How Dread An Army

 Episode Name:  How Dread An Army

   Written By:  Shaft

         Cast:  A Very Dead Klingon, Caeli, Churas, Cristobal, Dakin, Gr'laH, 
                Klingon Warrior, Randal, Sharei, Treal, Vala and Vimes.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Shaft

     Aired On:  Tue Aug 19 02:55:04 2003

     Stardate:  53445.4

Time: Mon Aug 18 23:42:14 2003

Stardate: 53445.1

<CONTEST> Klingon Warrior (claiming advantage) contests its Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill vs Gr'laH's Dodge skill (given disadvantage) and Fails!

<CONTEST> Klingon Warrior (claiming advantage) contests its Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill vs Gr'laH's Dodge skill (given disadvantage) and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Gr'laH contests his Unarmed Combat (Mok'bara) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

With the station distracted from such matters as a man loitering on the mall deck, Gr'laH stands before the viewports with a somber expression, hand on his blade hilt, surveying the starfield beyond the clear metal with perfect impassivity. The yellow running lights flash around him and he is, if not oblivious, then at least impervious to it. He should, perhaps, be elsewhere. Yet he remains, enjoying the solitude and the small thrill of danger.

Into this stillness stalks another Klingon, the klaxons doing much to conceal the sound of his arrival. The interloper frees its own blade from the travel case it is carried in and snaps open the blades during a roll of those kalxons, continuing its approach more rapidly. Without warning, without speaking his name, the Warrior finishes its approach in a rush, bringing the blade back and plunging it forward towards Gr'laH's back as it wraps an arm about the old man's neck, tugging him backwards.

Gr'laH's eye widens, his bellow stolen by the hand suddenly wrapped across his mouth. He tenses as the blade is turned within him, though he masters himself through the pain enough to bring his good arm up and slam it back into his assailant's side, freeing him from the hold. Gr'laH stumbles away, enough to free his own blade from its sheathe before he turns to face his attacker with a roar of rage.

Her father cannot be fetched from the Observation Garden by hail during yellow alert: there is no comsystem there. And so? Churas goes down to find him. It is thus that she witnesses this whole spectacle, and moves as fast as her body will allow toward the confrontation. Her weapon is drawn, and she does not move to attack. Rather, she blocks escape, for now. This is her father's fight until he calls for her, and she announces both presence and intentions with a low, pitched snarl.

<CONTEST> Klingon Warrior contests its Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill vs Gr'laH's Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Gr'laH contests his Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill and Fails!

GAME: Churas is now set IC.

The assassin -- for surely he must be that -- circles the wounded Elder with a predatory leer. He probes the old man's defenses, drawing out a series of parries before diving in for a gut stab. Gr'laH's single arm is over-extended at the time, and his stump can little fend off the attack. Gr'laH takes the blade through his stomach with a gurgle of surprised pain, his stump sliding over the shoulder of the Warrior's armor as he pushes the Ambassador back into a planter, pushing him over and further off-balance. Gr'laH's attempt at stabbing down into the other Klingon's shoulder is caught by the other's hand. Again the blade is turned, and this time Gr'laH's roar is one of agony.

Randal comes into the garden through the hedge.

Randal has arrived.

At her father's roar of agony, the gravid Klingon female releases a howl of anger and challenge, planting her massive feet on the floor shoulder-width apart and unsheathing her dk'tagh. The side blades snap free, and her howl turns into a snarl of precedence, her words spit out in Klingon. "I am Churas, daughter of Gr'laH, himself the son of Go'laH and head of my House! I am a Hero of the Empire: with my mate, the son of Eduardo, at my side, we brought the honorless lizard-slithering of that now-nameless rag of a former house to light, exposed their lies and treachery like bugs under a rock! Turn and face me, you whimpering and honorless bastard son of a Cardassian prostitute! YOUR MOTHER HAS A SPOONED FOREHEAD!"

GAME: Churas spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Intimidation (Bluster) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Presence (Willpower) skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Gr'laH contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Klingon Warrior contests its Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill vs Churas's Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill and Succeeds!

The two Warriors, one an Elder Ambassador, the other a younger Warrior in the height of his prowess, cease their mutual struggles at the sudden roar of the female. Even with a blade in his stomach, Gr'laH's expression widens with pride, the other's expression transforms into a rictus of loathing even as he wrenches his blade more deeply into the Ambassador's gut before tugging it free. Gr'laH rolls from the planter and flops to the floor, his back wound bleeding as profusely as his belly. The warrior paces away from the fallen Gr'laH, snarling his challenge at the woman. "Human slave, nothing but an Orion whore to the will of the Federation! Your words are as dark as your skin! You cannot withstand the storm that comes for you, Churas! It will be my pleasure to end your life and rip that abomination from your womb to dash its half formed head from the glass! DIE WELL!" The Warrior dives forward, thrusting his blade out at Churas's blade bearing shoulder.

