Chrysalis

 Episode Name:  Chrysalis

   Written By:  Belgarath

         Cast:  Belgarath, Edwards, Fioravanti, Haven, McCauley and Valentine.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Belgarath

     Aired On:  Sat Mar 19 13:42:58 2005

     Stardate:  54833.8

Time: Sat Nov 20 23:04:07 2004

Stardate: 54549.1

Fioravanti studies the screen for a moment, then blinks. "Sensors detect an incoming Siinogan vessel...High warp." She sounds a touch surprised.

McCauley glances to Fioravanti, surprised himself. "Bring shields online. How far away is the vessel?

Valentine's gaze travels quickly from Haven to Fioravanti, taking in that woman in one swift look, then toward Mac, eyebrows quirking.

. o O Valentine thinks "That's right, let's show 'em we're ready for a fight."

Fioravanti calls, "Five light years, Sir." Her eyes move over the screen.

Haven's head snaps up and out of the fog she was in while working her simulations. "Siinogan?" she questions, clearing her terminal from the current work. This is so not good.. "Mac" Loni begins oddly using just. "I don't know if you've come face to face with these guys but we really don't want them close to us.. at all." She glances his way and adds, "We'll want to verify that there -are- Siinogan's aboard." He's in the CO's chair so it's his call so she's just offering up suggestions.

McCauley looks to Haven and gives her a curt nod. "I'm famaliar with them." He glances to the officer at tactical, and asks, "Are the shields online yet?" Back to Loni. "Lieutenant Haven, handle the scans for lifeforms on the incoming vessel. Mister Valentine, status on station systems please."

Valentine looks quickly toward Haven, then hastily turns back to her console. Her lips twitch slightly before the focus of her attention narrows onto the screens she's bringing up. "All power and systems nominal and ready at your command, sir," she aims in Mac's direction.

Fioravanti continues to watch the screen, silent for the time being. She's tense, but not overly so. Vigilant, that's a better word.

. o O Valentine's ire rises a little, its target Loni Haven. "Oh, sure, like he couldn't figure that out for himself." She pauses, and abruptly pictures the scientist as.. well, a big, naked beaver, complete with brown hair, buck teeth, and a big flat, flapping tail... and the ire evaporates in a chuckle.

<CONTEST> Haven contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

Haven frowns, "5 light years out.. that's a bit far for life form scans, Lieutenant but I'll give it a try." She falls silent for a moment then shakes her head, "Too far out for my to pull anything yet.."

"Shields up at one hundred percent," replies the tactical officer.

McCauley nods to the tactical officer. "Lieutenant, keep trying that scan. Mister Fioravanti, check the status of the weapons and shielfs systems on the incoming ship."

GAME: Fioravanti spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Fioravanti (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Valentine doesn't look away from her console, busy rerouting power alignments for combat readiness should such a situation arise.

Fioravanti's lips purse slightly. "I can't get a good read, Sir," she calls to Mac, head bending over the controls again.

Haven nods to Mac and continues to work at her terminal. There isn't much she can do with the ship this far out but watch it come closer though she keeps at it, hoping to catch a break. So far no luck, damn bugs.

McCauley frowns a little, sitting in his station. "Mister Valentine, please notify the Aegis and the Paine of the incoming ship so they are on standby. Ensign, Lieutenant, let me know when you get information from your scans."

Intensive scans were of little use at such a range, but some time later, once the Siinogan vessel has moved in closer...

<CONTEST> Haven contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Valentine nods, twisting slightly with a "Aye, sir" to acknowledge. Her fingers triplet across touchpads, and soft murmurs commence, before she nods back to McCauley in satisfaction and goes back to her systems monitoring. "Both ships notified on secure channel, Lieutenant."

Fioravanti takes a breath and calls out, "Sir? Shields and weapons are NOT up. I repeat, they are NOT up.

. o O Valentine thinks "Well, duh, he hasn't called for 'em to be rai- Wait. Theirs or ours?"

Haven mutters lightly, "That's right.. come on in. Ahha! Gotcha. Five, Lieutenant. I'm showing five Siinogans aboard that vessel and they're coming in at Warp 8."

