TREKS IN SCI-FI FORUM

Joint post by Chris, Meds, and Jen

"Senator Navesh is dead," said Doctor Drett in a voice that echoed faintly in the now silent ballroom.

"Seal off the station," Oryn ordered to the centurion guards. "Everyone that's currently docked will remain docked until the completion of the investigation. Make sure they're comfortable, but don't go anywhere."

"Yes sir," One of the guards replied as he snapped to attention, offering Oryn a salute before rushing out of the room to implement the orders.

Oryn's eyes drifted around the ballroom. The killer might be currently among them, but his own exchange with the senator would surely cast suspicions his way. On the eve of his elevation, he needed to make sure that the people did not doubt him—a neutral party would have to investigate the murder. "Captain Sevryll, there may be a conflict with my moving this investigation forward, we require a neutral party to lead an investigation. If it's not an imposition, would you take that burden and get to the bottom of this?"

Sevryll, clad in a high-collared white dress uniform, arched a single brow, clasped her hands behind her back and nodded slightly to Oryn "Of course, Emperor," came her smooth, self possessed alto, "Yet, in the interest of cooperation and good faith, I would recommend that our team be made up of both Romulans and Federation officers.


"Yes. I think this is a good chance to show how well the Federation and the Empire can work together on a common task." Oryn replied.


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

Captain's log Stardate 2387.59
It has been three days since Navesh was killed and Sevryll's duties as Fleet Captain required her to move her command to the station and put me in the chair that I worked so hard to avoid. Her logic was as sound as ever and it was the right decision. She can do more for the fleet from a central location and if she did not need to focus on captaining the Arabella. It was a decision that also included promoting K'Tan to the role of Strategic Operations Officer. Although he will still be a member of the crew, he will also have duties to the fleet and the station. Sevryll could not have picked a better person for the job.

My promotion to the big chair has been a smooth transition, but not a uncomplicated one. This ship has several key positions that will need to be filled and I'll need to make the necessary crew adjustments to get the Arabella into something that is more inline with my style of leadership. Transfers between here, the fleet, and the station has transformed the landscape of the crew and several departments. While it's nice to have new faces, many of the old ones will be missed.

Progress is being made in the investigation, but with a suspect list as long as my arm, I'm glad that I'm not involved. However, with several of my officers involved in the case, I doubt we will be leaving any time soon.

Time is a good thing. I don't want to rush in rebuilding the command staff, but I also need the time to see the children off to their first few days of class on the station. It's for the best that they stay there and are around others their age. Hopefully Sevryll's team will get to the bottom of this mess and we can get on with the reason why we're out here.

"Enter," Aeric said from the chair of his ready room. Many of his wife's personal items had already made their way to her larger office on the station and he had yet to give the now barren room his own touch. His family's move hadn't helped, but there were other reasons. Aeric was in meetings with other captains in the fleet or the command staff of the station...he was a busy man. Without a First Officer, he also found himself balancing his former duties with his current role as the captain of the ship. Were it not for K'Tan continued presence on the ship, he might have needed to add the duties of operations to that list, but Mr. K'Tan had no issues working the two positions for the time being.


Pressing the door chime Joseph D'Callan walked in after hearing the acknowledgement. "Sir, I've had full reports from Ensign Burns and Ensign Daelen. I intend to talk with them after this meeting"

Handing over his full report on his PADD he sat down to await Aeric's reaction.

Aeric put the PADD down and looked at Joseph, "This doesn't make us look good."


"It points out areas we need to work on both on the ship and the station sir."


"We're supposed to be professionals, there shouldn't be areas that we need to work on." the new captain added as he reviewed the contents of the PADD. "I don't  like my people being implicated in any of this Joseph. Is there evidence?"


Leaning back Joseph frowned "According to Station security, yes. The official report is to follow but i used a bit of persuasion to get this before it became official. "


"I know that you are on loan to Sevryll's investigation team, but we also need to get our house in order. When you are not working on that duty, you need to sort out your security personal. We need to make sure that this doesn't happen again. I'll leave the resolution of the breach in your hands. I want a report on my desk by 0600 hours tomorrow on what you plan to do. Joe, don't let something else to come up and attack our flanks. Dismissed."


Joseph stood not taking his eyes off the new Captain and his godfather. Nodding he turned and left the room thinking about his next move.

Commander James stood slowly and stretched when the door closed. The flag ship of the fleet had a security breach that may or may not have led to an assassination. Thankfully, his wife had not chosen to involved him personally with the responsibility of investigation. This freedom had allowed him to form his own opinions on the guilt and innocence of those being questioned. Even if he could help, telepathic probes were something that held no merit in the Romulan legal system. If you were talented enough to read the thoughts of a suspect, how much more talent did you need to display in order to place thoughts there? This was a crime that would be solved with physical evidence and subject interviews. It was also a task that Aeric would have to leave to the more versed in the subject. His skill set simply did not involved the investigation and processing of a crime.

JP with Bryan and Crystal

After trying to leave the space station and being locked down for the last few days Shelby was less than thrilled. She had found out from Burne's in a private conversation that Nalah had escaped and that he was searching the ship from top to bottom with no luck yet.

Still because of the lock down the guest from the party had been given quarters to stay in and she was heading for them at the moment so she could collect her stuff and go back to the Arabella. It had been a long day and although she would have liked to have talked with Joe he was in meetings most of the day.

Walking to her door she waited for the doors to open and she tried the lights right away. They remained off. "Lights." she called out again.

Still nothing. "Great, brand new space station, lights don't work, nice." She walked over towards where the manual control panel should be, feeling her way along the wall. Her fingers touched the control and the lights flashed on finally.

Immediately and arm was around her neck, placing her in a choke hold. "DON'T," a familiar voice warned as Shelby braced for combat. A small plasma torch was in her assailants other hand, pressed close to her cheek. After a brief moment, Nalah continued," I didn't kill her."

Remaining still Daelen glanced back and she relaxed herself, fighting wasn't going to solve anything. "Nalah, let me go..." If anything it would make matters worse. "let's talk about this..."

For a moment, Nalah hesitated but then the torch moved away from Shelby's face and the arm came off her neck. Nalah stepped away.

Shelby turned to see her friend and had a moment of déjà vu. Nalah's appearance was very similar to when Shelby first found her aboard the doomed Romulan freighter. Gaunt, dirty and looking desperate. Clearly the last three days had been difficult for her.

Watching the Romulan the security officer never let her eyes off the woman.

"I'm glad, you know," Nalah said, her back still towards Shelby, "I'm glad she's dead."

JP with Bryan and Crystal

Studying the way that the woman said the word, Shelby took everything in, she let her instinct take over. "You don't mean that completely..."

"She destroyed my family!" Nalah shouted as she spun around to face Shelby. Much quieter now she continued," She deceived my father and tricked him into defecting. He thought he was trying to save the Empire but only ended up destroying himself...and me. I was going to have my revenge, but.." she paused and her conflicted emotion flickered across her face and she looked into Shelby's eye's," I'm just so tired."

"Nalah .....are you going to be ok?" Asking quietly Daelen moved herself out of reach. Shelby trusted Nalah but as in any case like this, there had to be some prudence and the officer knew that people could be pushed; much like Nalah had been in their first encounter.

Nalah's shoulder visibly dropped and her head looked down towards the deck. "They think I did it, don't they? You're going to have to arrest me aren't you....again." A faint smile played across her lips.

There was no visible signs or reaction to the woman or her response which implied her innocence as Shelby stood there. How long they stayed silent Daelen wasn't sure but when she did speak it was conviction. "You have been through a lot and if we had some time.....do you think we could prove you didn't do this? Do you know who might have had reason or chance or even motivation...did you see anyone..."

Nalah looked up again at Shelby and her words came out staggered. "I-I knew I had to somehow disguise myself if I had any hope of getting close to the Senator at the reception." thoughtfully she continued, "I found the guest quarters.... I broke into a room...grabbed what I could there was an outfit with a mask ...some ...sort of ceremonial mask...It sufficed to hide my more Romulan features."

Pacing a little the woman seemed to reel back in time. "I headed out but had to duck back into a closet...that's also where I found this," she said, holding up the plasma torch. "I would just have had to get close enough to Navash to take my revenge..." she said, taking a seat at the small rooms table.

"I moved towards her at the cemeony, I could see myself killing her, watching with a smile on my face....I could see her dying. I could see my father..." her voice caught. She looked up again at Shelby, tears visible in her eyes. "I just wanted him to be proud of me, " she said in a choked voice. "I hesitated. The next thing I knew, Navash had fallen to the floor. There was blood everywhere. I turned away, I was in shock, people started running towards me and I ran from the room but..." she trailed off.

"What? What is it?" Shelby asked.

"I saw someone.....someone slipped out through the service door ahead of me... the one that I had come through. They looked like part of the reception staff but there was something about them, they way they moved....." Nalah replied as she looked up into Shelby's eyes.

It took some time for Shelby to formulate a plan but finally she spoke. "All right, I don't think you're a killer...I know you were mad but a heartless killer would have stood there and watched with a smile on their face....you're going to listen to me, you're going to do as I say and I don't want any arguments."

Joint post by Crystal & Meds

Coming back from Aerics meeting Joe's mind ran awash with thoughts. He had a few likely suspects and a few strays but the one he considered the most believable canidate was Nalah Jarok, the obvious ones were not nessacarily the guilty ones though. The things most damning was her escape from the ships security; she had fought and even threatened the Senator and all of this on the day of the Senator's murder. He couldn't ignore the facts.

Walking into his office the two waIting officers stood at attention. Sitting down Joe moved a leather case to one side and picked up their PADDs. "Normally I'd say at ease, but as I am not at ease with this situation,  I don't think you two should be either....stay where you are.." the Chief grumbled as he scannned the PADD.

Finally he shifted his hawk like gaze towards Ensign Burnes first. "I can't believe you could be so sloppy and remiss. What part of confined to quarters do you not understand?" pausing Joe dropped the device on his desk and he leaned back. "Not only did you take her out for a meal, was you planning on buying her a dress as well?"

Burnes went to speak but was cut off abruptly by a clearly annoyed security chief. "Shut it. You let her walk away while you had a chin wag with some of your mates. You bloody well screwed it this time Ensign. I know i trained your better, this shouldn't have happened on our watch!  I have no choice but to send you back to the academy for a
three month training programme and don't for one minute think you are out of my sight.  You will send reports to me every evening on your progress and yes Ensign Burnes you will be coming back to this ship and you will be working for me. Report to shuttle bay 2 once the lockdown has been removed a craft will take you to a transporter ship. Dismissed"

Burnes looked mortified and he nodded formally before he gave a worried glance over to his collegue; Ensign Daelen.

Joint post by Meds & Crystal

Shelby knew this was not going to go well and to that end she barely waited until the door hissed shut behind the man before she attempted to interject. "Joseph I....."

D'Callan put his hand up to stop her from speaking "Less of the pleasentries we're on duty here Ensign." Joe stressed the last word slightly. "Mr Burnes there, was working under your orders. His lack of hindsight has compremised my department. It's placed my abilities as chief under another damp umbrella with our new Captain and honestly it has nicked my confidence in you. There has been a murder and low and behold guess who one of the prime suspects is, your friend and my pain in the arse Nalah"

Shifting her eyes for a moment away from the man Daelen tried one more time.  "Sir," She gave him time to stop her but this time he allowed her to continue. Taking a deep breath the ensign glanced back up to study Joe. "I do not believe that she did this. I have gotten to know her and although there were some rough spots I know that Nalah
Jarok is not a killer."

"She isn't?" there was sarcasim dripping from each word as D'Callan stood. "She's agro, she escaped our custody and now someone is dead! I seem to have quite a different view than you, it appears!"

Looking upwards towards the ceiling as he evened his tone, D'Callan walked around the desk and sat on the opposite side, crossing his arms then directing his dark eyes towards the half romulan woman.  "We have our hands full Ensign. There's an on going investigation. An escaped prisoner on the loose, and you above all others, doesn't buy that she's a killer." Shelby blinached at his listing. "Adding to that we have a Captain who is not a happy bunny...and I have a spliting headache that started just about the time that the Senator hit the floor of the space station. I don't want to put a damper on your sunny day here but nothing that has happened lately has helped this situation. "

Never letting her eyes wander, "I understand Sir"  Daelen pursed her lips and then with a frown she finally spoke. But there's something you need to know. I haven't had the chance until now to speak to you alone..."

"For the love of...what...tell me." He said firmly and with the upmost annoyance.

"Nalah didn't do this you have to believe me...I know because she told me things"

Immediately pushing off from the desk, D'Callan stood toe to toe with Shelby. "What?" He said unsure if he wanted to hear more.

"I think I know where Nalah might be..."

"Brilliant, bloody brilliant...Why, may I ask, is she not in a holding cell?" Joe glared at Shelby as his obviously sarcastic remark filled the room.

"I wanted to talk to you first, do this right. Let you talk to her yourself. See what I see..." Daelen said softly.

"Frankly Ensign my interest in seeing Nalah Jarok roaming the countryside free and clear is practically nonexistant. So this is what's going to play out. Your damn well going to take me to whetever you think she is, you take me there now. This isn't open for discussion or negotiation." was all he said as the silence between them became a vast emptiness.

Joint post by Chris and Mike

"Come in," Commander James, captain of the Arabella said from one of the plush chairs in his ready room. With the current changes in the staff of his ship, he needed to make more than a few changes to her command structure. Aeric took a sip of the Bolian pear cider from his mug and smiled up to Galdar as the door opened. He quietly motioned the lieutenant to the couch across from him. "Good morning Mr. Galdar, how are you doing?"

Dropping easily into the offered seat Galdar made an unpleasant face at his new commanding officer. "A lot better than I could be I guess, sir, but with my father aboard the station and everything else that's going on...a whole lot worse than I'd like." Sitting back, he caught the Commander's eye and grinned slightly. "Still, flight duty isn't exactly taxing at the moment and the ship's new enough that the maintenance demands are small so my on-duty burdens are relatively light."

Having served under James for five years as an ensign on the USS Tiberius, Galdar was normally very much at ease in the older man's company; something that he couldn't say of many senior officers. For a moment, as he stood at the door, he'd considered taking a more formal stance now that Aeric was in command of the ship but this was a private meeting and, captain or not, Commander James knew him well enough not to need any faux demonstrations of protocol and respect.


"Grab a drink and have a seat." Aeric added with a smile. "This is going to be both the best and worst day of your life so far."

A shadow of worry flickered across the lieutenant's orange face as his previously self-assured manner started to slip. "Ah...Sir? Err.." Tailing off, Galdar slid to his feet and crossed to the captain's replicator. "Millipede juice, no shells." he ordered quietly, waiting while the beverage coallesced. Taking a sip he turned back to the captain and resumed his seat. "Sir?"


"Since assuming this post, I've spent the last few days sorting out what I want my command crew to be." Aeric said. "If you had a bit more seasoning, this conversation would be about you stepping up as my new XO. For various reasons and crew moves, you'd be one of my first choices. I know how you work, I know what potential you have. I also know that you're not quite ready to give up the helm."

Aeric paused to let the information sink in. "That being said, I want you as my second officer. You will be able to stay at the helm while you get the additional skills that captains are looking for in their XO. I know my ship is safe with you, but I need you to be confident in that as well."

Drink forgotten for the moment, Galdar stared at James. They locked eyes briefly, the Ferengi searching for signs of mirth on the face of his superior officer. Finding none, his head dropped for a moment while his fingers strayed unconsciously to the gold lieutenants pips on his uniform. Looking up again, he stood slowly and drew himself up to the full extent of his small frame. Bringing his wrists together, hands cupped in front of him, he bowed slightly. "Thank you sir." he started formally, almost awkwardly, "I am flattered at the confidence you show in my abilities."

Sitting once more he looked thoughtful for a moment as he took another sip of millipede juice. "Sir? Permission to speak freely?"


"Please do."

"Despite all you've said, you know there are a number of more qualified candidates for this position already aboard. D'Callan, Tolok even Ryla", he smiled slightly at the slip, "...I mean Doctor Drett...come instantly to mind. All are Lieutenant Commanders with a service record as long or longer than mine. I've only just made full Lieutenant. Why am I even in the running for this?" He paused and nodded once to the captain. "I guess I'm now demonstrating my 'need for additional skills'."

"I try to weigh all of the options before I make a call." Aeric said calmly. "If something is happening to my ship that caused both myself and the XO to be placed out of commission, where do you think the other officers you mentioned might be? Hopefully they will be at their posts doing what they do best. What the ship needs is someone in the chair that knows what she can do and how to get her home. You are rough around the edges in the command aspects of the position, but that's what this position is for. It will give you the skills and the confidence to make the hard choices."

He then brought his eyes to meet the young ferengi and leaned forward slightly to close the distance between them. "Remember when I said the best and worse day of your life? We've only gotten to half the conversation. You'll also be serving as acting XO until the replacement for my old post arrives. So, even without those additional skills, you're going to have to display them to the rest of the crew. Starting about nowish."

Throwing back his head, Galdar drained the remainder of his juice and dropped his glass to the table. "Aye sir." he said crisply, head spinning at this extra news. "I'll do my best...once I work out where to start."

"The crew manifest." Aeric said. "We have several people that will be shifting duties or are being assigned to Sevryll's staff. We're going to need to rebuild most of our departments. Having held the post that you are now currently filling, I know the crew files pretty well, but a good XO needs to do the same. I want you to look over those files and see if you can come up with some recommendations for the holes in our staff."

"Aye sir," Galdar nodded firmly, "assuming your...old...office is available for my use."

Sitting forward in the chair Galdar prepared to rise, assuming the meeting to be over but as he did so, another though struck him. "What about my current duties? As acting XO I will presumably be taking on a different bridge shift rotation and leaving the helm for the time being. That's not too big a burden while we're docked to the station but once a permanent replacement arrives, may I assume that I'll be returning to my duties as they are currently defined?" A small smile started at the corners of his mouth "Or...as Executive Officer, might I propose some slight changes for the new Second Officer as and when he resumes normal role? An adjustment in the balance between his alpha shift helm duties and his Gamma shift command role perhaps? It's been noted that he's lacking in some elements of command experience," Galdar's eyes were twinkling with suppressed amusement now, "perhaps a couple of Gamma shift command rotations balanced against a corresponding number of Alpha shift duties making the remaining time available to fulfill his other duties?"
now, "perhaps a couple of Gamma shift command rotations balanced against a corresponding number of Alpha shift duties making the remaining time available to fulfill his other duties?"

"I'd assume you were a mind reader if I didn't know better." Aeric replied and rose.  "With Casey heading over to the station, we'll be having various command officers rotating through the gamma shift. It would be remiss of us if you name wasn't on that list of candidates When we get our new XO, you'll find some of you and some of our department heads will all find themselves with a shift there. If you are up to it, you could actually pull two sixteen hour shifts during the week to give you more physical days off and use that time to expand your skill set."

Rising also, Galdar nodded again. "I can do that sir. It's no worse than some of the odd rostering Damon Glem used to put me through on the Depository to keep me away from some of his more questionable deals. Thank you."


Aeric offered a hand to the lieutenant. "No, thank you Galdar. You could have refused this, but in accepting, you've proved that you're the man for the job."

Taking the hand, the ferengi shook it warmly and grinned up at his captain. "I couldn't let you think of me as any less of an officer than I really am. There's little enough of me as it is when compared to most of the people around here!" Releasing Aeriic's hand, Galdar took a step back and straightened again. "Permission to return to the bridge captain?" he asked formally, completely failing to mask his eagerness. Summoned from the helm, Aeric could see the desire to try a different chair burning in his eyes.

"Permission granted lieutenant and the bridge is yours. I have some business to attend to on the station. Dismissed." Aeric said before retrieving his PADD from the table. While his psychic abilities could not read the mind of the ensign, he could easily appreciate the excitement that shone on his face.

Turning on his heel, Galdar strode to the door of the ready room...a ready room that he would now have access to, if required, during his bridge command shifts. The thought sent a little shiver down his spine as he walked out onto the bridge, the closing doors hiding him from Aeric's view.

