Rogue ~ Mission 5

[Deleted]

Thirteen minutes had passed since her little drama with Ambassador Tedak, although he had made a point of challenging her she didn’t give it much thought for his one biggest weakness was honour. Honour was something she was a master of exploiting. Sitting behind her new desk which still had some items belonging to Mirok she took a deep breath. Pressing a console she said. “i-Dartha report to my office.”

Moments later, the First Officer came through the door. Stopping in front of her desk, the items he had left behind quickly disappeared behind his back. "Yes, Commander?"

“You need contacts with a higher station.” She quipped quickly as he grabbed the items and moved them behind his back. “Before we set off, are there any problems with the crew I should be made aware of?

"The only possibility is with the Engine Room," Mirok said as he shifted the items that were behind his back, trying to find a more natural way to carry them. "Many of my fellow officers there were not pleased I was in charge, particularly my classmates from the Academy, and they will be even less pleased now that I have been promoted, additionally, with my promotion we are lacking a Chief Engineer."


She thought for a moment before taking a deep breath. “indeed, the padding on the command chair was one and a half centimetres thicker than last time I was here, and there was a few small strands of fiber on the floor next to it..” She shook her head. “When you leave this office find the person on the bridge who looks most engrossed in their work and make them sit in it, I would surmise there is some form of trap, placed there while the crew was on the starbase” She took another deep breath. “And as my arrival was a secret it could only have been meant for you.”

She waved her hand. “I’ll leave it to you to find a new Engineer, someone smart enough to do the job but too dumb to want a higher station.”

Mirok thought a moment and smirked. "I believe I know just the person. I'll take care of it as soon as possible.”

Vyaln waved her hand. “Will you please sit down.” She sighed “I’m not Echal or Teav, I don’t feel the constant need to have my ego validated.” She reached down into a drawer and pulled out a padd. “I wanted to talk to you a little before I brief the crew on the next mission, we will be taking on guests.”

She slid the padd across her desk. “Go through our intelligence files, become an expert on this Admiral Jackson, the other officer is already known by our Ambassador in more ways than one.”

Mirok began to settle himself down, but then realizing he had no place wherewith to conveniently dispose of the load behind his back, ended up placing it behind him on the chair and sitting a good deal forward in it. He picked up the PADD and read it. "Starfleet's local Commander-in-Chief? What brings them aboard a backwater ship like this?"

“The Empire is doing the Federation a favour.” She smirked slightly. “It was originally going to be assigned to another ship of course, but I spoke with some members of the senate and they agreed with me that this ship is more than ready to take on missions of real importance.” She took a deep breath. “We are going into Federation space but we won’t allow them to send a ship to escort us instead we agreed to observers.”

She shrugged again. “No doubt the federation is sending this Admiral because the Empire knows if we did anything to someone of that station it would mean war.”

"I presume then that the matter we are attending to is a delicate or private one?" Mirok asked, trying to glean more from the PADD provided him.

“Delicate for the Federation.” She nodded. “Private for the Empire, we will be employing some of our most advanced technology and we don’t particularly want the Federation to have a ship next to us scanning to their hearts content, so this was the compromise.”

Mirok looked up. "Most advanced? We wouldn't perchance...be collapsing a rogue planet into a singularity, would we?"

“A planet that will wreak havoc on a medium sized federation colony should it get caught in the gravity of a solar system it is heading for, they don’t have the ability to destroy it safely, we do.” She took a deep breath. “And since our science officer isn’t qualified to teach children most of my time will be dedicated to calculations and making sure everything goes off without a hitch, yours will be to see to our guests and make sure our crew behaves themselves, that Admiral gets so much as a stubbed toe because of one of our crew we could be responsible for starting a conflict the Empire will lose.”

Mirok nodded. "I'll see to it that they dare not disturb a single hair on her head. I presume the necessary contingent of satellites was delivered along with yourself?"

