Itches & Monkey Wrenches

Anomaly TrekMUX Episode (#01-019)

Shuttle Pad 5 - Station 419 - [IC]

This roughly rectangular room is large enough to hold several shuttles or runabouts comfortably. The walls are gunmetal grey, with exposed bulkhead supports forming columns along the outer wall. The inner and outer walls curve slightly, reflecting the station's circular concentric design. Harsh lights shine down from above. The floor is diamond patterned composite material, and caution markings indicate the edges of the central landing pad, which drops down thru the floor during takeoff and landing. A control console for the shuttle pad functions is situated in one corner of the room, facing into the shuttle bay. A set of double doors, emblazoned with the standard numerical room code, leads out to the corridor. A small control panel is recessed into the wall beside them.

Raioth has arrived.

Itaani steps through the large double doors, and they slide shut with a loud klang behind her.

Itaani has arrived.

Itaani steps onto the flight deck.

S'Terik has arrived.

Holliday walks into the shuttlepad, pausing at the doors to look around. In one hand he carries a medkit, in the other, a PADD, which he consults:

SF Diplomatic Affairs:

51490: Tensions between the Klingons and Romulans have recently increased following some routine contact between two of their ships along the border. Accusations of biogenic weapons use have been raised.

51492: Tensions continue to mount. A mediator has been requested to negotiate between the two parties before this minor incident expands into something of greater concern.

51493: A team has been assembled to deal with the situation and dispatched from the nearest Federation outpost, Station 419..

Holliday looks up, purses his lips and starts towards the waiting shuttlecraft..

S'Terik glances around, silent and unexpressive. His hands are at his side, hidden beneath the long, black sleeves of his outfit.

T'sal arrives a few moments after Holliday, fully loaded with gear. She consults her datapadd, nods once to those assembled, and starts to head toward the Runabout.

Raioth follows with the rest. He wears a smile and seems generally optimistic.

Itaani steps up, "Ambassador, are you prepared?"

Holliday reaches the runabout, tapping the entry panel.. The craft's hatch hisses open. He gestures to the others, "'All aboard!' then, I guess.." He nods to the rest of the 'team'..

S'Terik looks at Itaani full in the face and nods once. "I have the materials needed." He turns and heads into the runabout.

Itaani nods, "Very well, then.

Itaani steps aboard.

Itaani has left.

Raioth has left.

Flight Deck - USS Cape Fear - [IC]

The flight deck is rather spacious, consisting of a separate cockpit and services bay. The cockpit is dominated by a large horseshoe shaped console bank of standard design. A pair of comfortably padded dark grey chairs sit before the main flight controls, with a pair of matching chairs situated before the extended aft arms of the console bank. A pair of large, sloping rectangular viewports take up much of the forward area, providing a wide angle of visibility. A pair of wide, elliptical viewports on each side extend visibility further. A bulkhead partition, just aft of the boarding hatches, separates the flight deck from a services bay. Access to the bay is provided via a narrow open hatchway, through which the aft corridor hatch can be seen. Within the bay, the narrow central walkway is flanked to port by a square transporter pad and a cozy galley to starboard. Although the lighting is sufficient, the muted blue-grey walls and medium grey carpeted deck serve to soften it, creating a calming effect.

T'sal has arrived.

S'Terik has arrived.

T'sal looks to S'Terik as she walks in. "I greet you, Ambassador. I am Nurse T'sal."

Itaani glances up as she settles into the pilot's seat and turns to face the group.

S'Terik looks at the Vulcan nurse and nods briefly, but does not reply verbally.

Holliday looks to the flight controls, and waits for someone to be designated as a copilot. If that's not forthcoming, he'll take the seat himself.. "Well, is that everybody?" He chuckles..

T'sal settles down at the copilot position.

Taking a seat near the back, S'Terik ponders over what the doctor found amusing.

Raioth glances toward S'Terik, smiling as he takes one of the seats.

T'sal starts running the preflight routine.

S'Terik checks his PADD.

Ensign Kelly's voice from space traffic can be heard quietly in the background as she communicates with Itaani- the shuttle is cleared for takeof when ready..

Thru the windows of the shuttle, the floor can be seen to raise up past the craft- actually, the runabout's being lowered, but it's all a matter of perspective...

