Star-Crossing Lovers
Episode Name: Star-Crossing Lovers
Written By: Belgarath
Cast: Belgarath, Blair, Duncan, Evans, Harker, Havaris, Jorelle,
Medes, Nevaren, Nilee, Novak, Park, Poole, Rancion, Relnav,
Spect, Stewart, Tahlandi, Turtledove, Va'tol and Zian.
Produced By: Starfleet
Directed By: Belgarath
Aired On: Mon Nov 18 03:09:19 2002
Stardate: 52787.9
Time: Sat Nov 16 22:35:48 2002
Stardate: 52785.1
The Ops shift was relatively quiet until the sensors beep to alert about two incoming, unidentified ships.
Va'tol quickly turns his attention to the beeping lights. The Ensign casts a quick glance over his shoulder and then turns back to his console. "I spot two unidenfied vessels approaching." he says, turning to look at the rest of the officers.
GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Turtledove contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Turtledove's mouth relaxes into a neutral line as she nods to Va'tol, her fingers flying lightly over the controls at the Security console. "Affirmative, sir. I am scanning their weapons array now, sir." She pauses for a moment as the tapping continues. Her expression hardens slightly. "The flag ship isn't armed, sir. But the ship following it has a laser, and is targetting the flag ship. Would you like me to hail the second ship, sir?"
Nilee quirks an eyebrow as the mood in Ops suddenly shifts to a tenser state, looking down at his station the Trill shuts down his sensor calibrations and brings up the local sensor readouts to backup the information Turtledove is giving and be of assistance if he can. He remains silent however, letting the higher ranking Vulcan take charge.
Va'tol nods at Turtledove's statement. "Yes, please do." Then he raises, straightening up "Unidentified vessel, this is Ensign Va'tol of Station 419. You are in Starfleet territory. Disable your weapons and identify yourself." he says in a very Vulcan fashion, but not lacking politeness.
Turtledove continues tapping evenly at her console, meanwhile, regarding the output, quietly alert.
Nilee keeps his eye on the sensors, but splits his attention between the readouts and any response, verbal or otherwise that may come about.
There is silence at first as the hailed vessel is incapable of transmitting messages from such a range. Yet, as the armed ship gets closer to the station and into reasonable communications range, it still does not reply to a repeated hail. Sensors show it closing in on the front ship.
Va'tol takes a step forward. "Ensign, hail the first ship."
<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Turtledove nods curtly to Va'tol. As she her finger movements shift over the console, she says, "Sir, fyi, I've scanned the first ship and found that it has no apparent shield system. Sensors indicate that the first ship is undamaged at this point." With that, she attempts to hail the first ship.
<CONTEST> Nilee contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Nilee taps at the controls at the primary science station, "The leading ship appears to be an equivalent size to one of our shuttles, and the rear vessel is a fair bit larger, a small scout sized vessel, I doubt the lead vessel could take much of a beating, it's likely outgunned."
The response comes in from the lead ship and the image of a Rynkan male in a cramped cockpit appears on the screen. Directly behind him is a Teirian female, with a bit of a worried expression on her face. "Please help us," begs the Rynkan pilot. "They're going to destroy us!"
Va'tol nods at both reports, sizing the situation quickly. He looks up at the screen, replying. "Who are they? And why do they wish to destroy you?" casting a glance over his shoulder at Turtledove, Va'tol speaks. "Ensign, Yellow Alert!"
Turtledove nods, tapping at the console. Seconds later all active bridge stations are automatically brought to Full Enable Mode. Auto diagnostics are initiated for all primary and tactical systems. Turtledove doesn't look up from her console as she reports, "Directing all on-duty personnel to prepare for a possible emergency action, sir."
The yellow alert lights come on and a klaxon sounds.
<CONTEST> Nilee contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Nilee frowns as he gets a sensor report, "Five seconds before the rear vessel is in weapons range!"
While busy maneuvering the small ship around, the Rynkan partially glances up at the screen as he says, "I'm Relnav Narmot, but if nothing else, save Jorelle. Please. She's completely innocent!" The small ship rocks and sparks fly in the cockpit, forcing the Rynkan's attention to go back to piloting the ship.
Jorelle clings to the pilot's chair from behind, "He's no more guilty than I am! If you can't save us both, save him!"
"There will be no victims, Mr. Narmot. We will not let any of you get harmed." Va'tol lowers his tone. "Tactical, keep our weapons aimed at the rear ship's weapon array. Hail them again. Sciences, can you get a lock on the two from the front ship for transport?"
Turtledove looks over to the vacant Tactical station, then to Va'tol, pauses, then taps at the Security console a couple of times before getting up and heading over to Tactical.
Turtledove stands and leaves Security.
Turtledove sits down at Tactical.
Once at Tactical, Turtledove immediately begins tapping at the console, focused intently on her task.
<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Nilee contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Turtledove's mouth curves upward slightly, as her fingers move over the Tactical console. "Hailing the second ship, sir."
Nilee taps at the science console, nodding at the order, "Yes sir," he pauses for a few seconds as he brings up transporter control, "That's an affirmative on the transporter locks sir, I have them."
"Thank you!" Relnav says whole-heartedly as the cockpit shakes again and the lights flicker before losing communications link with the station. As the screen switches back to a view of the approaching ships, the rear one can be seen veering away and heading back in the direction it came from while small bursts erupt from the shuttle.
Harker steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Harker has arrived.
Jorelle's last visible transmission was the view of her looking fearfully around her in every direction while clinging with still more strength to the back of the pilot's chair. Then, the communications link is severed, and her image fades with Relnav's.
Va'tol takes yet another step forth. "Tactical, what is the status on the ship? Sciences stay ready to transport."
Turtledove's eyebrow quirks slightly as her fingers fly quietly over the controls at the Tactical console. She responds evenly. "I've got a lock on the rear ship's weapons array, sir" Her expression hardens slightly, her fingers quickening somewhat. "Sir. I've reinforced our shields in the area where the lead ship is likely to intercept the station, as it is currently on a collision course with the station, and sensors show that it could blow at any moment."
The yellow alert lights continue flashing.
Nilee continues tapping at the console, correcting for position changes to keep the transporter lock on the shuttle's occupants, "Transporters standing by, on your mark, Sir."
The shuttle is lurched sideways, but is still heading towards the station at a high velocity. The scoutship, on the other hand, is heading away from the station at warp speed.
"If the rear vessel wishes to go, let them. Focus on the damaged shuttle. Sciences, teleport them to Operations. Tactical, as soon as they're safe, try using the tractor beam to hold it, or at least lower their speed. Keep our phasers locked on it as well. I'd rather destroy the ship then let it crash against our shielding.." says Va'tol.
<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Tractor Beam) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
The sliding doors open, and Ensign Harker steps through, managing to hold off on trepidation and appear at least mildly confident. He stops just inside, clasping his hands behind his back as he tries to get a read on the scene in general, and then glances towards Va'tol with an expectant look.
Turtledove acknowledges Va'tol's order with an increased frequency of finger movements over the console. Her expression remains slightly hardened as she focuses on her work. "The tractor beam is ready to go on your order, sir."
Nilee taps at the console, but it beeps back at him, "I can't transport while the shields are up, the reinforcements are interferring, we're going to have to lower them temporarily or try something else, sir."
On the viewscreen, one can see the hurtling shuttle enter into close proximity of the station.
"I do hope the tractor beam works. Tactical, make it so. Sciences, lower the shields." he then notices Harker. "Ensign Harker, assume your post at the Operations console." adds Va'tol.
Harker manages a very curt nod, not bothering with the pleasantries as he cross the few steps to the console and settles into the seat.
Harker sits down at Operations.
Turtledove's brow creases slightly, her mouth tightening, as she sequences the tractor-beam to swerve the run-away shuttle away from the station, knowing that the shields are down, and if she fails... well, it's better not to think about these things. Her eyes glitter vaguely as her fingers work the console. She takes a quiet, sharp intake of breath. And succeeds!
The Trill's fingers dance across the control interface of the science station, Nilee notes his actions out loud as they take place, "Shields lowering," a split second pause, "Energizing."
The shield lowers, the tractor beam swings the shuttle away from the station and slows it down to a stop, and the occupants of the shuttle materialize onto Operations.
Jorelle, who had been clinging to the pilot's chair of the shuttle for dear life, is startled at the sudden change of locale. She shudders, eyes squeezing closed. Her suddenly emptied hands wrap around herself and she makes a soft, mewling sound of fear. "Wh... wh..." She tries to speak, but fails to form a word.
"Sciences, raise shield. Tactical, do you think this ship might explode in our hands?" The Vulcan then turns to regard their two guests. "Welcome to Station 419."
Harker lays his hands on the console, refamiliarizing himself with it. He doesn't get much time for that, as the two beam in in mere moments and obviously occupy a good deal of his attention.
Turtledove nods curtly. "Affirmative, sir. It is in a highly unstable state."
The yellow alert lights continue flashing.
Nilee nods his head once, as he finishes tapping something, "Shields back up sir, to their earlier configuration, reiforced in the direction of the shuttle."
Relnav seems stunned for a few seconds as he looks around. Then, regaining his senses, he checks Jorelle to see if she is hurt. When all seems fine, he goes up to Va'tol and takes the Vulcan's hands into his. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Jorelle relaxes when Relnav comes to her aid, cracking her eyes open and looking around in wonder - much like someone who expects to learn she has been dreaming. "Wh... what happened?" she tries again with more success. "Relnav, are we... Are we maybe safe? For a while." She swallows, looking around again, "Where are we?"
Va'tol nods, shifting his gaze to Turtledove. "Even with our shields up, I do not wish to take any risks. Make sure the ship is far enough so it will not cause any damage." He turns quickly to Relnav, blinking at the man. "You're..welcome.." How's that for a human greet? "Yes, you are both safe. We might need to run you through our medical staff, and then ask you some questions related to the incident, as procedure." Back to Harker. "Ensign Harker, can you call the Security Station? Summon anyone available."
<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Tractor Beam) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
"Acknowledged," Harker replies, turning back to the console and hailing security as ordered...
Harker taps his comm badge, "Ensign Harker to Station Security."
Over Harker's comm badge, someone says, "Station Security, Lt. JG Havaris on Duty. Report."
Turtledove nods curtly to Va'tol, her eyes glittering quietly as she concentrates wholly on moving the damaged shuttle away from the station. She taps at the console, her finger movements slowing, her brow creasing ever-more... one last tap... and kaboom! The station rumbles tangibly, resonating with the shock-waves of the exploded shuttle, and its scattered debris.