McCauley nods to the two science stations. "Hail them please, Mister Fioravanti. Lieutenant, watch the shields and weapons systems and notify me of any changes."

Valentine glances slightly toward Fioravanti, with just a trace of brow furrowing, then to the viewscreen.

Fioravanti makes a few motions with her hands. "Yes, Sir," she calls, then sets up the hail from S419 Upsilon to incoming Siinogan vessel.

GAME: Haven spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Haven (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Succeeds!

The image of a dark green praying mantis appears on the viewscreen. Two, huge, purplish ovoids that serve as eyes stick out of the sides of its triangular head, and four antenna feelers protrude from the top of the head. A pair of mandibles swing around the mouth, parting and coming back together like scissors. A violet cloth with yellow inscriptions hangs around its neck, draping down its sides, and it holds a huge wooden staff in one hand. In a raspy, grating voice, the Diplomat Siinogan says, "The Goddess sends Her greetings."

Haven is working at her terminal, focused on the task at hand. "Lieutenant.. I'm getting an odd reading here. It's biological.. and not grouped with the others.. but that's all I can get from this distance."

McCauley nods to Haven and then stands from his chair. He nods politely to the Siinogan. "Greetings from Station 419. I would ask you to stop your approach course please, until you have communicated your intentions."

Valentine quirks an eyebrow at the image on the screen, glances toward her monitors, and looks back again to pay part of her attention to the goings-on.

. o O Valentine thinks "Now /that/ dude... would make one heck of a lot of fishing bait."

Fioravanti blinks owlishly for a moment at the image on the screen, then goes back to her doings as well, keeping one eye on the viewscreen and one eye on her station.

Been there, seen that.. Haven gives the screen a brief but thorough glance before returning to her actives scans. She's going to bugger out what that life form is.. her eyes narrow on her screen. C'mon.. what are you? She's murmuring to herself again.

"I am Sivenki'than, representing the Goddess in this encounter. She wishes to reopen diplomatic channels with the Federation as before," says the green bug. The Siinogan vessel continues on course.

McCauley smiles to the Siinogan, almost unlike Mac. "That is good news Sivenki'than. I must still insist that you stop your vessel now. While I am interested in the prospect of peace, I would prefer to take this slowly for the safety of both sides." That said he turns to Valentine, eye brow raised in a silent question.

Ya know, there are times when Tara /really/ wishes she were a bloody Betazoid mindreader. This is one of them. She hesitates, then her gaze flickers toward the tactical officer, then toward her console. "Sir, the Aegis can be ready to assist as an, ah, honor guard to the Siinogan vessel momentarily." Let's hope the Siinogans don't play poker.

Fioravanti keeps her voice low. "Ship slowed to warp 5, Sir, but still coming." There's tension there and her head cocks slightly to the side at the mention of the Aegis.

Honor guard. Heh! Haven just blinks at her terminal as she continues to work at this life form readings, tweaking her scanning and parameters so she can narrow in on what that is. Oh yes, this is going to be a fun filled evening. So much for her TCM project.

"I do not understand your insistence for us to stop," the Siinogan states. "We have not arrived at your station yet, and stopping now will delay us and will be an inefficient use of time."

McCauley frowns now to the Siinogan. "Unfortunately our contact in the past has not been pleasant. I would like to see peace, but my first concern must be protecting this station. I have asked you to stop twice. I will ask you for the last time. Stop your vessel while we communicate, or I will have to consider you hostile. Consider your stopping as a sign of peace."

Valentine glances toward the tactical station, reassuring herself the officer there is alert and ready.

. o O Valentine thinks "Third time's the charm, I hope."

Fioravanti calls out, yet again, keeping her voice low. "They've dropped out of warp, Sir."

Haven blinks again. Is this .. bug a Siinogan or a Vulcan in bugs clothing? She's clearly not happy with this and they are far to close for her liking but at least they have dropped from warp. That's a start even if it's a Trojan Horse..

Fioravanti makes another movement, then calls, quietly, "Just over half light year, Sir."

"We will comply," rasps the giant mantis. "But at this point, our mission is complete. We will leave our package and return home." The image blinks out.

