MISSION 3.6 - A Question of Determination Pt 2

[Deleted]

T'Val
~a few days after seeing Kahlena~

T'Val strolled down the promenade on her way home from the gym. Her hair was plastered to her face, and her formfitting tunic was sticking to her back. She was badly in need of a shower but knew she had to attend the voting for the new mayor before she could do so.

She had followed the campaigns with interest, but as she didn't trust Drolem, nor liked him very much, she already knew where her vote would go. Tedak was still a very close and valued friend and having been bonded with him and shared his thoughts on many occasions, she knew him to be an honest and decent man.

Thus, she found herself waiting in line to vote, catching Tedak's smile as she caught him standing nearby. She smiled back, ever so briefly, then averted her gaze and stared at the line ahead of her. Of course there could come nothing but trouble of this, she knew even though her mind was on another sort of trouble. Laureana still hadn't arrived to SBA and Magellan's condition was starting to grow worrysome.

Neither T'Val nor Stuart had informed Magellan of his deteriorating and possibly fatal - at least for Magellan - condition. Resolved, she knew that after the voting and taking a shower, she would seek him out and tell him the entire truth about his condition...and face his wrath.

(Magellan)

Tedak

There was no way of knowing how many people had voted for Drolem and how many for him, but Tedak was confident he was standing a good chance of winning these elections. He had fought his campaign honestly and with the knowledge that he was doing the best he could do.

He had no experience in campaigning for this sort of ventures, but his diplomatic skills had come in handy during the many speeches he'd given, and answers he'd given to tough questions asked. Questions about his motives, as well as his somewhat shady past. And never once had he lied when he'd given answers, and he knew reporters would check answers given against his public records.

Tedak caught T'Val staring at him as she waited in line, but also saw she looked away when he smiled down on her. He would never publicly admit he missed her company, though he did admit he didn't miss Billie's. The human doctor had left him to pursue a career on Earth and he'd let her go, so now he was on his own once more, and free to pursue his own political career.

He still felt anger and even some hatred towards the new diplomat, and so far he had managed to avoid him completely. Now, Tedak was looking forward to see the end result of his efforts, praying they would pay off.

[Magellan Lin]

The polls closed at 10pm and by 10.30pm the senior staff, candidates and a large crowd had turned up outside the city hall building. There was a palpable air of tension in the air. Few, not even the noted pundits, could predict which way the election would turn.

Magellan hovered in the lift a little longer allowing his senior staff to get ahead of him.
"Lily. Have all the votes been counted"
"Yes."
Magellan paused... this was it, the moment of truth.
"Okay Lily... enact the new subroutine."
"Acknowledged"
Forcing a smile to his lips he approached the stage and went up the steps.

Tedak and Simeth stood on either side of the stage casting wary glances at each other. What a choice, a Romulan or a Criminal, some considered them one and the same.
Taking centre stage Magellan cleared his throat and had lily open up a stationwide tanoy.

"Gentelmen, Ladies and Gentlebeings. It gives me great honour to formally announce the results of Assailants Mayoral Contest.
It has been a fight with much controversy but I am sure who ever wins will do their very best for the station" that part stuck in his throat, "Polls have been open all day, Lily closed them 5 minutes ago and has indepedently counted and verified the vote. Liluy would you please announce the vote result...."

Lilys sonourous voice echoed out across the plaza,

"Incumbent Mayor Drolem Simeth One hundred and sixty two thousand five hundred and seventy one votes" There was a rumble of applause, "Challenger Tedak One hundred and sixty two thousand five hundred and ninety eight votes.
Tedak Wins"

TAG All

[Magellan Lin]

As the applause subsided Tedak was encouraged to take the stage and make his first address as Mayor of Starbase Assailant.

Drolem Simeth fumed, he glared at Magellan with venom. The Trill had dared stand against him, he would have the man destroyed. He knew some very very nasty people, he just hoped those same people were not tasked to punish him for his failure.

TAG TEDAKS speech

As the crowd began to dissipate the various council officials came form to welcome Tedak. Not all seemed pleased at the Romulan being elected but they were dutiful civil servants. Magellan took this opportunity to slip away quietly. He stepped into the turbolift and just as the doors opened a hand stopped them and a second person entered.

Drolem Simeth drew himself up to all of 5ft4 and scowled at the Admiral his face beetroot read,
"You ve made a terrible mistake, you have no idea who you are dealing with" he growled jabbing a finger at Magellans chest, "I have powerful friends You owed me - you were to stop him"

A strange light came into Magellans eyes and it gave Drolem pause, with a lightening like action Magellan grabbed the prodding finger twisted it round and then with the other clamped a hand around Drolems neck shoving him against the bulkhead.

"turoblift Halt" Magellan stated coldly, "DON'T EVER EVER TOUCH ME YOU FILTHY LITTLE MAN" he roared, "I did as you asked you asked me to fix the election which I did"

"But for me" Drolem hissed his face getting brighter and brighter

Magellan released him slightly,
"The vote was rigged in favour of Tedak, and when they find evidence of the rigging Tedak will be disqualified and you...." Magellan seemed to stammer a moment as if he couldnt bring himself to continue, "And you will be elected unopposed, Its what you wanted. Lift resume"

Drolem smiled,

"Clever very clever. Ah this is my stop. Well done after all"

Magellan squared up to Drolem and hissed in his face, "Were done even. But from now on I want a 50% cut of all your underworld profits. Understand."

Drolem looked at Magellans wild expression and trembled,
"Your mad"

"You bet I m mad..." Magellan replied, "You wanted me as an ally, well you got me, but this is n't going to be a silent partnership any more."