Into his comm badge, Harker says, "All available personnel requested at Operations, Sir."
From Harker's comm badge, Havaris says, "Understood. Havaris out."
Harker's comm badge ends its transmission.
Havaris steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Havaris has arrived.
Nilee grips the edge of his of his station slightly as Ops rumbles from the explosion outside, glancing down at the readouts as it subsides.
The station rumbles slightly.
Va'tol continues. "I will cal--.." The Vulcan stumbles backwards, turning to look at each station. "Report." His eyes turn to Havaris as he arrives.
The Rynkan's eyes are drawn to the viewscreen showing the exploding shuttle, bracing himself as the station shakes. Quickly looking back at Jorelle, Relnav extends a hand out to her. "We're on the Federation station," he smiles at her. "They have a technology that can teleport us from our ship to here. We're safe." To Va'tol, he nods. "Yes, we'll do whatever you need us to."
Harker swivels his nifty swivel chair just enough to glance at Havaris when the man enters, and then turns back to his console again, businesslike.
Jorelle accepts the response offered by Relnav and moves to take his hand, eyes drawn to the screen as well. At the rumble, she very nearly loses her footing, but catches herself and grips his hand. "Safe," she muses at a whisper. Louder, glancing at the Vulcan briefly, she adds her own agreement, "Anything you need, Sir. Th-thank you for your help."
Havaris stumbles into Ops quite literally, returning to his footing once the rocking of the station subsides. It doesn't take him long to realize he's somehow managed to walk onto a Deck commanded by an Ensign. Perhaps surprisingly, he makes no command, giving Va'tol a nod to carry on. Instead, he moves towards Tactical for now. "Reporting as requested, Ensign." Not relieving anyone, not assuming command. At least not yet.
Turtledove's mouth tightens, her eyebrows descending quietly as the station rumbles. "Scanning for damage now, sir." Seconds later, her expression relaxes. "Sensors indicate no damage to the station, sir."
Va'tol nods in reply to Havaris, settling his attention back on the couple. "There is no need to thank me. It is our duty to help any ship in distress." he replies. "Are any of you hurt?" he then asks, looking between them.
Nilee glances over sensor readouts for a few moments before reporting, "Shields held steady through the blast."
Relnav holds Jorelle's hand gently, looking at her to let her answer the question first.
Jorelle stares at the viewscreen - the blank space Relnav's and her shuttle had occupied only a few moments before. Shivering, she looks uncertainly at Relnav. "We're... stuck," she comments quietly. "I don't ever want to go back to the way things were, but... but we're stuck." Drawing her attention off the screen, she looks sheepishly at Va'tol, "N-no, sir. I'm not hurt at all. Relnav may be, though." She squeezes his hand for emphasis.
Havaris pats Turtledove's shoulder lightly, nodding his head in approval at what he reads. "Nicely done." That murmurs quietly, he turns about to find Va'tol and the refugees, straightening up to his full and diminutive height as he clears his throat. "Will the Ensign be requiring my assistance here, or shall I return to my post?" His eyes begin scanning Jorelle and Relnav in a markedly critical fashion.
Havaris's comm badge chirrups, and a voice says, "Lieutenant P'Trell to Lieutenant JG Havaris."
Tapping his comm badge, Havaris says, "Stand by, Sir. Awaiting orders myself."
Va'tol gives another curt nod. "I will be calling the Medical officer as well. You two are safe now. Excuse me for a moment.." He then turns to regard Havaris, quirking a brow. "I..thought you would want to take control Sir, as the higher ranked officer.." And as the comm chirrups, he adds. "..but I can proceed if you wish."
From Havaris's comm badge, P'Trell says, "Understood."
Harker remains facing his console now, though his fingers start tapping in an idle sort of distraction, and he peers as far as his eyes will roll in the direction of the two... visitors.
Into his comm badge, Havaris says, "Looks like I'm in command up here. Relieving Ensign Va'tol. Looks like things have quieted down, though. Report to Sciences and we'll keep you advised. If there's nothing else, Sir?"
From Havaris's comm badge, P'Trell says, "I'm in sciences already, I just wanted to know what was going on up there."
Into his comm badge, Havaris says, "Looks like we have some guests, Prythra. I'll get a report your way as soon as matters are in hand up here. Havaris out."
Havaris reaches up and taps his comm badge, ending transmission.
Turtledove's eyebrows go up with quiet surprise at Havaris' light shoulder contact, her mouth curving upwards slightly, as Havaris moves away to take care of business. Mostly, she just looks vaguely relieved. She continues tapping at the console, perhaps taking care of residuals associated with the explosion.
The yellow alert lights continue flashing.
Nilee keeps an eye on sensors, occasionally glancing away from the science station towards the new arrivals that he beamed aboard only moments ago.
"I'll be fine," Relnav replies, despite the bruising hand.
Jorelle murmurs directly to Relnav, "They're offering us assistance, Relnav. Take the help. If you're hurt, say so now, Relnav, please."
Va'tol says, "The Deck is yours, Sir.." And back to the couple, for one last time. "This is Lieutenant Havaris. If you have any questions or requests, please direct them to him." he says, giving them a last nod and stepping back.
"Thank you, Ensign." Havaris steps up into the command chair, swiveling about on a heel to assume a casual lean, propping up one elbow in that cool way that Edwards manages to make look casual but Havaris hasn't -quite- mastered yet. "Stand down from Yellow Alert. Operations, please hail Ensign Evans and ask the Ensign to report to Operations to greet our new guests. Sir, miss, I am Lt. JG Havaris, Assistant Chief of Security aboard. It's my honor to welcome you to Station Four-One-Nine. Once Ensign Evans, our Junior Diplomatic Officer arrives, we'll see about finding you both comfortable quarters and make sure that you both receive a thorough medical check-up prior to letting you about that station. If you have any questions, please... allow me to answer them."
Havaris sits down at Commander's.
The yellow alert lights go off.
Harker not having anything to manage at the moment, he just stays at his post. It's not very exciting, but that's to be expected, really. That is... until Havaris addresses him. "Acknowledged," he answers, tapping his compin to comply, once again nice and professional.
Harker taps his comm badge, "Ensign Harker to Ensign Evans."
Over Harker's comm badge a voice answers, "Ensign Evans here."
Into his comm badge, Harker says, "Report to Operations immediately. Harker out."
Turtledove's finger movements have slowed over the console, restored to their usual light, even pace. For the first time, she looks up from the Tactical console to study the new guests, offering them a quiet, yet warm smile, before returning to her work.
Harker's comm badge ends its transmission.
Nilee looks up from his station for a more extended period of time now, having no official duties to perform, having been caught up here to do some duties for sciences, he turns to face the guests and the officer in charge, observing quietly.
Evans steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Evans has arrived.
"Hello, sir," Relnav says to Havaris. "Thank you." A glance around Operations before he asks, "Um, I do have a question. Is there a way that we can talk more privately later, sir?"
Jorelle has little to offer, clearly still apprehensive. She stays near Relnav, frequently flicking glances out over the viewscreen and at the various bridge crew present.
"We as in me and you, Sir? Or we as in yourself and the young lady." Havaris nods to Jarelle indicatively. His eyes shift briefly about the bridge to take stock of his crew's demeanor before settling once more back on the unlikely pair currently present on the Bridge. "Operations? Ready the PA. I'll be making a statement to put the crew and civilians at ease about all of this once our guests are cleared."
Va'tol doesn't seem nervous, but it was a relief to see Lt. Havaris take over. Maybe he's not ready to fill a commander's shoe yet, but who knows, one day. The Ensign returns to his post behind the Operations console. "Yes Sir." he says, laying a hand on his console and connecting the viewscreens of the Station.
At this point, the doors to Ops open and a slightly perplexed looking Ensign Evans arrives on the scene. He glances around, since he's a bit unfamiliar both with the location itself and the people assembled. He hesitates only because he's not sure who's he reporting _to_.
Harker, stopped just before carrying out Havaris' command himself as Va'tol returns, looks over his shoulder at Evans. Catching the young man's perplexity, he points a finger discreetly at Havaris, in the Chair. Him.
Turtledove works quietly at Tactical, meanwhile.
After a few moments of silent observation, Nilee turns back around and taps at his console for a moment, after a few seconds of activity, he begins to stand, deactivating the station as he does so. Having not been on bridge watch at the beginning of this ordeal, he begins to make his way out of Ops, the situation seeming to have calmed for the moment. After giving a couple of nods to those present, he starts to make his way out of Ops, back to his duties.
Relnav glances at Jorelle as he answers Havaris, "All three of us. I want to ask you something, sir, but it involves Jorelle too."
Nilee heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.
Nilee has left.
Jorelle looks at Relnav in confusion, brows creasing. She raises her gaze onto the Bajoran man, waiting.
"Certainly. I'd be happy to." Havaris nods briefly to Nilee, excusing him even as he's excusing himself, attention returning to the pair addressing him. Noting Evans' arrival, Havaris motions the Ensign forward with a pair of beckoning fingers. "Sir, Miss. This is Ensign Evans, one of our Diplomatic officers. I'll place him in charge of the comfort and necessities of your stay. Any cultural concerns that you have can be brought to him or Lt. JG Idrani, his supervising Officer. Evans? Why don't you see these two into the Ward Room. I'll make my address to the Station and join you presently."
Evans nods, politely. "Of course, Sir," he says, to Havaris, his bearings coming back to him swiftly as soon as it's clear what he's meant to do. "Sir, Miss," he says, to the pair indicated to him, "If you'd like to come with me?" he gestures towards the exit, and, you must presume, from there, to the Ward Room.
Va'tol enables the last channels throughout the Station, leaving the command on Havaris console. "PA set, Sir." he says.
Thrust back into not having any responsibilities, Harker absently watches Va'tol's fingers on the console. Otherwise, well. He does nothing.
Turtledove's mouth curves upward faintly, as her fingers slow over her console, gradually finding themselves idle. She flicks a glance at Lt. Havaris, regarding him quietly, perhaps reflecting upon what's to come. After all, so far nobody knows where that hostile ship was from and if it will be returning with reinforcements.
Time: Sun Nov 17 03:19:14 2002
Stardate: 52785.5
Some hours after the arrival of Relnav and Jorelle, the sensors again pick up on an approaching Rynkan ship.
