Plans Best Laid

 Episode Name:  Plans Best Laid

   Written By:  Fortunae

         Cast:  Fortunae, K'net-mauri, Mirell and S'veralis.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Fortunae

     Aired On:  Fri Mar 21 00:53:48 2003

     Stardate:  53082.9

Time: Thu Mar 20 20:36:07 2003

Stardate: 53082.5

- Earlier on Startrek: Anomaly

October 13th, 2375. 1659 hours

"Golden went up to the roof with Kortal and Lemvek to pick up the Occan ministers, we have only a small amount of time to do this without Starfleet knowing anything about it. Did you subvert their security control of the building yet?" Voidrai asks the unit leader of the Tal Shava on the mission. He nods once with complete confidence in himself and his deeds and Voidrai nods in return. Moving with directness she and the Tal Shava leader take the floor of stairs rapidly and slice down the hall at the end of them until they reach the door to the auxiliary control center where Voidrai immediately begins a security bypass that makes the door hiss open allowing the Tal Shavan to boil inside and cover the collected Occan Military high command with his disrupter weapon. Kedha stalks in behind him, her level gaze doing more to silence the Occan High Command officers and cease their efforts to draw weapons than even the bulky Romulan marine. "Gentlemen," she begins, "We don't have much time so I'll keep this short. You have lost, the Dominion is going to be pushed out of this system and being so far from their main supply front they will be crushed completely between the Star Empire, the milk toast Federation and stupid if brutal Klingon Star Empire. You are about to removed from government life permanently. Yes, I realize you have issues with aliens, we can understand that - but we also understand when there is a time for alliances to be made. You need the Romulan Star empire if you want to survive this situation and have a hope of one day bringing your planet the prosperity you think it deserves; this time you simply picked the wrong associates. Now here is what I am proposing" Voidrai speaks to her captive audience, a speech that had been prepared in vaulted halls on Romulus, a speech that had been designed by a Senate committee, which had been approved by the Praetor himself; it is little surprise then when her audience's expression changes from captured to captivated.

March 20th, 2376. Stardate: 53082.4

Ambassador K'net-Mauri Va'raeh, his aide and his honor guard boarded the "Advent of Sorrow" or the Ts'lux T'Gora on S419 and left the trade lane shortly there after under cloak. The ship's captain, Lt Tolsar, made them as comfortable as possible on the small vessel - he like his crew showing an almost reverential deference to the warrior of the empire now turned Ambassador Va'raeh. Even at maximum warp the flight to the Occan system took a considerable amount of time, but the time table was in sync with the night cycle on the area of the planet where they are to land. As the Ts'lus T'Gora establishes an orbital position, still hidden from the local sensors by it's superior cloaking system, Lt Tolsar calls back to the quarters where the diplomatic team await saying, "Centurian, we are in position and await the confirmation signal from the ground contact."

K'net-mauri seems content enough on the little craft. It is not an unfamiliar environment for him by any means. The deference of the crew he accepts without remark. His due. He seems half asleep for most of the trip, but comes smoothly alert at Tolsar's call. He replies into the comm, "Excellent," and rises.

S'veralis nods to K'net-mauri as she runs a check through the disruptor she has given up when on Station, setting it smoothly onto her waist opposite her blade. She casts a glance to Mirell as List continues her preparations.

S'veralis reveals her Neca.

Mirell has spent the majority of the trip reading inside the quarters assigned to her. In addition to the briefing documents the Ambassador has given her, she has sought out further historical documents of the humans who came to arrive on this planet. Presently, she has read what she could, and is waiting in silence. When the Ambassador stands, she does as well, remaining a short distance behind him.

K'net-mauri doesn't wait for his aides, but he never hurries and its hardly a problem to keep up with him. He makes his way to the bridge.

S'veralis follows behind K'net as he touches the sidearm again a smile gracing hr face at the natural weight of the balanced weapons belt.

Mirell follows alongside S'veralis as they proceed. There is no discernible emotion in her expression.

Lt Tolsar rises from his seat as Centurian cum Ambassador Va'raeh arrives on the bridge. "Your timing is impeccable sir, we have just received the signal and are preparing to land on the planet at the rendezvous point. If you and your staff would secure yourselves for atmospheric entry, we would be honored by your presence here on the bridge."

K'net-mauri nods to Tolsar and gives the man an amused, ironic look. Of course his timing is impeccable. He moves to do just as the the ship's commander request, out of the way of the Ts'lux T'Gora's working crew.

