El Sal Mission 14.2: Familiar Faces

[Savot]

[El Salvador: Bridge]


After conducting a final confirmation sweep to make sure any hostile craft had fully fled the area, Deis brought the ship down to Yellow Alert. She still wanted everyone on their toes in the unlikely event that any pirate vessels returned, but for now she and Savot could leave the bridge in Mr. Tamarov's hands and assess the aftermath of the station attack. Captain and First Officer entered a turbolift together at the rear of the bridge and the former spoke as the doors began to close, "I am prepared to resume command...", but he stopped speaking abruptly as the reflective surface of the door closed in front of him presenting him with his own duplicated appearance. Savot's fist clenched and his eyes flashed as close to murderous as they had ever come before. It took the ridiculous motion of starting to raise his fist to strike his reflection to break him out of the instinctive irrational response, "...after one night's meditation we will revisit the command structure. For the time being I am grateful for your stalwart presence. This outburst clearly rates explanation..."


Savot closed his eyes and inhaled deeply enough to expand his chest slightly before exhaling slowly and stretching his hands a few times to relieve tension, "I can elaborate later but for now in summary I learned in the forced meld the girl initiated that she is the offspring of the Mirror Universe's Savot. He apparently was contracted to eliminate her mother who was a member of noble Romulan bloodline capable of rallying resistance against his employers. The long-term details are unclear but it seems that Savot determined his target's combat abilities significant enough to warrant rather extreme preparatory measures. He engaged in a romantic liaison with the Romulan woman and conceived a child with her. Shortly before her anticipated date of birth the assassin struck and though the Romulan fought intensely to protect the life of her unborn daughter, she herself did not survive. Vasrea, whose true name is Karysta, possesses an intensely sensitive telepathic ability... and was in contact with her mother's mind during her fight against their Savot, and she felt her mother's death before even taking her first breaths. Her grief lead her to pursue a path of vengeance against the assassin, and she feels she is to blame for her mother's death since the pregnancy weakened her. She learned that the Mirror Savot had traveled here at least once and believed him to have stayed here to avoid pursuit; therefore she believed me to be him thus explaining her attack against me. During the meld I convinced her of the distinction between us... but her entire life has been about avenging her mother. When she learned the fruit of her endeavors had failed it was as though the will left her spirit as air leaves lungs. We shall have to see what condition she's in when she recovers from the fatigue of the meld."


Savot took another deep breath and clasped his hands behind him at the small of his back as was his standard posture, looking a bit more his normal self after explaining some of his emotional aftershock from the assault, "Please proceed to Sickbay and confer with Doctor Chavet; the research station members take priority but I would... appreciate your medical evaluation of Karysta's condition when time permits. I will meet Commander Hope and her family at the starboard docking port and welcome them back aboard." The turbolift opened for him first and he began to exit but turned his head back toward Deis for a moment, "Your absence did not dull your command instincts; you conducted the battle admirably Commander, thank you."


<Tag: Deis>

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[El Salvador: Starboard Docking Port]


The ship had exchanged rendezvous coordinates with the transport and given them the approach vector for mating their hatch to the El Salvador's as the transporter pads were otherwise occupied beaming groups to and from the research station for medical treatment and stabilizing repairs on the station itself. Savot stood at the hatch awaiting its reveal of the Hopes with genuine pleasure. He had helped supervise all of the children briefly and quite respected Kahlan's scholarly and dispassionate attitude especially for her age; but he shared a special bond with Yarna whom he'd first encountered hiding underneath his desk in the former El Salvador's Ready Room. He and S'reena had faced much in each other's company as well and he believed they had established a mutual trust and respect; and particularly in light of his recent unnerving encounter Savot very much welcomed their presence back aboard the El Salvador.


A hiss announced the opening of the hatch and the transition of the transport's passengers, the vulcan captain dipping his head in a bow to the Hopes, "Commander Hope, it is a genuine pleasure to see you and your children again. This ship is all the more truly the El Salvador with your presence."  He handed a padd out for S'reena if her younger children allowed her a free hand, "Your former quarters had yet to require reassignment and all the belongings you left here are in secure cargo storage accessible at your convenience."  Savot turned to Kahlan next, "Miss Kahlan, given our capacity as an Academy vessel, I'm sure we can make a great deal of the cadet curriculum database available to you for study should you wish."  He greeted the triplets with a congenial nod before finally coming to his young friend and bowing slightly at the waist to greet her, "Lady Yarna.  Alfred and Isabel are both in good health and I'd gladly arrange a visit after you've all had time to settle in.  It is... quite good to have you back aboard."


<Tag Hopes>


*******************************************************************************
[El Salvador:  Sick Bay]


After rounding up and securing the last of the surrendered pirates in the brig, Zakryn had escorted Taryn to Sickbay so she could get her mandatory after-action checkup.  As a fellow user of old-time television cop lingo she'd secured her position as one of the humans whose cut of their jib Zak liked.  He didn't have a direct say over whether she could work here permanently, but he took the liberty of keying her commbadge into the El Salvador's vocal recognition system so she could ask for directions to any section of the ship she needed to visit.  

[Deis Irae]

::Having followed into the turbolift, Deis immediately opened her mouth to speak...most likely to ask "wha th 'ell be goin on?!" but she dosent manages to get it out before Savot has spoken. So she subsides and sort of maintains a tense parade rest, looking at the man sidelong from the corner of her eye. Experience in the last few years has made her into someone that misses very little...and though she is nodding to his announcement to retake command, the reflection in the shiny doors is in no way lost on her. She turns to face him, the question clear on her face...and she is quieted again by the suggestion of a nights meditation.:: I think tha might be a good idea, Capn. ::and to his offer of explanation, she can only motion towards him as though gesturing "by all means, please"::

::So Irae settles hipshot, arms crossed over her chest with a faint frown of concern. She dosent interrupt until some of this information begins comming clear:: Are ye sayin tha girl is yer flamin daughter?! Errmm...mirror daughter...bah christin 'ell Savot...methinks i dinnae want t meet yer mirror self...wi'out a distuptor in hand. ::Just totally losing her professional reserve for a moment there. Silencing and letting him finish up the story here, raising a hand up and rubbing it over her face and back through her hair in an old fashioned gesture that was seen quite a lot during her Sickbay days. But...that gentle doctor is gone...though echos remain here and there such as the unconsious gesture. A heavy breath is inhaled and sighed out...shes still charged from the battle so forgets herself, lifting a hand and laying it on his shoulder...only for a moment:: Ach wha are we t do with 'er... ::then lifting that hand in a "stop" motion...no need for that right now::

::He resumes standard posture and Deis tries to relax a little...but no, thats just not possible right now. How does one get across the idea of panic and fear to a Vulcan? The girl attacked...and Deis was afraid. She cannot consider this feeling a weakness...fear can galvanize a person. Into fighting space pirates and the like, as it were. A bit more of the tension goes out of her...he seems allright save for a completely understandable moment here and there. To his orders about sickbay, she nods with a quiet spoken "aye Sir". A brow is raised when he asks her to look at Karysta...but she understands why. His body has been in her hands several times...its a logical favor to ask. The Doctor might not like it...she wouldnt have...but it will be done nevertheless. There isnt anything Deis Irae wouldnt do for this man...and he knows that without it needing to be spoken. She remained in the turbolift as he stepped out and paused. She dosent know why that small compliment made her throat tighten in a way that would have tears were she not in total control of herself. There is much she could say about how differently that battle could have gone if not for regulation...or literally if not for himself showing up on the bridge. We wouldnt have lost...but it wouldnt have been exactly "honorable". So she nods to him, mastering her stupid emotions:: Glad i could be o service, Capn.

::She watches his back as he walks away, thinking the two of them need to have a serious talk soon. About this and a wealth of other things. So it is with a little blink of suprise that she catches sight of the dark expression on her face when those same turbolift doors close. The frown, the stiff shoulders...the inky black hair that frames her face in longish spikes, face still scarred. Its the first time in a very long time that she realizes how different she is from what she used to be. Smiling and pretty, joking doctor, ashen blonde with a certain sparkle to her eyes. In that moment she is able to mourn just a little for what she once was. But...the Deis that exists now is a hell of a lot stronger...and much more ruthless if necessary. From a healer to a warrior.:: Sickbay.

::Once arriving on sickbays deck, Commander Irae strides out of the lift, having left her personal considerations behind to be carried away when the turbolift doors close. Once inside sickbay she seeks out Doctor Chavet, knowing she has to be busier than all getout, just lifting her voice so she can be put to work. She will bring up looking over the vulcan girl when these people have been tended to:: Doctor...Capn sent me. Where d' ye want me? 'Ow can i help?

<taggies chavet>

[Deleted]

Zak and Taryn walked into Sickbay just in time to see Jahka Trev being slapped by by a young, Trill Lieutenant in Science blue.

"That's what I wanted to do." Taryn said to Zak with a grin.

As much as she enjoyed the moment, Taryn walked up to the duo in order to try and defuse the situation. "Lieutenant Galen Taryn reporting for my after-action checkup." she said to the lady.

Jahka turned quickly and smiled. "Taryn. You came to check on me. I knew you cared." he said as he moved toward Taryn making a gesutre as if to imbrace her and peering back at the other female out the corner of his eyes. Without thinking, her hand flew up and slapped his other check. Now they both glowed red. He staggered back slightly shocked.

Just then, the doors parted once more and a woman wearing Commander pips entered. Taryn snapped to attention as she addressed the Trill.

Doctor...Capn sent me. Where d' ye want me? 'Ow can i help?

So the lady in blue was the doctor. She looked so young to Taryn. Of course, it would explain Trev being slapped. Taryn could imagine him making a pass at the Lieutenant that cost him a check. This ship would be interesting, if she got the posting.