There is Mac's deep frown. He looks to Brie and Haven. "Status report. What is this package they're referring to." He glances back to Valentine. "Keep the Aegis and the Paine alerted to the situation."

Valentine's eyes widen as she quickly pales, a dreadful look on the screen. Mac's words jerk at her attention. "Uh, aye, yes, sir."

Fioravanti makes a quiet noise and says quietly, "It's heading toward the station at sublight speed, sir. They're gone. They turned and warped off.

. o O Fioravanti thinks "It's kind of like a kid's game. Throw the bag of flaming whatever on the porch and run."

Haven's head comes up. It's going to be that life form, she just knows it. Her fingers stray to top left of her console, ready to put the med bay on alert but for now she holds position, her other hand scanning. "It's that mass, Lieutenant.. at this distance, all I can tell you is that it's biological.. We need to go take a look.. Ooh, scratch that, what we need is a tractor lock on that object."

McCauley has yet to sit. "Mister Valentine, latch onto the mass with a tractor beam and halt its approach. Mister Fioravanti, bring it up on the viewscreen. Lieutenant, I need to know what it is."

"Too far, sir, it's still a good half a light year away," Tara says quickly, then more urgently, "Sir, I recommend we intercept with the Paine with preparation to destroy. The Tal'Kaden never took credit for the biological attack on Teirra. The Tal'Kaden /always/ takes credits for its attacks."

Fioravanti shakes her head. "It's too far away, sir. All I can get is a spot."

"I'll tell you what I know, once it's in range but whatever we're going to do, we better do now. Better to lose the Paine then the station.. well, better to lose nothing at all but in the grand scheme of things..." Haven shrugs as she continues to work at her terminal.

"Yellow alert," snaps Mac to the tactical officer. "Mister Valentine, dispatch the Paine. Orders are not to approach any closer than needed to use their tractor. They are to have their shields up and weapons ready. If possible, they are to work with Lieutenat Haven to identify the mass. Mister Fiorvanati, keep me appraised of the distance and speed of its approach."

Valentine nods once, tossing off an "Aye, sir", relaying the orders with sharp efficiency.

Fioravanti dips her head and actually echoes Valentine, then asks quietly, "Should one of us be on the Paine, Sir?"

Haven is half out of her seat. "I'll head in the Paine! it's better if I'm on site, Lieutenant."

McCauley nods to Haven. "We'll be joining you. Mister Valentine, Mister Fioravanti, please hand over your stations. Mister Valentine, please beam the four of us to the Paine's bridge."

Valentine's hands work on rapid multitasking. "I suggest y'all stand up unless you want to land on your butts..." The one advantage of 419's standing engineering consoles.

Fioravanti is on her feet in a moment, hand moving to check her weapon.

It's from long standing habit that Loni grabs up a medical kit from the bridge. You can take the girl out of the infirmary but you can't take the Doc out of the girl .. or something like that.

McCauley says, "Computer, yellow alert"

The computer acknowledges McCauley with a bleep.

The yellow alert lights flash throughout the station.

The four beam over to the Thomas Paine and reach the object flying through space to lock a tractor beam on it.

Zip, zap, beep, blip! Haven is back at the Science console in a hurry, using the approach time to get a read on the object. As the tractor locks on, she frowns. "There you are.. ok... talk to me.." she mutters, scanning. Then she grins, "We've got an egg shaped chrysalis that is just about 2 meters in length. Wow.. you're a long sucker. Hrm. Can't really get a good read but what ever is inside.. it's growing."

McCauley glances sharply to Haven. "Chrysalis?" He of course had shields up and weapons ready when leaving the station. "Have we stopped its approach to the station? Do you need to get closer for a better reading?"

Valentine quirks an eyebrow. A... chrysalis. "We've got it in tow, sir. It'll stop when we stop." More quietly, she mutters, "One heck of a way to start a butterfly collection."

Fioravanti smiles wryly and settles into her own station. "Let's hope whatever it is doesn't decide to say hello," she murmurs.