Saluting the Lt., Lis watches calmly as K'net and Mirell follow Tolsars 'request', and takes a seat at the secondary tactical station, taking careful note of the incoming data streams. "All security protocols have been met Lt.?"

Mirell seats herself at one of the bridge's currently-less necessary stations, the transporter control console not being in use at the moment.

K'net-mauri watches, listens. He seems to take a certain pleasure in it, and smiles to himself. Mirell ends up seated quite close to him, but he pays her no attention for the moment.

Through the view screen the view seems to dip as the scout craft rolls into it's atmospheric entry vector. The view begins to fill with more and more of the planet, wispy night clouds brushed aside by the sleek cloaked nose of the ship. Lt Tolsar flicks a hand towards his security officer once he's resumed his seat. The Sublieutenant turns to face S'veralis. "Such as they may be. The Occan delgation is expecting only you three, but we inserted a unit of Tal'Shava marines three days ago and we have confirmation they are in position to cover your meeting sight from a position of cover. There will be no permitted threat to the Ambassador. As your signal they will terminate the entire human delgation with Klingon disrupters, we have two klingon corpses in stasis to leave near the scene that we have terminated with Occan weapons should we need to point the blame for the death of the humans to a more suitable target."

S'veralis nods her head in approval, "then it is good standing." she taps the terminal to bring up the comm frequency of the marine unit. "They should not be able to pick up a low energy transmission which will come from my comlink."

Mirell takes in the information, continuing to remain silent.

On the view screen the planet continues to rush up at them, blobs of land masses now picking features like forests, and then forests showing specific trees. Lt Tolsar murmurs a command and the Advent of Sorrow adjusts it's rate of descent and angle again -- the nose coming back up the scout craft flying in a level descent over the increasingly closer trees of a vast forest on Occa's nightside.

K'net-mauri appears to pay not attention to the conversation. He smiles at the viewscreen instead.

S'veralis continues to check the scans coming up on the display.

Mirell continues to do naught but wait.

The Romulan craft slows and slows until it is hovering over a meadow in the woods. The crew quietly but clearly rattle off status results and sensor indicators, the officer at the communication station relaying another confirmation of the marines being in place. A few moments pass as the craft gently comes down to land on its now extended landing gear -- just enough to touch, not settle into the soft terrain. "Centurian, we have landed. Your Party may now debark through the port hatch -- the Occans are 25 meters to the south east, near a powered down Rotary wing aircraft," Lt Tolsar advises.

K'net-mauri evidently likes to fly, and having nothing else to do but watch the descent he does so, not bothering to hide a sort of nostalgic pleasure in the images that spill across the viewscreen. He rises slowly from his place as Tolsar speaks, then nods to the man. "Thank you, Lieutenant," he says, and turns to make his way off the bridge and along to the port side of the little craft. He doesn't look to see that S'veralis and Mirell are behind him.

S'veralis rises to her feet moving towards the indicated egress point. Her hand rests lightly on the hilt of her Neca as she continues along the walkway to the hatch. Long legs carry her thru it quickly, there is a small tap of her free hand against the combadge activating it on its lowest transmission setting keeping them in constant contact with the reinforcement team.

Mirell follows, silent as she has been all throughout the trip. She is quiet not due to any hesitancy. She has simply lacked the need to do so, a diplomatic Adjutant on a spacegoing vessel being as useful as a third leg. She accompanies the others out onto the surface of the planet. Taking in her surroundings, she quietly murmurs, "Much like Norka III," to herself.

K'net-mauri pauses to let S'veralis preceed him out the hatch. He steps out after her a few moments later, giving her a chance to look around a little before he steps through the hatch himself and glances around. He takes the air for a moment, then starts walking southeast. "Pretty," he remarks in response to Mirell.

S'veralis takes the point position, her steps quiet, "Yes but a terrible place to fight." comes the murmured response to Mirell words. The dark blue eyes flit around the surrounding terrain, her ears listening for the tell tale signs that they are not alone out here.

That grim comment makes K'net-mauri grin in the moonlight for a brief moment.

"Also like Norka III," Mirell comments softly with an amused upturn of her lips. She walks behind the Ambassador, serving the double-purpose of given precedence to the more important diplomat, as well as putting a body between K'net-mauri's back and any potential aggressors.

K'net-mauri doesn't comment. His grin dissapears and he makes for the aircraft that should be ahead in the half-light at his unchanging slow pace.

Dark blue eyes look towards the delegation of Occans, trying to pick out any possible weapons held by them, or any un easy with the group they are approaching, hopefully as a warning to any possible betrayal. As the distance closes she slows her pace but keeps her position until the group is close enough to visibly be confirmed that they are not hostile.