Gr'laH, despite his wounds, pushes his way up to his knees and casts his weapon aside in his struggle to return to his feet.

Randal wanders into the Observation Garden, his boredom having mounted and his desire for even the slightest peek at whatever caused Yellow Alert to be declared in the expansive viewports found here. And, rather unexpectedly, has an even better view of the events than he could have bargained for. His eyes slide from the flash of blades as Churas duels with the unknown warrior, to where the Ambassador lies wounded on the grass. He sighs and mutters quietly to himself. "Bad timing. Bad timing. /Why/ do I always have bad timing?" He hunches down low and, trying to remain unnoticed for now, tries to make his way over to Gr'laH.

The bosun sounds prior to the PA and terminals carrying the following announcement from Station Security's Lt. Novairen. "Attention: Station 419 is now under a security lockdown. All off-duty and civilian personnel are required to remain in their assigned quarters for the duration of this lockdown. Persons with ships currently docked at the station are required to return to their vessels and remain there. All security teams are to check in with Station Operations for further instructions. That is all."

<CONTEST> Randal contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

. o O Klingon Warrior feels incredible pain and rage, vicious and total, directed at a very particular thing.

GAME: Churas spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Churas (claiming advantage) contests her Unarmed Combat (Mok'bara) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

The blade bites through the tunic fabric on her shoulder, sliding through with no resistance whatsoever: she can't, after all, wear her armor anymore. Churas's blade arm a little occupied for the moment, she jerks her shoulder back, attempting to use her shoulder to pull the blade out of his hand. Simultaneously, she uses this shift of weight to throw her unoccupied hand at the other Warrior's throat, and her initial roar of pain and anger has turned into viscious, unfriendly laughter. That is her only response: a feral grin, through which wickedly animalistic laughter /roars./

<CONTEST> Gr'laH contests his Unarmed Combat (Mok'bara) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Klingon Warrior contests its Primitive Weaponry (D'k Tagh) skill vs Gr'laH's Dodge skill and Fails!

<CONTEST> Gr'laH contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

The Assassin's brief celebration is cut short by the collapsing of his windpipe. The Warrior staggers backwards, leaving his blade buried in Churas' shoulder, hands grasping his throat. Gr'laH, quite unaware of Randal's approach -- as are the others embroiled in the conflict -- pushes his way fully to his feet before returning to the fray. He circles back around the briefly stunned warrior and lifts his back foot from the ground in a rather brutal roundhouse kick. Gr'laH looks lumbering, looks slow, and is -- in truth -- rather nimble for his years. The metal encased boot concusses off of the Warrior's nose sending him sprawling backwards to the floor, quite thoroughly stunned. Gr'laH's body remains mobile, but blood is pouring down his belly and back and pooling ont he floor at his feet. He rasps aside to Churas, "Kill it. One less for later."

. o O Churas is in a great deal of pain.

. o O Churas's brain is a haze of battle images.

Randal rolls his eyes upward. He starts to move out from his cover. Stops, briefly. And then finishes his move. "Uh, excuse me, excuse me..." He says, moving out in plain view, albeit hesitantly. "But maybe 'it' has useful information that you can extract, first." He winces, preemptively. In case there's any dk'taghs or booted feet that are going to be sent his way.

. o O Randal thinks "I should have just left. Really. They don't want my help. Why am I still here?"

Caeli comes into the garden through the hedge.

Caeli comes into view wielding a Type II Phaser.

Caeli has arrived.

Treal comes into the garden through the hedge.

Treal comes into view wielding a Type II Phaser.

Treal has arrived.

Dakin comes into the garden through the hedge.

Dakin has arrived.

Cristobal comes into the garden through the hedge.

Cristobal has arrived.

Vimes comes into the garden through the hedge.

Vimes comes into view wielding a Type II Phaser.

Vimes has arrived.

<CONTEST> Churas contests her Primitive Weaponry (Dk'tagh) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Dodge skill (given disadvantage) and Succeeds!