Haven shrugs, "Well.. you have four choices as I see it, Lieutenant. You can 1- Leave it. 2- Destroy it. 3- Beam it aboard with full lock down quarantine procedures in place or 4- I can EVA it and go take a look out there. I'm thinking we need to run a medical scan, which I can do without issue. Bottom line, I wouldn't bring it aboard without knowing what's IN that thing. Will I get a better read with a med tricorder being out there? I don't know. But if I need a clam shell it'll have to come aboard." She shrugs again as she sets down her med kit, complete with medical tricorder.

McCauley has taken a seat in the Command chair, though he looks like he'd rather pace. "Leaving it is not an option. While I am inclined to destroy it, that is the last option. Second last is bringing it aboard the ship." He pauses for a moment. "Mister Valentine, begin preparing to beam it aboard. Quarantine a section including a clamshell. Clear all personnel. Lieutenant Haven, Mister Fioravanti, I would expect we can get more information with the ship's senors? Are you sure that's the best we can do? Is it still growing?"

Valentine listens to the CE, then nods approvingly, getting to work. "May I suggest a search of our databanks for any mention of this sort of thing in our files on the Siinogan culture?"

GAME: Fioravanti spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Fioravanti (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Fioravanti makes a few adjustments, then says quietly, "It's growing, but at a very slow, nearly unnoticable rate. Just like any other chrysalis."

Haven perks a brow, "I can only work within the limits of the ship's systems, Lieutenant. This isn't the Aegis with a med bay." She nods in agreement with Fioravanti. "The chrysalis is almost 6 feet in length so until -it's- growing as well.. whatever is inside should stop at that size. I've all ready dealt with one Vulcan 'merging' with a bug.. and it wasn't pretty at all."

McCauley does stand now, and steps forward towards the viewscreen a little. "Without the sickbay here, and without replicators strong enough to create them we can't do anything more here. Mister Valentine, let's start prepping an appropriate area on the station. Make sure there is a clamshell, shields around the area and a security team on standby."

"Aye, sir." Tara starts relaying orders back to 419, and glances toward Haven. "Lab Two work for you?"

Fioravanti cracks her neck as she studies the viewscreen, eyes narrowing as she tries to get a better look at things, studying it intently.

Haven's widen as she looks at Mac, one hand held up in a 'wait' position to Val.. "Lieutenant.. a clam shell can be brought aboard the Paine much easier then for us to take this thing to the station. We've seen several races use biological weapons, not to mention filling a person with explosives. Thus far we have zero reason to trust the Shiinogan's. She sighs as she adds, "I apologize if I'm over stepping my bonds here but I think we need to keep this off station until we can determine what it is and that it's not a threat to the entire station." As she studies him, a thought strikes her, "Just like that damn monkey.."

McCauley glances to Haven and nods. "Good point Lieutenant. We'll proceed with that, but also keep a holding area on the station ready just in case. You can handle brining the clam shell onboard the Paine and preparing what you need. Mister Valentine will continue her work and update the station. Mister Fioravanti, let me know if anything changes."

Valentine gives Haven a funny look. "Soooo, you want to go all the way back to the station, pick up a clam shell, bring it back here, stick it in, and go back to beam the whole schmear into the lab? Wouldn't it be easier just to beam it into the clam shell in the lab?"

Fioravanti keeps her mouth shut, save for acknowledging McCauley's order with a quiet "Yes, Sir."

McCauley glances back to Valentine. "You have your orders Ensign. From me. I will not endanger the station. Unless you have security or tactical concern, we will proceed."

Haven spares Val a look. "And you'd rather we toss protocol out the airlock and just beam it aboard a station filled with people? We're less then a light year out so we're not talking a trek to return to the station, chrysalis is tow and collect what we need to follow SOP. I, for one, would rather go the round about way and keep those on 419 safe, then to expose them to something that might be not only hazardous but deadly to us all." She nods in agreement with Mac. "I don't think the Shiinogans came all the way out here to play nice nice with us since they enjoy trying to kill us." She shrugs and offers a quirky grin. "Call me silly but I'd rather not put anyone else at risk then I have too."

Fioravanti is the quiet one of the group. She's a good little Italian and holding her tongue. She continues working quietly at her station, studying the screen with a concentrated, intent look.

McCauley glances first to Haven and then back to Valentine. "You have your orders," he says in a level tone. "Get it done people."