***



The events of the day had pretty much washed over Ensign Coopers, Mayor or no mayor he still had work to do and as he lived in the starfleet billet he had little thought that the winner was particularly important.

He was a junior officer who spent most of his days analysing code. As a computer technician he worked from a control facility on the Control deck but still made sporadic visits to the main computer core. With the arrival of the autonomous Lily his actual duties had been relegated to nothing more than housekeeping, he was, he felt, now nothing more than Lilys maid.

As he reviewed the latest reports something caught his eye, he frowned at the result and cross checked it. No it was all correct on the second and third check. He went to tap his comm badge and then paused, perhaps Ops wasnt the best place to contact. Then with a more decisive move he opened a comm line.
=^= JAG here=^=
Coopers paused a moment and then with a stammer replied,
=^=err I have something here I think you should see=^=





Jill had worked nearly a double shift and was dead on her feet. Stuart and T'Val were at the election party and very foolishly she had agreed to stand their duties.
She finished the last rounds and ensured the night staff were in place. next she checked the logs and came across Dr Mercys tap on the Admiral.
Tapping her badge,

=^=Dr Mercy, This is Nurse TSomba, I really think you better come and look at the Admirals latest readings, things arent looking good=^=

TAG Mercy

[Felix Savali]

After receiving the information about something that didn't belong there being in the computer system, Commander Sarkonis contacted FCIS and arranged that one of their investigators goes in the field to determine what this is all about. V'Looss was meditating in her quarters when the call came about a new assignment for her. Being a Vulcan the interruption did not bother her and as soon as she got of the comm. link, she picked up her credentials and attached the phaser to her waist before proceeding out of her quarters to the computer control room.

--Assailant - Computer core--

V'Looss entered his access codes, which even tough she was a civilian, allowed her access in restricted Starfleet areas because she was a part of FCIS. Upon entering the room she immediately noticed the man who called JAG and she deduced that seeing the call originated from here the only person in the room must be the one responsible for the call.

"Ensign Coopers?", V'Looss called

"Yes", the ensign replied and immediately asked her who she was and how did she get in here

"I am V'Looss, Special Investigator of the FCIS", she said

"Ah", Coopers replied realizing she had the clearance to be in there

"Now i believe you had something to show me", V'Looss asked

[Deleted]

Tedak was extremely surprised to find that he had actually won the elections. His main motive had been to give Drolem opposition but he never really expected to win, and it sounded like a solid victory at that.

He joined Magellan 'up stage' and delivered a speech about how he would work hard to make true the promises made during his campaigning. The first thing he would do was flush out the underground movements on SBA, or at least have the civillian armed forces work with Starfleet on hunting them down. Drolem would lose his hold over the station, at least Tedak could try to have that happen. The man had been too much trouble in the past.

Of course, the Romulan knew there were people, even officials, who didn't like him and mainly because he was Romulan, not so much because of his ideals. And he certainly hadn't missed Drolem's surprise and look of pure hatred. Right now, Tedak was certainly grateful of the protection Starfleet had assigned to him in the form of two well trained security men.

After delivering his speech, Tedak was surrounded by well wishers and other officials, upon which he decided to invite them to his new office so they could discuss business. Once there, he asked them about the latest troubles on SBA, and asked advise on where to start making good on his promises.

[kahlena]

Kahlena wasn't sure what to say there. She wanted to help, but what next. ~Get her to tell you more maybe? Get her to try and meditate here and now to see if it helps. Try something, anything.~ She thought.

"Well, why don't we try to meditate now? There is nothing to stop you here, and it is quiet," she suggested not sure if T'Val would go for the idea.

Kahlena was ready to meditate again, and hoped the idea would work.

"Alright, well then maybe if I knew more about your problem. You seem to like feeling the emotion of love, but you have a problem with sanity. What emotions do you like?" Kahlena said completely at a loss as to what she was dealing with.

[Magellan Lin]

"Yes", the ensign replied and immediately asked her who she was and how did she get in here

"I am V'Looss, Special Investigator of the FCIS", she said

"Ah", Coopers replied realizing she had the clearance to be in there

"Now i believe you had something to show me", V'Looss asked

Coopers nodded and led V'looss over to the maon console,

"Its here I noticed it."
"Noticed what exactly" The vulcan asked tersly,
"This" Coopers jabbed a finger at a stream of code, "Someone uploaded a sub protocol into Lily."

"Someone?"

"Well Lily is rather protective of herself, there are only a few people she would let do this, the Admirals, Chief Alari, myself, Dr Mercy possibly and I guess..."

"You guess who?" As a vulcan V'looss didnt put much stock in guesses but he had found them to be rather revealing.

"Well Ambassador Tedak"

V'looss nodded and then said,

"And what exactly did or does this extra code do?"

"Well its such a small thing, it links into Lilys calculative routines, its been altered."

"How?"

"well its nothing much, its just that where ever the name Tedak is recorded any subsequent numbers are increased by a designated factor."

V'looss was beginning to see where this was heading but wanted Coopers to elucidate, "What effect would this have?"

"Well on the basic level if Tedak ordered a glass of water from a replicator there would be mariginally more in it.... and...." here the stammer returned, "and if a vote was cast for Tedak it would be worth slightly more than the standard 1."

"Butr wouldnt the votes then not tally with the number of people on the station?"

"Ah thats the second part of the algorithim, for every change made in tedaks favour an exact opposite change occurs in Drolem Simeths detaisl."

