Hypocrisy

 Episode Name:  Hypocrisy

   Written By:  Starfleet

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Starfleet

     Aired On:  Oct 08 22:00:00 2001

     Stardate:  52055.5

Ghorev enters carrying a small aluminum case at his side (which is where his Chaka and Tricorder are, see...), and sets it down near the launch control console. "Have you figured how best to phrase the delicate situation to the junior officers?"

Edwards looks up from the console, since he was looking at it, while he waited. "No. I'll think of something." he responds. More of that lovely Edwardian planning. "I was thinking about who we should take, and what we should do. Usually, I would take the direct approach. Hendricks probably knows this. So... like we talked about earlier, going through T'shon might be best. I think we should take Ensign McAnally, and Counselor Gellan, if we can get her. What do you think?"

Ghorev says "I don't know the Counselor very well, mind you. But McAnally is a reasonably solid officer, yes."

Ghorev says "Any security detail, or would that tip our hand?"

Edwards remarks, "Gellan's a Betazoid. That's why I want her along." He pauses. "Maybe one or two security officers..."

Ghorev says "Alright, then. One of the more competent security types should do. You'd know their records, I suppose. Other than Ashida, the only one I know is that new Bajoran Lieutenant, Echo."

Edwards hmms thoughtfully, "Normally, I'd take Leftenant Dakin, but considering the problems he's had with McAnally and Dade... Echo'll do." He looks out among the various vehicles, "Why don't you call them down here, then we'll get underway. We can let 'em in on it after we depart."

Ghorev says "Of course."

Ghorev taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Ghorev to Ensign McAnally."

A voice responds over Ghorev's comm badge, "Ensign McAnally here."

Ghorev says into his comm badge, "Ensign, if you're on duty, summon your shift relief and report to the Shuttle Bay. Lieutenant Edwards and I will brief you when you get here.".

From Ghorev's comm badge, McAnally says, "Aye, Sir. McAnally out."

McAnally steps into the shuttle bay, the doors clanging shut behind her.

McAnally has arrived.

Ghorev taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Ghorev to Lieutenant JG Echo."

Edwards decides to speed things up a little.

Echo's voice responds over Ghorev's comm badge, "Echo here"

Edwards taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Edwards to Ensign Gellan."

McAnally strides in, looking around curiously.

Ghorev says into his comm badge, "Lt Edwards and I need you in the shuttle bay. You'll be briefed when you get here. If you're on duty, summon your shift relief.".

Echo's voice responds over Ghorev's comm badge, "I'm on my way."

Ghorev reaches up and taps his badge, terminating transmission.

Ghorev taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Ghorev to Ensign Gellan."

Echo steps into the shuttle bay, the doors clanging shut behind her.

Echo has arrived.

Echo marches in quietly, her hands behind her back.

McAnally stands near the door as well, and nods to Echo as the Bajoran Lieutenant arrives.

A voice responds over Edwards's comm badge, "Ensign Gellan here."

Sitting on the shuttle bay pad is the runabout USS Amazon, a Danube-class runabout.

Edwards says into his comm badge, "Report to the shuttle bay. If you have a patient, have someone relieve you, or reschedule the appointment.".

From Edwards's comm badge, Gellan says, "Um..yes sir. On my way."

Edwards reaches up and taps his badge, terminating transmission.

Ghorev stands near the shuttle bay's control console, an aluminum case at his feet. He spares the two newcomers a brief nod, and motions them to approach.

Edwards stands next to Ghorev and waits silently.

McAnally moves to stand near Ghorev at his gesture. "Sir?"

Echo follows MacAnally and nods to him, her hands still behind her back, paitently waiting to be briefed. She has a cool demeanor about her, one who is relaxed yet alert.

Gellan steps into the shuttle bay, the doors clanging shut behind her.

Gellan has arrived.

Ghorev frowns at the clanging door. "Mental note:" he murmurs, "install dampeners on those..."

Gellan walks into the shuttlebay with a slight frown marring her features. Strolling up to Edwards, she gives him a brisque nod. "Reporting, Lt Edwards." She glances around to the others curiously, then back to Edwards with a questioning look.

Edwards nods to Gellan and glances sideways at Ghorev, "Shall we adjourn to the Amazon?"

McAnally gives Ghorev a puzzled look, but it is fleeting, and quickly replaced by a neutrally expectant expression, piqued by Edwards' words.

The Bajoran glances over to Edwards, then back to Ghorev, she pauses for just a second to nod to Gellan as she enters, but goes back to quiet observation.

Ghorev nods. "That would perhaps be best. I'm sure you've got a flight plan in mind."

Within five minutes, the Amazon is peeling a banking turn away from the station with McAnally at the helm. Currently the heading is a small cluster of asteroids in the Fimdari system, where a number of training exercises have been conducted with junior officers from the station recently. This is probably one of those missions. But the Senior officers haven't said. Until now.

Edwards spins his chair around. Not just because it's so much fun, which it is, but so he can face the rest of his motley crew. "Okay, here's the deal. Bear in mind, this is classified information, so if I hear about this on the Mall tomorrow, you'll all be shot out of an airlock." He pauses. "We're going to Utopia Planitia to investigate a few officers that we believe are violating the Temporal Prime Directive."

Ghorev sits silently, watching the various others and their reactions.

McAnally glances over at Edwards from her seat, some surprise registering on her face. "Shall I lay in the new course, Sir?"

Echo is very well stone face, this is her job. No questions, not comments, just complete silence, until she's asked to speak on the matter.