Randal? Randal... who? In the haze of pain, anger, and bottled-up bloodlust through which Churas is presently seeing, there is no word for 'stop,' especially not when her father has said 'go.' The would-be assassin's dk'tagh still stuck deep into the flesh of her right shoulder, purple blood coursing down in rivulets soaked into her black tunic (visible only as vaguely wet occasionally as she moves), she lands heavily on her knees on an unknown and fallen Klingon. Her own blade is brought up and sunk directly into side of its throat, wrenched around in a brutal display of flying blood and ripping flesh. Windpipe and veins are all rent asunder, after which -- /just to be sure/ -- she turns the blade's point up and sinks it into the would-be assassin's brain cavity by means of the opening she's just made in its neck.

If you only get to kill every few months, you really have to make each one count.

<CONTEST> Gr'laH contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!

The Assassin's lifeblood sprays in a rather greusome arc when let free by the Klingon Ambassadorial Aide. Apparently their diplomats study in other academies than those of the FDS. The body twitches, releases a strangled gargle, and finaly succumbs to the blade sent into its brain. Even so it twitches, eyes wide in death, tongue lolling awkwardly from its mouth. It's possible to be more dead, but that requires only a passage of time.

Gr'laH watches his daughter's completion of the combat from unsteady feet, bleeding from deep and rather wide wounds to his back and his belly. He says nothing as the gore is sprayed across the green grasses of the Garden's deck, he simply peers across at Randal and remains stubbornly upright despite the growing ashen pallor to his features. "We already know what he knows, Randal Thorne. We look forward to it."

Dakin comes in flanked by Caeli, Vimes, and the out-of-uniform Treal, all with phasers drawn. Once he sees the carnage, he brings his phaser to bear on Churas. "Station security! Drop the knife! NOW!!"

Caeli comes in at a full-blown run, Type II held out before him, and levels it first at the dead Klingon, then at the one who killed the dead Klingon. Graphically. "Lower the weapon and /stop/ moving, Delegate," orders the Bolian on the other end of the phaser.

. o O Churas has this strange feeling of deja vu.

. o O Churas thinks "... only it was a bat'leth last time ..."

Cristobal is already at a dead run by the time he and the security team hit the entrance to the observation garden. Thus it is that he can't run any /faster/ when he sees the knife protruding from his wife's shoulder. Shouting "/CHURAS!/" he /looks/ like he's running faster, though. And no, he doesn't appear to notice that he seems to be getting in front of the Security team's drawn phasers in doing so.

Not needing to really add anymore to what's already been said, Vimes simply keeps his weapon trained towards the armed Churas and the seemingly now dead Klingon on the ground of the observation garden. Then, looking towards Gr'laH and back to the dead Klingon, he shakes his head and mutters under his breath before saying, "The shuttle bay. Nevaren getting caught in the blast. It was all a diversion."

Treal doesn't level her weapon at Churas. Two is more than enough, afterall. She frowns deeply, looking from the dead Klingon, to the Delegate, Randal, Gr'laH, and back. "I think we found our missing pilot," is said quietly to Dakin, before her attention turns to the Ambassador again. She can't help but wince, noticing his wounds, and takes a hesitant step towards him, then stops. Sure, she wants to rush to his side. But she's not sure that's acceptable. Biting her lip, she nods to Vimes' words. "I should have known. The blast was too localized." She blames herself.

Randal's eyebrows furrow at Gr'laH's response, and then his eyes flash over as Station Security begins pouring into the Garden. He seems a bit less than enthusiastic at first, but that changes quickly. "There! He tried to assasinate the Ambassador! The spurting fellow with no throat!" Which Randal's trying very hard not to look at, incidentally. "And Churas killed him out of self-defense. So... mystery solved, case closed. I'll, uh, just be getting out of your way..." He takes a few sidesteps in the general direction of the exit.

<CONTEST> Gr'laH contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

. o O Treal fights back worry and fear, "Gr'laH. By the Four Deities, please.. please be alright. Please..."

Churas is already in the process of reaching for the knife in her shoulder when the security contingency trains its phasers on her. She sighs heavily, and drops her dk'tagh onto the floor next to the dead Klingon. Deep breath in, deep breath out, and the female lets her blood rage pass before she looks up. Her eyes move first to Dakin, and she rumbles, "This feels rather familiar, Lieutenant, no?" before her eyes are captured by her husband's approach. "Nathan. I am well. It is only my shoulder. Really. Do not stand in front of the Lieutenants, Husband, please. I remember this part well, as should you." The large female's attention turns back to the security officers. "I cannot drop this one unless you give me leave to remove it," she notes somewhat tiredly. "And my father's injuries are perhaps a greater concern than I. I offer no threat whatsoever to you, Lieutenants."