[Deleted]

Nayomi was about to lay another one across her ex-fiance's face when she was interrupted by a Bajoran security officer she did not recognize. She was not a violent person, quite opposite in fact. In general she allowed the hippocratic oath to control more of her life then the Doctor part, but that piece of work.... she gave herself a shake, gave Jahka the best stare down she could and turned to her newest patient.

Jun 21, 2015 22:03:59 GMT @galentaryn said:

"Lieutenant Galen Taryn reporting for my after-action checkup."

Jahka turned quickly and smiled. "Taryn. You came to check on me. I knew you cared." he said as he moved toward Taryn making a gesture as if to embrace her and peering back at the other female out the corner of his eyes. Without thinking, her hand flew up and slapped his other check. Now they both glowed red. He staggered back slightly shocked.

This was a gal Nayomi knew she would like. Just then the doors to sickbay slid open once more and Commander Irae walked in, Nayomi noted the improvement on her scars already and made a mental note to book another session with the first officer.

Jun 21, 2015 19:35:18 GMT Deis Irae said:

Doctor...Capn sent me. Where d' ye want me? 'Ow can i help?

Nayomi gestured toward Jahka. "I know it is a bit below your experience, but can you give this researcher a quick check up. I am not sure I can stand being near him for another minute."

Commander Irae replied with a quizzacle look which Nayomi shrugged off. She would explain her personal issues to the Commander later. "Careful, he doesn't bite, but he hits on anything with a spinal cord."

<Tag Irae>

the Bajoran officer, Taryn, let out a faint laugh and since the rest of the science station's patients were being tended to Nayomi decided to take this opportunity to get to know her better. "Alright Lt Commander, hop up on this biobed and lets take a look at you and make sure my ex's face didn't stain your hand."

<Tag Taryn>

[Deleted]

The Bajoran officer, Taryn, let out a faint laugh and since the rest of the science station's patients were being tended to Nayomi decided to take this opportunity to get to know her better. "Alright Lt Commander, hop up on this biobed and lets take a look at you and make sure my ex's face didn't stain your hand."

"Your ex? That guy?" Taryn said in surprise with a raised eyebrow. "This I have got to hear. I mean, the whole time I was on that station, he literally had to have chased and made passes at every female there. I can't imagine him being a one woman man. You must be special." she added as she hopped up onto the biobed and waited for the doctor to start the exam and the story.

[Deis Irae]

<Taryn> ::The Commander Pipped woman is very petite and somewhat short. Bodily she seems delicately built, but the steely look on her scarred face belies the grace with which she walks. Because she walks like shes 10 foot tall and phaserproof. There is a quite noticeable mass of scarring on the left side of her face at the jawline that has begun to fade a little due to the work of the good Doctor Chavet that is in no way hidden by the short black hair that spikes around her face. Going along with Murphys Law, of course she walks in just as the guy is smacked in the face. A brow is lifted and for a moment one might think that she was about to unleash a hellstorm of verbal reprimand...but instead after a moment of staring at you, the left corner of her lips quirks upward in a little smile and she says in a rather musical lilting scotch-irish brogue:: Ochaye...looks like i showed up just in time. Do we all get a turn?

::Then just that quickly she says:: At ease Lt. Cmdr. I be 'ere t help. Ahh...Deis Irae (Day-iss Ee-ray), First Officer...an sometime emergency sickbay 'elp when th Doctor needs me. ::Giving a nod instead of shaking hands as she is already giving her greeting nod to Zak next, then looking Doctorwards::

<Doc Chavet> ::This may be the first time youve seen the First Officer plainly amused. Oh shes sure she should say something about it...only she isnt going to. After the day shes had, its actually refreshing to see something like this. Once recieving info on how she can help, you actually get something close to almost a smile...curving of the left side of her lips:: Doctor, i be grateful fer th opportunity t use me old skills, be it takin temperatures, minor checkups, to cybernetic brain surgery. I appreciate tha i be nae steppin on yer toes. I defer t yer supremacy 'ere. Use me skills as ye will. So a researcher checkup it be. ::pausing though and seeming to actually laugh, though of course the laughter is silent and only shows in the quiver of shoulders. Giving a little nod she heads over to the man with two glowing red cheeks, saying to him without sternness:: Ye better nae bite. I may 'ave a spine...but i be nae as gentle as these ladies. Now lets be givin ye a look see. ::retrieving herself the usual medical tricorder with wand and getting to work, but she does have to look back to the Doctor and say* Capn Savot requested tha i give th vulcan girl a look see, if tha be permissable, Doctor. I be verra experienced wi Vulcan physiology.

<tag...um...just everbody>

[Deleted]

As he caught a reflection of his face in a polished panel Jahka realized he had a striking resemblance to a child who had gotten a hold of his mother's blush. Why couldn't women just take a compliment?! He felt pinned between three dangerous and strikingly beautiful animals with his back to a bio bed, his old flame Nayomi on one side, the feisty Bajoran on the other and the newcomer, a dangerous dark hard women who looked like she could take down a team of Klingon assassins before her morning coffee. He was not entirely sure were his escape route should lead. Turned out he had no choice and was swiftly guided away by the Commander with the exotic accent. "I'm thinking about keeping my scar too, yours looks ravishing!" his usual smoothness not quite recovered from the other ladies' smacks. "Allow me to introduce myself, Jahka Trev, expert mineralogist, PHD and expert on showing a lady a good time."

<Tag Deis>

-----------------------------

Nayomi could not have been more relieved to have Deis step in and guide Jahka to another biobed. The First Officer turned back, the almost hidden amused look on her face not quite gone.

Jun 22, 2015 22:26:42 GMT Deis Irae said:

Capn Savot requested tha i give th vulcan girl a look see, if tha be permissable, Doctor. I be verra experienced wi Vulcan physiology.

"Absolutely Commander, I will never let my own pride get in the way of what is best for a patient."
With that she turned her attention back to Lt Commander Taryn.

Jun 22, 2015 1:17:40 GMT @galentaryn said:

"Your ex? That guy?" Taryn said in surprise with a raised eyebrow. "This I have got to hear. I mean, the whole time I was on that station, he literally had to have chased and made passes at every female there. I can't imagine him being a one woman man. You must be special." she added as she hopped up onto the biobed and waited for the doctor to start the exam and the story.

Nayomi let out a soft laugh. "OH, I was special, until he met my sister." She began the scan. "I was young then, and I didn't have a lot of self confidence, he was charming and made me feel like the centre of the galaxy. He wasn't quite so bad then, but he was still a snake. I just didn't see it. Love is blind, isn't that the saying? My sister and I, we are identical, but only in looks. She is an artist and she has enough self confidence to light up a room before she even enters it. Most people find her.... entrancing, Jahka was no different and, well, you've seen the kind of guy he is."

She completed her scans and looked over the results, then shared them.

<Tag Taryn, so how banged up are you?>

[Deleted]

OOC: Maybe some bumps and bruises and some fractured ribs from fighting with some of the mercs.


Taryn watched as the XO walked away with Trev. She was an attractive woman and from what she could hear from Jahka, he thought so also. There was no doubt in Taryns mind that it wouldn't be long before the Commander did get her chance to add a slap to his face.

Nayomi let out a soft laugh. "OH, I was special, until he met my sister." She began the scan. "I was young then, and I didn't have a lot of self confidence, he was charming and made me feel like the centre of the galaxy. He wasn't quite so bad then, but he was still a snake. I just didn't see it. Love is blind, isn't that the saying? My sister and I, we are identical, but only in looks. She is an artist and she has enough self confidence to light up a room before she even enters it. Most people find her.... entrancing, Jahka was no different and, well, you've seen the kind of guy he is."

"No way! Your sister?" Taryn asked in surprise. "I mean, I saw how slimey he was over on the station but I can't believe he did that." Realization set in a second later. "Your sister." she repeated. "Didn't she know you guys were an item?"

[Deis Irae]

::This is almost surreal. Shes scanning a man that just met her and hes laying the mack down. Listening to the storys of how he totally screwed over her colleagues. This is not the sort of thing that Irae deals with often...or at all. Even as little as she is, males tend to be a little on the intimidated side. There was once a time when this would have been amusing...hell its amusing NOW but she just faintly shakes her head:: Son... ::she calls him son...and then offers a brightly beautiful and oddly predatory and sharklike smile:: Just dinna. Im sure yer an absolute hurricane in th sack but I be wha ye call "extremely unavailable". Deis Irae, First Officer, former CMO, Capn, and all round jane o many trades. This'll sting. ::and then she hits him with a hypo gently under the jawline...normal stabilizers for after adrenaline rush situations. Itll ease any body soreness from tensity.:: Lie back an give it 10 minutes. Then yer good t go. ::then she realizes that she is totally failing at that being personable thing so pauses from walking away, studying the man very closely for a moment in a way that might be just a little uncomfortably like being scanned and offering a compliment: yer cute enough tho.

::Nodding back to the Doctor and her patient, smiling faintly as though she wanted to laugh. By the time that she gets to the biobed that contains the vulcan girl, she realizes that she is very nearly having a good time. She does miss sickbay at times, but her field has broadened in such a way that she still feels out of place even welcomed here. Shes glad that Chavet dosent take her presence as lack of confidence in her skills. Its due to Chavet that she has a bit of feeling in her left side for the first time since the explosion. The scars are not yet gone, but that is only a matter of time. When she realized that she could feel things with the left side of her body, she cried like a little girl in her quarters. Her gratitude for that will never cease, nor her respect as a once medical professional.::

::she has to almost shake herself out of pointless thoughts, turning her attention to the vulcan girl. Quietly checking the biobed readouts and collating the information into a mental picture of what shes dealing with here. It is facinating...it always has been. Especially since vulcan anatomy and physiology became something of an accidental and unofficial specialty for her.::

[Deleted]

Jun 23, 2015 3:24:45 GMT @galentaryn said:

"No way! Your sister?" Taryn asked in surprise. "I mean, I saw how slimey he was over on the station but I can't believe he did that." Realization set in a second later. "Your sister." she repeated. "Didn't she know you guys were an item?"