"So Mr Simeth is getting proportionally less water in his replicated glass."

"Yes and less votes" Coopers added excitedly, "Its quite a clever idea except the code is clumsy and stuck out, as if someone wasnt entirely familiar with our computer systems."

"Someone like a Romulan" V'Looss mused to himself, "Thankyou Coopers, Back up this data. Revers its effects and I will send someone down to take a formal statement."

V'Looss exited the computer Core and immediatly put in a call to Felix,
=^=I should have guessed something would go wrong with the election, but I didnt expect Tedak to be the rigger.=^= Felix paused his mind already working over time.

=^= Shall I overturn the vote=^= V'looss asked,

=^= Yes that must be done, the evidence is clear the vote was illegal whoever took it. Youy can declare that for now the Mayor is the winner and that there is an investigation into electoral fraud. Have officers interview Tedak. I also want a recount - a proper one by hand.=^=

=^= You suspect there is more to this?=^=

=^= I always suspect more. But I dont like the way this is heading given the list of people with access to Lily.=^=

=^= The case seems simple to me=^= V'looss added dryly,

=^= Not to me. You have your orders=^=


Tag Tedak, etc etc

[Deleted]

After talking at length with the officials, Tedak dismissed them to their respective duties, then sat back at his new dest, still pretty much amazed at his unexpected win. Several minutes later he was just about to lock up and go home when a Vulcan female bearing FCIS insignia entered the office.

"Can I help you?" Tedak asked as he got up and gestured to the seat opposite of his desk, "please have a seat."

The Vulcan sat down, then fired a barrage of questions at him, regarding the elections. Tedak frowned, not liking where this was going. "Are you suggesting I cheated?" he asked, visibly insulted, "Lily knows that she is not to accept any orders from me unless accompanied by proper authorisation codes. Magellan himsel threatened to purge her after she gave me and Saarok too much leeway in the past. Yes, she is a friend of mine, but she is also a sentient computer program and thus must respond accordingly when given orders."

V'Looss seemed to be recording his answers, which was just as well with Tedak. "I did not cheat," he said forcefully, "and my friends will vouch for me. As will my campaign team." He picked up a PADD and quickly typed something on it, before handing it to the Vulcan woman. "Here, these are their names, you can contact them right now. If you have any proof, then I suggest you arrest me, otherwise, leave me alone. I am going home now, to see my son. Tag along if you must, but I am going home regardless of what you think."

[Deleted]

Sitting down on her chair, Ezdreiana of Trill for the first time in a very long time tried to relax. Life on Assailant had been very busy for the last couple of months. To her knowledge the mayoral elections were going as planned and the refugees had received their temporary quarters.

"Computer replicate hot tea with lemon," Ezdreiana said as she picked up a padd and began to read. It wasn't very interesting, but something did catch her eye. There would be a new ambassador coming to Assailant. Technically it was going to be an ambassador in training, but it would be good to have new blood in the diplomatic core.

As she drank her tea, she couldn't help but look upon the planet and stars that were around them. For some reason the site was not as she had remembered. Something was coming, something that wouldn't bode well for them.

"Ambassador....Ambassador," J'Res said trying to get Ezdreiana's attention.

"Sorry about that J'Res," she said," I guess that my thoughts are somewhere else. What can I do for you?"

"I just require your signature for these forms," J'Res said as she handed her some padds.

"Yes of course," Ezdreiana said not realizing how tired she had become. She didn't bother to read what she was signing, J'Res had been her aide for a very long time and knew that she wouldn't let Ezdreiana do anything that could cause people harm or embarrass her office. It was obvious that she had a very hard job.

"Thank you, J'Res," Ezdreiana said," I think that I will go to my quarters and rest a bit."

"Before you do that, there is a message for you from Trill," J'Res said. This news quickly brought life back to her sluggish movement.

"Thank you J'Res that will be all," Ezdreiana said as she opened the communication link from Trill. When the link was established the face of a women very dear to her heart lit up the screen. He and he alone had backed her up against MD on Trill.

"It has been a very long time my friend," Laciel Durghan, President of Trill said.

"Yes it has Lac, it has been a very long time," Ezdreiana said," what do I owe the pleasure."

"Ezdrie, I would be more comfortable if I knew this link was secure and private," Laciel said sounding a bit paranoid.

"Of course," Ezdreiana said as she enacted the privacy mode.

"I'm pretty sure that you remember our last mission?" Lac said," the one in the K'Normia System."

"Yes, of course I remember, though I'm pretty sure that the details of that mission are still classified," Ezdreiana said now a bit worried. It had been many years ago, T'Brel was only 3 at the time. Ezdreiana, Lac, and the USS Rabin had been ordered to perform First Contact with the people of K'Normia. Warp technology had just been discovered on the planet. Captain Baker had ordered an away team which included both Lac and Ezdreiana to determine if First Contact was best for them.

While on the planet, the planet's warp facility was bombed and 532 people died including three people on the away team. An investigation was immediately started by the Rabin and it was concluded that the destruction of the facility was caused by Federation technology.

No one knew how to explain the tragedy until a transmission was discovered. It was reported to the Captain who then promptly activated a transporter. Out of nowhere a ship decloaked and fired on the Rabin. The crew still shock at what happened found it hard to get into battle mode, and when they did they made the ship pay.

The enemy ship was soon disabled and a warp core breach was detected. They tried to transport everyone over, but they could only save four including Captain Baker. As the crew made repairs to the Rabin the captain escaped and was never heard from again. The Federation was not able to help the people of K'Normia since all research of there warp technology was destroyed. Starfleet immediately classified the mission and said that Baker had died in the conflict with the mysterious ship.