“Yes, they are already loaded into our cargo bays.” Her gloved hand tapped a few commands into the console. “See to it Tedak readies quarters, have the security officer post trusted guards on that deck and all vital areas of the ship.” She closed her eyes in thought. “And make sure our Intelligence officer removes any listening devices he may already have planted in our VIP quarters.” Taking another deep breath she added “And make sure our Doctor is ready to treat Betazoids and Bajorans.” She looked up at him and asked. “Any questions?’

He had quickly switched the mode on the PADD he had been handed to record and made notes."Will I also be assigning my new successor in the Engine Room to be responsible for getting the satellites in place as per your calculations?"

“No, once you find the right person send them to me, I’ll need to brief them on my methods.” Shaking her head slowly she added. “I’ll also need to make sure they can keep up.” She raised a hand. “Oh and while your down there have them send up a repair team.” She pulled out a disruptor and fired, her target a portrait of Govan Echal first commander of the vessel, it was now nothing but a charred hole in the wall. “Damn thing was made part of the wall.”

Glancing at the new ventilation hole Mirok said, "It will be repaired within the hour, Commander."

“First time I was here I thought you a fool, I’m not often wrong but I think I may have been then.” She replied. “Work with me, meet my expectations and you will find me the easiest commander you have ever had and this ship will become one to be proud of” She took a deep breath. “Plot against me and I will find out and you won’t get a second chance at it.”

"We are cut more from the same cloth than you know, Commander," Mirok said. "You'll find no enemy in me."

She nodded slowly. “Then let us get to work, we have a backwater reputation to shake off.” She stood up and walked out onto the bridge. Standing just in front of her office door she said. “Pilot, set a course for Federation Starbase 47 once we have clearance to depart take us there at maximum speed.”

She turned to look at Mirok beside her she whispered “The one at the engineering station, make him sit in the command chair.” Raising her voice. “I find mission briefings a waste of time myself, you have their assignments get them to go to work.” She stepped past him and back into her office.


OOC: Please assume Mirok i-Dartha has given you all your respective assignments .. once we hve a few preperation posts up I'll bring on the Starfleet 'guests'

[Deleted]

(sorry, a bit of backposting since you all shot off before I could get it finished.

As was customary, Isha had slipped into the festivities on the station unnoticed. Having no family, ceremonies such as this one didn’t hold much meaning for her. On pretense of caring about them, she was in attendance, lest anyone call her out for not being there.

The unorthodox entrance of the S’Harien’s new commander stirred suspicion and great curiosity in Qellar’s mind. She stepped back further into the shadowy corner of the room to observe the ensuing display typical of military braggadocio.

Isha’s hiding place was invaded after the room had cleared of everyone but officers and Mirok dismissed.

Now looking to her security officer she sighed. “You I don’t know.” She said she looked the woman up and down slowly. She stepped forward, her gloved hand lightly grabbed her throat and she pulled her closer.

Isha stood frozen; the cold disdain pouring from the new commander’s eyes was multiplied by the lifeless feel of her gloved hand on Qellar’s neck. Isha reviled the touch, but held her ground. Talk was easy for her to ignore. Grabbing her throat thusly, however, was something that caused Qellar’s blood to boil. She balled her fists and swallowed hard, undoubtedly blowing her well-worn cover.

“Your hair and clothes play into the weak look about you, but you fail to mask the fire in your eyes.”

The commander’s words unbalanced Isha since few people ever read through her meek disguise – especially on the first meeting.

[Vyaln] reached down and pulled the gun from the security officer’s holster. “I seem to have lost mine.” She pushed the woman back.

Qellar politely allowed the show of force, stumbling back awkwardly. Rather than leaving, however, she tarried, listening to the exchange between Vyaln and Tedak with great interest. As their conversation waned, Isha slipped out of the room.


Back at her post on the S’Harien, Qellar searched through databases, reading anything and everything written, spoken or opined about Kreiala Vyaln. Qellar was at a sudden disadvantage by not knowing her new commander while the others around her did. She would remedy that immediately. Even with her abilities to crack encryption codes, it took her longer than usual to find something useful. She deftly copied the file to her private data storage, then, just as astutely erased the original file from existence, leaving no trace of her having violated the data.