Joint post by Bryancd, Crystal & Meds


Ensuring that both D'Callan and Shelby left their communicators elsewhere for the time being, something the chief wasn't the happiest about, but he did abide by.

The pair made their way towards the lesser traveled parts of the station. It took them nearly an hour but by the time they arrived at where Daelen was leading them; they hadn't seen a soul for ages.

"You know where she is don't you." Although the words were semi-accusatory, there was less of an edge on D'Callan's words than Shelby had expected.

Glancing back at the man she didn't say anything but at the same time she couldn't meet his eyes directly. "I needed you to trust me on this." was all she said as they walked to the end of a dark hallway. Giving Joe one last look Shelby reached out and seemed to toy with a lock along the side of a hatchway.

A moment later there was a noise on the other side and Shelby tapped in something on what looked to be a handheld keypad of some kind.  It was clear that Shelby had taken some steps to ensure they could not be tracked.  The door opened into a small room with dark shadows in it and as Shelby and D'Callan walked in there was movement to one side of the room.

D'Callan seemed to make a quick move for a weapon, possibly something hidden but he stayed his hand when a less than sparkling version of Nalah Jarok emerged wearing some well worn clothes and smudge on one cheek.

"No it's ok...it's ok I promise..." The tension in the room was thick as Shelby stood as a buffer between the two.

Joseph looked at Nalah and then back at Shelby. "Explain, and you had better make this good"

Nalah stepped forward and repeated what she had told Shelby except she said it quicker and a bit more softly as she noticed D'Callan had not taken his eyes of Shelby ash she spoke.

After a while Shelby said softly as if asking the question might disturb the man. "What happens now Chief?"

Joint Post, Part 1, by Jen and Just X

Captain Sevryll took a sip of her spice tea as she silently regarded the man seated across from her. Deep creases of concern etched Admiral Nathanial Jacob Quinn's ageless features and though gray-green, his eyes shone with the same dark intensity of his Betazoid mother's. They penetrated Captain Sevryll's, searching for something hidden within. She was an emotionally disciplined Vulcan but the Admiral could read the same concern he wore so openly on his own face, hidden below the surface of her stolid expression.

He was one of the most powerful telepaths in the Federation, but the ability to sense emotions in Sevryll developed over time. Their long friendship began aboard the USS Tiberius, where she served as his first officer. A decade had passed since she reported for duty aboard his old ship, but they had stayed in touch. Now Nathanial was the admiral over seeing the Seventh Fleet's operations, and his former first officer was its fleet captain.

With deliberate care, the willowy Vulcan set her cup down on the desk within her new office aboard Quirinus Station. The station would serve as the fleet's hub and a temporary home for the Romulan people.  It still did not feel like her office and the station did not feel like her home, but it would have to suffice. She could no longer manage the seven Starfleet vessels sent to aid the Romulans from aboard the Arabella, and the recent murder of Senator Navash made her move to the space station all the more necessary—especially now that she was asked to head the joint investigation.

"Security is currently searching for and interviewing persons of interest. One of which is a trusted officer aboard the Arabella."

The admiral grimaced in response.

"I believe whoever murdered Senator Nevash assumed that we would naturally accept our officer's DNA on the murder weapon as evidence of guilt... Perhaps those responsible have also concluded that we would sacrifice our people, to maintain peace with the new Empire."

With a slow contemplative nod, Admiral Quinn recalled a similar event that killed a third of his Tiberius crew. One of their staff had purposefully infected his fellows with a deadly virus, which spread to the bio gel packs and crippled the ship. Nathanial straightened his tunic as he stood from his chair. "I fervently hope the perpetrator of this crime is not one of your officers, Sevryll...it would severely damage our efforts here. But, I agree. The conviction of a Starfleet officer would be a little too convenient to those opposed to the new Empire's affiliation with the Federation... I smell a rat. An especially putrid one."

Without a proper announcement, the door slid open to allow Commander Aeric James admittance. His mind was focused on completing the staff reassignments and his eyes were fixed on the latest conditional reports of the Arabella. "Sevryll, how did you ever manage—"

A look up from his PADD forced the commander to stop mid-sentence. He gave a polite, apologetic nod of his head to those gathered in the room. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had company. How are you Admiral?"

"All things considered, I'm doing fairly well, thank you Commander... I was just about to go." Quinn addressed them both. "I have every confidence in you, your crew and the fleet. I'll be in touch soon, Captain Sevryll. Live long and prosper."

"Peace and long life, Admiral." Replied Sevryll as Nathanial Quinn took two steps toward Commander James and vanished.

Joint Post by Bryan, Crystal and Meds

Joseph looked over where he had entered then he nodded to himself. "I don't know right now."  Putting his hands behind his back he seemed to muse the matter. Walking back and forth in a thoughtful manner for a bit before he moved to stand straight in front of her with his penetrating gaze towards Shelby's stormy eyes. Without him saying
anything she responded to him. She knew what he wanted to know.

"She is innocent, I can prove it. Just give us a chance..."

Remaining un-reactive, Joseph lifted his eyes to Nalah. "As far as I am concerned she is guilty. Hiding out here does not help any situation, and as for giving the appearance of being someone suspicious - this looks worse. I want her in the brig and until Jarok s proven innocent you are here by relieved of duty Miss Daelen."

Shelby looked shocked as she titled her head. "What?"

"Don't push your luck ensign"

Daelen glared at the man coldly. "You can't do this. You need me!"

Joseph growled as he walked over by Nalah and glared at her.  "Don't bloody well patronize me." his words were to Shelby but he pointed at Nalah first. "This one is a suspect in a murder investigation. We've been  locked down on this station and I'm not dropping the ball again"

Walking back over to Shelby, D'Callan stared at her hard, "I had to defend my  department because of all this and while I'm doing that you're busy assisting our prime suspect in hiding?  This is unacceptable and at the moment the only thing I demand from you is for you to obey my damn orders!"

Shelby stared at him with contempt.. "This is not just about what you've been doing or your career. This is also about proving a woman's innocence."

"Yes, it is, but you seem to have forgotten that sometimes wearing these pips means something. I do have a job to do too. I have others to answer to and other suspects to question. Don't you dare presume that I'm singling her out."

Shelby glanced at Nalah the back at Joe. "If you stand me down....How can I prove she is innocent. All my clearance will be revoked!"

Joseph looked up and paused for a moment, then he crossed his arms. " I'll inform the Captain of my orders in thirty hours time. Other than
  hat I never saw this place or either of you. Is that understood?"

"Yes Sir..." Shelby said as she watched the man leave the room with annoyance. She pivoted after giving him a mock salute and she walked over to Nalah then she stopped.

She thought more about what D'Callan had said "He said thirty hours. He's giving us thirty hours to find you innocent"

Nalah smiled and whispered "He also said don't let him down. He's putting his career on the coals for you and....for me. "

Shelby looked at the closed door and knew exactly what Joe had done for her and Jarok both. He was giving them a chance.

On entering the Bridge of the Arabella, head still spinning from his interview with Commander James, Galdar had stepped smartly up to the main level and walked towards the centre of the command space. Nodding in acknowledgment of those who noted his arrival, he waved the ensign struggling to get up from the helm back into his seat."Keep your station and continue the diagnostic Mr Bosa", he said firmly, "I'm sure your other duties can wait for the moment."

As the ensign acknowledged the command, the Ferengi had turned toward the bridge rail, the auxiliary stations behind it...and the chairs in front of it. Trying not to show too much inappropriate glee he'd carefully schooled his features before striding to the seat at the centre of the bridge, turning to face the view screen and sitting down purposefully.

From his position at the Engineering station, Lieutenant Commander Tolok had arched an eyebrow as he regarded the Ferengi settling into the centre seat. In command of the bridge while Aeric attended to other matters, Tolok had been forewarned about the unexpected nature of his relief but had not been given specifics. Presumably this was what Commander James had had in mind.

"Request permission to return to engineering, sir?" the Vulcan had asked loudly, straightening, his brow still raised.

"Sir?" Galdar started, surprised by both the request and the honorific. Catching himself, he'd felt a flush rise to his cheeks, a reaction to the awareness that all eyes were now on him. "I mean, of course si...Lieutenant Commander." Nodding once, Tolok locked down his station and headed to the turbo-lift.

As the doors had closed behind the engineer, Galdar had sat back in his chair and regarded the officers around him. From his exchange with Tolok, it looked like most of them had worked out what they'd just witnessed and the looks he was receiving as a result were generally warm and encouraging. He owed the Vulcan a drink for that little show of handing over command.

He'd commanded the bridge before, of course, both on the Luxembourg and the Arabella but in terms of both people and expectations, there was a world of difference between a lieutenants Gamma watch and the XO's Alpha watch. What was the old addage? "Gamma shift got to find trouble but it was Alpha shift who had to get out of it." Now if only he could get the Arabella into space before the new XO arrived, he'd be the happiest he'd been in years.

A cough beside him jolted him from his reverie. A crewman was offering him a PADD, it looked like duty attendance reports from the science department. Smiling he took the device and glanced over the first screen of data. Appending his thumbprint to the record, he handed it back and turned his attention to his latest task. Reaching across, Galdar activated the terminal embedded between the command chairs and summoned up the personnel and recent transfer records. It wasn't what he'd planned to do with this shift but since when did plans ever dictate the activities of the day.

Joint Post by Jen and Meds

Lieutenant Commander Joseph D'Callan jogged around the corner and stopped in the Arabella corridor. Running from the station and back to his office to pick up his badge and the case, had at least helped him make up his mind that he needed to cut out the chocolate. He put his hands on his knees and caught his breath. Holding his com badge in his hand he slapped it on his chest and tapped the device. "D'Callan to Dunn. I need to have a word with you in my office, bring the new security devices we had shipped in last week. You are going to be testing them out".

Christopher Dunn's voice chirped back, "The Vidcoms? Oh brilliant. I'll await your order, sir. Dunn out"

Breathing in, Joseph headed through the door of the quarters he had been running to. As it flowed open and he stepped in, he glanced at each of the security officers standing guard just inside of the entrance. One was a stout Romulan woman, in a drab-gray uniform. Her keen dark eyes rolled in the security chief's direction; the appraising look she gave him seemed a mixture of pure disdain and mild respect. The other guard, a lanky human male with curly brown hair and bright blue eyes that smiled with admiration and pride, nodded in greeting to his superior officer. The chief of security then stepped forward, picking his way through the cluttered quarters of the Arabella's chief medical officer.

Doctor Ryla Drett kept her back to Joseph as he neared the small desk where she sat.  He carefully maneuvered around a pile of discarded uniforms then paused to let his eye briefly roam the mess that the Trill doctor called "organized chaos". Ahead of him, a number of PADDs were scattered atop a yellow settee. A few overflowed to the spotted blue rug that sloppily covered the floor beneath it. A number of teal colored lab coats were tossed over the arm of the sofa, half covering a stack of medical books resting on the floor—one of which was left open at Ryla's right foot. All of the books were borrowed from the station and none were printed in Federation Standard. Joseph cocked his head to one side in order to study the page. He could not read Romulan but by the looks of the illustration centered amongst the text, she was brushing up on Vulcanoid anatomy.

"Good morning," Ryla said as she casually flipped a page in yet another book. Keeping her gaze fixed on the subject she studied, the doctor continued. "Did you come to play chess...maybe a little kal-toh? I think I prefer the Vulcan game to the Earth game." It was an all too fitting favorite of the untidy doctor, for the object of the game was to find the seeds of order amidst profound chaos...a skill she seemed proficient at.

Ryla took a breath, stood from her desk and turned to face the chief of security. A lengthy strand of golden hair fell before her eyes, but with a puff of air directed at her spotted forehead, she blew it back in place. "Captain Sevryll and I use to meet for a match of kal-toh once a week. But now she's posted to the station and I'm...well... I'm here... I guess I should get use to playing alone." After a brief silence Ryla smirked and shrugged concurrently. "Things have changed a bit, haven't they Joe?"

D'Callan had never been a one for protocol and he had no plans to change his tune now. His superiors would moan at him for letting his friendships interfere with his duties, but there was no way Ryla Drett was guilty...she was quite simply the kindest woman he knew. Well, perhaps her manner could be improved when it came to Commander K'Tan, whom she disliked for some unknown reason. But for the most part Doctor Drett was a gentle, honest and caring individual. He stepped forward, carefully avoiding the open book at her feet and gave her an awkward yet friendly hug. "I know... Don't worry. We'll get to the bottom of this in no time."

"Thank you Joe," she said as they pulled apart.

"Sit," he said, smiling down at the petite Trill. "Lets get this all done and dusted."

Ryla put on a smile that was less than convincing, which was evident by the lack of dimples, and sat once more. As she did, Joseph looked about the room and found a chair to drag beside hers then placed a blue briefcase on the desk and opened it. Inside was a stack of loose paper. Using the antiquated material had become a habit when investigating cases that became personal and this case had certainly become that.

"I'll get right to the point," he said as he drew a small box from beneath the paper. "This is the reason for your status as a 'person of interest'; the data gathered during the autopsy you performed, led the station authorities to search for it." He pushed the box toward her with two fingers as he continued. "They've recently deemed it to be the weapon used to murder your former patient, Senator Nevash." Joseph keyed a sequence into the lid and with a corresponding beep the metal box popped open, revealing a single hypo spray.  "It's Starfleet issue. And Ryla...your DNA is on it."

The Trill stared at the implement, which glared petulantly up at her from its place within the box. "That's not hard to believe, Joe," she said after a moment of introspection. "I'm a doctor. I handle these implements every day." Drett absently chewed her bottom lip, a tendency she had when deep in thought.  "But DNA is not a difficult to acquire. May I examine the hypo?"

Joseph removed a pair of gloves from the case and held them out to her. "Here, put these on." Ryla flicked a questioning look at him, indicated by a slowly furrowed brow, then took the gloves and pulled the over-sized things onto her small hands. With a nod of approval from the chief, she carefully lifted the hypo from the case and turned it over in her hands.

"As I'm sure you know, all equipment issued to Starfleet vessels is encoded with a specific serial number. Each number is unique to the ship and department they belonged to. Replicated devices would lack this particular trait," said the doctor as she placed the device back in the container and tugged the gloves from her hands. "I'm sure the first thing that Captain Sevryll ordered, when they recovered this hypo, was an ID scan. And, since you're here, it's apparent the analysis revealed that it does in fact belong to my sickbay." Ryla's soft, quiet voice slowly rose in volume as she finished the thought. "And since I didn't kill the senator, it means that someone entered my medical bay, took this device right out from under my nose, and used it to commit murder." The spots that traced her hairline were pulled downward as she scowled at the device resting in the case before her.

Without a word, Joseph closed the lid on the box and placed the evidence back in his briefcase. "Ryla," he said gently, "I know you're outraged. So am I. We'll find the individual who did this. I promise. " He placed a hand on her shoulder and kept his eyes on hers until she nodded in response. The security chief then turned his attention to his notes in his briefcase and thumbed through them. "I do these things the old fashioned way. It's a pain in the ass for some, but it works for me." He glanced at her with a weak smile that faded quickly. "I need to ask you some questions about the events leading up to the murder. Why don't you start with the night before the murder and go on from there."

"Alright." Said Ryla as she clasped her hands before her and frowned as she called to mind the details he requested.  "The night before the gala, I had a dinner meeting with 'Emperor Oryn' in the holodeck after my shift."

"What did you talk about?"

"He asked me to lend my visage to the station's holographic doctor. I said 'no' and then he offered me the position as the station's chief medical officer. I refused again, but in the end I agreed to help program his Medical Hologram. After the meeting, I returned to my quarters."

"Then what?"

She paused, working her jaw slightly as if chewing on a memory she found distasteful. "I was about to crawl into bed when Commander K'Tan called for medical assistance...he said it was an 'emergency'." Her tone became dry and the account concerning the chief of operations, was uttered swiftly. "He asked me to come to his quarters... said he and the boy he adopted had been 'sparing' and there had been an accident. When I arrived I discovered that the commander's arm had been dislocated by the child no less." Her cheeks flushed slightly with aggravation. "The boy could have poked his eye out with one of those Klingon bat thingies K'Tan is so fond of." She began gesturing with her hand, dramatically jabbing a finger toward of her left eye to illustrate. After a moment, she noticed Joseph's attempt to contain a bout of laughter and she stopped the action by gripping her hands. "It's not funny." She whispered and glared at him until she was certain he wouldn't laugh. "I treated his injury and returned to my own quarters. The whole thing took no more than twenty minutes...that's all."

The security chief's smile diminished slowly as he nodded. "Go on..."

She closed the anatomy book and proceeded to describe the events of the next day." The following morning was uneventful. I worked the first shift and when it ended I headed to my quarters to prepare for the gala. I ran into Counselor Margon in the turbo lift on the way. We 'chatted'. He invited me to his office for a counseling session.... we 'talked'... I left an hour before I arrived at gala. There, Lieutenant Galdar and I tried a few 'appetizers'...did you like those things?" She inquired, suddenly derailing herself. "I'm certainly not afraid to try new foods, but I don't believe I found a single entrée appealing." She thought about it a moment then shook her head as if deciding that 'no, there was nothing at all delicious about Romulan food', and continued her story. "Then Galdar and I danced. I think most were surprised that a Ferengi could cut a rug...I taught him of course. We frequented all the dances during our academy days." She smiled as she reflected upon the past. "We had a great time at the gala...then someone cried for help and I came to the aid of Senator Nevash. I felt for a pulse and found none. I contacted the Arabella and Quinirus medical facilities and a moment later I was transported to the station's infirmary. Soon after I was joined by two members of my staff: Nurse Caine and Doctor Myella Peterson. We did all we could for the Senator, but she was dead before she materialized. There was nothing any of us could do to bring her back."

Joseph stood from his chair and tried to pace the room, but found it difficult not to trip over the clutter. "I'm guessing even though your quarters are 'disorderly', you still know where everything is." Ryla nodded. "What's funny," he chuckled, "is that your medical ward is spotless. Everything is in its place, isn't it?"

The doctor gave him a cautious look. "Of course. It's a sickbay. It has to be immaculate and all the equipment must be accounted for."

Joseph nodded, "I assumed as much...the hypo was found on the station... Ryla, can you think of anyone you may have had a conflict with in recent days?" The doctor opened her mouth as if to speak, but Joseph put his hand up.

"I don't mean Commander K'tan, " he smiled.

Ryla scoffed at him a minute before answering his question with a vexed tone. "I haven't exactly been 'Ms. Popular' among the evacuees, Joe. The only Romulans who seem to tolerate me are Oryn and Sutpak Choro. The senators who were brought to sickbay, were constantly at each others throats. Oh and none of my Romulan patients were fond my bedside manner. I know this is going to sound incriminating... but... when they wouldn't stop fighting I threatened to drug them to shut them all up." She followed the reluctant admission with a sheepish smile.

As the warp core hummed and throbbed behind him, Tolok listened carefully to its pitch and rhythm. There was something logical (or pleasant, he thought, drawing a rare emotional parallel) in being chief aboard a new ship that hadn't been subject to the stresses of battle.  No doubt the need to keep his charge intact would necessitate all sorts of inventive solutions in the future but, for the moment, she was still as she'd been built and his need to innovate was minimal.

Despite that, some of the staffing changes would still be...less than ideal. He was losing people who'd already become adept at looking after this vessel and it's systems and that would necessitate some adjustment on the part of himself and others but they, and he, would cope.

There was a lot more going on aboard the station than simple starship maintenance but the Vulcan believed in the separation of responsibilities. His responsibility remained that of ensuring that the Arabella was space-worthy. Murder investigations belonged elsewhere in the command structure.

For a while, Tolok had been concerned that he would be tapped for the XO position but it appeared that the captain also believed in separating responsibilities aboard ship. In an emergency Tolok could best serve in Engineering and that was where he intended to stay.

Tapping his com badge, the engineer brought one of the impending transfers to mind. "Tolok to Garriss"

"Sir?" the human responded promptly.