Ezdreiana had bitterly fought this decision, saying that the citizens of the Federation had the right to know what happened, but no one wanted more bad news. Earth had just been attacked by the Breen and the war was going badly.

"Why do you bring it up?" Ezdreiana asked.

"Lt. Chambers was murdered," Lac said," that wouldn't mean much in the big picture, but in the last two months the last 27 members of the Rabin crew have also been murdered."

"And you think it was Baker?" Ezdreiana asked her face now drained of all color.

"He did promise revenge on us remember," Lac said," look I'm really worried and I want you to be on the look out. You're pretty well protected on the base, but still. He was a Starfleet captain, he wasn't stupid."

"I understand, but I can take care of myself," Ezdreiana said wondering if Baker would in fact try and kill her.

"I know, but still," Lac said," I have some people searching for him, but they have not come up with anything. I'm sending you all the information I have so far. Be careful Ezdrei, Lac out."

Ezdreiana hoped with all her might that Lac was in fact wrong about this, but deep down she knew that it was true. Baker was after her and he would try to kill her. As she received the massive amount of information, Ezdreiana realized that she had somehow spiller her tea.

"Why now?" she asked herself. Relations with the Romulan Empire were not great, SBA herself was going through change and now her life was in jeopardy. She would need to inform Magellan about this, which something she didn't want to do.

OOC: I know, I haven't posted in....well let's just say a long time. I haven't been able to do much with this mission, which is I think mostly my fault, lol. So that being said I decided that I would come up with a subplot with Ezdreiana for a future mission, which could(I hope) involve some of you. Plus I thought it was about time that I developed a sub-plot for Ezdreiana, since everyone else has one for there characters. By the way the people I referred to were from the Diplomacy's Veil mission and the star system Bre'el system which is south of Assailant.

[Magellan Lin]

Jolant was relatively pleased with the new quarters assigned to him, they were better than anything else he had had in the past 10 years. He entered his room and quicky locked the door. He went directly to the bed and pulled out from under the mattress a thin knife. He slid it into his boot and exhaled deeply.

For the past day or so he had felt watched, he knew that he was being monitored by Starfleet, after all why would they trust a cardassian on their station, especially one who was so obviously lying, but this was different. Twice today he had caught a glimpse of someone following him and he was certain, despite the hood that they were cardassian. The Obsidian Order had found him and were now ready to kill him.

He trembled as he made the call to Saarok and explained that he needed to see him and Voran.
The two men arrived after a short delay and were ushered inside.
"They are here" Jolant whispered,
"Who" Saarok asked looking at Voran, who stood quietly by the door.
"The Order, they are here to kill me." Jolant raved, "I need that immunity, protection. I m a democrat, a dissident they ll kill me for sure."
Saarok nodded an odd smile briefly crossing his lips before being chased away by stoicism,
"I gather you had a bargain to make "
"Yes" Jolant nodded, "I ll tell you everything, but you must protect me."
"That is granted" Saarok replied,

Jolant seemed to settle a little and took a seat,
"Pretty much everything Maxon and I told you is true, except, well except for how long we've been here. We arrived in the Alpha Qaudrant nearly a year ago. We settled on a Demon Class planet and set up a small hab dome and colony. All we wanted was to be left alone."
"But that changed?"

"Yes. One night, must be 2 months ago now, we detected ships in orbit, I was called, - I m an Alphie, I was their guide here. The minute I saw the readings I knew it meant trouble so we bolted, fled to our ship and escpaed, they didnt try and attack us as we left but they did destroy the colony."

"Who is they?" Voran asked leaning forward with interest,
"The Tholians" Jolant replied.

[mercy]

=^=
Dr Mercy, This is Nurse Tsomba, I really think you better come and look at the Admiral’s latest readings, things aren’t looking good!
=^=

“Understood, T’Val and I are on our way.” Stuart tapped his comm badge off. T’Val overheard the conversation and nodded in the affirmative when Stuart looked at her. Together they made their way to the infirmary.

Soon they arrived and Stuart sought out Jill immediately. She had been going over a chart of one of their patients in an isolation room. “Jill, what do you have?”

“Follow me.” She took them where they the telemetry had been set up for Admiral Lin. She pointed at the readings. “There, he’s way off the charts…” She said.

Sure enough, Admiral Lin was not fairing well at all. They couldn’t wait for Laurana to show up anymore, they had to intervene immediately.

Stuart tapped his comm badge, he knew what he had to do and it was going to have to involve the JAG officer in charge.

“Captain Savali, Doctor Mercy here. I have some bad news.”

=/\=
What is it Doctor?
=/\=

“Admiral Lin is going to have to be relieved of command due to medical reasons. I will forward the proof and start the proper proceedings, you’ll have to do your part on your end. This needs to be done immediately, so T’Val and I will meet up with you in Ops. You might want to bring some security.”

=/\=
Alright doctor, but you better be right about this one. Savali out.
=/\=

Stuart didn’t appreciate being questioned like that, of course he understood the implications.

[Deleted]

After her chat with Kahlena, witnessing the election result and answering Ji'Zhan's message, T'Val returned to sickbay just in time to overhear Tsomba calling for Stuart. She joined him and raised an eyebrow at the scan results. "That is not just off the chart," she commented dryly, "that would classify as way off the scale, to put it in a Human term."