Mirok appeared over her shoulder just as she was tidying up. His orders were simple enough; the new commander wanted a loyal security contingent to baby sit a Starfleet admiral. Loyalty meant only one thing to Isha – she trusted only those she could blackmail.

[Deleted]

After Kreiala returned to her office, Mirok quietly stepped over to the Engineering Station. “Uhlan, could you help me with something?” he asked of the officer at the Engineering Station.

“Centurion?” the officer asked in puzzlement. “Yes sir.”

Mirok led him over to the center of the room and stopped in front of the command chair, facing it. The Uhlan had the slightest lapse in composure, his face giving away his apprehension. “I want everything to be perfect for our new Commander, especially her chair. I’ve tested it myself for appropriate comfort level, but every person’s preferences are different and I need a second opinion.” He turned to look directly at the Uhlan. “I would like you to sit in it.”

There was a larger lapse in his composure. “I would not want to disrespect the Commander by having her see me sitting in her chair, Centurion.”

“You’ve been on your feet on shift for some time now, I’m sure you must be tired and could use the rest,” Mirok said. “Sit.”

The Uhlan now looked very nervous, and very slowly and gently sat down in the chair. However, Mirok could see from his posture he was holding himself such that not all of his weight was on the seat cushion. Clearly whatever it was was triggered by pressure. “It is very comfortable sir,” the Uhlan said quickly. “I’m sure the Commander will be most comfortable.”

“Come now, you look tense,” Mirok said. “Really settle into it and get comfortable and tell me what you think.”

“I deem it quite comfortable sir.” The Uhlan quickly stood back up.

“I said sit,” Mirok said, and pushed the man down onto the chair.

There was a beep, and the Uhlan gained a horrified look on his face as he was got up in a transporter beam. Mirok quickly stepped back to avoid being caught up in it as well. A few silent seconds after the transporter sequence finished, Mirok asked, “Where did that transport go to?”

A bridge officer quickly checked and answered, “The…sewage collection tank, Centurion – near the top of it, it seems.”

“Nasty plunge,” Mirok said, knowing full well that there was usually a meter or so of open air between the top of the tank and the top of the sewage, allowing plenty of falling distance in which to gain velocity for a nice splat into the collection of excrement. “Remove the portable transporter from the Commander’s chair at once, before she sits on it herself.”


Meanwhile, the unfortunate Uhlan clung to a ladder on the side of the sewage tank, covered in sludge with no clean way to wipe it from his face. He banged on the hatch at the top of the tank, wishing his fellow engineers hadn’t completed the prank by disabling the hatch controls on the inside of the tank. He banged and banged and banged, hoping someone would hear it soon come rescue him.

As he banged, he heard a sloshing sound coming from an inlet pipe only centimeters from his head. “Oh Elements, don’t let this be what I think it is.” A moment later, a discharge of sewage came surging through the inlet tunnel, hitting the Uhlan directly in the face and knocking him off the ladder and back into the sewage. Resurfacing from the sludge, now covered in even more of it, the Uhlan said, “Dalok will pay for this.” He climbed back up the ladder and resumed banging on the hatch.


After Mirok had issued orders to the other Senior Officers, he made his way down to the Engine Room. What he found was quite a bit less order than what he expected. There was an awful lot of shouting across the room, arguing about courses of action, and small amounts of competition over control of the place. Mirok’s entrance was quickly spotted, and Hasmek came over to him.

“Centurion, we really need a Chief Engineer appointed,” Hasmek said, looking slightly harried. “We’re launching in a matter of minutes and half of the preparations aren’t done because there’s no one in charge in your absence.”

“Fine. You are now,” Mirok said simply. “Congratulations, get to work.”

Hasmek gained a look of shock as if he’d either been told he was secretly a woman or had a child he wasn’t aware of. “What?! Me, why? You don’t even like me.”