Dakin nods to Vimes, phaser still aimed but not with Nathan in the line of fire. "Yeah. We were played from the start." He looks to Treal, "He was guilty of what happened to Lt. Nevaren, Ensign." That is all he says, as though that should be reasoning enough to steer clear of self-blame. He eyes Thorne as he scampers off, holstering his phaser, then says to Churas, "Go ahead, but easily. If for no other reason than to prevent more grievous injury." Looking to Gr'laH, he reaches for his commbadge.

Dakin taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Dakin to Infirmary."

Over the communications terminal a voice answers, "Lieutenant JG Vala here."

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Requesting a medical team to the Level 19 Observation Garden. Ambassador Gr'laH and his daughter were attacked. Churas is mobile, but her father's in bad shape."

Gr'laH lolls his head about to peer blurry eyed at the Security men pouring into the gardens. He grins vaguely for a moment before stumbling forward a touch and catching himself. He looks to Churas with a soft snort of amusement at her protestations. "If I do not see you again, Churas. Die well." With that said, Gr'laH peers back at the Starfleet officers, then out to the viewports before his legs wobble, give out, and he falls like a half ton of meat and muscle to the deck amidst a puddle of his own blood.

From Dakin's comm badge, Vala says, "I'm on my way."

Dakin reaches up and taps his comm badge, ending transmission.

With his phaser still drawn, Vimes looks towards Randal and says, "Not so fast, Mr. Thorne. We'll need to take your statement about what happened here for our reports. Please, take a seat and we'll get to you as soon as we can."

Oh, who gives a damn what anyone thinks. Treal's breath catches in her throat, and she quickly puts her phaser away, as she moves hastily to Gr'laH's side, eyes pained and worried. "Gr'laH," she breathes shakily, reaching to lightly touch her fingers to his cheek, as she drops to her knees by him. "Don't you dare give up. Damnit, don't you dare!" She's fighting breaking into tears, but it's an obvious struggle.

Sharei comes into the garden through the hedge.

Sharei has arrived.

Vala comes into the garden through the hedge.

Vala has arrived.

In one of the less professional statements of his career, Cristobal replies, "Like hell, wife. Besides, if my fellow officers wish to stun you, they'd be wise to stun me first." Stopping besides her he glances at the dead Klingon and asks Churas, "Was he?" not elaborating.

. o O Treal thinks "NO! Don't you leave me, Gr'laH. Don't you leave Churas. You have a grandchild to bring into this world! Iliara needs you. I need you..."

Vala enters the OG with a medical kit in hand, heading over to the area where she was called to.

Dakin gives Treal a glare as she frantically hovers over Gr'laH. The wounded Churas is being checked on by her husband, then he reaches for his commbadge a second time as he motions Vala and Sharei to the wounded, fallen Klingon diplomat.

Dakin taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Dakin to Lieutenant Havaris."

Sharei comes trotting after Vala, Nursely Bag in tow. "What happened?" he asks as he looks over the scene. Churas appears to be in good hands for now, so he hovers just behind Vala, ready to render assistance.

Over Dakin's comm badge, someone says, "A bit lonely up here, Rann, what's the status?"

Caeli watches the TreOutburst fairly impassively, similarly holstering his weapon and looking aside to Vimes.

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Nevaren, the bomb... it was all a diversion, Kusto. There was an assassination attempt on Gr'laH, and I'm willing to wager the now very dead would-be assassin is the pilot of that shuttle."

Randal looks disappointed as Vimes intercepts Randal's attempt to leave. "Oh... alright." He peers over at Treal as she rushes over to the fallen Ambassador. "Huh," he says, simply, with the faint sort of amusement one might get from completing a crossword puzzle. "Oh... not that I expect anyone to take my advice on anything, but maybe you should just site-to-site beam him to the infirmary? He's... lost an awful lot of blood. I'm actually surprised he's lived as long as he has, really."

Vala pulls out a medical tricorder and heads to Gr'laH and scans him carefully

Vala scans Gr'laH with her tricorder.

Gr'laH lies on his back in a pool of his own blood. His belly bears a large torn stab wound, though the way the puddle continues to increase indicates a wound to his back as well. The way his color continues to worsen seems to indicate that if Randal's advice isn't taken, perhaps the next best step is to look up a good recipe for Klingon Ambassador. (Serves 20.)