"Initially no, I had not introduced him to my family yet, but even after I did they continued for some time. We sort of went our separate ways when we hit our teens and that did not help. Needless to say I dumped his sorry [word deleted] as soon as I found out and then joined Star Fleet. Best two decision I ever made." Her tricorder chimed. "Looks like bruises and bumps and some bruised ribs. I'll have you lay back and I can take of them all right away." She gently guided Taryn to lay back. "Hmm, some low blood sugar too. No time to east while fending off imminent attack I suppose. My prescription for that is pretty straight forward. Mess hall for some Hasperat chased by some pecan pie. It's a human desert, but it does the trick. Drink plenty of water with both. Oh, and I heard you may be being courted for the vacant Chief of Security job." She smiled. "Don't give me that look, as soon as a word leaves your mouth around here the lower decker are reaching for their dictionaries. If you can handle pirates and Jahka, I imagine you would be perfect for the job." Nayomi stepped back/ "All done, check in with me again tomorrow and we should be fine."

<Tag Taryn>

----------------

Jun 24, 2015 20:30:07 GMT Deis Irae said:

Just dinna. Im sure yer an absolute hurricane in th sack but I be wha ye call "extremely unavailable". Deis Irae, First Officer, former CMO, Capn, and all round jane o many trades. This'll sting.

[/font] ::and then she hits him with a hypo gently under the jawline...normal stabilizers for after adrenaline rush situations. Itll ease any body soreness from tensity.:: Lie back an give it 10 minutes. Then yer good t go. ::then she realizes that she is totally failing at that being personable thing so pauses from walking away, studying the man very closely for a moment in a way that might be just a little uncomfortably like being scanned and offering a compliment: yer cute enough tho. [/font]
[/quote]



Did she just say yes to dinner? Jahka felt a faint shiver start from his toes and work it's way up t his ears. Great, of the three she takes him up on his offer. Mind you as intimidating as she was, at lest she had not hit him. Plus, she though he was cute. Just maybe he had something here. Nayomi was old news, he'd sampled that dish years ago and as tempted as he was to see how it had changed it was less interesting then it was back then. Now Taryn, She was something he could not let go. No that he could not multi-task, he'd done that many times before... he looked up to see the dark haired commander tending to a passed out Vulcan girl on a bio bed in the corner. He was losing her attention and sprung into action. "Dinner, great. Tonight or Tomorrow? Oh what the hell, I can't wait. Tonight. Officer's Mess if a lowly researcher like me is permitted?

If she said yes the only immediate hurdle is where he could get a decent fresh outfit.

<tag Deis>

[Deleted]

"Initially no, I had not introduced him to my family yet, but even after I did they continued for some time. We sort of went our separate ways when we hit our teens and that did not help. Needless to say I dumped his sorry [word deleted] as soon as I found out and then joined Star Fleet. Best two decision I ever made." Her tricorder chimed. "Looks like bruises and bumps and some bruised ribs. I'll have you lay back and I can take of them all right away." She gently guided Taryn to lay back. "Hmm, some low blood sugar too. No time to east while fending off imminent attack I suppose. My prescription for that is pretty straight forward. Mess hall for some Hasperat chased by some pecan pie. It's a human desert, but it does the trick. Drink plenty of water with both. Oh, and I heard you may be being courted for the vacant Chief of Security job." She smiled. "Don't give me that look, as soon as a word leaves your mouth around here the lower decker are reaching for their dictionaries. If you can handle pirates and Jahka, I imagine you would be perfect for the job." Nayomi stepped back/ "All done, check in with me again tomorrow and we should be fine."

"Wow. That's some sister you have there." Taryn said as she laid back and finished listening to the doctor. She thought her ribs had been bugging her. she would have thought cracked. Thank goodness they were only bruised. She could deal with that. And now that she mentioned it, Taryn couldn't recall the last time she had eaten.

"Hasperat? And pecan pie?" she asked. "Sounds good to me. I like trying new things." Than she did a double take as the doc mentioned the Chief of Security poistion. "I hope so. I've been wanting to get on a ship for quite some time now. It would be a change of pace from the babysitting details I've been on. But I still have to meet with the CO." she added.

She sat up and hopped off the biobed and than straightened her uniform. "I think I'll take you up on that Mess Hall idea now." she said as her stomach chosed that moment to release a huge growl. Man, food sounded good.

She was breifly delayed as she heard the CO and Jahka speaking. And from what she could hear, it sounded as if the Commander was saying yes to a dinner date. That would be something to see. Taryn had a strong feeling that there was another slap in Jahka's future.

"Okay, Doc. I'm headed for dinner. I'll stop back by tomorrow for my follow up. Thanks for patching me up. Have a quiet evening." she said.

[SA. Stacey Jackson [Ret]]

***Three Days Earlier - Betazed Embassy, Toulouse, France ***

“Well to your question is more difficult to answer than it would seem, yes I represent Betazed on the Council and of course my primary responsibility is to ensure our perspective is heard, and I work to ensure matters that we want discussed are,” She paused for a moment. “But I also need to balance that with the fact that the Council deals with the entirety of the Federation, so I also need to work on issues that don’t effect Betazed directly.” She leaned forward slightly sensing the interviewer was about to ask another question.

He cleared his throat. “And how do you respond to your critics who say that because you weren’t born on Betazed, you are half Human and you have spent more than half your life here on Earth that you aren’t qualified to know what is good for Betazed or not?”

Stacey smiled politely despite the annoyance. “Well I guess that is a valid point and something that the people who voted were entitled to think about, I have always considered myself a Betazoid, Betazed has always been my home.” She took a slight breath. “But that question isn’t really one I worry about, at the end of day it is for the people back home to decide and to my mind they did when I was elected and they might have to think about it again should I decide to put my name forward again.”

After the interviewer had left the figure standing against the far wall walked forward and nodded slightly. “Well, I am glad you used the answer I wrote.”

As she walked to her desk she lamented. “Mine was shorter and easier to memorize.”

“Yes, but I don’t think ‘bite me’ would have gone down as well.” He pulled out a padd. “Starfleet has is ready to finalize the arrangements for your transport, The U.S.S El Salvador will be redirected when your shuttle is within range, they won’t be told the nature of the mission or destination until your arrival.”

Stacey nodded as she took the padd. “Good, you and the rest of my personal staff will remain here as far as anyone is concerned I never left this office, things should continue to run as if I am here, this is far too important to be messed up by mistakes.”

***Current Time - USS El Salvador***

The transmission was encrypted and carried on a priority alpha one channel, Fleet Admiral Thomas Gates didn't waste time with.

“Commodore you are to go to the co-ordinates I am sending you immediately at maximum warp, there is a shuttle waiting carrying a VIP that you are to pick up, at that time they will deliver further orders, you and your crew will show this person every respect and follow the given orders to the letter.”

He took a slight breath. “All other priorities are superseded until your vessel has completed the task.” He shook his head. “I wish I could tell you more Commodore, but this is above even my pay grade, Gates out.” Before the transmission ended the co-ordinates were displayed showing the destination was relatively close, only thirty nine minutes away at the ordered speed.

(Tag Savot)

[Deis Irae]

::Deis, being just a little preoccupied with the vulcan girls vitals and scans that she didnt even realize that she had given the impression of acquiescence to this whole dinner thing. Once she had turned away from Jahka and essentially forgotten his existance completely. The girl has her full attention...mentally and emotionally. It feels so very strange to be looking at who is essentially Savot's daughter. Albeit a Savot from the mirrored universe. Not HER Savot. Looking into the girls face and gently thumbing back an eyelid to check pupil dilation with the flash of a little penlight; Deis can see the resemblance. The girl dosent favor him completely but it is strong enough around the eyes, the chin, and most especially hair color and ears that she can see (a) Savot in her genetics. The girl will be fine...its just high levels of shock and shes been given the stabilizers as well as enforced rest. All that is left to do is to wait for her to regain consiousness. Deis is pleased to discover that she feels no rancorous ire for the girls attempt on our Captains life. It was, quite frankly, the mother of all misunderstandings.::

"Dinner, great. Tonight or Tomorrow? Oh what the hell, I can't wait. Tonight. Officer's Mess if a lowly researcher like me is permitted?

::When Deis hears that, she looks up from the girl and then slowly turns around, lifting a brow in a manner that is almost vulcan in its coolness.:: Mr. Jahka. Wha part o "extremely unavailable" are ye gettin stuck on, man? I said ye were cute...i didnae say ye were "THAT" cute. ::shoulders settling into "attitude", hands settling on her narrow hips in a stance that looks just so decidedly kickass:: Ye also dinnae seem t be all tha bright. Ye joost asked me t dinner in front of nae one, but two ex girlfriends. Both o which yer layin flirt down on an 'ave th palm reddened cheeks t prove it. ::Then Deis rather menacingly begins walking slowly back towards the man in a way that one can only call feline stalking:: I dinnae slap. An i dinnae want th reprimand tha i would be gettin fer beatin th ever lovin shite outa ye. ::Then taking a deep breath and trying to calm down just a little...shes probably shocked these women all to be damned and scared the crap out of the researcher. She didnt mean to come across THAT bitchily dangerous...but in the last half a day alone shes seen her Captain under an assassination attempt, flown quantum slipstream drive, arrived in the midst of a pirate attack on innocents and then proceeded to pound the hell out of them with this new El Salvador. Space battle and then rescue operations AND trying to come to terms with what is sort of, Savot's kid. "No mood" is what she is in currently.:: I would say i be sorry for me bluntness...but i have'nae th time t play coy or sweet. Im neither. So in th interest o yer face bein just red insteada bruised...i will 'ave t respectfully decline yer invitation. Be we understandin one another? ::and just nodding as though he said "yes maam". On top of stated reasons...Deis's heart belongs to only one man. She cant deny to herself that she did want to scare this man into being less of a floozy.:: Good.