“Because you’re a known quantity Hasmek,” Mirok said. “I know your strengths and weaknesses quite well. And while you weren’t the best at the calculations in the Academy, you’re instincts were good and your conceptual understanding was excellent. I think you can handle it.”

“Yes sir, thank you sir,” Hasmek said, suddenly feeling better about himself as his shoulders straightened. “Excuse me then, I have work to do.” He started to open his mouth to issue orders when Mirok cut him off.

“One more thing – once we get underway, report to the Commander in her office. She has orders for you regarding our upcoming mission,” Mirok said.

[Deleted]

Tevio gazed across the lightyears, eyes finding the Senate worker sitting at his desk, with portraits of famous or infamous Senators spread around the well-appointed office. The man's maroon garment signified his high-standing within the council system.

The Legate's fingers were steepled as he stared at his terminal, the encoded symbols of running across the bottom of the screen obscuring his view of the man's desk slightly, but informing him that the channel was absolutely secure.

"Your presence on the ship will be important during this time. The Starfleet Admiral is of extreme high-standing. So great is her influence, that like the advanced technology the S'Harien will be employing, you and your work in this assignment will have to be kept distant and mysterious, while still appearing transparent."

Tevio's face was touched by wryness. "You speak of impossibilities," he said, "How am I meant to represent the Senate's good will to the Federation if I remain in the shadows?"

"Well you've never had a problem with remaining in the shadows, Legate." The Senate worker threw him a dark look. "I'm sure the ship's Ambassador will account for some of the necessary relations with the Admiral. You can fill in the gaps that will doubtless remain, hence revealing little of yourself."

"I'm no diplomat."

"That's not what I meant," the man smirked, "Of course, you know your job. Political officer, maintaining the ideals, doctrine and discipline of the Navy. Your focus is always on your own ship. The Ambassador's focus is on the other party in negotiations, in this case a solitary Starfleet Admiral who will be an honoured guest aboard your Warbird, presumably."

"Well, thank you for that lesson."

"You're quite welcome." The Senate worker was alerted to something offscreen. Apparently someone was addressing him.

Tevio collected his thoughts, wondering what could be so important that the Senate had elected to contact him personally. Nothing the man had said so far was of particular interest, for the most part merely highlighting his standard duties. Doubtlessly some of it was useful, but none of it warranted a special communique. Ch'varak was jolted out of his musing as he saw the change in the Senate worker's face, the fading of superiority. His expression had rapidly disfigured into a visage of horror and disgust.

Eventually, after displaying a circus spectrum of different emotions, he turned back to Tevio. "I'm sorry, Legate." He stood from the desk, slapping furiously at a hidden panel, "There's simply something I have to do!" The screen winked out, replaced with a stylised version of the seal of the Star Empire against a sable background.

Tevio sat blinking at his terminal for several minutes, waiting patiently but with growing confusion as to whether or not the man was going to call again. Eventually he grew tired of waiting and signalled for an aide to contact him should he receive another private communication. In the mean time he headed for the mess hall.

The furnishing was spartan, the grey and beige tables and chairs angular and lacking warmth. It was merely a reflection of stoic Romulan honour, representing little of the passionate undercurrents that underpinned the Romulan psyche. A distinct lack of 'colour', Tevio thought, although he did not care. The Legate was rarely seen to eat aboard the S'Harien. He spent incredibly little time in the presence of others outside of working environments, when not enacting disciplinary measures or holding sessions for the perpetuation of the Star Empire's dogma.

Such was his strange mood of late, he thought as he approached the replicator, that perhaps today was a day for a different mode of behaviour.

[Deleted]

Vyaln walked down the corridor, her eyes looking over everybody who passed her by. Perhaps the most disturbing feature about Kreiala was the fact she always wore the black leather gloves, people never knew why and assumed it was some sinister reason.

She strode into the office of the security officer her hand resting on the disruptor pistol in her belt, “You cracked the encryption codes with grace and speed, deleting the original copies was smart but apparently you never stopped to think that perhaps I was prepared for someone to go digging around for dirt.”