Time: Mon Dec 13 22:03:49 2004

Stardate: 54604.2

It has been a quiet night in the Paine cargo bay as Lieutenant Haven checks over the Siinogan chrysalis. Everything looked normal, and she is just about to leave when the console taking constant medical readings of the chrysalis beeps. Apparently, whatever is inside it has suddenly increased movement greatly.

Haven's movement for the door and the security guard outside is halted in a whoopsie-daisy kind of movement. A few short steps bring her back to the side of the bio bed and the reading beeping across the terminal. "Lets see here.." she murmurs as her fingers dance over the terminals face slowly, a frown place.

The chrysalis is visibly shaking, albeit only slightly.

Haven taps her com badge. "Lieutenant Haven to Lieutenant McCauley."

Over Haven's com badge, someone says, "Go ahead."

Into her com badge, Haven says, "Lieutenant, I understand you are standing CDO watch. If that's true, we need to speak about our 'guest' now. if you're not in command, who is? I need a direct link and clearance to talk about this over coms."

Over Haven's com badge, McCauley says, "Commander Ghorev is standing Command in Operations and sitting about two feet from me. One moment Lieutenant."

Haven as she taps her combadge, she's edging back and moving her fingers over the terminal that controls the containment field. The door to the cargo bay is opened long enough for Haven to tell the on duty security guard "We going live. Notify the bridge and have them prep for launch on the order from Station Ops. Then seal this door. I'll need your weapon" she finishes with one hand held out.

Over Haven's com badge, McCauley says, "Go ahead Lieutenant. The Commander is listening."

The security officer complies and hands a phaser to Haven before moving on to the next order.

Into her com badge, Haven says, "We have serious movement in the cargo bay. I'd say that 'birth' is imminent. I've notified security outside the bay.. they in turn are notifying the Paine's bridge for launch preparations. I've checked the containment field and this far, we're five by five. The Paine's computer will be recording all events and as of this moment, I'm armed.. The ship will be prepped for immediate departure in case of breach of containment. Standing by for any further orders while monitoring this event."

Haven says, "Computer, begin recording all events in this bay and provide a direct feed to the station Operations view screen."

Haven then heads back into the bay and within the containment field. The weapon is slid into a locker and locked to her voice print. Then she taps a few keys on the biobed terminal to get a fill scan of the pod to see where they stand.

The chrysalis begins rocking even more as the scanning initiates.

Over Haven's com badge, McCauley says, "Either myself or Commander Edwards will be down to take command of the Paine's bridge Lieutenant. Please keep us advised of the situation. Also, if you have the time please prepare a Level 1 containment field for around the bridge."

Haven as the scan competes and the results are produced, she beings work on the additional containment field. Busy busy.. guess it's a good thing she's spent so much time down here in recent days.

Into her com badge, Haven says, "Understood. Initial scan results show our friend is coming out. Containment field around the bridge done and five by five."

Over Haven's com badge, McCauley says, "Good Lieutenant. Commander Edwards is enroute. McCauley out."

Haven's com badge clicks as McCauley drops off channel. The channel closes.

The shaking stops, and the chrysalis splits into four parts from the top down, then unfolds outwards to reveal a nude, adult humanoid in a fetal position.

Haven taps her com badge. "Lieutenant Haven to Commander Ghorev."

Over Haven's com badge, someone says, "Go ahead."

Into her com badge, Haven says, "We have birth. Pipping all results and live feed to Ops until Commander Edwards is in place."

Over Haven's com badge, Ghorev says, "Is it trying to communicate, Lieutenant?"

The humanoid is covered in a thin layer of shiny, sticky film. It is shivering and breathing heavily, and a mass of long, messy hair further obscures the face that is already facing down.

Haven's com badge chirrups. "Commander Edwards to Lieutenant Haven."

Haven thumbs the terminal, ordering up another scan. This one is freed from the pod to directly scan over the humanoid figure curled up on the pod remains. "Dear Prophets" she murmurs softly to herself before she speaks up. "Hello.. I'm Dr Haven" she begins, reaching out a hand to pull and rip at the film bear the feet, treating it as a sac that needs to be broken.

