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Thread: Star Trek RPG - Mission #3: "Some Other Side of Paradise"

  1. #2701
    Ape must not kill ape! general_urko's avatar
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    "Don't discount instinct, Mr. Kylah. Rangin and T'Var went to see the doctor--I'll confirm he's still keeping new spores on hold. I was thinking we give you a good 5 or so minute lead on us, Mr. Kylah--and that asking where Fastolfe had gone to if he has left the house and then having to ah, you know make a pilgrimage to his august location would only add to game here. Of course, we'll be tracking your location and we'll be there on foot or via transporter in a hot minute--"

    He pauses, wondering how to respond to her expression of doubt about her performance. "You're doing fine" doesn't feel exactly right, as he's not concerned about her abilities but is still bothered by the ambiguity about the previous night and worry she's too quick to put herself in danger. "I have full confidence in your abilities--just, ah, remember, Ensign, 'peaceful cooperation' here is a means to an end, not an end in itself." He lowers his voice. "You ah, don't take any unnecessary risk on yourself alone, OK."

    Once again he's glad his thoughts are his own, as when he says 'peaceful cooperating is a means to an end' it calls to mind a long list of cases where that approach failed. He blinks for a moment, staring at remembered weapons discharges against his eyelids. Weapons free. Return fire. Light 'em up!...Buildings, ships, people... He realizes he can't come up with a firm number for every firefight or use of force he's been a part of, but realizes he could probably come up with one by digging into Starfleet records...then thinks maybe he'd rather not remind himself of any he's managed to forget.

  2. #2702
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    Dr. T'Var nods to Rangin, and remains in the Infirmary to talk a bit more with Dr. Halsey. Rangin finds the hallways beginning to fill with staff and guests as the resort wakes for the day. In an open plaza not far from the Infirmary, he sees storm clouds in the distance, and notices that the temperature has dropped a little.

    Delaney and Garcia leave the CP for Wilson's suite.

  3. #2703
    Administrator choie's avatar
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    Kylah accepts Mr. Graham's confidence with a little nod and thanks him for his advice--although she is not sure she understands his priorities. It seems to her that peace should be the ultimate goal; a descent into a violent confrontation would, in Kylah's view, mean failure. "I had better go, then," she adds, and is about to leave when she gets a strange wave of... something... from Graham. Something is distracting him. He seems outwardly calm but his emotions are turbulent. She takes a step backward and her mouth parts to ask him if he is all right, but a quick glance at the others in the room--where the most familiar face is Dobson, whom she hardly knows--makes her change her mind.

    She turns and, while her hand automatically checks her phaser is where it should be, leaves the CP for the corridor. Soon she has left the building and is outside heading to the residences in a brisk pace--not quite a jog, but as close to it as she dares given her dodgy knee and the doctor's recommendation that she take things easy for a while. The cooler temperature surprises her. Somehow she has only expected to find warm, sunny weather here. Yet this seems more appropriate to the circumstances. It is as if the spores have lost their effectiveness on the planet itself.

    The now-familiar residence area looms ahead, and she makes a beeline for Fastolfe's blue house. During this brief journey she begins to get into her 'role,' imagining herself clashing with Graham over how to treat Fastolfe--not very difficult to do, since that has occurred several times since Wilson's murder. By the time Kylah reaches Fastolfe's residence she has worked herself up to a state of agitated concern. Now thoroughly in that frame of mind, she rings the doorbell twice.
    Last edited by choie; 05 Aug 2014 at 11:54 AM.

  4. #2704
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    Caleb Hotchkiss, Lord Fastolfe's bodyguard and valet, who answered the door yesterday as well, appears after a few moments. "Yes?"

  5. #2705
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    "Good morning, sir," Kylah says anxiously, looking back to the resort's main building to see if the coast is clear. "I am sorry to bother you this early but the matter is urgent. Extremely urgent. Please, if Lord Fastolfe is available, may I be allowed to see him? There is not much time," she adds with another furtive glance to make sure she is alone. "There are others coming and I need to tell him something before they do. Will you tell Lord Fastolfe that Ensign Kylah wishes to speak with him? Please?"

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    Hotchkiss raises an eyebrow but lets her in, showing her upstairs to the same sitting room as the day before. After a few minutes, Fastolfe himself enters, in an immaculate, dark-red suit. He sits and gestures for Kylah to do the same. "What brings you here again this morning, Ensign?" he asks, oddly polite.
    Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 08 Aug 2014 at 02:05 PM. Reason: Clarifying room location.

