing on her, seeing she had something to say, he waited. He wasn't quite conscious enough to ask her why she was here, nor realise the answer to his own question.

“How dare you do that to Govan! You of all people should have known better than to provoke him like that. He has been working so hard on controlling his temper and then you just undo all of his effort by making it impossible for him to restrain himself? What a stupid, stupid, stupid thing to do! What were you thinking? I can’t imagine what could have possessed you to behave so foolishly! Do you have any idea the kind of trouble he could be in for this? He could lose everything because of you, and this wasn’t even his fault. It was YOUR fault. Unless that’s what you wanted, to ruin him like this...if that was your goal, then congratulations, but you’re not the man I know, or thought I knew. I don’t even know who you are anymore! If you don’t fix this, then I don’t know you, and I don’t want to know you, so you are going to tell the truth, make sure that you take the blame for this, and that nothing bad will happen to Govan because of it, and furthermore, you will apologize to him for your actions and do whatever it takes to make it up to him, or I don’t know you.”

With that, the nurse spun on her heel and stormed for the door, shaking with fury.

“Tamir...” His voice was weak, trembling, but audible enough. Tedak closed his eyes and swallowed a few times, only now noticing his beloved brown sitting beside his head on his pillow, nuzzling his cheek. He winced as he struggled to sit up, then fell back in the pillows as he failed to do so. “Come back,” he pleaded softly, “I'll explain...everything.” Slowly, his mind was clearing as stimulant won over sedative.

Forcing herself to slow down and finally stop at the door, Tamir sighed and turned back, still glaring at him as she moved to stand beside the bed again and crossed her arms. “I’m listening,” she stated, ready to leave again at a hint of any excuses.

“I have admitted guilt,” the visibly ill Romulan started, “when I was questioned, I admitted I started it. I thought to alleviate tension by getting it out of both of us now, rather than later. I was wrong to try, I know, but you know Govan and I never really got along. I was trying to open up a possibility for us to .. improve relations. I shouldn't have stabbed him, I can never excuse that. I don't know why I did it, possibly because I didn't want to die. I couldn't breathe Tamir. It's no excuse, but it's the truth. I won't harm his chance at command, he won't lose it over this, I will make sure of that.”

“You thought this would HELP?!?! You thought this would actually improve things between you him? You spent enough time with him. How could you not know him well enough to know that was a mistake? He hates you now, and that may never change after this. I’d be surprised if he ever speaks to you again unless forced. It isn’t just going to be over. You have probably permanently damaged any fragile interaction you had to begin with, Tedak. You have made an all out enemy of him.”

The older Romulan cringed at her tirade as he lowered his eyes in shame. Indeed, how could he have been this stupid? “I know,” he whispered sadly. He sighed deeply, wincing as it upset his damaged shoulder. He coughed, his throat dry from speaking and still tender from nearly being strangled. “And I regret this happened. However my word stands. I admitted guilt and no matter what Govan thinks of me, he should know I'd never ruin him. I know that I very well could have, the only thing I had to do was lie. But I can't lie. I woud lose every shred of credibility and honour I have if I would lie to better myself. I can't do that. To him, or to you.”

“Well you better make this right, Tedak. And that barely even begins to account for what you did. Yes, Govan is a dangerous man, but in spite of what everyone thinks of him, there is good in him too, and he was trying so hard to improve and control his temper, and you just erased all that effort. You don’t provoke a man like him ever. This is what happens when you do that. And how could he know that you wouldn’t try to ruin him? He thought he knew you would never do something like this, but you did, which counteracts everything he thought he knew about you and everything I thought I knew about you. I mean it when I say that you’d better apologize to him, although I doubt that will do much good, but you will do it. You have done a lot of damage here, damage that may never be repaired, but you’re still going to do everything possible to atone just because it’s the right thing to do.”