Haven taps her com badge. "Lieutenant Haven here."

Over Haven's com badge, Edwards says, "I've taken command of the Thomas Paine, Doctor."

Over Haven's com badge, Ghorev says, "Commander, you have field authority on this one. Signal if you need a launch, and otherwise, I'll trust you to make the final field decisions. We'll discuss whatever it is you needed to talk about in the morning, assuming we're all still in one piece."

<CONTEST> Haven (claiming disadvantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Medical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Into her com badge, Haven says, "Stand by.. we have a humanoid in the fetal position covered in what appears to be a sac. Understood, Sir. No communication as of yet. Stand by for initial scans... trying to communicate now."

Over Haven's com badge, Edwards says, "Aye, Commander."

Over Haven's com badge, Ghorev says, "Ensign Valentine is on her way to man your engineering station.If you need other resources, recruit them. Ghorev out."

Haven's com badge clicks as Ghorev drops off channel.

The humanoid does not respond to Haven's approach at first, but rather a few more moments of shivering occurs before it finally looks up at the lieutenant. Underneathe the tangle of damp, black hair is an angular face with pointed ears protruding out.

Haven slips back to the terminal, leaving one hand resting lightly on the males ankle. A sort of comforting touch.. or what might be on a normal birth. A touch of a button brings up her scan results.

Into her com badge, Haven says, "Please advice when things on the bridge are in place."

Over Haven's com badge, Edwards says, "We're ready for any problems."

Haven frowns as she works on handed, taking the terminal through to the area in which she needs it to be. The first step is simple.. Isolate the DNA strand and then begin to break it down. Here is where Loni does her thing as a medical and science officer. Knowing this will take a few moments, she moves back to the patient once the scan is running. Nimble fingers pull back the curtain of hair from the face as she checks to be sure his airways are clear. "Can you hear me?" she asks softly of the male. the question now.. is he adult mentally.. or not?

Into her com badge, Haven says, "First scans are in. Vulcan DNA and a mish mash of other things as well. Running a scan to break down the DNA strand and ID what we're working with. Still no response to verbal communications."

The being jerks its head back slightly as Haven reaches towards it, but calms down quickly and allows her to touch it. The humanoid just stares at her for a second before nodding its head.

Haven offers a smile as fingers brush the remains of the scan from his face. "That's good" she tells him softly. her free hand taps the center of her chest. "I'm Haven.. " she says as she taps her chest again. "Do you have a name yet?" The poor thing probably finds the attractive doctor repulsive as she leans in towards him.

The humanoid opens its mouth, but no sound emits. After a few more seconds of struggling with the vocal cords, the creature says in a coarse voice, "I...I've seen you be...before..."

GAME: Haven spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Haven (claiming advantage) contests her Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Haven manages to keep her smile in place though she's surprised by the face and the words spoken. "And I would have to say that I am familiar with your face as well" she offers in return. Haven has the DNA off the pod that notes the proper markers to be S'ral's son.. So she'd surmises that either he IS the son of S'ral and has been born with the memories of his parents.. or this pod has been in the growth process so far longer then they thought.. or....... "Do you have a name?"

Over Haven's com badge, Edwards says, "Everything still going okay, Doctor?"

Into her com badge, Haven says, "I'm in communication, Sir. Stand by.."

Over Haven's com badge, Edwards says, "Standing by."

The humanoid continues staring straight into Haven's eyes before shaking its head with odd jerks of the head. "But...you can call me S'ral."

Haven nods, "All right, S'ral.." she says, reaching out. "I'm going to help you to sit up and then we'll get a blanket around you." After saying it, she does just that.. her hands on his shoulders to help him upright on the bed. "I knew another S'ral.. once. Your father, in fact. Do you know anything about him?" As she's speaking with him, she's fishing for a blanket to drape around his shoulders, eyes flashing to the terminal screen to see if there is any results yet.

"Everything," S'ral's voice is less coarse now. "You can even say I /am/ him, in some ways."

This gets the attention of the researcher in Haven as she settles the blanket around his shoulders, offering him some measure of cover and warmth. "Do you know how that's possible?" she asks, one foot pulling a stool to herself to sit on. "I have tests running, of course" she offers, figuring honesty is the best path here, "but that work is easier the more I know."