Havaris straightens in his chair as the report comes to his ears, a hand moving to his face with a sigh of annoyance. Rynkans. Adjusting himself properly, Havaris notes glumly, "Yellow Alert. Operations, open a hail to the Rynkan vessel."
The yellow alert lights flash and a klaxon sounds.
Operations's communications terminal chirrups, and a voice says, "Lieutenant Tahlandi to Operations."
Anyone present may type '+answer' to answer the hail.
Medes initializes the communications terminal, "Ensign Medes here."
Havaris's comm badge chirrups, and a voice says, "Lieutenant P'Trell to Lieutenant JG Havaris."
From Operations's communications terminal, Tahlandi says, "What's going on? I'm on my way up right now."
Into her comm badge, Medes says, "Our sensors have picked up an approaching Rynkan ship, sir."
From Operations's communications terminal, Tahlandi says, "Understood. Anything else I need to know?"
Into her comm badge, Medes says, "We're attempting to open a hail. Beyond that, no information is available at the present time, sir."
Havaris notes to Medes, "A Rynkan vessel pursued a shuttle craft into our space, offering fire. The craft was destroyed and refugees taken. If this is the same craft, it's a formal precaution. Inform the Lt. I am currently in command of Ops."
Tahlandi steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Tahlandi has arrived.
Duncan glances over at Havaris and sees that he has the situation well in hand and continues to work on his sensor scans.
Harker steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Harker has arrived.
From Tahlandi's comm badge, Medes says, "My mistake, sir. One moment."
Into her comm badge, Medes says, "My mistake, sir. One moment."
Tahlandi reaches up and taps her comm badge, ending transmission.
Tahlandi's comm badge ends its transmission.
<CONTEST> Duncan contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
The hail is answered and the image of a Rynkan appears on the screen, dressed in a Rynkan military uniform.
Tahlandi steps out into Operations and quickly begins making her way down the stairs, making a motion to Havaris in the process. "Lieutenant, if you would be so kind as to take tactical," she says softly, under the level of the comm's ability to pick her up. When she reaches the floor near the command chair, she glances up at the viewscreen, and murmurs softly to Havaris as he passes. "Situation?"
Havaris rises fluidly from the command chair as Tahlandi approaches, offering her his PADD while unobtrusively plucking hers from her belt. On it, of course, is a briefing in full of previous events. He can't very well leave without a PADD, so hers is claimed. It's all nicely in synch, almost seamless. "A Rynkan vessel chased a shuttle into our space. We rescued the refugees. They've claimed asylum. The Rynkan's disengaged after a tactical lock on their weapons. The shuttle was destroyed. I stand relieved, Sir." Kusto gives Tahlandi a wink, glances to Medes, then at the Engineering Station, and moves to settle in at Tactical, finally glancing up at the Viewscreen like a good Junior Officer.
Havaris stands and leaves Commander's.
Havaris sits down at Tactical.
Stewart steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Stewart has arrived.
Medes moves away from the comm when Tahlandi enters, making the whole hailing process redundant; she crosses paths with Havaris on her way to Engineering, offering him a nod and an uncharacteristically subdued smile in passing.
Medes sits down at Engineering I.
Harker walks in just behind Tahlandi, discreetly moving to the Operations Console as the woman goes to the Chair. He sits down, not gone so long as to forget it, and looks over the reports.
Harker sits down at Operations.
Rancion steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Rancion has arrived.
Duncan sitting at the science station, works on the scans he came up to ops for, then in the process glances at Haveris and forwards some data over to tactical.
The Rynkan just sits there, watching the muted exchange between Tahlandi and Havaris with an annoyed look on his face.
Tahlandi takes a quick glance down at the PADD, her eyes scanning over the text, before she tosses it onto the chair behind her and turns back to face the Rynkan, her voice back to normal. "My apologies for the delay, Captain. I'm Lieutenant Tahlandi. What can I do for you?"
Havaris glances over his Tactical console for a moment, idly plotting several dozen ways of ruining the Rynkan's day. He glances aside at Duncan to offer the man a nod of thanks, then to Medes to offer a nod of encouragement before returning his gaze to the view screen.
GAME: Medes spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Medes (claiming advantage) contests her Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Medes taps at her console after a moment's pause, her brow furrowing up as she briefly chews on her lower lip. A brief look of frustration crosses her face before she taps at it again. Seconds later, a text box pops up on Harker's console, communicating without disrupting the hail. It reads: 'Ensign, please procure sensor information on the ship in question and relay it to Engineering. Impossible to determine exact class of ship in question and obtain tactical readouts otherwise.' Thereafter, she sits back in her chair and waits.
Stewart enters, in RRT uniform, hand on his holster. He looks around briefly, and then relaxes, hands dropping to his sides. He heads over towards Havaris, keeping his voice low to avoid disrupting anything. "You weren't answering hails." It's not an accusation, more a justification for his own presence.
Havaris reaches up and taps his comm badge, ending transmission.
<CONTEST> Harker contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!
Harker reads over the message that comes up on his console, quirking a brow slightly. His fingers tap away at the controls dilligently, his expression twisting into a frown slowly and jaw tightening with the frustration. He darts his eyes towards the woman at the engineering console and makes an almost imperceptible shake of his head.
Rancion comes in thru the door behind Stewart, his game face on. Seeing that everything is under control, to at least a certain extent, he takes up position next to the door his eyes flicking to the Rynkan on the view screen. Glancing quickly at Stewart he nods slightly. Other than a slight shifting of his feet there is no other outward appearance of any nervousness coming from him.
Duncan makes some adjustments to the sensor array he's using and continues to make his scans, while occasionally glancing around to see what's going on.
"You have a Rynkan and a Teirian on your station?" the Rynkan captain half asks.
Tahlandi raises an eyebrow mildly. "We do," she responds simply enough. "Might I ask why, exactly, that concerns you?"
Havaris drums his fingers lazily across the rim of his console, glancing up at Stewart for a moment before returning his gaze to the screen. "Been a bit occupied," he murmurs quietly, "stick around."
Medes's expression becomes briefly much more frustrated at Harker's failure, but she nods, runs a hand through her hair, and mouths, 'Can you try again?' at him after hearing the (certainly inevitable) line on inquiry going on via the hail.
Stewart nods crisply to Havaris, and then gives a quick look around, moving over a bit to make sure he's out of the line of traffic, and not in the way. Once there he stands, not at attention, but rather paying attention, watching the room.
Harker makes that same shake of his head, looking more than a little annoyed about it himself. As soon as he's clear Medes got the message, he looks back to the console to be more inconspicuous.
Rancion stays in his position listening to the conversation going on. His eyes are constantly on the move keeping himself ready for anything that might happen.
Duncan glances back around and gives Medes an enquiring look noting the voiceless question she'd directed at Harker, then keys in a quick text message that appears on Medes' screen simply asking, "Anything I can help with?"
"They have been charged for the murder of a Rynkan official," the captain says matter-of-factly. "I have a warrant to retrieve them for trial."
Tahlandi takes a couple of steps toward the viewscreen. "I'm quite sure you have all of the necessary documents, Captain. Unfortunately, our past experiences with you have given us the impression that such claims are not always entirely accurate, and I'm afraid we would need more proof than a mere arrest warrant to let them go into your custody. Furthermore, the two individuals in question have already requested asylum."
Havaris lifts a hand from his terminal to cover his mouth and feign a cough to keep from laughing out loud. He gives a mildly amused and nigh envious glance to Tahlandi, settling back to the inspection of his terminal to tap out an idle shave-and-a-haircut series of chirps. Go Tahlandi.
The incoming message on Medes' system is answered quickly in the same text-based form. "I need the sensor information on that ship to pull up tactical readouts, I can't narrow it down to less than a dozen ships right now. Ops hasn't been able to bring it up. Let's both give it a shot; hopefully one of us will be successful."
Stewart continues standing there, as he was before, though having surveyed the room, he now focuses his attention on the viewscreen, watching the Rynkan.
Rancion's mouth changes from a tight line to a half concealed smirk at Tahlandi's response. His folded hand gives a thumbs up that she may not see, but at least the thought is behind it, as he watches the Rynkan's face on the viewscreen.
The science console bleeps quietly as it transfers some scan data to Mede's console at Duncan's command along with a short message explaining that he'd already scanned the ship as it was arriving and transferred that data to Havaris at tactical. Duncan turns back to her with a rather boyish grin and a quick nod.
"Is that so?" the Rynkan captain asks. "Then why don't you ask your runaways about it? I'm sure their families wouldn't want them to act so dishonorably."
Tahlandi manages a small smile. Actually, it's more of a smirk than a smile, but hey, who's counting? "I intend to. And if you'd like to wait for us to do so, you're welcome to."
Havaris, oblivious that sensor data was being requested, is naturally oblivious to Duncan providing it to Medes. He's more concerned with poking at the odd control on his console and the occasional glance up at the viewscreen.
Medes raises an eyebrow at Duncan's response, her mouth forming a brief 'oh,' before she nods back to him rather blankly and settles back in her chair; her hands fold across her stomach and she turns to watch the viewscreen.
Stewart keeps his expression neutral at the moment, more a mask of concentration than any reaction to the Rynkan debate. He seems quite interested, though. After watching for some time, he shifts over a bit to lean against the back of one of the panels, still watching.
Rancion puts more pressure on his right leg, to give him something to focus on, and to keep from laughing outright as he continues to watch and listen.
Duncan finishes his scans but doesn't move to leave, so as not to interrupt the current situation, simply waits to see if there is anything else he can do to be of help.
"Don't take too long," the Rynkan captain insists before ending communications.
Tahlandi slowly turns around to Havaris. "Alright. What are the names of these refugees and where are they posted right now? Let's do this as quickly as possible, shall we?"
"A miss Jorelle and a Mister Relnav. The former the Teirian, the latter the Rynkan. Both are in the care of and overseen by Ensign Evans, our Diplomatic Junior. They should be waiting in the Ward Room. Failing that, the Infirmary. Failing that, Deck 15, Sir. I gave Evans a fairly clear bit of orders, anticipating..." Havaris gestures up to the 'looming' Rynkan peashooter. "...that. Shall I summon them, Sir?" Havaris spares a glance to Stewart, then nods over to the Security Console, attention reverting to Tahlandi.
Medes idly reaches over and taps at her console once or twice, scrolling through the list of ships she'd brought up earlier and absently looking over the specs for each. Mmm. Ships.
Stewart heads for the Security Console, seating himself, and performing an initial check of the systems. Make sure everything is properly up and running, and nothing is set oddly. That done, he splits his attention between the panel and things going on around him. Nothing really pressing... yet.