"if you have the time I'd like to talk over your intermix ratio studies before you depart for the duration."

"Aye sir. Thirty minutes in Main Engineering?"

"Acceptable. Tolok out."

Part 2 Of 2 by Jen and Just X
Aeric smiled and took up the seat that Quinn had been occupying. "And now I know why I thought you were alone—no thoughts to sense. I'll make sure to check for active holo-matrices the next time I barge in without knocking. Did I interrupt any universe changing revelations?"

Sevryll did not like turning her ship over to another commander, even if that commander was her husband— it was illogical to posses such an attachment and she knew it. But when Admiral Quinn echoed her sentiments, regarding his old ship, she decided her reluctance was natural for Nathanial was anything but illogical. He pointed out that she was the fleet captain and the Arabella was the flagship of that fleet, which in turn meant the vessel still belonged to her whether or not she was currently aboard.

With an arched brow, she answered Aeric telepathically. No. There were no 'universe altering revelations', as you call it. I was briefing the admiral on the investigation and informed him of Emperor Oryn's request that I command the station in the interim. His status as a person of interest has forced him to step aside until the case is solved.

He nodded slowly, "I can't think of a better person to run this station. It's a place built by the Federation and the vulcanoid races and you're a prime example of both. I just wish my news was more exciting. Galdar is going to be my second officer and right now he's my acting first officer. My new XO, Commander Miller, won't arrive until some time after the travel ban is lifted. Given the distance to their last post, and the unavailability of slipstream capable Starfleet vessels in this region, it may be faster to take the Aurora there on a quick trip. Hell, it might be the last time I get to do a shuttle run for a while."

"Lieutenant Galdar is a fine choice," She uttered aloud before continuing nonverbally.  And your choice for third officer? Lieutenant Commander Peterson's transfer to the station has no doubt left that position open as well.

If Joe can get his people together, he would be my choice for third officer. Aeric sighed as his frustration rose in his mind. He'd be my XO now, if this breach didn't happen. I think that one day he would also make a fine XO, but he needs to show me that he can get his department together before I add more responsibilities.  If he can't get his team together, I'm going to go with Drett or  Zremm.

Sevryll started to take a sip of her tea, but found it had grown too cold for her liking. "It is your decision, of course. But if I were in your position, I would not dismiss Mr. D'Callan so quickly.

Despite the experience her symbiont affords her, Doctor Drett has not chosen the command path and though Mr. Zremm would be the next logical choice, Joseph holds a more thorough knowledge of ship operations." She would have paused at this point for emphasis, but telepathic communication did not often provide its practitioners the opportunity. Her thoughts flowed like unimpeded water between she and Aeric, giving neither a chance for pause. If I may make a suggestion, I would propose that you make your final decision only after the particulars of this case are fully known and a proper assessment of Mr. D'Callan's responsibility in this matter can be determined.

Aeric relaxed more into the seat, slouching his posture. You're right. Joe is the one I want as third officer and it would be premature to start grooming anyone else. I know that he has the talent for the job. Now that he's stopped carrying that silly bat, he has the bearing for it as well. He just needs to get our house in order. But we're spending far too much time discussing work. How are the kids settling into station life?

"Murynn and Nevaul have readily established themselves here. But Aria has yet to find a single quality of station life that she finds agreeable. She will not admit it, but I believe she grieves the absence of her friends...in particular Mr. Margon's son. I must acknowledge that I share her view of station life, though my duty enables me to ignore what I find disagreeable about this post and move on. She does not have that responsibility."

"I have no doubt that Aria adapt, but I might be able to remedy this situation." Aeric replied aloud. "With Rori and the kids here and K'tan spending joint duties here, I am thinking of transferring those with children to your service on the station. As much as I like having the kids aboard, it's going to be dangerous out there and we don't have an escape plan for the children in place. I think that I might have an idea..."

Aeric's voice trailed off as a plan started to come together.

Though they were not yet organized she heard her husband's thoughts before he uttered them aloud. I will be glad for Mr. Margon's presence aboard the station. He will be needed among the staff here and the recently installed holocommunications will allow him to attend his patents on any of the ships within our fleet, including the Arabella.  She finished the conversation aloud, "and I'm sure Aria will be glad to know his son will be here to keep she and her siblings entertained with his mischief."

"Yeah," he mused. "I'm not sure about how happy  I am to know that she'll be glad to have a boy closer to her. I'd be more comfortable if it took a century before she becomes interested in them."

"Indeed."

Running through personnel records on the bridge of the Arabella, Galdar came to an abrupt halt as he reached the file on Doctor Ryla Drett. Looking primarily at the skills of those who were leaving for the station, he was also having to consider the skills of those staying behind to see if they could step up to fill some of the newly created vacancies.

Lieutenant Commander Drett fell into neither of these categories of research. She hadn't left the ship and as CMO she wasn't about to step up to fill the shoes of another departing officer. Yet, as a long time friend of hers, Galdar found the temptation to peruse her record almost overwhelming. A lot of what was in it he probably knew already - he'd be amazed if he didn't find a number of references to himself in there, especially in the Academy chapters. Her name certainly featured in HIS file!

Ferengi were not known for their altruistic nature, nor for keeping themselves out of the affairs of others and Galdar was no exception. Yet, on occasion, he found he could resist what his family would say 'came naturally' and what he called his 'species imperatives'.

"Not today", he muttered as he flipped past her file on his PADD.

As she'd been slightly overstaffed on leaving the Vulcan shipyards, not everyone leaving the Arabella needed to be replaced but there was a balancing act to be played and after his initial uncertainty, Galdar found that it was one that he was starting to enjoy. Just because he hadn't gone into business didn't mean he didn't have a number of the skills he would have required for business and what he was doing now was nothing more than a variation on the prized Ferengi skill of matching product to customer. What his family had always accepted as lack of ability on his part was actually nothing more than a distinct lack of interest.

Galdar smirked as he moved onto the next departure in the list. Having not considered his family in years, they were now constantly at the forefront of his mind. His father's presence on Quirinus had seen to that. They hadn't run into each other since the day of the ball but the Lieutenant knew it was only a matter of time.

Oryn smiled politely to the attendant as she filled his goblet with another serving of the jade colored ale. He eyes were fixed on dozen of holographic screens before him and the various displays of sections of the station and surrounding space. After appointing Sevryll to the position of station commander, he had removed himself from the day to day affairs of station operations to focus on the more pressing concerns of the empire.

Due to the efforts of the still missing Donatra, he had the fleets of the Imperial State at his command. Due to the efforts of his cousin and the Tal Shiar, he had gathered the loyalties of more than half of the remaining Star Empire fleets. The empire was stronger than it had been, but it was not whole.

Fleets that should have been assigned to relief matters had been forced into position to secure the boards from threats that wished to take advantage of their weakness. Allies within the Federation had given them the Seventh Fleet to help deal with their domestic matters, but even that was being stressed. The recent murder of Navesh had required the station to go into lock down. As ship that had been docked at the station at the time of the murder had been ordered to remain docked and that included the flagship of the fleet.

With many of their crews on leave to the station, several of the fleet had left, with less staff than they wanted, to continue the mission that they were here for. Officers were cut off from their ships and loved ones while the investigation team worked to solve the current crisis.

Oryn, for reason of his own, had refused to become involved in the work to solve the crime. His position on the former senators of the Empire had given him more than enough motive to see Navesh dead and it was a conflict that he did not need. There were also other secrets that he needed to protect. Were those secrets to see the light, it might put more people in danger. These secrets could not see the light of day until he had secured his position and his empire. Anything less would be death.

"Clear the throne room." Oyrn said with a wave of his hand and turn his attention to a specific image in the commercial sector. "Computer, enlarge screen in lower fourth quadrant and remove all other screens."

When the now open, but still in construction facility enlarged, Oryn smiled. There was still much work to be done on many parts of the recreational establishment, but the main bar and entertainment area had been opened for business for almost a full day. Even without the power behind his seat, the logic of the establishment had been sound. There were so many guests that were forced to remain aboard the station until the security measures were lifted and they needed a place to vent those frustrations.

Oryn and Cyra had public kept their distance during these last few days and only the use of his imperial command codes had allowed them to have any level of contact and privacy. She had never fully got around to telling him if she would stay, but she had not hesitated to establish the bar when it became clear that the guest would need a greater level of hospitality.

For now, when the station and the bar was at their peak of activity, all he could do was observe her from a distance and make sure that she was safe.

Lead-in to Joint Post with Jen and Meds

Looking up from the PADD in his hand, Galdar surveyed the bridge. Ensign Bosa was still working at the helm and junior Tactical and Ops duty officers were standing almost idle at their posts. Alpha shift bridge command in a docked ship at a locked down station. Yes, he thought, leaving the Bridge will be acceptable under the circumstances.

Standing, he tapped his com badge. "Bridge to sickbay".

"Caine here sir," the Nurse responded promptly.

"Ah, I was expecting to speak to Doctor Drett." Galdar said, caught off-guard by the Nurse's response to his hail.

"I believe you'll find her in her quarters, Sir. Sickbay out."

A little taken aback by the abrupt nature of the response, the Ferengi dropped back into the command chair and tapped his chest again. "Galdar to Drett". Waiting a full thirty seconds with no reply, he tried again. "Lieutenant Galdar to Lieutenant Commander Drett"

Standing abruptly the Ferengi turned and, nodding to the tactical officer, a fellow Lieutenant, he headed for the turbo-lift.


Three minutes and a short trip later, Galdar was standing at the door of Ryla Drett's quarters feeling particularly stupid. No-one was responding to his hails and the mechanism obstinately refused to open for him. Exasperated and now more than a little concerned he was silent for a moment. Shouting through the door was an option, but it wasn't one he favoured and his only other viable alternative was probably not a good idea... but he'd acted on worse in the past and managed to survive. He sighed.

"Computer," he called, "override door-lock on the quarters of Lieutenant Commander Ryla Drett on Executive Officer's authority, authorisation Galdar Blue Omega Seven."

"Authorisation confirmed. Lock released" The bland voice of the computer was accompanied by a swish of servos as the doors before him swept open. Stepping immediately into the widening gap Galdar was rather startled to find himself on the business end of both a phaser and a Romulan disruptor as a pair of what looked horribly like guards covered his position.

"As you were!" he snapped, gratified that the squeak of fear he'd dreaded did not manifest audibly in his voice. Ignoring the drawn weapons, he strode fully into the room and allowed the door to close behind him before turning back to face the guards. The human had lowered his phaser and was staring over Galdar's shoulder in some confusion but the Romulan weapon remained steady, pointed directly at the Ferengi officer. Galdar grimaced, regretting his spur-of-the-moment action. It was something he wouldn't have dared try even yesterday but with his new authority had come the requirement to behave appropriately. He just hoped that the occupants of these living quarters would believe that the authority he was trying to display really belonged to him.

Slowly, following the human guards gaze, Galdar turned to face the room and desperately tried to ignore the growing itching sensation between his shoulder blades. The sight of both Lieutenant Commanders D'Callan and Drett seated on the far side of the living area was reassuring but at the same time both confusing and disturbing in equal measure. At least having the Chief of Security in sight meant that his chances of being shot by the guards had just reduced considerably.

"Ryla", he nodded to Drett and flashed her a brief smile. "Lieutenant Commander?" nodding at the seated D'Callan also, he let the questioning tone hang in the air for a moment. "What have I just walked into?"

Joint post by Hawkeyemeds, Jen and Feathers

The Trill doctor felt a combination of embarrassment, shock and relief pass over her face. "Galdar! How'd you? Why are you? You could have been... What are you doing here?" She finally managed to spit out. Her wide-eyed expression moved from the Ferengi to the Terran Chief of Security. She knew her status as a 'person of interest' would get out eventually, but the last thing she expected was for her friend to march in, order the guards to stand at ease and casually ask what was going on.

"I was looking for you?" he suggested, just a little too tentatively he felt. Straightening, he waved the PADD he was carrying in her direction. "With the departure of the Petersons for Quirinus, I wanted to go over your feelings on staffing in sickbay. When you were 'unavailable' I came down here to find out if you were OK." His brief smile turned to a frown, "and I guess I also wanted to see why I hadn't been informed of the CMO's absence from duty."

Ryla lifted her chin. She could not relax with the Romulan guard still holding her disruptor on Galdar, but after surviving many tense situations in the past the Trill had developed the ability to feign composure. She sniffed loudly, "I wasn't aware that protocol required the Chief Medical Officer to report to the alpha shift helmsman." The doctor was being sarcastic of course. Galdar was her best friend and it was more than obvious that he was worried about her. She often defused twitchy situations with a bit of dry wit, but in that moment, mixed with the sarcasm, was the barest hint of an honest question.

Galdar couldn't help himself. Despite the overtones of the tableau before him and the weapon behind him, he grinned. "That would normally be true," he said, struggling for a serious tone. "When said helmsman is also the newly appointed Second Officer, however, and his starship has a vacancy in the XO position..." he tailed off and struggled to reduce the intensity of his smile. "You can call me 'Sir' if it helps," he finished, weakly.

Ryla's serious expression held for all of three seconds before a dimpled smile spread over her face. "Congratulations... Sir."

"Thanks!" The toothy grin remained just long enough to signal his appreciation before his visage turned serious again and his gaze switched rapidly between Ryla and D'Callan. "And this is... what?" He asked, nodding back at the guards.

Keeping his eyes on Galdar, Joseph stood. His mind was awash with rapid-fire  thoughts. New XO? James has promoted Galdar to first officer? When? Damn. It must have been when I was over on the station. Peering past the smiling Ferengi, Joseph looked at the Romulan guard who still leveling her weapon on Galdar. "The officer asked you stand down. Do as he says." The Romulan woman reluctantly obliged and stood to attention. Turning back to Galdar, Joseph put his hand out. "Congratulations, Sir. You have walked into a delicate situation, a bit like a wombat walking onto a dingo farm." Galdar's smile wavered as he tried to process the words 'wombat' and 'dingo'. Joseph glanced to Ryla then back at Galdar. "This is an investigation. A sensitive investigation that I would like to get sorted out and finished with... So..."

"Investigation? Of what?" Joseph remained silent. "OK, scratch that." Galdar continued. "I know 'what'. I was there. What I don't know is the 'why'. Why here for example?" Pausing briefly, he looked around, "I mean, you're not seriously suggesting that a plot to murder a Romulan Senator of some...reputation", he glanced back at the Romulan guard, "was hatched in these messy quarters?

"Messy?" Mumbled Ryla with a hard smirk. She waved a hand toward the guards and addressed her friend. "Apparently I'm a dangerous and calculating individual, Lieutenant Galdar. You're the acting first officer now, surely you've had the opportunity to review my record. It's not exactly spotless...sort of like these 'messy' quarters." She was being sarcastic again, yet it was evident Joesph D'Callan did not see the humor in it. She gave him a reassuring wink before clearing up any confusion, "they're here for my protection. Captain Sevryll ordered them posted outside my quarters to keep any Romulans who may have heard of my status, from avenging their senator. Most of them hate the Federation more than the old Empire and they only need an excuse to stick a blade in one of us. Mr. D'Callan asked the guards to stand inside my door so my 'situation' is not as obvious to our crew-members or the Romulans."

"Ah, I see." Galdar shuffled his feet a little. "So all the station guards around the docking ports and the security officers at the airlock aren't enough to dissuade potential attackers then?"

"It wasn't enough to keep the senator safe..." Ryla muttered under her breath.

Catching the deepening frown on the security chief's face, Galdar straightened abruptly. "Of course, I'm not questioning Captain Sevryll's orders." He concluded rapidly. Walking over to the desk, the Ferengi dropped his PADD next to a lopsided pile of similar devices. "It looks like now isn't the best time to be reviewing personnel records with either of you." He stated. "I'll leave this here and we can get to it once you're clear of this... situation. Unless there's someone else in the department I should be consulting with?"

"No. I'm still the CMO and as far as I know we're currently without a doctor...Myella has been transferred to the station. I've requested that she stay aboard Arabella to cover for me until things blow over, but I haven't heard whether that request was granted. And...I'd prefer if you spoke with me concerning my staff." She gave the chief of security a sidelong glance.

Joseph spent the moment trying to figure out what he had missed. It was obvious much had happened between his meeting with Commander James and his arrival at Ryla's quarters. Pushing his feelings into the back of his mind, he came to and looked down at his blue brief case. Taking a deep breath he looked over at Galdar. "I do need to finish up here. The longer we linger in chit-chat, the more likely it will be that these guards will develop sores on their feet."

Glancing at the guards and masking a grimace, Galdar nodded at D'Callan. "Let me know the outcome, privately if necessary. If we need to find another medical officer I'd just as soon know about it ahead of time." Lowering his voice somewhat, he continued more slowly and somewhat hesitantly. "If there's anything I can do to help, Sir, professionally or...otherwise... She's my friend...you understand?" Turning back to Ryla, both his voice and his air of confidence returned. "I'll have a look at retaining Doctor Peterson's services for the moment, Doctor. Even if she resides aboard Quirinus with the Commander, that shouldn't be an issue for as long as we're docked."

Unable to verbally thank Galdar, Doctor Drett swallowed the knot that had formed in her throat and nodded.

Turning Galdar walked to the door but, stopping just short of the sensor, looked back over his shoulder at Ryla. "You've been caught up in worse," he said quietly, "but remember that this is Lieutenant Commander D'Callan on the Arabella, not Commandant Mastroianni at the Academy. You'll be fine." And so saying, turned back to the door and strode from her quarters.

Follow-up to joint post with Jen and Meds

As the lift doors closed behind him, Galdar sagged. It was more of a mental than a physical reaction but in its effects felt much the same. "Bridge" he muttered, bracing himself against one wall. Fleetingly, he considered summoning Commander James back to the Arabella and formally resigning his new position but he shrugged the notion off with a mocking laugh.

It wasn't that there was any particular effort involved in talking with his best friend and a senior colleague. Sure, his new position had made it slightly awkward given their relative ranks and D'Callan had seemed a little out of sorts with the investigation. No, that was all fine. It was having to do it while covered by a Romulan disruptor that had really strained his nerves. The adrenaline rush necessitated by the need to breeze past a pair of loaded weapons had been bad enough, but maintaining a casual conversational air at the point of a gun was going to take some recovery time. His heart rate, always extremely rapid by Hew-mon standards, was probably still off their charts and while he'd never been at any serious risk, his physiology obviously didn't agree. Commander James may be able to handle this sort of thing with aplomb he thought ruefully but it certainly wasn't what I was expecting for my first morning in the job.

With a whir, the lift slowed to a standstill and the doors slid open as he pulled himself to his feet. Stepping out onto the Bridge, he nodded again to the Lieutenant at Tactical and resumed his seat in the captain's chair.

Standing out side of Rylas room Joseph clipped his case together, dropped it to his side and looked up  at the ceiling. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and stood still. Several crew members walked past the chief of security, a few took curious looks but the majority were all lost in their own thoughts.
 
Opening his eyes he lowered his head and slowly walked back to his office, he tapped his com badge and said slowly : "D'Callan to Dunn be at my office in five minutes."
 
Joseph took the long way to his office, his thoughts bounced around from the investigation, to Shelby Daelen and now to the situation of the XO position. He'd missed out on promotion before near on all officers do in their career but for some reason this ate at him. At one point he thought it was because his Captain was family and doing the typical 'let's not show favoritism' angle but he knew James better. No it was the wake of the murder and the security breach. "timing is everything" he whispered under his breath. 
Entering his office he placed his case down on the desk and sat back. Looking around his room his eyes drew to a old battered red ball sitting in a glass case next to his hanging cricket bat. The ball, 'once bowled by Australian spin bowler Shane Warne' was a gift given to him by an old girlfriend. He found it ironic that the last time he saw that girl was when he lost out on promotion to her. He'd kept the ball for several reasons, one because Shane Warne had used it but two to remind him not to drop his guard and quite clearly he had not been looking at that ball recently. 
A cough dropped him out of his thoughts and standing in front if him holding a box was Ensign Christopher Dunn.