Itaani says "Roger that, control, undocking sequence, engaging in three... two..."

S'Terik turns on his PADD and reads over the mission briefing again, making sure he does not miss any important piece of information regarding the Romulan/Klingon dilemma.

Holliday finds a seat of his own. He's quiet for now, and looks over the medical gear he and T'Sal have brought with them.

T'sal's hands work over the controls. "We are clearing the docking bay doors."

Itaani says "We'll be running with weapons hot till we reach the rendezvous area, let's keep our eyes open, the Jem'hadar are still at large."

Holliday frowns, "Jem'Hadar.. Right. I don't guess diplomacy is much use there, is it?" He shakes his head, and actually seems to be partially serious in his question.

Itaani says "Not to my understanding, Doctor."

Itaani says "Making course for the Neutral Zone."

The forcefields dropping around the shuttlepad, the nimble runabout lifts free from the plates and rolls about.. Soon the station dissapears from view thru the windows and only a wide starfield appears ahead...

T'sal turns slightly to regard the Ambassador. "Ambassador S'Terik. Do you have any additional information about the biogenic weapons that the Romulans are accused of using?" she asks him neutrally.

Itaani presses a few controls, and the ship starts moving. She calls up a sensor display almost immediately. "Making warp five. Ironically, we should be safe once we reach the Neutral Zone, it's unlikely the Jem'hadar will want to make enemies of the Romulans.

S'Terik looks up from his padd and regards T'sal. "The Romulans are certainly capable of producing biogenic weapons. However, the Romulan government denies that they ever use them. Border colonies, on the other hand, tend to disregard the Romulan government. I do know of a certain biogenic weapon that appears to be popular in this region's black market."

Holliday nods, considering. "That's right.. They're on mutually non-agressive terms, aren't they?" He asks, or states. At this admission, he perks up- professional curiosity maybe. "Oh?" He says, referncing said biogenic weapon..

The course laid in, there is a brief flash of light and the stars begin to stream past in multicolored rainbows as the ship moves into warp. The ships computer displays the ETA..

T'sal turns back to the console and starts to recheck some flight routines. "Warp two. Warp three.." She continues her cout upward to seven.

"Referred to as the Nethadrak Disease," S'Terik faces Holliday. "Named after the Romulan scientist who first produced it. It is relatively easy and cheap to produce; a perfect biogenic weapon for border colonies to use."

Holliday nods. "Perfect biogenic weapon?" He chuckles harshly, "Well.. I don't think I'll be nominating Dr. Nethadrak for the Nobel anytime soon.." He seems fairly repulsed by the concept of biogenic weapons.. maybe weapons in general.

T'sal closes her eyes for three seconds. She opens them again and continues to tap into her console.

Time passes.. At last the computer chimes, indicating they are nearing the rendevous point...

Itaani says "All right, shields up, weapons down to standby, waiting on diplomatic frequency."

S'Terik stands up and slowly walks toward the cockpit area.

As the ship drops out of warp, two craft, little more than runabouts themselves come into view on the forward screen. One bears the angular agressive lines of Klingon design, the other, the smoother but still vaugely menacing halmarks of the Romulans. A moment later the com chirrups, indicating an incoming hail...

T'sal says "Reducing speed to one-quarter impulse."

Itaani opens a hailing frequency, "This is the Federation runabout, Cape Fear, over."

Itaani glances to the Ambassador.

Holliday stands up and picks up one of the medical cases. "I guess I'll go start setting up in back. Holler when we're ready to entertain visitors.." He steps back thru the door into the aft section of the shuttle..

T'sal taps in a few more commands and then looks up toward the two ships. She regards them impassively.

"This is the Klingon ship K'Pragh. You are the envoy expected from the Federation?" comes the voice over the com.

Itaani says "Affirmative on that, K'pragh, the Ambassador stands by."

S'Terik looks carefully at the two green crafts carefully, tracing their contour with his eyes. He glances over at Itaani when the Klingon spoke.

Itaani checks sensors briefly for the status of the shields and weapons.

A somewhat harsh voice at that, though perhaps not for a Klingon. "Good." There is a pause. "We will. parley. with you when you are ready. You are informed of the situation?"

There isn't any incoming message from the Romulan craft. Maybe they're waiting for someone to contact -them-.

