Things Forbidden

 Episode Name:  Things Forbidden

   Written By:  Spider

         Cast:  Ghorev and Thelora Aniri.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Spider

     Aired On:  Mon Sep 13 13:27:32 2004

     Stardate:  54384.9

Time: Mon Sep 13 12:25:53 2004

Stardate: 54384.7

Ghorev is standing near his little shrine, emptying and refilling the contents of the ceremonial bowl in front of the iconic statue. He is humming, somewhat off-key.

The personal terminal set into the inner bulkhead flashes up the Federation Science Council's symbol, and the computer's ever-polite feminine voice notes, "Incoming Subspace Transmission. Thelora Aniri, Federation Science Council."

Ghorev looks up at the disturbance. Quickly completing the task, he sets the bowl down, then turns to the viewscreen on the wall, steps around his furniture towards that viewscreen, and acknowledges the transmission for the computer to proceed.

"Commander Ghorev," begins the woman, wrapping her loose, dark, long-sleeved tunic around herself more comfortably. She is a woman in middle-age, a little dumpy -- especially for an Andorian -- round-faced and generally inoffensive in appearance. She might be anyone's mother, aunt, or older sister. "I apologize for the interruption, but the Council felt it was best for me to contact you immediately. Starfleet Command has just seen fit to inform us of the... unfortunate circumstances on your station."

Ghorev says, "Councilor Aniri," since he's been given no other title, and the woman's distress has caused her to avoid providing any other clues as to what titles or honorifics might apply, "there are many things which a man in my position might call 'annoying' or 'distressing', but at this time, I can't think of what you mean, specifically, by 'unfortunate'."

A slight nod of her head indicates that the title is, at least, acceptable, if not entirely appropriate. "I am referring, specifically, to the project connected with serial 419-2911-10755," Aniri replies, glancing down at her desktop, likely at a recessed terminal there.

Ghorev takes a moment to think about it, casting his mind back through reference numbers. "The paleontological research on Fimdari, you mean?" Yeah, that's like calling the UFP itself a 'futuristic socialist republic', or Mozart a 'minstrel', but it serves. "And more specifically, the interruption in that research?"

Her hand makes a small gesture. Both, apparently. "I am sure you are aware that this project, at this time, poses a considerable danger to the holder of that serial number, and to those connected to her, and those connected to those connected to her. There are... those... who would prefer to see that line of research... stopped." From her tone of voice, Thelora is one of them. There's a vague but undeniable underlying threat in her voice, now, discernable only to Andorian ears, and certainly deniable. After all, Ghorev lives Outside the Lodge. It's only natural that he'd react in a paranoid fashion to her innocent concern...

Ghorev says, "I am aware that there are enemies of the truth, Councilor, yes," and his tone is coolly polite now, "who consider themselves patriots because the lie is more of benefit to the Homeworld than the truth. I thank you for sharing with me your concern, as a member of the Federation Science Council, of the existence of these so-called loyalists."

"I see." Thelora taps her fingers on her table, and looks across the subspace connection at Ghorev for a few minutes. Finally, she simply brightens, a false cheerfulness, and any shred of menace simply melts away from her face, leaving it jovial, round, and placid. "Well! In that case, I won't trouble you any further, Commander. Clearly you have this /all under control./" The implicitly malicious emphasis is so very slight that it barely vibrates Akeen's antennae, but it's there, all the same. "Good day, Commander."

Ghorev says, "Good day, Councilor." A smile. "I am sure you will give my regards to The Kor, since he has in the passed expressed just as keen an interest in this kind of intolerable factionalism, and he and I have discussed it on many occasions." The smile remains. "Akeen Ghorev out."

There isn't even a flicker of surprise as Ghorev invokes the UFP President -- apparently she expected that, and isn't the least bit ruffled by that invocation. As the computer terminates transmission on his command, Aniri disappears, and in the split-second before the Federation Science Council's symbol appears to take her place, there is a bit of video feed from elsewhere on the station.

How odd that this misplaced bit of video -- surely simply a communications glitch -- is a bit of feed from the Neutral Zone's security cameras. How odd that it clearly centers on Ohlasa, carrying a tray with a bottle of wine on it.

And then there is the logo of the Federation Science Council.

How very odd, indeed.