::And thusly she looks to the Doctor without even the faintest trace of embarrassed blush:: Doc, please schedule me up for me next treatment at yer convenience. An i thank ye fer lettin me help in yer sickbay. Iffen ye dinnae mind, please contact me when th vulcan girl awakes. I would like verra much t be speakin wi her.

[Savot]

[El Salvador: Corridor]


Having ensured the research station's life support and emergency power systems were stabilized, and activating the backup solar collectors to charge the auxiliary banks back up a bit, Lt. Commander Chester W. Delbridge stalked the hallways of the El Salvador in a huff. News seemed to travel faster the more isolated a ship was from everyone else... and space was a pretty effective isolator. He knew it wasn't really anybody's fault really but it still alarmed him. Savot was... well, Savot. He was supposed to be untouchable, so boring that nothing could possibly happen to him. He'd headed toward Sickbay at first, thinking the Captain would be there for treatment, but scuttlebutt had him already back on the bridge during the space fight. It wasn't a total loss though, as Delbridge happened upon Commander Irae leaving Sickbay and getting the sense that Savot was pretty important to her too he decided they could commiserate over the incident. So the yellow-collared engineer from Tennessee turns the corner and instantly bursts into, "I leave the ship for..... 'Computer: Current Time'...", then cocked an ear for the reply, "73 minutes! And the Captain gets mind-whammied by a ballistic high-school death machine! I take it he's at least mostly okay or your scowl would be scowlier... uh... ma'am."


::Irae should have seen this one comming. She should have actually commed the man to let him know that his friend had been attacked. But...well...pirate battle and then helping out in sickbay. She pauses and turns to face Delbridge... which is just as well since hes going to talk to her regardless...and tries to offer a kind smile. He's far more vocal about it but she was also quite in a panic when the meld went down. She knows he's concerned about his friend, so the pause and "ma'am" but almost makes her chuckle:: Well see, tha's th problem Delbridge...ye left th ship fer an hour and change. Bloody irresponsible of ye, iffen ye be askin me. Should be ashamed. ::Then she does manage that smile to show that she is teasing the poor man:: Didje say "mind-whammied by a ballistic high-school death machine? ::Nodding a bit:: Aye...ye DID say tha. ::it would indeed be telling that she isn't stomping around the corridors, scowling hard enough to curdle water:: Capn Savot be fine...was up an on th bridge wi me in less than 20 minutes after th "assault" happened. As fer Karysta...well...it be complicated."


Delbridge's mouth had already started the form the words to exclaim profoundly that he'd been ORDERED off the ship... but then he realized his heightened emotional state had made him initially miss the FO's teasing tone... and then he realized he'd just internally thought the phrase 'heightened emotional state'... and he blamed Savot loudly in his mind, "I'm sorry, it has a name besides 'already-been-shoved-out-the-airlock-for-good-measure'?!"  As they walked, an engineering crewman caught sight of them and approached with a padd and repair question regarding the station.  Seemingly without having to look at the padd longer than it took to grab hold of it, Delbridge typed in his suggested course of repair and handed it back without breaking stride.  "Bah... yeah, I forgot.  We don't do that; we're Starfleet; we set the higher moral example...", said with all the irritated derision of someone who truly believed in that moral stance deep down but wanted so intensely to disagree with it just for a second.  "All right, well... as the leading experts on Savot presently aboard ship, we'll have to keep an eye on him.  I'll let you know if I beat him at chess; Savot tells me that helped Spock prove James Kirk was being framed for negligent murder once."


::Its the sarcasm that just soooo does it for her. There is a very quite snorting sound but the little FO manages to keep her professional reserve...barely:: Actually th other name for it be "This be th El Salvador an when was th last time somethin weird DIDNA happen, ochaye?". Walking the corridors, Deis never checks up when the engineer attempts to stop Delbridge. There IS a pause though when he speaks of moral example...lift of a brow and she has to ask, even knowing she shouldnt and in most cases cannot elaborate:: Higher moral example? Lt. Cmdr...'ow much d ye rilly KNOW of Starfleet? ::Though this is waved off rather quickly...its better that the vast majority just continues to be blissfully ignorant of some of the things that Starfleet gets up to when noone is looking.:: Be ye and I th experts then? Ye've had more direct experience wi' th man in th last coupla years than i do. But then...Vulcan. They dinnae change all tha much...for which i be verra grateful. ::Pausing again at the turbolift, maintaining that deadpan expression when she wants to fall out laughing. She is of a hightened emotional response as well...but hers is relief that the man is allright, so therefor...snippy humor:: Ye do tha...iffen ye win, ye 'ave me official permission t tackle an contain th crazy wildness tha might 'appen.  ::The man follows her into the lift, and then off it again when she steps out. So it is with actually obvious humor that Deis says:: Delbridge...this be me quarters. Can this wait joost a bit til ive had a wee shower an dinner? Nae tha i dislike yer company...but methinks tha may be a bit awkward.


Delbridge blinks as though only now paying attention to where they'd been going, he'd been caught up in the conversation.  He knew from being able to read between the 'Savot' lines that his vulcan friend was particularly fond of this woman... and Delbridge found that he liked her too.  The sarcastic engineer chuckled at himself, threw Irae a 2-fingered salute and turned on his heel to head back to Engineering where he could make himself useful.  He knew his friend; if Savot wanted to talk he'd seek Delbridge out when he had time.  For the moment at least, Delbridge would respect his friend's privacy... but he'd definitely be keeping an eye on that girl, Karysta.


A similar thought was being entertained by the Tellarite cadet Zhegras as she passed by Sickbay but didn't quite think it was the time for a visit.  Having been released from quarters confinement after Savot's safety had been confirmed, she'd been as alarmed as anyone when the captain was attacked; moreso even because she hadn't seen that in Vas... no, Karysta's, personality at all... and that alone made the vulcanoid girl far more interesting than she had already been.  Security seemed lightish for someone who'd just tried to murder the CO, so if they could forgive the wayward girl, Zhegras could too especially if it lead to an interesting friendship.


***************************************************************************************************************************************************
[El Salvador: Ready Room]


It had been 18 hours since the resolution of the pirate assault on the research station and things were just about back to normal both there and aboard ship.  S'reena and her children had come back, and Savot had a personnel opportunity to consider when he received orders that made his decision making window much more imminent.  As Gates had spoken, Savot sensed sincerity in the man's unhappiness at giving such cryptic orders, and that made Savot far less reluctant to proceed with carrying them out.  It was unfortunate his people would be thrown into something else so soon, the severity of which was as-yet unknown, but each scenario this new ship and crew faced made him more and more confident in them.  So the only thing to do now was unfortunately force a rather quick moment of significant decision upon the research station's protector, =^=Savot to Lt. Commander Galen, please report to the Captain's Ready Room immediately.=^=


The Bajoran officer was prompt to arrive, and Savot bid her enter when he heard the chime of his door, "Thank you for coming Commander, please sit."  He gestured to the chair on the other side of his desk and resumed sitting himself, having stood out of professional courtesy upon her entry.  "I apologize for the abruptness of this offer.  A decision of this magnitude should ideally be given significant time to be considered, but we are ordered to depart immediately for our next mission and as such time is not our luxury just now.  You performed most admirably on the station, rallying the survivors and defending them to the best of your ability.  I believe you would be an asset as the El Salvador's Chief Tactical and Security officer... and more than one crewmember has expressed to me their agreement with that assessment.  If you feel both interested and capable of fulfilling the duties of that posting, I will officially arrange your transfer to our roster.  If not, and you must feel perfectly empowered to decline, then you will have to wait aboard the station for another vessel to arrive and return you to your base of operations."


<Tag Taryn>



(Partial Joint Post with Commander Irae)

[Deleted]

[El Salvador: Ready Room]


Taryn couldn't believe how fast thinks were going. She hadn't even been on the ship a full day and she was already being offered the CTSO position. Zak and the Doc had said there was a chance and Taryn had actually got excited about the idea of being on board a deep space exploration ship. She hated being in one place all the time. the CO made his pitch and Taryn wasted no time.

"Sir. I would be honored to serve aboard the El Salvador under your command." she replied.

She was so ready for a change. New parts of space to explore. Different people on different planets. It was gonna be so different.



<TAG: Savot>

[Deleted]

"Commander Hope, it is a genuine pleasure to see you and your children again. This ship is all the more truly the El Salvador with your presence."  

S'reena smiled as she accepted the PADD the vulcan admiral handed her and she could see that he wasn't done speaking yet so she waited patiently while trying to keep her five children close.

"Your former quarters had yet to require reassignment and all the belongings you left here are in secure cargo storage accessible at your convenience."

"Thank you sir, for the sake of my children that's very much appreciated and we'll get our belongings back where they belong through the quartermaster." S'reena watched him curiously as he turned to address her oldest children.

"Miss Kahlan, given our capacity as an Academy vessel, I'm sure we can make a great deal of the cadet curriculum database available to you for study should you wish."

Kahlan's eyes brightened at that very idea and she smiled broadly at him. "Oh thank you admiral," she breathed, clearly taken with the idea of being able to take up pre-academy studies here on the ship, even if she wasn't old enough yet to even think about attending the academy. "Is it permitted to speak with officers too, to see where I'd like to go before I even apply for the academy? I'm not quite sure yet if I want medical or science sir.."

>> Savot 



"Lady Yarna. Alfred and Isabel are both in good health and I'd gladly arrange a visit after you've all had time to settle in. It is... quite good to have you back aboard."

Unlike her other siblings, Yarna just wrapped her arms around the Vulcan's legs and hugged him tightly. Then she tugged at his tunic to get him down to a crouch so she could face him. "YOu don't have to call me lady," she whispered at him, "I don't think my sister will like that very much. Am I still your assistant?"

"Yarna, I'm sure Admiral Savot has other duties to attend to," S'reena warned, casting her old friend an apologetic smile. "We probably should get settled and.." she shuddered visibly. "See about our medical and psychological assessment?" She hesitated. "ADmiral, I also heard something about a Romulan girl being on board...is there any way I can assist since I am Romulan?"