Gellan settles herself deeper into the seat of the shuttle, glancing around at the other officers while she gets her bearings, until Edwards turns around. Leaning forward a bit, she listens intently, a brow rising slightly in mild surprise.

Edwards glances at McAnally, "Take us to the asteroids, then alter course to the Sol System." His attention returns to the group at large, "We have two suspects. Captain Judson Hendricks and his wife and assistant, T'shon. Our investigation will focus on T'shon, but keep your eyes and ears open for any information on Hendricks as well."

McAnally nods crisply, remaining silent as Edwards lists the suspects.

Ghorev opens his aluminum case, showing a chaka and a tricorder. He pulls out the chaka, examines it, sets it back in, all silently, while watching Edwards give the briefing.

Gellan frowns a bit, then finally speaks up. "Lieutenant..what kind of activities or information are we looking for?"

Echo listens to Ewards making a few mental notes. She'll wait for the questions until after the briefing. She is briefly distracted by Ghorev as he pulls out the bladed weapon, but her eyes goback to the Lieutenant.

Edwards looks to Gellan and responds, "We're looking to find out anything we can about their activities at Utopia Planitia. Captain Hendricks is currently running the Experimental Weapons Program. I don't think I need to express how not good it is to have a criminal in that position. Any questions?"

Echo nods to him. "Sir how do you want us to go about this investigation?"

Ghorev looks at Edwards and mouths clears his throat, then mouths something quickly, silently, as if reminding him of something.

Edwards shakes his head a little at Ghorev's mouthing and remarks, "The plan right now is to find T'shon, since Hendricks is who we want, and he knows it."

Gellan says "You expect Hendricks to be in hiding then?""

Ghorev murmurs, "We except him to expect and anticipate any move to go for him directly. He has been observing us for ... some time. And may know our usual bullheaded tactics. Trying to deal with his wife, he likely will not expect." Then he looks over at Edwards apologetically, perhaps for interrupting to answer the question.

Echo glances to Edwards. "Sir and when we find T'sol our plan of action is to?"

McAnally listens closely, taking the time to mull the plan over before interjecting anything.

Edwards just smirks at Ghorev. His attention turns to Echo, "We hope that she'll fold like an accordian and talk. Probably won't. I'd like to take her back to 419, but we'd have to get past Planitia's security..."

Echo thnks about that. "Which really shouldn't be too much of a problem." she starts to ponder on that portion of the plan.

Gellan glances to Ghorev and nods her head. "Unless he knows already that we would do that." She draws her brows together and frowns. Temporal stuff is so confusing. Settling back in her seat, she falls silent to observe the planning.

McAnally says "Approaching asteroid belt, Lieutenant Edwards."

Ghorev looks at Gellan. "Our best guess tells us he won't suspect it. We've got some ... intelligence on him, as well." He lets that drop and settles back into his seat to await their arrival where they need to be.

Edwards nods a little at McAnally, "You have your orders." Once again, he addresses the group at large, "This is a secret mission, people. I'm putting my trust and faith in your indiscretion and your abilities. I hope I'm not making a mistake." With that said, he becomes silent and waits for them to get to the Sol System.

Echo smiles just briefly, and then goes to work working on a plant to get past Security.

McAnally adroitly lays in a course for the Sol System.

Gellan smiles breifly, giving Edwards an acknowledging nod. Her thoughts evidently turn inward, though she glances at the other officers occasionally.

It takes a full day to reach the Sol system at maximum warp, so there's plenty of time to think about it all. The runabout drops out of warp and hits full impulse. Soon, the runabout it hailed by Jupiter Station, and after a routine identity check, the Runabout is allowed into the system without further incident. Currently, the large red dot of Mars can be seen through the viewports.

Edwards remarks idly, "Someone remind me to take a real ship next time."

Ghorev murmurs, drily, "I'm sure we could have requisitioned a Pakled vessel, of course."

Gellan looks up from the data on the PADD she's been reading, glancing to Edwards curiously. "I was going to ask why we didn't bring the Aegis, but I figured it had something to do with the Temporal nature of this mission." Turning to Ghorev, she gives him a look.

McAnally stifles a chuckle at Ghorev's remark, looking out at Mars as the runabout approaches.

Echo is quietly ploping in plans and ideas into the data PADD trying to find the easiest way to get past the Security. She's working on small little ideas, just wants this to run as smoothly as possible.

Edwards says nothing further. He merely drums his fingers against a panel while he waits for them to get to the shipyard.

The Runabout slides toward Utopia Planetia. The skeletons of the drydocks house spaceframes of ships of various classes in various stages of construction. "Utopia Planetia Tower control to Runabout USS Amazon."

McAnally needlessly echoes, "We are being hailed."

Edwards nods toward McAnally and remarks, "Answer 'em."

Gellan stretches a bit in her seat, anxious to get up and move around. "Finally," she murmers and tucks her PADD away.

McAnally says "Tower control, this is the USS Amazon requesting docking permission."

Echo glances uup quietly.

Edwards leans toward Ghorev and mumbles at him quietly.

Edwards whispers to Ghorev, "I don't suppose that you have an idea for a cover story?"

The male voice is calm and clear over the channel. "State the nature of your business, Amazon," says the voice. It is a time of war after all.

McAnally glances up to Edwards, knowing the sensitive nature of the mission, and unsure whether Utopia Planetia has been informed, and thus uncertain of how to respond.

Ghorev whispers to Edwards, "I hadn't thought of one, no. We *could* tell them we needed to have a classified consultation on some of Aegis' experimental systems."

*click* "Amazon?"

Echo glances over to the senior officers curiously.