Itaani looks to the Ambassador again.

T'sal takes a measured glance back toward the Ambassador.

"This is Ambassador S'Terik of the United Federation of Planets. We are informed of the situation, and will speak with the Romulans shortly. Please stand by." S'Terik nods to Itaani, silently requesting for contact with the Romulan vessel.

"Understood. K'Pragh out." Is the succinct reply.

Itaani flips to another channel and hails the Romulan vessel. "Romulan vessel, this is the Federation craft Cape Fear, please respond, over?"

There is a moments pause, then: "This is the Thel. Yes?"

Itaani looks back to the Ambassador.

S'Terik stands with his back straight and his chin slightly lifted. "Romulan vessel, this is Ambassador S'Terik of the United Federation of Planets. We have come here in to settle the border dispute between your people and the Klingons. Will you be willing to open up talks?"

The reply: "We are willing to talk. As the wronged party, I do not feel we should be asked to make the first advances towards that end. But we are listening.."

"Thank you, please stand by." S'Terik walks over to Itaani and says quietly, "Please place both the Romulans and the Klingons on visual."

Itaani brings the two ships up onscreen

Itaani says "Onscreen."

Apparently the Romulans are standing by, as there is no further communications from them..

The two ships appear on the display..

Raioth sits quietly, observing everything that's happening. In this situation, his normal cheerful expression is replaced with considering things with solemn duty.

Holliday returns from the aft section, pausing at the door to look at the two ships on the viewer.. The room seems quiet, expectant?

S'Terik steps back and clasps his hands behind his back. "Klingon ship K'pragh, may we have visual contact? Also, please tell me about your concerns regarding the Romulans."

Nevaren enters from the corridor.

Nevaren has arrived.

Nevaren steps into the FLight Deck, yawning slightly. "Have I missed anything?" He asks, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

T'sal is seated quietly in the copilot's chair.

A Klingon apears on the screen. He's in his middle years, looks fit and hale enough- long, straight black hair and a thin, carefully groomed moustache and goatee give him a vaugely sinister or crafty appearance- at least by human standards. "You may." He says, somewhat magnanamously, "My concerns.. are that these Romulans are responsible for an outbreak on my craft!"

Holliday mutters to Nevaren, "Not much.. Just the courtesy calls." He winks.

Nevaren quietens down, stepping beside Holliday, nodding at what he just said.

S'Terik say, "You are referring to the biogenic weapons in your report? If you may send any data you collected on it over to us, we will investigate it and perhaps find a way to reverse the effects. Do you know why the Romulans would use such a weapon on you?"

Like most Klingons, he's not terribly devoted to the virtue of patience. "What do you propose to do about this matter!?" He asks bluntly, then, "Why? They are Romulans." As if that is a complete and reasonable explanation. "We will share our data." A pause. "We have no physic aboard, so that data is limited."

Nevaren chuckles at the klingons statement.

Itaani tilts her head a bit.

There is an extended chiming sound as the Klingons medical information is transmitted to the runabout..

T'sal starts to glance over the medical information as it is recieved, routing it to the display beside Holliday as well.

S'Terik nods, "That is understandable. I will attempt to settle this matter before a fight occurs. Since this is neutral territory, I am afraid that there is little else I can do. Rest assured, however, that we will bring this to the attention of governmental officials should the Romulans indeed be using biogenic weapons." He glances down at the rug for a second before looking back at the Klingon. "The Romulans have also claimed that you may have sabotaged some of their systems. Do you have anything to say about this?"

The klingon snorts. "Sabotage? That is typical of Romulans." He comments.

S'Terik slants his head slightly. "So you do not know anything of this allegation?"

The klingon frowns. "We sabotaged nothing!"

T'sal looks toward S'Terik as she mutes the channel. "I have checked, and the Klingons are safe to beam over to the Cape Fear, Ambassador, should you wish face to face discussions. We are in no danger of infection."

T'sal reinstates the comm.

Nevaren ponders something and leans over at Holliday.

Nevaren mutters to you, " I wonder if the bigenic weapon is anything like the virus that attacked the commander. Supposedly it was the romulans who gave it to us in the first place, before we found out about sinclair."

T'sal taps some commands into her console.