>> Savot

[Savot]

[Backpost: Docking Hatch]


With the recent traumatic events Savot was relieved to welcome the Hopes back aboard the El Salvador, and also to see that they appeared to be satisfied with the posting themselves as well. He nodded in response to Kahlan's enthusiastic question, "Whenever you encounter them in non-restricted areas of the ship you are more than welcome to engage the officers in discussion. I don't believe any would be unwilling to speak with you about their fields. While your mother most certainly has extensive enough experience in the scientific fields to answer any questions you have, both Doctor Nayomi Chavet and First Officer Irae have years of medical training I'm sure they'd be willing to share when their duties permit."


Receiving Yarna's hug around the legs, Savot, his mental reserves under extreme fatigue following his telepathic bout, actually wore a brief smile as he returned her hug with a gentle pat of his right hand upon the girl's shoulder. He then took a knee so he could be level with her, and nodded briefly with closed eyes at her thoughtful request in consideration of her sister's feelings. He heard her request and S'reena's apologetic intercession, answering his old friend's smile with a tilted dip of his head and shaking it slightly afterwards, "It is no bother, Commander. So long as I am captain, you are most welcome to be my assistant, Miss Yarna."


Savot then bowed slightly, recalling S'reena's dislike of sickbay facilities but knowing she'd take care of business with no problem. His countenance grew more serious as she inquired about a Romulan girl aboard, "She is of both Romulan and... Vulcan parentage. It is a complicated story, though I would welcome the opportunity to explain it in further detail with you after you're settled. For the moment, no one's health is at imminent risk. I won't keep you further, but again, welcome back to all of you." He bowed his head and left the Hopes to get their things out of storage and visit the good Doctor.



*****************************************************************************************************************************
[El Salvador: Bridge; Next Day, concurrent with the emergency hail from HQ]


In the Ready Room, Savot heard Ms. Galen reply without hesitation and he nodded in response, standing and offering his hand to shake. Unusual for a vulcan, but he'd learned to embrace gestures that promoted morale and camaraderie among crewmates, "Welcome to the El Salvador, Lieutenant Commander. Your quarters are on Deck 3; Security Office and Brig Deck 4, and the Marine contingent are housed on Deck 19 should you wish to cross-train your personnel with them. I hope you enjoy your time with us, and my thanks for your prompt reply."


Fifteen minutes later, he was in the center seat and instructed the helm, "Set a course for the assigned coordinates and engage at maximum warp.  We should be able to pick up the shuttle we're to rendezvous with shortly on sensors.  Yellow alert."



<Tag: All>

[Deleted]

Taren was excited. "Thank you, sir." she replied as she shook the hand of her new Commanding Officer. "I promise you won't be disappointed."

After leaving the CO's Ready Room, she headed to the Cargo Bay where all of hers and the reserachers gear and anything extra they were able to rcover was stored. she grabbed her gear and headed to her quarters on Deck 3. It took her about twenty minutes to stow everything away. Once she stopped staring at the size of her room that was. she than went down to her office and was going over the roster for the Security Department. She figured there was no better time than the present. She was glad to see the name Zakryn on the roster. Although they had only worked together briefly so far, she felt she and the Gorn would become close, fast allies. She was still reading when the yellow alert sounded.

"Sounds like my place is on the bridge." she muttered as she stood and headed for the turbolift. "Bridge." she ordered. The doors parted and she stepped out and walked to the Captains side.

"Lieutenant Commander Galen reporting for duty, sir." she stated.

[Deleted]

ON:
It had taken a little while before S’reena actually worked up the courage to find her way to sickbay. Not to have her boarding physical, but to visit Savot’s daughter. Mirror Savot’s daughter. The Romulan woman approached the bed of a young Vulcanoid woman, why by the looks of it was either still unconscious or peacefully sleeping.

She gave the guard a courteous nod, before leaning over, studying the girl. Yes, she could definitely see Savot in there, the elegant curve of the ears, and certainly the set of her jaw. “How unusual,” she murmured as she continued to study her, “and so fascinating. Never pegged Savot to be a father….”

Karysta, now known on record by her genuine identity rather than the false Vasrea persona she had crafted for herself, had been unconscious for nearly a day following her ill-fated attempt to exact revenge on the man she thought had murdered her mother. Occasionally her brow furrowed as she dreamt of this or that but for the most part she was simply unconscious by virtue of having nothing worth being awake for. She’d failed to find the assassin Savot and in targeting the wrong one had undoubtedly ensured she’d never have the chance to pursue the right one.

And even if she could… this Savot was seemingly less dangerous than his counterpart from the Mirror Universe; if she couldn’t defeat this one how would she expect to overcome her true target? This one hadn’t even let her die, and in forcing her to live with her failure perhaps he was as sadistic and cruel as his reflection…

There comes a point where one’s body refuses to stay asleep any longer no matter how much you might want to avoid consciousness. This moment coincided with the low sound of a woman’s voice and they worked together to slowly open the girls eyes. Karysta started to wince as though expecting bright lights but Sickbay was comfortably lit and instead she let her gaze bring into focus the face of a uniformed woman standing nearby. When the girl saw the woman’s features her eyes widened slightly and her muscles tensed as though trying to cringe and get away from something uncomfortable.

“Easy there..” S’reena said softly, resorting to the Romulan common dialect in the hope she’d feel more comfortable with that. “My name is S’reena, what’s yours?”

Interestingly, hearing the Romulan language seemed to make the girl more uneasy, as though she suddenly found herself somewhere she hadn’t been invited. She replied somewhat softly in english, “My real name is Karysta, for what it’s worth. I expect I’m to be detained now on charges of assault or attempted murder, something like that?”

“I wouldn’t know dear,” S’reena replied, switching to English for her benefit, “I only just got here and I don’t know the fine details. Commodore Savot only told me of a half-Romulan young woman in sickbay and I offered to have a word. Is there anything you need that’ll help make you feel more comfortable? Or anywhere you’d like to go? I’m no fan of sickbays myself and being here makes me feel very nervous.”

The girl’s mouth gaped a bit and she tilted her head as though trying to evaluate the situation and the woman speaking to her, “I… attacked this ship’s captain. Do you typically let such offenders roam the ship?” Ironically, it seemed as though Karysta could understand the concept of feeling nervous or disconcerted and decided to agree as sort of a minor penance for the moment, “I’m willing to follow you if you like. I won’t attack anyone else but I don’t mind the guards. It just makes sense to defend against an unknown variable.”

“Typically, no, but I have five children, I’m sure I can take care of one extra if needed.” S’reena smiled at her, but made no move to touch her. “And from what I understand it was a case of mistaken identity as you were after another version of him? His...evil twin...shall we say? Why are you after him? Have you tried talking to our Savot, I’m sure he’s willing to listen?”

Karysta’s eyes flashed and she clenched her teeth as her motives were brought up, “...I don’t need to talk to a Vulcan about how another one reduced my mother’s life to simple cold variables. The assassin was contracted to kill the woman that died for me because she was influential enough to rally Romulan resistance into an effective force to oppose the assassin’s employers whoever they were. He concluded she was too dangerous to face openly and figured he’d also use her for information so he gained her trust, used her affection against her, then used me to weaken her when he was ready to finish the job. Your captain is a vulcan too; he’d be exactly the same if their origins were reversed.”

“My captain is actually one of the few I trust with my life,” S’reena confessed, “and he’s earned that trust and he’ll tell you he had to work had for me to trust him to begin with. You see...I was blind at some point, and I had to rely on others to do things for me, and I had to trust him after I was captured and he came to my rescue. You really should talk to him Karysta, he’s worth getting to know. He was there for me, when my husband went missing, and again, when I returned here with news of his death. If there is any one person I trust completely, it’s your father. Well...our version of him.”

The 16 year old’s smallish fists clenched at the word father and her eyes flashed a bit. Karysta seemed to clench her jaw and try to control herself before responding, “I… appreciate your interest in my well-being given I’m a stranger, and someone who attacked a person you value. But the person who contributed genetic material to create me is not my father. He’s a killer, and I’m just the weapon he used. I sincerely hope your trust in this one isn’t a mistake that hurts you or your children someday.” She then lowered her head and hissed air through her teeth chiding herself for her tone, “Look I… it’s kind of you to share that information with me. You don’t owe it to me but you offer it anyway. I… apologize for my sharpness.”

“I’m not offended in any way,” the Romulan woman answered gently, “and I doubt it’ll come back to bite me. I know him, quite well…” She smiled. “I did try to strike him once though and at one time I had to fire to release him of his bonds and I was blind so he really had to trust me to hit the bonds, and not him….that took guts you know. And I run into a lot of prejudice still, despite my years of service in Starfleet. After all, I am Romulan. I’m raised Romulan, and yet I was born on Earth. You are who you make yourself to be, not who others try to shape you to be. You’re your own person and I’ve no doubt you can make a life for yourself here. Safe, and away from those that wish you harm.”

Karysta looked to the woman with a pained countenance, “You don’t understand; I don’t deserve a life safe or otherwise. My life, took my mother’s life. If I hadn’t been she could have beaten him and she’d still be alive. The only thing I could do to balance that is to find and end the one who betrayed her. Wherever I go I’ll probably get someone else killed too. I don’t want anything to do with my Vulcan half… and I don’t deserve my Romulan half. So I’m just… empty.”

“And so you are at war with yourself,” S’reena observed. “You should try and find a balance, you don’t have to fully acknowledge your Vulcan side. There are other paths you can follow, Surak’s isn’t the only one you see. There’s one that allows you to embrace the emotions you have within you, and there’s Romulan paths you can follow as well. I can help you with your Romulan heritage, but I can’t take you to Romulus. I’ve never been there and my parents are considered traitors for fleeing the empire. But I can help you try to find your way. And so can Savot, if you’ll let us.”