"He was dying," S'ral says, shifting the blanket around himself. "He was barely holding onto life when he was returned to The Goddess. She chose to spare him, and allowed him to live on. In me." His piercing eyes settle on Haven's again, "I thank you and Doctor Park for your efforts to save him. He appreciated it, though he was unable to express it in his state."

Haven nods a moments she listens to his explanations. "So would it be correct to say that you carry the.. karta of S'ral?" she asks, not as familiar with this aspect of Vulcan ways and means. Then she smiles and nods softly. "It was an honor and we only wish we could have done more to help him."

S'ral shakes his head, now more smoothly than before. "His katra was not for the saving. It is an unneeded Vulcan remnant." He taps an index finger against his temple. "I simply /am/ everything he ever was. And more."

Into her com badge, Haven says, "Commander Edwards, S'ral is awake and in active communication."

S'ral cocks his head.

Over Haven's com badge, Edwards says, "What's he saying?"

Haven taps a finger to her badge and says, "We've been quite worried about you so I have to keep my boss up to speed as to what we're doing so he doesn't pace like an old woman." It's an attempt at teasing. Perhaps a test as well.

Into her com badge, Haven says, "Perhaps you should as that, yourself Commander. You're free to beam into the cargo bay outside of the containment field if you like."

S'ral does not make any movements, not even a nod to what she says.

Over Haven's com badge, Edwards says, "One moment, Doctor."

Haven nods as she continues to study S'ral. "Do you know who this was made possible, S'ral? Do you care with you the knowledge of how the ... Goddess was able to do such a thing? I can't help but ask. It's the seeker in me."

"People have been known to have their consciousness transferred into computers," says S'ral. "If that were possible for people to do, how much more is The Goddess capable of?"

Haven shrugs a little as she faces him on the stool. "I can't say how much 'The Goddess' is capable of as I'm not a follower of 'The Goddess' or her ways. That's why I'm asking you as you are of her ways."

Over Haven's com badge, Edwards says, "I'll meet you down there in a second, Doctor. Edwards out."

Haven's com badge clicks as Edwards drops off channel. The channel closes.

Haven sweeps up a tricorder and begins to run a scan of the man now that's he's upright. The basic scan checks for respiration, BP, pulse.. the regular things as she waits for the other scan to complete.

S'ral smiles slightly. "The ways of The Goddess is not meant for everyone to know. But, logic would dictate that some cloning process was likely involved."

Haven smiles and nods, "Yes. That goes without saying. The odd thing thus far is that your DNA markers show you as a 'son of' S'ral and not as 'S'ral' himself. Those markers indicate parentage which wouldn't be in place if you were 'just' a clone of S'ral."

<CONTEST> Haven (claiming disadvantage) contests her Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

Edwards steps through the doors and into Engineering

Edwards has arrived.

"That is why I am so much more than he ever was," says S'ral. He looks over at Edwards as the man enters. He shifts in his bed, and attempts to stand up, using one arm to steady himself against the biobed. "Greetings," he offers the human.

Haven is seated on a stool before the biobed where S'ral is trying to rise, a blanket wrapped about his frame. When he reaches out to steady himself, her reaches out as well and offers support. "There is no reason to rise.. just settle back down for now." A glance over her shoulder and she looks back at S'ral. "This is Commander Edwards... Commander, this is S'ral."

Edwards transports in outside the containment field. After he gets his bearings, he comments, "Nooo, don't rise on my account." He gives Haven a wry look. "We've met, actually." he informs her. "I was there at the beginning of this mess."

S'ral continues standing, though, trying to get used to his legs. "I remember you," he affirms. "That was a very long time ago."

As the scan results come in, Haven wheels across the deck to the terminal to begin to read through them, a frown touching her lips as others speak.

"Yes, it was. And this has been a long, long mess." Edwards shakes his head. "Just what the hell were you doing? And what did you accomplish?"

S'ral cocks his head. "There is still much to do, Commander Edwards. Do not decry the past until you see the full effects of it."