Tedak still didn't look at her; he was no telepath but even he could sense her fury. Nut fluttered his wings but made no other sound and settled down almost immediately. “I know he can be a good man, if only he allowed himself to be.” He swallowed again, closing his eyes before opening them to look up at her. “You don't need to lecture me about right and wrong. I know perfectly well what is right and wrong. I thought to alleviate tension, I was wrong. But I will not be the cause of his destruction, if he is destroyed it will be because of his own doing, not mine. I have told Taev exactly what happened, I did not alter anything. Some of his crew may be out to destroy him, I am not. I may not be his friend, I am not his enemy. He may think so, but I am not.” He sighed. “I will apologise to him, if he will allow me to do so. I will take whatever punishment he sees fit.” His eyes flashed. “Short of being killed, of course.”

Finally starting to cool down a little bit, Tamir took a slow breath. “He won’t kill you. He’s had plenty of time to think about what could have happened to him if he had and what he believes still could happen until this gets sorted out. You’re lucky to even be alive to begin with after provoking him like that,” she shot back, still too angry to really think straight. She had started to notice that he wasn’t entirely well and part of her felt bad, but the rest was still mad. “I’ll send Sural in to see to you,” she finally conceded, not quite trusting herself to do so. “Maybe I’ll be back later.”

“We'll see,” the ambassador conceded, closing his eyes again, shifting a little in an attempt to get comfortable. He bit back a cry but the pain was evident on his face and his brow was covered in a film of sweat. “Thank you Tamir,” he whispered as he tried to focus on her. With his right hand, he reached out to her. “Please don't hate me,” he almost begged. He knew that, if he would tell Kerry, she'd be mad at him too for being stupid.

Now truly beginning to give a little, Tamir still refused to take his hand but moved to get a hypospray. “I don’t hate you,” she finally conceded, administering the drug. “Now just lie back and get some rest. I’ll be back to check on you in a little while.” <tag>

Tedak sighed in relief as the pain subsided a little, reducing to a dull throbbing. "I'm not going anywhere," he promised, "perhaps later we can talk about the kittens." He closed his eyes and tried to relax, listening to her retreating footsteps.

Tag: Sural

[Deleted]

Taev looked down at his console seeing that he had received a message from Dor'vel. After reading it, he quickly erased it and all memory files related to it. He made a few quick scans of the ready room, but finding nothing, he turned the console over to Uhlan Masek. He proceeded off the bridge in a very discreet, though conspicuous manner, so as to not draw too much attention. He proceeded to the sickbay, where he found the two bodies as he left them, both unconscious. He saw Dr. Sural and told him, "I have been ordered to inform you that I will be conducting the investigation and you are not to report that the Commander and Ambassador are awake until I have questioned them."

Sural looked up,
"I am not bothered whether its your idea or the Praetors. I will do my job that is to heal them. When I am done so I will inform only those that are necessary. And might I remind you. Once awake the Commanders orders will supercede yours."

"Please awaken the Ambassador, so I can briefly question him. As I do so, please awaken Commander Echal."

Sural nodded and readied a hypospray.

Once the Commander and Ambassador had been moved to opposite and separate areas of sickbay, the doctor had woken Tedak, and Taev had gone to speak to him, Tamir turned to Sural. She knew this probably wasn’t a good idea, but she had to ask. “Sir, would it be alright if I woke Commander Echal and spoke with him first? I think it might be...safer and easier for everyone that way...” the nurse suggested.

Sural scowled a moment and then nodded.
"That might be best. Taev seems to have forgotten who runs this ship. It sure isn't this Ambassador."

Sural left Tamir to see to Govan whilst he himself went over to the Ambassador. Checking the hypospray oncemore he bent over and injected an anti sedative which would have Tedak awake in moments. He took a few steps back and stood silently as Taev interrogated the Ambassador. He watched the two men intently. Taev was a skilled questioner but Tedak likewise had the feel of someone who had seen the military life too. Odd Sural thought, given the Ambassadors obviously pacifistic stance on international politics.
Following behind Taev Sural passed from one side of sickbay to the other and fussed about with the monitor checking Govan’s continuing good health.