Edwards snaps his fingers and nods at Ghorev, "I like it." He turns his attention to McAnally, "Tell them that we're here for a classified consultation on some of the USS Aegis' experimental systems."

McAnally says "We are here for a classified consultation on the experimental systems of the USS Aegis, Tower Control."

"Acknowledged, Amazon," says Tower Control. "You've been cleared for docking port six, drydock four."

McAnally says "Acknowledged. Amazon out."

Gellan glances to the others when clearance is given, wondering what the plan is from this stage out.

McAnally assumedly proceeds to dock the Runabout uneventfully.

Ghorev, once the audio is cut, notes "On the off chance Hendricks himself meets us when we set foot over there, either Lt. Edwards or myself, or both of us, will have to stall him while the rest of you find T'Shon."

McAnally says "Where should we begin looking, Sir?"

Ghorev looks to Edwards. "You know more about T'Shon than I do." He exhales in what is almost a sigh. "Your thoughts on where she would likely be when not working?"

Edwards states, "First, we'll check her office. If she has one. She's working on the Experimental Weapons Project with Hendricks, after all."

Drydock four turns slowly into view as the approach pattern takes you closer. Inside the skeletal fingers of the dock is a half-completed Akira-class vessel, missing large parts of the saucer section and it only has one nacelle. The runabout slides beside a work-crew man-handling a pre-fab set of quarters down the frame of drydock and onto the saucer section of the half-completed Akira. Workmen float all over it, the closer you get - the machine of war chugging along faithfully.

Edwards responds, "We'll stick together at first. If we get split up, then you're with me, Gellan. Echo, McAnally, you'll be with Leftenant Ghorev."

Ghorev says "One point to remember."

Ghorev continues with an even tone. "By their internal processors, combadges automatically seek for the neares Federation facility's communications array and computer core for processing. Once we set foot on the base, our combadges route through their systems. It would be prudent to maintain communications silence for as long as possible."

McAnally pushes a wayward strand of hair behind her ear as she shifts her attention to Ghorev.

Gellan nods once in acknowledgement. "Yes Sir." Finally standing from her seat, she makes a point to enjoy stretching after the long trip. A questioning glance to Ghorev is followed by a nod.

McAnally contests her Vehicle Operations (Shuttlecraft) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

The runabout snuggles up along side the docking port and in a few moments, the electromagnetic latches engage, McAnally's docking is acceptably comfortable.

Echo listens quietly and nods as orders are given. She's glances about then waits to board.

Edwards rises from his chair and remarks, "This is it. Let's... win one for the home team." Sounds good enough to him.

Ghorev rises, himself. "We're certainly due."

McAnally gives Edwards a bemused glance as she rises from her seat, ducking as she walks towards the docking port.

Ghorev takes his chromed case in hand, and heads for the exit with the others.

Gellan moves out away from her seat and falls in line with the others, smiling faintly at the sentiment.

Echo dosen't give comment, nor smile her mind is on her task, after all we all need a Red shirt.

Edwards heads out of the runabout with the others.

The runabout door slides open and the two spaceborn objects equalize air pressure with a hiss. Standing on the other side is a security contingency. One of them approaches with a silver box-like object, it's top surface is a glowing opaque white. The man beside him, in blue, carries a hypospray. The man with the box approaches the two Lieutenants. He's a JG, himself, a young Bolian. "Sirs. I need your hand print, and the doctor there needs a blood sample." The doctor is a human male.

Ghorev gestures towards Edwards. "After you, by all means."

McAnally takes advantage of the delay to speak quietly to Gellan. "The name T'Shon sounds vulcan. I'm not sure how psionics works, but would you be able to sense another mind with comparable abilities to your own?"

Edwards makes a face and mumbles something about vampires under his breath. But, since he'd rather not be shot, he complies with the security contigent, and goes about giving his handprint and a blood sample.

A quick personal moment for Echo as she closes her eyes just to send a simple prayer for success to the Prophets and she heads out of the runabout ready to give her hand print and blood smaple for the blood screening, at least she's not a changeling.

Gellan glances to McAnally while waiting her turn to exit. "Possibly, by the nature of their thoughts. But that's if she's a typical Vulcan in a typical setting." She falls silent as they approach the hatch to exit

McAnally nods, looking forward again as her turn to give a sample approaches, expression unconcerned.

Ghorev holds out his hand likewise, both for sample and print, as soon as Edwards is seemingly cleared by the procedure. He shifts the case into his other hand to do so.

"Recognize Edwards, Michael, Lieutenant. Recognize Ghorev, Akeen, Lieutenant. Recognize Gellan, Yasharra, Ensign. Recognize McAnally, Gretchen, Ensign. Recognize Echo, Lieutenant Junior Grade," states the box in turn as each member of the crew identifies themselves. Once each member of the crew has been tested for changeling infiltration, the Bolian security guard says, "If you would follow me, please. I will escort you to the briefing room."

Edwards huhs, glances at Ghorev, and shrugs. He moves to follow the Bolian fellow quietly.

Ghorev shares Edwards' look, and follows.

McAnally , seeing the Officers start after the Bolian, has no choice but to follow suit.

Echo keeps her hands behind her back and continues to follow.

Gellan follows as well, giving McAnally a glance as she falls into step behind her.

The crew is led down a corridor, straight rather than the usual curve, which appears to stretch to infinity as it follows the drydock frame. After a brief walk, you are escorted to a turbolift and travel down. One side of the turbolift is glass, and you can see the Akira in its spectacle of modern engineering. The turbolift stops and the Bolian escorts the crew down another short hallway, past a secondary security checkpoint. Strangely enough, the security checkpoint does not ask for any ID, they allow you right through. The Bolian stops at a door and opens it. "You may wait here."