Vala looks up to Randal, "We need to beam him to the infirmary, NOW"

Dakin looks to Vala, then nods sharply.

From Dakin's comm badge, Havaris says, "Sounds like a logical bit of deductive reasoning. Anything I can do from here, Rann? Shall I stand down from yellow alert?"

Sharei pales as he studies Gr'laH, then taps his combadge. "Ensign Sharei to infirmary. Prepare to receive Klingon patient. Get the autosuture and neoplasma kit broken out, stat!"

Vala says, "We have two lacerating traumas, one stab through his stomach, rupturing oh insestines and bladder, another stab on his back, and a pierced lung. He needs surgery and to be intebated!"

Treal reaches to place her hands on the wound, as if somehow that will stop the flow of blood. She ignores the world around her, as she focuses on Gr'laH. "You can't leave. Churas needs you. Iliara needs you. Your grandchild needs you," she says quietly to him. "I need you. Don't you dare give up. Warrior's /never/ give up!"

. o O Caeli thinks "So do it, woman, and stop talking."

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Affirmative. And arrange a site-to-site transport for Gr'laH, Dr. Vala, and Nurse Sharei. His life's on the line here, Kusto."

"You are too stubborn to die now, Father," the Klingon answers, hands closing around the hilt of the weapon. A grunt and a tug on the dk'tagh, and Churas drops the would-be assassin's dk'tagh to the deck with a clatter. She eyes Cristobal for a moment, then, and nods. Once. The massive female turns to hear Vala's words, and her eyes widen noticeably. Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Her attention is turned to Vimes. "I can move myself to the Infirmary. I will do so now, unless someone intends to stop me. And get and keep Ensign Treal away from him. Consider it a... very firm request... from the Klingon Consulate."

Caeli narrows his eyes at Treal's imploring the body, then glances to Churas and finally Dakin. Confirmation request, mafiosi style.

Vala looks to Sharei, "While we wait for transport, take his head. I'll intebate him here, I don't see much choice"

From Dakin's comm badge, Havaris says, "Copy that. Locking on to their signals. Stand by." A pause, during which the whine of transporters begins. "Energizing.""

Dakin looks to Treal and nods to Caeli.

Sharei nods his head. He digs into the nursely bag for an intebation kit, nodding to Churas. "You and Cristobal both. Hurry," he says, before the transport shimmers him out of being.

Caeli clears his throat, and takes a step forward. "Ensign Treal, stand down."

Gr'laH fades away, leaving one heck of a mess for a lucky cleanup crew. Also, a D'k tagh on the ground nearby, but so it goes.

GAME: Vimes spends a courage point.

Gr'laH passes through the hedge into the mall.

Gr'laH has left.

Vala still has her tricorder out as she beams out

Sharei passes through the hedge into the mall.

Sharei has left.

Vala passes through the hedge into the mall.

Vala has left.

<CONTEST> Vimes (claiming advantage) contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs Randal's Presence (Willpower) skill (given disadvantage) and Succeeds!

Cristobal pats Churas once on her non-stabbed shoulder before turning to Gr'laH, finally grasping that Churas is not the one in danger. He glances around and shoots a quick glare in Treal's direction. He almost takes a step forward, but Gr'laH then disappears, and the point becomes moot. He turns back to Churas and says, "Come on, let's get you to the Infirmary." He stands near her in such a way that it would be easy for her to lean on him if she chooses, without it being /too/ obvious that that is what he is offering.

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Thanks, Kusto. We need another transport for the assassin's corpse, directly to the morgue."

Churas leaves her weapon, and the weapon which she removed from her shoulder, where they fell on the ground. Offering a nod to the security officers, she wastes no time turning about and moving for the door of the Observation Garden at best speed. Leaning? What is this leaning business? As she passes Caeli, she notes, "Please consider that request in effect until further notice from us, Lieutenant. Q'pla." And onward!

From Dakin's comm badge, Havaris says, "Give me a moment, Rann, I need to localize his ... residue." Havaris never was good with delicate terminology. "I think I got it. Energizing."

Vimes purses his lips as he considers Randal again. Clucking his tongue, he simply walks over to the man and claps him on the shoulder, "On second thought, I think it's pretty self-explanatory as to what happened here, Mr. Thorne. Sorry for the inconvenience. If we do need anything, I'll be in touch. Thanks for your help." and steps aside to indicate the way is open and clear for the exit.

. o O Churas has the distinct feeling of someone who's had a victory go sour on her. It's a bitter, angry feeling.