Moving to meet the approach of the three Romulans come three humans in black overcoats of what seems to be some sort of animal skin leather. They wear gray uniforms, but thier black boots and gloves match their coats that sway as they walk. All of them are male, two seem to be in the third decade of life for a human, the third is clearly past the prime of his years, his head clearly bald despite the attempt to cover it with a hat. When they are within ten feet from the leading S'veralis the elder human raises his hand in a saluting gesture, saying, "Centurian-Ambassador, we are honored by your presence. I am Colonel Aramis, these are my aides Lieutenant Cordair and Captain Mercere." The Colonel snaps his gloved finger and the most junior officer slowly so as to not be alarming extracts a wooden box from inside his jacket. He gives it to the Colonel and the Colonel extends it towards the Ambassador. "Please accept this token of appreciation and mutual respect, it is a fine cognac from before the Dominion occupation, based on an ancient Napoleonic formula from our planet of orgin."

S'veralis steps aside clearing the way for K'net. she makes no discernable movement of her hands at the motions of the lt.

K'net-mauri stops after a few more paces when he sees the approaching Occans. Letting them come to him may well make them calmer. Either way, it gives him a chance to look them over a for a few moments. When it comes, the Ambassador responds to the Occan's greeting with a deep nod. "I thank you. I am K'net-mauri. My aides are Mirell and S'veralis." He indicates the two in turn with a vague gesture of one hand, not giving his fellow Romulans a glance. It is the humans who have his attention. He accepts the box quite gravely when it is offered, taking it in both hands without actually touching the Colonel himself. A smile, warm and pleased. "It would seem I am truely honoured. It is a noble gift you offer me."

Mirell remains behind K'net-mauri, stopping at a certain point though he continues to approach the humans. She continues to observe silently.

S'veralisnods as she is introduced. Her eyes continue to flick around the site.

Aramis nods once crisply, then gives the two females a moment of attention, giving them a nod as well before refocusing on K'net-mauri. "We all have a time-table to observe, should we get to the matters at hand then?"

K'net-mauri nods again, gravely. "By all means," he says, amiable. He turns a little to hand the box to Mirell.

Mirell steps forward, accepting the box that he hands her. She steps back again, returning to her prior place.

Aramis begins without preamble. "Pro-Tem President Vhypist will soon have to face re-election. Since the removal of the Dominion from Occa, four open political parties have formed. The party that is elected will also win control of our foreign policy. Vhypist leads the isolationist party that wishes us to remain completely isolated from the galactic community until we can approach them as strong independents -- this of course is an unlikely scenario and if a fool's dream. Minister Trefois leads the Re-Patriation party that wants to open up relations with the United Earth Government only and seek our rights as Colonists from the pre-Federation era to humanity's economic and technological gains. Minister Oreleis is the leader of the Federation party, they wish to try again to win our entrance into the Federation as an independent member world. Minister Poitrain is the leader of the Omni Party, they seek to open up diplomatic relations with all the local powers and see which have the most to offer us and are willing to give us. I of course am a member of none of these parties, but represent the Old Military High Command that your agent Voidrai proposed an arrangement with the Star Empire about."

S'veralis continues to listen, the dark blue eyes harden somewhat at the words she hears makes no expression or other reaction tot hem. To well she understands the games of politics. Now knowing, however , that there are other parties that do not want such a contact being made her eyes flow around the terrain with a much more probing look.

<CONTEST> S'veralis contests her Search skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Mirell listens with interest to the discussion of Occa's current political status. She remains silent.

K'net-mauri listens to the human's words with complete and grave attention. He says, "Indeed. I have, of course, heard a whisper of this. I am sure it is quite obvious to you which direction we would prefer your foreign policy to take. What support do these factions hold?"

S'veralis shakes her wrist lightly as softly, She says in Romulan, "We have company In the trees" . She makes no real movement to acknowledge the presence but keeps an eye on them.

Amaris responds without hesitation, "The current leading faction is the Re-Patriation party, followed closely by the Isolationist party. The Federation Party is in third, but common pundit wisdom suggests that they will throw themselves behind the Re-Patriation party or vice-versa if the Isolationist party pulls ahead. The Omni party control a mere 7 percent of the voter support according to polls -- the Re-Pats control 40 percent, the Isolationist 35 percent, the last 18 for the Federation Party."