S'Terik nods to the nurse and looks up at the viewscreen again. "Do not be alarmed by the question," he tries to calm the Klingon with little success. "I was merely looking into some questions raised by the Romulans. We will contact you when we have further information.." He nods to the Klingon and looks at Itaani to tell him to end comm.

Holliday nods, gestures to the display at his station, mutters back.

You mutter to Nevaren, "They're not above biogenics, certainly. S'Terik said something about a manufactured disease in use along the border, but it doesn't use a biomimetic gel base, and it doesn't look all that difficult to treat.."

S'Terik says "Please contact the Romulans and request for visual, Miss Itaani."

Nevaren mutters to Holliday, " Why create a biogenic weapon thats easy to treat?"

Holliday mutters to Nevaren, "Demoralize your opponent maybe? It's fairly cheap and easy to make, so economics and efficiency may come into it.."

Itaani adds, to Nevaren and Holliday... "If the illlness is a weapon at all..."

The screen goes blank, or returns to the view of the two smallish ships..

T'sal glances up from her console to Itaani. "I am currently trying to ascertain that, sir." Tap tap, tap tap.

Nevaren mutters to Holliday, "Or maybe it because it was created by the same race who is infected. They blame it on the OTHER race while they don't have any real casualties to themselves."

Itaani hails the Romulan vessel again, requesting a visual..

The screen comes up again, this time displaying a Romulan. Actually, two Romulans- A male who seems to be the commanding officer, and a female who seems to be second in command? "Well, what have you found?" Says the CO, bluntly.

You mutter to Nevaren, " "Maybe. Though I understand the particular disease we were talking about is of Romulan origin. And biogenics aren't really the Klingon's style."

Nevaren mutters to you, " I tend to agree with you, but you never know."

S'Terik notes the rank pins on the male Romulan, an antecenturion, the Romulan's equal to a lieutenant JG. "The Klingons are being affected by a disease, one they claim to stem from a biogenic weapon produced by the Romulans. Do you know anything of this claim?"

You mutter to Nevaren, "I don't really have enough to go on to speculate yet.. Though that would imply a plot by the Klingons, and with this war with the Dominion..?"

"That is obviously an attempt at distraction on the Klingons part. As you may be aware, we do not dabble in biogenic weapons, Ambassador. What do they have to say about the state of our vessel, hmm?" Says the male.

Nevaren quietly breaks off from Holliday and walks to a wall terminal outside the viewsceeen's pount of view. He brings up the sensor program and starts to change the parameters, refining their resolution to pick up allergens and biologicals on a microscopic scale.

Itaani says "It could be one of these changelings, for all we know, gentlemen.., trying to forestall any alliance between the major Alpha Quadrant powers..."

T'sal continues to key in sequences into her console, her hands moving lightly but methodically over the controls. She arches an eyebrow as she seeks out the answers on her monitors.

"The Klingons deny any connections to your system failures." S'Terik looks over at the female Romulan on the screen, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Perhaps if you can provide us with a report on the damage incurred on your vessel?"

The Romulan nods. "Of course." He looks to one of his crewmen, and indicates they should transmit the information.

"Thank you," S'Terik says as he periodically glances at the female Romulan. "What makes you believe that the Klingons are behind your system failures?"

Another extended bl-eelep from the ships computer.

The male Romulan speaks, "Examine the evidince and I believe you will find the conclusion obvious. We were surveying the moon. We encountered the Klingons. When we had completed our survey and attempted to leave, we suffered systems failures." The female just observes, coldly.

Itaani looks to the computer.

S'Terik nods once, slowly. "We will have our engineer look into the schematics immediately. If we find anything, we will contact you. Thank you for your time." He looks at Itaani again to end communications.

The romulan just nods.

The screen goes blank.

Itaani shuts down communications.

S'Terik turns around to face Nevaren and Holliday. "Please look into the Klingon and Romulan reports. If anyone wishes to speak to me, I will be in my assigned room."

Itaani says "It seems to me, someone hopes to deceive both parties. From long habit, she runs scans for any trace of cloaked ships."

Nevaren nods to S'terik and turns to back to the screen, pulling up the romulan's systems reports. He starts going over them slowly, checking system by ststem for common references as to the faults they have been experiencing.

T'sal reports neutrally, "I have found no allergens on the planets surface that would affect their away team, sir," she reports to Itaani. "If there was a delivery method for a biogenic weapon, we have not discovered it."