"lost in your thoughts sir?"

Joseph smiled and held his hand out for the passing box "you could say that Chris yes. Right let's crack this open and have a look at these wonderful new toys" 

Inside the box Joseph removed six prototype vidcoms. Holding one in his hand he pressed the top button and a small light came on, tapping his monitor he looked at the screen. Nothing appeared. Looking up at Dunn he shrugged and then both realised what had to be done and both said "sync" plugging his com badge into the vidcom activated Josephs monitor and the words 'vidcom syncing do not disconnect ' appeared. 
"some things never change."

Dunn smiled at his boss's casual remark and sat down at the offered chair. 

Joseph leaned forward. "Chris once we've synced you up to your vidcom head over to the station, use the toy and record what you see, who you see and your own thoughts. We'll make a holo version later once we have all the accounts in. " glancing over he disconnected the device and put his own com badge back on " right let's have a play"

Lifting the vidcom up Joseph pressed the button and looked at his screen a perfect picture. Removing a small square from the bottom of the device Joseph placed it on his desk and walked to the other side of the room. 

"Tell me what you see on the desk"

Pointing the vidcom at himself Joe pressed the yellow and black square button and talked. 
In the office Chris jumped back as a  head began speaking, it was a bit out of focus but it was clearly the chief of security talking. Dunn gave Joe the thumbs up. 
Walking back into his office Joseph put his vidcom into his belt and took another out and did the same routine  with Dunns badge. After a minute the sync was complete and he handed it to the Ensign. Joseph held onto it as Chris took it " one more thing Ensign. Report everything, even if it's our own staff, report everything. Understood"

Dunn nodded "Sir" and walked out flipping the vidcom in his hand. Sitting back down Joseph looked back at the old red ball in the glass box.   

With a stab of his index finger, Tolok closed down the display of the warp field simulation and stepped back from the controls of the port-side engineering station. "It appears that your calculations are correct Lieutenant. I would advise..."

"...passing the simulations to the Chiefs aboard the other ships of the fleet for their assessment. Yes, Sir. I was planning on it once my transfer to the station was complete." Lester Garriss finished.

It wasn't the first time Garriss had completed one of the Commander's sentences, an ability Tolok found equally fascinating and annoying. Being Vulcan, the annoyance was never displayed or even acknowledged which left only the fascination.

On a number of occasions, he had nearly suggested that the Lieutenant be tested for telepathic traits but as an accomplished Vulcan telepath himself, he had dismissed the idea every time. Nothing he'd sensed from the human had ever persuaded him of any latent ability in that area. Unfortunately, with mind reading dismissed, the only other logical conclusion was that Tolok himself was predictable in his speech patterns. Hence his unacknowledged annoyance.

"Very good." the Vulcan said, even more stoically than usual. "I won't keep you from your new post."

"Sir." Lester Garriss replied easily. Turning on his heel, he strode for the doors.

When D'Callan's interview was complete, Doctor Drett was left alone with her thoughts. Well...she wasn't completely abandoned. She had the fortune of 'guests'; two silent and stoic guards watched her every move from their posts just inside the entrance to her quarters.

"Messy..." groused the Trill as she begrudgingly cleaned her muddled quarters. With a scowl, she jerked a lab coat from beneath a table leg and nearly toppled to the floor with a pile of books and PADDs. Once she steadied herself, she sighed, tossed the coat aside and slowly lowered herself to a crouch in order to pick up the new mess.

"Are you alright ma'am?"

Ryla longingly eyed the exit as she gathered the PADDS in her arms.

"Ma'am?"

As if hearing his inquiry for the first time, she flicked her hazel gaze to the curly-haired Terran male. "Huh?"

"Are you alright?" He reiterated. "You weren't hurt were you, Doctor Drett?" The Romulan guard slowly turned her face to the Starfleet security officer and harrumphed.

The doctor dismissed the curly-haired man's concern with a wave of her hand. "I'm fine."

He nodded and resumed his stiff-backed bearing.

Ryla considered them both with a frown as she chewed on the thought of guards in her quarters—watching her like a common criminal.  "You two seem to have me at a disadvantage...in more ways than one it seems." She rose with the stack of PADDs balanced precariously in her arms. "I usually insist on knowing the individuals who enter my quarters. Especially if they're uninvited." As if to punctuate her statement, the personal display devices clattered loudly as they spilled on to the table. "I believe a proper introduction is in order."

The curly haired Terran was the quick to accommodate Ryla. He had no opinion one way or the other regarding the Trill doctor. He was simply doing his duty and as far as he was concerned she was innocent until proven guilty. "Lieutenant Speck, Arabella Security."

"Well that's obvious." Said Ryla with a broadening smile. "And you?" She looked to the Romulan woman who seemed to be contemplating whether or not she should  humor the puny spotted female with the benefit of eye contact. After a brief moment, she decided against indulging the doctor and turned her eyes to the wall directly behind Ryla.

Ryla nodded. "Okay. Fine. You've forced me into this. I'm going to have to name you—'hey you' has gotten old." Lieutenant Speck stifled a chuckle. The Romulan worked her jaw in agitation as Ryla stooped to pick up a pile of discarded uniforms and walked to the replicator. One by one the Trill stuffed each uniform into the wall mounted appliance and ordered them reclaimed. In between each command, she casually tried out a new name for the stiff lipped Romulan guard. "Becky? No...no...that name is too friendly. Hummm...How about Gertrude? Gertrude...Gertrude...Gertrude." She tapered off and paused momentarily in her task in order to appraise the Romulan's expression. "Yeah...I don't like that name either."

Joint Post by Crystal and Bryan

Finally after giving Joe enough time to clear the area, Shelby turned to Nalah, "You look quite the mess. If we are going to do this we need to get some clothes; for both of us."
Glancing around Shelby considered her options, "I haven't been relieved of duty formally yet so I could walk about freely get us some things then come back after - " glancing over at Nalah the security officer noted the mirth in her eyes as she spoke. "What?" she said with a half smile.

"Let's face it, even dressed like I am right now you would still look "Starfleet"! Being unnoticed? That's my specialty. I spent most of my life hiding...from many different things," the smile fading slightly. "We need to not only cover our appearance but we need to blend into the local Romulan population if we will have any hope of gathering information. We'll also need to work on your body language, could you stand up any straighter?" she asked, exasperated.

Looking at the woman with exasperation, Shelby shook her head and attempted to relax but it ended up looking still, 'Starfleet'. "Looks like the tables have turned a little. I recall not long ago I was the one telling you to relax.."

"With your security training and my unique life skills, we should do well...for once," she added with a grin. "You're the ranking officer, what do you suggest?"

"At this point, survival, food water clothes stuff like that then we can start asking questions and see what we can find."

"Sounds like a plan." said the Romulan woman as she moved over and picked up the half mask which had held her identity hidden previously. "Allow me to get dressed first." With a smirk of knowledge the pair soon left the room, resealing it from being found.

Back in his office, Tolok perused the specifications of the Danube class runabout. With the wider facilities of the station now potentially available to him, the task of constructing a replacement for the Presidio was going to be somewhat easier than he had envisaged. If pushed, he would have admitted to a potential of a 19.76% percent efficiency improvement, much of which was down to available facilities but a large proportion of which was simply available space.

Still, there was no way that he was going to allow the entire build to be moved across to Quirinus unless explicitly ordered to do so. With the unstable nature of their current situation, an extended deployment was possible at any time; all the more so now that Sevryll was not expecting to run the fleet from the Arabella. Placing too much of the work aboard the station ran the risk of having to depart at short notice without critical engineering personnel and supplies. It also risked losing control of the construction programme.

Security was also a concern, given that the station was not a Starfleet facility. The more sensitive parts of the vessel should not be permitted aboard the station in component form.

With Garriss' transfer to the station, some of the scheduling would need to be adjusted but for as long as the Arabella was docked, his skills should still be available even if he wasn't under the Lieutenant Commander's direct command. Another shift leader would be required but his skill set did not need to be an exact match for the warp specialist.

Tapping a contact, the Vulcan recalled the list of crewman to the screen. Tapping his chest, he opened a communications channel.

"Specialist Evans, please report to the Chief Engineer's office."

"Aye, sir." came a muffled response from a jeffries tube deep in the guts of the ship.

Joseph collected his case and paperwork and walked out of the security area. Looking at his lists of people to interview, gazing at the names he knew he had a busy tine ahead if him, his life was not made easy when a voice he recognised called from behind.

"Mr D'Callan, oh Mr D'Callan. A word please!"

Joseph cringed but carried on walking quickly towards the turbo lift the voice kept calling and as the doors closed he looked out at 'th' waving Cardassian. "later Rayan, much later"

Herm was in a funk. A deep dark nasty smelly kind of funk that can only be achieved by indulging in deep dark nasty smelly kind of thoughts. Normally he was a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, but even the most cheerful people sometimes have to throw themselves a pity party.

The party was now in full swing. Fortunately, he was the only one on the guest list.

He sat in his quarters, in the dark, some really hideous Terran music playing - it was filed under "Goth" in the ship's music library  - as he reflected on the events of the last three days.

--

From nearly the moment the Romulan refugees arrived, Ensign Hermaratlo had been obsessed with an artifact that was in the possession of one Sutpak Choro, a mysterious, very elderly Romulan who offered no information about himself, how he had been aboard the ship with the Senators, or how he had come to aquire the artifact.

Artifact. Herm cringed at himself when he thought about it. He had spent days convincing Sutpak to give it to him, only to have it cause a feedback loop in his laser scanner and blow up his work station. No real harm was done and the damaged equipment was easily replaced, but in the process he not only had to endure an embarrassing encounter with a very attractive security officer, he also had to face Zremm.

Lieutenant Commander Zremm, as Chief Science Officer, naturally wanted to know what had happened. Though Herm had only worked with him a short while, he had great respect for Zremm. He'd heard stories from other Archeology and Anthropology officers that often their skills were overlooked and their department neglected. While all Science Officers, and indeed all Starfleet officers often did other duties outside their field of expertise, there were many cases where the A&A officers were treated as gophers. "Ensign go for this... Ensign go for that..."

Zremm, on the other hand, embraced the opportunity to fully utilize Herm's station, encouraging the young Ensign to spend almost all his time in archeological pursuits. With the fleet spread out over Romulan space and many interesting things being found and sent to him, there was plenty for Herm to do and he was glad for the time to do it.

But facing Zremm after the "incident" was probably the hardest thing Herm had had to do in his short time as a Starfleet officer. The Andorian never yelled, (did any Andorian ever yell?) but he didn't have to. The icy stare coming from the blue face was enough. In what Herm could only describe as an act of sympathy, Zremm did not give him an official reprimand. And while Herm was grateful, nothing on his permanent Starfleet record would compare to that encouter.

The next day, Zremm resigned as Chief Science Officer.

Even though Herm was still smarting from discipline, he felt a sudden rush of sadness when he received the news. While Zremm wasn't leaving Starfleet, and probably not leaving the Arabella - at least as far as anyone knew - Herm and his fellow science officers were left reeling. Now one knew why Zremm was stepping down, all they knew was the reason Zremm himself gave - "Personal Reasons".
 
But the Science department wasn't the only thing in chaos. The whole ship, indeed the whole fleet and the station was running amok. The murder of the Romulan Senator had everyone on pins and needles.

But more than all this, part of Herm's self-imposed funk was personal. Today marked the 6 year anniversary of the final Borg offensive - and the destruction of his home world, Risa.

On a ship with so many Vulcans and Romulans, people tend to forget that he, too, had lost his home. Risians, however, were far from being a damaged species. The wealth of the entire quadrant was shared with Risa, making it's people able to travel and spread out more so than almost any other race. Risians were not a people without a home, they lived everywhere. But that didn't make the loss of their home planet any less painful. That's what drew him to the Romulans, he thought, they shared something.

--

Herm was drawn from his thoughts when the comm panel in his quarter chirped. With a heavy sigh, Herm shut of the music, turned on the lights, and hit the connect button.

"Ah, my young Starfleet Ensign. How are you faring without my presence?"

The image of Sutpak Choro smiled widely at him from the screen. Sutpak was far from the usual stoic, serious Romulan. He was jovial almost to the point of being annoying. Almost.

"Sutpak, it's good to see you. I trust your new quarters on the station are comfortable?"

"Yes, my young friend," he answered, chuckling "though the replicator is still being rationed until they are sure the stations power can accommodate the sudden influx of new tenants. I do, however, have a bed and a soft pillow. At my age, I cannot ask for more."

"Good, good. How can I help you, Sutpak?"

Suddenly serious, Stupack answered, "We need to talk."

"Well, talk.."

"Not here. Can you meet me in the bar on the station?"

"Now?", Herm looked down at his disheveled bed clothes. He was in desperate need of a sonic shower.

"No, they might be watching. Later."

"'They'... 'watching'... what are you...?"

Sutpak interrupted. "I've said too much here. When you come later we will talk."

The communicator screen went blank. With a heavy sigh, Herm turned his eyes to the ceiling. "Now what?" he said aloud.

The walk from the section where Nalah had been secured was again, long. When the pair of women emerged into a more public area Shelby slipped in beside Jarok as if she was accompanying her almost as if she was a Starfleet escort.

Not to her total surprise, Nalah drew them aside and told Shelby to wait while she 'procured' some clothes for the officer. Since there were a number of merchants still in the process of establishing their business in the outlying sections. There were some of the stalls and small rooms absolutely cluttered with boxes of inventory. It didn't take Jarok long to find one with the appropriate clothing options. It was even easier to abscond with them as a very annoyed looking Andorian proprietor was busy arguing about the rent payment with one of the Romulan officials just outside the store front.

Pulling themselves back again from the public areas, Shelby finally spied a good look at the clothes. They were basic civvies for a Romulan woman. "Thank you..." she offered as she slipped around a corner and changed. After she did that she shredded her uniform with one of her smaller Romulan fighting knifes which she had taken with her earlier by strapping it to her ankle.

The last thing Joe needed was for someone to get ahold of her uniform and use it. Two of them hiding out was enough. Although Daelen did keep her pip insignia; she figured if someone questioned her she could use the excuse she bartered or stole them.  Emerging she looked at the woman as she pulled her hair down loose. "How do I look?"

Nalah considered her for a moment. "Passable. Good thing you have long hair to hide those ears. We'll need to work on those eyebrows, however," she said with a wry smile. "Come on, let's mingle..."

Lifting a brow curiously, Shelby smirked and the pair started out, heading for the main stream of the promenade on level 27. There they blended easily into the crowds. "I think the best place to get some information is the promenade. There we can get a general feel for things." she said while not making eye contact with Nalah who's facial features were still hidden from view partially so as to be not detected.

"OK before we get there we need a cover. I'll be a romulan merchant, Telis Giaus and with your get up....a Watraii trader I do business with. meet Stala Vtak."

"The Watraii?!!" Nalah exclaimed. "They hate the Romulans, should make for an intersting pairing."

First, they walked the promenade, then once then decided to start they picked a darkly lit bar called the 'ch'Havran' translated it meant 'Planet of the Travelers'. The establishment was situated in the general vicinity of one of the internal docking stations, obviously so it could capture a good chunk of business and quite busy it was even this time of day. As they entered they could already see a spattering of cultures, both humanoid and very alien drinking, playing games and milling amongst one another.  The perfect starting point.

Joint post by Chris and Meds  1 of 2

Making his way through the station corridors Joseph held is vidcom out and recorded every passage from the gala room to the destination he now found himself to be at. Large doors barred the way from further progress and were flanked by guards on either side of the seemingly wooden structures. Oryn's throne sat in the center and near the rear of a large dimly lit room. It was here that the Arabella chief of security was to interview the Emperor and Praetor of the reborn empire.

Looking at them he couldn't help but smirk "G'day boys. You know Tutankhamen still got attacked and was guarded a lot better. You fancy waking up his lordship?"

The guards betrayed no emotions on their face and opened the doors, being in the mood he was Joseph mocked a smile at them and walked in. Stopping for a moment he glanced around the room. Oryn sat in the dim chamber on a replicated copy of the once empty chair that rose several steps from the floor. He was dressed in black and green hued clothing that seemed to make his blue eyes stand out. Beside the throne rested a small table on which several PADDs rested.

"I hope that you are having a good day Mr. D'Callan. Would you care for a drink?" Oryn asked from his place on high.

Joseph smiled "Tea would be fine Praetor."

Standing, Joseph took note of the various PADDs of both federation and Romulan design. Oryn remained seated while an attendant brought out the hot beverage and a small table for it to rest on. Without words, the young short haired girl offered Joseph his cup. He took a sip, frowned and looked up "Sri Lankan light blue tea."

Oryn offered a small laugh, "I like to know my allies. Where should we start?"

Putting his cup down Lt Cdr D'Callan opened his case and took out his active vidcom and then some paper work. "You and me both. I trust you will be honest with your answers. Do not worry about this device it's a simple recording instrument, delicate matters at delicate times. Don't want any mistakes. Can you tell me your actions before the Gala?

"I was attending the efforts to assemble the gala and working on classified Imperial business." Oryn offered with a shrug.

"And you have witness's to your where abouts of course?"

"Yes, but the names of those witnesses are classified in the name of Imperial security." He said and focused his attention on the chief.

Looking up Joseph suddenly dropped his smile. "are you saying you are willing to with hold information from this investigation. Imperial Security, are we not batting on the same side? "

"This investigation is only happening because I want it to happen, so yes, we're on the same side. The senators lost their power the moment we lost the homeworld. There are simply things that are not the concern of the scope and power given to this investigation. There are things that are vital to the security of the empire that will not be discussed or recorded. Continue your questions." Oryn said calmly.

"This investigation would take place regardless of your will Praetor, we do like our mysteries. When you attended the Gala, for the record did you bring anything into the room with you?"

"No, actually, it wouldn't. However, I was there for a celebration, not a funeral." Oryn answered and relaxed in his chair.

"Statements already received state an altercation was seen between you and the victim. Care to explain?"

"No, not really." Oryn shook his head. "I'm sure the witnesses told you correctly. I don't see the need to add to it."

Joseph smiled as he continued to write. "The witnesses have expressed their views, but I like to have words from the horses mouth. Please. Explain."

"I said the empire might be better with them being air locked. Nothing more and nothing less."

"You don't like the senators do you? You've made threatening remarks before, that doesn't look good in any ones report!" Joe said.

"I don't care about how it looks. It's not my problem, I didn't kill anyone or have anyone killed. Whatever it appears like, it's obviously slowing down the search for the truth."

"Oh nothing is slowing this investigation, well maybe guilty remarks and hidden agenda's. Now getting rid of opposition is nothing new, maybe even here killing any unrest is your key to a better future for your people."

"I'm sure some people might think that," Oryn laughed. "but only a fool would have someone brutally killed during the live transmission of their coronation gala. It destroyed the evening."

Galdar entered his characteristically tidy quarters and strode quietly into the bedroom. It wasn't often that he was out of uniform, his adopted role in Starfleet was all he really knew these days, but he retained enough clothes about the place that he could pass as a civilian if required. It was some of that clothing that he was after now.

Not that passing for a civilian was 'required' at the moment but he felt it would be prudent to be slightly less conspicuous under the circumstances. Being the only Ferengi in the Starfleet contingent on the station made him instantly recognisable which was fine...until he wanted to try and avoid having his movements noted and reported.

For a moment, he eyed his com badge and contemplated leaving that behind too. Common sense cut in, however, and he left it where it was. First, he was on duty and needed to remain in contact with the ship and second, he'd be better off if Starfleet could track him at all times. It wasn't as if it was them that he was trying to hide his movements from. Indeed, he'd already informed Lieutenant Commander Tolok of his whereabouts for the next half hour

Taking a long coat from from a storage unit, a fetching garment in dark shades of blue, he threw it on over his uniform and fastened it to the collar. Looking at himself in the mirror, he nodded briefly in approval before heading back to the corridor and the airlock to the station.