McAnally nods slightly at Gellan, in confirmation of the trepidation the other woman must be sensing.

Edwards frowns now. Nevertheless, he enters the indicated room, and glances around quickly. This is, perhaps, a little too easy...

Echo steps over to Edwards for a moment and shakes her head.

Ghorev follows the other man in.

Gellan follows along into the breifing room, though a bit reluctantly. She nods to the Bolian as she steps past him, a lingering look before she steps inside after McAnally.

The room is a standard Starfleet issue conference room, of a slightly older beige design so common among Starfleet installations a few years ago. The conference table is long, its surface a white opaque that is glowing slightly from below, similar to the ID palm-box. The Bolian steps in with the crew, looks about. He gestures. "The replicator is there, feel free to have something while you wait." He turns and steps outside and into the corridor.

Edwards waits until the Bolian leaves. When the coast is clear, he looks to Ghorev and arches an eyebrow, "I figured they'd have us jump through some hoops. Wonder who they'll send in. Can't wait to hear about those Aegis perks..."

Echo starts looking around the room, making sure this is just standard. She agrees with Edwards it is too easy, and she's always lookning for the worse. She makes sure nothing is out of the ordinary at first glance.

McAnally says "Perhaps an opportunity will present itself for the junior officers at least to miss the 'consultation'."

Ghorev notes, for his own part, keeping up the conversation, "I'm keen to compare notes on the full extrapolated tolerances of the ODN relays, myself. But I can ask if the ship can handle the black velvet wall hangings you mentioned being fond of, if those are the perks. That one you showed me of dogs playing poker, when we were on that holodeck recreation of the market on Rigel IV was particularly interesting and would make a good Ward Room backdrop."

Echo contests her Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Edwards gestures at McAnally, "I'm sure you'll get a chance to see the sights before we depart, Ensign." His attention turns back to Ghorev, "If it can handle them, I'm going back to Rigel IV to get that one. Dogs playing poker. Heh."

Gellan takes the Bolian's cue and walks over to the replicator. "Coffee, black," she orders quietly, and glances around the room with a quiet amused expression. After the whine of the replicator finishes, she reaches in and retrieves the cup, then moves back toward the rest of the group and the table.

McAnally 's brow furrows at Edwards comment, "That wasn't..." she begins too softly, abandoning the protest as his attention shifts to Ghorev. Standing, she too visits the replicator, eyeing it suspiciously before ordering, "Orange Pekoe Tea, hot, with sugar and milk."

The Bajoran not finding anything relaxes just a bit. She keeps her hands behind her back still staying calm. She watches the others order from the replicator.

In a moment the doors part and in steps a Vulcan woman. She is absolutely beautiful, appearing 35 or 40 in earth-terms, but probably over a hundred in Vulcan years. She may be attractive, but she carries herself as stiffly as any Vulcan. Her black hair is a bowl cut. "I am T'Shon," she states. She doesn't bat an eyelash at anyone's presence, merely looks about the ensemble crew. "On behalf of Utopia Planetia Shipyards, I greet you." She is a civilian, wearing a blue jumpsuit, with a white lab-coat looking jacket.

Ghorev smiles a thin smile as T'Shon enters and introduces herself, but allows Edwarsd to make the first 'move', as it were.

Gellan contests her Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

McAnally turns around with her cup of tea at the voice, blinking at the name. Too easy, indeed.

Edwards turns around to face T'shon, with the straightest face he can manage. Respectfully, he bows his head slightly, and greets, "T'shon." He doesn't know if Vulcans use any titles, after all. "I'm Leftenant Michael Edwards, Strategic Operations Officer on Station 419." As he introduces everyone, he gestures toward them, "This is Leftenant Akeen Ghorev, our Chief Engineer. Leftenant Junior Grade Echo, a security officer. Ensign Gretchen McAnally, an operations officer. And, last but certainly not least, Counselor YaSharra Gellan."

Gellan contests her Receptive Empathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

T'shon sits down. "You wish to discuss experimental technology, Lieutenant. But, I fail to see the logic behind bringing crew members who are not cleared for such information to the discussion."

Gellan nods her head to T'shon as she's introduced, coffee cradled gently in her hands. Calm dark eyes seem to linger on the woman and after a breif moment, a look of vague surprise seems to cross her features. Moving around the table to be able to take a seat near Edwards, she remains silent and sets the cup carefully on the table.

Ghorev remains silent, following Edward's lead as he stands near the table. He watches intently, however.

The Bajoran watches quietly, and nod when she's introduced, that's the only way she going to polite. She keeps her attention on the Vulcan though, watching her manerisms, her cold demeanor, everything is noted by the Bajoran.

Edwards wanders toward the table and parks himself in a seat. The seat is next to Gellan's, of course. "Nobody ever accused me of being logical, you know?" he remarks, with a slight smile. "I'm the second officer of 419, after all."

Ghorev adds, idly, "A mantle of illogic comes with the role." And then adds, "And the ride over was a full 24 hours. We felt it best to have others with us to split the shifts of operating the Runabout. We *can* always dismiss them from this conversation."

McAnally remains standing by the replicator, watching this conversation play out, blue-green eyes darting alertly from one speaker to another.

T'shon arches an eyebrow. "I know who you are," she replies. "However, your motives are a ruse. Since you have traveled for a day, logic would dictate that we discuss your true reasons for being here." She folds her hands together and regards the officers without an expression.

Edwards doesn't let all of cards show just yet. "Why do /you/ think we're here, T'shon?" he inquires. An eyebrow arches slightly as he waits for her response.

