Against Orders, Part II

Anomaly TrekMUX Episode (#02-005) 01/28/01

Nevaren walks over to the cottage replicator and places the tea cup in it. The system glows as it deconstitutes the cup into recycled matter.

Halev sits on the couch of the cottage, her hands bound. The white sun-dress that Nev found makes her skin look twice as dark. She stirs, waking up.

Jolvan says ""That might not have been a good reason for you as a child. I know it doesn't bring you solace but you must understand the reason is best for the Empire."

Nevaren looks over the counter, seeing the Cardassian wake up, ignoring Jolvan. "Well well well.." he says, smirking, "if it isn't sleeping beauty."

Accolon enters the cottage from outside. He quietly makes his way over toward a wall and leans back against it folding his arms over his chest.

Halev spends a moment waking up, then looks over toward Nevaren, but doesn't speak to him. She looks about the room the island of civilization that is Holliday and seems to relax a little as she realizes he is here.

Holliday steps back into the room, giving a glance around to take in the situation. He nods to Nevaren, smiling. "I didn't see you volunteering to play prince charming." He looks to Halev. "Good evening. How are you feeling?"

Jolvan takes his feet out of the pot of now only luke warm water, the swelling has gone down quite a bit. Jolvan walks over to the replicator, Looking to Nevaren,"Can this thing make me a pair boots?"

Nevaren looks at Jolvan. "Probably... if they're not to big."

Halev looks about the room, spotting a new face or two. She catalogues them for future reference. The snaps of the shutter in her mind are almost audible. "As well as can be expected. My hands have lost circulation. And I'm getting rather tired of being held captive by you."

Nevaren actually smiles at that. "Thats funny.. we're tired of having you as a captive.. Small quadrant, isn't it."

Accolon lifts his brows and sighs uneasily, glancing out a window.

Jolvan says to the replicator "Hiking boots black." then gives the size of his feet to the machine.

The replicator whirs at Jolvan's request, and soon, he has a new pair of boots.

S'Terik glances at the awakened Cardassian quietly from where he sits.

Jolvan takes the new pair and walks back to his seat to try them on.

Holliday nods, "Yes, that's about par for the course I'd say." He shrugs apologetically, "He's right, if not terribly tactful.." Referring to Nevaren's comment. "Any ideas?" He ask Halev, while producing his tricorder and scanning her hands, although he maintains some distance between them.

Halev regards Holliday. "Yes. Let me go." It sounds so simple.

Holliday seems to be seriously considering this proposal. "Ok. Say we do. Then what?"

Nevaren snorts. "Yeah, and have a Jhem'Haddar hunting party track us down? You're crazy."

Jolvan slide his feet into the new pair of boots, and begins to walk around the room to see how thy feel.

The Cardassian woman glances toward Nevaren, then looks to Jolvan as he gives everyone the runway model routine with his new boots. "They're not really you," she says to him. When she looks back to Holliday, she says, "Your racist friend is, of course, right."

Jolvan smiles to the Glin "Well from has to take a backseat to function I am afraid."

Accolon says, "I don't think it's a matter of race, so much as the position you hold with the Dominion."

Nevaren looks at Accolon. "Says you."

Accolon glances at Nevaren and shrugs off his admittal. "As far as turning us in if we let you go."

Holliday nods, smiling impassively. "That's regrettable. So I'm afraid we can'd do that just yet." He frowns, stroking his moustache. "And I'd rather not execute you, so we may have to put up with each others company a while longer." He looks to Nevaren, saying, "We can at least make that a little more comfortable. Would you untape her hands?"

Nevaren frowns. "Not of my own free choice, I won't. You don't seem to understand, Doctor, that regardless of how cordial she seems, she is still a dangerous enemy."

Jolvan looks down At his boots "Hmmmm, I wonder if that thing can make some Prpoer shackles for our hostess?"

Halev looks to Jolvan and nods. "A very Romulan sentiment," she says. She shrugs. "I'm merely being honest, Doctor."

Nevaren rolls his eyes. He shoulder his rifle and pulls our his swiss army knife. . "I'll undo her hands and wrists, okay.. BUt I want everyone who has a phaser to have it out, on stun. And I'm keeping your feet bound. Is that satisfactory *glin* halev?"

Accolon says, "I'm not about to pull out my phaser unless she threatens us somehow."

Jolvan snaps to Accolon "Just keep it ready."

Nevaren walks up to halev, carefully, and unfolds the blade from the knife handle. He grabs one of her wrists, not TOO hard, and with a few deft strokes cuts the bonding strip.

Accolon says, "I think the matter is under control. I'm going to take a look around the immediate area a little." With that he lurches from the wall, where he'd almost become a wallflower and walks out of the room.

Accolon has left.

Holliday says "You're right. One shouldn't mistake cordiality for friendship. And yes, keep an eye on her." He says to Nevaren. He sighs. "Now, I guess we should get back to playing twenty questions." He gestures to the other room. "It seems the Betazed information net is down."

Halev nods. "Of course. It's an occupation."

Nevaren shoots a harsh look at Halev when she says "the word". He steps back, snaping the blade back into it's handle.

Halev flexes her hands, trying to get the feeling back into them. She reaches up and scratches behind one neck ridge. "That's itched forever, it seems."

Holliday shrugs, chuckles. "The Dominion doesn't believe in propaganda?"

Halev says, "Terrorists were using the network for their own criminal purposes. We had to put a stop to it. Your Federation networks are so open that a Pakled child could break into them."

Holliday continues to smile. "I wasn't aware that Betazed had a lot of problems with terrorists either. Or this would be a recent develpment?"

Nevaren crosses his arms infront of his chest. "Well, we're not here to argue who has the best computer security. We need information and with all the nets down, it looks like we have to get it from the source." He smirks at that. "Feeling cooperative?"

Halev ohs softly. "I see. And if I'm not? I suppose you'll try to make me cooperate."

Nevaren shrugs. "Persoanally, I'd have no problem finding my motivation to persuade you.." he pauses a moment.. "But.. Sadly, there's still some shred of decency in me and that's all that keeps me from doing it. So it comes down to this. A choice. A rather simple one. If you're co-operative, you're useful... and if you're useful, you won't find your particulate matter spread across the surrounding room. Does that sound fair?"

Jolvan turns to Nev "Information from her? How would she know anything? She is just the whore of some Gul. The only thing she might know is how the Local Guls like to be pleased." Looks away from Halev towards Nev and gives a short wink.

S'Terik arches an eyebrow indiscreetly.

Halev looks at Holliday as she shakes her wrists. "You certainly have interesting friends."

Holliday nods, chuckles. "I'd like to think so." Pause. "My associates here are also highly varigated as well."

Halev regards Holliday for a long moment. "Well, we seem to be at an impass. You want information, I'm not going to cooperate. I suggest either shooting me, or letting me go."

Nevaren hmmphs. "Boy, your loyalty to the dominion is heartwarming, I'm sure."

Holliday nods. "Neither of which I'm willing to do at the moment, so we'll just have to find another option. Can I offer you a drink or anything, Glin Halev?" He takes a seat at the bar, "I'm afraid we've availed ourselves to the use of the replicator without you." He studies her closely now, eyeing her with blatant curiosity.

Jolvan looks the his two fellow resquers in the eyes "My I have a word with you two ALONE after we get her tied up again?"

Nevaren looks at Jolvan and nods. He then looks at S'terik. "You probably wouldn't mind-meld with an unwilling participant, would you?"

Holliday nods. "Sure. Do you already have a word picked out?"

S'Terik shakes his head. "It would be a breach of her privacy, one which I am unwilling to commit."

Nevaren nods, actually seeming slightly releived. It does seem there are thing he won't do to get information.

Jolvan says "Where is the tape?"

Halev ignores the repeated jabs from Nevaren, and the occasional one from Jolvan. She does glance at S'Terik, though, having missed him in the earlier round of identification. She stares at him for a long time, ignoring Holliday now, too. "Yes," she says. "Tie me up. I would like to speak to the Ambassador of Vulcan to the Dulcais Sector by myself while you three speak alone."

Jolvan eyes widen

S'Terik watches the Cardassian carefully, eyes unmoving.

Nevaren eyes widen.

Halev continues to watch S'Terik. "I saw a speech you gave on Ttomak Alpha Six concerning the plight of the worker situation there. I was most impressed."

S'Terik stands up abruptly from his seat and approaches the Cardassian. "Leave us," he tells the others.

Jolvan leaves the room.

"I don't think so." Holliday says abruptly. He looks to Halev, shrugs at her unacqknowedgement of his offer of food or drink. "Suit yourself. Maybe we can chat more later. Since we're stuck with each other, we might as well be civil." He nods to Nevaren, "A little less tight this time? You're not taping conduits." He nods to the other two, "Let's go discuss what you wanted to. You too, Ambassador." He stands, glances to Nevaren. "Try not to shoot her while we're out?"

Nevaren nods

S'Terik keeps his eyes on Halev as he says to Holliday, "I will watch over her, just tie her back up."

Jolvan says "Doctor we have a problem on our hands."

Halev watches the exchange with a slight smile. Good. She's thrown them off balance.

<CONTEST> Holliday contests his Coordination skill vs Jolvan's Intellect (Perception) skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Holliday contests his Coordination skill vs Halev's Intellect (Perception) skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Holliday contests his Coordination skill vs S'Terik's Intellect (Perception) skill and Succeeds!

Holliday looks from S'Terik to Halev, then nods to Jolvan. "Yeah, ok. So let's go discuss it." He closes his tricorder and sets it aside, and steps to follow Jolvan. "Ok, she's all yours, Ambassador. We'll be outside."

S'Terik nods to Holliday, still watching the Cardassian carefully.

*** After going outside for a little while, Holliday and Jolvan return indoors, only to have found the Vulcan Ambassador has released the prisoner. And she is nowhere in sight. ***

The room is pretty much the same with some minor details changed. The biggest minor detail is the lack of a prisoner. The smallest is Holliday's tricorder, which a potted plant has fallen over onto. Ambassador S'Terik stands at the center of it all. Halev's bonds are on the couch.

S'Terik stands with his arms clasped behind his back, his face unemotional. "Of what were you discussing out there?"

Holliday groans. "What to do with Halev. So much for all that, eh? Looks like you two had an interesting conversation too, huh?" He visually scans the room for Halev or signs of her route of egress, going to check the transporter.

S'Terik holds up a hand in the air, signalling for Holliday to stop. "She did not flee. Allow me to explain."