Karysta seemed to shrink at the prospect of having the gall to claim her Romulan ancestry; eyes watered at the edges before being tightly shut and the emotions pushed back enough to speak, “If you trust your captain that’s your business, and I guess I’m glad for you. But every time I see his face or hear his voice I want to kill him. I can’t owe anything to any version of that man. Now if you don’t mind I’d like to be alone; is there a brig cell available or should I return to your Sickbay?”

“With guards assigned to you, I’m sure we can have quarters arranged for you. As far as I can see, you were never formally charged with anything but to be sure I can enquire about it. If you want.”

As if on cue, a female Tellarite cadet rounded the corner at that moment, “If they don’t throw you in the clink; you can stay my roomie if you want. You’re less boring than the average Vulcan.” She turned then to S’reena, “Cadet Zhegras ma’am, welcome back to the ship.”

Karysta arched an eyebrow in a manner far more reminiscent of her local father than she’d care to know, and blinked a few times, “Everything I’ve told you since we met was a lie… Why would you want to share quarters?”

Zhegras smirked… as closely as a Tellarite could anyway, “That’s just it. You fooled me, so I clearly need more practice being on my guard. And, logically speaking, you’ll either behave from here on out in which case I won’t get in trouble by being your friend. Or, you’ll do something else nuts in which case I’ll want to be nearby to witness it.”

“See?” S’reena pointed out with a smile, “you made a friend already, that still wants to be your friend.” She stepped away a pace or two and tapped her combadge. “Hope to Savot...is your dau- Miss Karysta confined to sickbay or is she free to return to her quarters? I have Cadet Zhegras here who offers space in her quarters.”

The brief delay in reply could either have been from legitimate work he was doing, or possibly taken slightly aback at the use of the word daughter, he sounded normal enough though when his voice came back over comms, =^=If Cadet Zhegras has no argument, then Miss Karysta is welcome to room with her again. As a precaution she’ll be accompanied by a security guard at all other ship locations. I trust there’s no danger to anyone but I have to consider the most prudent course to ensure everyone’s safety. Thank you, Commander.=^=

“The Cadet offered herself, so I doubt there’s issue. Thank you sir I’ll let them know.” She didn’t wait for a response, instead signing off immediately. She returned to the two young women. “Commodore Savot is in agreement with you returning to your quarters with Cadet Zhegras,” she told Karysta, “however you will be accompanied by a guard at all times should you decide to go for a walk. You’re no prisoner but obviously you’re restricted from going into certain areas. If in doubt your guard will tell you.” She reached out, resting a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “And if you need anything just page me alright?”

Zhegras smiled knowingly hearing the captain’s agreement. Karysta seemed to fully understand the sense in posting a guard; she had done wrong after all. But since he’d been able to defend himself well enough the guard seemed there as a precaution to protect the other people aboard the ship… and that was concern she wasn’t expecting from the counterpart Vulcan. She looked at the Romulan woman who’d so strangely taken an interest in her and nodded, “Thank you; I shouldn’t have to bother you further.”

“It’s only a bother if I consider it to be one,” S’reena grinned. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have science stuff to be catching up on…”


OFF:
Commodore Savot
Commanding Officer

Commander S'reena Hope
Chief Science Officer

Karysta & Cadet Zhegras
npc's Savot

[Deleted]

It took some time, but slowly a sense of normality returned to sickbay. The station personnel with minor injuries had been assigned temporary quarters and left while the more serious cases had been stabilized and recovery was expected. When Nayomi took a moment for a cup of coffee she took a glance at the time and realized she had been hard at work for over twelve hours and up straight for a day and a half. No wonder she was tired and no wonder she was hungry. With everything all in order she decided to call it a day and head to her quarters.

Unfortunately things took a different turn when the sickbay doors slide open and she found Jahka leaning against the opposite wall. She attempted a swift and not entirely graceful step backwards into the safety of sickbay, only to find that the doors had closed. Her back banged against them, then they obediently slide open, leaving her in free fall, coffee in one had and a padd in the other. He launched himself from the wall and in moments she found herself safely cradled in his arms.

"Forgive me?" He grinned.

If she still had coffee in her cup it would be all over his front, instead it was now all over hers. She scrambled to her feet and away from him. "Are you stalking me!?"

"Your the ship's doctor it's not exactly hard to figure out where you will be. Listen, how about we get you out of that dirty uniform and..." She put up a finger to warn him, but he ignored it. "...I can take you to dinner. That first officer thing sort of fell through."

"Gee, what a loss for her." Nayomi snapped, then turned on her heels and headed toward her quarters. He followed her like a lost puppy. Great, she wondered if the guests had been given enough access for him to figure out which quarters were hers, if so she'd risk going in, locking the door and beaming into sickbay for her next shift, but if not she hardly wanted him to find out following her. She passed her quarters. Perhaps she could head to security.. and tell them what? She certainly could not wander the halls forever in a coffee stained uniform.

"Listen, I think things kind of ended for us on the wrong foot and..."

"Ya think??!!" She growled. "What exactly was your end game if I has not caught you and Jeana together? How long were you planning to keep that one up."

"Look I made a terrible mistake, I thought she was you!"

Nayomi rolled her eyes "Don't you even think of trying to spin that line again! We stopped looking identical when we were twelve."

"I've seen enough of both of you to determine that is not true."

"Do you really want me to slap you again? Because that kind comment is going to get you slapped." she stopped her speed walk and turned. "Look, here is the deal. Until they send a ship to pick you and the others up you are not to speak to me. If you see me you walk the other way. If someone says my name you are to cover your ears and hum to yourself."

"Or what?" His eyes started glinting the same way they did back when she tossed her engagement ring from the hospital roof. It was either the ring or him, or both. She maintained enough self control that night to just stick with the ring. She knew his type now, narcissistic men who lived for the next conquest and couldn't bare it if a women stood up and declared him unwanted.

"I'm a doctor, I'll figure something out." She flashed him a smile and stepped into the turbo lift. Fortunately he was a bit too stunned to follow in time and the doors closed leaving her in blissful solitude.

=A= Computer, how much access does Jahka Trev have to the computer system?=A=

Jahka Trev has general access privileges

Great, she tried to remember what exactly those entailed. =A= Can he locate my quarters and track my movement=A=

Standard guest privileges include quarter assignments and the ability to query a crew member where abouts

Nayomi's heart leaped into her throat, he probably already knew were she lived. Oh god, what a nightmare. How long until he was off the ship? She had noted a course change, but never thought about it until now. They were headed for a rendezvous, but now?? =A= Revoke his privileges!=A= she squeaked.

Unable to comply, only high level security personnel have access to that function.

The turbolift beeped, reminding her that she had not specified a destination. Well it was pretty clear where she needed to go. At least Taryn would sympathize, she had been on the receiving end of his advances already. =A= Bridge=A= she ordered and felt the lift start to move. She straightened her stained tunic and ran a hand through her hair in attempt to look presentable. A few moments later the lift slowed and the doors slid open. She stepped out and took a brief look around to locate the new Security chief. Taryn was standing next to the captain and Nayomi made a bee-line for her. In and out, and then to food and bed. "Lt. Commander I am hoping you can..."

Jul 13, 2015 23:38:28 GMT Savot said:

"Set a course for the assigned coordinates and engage at maximum warp.  We should be able to pick up the shuttle we're to rendezvous with shortly on sensors.  Yellow alert."

Another course change? Was Jahka ever leaving? Maybe this shuttle would take him away? A gal can only dream.

Taryn was looking at her expectantly. "It's Jahka, I think he is stalking me. He was waiting outside sickbay and he can find out my quarters and were abouts from the computer. He might be waiting by my quarters already and I can't bare to see his smug face again. Please help me." She probably looked like a wreck, she could only imagine the bags under here eyes and her tunic was starting to smell like a 2010's terran hipster.

<Tag Taryn>

[Deleted]

"Lt. Commander I am hoping you can...It's Jahka, I think he is stalking me. He was waiting outside sickbay and he can find out my quarters and were abouts from the computer. He might be waiting by my quarters already and I can't bare to see his smug face again. Please help me."

Knowing the egotistical scientist like she did, Taryn had no doubt that if Jahka had his eyes set on the young doctor again than her quarters were exactly where he'd be and she would have loved nothing more than to escort Nayomi there herself and give him a swift punch in the nose. However, the El Salvador was at yellow alert so her place was on the bridge. She gave a slight nod to her station replacement and waited for him to approach.

"Escort the Doctor to her quarters. If there's anyone there waiting on her, I want them taken to the brig and locked up until further notice. Understood?" she added.

"Yes, Ma'am." was the reply.

She turned back to young Lieutenant. "Go with him. I'll also post a guard outside your quarters for a while in case he isn't there but shows up later. Sorry I can't go myself. I hope you understand." she said.

<Tag Nayomi>

She watched as they entered the lift and allowed a brief smile upon the doors closing. She had a feeling that she and Nayomi would become very good friends. Quite possibly the only thing good to come out of having Jahka on board.

[Deleted]

"Thank you Taryn, you have no idea how much I appreciate this." Nayomi nodded to the security officer who would escort her back to her quarters and they headed for the turbolift. He was a tall well built human who filled his uniform out nicely and whose mere presence would make Jahka squirm. He was perfect. "Dr Chavet, Nayomi." she introduced herself and held out a hand somewhat awkwardly.

"Ensign Williams, Mike." He smiled and shook her hand. "I thought for a moment you were going to lecture me on my over-due physical." He had an excellent grip.

"I'm off the clock, at least as much as I can be, and you look like you are in excellent health." The words left her mouth before she could censor them. Oh god, this was what her mother kept warning her about. One good looking guy in front of her and her brain had a habit of turning into mush. Jahka had taken full advantage of it. At least now, when it came to him, she knew better. This Mike fellow however...

"Which deck?' He asked, and she realized that the computer was still waiting for their destination.