Again pausing to consider this, Commander Echal debated making some sort of statement against Tedak, but decided against it. Hopefully, the facts would speak for themselves, though he still doubted that he was going to survive this incident. “No, that is all,” Govan concluded. “Inform Centurion Dor’vel that I...wish to speak to him at his earliest convenience,” he added awkwardly at the unfamiliar request. He could have made it an order, but somehow, that just didn’t feel right. “That is all.”
“Thank you, Sir. I will inform him." Taev nodded his head in respect and left the room. He walked over to the doctor and said, “Now would be a good time to inform the bridge they are awake." With that said, he left sickbay.

Sural snorted “and I suppose you’ve suddenly been struck mute and unable to tap your comm.” He said sarcastically, he held up his hand to forestall Taevs reply, “Don’t worry I know your very busy with dealing with this very important altercation. I will contact the bridge.”
As Taev left he did as he was instructed and contacted the bridge, as he rang off he noticed Govan had swung his legs round and was attempting to get up.
Sural quickly ran to his side,
“You are a stubborn man Commander. I know nothing I can say will stop you from doing what you want, but as your physician I suggest you take it lightly. You were much less injured than the Ambassador, but even so, injuries are injuries.” He paused, “If you like I could keep Tedak in for observation for longer or have him transferred and treated in the brig?”

TAG Govan

[Deleted]

“Thank you, Doctor,” Dor’vel responded to Sural’s report that both ‘patients’ were awake. Glancing in the Chief Intelligence Officer’s direction, the Centurion paused as if to weigh all his options. Neither leaving the bridge in the Legate’s hands nor allowing him to speak to Tedak and Govan first would have been suitable options had he not already preemptively sent Taev, so he couldn’t appear to be too quick to agree to Tevio heading to sickbay first. Finally, feigning deep reluctance, Dor’vel addressed the Lieutenant. “Conduct your investigation,” the Centurion stated simply.

<Tag Tevio>

In spite of how highly unlikely it seemed that this wouldn’t fall on Echal, Dor’vel still hoped that somehow there would be a way to resolve this without any undesirable consequences. The Centurion didn’t have enough details regarding the previous history between Ambassador Tedak and Govan, only that there was some, so he couldn’t even begin to speculate what had happened in that ready room. The only supposition he could make was that somehow the Commander had been provoked and lost his temper, but that could mean a lot of things and happen any number of different ways, both favorable and unfavorable for the sake of Commander Echal. The future of the S’Harien and her Commander were very much up in the air at the moment, and Centurion Dor’vel didn’t care for this feeling of uncertainty in the least.

A few minutes after the departure of the Legate, Taev returned from sickbay, which had been exactly has Dor’vel had planned. Gesturing towards the ready room, the Centurion led the way, hoping to get ahead of the firestorm that was probably on its way. Once the door closed behind them, he addressed Uhlan Lhoell. “Report.”

<Tag Taev>

~

Staring up at the ceiling, mind racing with all the horrible things that could happen because of Tedak, Govan was getting more and more restless by the moment. It felt like everything was closing in around him, and just sitting there while it did felt not only pointless but incredibly stifling. He could almost feel the noose tightening around his neck and the walls closing in around him. Finally, unable to take it any further, Echal forced himself into a seated position, swinging his legs around trying to catch his breath. The surge of pain down his injured arm was like a life-line to him, far from pleasant but something to hold onto to remind him he was still alive.

Apparently seeing his movements as a precursor to his escape, Sural was there in an instant. “You are a stubborn man, Commander. I know nothing I can say will stop you from doing what you want, but as your physician, I suggest you take it lightly. You were much less injured than the Ambassador, but even so, injuries are injuries.” The thought of getting out of sickbay was almost impossible to resist, and he looked at the door, almost hearing it call to him. “If you like, I could keep Tedak in for observation for longer or have him transferred and treated in the brig?” he offered.

Tedak in the brig and Govan out of sickbay sounded just about perfect, but over the Doctor’s shoulder, he caught a glimpse of Tamir going about her work and knew that although Sural couldn’t say anything to stop him, she certainly could and would, and after all, he had just promised her that he would behave... With a heavy sigh, the Commander replied, “That won’t be necessary for the time being, Doctor. And I wasn’t planning on leaving, just...stretching my legs. I will remain as long as you determine is best.” Deciding that sounded too cooperative and out of character, he quickly added, “Unless I have more important matters which require my attention.”