She ignored Tsomba's stunned glance, and instead glanced at Mercy, who had already contacted Captain Savali. "I agree," she commented, "security may be needed. The admiral is not only a danger to himself, but to others too. It may become necessary to stun or sedate him, but he must be transported to sickbay at all cost."

T'Val had a look of pure concern on her face as they walked out of sickbay. "I wish we had acted sooner," she confided to her fiancé, "even though Lin would not allow us, we should have acted sooner. If Magellan dies, we have no available unjoined Trill for his symbiont. And if Lin dies, Magellan will most certainly die. We cannot allow this to happen, there must be a way to save them both."

She tapped her combadge. "Lily I need a favour," she stated, "and it will require you to go against your protocols. However to save Magellan, you will have to remove his command codes. We are on our way to relieve him of his duties, he may or may not be aware but as he is not too keen on sickbays and doctors in general, he may try something immensely unwise and stupid."

Lily, however remained silent, so neither T'Val nor Mercy knew whether she would comply with the request. A few minutes later, both doctors walked onto OPS, T'Val feeling somewhat uncomfortable as Magellan's harsh words were still very vivid in her mind. As civillian, even though she was a doctor, she was not allowed to be at OPS.

[Felix Savali]

Just when Felix thought things would settle down, they went from good to bad and then right away to worse. First there was the election fraud and now, Magellan had to be relieved of duty. But first thing is first, they need to resolve the mayoral fraud. Felix contacted Joann who already put the order to suspend the results of the mayoral election and to name Drolem Simeth acting mayor until all of it is resolved. He was expecting the signed order from the civilian magistrate. After he received that he will send Cmdr. Sarkonis t the office of the mayor to deliver the order to Tedak. And then he would send a message to Vice Admiral Drew who is Magellan’s friend, or at least sued to be, and who would hopefully be able to assist them with dealing with Lin after they catch him.

As he was done planning what to do, Joann arrived in his office and delivered a pad with the signed order to annul the results of the mayoral election on the basis of it being rigged.

"Thank you, Joann", Felix said taking the two padds

After Joann departed, Felix contacted Cmdr. Sarkonis and gave him the two padds to deliver to Tedak, or better to the FCIS investigator who was with Tedak, and to Drolem Simeth. After Sarkonis went on his way, Felix contacted station security and ordered two guards armed with phaser riffles set on stun to meet him at ops. After that was done he went on his way.

--Adventures of Cmdr. Sarkonis--

Sarkonis was able to reach Tedak's office just as he and V’Looss were departing.

"Investigator V’Looss", Sarkonis asked the Vulcan female

"Yes", she replied coldly

"I have the court order for you"; Sarkonis said as he handed her one padd

"Thank you"; she replied as Sarkonis departed to find Drolem Simeth and deliver the second padd

After Sarkonis left, V’Looss glanced at the padd and after reading what it was delivered it to Tedak.

"Mr. Tedak, this is a court order signed by the civilian Magistrate Tarli Rasmussen, president of the civilian court. He is hear by suspending the results of the mayoral investigation and ordering a full enquiry in the fraud. He reinstates Drolem Simeth as Acting Mayor during the investigation", V’Looss said and handed Tedak the padd

<Tag Tedak>

Meanwhile Sarkonis was able to locate Drolem Simeth sitting in a restaurant with his "associates".

"Mayor Simeth", Sarkonis said, "I have this padd for you", Sarkonis said as he gave him the court order, "Have a nice day", Sarkonis said after handing Simeth the padd as he walked away

"I most certainly will" Drolem smiled broadly, this cat has most definetly got the cream.

--Adventures in OPS--

Felix arrived in OPS and found the two guards armed and ready waiting for him in front of the entrance to OPS.

"Follow me", Felix said as he entered and the two men followed him

After entering OPS Felix immediately located T'Val and Doctor Mercy.

"Doctor, Healer"; Felix greeted the two of them.

"I presume you find this enough security", he asked indicating to the two guards behind him

<Tag T'Val/Mercy>

[Magellan Lin]

The deep painful throbbing inside his head began to subside as he re-entered his office. The dim lighting stopped his eyes from feeling like needles. He went directly to the replicator his hand trembling, he could barely believe what he had just done. It was getting worse the self medicated Isoboramine shots were wearing off quicker and quicker and his previous hosts control of him was becoming stronger and stronger, the lines between them sharp and vibrant, frighteningly so. He could feel Loran lurking and he pushed her further back within the blend that existed between him and Lin. He knew that if help from Trill didn’t arrive soon he could very well go insane.

Settling into his desk he pulled up a list of recent departures and arrivals. He skim read them at first, he was tired and still shocked at how he had threatened the Mayor… no how Loran had threatened the Mayor. It was all becoming too much, any slight emotional upset seemed to strengthen her control. He tried to ignore his concerns and plough on with his work. If he could just work his way through it perhaps he and Lin could find their way back to a suitable bond.

At the bottom of the last PaDD on his desk a fleet update caught his eye. He frowned at the redistribution and then rechecked. Scowling he tapped his comm. badge.
=^= F’rass patch me through to the Rutherford, she should be leaving the Shamin System=^=
=^=Aye sir. I’ll put it through to your desk=^=

Magellan waited a moment whilst the Starfleet logo span on the screen before him. Then it blinked out and was replaced by the face of Tellarite.