Holliday nods to S'Terik, looks to T'Sal. "We'll let you know."

S'Terik heads aft, passing through the hatchway.

S'Terik has left.

Itaani says "What moon is this they're speaking of?"

Nevaren ponder speaks aloud as he continues his checks. "Maybe it's not bacteriological at all but Viral. WHat type of vectors can bigenics have, Inhallation, consuption through food or water, touch, sexually transmitted..??

T'sal says "It is Gamilian IV's third moon. Class M."

Nevaren frowns slightly. "The Romulan's system problems seem to be based in their power relay systems." Nevaren quickly checks the power relay logs, seeing if there were power surges from internal or external sources, like outside EM or subspace fields.

Holliday pours over the medical information before him. He frowns. "T'Sal, take a look at these crew records, would you? And see if you can find something on record about Klingon maturation rates..?"

T'sal nods once to Doctor Holliday's orders and begins to research again quietly.

Raioth remains yet, quiet and in the background of things, watching people and taking in the various discoveries.

Nevaren aha's and steps back from his terminal. "I think the romulan;s problem stems from the moon itself. It has a very unusual magnetic field.. It's throwing off all sorts of strange emissions.. I'm picking up Polarons, Neutrinos, Krytons.. stuff like that. I think it might be interfering with the romulan's power relays."

Itaani keeps her eyes on the scanners.., until Nevaren speaks, then glances up...

Itaani says "Source?"

Nevaren shrugs. "Apparently the moon itself. Maybe you should run a deeper scan, see if it's natural or artificial."

Itaani nods. "Scanning now. "

Itaani says "The emissions appear to be natural, to my understanding."

Nevaren hmms. "Probably some mineral deposits or something." Nev turns to holliday. "Could these emissions affect biological systems too? Like, say, klingons?"

Holliday frowns. "It's not impossible. I'd have to have a textbook on Klingon physiology open when I did a diagnosis though.."

Nevaren nods. "perhaps you should do that. If we can link the two problems togather then maybe we can prevent something here.

Nevaren hmms. "Probably some mineral deposits or something." Nev turns to holliday. "Could these emmissions affect bological systems too? Like, say, klingons?"

Nevaren nods. "perhaps you should do that. If we can link the two problems togather then maybe we can prevent something here.

Itaani quirks an eyebrow as she scans, "This could be useful.... Nevaren, can you tell me what this is?

Nevaren steps away from his console and beside itanni. he leans over to read her screen.

Itaani says "Computer, identify source and purpose of this energy beam?"

Computer: Please specify the energy beam in question.

Itaani says "It's coherent, whatever it is; it may be a communications device. Between us and the Romulan ship."

Itaani touches a control on the console. "From the logs, this one.

Raioth looks back in the direction S'Terik walked off, for a brief moment with a puzzled expression.

T'sal states, "We should jam the transmission immediately."

Nevaren touches itaani's screen, bringing uo her scan. He selects the beam in question. "Yeah, This one. Computer, please Identify source and purpose of the selected energy beam?" He then looks at T'sal. Not until we know what it is. Jamming it could be even more harmful then letting it be until we have some details."

Itaani says "Stand by shields, precautionary. Thana, tell the ambassador about the moon's emissions, by way of seeing he is all right. Do not mention this, however.."

Raioth stands to his feet, with a slightly curious expression. He nods his head and walks toward the back.

Raioth heads aft, passing through the hatchway.

Raioth has left.

Whatever it was, the beam is gone now. The sensor display log shows an energy beam. The computer pauses for a moment, then says, "There is no record of the beam in question."

T'sal arches an eyebrow and looks toward Itaani. "Curious."

Nevaren frowns. "But it was right there. Damnit. Computer, check recoreds. There WAS a beam there, it was on the sensors."

Computer: "There is no record of the beam in question."

Itaani says "Computer, institute intrusion contermeasures."

Nevaren sits down at an empty seat and loads up the sensor logs, checking them himself.

S'Terik enters from the corridor.

S'Terik has arrived.

There is a bllelp as the computer complies. "Anti-intursion protocols initiated and engaged."

S'Terik steps through the sliding door, scanning the forward section of the runabout.

Raioth enters from the corridor.