Echo takes a few steps toward the door, just casually going to make sure the Vulcan dosen't try to bolt.

Gellan pulls out her chair and settles into it, sitting forward a bit. She glances from Edwards to Ghorev breifly, and then turns her gaze back on T'shon. Aware of Vulcanoid accuteness of hearing, she doesnt risk saying anything to Edwards, but does bump him a little with her foot and nods to him.

Ghorev has one hand on the chromed case's handle, but hasn't moved to open it, not just yet. He still stands, near the table, not yet taking a seat.

T'shon regards Edwards stoically. "As part of an ongoing rogue investigation that is spearheaded out of Station 419, involving temporal criminals, of which you believe my husband and I are a part."

Ghorev murmurs, "Damned nerve you have to speak of rogue anything, of course," but doesn't say it *too* loudly. There's no need to shout, after all.

Edwards doesn't react to Ghorev's muttering. He cracks a smile at T'shon's words, however, and responds, "You know me too well. Why don't you drop the Vulcan act? And I assume this means that we aren't being bugged... At least not by Utopia's security."

Gellan shows no surprise at T'shon's announcement. She expected it. She smiles slightly and leans forward now. "And it is an act, isn't it T'shon?" she says quietly and drops her voice to whisper to Edwards.

The Vulcan woman arches an eyebrow. "Assume what you wish, Lieutenant. I will tell you now that you are treading on far more dangerous ground than you have in the past. My suggestion," she says, then pauses, emphasizing the next part, "/logic/ would dictate that you are outgunned and outmanned in this fight - and that you should get back on board your runabout and go home."

T'shon just turns her head and regards Gellan stoically for a moment before looking back to Edwards.

Gellan whispers to Edwards, "you're right. She isn't Vulcan."

Ghorev says "Logic is a process, and does not dictate anything. It merely guides one to forulating a hypothesis. If I had a slip of Latinum for anyone -- Vulcan or otherwise -- who made that same error, I'd be the Ferengi Grand Nagus."

The Bajoran keeps watch of the door, standing behind the Vulcan. She keeps her gaurd, keeping her place making sure this situation stays the best.

Edwards glances around at the assembled juniors, then looks back toward T'shon, "It doesn't have to be this way. Give us all the information you have on /them/. We'll handle the fight. I'm sure that there's nothing logical about fighting a two-front war, when you can give up and have someone else fight your battle for you."

McAnally remains quiet and unobtrusive, having forgotten entirely about her tea, and just hanging back and listening.

T'Shon clucks her tongue. "By them I assume you mean the Lithians?" she asks.

Ghorev looks at Edwards for a long moment while the man makes his pitch. His lip twitches. He eyes T'Shon for the response and twitches again. Oh, dear.

Gellan shoots up a brow and settles back into her chair. Interesting turn of events. She watches T'shon carefully, puzzling over things she's sensed from the woman.

Edwards asides to Ghorev, without facing him, "Don't get twitchy on me now, Ake..." He resumes addressing T'shon, "Yes, the Lithians. I have no vested interest in watching billions die. But your way is the /wrong/ way. Give me your information on them. You know I'll do everything I can to stop it. Everything short of the murder spree that Sinclaire takes part in."

Ghorev stands mute at Edwards' aside to him, but is clearly *not* pleased or amused by this turn of events.

T'Shon stands up and moves around the table, not making a break for it, but just pacing. "What makes you think I have the information you demand?"

Edwards shifts in his chair slightly, so he can keep an on her, "Don't play games with me. Do you, or don't you?"

T'shons says "I don't."

Echo keeps gaurd of the door she watches T'son carefully allowing the others to interrogate her.

Gellan watches T'Shon pace, trying to gauge if she's telling the truth, evidently. Her arms are crossed in front of her and she frowns slightly.

Edwards glances toward Gellan and questions, "Well?" Yeah, so, he doesn't trust T'shon. Who would?

Ghorev follows T'shon with his eyes, keeping one hand on the handle of his chromed case. Oh, he does not look pleased *at all*.

Gellan looks to Edwards breifly and sighs. "I can't be sure Sir. She's hiding something, but I'm not sure even she is able to face it plainly," she answers him quietly and shrugs. "There is more involved here."

T'Shon echoes, "Much, much more."

Ghorev says "And yet," no longer able to hold his tongue, "your value to Lieutenant Edwards' plan decreases the less and less you know. Funny how that works."

Edwards slams a hand down on the table harshly, "Damnit, Bela. Why don't you talk to me straight? I'm getting tired of being played by you people." Ghorev isn't the only one getting annoyed.

T'Shon's character breaks and she regards Ghorev. "I'm an Engineer. Isn't that what you taught me to be? I deal with experimental propulsions and weapons. I'm not a biologist. Your knowledge of the Lithians is probably as great as mine is," she says, finally looking to Edwards. "And don't call me that."

Echo watches, well this plot thickens. She starts to wonder if it;s would be easier to get her off station.

Ghorev regards the woman in turn. "Don't claim me as your mentor. You haven't *yet* earned that right." He takes a step forward, the menace held barely in check. "There's an old Andorian expression I'll share for free: 'None sing hymns to each breath we take, but, oh, by the Gods, to be without them!'" Another step. "You have trampled, you and yours, on the Federation's highest law, which I take as seriously as the air I breathe. Do not, *for shame, damn you*, say that this is what I taught you, or I'll snap your jaw like a stick of kindling!" Though forceful, he keeps his voice as low as it needs be, a quiet, venomous vehemence, and he steps a few paces from the woman, just outside of arm's reach, but clearly within lunging distance if need be.