Jolvan looks at the room, No toime to be shocked Instinct take over, "Doctor grab a tricorder and a phaser she can't be far."

Jolvan says "What?"

S'Terik clasps his hands behind his back again and begins to walk slowly around the room. "The person you thought was Glin Halev was actually a V'Shar agent by the name of T'Soll Mynshaer."

"A Vulcan agent," S'Terik explains further.

Jolvan stays back and grabs his weapons and holds his gun at S"terik "Doc check him check for Blood."

Holliday sighs. "Only as far as the horizon, unless there's a relay system, Jolvan." He smacks the transporter controls lightly, curses under his breath, turns to S'Terik, chuckles. "Oh yeah, you'll get a chance to explain. It better be good." He cocks an eyebrow. 
"That's good. Why the deception then?"

S'Terik cocks his head at Jolvan, then nods to Holliday. "Take a blood sample if you must. As for her deception, she did not know whether she could trust you or not. The Sublieutenant certainly gave her uncertainty - until she recognized me. I have...contacts, in the V'Shar."

Jolvan smerks at the ambassador "Logic dictates for a Blood sample, if you don't mind."

S'Terik says "Of course. I did not say otherwise, Sublieutenant."

Holliday frowns, looks around casually for his tricorder, spotting it beneath the potted plant. He retrieves it and checks it for damage. "That still doesn't explain why you two didn't bring this information out in the open before she 'left'."

Jolvan says "Or why She had to leave. I mean if we are all friends now."

"Time was of the essence," S'Terik answers, standing near the middle of the room. "The glin was to report back to the Dominion headquarters on this world, and any more delay may cause more trouble. Rest assured that I was skeptical of her, but the knowledge she possessed about the V'Shar was undeniable. I checked her blood as well." He pauses, arms falling to the side. "She also has word of Commander Balin..."

Jolvan says "I hope to the Vhorani your right otherwise we are all dead."

S'Terik, having no way to soften the message, says bluntly, "Agent Mynshaer told me that the Commander has been buried in Zeisteil Park, in the city of Viranis. All of the resistance in that city has been rounded up and executed in public as well. Your Commander is dead."

Jolvan says "Does she know of Ensign tyler?"

Holliday says "Well, /Vulcans/ don't lie. But how about their Cardassian operatives? Say, how'd y'all get her working for you?"

S'Terik says "She is not Cardassian, Doctor. She is Vulcan, altered to fool all types of sensors into reading a Cardassian signature."

S'Terik turns to regard Jolvan, "She did not mention the Ensign. It is doubtful that she knew of Tyler, for she was unaware that we were even here."

Holliday nods. "She certainly appeared Cardassian." He considers for a few moments. "I've heard of such proceedures, although that one was quite sophisticated. Would it stand up to a thorough examination?"

Jolvan says "So instead of an arogant Cardassian pain in the ass she was a arogant Vulcan pain in the ass."

S'Terik nods, "The V'Shar have run many tests alongside Starfleet Intelligence. Thus far, her disguise has not been discovered."

S'Terik tilts his head at Jolvan. "Pardon, Sublieutenant?"

Holliday frowns. "Ambassador? Can I ask you a question? I'm having a hard time with resolving a quandry without a logical paradox."

Jolvan looks at the Ambassadors face "I believe you heard me."

S'Terik says "You have been pitted into this situation against your will. Undoubtedly you have been stressed out due to our recent conditions."

"That," S'Terik says to Holliday, "is not a question."

Jolvan rolls his eyes

Holliday says "Sorry. It's been a while since I studied Aristotle. But here goes. Premise A: Vulcans don't lie. You say T'Soll was a Vulcan disguised as a Cardassian. Premise B: 'T'Soll' told us she was a Cardassian Officer, Glin Halev, which would be untrue if we accept the validity of premise A. And by extension, her whole situation would require her to lie or otherwise decieve people."

S'Terik says "Her task required her to take such actions, Doctor. Logic dictates that we not lie nor show emotions, but it also dictates that in order to be an effective undercover agent, such things as emotion and lies must be overlooked."

Holliday frowns. "I didn't think the Vulcans took such a situational approach to exercising their philosophy. But you, of course, would be the expert on all that, Ambassador." He raises the tricorder. "Now, about those requested scans..."

S'Terik nods, standing still. He adds, almost as an afterthought, "There is much about Vulcan society that is yet to be understood by outsiders."

Jolvan yawns "Well has you two debate the finer points of," says the name with disgust,"Surak's teachings.I have been up for more hours then I wish to count. I will take this time to get some much needed rest. I just hope I don't wake in a prison camp."

Holliday nods. "I'm sure." He nods to Jolvan also. "Better make it a quick nap, Joe. Despite your assurances that she's on our side, Ambassador, I think we should be checking out soon."

The whole atmosphere of the dwelling seems to be one of calm and quietness. Seated in a chair near the formerly occupied couch, Gwendolyn Poole appears to be catching up on some rest... and doing a fairly noisy job of it: she's snoring loudly... How cute.

Janos sits on a counter in the food preparation area. He is eating what appears to be green olives from a jar. He absently scratches at the rash which has spread up to his face. Eyes downcast, he appears to be in deep thought.

Holliday glances up towards Janos. "You haven't done anything /rash/ like scratching that, have you, Ensign?"

Realizing what he is doing, Janos stops itching. "Sorry doc....it appears to be spreading whether I scratch it or not." He pops an olive into his mouth, and returns to his thoughts.

Lt. Poole's snoring stops suddenly, and she starts shivering. ... It seems to escalate after a minute or two, and she comes fully awake, standing and screaming at the top of her lungs.

Holliday nods at Janos, frowning. His expression makes his thoughts fairly clear. That's /just/ what we need now. He looks at the chronometer displayed on his 'corder, then back to Poole. "Mornin'. I guess you won't be needing a wakeup call." After a moment, he looks at her with more concern, and stands, taking a step towards her. "You alright, Gwen?"

Fortunately, the scream doesn't seem to last too long... Gwen comes to her senses quickly and shuts her mouth, panting as if she'd just ran a Marathon. "I.... don't... know...."

Jolvan sits in a chair with his head tilted back to the right side. Upon hearing the scream he sits upright and his eyes open wide looking to the lieutenant.

Holliday steps to her side, attempting to lead her over to one of the chairs. While he assesses her visually, he asks, "Bad dream?"

"Yes...," comes the one word response. Gwen let's herself be led by the doctor and takes a seat in a chair. "It was.... terrible. I don't want to think about it."

Holliday nods, patting her shoulder in a 'there-there' sort of way. "Ok. I don't think that's required right now." He straightens, cocks an eyebrow and glances around the room. "Well, now that y'all are awake, should I put some coffee on?" He chuckles.

Jolvan says "Coffee?"

Janos finishes up with the jar of olives. He places the empty jar next to some others. He picks up the polaron rifle sitting beside him and checks it again....though he is watching Poole.

"I think that would be wise, Doctor... we're going to have to get moving soon." Gwen rubs her eyes, then frowns and stares towards the back rooms. "I have to speak to the Ambassador about earlier...."

S'Terik enters on silent feet, his emotionless facial expressions not showing his annoyance at something.

Holliday smiles. "As liason officer, we're really going to have to work on your knowledge of Federation culture, Jolvan." He steps over to the replicator, glances at Janos to see if he wants one too, and then states the proper number of coffees, "You take yours double sweet with cream, right, Lt.?" He hands her a cup, then gives one to Jolvan. "Cuppa joe, Joe?" He nods to Poole. "Speaking of that, remind me to talk to you later." He shakes his head ismissively, looks to S'Terik. "Mornin', Ambassador." He then returns to the replicator slot, ordering something.

Janos shakes his head no to Holliday. He glances over at S'terik as he catches sight of him, "Off freeing prisoners Ambassador?"

With a pleasant smile, Gwen accepts the coffee, "Yes, that's correct Pierce..." She takes a sip, then, over the edge of the cup, spots S'Terik and glares.

Jolvan take a sip from the cup, he winces at the taste, then says to himself "Bitter."

S'Terik nods in return to Holliday, then looks at Janos. 'Is that intended to be humorous, Ensign?'

S'Terik walks over to the replicator as well, awaiting his turn to get breakfast.

Holliday chuckles. "It gets better the more you drink it, Sublieutenant. Try a litle sweetner maybe." The repicator completes his request, and he pockets the object, stepping away from the replicator. He looks to Janos, nods, gestures to the empty couch. "'His work here is done.'"

Janos hops down off the counter, "Sarcasm would be a better word for it...I find nothing humorous about the freeing of prisoners without consulting the rest of us. You had better hope that this doesn't come back to haunt us."

"She was not a prisoner, Ensign," S'Terik says as he orders up a Vulcan breakfast. "She was a Vulcan agent."

"You could not know that for sure, Ambassador...." Gwen snaps sharply at S'Terik.

S'Terik turns around to face Poole, a bowl of food in his hands. "On the contrary, Lieutenant. She had information concerning the V'Shar that the Dominion could not possibly know. V'Shar agents will kill themselves before they allow themselves to be interrogated in any fashion."

"And yet, you interogated her and she didn't kill herself." Gwen replies, eyeing S'Terik carefully.

S'Terik says "That is due to the fact that she recognized me. I was skeptical of her at first, but I did insure to find out whether she was truly a V'Shar agent or not."

Jolvan watches the exchange between the officers and the ambassador, and is pleased that his views are being expressed and he does not have to say them himself.

"You still should have consulted the rest of us before you released her. You had no authority to do so." Gwen replies, sipping her coffee again. The nastiness of her gaze has toned down quite a bit, maybe she wasn't that mad at S'Terik to begin with.

S'Terik sits down in a seat and places the bowl on his lap. "As I have already said, time was of the essence. She had to report back to the Dominion headquarters on this planet, or else they would send men here to look for her. Which of these two choices would you prefer?'

"Your excuse isn't good enough. However, there's nothing to be done about it now." Gwen seems to dismiss S'Terik and sets down her coffee on a nearby endtable. "It is past time we decide on our plan. I want to get your ideas..."

Janos continues to watch S'terik, "I don't suppose this V'Shar agent had any information that we might be able to use? What we can expect to find in the nearby town. If they are aware of our presence or not?... Anything Ambassador?"

S'Terik says to Janos, "She was unaware of our presence here, and it would be likely that she was monitoring the Dominion and Cardassian communications. Therefore, we have probably not yet been discovered. The only other information she was able to give me was that the Betazoid resistance in Viranis City has been crushed, and Commander Balin was one of the casualties."