Her hand tapped the disruptor, “Of course if that information was actually real and of any use you would be dead already.” She took a deep breath and stepped forward. “And I by some fluke of luck you managed to escape my wrath, someone else would undoubtedly get you, it is a fact of life that some people in the universe are untouchable for now I am one of them.”

She lowered her hand and stepped towards the desk. “Besides did you stop to think what blackmailing me would achieve? You would be rid of another Commander and it would help you not at all your not next in line for command, I would be out of the picture but you would be no better off.” She pulled out the chair and took a seat. “You have aspirations for greater things I knew about you the second I laid eyes on you.”

“Making an enemy out of me would be an incredibly bad career move.” She leaned back slightly. “You have no friends, no family and no contacts high enough to help you out.” She took a deep breath, “However I see potential in you, small and fleeting as it is.”

She leaned forward. “You will support me with no reservations, you will carry out my commands without question and you will never take steps to cross me.” She took a deep breath. “And I will help you achieve what you seek.”

She held up a gloved hand. “I will not be your friend, I will not protect you from your mistakes, and I will not deliver opportunities for you on a silver platter.” She tilted her head slightly. “I will teach you what I know and give you the ability to make your own opportunities.”

She shook her head slightly as she lowered her hand, “But I need to be sure your hacking into my record wasn’t a fluke.” She pointed towards her computer console. “Seven minutes ago, someone hacked into Senator K’reeveks files and added your name to his list of wanted criminals; in about ten minutes that list will be sent to every police organization in Romulan space.”

She took another deep breath, “If you don’t want to become public enemy number one, I suggest you remove your name without being detected, manage that and you will prove your worthy, or don’t and go to the Reman mines.”

She stood up and added. “Nine minutes.” With that she left.

<Tag Qellar>

[Deleted]

Isha didn’t bother to watch Vyaln go. A sensation of panic swelled within her as she quickly called up the Senate’s mainframe.

“Calm yourself,” she inwardly scolded. “You’ve done this hundreds of times before. This is no different.”

Romulan encryption codes were notoriously lengthy and difficult to end around, no doubt necessitated by people like Qellar who were constantly picking at the locks. Isha had invented her own algorithms and it was more of an art form of understanding when to try an entry, and when to steer clear. Any signs of tampering were sure to appear. But, Qellar’s ability to erase her tracks after information had been lifted was her true gift, along with a healthy instinct of knowing when something felt like a trap.

With alacrity, she initiated her algorithms and, as it searched Senator K’reeveks files, she discreetly added a tag back to a subordinate’s computer. He was a low-level security officer who had been quite vocally opposed to Isha’s promotion to Chief of Security. Any discovery of tampering would lead directly back to him.

The file was safely found and Qellar checked the chronometer. Two minutes left. There was no time to comb through the file’s footprint and find out who actually authored the lie. Delicately, she erased its contents and introduced her trademark soft trail leading back to her targeted enemy. The markings were subtle, appearing as if he had made his own attempts at covering up. Even if her tampering went unnoticed, which was entirely possible, she would still be able to use this against him should the need arise later.

She closed the mainframe leaving her own innocuous mark that she had merely entered into the xenobiological database, searched for human physiology, the exited. She time stamped it for the allotted time she had searched the Senator’s files.

Glancing at the time, she heaved a heavy sigh. Fifty-three seconds remained. She pulled her hands away from the console and relaxed them. They quivered discernibly. She clasped them together trying to wring out the raw nerves.

Twisting her chair around, she studied the wall, mulling over the commander’s words.

Isha hadn’t intended to make an enemy of the S’Harien’s new head mistress. Her modus operandi was simple; information is power. To have information on Vyaln was a safeguard measure – in case she needed it later. Now she was beginning to believe that nugget of dirt had been planted on purpose into Kreiala’s file and as such, was utterly useless. She also began to wonder if the entire thing had been orchestrated to test her.