Rancion continues to watch, and waits for orders.
GAME: Duncan spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Duncan contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Dramatically Fails!
Duncan keys in a sequence he'd used before but not on this particular console and gets some unexpected output, frowns and tries again with the same effect.
Tahlandi nods a couple of times. "Thank you, Lieutenant, your foresight is commendable." She whirls around and faces the two security officers near the door. "Ensigns, if you would contact Ensign Evans, locate the pair in question, and escort them here, please?"
Havaris nods his head faintly, shrugging his shoulders lightly at the praise. "Nothing you wouldn't have done, Sir." Aaaawwwh. He turns back about in his seat and returns to idly running some firing solutions on the various sections of the Rynkan vessel.
Stewart looks back towards Havaris, but rises up out of the console seat, and heading towards the door, where Rancion is already. "Computer, location of Ensign Evans?" As he nears Rancion, he gives a nod towards the door, waiting for the computer's response before actually going anywhere.
Rancion comes to attention, "Aye Aye, Sir, "comes the crisp response. he waits for the computers response to Stewarts inquiry.
Duncan keys in another sequence and yet another looking mildly frustrated, then changes methodology and begins working backwards from everything he'd done after he'd started getting the odd response from the long range sensor suite.
After receiving the reply, the security officers leave to carry out their assigned task. A while later, the security officers return with Relnav.
Tahlandi stands from the command chair and turns to face Relnav. "Alright... you've just been accused of some serious charges, and I want to know what the hell is going on here."
Medes has left.
Havaris rises from his seat, turning the Tactical controls over to the Security Console briefly with a few efficient taps of the controls. He rises from his seat, murmuring to Tahlandi in passing, "I'm going to debrief Evans. I'll get you my report. Stewart, you have my console." Kusto nods to all and sundry and moves for the doors.
Havaris has left.
Having returned, Stewart nods to Havaris, "Aye sir", and then sits back down at the console, doing another systems check. After noting everything as in order, he just watches the exchange between Tahlandi and Relnav as it develops.
Rancion stands a pace back and to the left behind Renlav balancing lightly. He watch the Rynkan's back for any exterior signs of actions, with his hands by his sides, seeming totally relaxed, but his eyes are focused.
Duncan puts his console into a quick self diagnostic. And waits with forced patience while it completes its task.
Relnav appears in the civilian clothes he was wearing before, and is a little off-guard at first. As the situation dawns upon him, he asks, "They're here to arrest me, aren't they?"
Tahlandi nods a couple of times. "They are. Both of you. On charges of murder. So..." She smiles politely. "Care to explain?"
Duncan doesn't quite roll his eyes at the output from the diagnostic but looks more than a little surprised and embarrassed, then glances around to see who is available for a quick fix to the situation he finds himself in.
Relnav takes a deep breath, glancing around Ops before proceeding. "I didn't mean to," he starts off quietly. "I was trying to protect her. It was all an accident. Jorelle's innocent; please don't let them take her."
Tahlandi closes her eyes. "Answers. Please. They're waiting out there for one, and quite frankly, I'm getting a little impatient myself."
Stewart just turns in his chair to watch Relnav, though his panel isn't completely neglected. It gets an occasional glance to make sure nothing is on fire, exploding, or otherwise in need of attention.
Rancion's mouth tightens at the Rynkans response, but there might be mitigating circumstances, his eyes still watch for the tell tale warning signs, knowing that if Renlav is desprate enough he might do anything, especially if he feels he is protecting some one.
Duncan calls up another diagnostic routine, this one a little more thorough along with a low level expert system, and waits for it to do its work.
Relnav remains briefly quiet as he considers his situation. "Tell them I'll go with them if they leave Jorelle out of this. She didn't do anything." He states a bit more adamantly, "I was the one who killed that man. I'll answer for it."
Tahlandi slowly opens her eyes, but only partially, leaving them half-lidded. "I don't want excuses. I want an explanation. And I'd like it now."
Stewart does a double-take, and appears to instantly forget Ralnav's problem. He speaks up, "I don't mean to interrupt, but this might be a little important. We seem to have lost all external scanners. I'm trying to get them back, but I don't know what's going on yet, and this isn't really my forte." And he begins tapping at the console, brow furrowed heavily in concentration.
GAME: Stewart spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Systems Engineering (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
Rancion looks over at Stewart his eyes widen, "Weapons Status?" comes the question quickly. he continues to keep a check on Relnav, but backs towards the Security console incase Stewart needs some help.
<CONTEST> Duncan contests his Systems Engineering (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
Duncan keys in the sequence suggested by the expert system and is still stymied.
Relnav's hairless brow furrows. "What are you saying you want? I just told you that I'm responsible for the death. I killed the man - on accident, but I'm not going to run away anymore. Not if Jorelle is going to be charged for what I did too."
GAME: Rancion spends a courage point.
Tahlandi closes her eyes, and slowly reaches up to rub her nose ridges. "Relnav... what... exactly.. happened. How did you kill him?"
Stewart fiddles for awhile, and then grumbles, "Sorry, I can't work past it, or even figure out what's going on." He then nods to Rancion, "That is a very good question, although it's mostly moot if we can't see to shoot. Still..." He taps away at the console, checking weapons status.
<CONTEST> Rancion (claiming advantage) contests his Presence skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
GAME: Tahlandi spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Tahlandi (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Catching an odd tone from Relnav, Rancion looks sharply at him and says, "We still have the last standing position of the Rynkan vessel, we might be able to use that as a starting point, but I hate the idea of firing blind." He steps around Relnav and looks him right in the eye. "You didn't kill him did you?" he asks his voice even but firm waiting for the response.
Duncan continues to work with the expert system trying to figure a way around or to undo what he's done.
Relnav takes a deep breath. "He was going to hurt her," he forces out. "I tried to stop him; we fought. I knocked him onto a pitchfork. I don't see how telling you any of this makes any difference!"
<CONTEST> Rancion (claiming advantage) contests his Presence skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
Tahlandi glances between Duncan, Stewart, and Rancion, and then sinks down into her chair and begins tapping at her console, looking over the readout... "The entire grid has gotten misaligned. See what you can do to get it calibrated again," she calls up to Duncan, before glancing back over at Relnav. "If it wasn't your fault, then clearly, you can't be accused of murder for it."
Stewart asks Tahlandi, "Sorry to interrupt again, but any idea how it got misaligned? If it has been tampered with, we may need to take alternate steps. Specifically, there's a lot that could have gone on while we're blind." He frowns again, "Give me a second, trying something."
Nodding to Relnav Rancion casts a quick glance over to Tahlandi, "Sir, it may not be murder but it falls under involuntary Homicide, but self defense is a mitigating circumstance."
GAME: Duncan spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Duncan (claiming advantage) contests his Systems Engineering (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Duncan watches as the sensor suite comes back online as if nothing untoward had occurred and sighs with relief.
"I was the one who caused his death," Relnav states. "Therefore I am responsible. That is how it is. Now send me over. I will prove myself innocent in the court since it is an accident. But I can't do that hiding here!"
Tahlandi sighs and turns back to her readout, and nods firmly. "Good. Now that we can see again." She pushes off the armrests of the command chair as she stands once more. "Hail the Rynkan ship again."
Stewart taps on the console, saying, "Opening hailing frequency with the Rynkans. Might want to ask them about the sensors while you're at it, this doesn't feel right to me." But then he goes back to minding the keypads.
Rancion takes up position next to Relnav
The Rynkan captain appears on the screen again. Seeing Relnav present, he seems a bit pleased. "Well?"
Tahlandi glances over her shoulder one last time at Stewart--those RRT officers do seem to have a habit of being overly suspicious about everything--and then up at the viewscreen. "Under the circumstances, a direct transfer of the alleged criminal will not be possible at this time, given the request for asylum that has been made. You are welcome to pursue extradition through diplomatic channels, although you will have to make a very strong case that this was more than the self-defense he claims it was."
Rancion grins and listens
Relnav looks at Tahlandi, "But I said I'm willing to go!"
Tahlandi glances back over and frowns. "If you had said that before the request for asylum was made, that might be possible. But I can't retract the request once it's been made."
The captain rolls his eyes, but looks at Relnav instead of the Starfleet officer. "Your father works for the Defense, doesn't he? This shame would probably be more than he can live down." Now to Tahlandi, "You're ruining his entire family's life, you know."
Relnav says, "I only asked about it for Jorelle. I never intended it for myself, not yet anyway. And I won't until I'm declared innocent in a Rynkan court."
Tahlandi raises an eyebrow. "Right now, his entire family's life isn't my responsibility. But as he has requested asylum from the United Federation of Planets, the safety of his life *is* my responsibility right now. As I said. The request has been made, so my hands are tied. You're welcome to contact Lieutenant Idrani or Ensign Evans, and they can route your request through the proper channels."
Tahlandi glances over at Relnav... "Wait a second. You *didn't* request asylum?"
Relnav shakes his head, saying flatly "I didn't."
Tahlandi slowly turns back to face the screen. "What sentence will he face if found guilty?"
The Rynkan captain smiles as the reality dawns upon the Starfleet officer, but then turns serious. "I don't know. It depends on the ruling of the peers."
Tahlandi crosses her arms over her chest. "And the maximum penalty?"
"If given the harshest penalty," the captain says, "his family would be stripped of their possessions and title, half of which will go to the victim's family. He will be put to death as quickly and painlessly as possible in recompense for the life he took - unless the victim's family wishes otherwise."
"I won't be found guilty," Relnav assures.
"And if I do," Relnav continues, "they will realize that it was an accident. I will not be given the full penalty."
Tahlandi sighs softly. "Very well." She glances up at the viewscreen. "Given that he himself has requested to return, and the request for asylum was not made, as was reported to me earlier, I see no reason why we can keep him here against his will. We'll beam him over shortly."
The Rynkan captain gives a satisfied nod, glad that the Starfleet officers are finally seeing reason. "Good. Communications over." The image blinks off.
"I'll need to leave a message with Jorelle," Relnav says softly.
Tahlandi turns to face Relnav. "You have ten minutes to say your goodbyes to her."
As soon as communications are out, Stewart says, "Suggest we send our friend here for a psychiatric evaluation instead. And then perhaps a medical evaluation, to ensure we're not sending him back with anything dangerously contagious. You can't be too careful."
"I won't disturb her; she's resting," the Rynkan says in an empty voice. "Thank you for protecting her."