Holliday nods. "Don't be too hard on him. At least we don't have to figure out what to do with her now." He glances towards the doorway to the other room. "I think Nevaren's still working on getting his 'temporal transponder' working... But I don't know how long it's going to take before that's ready to try." He looks out a window. "Despite your assurances, Ambassador, I think it's time to check out of Hotel Halev. And I'm also not willing to take either of your word on -that-." Refering to Balin's demise. He looks towards the transporter deck, "My best suggestion would be to go check out Balin's 'grave', or his mother's house.." Pause. "Although.. Does anyone know where either of those actually are?"

"I believe Tyler was the one who had the information." Gwen grimaces at the admission and looks over to Holliday. "Nevaren might have that information, however."

Jolvan sets the coffee down "We find Ensign Tyler with what Lieutenant Nevaren is working on. Use the Transporter to get her here. Then go hime."

Gwen looks pointedly at Jolvan. "We haven't verified Balin is dead."

S'Terik finishes what is left in his mouth and swallows before saying, "Need I remind you that Vulcans do not lie? She is a V'Shar agent, and they can be trusted above all else."

Jolvan nods "Then we first go to the grave, But we have to get there soon or we may find oursleves getting there another way."

Janos says, "Perhaps they're onto her, and are feeding her misinformation, so she could give it to us?"

Holliday nods. He stands up, and goes over to the transporter controls, tapping a few function keys. He makes a face, tapping his temple with a forefinger. "Why didn't I try this earlier?" He mutters to himself. He looks up, chuckles. "That statement is self contradictory, Ambassador. It might even be illogical, but I wouldn't know..."

Gwen nods in agreement with the Doctor, and adds, "And need I remind you, we can't trust you or a V'Shar agent... not when we've come this far. We need to verify the information." She stands and moves over to the transporter pad, watching what Holliday is doing.

"Granted, Doctor," S'Terik says, "Under her circumstances, she absolutely had to mislead you for she was unsure whether you were Dominion agents posing as humans. Like I have said, I have contacts with the V'Shar, so she could trust me."

Holliday chuckles to himself, and directs Poole's attention to the display. "The Betazed info-net's been disabled by the occupation. But the self-contained directory in the transporter computer works just fine. It doesn't have any private addresses, at least not any that are of use to us, but here's the coordinates for Ziesteil Park, Viranis." He mutters. "Sometimes, I think the Ambassador's resemblance to a mule is more than physical." He raises his hand, the one on the far side of S'Terik, to one ear, and waggles his index fingeride of S'Terik, to one ear, and waggles his index finger towards the ceiling.

Poole smirks at Holliday's muttering, but raises a hand to cover the expression. "Good. We should check it out... I believe we'll stick out less than the rest of our group."

S'Terik continues eating his meal, seemingly oblivious as he chews away.

Holliday nods, smiles. "Actually, I think I have a way for all of us to 'pass', at least if no one looks too closely. I'd offer a suggestion, but it's your decision, Gwen."

"What's your idea, Doctor?" Gwen asks, open to suggestions for the moment.

Holliday says "Leave Accolon and Nevaren here to keep working on that transponder device, and to be here in case Tyler turns back up on her own. The rest of us go and check out the park."

Janos says "Anything is better thab sitting around...waiting to be picked up by a dominion patrol.....what your plan to disguise our looks though?"

"Do you think it's worth the increased risk of discovery?... And, what about the Ambassador and the Sub Lieutenant... I have nothing against them, but I cannot trust them in a public area like that either." Gwen looks to Pierce, then looks back at two she mentioned.

Jolvan says simply "Hoods?"

Holliday mutters to you, "I don't know. Nev and Jinn are going to be too occupied to keep an eye on the Ambassador, and I'm not sure I trust him enough to leave him on his own again. As for Jolvan... The Romulans are at war with the Dominon too, now... He's at just as much risk as we are."

Holliday looks to Jolvan, smiles, producing from his pocket the object he replicated earlier. "Close. Here." He tosses it to the Romulan: A knit stocking cap, navy blue. "Try this on for size."

Jolvan puts the Hat on his head pulling it over his ears and brow ridge.

"What about Ensign Janos?" Gwen turns her gaze on the ensign, "A simple cap won't hide his unique skin pigmentation."... a polite way of saying he's too damned BLUE!

Janos says "I doubt there are too many bolians running around right now.... even barbers."

Holliday shrugs. "Betazed is... er, was a Federation world. There should be some unique complected individuals around." He studies Janos. "I /was/ kinda worried about the purple tint, but that seems to be going away..." Holliday looks from Jolvan, cap pulled well down around his head, to Janos. "Tell them you're a /bad/ barber."

"Very well." Gwen nods to Jolvan and Janos. "You'll both be going with us then, if you have no objections." Glancing over at S'Terik, she says, "Do you wish to come, or do you wish to stay here?"

"I will remain, Lieutenant," S'Terik answers. "I will only be a hinder to you should I go."

Jolvan says "I shall go."

Janos says "I'll go as well."

The group has transported to Zeilsteil Park. It's now early evening, as the cover of darkness is the wisest course of action. The area you materialize in is a small stone courtyard in a densely wooded area. There is a large ornate stone fountain in the center of the park, and a path leads over a hill to the south.

Immediately, Janos ducks behind a fountain, scanning the area for anyone else that might be there.

Janos says "You know, we should ditch these rifles.....we'll get shot on sight if we're carrying them."

Gwen stays exactly where she materializes, and acting quite naturally, she walks up to Holliday and loops an arm through his. "We should appear to be a chummy group of friends, I think... if we act too suspicious, we'll get caught."

Janos steps out from behind the fountain, "A chummy group of friends living on an occupied world...let's observe the local populace...see how they're acting."

Holliday glances towards Janos, shakes his head, nods. "Anyone else hiding behind the scenery?" He asks drily, accepting Poole's 'familiarity' without much reaction, except to assume a more familar attitude himself. He glances around the area casually.

Jolvan wlaks over to the others trying to act like a civilian

Nevaren stands just behind poole, looking.. civil in the least. His entire demeanor is immpassive. He slowly looks down the the tricorder cradeleed in his hand and makes a scan on the new frequecies.

Janos casually looks around the courtyard, "A large group of individuals might arrouse suspicion. While I don't suggest splitting up, it might be wise to space ourselves out a bit...no more than two people next to each other at a time."

Nevaren grimaces at his readings. "I'm getting absolutely nothing." he mutters. He looks up from the tricorder to Janos. "Agreed. Lets get some brreathing room, here."

Jolvan looks at the others "I shall go with the bad barber." Smiles at Holliday

Holliday looks to Poole, smiles. "I guess it's you and me..." He then looks down at his medkit, slung, as usual, from one shoulder. He unslings it, assuming a slightly embarrased and placating expression, and offers it to Poole. "Here, honey, you can have this back now." He says. The SF Medical insignia on the 'kit have apparently been covered or removed.

Nevaren takes a few steps away from everyone, his back to them. a Breeze blows a lock of hair in front of his eyes. He brushes it away, just looking at the park quietly.

As the party spaces themselves out and travel down the path, they crest over the hill. The woods start to thin out as the path wends through the park. You pass noone. The path eventually leads out onto a hill, and there, in the setting sun, across a small field, are hundreds of large psychoreactive trees native to Betazed called hudadi. They are all as black as pitch and seem to droop with the weight of corpses that hang from them. All of them. Sometimes ten, fifteen to a tree.

Accepting the medkit earlier, Gwen tucked it under her arm as the group walked along. At the sight of the trees she nearly collapses, her knees going weak. "My God."

Holliday pales, glances away for a moment, then resolutely returns his gaze to the scene. "I guess we've found their cypress hill."

Nevaren looks at the visage with a cold hardness he never expected to feel again. One that outweighed any anger or horror he's seen in the last number of years with starfleet. A memory stirs in his mind, of uneeded death and cruelty. His legs wobble slightly, almost giving out from underneath him. He leans against a rock, mute with hatred.

Jolvan looks at the reaction of the others then fains a look of mourning so as not to look out of place.

Nevaren turns away from the scene of horror, eye's clenched shit and biting his lower lip. "There will be a reckoning before we leave." he whispers hoarsely.

Janos looks away from the trees and keeps his eyes on the ground, he mutters to Jolvan, "How can the dominion be so heartless, "There's women and children in those trees"

"Oh..... Jesus." Gwen turns a little green and clutches at Holliday's arm. After a few more silent moments from her, she seems to recover and looks over her shoulder at Nev. In a low, hissing voice, she says, "Start scanning..."

Nevaren nods slowly, pulling out his tricorder once more. Maybe he'll have more luck, if it can be called that now, if he's closer to his.. target.

Holliday spends the next several minutes breathing deeply. Finally he squares his shoulders, "So much for remaining inconspicious. With all expediency, people." He comments, then produces his tricorder. He looks thru the bodies, searching visually for Starfleet uniforms among them.

Jolvan whispers back to Janos with a tone of confusion to what he sees "There was no need for this .. Why?"

Gwen slips a hand into her jacket and pulls out her tricorder as well. "Let's get this over with."

Poole wields her Type I Phaser.

Janos mutters to Jolvan, "... did...".

Some of the older corpses have Starfleet uniforms. There's four or five among them. Some are decomposed so bad that their species is unrecognizable.

Poole conceals her Type I Phaser.

<CONTEST> Nevaren (claiming advantage) contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Holliday contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Poole (claiming advantage) contests her Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

"Someone needs to fire their groundkeeper, that's for sure." Holliday comments. The joke's not in very good taste, but everyone deals with things in their own way...

Gwen finishes her scan, and tries to smile faintly... but then remembers what's hanging all around us in the trees. Wincing, she moves off to rejoin Holliday and says, "Nothing, you?"

Nevaren walks slowly between the trees, tricorder held high towards the swaing corpses. One by one his scanner passes over the dead hanging on their dark and crowded living gallows. Suddenly, the tricorder starts beeping. Nev looks at the readings, not wanting to beleive them. "Tyler.. " he whsipers hoarsely, "Oh no.. Tyler is near by. I have her reading.." Panic is almost creeping into his voice."

Holliday manages a smile. "Yes, I'm happy to say I've been unsuccessful in locating Balin..." He looks to Nevaren, pales. "Tyler..!? Report, Lt!"

Jolvan mutters to Janos, "... is... the proper...".