Mirell continues to watch the discussion silently, not overtly bothered by S'veralis' warning. She files the information away in her head, right next to the Colonel's poll numbers.

K'net-mauri nods. "Federation and Re-Patriation will amount to the same thing, give or take a decade. The common pundits are no doubt correct." He shakes his head, "It would seem we are at a grave disadvantage. What resource do you command in these matters." That said, he glances absently towards the trees, "My aide suggests we are observed. Yours?"

Completely without embarressment the Colonel nods. "Your escort is very observant, yes, but they are not here to threaten you. They are here to deal with anyone who might by deliberation or accident come across this scene. We were certain your scanning devices would have picked them out regardless so there was little point in pretending they were not present." Amaris then returns to the previous matter, "We have three operational objectives in regards to the election that we would like your consultation on. One, is the possibility of a military coup -- this is the least favorable considering what happened with the Dominion, but if played more carefully it could be arranged over time. The second option is to leak information or propaganda that will swing things towards the Isolationist Party or the Omni party -- we will need your assistance in gaining the appropriate things to bring to light, perhaps your political engineering offices can provide the materials while we ensure they make it to the appropriate hands. The first option is putting the parties at each other's throats deliberately so they discredit each other in public opinion and then offer a fifth party, an Order party under our control after which we can openly extend relations to our friends the Romulans who share common beliefs in societal modeling. We would like to now accept the offer to have some of your special operations forces teach some of our elite select troops modern concepts in sniper and urban black operations -- and I believe we have some information that would make such resources extensions more attractive for your government."

Mirell arches a brow at the human. She quietly suggests, "For the second option, Maquis statements following the treaty with Cardassia would be an excellent example of how the Federation 'defends' it's 'colonies."

K'net-mauri nods, "All right, then," he says mildly, seeming to lose interest in those lurking in the trees immediately after they are identified. We are all friends here, yes indeed. He listens to Aramis' list of options with interest, assessing them behind his dark eyes. He lets them go for the moment and replies first, "I will see to it that such training is forthcoming." Mirell's suggestion draws his glance and he smiles a little, but he doesn't comment on it. "Military coups work when other things have failed. Let us leave it that way. And do you believe your people would be swayed by a promise of Order?"

S'veralis listens to the conversation not making a comment for Politics are not her arena of battle, but she does shift her position slightly to keep the tree dwelling units in sight.

Aramis responds, "Human history has many lessons about human nature, one is that if societal disharmony becomes onerous enough, humans will trade freedom for comfort and safety. If we engineer enough instability and offer and back-up said offer with Order and safety and services that run on time -- the masses should come in line, and those that don't can be dealt with afterwards in a more direct fashion."

Mirell nods at the words of both the Ambassador and his human counterpart. After her one sentence, she returns to a state of silence.

Aramis adds, "It might be advantageous to let the Federation or just the Federation Humans extend a taste of Federation technological advances, so we can sabotage them and undermine public confidence in what they have to offer."

K'net-mauri nods. "Indeed. Though I wonder if you could possibly manufacture enough such disharmony and still have enough time to put your fifth political party in place, without making your mechanations obvious." He smiles a little at the Colonel's next comment. "I urge you to do so, should the oppourtunity arise."

Aramis says, "Many of the preparations for a coup are the same for creating instability -- so we have been making preparations to cause both since last October.. we are confident we can do what must be done if necessary, but it might not be remiss to test the waters of the Propaganda option just to see how it flows -- if your government can prepare the materials for dispersal."

S'veralis nods at the planning that has been mentioned here, "It is still a viable option, the propaganda would also add to the feeling of the instability that would require a military coup."

Aramis adds, "We have also infilitrated our own group into the other political parties, apparently at odds with each other, this will allow us to start fires within and when the time comes for a new party those opposed can seem to come together for the common good -- for the people."

K'net-mauri nods. "Indeed. It is in the interests of everyone to go softly. One may just as easily do otherwise later. The first and last of your plans need no scheduled election to enact them, should this attempt fail. If the isolationist policy is retained, this question will inevitably come to light again in very short order." He smiles at the human. "Good. What was this information you wished to offer me?"

Mirell continues her silent listening. As can be seen, she rarely speaks without it being a response to someone else.