"Deck 7" she replied.

"Same as sickbay, someone likes to roll out of bed and into the office." He grinned. "I didn't think there was much for quarters on that deck."

"There isn't, but I don't often get a lot of down time in a crises, so every minute of sleep is precious." She grimaced "I guess I should probably head to sickbay now though." she shrugged toward the amber pulsating lights.

Mike shook his head. "Look Doctor, Lieutenant, I don't want to overstep here, but you look exhausted. We won't be out of warp for a few hours. I'll have the guard wake you up when we drop out. I play poker with some of your team, they are good people, good at their jobs and it sounds like they have a great CO they respect. They can handle themselves in the meantime and if they can't I know they will call on you."

Nayomi felt like a huge load had lifted right off her shoulders. "Yeah, ok you're right. I'm no good to anyone if I fall asleep in the middle of surgery." The doors slid open and she was slightly surprises that Jahka was not still waiting for her. She headed to her quarters with Mike following close behind. At each turn she expected to see her Ex, but apparently he'd gone to find someone else to harass. They rounded the last turn and she saw it in front of her door. A huge bouquet of replicated crystilia. "Lovely." she groaned and bent over to pick them up. There was a card, hand written even. She nearly ripped it in half, then paused. She would read it later. As much as she despised Jahka, they had history and she needed to honour that. "Do you have a girl friend?"

"Who, Me? No, why?" Mike asked. "Did that [word deleted] leave those for you?"

"Yep, and I would toss them, but I hate for things to go to waste."

"I don't have a girl, don't exactly swing that way, but one of my buddies is in a tight jam with his wife and could probably use a peace offering."

Great, so much for a future that included a shirtless Ensign Mike Williams, at least outside of his over-due physical. "He can have them." she handed the flowers off and another security crewman rounded the corner. A severe looking bolian women who looked like she'd knocked a few heads together in her career. "Is this Lieutenant Chavet's quarters?

"Yes, will you be looking out for my creeper ex while I grab some shut eye?" Nayomi asked as Mike took the flowers and took his leave.

"No one getting past me and through that door unless you want them there Doc so no need to worry."

"Don't you guys get bored, just standing guard?" The question might be a little inappropriate, but Nayomi had always wondered.

"Gives me time to work on my rock opera." The Bolian winked. Nayomi could not tell if she was serious or not, but as she entered her quarters she could hear the guard starting to hum quietly to herself.

[Savot]

[Previous Evening: After the comm-exchange with Commander Hope]


Savot had invited Commander Irae to his quarters to touch base on how the cadets were holding up in the wake of Karysta's surprise attack during the awards ceremony since the First Officer had wondered after the same thing and taken her evening meal in the cadets' mess to gauge their state from a distance. All in all they seemed to have bounced back to normal pretty fast; after all, the crazy vulcan girl wasn't in their classes anymore so she shouldn't be any problem for them. Though after hearing a bit of the relief in the other students' voices, Cadet Zhegras decided she was finished eating and departed the mess hall to seek out said crazy girl. Everything else progressed routinely and Deis departed as the cadets started to disperse and turn their trays back in to the replicators for dematerialization.


Upon arriving at the CO's quarters, Deis' chime was greeted with a quick permission to enter and the doors whooshed open softly to reveal Savot still in uniform but minus his command jacket that was presently draped over a chair neatly while he sprinkled some fish food for Alfred and Isabel onto the surface of their aquarium's water. "Good evening Commander, please come in", Savot's voice was very slightly strained but not unfriendly... not for a vulcan anyway, "How are the students managing?"


::Once recieving permission to enter, the XO does so, and as always, surveys the Capn's quarters. Not that she expects much to have changed since the last time she was in them...but being observant has saved her life on more than one occasion. It's the man himself that she observes the most closely, the corners of her lips twitching into an unhideable smile. It's watching him feed the fish. Alfred and his companion Isabel. She can't put a finger on why it tickles her that there are two of them, rather than the one lonely fish in his bowl. Or perhaps she does and is ignoring it in a way that a counselor would find curious. It matters little. To his question she starts paying attention again, giving a subtle shrug of "status quo":: They be managin, Sir. Th young tend t bounce back quickly. A good sign for wha they will be dealin wi' aboard this bloody ship. ::She can't help the informality...she's too damn glad to see him standing and fish feeding after what's happened:: Th tellarite misses 'er friend I be thinkin. ::crossing arms over her chest and walking over to the fishbowl and peering in as though it were the most important thing in the galaxy:: Wha will be done wi th girl, Capn?


Savot had nodded at the report, both in lack of surprise at the cadets' resilience and in genuine pleasure at hearing his estimates of their fortitude confirmed, then he arched a brow at the mention of Zhegras and frowned at Irae's final question, "I... do not know.  With regards to the attack I consider the matter closed and on my personal authority intend to press no charges against her.  But what to do with her now..."  He turned to his long-time friend and more, more emotion present on his face than at any other time she'd seen him excepting perhaps the hallucination he'd had of his deceased father in her Ready Room many years prior, "Her entire world has been the pursuit of my counterpart to exact revenge for her mother's murder.  If I send her back to the Mirror Universe I am certain she will continue her hunt.  But if that girl ever finds my reflection she will lose her life.  I managed a defense against her, albeit slight... and while it is unpleasant to admit, the incontrovertible fact is that the Mirror Savot's combat prowess exceeds my own.  But I can't force her to remain in a universe that is not her own, and even if she wished to stay here she certainly wouldn't want to do so in my company.  I had considered asking my mother and sister if they would be willing to take her in were she herself willing to go along with that."


Having finished the fish feeding, Savot returned the fish food to the replicator to rejoin the stores to be reconstituted into something else later and took his jacket from the chair.  The door separating his bed chamber from the main quarters whooshed quietly open as he entered to hang the jacket up in his closet.  Around his sink were shards of reflective glass that had recently belonged to a now-shattered mirror that had hung above it.  A dermal regenerator sat on the edge of the small countertop.


::There is an almost immediate frown that vees the little Commander's brows looking up into Savots face now. Seeing him with obvious emotion there is just a little...eerie. But moreso...its not "Him". The very few sparks of it that she's seen before over the years have never been for a good reason. But then if one is thinking logically, which she tries to do, he was very recently mentally attacked by who is, more or less, sort of his daughter. Sort of. That will take a little time to wrap her brain around. Thinking of the mirror universe gave her a mental headache rather than a physical one.:: Part o me would say it isnae yer place t choose for 'er, Savot. ::just dropping the formality for now:: But then th rest would agree. Iffen yer askin me opinion on th matter...i would 'ave t say sendin th girl t yer Mum an Sister would be wisest. Ye know damned well tha ill nae make th report on this. ::though she should and we both know it::



::The small and darkly intense Irae absent mindedly follows straight into the mans private sleeping space, and leans against the doorway. She had taken another breath to speak, but the sparkling of reflective shards drew her attention well enough to forstall any further words. Without even asking, she strides across the room to the sink and looks at what used to be a mirror. And a dermal regenerator. Lifting in fingertips and turning over a chunk of mirror, one of those smokey grey eyes is reflected back to him, and his face, though small, to her vision:: Dare i ask? ::He could give her a talking to for being nosy, but it isnt just curiousity::


Savot's face, seemingly more aged now than usual, nodded his agreement, "Indeed.  The end result will have to be her choice I cannot very well kidnap her and force her to take one route or another."  His brow then furrowed first in confusion... then he blinked and his expression softened into almost a smile as he understood her remark about reporting the situation, "Commander it was not my intention to keep this incident from Starfleet Command.  An attack on a Commanding Officer threatens the safety of everyone under said officer's command.  I have already transmitted a full report to Admiral Hayes at Starbase 24; in my experience she has been extremely reasonable for a member of Flag rank.  But I... appreciate your words Deis, more than I can adequately convey through the language at my disposal."


He looks to her next question as though curious again, Savot had seemingly forgot the mirror entirely until she mentioned it and he wore a moment's expression of embarassment as he finished stowing his jacket, "Forgive me, as you've become aware over the years and the mind melds you and I have participated in there frequently follows a period of emotional transference where one participant experiences the feelings of the other.  Karysta, from before she was even out of her mother's womb... has hated my face.  I've found that since the attack I'm experiencing a similar aversion to my own appearance.  Fortunately it seems to have left my overall command judgement unhindered and I'm confident the sensation will cease in a short period of time.  If it will ease your concern, I promise you if I suffer any similarly self-damaging episodes I will contact you to administer whatever medical treatment is necessary.  But minor cuts on my hand were a simple enough matter to tend to on my own."


He picked up one of the larger shards carefully and looked at himself a moment before putting it back down, and the vulcan looked at Deis, "I find myself in an uncomfortable position.  Perhaps it, too, is a symptom of the meld's emotional transference but I find that I... care about Karysta's well-being such as I would my sister or mother.  But even if that concern is genuine and not an echo of her mother's mind, the girl certainly wants nothing from me and I cannot fault her reasons.  I hadn't previously thought to any significant extent about the prospect of having children of my own, but if and when I had them I certainly didn't expect to confront situations like this."