Nevaren pulls his phaser with his free hand and breaks into a run towards the source of the reading. "Prophets, no. Please don't let her..." he is soon sprinting.

"Good... Tyler??" Gwen also looks to Nev, her face going extremely pale... as he starts to run, she sprints after him.

Jolvan follows the others in a similar pace

Janos does a quick visual scan of the area, then runs to follow.

Nevaren through the Gallows forest and is quickly on the otherside of it. He keeps running, tricorder leading him through a secluded corner of the park and, apparently, back out another set of stone gates.

Holliday runs to join Nevaren, tricorder in hand, scanning for lifesigns.

Holliday curses, casting a glance around to place the others. "Heads up. We're about to get company.. Jem'Hadar, about 100 meters. 75.."

Nevaren nods. He looks over his shoulder at the group running behind him. "Look, everyone split up and hide. Keep them guessing. I'll go get Tyler.. wherever she is."

The stone gateway leads to the city. A large street, devoid of travellers, is flanked on one side by the park, and the other side by buildings. The facades of the buildings are all burnt-out, and the street has huge holes dotting it. A wrecked ground van is in a twisted hulk in a ruined storefront. The city is in ruins.

Janos peels off from the group and heads into the trees to their right. He disappears into the darkness of the trees.

Gwen looks over at Holliday, smiles her good bye... this may be the end of it, then heads off to the left of the main group. She has no weapon, nor any visable sign that she's Starfleet, so perhaps she's reasonably safe... as an afterthought she stuffs her tricorder into an inner jacket pocket.

Jolvan heads off to the place with most cover but not so far as to lose visual contact with the others

<CONTEST> Holliday contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

Nevaren runs, stooping low to the ground to lessen his profile, and across the street. He hightales it for the nearest alley in the direction of Tyler's signal

Holliday likewise isn't wearing anything that immediately identifies him as Starfleet. He glances at the reading of his tricorer one more, frowns, sighs and pockets the instrument before taking off after Poole. (Who's carrying most of his medical equipment...)

Under cover of darkness, Janos creeps up to the edge of the park. He closes his eyes and takes a few calming breaths. He pulls out his tricorder to begin a scan of the area.

Janos reveals his Tricorder.

<GAME> Janos spends a courage point.

Poole, Nevaren and Holliday all try to scatter out into the street just as a Dominion monitor drone turns the corner, hovering about eight feet off the ground. Green bursts of polaron energy erupt from its low-slung weapon as it blasts across the three of them.

<CONTEST> Janos (claiming advantage) contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Nevaren contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Poole contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Holliday contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Onthar, a beat-up and dirty Betazoid, pops up from a rock formation off to the side of the probe, a polaron rifle in hand. However, the rifle isn't aimed at the probe, and he starts throwing rocks at the probe instead. "Hey! Over here!"

The probe spins on Onthar as it turns to fire several blasts his way.

Onthar starts backing away as the probe turns to face him, and he ducks below the rock formation.

Tadahna , unseen, lines up a rifle on the probe, there's a moment of concentration, and the trigger is squeeezed.....

"Come and get me, you bastards!" Onthar continues to shout even as Tadahna's rifle goes off.

Nevaren see's the man behind the rocks trying to get the probe's attention. Giving a prayer of thanks to the prophets, he Raises his phaser, thumbing it's power setting, and fires on the probe.

The probe explodes under Tadahna's and Nevaren's fire. You can all hear the rapid footfalls of the Jem'Hadar as they approach in a trot.

Onthar pops back up from his position and lays the sight on where the Jem'Hadar are approaching from, ready to fire when they turn the corner.

Gwen just barely managed to dodge that polaron burst fired at her, diving to the ground and rolling a bit. She hears the explosion of the probe and stands up, dusting off her knees and pulling out her tricorder.

Tadahna wheels and rolls to a new spot inside her cover... She lines up her rifle by the corner and closes her closes her eyes.

Nevaren hears the Jhem'Haddar patrol as well and backs up flat against the torn corner of a building, phaser ready.

From his vantage point among the trees, Janos spots the Jem'Hadar coming up the street. he levels his phaser at them, waiting for a decent shot.

Holliday dives out of the way of the probe's fire.. Scrambling to his feet, he dashes for cover from the approaching Jem'Haddar, fumbling at his vest pockets, probably checking for the contents. He casts a quick look around, trying to keep track of where his companions, and their newfound allies positions.

Tadahna opens her eyes, again. Setting her weapon to a rapidfire setting...

Onthar hugs the rock formation, placing his rifle down on it in a way to allow him to swivel it easily.

Jolvan sees the fighting dashes from cover to cover to closer to the group to get a better view of the fighting and for better comunication with the group.

Nevaren grimaces. "'Leave the rifle at the house,' they said," he whispers to himself, checking his phaser, "'You'll look less conspicuous' they said. What I would *GIVE* for a phaser rifle right now."

The squad of four Jem'Hadar don't stand a chance against the volley of fire that dumps onto them as they round the corner. Even though it was done with precision and tactical expertise, there was no accounting for the sheer volume of firepower encountered. The crew makes short work of them, easy pickings for the multiple trajectory points and crossfires. When the smoke clears, the four-man unit is dead and the smell of burned flesh hangs in the air.

Onthar waits until only one Jem'Hadar has come into view before he could no longer wait. A volley of polaron fire shoots out from his position, the male Betazoid cackling with glee as he fires until they were all dead.

Tadahna scurries out of cover and slips up to the corner, as if she might look around it, but instead stops and closes her eyes.

Gwen makes her way slowly towards the corpses, her tricorder still out. She spits in the direction of the bodies, then glances around to find the rest of her little group.

Tadahna slips back and starts gathering up the equipment the Resistance knows how to use.

Holliday peers out from behind some rubble, taking in the carnage. He frowns, shakes his head sadly, then steps out into plain view. He's taken out his 'corder again, and begins to scan the area. He nods to Poole, then glances around. "Olly olly oxen free-o!" he calls, though not too loudly.

Janos slips out if the darkness and over to the remains of the Jem'Hadar. He grabs two polaron rifles and moves to rejoin the others. He tosses one to Nevaren when he close enough.

Onthar jumps out from his position and runs up to Tadahna, protecting her as she concentrates.

Jolvan sneeks up to the rest "It would appear that there is a resistance movement on betezed."

Watching Janos, Nevaren, and Jolvan go up to the bodies, he levels his polaron rifle on them. "Who are you!?" he demands.

Nevaren comes out from around the corner of the burned out building. He looks around at the carnage and smiles slightly. He turns to face their new allies, nodding his thanks. He pockets the phaser and graciously takes a rifle from jolvan, quickly double checking it's integrity. "Thanks for saving our butts back there," he says as he eyes his new rifle for any defects." He seems satisfied with the weapon and shoulders it, pulling out his tricorder again to resume his scan. "Haven't happened to have seen a young woman around, have you?"

Tadahna<in a telepathic voice that sounds like an oddly resonant whisper to all.> 'That's right.'

Tadahna 's large, dark eyes sweep the company.

Holliday chuckles. "I was just going to say 'It looks like we're meeting with some resistance' in our mission." He looks around- all present and accounted for? He looks to Onthar and smiles. "You have to ask?"

Gwen spots Onthar running to Tadahna and eyes him cautiously. "Well met... " She hols her hands out to show she has no weapons. "If you are who I think you are, you might be able to help us... we're trying to find someone." She looks from Onthar to Tadahna, her eyes widening as she 'hears' the woman.

Onthar levels his rifle higher, index finger touching the trigger.

Jolvan bends down to pick up a new captured weapon

Onthar says "PUT THAT DOWN!"

Nevaren frowns at theiur saviors. "We're.. friends." He shakes his head, not comfortable with the mind speak. "You know.. it's not polite to do that."

Onthar points his rifle at Jolvan.

Tadahna looks back and forth. Her rifle trains low on Jolvan.

Onthar says "WHO ARE YOU!?"

"Do what they say... Nev, Janos... Jolvan. " Gwen nods to them, "Drop those rifles, leave them."

Jolvan before he touches the weapon hw opens his hand a back off slowly

Onthar swivels around his waist to face Poole. "You are their commander?"

Nevaren frowns even more, stepping between the Man and Jolvan. "Hey.. whoa... hold your cows there. Look. We're just here looking for a few friends. We mean you no harm." He shoots a pleading look at Gwen, then sighs, letting the rifle slide from his shuoulder to the ground."

Janos sets the rifle at his feet, "I always heard the natives were friendly"

"Yes." Gwen moves closer to Onthar. "I am... Sorry about that, you'll probably need those weapons for your own people..." She pauses, then says, "We're looking for Commander Tarsis Balin.... we had heard rumours of his death."

Onthar narrows his eyes, "You still haven't identified yourselves."

"We're Starfleet." Gwen replies.

Poole adds, "I'm Lieutenant Gwendolyn Poole."

Jolvan says "Well most of us."

Holliday raises his hands to show he has no weapons, still smiling. "You're not going to believe this.. Well, maybe /you/ will..." He begins, then breaks off, introducing himself, "Lt. Pierce Holliday, MD."

Onthar freezes briefly, then holds onto his rifle tighter. "Whatabout him?" he jerks his head at the Romulan.

Tadahna looks Jolvar over. "They've finally gotten in the fight," the young lady says, her accent aristocratic, her voice hoarse from disuse.

"He was accidentally brought along... The Romulan Empire is allied with the Federation at the moment." Gwen smiles, answering the questions evenly.

Jolvan comes to attention "I am Sublieutenant Jolvan of the Romulan Star Navy."

Nevaren winces. "Okaaaaay, there goes ANY cover story we had when we get back." he sighs. He holds his arma away from his sides, tricorder still beeping in his hand "I'm Lt(jg) Nevaren."

Tadahna looks to Onthar, silently, then.

With hands still raised, Janos replies, "I am Ensign Janos."

"Liars," Onthar practically spits out. Still watching the group carefully, he asks, "What do you mean, Tad?"

Holliday gives the group a once over look to make sure noone's injured- including the Betazoids. He remains silent for now.

Onthar stands silently, hands shaking slightly, as a telepathic message is sent.

Onthar says to Tadahna, "Are you sure?"

Tadahna lowers her rifle a bit. One gets the impression she'd know if anyone were to try something the moment they did.

Tadahna says "We should go from the street before an orbital scans us.""

Janos exhales, "Best idea I've heard all day.....can we take the rifles though?"

Onthar curses quietly. "Alright, she says you're who you say you are..." he lowers his rifle very slowly.