Gellan sits up straight in her chair at Edwards' words. Suddenly things are just a bit more clear. Her glance to Edwards is slighlty accusatory and her frown deepens. Fingertips drum lightly on the tabletop. "So nice to be informed," she murmers quietly, slightly miffed. She brushes that off rather quickly and turns to Ghorev in surprise. "Aahm...this really isn't getting us anywhere is it?" she interjects quietly.

Edwards stows the attitude when Ghorev starts to lose it. Someone has to play good cop, right? Under the circumstances, he'd probably be the best. After giving Gellan an apologetic glance, he stands and looks to T'shon, "He's about to break out the pointy thing, you know? That won't be fun. Give us something to work with."

Ghorev growls lightly, "I don't *need* the 'pointy thing', mind you, so don't rely on it not being in my hand." But he says right where he is, and doesn't yet make any further overtures.

T'Shon looks to Ghorev, her own emotions held in check. "I'm every bit of a loyalist as you, Ghorev. Don't start acting like other Andorians we know and loathe." She sits down again. "Now, here's a question for all of you: Do you /honestly/ believe that we could have done what we have done without some sort of stamp of approval from Starfleet? Temporal criminals infiltrating the very heart of Starfleet command? Your requests for assistance from them go unheeded because of a quiet collusion, and you think you're as white as the snow of the planet you hail from," she says to Ghorev. "Or to the linen you'd like to call me to."

Echo arches a brow, not really expecting this kind of topic. She dosen't belive what T'shon saying ,after all Echo is a loyalist, even though her planets not even in the federation.

Edwards clenches his jaw. This isn't good. Gellan definitely gets another look. She shouldn't need to wonder what that's about, either.

Ghorev shakes his head. "I don't call criminals to the linens, woman. And history is full of higher powers looking the other way tacitly and forgetting their own laws. But, in the Federation, admirals are held to the same standards as agronomists and princes as to pub-keepers. You don't get to ignore the Prime Directive when it suits you, no matter your rank."

Gellan gives T'Shon a surprised look. "Are you saying Starfleet is behind this?" She shakes her head, not quite believing it, but then she doesn't quite know the full story. She shrugs at Edwards. "I'm starting to think this kind of buried details is common. Who else is involved in all of this?"

T'Shon's fist slams down on the table and she jumps to her feet. "Don't you /see/?! We have /no choice/! Four years. That's all that's left. The party ends, no more Federation, three-hundred years of law and justice and civilization /gone/." Her voice raises louder. "Tell me in four years, Lieutenant Ghorev, how high your law is then." She looks to Gellan. Finally, someone is making sense. "Yes! They know! We're not here on Mars for our health!"

Edwards makes a few wild gestures with his hands, "I WANT QUIET!" It's hard to think with everyone expressing their own views on the matter.

Ghorev hisses, but Edward's shout cuts through whatever he's about to say next.

T'Shon repeats, "Four years." She goes quiet again and sits down, looking to Michael.

Gellan leans forward. "Four years until...oh gods," she says quietly, something finally clicking from an earlier conversation. Glancing to Edwards, she bites off another comment and simply nods. "Aye Sir." Obviously not quite happy about it, but she subsides.

Echo watches carefully, not believing anything from the suspect until proper proof is given. She stands camlmy ready to come ti ction if called. She's the observer for now. Her eyes and ears open ready for anything.

Edwards makes his way around the table slowly, until he comes up to T'shon's chair. He places a hand on the table, leaning against it while he looms over the Orion/Vulcan. "I want names. Don't play dumb with me. We know each other too well." he states simply.

T'Shon looks up into Edwards eyes. "I can't do that, Michael, you know I can't. You know me well enough to know that I am duty-bound. And what we are doing is /right/."

Ghorev makes a low rumbling noise, somewhere between a snort and a growl, from the back of his throat. And perhaps his weight shifts forward on the ball of one of his feet. And perhaps, likewise, his grip tightens on the handle of the metal case he bears. His eyes definitely narrow, though.

Gellan just shakes her head. "Does everyone in here have a double from the future or something?" It's fairly obvious that she's really confused now. "If the situation is that bad..why aren't we all on the same side?"

Edwards turns away from T'shon, toward Gellan, and responds, "They're criminals. Us or not, it doesn't matter. Now, Counselor... tell me that you're a telepath."

Ghorev *snaps* at that. "If you don't know the answer to that, Counselor, then they've already won!" His tone is a completely undisguised rebuke, enormous in its disgust.

T'Shon looks to Gellan. "Because Four-One-Nine's crew is paranoid. They don't understand that we're working to save the Federation, /not/ undermine it."

Gellan pales slightly, but nods to Edwards. "To a degree, yes." She swings around to Ghorev then and frowns. "How can I know the answer to anything when I'm brought into a situation with a blindfold over the truth! It would have helped matters if I'd been breifed," she snaps back. Looking back to T'Shon, she adds in an obviously irritated manner, "Evidenlty some aren't that paranoid, or you wouldn't be here."

Echo simply says . "Save the Federation or not, it's still illegal, and the future is not set in stone." Wow Echo can speak, her first opinon.

Ghorev narrows his eyes at Gellan, but says nothing, and then his gaze turns briefly to Echo as she does, in fact, lo and behold, speak.

Edwards remarks, "I'm not interested in anyone's opinion." He moves away from the table and begins to pace, "Can you get the answers out of her head, Counselor?"

T'Shon frowns at Edwards' question of Gellan.