Raioth has arrived.

Itaani turns and looks to S'terik. "Ambassador, has there been anything further from the Romulans?

Nevaren shakes his head. "I don't get it. The computer's talking gibberish. It doesn't say there is no beam. It says there is no *record* of a beam." He touches a few buttons, bringing up search protocols, trying to discern ALL points of access to the ships computers and who's accessing them.

Holliday looks up from his research, somewhat out of the loop regarding the sensors. "T'Sal, do you think the Klingons could be suffering from some kind of hystemic disorder- hay fever or something?"

S'Terik shakes his head briefly at Itaani. "I was about to ask the same question from you. What have you found out about the system failures and the alleged biogenic weapons?"

T'sal turns and looks to the doctor. "I believe that to be the case. However with the current situation of an unauthorized transmission, I did not feel it logical to reveal it at this time." She stands, then, and cocks her head to the side. "Ambassador S'Terik, logic would dictate that you made that transmission."

Raioth glances toward S'terik as he stands there, hands folded behind his back.

S'Terik raises an eyebrow at T'sal. "Pardon?"

Itaani looks to Riaoth. "Scan this vessel for unexplained devices capable of a tight-beam transmission. Use your own tricorder. "

Raioth shrugs his shoulders and glances toward S'terik with upraised brows. "The Ambassador was working at a console. I don't need a tricorder to tell it could have sent the transmission. Ambassador?"

T'sal regards him, then says neutrally, "You were not among us in the cockpit. You should make an account of your actions over the past thirty minutes."

Holliday nods to T'Sal.. He looks to the others and goes quiet. He rises and crosses the cabin to stand closer to T'Sal..

"Ah yes, that," S'Terik nods. "You are all aware of the Tal Shiar, I am certain. I have reason to believe that the first officer onboard that Romulan vessel is a Tal Shiar agent. I was attempting to verify my suspicions."

Nevaren shakes his head. "I hate to interrupt, but I have *confirmed* that the cape fear initiated that beam. The problem is, records show that EVERYONE except Raioth was using the computers at the time of transmission.

Raioth lifts his hand toward S'Terik and smiles. "There you go. What about our problems at hand, now?"

Itaani looks to S'terik, and says, "In what manner were you attempting to make this verification, Ambassador?"

S'Terik clasps his hand behind his back. "I was, however, unable to ascertain such information for my progress was impeded. I am certain that the Romulans did not detect me, however."

Nevaren turns in his seat. "Then why did you erase your transmission record, Ambassador? You could have asked us for help."

Itaani says "If they had, the consequences for this mission could have been disastrous, Ambassador."

Holliday frowns and looks vaugely confused.. Or rather, like he's wrestling with something. He nods, smiles. "I was just about to ask that.. Well, I guess that solves it. But why not let us in on this sooner?" He's a little agitated, maybe because this has inturrupted their previous tasks..

Itaani says "I also find it unlikely that the Romulans, in the course of a survey of the moon, would not have detected the radiation that has supposedly disrupted their systems."

Itaani says "Which makes it much more likely that this entire mission is a ruse to some other purpose. I require a reason why I shouldn't take this vessel back to Federation space at maximum warp, and advise the Klingons to do the same."

S'Terik faces the Ops officer. "Being a delegate to the Romulans, I know more about them any any single one of you. I was able to bypass their security parameters, but that was all I managed to accomplish." He lifts his chin up slightly. "I did not view it necessary for you to know of what I was doing, for you were all clearly busy. My suspicions were also unfounded."

Nevaren shakes his head in exasperation, turning back to his console.

The com chimes.

"Now," S'Terik looks around the cockpit, "what is this about the Romulan ruse? It is wise to take precaution when a suspected Tal Shiar agent is nearby."

Itaani says "Why, then, were the computer records of the transmission, and my scans of the transmission, removed, Ambassador? That is a *crime,* not a matter of what you believe we need to know. This vessel is under *my* command, and I will *not* tolerate any impediment to her safety, her mission, or the security of the Federation in a time of war. Is that clear, Ambassador?"

T'sal continues to watch S'Terik.

Raioth smiles and adds in, "With all due respect, Ambassador..."

S'Terik looks at Raioth, face expressionless.