Duncan cautiously checks that the settings on the sciences console are back to where they were before he used it, then transfers the data he'd acquired back to his research database.
Tahlandi closes her eyes, and almost opens her mouth to speak to the Rynkan *and* to Stewart--if they were the kind of pair she was thinking, she would *want* to be disturbed, and the RRT officers always had to make everything so complicated--but she finally opens her eyes once more, and shakes her head. "Very well. Good luck to you."
"Thank you," Relnav says again, then turns with slumped shoulders and a bowed head out of Ops.
Time: Sun Nov 17 18:22:04 2002
Stardate: 52787
In Ops the following evening...
The station receives a recorded message from Rynka, for Jorelle.
Once more in the command chair, Havaris glances towards the Operations station as the terminal announces an incoming message. Furrowing his brows, he gestures to the viewscreen and murmurs a simple command. "On screen."
The picture of a male Rynkan appears on the viewscreen. He glances around behind himself before starting. "Jorelle, I'm Tanrev; a friend of Relnav's. I'm afraid things have gone bad." He glances around again. "The peers have voted to execute him. I-I think soon." There is a voice speaking from off the screen and Tanrev quickly ends transmission.
Blair steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Blair has arrived.
Havaris blinks mildly at the message, moreso at its brevity. When the viewscreen once more displays the slow spinning of space without the Station, Havaris rises from his seat, tugs down his uniform jacket, and spends a long moment of silence simply contemplating what to do next. "Computer: Location of Jorelle." The computer chirps for a moment before responding, "Deck 15, Section 2." Havaris glances to one of the security officers near the doors and motions him out. "Escort her to the Ward Room. Tell her I said it's important." Once the Ensign is on his way, Havaris turns back to face the view screen, hands lacing at his back.
The security ensign returns, reporting that Jorelle is waiting in the Ward Room.
Blair steps in behind the security ensign, flipping briefly through the contents of a PADD as he steps towards one of the Engineering consoles, glancing up briefly to see the occupants of the room before looking back down with the press of a button.
Havaris nods his head faintly at the report from the Security Ensign. "Va'tol, you have the bridge." Havaris gives a nod to Blair and turns about to pace up the stairs towards the doorway, adjusting his collar a touch.
In the Ward Room...
Havaris steps into the ward room, and the door slides shut behind him.
Havaris has arrived.
Jorelle is seated, having been led here by a Security Ensign. The Ensign awaits his superior's arrival, and in the meantime, Jorelle twists her fingers into knots. Her brow is creased with worry, and the circles around her eyes suggest she passed the night without sleep.
Havaris steps crisply into the ward room, a PADD in his head, his head lowered slightly as he runs and reruns the possible methods of delivering this news. Nothing's coming immediately to mind, so he suffices by stepping up to the woman and settling lightly onto the edge of the table. He gives a glance to the Ensign and nods his head back towards the exit, a silent cue to leave them some privacy. The Ensign steps away without response. Havaris waits until the doors hiss shut to say anything at all. "Miss. I'm uncertain if you remember me. I am Lt. JG Havaris." He wets his lips for a moment before glancing about the room, returning his attention to the girl. "We've received word from Rynka. Relnav, under a vote of his peers, is to be executed according to the laws of his people. I... can attempt... to speak with the Rynkans. Attempt to plea for lenity, perhaps release, but I think it unlikely." When in doubt, aim for honesty!
Jorelle listens, struggling to maintain hope up until the announcement that Relnav is to be executed. She gasps in horror, then shakes her head, eyes wide and face pale, "No! No, sir, you have to have that wrong! He was to be released, you see. He was going to explain his actions, and he would be released. He promised!" She untwines her hands and wraps her arms around herself, squeezing fiercely, "You have to have that wrong, sir! Contact Rynka again. Tell them to tell you the /truth/!"
Havaris takes in a breath and holds it, releasing it slowly as a sigh as Jorelle responds rather more hopelessly than he'd wagered. He rubs a thumbnail under his eye for a moment, combs back his hair with a hand, and nods his head very, very slightly. "I am afraid that this is the truth, Miss. But I will contact them. I will do what I can." Kusto pushes off the table, adjusting his jacket once again. Hesitating, he thinks the better of it and once more turns to pace from the room murmuring under his breath in Bajoran, "More rightly... what I may." On passing the doors, he instructs the ensign waiting outside to fetch a Counselor for Jorelle. At once. He's got a call to place.
Jorelle shakes her head again, "He's wrong. He has to be wrong. Relnav promised." She stands in a daze after Havaris is gone, frowning fiercely and looking around the room. Shaking her head, she walks toward the door, uncomfortable in such formal surroundings.
Havaris heads out of the ward room, the doors sliding shut behind him.
Havaris has left.
Va'tol is still stationed at his Ops console. He turns to look at Havaris quickly, but doesn't want to take his attention off his readings.
Havaris steps once more through the doorway, pacing rapidly down the steps to resume his seat in the command chair. He spends a moment cleaning his uniform and straightening his hair before giving a glance towards the Ops station. "Ensign, you are relieved. I'll resume my station. If you would, open a channel to the Rynkan government. Priority one." Havaris takes the time he has to give a nervous sigh and resume his game face. Loves Diplomacy, he does.
"Yes Sir.." The Vulcan types rapidly on his console, trying to open a channel to Rynkan. Priority One, as requested.
There is a long wait as the hail is put on hold, despite being Priority One. Finally, a female Rynkan answers the hail. "United Rynka Capitol. How may I direct this call?"
Havaris remains in his seat. One doesn't rise for the operator, after all. "Greetings from the United Federation of Planets. Please direct me to the person or bureau in charge of your criminal justice. Thank you."
"One moment, please," replies the Rynkan before putting the hail back on hold. Soft Rynkan music flows from the transmission.
The Rynkan music stops and another Rynkan woman appears on the screen. "I'm Assistant Director Weryn of the Ministry of Law. How can I help you?"
/Now/ you rise from your chair. This was in the training manual. Havaris pushes from his seat, folding his hands at his back to release one last quick sigh for breath. "I am Lt. JG Havaris Kusto, Assistant Chief of Security for Station 419 Upsilon, Dulcais Sector. United Federation of Planets. It is my understanding that you have in your custody one of your citizens by the name of Relnav, and that he has been scheduled for execution. Is this the case, Director?"
Va'tol watches silently, keeping the channel opened while waiting for further orders.
Blair continues typing quietly at the Engineering Console, occasionally looking up at the viewscreen before turning his head back downwards.
"One minute, please," says Weryn as she looks up the pertinent files on her computer.
Jorelle and a junior counselor steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
"Here we go," says the Rynkan woman. "Relnav Narmot. Convicted of criminal activity with execution pending. Is there something you're looking for in particular, Assistant Chief?"
"Yes, Director," Havaris replies simply, trying to find some way to put this 'Diplomatically', "in brief I've come to speak for his life. I wonder if there exists in your criminal code any allowance for lenity, pardon, delay... commuting a sentence from death to some other punishment. I have not come to attempt to force your hand or break your laws. But I have come to, if possible, work within them to spare this young man his life."
"The peers' decisions are usually final," Weryn explains. "But we do allow another hearing if sufficient evidence is offered to prove the defendant's innocence prior to execution. Otherwise, justice will be carried out as swiftly as possible."
"With respect, Director, that hardly leaves me much time to review the matter or examine the evidence. And that is assuming you would be willing to allow me to review the case and the evidence presented." Havaris purses his lips tightly, examining the ground at his feet before looking back to the screen, "When is Mr. Narmot scheduled for execution?"
The junior counselor pauses in his steps as he sees that Havaris is currently busy.
Checking her computer again, Weryn says, "In approximately three hours."
Jorelle jerks forward at that, coming around the counselor with wide eyes. "He isn't guilty, though!" she cries from her position near the door. He just... he just wanted to protect me!" Ah, melodrama. How we love it.
The Assistant Director makes a questioning facial expression.
Blair's head whips up from the console at the unexpected sound, blinking rather surprisedly.
Havaris sighs once again, a tense silence following. Havaris nods, glancing back to the screen, "And what of the records, the evidence, th--" Havaris glances over his shoulder, first at Jorelle, then at the Counselor. If looks could phase, his boots would be smoking. "You injure your cause, Miss. Silence." Havaris notes this simply, looking back to the screen. "This is... Miss Jorelle. Mr. Relnav's..." His eyebrows rise and fall "...lover. They arrived in our space together, aboard the same craft. For all I know, there may be some truth to her claims. Which is why I request access to the evidence presented. And ask of you some patience to review it."
Va'tol quirks a brow at Jorelle's outburst.
Jorelle looks from the screen to Havaris and back again. For a few heartbeats, she considers actually heeding his demand, then changes her mind. "You're punishing Relnav for a crime he didn't commit." Her voice is more reasonable, now. Less emotion-laden.
Weryn settles back in her chair, "Ah yes, the Teirian woman." Instead of talking to Jorelle, however, she stays focused on Havaris. "I can send you the evidence as well as the eyewitness testamonies and Relnav's confession. You won't gleam much from it; it's a tidy case."
"Of course, I welcome all that you could give us," Havaris replies in polite tones, "though I do believe I have with me a witness of my own who would put some of these matters into doubt. Or so it would appear." Havaris gestures indicatively at Jorelle, measuring Weryn's reactions. "If his confession was offered to protect this woman? By your law does his confession stand, even if were perjurous?" Havaris' brow knits slightly. Rynkan law just wasn't a class at the Academy.
The young counselor looks about sheepishly.
Jorelle speaks up again, coming further into the room, "Relnav says he pushed the foreman to keep him from hitting me. I have bruises to prove he /did/ hit me, and... I pushed him back. He fell on the pitchfork. I was not trying to kill him, but he had no right to treat me as he did. Relnav is only trying to keep me safe. He doesn't deserve to die for it."
Weryn says, "His confession has been supported by the witnesses." She checks her computer again. "According to people who know the girl, she wouldn't even consider fighting back. I think the girl's the one who is trying to protect Relnav." All of that was, of course, directed to, and only to, Havaris.
"She is proving most combative to /my/ will, Director, and I'm on her side." Havaris sends the girl another look at that. Which just might be an invitation to step it up a bit. He glances back to Weryn, motioning over to Va'tol in an effort to have him follow along. "I will ready our computer to receive all of the information you have regarding the case. But with respect, Directory, the viability of the witness's testimony is, by rights, the concern of the Peers. I will compile the forensic evidence on my side of the matter to present in return. I will contact you in two hours with what I have learned, Director."