  7. #2707
    Ape must not kill ape! general_urko's avatar
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    Graham indicates to Rawlings he should start tracking Kylah's location using his Security tricorder, then contacts the Yorktown. "Graham to Yorktown: I'd like a transporter tech standing by to put us on Ens. Kylah's six at a moments notice, please--I will apprise when that's no longer necessary."

    He gestures for the team to follow him out on a slow walk toward Fastolfe's, and contacts Rangin while leaving the CP. "Graham to Rangin...Have..." He pauses before giving Rangin a directive, and instead adopts a less officious tone. "Ah, any new insight, Mr. Rangin? Also--as Mr. Kylah suggested, I think it is a good idea to have Halsey hold off on exposing any of the folks who's spores wore off--at least until you and the Doctor feel there's nothing more we could gain from interviews or scans. Please let me know if he's re-introduced anyone."

  8. #2708
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    "Thank you so much for seeing me, Lord Fastolfe. Forgive my intrusion, I should not even be here, but I could not help myself. I needed to tell you..." She takes a deep breath and steps close, remaining a respectful distance from the great man, and then speaks all in a quick exhalation. "I believe my superiors are making a grave mistake in how they are dealing with you. They wish to--they are being aggressive and acting as if you are a chief suspect. I disagree. I have disagreed with them since the first. You saw how it was, yesterday. There is so much so-called evidence, it all seemingly points to you. The knife, your fingerprints, the argument with Mr. Wilson--now your missing knives. Everyone else seems to think this is a straightforward case. I do not. I never have. I believe you are being framed, I know not by whom."

    Kylah bends so she is at his eye-level. "I am not one of your starstruck fans, Lord Fastolfe, but I think... I think you are an intelligent artist whose personality is part of your art and business. I understand this. My family also plays its part back on Elas. But my crewmates... the officer in charge of the investigation... they all take you at face value. And they do believe you to be a violent, arrogant man who would kill Wilson merely for failing to give you the house you wish. It is ludicrous, just as the idea that you would leave such a highly identifiable murder weapon at a crime scene is ludicrous.

    "But it is the easy answer. So easy that they are even now on their way to execute a search warrant." Kylah turns to the window, then swiftly looks back pleadingly at Fastolfe. "It is preposterous. I am new to Starfleet, but I thought they were better than the tyrants who rule my planet. I thought better of them. But that makes no difference. What I ask, Lord Fastolfe, is that you please assist me--that you do not do anything to engage their anger. Graham, the mission commander, is just aching for a chance to use all the legal might and even physical intimidation to get what he wants. That is Starfleet justice. I want the truth. You must be cleared or the real killer will never be found, and you will be at the mercy of a man who secretly wishes for a chance to take you in custody. Please, sir--"

    Her hand tentatively reaches out to him, but then she jerks it awkwardly back, flushing. "Please, will you not do anything to prevent such unjust actions? If only to avoid the inconvenience to yourself... Please, will you cooperate and help me determine who might be trying to frame you?"

  9. #2709
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    "Rangin to Graham. No, no new insights here at all. Dr Halsey is completely baffled as to why several people would suddenly and with no warning lose the effect of the spores. All the guests apparently have no idea as to how it could have occurred to each of them, apart from Vice Adm. Hardin from the shock of the news this morning. If I didn't know any better I would have said someone had gone round silently in the night with a hypospray. I can't confirm whether anyone has been re-introduced to the spores, I don't believe so, but Dr T'Var is still talking to him. I would suggest contacting her to ask Dr Halsey, I was just on my way to Mr Wilson's office to check his computer for files, download what there is and see if someone more specialised can find anything of interest on it. Unless there is anything you would prefer me to do instead."

    Rangin waits to see what Graham orders watching the clouds roll in over the sky and wondering what kind of trouble is coming this way.
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

  10. #2710
    Ape must not kill ape! general_urko's avatar
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    "Unless there is anything you would prefer me to do instead."

    Graham has to stifle a laugh as "How about chill the fuck out" immediately pops into his head. However given the abject failure of his last attempt at humor with Rangin, he thinks better of it.

    He clears his throat. "No, obviously you bring an, uh, expertise the rest of us don't to it, carry on."