The corpse of the assassin fades away in a whine of energy, leaving only the mess of his spilled blood and the blades that spilled it all.

. o O Churas thinks "You cannot die, Father."

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Thanks again, Kusto. I'll bring Laura up to speed. Dakin out."

Dakin reaches up and taps his comm badge, ending transmission.

Dakin taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Dakin to Lieutenant JG Novairen."

Randal glances toward Vimes, wearing a somewhat cynical expression. Then toward the exit, then back toward Vimes. "Self-explanatory? What do you mean, self-explanatory?" He sounds a bit incredulous.

As Gr'laH is beamed away, leaving Treal kneeling there, she looks down at her hands, covered in his blood. She reaches for the Ambassador's D'k tagh, making sure its blades are retracted. Slowly, she rises to her feet, and turns to face the others. She doesn't even bother to glare after Churas or Cristobal, and she ignores Caeli. "He'll want this, when he wakes up," she whispers, her lower lip trembling. She takes a step towards the exit.

Over Dakin's comm badge a voice answers, "Lieutenant JG Novairen here."

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Any progress in the docking bay, Lieutenant?"

From Dakin's comm badge, Novairen says, "I just got down here, Lieutenant. I've been running dispatch in Ops."

Caeli glares sharply at Treal. "Stand /down/, ensign. I was going to ask you to secure the blades in stasis to keep them sterile, but you seem to have your own plans. John, do you think you can help Ensign Treal with the evidence retrieval, or shall I?"

Vimes shrugs, "Meaning, the dead Klingon who was lying over there just now is likely the same person who piloted a shuttle onto the station, and rigged up an explosive device as a distraction for the station's security team to deal with while he went about trying to assassinate Ambassador Gr'laH, who happened to be here with his daughter and with you when we arrived, seeing Delegate Churas strike the would-be assassin down. Unless there's something which I'm overlooking and you would enlighten me on, Mr. Thorne?"

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Looks like the bomb was a diversionary tactic. Ambassador Gr'laH and his daughter were attacked in the Garden, likely by the pilot of the shuttle where we found the flares."

Cristobal frowns as he hears something. He glances back briefly and says in Klingon, Cristobal whispers to Churas, "I will meet you there. In the meantime, I shall attempt to take care of this. I trust we are in agreement?"

From Dakin's comm badge, Novairen says, "You're kidding? What's the status of the Ambassador and his daughter? The security team that was dispatched?"

Vimes nods to Caeli as he says, "I'll help her." and then to Treal, "Why don't you put that weapon in stasis, Ensign, and proceed with collecting a blood sample from the where the assassin was, for our forensic analysis?"

. o O Caeli thinks "Don't add disobeying a direct order to the heap of trouble you're going to be in, Kea. /Don't/."

Churas reaches a hand out and cups Cristobal's face roughly -- which is to say, intimately, by Klingon standards -- and nods once. She manages, of course, to leave a large smear of purple blood down the side of his face as she pulls her hand away and moves out of the Observation Garden.

Churas passes through the hedge into the mall.

Churas has left.

"Mmm... yeah," Randal replies. "That's more or less, correct, I guess. Although, I didn't come here to meet with the Ambassador and his daughter, specifically." He cants his head to the side, slightly. "I was on my way to my quarters from the electronics shop, and I heard some noises coming from the garden. So, you know, I was concerned, so I investigated."

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Churas took some wounds but she'll pull through. She was laying in the final blow on the assassin as we arrived. Gr'laH, however, is in very bad shape. He's in surgery now. The assassin's in the morgue."

Treal says, firmly. "Gr'laH will want his blade when he wakes up. He is a Klingon Warrior. He should have it at his side. Why do are you doing this? Why are you all doing this? What right do you have? Who gave you the right to interfere?" She trembles, and takes another step, then looks at Vimes. "Because Gr'laH will want it," she says, her voice losing cohesion. "He can't die. He just can't."

From Dakin's comm badge, Novairen says, "That's unfortunate. She couldn't have waited to kill her until after we had questioned the suspected? *A pause* No, I suppose not. What are our orders?"

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Build the case on the assassin. This wasn't a one-man job. Someone like Gr'laH has enemies vindictive enough to order or pay for something like this. We find out who he is, maybe we shake loose who he works for."

Caeli's right fist clenches, and unclenches again. "Fair warning, Ensign. /You/ are not a Klingon Warrior. You are, however, a Starfleet officer and have been given a direct order by a direct superior. Assist Lieutenant Vimes in gathering the weapons and preserving sterility. /All/ of the weapons. Now."