=^=What can I do for you Admiral? =^=
=^=I have a query about your course err… Captain…?=^=
=^=Takk, Captain Takk=^=
Magellan could feel anger rising within him already, Tellarites were notoriously argumentative,
=^=Well Captain Takk why exactly are you not returning to Assailant=^=
Takk looked non-plussed,
=^=We have orders to return to Earth=^=
=^=Earth=^= Magellan spluttered, =^=Assailant is nearer=^=
Takk shrugged,
=^=I have orders to go directly to Earth=^=
=^=Couldn’t you return my officers first? =^=
Takk paused his eyes narrowing slightly,
=^=My orders were quite specific, the crew of the Nevada are to be taken to earth=^=

By now Magellan was near apoplexy he could feel his grip on reality shifting once more in the favour of his most dangerous host,
=^=I AM FLEET COMMANDER. I HAVE operational command=^= he roared so loudly that those in Ops outside paused and looked towards his office, =^=YOU have MY staff on your ship, some are injured. =^=
Takk remained calm,
=^=My medical staff is dealing with their injuries, they are not significant… I do no…=^=
=^= A Norway class vessel is not setup up to care for so many people or so long. I want my people back=^=
Takk was beginning to tire of this tirade,
=^=With all due respect sir. The Rutherford is capable of coping, my staff are perfectly capable. If you have a problem with my orders then take them up with Starfleet Command. My orders came direct from Rear Admiral Sokal his authority at command supersedes yours I m afraid. I m sure the Admiral will inform you of his reasoning when he deems it necessary. Now if you don’t mind I have a lot of work to catch up on and your crew to look after. I will have Commodore Jira report to you via sub space as soon as he is able. Good night. =^=

Magellan stared dumbfoundedly at the terminal. He could not believe that a Starship captain would dare to talk to him like that. He stood up and crossed to the replicator. He began to feel dizzy and weary as Loran fought to stop him from taking another regulating isoboramine shot, for all the good it was now doing him. As he returned to sit on the couch he noticed a group of people assembling in Ops, Captain Savali, Doctor Mercy, T'Val and some security. He could guess where this was headed, he wondered if now wasnt the time to give up. Could Loran and the others allow him to go peacefully and be treated, it was what he wanted even if the others didnt.
He couldnt blame them, this was a second chance at life. All but Loran seemed to realise that it was wrong.

Steeling himself he approached the doors and exited.

"Good evening gentleman, Is there a problem?"

TAG - Whoever


"I see" Magellan could feel Loran fighting him, it took ever ounce of his mental energy not to allow her to take over, "I suggest we leave now" he said flatly staggering slightly as he moved towards them and then whilst he still had some modicum of control over Loran, "Mr Savali, I suggest you check the election logs and an additional sub-routines input code"

TAG ALL

[mercy]

Stuart and T'Val didn't have to wait long before Captain Savali and two security guards showed up armed with phaser rifles. "Yes, Captain, I'm sure two armed guards are more than enough." Stuart answered in return to Savali's question.

Just then the Admiral exited his office, inquireing to the nature of everyone's visit. T'Val expectantly looked at Stuart for his reply. "Admiral, it has come to my attention that you are having grave difficulties with your symbiont. More importantly your life...lives...are at great risk if we don't get you down to the infirmary immediately. I am sorry to inform you that you are relieved of command due to the medical nature of your condition. These guards are here to ensure your safety while they escort us."

"I see" Magellan could feel Loran fighting him, it took ever ounce of his mental energy not to allow her to take over, "I suggest we leave now" he said flatly staggering slightly as he moved towards them and then whilst he still had some modicum of control over Loran, "Mr Savali, I suggest you check the election logs and an additional sub-routines input code."

Stuart simply listened to the conversations between the Capatin and Admiral as they were all being escorted with security in tow.

[evoran]

"The Tholians" Jolant replied.

"The Tholians?" Repeated Voran, a deep frown creasing his brow, "The Tholians have been very quiet recently, they've shown no aggressive action in a long time. What possible reason could they have for destroying your colony?"

<Jolant>

[Magellan Lin]

Jolant shrugged,

"How would I know, I ve been gone from the Alpha Quadrant for years. All I know is that they came along out of the blue and we ran. They could have destroyed us as we left, I dunno. Look I dont care, are you going to protect me from the order or what?"

TAG

"Like I said you'd have to ask them. Theres nothing more i can tell you. Tholian ships arrive, we leave, Tholians destroy the empty colony. Thats it"

TAG


OOC: Theres no need to conclude this thread in this mission - it can run into next.

[Deleted]

T'Val could tell that Magellan was in turmoil, and not just from the expression on his face; she could actually sense it. She walked beside him as they were escorted to sickbay, keeping a close eye on the man she considered to be her friend. Once they entered sickbay both Mercy and herself ushered him towards the nearest biobed.

"Please," T'Val said as she gestured for him to take place onto it, "our only wish is to help you. If there had been any other way, please believe that we would have taken it." While the Trill admiral lay down on the biobed, T'Val prepared it for the necessary diagnostics it had to run. The semicircle closed over Magellan's torso and remained there for several minutes.

When the results showed on the diagnostic board, T'Val beckoned her mate over. "Look at that," she said, frowning at the result as she pointed it out, "he has been medicating himself with isoboramine, and it is killing them both."

(Mercy)

T'Val walked up to Magellan's side as the circle opened and the admiral sat up. "We are moving you to one of the beds in the critical ward," she told him, "and you will not receive further isoboramine injections." She looked him directly in the eyes when she sensed his anger and fear. "Your self medication is destroying you, both your own identity, your body and that of Lin. We will find other means to treat you, and once Laurana arrives she will be able to counsel you on the path you have to take towards healing."