The call had come through thirty minutes earlier, surprising Galdar in two particulars. It wasn't often that he received communication from outside the ship, knowing few people beyond Starfleet that well. Other Ferengi certainly never called, if any even knew where he was, presumably writing him off as a loss to the business endeavours of the Alliance.

When he took the call in Aeric's Ready Room, the face that greeted him on the screen surprised him even more. It was older and a little more wrinkled than he recalled but it was unmistakably the same face that he remembered from childhood. "Uncle?", he'd asked, unable to mask the questions in his tone.

'Uncle' Harne had been a family friend for years, with a particular soft spot for young Galdar. They used to get on very well and Harne had always functioned as a sort of unofficial conduit between Galdar and his father. Despite their friendship and the numerous requests from Baj, however, the older Ferengi had steered well clear of the business empire that Galdar's father had painstakingly constructed, leaving Ferenginar on his own ship three years before Galdar himself departed. In some ways, it was Harne's leaving that had caused the younger ferengi to follow. Without Harne's intervention, the relationship between father and son had deteriorated rapidly.

Clearly something had changed, for Galdar could see from the signal source that Harne was aboard his father's ship. He'd agreed to meet him nonetheless although neither wanted to advertise the fact to widely lest Baj try to intervene.

Joint post by Chris & Meds part 2 of 2


Joseph flashed his eyes up at Oryn "certainly won't be forgotten that's for sure. This may seem like a strange question and please don't take it the wrong way but the way the senator died was horrific, almost a cowardly way of killing someone. Have you ever seem someone die like this before?"
 
"Not personally, but I think someone was trying to send a message." Oryn said. "It's a scare tactic."

"it's a tactic that's worked. The other Senators are nervous, some have asked for extra security. Obviously that's up to you, I can have extra staff brought over if you feel you need them. Before I go and I'm sure you'll scoff at this comment but I do have concern for your own safety."
 
"Thank you, but I don't." Oryn said. "If this was about killing me, then I would've been the target at the gala. It could've been a personal vendetta, but we won't know that until we find the killer or someone else dies."

Joseph stood and took a deep breath "thank you for your time. I'll do my best to get this finished. One last thing. Do you suspect anyone and if so why?"
 
"I couldn't tell you who did it, but I can say that your current suspect list is pretty weak." Oryn said as he leaned forward and lowered his voice. "I don't think that Ryla is guilty of anything, she's a doll. As for Nalah Jarok, I'm pretty certain that she didn't do it. It's one thing to slip ship security, but another to find something to kill Navesh and still have time to sneak into the gala.  She doesn't look to have the training necessary to do all of that. If I did not have a conflict of interest in this, I'd start looking at people that would have a vendetta. Try to include everyone that wouldn't mind her dead and you'd still have a huge list."

Joseph smiled back "she's a doll? I hope you are not learning human customs from century old b movies. I think we may need to give you a hand. Otherwise I'm in agreement with you. Rylas an old friend and I'm 100% certain of her innocence I just need to clear her, as for Nalah, well let's just say I trust the advice I've been given about her but My main problem both of them are guilty on paper and so will remain as suspects. Thank you for time." Joseph looked around the throne room as he headed to the exit and then glanced back at Oryn "very roomy isn't it"

Joint Post by Crystal & Meds

Sitting back in his office Joseph D'Callan groaned at the sound if the Cardassians voice. 

"Ah Mr D'Callan. Have you been avoiding me?"

"Where on Earth would you get that idea Rayon. What do you want"

Cardassian Rayon pulled a chair out and sat down " it's about that fiesty young cadet who abused me on the night of the gala. I want her court martialed."

Joseph put his hands through his hair and sat back. "A cadet you say? Hmmm i'm not aware of any reports of a cadet assaulting you. Are you confused about your situation again Mr Rayon"

"Fine, fine The Ensign is the one I wish to be reprimanded. This is the second time I have talked to you...what have you done about this matter? You cannot allow such insolence and behavior to continue under your command Lieutenant Commander D'Callan!?"

Placing a pensive finger along his chin, Joe kept his amusement at this matter hidden for the time being. "I see...well I'd like to ask
again...like I did before...." came his measured response. "Did you do anything which might have provoked any type of reprisal?"

"No, I did nothing to provoke the attack." He said with not as much conviction as he previously displayed. "I told you 'that' before as well."

"Really?" This was something which D'Callan seriously doubted from his own dealings with the man. "Well at this point I am looking at a alleged attack." Rising Joe grabbed a padd from behind his desk and he started to enter information.

"Alleged attack!" His voice lifted an octave more. "I'm not in the least bit surprised at your lack of attention to this matter especially after seeing you pining away for that Romulan seductress...." Rayon added a smirk at his dig. "...Clearly she is out of your control! Maybe I will just need bypass your authority and speak with someone willing to address my concerns."

"No need, no need Legate, sorry barber Rayon, Joe contained the smirk which was threatening to emerge. "I will address
this with the Ensign as soon as I see her. I assure you I did not sanction any aggressions towards anyone; including you. You must understand though, my inattention, as you call it is not neglect it is
that I have a full plate with the Romulan situation and of course the murder. Even you can understand priorities need to bet set when such matters are in the front of everyone's minds."

Offering out the Padd Joe evenly said, "If you will just fill out this complaint form with the pertenant information and all details that
lead up to this attack I can move forward with my own investigation.

Narrowing his eyes as he glared at D'Callan the Cardassian huffed once
and then turned his back. Then he left Joe holding the PADD he exitted the room with as much dignanty as he could.

K'Tan gave his shoulder an experimental shrug, wincing at a fleeting stab of pain.  He wasn't sure which had hurt worse- having the shoulder dislocated by a surprisingly strong Romulan child, or the "treatment" he had received from Dr. Drett. 

He leaned back in his chair, resting his boots on the polished black desk as he savored a sip of raktajino. On the viewscreen before him, the now familiar lines of text scrolled- You are hereby ordered to assume the duties of Strategic Operations Officer, effective immediately.

As he reread the notice, his eye strayed to the child sleeping in the next room.  One perk of relocating to the station, he thought.  The little one will have other children to interact with.

"Computer, disengage safety interlocks under my authority," Aeric James said from the seat he occupied in the Arabella's primary computer lab. "Authorization James delta delta one six gamma."

"Mainframe neurolocks disengaged." replied the voice of the computer. "Avatar option is now available."

"Initiate White-Blue Ascension Protocols." Aeric confirmed.

"Working." replied the computer. "Main computer rest in sixty minutes."

Aeric sighed. Arabella would have to do the rest on her own, but starfleet had confidence in her. They had confidence him him and the crew. Like the Aurora, the Arabella was his baby. Not only did he help to conceive the redesigned ship, he helped to create her. There were few people that could match his knowledge of the vessel and her limits.

In his heart and despite the wars that he had to fight, Aeric was still an engineer and it showed in how he ran and maintained his command. Now, after years of analyzing the results of the temporary ascension of the Titan, Starfleet was ready to see if another Federation ship could achieve that success. Where better than one of the few ships that had her designer and an engineer as the captain.

The hardest part would be the waiting.

The lift doors glided open and the somewhat self-important Starfleet Commander who'd been standing in front of them stepped smartly out into the accommodation corridor before him. The air of tension that had been almost tangible within the small vehicle seemed to follow the human. Obviously the remaining passengers, a pair of uniformed ensigns, were acquainted with the newly departed officer.

The doors closed smartly and the lift resuming it's almost silent journey. Even Lieutenant Galdar's excellent hearing struggled to detect a note of equipment noise. The station was definitely as new as he'd been told.

Uniform still masked beneath his long civilian jacket, cut in a 'human' rather than 'ferengi' style, the Ferengi was on his way back to the Arabella.

"Looks like they've fingered the Arabella's Doctor." One of the ensigns, a Bolian in engineering yellow, ventured to his hitherto silent colleague.

The human, in command red, glanced at him and sighed heavily. "How do you manage to pick up every little bit of gossip doing the rounds,Drax ?" he asked. "This is an enormous space station, much larger then the ship and yet you still seem to be a hub for all information of dubious provenance that you can find."

The Bolian shrugged, "I can't help being a good listener. Anyway, didn't you hear me, I said it was 'one of us' who's responsible for this! I can only imagine what effect that little gem is going to have on relations with theRomulans and right now we're pretty dependant on their hospitality. I mean I know we're out here to help them but the presence of this station gives them a distinct tactical advantage if things start to go downhill."

"Give it a rest." the human muttered, jerking his head at the Ferengi.

"Yes," Galdar said conversationally, "I would if I were you."

"Pardon?" The human turned, eyes narrowing as he regarded the Ferengi properly now.

"I said I would encourage your friend to be quiet if I were you." the Lieutenant repeated. "If nothing else, a Romulan turbolift is an inappropriate place for the conversation you're having which, I would also like to suggest, is an inappropriate conversation to be having in front of me."

"It's also a private conversation," the human snapped back, "and while I accept that you might be right in your assessment regarding the discussion of fleet matters in front of non-aligned species," he glared as his friend, "please keep such opinions to yourself."

Sighing, Galdar straightened a little, regretting his lack of stature for what felt like the seven millionth time since joining Starfleet. "That would be 'Please keep such opinions to yourself, Sir'." he said quietly, unfastening his jacket. He was far enough from his meeting withHarne that he figured it probably didn't matter now anyway.

As the lift doors opened to reveal a section of the commercial sector of the station, the Ferengi's red duty uniform and twin rank pips were highlighted by a wash of fresh light. "After you." Galdar gestured to the exit. Neither Ensign spoke as they stepped from the lift.

"Shall we begin this conversation again, Ensigns?", Galdar spoke pleasantly but forcefully.

"Sir." Both officers stood at attention.

"Names and ship assignments should suffice for now I think." Galdar looked thoughtful for a moment, "Along with confirmation that you'll consider being a little more circumspect in both the time and the nature of your discussions while aboard non-fleet facilities."

"Yes, Sir."

"Unless, of course, you wish your time aboard such facilities to be curtailed by order of the Fleet Captain."

Walking out of his office the next name on his short list of suspects was a Romulan. Senator Ketlech. Working his way through to the station Joseph rubbed his temple and his mind drifted through all the suspects including Nalah on the station with Shelby. Suddenly his com badge burst into life "Security alert, Joseph D'Callan emergency code zero one."

The alarm bells rang in his head as he ran into the station plaza. Joseph D'Callan stopped in front of several Romulan Imperial guards and two of his own men. "report"

Darius Shane walked forward and handed a PADD to the chief, " He was found five minutes ago chief"

Reading the report Joseph caught his breath "who by?"

The smaller of the Romulan guards stepped forward "me sir, names is Tion."

Joseph nodded. " Take me to the body"

"well, he looks a bit cleaner than Navash"

Jospeh just turned his head to Darius Shane and his flippant comment and shook his head "Thats Senator Nevash Ensign Shane and for your lack of respect for dead you've got night watch over the body"

Shane went to apologise but stopped as he saw the look of tiredness flow over his Chiefs face "Understood sir"

"have the area secured, in the morning I'll be back and we can move on. Send a report over straight away to the Captain and the Emperor"

As Joseph walked back to his own quarters he relief that this would help
If not prove Rylas innocence but on the other hand Nalah was on this station with Shelby. Thoughts rushed through his mind, had he made a mistake, shaking his head he looked back at the station and yawned.

Staying the bar for about two hours, 'Telis' and her business associate, 'Stala' mingled and chatted with a few of the locals. From everything they gathered there was a general air of anxiety as to what was going to happen next.

Of course, as in any stressful situation on such a massive scale, there was some unrest over the matter. This was manifested by the grumbling of some as well. 'It was the Federations fault', 'They hadn't reacted quickly enough.' or 'They hadn't told the right people and now they were going to scavenge what was left' 

Shelby, when this was said, nearly reacted but she had enough sense to hold back which was accompanied by a look by Stala reminding her to let it slide. As the evening wore on, eventually, the two Romulan women settled nearby a small knot of both Romulan and humanoids occupying a table in the corner of the bar.

They had been availing themselves of the establishment's fine beverages and chatting amongst themselves, sometimes loudly.  It would be one of these conversations which Nalah overhead as Shelby and her slid up to the far end of the bar to get a better listen.

"There I was..." the man said loudly and boisterously, "that close!!"

His friends began to guffaw and wave him off, "No, really, I was there...I was...I was with Rhaner and the next thing I knew we were right by our self proclaimed emperor when it happened!!!"

"Right Tavvan...telling stories again.." said one of his friends.

Another one chimed in quickly. "Rhaner didn't say nothing about you being there."

"I wasn't there long...before it happened....and Rhanner wants all the glory for himself..." he snorted and waved off the man.

"Right!" The laughing started up again even louder and the men deteriorated into picking on their fellow Romulan.

"Wait, wait I got it...Sub-Commander Tavvan at your service." this elicited even bigger chuckles from the group of men including the one who had been talking.

The laughing started up again but Nalah stared hard at the garments he wore.

Shelby noted her intense interest. "What?" she chuckled in a low voice as she lifted her glass to hide her mouth. "He can't be telling the truth...to much Romulan Ale.."

Nalah's brow furrowed as she continued to regard the man. "No, it's not that. It's what he is wearing. It looks identical to what I saw...what I saw fleeing from the reception," her eyes moving back to Shelby's.

After a bit of thought... "Hmmm, I think we need to make ourselves a new friend." Turning her gaze to the man. Nalah stood up from the bar seat and looked over at Shelby.

"I think this might be more my area of expertise," she said. Shelby looked at her with an element of surprise on her face and a lifted brow. "Not that....I mean deception," she said with a smile and she slunk towards the men; using the veils to entice as she moved.

Shelby watched, with not so much surprise but admiration, as Nalah glided between the men to secure a place at the table at which they sat at. She did so in a manner that immediately drew their attention and approving glances. She said something to them and they all broke out in hearty laughter.

Nalah returned the laughter in a suggestively flirty manner as one of the men tried to peak beneath her veil. Nalah playfully slapped the hand away. Then she gestured towards Shelby and she began walking back towards the bar, two of the men in tow.

Galdar sat in the Afterburner, a Starduster at his elbow. It had been a surprising day to say the least but quite a satisfactory one. The promotions, both temporary and permanent, had been quite a surprise but on a little reflection, he wasn't unduly worried at his new responsibilities. The XO position would be a stretch for sure but the longer term position of Second Officer was something he felt he could get comfortable with quite quickly.

As 'a Ferengi without ambition' as his father would have described him, he'd probably been more surprised at his reaction to the appointment than Aeric had, a sign of just how well the captain knew him. Even discounting his father's opinion, as someone who in his own mind he had simply wanted the opportunity to fly spaceships, his eager seizure of this new role was not something he would ever have predicted. Ryla's face had been everything he might have wished for at the news too. It was lucky he'd got to break it to her himself. Not that her position as a murder suspect should really be described that way.

He frowned a little and his mood blackened slightly. Ryla's...restraint...at the hands of security was the reason he found himself here alone this evening and it was a problem he'd tried to devote more than a little thought to during the day. His new duties certainly hadn't helped with that he thought wryly.

Without interfering in the ongoing investigation, there was very little he could do to aid her out of her situation yet, with the arrival of Harne as part of his father's party, he now had access to a certain amount of...resource that probably wouldn't be available to either the Empire or the Fleet security officers. His father wouldn't give him the time of day but Harne was a friend.

A friend fallen on hard times, Galdar acknowledged, thinking of his conversation from earlier in the day. and raising his glass to his lips.

Normally, Herm could get along with everyone. In his short time in Starfleet, he hadn't encountered anyone that really got on his nerves. Until now.

Sutpak had contacted him no less than 14 times in the last 16 hours, making for a very restless night's sleep. As Herm drug himself out of bed, trying to wake himself enough to get through the day, the communicator chimed again.

What was suddenly so urgent that the  Romulan needed to talk to him NOW? Herm still had duties to perform. With a murder investigation going on, it was as important as ever for everyone to stick to their routines and be at their station.

Yawning, stretching, and sighing heavily, Herm got up and hit the button on the screen. Sutpak's wrinkled, dignified, face popped into view.

"Ensign! Good morning! I would like to invite you to a traditional Romulan breakfast here on the station. Please come right away."

Without waiting for Herm to respond, the screen went blank.

Herm was hungry. He had observed a day of fasting - a habit he had picked up during his time as the Risian equivalent of a monk before joining Starfleet - the day before. And if he didn't meet Sutpak soon, he was sure the Romulan would find a way to use a teleporter to get him onto the station.

Stumbling sleepily to the sonic shower, a light went on is Herm's head. Suddenly he knew what Sutpak wanted to talk about.

Two minutes later, the Ensign was running out of his quarters

Commander James rose and stretched muscles that were sore from hours pouring over the data as it came in. He would soon need to report for duty, but progress had been swift with the project. Dozens of specialists, including Captain Data and White-Blue, had been consulted on the project and agreed that the Arabella was a more than suitable candidate for the ascension protocols. Given the changes that had been taking place within the Arabella's primary computer core, they had been right. Only one part was missing from the equation.

Aeric took a deep breath and tapped his com badge. "Captain James to engineering. Please see to all necessary preparations for a complete reboot of the main computers within the hour. James out."

Another tap of his badge and he continued, "James to all command staff not currently involved in the investigation. Please report to my location in the primary computer lab in one hour. James out."

With that said, Aeric moved to the replicator and ordered himself a drink of water. If all went well, they would have perhaps the most qualified operation manager to grace any starship. It was true that not all the ships with the fleet had the potential for what would happen, but the Arabella had never been an ordinary ship.

"Computer, pull up the avatar holoforms within the Ascension matrix and display in a 500 millisecond rotation." Aeric said and returned to his chair. With a sip of the water, he looked up to watch countless holographic images scroll by. If all went well, she would need options.

Joint Post by Jen and Hawkeyemeds

Joseph D'Callan stood in the station's operating theater, tugging uncomfortably at his long blue medical gown. The room was cold— the entire station was for that matter, but the low temperature was not the source of his goose bumps. The security officer had seen dead bodies before—too many times for his liking—yet seeing their innards being poked and prodded like someone's noonday meal, made him more than a little uncomfortable.

From the safety of a nearby corner, he had a clear view of Doctor Myella Peterson as she worked over the remains of Senator Ketleck.  Knowing what would come next, Joseph cringed as the slender red head adjusted her laser scalpel before cutting below the base of the corpse's left ear. The gentle hum of the medical implement,  accompanied the muted sound of splitting flesh. Like a painter making the final stroke of her masterpiece, she guided the scalpel beneath the chin.  Joseph swallowed reflexively as she then lifted the tissue to access the tongue.

"Slight swelling at the base of the tongue. Purple bruising is visible on the surface."
Joseph winced as the scalpel's beam then splintered through the chest cavity. Even with the advanced instruments she skillfully utilized, Myella still had to use her hands to remove the organs behind the ribcage.

"Oh.  Commander... come look at this."

Though queasy, Joseph managed a glance. The heart in her hands was much larger than what he expected. "I'm not a doctor, but even I can see this doesn't look quite right."

Myella smiled at his response as she handed it to Susan Caine to be weighed. The young nurse quickly scanned the distended organ, "twenty ounces, doctor."

"That's nearly double the weight it should be, Commander." A frown slowly creased Doctor Peterson's forehead. "Susan, take blood samples. I want to compare it with the samples taken from Senator Nevash. "

"Yes doctor."

Susan gave Joseph's arm a supportive squeeze as she left the room.

The doctor returned her attention to the cavity and set to work removing the lungs.  "Every organ has swollen near to bursting. Navesh was the same way."

Joseph orbited the table, rubbing his chin, "no way of telling how this came about I suppose..."

Myella shook her head. "I have a few more tests to run before I can give you a definitive answer."

Joseph coughed slightly as a the body's aroma wafted his way. "I'll... er.... leave you to it then. There are a few people I have to interview. Let me know as soon as you have something."

Lost in her work, Myella nodded absently. As Joseph moved toward the exit, he flinched again at the sound of a breaking rib echoing within the frigid, sterile room.