Cristobal takes a deep breath, placing his hand on his cheek and shaking his head. He turns around and walks over in Dakin's direction. He stops short, and waits patiently for the Bajoran's other conversation to finish.

From Dakin's comm badge, Novairen says, "And in the meantime?"

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "Collect what evidence exists, maybe this is an M.O. someone's used in the past. And if you have any religious leanings, pray for Nevaren."

From Dakin's comm badge, Novairen says, "Understood. I'm going to seal the shuttle bay as a crime scene then."

Into his comm badge, Dakin says, "All right. Keep me apprised. Dakin out."

Vimes nods to Randal, "Understood. Thank-you, Mr. Thorne, for your help and your cooperation. Again, my apologies for keeping you here any longer than you wanted to be." and then frowns at Treal, "I'm going to ask you again to act like a Starfleet security officer, Ensign. Ambassador Gr'laH's weapon might have traces of blood on it that could clue us in on whether or not this assassin was working alone. So, if you're finished with the drama, could we get back to work now?"

. o O Treal thinks "WHY?! Why do you keep me from him!? It is not YOU I wish to mate, Churas. It is Gr'laH. It is his choice. It is HE I have to be worthy of, not you! I LOVE HIM! WHY DO YOU BLOCK MY HEART FROM HIM??"

"Ah," Randal says, looking toward Treal, and then to the other officers, he says, "I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think the Ambassador even got much of a chance to use his knife. But, you know, I who am I to question procedure." He shrugs. "Anyway... I'm not sure investigation of this assassin will turn up much. I don't think he was paid to do this." He smirks. "There isn't much in the way of temporal wealth which will draw a third party in to do a suicide mission. Which, I'm guessing, this was."

Dakin reaches up and taps his comm badge, ending transmission.

After the channel from Dakin to Novairen is closed, Cristobal says pretty much immediately, "Sir, I would like to make a request," waiting for the Lieutenant's response before outlining just what that request is.

Vimes turns his hands up as he half-shrugs, "Most likely. Unless someone above the dead Klingon benefited in a financial manner. The owners of the shuttle he flew in on, for example."

Caeli glances to Vimes. "The Ferengi owners?"

Dakin looks to Cristobal. "What is it, Nathan?"

Treal's fingers clench around the blade, knuckles turning white. She looks between Caeli and Vimes, their betrayal of her echoing in her eyes. "Fine," she says after a long, long while. "FINE!" She snarls and spins from them, stalking towards the remaining two blades. "Just get this over with. I want to make sure Gr'laH's okay." Apparently she either didn't hear the 'order' from Churas, or she's ignoring it.

Dakin says, "One second, Nathan. ENSIGN TREAL!!"

"You. Will. Not. Consider yourself under orders again not to close within ten meters of the Ambassador, nor to speak with him, until the Klingon consulate says otherwise." Both of Caeli's fists are clenched, now. "And for Bird's sake /behave yourself in a manner appro--" Ah, Rann's got the ball.

Vimes holsters his phaser as he looks at Caeli, "It'd be worth looking into. And let's not forget that it's not just owned by Ferengi. A partnership of Ferengi and Klingons." and then clears his throat as he looks towards Treal, "Don't forget the blood sample from where the assassin fell, Ensign." and shrugs as he looks towards Caeli again.

Cristobal inclines his head to Treal and says, "Well, this illustrated the request fairly well. This request is on behalf of my wife, daughter and Aide to Ambassador Gr'laH, son of Go'laH, Fleet Captain, Retired." Whoa, he's busting out /all/ the titles, "Given the events outlined in report eighty-one, and given her exceedingly inappropriate behavior here, our family, in conjunction with the Klingon Embassy, request a restraining order on Ensign Treal preventing from setting foot in the Ambassador's presence for any reason other than official Starfleet operations."

. o O Caeli defeated. Every attempt to prevent this, for nothing.

Randal raises his eyebrows in response to what Vimes says to Caeli. There's a brief cast of the eyes toward Cristobal, but only for a moment. He chuckles, rather curtly and humorless, and since his eyes are on Vimes again one might guess it has more to do with what he said than anything else.

Dakin says to Cristobal, while still looking at Treal. "Request granted."

The station stands down from its alert status.