T'sal turns to Itaani. "Vulcans do not lie, sir," she states with certainty. "And Lt. Nevaren did say we were all using the computer systems except for Mr. Raioth. Until we eliminate all possibilities, I would remind you of the Ambassador's standing in the Federation, sir."

"I understand your concern," S'Terik stares straight into Itaani's eyes. "However, I believed it to be more of a threat to you should you know of such activities. Starfleet does not promote it outside of their intelligence services."

The com CHIRRUPS again.

Nevaren looks around. "Somebody going to get that?" he asks, pointing at the com controls

T'sal turns and hits the comm button.

Nevaren looks around. "Somebody going to get that?" he asks, pointing at the com controls

Itaani just looks at S'terik, saying nothing, but neither does she look away.

S'Terik stands with his back straight and his hands still behind him, looking at the viewscreen.

Itaani says "I'll be sure that your concerns are made known to those services, then, Ambassador."

T'sal states, turning further toward the controls. "The Klingons are hailing us. They are not expressing a distanced emotional response for having to wait."

Itaani retakes her seat. "Doctor, do we have something for them?

Holliday frowns, rubs his moustaches. "T'Sal, hypotheses? See if great minds think alike.."

Nevaren says "Why don't we tell them we know that they are NOT reposnible for the romulan's system failures as well."

T'sal says to Holliday, looking over her shoulder. "There is a high concentration of a particular plant on the surface of the moon that the Klingons appear to be reacting to, based on what information I could glean from the primitive nature of Klingon pediatrical care."

Itaani nods. "In the meanwhile, be sure we won't be affected by the same emissions, Mr. Nevaren... Ambassador, there's some diplomacy to be done... May I put the Klingon commander on screen?

Nevaren nods, bringing up the shield programs and recalibrating them to reflect the emmisions.

S'Terik glances around the room. "Perhaps it is wiser that I understand the situation better before speaking with either of them. What little information I am able to follow from your discussions is not enough."

Holliday nods, chuckles. "Yeah, I've noticed they don't have a lot of specialists outside of base trauma." A pause, "I didn't see anything that should bother a Klingon warrior.. But in a lot of species, humans for example, the immuno-hystemic response can change with maturation. It's possible to 'outgrow' a ragweed alergy for instance.."

T'sal says "Most of the affected were the younger members of the away mission, Doctor."

Itaani nods, and klicks a button. "Klingon vessel, we're putting together our data as we speak. Expect you will be satisfied, but please stand by.

Holliday nods. "I saw that too." He quirks an eyebrow. "It begs the question about what all those young'uns are doing out here, but.." He nods, then looks to S'Terik. "Well, I'd say we're in agreement here. I'm guessing the Klingons are suffering from an allergic reaction to something on the planetoid, not any biological weapons. T'Sal, does that plant appear to be native there?"

Nevaren looks at S'terik. "i found that the moon itself has been affecting the Romulan vessels power relay. SOme minirals in the moons crust has given the sateliite a very odd magnetic field and is causing the natural emission of several disruptive particles. Polarons, Neutrino, Krytons, etc... They are messing up the Romulan's power systems."

S'Terik nods to Holliday and Nevaren.

T'sal looks back toward the sensor readings. "If it were transplanted, it occurred several centuries ago, as it very integrated into the ecosystem."

Itaani says "And the whole system seems permeated with antipolaron emissions: i suspect our own researchers would like to get a look at it...."

S'Terik looks at the nurse when she said the plants were transplanted centuries ago, wondering who would have done it.

Holliday nods. He returns to his work-station and sits down. "Well, lets see where we get with that, and look into Klingon antihistamines." He is quiet a moment, then begins to chuckle to himself.

T'sal looks to S'Terik again, regarding him silently. Her expression reflects none of her feelings about this Vulcan Ambassador, but her gaze does linger on him for a rather long moment.

Raioth laughs quietly, holding somehting of a cheerful smile at the moment.

S'Terik takes a deep breath and releases it slowly before going back to his seat near the rear.

T'sal turns away from him, and sits down in the copilots seat to resume her duties in that regard.

Holliday continues to tap at his console controls.

Holliday looks up from his researchings, and to Itaani and then S'Terik. "Well, I guess I'm ready to relay this to the Klingons whenever the Ambasador is ready. See if it helps them any.."