Oryn paced the floor of the throne room like a predator that had caught the scent of some exotic prey. Another of the former senators was dead and there were still no answers. The hows and the whys were quickly becoming unimportant in relation to the need for resolution. Anyone could be next and that's what worried him the most. The people he cared for could be in mortal danger.

"It's your turn, Jill."

The Romulan woman hesitated a moment before drawing a long rod from the tangled mess on the Kal-toh board. Her up-swept brows dipped in consternation as she pondered where to place the piece next.  After a brief moment her coal dark eyes flicked to the smiling Trill, who held the game board up before her. Despite the Romulan's best efforts to dissuade her, the diminutive doctor had persisted in a relentless effort to entertain her 'guests'. The Romulan officer that Ryla had named "Jill", grumbled as she carelessly stuck the pin in the center of the chaos.

"There," said Jill.

"Are you sure that's where you want to put the pin, Jill?" Asked the Trill.

"I'd rather drive it into your eye, Doctor... but that would not be considered a diplomatic move by my superiors."

Ryla considered her a moment before stepping to the curly-haired man standing opposite his Romulan counterpart. The Trill held the game board out to him carefully as she gazed side-long at the Romulan. "Your friend isn't a morning person is she? Your move."

Christopher Dunn had mapped the whole of the Gala room and corridors on the vidcom apart from one section. For some reason serious interferrence hindered his work. He'd tried every setting and after searching the area decided the obvious green dome that housed a security monitor was the cause for his problem. Without this section of the room it would hinder his work for D'Callan.
Taking a deep breath Dunn decided to venture further into the station and take notes.

JP by Bryan & Crystal

Shelby/Telis sat next to one of the men, while Nalah worked on Tavvan. Daelen's Romulan was named Kavot, he was a sub-lieutenant along with his friend in the security force on the station. They had been on Qurinus since the start.

Running her finger along his tunic 'Telis' smiled as the man reached up and caressed her cheek. "What sort of business dealings did you bring to the station? Nothing illegal...." with a sly chukle he added, "I can only hope...If it is I might have to take you in the back here and hold you for questioning..." he said in a throaty voice.

"Ohhh," she said with a coy laugh, while she moved closer to him as he stood at his desk in the security office. "What sort of questions would you ask..." reaching alongside of him to the desk, Shelby picked up the electric blue crystal bottle which sat beside them
on the table.

"Hmmmm....well..." He said suggestively as he kicked back the last of his Romulan ale and through his ale-hazed brown eyes he predatorily watched her.

With a knowing smirk she spoke sweetly."I think we need more ale.." as she clasped the bottle and picked it up and held it between them. Opening it she began to fill his now empty glass and she topped off her own. Replacing it on the desk she discreetly glanced over at Tavvan who was in talks with Nalah/Stala at another desk. Then her focus returned to her companion "Tell me Kavot, what you do here?"

The man lifted his brows and seemed to puff up a little, "I do the security sub-routines and communications along with Tavvan" He tried to move in to kiss the Romulan woman but Daelen diverted him by lifting her own glass and mocking taking a drink.

Over all the ambient noise in the bar she could just hear parts of Nalah's conversation. "Well, we lost everything we had to a Reman raiding party," Nalah was saying, her eyes filled with worry, concern and vulnerability. "Our shuttle was boarded and they took everything, even the latinum we I had inherited from my dead Grandmother. It was frightening..." Her eyes briefly brimmed with tears as she took in the rooms features. 

Now, Tavvan either was truly concerned of just feigning concern because whatever the reason he reached over to touch Nalah's arm assumingly. "It will be ok," he said in an almost opportunistic way. "Let me show you some things here."

Nalah dabbed her face to wipe away the tears...and to cover the smile as she nearly laughed out loud. "I just don't know how I'll ever feel safe again after all this. Thievery, murder, what can a girl do."  She said fanning herself with one of her veils which she produced from an interior pocket.

"Here, this is our video security system," He began to unsteadily enter things into the computer console and a few monitors popped on. "here and here. See we have lot of surveillance monitors around the station."

Tavvan glanced over at his 'date' who seemed to be very interested in the displays now. His eyes briefly shifted to Stala's companion who was at the other desk and from the looks of things those two were so close he was sure that Kabot would be leaving with his 'date' so they could be alone soon.

"I - I do feel better seeing this..." Nalah said with a slight fear in her voice. Then she seemed to shift gears on him. "Can you get me another drink...it might calm me down a little more"

"Oh..uh, sure! Of course, allow me...," Tavvan said turning and walking over to collect the bottle of ale Kavot had. While he was distracted, Nalah's hands went to the terminal and quickly re-entered the security code she had seen Tavvan enter. It worked. She immediately reset the screen back to the standby mode Tavvan had left it in. She glanced over at Shelby. When their eyes met, she gave the slightest of nods.

An hour later the two men were still drinking with Shelby and Nalah, although both were in different stages of drunkenness. Nalah's Romulan was starting to slur his words and obviously wasn't a drinker.

While Shelby's Romulan had become more 'hands on' that she was comfortable with. They just needed a little more time but Daelen wasn't sure how much longer she could put the man off. She managed eyes contact with Nalah so that she knew that time was running out. 

"Ok Telis you ter'ak come here.." Kavot grabbed Shelby and pulled her to him his lips went to her neck and she lost sight of Nalah. This wasn't particularly a great development and as she struggled with him while holding back giving him a right good knee, fortunately, that proved unnecessary.

There came a loud crack and Kavot's body stiffened, then he slumped down to the ground, his arms still around Shelby's waist.

As he dropped Nalah stood there, holding the now empty bottle of Romulan Ale. "Ahhh, good solid Romulan crystal...didn't even crack hitting that thick skull,"she said with a bemused smile. Behind her, the rhythmic sound of Tavvan's snoring could be heard, his head down on the desk passed out.

Joint post by wraith1701 & Meds

The slight green tinted metal door slid open and Joseph peered in to see K'Tan standing in the centre of the room holding several boxes and trying to evade the small Romulan child running around his legs.

"G'Day big fella, got your hand full I see"

K'Tan peered around the blue plastic box containing his possesions and frowned at the security chief. As always, Joe had a gift for understatement.

"Hmph.  Help me out here will you?"

Walking in Joseph stretched and took a very small hand sized box off the top of the pile and waved it at his friend. " Need to have a chat with you mate. Can't Stass look after the nipper?"

As the little Romulan ran around, holding his arms out pretending to be a war bird, K'Tan put the boxes down in the corner of the sparse room.  He pulled out two seats, barely holding back a wince at the mention of his estranged girlfriend's name.

"I've not seen Tara for a few days; she's a little upset with me."

Joseph smiled. "Been Reading her some of your poetry again mate"

K'tan bent down and pulled two bottles out of a cooler, handing one to Joseph. "Very funny."  He straddled one of the chairs with a sigh.  "I simply had a bit of a Freudian slip."  K'Tan paused a beat.  "You do know what that is, right?"

D'Callan chuckled. "Of course, mate. It's when you say one thing, and mean your mother."

As he sipped the cold beer, savoring the hoppy honey aroma, Joe gazed at his PADD.  Absorbed by the text scrolling down it, he quietly mumbled "Ryla."

KTtan looked up at the sound if the name. "You aren't a secret Betazoid, are you?  How did you know I said Ryla's name?" K'Tan held up a hand before Joe could answer.  "Wait; don't tell me-- Tara has been telling everyone, hasn't she?"

Raising a eyebrow, Joseph put his case on his lap and clicked it open.  "You said Ryla's name whilst you were having, you know..,"

"No!  I just said her name when I meant Tara's."

D'Callan bit his tongue, trying not to laugh at his friend's situation.  "K'Tan, I need to ask you a few questions regarding Ryla. She's on the suspicion list at the moment.."

K'Tan put his bottle down " That's ridiculous!  She wouldn't hurt anyone."

"She hurt you during your jabs"

K'Tan waved the comment away in exasperation. "No she didn't.  And she sorted my shoulder out the other day."

Making notes with his antique pen, Joe paused. "That was the night if the Gala, yes?"

K'tan nodded "Yes, she was off to the gala.  She seemed to be in a good mood." K'Tan's expression turned reflective. "Well, compared to normally, at any rate.  At least she kept her stomach together."

Putting the pen away Joseph knew what he already knew, her story checked out "you ate never going to let that go ate you? It's funny because the  first thing you told me when wevfirst met was the boots story and the first story Ryla told me was the boots story so somewhere along the line your boots were not only made for walking they were made for raconteuring"

Joseph stood and held his bag down "I've got to go and see the good counscilor, do us a favour mate, let us know if you hear anything. I need a break and I need it quickly"

K'Tan absently moved his bottle out of reach of the child's questing hand as Joe stood to leave. " You've got it, my friend.  And good luck."

On of the great things about Ensign Hermaratlo's current post aboard the Arabella was flexibility. Well, at least for now. Who knew what a new Chief will bring to the the department, but for now Herm was able to come and go pretty much as he pleased, as long as his duties were attended to. Herm loved his work, so it wasn't often he was away from his lab space, but this morning he was aboard the station.

Sutpak Choro was driving him crazy. The elderly Romulan was a bit... eccentric... at least by Romulan standards. Since the first murder, and now another, he seemed to be becoming even more erratic. He was so desperate to meet with Herm that he had called him at least once an hour all night long. The only way to shut him up was to meet with him. Maybe if Herm did that, he could get some sleep.

Herm had not had an opportunity to visit the station yet. When your career involved working with small artifacts, things like starships seemed huge. By that standard, the station was mind boggling. To think that sentient beings are able to build something that hangs in space that can house more than 1.5 million people... There were times Herm could not wrap his brain around it, in spite of his Starfleet Academy training.

As he entered the main plaza, Herm took several minutes just to stand and stare. It was so much like his home Risa, at least how he remembered it when he was young, before it was destroyed by the Borg. The only thing it lacked was green plants, but other than that, this could have been any city on Risa. The mosaic floor, the ring of shops around the edge of the square, even the lighting made it appear as if the sun was rising over the city. Amazing.

Herm walked over to a control panel to let his host know he was here. After several attempts to contact Sutpak, Herm asked the computer.

"Computer, locate Sutpak Choro."

A very serious Romulan voice came in reply. "Sutpak Choro is not aboard the station."

Great. Stood up for breakfast. It's possible his host had business aboard the Arabella or one of the other ships of the fleet currently docked. Nothing much to do but wait.

Joint Post by Meds & Crystal.

Walking along the gantry Dunn yawned and stretched out his arms. Combing the area had been about as much fun as being shot out of a torpedo tube. No one was very talkative and he was going to start talking to himself as a relief option if things didn't change soon.

He scanned the area of the promanade one last time before heading back, as he looked up at the impressive green tinted glass dome his eyes fell upon two women, one Romulan and another with a half-mask and too many veils to be sure of any species other than humanoid.

Dunn squinted and studied the pair of women. One of them, with long dark hair reminded him very much of his friend and collegue Shelby Daelen. She wouldn't be running around on the promanade though in civvies; would she?

Chris cupped a hand by his mouth and shouted up through the air. "Daelen!" Dunn whistled as well and went to wave but the two figures continued on their way as if they had not heard anything. Curiosity, a trait drilled into him by his chief, got the best if him and he took a turbo lift to the promenade balcony. Where he last spotted the pair.

By the time he got out of the lift though, the women were gone, searching the area with diligence he came up empty. Stepping out of the main thourghfair Dunn activated his vidcom and scanned the area, still nothing.

Pressing the black and yellow checked button Dunn pointed the vidcom to himself.

As Joseph walked his com badge chirped "Incoming holo message from Ensign Dunn"

Unclipping his own vidcom and accessing Dunns holo cube Joe acknowledged the transmission. The man's face loomed a bit too close to the vidcom giving him a 'fish-eye' appearance; the type one might get when peering through a security magnifying hole in a door.

"Back away from the bloody cam Dunn you look like the back end of a spoon" There was a hint of humor in Joe's voice but his expression did not betray any other emotions.

Dunn held it further back "Sorry Sir, I'm on the higher promenade and..well Sir I could have sworn I saw Ensign Daelen, she wasn't in uniform and she didn't answer me when I called out to her. She also had another person with her but I couldn't make them out....I've not seen her since the ceremony...did she take some time off?"
Joseph leant into his vidcom, he knew when he let Shelby and Nalah go that this was always a risk but he also had made a promise to Shelby. Relaxing his tone a little more D'Callan responded casually.

"I shouldn't worry Christopher, Shelby is off duty i'm sure you will see her later tonigh. Probably just seeing too many Romulan's for your own good. Report back if you see these two people again."

"But if it is Shelby what is she...."

Joseph cut Dunn off mid sentence "You need to finish the vid-scans and get those back to me. I can handle Ensign Daelen. Off you go now, D'Callan out"
The holo images on D'Callan's side snapped off and Christopher Dunn stood looking into blank space. He took a deep breath of the station air, it tasted bitter and made his mouth dry. He felt somewhat shined on by the Chief but then he reminded himself that the man was under a lot of pressure at the moment.

Lowering the device he replaced it in it's case and he headed back into the main throughfair. He walked a bit more then he found himself a nice looking beverage bar, this would be the ideal place to keep a watch on the area and to have a drink. The man settled down and ordered himself a refreshing synthahol while he watched the crowds go by

JP by Bryan & Crystal

Walking down a deserted corridor Nalah and Shelby made their way silently towards their destination.

The pair was careful to avoid the security cameras which they now knew were in certain spots on the station and they moved with a skillful ease in and out of the shadows in the sections they were not sure of. Eventually they exited at a corridor near where the door was that Shelby had brought Joe to.

Slipping inside Shelby was the first to talk once they were secure. "We need to get this to D'Callan." her eyes seemed focused. "How, is the problem...." reaching into her pocket the half romulan gave the matter some more thought.

"Well, we could just sneak aboard the Arabella. I hear their security personnel are pretty lax..," Nalah teased with a shrug.

While Shelby shot her a 'I'm not so amused' look she added. "Very funny." pulling out the data padd the security officer began to sort through the information one last time. "He really needs to see this, so he can clear you first of all and then maybe he can figure out who really 'did' do this."

"We could always use a surrogate," she suggested while she worked to remove the half mask and the veils from her face. "I gotta tell you something here. These things are not made for air flow efficiency." Setting them aside Nalah thought back to earlier when the pair had ditched the security officer on the promenade.

"It's a possibility, I need someone who isn't going to rat us out though and that will take the information directly to Jo - the Chief."

"How about that guy we ditched earlier?" she grabbed a dry cloth and patted her face. "Not sure who he was but if you trust him.....that just might be the way to go."

"Dunn?" Daelen went silent for a bit, "I trust him well enough. I'm just not sure what he knows though at this stage."

"It might be the only chance we get before D'Callan starts hunting us both."

Taking a deep breath, Shelby glanced over at the Romulan woman. "Yeah, you're right...." she paused thinking about any other possibilities they could use to their advantage. Sending it to him directly wasn't an option as his transmissions were being monitored; they knew that from their jaunt with the Romulan security men. "All right. I need to be the one to approach him then. I don't want him trying to arrest you. Since we are back in my territory this is what we are going to do...." 

JP by Meds, Crystal, Bryancd


Nalah stood in the far corner of the darkened room, watching intently through the half mask as Shelby made her way towards the bar. She carefully strode towards a table where the Starfleet Security officer sat, his head down staring intently at a PADD while he sipped at what was left of his drink.

Shelby moved to sit across from Dunn, her dark hair long and hiding her ears, as she glanced around to ensure they were alone. "Chris..." she said softly.

Dunn looked up at the scruffy Romulan opposite him and then back down at his vidcom, suddenly he flashed his eyes back up to Shelby's grey orbs.

"Bloody hell Daelen. What have you been doing? Cleaning garbage chutes?"
Shelby smiled " Actually cleaning your room. Look I need you to do something for me." she could see the skeptisism in his expression.

Dunn put his vidcom down "You want me to buy you some soap?"


Shelby ignored his joke " No, stop with the joking, I need you to get something to the chief. It's very important and it's got to be done quickly"

Dunn still smiled as he leaned back. "I have to know something first. He leaned forward and glanced around before he spoke, "Was that you on the promenade earlier?"

Sighing Shelby sat back and scowled, placing her hands down on the table and staring down the man, "Chris this is serious. I need your help."

Dunn frowned "No one has said anything to me." his face began to become unreadable; he was already suspicous this wasn't going to be easy. "Tell me what is going on."

"I've - " the revelation that if she exposed Joe's involvement in this to this man risked everything stopped her cold. "been busy. I can't go into what. Just trust me when I say that this is very important that D'Callan gets what I have and my time is runnng out"
"I'm not doing anything til I get a few answers." Dunn shifted his eyes around the room, seeing if Shelby was alone or if she was with anyone he might recongnize.

"Chris, look, a lot is on the line please. No one is supposed to know. I'm not even meant to be speaking to you. The only reason why I'm talking to you is because we - I trust you"

"Who is 'we' ?" the man's eyes darted around the room again and this time his gaze fell on the shadowy figure of Nalah in the corner, who he couldn't really make out from the table he was at. Looking away, Dunn diverted back to Shelby. "More like I'm the only mug you can find"

"It's not like that, if the chief doesn't get this my career is at stake as well as other lives..." pausing the woman thought that there was a softening in his eyes. "Help me, please."

Dunn swirled the small amount of liquid in the bottom of his glass, his thoughts mixed with anger and a bit if resentment. Slowly he lifted his eyes back at Shelby, she looked tired, dirty and worried. "Sure, ok, where is the information"

With relief, Shelby fought the urge to look back at Nalah and she reached into her jacket pocket. Pulling out a data disc. "It's a disc. I made sure it was universally formated. It's in my hand under the table."

Leaning forward, Dunn smiled at her as if she was saying something nice or funny to him, he reached with his hand and felt the rounded edge of the item. Taking it he smiled even brighter and he sat back again. "I'm taking a big risk here Daelen." he said with an even stare.

"It'll be ok, thank you Dunn." rising to her feet, Shelby leaned down close to the security officer and she gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "Watch your back and take the long way home. Don't use the comms to notify him of anything. Just get it to Joe straight away. He'll know what to do.

Christopher watched her walk away and he noted that the figure in the shadows, although it didn't blatently get right beside Daelen, the shadow fell in shortly behind the security officer as they left the bar. It had been these two that he had seen earlier, he was sure of that now.

As he waited to leave, sitting there, suddenly the disc in his fingers felt different. It felt heavier than before, more of a burden and with Shelby's warning so very dangerous.

"Ensign! Good morning! Come, walk with me!" Sutpak was shouting from somewhere behind Herm.

Surprised, after having been told by the computer that Sutpak wasn't on the station, Herm turned to see that he was already walking away from him, headed toward one of the cafe's at the edge of the main square. Herm jogged up to meet him.

"I thought you weren't on the station.", said Herm.

"Why would you think that? I told you to meet me here.", replied Sutpak.

"I didn't see you, so I asked the computer to find you. It said you weren't on the station."

"Oh, that... it... uh...it must have just been a glitch."

Herm was suddenly concerned for two reasons. In the short time he had known his Romulan friend, he had never been at a loss for words. Also, he had never heard of any Romulan anywhere referring to anything made with Romulan hands as having a 'glitch'. Obviously, Sutpak was hiding something, but Herm didn't press matters. They strode for a while in silence.

Herm was again impressed with the massiveness of the place. The Arabella could hang from the glass dome above him. Ok, maybe not quite, but the city square was larger than the small town he lived in as a child on Risa.

As if sensing his thoughts, Sutpak broke the silence. "How are you feeling, Ensign? I know when I called you the other day I had interrupted a mourning ceremony. It was the anniversary of the Borg offensive, was it not? When Risa was destroyed?"

Herm was not surprised by his knowledge of the event. While many Romulans were "Romulan-centric", focusing on Romulan matters, Sutpak was much more personable. Maybe it was his age.