Vulcans. ::She says with a helpless almost chuckle. Her opinion would differ. She would keep as much from Starfleet as they would keep from her. But...that is not the sort of thing that one says to one's commanding officer regardless of the situation. Or justification. Her overly pragmatic to the point of being cynical outlook on things like that doesn't need to be spoken of aloud. Hearing that he's already put in the report, she would nod her head and then quirk a little enigmatic smile:: More'n welcome. ::She delicately places the broken shard of mirror back into its place as though it might explode if one wernt careful and then turns back around to stare at the man. Not as though disbelieving. Hes vulcan...it isnt as if it would occur to him to lie. And he's got a good point. She recalls being much more...calm and analytical after the times that he had melded with her over the years.:: Ochaye...now i remember. ::stepping away from the sink and closer to him, drawn as though by his personal gravity, but really it's so she can say more softly:: Savot...ye know tha i am nae th healer i used to be. Im th one ye call when ye need damage done. ::and then there is the light of a smile, so seldom seen, yet so bright that it is a harkening back to different days:: But i wouldnae mind tendin t yer wounds...big or small. ::Finally taking a seat as he steps back to the sink area, studying him and finding his words, oddly, only logical considering:: Ye wouldnae be a thinkin an indeed "feelin" being if ye didnae. Th girl do be yer daughter...in a way. But i wouldnae give up on th idea o havin yer actual own someday. P'raps this one give ye a wee bit o practice. Teenaged girls is sorta like playin holodeck on "no safetys". ::There are a few things though...things that just concern her personally. In no way does He seem "impaired' by his experience. But she remembers that clenched fist in the turbolift...now this mirror. She will be keepin a close eye on her Capn in th commin days. For her own relief if not for his::


Savot took Irae's words to heart but spoke little else as he set about the business of gathering all the mirror bits and recycling them through his replicator.  A standard quarters replicator; however, wasn't large enough to compile a replacement mirror sheet in one single piece so he commed Delbridge and asked the Engineer to add such a mirror slab to tomorrow's cadet class itinerary and then he and Irae merely spent a quite 30 or so minutes in each others' company sharing a companionable silence over cups of a vulcan tea his mother T'Leshka had suggested he recommend to Deis sometime after they worked together on Savot's surgery.  It provided a minor energy boost but it broke down in the system much more gradually and as such didn't produce a 'crash' nearly as noticeable as some other sources of caffeine.  Irae then excused herself to her own quarters to get some sleep for the next day and Savot dressed for bed to do the same.


**********************************************************************************************************************************************
[Current Time: El Salvador Bridge]


The Excalibur class vessel came out of warp at the designated coordinate range on Yellow Alert as a precaution.  Savot turned to S'reena at the Science station and then to LC Galen, "Run a sensor sweep for the VIP shuttle we're to rendezvous with.  Helm, upon confirmation of contact engage an immediate intercept course.  Commander Galen, open a channel please on the secured frequency I routed to your station."


When the channel chimed open and their new Tac/Sec chief nodded her compliance, Savot spoke, =^=Starfleet Shuttle, this is Commodore Savot of the U.S.S. El Salvador.  We are prepared to bring you aboard immediately upon confirmation of orders and identity; please respond.=^=



<Tag: Any, and Our Shuttle VIP : )  >


[Joint Post: Savot & Commander Irae]

[SA. Stacey Jackson [Ret]]

=^=Starfleet Shuttle, this is Commodore Savot of the U.S.S. El Salvador.  We are prepared to bring you aboard immediately upon confirmation of orders and identity; please respond.=^=

Stacey leaned over the pilots shoulder and looked out of the window, it of course had the same name it may have even had many of the same crew but it wasn't the ship she associated with the name El Salvador. Her hand patted the pilots shoulder twice and she gave a slight nod as she continued to look at the ship now growing in size in the vastness of space.

The pilot entered a few commands on his auxiliary console and then said firmly. “El Salvador this is Starfleet Command shuttle nine, I have a Federation Council Member on board, sending council identification confirmation, orders are to be delivered in person.” He hit the console again as the codes were sent.

“This shuttle has further orders Commodore, the Councillor will be beaming aboard with your permission Sir.”

She moved to the back of the shuttle, the only luggage she carried was a bag with a few changes of clothes and another case that looked like it belonged in a spy holo-novel, it's shell was made of the same material used to armour starship hull plating, it had only one external interface which would read someone’s palm and analyse their voice.

She moved her clothes next to her and picked up the extremely heavy case and then nodded to the pilot. “Thank you.” She said to him with a smile before the familiar hum of the transporter sounded and her surroundings changed from that of the shuttle to the back of the bridge on El Salvador.

***Bridge El Salvador***

While it was considered bad protocol to beams oneself directly onto the bridge she didn't really have the time to be waylaid by transporter room procedures. “Captain, your orders as promised.” She stepped forward and with her free hand held out a padd. “Please set course for the Frelton sector and engage at maximum warp.”

She took another slight breath as she looked to Irea and nodded slightly. “It is pleasant to see you again Doctor.” Before looking back to Savot. “For the duration this ship is running silent, no incoming our outgoing communication channels, All personal and duty logs will be deleted at its conclusion, no record is to be kept in the ships computer.”

She continued to walk forward until she was close to the Vulcan. “I will explain as much as I am able to you Savot and your senior staff, but for now it is imperative these orders be followed exactly.”

She took a deep breath and rolled her head slightly. “I will also require two armed escorts at all times.” her head turned to look at the science station. "S'reena you look well." She smiled at the Romulan and looked back to Savot. "Well isn't this just the reunion!"

(Tag)

[Deleted]

Location: USS El-Salvador B
, Stacey Jackson's VIP Quarters
Timeline: ?

Authors: Stacey Jackson & S’reena Hope



S’reena spent several hours in her new office, thinking about her conversation with the young Romulan woman. Or Vulcan woman, depending on how she viewed herself. It still amazed S’reena that her old friend even had a daughter. Or well, his mirror universe version anyway. Still, she felt for the woman, ripped from her own world, growing up to believe her father killed her mother, and then being sent to kill the wrong man. Only to learn, that the man she did try to kill, in fact would probably care for her as if she were his own.



Knowing that her old counsellor was on board, even though she wasn’t officially the ship’s counsellor, S’reena knew that Stacey would listen. “Hope to Jackson...do you have a moment for me?”



As she heard S’reena’s voice it suddenly occurred to her that it had been well over a year since anyone had contacted her in such a direct manner, normally even a mundane request for a ‘moment’ would have gone through two assistants, an Executive Assistant and then her chief of staff before it got to her. Such moments only took place after a month of planning. Muscle memory made her hand reach up to tap a comm. badge but she suddenly remembered she didn’t wear one anymore. Reaching over the desk she touched her console.



“Of course, I am in the V.I.P quarters.” Stacey replied before closing the channel and opening one to her escorts now guarding the door. “Gentlemen, Commander Hope is cleared to enter, thank you.”



Minutes later, the Romulan woman walked into the room, after the escorts had stepped aside to grant her entrance. She smiled at her old friend. “Admiralty doesn’t suit you,” she said matter-of-factly, while reaching out to Stacey. “It’s been too long...but I’ve not come here for pleasantries...I need your advice as a counsellor on something…”



S’reena hesitated. “And I suppose, given my personal situation, I’ll probably need someone to talk to as well. El-Salvador has no counsellor assigned currently, and I’m required to speak to one for my boarding I think. Not to mention my ah...state of mind since Michael’s death.”



Stacey smiled slightly as S’reena walked in before she stood and took a deep breath. “I agree Admiralty didn’t suit me, but then I’m not an Admiral anymore.” She walked to the replicator and ordered a Vulcan Spice tea and walked over to a couch and sat down. “I am worse, I’m a politician.”



She took a sip of the tea before she put it down on the coffee table. She took a deep breath and held it for a moment.”I’m more than happy to help. but I am not a member of Starfleet so technically speaking I can’t clear you for duty, but then again I doubt anybody would want to insult a Federation Council member by rejecting my recommendation.” She paused for a moment. Before motioning to the replicator, “help yourself and take a seat.”



“A politician?” S’reena arched a slanted eyebrow in surprise, then shrugged. “Once a counsellor, always a counsellor,” she added as she took a seat. “I just met the captain’s daughter a few hours ago, and I’ve learned a thing or two that I don’t know whether I should report to the captain. I mean...she’s the daughter of his mirror. Also, I believe the girl is very confused and should be referred to a counsellor but I’m not quite sure whether that’s even my responsibility. I’m not the first officer here, and definitely not the chief medical officer….I’m a little… hesitant, especially since it concerns the captain and his mirror adversary. One, I’ll admit, I had the honour of meeting too...and I can’t say he’s a very pleasant person.”



Stacey nodded slowly. “Yes I met him too, I think the words you’re looking for are smug and jerk.” She rubbed her forehead for a moment and closed her eyes. “Savot like most Vulcans is private by nature and I can understand why you would be hesitant.” She opened her eyes and paused for a moment. “But he is also logical, and would appreciate the need for this young girl to speak with a Counsellor, as for whether you are the First Officer or Medical.” She shrugged heavily. “That really makes no difference, if you are correct then a young girls mental health is at risk, and you have a responsibility to act and if you are wrong then all you have done is wasted a Counsellors time, which when you weigh against the other.” She shrugged again. “No great loss.”



“I suppose...and I have three daughters myself too, and all my children are half Romulan like this girl. I’ll speak with Savot then in regards to the girl. My guess is that he’s now the girl’s guardian of a sort, with the lack of another parent present. Well with that settled...I’m not sure where to go regarding my own situation. I miss Michael terribly, and raising five children alone is daunting.”



She titled her head for a moment and made a slight low groan. “I’m not entirely sure he is the guardian, perhaps in his mind yes, but legally.” She paused. “That is a whole new story, and one Savot will need to consult lawyers about, he may need to resort to legal adoption.” She shook her head. “Family law is complicated and not helped by mirror universes.” She reached over and picked up her tea. Listening to S’reena she slowly nodded her head.



“I wish I could tell you that it will go away, truth is it won’t, it will always hurt.” She took a sip of her tea. “Eventually you will think about it a little less, the pain will dull and one day you will know you have come to terms with it, but the pain remains.” She took a slow deep breath. “I lost Deans father nearly thirty years ago and I still get upset sometimes, but you learn to cope and you adapt to it.” She put her cup down again and leaned back. “As for raising children alone, again I know what that is like too.” She paused for a moment. “Not five of course.”



“Your instinct is going to be to be there for them every minute and to sacrifice for them, of course you should, but you need to set aside time for yourself,if you focus only on them you will be ignoring what you are going through and in the end they’ll suffer for it.”

::TBC::