At the foot of the bed, Yade chirped a warning as a young bronze winged in. "Perhaps Dinas may be able of help in saving your symbiont," T'Val suggested, "we know he has bonded with Lin. Look at him admiral, look at his bleak colour. If Lin dies, so will Dinas and your bronze knows that. Will you co-operate in your own healing?"

Magellan bowed his head, "I m not sure leaving me without isoboramine is the right move but as long as I m here, I guess its worth a shot."

Only then did T'Val notice the security guards and Felix were stil there. "Please position your guards outside sickbay," she instructed, "their presence is upsetting other patients. Do you not have other duties to atten to now Captain Savali? Admiral Loskene must be informed of the removal of Admiral Lin from command."

(Felix/Lin/Loskene)

[Felix Savali]

"You do underestimate us at times Healer", Felix said, "Admiral Loskene was informed the moment Dr. Mercy called forth the protocol for removal for medical reasons.", Felix said while indicating for the guards to stand outside the door

"I have sent a message to Vice Admiral Drew who is a friend of the Admiral and might be able to help.", Felix said

"And now healer, if you will excuse me, I do have an election fraud investigation to see to.", Felix said to T'Val as he excused himself from sickbay

--Meanwhile with Tedak--

After Tedak was handed the warrant signed by judge Tarli, the FCIS investigator thought it logical to depart at this time as she got everything she could from the Romulan.

"That will not be necessary", she said to him, "We shall however remain in touch", she added as she nodded to him and went on her way

She decided to proceed to the central computer core control room to see what progress the man who discovered the set up made on removing the code and getting the correct results...

[mercy]

"Look at that, he has been medicating himself with isoboramine, and it is killing them both."

Stuart looked at the readouts and verified that she was right. "Yes, he's been increasing his shot levels in order to function properly, and at an increased rate too. In essence...he's been overdosing himself."

Stuart prepared various drugs and equipment. "He's at the verge of toxic shock. We'll have to cleanse his system before that happens."

With a hypospray in hand Stuart gave the Admiral a mild sedative in order for his system to relax before he could administrate the other drugs. He hoped they weren't too late.

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan remained compliant through out the medical procedures and examinations Dr Mercy and Healer T'Val gave to him. There was little else he could do. Without theisoboramine shots he was no longer able to stop the previous hosts from coming to the front so strongly. Gethin had been in control when he had been apprhended by the doctors and Mr Savali. The diplomat in him had seen that compliance was the correct course. Both Bryson and Toya had begun to realise that things were not as they should be and had in their own way tried to quell Lorans attempts to take over Magellan and reassert herself into life. For the past two hours Loran had been absent, suspiciously so.

Loran lurked, she realised that her time would come, without the isoboramine Magellan nor the others could block her. She was stronger and more willing to take risks fro the second chance at life.

***

Ensign Cooper and V'looss continued to trawl through the extensive code involved in the election and Lilys involvement therein.

Captain Savali had given them the Admirals cryptic comment and they had begun to follow it up. Several hours ticked by before they were able to reach a conclusion.

"I can pinpoint when the alterations were made, but not by who" V'looss stated flatly,

"Well if we know when there should be a record of who accessed the room at that time." Cooper answered and then thumped his hand on the desk, "Its no good the record of entry to the core has been purged."

V'looss nodded slowly fixing Cooper with an unnerving glare,
"Perhaps we can narrow the field through the use of logic. We have at the base fact the knowledge that only a few people would have the necessary connection to lily to be able to make these changes, Tedak, Magellan, Dr Mercy and Chief Alari."

"How does that help us?"

V'looss ignored him and addressed Lily,

"Lily please display the usage of command codes by the aforementioned officer on the 20th September. Correlate to their approximation to the Computer core."

Lily obliged and drew up a long list of access commands and comm badge signal pick ups.

"Here Alari was in the core" Coopers noted,
"But it was 5 hours before we know the algorithims were tampered with, move on."

Slowly they worked through the long list. Finally at its completion they discovered only one anomaly,
"The only person to have been anywhere near the core at that time is Admiral Magellan, he used a turbolift and exited near the Comupter Core only minutes before the algorithim was uploaded." Coopers gabbled in a state somewhere between shock and excitement, "It must have been... well him.."

V'looss cocked her head,

"The current information supports that assessment, but let us not forget we have only based that on a handful of known suspects. There is a ogical possibility that someone of unknown capabilities did this. Nevertheless I will inform Captain Savali. I beleive he has called in Rear Admiral Drew to assist in this matter."

TAG Felix and Drew?

[Deleted]

Location: USS Hanson – Captain’s Ready Room

“Well, I think that went rather well,” Paul Drew said, as he and his Exec, S’reena Hope walked back into the ready room. The pair had spent most of the day down in Starbase Conqueror’s holodeck, overseeing the latest graduation ceremony.

“It did indeed,” S’reena agreed as she sat in one of the seats near the large window, “although I for one am going to be glad of some R&R.”

“Aren’t we all?” Drew chuckled, as he poured himself a cup of tea, “it feel’s like we spent the entire mission in sickbay!”

“We did!” S’reena exclaimed, “although, with five children running around my quarters, I am uncertain how much rest I will really get.”

“Well, I have a holodeck program a friend sent me that I have been meaning to try out,” Drew said, enjoying a slip of his beverage, as always it served to recharge his mind and body.

=/\= “Reynolds to Drew, Admiral, you have an incoming transmission from Starbase Assailant.” =/\=

“Understood Commander,” Drew said, rising from his chair and walking over to his desk, “patch it through to here please.”