Tadahna surveys the group. 'I am Tahdana Kirell. Welcome to my city,' comes the words to mind. 'Or so it was. But I'm not the one in command here. '

Tadahna and Onthar gather the rifles and escort the team to a burned out building. Onthar activates his comm unit, and one by one, the party starts to transport again. When you materialize, you are in a large unnatural cavern. Strings of lights are hung from the ceiling. Crates are stacked up along one rough-hewn stone wall. But it is not a rebel base of hope, it is one of dispair. Children, their eyes hungry, sit in one corner, not a smile on any small face. Medical supplies are almost nonexistant, and many minor wounds have gone untreated. There is no sign of a replicator, but several crates of Starfleet disaster relief sit opened near the children. Several adults work, but their faces are without hope.

Nevaren 's eyes slowly pass over the scene before him.. It hits home, perhaps too hard. Memories of childhood in a camp. He shakes his head sadly.

Onthar watches the group wearily, but stays silent, waiting for an order from Tadahna.

Gwen blinks her eyes, finding the tranport a little disorienting. When her eyes light on the children, she bites her lip and looks away quickly. "So, if neither of you is in charge... who is?" She looks to Onthar and Tadahna.

Balin steps out from behind a room separated by a length of cloth. "I am, as usual."

Onthar glances at Balin, nods to him, and returns his careful gaze to the group.

Jolvan looks around his surrounding he is unmoved, He has seen this before but from a much different light.

Tadahna comes in, pausing to put hands on the shoulders of several children and nurses as she goes. Her disconcerting silence perhaps betokens personal words of encouragement to each in turn.

Nevaren turns, hearing the voice he's been praying to hear for so long. He looks at balin, all the blood draining from his face, making him even more ghostly than usual. "

Holliday frowns, then squares his shoulders, extending an arm to Poole for the medkit. "Gimme my 'purse'." He says, tounge in cheek. He consults his tricorder, silently doing triage assesment. He looks to Balin, pauses a moment before deadpanning, with a slight southern drawl, "Reports of your death are greatly exaggerated, Commander."

Gwen's jaw drops, a shocked smile lighting her face. "That Vulcan bitch lied..." She moves closer, but doesn't jump all over the man.

Janos mutters to Jolvan, "We'll... have... long talk... friend".

Onthar keeps his eyes on the group when he asks Balin, "You know these people?"

Jolvan eyes turn to finally meet the "Butcher", "Perhaps she lied to protect him Lieutenamt

Nevaren shakes off his surprise, still paler than he should be. He takes a steps foreward, slowly raising his hand towards balin and smiling. "Good to see you, Commander." he says hoarsely

Tadahna glances up, keeping to the background, nonetheless. It's clear she's used to being the lady of the house, and many here treat her that way, despite her appearance.

Balin doesn't chuckle at Holliday's joke. He shakes Nevaren's hand. His eyes have taken on a different cast, spending these months on Betazed. Looking to Onthar, he nods. "Yes. I've had men combing the forest for you," he says to Poole. "You must have been running from them as much as the Jem'Hadar. Ensign Tyler told me you were here." He steps further into the room. Behind him, Tyler ducks out from the same curtained-off area.

Jolvan begins to feel uncomfortable old Prejudices are hard to shake he purposely keeps away from Balin avoiding eye contact but still looks at the commander out of curiosity

Nevaren turns to look at tyler, going even PALER. "Oh, the prophets preserve me." he whsipers, bitting a quivering lip.

Onthar relaxes noticeably as he realizes who the group is.

Tadahna 's dark eyes focus on Jolvan's head.

Janos watches the proceedings quietly. He has never met Balin, so feels he has nothing to add to the conversation.

Balin frowns when he spots Jolvan. He steps closer to Poole. "Gwen? A Romulan? What the hell is he doing here?" he asks her in a hushed, but not quite hushed enough, tone.

"Tyler!?" Gwen can't stop herself this time and goes to hug the girl, making sure she's real. "You had me worried... I thought... well..." She smiles, and looks from Tyler to Balin. "Well... um... Doctor Livingston, I presume? What next?"

Tyler smiles to Poole. "I luh-lost my c-com badge," she says. "It wuh-was stupid of me. Luh-luckily Tadahna and Onthar found me."

Poole 's smile disappears when Balin notices Jolvan. In response she says, "It was an accident... he wasn't supposed to come, but.. he's been an asset."

Nevaren frowns at Balin. "WHoa, commander, he's on our side. The romulans are in the war now.. On OUR side. ANd he got brought here.. well, by accident."

Tadahna approaches Balin, after a moment. "A drone. A patrol of four. No complications, Tarsis."

Jolvan 's pointy ears are burning Smile politly at the Butcher for just a second and then contiues to ignore him

Balin nods gravely to Tadahna.

Tadahna folds her hands before her, all ladylike, despite her attire. Despite the situation she's been unwilling to deign to wear slacks of any kind.

Onthar furrows his eyebrows now, and looks over at Jolvan.

Holliday shakes his head, smiling. He mutters something about 'stand in one place and wait', then nods to Gwen and Jolvan, chuckles. "He sure has. But he's also been quite usefull.."

Nevaren steps back, motioning to the bolian. "This is Ensign Janos. Another valuable asset. And Accolon and Ambassador S'terik are on world too. Holding the fort, so to speak, back at a hidden summerhouse."

Tadahna suddenly picks up a rifle and hands it to Nevaren. <You seem to understand this sort of thing,> she thinks in his mind.

Nevaren nods thanks to the woman, still unnerved by by the whole telepathy thing, and takes the rifle, shouldeirng it.

"Which brings us" Janos chimes in, "To our current situation...." He glances at Gwen, then to Balin. "We are here against Starfleet's orders, one way or another.....and the mission was to bring you back with us.....And if I was a gambling man..." He looks at the members of the resistance cell, "...I'd bet that you have no plans of going back with us..."

Onthar watches as Nevaren takes the rifle, his eyes boring into Nevaren's head.

Tadahna considers Janos.

Holliday shakes his head, Tadahna reminding him of something. He nods to Janos. "Yes. Anyway, we got your message. At least I'm assuming that was from you... Orders, sir?" He straightens his stance- it's still not real military, but it'll pass inspection. He looks to his medkit, frowns. "I'm afraid we didn't bring much in the way of supplies or equipment..."

Balin looks back to Nevaren. "Our side," he echos about the Romulans. He nods to Janos and says, "Hello," as he is introduced and listens to his tirade. "Actually, Betazed is a lost cause, Ensign. I'll be going back. As will my freedom fighters. We are now joining the ranks of refugee."

Tadahna looks to Balin, not with surprise, but disapproval.

Nevaren looks back to balin. "Sir... I know that it may seem bad but... well, is there NOTHING that can be done?"

Gwen frowns a little as Janos speaks; apparently she'd take the same bet. However, she's not going to speak for Balin; her mission is complete, find the Commander.... the second half, getting him back, was just the bonus. When Balin answers, she smiles brightly, then looks over to Tyler, "Will we be able to bring them with us?"

Tyler says, "Technically, nuh-none of them should come back with us. B-but that's why we're here, isn't it? The Cuh-Commander's right. Betazed c-can't be won on these resources. It's b-been agreed that the fight must cuh-continue from the outside.

Tadahna looks to the children. The hiding people. Takes one deep breath, says nothing, perhaps even telepathically...

"What?" Onthar asks Balin. "You want me to abandon Betazed?"

Balin frowns and looks to Onthar. "We've discussed it already and it's decided, Onthar. Stay if you must, but we're dying. Those who have not joined us already won't join us out of fear. They see what the Dominion has done in Zeistreil Park!"

Nevaren nods slowly... "I understand tyler... And though it will probably mena the end of our careers when they find out what we have done, I agree these people need to be gotten out of here.. But there is one thing sir.. before we leave. I don't know if it's really feasable, But I had an idea when I first got here.. And if it's possible, maybe we can give betazed, and the federation, a fighting chance to reclaim betazed sometime in the future."

Tadahna says "Technicalities are of no interest, young lady," she says, to Tyler, but the message is meant for all. "How many can you ex-tract?""

Onthar grits his teeth, looking from Balin to the group and back. "I'll go tell the others," he says through clenched teeth.

Holliday glances at Nevaren, nods and chuckles.. "Yeah, I think you can safely abandon any hope of us 'maintaining our cover' upon return, Nev."

Tyler looks at Tadahna. "All of you."

Onthar turns and stalks away.

Tadahna says "Onthar. Gather the relics." Pausing to let the gravity of the house relics leaving Betazed sink in....... "This is not over, but we have work ahead of us in this galaxy.""

Balin states, "We've got eighty-seven combat capable people remaining, out of twenty-thousand." He sighs and rubs his temple. The horror that he's seen must be incomparable. "We've got Two-hundred and Fourty, all told. Young, injured and otherwise infirm included."

Onthar pauses as he walks away, turns to look at Tadahna, and nods respectfully, "Very well." He continues on.

Janos says "Excuse me for interupting, but where is the majority of the populace?....You are the first people we have seen? If they're in labor camps, is there a way to get them out as well?"

Balin frowns and looks to Janos. "Most of the population is, indeed. And that's what we've worked so hard to accomplish, Ensign. But it hasn't worked out."

"Tyler... you'll have to have the artifact drop us someplace with a lot of space. If we aren't worrying about our 'cover' any more, we should try landing in the Mall." Gwen looks around at all the people, dirty and starving... "I hope 419 will be able to handle the influx... it will, by God."

Nevaren looks at Holiday and Jolvan, then back to the commander. "Sir, The Domionion here are not on their regular supply line.. they must have stockpiles of resources set up to fortify themselves. There is one resource the dominion needs more than any other if they want to keep control of this planet...." he sighs. "I.. *WE* came here to rescue you... but after seeing the gallows trees... This idea may not bring back people, but at least it may give them peace."

Janos says "Perhaps the cargo bay of the aegis.....I believe cargo bay 6 was empty, and noone was scheduled to work there today."

Holliday sets his jaw, and flattens his lips into a thin white line, but he doesn't say anything in response to Nevaren. He nods to Poole and Janos. "If I remember, the Aegis cargo bay design allows it to be converted to other purposes- evacuation and emergency hospital beds, among other things."

Tadahna starts pacing the extreme edge of the conversation.

Balin looks at Nevaren, his face tired and long. "Lieutenant... I know your heart is in the right place, but you can't win every battle. You more than most should reralize that. Sometimes you *have* to run and cut your losses. This is one of those times. Do you understand?"