  11. #2711
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    Fastolfe takes Kylah's hand and gently strokes it. "Dear lady, how good of you to come to see me. This story of yours... it can't be true, can it? We are both adults. If you are attracted to me, as I am to you, then you have only to say so." He smiles charmingly. "You really are quite beautiful."

  12. #2712
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    Aghast, Kylah has no idea how to respond--although of course, her face flames in a blush, and her instinct is to yank her hand away. She cannot forget how she reacted under similar circumstances the other night at that Italian restaurant. But today there are no spores involved, thank goodness--or are there? Has Fastolfe been reintroduced to the treatment without her knowing it? She tries to corral her flustered emotions in a wary attempt to read his own. Is he truly attempting to seduce her, or is he calling her bluff, toying with her?

    Kylah is intent on gaining his cooperation and thus does not want to offend him by pulling away. Instead, she keeps her hand where it is but clutches at him, changing the gesture to one of urgency. "Oh no, Lord Fastolfe, I assure you, I never thought... I promise you, I did not come here for such a thing."

    Her gaze turns to the window again, this time quite genuinely wondering if--no, hoping that--the others are about to arrive. She faces Fastolfe and hurries onward. "I only wish to look out for your welfare against people who believe you guilty. I am trying to help you, I need your help..."

    The feeling of his skin on hers is too intimate. It is Jan all over again. She blurts, "You must believe me! My colleagues are on their way with a warrant, they will search this house with or without your permission. And I will be in terrible trouble if they thought I was trying to--" Suddenly the very real and embarrassing possibility of Graham catching her like this, assuming she was trying to influence Fastolfe in such a manner, makes it all worse. She almost groans at the thought and beseeches him: "What can I do to convince you?"
    Last edited by choie; 05 Aug 2014 at 10:53 PM.

  13. #2713
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    The interstellar celebrity chuckles. "No judge would ever issue a warrant against me. My influence reaches too far; my fans would never stand for it. But you...." he smiles again, and leans in close. "Ah, you, sweet Kylah. You have bewitched me, and that can lead to only one outcome." He is not under the influence of the spores, she senses, but does seem quite sincerely taken with her.

    From high above on the Yorktown, Lt. JG Mark Ferguson replies to Graham, "Standing by in the Transporter Room, sir. I have a lock on Ens. Kylah."

  14. #2714
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    "Outcome?" Kylah shakes her head, mortified and confused. "What do you mean, outcome? No, this is--I cannot have bewitched you, I've done nothing, I did not mean to do so! And you are wrong, dead wrong, about the warrant." Belatedly she realizes what Fastolfe probably means by outcome, and at once she tries to draw back. "No! The only outcome you are headed for is having a team of Starfleet security officers, including one half the size of this house, barging in to execute a search!"

    She meets his gaze in hopes that he will see her sincerity. His feelings seem genuine but... how can this have happened? Is this place a satyr's paradise? At last Kylah lifts her chin, eyes flashing with determination. "If you are truly bewitched, then--then will you do as I ask, for your own sake? Will you help me determine the truth? Promise and I will... I will think better of you. I will be your friend. I cannot promise more. Now will you listen to reason? Or do you require me to prove I am an Elasian woman?"

    Her voice lowers as she peers at him. "Women on Elas always have two weapons close at hand, Lord Fastolfe. The first is a knife--and unlike you, mine is not kept in some souvenir display case. The other is a single tear. One drop is all I need to take you from bewitched to enslaved. Is that what you want?"

  15. #2715
    Ape must not kill ape! general_urko's avatar
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    Graham acknowledges Ferguson's hail, and, having heard nothing from Kylah, asks him to stand by. He confirms Kylah's location is the house, and checks the time.

    "All right folks," he says to the Security team, "Let's step up the pace - Ens. Kylah's had a few minutes - most likely Fastolfe's clammed up again, but if anybody can convince him to play ball it's her. First thing we do is secure a room and corral the occupants in there - unless something's squirrelly, in which case first priority is secure Mr. Kylah. On entry I'm center, Kjaerstad right, Rawlings left, Dobson behind me."

    Once they reach the door to the house he checks the time again. "Sixty second countdown. Check phasers, light stun setting, we go in holstered as long as folks cooperate. However we know there are deadly weapons in the house: until searched assume any individual may be armed. And remember we have a warrant for searching their person, whether they like it or not."* He calls up the warrant on the Security tricorder so it's ready to show to Fastolfe or one of his minions.

    "Any questions?" he asks, his finger hovering over the chime.