Changing the subject so as not to dwell on his unusual acceptance, Govan inquired, “What is the status of my...injury, and how much longer will I be required to stay?”

<Tag Sural>

~

Only now that she’d had a few moments to herself did Tamir really begin to calm down. She had never been angry like that before, ever, and now she was beginning to feel a little bit guilty with the way she had treated Tedak. True, she was still mad at him for what he had done, but the man had been injured and in pain, and she had just yelled at him, not to mention reviving him when he’d just been sedated. If she’d been thinking clearly, she never would have done that... Sural was tending to Govan, who was hopefully still behaving himself, so a little sheepishly, the nurse stepped back into the room where Tedak was resting. “Hi...” she began, feeling a lot of remorse since now that she was calmed down, he looked awful... “I was just checking in on you to see how you’re doing.” That wasn’t entirely true, and sighing, she dropped the pretense. “Look...I’m sorry for yelling at you like that. I was angry, and I am still mad, but I shouldn’t have treated you like that, especially since you were hurt and not feeling well, and I’m really sorry... Is there anything you need?”

<Tag Tedak>

[Deleted]

OOC: Post by Tevio Ch'varak with significant contribution from Taev Lhoell.

IC:
"Conduct your investigation," Dor'vel told him stonily.

Tevio nodded, licking his lips and not caring that others saw him to be relishing the coming interrogations, for that was how he was meant to be seen surely? He glanced at the empty tactical console as he walked past, being destined for the turbolift. The officer on duty - filling in while Dor'vel had or thought he had temporary command - was missing, had been for a while. Tevio remembered him going, but wasn't sure of how long ago it was or where the officer had been heading.

He marched the corridors like some inquisitive inspector bringing his doom, making his way inexorably towards sickbay. Despite, in a sense, looking forward to questioning the two fools who'd engaged in a fight, he was also to his own admission not happy that he'd soon be seeing Doctor Sural. The Legate found the Doctor intolerable, and the man's incessant inqueries into his biology were as annoying as they were deeply worrying.

Rounding a corridor, he realised he would soon be passing by Sub Lieutenant... Lhoell, or something like that; the tactical officer from earlier. While he presently considered it a mere coincidence, a spark of suspicion was also ignited inside Tevio. So close to sickbay... he thought; if Lhoell had been there, what might he have been up to?

Taev walked up the corridor, not in a hurry but he noticed that his step was slightly hastened. He looked out in front of him, seeing the Chief Intelligence Officer coming around the corner. Taev wondered what the officer was doing, since Taev had been ordered to get to sickbay before Ch'varak did. He looked at the officer with a look of suspicion as he started to pass by.

"What?" Tevio asked, stopping dead in the corridor and thereby forcing the Sub Lieutenant to stop also. "Heading back to the bridge?" he inquired, after there was no response from Lhoell, "I hope Dor'vel knows what you're doing; officers going wayward from the bridge is not desirable on a Warbird." Tevio looked Lhoell up and down, the latter's silence causing the Legate's suspicion to rise.

"I do not report to you. My business is none of your concern." The annoyance in Taev's voice was apparent. "Excuse me, I have duties to attend to."

Tevio moved to block the path the tactical officer was just moving into. "No," he hissed, "Where have you been? The more I think... quite convenient that you should leave the bridge at the time you did. I might even think Dor'vel has you on some special mission. What have you been doing?"

Taev sighed. While it was the beginning of his lie, he was rather proud of what he said next. "If you must know," he sighed again, this time more heavily, "I suffer from a rare brain disorder that causes me to become unconscious if I begin to feel anxiety. Due to our current situation, I was anxious. I felt the symptoms so I asked to be relieved from the bridge in order to alleviate my symptoms.

"I apologize if I make you suspicious of my activities, but my condition must be dealt with." While it was an outright lie, Taev made it seem strangely convincing. Perhaps I should get into espionage. "Now if you will please excuse me, I must return to the bridge."

Not quite convinced, but suddenly and inexplicably dumbfounded to silence, Tevio simply nodded. "On your way. But Lieutenant," he called as Taev began to round the corridor out of sight, "Don't think you aren't watched. I have eyes everywhere on this vessel," he glared at him with steely sight.