Holliday turns to Tadahna now, raising a hand to his head in an appologetic gesture. "Where are my manners. I'm sorry we couldn't have a better circumstances to meet under." He pauses a moment, then continues. "You probably know better than any of _us_ what your people require."

Nevaren bites his lower lip.. it takes a moment but finally he realizes the truth in those words. "Yes'sir. I do."

Tadahna looks to Holliday. "A doctor. There are a few who could benefit from your attentions before being moved. Come."

Balin nods. "Good," he turns to looks at his crew.. and his people. "Okay, listen up. We have work to do and we need to do it now. I want *Everyone* in the main cavern.. ASAP." He turns to Tyler. "Ensign, start preparing for evacuation. DO whatever you need to do to get us out of here." Turns to his crew. "Start gathering people up. MAke sure the children and the injured are prepared to go first. Is this all clear?"

Janos pulls his dataPADD from his pocket and begins tapping keys, "I was thinking primarily about using the cargo bay as a point to transport directly to...not for housing. I happen to know that we have quarter space for at least 160 of them if we go four to a room. Then, we could set up temporary housing in cargo bay 11 & 12 on 419 itself...I know for sure they are empty....unless of course things have changed in the 72 hours we've been gone."

Gwen starts moving away from the group and towards the refugees. She walks past a couple of children, offering them a smile... "You are very brave... all of you... It's time to leave this place. Come on... all of you stand up, there will be good food, and blankets where you are going." Responding to a request, she grins and says, "Yes, there will be root beer where we are going..."

Tadahna looks to a few people who were once servants. "While they are doing that, set out our best for who comes here next. It will be our last act of defiance here for a short time."

Jolvan breaks his silence " These resistance fighters have useful information. Plus they have expericece fighting the Dominion here, They know there own back Yard. They would be more helpful to a returning liberation fleet as scouts and Advisors if they return with us." Does not do anyhting because he knows he will scare the children.

Holliday nods, first to Balin, then to Tadahna, "Yes, sir." For Tadahna: "Let's take a look at what we've got.." He steps off following the betazed noblewoman, shouldering his medkit.

Balin walks into the caverns and starts the evacuation process to the main cavern, making sure NO ONE will be left behind.

Tadahna takes Holliday first to one of the more fragile-looking cases.

A few people begin to bring gray boxes out from where Onthar entered.

Janos spots a small group of bolians among the refugees and goes over to talk with them.

Nevaren quickly starts helping poole move the children. He picks up a set of twins, one on each arm, and allows a smaller child to sit on his shoulders.

Gwen looks back towards Holliday and calls, "Doctor... remind Tyler about Accolon and S'Terik. We shant leave them behind." She's pretty much gathered the children, and starts working on getting the people moving faster... though Balin is doing a -much- better job of it.

Tadahna leaves Holliday to treat the patients she indicates, and sets about charging able women and children with the boxes Onthar brings out.

Holliday begins triage and then field treatment of the most injured. "That should keep him stable until we can get to a full facility." He's saying to one of the refugees pressed into service as a nurse or medic. He looks to Poole and laughs. "Yeah... I knew we were forgetting something. Thought I left the coffe pot on or something." He's obviously not too serious about having forgotten them though.

Tyler, seemingly filled with new purpose, moves towards the center of the cave. He pulls out her tempoiral tricorder and starts typing on it. Within a few miniutes, a point of light appears in the center of the cave, a swirling mass of blue-white energies. Then, quite suddenly, it expandr into a halo about 10 foot across, ripples of temporal force slucing from it's event horizon.

Jolvan finally breaks down to help, he spots a young girl in a dark corner, Sighs walks a few feet away from her Motions to her with his hand in a voice of giving commands to troops but lightly covering it up with a playful happy tone "Child Come Here." The child screams a runs further from him, Jolvan rolls his eyes a grabs the child bringing her to the main room while she kicks him screams and crys.

Balin quickly ushers the last remaining refugees from the deeper caves. "These are the last of them. MAke sure they are ready to go when Tyler says...." There is an explosion behind him, about a hundred feet into the tunnels. The sound of troops can be heard scuttling through the smoke and rubble. Balin pulls his phaser, cursing. "Damnit.. Tyler.. get these people OUT OF HERE!!!!"

Gwen, with Nevaren's help, ushers the children towards the vortex. "Go, .. HURRY." She reaches a hand down for her phaser, which isn't there... it's back at the cottage. "Damn it..." She stays near the vortex, making sure every last child gets through.

Onthar jumps out from the shadows of a sidetunnel, between the refugees and the invaders, polaron rifle at the ready.

Janos grabs a rifle and heads towards the back of the refugees exodus, stopping next to Balin, "We'll have to hold them off"

Tadahna says "Onthar! Taten! Moor!"

"Go!" Onthar yells at Tadahna and the others, "I'll keep them at bay!"

Janos looks at the ceiling of the tunnel, "Think we could safely collapse it?"

Tadahna starts moving people along. "Focus, all of you, listen to my thoughts. What we must do now, is move in an orderly fashion...

Holliday yells, "If we're going to pick up Accolon and S'Terik, we'd better do it fast." He begins directing the movement of the wounded thru the portal...

Three platoons Jhem'Haddar slowly make their way down the tunnel towards the crowd, their rifles ready. Tyler, in the center of the cave, screams towards her crewmates. "I can't make it any bigger," she cries, frantically typing on her special tricorder. "The Threshold Matrix will destabilize if I increase it's width. We can only send 10 people at a time.. about 3 seconds between waves... or the portal will collapse." As she finishes her words, Polaron beams stream down the tunnel at the group. Unprepared for any resistance, they are stopped about 25 metteres from the main cavern, but they slowly trudge foreward, returning fire at the Betazed proecting their friends and family."

Jolvan Hands off the screaming rugrat to the nearest adult refugee then looks for a weapon

The front line of Jem'Hadar come into full view, and Onthar releases a volley of the blue-white energy. He ducks behind the corner as the Dominion forces fire back.

Janos opens fire at the Jem'Hadar when they come into sight.

Tadahna stands by the portal. "Count off three seconds, young lady. From each time a group leaves"

Nevaren steps up to Tylers side, putting the kids down. "Start Sending them through.." He orders her, unshouldering his rifle and activating it. "We'll Keep them the Jhem'Haddar Back.

Tadahna uses her telepathy to coordinate the people as closely as possible.

Onthar turns back into the corridor and fires some more shots. "Die! Die you sons of-" he jerks back behind the corner as a shot almost hits his head.

Standing behind some boulders, Balin peeks out every few moments to fire of a phaser volley. He takes down a Jhem'haddar with grim Accuracy. Jano's wings one as well. But for ever one the group takes down, 3 more Jhem'Haddar appear to take their place.

Gwen starts looking around for a weapon, though she hasn't left the children yet (they aren't all through). One of the refugees must have been reading her mind, because they toss her something similar to a Federation hand phaser. With renewed confidence, she stands by the center of the cavern, ready to make a last stand here. To Tyler, she says, "We'll have to get Accolon and S'Terik back after we all transport to the Aegis."

Jolvan is in the middle of the rushing crowd pushing his way through to the back while also looking for a weapon, He spy a Cardassian Phaser rifle sitting on a crate leaning up against the cave wall, he wades his way towards the crate.

Tyler sends thr first group through, the children dissapearing in a distortion of energies. "I couldn't get a portal opened on the aegis.. she must be moviung.." SHe yells, then counts to three and sendsa anopther group of 10 children through, "I have no choice but to send them to the staion.. and the mall is the only place big enough for this many people." 1.. 2.. 3.. "GO!"

Onthar fires again, and the polaron rifle goes dead. He curses quietly, swings the rifle back, and launches it down the tunnel into the Jem'Hadar line.

"Get me another rifle!" Onthar shouts back, and catches a rifle as it soars through the air at him.

"Just keep the portal open, Ensign." Holliday says, nodding to Nevaren, helping hte wounded thru the portal. "And keep your head down." He frowns, and produces his communicator, tapping it. "Holliday to Accolon." He nods to Tyler, the realization dawning, "They've left on patrol already..? The mall is fine."

Tadahna just stands, almost regally. Speaking to the people she's been with telepathically... By the by, their timing is excellent. Quite diffidently, she hands off her rifle to be passed down the line.

"That's fine, Wendy... that's fine." Gwen's eyes are towards the fire-fight, her grip on her phaser becomes sweaty.

The betazoids are starting to fall back a foot at a time. Polaron beams take out one.. two.. three resistance fighters. Balin growls and sends another volley of Phaser fire down the tunnels but realizes he has to move. Nevaren is co-ordinating the groups for Tyler, making sure no more than ten go at a time and that a group is ready every 3 seconds.

Jolvan fianlly reaches the the cardassian phaser after stepping on plenty of toes, Picks it up and gives it a brief inspection and powere up the weapon

"Where in hell are those grenades!?" Onthar demanded as he started to fall back from the approaching Jem'Hadar. "What do you mean we have none!?"

Janos snaps off three shots, dropping three Jem'Hadar. Not a ghard feat considering how thick the tunnel is with them.

Quite suddenly, a lone Jhem'Haddar rushes over the rubble, polaron rifle dead. He pulls out a long wicked knife and runs at Tadahna, like some raging beast.

Balin turns and yells at his people. "Start Falling back!!! Slowly!! We need to buy the rest some time."

Onthar takes in a deep breath, his eyes widening. "Tad!" he screams and runs back to where she is in the cave.

Tadahna looks at the Jem'hadar... She projects a very simple thought... The White... is gone.... More.... over there... About five paces beyond where there's a stone wall.....

Janos fires at the charging Jem'Hadar, but it is moving to fast. Janos' shots splash againt the wall...sending rubble everywhere

Charging at amazing speed, Onthar drops the extra weight of the rifle and jumps onto the Jem'Hadar, sending them both rolling on the floor.

Jolvan finally reaches the the firefight, sets the weapon on wide beam to cover the entire narrow passage and aims high to hit the heads. Hits one of the marauding troops in the second rank since the first rank was tackled.

Tadahna pauses... Finds herself thrown by one of the next men in line... through the partal....

Janos begins falling back from the heavy polaron fire. He helps a fallen betazoid to his feet and help shim towards the portal.

With an animal-like ferocity, Onthar begins to struggle in a losing battle against the giant Jem'Hadar.