Gellan looks at Edwards like he'd grown another head. "Do you mean can I forcefully enter her mind and poke around?" She shakes her head. "I doubt it. I'm not that strong a telepath..not to mention it would be wrong. I can read what's on the surface only." She looks back to T'Shon and sighs. "Which would help if she wouldnt bury it so far."

Echo looks to Edwards and arches a brow. "Sir?"

T'Shon looks to Gellan. "I've not been deceiving you, Sharra."

Edwards clasps his hands behind his back. As he walks, he takes slow and measures steps, and looks straight ahead, not facing any of the assembled people. "I want answers. If the only way to get them is to take them..." he pauses. "Can you try, Counselor?"

Echo glances over to Edwards. "Sir?" she asks again.

Gellan grits her teeth and looks at Edwards, then to Bela/T'Shon. "If you're not decieving me, then you won't fight me," she finally says quietly, and then shoots an offended look to Edwards. "If you're ordering me to do so, then yes, I can try."

Edwards orders, "Do it, Counselor." He stops his pacing, away from the group, and doesn't look back. "What is it, Mr. Echo?"

Echo looks at him. "Sir may I remind you this is a direct violation of Starfleet Regulation."

T'Shon glances to Edwards. "Will we become hypocritical, now?" she asks of him. "Rape my mind to satisfy your own curiosity? At least what I'm doing is for the good of billions of lives. I can rest comfortable in that. Will you be able to rest comfortably?"

Edwards remarks, "I know, Echo. I'm going to be crucified after this mission. Just like my predeccesors. Only... I plan to take all the credit for this mess." He pauses, then answers T'shon, "I don't think so."

Gellan sits still with her hands folded tightly in her lap, glancing from one to the other under the debate.

Echo glances to Edwards. "There are other options sir, than breaking regulations," she continues. "We are not the Tal Shiar, nor are we the Obsiden Order."

T'Shon looks to Echo. "A like a woman of conscience."

Ghorev says "Opposites attract."

Edwards comments, "I think I stated pretty clearly that I don't care about anyone's opinions..."

Echo nods to him. "However opinons or not sir, I'm am doing my duty as a STarfleet Officer to remind you that what you do is illegal."

T'shon says "So you'll break laws when it suits your goals. Sound familiar, Edwards?"

Ghorev says "However, Michael, as much as General Order Four permits you to suspend anything short of one of the other General Orders to safeguard the security of the Federation, *legally*, there *is* another way. Perhaps."

Edwards grinds his teeth, "I can't believe I married you." He glances sideways at Ghorev and asks, "What?"

Gellan glances back to Edwards, another spark of anger flashing. "This is not the way to do it, Sir." She glances to Ghorev then, falling silent to listen.

Ghorev says "She comes with us. If Captain Hendricks wants her back, he'll accede to our demands to name his co-conspirators. All of them. And to refrain from further manipulation of our affairs. Remember from where his feelings for her come, and how deep they run. I'm aware this might be difficult, of course, but it does rather beat the alternative."

T'Shon shakes her head. "I'm not going anywhere. I have work here. I have duty here."

Gellan suddenly narrows her eyes and looks between Ghorev, Edwards and T'Shon. "Hendricks.." She leans forward again, a bit suspiciously. "Just who is Hendricks?" She lifts a hand to gesture to T'Shon. "Now that I know who T'Shon is.." the glance follows to Edwards. "Is Hendricks his real name..or is another mask?"

Echo shakes her head no smiling at T'shon. "Sorry your off duty, your coming with us."

Edwards heaves a sigh, and definitely doesn't answer Gellan. "How are we supposed to get her past security, Ake?" he questions. "Somehow, I doubt that they'll let us spirit her off."

T'Shon looks to Gellan. "Captain Hendricks is Michael Edwards."

Gellan frowns at Edwards, about to make a comment on his ignoring the question, when T'Shon answers it for her. Sharra doesn't even look surprised. "I had a feeling..."

Ghorev says "It's up to her, of course, whether she comes willingly or after she's arrested. If she's arrested, of course, we can all go to Station Security and explain all our stories. They can't risk this story getting out any more than we wanted it to, Michael. Which means either they acquiesce quietly or learn very quickly how to deal with more noise than they can handle." He looks right at T'Shon. "I will, I assure you, cause a great *deal* of noise, if necessary. After I've caused you to do likewise."

T'Shon reaches to her breast and pushes something under her jacket. "Security to Conference Room 9a. Prioirty Gamma. Our guests have worn out their welcome."

Edwards remarks, "Or they'll just shoot us." He spins around and glares at T'shon, "Somehow I wouldn't put it past them. Guess it's now or never, though."

Ghorev makes a move to rush T'Shon the moment her hand comes up, of course. He's not quick enough to stop her, but he's quick enough, assuredly, to do what comes next.

Echo glances up to Edwards and to Ghorev. "Sirs?" she asks waiting for orders for when trouble cmoes.

Gellan stands up from her chair a moment later, anticipating that things are quickly about to go right down the sewer.

GAME: Ghorev spends a courage point.

Ghorev (claiming advantage) contests his Unarmed Combat (Wrestling) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Ghorev *is*, in fact, fast enough to slip around and behind T'Shon and get her in a fast, firm, grip that is clearly one borne of training. It positions her between him and the door, his case now at his feet, and just to one side. "I *can* make this hurt very badly, Bela, beyond the ability of a doctor to repair, if they don't stand down when they arrive," he hisses, loudly.

Echo sighs and glances to the door. This isn't right, this isn't the way to do this, however she understand the need for justice. She stands and prepares for trouble no more regulations from her.

GAME: Echo spends a courage point.