"It wasn't a ceremony, as such, it was more a personal thing. I don't talk much about it. I was on Earth when it happened..." Herm trailed off. Sutpak had been on Romulus when it  was  destoyed, escaping  at the last second on  a transport. He  had watched the planet crumble beneath him. But even though Herm hadn't seen  his home world destroyed, he still felt a stabbing pain in his chest when he thought about it.

"Maybe, someday, your people and mine can sit down and talk about it, but I don't think any of us, Romulans, Vulcans, Risians, and many others who have seen devastation in the past century, will ever be able to share one on one about our loss. It's too personal."

Herm could only nod in agreement. The had arrived at a traditional Romulan cafe' and had taken seats in the "outdoor" area. Sutpak took the liberty of ordering for both of them in Romulan. Herm was disappointed when the food arrived moments later, the tell-tale sign that it was replicated, but supply lines were still being established so he shouldn't have expected food made from scratch.

Before Herm could even look at his plate to try to figure out what he was eating, Sutpak started talking.

"Ensign, it's time I told you who I am and why I was on that ship with the senators."

Ensign Christopher Dunn held the security disc tight in his hand and kept that hand in his trouser pocket. He looked round the corridors as he walked and for some strange reason this disc seemed heavy.
Thoughts ran through his mind 'Who was with Daelen?, What was o n this disc? Why hadn't his chief told him about Daelens work? He shrugged it off and bumped straight into a set of Romulan Imperial guards. Dunn smiled and clenched his hand tighter around the disc. "Ah hello there. kind of lost, don't suppose you'd be so kind as to direct me to the portal dock for the Arabells?" The guards looked at him and sniggered. "Federation newbies. Ha. Go down corridor z1 cross section sixty two, take the left tunnel, upper deck turbo lift and then enter the third corridor on your left, second exit"

Dunn smiled and nodded "Thanks" he moved around the guards and headed in the direction they pointed and as he rounded the corner stopped, took his vidcom out and checked the directions he knew he already had. Unsurprisingly the directions the guards had given him would have sent him on a full circle back to where they were. Taking his own directions it took Christopher thirty minutes to get to the portal dock, once on the Arabella the weight of the disc seemed less heavy.

Joseph stretched his arms out and looked at his monitor. All the data collected from his interview with Ryla, K'an, Oryn and the meeting with Margon that he just come from had all been processed. The information from the other investigators under him had been handed in and the only two things left were Dunn's vidcom account and Shelby Daelen coming back with Nalah. he checked his monitor clock, Daelen still had time. To his right lay the PADD with the autopsy report from the latest victim. Blood samples showed a high level of metal minerals in the blood stream, he didn't like what the report stated one bit. Hearing a noise coming towards his office Joseph put his hand under his desk and held his phaser, suddenly through the door came Dunn, out of breath and looking very tired.

"Been sleeping Chris?"

Dunn dropped his hands to his knees to catch his breath he then took the disc out of his pocket and handed it to his chief. Joseph took it and held it up to the light "Explain?"

Christopher stood up and took the chair in front of the desk. "I saw Shelby, she told me to give you this, she said you would understand. Sir whats going on?"

Joseph smiled a little "Lets have your vidcom"

Dunn handed it over and Joseph connected the com to the computer, once again the words 'sync came on the screen' waiting for a moment Joseph looked back at Dunn and then to the screen. "Right lets connect all this together and see what we have aye Chris"

The monitor began to assemble all the data but one section was missing, part of the gala evening was missing. "Right this is a pain, this is blocked"

Chris lent in "Yeah when i was scanning the vidcom would not pick up this area of the gala room, there was a camera above me which would have recorded the ..."

Joseph put his hand up and twirled the disc around his fingers "You thinking what I am thinking"

Dunn nodded and Joseph put the disc through the vidcom and suddenly the file was complete. "Chris this file is just way to big to view here, we need the holo suite and then we will have the total reconstruction. I'll meet you there, holo suite number one, you know enough you may as well be in on the whole thing but its between you and me. Right"

Dunn smiled he felt better knowing the chief trusted him. D'Callan tapped his com badge "D'Callan to the Captain, could you meet me in holo suite number one. We have the entire reconstruction of the Gala and evidence to go through and i have the reports with the blood samples."

"I'm currently in a meeting," Aeric said in reply to Joe's communication. Any command officer that had not had some part in the investigation were now with him and the young woman in a gold operations uniform. While he stood in the room with her, the others were in the dimly lit observation room. There was no sign of rank insignia on her collar, but there was a tangible sense of awe in the air.

"You should meet with him captain," the young woman said. "He might have made a break in the case. Lieutenant Dunn is requesting use of holodeck one. It might be connected."

Aeric paused and nodded. "Clear them for use of the holodeck."

The woman nodded slowly. "Access granted, but Ensign Bolamare had to be rescheduled and moved to holodeck two."

"Thank you Bella." He replied with a slow smile. She was learning faster than Titan had. In limiting her role to specific departments, it had allowed her to grow faster in her specializations.

The members of the crew that had been allowed to witness this did not know what to make of it all. Aeric did not need to read their thoughts to feel their emotions. There was no doubt that new life stood before them and she was amazing.

"James to D'Callan." Aeric said with a quick tap of his badge. "I'll be in route shortly, I'm in the process of bringing our new operations manager up to speed. James out."

"Operations manager?" Bella asked with a twinkle of delight in her now green eyes.

Aeric nodded. "Computer, grant Bella title and responsibilities in the role as operations manager on this stardate. Authorization James Beta seven six gamma two.

"Access granted," replied the computer in a voice that had been remodulated to match Bella's softer tone.

"Everyone to your posts." Aeric ordered and made for the door.

"Aye captain," Bella offered before vanishing and reappearing on the bridge and leaving the organic crew to make their own path to their posts.

Joint Post by Meds, Feathers & justx
Joseph stood above the gala party which was still being built by the holo-emmiters, all information from the vidcoms, the interviews, and the disc that Dunn had given him were all being computed. The door opened and Aeric walked in, Joseph turned "Sir. All information is being processed including that from the other investigating teams. We have had a little bit of luck with some information that was hidden, this I hope will piece everything together."

Aeric looked sincere "We need this finished Joseph, our reputation is on the line here. I have someone I would like to bring into the investigation" Joseph smiled sure, oh I asked Mr Galdar in as well, I think its important he sees how the investigation is going"

Aeric nodded and tapped his combadge while heading to the arch. "James to Bella, could you please join us on holodeck one."
"Aye sir," replied the disembodied female voice over the open communications channel.

The arch opened as Aeric reached it and Galdar walked forward, silhouetted for a moment against the diagnostic display visible on the panel opposite the door. "Captain, Mr D'Callan", he acknowledged as the servos closed the door behind him. Joseph smiled at the Ferengi "Sir, would you care to view the information here"

As he walked to the side of the taller human, the Lieutenant unconsciously drew himself up to his limited height. Drawing level with the Security chief, he cocked his head slightly as Joseph began to explain about all the vidcoms and investigation padds that had been handed in. Unaccustomed to working in this role or with this company, Galdar endeavoured to absorb as much of the rapid flow of information as he could. 
A young dark haired humanoid woman in early adulthood quietly appeared in the holodeck, dressed in the gold uniform of an operations officer with no pips of rank to be seen. "How can I help you sir.?"
"I want you to observe the events and assist with any operational needs that we might have." Aeric said softly to the young woman. "We want to know of we missed anything outside of the visual and aural spectrums."

Aeric looked across at Joseph and nodded. Walking in what looked like mid air above the Gala Joseph took his position so as to be able to explain the events that would now play out below them as they were re-created.

"Computer play programme D'Callan investigation alpha three."

The scene unfolded with the Gala in full swing. "As you can see I'm over there by the drinks table, Ryla and Galdar are now on the dance floor"

Galdar put his hand up "Erm, Mr D'Callan do you think we can skip this bit please? It's hardly material to the murder. We weren't that bad..."

Joseph smiled "I'm afraid not sir, its the background we need to concentrate on. Anyway I've witnessed your dance moves back at the academy so for me its old hat." Turning his attention back to the floor, the lieutenant Commander resumed his commentary. "In the background you will see this this section here, This is the information provided by the disc from Imperial security"

Aeric walked forward "I was under the impression that Oryn had made it clear that some matters would be held by Imperial Security"

D'Callan didn't look back "Really Sir, its amazing how information slips through the hands isn't it. Here is Nalah Jarok, she comes into view here"

From above the Gala they could see Nalah pull a gown over her head and stand still for a moment.  turned to the others "Computer slow the speed down by 4 mili"

Joseph walked around "Take a look at the senator, Oryn has just talked tyo her and is now off heading towards the centre of the room to make his speech, Navash is looking fine, no obvious symptoms, in fact she is smiling so Oryn's statements obviously didn't seem to bother her. Oryn begins his speech, Nalah can be seen just inside the doorway of the servant's, but just as she gets ready to leave the area, Navesh begins to shake. Galdar and Ryla are by me now, Mr Galdar you turn straight away as we see, obviously your delicate lobes are on form at this point." The Ferengi bowed hs head slightly, acknowledging the comment but remaining focussed on the portrayal in front of him. D'Callan continued, "Nalah is shocked and retreats back into the kitchen area, we then see the blood begin to seep from Navesh's eyes. This is the point about now when the senator collapses and everyone turns. Nalah then leaves the scene before the order to seal the room is issued."
"Are we sure that suspect Nalah Jarot is clear," Bella asks. "Without a murder weapon, anyone one of the current suspects should still be suspects. It could have been a delayed device or something that was done by remote trigger."
Aeric slowly takes in the scene but refrains from giving his own opinion. "Anyone see anything else that might narrow down the suspect list?" 

Joseph walked across the air and stood above one person "Everyone is looking surprised and shocked and looking directly at the point of interest except this person here."
 Aeric examines the image of the person. "She's the one that saved Navesh on the transport."
Below Joseph stood a lone figure, looking away from the incident and holding a small smile "Why does she not look shocked or at least surprised? She expected this to happen.

Joseph handed Aeric and Galdar a padd each. Raising a brown in mild annoyance at being over looked, Bella briefly closes her eyes to gain access to the contents of the PADDs.
 "Has the autopsies revealed anything to connect the two deceased former senators?"
Joseph tapped his own PADD and looked up " Indeed it appears both blood samples have a strange mineral content, almost metal like"

Aeric looked at the frozen image of Josephs suspect " it's a bit thin"

Bella interrupted. "Lt. Commander is correct in assuming that his suspect might be the killer. I've accessed the passive sensors and beyond the normal frequency overlap from all of the communications device and recording devices, a highband micro pulse was briefly activated from the new suspect's location and less than thirty seconds later, the senator begins experiencing symptoms."
 
Bella inputted the information straight into Josephs PADD and ge quickly read it " Thank you Bella. I agree, with the configuration if the sensors recorded along with Bellas information the second data burst was picked up moments after the first with the second coming from Navesh's location. I'm guessing that's this is some kind of confirmation code, a trigger if you like. "

Aeric put his hands behind his back "excellent, carry on Mr D'Callan I want your suspect in and I want you to tidy up any other matters you may have"

Aeric arched a brow, Josephs means were not always by the rule book and he gave his security chief a knowing look. Joseph stepped forward " Sir Ryla is obviously free to go, I would have liked to have seen her myself but i need to get back over there"

Aeric smiled slightly " it will be my pleasure to get the good Doctor for you, I'll send her your regards. Mr Galdar, Bella please cone with me"

Joseph watched the door close and he walked towards the suspect, " I need some help here"

Joint Post by Jen and JustX

The door to Ryla's quarters slid open and the diminutive trill strode out; her full attention on the two guards rushing after her, not on the man standing just outside.  With a sharp gasp of surprise, her small frame slammed into Commander James then staggered to the floor.



"Sorry Sir. She suddenly dashed toward the door! We should have been prepared, but the doctor has been more than cooperative these past few days. We were caught off guard."



"Speak for yourself," grumbled the Romulan sentry.



Ryla got to her feet and straightened her civilian attire. The trill's smoldering gaze rolled from her 'company' to the commander's cold gray eyes, "with all due respect Sir, this is ridiculous. I should be helping Mr. D'Callan in his search for the true killer not wasting time organizing my quarters and dusting knick-knacks."



"At ease," the commander said to the guards then turned his attention to the trill. "Not only are you late for duty, doctor, but you're out of uniform."

Drett seemed to brighten at the accusation.


Aeric's eyes darted back to the guards. "You can both return to your other duties. Dismissed."

He had promised himself that he would avoid the investigation, but even if Joe had managed not to find additional suspects, Aeric had fully intended to return his CMO to her duties.

"Joe filled me in on the state of the investigation and the autopsies. I want you to compare my personal files to what you uncovered and see if it can confirm a hunch."

Lifting her chin Ryla gave him a sharp nod, but the smile framed by dimples belayed her attempt at a formal military posture. "Aye sir." She turned her attention to the guards as they left her quarters. "It was nice to meet you Gertrude... swing by any time."

Never pausing in her march toward the exit the Romulan replied, "It's 'Jill"... remember?" Doctor Drett stared after the stolid woman with a baffled grin.  "What do you know? She has a sense of humor after all."

"Something is coming." Aeric said aloud as he paced about in far emptier quarters and for the recording log. "I have heard their voices before, but never this close. I can feel the tug of the string and the music they sing. They know know of me, but my nature is curious to them. They want to meet us and I can almost feel them bending the strings to do so. I don't know when or how they will arrive, but I know that their intention are peaceful. They whisper wonders that call to my father's side of me."

Aeric took a sip of water before continuing. "Once again I must force myself away from the distraction of arrival to the events of now. Joe has a new suspect and Ryla has access to my notes and project data. If I am right, I wish that I could have seen the connection sooner. I might have been able to save lives. My instincts tell me that we're on the right track to the murder weapon. I just hope that if it is the case, infection is isolated. We can't allow specters of the past to taint our future."

"Bella, end log and open up a channel to the station. I'd like to check on my family."

Joint Post by Crystal and Hawkeyemeds

Joe was staring at the frozen effigy of a romulan woman whom he had become focused on after watching the recording which Dunn had brought to him for the second time. As he walked around her he studied her, assessed her and those around her.

He could see others whom he knew and had interviewed. This woman though, something about her didn't set well with the chief and he was finally getting the feeling that he was bordering on being able to link all the information he had together. Then it hit him, from his conversation with Ryla when she had returned from the ship, he knew who this was, the doctor had pointed her out to him. This was the woman that had broken Drett's wrist.

Joseph tapped his com-badge "D'Callan to Captain James," he received a quick response to which he didn't wait for much of a pause, "I need to locate one more suspect. I believe that the same woman who injured Doctor Drett during the away mission is someone of interest in the investigation. I am going to move forward and arrange a search party immediately"

When Joe did not hear any discouragement towards the actions he wanted to take he breathed out in relief. Stepping back from the holo-projections. "Thank you. D'Callan out."

The chief rubbed his eyes as he contemplated everything that was going on. He glanced at the clock. It was almost time. He shifted his gaze back to the projections and with resignation he lifted his eyes and spoke clearly. "Computer end program. Then secure data under D'Callan-dash-453SD." Joe turned and left the holo suite and made his way towards the causeway which bridged the Arabella to the Romulan station.


Standing nearby the docking door, Joe couldn't shake the dark, foreboding feeling that the empty corridor gae him. His eye flicked back to his vidcom and he stroked his chin, now dark with stubble. There were few scant seconds remaining, Joseph sighed, he knew he would have to do this; he dreaded it. This wasn't the way it had to be, hesitantly he raised his hand, he felt gutted inside for the call he was going to have to make. The seconds seemed bent on sealing his fate in the matter; He would have to order his own people to seek out one of his own security officers and the Romulan ex-suspect. He had hoped that Shelby was right about everything and that Nalah was not involved.

Just as Joe's hand reached the metallic device on his chest, he stopped, he could hear the sounds of a pair of rapid footfalls. As he waited a moment more, he pivoted and strode forward onto the Romulan station. He didn't care if they had an issue with it. As he moved forward he watched the doors glide open, in the causeway ran a disheveled looking Shelby Daelen along with an equally mussed Nalah in tow.

Nearly colliding with the man, Shelby ran straight into him and in response Joe reached out and grabbed her tight. Gazing into her eyes and letting them just settle there for a second. Although she looked dirty and worn down that there was no mistaking the glint of life in her gray eyes. Becoming conscious of how he held her might be perceived, he gave her a glimpse of a smile before he let her go gently.

"Ladies, your timing is impeccable, by my clock you had two seconds left to spare. Welcome back."

Nalah walked forward and into his eye line.

"I will not be judged by you. I am innocent." she said with pride.

Daelen shifted her eyes to Joe and her belief filled them. She tried to read what he was going to do.

Joseph walked around Shelby and stood in front of the Romulan. "Nalah, that is all in the past. As I am sure the ensign told you, I had a job to do, good or bad, I had to be objective. What you have provided to me though is more than I expected and...." His eyes went from Daelen to the Romulan woman. "You are correct though, from this moment on, you have been cleared of all charges made against you."

Joseph smiled and walked a few paces back. "What you two did, the whole Romulan government was not going to do for me. You provided me with the last segment which I have been trying to get from Oryn and his counterparts but I have been so far denied and for that I think you both." Shifting his eyes around, Joe began to move further into the Arabella as they spoke,"with your assistance. I was able to ascertain many previously undisclosed details"  Slowing as the group reached the lift Joe turned to Shelby and he spoke in a low tone. "I think I know who is behind this. We just need to find them now."

Nalah walked forward to speak but Joseph cut her off  "You, go get cleaned up and get something to eat. I don't want you involved in this." He could see that the woman was considering arguing but she stopped short of it. Moving away he nodded to a nearby security officer and he moved to lead Nalah away.

Joseph turned and upon seeing Shelby he knew that he would have to re-instate her fully, because right now he needed  his best officers and she was one of them but that was going to have to wait. They had very little time. "I could use a hand, if you are amicable to it. Will you help me?"

Shelby smiled "Is there any chance I could get cleaned up as well."

Joseph looked at the women, she was even more disheveled looking than he had first thought. "Yes, we can go by my quarters, save some time, let you clean up there," he began to walk faster with her. "while you do that I can grab some gear too."

As former Chief Science Officer Zremm tossed in his sleep, wracked with fever, the images flashing across his mind seemed startling real.

"Push now, Marie."  Doctor Drett said a bit more loudly that she intended.  In a sickbay similar to that of his own ship on the Arabella, Zremm saw what looked like a familiar woman obviously in the grips childbirth.  Even more surprising was the tall, blue-skinned person at her side, holding her hand tightly.

"You're almost there Marie.  Just hold on a little longer.  I can see the head."  A voice Zremm knew very well said, since it was his own.

"Easy for you to say, blue boy.  Ughhh,...."  Marie Barton cried out as she pushed once again while clamping her hand down on the andorian she appeared to love who stood next to her.  Zremm tossed in his bunk as the images played across his mind.  He had been in and out of consciousness the last few days.  But for the last few weeks he had not felt like himself.  Something had been nagging at him even before the Rigelian fever had taken hold.  It had distracted him so much from his duties that he had been forced to resign as CSO.  The captain had understood and been very gracious, allowing him some personal time off.  In the middle of the current situation aboard the ship, Zremm had felt both relieved and guilty.  But it had been necessary.  He had been getting glimpses of another reality – another place – another time.  At first meditation had helped him focus, but the images eventually returned and even stronger than before.  Zremm had tried to talk to others about it, especially Margon, but it had done little good.  Now his current dream was the most vivid set of images yet.

"I'm here for you Marie.  I'll always be here for you."  The Zremm in his mind said as he saw the blond woman grimacing as she pushed one final time.  Then he saw the doctor reach under the sterile field and soon the cries of a newborn were filling Zremm's mind.

"Ryla – is she ok?  Please – is our baby ok?"  The woman who had just given birth said with surprising force after what she had just gone through.