The Jhem'Haddar rolls with Onthar and in a savage arc, plunges the knife deep into the Betazoids Stomach. Onthar groans, his hands grabbing the Jhem'haddars head and, in a spasm, twisting it.. There is a sickening snap as the neck gives and the warrior goes limp. Onthar rolls off the Jhem'haddar, groaning.

Holliday renews his efforts at directing people thru the portal, concentrating on keeping them together in the ensuing chaos. He frowns, looking over the increasingly dusty and smokey cavern. "Halfway there, Tyler."

Nevaren Pushes another group of Betazoids through the portal. He see's his crewmates and friends ferociously fighting for their lives and the lives of The refugees. He fires off a few Polaron volleys, taking down 2 more Jhem'Haddar.

Balin yells and quickly rolls over to Onthar, then pulling him behind a rock. "What were you THINKING, Onthar," he yells at his friends, firing his phaser over the rock a few times.

Jolvan switches to a narrow beam to pick off the Jem Hadar one by one as they attack Onthar but there are just too many

Gwen can stay near the portal no longer and tries to advance through the throngs of people clustered about the portal. Taking a few steps, she gets a clear shot and fires at a Jem'Hadar warrior.... the blow hits, but fails to drop him or vaporize him. Her feet carry her towards Balin, crouching most of the time.

WIth the wounded betazoid safely through the portal, Janos presses back towards the fire-fight. As he nears it, a polaron burst hits him squarely in the left shoulder, knocking him back and onto the ground.

Holliday looks to Nevaren, just realizing something. He pauses for a moment, then says quietly, "Lt Nevaren, give me your handphaser."

One of Onthar's hands goes to the knife sticking out of his stomach, but does not attempt to pull it out. He watches as Tadahna enters the anomaly, not hearing Balin's words. A smile draws on his lips as he whispers, "...Tad...I...lo..." He goes limp.

Nevaren curses, handing Holliday his phaser and runs to the back of the line of refugees, covering their rears. "Make sure they get through, doc" he yells as he takes the six point.

Tyler pushes yet another group through the portal.. there must be only about a half dozen groups left.. hopefully she can get them all out before the oncomming Jhem'Haddar overrun them.

Jolvan 's weapon's beam begins to weaken and flicker, Jolvan shouts a Romulan curse pulls himself fully behind his Cover of a outcropping of rock from the wall He opens the emitter casing spitting into it a rubbing the inside with part of his shirt sleeve still cursing in romulan.

Balin kneels beside Onthar and, using his hand, closes the metazoids eyes. "I'll tell her, old friend." he whispers, a single tear running down his cheek. He looks up at Gwen. "We have to get out of here, Lt." he says calmly. "And That means now."

Holliday regards the weapon distasefully, but hefts it experimentally. He nods mutely, and begins laying down covering fire at the Jem'Haddar, still waving the groups thru the portal. He's counting off the secons under his breath- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,Go! 1,2,3..." About every 3rd or 4th digit, he fires a shot. One notices he's not shooting to injure or kill so much as to try and force the opposing warriors to stay under the cover they might have taken.

"Aye aye, sir." Gwen nods to Balin, and without another word starts to fall back, laying down as much covering fire as she can to the other fighters.

Janos struggles to get to his feet, upon which he is none to steady. His shoulder is badly burned, and even bleeds. He steadies himself by leaning against the wall. He attempts to raise his weapon, but his arm has no strength in it.

Nevaren, helping push the groups foreward from the rear, picks off another 2 jhem'haddar with a rifle. He stops beside Janos, laying on the ground. He kneels and slips a hand under the bolians shoulder.

With Nevaren's help, Janos staggers towards the portal. He talks one look back, then enters it......

The jhem'hadar are now at the foot of the tunnel, in the mouth of the giant cavern. Blast after blast of polaron energy streams through the cavern, chewing up the walls and taking out a few more resistance fighters. Balin is pushing everyone left towards the portal, yelling at them to "RUN!"

Jolvan hears the Jem Hadar only a meter or two awy from his postion slams the emmitter casing shut and falls back closer to the portall firing his newly cleaned weapon behind him his sleeve now blacken with carbon.

Holliday aims and fires again, regretfully. 1, 2, 3, ..He spots Nevaren and Janos, curses, 5, looks to Tyler. "Tyler! Are you going to be able to pull Accolon and S'Terik out with the rearguard, or do we need to make other arrangements? They're not answering my hail." "GO!" 1, 2, 3... He takes another shot- the beam misses a Jem'Hadar but the warrior ducks back behind a cargo crate. Holliday looks pleased with himsef...

Nevaren looks at Tyler, still helping the people through. There must only be one or two groups left... One goes through. then the last. "Yeah, Where ARE accolon and St'erik now?"

Tyler looks at Nevaren, her eyes wide. "They're already on the station. I instructed the artifact to take them back there." He looks at her tricorder. "I'm going to have to be the last one trhough sir.. once this tricorder falls through the portal, this end will collapse."

The Jem'Hadar that Holliday forced behind a crate is easy pickings for Poole at her angle of attack... the warrior is vaporized instantly. Once again she's standing near the portal, waiting for her fellow officers... her friends to go through first. "Doc... Nev..." She looks around wildly, "Sub Lieutenant! Time to jump ship!"

A line of Jem'Hadar have broken through the mouth of the tunnel now, some charging forward, others taking positions behind rocks or crates that were left behind.

The jhem' haddar are only 25 metres away from the portal, sharp on the heels of Balin and his resistance fighters. Balin is screaming at everyone. "GO! DAMNIT GO NOW!" He whirls once as he runs, firg his phaser into the crowd of Jhem'haddar.. and narrowly being missed by a few stray polaron beams.

Jolvan takes a new postion much farther down the hall The beam agins to begin to flicker. "Damn not enough." looks down at the weapon curses at in in romualn seeing there is still power in the cells, sets it on overload and hurles it at the approaching enemy.

Jolvan then turns to run in the portal

Gwen looks to Nev and Holliday, "You two, go... Jolvan, GO! I'm staying here... After Balin goes, I go... Then Tyler." She stands her ground, firing repeatedly without regard for how much energy is left in her phaser.

Nev fires a shot at the oncoming jhem'haddar. "I'm not leaving you behind, Tyler," he yells as he takes down another warrior. I'll cover you until the end and we'l jump through together." He shoots a look at Holliday. "DOC! Get going.." then at everyone else still running towards the portal. "COME ON!!!!.. GOGOGOGOGOGO!!

Poole looks over at Nevaren with a smirk, "You, me and Tyler then... " A look of determination is on her features however, and she goes back to hurting as many Jem'Hadar as possible.

Jolvan jumps into the Blue white light as the explosion of his weapon take out a few of the dominion's front rank

Holliday looks over the cavern for any stragglers. "Good. I'll call and cancel the cab I called for them. Just a sec.. Is that everyone?!" He nods to Poole, fumbling for his tricorder to double check for anyone left behind. He glances towards the approaching Jem'Haddar, "I'm sorry. Your wife called and canceled your appointment. Come back tomorrow!" And ducks thru the portal...

A Jem'Hadar runs up to Poole as she looks away for a brief moment, his rifle raised high, ready to jam into the human.

About a half dozen of the remaining resistance hurtle themselves through the portal, dissapearing into nothingness. Balin is running right behind Jolvan. "Go, Sub Lt... I don't want to fill out the paperwork explaining why a Romulan officer got killed on my watch. Move.. Move." and with that, pushes at Jolvan when they are only a few feet from the portal.

Nevaren nods and smirks at poole. He starts laying down a suppressive fire behind Jolvan and Balin, dropping Jhem'Haddar like flies.

Gwen can barely react before the Jem'Hadar reaches her, her phaser goes off, point blank into the Jem'Hadar.... no vaporization, big -nasty- mess.... "Who's going to pay for my dry cleaning?" she mutters under her breath.

Nevaren winces and shakes his head, taking out another Jhem'Haddar rushing them with a head shot. "Its on me, poole."

The polaron fires increase exponentially as the number of Jem'Hadars increase. Someone of those shots hit the event horizon of the portal.

Balins push sends both him and Jolvan careening through the portal. The portal wavers, the energy infix destabelizing it. It slowly beginds to close.

"Synth ale all around when we get back... I can't wait to see the Neutral Zone again." Gwen keeps firing, then says, "We are out of time, people...." She grabs Nev's arm and pulls him towards the portal. "Come on Wendy!" Then she's gone into the blue light.

The roar of charging Jem'Hadar fills the cave as they rush toward Tyler and the portal.

Nevaren watches the romulan and Balin dissapear.. Now it is only him and Tyler and Poole. He takes one of tylers arms by the elbow and as poole pulls him through, he pulls Tyler through.. JUST as the portal flashes and finally collapses.

Mall S1 - Level 7 - Station 419 - [IC]

Mall Level/Sector One is probably one of the busiest intersections on Station 419. The gunmetal-grey corridor of the mall is much more spacious than any of the other station corridors, approximately ten meters across and two decks high. There is no upper level, but the raised ceiling gives one more of an 'open air' impression. Large, elliptical transparent aluminum viewports overhead provide a spectacular view of the stars, contributing to the simulated outdoor impression of a perpetual night sky. The whole impression of the mall is one of passing through a garden. Planters throughout the corridor, blooming with all sorts of strange and exotic flora, give a gradual 'winding path' effect which tends to break up the monotony of the circular corridors. The fresh oxygen that the plants provide carries with it the smell of food and drink, coming from the direction of The Neutral Zone, one of the station's busiest establishments. All manner of sentient beings can be seen moving through the Mall, heading into a shop, loitering at one of the smaller kiosks, or dropping in for a drink at the Zone. In the center of this section is a large three-sided black pillar, topped with display units - the station directory.

The anomaly can be seen flashing its blue-white streaks of light via one of the transparent aluminum viewports.

Contents:

Poole

Itaani

Obvious exits:

Clockwise <CW> The Neutral Zone <NZ> Turbolift <T> Counter-Clockwise <CCW>

Balin has arrived.

Jolvan has arrived.

S'Terik has arrived.

There is a flash of light and the sound of air filling a vacuum as Nevaren lands on a hard deck beside Poole, Tyler sprawled out on top of them. The portal hangs a few feet above them, sputtering energy, and it quickly collapses in a thunderclap. "Oh, my aching.... everything." Nev grumbles, cocking his head to either side. He sees all fellow crewmembers and the refugees, all around him. Some sitting, some standing. Security personnel stand at the edge of the huddled masses, phaser drawn. Medical personnel seem to be standing by, waiting for the okay. Nev shakes his head, closing his eyes to clear his brain.