=/\= “Aye Admiral.” =/\=

“I’ll leave you to it,” S’reens said, rising from her chair as well, “I have a few things I need to take care of.”

Drew waved his thanks to S’reena as she left the ready room, leaving Drew to key in his commands on the small computer on his desk. Drew was pleasantly surprised when the Starfleet logo transformed into the face of his old Victory crewmate, and Command Staff colleague Captain Felix Savali.

“Felix,” Drew beamed, “what a pleasant surprise, to what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I wish I could say this was a curtsey call Paul,” Felix said, his face and voice grim, “but we have a problem here on SBA.”

“What sort of problem?” Drew asked, concern deep in his voice.

“It’s Magellan,” Felix said, as he explained to Drew all that had happened.

***

A few hours later, the shuttle Shipley dropped out of warp in the Qualinost system. Drew watched as his old home grew larger on his craft’s small viewscreen. His last assignment had been at the Starbase, and he had spent most of his Section 47 career as a frequent visitor to the base during his time as First Fleet officer. Usually, he would have been happy to be returning here, but after speaking to Felix, he was filed with dread.

Requesting, and receiving permission to dock, Drew piloted the Shipley towards the docking port, once his shuttle was safely secured, he took his small luggage bag, and walked out to the airlock.

“Welcome back,” Felix said, walking over to greet him as he walked back onto Assailant, “thanks for getting here so quickly.”

“Not a problem,” Drew assured his old friend, “what’s the latest?”

“Magellan is still down in sickbay,” Felix explained.

“Ok,” Drew said, starting to walk towards the nearest turbolift, “you can brief me on the way to sickbay, I need to see him before we get started.”

[Felix Savali]

While Felix and Drew were walking towards sickbay, Felix began to tell Drew what happened during the last few days that brought about directly or indirectly the condition in which Magellan was now. He told him about the fall Magellan had on Qualinost, about the order for a JAG investigation in all the Starbase staff and their involvement in the death of the Federation Ambassador Castellan, about the death of the Romulan senator in the brig, about the escapades Tedak pulled to get out of the brig on several occasions, about the disappearance of some Debrune scientists and about the man who was responsible for it all and who died in the cave in on Qualinost.

Then he resumed by telling Drew about the unannounced removal of Ambassador TedaK and the arrival of a new Romulan Ambassador who appears to be the best friend of the emperor himself and who does not lack the usual Romulan attitude, then about the attempt of Simon Tomlinson to interfere with the investigation after which he resigned from Starfleet. About the assault on the first mayoral candidate who went against Simeth and about his unfortunate accident and then about Tedak going against the mayor and winning or at least that's what it looked like at first. Then about the discovery of the code that rigged the election and made Tedak the winner. Then about the suspicion that Magellan could have something to do with it which he received only moment before Drew arrived and that soon they would have the actual results of the vote.

"Sounds like all you do is have fun around here", Paul said smiling after he heard of the incident where the new Romulan ambassador got a drink splashed in his face

"Yes, well you can put it like that", Felix responded as the two of them arrived to sickbay

When they entered they noticed T'Val and Mercy standing near Magellan who was still lying on his bio bed.

"Doctor, Healer", Felix called for them

"As you may remember this is Vice Admiral Paul Drew", Felix said introducing Paul to them

<Tag Mercy/T'Val>

[Deleted]

T'Val extended her right hand towards the human admiral. "Yes I believe we have met," she said, "admiral, I believe you have not yet met my fiancé, doctor Stuart Mercy."

(Drew)

The two healers beckoned Drew towards Magellan's bed. "Admiral Lin, Admiral Drew is here to see you," T'Val said softly, as she gently shook the Trill to get his attention. She turned back to Drew. "He is heavily sedated at the moment, but he can speak with you and things will still make sense to him. We cannot give him anything to relieve his current suffering, as he has already overdosed himself with isoboramine. Stuart and I are currently working on another means to help him."

She pulled Drew a little aside. "Please talk some sense into him admiral, make him play open card with us. I feel he is not telling us everyting, and I highly doubt that the severe fall he took on Qualinost has set this off."

(Drew)

They returned to Magellan's side. "Please call me if you need anything admiral," she said, giving her patient a small smile, "you know I would go at great lengths to assist you if I can." She gently stroked Dinas, who sat crooning anxiously on the monitor next to Magellan's bed. "Perhaps feed Dinas for you when he needs to be fed?"

(Magellan)

[Magellan Lin]

Magellan/Gethin looked up at T'Val, Dinas? that name was not familiar. Gethin devlved deep into the blend and found the answer but by the time he returned to control Bryson was now at the fore and starring at wonderment at scientific marvels of what for him was the future.

For the last hour or so the separate hosts vied for control, without Isobormaine shots keeping them in check the each was able to assert full control on the current host. It was like have a multiple personality disorder only in this case the personalities were real.

Admiral Drew finished his talk with the Doctor and entred the medical room. He crossed to his colleagues bedside,
"Magellan" he greeted with a nod, "Got yourself in a bit of a pickle. Felix has filled me in."
Magellan/Toya stared at him.
"Who are you? Where am I, what are you doing... I m"

T'Val approached quickly,
"Hes getting agitated" she noted with typical vulcan calm,
"No NO" Magellan/Toya screamed, "YOU cant take Lin, We'll die, You cant steal him, I wont let you you cant you cant you cant...." he peetered off as if falling asleep but then jerked upward attempting to get out of bed.
T Val rushed forward to stop him but Magellan/Loran lunged forward shoving her backwards,
"Get away from me Vulky" Magellan/Loran snapped with a snarl