Her face goes red, and her eyes flash. She opens her mouth to just scream, but it quickly strangles as she sinks to the ground. Hugging her knees to her chest, clutching Gr'laH's blade close to her, Treal starts to rock. Her tears flow freely now, uncaring who sees her, who knows, or what they think. "Why?" she cries, shoulders shaking with her sobs. "Why are you doing this? What would you do, if you were forced away from Churas? What would you do, if people you didn't even know, kept you from her?" She doesn't expect an answer, as she just curls up, burying her face, and succumbs to her heartache.

Well she's getting an answer. Cristobal says dispassionately, "There is a rather pronounced difference, Ensign. You are not his wife. He does not /wish/ you to be his wife." A bit less coldly (and /only/ a bit,) he says, "Your obsession for a man who does not want you is ruining your career. I recommend you seek counseling."

Dakin sighs. "Mr. Vimes, process the weapons for evidence escort Ensign Treal to her quarters. She's not confined or relieved, but I want her on downtime."

Caeli watches Treal's display, face growing less stern for a moment before he turns to Dakin. "Rann, a word, in private, when you have a moment?"

Vimes nods to Dakin, "Yes, sir. Right away, sir." and heads over to Treal, dropping to one knee before gently urging her back up, "Come on, Ensign. I think it's way past time you got some rest." and slowly pries her hands from the Klingon's weapon, "I'll make sure Ambassador Gr'laH gets it back the second he regains consciousness and is cleared to return to his quarters. You have my word. Come on." says the man with a slightly uncharacteristic gentleness in his voice.

Treal screams at Cristobal, "LIAR!" She shakes more. "You are lying! He would not lie to me. He would not play games with me. It is HE who encouraged me. You don't know ANYTHING!" It can't be true. She won't believe it. "He would not send his lapdog to tell me such things. He is a warrior. He is a man. He would tell me the truth HIMSELF. He has not. You lie. You seek to tear us apart, before we even have a chance. You all have. You don't care about his feelings, or mine. You only care about your own self-importance!" She tries to keep a grip on the blade, though she's unable to. "Why can't I ever love in peace?! Why must everyone always interfere? You have no right..." She begins to break down again, her energy quickly flagging. "You have no right..."

. o O Caeli thinks "Bird/damnit/, Kea, does your commission mean ANYTHING to you?"

GAME: Caeli spends a courage point.

Randal, having been lost in thought for a few moments, apparantly returns to the here and now as Treal screams. He says, "Well... I don't want to get in your way any more than I have. I'll just be off. Uh. Goodnight." And with that, he heads toward the exit hastily.

. o O Treal thinks "DAMN my commission. DAMN YOU ALL."

Vimes nods in a placating manner as he takes the weapon and tags it before processing it along with the others, and then hands them off to an arriving security officer before helping Treal up again, "Let's go. You need some rest. I'll have someone from the infirmary come bring you something to help you relax."

Vimes passes through the hedge into the mall.

Vimes has left.

Dakin says to Caeli, "Zip, after tonight all I want to do is crawl into bed. Later today perhaps?"

Caeli nods. "It's not urgent. Just... yeah. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Today. Whatever."

Cristobal just stares at Treal. With a shake of his head, and an expression of faint disgust, he turns away from the Ensign and walks towards the exit. He pays no attention to the dispensation of the blades. Churas and Gr'laH have broken d'k taghs before, and they'll break them again.

Dakin nods and heads out, not before telling Nathan, "Prophets watch over you and your family, Nathan. Be seeing you."

And Randal's pretty much just getting out into the corridor, and off to his quarters. Presumably.

Randal passes through the hedge into the mall.

Randal has left.

Cristobal says, "Prophets guide you and yours, Rann. Ask Leah if she would mind watching Iliara for us for a day or two? I don't know how long Churas and Gr'laH will be in the Infirmary, and I don't think now's a good time for me to be missing shifts."

Dakin nods to Cristobal. "I'm sure she'd love to, Nathan." He continues on his way into the corridor.

Cristobal passes through the hedge into the mall.

Cristobal has left.

Dakin goes home.

Dakin has left.

Treal doesn't fight anymore. She's tired. She's sick. She's sick and tired. Deathly silent, she lets herself be led out by Vimes. Her tears fall without sound, as she passes through the hedge.

Treal passes through the hedge into the mall.

Treal has left.

Caeli looks about at the leftovers from the evening's festivities, shaking his head in more than mild disbelief. "Bird-damnit," he grumbles, looking from one pool of blood to the next. Finally, after a reserved sigh, he reaches up to tap his compin. "This is Lieutenant Caeli," says the Bolian rather tiredly. "Cleanup on Deck Nineteen."