"After the liberation of Occa from the dominion, opportunists made plays to make thier own destinies. We have heard a rumor, unconfirmed directly but through several different resources, that a Dominion Cloning tank was salvaged from the ruins of their cloning facility. There are whispers about the power elite arranging to have clones of themselves created, but we have also heard the current owners are looking for an offworld buyer, this may or may not be of interest to you. Perhaps of more interest is something that was found while we searched for Siinogan or Dominion assets left hidden about our planet. Pro-Tem President Vhypist hushed it up right away, only allowing his own cronies anywhere near it, but being a military discovery we caught word before it could be bottled up. We believe we have discovered a subterranean Iconian ruin. In exchange for your friendship and help, once we have secured control of Occa, we would be happy to invite our neighbors and friends to supervise a joint exploration of this Iconian ruin and it's possible gate device. Does that interest you?"

S'veralis continues to listen her eyes always looking around even though she keeps track of the figures in the trees.

K'net-mauri lifts a brow at the man's words. "Indeed," he says slowly. "Both of these subjects interest me."

"Very good then. There is, one other idea we had -- perhaps it should be only between us two for now. If I may approach you and show the plan on this PADD I have?" Aramis asks.

K'net-mauri nods without hesitation. "You may." He seems curious.

S'veralis moves only far enough away to not see the information, but her hand grips tightly around the hilt of her Neca, the other resting lightly at her waist close to the disruptor holstered on the belt.

Aramis approache the Romulan statesman and slips the PADD out of his jacket carefully, leaning closer he activates the plan and wordlessly points out parts of it with his extended index finger.

K'net-mauri bows his head to read the thing, leaving his arms at his side.

Aramis steps away after going over the plan, and looks for the Romulan's response.

K'net-mauri smiles slowly at the PADD. He stares at the thing in thoughtful silence for a while.

Well, at least until Aramis draws away with it. Then K'net-mauri looks at the human and nods.

S'veralis looks to Mirell significantly and mouths the word, in Romulan, infiltrators. An arching eyebrow turns the one word into a question, her normally non expressive face showing the concern.

Mirell shifts the box from her right hand to her left. She does not look directly at S'veralis, making a flat, barely noticeable 'hold' gesture to the other woman.

Aramis says, "I am glad you agree. We can work out the details with your experts and trainer when they arrive. I believe we can finish up the details through our previous covert channels. Thank you for coming to meet me face to face, it has been an honor. Now I must get back to the capital before my absence is considered questionable." He clicks his heel and salutes again.

S'veralis frowns lightly, that seems normal for a Romulan though, as she listens for a moment but before Aramis can leave. "I am sorry I must ask, you spoke of infiltrators you have placed in other groups, what are your own security measures to prevent the same happening to your group?"

K'net-mauri simply nods in response to the salute. "Very well. You shall hear from us. Your efforts and insights are well noted. Thank you, Colonel." He is about to turn away, but pauses to hear S'veralis' question and its reply.

<CONTEST> S'veralis contests her Search skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Aramis looks to the aide and then says, "I could not swear there were none, but there is a point in our favor. We are a secret conspiracy, they are open public parties. They would have to know we existed to infiltrate us, and if they knew we existed they would have to move on us. Since that is not the case as yet, we must consider our security measures are working. If I explained all of our security measures to you, they wouldn't be as secret, and thus not provide us much security, is that not so?"

Mirell continues to observe silently.

S'veralis nods her head at Aramis's words, "I understand, I would again run a check on your personnel," she hold up a hand to forestall any retort and to indicate she means no offense, "To cover all bases once again, as you know you are embarking on a plan fraught with dangers."

K'net-mauri smiles faintly. The expression is vaguely self-satisfied. Quietly, he says, "I trust the gentlemen have matters in hand, S'veralis. They are, I think, motivated."

Mirell nods ti

Mirell nods to S'veralis. To the Ambassador's words, she adds, "They understand the danger the Federation represents to them."

"Good advice is always appreciated. Now, I really must be going." He nods again to each of the Romulans then turns on his heal and steps off at a crips pace, his two aides turning with precision to follow in his wake with precise distance from him. Moments later they are in the rotary wing craft, and from the woods come a squad of 12 soldiers that also load up. The craft is whisper quiet and black, it turns over the meadow and then races away. After the helicopter is well and gone, 12 shapes emerge from the woods -- more familiar shapes, the Tal Shava team. Thier leader approaches and salutes. "Your will Centurian?"

S'veralis smiles softly as the group makes themselves known.

K'net-mauri starts walking slowly back towards the Ts'lux T'Gora even as the humans load up into their helicopter. He doesn't stop for the Tal Shava team until he is saluted, and then he halts his slow walk and returns the gesture briskly. "We will go," he says. "And find for these people the resources and the teachers that they request."