He stepped into sickbay, seeing straight-away Doctor Sural in his enclosed office, and Govan Echal and Ambassador Tedak on separate sides of the bay to one another. Almost tossing coinage in his mind, Tevio chose which he would speak to first. A thought occurred to him as he approached Commander Echal's biobed.

"Commander," Tevio said, seeing that Govan was indeed awake as Sural had claimed on the comm. But, why would he lie..? Tevio frowned, thinking strangely of missing jigsaw pieces, then stepped up beside the Commander's biobed.

<Tag Govan> <All>

[Deleted]

Tedak in the brig and Govan out of sickbay sounded just about perfect, but over the Doctor’s shoulder, he caught a glimpse of Tamir going about her work and knew that although Sural couldn’t say anything to stop him, she certainly could and would, and after all, he had just promised her that he would behave... With a heavy sigh, the Commander replied, “That won’t be necessary for the time being, Doctor. And I wasn’t planning on leaving, just...stretching my legs. I will remain as long as you determine is best.” Deciding that sounded too cooperative and out of character, he quickly added, “Unless I have more important matters which require my attention.”

Changing the subject so as not to dwell on his unusual acceptance, Govan inquired, “What is the status of my...injury, and how much longer will I be required to stay?”

Sural had followed Govans glance and with a wry smile noted,
"You will remain until you feel well enough and I agree. Unless you unduly distract my staff." He moved around the biobed and turned the monitor towards the commander.
"As you can see everything is normal. There is no chance of lasting damage. You are bruised, sprained and...scored. Tedaks blows were precise. He was not trying to kill you. Either that or he was lucky."
Govan snorted,
"I didnt mean it like that. I have inspected Tedaks wounds and know that had the fight been in earnest which one of you would now be in my morgue. Life as an Ambassador may have weakened him slightly but his blade work is still of someone trained in the Tal Shiar. I find it odd the two of you do not have more in common. Both of you now are outsiders. You an agent on a navy vessel and he with his obvious alien sympathies. Still, friendships are not what I am about. I do however have some bad news for you."

"Go on" Govan replied,

"Your injuries will be sufficently healed for the Diplomatic Conference on Outpost 24. As will the Ambassadors. Unless of course you suffer a 'relapse'. In which case as your physician I would instruct you to miss it and be duty bound to remain at your side. Just a thought." he looked up and noticed the entry of the Intelligence officer. That man was dangerous, he had caused most of the misfotunes on the ship so far and Sural was still vexed that he had been unable to get further sample of the mans blood for his analysis.
With a full bloodwork up and all the evidence he had collected in their last mission and Raltorrs antitoxin Suaral felt as if he was on the verge of achieving his life times goal.
"I ll leave you two alone." Sural returned the bio sensor and entered his office to go over Tevios medical file oncemore. He nodded in greeting as the Intel Officer passed his window and then returned to his notes.

[Deleted]

"You will remain until you feel well enough and I agree, unless you unduly distract my staff," the doctor replied, accessing one of the monitors and turning it in Echal’s direction. "As you can see everything is normal,” he began, gesturing to the screen which Govan could barely recognize let alone fully understand. “There is no chance of lasting damage. You are bruised, sprained and…scored. Tedak’s blows were precise. He was not trying to kill you. Either that or he was lucky." At that, Govan practically chocked, but Sural quickly moved to clarify. "I didn’t mean it like that. I have inspected Tedak’s wounds and know that had the fight been in earnest which one of you would now be in my morgue. Life as an Ambassador may have weakened him slightly but his blade work is still of someone trained in the Tal Shiar. I find it odd the two of you do not have more in common. Both of you now are outsiders. You an agent on a navy vessel and he with his obvious alien sympathies. Still, friendships are not what I am about. I do however have some bad news for you."

Not quite liking the correlation between himself and the man he currently despised, Govan instead decided not to comment on that and focus on the news. "Go on...”

"Your injuries will be sufficiently healed for the Diplomatic Conference on Outpost 24. As will the Ambassador’s, unless of course you suffer a 'relapse'. In which case as your physician, I would instruct you to miss it and be duty bound to remain at your side...just a thought..." Sural concluded, somehow managing a straight face.