Haven glances at Edwards, "Sir.. it'll be a while before I'm done working this test results. he's in good health and seems mentally stable. However.. my recommendation is that he remains a guest here rather then on the station." She tips her head in S'ral direction. "No disrespect meant but I have no way of knowing what level of danger you represent to the station and there for, I can't grant you leave to be on the station. Only Command can make that call."

S'ral gives Haven a nod. "That would be the logical course of action to take."

Edwards looks on doubtfully at S'ral's comment. "Mentally stable?" he echoes. "I don't think he was mentally stable before this fiasco." He shakes his head. "I guess we just keep him confined until someone makes the call. Come out of there, Doctor."

"Commander Edwards," S'ral starts, "when you were a young child, did you always make the most logical and wise decisions? Did you make no mistakes in action, yourself?"

Haven rises and moves to a locker. With a voiceprint given, it opens and she pulls the weapon free, attacking it to her belt. The next locker is opens and she pulls free a set of olive drab hospital scrubs which are left on the end of the biobed. "We'll need to shift containment. Recommend a field within a field. One for S'ral and one for the medical area so we have room to work if needs be." His words make her pause and look at him. "S'ral wasn't a child. He made his choice and you are the product of that. Now we determine.. why."

Edwards does a double-take at that. "He is S'ral."

Belgarath looks at Edwards and offers him a smile.

S'ral looks at Edwards and offers him a smile.

Haven shakes her head,"He /can't/ be S'ral, Commander. The DNA markers so /not/ match up. He carries the DNA markers of S'ral's son while he carries his conscious being, granting him the memories of his father. He says that he's a clone of his father.. but that can't be. Not with the markers of a child of S'ral."

"Oh oh I sense a headache coming on..." Edwards touches his temples momentarily. "I'll leave the riddles to you, Doctor. I've done my part. So, unless you object, I'm going to have everyone stand down and bring down Valentine to help with your containment field setup, okay?"

S'ral remains silent.

Haven shakes her head, "I've got it in place. The fewer people involved, the better. At least those where Commander Ghorev's final orders to me. We still have to treat this as a threat as we have no idea what he wants, why he's here, and what he's capable of doing." She shrugs and offers S'ral a small smile. "I hate to speak of you as if you're not here. It's rude.. but I have to make sure everyone is protected, including yourself."

"I presume you don't expect us to be able to rabbit out of here indefinitely?" Edwards asks.

Haven shrugs, "I should hope not, Commander. But that depends on tests and on S'ral himself. The more he shares the easier my job is going to be."

Haven adds, "Trust me, Commander. I've been in here for three weeks. I'm MORE then eager to leave and not come back any time soon."

"Quite understandable," S'ral says to Haven. "But to illuminate you on those questions..." he turns to Edwards. "The Goddess wishes to reopen diplomatic communications with the Federation. Through S'ral, The Goddess has seen a new side of humanoids, and She better understands humanoids now. To that capacity, I now serve as the Siinogan ambassador to the United Federation of Planets."

Haven just sighs and shakes her head. So much for security SOPs. "Never mind.." she murmurs as she turns back to her terminal, getting to work there.

"It's your call, doctor. I think I'll leave you to your tests..." Edwards pauses and looks to S'ral. "Congratulations. I admit... I'm not sure what to make of all this, but judging from the grief it's caused us for years, I'm not inclined to like it. So you'll have to settle for these accomodations for now. And if you hurt your doctor, you better pray for diplomatic immunity."

Haven taps her com badge. "Lieutenant Haven to Lieutenant McCauley."

Over Haven's com badge, someone says, "Go ahead."

"I have no inclination to injure anyone," says S'ral.

Into her com badge, Haven says, "Self appointed Ambassador S'ral will be remaining on the Paine with security. Commander Edwards is ordering the Paine to power down. We're five by five at this time."

Haven taps her com badge and terminates transmission.

Edwards's com badge chirrups. "Lieutenant McCauley to Commander Edwards."

"Yeah, well, you're chock full of surprises, from what I remember, so..." Edwards just turns to make his departure at that. Answering his combadge on the way.

Edwards taps his com badge. "Commander Edwards here."

All S'ral says is, "Can I at least have some clothes?"