    *I know it's space velcro not a holster per se but I assume they use that word or some colloquial term not invented yet for "in their not-in-hand spot"
    Last edited by general_urko; 06 Aug 2014 at 10:20 AM. Reason: oops didnt mean to post - added instructions about weapons

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    When Graham has finished speaking Rangin puts the communicator away and heads across to Mr Wilson's office to see what he can find.

    If Mrs Hsu is there, he will greet her politely, ask how she is doing and politely enquire for access to Mr Wilson's office and his terminal to continue the investigation.
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

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    Lord Fastolfe pulls his hand back as if bitten, and rises to his feet. "I know about Elasian tears... and knives," he says, scowling. He leaves the room and Kylah hears him heading to the stairs.

    Mrs. Hsu is in her office, looking a little better than she did yesterday. She looks up from a data tablet, stylus in hand, and smiles a little at Rangin. "Of course, help yourself," she says. Wilson's office door opens with his thumbprint, and his computer terminal appears ready for any inquiry.

    Graham's Security team - Kjaerstad, Rawlings and Dobson - has no questions. They are keeping pace with him.

  18. #2718
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    This man is more mercurial than Elaan, Kylah thinks as she stares at his retreating figure. Biting her lip, she tries to fathom his emotions as she hurries out of the room to his side. "Lord Fastolfe, please! I am sorry, I should not have said that. But you--you frightened me. You were not listening, and were saying such things and holding me..." Her voice is hoarse and every word is sincere. "I took your advances badly, for I have only recently been burned, badly."

    At the stairs now, she reaches to touch his arm, exerting only the lightest pressure to encourage him to face her. "I would never, ever, harm anyone who was not hurting me. My whole reason for being here is because I do not want to see you hurt." Her tone softens further. "Please. Will you accept my apology? And most of all, will you trust that I only want to help, to make sure you are not framed for something you did not do? Whatever I must do to convince you that I am trustworthy, just tell me. I will do it."
    Last edited by choie; 07 Aug 2014 at 12:48 AM.

  19. #2719
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    "Your apology is accepted," he says brusquely, jerking his arm away. "Trust is something else entirely. But now I have to tell Hotchkiss to let your goons in without resistance." He charges downstairs.

  20. #2720
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    Kylah is at a loss to understand his overreaction to her words. How can such a man be this sensitive? One minute fawning over her, the next acting as if she is some poisonous beast. His behavior makes no sense to her. It seems utterly random. But there is clearly no point in trying to comprehend a character as inconsistent as this.

    She stands at the top of the stairs, awkward and ashamed at having yet again failed to win someone over in any way other than physically attracting them. Her entire experience here has been nothing but people turning against her on a dime. Collins was right. I serve no purpose except as bait.

    After a miserable moment, she walks downstairs in dull resignation. There seems little point in trying anything anymore. She will restrict herself to listening.

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    Rangin is unsure where to start, muses over the computer and then starts by looking at all the files that were changed over the last week or so. There will probably be hundreds, but is something was going on, it was happening recently and hopefully some of these files will show.

    If possible, he will set it to retrieve and display any hidden files that might be on the terminal, thinking that it was likely that Mr Wilson would hide some of them.

    He wonders how the rest of them are doing. Dr T'var is no doubt eliciting further information from Dr Halsey on a professional basis, that Rangin just doens't have. Graham will be enjoying himself, terrorising and threatening people, probably using some violence, getting to arrest and intimidate, throw his weight around that sort of thing, and Kylah...Rangin's mind drifts back to last night, how close she was, how he held her gently. She was beautiful indeed, but that didn't really matter, especially in the moonlight, but he felt so relaxed around her.

    Rangin glances back at the screen and hopes it would keep taking just that little bit longer to come back with results.
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

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    There are close to four dozen files on Wilson's office desktop computer that have been changed in the past week. Most of them appear innocuous, dealing with payroll, budget, guest services, interoffice memos and the like. Two are encrypted, however: one titled "Co Bd" and the other "H S misc."

  23. #2723
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    Rangin stops his daydreaming and looks at the two encrypted files wondering what it was he had found. The two names didn't mean anything at first glance but considering everything else on the terminal was accessible, Rangin nods to himself that perhaps he might have found a clue. Of course, they had to be unencrypted first, and he, Rangin would quite happily admit, was no expert at unencrypting files. Now if Kylah was here, no doubt she would be able to deal with it.