Soon the diplomats are back aboard and in their shared living compartment, the marines are also back aboard and quartered elsewhere. As the Ts'lux T'Gora lifts off the diplomatic team has a few moments to discuss what has just transpired in privacy.

Back aboard, Mirell offers, "For all their appealing tendencies, they still suffer from a very human idealism."

S'veralis takes her seat after pulling the power pack from the disruptor, and stowing it in it's proper place, "I am worried, if only slightly." she pulls her blade from it's sheath and inspects the weapon, "It is that idealism that concerns me, especially when it comes to their concern of infiltrators."

Mirell says, "The fact that a third of their population thinks they can extort aid from Terra without strings attached from the Federation as a whole is nearly as bad as the separate fifth who favor simply joining the Federation.

"Wherever I go, people give me alchohol," K'net-mauri comments dryly on his way in, when the Occan box is subjected to scans. "A strange fate." He opens the thing after he'se settled down in a chair in the living compartment, looking the bottle over as Lis and Mirell talk. "It really isn't suprising that they are naive," he says distantly. "What do you mean, S'veralis?"

S'veralis shrugs her shoulders as he breaks out a bottle of oil and a rag to wipe down the blade, "I know that his measures should remain secret, but the glib reply he gave..." she thinks for a moment, "Causes me to wonder if they are enough."

Mirell says, "Come now, if he had asked if you had a squad of Tal'Shava in the trees, would you have given him a direct answer?"

K'net-mauri smiles at S'veralis. "Probably he found your question presumptuous. I am afraid that we must trust him a little. I did not get the impression that he is incapable." He laughs at what Mirell says. "Would I have much choice?"

Mirell ponders and says, "If he had asked, it would have indicated he likely knew. It was a poor analogy. Nevertheless, expecting full disclosure and trust with no past dealings to base them on would be a sign of foolishness on his part."

S'veralis nos slowly listening to the words as the ship jumps to warp. "We can trust them, but we watch them closely should they join our empire. I feel an odd tickling between my shoulders over this whole business."

K'net-mauri shakes his head, "We propose that he do things more difficult than maintaining a secret organisation that can meet with us. And if he cannot do that, we have already failed and will know it soon enough. I suppose that he is likely capable of that and more, or he would have been disposed of by those who recruited him to our confidence." He looks to S'veralis, "And you feel we are about to be betrayed? To what end?"

S'veralis looks up from the blade that has one small knick in the base, "The Technology, what benefits do they gain from us by joining the empire." slowly she lists them off as she wipes down the blade slowly, "Arms, training, ships. Yes we would have troops stationed here, but in the grand design, what if this supposed groups is a front by Federation Special operations to gain our Cloaking technology?"

K'net-mauri grins at S'veralis, "We'll know it before they can complete that plan, and remove that connection. And gain Occa anyway. Besides, they could get a cloak from the Klingons. It is not through a dearth of access to the technology that they do not use it, it is a provision of the Treaty of Algeron." He waves the bottle at the two of them, "Do you want to try it? I do not intend to explain where it came from when we reach Station 419."

S'veralis nods with a smile, though she takes the prudence of having the brandy scanned, "So as not to be poisoned." she chuckles.

K'net-mauri leans back in his chair and smiles, "A great deal of trouble just to poison someone," he says, "But as you wish."

Mirell chuckles and says, "I suspect it is more likely to evince utter blandness than poison."

S'veralis pours three? glasses of the brandy after receiving a green tone from the scanner. "To our new canidate for the Empire." she lifts her glass.

K'net-mauri smiles at Mirell. "Ah. I see you are enjoying the gastronomic pleasures of Starfleet standard issue replicators." He accepts a glass from S'veralis and raises it, a hint of the vulpine in his smile as he nods to the toast.

Mirell snorts, noting, "I wouldn't say I've been /enjoying/ them," She accepts the glass and sniffs at it.

S'veralis shakes her head, "I must say they are not /as/ bad as field rations..but only by a minor difference," she laughs with a memory, "At least you expect field rations to be awful."

K'net-mauri chuckles at this turn of conversation. He sniffs at the cognac, tastes it, shrugs.

Mirell decides to go first, sipping from her glass. She arches an eyebrow and shrugs.

S'veralis also takes a drink from her glass, a frown of appreciation spreads across her lips, "Not as bad as I expected it to be."

K'net-mauri looks at his glass. "I have no opinion about this drink," he remarks, as if this is something unexpected. "It isn't bad. I don't care if I'm drinking it or not." He sips it again, shrugs again, looks at the rich liquid. "Humans are perculiar creatures."