"She's more than ok Marie – she's beautiful.  Scans show everything is looking good.  Let me just finish up and you can hold her."  The doctor said as she worked quickly with her nurse.  The Zremm in his visions wiped the woman named Marie on the forehead and kissed her lightly.  

"You did it Marie.  Everything is fine."  This different Zremm said, with some relief in his voice.

"We did it Ch'Fras.  We have a daughter."  And with that she smiled as the doctor brought over the newborn, wrapped in a white blanket to her arms.  Marie took her and smiled as tears welled up in her eyes.  As Zremm tossed in his bunk again, he could see down at the very light blue shape in this woman's arms.  Two tiny nubs of antenna poked slightly out of her head that was covered in very fine and very pale blond hair.  

"She's beautiful Marie.  Just like her mother."  The andorian said as he pressed in close and put his hand lightly on the babies head.  Zremm could feel himself smiling in his sleep and was starting to feel a different warmth besides the fever flow over him.  In fact, his body seemed to calm itself as his fever broke.

"Well, hello there little one.  I'm your mommy, Marie.  And this big, blue guy here is your daddy, Ch'Fras Zremm.  Welcome to our universe, Zoe Zremm."  The woman said as she began to cry.  As Zremm watched the images began to slip away as he saw this other Zremm embrace this woman and child.  

A few moments later his blue eyes snapped open and the images vanished.  Zremm felt a sense of loss as he sat up in his bunk.  He quickly went over what he had experienced in his mind and what it meant.  Of course, from his science training and Starfleet experiences Zremm was well versed in parallel and mirror universe possibilities.  There had been numerous incidents over the years, but Zremm had never been part of any of them.  He shrugged as he got up and moved to his desk and computer terminal.

"Must have just been the fever.  But I do feel better.  It's just, that woman's face.  I know I've seen it,...."  Zremm said as he rubbed his weary eyes.

"Computer, please access Starfleet personnel files.  Cross reference the first name Marie, human, blond hair with known matches."  Zremm said as the computer sprang to life.

"Working,....  There are 143 known matches of active Starfleet personnel that meet requirements.  Please narrow search parameters."  The computer said.

"Umm,....no,...that is too easy,...  uh, computer, cross reference with current Arabella crew manifest."  Zremm said as he focused on the woman's face.

"One match, displaying on screen.  Ensign Marie Barton.  Current assignment is engineering, U.S.S. Arabella."  The computer said as Zremm felt no surprise for some reason.

"Computer, locate Ensign Barton."  Zremm said as he grabbed his uniform tunic and slipped it over his head, then grabbed his boots.

"Ensign Barton is currently on duty in auxiliary engineering."  

"Close search computer."  Zremm said as he quickly finished dressing and then raced out out of his cabin.  As he made his way to auxiliary engineering a smile started to form on his face.  When he got there he saw several crewmen working on a nearby maintenance console.  One of them was wedged under it he saw as he approached.

"Commander.  Um, sir what can we do for you?"  A male tellarite ensign said to Zremm.

"Hey!  What's going on up there?  I asked for an impulse field coil spanner.  Do I have to do everything down here?"  A woman's voice said as she pulled herself out from under the console.  Zremm grabbed the nearby tool and handed it to her as he also helped her stand up.

"Here you go, Ensign Barton.  I think this is what you needed."  Zremm said as he still held her hand after helping her up.

"Uhh, thank you commander.  But I'll need my hand back sir, to finish this upgrade."  Ensign Barton said as Zremm shuffled and quickly let go of the woman's hand.

"Oh, yes.  Sorry about that.  Well, everything looks ship shape down here.  Carry on.  Um, Ensign Barton.  If you have time later when you are off duty, would you like to meet me in the Afterburner?  I have some, uhh, things I'd like to discuss with you."  Zremm said, stumbling over his words.

"If you don't mind me asking, but do I know you sir?"  Ensign Marie Barton said, flushing slightly.

"Well, not yet.  So, what do you say ensign?"  Zremm said as he felt the eyes of the other crewmen staring at the two of them.

"Sure.  I think I'd like that."  Marie said as she felt herself smiling for some reason at the tall andorian.

"Very good.  Now please, carry on."  Zremm said as he made for the exit quickly and door closed behind him.

"What in the galaxy was that all about Marie?"  The tellarite said quickly as the engineering doors closed.

"I'm not quite sure.  But that blue boy seems kind of familiar to me.  Guess I'll have to see where this goes."  Marie said as she smiled again and found herself looking forward to getting off duty later.

Joint post my Jen, Chris, Meds, and Mike

A holographic display of Aeric James' controversial nanite project floated in the air of Sickbay as he and Ryla Drett worked to put together the final pieces of the puzzle. Aeric had several decades of experience on the subject of nanites; of his design and of the Borg's. He had also done research into a Federation catom project, the synthetic and customizable atoms of the race that removed the borg threat.

With a quick move of his fingers, Aeric brought up the reports of each of the autopsies and began to filter the scans for an energy signature. "So, what do you think Doctor? Are nanites the cause of death?"

Ryla frowned, "I've never heard of 'death by nanites', but the evidence suggests just that Commander."

"I could give you a dozen examples, but what do your instincts tell you?" Aeric asked while trying to piece his own hunch together.

"A self-destruct system? Spies have been known to ingest poison when captured by an enemy. Could it be possible that the senator was also spy?"

"Nanites are undetectable through standard testing and poison pills or implants would have been easily identified during the physicals you preformed when the senators came aboard." Aeric nodded slowly, "Being a spy would make some sense, but it wouldn't explain why we have two additional corpses; all eliminated through the same means."

"What if the nanites were meant to prevent defection?" He asked himself aloud.

"That's an interesting theory, Commander...and not at all far fetched. She was after all a Romulan Senator." Ryla began to pace as she ticked off possible triggers. "...what would activate killer nanites? Distance? Environment?"

"A device?" The doctor ceased her repetitive stride and pivoted on her heal to face Galdar. She smiled reflexively at the Ferengi who had slipped into Sickbay unnoticed.

"Yes. That sounds more plausible. A device." Replied the Trill.

"Nanotech weapons..." Aeric muttered.

"Very...profitable", Galdar said quietly as he moved forward to join the Commander, staring at the image before him.

"If it didn't cost most than some shuttles to make, I'd agree with you." Aeric said to his acting XO. "It does make a statement when a dose of poison or a phaser blast could do the same far cheaper. There's an opulence to these crimes."

Joseph tapped his combadge "D'Callan to Captain James. I have the woman identified. Are you with Doctor Drett?"

Ryla looked quickly at Aeric, "Here Joseph."

"The murderer is the same woman who broke your wrist. Captain. I have a scan of her but a full facial image would help me locate her quicker."

Aeric nodded to Ryla to access her records.

"Another thing Sir. I've had reports that a meeting of all the remaining senators have gathered in the open rec area on the station."

"Why the hell would they do that?" Aeric growled low to himself. "Joe, we have reason to believe that the weapon being used is a nanite assassination device that is already in the senators through the use of some sort of activation device. Have station security return the senators to their quarters and bring in Senator Miskel for questioning."

Joseph looked at the holo image and then at the womans right hand and it was clearer now that he knew what he was looking for that she had some sort of device. "Sir, if she is near the senators before they leave then we could have a massacre on our hands. We're heading over, Joseph out"

"Sir?" Galdar looked worried. "Would it be totally out of place for a Federation starship to hit a Romulan space station with a blanket jamming field? Get the right frequency and we could probably forestall that masacre. Get it wrong, though, and we could possibly trigger it ourselves."

Aeric's brow rose, "I think you might be on to something. If we lock on to everyone with the nanite signature and beam them out, we can lock them in transporter stasis until we get this cleared up. Ryla ... Galdar ... get a lock on those signals and get them out of there. I'll try to cut through the red tape and keep this from being a diplomatic incident. Let's move people, we have minutes to get this done."

Joint Post by Meds and Crystal

Joseph collected his kit from his office lifted  and breathed out heavily, what to do now, he knew that this was going to be a balancing act. How could he delicately separate the woman responsible for the Romulan deaths so far without arousing any suspicion. Rising from his desk Joe moved over to the bold painting which was on the wall in his quarters.

As he studied the brush strokes he mulled over the conundrum. On the negative side, they didn't know the proximity the device had which made removing the senators by the use of a transporter or other means very risky. They also couldn't surround and arrest her  for the same reason. All it would take would be one touch of the button and everything would be over as well. Pulling up his padd in his hand Joe looked over the medical scans quickly, there was no way to trace who was lined with those nanties and who wasn't.

He switched to his list of the senators, the vidcom chirped back as he scrolled down to the name he was searching for: Senator D'har Rheylan, assistant to the previous praetor, age forty-two. Some military service, no criminal record, her career is speckled with accommodations and various awards for her work in the Senate and with her local Romulan community. During his time as a Senator there have been rumors that she might have some ties with the Tal-Shiar but nothing could ever be proven.

Punching in some information, D'Callan was about to transfer the information when his door chimed, "Enter." he said while turning.

The door opened and in walked Shelby Daelen, she smiled slightly as she made eye contact with him and as she stood there now wearing her uniform and looking much more revived than the last time they were together, he smiled inwardly to himself. "Daelen." he said while turning back to his wall computer.

Shelby walked up beside Joe and let her hand just touch his leg as she observed what he was doing. He brought up a group of screens with information on Senator Rheylan. "Who is that?" she asked.

"That is our prime suspect."

"I've seen her around." Shelby said with interest.

"I have too..." Joseph pivoted while keeping one eye on the image, he flicked a switch and Rheylan's profile grew into a larger breakdown.

"Shel we need her in custody straight away, no messing..." his voice was grim. "I understand that the senators are congregating in the recreation area on the station." Shifting his eyes to the woman, "Any idea's come to mind? You didn't happen to see her on the station when you was living like a hobo?"

"I was not living like a hobo." Shelby said while poking Joe in the side. "Far as idea's are concerned I think we should go in fast and hard and surprise her. Minimize the damage."

Joseph shook his head "We can't. If she suspects anything she could activate the trigger device she has in her possession we'll have a massacre on our hands...." He pressed a button on is vidcom and the image from the station rec area came up. There before them were many of the Senators who had been rescued from the crippled Romulan ship. As the seconds went by more were arriving as they watched.

"Look at them all. We don't even know who have these nanites, it could be all of them or just a few. Either way we have lives to save and little time. We need to either get that device off her or hope to hell that Galdar and James find a way of either blocking the device frequency or at a last resort beaming the lot of them into a buffer."

"Hmmm, you're right...." Shelby mused what  D'Callan said and she added, "In that vein though wouldn't transporting them into the ships buffer possibly place everyone on the Arabella and the station at risk? The nanties will still be active so if she activates them while in the buffer there is no way of knowing the results."

Joseph activated his vid com and handed Shelby hers. She connected the device onto her belt and put a small capsule into her ear.  A sudden cackle made her jump as the device activated,

Joseph smiled at Shelby and then tapped his com badge "D'Callan to The Captain and Galdar.   We're heading over and going in silent. I've got my vid com activated and locked into our ear connectors, you should see what we see. We have a query, if you manage to beam them out into one of the buffers how can we know if the signal of the trigger device won't activate in there? "

Joseph nodded to Shelby and the two made their way to the Romulan station. Joe continued his report to the two command officers and Bella "Can you try and figure a way of blocking the frequency first and using transport as a last minute solution."

JP by Meds, Crystal, Jen & Just X [part 1 of 2]

After making their way through Quirinus Station, while also giving the appearance of a social visit, Joseph and Shelby finally arrived at the edge of the recreation area. The many entrances, combined with the various items which decoratively dotted the large room allowed the pair the luxury of using various objects to obscure their presence; for a time at least. As the pair skirted carefully into the room a soft chirp almost exposed them.

Stopping for a moment Joseph put his hand to his ear and listened to Aeric James "Joe we can't transport the Senators out. We don't know how far the wave length of the trigger signal reaches. We have worked out a temporary blocking blanket for the trigger device. If you can get within two meters of the device the code will work."

"Affirmative, Sir."  Joe started, as he looked at Shelby who was watching the meeting beginning, to tighten up. Soon the gathered members would be listening to the woman who stood smugly on a dias at one end of the room; awaiting her chance to address the crowd.

"Joe, it will only block the trigger for sixty seconds you have to get it off of her. Once you do that then it can then be deactivated. Dr Drett will need to see all of the senators, once everyone is safe so she can remove the nanites from them. I'm sending you the code to your vidcom now. James out"

D'Callan looked at Shelby who'd heard the entire plan via the shared link. In response she used hand signals which Joe had given her. They would each take a side and circle round until they were in prime positions. Then they would make their move. Briefly Joe and Shelby watched one another, then they moved apart and headed for the end of the recreation area in which Senator Rheylan was now busy discussing something with a romulan aide.

The time seemed to drag as Shelby took her time getting to the front, as did Joe, neither of them wanted a blood bath on their hands and they knew that spooking the senator might give them just that. Coming closer and closer to the dais Daelen's view became clearer. So far Rheylan suspected nothing.  

Watching the woman, Shelby took in as much as she could about the romulan, her mannerisms, the way she held herself, the way her eyes kept moving back to the crowd expectantly. What she also did notice, as she neared, was a small elaborate bracelet. It was quite ornate and it ran along the length of the woman's forearm. It had thin metal wiring which wrapped all along her bare skin at the wrist and on the back of her palm there was a stunningly deep red jewel.

Joe spotted the same elaborate gem and his gut told him that there was more to this woman than just a pompous senator. Still he wasn't here to worry about minor details he needed to make his move. Spotting Shelby in position on the other side of the room the two security officers watched the armed Senator quieting down the crowd and preparing herself on the dais. At the podium she rested a hand over the jewel and she smiled sweetly to those gathered.

"I have asked you all here to make one last plea to dismiss the Federation from our lives. We do not need them to help us. They do not want to help us." her eyes scanned the crowd with intensity, "hear me my fellow patriots."

Murmurs began to filter from the crowd and some simply shook their heads and looked at their neighbor or associate to see if they held sway with the Senator's opinion. D'Callan watched as the woman tensed her hand on the jewel. Joe moved his hand onto his vid-com. The speech wasn't going off so well. Nodding to Shelby, the chief watched as Daelen moved into place now.

"This is your last chance to cast them away! Romulan's do not need any help we have this station." Her eyes seemed almost desperate as she watched a few starting to walk out. "You are not patriots. You are all weak!"

Looking at his gauges on his padd, Joseph stepped out and into range; activating the vidcom and he made his move towards the Senator. The center of the jewel dimmed just as the woman attempted to trigger the device. She pressed it again then looked down at the jewel, seeing that it had shut down she yelled at those leaving.

"Traitors!" she said as the now splintering group of Romulan's began to mull through the room.  Some were approaching the woman, curious at her behavior or wanting to be supportive. Some asked her to come away with them where they could talk and others simply began to leave.

JP by Meds, Crystal, Jen & Just X [part 2 of 2]

D'Callan stepped closer to the dais, excusing himself asthey moved towards the woman who was now trying to tinker with the device. "Move back please." The seconds were ticking and Joe had little time. He glanced back at the Romulan security at the door, upon spotting him emerging from the side, they moved forward.

"Not today mates." Joe murmured to himself as he used a few of the gathered crowd to block the officers approaching him. Then he moved forward even faster. This caused some disruption but it was the best he could do, outside of shouting at the top of his lungs what was really going on and sending panic through the room. The Romulan's were slowed as they were forced to sort through the people blocking them.

Shelby was prompted to take action of her own to help D'Callan but she also knew the value of staying under the radar, Joe had the situaiton handled, she moved in from behind and watched the Romulan woman and waited.

Glancing down at her bracelet Rheylan growled out. "Dhaaaaaattt" The woman screeched and quickly searched the area for an other weapon she might be able to use. She spotted Joe approaching her and with a cold glimmer of understanding she grabbed a glass tumbler from a nearby table she threw it at him.

The unexpected impact of the glass, which shattered against his forehead, sliced into his skin. The attack took the chief off guard
and he stumbled backwards, nearly losing his grip on his vid-com.

The seconds it took for her actions to register sent Shelby into motion, she grabbing the senator from behind and the pair went back into a table colapsing it. An uproar came from the crowd and security had to start fighting the fleeing people.

Without a pause, Daelen got back onto her feet as did the senator, she swung at Shelby but missed as the security officer ducked. In return, Daelen spun around and kicked the woman right in the mid-section and sent her staggering into an aide who quickly untangled themselves and ran from the scene.

Diving in through the pain, Joe grabbed the distracted romulan woman's arm and ripped off the device with one move. Then he stepped away before she could stop him. A cry of angish came from her and almost desperately she grabbed at a large ornate figure made of metal. With a warrior's scream she ran after Joe, raising it up over her head with
the intent on bringing it down on his head. She was on the verge of taking him out when an unexpected body came flying across her path from the side and tackled her.

The two women tumbled onto the floor, followed by the statue which echoed in the hall amid gasp and some shouting. The Romulan security officers who had been approaching Shelby and D'Callan ran in and pulled the woman off Daelen. Joe moved over to Shelby and helped her to her feet, pulling her away from the tangle of woman and security officers.  "Arrest the Senator. She's is the one who murdered your people." Stunned but still awake the woman fought the guards.

"He lies!!!!" She screech, "I am a patriot!"

Holding up the jeweled bracelet, Joe pulled at the reddish gem, giving it a last twist the facing came off exposing circuitry underneath. "Does a patriot have a device which controls nanites that kill?!" Joe said only loud enough for the officer to hear him. "She's an enemy of the Empire. She was was going to kill more of your people tonight with this!"

One of the men took a better look at the device and he turned and said something to the woman in Romulan. Then the pair spoke quickly back and forth.

"She lies it is still active..." Shelby interrupted the pair and the woman glared at the half Romulan.

Shortly after that the security officer nodded his head and the woman was dragged off screaming and yelling at the top of her lungs.

Stretching out his hands to prove that he had nothing in his, Joe spoke, "I need to deactivate it."

Stepping to the chief Shelby looked at the device. "You sure about this?"

"If I do something wrong we'll know right away."  He said with a wiry smirk as he lowered his eyes to the device.  After a moments thought he didn't look up at her, he just put his hand out "Hair pin, please."

Shelby put her hand behind her head and pulled a pin out letting a roll of her curly hair drop down as she crouched down next to him she offered it to D'Callan.

Flicking his eyes up he caught her hair with his finger. "Nice, you look good with it down." with a wink he turned his attention back to the device. "I need to get the activate nodule depressed. Time?"

Shelby checked the vidcom "fifteen seconds Joe"

Joseph stuck the pin into the device and listened to the gentle clicks and movements "We cant just destroy it, I need to break the
programming so that it is rendered inactive permanently. Time?"

"Ten" came Daelen's clear voice.

The green light suddenly began to glow brighter and brighter and the device began to heat up.

"Five seconds, four, three, two....." Shelby said in a lower voice.

There was an audible click and Joeseph sat back with a gasp of relief.

"Well that was close. " He looked up at Shelby and threw her the trigger weapon. "I'm afraid you're hair pin is melted into the neutron flow"

"I'll live.." she said with a smile.

Turning and addressing the Romulan security officer, Joe explained what the Senator's plans had been. With some reluctance but in the end with an understanding that all the Senators would need to be checked out, the Officer began to round up the other Romulan's in the room.

Standing up Joseph looked at the crowd of people who had remained, some were bewildered and they were unsure of what to do next, walking forward he tapped his com badge "D'Callan to Captain James and Doctor Drett, the situation is under control. We have the suspect in Romulan security's custody and the device is disabled. I will get it to Bella as soon as I can. Doctor Drett I will arrange for the Senators to come to you for the nanite removal"

Ryla answered back "Understood. Good work Joe, look forward to that beer you owe me"

After Shelby and Joe assisted in organizing and removal of the senators to the Arabella's medical bay Joseph smiled as he took a deep breath and  put his arm around Shelby and drew her close "So about this breakfast in bed rule of yours, care to explain"

Shelby smiled at Joseph and whispered as they walked "Later, much later"