Edwards watches the situation dwindle out of control. Of course, he wonders if it was ever in control to begin with. Probably not. "No! We're not going to turn this into a stand-off! Stand down!" he barks.

T'Shon's emotions are calm and controlled. Her reply is even. "They will kill me if you do not let me go."

Ghorev says "Then the question of what I'll do in four years may become very academic, won't it?" FOr a moment, he ignores Edwards. Perhaps his grip even tightens. "We're going now, with or without you, Bela, but remember this: We're not as vulnerable as you think we are, and you're never as secure. Tell your husband that. We're not so lost in the woods as you think."

Gellan gives T'Shon an exasperated look. "Then /why/ did you call them?" She moves away from the table, toward the door.

Edwards jumps into good cop quickly, "T'shon, call them off. Please. We can work this out. We don't need a fire fight. Nobody has to die." He gives Ghorev an 'are you insane' look.

T'Shon looks to Gellan. "Duty."

Echo watches the door, hand on her phaser. Well if it's going to be firefight she's going to make it a safe one and hope they wont kill her.

Ghorev does not take his eyes off of the play of muscles in T'Shon's neck and jaw from where he stands behind her. Maybe it's some wrestling thing. "Someone get a damn PADD up and try to transport us out directly to Amazon. We can leave her here if we hurry."

T'Shon looks back to Edwards. "It's your decision, not mine. Someone has my arms, remember?" If she feels pain from Ghorev's hold, she makes no indication.

Ghorev says "Dammit, Counselor, can we *trust* her to call them off if I let her go?"

Edwards looks to Ghorev and orders, "Let her arms go, Ake." This definitely isn't a position he wants to be in. "Now. We have to trust her."

Ghorev snarls, and lets go, slowly, stepping backwards.

Gellan nods once, glancing to T'Shon. "Duty. Fine. But if this erupts into a firefight and Lt Edwards is killed.." she gives T'Shon a pointed look, "That is, if you're really from the future..then what does that do to your present situation." She narrows her eyes and gives T'Shon a long look. "I don't know," is her answer.

Ghorev says "Woman, you're very lucky."

Echo looks to Ghorev and then to T'shon. "There's got to be away we can take her with us."

T'Shon calmly takes a step forwards and shakes her arms once, twice. "Thank you," she says as dignified as she can. She walks toward the door where Echo is, tapping her badge. "Stand down from Gamma, there is no hostage. However, our guests require escort to their runabout." "Aye, sir," is the reply. The door hisses open and a squad of a dozen security officers, all wearing all-black? Starfleet uniforms - even the pips on their collars and chevrons on their breast are matte black finish - a dozen of them stand outside the door.

Edwards swallows and looks toward the escorts. "Ah, yes. Someone remind me to toss myself out of an airlock when we get home, okay?" He pauses and glances toward Ghorev, "What's this? Time-traveling villains 10, four-one-nine 0?"

T'Shon looks to Edwards. "You want a list of names, Michael?"

Ghorev says "I have a case, right there," to the security officers. "You can see it is still locked. It will remain that way." He reaches for it slowly, assumin gthey have no objections. "Remind me to read you from 'A Man For All Seasons' when we get back to the Runabout, Michael."

Edwards cracks a smile at Ghorev, and looks to T'shon, "Yeah."

Echo puts her hands behind her back, moving it away from the phaser. She holds her ground ready to leave when the others do.

T'shon says "Twenty-two percent of Four-One-Nine's crew survive the initial attack of the Lithians. Throw a dart at the roster. You're bound to hit one eventually. Logically, anyway." She moves to the case and picks it up, handing it to Ghorev. "Don't pack so light next time."

Ghorev says "I won't," to T'Shon. "But keep a bag of your own packed. The next time I return, it will be to haul you off with it in irons."

Edwards mutters, "Wonderful." He begins to make his way out, "Tell the goon squad to watch the uniform, please. I doubt I'll be wearing it much longer. I'd like to enjoy it while I can."

Gellan moves up even with the rest of the group, passing an odd look between Edwards and Ghorev, and then to T'Shon, this time with surprise. "Great." She crosses her arms in front of her and just waits for her group to move off, a foot tapping an irritating beat on the floor.

Echo smiles at t'shon softly, keeping her hands behind her back, she's going to remember her for now. She's going to be determined to stop this mess fom getting to bad. She looks to the others.

Ghorev says "Relax, Michael. A Shadow Government works by staying in the Shadows. Else it's no Shadow Government at all. I said so before and you mistook it for venom. But it's true. Trust me. I know this quite well." He moves slowly through the door, under the watchful gaze. "This won't make the news broadcasts."

T'Shon looks to Edwards and smiles wide, looking more like Bela for perhaps the first time. "It'll be our little secret, like Ghorev says." She nods to security, who escort the crew to a transporter room up two decks. Soon, the crew rematerializes on the Amazon.

Edwards comments, after the transport, "Well that went well. I think I'll go slowly kill myself, thanks to the humiliation." He pauses. "Before I do, someone remind me to have a stern talking-to with Bela about the Temporal Prime Directive. And someone else make a note: it's confirmed that Starfleet Command is condoning this nonsense. So... not a total loss, I guess."

Ghorev, the minute the transport is complete, makes for some controls and begins the usual procedures for lifting off the ship. "Ensign," he says to McAnally (since she's not here), "I'll take the first shift. You go rest and take the second shift."

Gellan settles herself into a seat for the long ride, droping into a silent sulk for the majority of it.

Echo is going to be a bit chatty for a few moment of the trip, she's an unhappy Bajoran security officer.

Ghorev pilots the ship into the darkness of interplanetary space, and here we presume, we fade to black.