Knowing exactly what he was getting at, Govan not only appreciated it, but found for the first time he didn’t really hate the doctor quite so much. Unfortunately, Echal had no way of knowing if he would still be in command by the time they reached the outpost, let alone if he’d still be required or even invited to the conference. Even if everything worked out, the Commander wasn’t sure what he was going to tell Command about what happened, so using his injuries to escape their unpleasant assignment might not even be a feasible option, but it was an option to consider nonetheless. “I will take that into consideration,” he replied, also remaining neutral.

At that moment, Tevio entered sickbay, and Govan knew exactly why he was here. Sural also noticed the Legate’s arrival, and a curious expression crossed his face before quickly vanishing back into neutrality once more. "I’ll leave you two alone," the doctor stated before smoothly making his exit and indeed leaving them alone.

Govan did not want to deal with the Lieutenant, who although in sickbay, had yet to actually move in either his or Tedak’s direction somewhere on the other side of the room. In a split second decision, the Commander grabbed a nearby hypospray loaded it with a mild sedative. It wouldn’t completely knock him out, but he would be groggy enough to look and almost be asleep. ‘Let him try anything in sickbay,’ Echal thought grimly, as he injected the medication into his arm and settled back

[Deleted]

OLD:
Only now that she’d had a few moments to herself did Tamir really begin to calm down. She had never been angry like that before, ever, and now she was beginning to feel a little bit guilty with the way she had treated Tedak. True, she was still mad at him for what he had done, but the man had been injured and in pain, and she had just yelled at him, not to mention reviving him when he’d just been sedated. If she’d been thinking clearly, she never would have done that... Sural was tending to Govan, who was hopefully still behaving himself, so a little sheepishly, the nurse stepped back into the room where Tedak was resting. “Hi...” she began, feeling a lot of remorse since now that she was calmed down, he looked awful... “I was just checking in on you to see how you’re doing.” That wasn’t entirely true, and sighing, she dropped the pretense. “Look...I’m sorry for yelling at you like that. I was angry, and I am still mad, but I shouldn’t have treated you like that, especially since you were hurt and not feeling well, and I’m really sorry... Is there anything you need?”

NEW:
Tedak pretended not to have heard her; her previous rant at him, albeit deserved, had hurt his feelings. He lay, half propped up, with his hands folded in his lap, head leaning back slightly while he held his eyes closed. He could hear every word she was saying, just for now he chose to ignore her.

A quick glance at the monitors confirmed that he was indeed conscious, apparently just ignoring her. Her anger was still somewhat close to the surface, and it flared up again upon realizing this. How dare he ignore her when she was trying to apologize! “Fine, be that way,” she shot back. “Here I am, trying to apologize, and you ignore me? You think you’re so much better than Govan and act superior, but you aren’t. He’s being more mature about this than you are,” Tamir retorted, turning to leave.

“I never claimed to be better than him,” Tedak replied without opening his eyes, or even turning his head. “Nor am I superior, merely older.” He lifted his head to look at her. “And who are you, to claim to know what I think?”

Coming to a halt at the doorway, she turned back. “It’s how you act, and how you talk about him sometimes, and I can see why you and probably everyone else could think so, but in this particular situation, that’s not the case. He tried to avoid a fight, but you pushed it, and when I reprimanded him earlier, before I even knew what had happened, he handled it better than you did just now,” the nurse replied coolly.

Eyes flashing angrily, Tedak shifted and winced.”Yes, I pushed it, and paid for it, dearly. On top of that I've already admitted guilt several times. Anyone else would've put the blame on him and you know it. I didn't.” He sighed, anger vanished from his eyes just like that, replaced by a hint of remorse. “What do you want from me Tamir? What do you expect of me? What do you want me to do?”

Sighing as well, also beginning to feel a little bad again, Tamir replied, “I already told you...and I thought we had settled it, but then I come to apologize for the way I spoke to you, and you just ignored me, which brought it all back. Why did you?”