    Rangin sighed, Kylah would still be dealing with Lord Foulstuff and Ensign Graham. Hopefully, Lt JG Garcia would be able to do likewise. He picked up his communicator and called Lt Delaney.

    "Ens. Rangin to Lt. Delaney. Excuse me Sir, but I have found some encrypted files on the terminal in Mr Wilson's office. Would it be possible for Lt JG Garcia to take a look. They appear to be of importance."

    While waiting for a response, Rangin gets his tricorder out and starts scanning the office for any signs of biological matter. There should only be signs of Wilson, Mrs Hsu and possibly the cleaners in here, although the room had been sealed since the murder. Rangin wondered who else might have been in here. After that, and given the hidden safe in his suite, Rangin decides a more thorough sweep of the office is perhaps more than necessary.
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

  24. #2724
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    Despite her malaise, Kylah tries to read Fastolfe, hoping possibly in vain to determine what his emotions are, how she can reach him. He cannot be as insulted as he seemed; a man who pulled a knife out in an attack on Wilson over a trivial matter, a man who picked up two strangers before breakfast for a ménage a trois... a man who claimed to have found her beautiful, bewitching and apparently beddable only moments ago... no, this reaction to mere words makes no sense. She would rather he continue to slobber over her than cut her off this way.

    She waits for him to speak to Hotchkiss. When he is through, she will make a last stab at regaining his trust, to make him see reason.
    Last edited by choie; 08 Aug 2014 at 04:56 PM.

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    Rangin finds no biosigns in Wilson's office other than for Wilson and both Hsus.

    Lt. JG Garcia says, "On my way, Ensign," and in a few minutes has arrived in Wilson's office. He sits down and types up a storm, looking over the encryption designators for the two files. He rubs his chin and finally says, "I think we can get into these. Let's see...." He establishes a direct link to the Yorktown and engages a classified decryption program from the Library Computer. "Might take a little while."

    Lord Fastolfe has already finished talking to Hotchkiss in the short time it takes Kylah to go downstairs, and they both stand watchfully in the main entryway. The rock star seems unhappy but basically calm. He is, she has seen time and again, a very mercurial man.

    Miss Adjetey emerges from another room and gives Kylah a cool nod. Fastolfe takes her aside and speaks quietly with her for a moment.
    Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 08 Aug 2014 at 06:41 PM.

  26. #2726
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    When there is a break in Fastolfe's conversation with Adjetey, Kylah moves hesitantly nearer. She keeps her expression even and hopeful, although despair is rising in her. I must get something right, I cannot continue to fail. Graham said in front of everyone that he had confidence in me; I must not disgrace myself again.

    "Lord Fastolfe," she says quietly, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. "Please. May I speak to you one last time in private? I understand you do not trust me. But I very much need you to. I hope you will at least allow me to explain." Kylah looks quickly at Miss Adjetey, wondering why the woman seems so cold to her, before staring up at Fastolfe again.

    "The 'goons' you referred to--they most assuredly are not my goons. They are security officers, and colleagues, but they are not--I wish they were not necessary. I still do not think they are. That is why I came here. I have done everything I can to prevent aggression on anyone's part. You saw that in the introduction room, where we first met. I do not like bullying, even from Starfleet officers, and I do not approve of violence, real or threatened. I would never have said what I did if I..."

    She now looks down, avoiding both Adjetey and Fastolfe. "I do need to say this in private, Lord Fastolfe. Please?"
    Last edited by choie; 08 Aug 2014 at 07:04 PM.

  27. #2727
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    When everyone is in position, Graham checks the settings of his own phaser, puts it in its place, and takes the Security tricorder in his left hand. With his right he hits the door chime of Lord Fastolfe's house

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    The chime gives Kylah a jolt, and she curses the bad timing. Now he arrives--where was he before I made my stupid mistake?

    She darts a look at Fastolfe and says in a rushed whisper. "I know I am not your advocate, I only advocate for the truth. But if you are innocent, I beg you, help us find the person who is fashioning all the events and evidence to make you seem to be a killer. The security team will search, that is all; they do not want trouble. They will do nothing, they can do nothing, if you cooperate."

    Suddenly she grabs hold of his sleeve and stares intently up at him. "If you believe nothing else I say, Lord Fastolfe, believe this: If I am convinced of your innocence--and I am very much inclined that way--and there is any physical threat? I vow I will put myself between you and them if I must."