This new commander was an enigma to Isha, simultaneously exuding cruelty and a deep intellect that lightly brushed the edges of compassion. In Qellar’s experience, she had rarely found the two coexisting in the Empire’s military. To offer Isha the chance at earning her position, to teach her, to assist her in achieving her goals set Qellar’s mind awhirl. No such offer had ever been given an orphaned waif – especially one caught in the act of retrieving unfavorable information.

Finally able to breathe, Qellar's eyes focused in on the Bird of Prey ceremonial dagger displayed on her office wall. She was extremely proud of owning it. The classmate she stole it from never suspected she had been the thief. She had hidden it for years before bringing it out into view and claiming it as hers.

Her gaze then fell upon her Tactical Excellence medallion, beautifully captured in a single light positioned above, causing it to shine brilliantly. No one but she knew how simple it had been to alter the composite scores allowing her to win the competition. Justifiably, in her mind, the one with the greatest skills at 'mastering the data' was the one who deserved the medallion.

She swiveled her chair around to face her console as she realized what Vyaln’s offer really meant; it was Isha's first opportunity to achieve merit by means other than stealth, deceit and/or treachery.

[Deleted]

Orders issued, Mirok settled down in his office to focus on his next assignment. Pulling up the computer records, he called up all information that the Empire had on his search query: Section Admiral Stacey Jackson. As she would be visiting soon, and Kreiala would be heavily occupied with the business of collapsing an entire planet, it would be Mirok’s responsibility to deal with their Starfleet guests, and he was to know everything there was to know about Starfleet’s local Commander-in-Chief.

Stacey Serela Jackson. At age 58, she was getting into middle-age for a Human/Betazoid hybrid. Were she Romulan she would still be in her prime. Oo, Betazoid Mirok noted. That likely meant she was a strong telepath - a very dangerous individual among a society that values secrecy. And he noted that her pre-Command experience was as a Counselor. That would make her a student of behavior, and an excellent reader of body language. She would be particularly dangerous around Mirok himself, as he in particular had secrets he would prefer not get out. An aging woman used to working behind a desk would have a lot of aches and pains when up and about on a starship. That gave the opportunity for plenty out of the ordinary sensations for his psionic abilities to pick up. His reactions, which he was still lousy at suppressing, would be easier for her to pick up. Even without her telepathic abilities, she would spot them, and was highly likely to notice that it was far too much of a coincidence. Being only psionic, and a mild, untrained one at that, Mirok could not to his knowledge pick up when an actual telepath was scanning him.

If word of Mirok’s gift got out, the chances were much too great that it would come to his estranged Senator father’s attention. With the family hatred of psionics due to past history with them, Mirok had no doubt that his father would have him killed over it. When Mirok was incarcerated for inadvertently probing the Imperial Naval Academy Commandant’s mind and bragging about it while drunk, he let his father disown him for the faked charge of treason, rather than defend himself and explain what really happened for that very reason.

And so, Admiral Jackson would be a very dangerous individual indeed. Mirok continued studying her file to see what else he could learn of her.

[Deleted]

Tedak was elated when he learned who was going to serve as the section admiral's assistant. Yet, all the same he knew he had to be cautious, because he wasn't sure how many knew about his relation ship with Doctor Kennedy. Of course, he never made a secret of it, but he wasn't exactly open about it either.

All the same, he wondered why Kerry-Anne hadn't contacted him about this assignment. Of course, the chance to communicate was far and between at times, but Tedak took every opportunity he got to send her a message and tell her about his life on board the S'harien and the development of his daughter. If this relationship was going to proceed anywhere, he felt it was best to be honest and he had informed her about his little girl.

When he entered his quarters, he was almost bowled over by a tiny whirlwind of energy that came running towards him, wrapping her arms around his legs. His two firelizards, who tended to keep her company when Rhiana was out and about tending to her own duties, swooped down to greet him too. "Daddy!" the two-year old exclaimed as she hugged his legs tightly, making it impossible for him to make another step forwards.