Itaani nods. "Excellent."

T'sal opens the hailing frequency for Itaani. "Frequencies open, sir."

S'Terik stands up again, and nods at Holliday.

The view of the Klingon comes up again. He is veritibly radiating impatience and ill will- one can almost see the black cloud over his crennelated brow. "WELL!?" He SAYS.

Holliday swallows, looks to S'Terik. Do I talk, or you he asks with a glance..

"I apologize for the delay," S'Terik says to the Klingon in the viewscreen. "However, we have managed to find out why certain members of your crew have been experiencing problems. Mr. Holliday here will explain."

Holliday nods, "Ah.. Well, I don't think you have to worry about Romulan biogenics.." What's the form of address? Anyway.. "uh, Sir. I believe what you have here is a case of ..well, hay-fever. Extreme hay-fever, but an alergic reaction anyway."

"HAY-FEVER!!" The Klingon pounds his armrest. "You expect me to believe 3-quarters of my charges are ill due to 'hay-fever'!?" He sneers.

Holliday quirks his mouth. "Well, no, I didn't, really. But I've got a treatment that you might be interested in trying anyway?"

The Klingon considers and looks to S'Terik.

S'Terik straightens up as the Klingon looks at him. "There is little risk in taking Doctor Holliday's treatment. Since we have found that Romulan biogenic weapons are not behind your conditions, but rather allergic reactions, it would be wise to at least try taking the treatment. I am certain your affected crew will thank you for it"

The Klingon nods. "We will try your 'treatment'. I do not have much faith in it, but we will try it. If it proves to be harmfull you will regret prescribing it, Physic." He says.

Holliday nods for the antihistimine information to be transmitted to the Klingon ship. When that is complete, the Klingon nods, and the screen goes blank.

S'Terik says "Have the Romulans been told of the situation?"

T'sal remains at her post quietly, regarding the proceedings with detatchment.

Holliday sits back down. He shakes his head. "I don't think so. Have we even heard from them since we last contacted them?" ..The silence seems to indicate the answer is no..

S'Terik looks from the doctor to T'sal. "Please contact the Romulans."

T'sal hails them, bringing them up on screen.

The Romulan bridge, or flight deck, appears on the screen, with its accompanying command officers. They don't look much more pleasant than the Klingons, though they display their displeasure with cold disdain rather than hot outrage. "Yes?"

S'Terik glances briefly at the female Romulan before looking at the CO. "Greetings again," he says. "We have located the source of your problems. The nearby moon is emitting some form of magnetic field which is interrupting your systems. We will send you a report of the magnetic field to you now."

The female Romulan glares icily back. She seems even more frigid than the CO, who's more openenly agitated. He looks to his console as the information is transmitted, then turns to someone off screen. "Tesko! Is this information accurate!?" An unspoken reply seems to indicate that it is. He turns back to the screen. "Perhaps we were in error." he sniffs haugtily. The female speaks then, with frozen tact. "Nonetheless , it is good to exercise caution in all things, Ambassador S'Terik." The screen winks out, returning to the view of the two ships..

The com chimes again: The klingons. They are responding to the treatment..

And on screen, the warp coils and external lights of the Romulan craft light up or brighten...

S'Terik just stands there for a few moments, seemingly stiff. As the Romulan ship powered back up and began to leave, he walks back to his seat, his eyes distant.

Raioth glances toward S'Terik and says, "Good job, Ambassador. It was a pleasure to see you at work."

S'Terik looks over at the security officer. "Thank you, Mr. Raioth. You have served well also."

Holliday spins around in his chair, stretching out his legs a little, and rubbing the back of his neck. He nods to Raioth. "Well, now that that's been smoothed over, are we ready to go home?" He starts to chuckle again..

Raioth nods. He says, "My compliment to Ambassador S'Terik goes out to you too, Doc and the rest of the crew. Let's head for home with a job well done." He smiles brightly.

S'Terik's eyebrows arches slightly again, still uncertain as to what the doctor finds amusing. He takes his seat and watches as the screen shows the stars beginning to flash by at warp speeds.

Holliday continues to chuckle as the ship accelerates. He folds his hands behind his head, then looks to the others, who may be eying him questioningly. "Sorry. I just can't help thinking about all those Klingons dolled up with calamine lotion."