  29. #2729
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    Fastolfe looks at her strangely, pulls his arm away - not quite as abruptly as before - and turns to Hotchkiss. He nods to the bodyguard, who opens the door to the outside. From where she stands, Kylah can just see Graham and the others beyond the door.

    Miss Adjetey steps forward. She says calmly, "Ens. Graham again... and three friends, all in red. What brings you back to us this morning, Ensign?"

  30. #2730
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    Graham quickly looks to assess the location and demeanor of everyone in range of his vision. He keeps his own posture alert but not aggressive. "Miss Adjetey. I'd hoped that with some time to think..." Or boff a few more guests, whatever. "...his lordship would be more amenable to cooperating with our investigation," he says evenly. Personally, I am finding the use of Fastolfe's honorific increasingly entertaining, he thinks, although he carefully hides any expression of it.

    He pauses, clearing his mind so as to be equally prepared to take someone to the ground as relax, amp up the friendly quotient or start barking orders.

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    "Thank you sir, I hope it won't take too long," replies Rangin to Lt JG Garcia and just lets him get on with his job.

    While the senior officer is working, Rangin starts scanning the office to see if there are any more hidden safes in the walls, or indeed anything hidden within the walls, that may be of interest. After that he will start looking through any papers or datapads still around to see if there is anything of interest.
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

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    Kylah clasps her hands together in front of her and remains where she is by Fastolfe's side, trying to look relaxed; if Graham sees her, perhaps he will take his cue from her--although that is debatable, since she has not managed to influence anyone positively other than Mrs. Hsu.

    She is not sure why she feels the pull to defend Fastolfe, of all people. Even setting aside the obnoxious, spoiled, sybaritic persona he projects to everyone, the man is on top of the world--multiple worlds, to be precise--and as he told her, has powerful friends and fans. He surely neither needs nor wants what little help he can receive from a low-ranked Starfleet nonentity.

    Yet something does bother her about his situation, enough to have aroused her protective instincts. She has seen alleged enemies sent to be 'interrogated' by the Elasian Guard, the official security force of her planet. Those who endured the torture usually confessed to anything, no matter the truth of the matter. Those who died in custody were proclaimed guilty posthumously. All to ensure the Guard maintained its perfect crime-solving reputation.

    Kylah knows Starfleet does not allow such behavior--or at least, given the story Graham related at the formal dinner party back on the Yorktown, it does not officially condone it--but still, Starfleet is not infallible. A clever-enough murderer can fool them. She cannot abide the thought of an investigation being manipulated, of evidence being manufactured, to make an innocent man look guilty. No matter how unlikeable that man is.

    And, in a surprising realization, Kylah finds Fastolfe not entirely unlikeable. That is perhaps the strangest thing of all.
    Last edited by choie; 09 Aug 2014 at 05:10 PM.

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    "What sort of cooperation did you have in mind, Mr. Graham?" Adjetey asks. Fastolfe seems content to let her do the talking. She continues, "I thought we did that yesterday. It didn't end well."

    Garcia nods and keeps working. Using his tricorder and close visual inspection, Rangin finds no safes, or anything else, hidden in the walls. The papers and datapads appear unchanged since yesterday, and he finds nothing of note.

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    Rangin considers what to do next. There were a few things that were bothering him, things that the group seem to have let slip in the race to try and find the next clue and the next clue heading ever faster onwards until, perhaps, they couild find the one golden clue that might answer all their questions about the murder. It was never like that, it was always the slow accumulation of data, a biut here, a bit there that usually gave the clearest picture in the end.

    Rangin decided that while the others were out playing good cop,. bad cop, and Dr T'Var was once again drinking tea with Dr Halsey, Rangin would chase up on all the other bits and pieces that had occurred but that no-one had gone back to.

    "If you will excuse me sir, I have a few things to catch up on. Please let me know when you have cracked the files." Rangin says before heading out to the security office. If there is someone there, Rangin intends to ask about the security breach when the first arrived to see if anything has been discovered and also if there was anything further about the security cameras that has been found. Finally was there any correlation between the security breach and the lack of identity of the transporter user not to mention the lack of details in the room Mr Wilson was killed in.

    Of course, the room Mr Wilson was killed in, would security have access details for anyone who might have entered the room. Its not as if they would just open for anyone. Would those details have been removed as well?

    Rangin's pace quickens as he heads off.
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

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    Garcia says, "Will do."