"It's good to see you too little one," the diplomat smiled as he gently disentangled himself from her vice like grip. Once done he knelt down to face her. "Daddy is going to have a visitor soon," he confided to her, "a very dear friend." She was just too young to understand the term girlfriend so he didn't even try to make her understand. "However this also means that daddy may be home later on some days. Rhiana will be here to take care of you and of course I'll leave Sev here with you."

Kasia nodded at him before wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're home," she said, "and I'm hungry."

Tedak's smile widened as he picked her up and got back to his feet. "Well then, we should feed you shouldn't we?" He sat her down in a chair and sat down across from her. "Do you remember the lady who brought you to me? THe one who gave you candy before you came to live with me?"

Of course Kasia remembered her, she had been so nice to her. "Miss Vyaln?" she querried, pronouncing her name not quite right.

"The very one," Tedak confirmed as he peeled a Terran banana for her. "Well...she's the boss on this ship now, and I think I should take you to her so she can see how big you've grown, and how much of a big girl you are now."

"Oh daddy please," the girl begged, "I want to see her again!"

Giving her the banana, Tedak scooped her up in his arms again. "Well then, let's go." He carried her over to the bridge, presuming this was where he was going to find Kreiala, then patiently waited to be noticed, not wanting to disturb anyone in his or her duties with his presence.

[Deleted]

Kreiala strode the corridor with confidence in her step, she was relatively sure the security officer would not be a threat to her either she would end up dying in the Reman mines or she would accept the fact she needed Kreiala more than Kreiala needed her. She was perfectly happy with either outcome.

Her mind now turned to tasks she still needed to perform, the next Senior Engineer would be waiting for her and she needed to be positive that he or she would not mess up their assignment. Kreiala stepped onto the bridge and sternly said. “Report.”

The pilot turned and said. “We have arrived at the designated co-ordinates, no sign of the Federation ship we were to find.” Kreiala took a deep breath, it wasn’t like the Federation to be late, if anything they were annoyingly efficient.

She heard footsteps walk up behind her, two pairs in fact one heavy and the other incredibly light. “It’s bad enough you bring a child on a warbird must you compound your negligence by bringing her on my Command deck?” She asked with annoyance as she continued to stare at the monitor displaying nothing but space dotted with bright stars.

She turned to look at Tedak, “I need to get this vessel ready to host one of the highest ranking Starfleet officers, I also need to brief a new Senior Engineer and begin to calculate the positions the satellites need to be in, if they are off by even an inch the system will fail.” She took a deep breath, “I really don’t have the time for children.”

She was about to order them away when someone yelled. “Commander, vessel de-cloaking off the starboard bow!” he pressed a few commands and then added. “It’s Federation.”

Kreiala turned to look at the monitor as a ship began to appear. “This is a change.” She said to herself, she looked at the vessel as it now filled the entire screen. Intrepid class the hull markings identified it as the USS Hera. “Must be new, the last I heard of a USS Hera it was Excelsior class, scan than ship.” She ordered.

“Commander we are being hailed.” She nodded as she sat down in her command chair. “On viewer.”

A grey haired female appeared on screen, Kreiala was familiar enough with Starfleet ranks to know this was the Admiral she was to take on board her ship for the duration of their time in Federation space.

“This is Section Admiral Stacey Jackson of the Federation Starship Hera, may I assume you are Sub-Commander Vyaln?”

“I am, we are ready to receive you and the Bajoran representative, we are eager to complete this assignment and return to Romulan space.” Kreiala replied.

“Agreed, we will transport over in five minutes Jackson out.” The monitor flickered back to the view of the Hera and Kreiala turned to look at Tedak. “I assume you sorted out VIP quarters like I asked, meet me in the transporter room.”

She waved him off and moved to her command chair, pressing a small console she said. “i-Dartha report to the bridge.”

“I will be there shortly, Commander,” came the reply.

As he arrived she swivelled the chair around to look at him. “We have four minutes, brief me on what you learned on this Jackson? Can she be trusted or do you think this could end up being a Federation blunder?”