“I don't know. Your rant hurt, deeply. I don't feel I deserved it, not all of it. I had thought to resolve a situation, it didn't go as I had hoped. I had hoped a sort of brawl would settle things, instead it came a fight on life or death. That had not been my intention. You know me better than anyone here, you know I am not a violent man.”

“I know you thought that it would help, but you made a mistake. I know you realize that now, but at the time, I didn’t know that. And yes, I do know you, but what you did went contrary to everything I thought I knew, which put into question whether I really knew you at all. Now that I know you told the truth, took responsibility for it, and what your actual intentions were, I believe I still know you, but you have to know how it looked initially, especially after talking to Govan. He thinks you set him up and his life and career is over. He even made plans for what I should do when he’s not around to protect me anymore. Do you have any idea what it’s like to see someone you care about like that and someone else you cared about causing it?”

The Romulan nodded almost imperceptibly. “I do. And I'm sorry if I hurt you. You know I'd never do anything to hurt you.” Her words about caring for him registered, but he chose not to comment on it. To him, Tamir was more a little sister than anything else; he'd never even consider the possibility of her being a lover, in any form. It just seemed...wrong. Carefully, he held out his left hand to her, palm up. If one looked carefully, one could see tears in his eyes, which he made no effort of blinking away. Anyone not looking too closely, would just think it was the lightning. “I didn't set him up, I would not resort to something that dishonourable. But if he believes it, he should come and strike me dead. I did something stupid, and I'll face the consequences. For now, I just like to get well enough to return to my quarters, or to a holding cell if that is what Govan orders. Diplomatic immunity means very little to him.”

Reaching out and taking his hand, Tamir’s anger faded quickly. “I know you didn’t mean any harm by it now, and though it’s his first thought, he doesn’t know quite what to believe. There’ll be no striking you dead though. He promised me he would try and behave while he’s resting in sickbay, and I believe him, as long as he’s not provoked by anyone else. And you should rest too. You can try and make things right with Govan later. I’ll make sure he knows the truth beforehand,” she promised.

“Yes, I do owe him an apology, but will do so when his anger subsides a little. His pride was wounded, and his honour. Mine too. It'll take time Tamir. We'll never be friends but I promise to try and get along. I just don't want you caught in the middle. I know you love that man, one way or the other. And I love you, but not like another man might. You mean a lot to me, really you do. But not the way you do to him. You're more a little sister to me, that needs protecting.” He closed his eyes again, grimacing as he realised he was babbling. “I'm sorry. These medications seem to make me very talkative.”

“It’s probably best that you two don’t speak right now,” Tamir agreed, still processing the rest of what he said. “That’s why I had you set up in smaller rooms on opposite sides of sickbay, and once I explain, he will at least be less inclined to hurt you on sight. You are both my friends, and although it would be nice if you could be friends too, I realize that’s not going to happen, especially now, so all I ask, of both of you, is to try and get along, so thank you for promising. I’ll ask Govan to do the same.”

Still clearly embarrassed, the diplomat nodded. “For your sake alone, he will. He may not admit it, but I believe he's madly in love with you. That's how I see it.” He fell silent abruptly, pressing his lips firmly together, wrenching his eyes shut. Now he'd done it, for sure. He sighed. “As you said, I need to rest. No doubt another will come bother me again soon. And all this talking is wearing me out. My arm hurts, my throat hurts ... did I break a rib? Everything hurts, despite painkillers. I need to sleep, unaided.”

Shocked and just staring at him, Tamir didn’t know what to say. Govan? Madly in love with her? It almost sounded funny, like a joke, but Tedak was clearly serious in spite of the medicine. “Here,” she said, quickly ignoring the previous statements and reaching for a hypospray. “It’s just something more for the pain and a muscle relaxant, not a sedative. You do need rest, so I’ll leave you. If you need anything, just ask for me,” she added, still completely thrown and stunned by what he’d said.

"No." Tedak caught her hand as she brought the hypo to his throat. "No more medication. I've had enough. I'll call if I do need it, or leave it here so I can apply it myself. On my left please. Thank you." He reached up to caress her cheek. "You're very sweet,' he commented softly, before putting his energy into falling asleep again.