    Officer Peters in the resort security office when Rangin arrives. He looks over recent reports and says, "We still haven't been able to trace the security breach from yesterday afternoon. We know that it was done via subspace and from relatively close by. Still no data on the security cameras - they were remotely disabled and the databanks then wiped. It would take an expert to pull it off - a real pro. I can't see any correlation between that and the lack of any ID for the transporter user, but someone who could pull off one could probably do the other, too. The transporter room would usually be locked, and as far as I can tell, it was last night, too. There's no record as to who opened it - that, too, appears to have been wiped." He sounds frustrated.
    Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 10 Aug 2014 at 11:27 PM.

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    "No, not that room, this room, next to the transporter, where it appears Mr Wilson was killed. I want to see if Mr Wilson is marked as going into it, or if those records have gone as well. Actually, is there anywhere else in the resort where it looks as though records have been deleted?"

    Rangin wonders where you could hide a subspace transmitter within close reach of the grounds without anyone noticing...other than perhaps the research station. Then again, all their fingerprints had been cleared from the murder weapon. Another dead end.
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  37. #2737
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    Graham shrugs slightly. "Well, not to put to fine a point on it, but my recollection of yesterday includes a statement along the lines of 'I have nothing more to say, leave now' which I'd call just a wee bit short of the highest level of cooperation I've gotten in the past from folks at risk of an arrest for homicide," he says evenly. He adds "Not to mention insulting one of my officers," he a little more darkly.

    He gestures, palm up, with his right land, as if to dismiss yesterday's events. "But, all that aside, if Fas...Lord Fastolfe," he continues, addressing Adjetey, "or any of you on his staff really didn't kill Wilson, then whether we like each other or not we do have a common enemy."

    He places his hand briefly on his chest and then extends it slightly toward her. He strives to be as polite as he can be: "If I were you--or his lordship--I'd voluntarily let us look for evidence in this house, and, assuming the claim of innocence holds up, help us find a way to flush out the real killer." He gestures toward Fastolfe. "After all he is supposed to be a creative genius."

    He pauses. "Either way," he adds more firmly, "going along on your merry ways isn't an option." He raises an eyebrow. "But you have some control over what exactly happens next."

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    Her clasped hands are turning white with effort as Kylah forces them together. Why, why, why can he not just ask a civil question without being offensive?

    After a moment of hesitation, Kylah breaks her silence and adds softly: "You remember, Ms. Adjetey, that three of Lord Fastolfe's knives have disappeared, and one was used as a murder weapon. They may have been stolen to implicate him in his crime. If so, you must realize that the killer was not only Mr. Wilson's enemy, but was--and remains--a serious threat to Lord Fastolfe as well. There might be further attempts to frame him--or worse. We need your assistance to determine the truth, solve these crimes, and obviate the danger."

    She turns slightly and looks up at Lord Fastolfe, her gaze as gentle as her voice. "Please. Will you help us?"

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    Officer Peters frowns and turns back to his computer. "The conference room adjoining the transporter room should've been locked, too, but... yes, the access records to it have also been wiped. Don't know who went in there or when, but for the faint blood stain we found." He runs a search on access records for all other rooms of the resort. All appear to have been wiped for that night.

    Fastfolfe looks at Adjetey, who shakes her head very slightly. He turns back to Graham and says, "You are still not welcome here. Ens. Kylah tells me you have a warrant, and that you will search this house with or without my permission. It will have to be without. Please show Miss Adjetey, my lawyer, the warrant."

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    "Well, I have got one last long shot before I'm forced to go and get one of your coffees to kickstart my brain." Rangin puts his thoughts in order thinking over the pattern of things.

    "Lord Fastolfe arrived the day before Mr Wilson was murdered. According to the autopsy, his knife found at the location was used to kill him. This means the culprit had to get a hold of the knife before the crime was committed at the latest time of 12:30am. They also had to know about it before that point as well, and I think most people had no idea until he pulled that stunt in the waiting room this afternoon. Which means someone had to get into Lord Fastolfe's rooms to get hold of it."

    Rangin looks across at Officer Peters. "One: how quickly did word get around of what Fastolfe had done and what he had used? Two: Given the amount of surveillance and the fact the footage wasn't wiped up until midnight, can you get a list of everyone who entered those apartments on that day? We might see if anyone shouldn't be there...so, coffee?"
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

  41. #2741
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    Graham shakes his head. "Have it your way..." He holds the tricorder up for Adjetey to see. "As you can see, we have a warrant to search this property and its occupants."