“I do not believe her presence will pose an issue but discretion is still advised. She both is a telepath and has a background in psychology, making her very capable of reading people – mentally or otherwise.”

“Go and meet our guests in the Transporter Room. Have the Ambassador accompany and make sure he gets that child off my Command Deck.” She did so much as give a sideways glance in the direction of the other two.

“Yes, Commander,” Mirok said, then turned to leave. “Ambassador?”

Once they arrived in the Transporter Room, Mirok ordered, “Energize.”

After the middle-aged Admiral and a Bajoran woman appeared, he stepped forward. “Welcome to the S’Harien. I am Centurion i-Dartha.” Turning slightly, he added, “And our Diplomat, Ambassador Tedak.”

<Stacey and Kerry-Anne>


OFF: Joint post, largely written by Kreiala

[Deleted]

Finding security team members she trusted was harder than Isha imagined. She thumbed through personnel files and duty rosters for the third time. She knew each of them well, being that she took pains to find out details about everyone, but each had their reasons to ensure that she fail. They grumbled, as loudly as they dared, about taking orders from Isha who was younger, less experienced and, though only an Uhlan, had been given authority over them. Isha knew that it would only be a matter of time before she would have to assert herself.

Sighing heavily, she decided on choosing a Sub-Lieutenant, Koval, who was disciplined recently for leaving his post early. He would be eager to please and make amends for his error. And, since Qellar couldn’t decide on a second, she assigned the duty to herself. She could pull double shifts easily enough.

Mirok had given Qellar’s department the task of de-bugging the visiting Admiral’s quarters which they accomplished quickly enough. But, before the Admiral’s arrival, Qellar personally made a final sweep of the room. It was clean except for one cleverly planted device. It was obviously the work of Tevio Ch'varak. If not for the higher energy output of its cloaking mechanism, Isha may never have found it at all. She plucked it from its hiding place. Immediately the cloak dissolved. Qellar centered its camera on her face, allowing it to record her, and spoke directly into it. “Brilliant,” she said into it softly before replacing it in its clandestine abode. She would let him win one. And, perhaps, he would share information with her in gratitude for leaving it there. Even if he didn’t share, it was satisfying to know someone was watching… and that he knew she knew he was watching.

Sub-Lieutenant Koval met her at the designated transporter room. Not long after, Centurion i-Dartha and Ambassador Tedak arrived.

Soon, the Federation Admiral and another officer materialized. Isha took note of the Admiral in particular. She was older, by Human-Betazoid standards, and allowing the maturity to show in her appearance. Her dark eyes were sharp as they assessed the room’s occupants. There was an ease in her posture, almost a stately bearing as she descended the platform.

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Stacey stepped off of the transporter padd and slightly nodded her head. “I thank you for the welcome Centurion.” She took a deep breath as she closed her eyes for a moment, as a Betazoid she immediately sensed the presence of another albeit much weaker telepath. Opening her eyes she remarked. “Surprises are everywhere.”

She took another deep breath. “How often does a Federation Admiral step foot on a Romulan starship.” She motioned behind her. “This is Major Kerry-Anne Kennedy, she is an observer for the Bajoran government, perhaps Ambassador Tedak can escort her to our quarters.” Looking back to the Executive Officer she said. “I would like to speak to your Commanding Officer.”

She noticed the security officer that had been introduced to her now scrutinizing a scanning device. “Don’t let it concern you, my belt buckle is more than decorative it contains a subspace locater beacon, Starfleet prefers their Admirals take precautions.. if it is deactivated or my life sign ceases I’m sure you understand.”
She stepped toward the door. “Shall we Centurion? We have much to do and little time to do it.”

***Bridge***
Kreiala leaned back with a sigh as she watched the Federation Starship on the viewer jump to warp, only a fool would believe that they would actually go very far more likely they would get out of sensor range and cloak again and simply stalk them from a distance.
She wasn’t concerned however, the mission while scientifically difficult wouldn’t present any situations that would bring them into conflict with shared Romulan and Federation interests.