Jorelle focuses on Weryn, ignoring Havaris now completely. "Would you rather kill one of your own, or me? Kill an innocent member of your own race, or a /guilty/ enemy willing to /admit/ her guilt?" Only at close range does the fear in her violet eyes show through.
"Alright," says Weryn. "I'm sending it now. You should probably note in Relnav's confession about the girl's reliability as a witness, as she is not a impartial spectator. Do you need anything else, Assistant Chief?"
Va'tol nods, turning quickly to his console and opening a second connection with Rynka, ready to recieve the files regarding Relnav's case.
"No less the witnesses present that would speak against a Rynkan who loves a Teirian, Director. Will I find mention of that as well?" Havaris glances to Operations, then back to Jorelle, and finally to the screen. "Much, Weryn. I need much. But I ask for nothing more. Thank you for your time." Havaris nods aside at Va'tol to end the transmission before wheeling on Jorelle. "I admire your Temerity. Now kindly leave my deck."
Jorelle looks at Havaris for only a brief moment. Any fire she displayed is gone, and she nods meekly, turning and exiting without a word.
Jorelle heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.
Jorelle has left.
Va'tol closes comm, and then the secondary channel as the packet arrives. "It has arrived, Sir." he says, transfering it to Havaris' console.
Havaris keeps his eyes bevelled into Jorelle as she retreats from operations, turning them back about at Va'tol's report. "Forward the information to Security. I will undertake the review there. Forward as well any civil and legal information we have regarding Rynkan law. Contact the Diplomatic department, have them send me a Yeoman. I'll return in two hours. Your bridge, Mr. Va'tol." Havaris turns about and paces up the stairs for the doors.
Time: Sun Nov 17 21:31:23 2002
Stardate: 52787.4
In the infirmary...
Jorelle arrives from the mall, the infirmary's outer transparent aluminum doors sliding silently closed behind her.
Park comes out of the CMO's office.
Park has arrived.
Park exits the CMO's office behind Poole.
Poole comes out of the CMO's office.
Poole has arrived.
Jorelle is seated in the waiting area, cheeks tearstained and eyes swollen. She is hugging herself around the waist as she had been for some time, looking at nothing but her own knees. She rocks herself slowly, oblivious to the world.
Park looks over into the waiting area and walks over. "Is there something that I can help you with?", he says gently to the young woman.
Poole exits just ahead of Park, quickly stepping out of his way. Her feet click on the floor, as they are soccer (football) cleats. And she's dressed for a game of it apparently. She folds her arms and looks curiously on Jorelle.
Jorelle looks up at the voice, seeing Park through tear-misted eyes. "I... I need help, yes, please. I n-need to... to stop crying. I can't s-stop crying."
Park crouches down in front of the woman, "Why don't you tell me what happened?"
Jorelle says, almost reasonably, "Because... because I d-don't want to." And with that spoken, she begins to cry harder.
Park stand and gently attempts to guide the woman to a bio bed. "Ok, why don't you come on over here and lie down, then?"
Poole tries to look like she isn't watching... or listening, and looks for an out of the way place to keep looking like she isn't snooping. Ah, the small waiting area, that's the ticket.
Jorelle does stand, looking out at the infirmary at large. She does not, however, move. "I... I just need t-to relax, sir. I j-just need to calm down." She shudders and squeezes her arms around her waist more tightly. "I... I've had t-this problem before. I kn-know what works."
"I understand, and that's fine.", Park says gently. "I just want to get a quick look before I give you anything. We'll get you taken care of before you know it."
"As you w-wish, sir," Jorelle responds with shoulders slumping lower. She trudges toward one of the beds, following Park on his trek. "Wh-what do you want me to d-do?"
Poole peers over from her new seating, interest still clearly piqued.
Park pats the bed, "Just take a seat here and let me take a look."
Jorelle unwinds her arms to push herself up onto the bed. Settling herself onto it, she bends over, squeezing her waist tightly. Softly, she whimpers, then pulls one hand up and over her eyes, crying again freely.
Park takes up his tricorder and begins running a scan.
Park nods slowly and reaches over and picks up a hypo. "Can I get your name so that I can take a look at your records?"
Jorelle shakes her head and scoots away on the bed without actually scooting off of it. "O-only if you'll tell me what's in th-that." She nods toward the hypospray.
Park smiles, "It's just a mild sedative to help you calm down a bit. I just want to make sure that you won't have a reaction to it."
<CONTEST> Park contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Poole perks an eyebrow from where she sits and watches. Busybody.
Jorelle scoots further away, shaking her head again, "Wh-what's /in/ it?"
Poole stands up at this point and interrupts, shooting an apologetic look to Park first, "Um.... miss?... No need to get so worried." She says in her most persuasive and soft tones.
Park sets the hypo down, "It's exactly what I said it was. Just a sedative." He doesn't attempt to approach, "Would you mind giving me your name? I'm Aaron."
Nevaren arrives from the mall, the infirmary's outer transparent aluminum doors sliding silently closed behind him.
Nevaren has arrived.
Jorelle swallows, relaxing a touch when the hypospray goes down. "I... I said I've had this pr-problem before, sir. I ask /what/ that is b-because I know what works for me. My d-doctors at home've tr-tried everything, but the only thing that really wo-works is diazepam. Th-that's why I wanted to know." No, she still doesn't offer her name.
Nevaren limps into Infirmary, grimacing to himself as he passes through the waiting area.
Park nods to Nevaren as he comes through the door then turns back to his patient. "OK, I have that, but I can't administer anything until I know your name.", he says with a smile.
Jorelle sighs in relief, nodding at the affirmation. "My n-name is Jorelle." She smiles tremulously, though her eyes well over with tears yet again. "Th-thank you."
Seemingly ignored by Jorelle, Poole sighs and looks to Nevaren as he enters, concern blossoming on her features. "Oh... Nev... what happened?" She moves next to him and offers a supportive arm.
Nevaren sighs and takes that arm, hopping over to a biobed where he sits down. He reaches down, smoothing his knee-length cuttoffs. "I fell off a mountain." he grumbles.
Ehn. Ehn. *insert loud annoying alert noise here* Wrong answer. Poole's concerned face gets upset. "Didn't you have the safeties on?..." Cue in from offstage, fussing Englishwoman as Gwen starts to looks Nevaren over, meager medical knowledge or no.
Nevaren winces. "Yes.. I did." he shifts uncomfortably. "But I caught my foot in a small crevice and fell backwards."
Park nods and smiles, "It's very nice to meet you." He changes out the cartridge in the hypo and administers a small dose of the requested medication. "There you go. Give that a few seconds to take effect."
"Nev...." Poole breathes softly as she continues to look him over. "Where does it hurt... and don't tell me everywhere. Please."
Jorelle closes her eyes, wincing as the hypospray is pressed to her throat despite the fact that there is no pain. She lays back on the biobed, relaxing. Ironically, her tears cease almost immediately and she smiles sadly, looking at the ceiling. "Relnav, I love you," she murmurs to the air. "I'll... be with you soon." She looks again at Park, offering, "Th-thank you again, sir. You have been m-most kind." She closes her eyes, then, waiting.
Nevaren chuckles and shakes his head. "Just my ankle." he lifts his scarred leg up, wincing slightly. "Maybe the knee too. I'll be okay."
"Do you want to talk about what happened to you?", Park asks quietly.
Nevaren looks over Poole's shoulder at Park and his pateint, eyebrow raised.
Poole's gaze remains on Nevaren, "You'd better be alright.... I won't have my boyfriend going and getting himself killed. I won't have that at all."
Jorelle is already drifting off, but manages to say in a soft, quiet voice, "Relnav promised me he'd come back for me. He said we'll be together..."
Time: Sun Nov 17 23:13:31 2002
Stardate: 52787.5
Later that night, back in Ops...
Havaris once more appears through the doors to Operations, stepping gingerly down the stairs with a PADD in hand. He assumes a seat on the command chair, settles back comfortably -- more comfortably than previously at least -- and shifts in his seat a bit before focussing in on the viewscreen. "Operations, open a channel to Rynka. Asst. Director Weryn, Ministry of Law. Priority one. Ready a datachannel to transmit from Security's databank."
Harker is at the Operations console, tapping occasionally at the commands to monitor that various ship traffic in the area. As soon as Havaris speaks up, however, he's already cleared the scut work to do as requested, fingers playing a little nonsensical tune as he goes about opening up the proper frequencies. "Acknowledged..."
The hail is again placed on hold as the Rynkan subspace communications satellites are being bombarded by messages. At what seems like a long time, the image of the Rynkan assistant director appears on the screen. Through the window behind her, one can see that night has now fallen on her part of the world.
"Good evening, Director. Good to see you again. In order to take as little of your time as necessary, I'm prepared to send you what we've learned. Nothing sufficient to place his guilt in doubt by your law, but... perhaps something you might like to read regardless." Havaris rises from his seat slowly, folding his hands behind his back. "What is the method of execution preferred on Rynka, if I may ask?"
Assistant Director Weryn does not look pleased. In fact, she seems rather annoyed. "Did you help him escape? I hope for diplomacy's sake that the Federation wasn't involved with it!"
Havaris has the good sense to look genuinely perplexed. He tilts his head faintly, adopting a bemused expression. "Director?"
Weryn takes in a deep breath and briefly massages her temples with one hand, blocking the view of her eyes as he does so. Putting it back down, she says, "Pardon my outburst, Assistant Chief." Taking another deep breath before continuing, "Relnav Narmot escaped from prison. We don't know how, but we've good reasons to believe that he's heading to your station right now."
"Well. This presents some difficulty. It is my hope that your Government will not bring an armed craft and further hostilities into our space. We've managed to find diplomatic solutions to our differences in the past, and this matter has -- even to this point -- gone smoothly and civilly, despite your initial actions." Havaris lifts his chin slightly, for whatever reason. "He will be coming to find the girl. And, since I plan to have the girl when he arrives, he will find leaving with her excessively difficult. Allow his craft to reach our space, we will allow him to dock, and we will see what comes of our further dealings. Or, if you are intent on destroying his craft, do so well clear of our station, where our standing orders to not dictate our immediate involvement. In either event, you will be hearing from us immediately."
Harker flicks his eyes up from the console to look at the viewer at the Director's mention of a prison escape. It's not a long enough distraction to complicate his job, however, and he's back to monitoring the communications.