Itaani says to a security ensign, "It is *classified,* that's what that is... Now, keep these people moving! <to commpin> Sickbay, I need all medical personnel scrambled and ready by the main mall... No, just stand by..."

Gwen lies where she's fallen, having taken a good blow to the head when she hit the floor. After a few moments she stirs and pushes at Tyler. "Ensign... .. Wendy, get your legs off me... And don't vomit, please..." She remembers how Tyler reacted to the trip to Betazed.

S'Terik stands off to the side, looking as if he experienced no troubles being drawn suddenly through the portal. Yet, once he begins walking, there's a noticeable limp in his steps.

Itaani rushes forward, upon seeing Poole and the others come through.. "Lieutenant!"

"Ah... Itaani, good... " Gwen glances around slowly, still a bit dazed. "Very good... I see you already have matters well in hand." She pushes at Tyler's legs again (gently) and manages to untangle herself. "Please no questions yet... these people are from Betazoid, they are refugees."

Nevaren sits up, rubbing his butt. "not exactly the "Only way to travel", but it workds in a pinch. He stands up carefully and offer's tyler a hand.

Balin stands up and brushes himself off. He doesn't comment about the rough ride, but looks down the Mall at his people. He knows they are in good hands here on the station.

Itaani nods. Spots Balin. "Commander!"

Tyler collects herself and gets to her feet. "Thuh-that was a-alot bumpier than ah-anticipated."

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

Stavek exits the turbolift, the double doors sliding shut behind him.

Stavek has arrived.

The turbolift doors slide closed.

Jolvan rubs his fore head and looks around at the crew "Commander, Lieutenant, lieutenant, Ensign, Its been an...." Looks a way then begins to walk towards the lift

LeClerq comes out of The Neutral Zone.

LeClerq has arrived.

Itaani is impulsively heading for Commander Balin.

S'Terik notices Balin, and pauses in his steps. "Commander Balin? You are alive?"

LeClerq is taken aback, visibly. "W..wha?"

Stavek walks out of the turbolift, and looks around. Spotting a familiar figure in the distance, his eyebrow raises in his Vulcan salute. "This is...not logical." He walks over to the Commander, and says, "Welcome aboard, Commander Balin. If it is you." He waves over a secuity officer, and says, "Test Commander Balin for any possibilities of Changeling infiltration."

Holliday looks around, somewhat dazedly. He regards the surrounding personnel, shakes his head to clear it. "Thanks, Itaani." He taps his compin, "Holliday to all medical personel. Let's get these people attended to." ANd he starts on what appears to be just that, directing the worst cases towards the IR, and otherwise starting triage.

Balin looks to Itaani. His face is unshaven, and his hair is scruffy. "Hello, Itaani. Ambassador." He glances toward Stavek. "Hello, Stavek. I see the station is yours, now, Commander."

S'Terik cocks his head as he listens to Stavek saying Balin may be a changeling, which may account for him being "alive."

LeClerq looks to Nevaren, and quietly says

Nevaren smiles at tyler. "Hey, ensign?"

S'Terik then ignores Balin, scanning around at all the Betazoid refugees. He looks as if he is in intense concentration.

Holliday looks up to S'Terik. "Vulcans may not lie, but they're not always right." He smiles.. almost, but not quite a smirk.

Tyler looks toward Nevaren. "Yuh-yes?"

Itaani looks at Balin a bit shocked at Stavek's suggestion... Well, no N'kaisha's going to impersonate Commander Balin if she has anything to say about it.... A hand goes to the small of her back, where her little phaser would be, and she looks closely at Balin, not sure what to believe just yet....

Nevaren nods to her. "You did excellent out there, Tyler. Top Knotch. Thanks... and forgive me."

LeClerq looks to Nev, and says quietly "You'd better have a REALLY good plan to cover all this.." She then walks up to Doc Holliday, and asks "Got a hypo on you?"

Tyler blushes and looks to the floor. "I juh-just did what was right, s-sir," she says.

Stavek waits patiently for the security officer to take the test. He surveys the surrounding group of refugees, and says, "After you test him, begin testings on all the refugees. Have the medical staff assist. We cannot be too careful." He tunrs back to Balin, and nods slightly, "Thank you Commander. I am sure you understand. This is all very...extraordinary."

S'Terik begins to make his way toward the turbolift, paying no heed to his need for limping.

Jolvan stops then returns to the seen

Balin looks to his former first officer. "These officers will be held accountable for their actions. I'm leaving it to you to make sure they get off light, Stavek. My last order as former Commander of the station," he says, looking about as if it's some alien place to him now.

Nevaren nods. "Yes, you did. ANd, if we're not all keyhalled to some prison colony somewhere, I'm putting in a recomendation for you." He looks at Leclerq, smirking, then back to Tyler. "Since there is going to be NO way to hide this anyways."

Itaani watches Balin closely, after a pause, offerring a hand up...

Holliday nods to LeClerq, fishing a hypovac out of his pocket. "I do at that." He clips a clean sample tube into the device and hands it to her, stil smiling. "Carry out your duty.."

Jolvan walks over to Nevaren "If later you are not in a cell, I still have that case of Romualn Ale."

Nevaren taps his badge. "Nevaren to Ensign Trevor.... Get all available engineering crews together. We're going to have to start converting some of the Cargo bays to temporary dorms, and maybe expand the holosuites into extra medical facilities." Ensign Trevor responds with an "Aye, sir" and taps out. Nev then looks around. "This is going to be a LONG week." He looks at Jolvan. "It's not like I'm not feeling upto breaking any MORE laws, Jolvan. I'd be honored."

Stavek nods to Balin, and places his hands behind his back in the at ease position. He looks at the officers who had gone out after Balin against orders, and raises an eyebrow. "I see Commander. Interesting. I will...discuss that later. If they pass the test the security and medical teams are doing, then we will speak of their punishment." He watches as the security officer takes the test, and shows Stavek that it is clear. "I should welcome you back to the Starbase Commander. Welcome home."

LeClerq nods to Holliday, then walks up to Commander Balin. "It will just take a moment, sir." She then takes a small amoount of blood, and waits to see the results.

Nevaren hears Stavek say the "P" word and winces. He then looks back at Jolvan and, only half-jokingly, says. "DO you think the Romulan empire would repatriate me?" He chuckles a little at that.

Balin frowns at either the test or Stavek's words. "I just left my home in the hands of the enemy," he says after the test is concluded.

Holliday looks to S'Terik. "Ambassador. You're injured?"

Itaani smiles a bit, then is distracted by a refugee child, temprarily separated from her parents in the chaos... "It's all right. This is a Starfleet installation..," she says, "Everyone is safe, child..." The child for her part, has appparently never seen a blue lady before..

S'Terik barely hears Holliday, and turns around to find him. "A minor injury, Doctor. There are others who are in more need of medical attention."

Stavek nods. "I understand Commander. Starfleet will, I hope, do it's best to repatriate it as soon as possible. In the meantime, you shoudl change and have a shower. I left your quarters the way you left them, and have stayed in my own. The officer is even the same." His face almost reveals a smile, but not quite..."Do you require anything further?"

Balin shakes his head to Stavek. "No, I don't think so. I.. I doubt I'll be staying long, my friend."

Itaani presses her hands together to Balin and re-enters the chaos, looking for the girl's parents, though their telepathy does most of the work...

Stavek raises his eyebrow for the third time that night. "I see. Well, perhaps work would be a healthy way for you to "ease" back into life in Starfleet sir. I am sure that the Admiral would want you to come back. I need a good XO." Was that a joke from a Vulcan.

Holliday nods to S'Terik. "Yeah, there are. But come by once things quiet down and someone'll take a look at it for you." He then turns his attention back to trying to organize a plan for housing and treating the refugees.

S'Terik turns back toward the turbolift, trying to make his way through the crowd while supressing the annoyance of his ankle.

LeClerq looks at the vial closely again, and pronounces "Commander Balin is indeed NOT a founder." She then turns to Balin again, and says "Welcome back, sir."

Nevaren walks towards S'terik, calling after the Vulcan. "Ambassador... Why don't you get your foot treated first?"

S'Terik, interrupted a second time, turns to face Nevaren. 'These Betazoids look to be in much worse shape than I. They deserve medical priority."

Balin nods to LeClerq. "Thank you," he says to her.

Jolvan looks at Nev "Well at least you are won't going to the Subera Penal Colony." smiles "We all will have that drink later. Now I am getting a shower and a fresh uniform." walks towards the Lift.

Stavek nods to LeClerq, almost in relief. "I see." He turns back to the Commander. "I officially welcome you back, then, Commander Balin." Stavek turns to S'Terik. "Let the medstaff treat you Ambassador, and I will assist the teams with the casualties." He motions for a security officer. "Ensign, please escort the Commander to his quarters so he can get some rest." He then heads towards some medical staff, and begins to assist them.

Nevaren looks back. "Yes, maybe they are in *more* need. But you deserve some treatment regardless." He turns and looks at Balin, smiling. "Hell, I may get sent to prison, but at least I did something that feels... right."

Balin nods. "Rest would be welcome. Thank you."

Jolvan summons the turbolift.

The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.

"I can manage, it is only a sprained foot," S'Terik insists.

LeClerq nods to Stavek. "Aye, sir." She then comments to Nev; "Well, then.. Since no explination shall be needed, I think it's safe to tell you that 'officialy', you were caught in an ion storm" with a wink.

Jolvan boards the turbolift as the double doors slide open.

Jolvan has left.

The turbolift doors slide closed.

Nevaren walks over to the refugees, grabbing a medkit and tricorder, and starts helping the triage teams, putting his combat medic training to work.

Stavek moves amonst the refugees, a calm, cool figure in a sea of chaos. For a Vulcan, he was almost compassionate, even taking a Beatzoid child in his arms, and helping her find her mother. His uniform became soiled with blood, grime, and dirt fairly quickly, but even through all of this, he remains noble and serene. The crowd seems to calm down whenever he approaches, nodding to one older male, and positively reinforcing some of the children with comments of their strength and solidarity in the face of the odds.

LeClerq waits patiently for Commander Balin.

Holliday nears Nevaren, and reaches into his back pocket, producing a type II phaser. "I think this is yours."

Nevaren looks at the phaser, his tricorder over the set of twins and their baby sister whom he had hauled in the cave. "Thanks.. Just shove it in my satchel."