Again thrown off, Tamir just nodded, placed the hypospray where he’d requested, and left him to rest. Her mind struggled to process everything he’d said. First, he had been clear that he cared about her, but not in a romantic way. Then he’d said Govan was madly in love with her, before calling her sweet and being...affectionate. It was a lot to take in, and she didn’t really know where to start. “It’s got to be the medication...that’s all,” she murmured to herself, attempting to dismiss everything he said by shaking her head. “That’s got to be it,” she added, returning to her duties.

[Deleted]

OOC: Joint Post Between Myself as Dor'vel and Lieutenant Taev

Taev sighed and slightly raised his eyebrows. "It was rather easy to figure out what happened. Both the Commander's and Ambassador's stories corroborate each other. From what I understood from the two, Ambassador Tedak entered Commander Echal's ready room to discuss the upcoming events. Words were exchange and apparently Ambassador Tedak initiated an altercation." Taev paused for a moment, before continuing in an almost triumphant tone. "Obviously, what you saw was the result. In simplest terms, Ambassador Tedak started the fight and Commander Echal defended himself."

Blinking in surprise, Dor’vel had been bracing himself for the worst and instead got better than could have been realistically expected. “Really?” he queried before he could catch himself. Moving on quickly before his subordinate could answer such a ridiculous question, the Centurion glanced around the still disheveled room. “Well, that is good to hear...and the Ambassador took full responsibility for his actions?”

"Surprisingly, yes. I was taken aback slightly myself, though....if you wouldn't mind keeping this between ourselves...if that Ambassador threatens me or anyone on this ship again, he'll have more than a knife to answer to..." Taev’s anger was obvious.

“There’s no need to risk anyone else on the S’Harien because of the Ambassador,” Dor’vel interjected smoothly, though completely understanding the response. The thought that Tedak just...attacked the Commander was disturbing. “He does after all have diplomatic immunity, and if he wished, could have ended the Commander’s career with a simple lie. There’s no need to grant him any additional opportunities.”

Taev rolled his eyes, not at the Centurion, but more so at the fact that the fool of an Ambassador had diplomatic immunity. It was ridiculous. Taev looked back at Dor'vel. "So, what now?"

“We let this play out,” Dor’vel replied. “The Commander is not at fault, and Tedak is being truthful, so this will eventually blow over and resolve itself on its own,” he concluded, adding. “However, I believe it may be wise to keep a close eye on the Ambassador. Although his truthfulness now would suggest otherwise, the fact that he attacked Commander Echal at all is a security matter. Did he indicate what his motivation was for a move such as that?” the Centurion questioned out of curiosity.

Taev thought for a moment, recalling the Ambassador's remarks. "He only mentioned he was trying to "relieve the Commander's tensions," whatever that means. One thing is certain, Tedak was adamant on saying that he could ruin Commander Echal by withholding the truth. I'm not entirely sure how to take that."

“That is merely a matter of fact. All the Ambassador needed to do was suggest he was attacked and the Commander would more than likely lose his command, his commission, and quite possibly his freedom as well. Had that been Tedak’s goal, it would have bee fairly easy to accomplish under these circumstances,” Dor’vel mused. “Although he did not, the fact that he realized this and even mentioned it may or may not mean anything, but I think that it would be best to remain cautious.”

Realizing he was thinking aloud, the Centurion quickly moved past his remarks. “I want security to remain posted in sickbay for the duration of the Ambassador’s and Commander’s stay. I also want his movements monitored for the remainder of his visit to the S’Harien, discretely. Don’t assign him a tail or escort, as he would surely notice such a move. I don’t know what his agenda is or if he has one, but I want to be prepared,” Dor’vel ordered. “Make sure this stays quiet, as need to know only.”

Taev nodded. "I understand. Will there be anything else, Sir?"

“One more thing, I don’t want to see any report about any of this. Nothing goes on record until Commander Echal decides what to do about this matter in an official capacity. Make sure anyone you delegate to know that it’s off the books and is an officer you feel is trustworthy enough to remain discrete,” he added. “Dismissed.”

Taev nodded and left the ready room to carry out the Centurion's orders.