"A ship has been dispatched," Weryn nods. "He'll be captured, whether dead or alive. I would appreciate it if you hand him over to a Rynkan vessel should he get to the station before our ship intercepts him."
Spect has left.
Spect steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Spect has arrived.
"I will pass it on to my superiors," the Rynkan woman says. "Is there anything else?"
Harker nods his silent acknowledgement, plinking away at the console to arrange the transmission and then send it off into the great unknown of the Rynkan data banks.
"Nothing more on my end, Director. Havaris out." Havaris offers a nod across to Harker to prompt the end of the transmission before calling to the computer, "Computer: Location of Jorelle?"
Plink. The Ensign cuts the transmission.
The feminine voice of the computer responds with, "Jorelle is in the Infirmary."
Spect enters Operations stretching himself and rubbing his eyes. A yawn creeps into the mix of his actions and he has to stop to take care of them all. "Night shift" he mumbles to himself as he heads towards the command chair.
Havaris is standing before the Command chair, in fact. And is giving Spect a rather bemused expression at his approach. This, of course, before his head swivels about to Harker. "Confirm that, Ensign. Jorelle is in the Infirmary?"
Harker's hands dance over the console for a moment or so. "Comfirmed, sir," he says, turning to look at Havaris as he speaks.
Spect pauses as he sees the Lieutenant standing in front of the chair. Immediately and as sincerely as he can muster he stands at attention and snaps a salute. "Lieutenant?" he looks around then, "I must be early...I am sorry to interrupt sir." he continues to stand at attention but his weariness shows through and it is a very poor attention stance.
"Her condition, Ensign?" Havaris's expression is slowly assuming a look of resigned presumption. Spect's apology and lackluster stance earn a mildly annoyed glance and little more. "Assume Tactical for the moment, Ensign. You may have the chair shortly, I think."
Spect nods, "Yes Sir." and he quickly does as he is told. "May I ask what the situation is sir?"
Spect sits down at Tactical.
Harker glances at Spect briefly, and then taps his compin to hail the infirmary...
Harker taps his comm badge, "Ensign Harker to Infirmary."
Over Harker's comm badge a voice answers, "Lieutenant JG Zian here."
Into his comm badge, Harker says, "Operations requests status of visitor Jorelle."
From Harker's comm badge, Zian says, "According to the records, Jorelle has been sedated per her request. She's currently asleep."
Pretending that that wasn't just heard by everybody present, Harker turns to Havaris and says, "Sedated, sir. By her request."
Havaris nods his head at Harker's report ... because that's how reports get acknowledged around these parts. "Thank you, Ensign. Inform the Doctor I'll be dispatching a two man security crew to her person immediately. At no point is she to be allowed out of sight of Security, per my orders. If it becomes a problem, she can be moved with a nurse to monitor her sedation."
Havaris then raises a hand to Spect, begging his patience and asking only his cooperation at the moment.
Spect glances at Harker and a smirk crosses his face before he turns back towards his console. He thens simply acknowledges the hand with a nod.
Harker nods, tapping his pin once more.
"Tactical, while Ops is handling that, please patch in to Station Security and have them dispatch a two man armed guard to the infirmary with instructions to watch Jorelle and allow no access to her from anyone save Infirmary personnel, Security personnel, or command personnel." Havaris notes this to Spect idly.
Into his comm badge, Harker says, "A two-man security team is being dispatched for constant surveillance of the subject; at no point is she to be out of sight of Security. Orders of Lieutenant JG Havaris. If the situation warrants, she can be moved with a nurse to monitor her sedation. Operations out."
Spect nods, "Yes Sir."
From Harker's comm badge, Zian says, "*a soft sigh is audible* No need to call security, we've already got a team here. When my shift is over I'll make certain someone comes to replace them, though. Ops out."
Harker's comm badge ends its transmission.
Havaris lifts an eyebrow, noting to Spect, "Belay that order. Have to officers standing by for relief. Make that guard 24/7." Havaris then nods to both of the officers on deck. "Thank you, Ensigns." He then steps back and falls into the command chair, swiveling it lightly with a booted foot. "You want the long version or the short version, Spect?"
Spect taps his Comm-Badge as well modifying his orders as the latest information comes in, "Operations to Security. Please dispatch a two man security to the infirmary. They are to secure the infirmary and Jorelle allowing access only to Command, Security and Medical Personell. Operations Out."
Spect swivels towards Havaris and grins, "Well, is it going to effect my watch in OPS tonight?"
"I'm not entirely certain you'll /have/ a watch in Ops tonight. It seems I've dug myself a sizeable hole with the Rynkan government and a large clump of dirt is headed our way to reunite with Jorelle. Relnav, her paramour, escaped from prison and is rumored to be coming this way. Pursued by the Rynkans. I've been dealing with Asst. Director Weryn of their Ministry of Law. It's bad enough this is being handled by a Lt. JG. I'm not certain what message it would send if I handed this off to someone else at this point, yet alone an Ensign. No offense intended." Havaris taps his lip lightly. "Where is Idrani, blast it all? This is her job."
Just another Ensign, and not even a line officer at that, Harker just laces his fingers together and rests his hands over his middle. A look is cast Havaris' way, rather unreadable.
Spect shrugs, "No watch tonight? Well, I guess I am here anyway to make the party fun."
"Fun," Havaris snorts, sending Harker a gaze matching his own, "interesting choice of words."
Harker arches his brow slightly, and then turns back to his console to at least present the facade of looking busy. Yes, there is much to do.
Time: Mon Nov 18 00:17:03 2002
Stardate: 52787.6
Back in the infirmary...
The lifesign console by Jorelle's biobed suddenly changes color and beeps frantically.
Nevaren sits on the Biobed in his mountain climbing outfit, moving his leg. "Feels tight.. but I guess it's supposed to." he says, testing the movement again.
Zian nods slightly at Nevaren. "Hold still for just another minute or two, then I can remove the deep-tissue regenerators and we'll get you out of here, Nev--" her words are cut short as the beeping begins, nearly causing her to drop her medical tricorder. Swiftly, she moves to Jorelle's biobed, slapping at her combadge as she moves.
Zian taps her comm badge, "Lieutenant JG Zian to Lieutenant Park."
Nevaren frowns, sitting up on the bed. "What's happening?"
Over Zian's comm badge a voice answers, "Lieutenant Park here."
Into her comm badge, Zian says, "Medical emergency in the infirmary, Doctor. It's the Teirian female, Jorelle. Could you please lend me a hand?"
Park comes out of the CMO's office.
Park has arrived.
Zian reaches up and taps her comm badge, ending transmission.
Park's comm badge ends its transmission.
Park rushes out of his office. "Report.", he says curtly.
Jorelle lies still with a serene look on her face, while the stats shown on the console by her bed is jumping wildly.
Zian glances over her shoulder, relief evident in her face. "I was working with Lt. Nevaren, when her biosigns began fluctuating for no discernable reason that I am aware of."
Nevaren slips off the bed, tearing off the deep-tissue regenerator, the spot where it had been affixed green with a slight rash.
Park takes a few quick strides and grabs a hypo, loading some medication into it. "It's got to be the injection that I have her earlier."
Zian shrugs helplessly. "I--I wouldn't know, sir... I just came on duty, and I haven't so much as touched her. Mr. Nevaren had arrived just before I did, so I saw to him first. I didn't get a chance to do the rounds and check on the other patients." Speaking of Nevaren... she looks over toward his biobed and frowns when she sees him up and about. "You're not released yet, Lieutenant." she informs him.
Nevaren doesn't seem to care. "That woman.. IS she going to be okay? Or do you need another pair of hands."
Zian shakes her head. "Go sit, Nevaren." she instructs, in no uncertain terms. "We're trained for this. And you should not be up on that leg yet. Don't make me call Dr. Gorgha in to break it for you and put one of the old fashioned plaster casts on, to make sure you stay off your feet." With that, she turns back to the biobed, checking the lifesign readouts, then looking to Park for instruction.
The signatures begin to die down as Jorelle nearly flatlines.
Nevaren sits down, though he clearly doesn't want to.
Park injects a stimulant in an attempt to keep the woman's vitals up. "I need constant readings. Get me some blood work stat.", he orders.
The biosign readings jump up as the stimulants are injected, but drop back down a second later. A single, unending beep gives audio alert of her going flatline.
Time: Mon Nov 18 00:58:31 2002
Stardate: 52787.7
In Ops:
The sensors detect an incoming craft.
Spect looks over his console once then twice, "Sir, I think I am picking up a craft."
Havaris smiles thinly. Wishes do come true! He straightens up in his chair, nodding towards Spect. "Confirm, Tactical."
Harker glances Spect-wards at the announcement, and then just nods and turns back to his console.
Spect goes over his readings once more, "Yes, that is an affirmative sir. I do have an incoming craft."
Havaris nods his head in satisfaction, glancing to Harker, "Ops, open a hailing frequency."
"Acknowledged, sir..." Harker replies, tapping away. *plink* *bloop* *beep* "Hailing frequency open, sir."
It is Relnav who appears on the viewscreen. "May I come aboard the station? Please?"
Havaris fixes Relnav with a subtly displeased expression. Which, under the circumstances, is about as diplomatic as he can get. "I've spoken with Director Weryn of your Ministry of Law. You are a convicted criminal and you are now a fugitive from justice. I've been informed by the Director that Rynkan ships have been dispatched to retrieve you. I'm questioning, at this particular moment, why I should bother going through the headache of letting you back on board. I'm certain, of course, that you /have/ such a reason?" Havaris folds his hands over his stomach, arching an eyebrow mildly.
"Please, I must see Jorelle," Relnav pleads. "We'll leave the station if you want, but I must get to Jorelle."
Harker purses his lips and arches his brow, impressed. He mouths to no one in particular, 'Harker to Engineering...'
Spect only continues to man his post, he checks out the ship tactically yet he gives no report until he is asked for one..again, that smirk comes to his face.
"Do you have /any/ idea what would become of me if I were to let a known fugitive onto my station to retrieve one of our guests and then allow you to /leave/? I said a reason, Relnav, not an appeal to compassions I sorely lack. Now. If you were to do something /wrong/, of course. Well. I'd just /have/ to take you into custody, wouldn't I? But I assure you, Relnav, even if you /were/ to fly your vessel into the path of merchant traffic in a suicidal attempt to draw my sympathies, all that would win you is a tractor lock, a guided flight into our Shuttle Bay, and an emergency beaming /straight/ to my brig. So don't even /think/ about it." Havaris manages a straight face the whole time, too.
Harker rather discreetly starts monitoring the current merchant traffic, preparing a potential flight plan to transmit to the Rynkan craft. Just so that he would know what absolutely NOT to do. A contingency, really, to be instructed by a negative hypothetical example.
The Rynkan looks puzzled at first, then shakes his head. "You want me to try to commit another crime? I can't. Can't...can't I ask for asylum now? I've been unfairly sentenced to death."
Spect finds the tractor beam button and mumbles to himself, "This just -might- turn out to be fun." as he absently fingers the button.
"Mister Relnav. Did you or did you not confess? Did you or did you not remand yourself to the judgement of the Peers of Rynka?" Havaris glances down at his lap for a moment, then back to the viewscreen with a raised eyebrow. "We /gave/ you Asylum once and you chose to forfeit it in favor of facing the judgement of your people. And now that you find that judgement not to your liking, you're back, demanding our Asylum again? Would you mind explaining to me, Mr. Relnav, at which juncture in our dealings I gave you the mistaken impression that I was an idiot?"
Harker goes back to the waiting game, suddenly interested in the activities of various shuttles and freighters nearby.
The Rynkan buries his face in his hands. "I don't know what to do," comes his mumbled words through the hands. "Isn't there any other way?"
"You can start," Havaris says, rising from his seat, "by telling me the truth. And I'd make it quick, Relnav. I'm expecting guests from the Ministry of Law soon."
Spect frowns and moves his finger away from the Tractor Beam controls.
"I was so sure that they would only give me a minor punishment," says Relnav. "It was an accident; I didn't mean to kill him. But the peers didn't see it that way. I was sentenced to death, but my friend managed to help me escape and got me this shuttle to come back. He's the only one who understands Jorelle and me."
"Never bank on the benevolence of your government, Relnav. A lesson too late learned." Havaris paces idly before his seat, folding up his arms and gripping his elbows. "Listen. The best I can do for you at the moment is place you under arrest as a political prisoner for return to Rynkan authorities. While you're here, I'll do my best to see if I can't clear your name. You've bought us some time, you and your friend, and maybe -- maybe -- we can save you. But asylum isn't a guarantee, especially under these circumstances. You've really damaged your position there by returning to Rynka. And fleeing. Turn over the helm of your shuttle to Flight Deck Control, come about for final docking, and prepare for beam-out directly to our brig. Refuse these terms, and I'm going to have to ask you to leave our space."
"As long as I get to see Jorelle again," Relnav agrees with several nods of his head before relinquishing control of the ship.
"Tactical, bring in the ship. Ops, get him in my brig." Havaris turns about and begins pacing up the stairs to the door. "Your bridge, Spect. I'll be in Security."
Spect shakes his head and mumbles again, "Nope, no fun." then he answers "Aye Sir." he quickly pushes the Tractor Button and brings the ship into the docking bay.
Harker starts reaching for his compin even before Havaris starts speaking; it was no surprise. "Operations to Security..." he says, "Prepare to receive a prisoner in the brig. Out." That said, he goes about the actual business of people-moving via matter deconstruction and reconstruction. Hopefully intact.
Time: Mon Nov 18 01:47:07 2002
Stardate: 52787.8
Relnav is pacing around behind the forcefield on holding cell 1.
From a distance, Havaris steps in, predictably. He moves up to the field, folds his hands behind his back, and takes to appraising Relnav's pacing. "Jorelle is under sedation in the infirmary, per her request. She's healthy, concerned for your wellbeing, and -- I believe -- thinking you dead." And now for the bad news! "I've reviewed your case. I couldn't find anything under Rynkan law that provided much recourse. Have you anything new you could tell me? Anything you haven't mentioned to others?"
Relnav stops and walks up to the field. "No, that was it. He was going to hurt her, I had to stop him." Changing the subject, "Can I see her? To tell her I'm here?"
From a distance, "She thinks you dead, Relnav. Do you want her to suffer your death twice in two days?" Havaris, pragmatist. "Perhaps it would be a mercy if she never knew you'd come? I leave that to you, of course. I can have her brought by when she comes to."
Relnav's gaze drops to the floor and he takes a deep breath. "Can I see her, without her knowing about it, then?"
From a distance, "Of course." Havaris reaches out, lowering the force field. "Follow me." Havaris turns about, unclipping his phaser to escort what is, in truth, a prisoner.
Relnav does as told. "Thank you," comes the sincere reply.
Havaris exits the holding cell area, the heavily reinforced door sliding up into the bulkhead at his approach.
Havaris has left.
Relnav exits the holding cell area, the heavily reinforced door sliding up into the bulkhead at his approach.
Relnav has left.
Relnav follows Havaris into the infirmary...only to find it empty of Teirians.
Havaris rubs his eyesockets with his hand upon finding the infirmary empty. Lovely. He taps his compin and barks into it with what is slowly becoming the last of his patience. "Havaris to Station Security." "Security here." "Where in the name of Opaka are Jorelle and my security detachment?!"
"In the morgue, sir," comes the reply.
Relnav's eyes widen upon hearing that. "What is she doing there?"
"You've got about ten seconds to explain /that/ one, Ensign!" Havaris bellows rather needlessly.
"All we were told was that she died," says the disembodied voice. "The security detachment is making sure no one tampers with the body."
Relnav's jaw drops, backing up slowly. Shaking his head, he keeps saying, "No...no...this can't be. No..."
"/NOT/ good enough, Ensign! /NOT/ good enough by /HALF/! You get on that conn and you get me some answers, and you get them for me /NOW/, am I making myself clear?" Havaris is, rather pointedly, ignoring Relnav at this point, his face slowly coloring red from his neck upwards.
"Uh, uh, yes, sir!" replies the voice in the compin.
"I must go see her," Relnav insists.
"Get on it! You've got ten minutes!" Havaris ends the hail with a sharp double tap, turning about to glare at Relnav. "Not until I know just what in the far heavens is going on here. I remind you again not to appeal to my pity, Relnav."
The Rynkan is breathing erratically now. "But-but if she's dead-she can't be dead-what happened-how?
Havaris points sharply at a chair in the lobby. "Sit. Down."
Relnav looks at the chair, then back at Havaris as if he is about to protest. Instead, he stomps over to the chair and sits, hands clasped together with his chin leaning on them.
After a while, the voice in the compin returns. "Sir, Jorelle suffered a physiological attack while in the infirmary. Cause of death is believed to be from heart arrest. An autopsy is being performed right now to determine exact cause."
Havaris had been pacing idly in front of Relnav, though the pacing stops at the chirrup of his compin. He receives the news with a prolonged and protracted sigh which resolves into a full throated growl at the news of an autopsy. "On whose authority?!"
"Lieutenant Park, sir," comes the reply.
Finally. Someone he can't actually yell at. His mute rage, however, is palpable. He snaps the conversation short with another lack of acknowledgement and a rapid double tap before shaking his head in disbelief. Which still leaves him with Relnav. Who he can't let see Jorelle's body, due to the autopsy in progress. Nevermind that the autopsy itself wouldn't exactly make her prime viewing material. If it were someone else, there might be a word of sympathy or support, false encouragement. This, however, is Havaris. He just glances back down to Relnav and shakes his head slightly. "Sorry, kid."
Relnav, whose eyes were already welling up, can no longer hold it back as he breaks down into sobs.
Havaris watches Relnav with a mixture of pity and fascination before glancing up and away from him with a light shake of the head. After a long moment of silence, Havaris does about the only thing he can under the circumstances. He takes Relnav by the arm and helps him to his feet. "It'll be over soon, kid. It'll all be over soon." Hey. There's a bright side, after all.
After composing himself, somewhat, Relnav manages say inbetween sniffs, "I'm sorry to have bothered you and this station. Perhaps things would've gone better at a different time. You said that a Rynkan ship is coming to arrest me again?"
"Yes." Havaris leaves it at that, not really bothering to reply to any sort of apology for all of this. He begins leading Relnav towards the doors to the Infirmary, likely for return to his cell.
Dragging his legs along as he walks, Relnav says, "I'll go with them; I won't be any more trouble. I came here for Jorelle...there's nothing left for me."
Havaris just shakes his head again as he leads Relnav out into the corridor. The words, if anything, seem to offend him. "If there is nothing for you now, Relnav, then there was nothing for you before, and Jorelle or no Jorelle, there was nothing. You have squandered your moments, played cards with your destiny, and you've lost. But even though I find all of this ... sickening. This whole sordid affair? I will say this." Havaris pauses, turning Relnav to face him. "She died without tears. When last I saw her, she was resigned. But dignified. There is something left for you, Relnav. And that's your legacy. That of a foolish and naive boy too blind to his own people to realize the gravity of his situation? Or that of a visionary and a hero who loved not too wisely, but too well. Someone in whose death someone, somewhere might find some inspiration. So that the next kid isn't played as such a fool. So that the next two like you and Jorelle? Live. In peace." Havaris pauses for a moment before turning back about and leading him on. "Regret nothing. And for the first time in your life, be a man."
"There's nowhere I can go," the Rynkan says, head hanging. "I can't stay here. You said that I can't ask for asylum. Facing my punishment is the right path. I shouldn't run away from it any longer. No longer."
"Now," Havaris says simply, "you've got something to live for." Morbid. But then again, that's Havaris. It isn't long until they're back in Security. It isn't long until Relnav's once more behind a force field. And, characteristically silent, it isn't long before Havaris is gone, leaving Relnav to the hum of the forcefield and the silence of his cell.
Relnav sits down on the bench, staring blankly at the floor and awaiting for the ship to pick him up for his execution. Alone. All alone. And so ends the story of star-crossed lovers from opposing worlds, of the ill-fated Relnav and his Jorelle.
"There are protocols to which we must adhere in the case of political refugees and the like. Once we've upheld our obligations, I do not imagine there will be much difficulty in returning the prisoner to your hands. That all depends, of course. Once he's aboard, he's my problem, to put it bluntly. I'm not one to send a man to his death until I've exhausted all possibilities." Havaris glances to Ops, offering Harker a nod. "Begin transmitting." He looks back to the screen. "I'm sending you what we've learned on our end. And, as I've said, if your ship pursues his craft into our space and continues aggressive action, we will act in defense of the pursued craft. Inform your Captain, if you would. I have no wish to do so. If you pursue peacefully, your ship will be welcome to wait through the formalities. I will instruct my Operations officer to patch you through to me should you have need of me. Will this be satisfactory, Director?"