    He glances around. "In order to protect the integrity of the search--and officer safety, since we know that deadly weapons were on the premises, and..." He looks briefly at Fastolfe. "At least some persons present have a track record of attacking people with them, you and the other occupants will have a seat..." He shrugs slightly and points down at the floor with his right hand. "Right here seems fine, where you'll be scanned for weapons. You can voluntarily disclose any items on your person for examination, or we'll search you one by one."

    He waggles a finer pointing alternately to Adjetey, Hotchkiss, and Fastolfe. "Do I have a volunteer to get us started?"

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    Peters pours Rangin a cup of coffee. It tastes a bit better than the brew from yesterday. "What apartments do you mean?" he asks. "Mr. Wilson's suite? Or did you mean Fastolfe's guest house? And word spread pretty fast about Fastolfe pulling a knife on Mr. Wilson, I'd say. That kind of gossip travels at warp speed."

    Adjetey and then Fastolfe look at the warrant and seem satisfied. "You may start with me, but I refuse to sit on the floor," Fastolfe says. "I am unarmed at the moment, as I believe all of us are but for Hotchkiss, who has a permit." The bodyguard nods. The rock star continues, "Scan us and frisk us where we are, but then let us sit on furniture like civilized beings, please."

  43. #2743
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    Kylah, about to object before Fastolfe spoke, has to nod slightly when he says exactly what she would have. She hates being in this position and she wonders if Graham is doing this on purpose--playing a role. Or is he really this vindictive toward suspects?
    The voices of the other dinner guests sound far away to Kylah as the new Security officer continues to tell his tale. “I track this guy down…he’s human, but deep into dealing with the Orions. I want to have a little chat, except he’s not so keen on sticking around. Only I’m not so keen on letting him go.”

    As Ensign Graham's finger runs along a scar Kylah didn't notice until now, she feels her stomach tighten in growing dread at where this story seems to be headed. And her instincts prove correct when the man concludes, almost casually: “I got hurt. He got… The doctor would say the clinical definition is ‘dead.’”
    The memory haunts her and she shakes her head free of it. Yes. Graham is quite capable of far, far worse than the mere pettiness of forcing someone he dislikes to sit on a floor.

    Kylah takes a tiny step forward, still remaining close to Fastolfe. "Excuse me, sir, but I... I think this request is reasonable. I admit I am not familiar with these procedures, but--but is it truly necessary to scan them while seated in such a manner? Weapons will be just as apparent to your tricorders if they stand. And once you confirm they are unarmed as Lord Fastolfe says, surely..." Her eyes flick toward the wall of uniformed muscle that is Ensign Rawlings, then return to meet Graham's gaze. "Surely we will be safe enough."
    Last edited by choie; 12 Aug 2014 at 10:09 PM.

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    Graham stares at Fastolfe for a moment, and smiles slightly at Kylah. "Well, I always say that those who act like civilized beings ought to be treated like civilized beings." He nods. "Since you're all being cooperative and not giving any reason--so far--to worry about any funny business, as soon as we clear a room we'll settle you in there....on what I am sure are very comfy chairs." He gestures toward the interior doors from the room. "Kjarstead, Rawlings--clear whichever of the adjacent rooms looks most suitable for that first. Scan for prints, transporter signatures...full sweep for evidence, anything that looks relevant." He holds up a finger. "Oh, and by the way we have world-class crypto-geeks on station, so if we want to keep everything all friendly it'd be nice if you'd provide passwords to any locked padds and such." He shrugs. "It would save a little time, and the result will be the same."

    "Dobson, if you'll relieve Mr. Hotchkiss of any weapons and scan the others for weapons as well, I'll get started." He hands the tricorder to the security officer and cracks his knuckles. "Honestly, your lordship, I'm no more enthusiastic than bodily frisking you than you most likely are about me doing it, so if you'd like to voluntarily turn out pockets and offer up any devices you're wearing, we can be...as you say, 'civilized' about this."

    He pauses. "If you'll excuse me a moment first..." He pulls out his communicator. "Graham to...transporter room. Situation is secure, Lieutenant, you can stand down," he says to Lt. Ferguson, careful not to use his name as he remembers the incident with Kylah. "Mr. Kylah, your discretion whether you remain here with the suspects or join the others in the search."

  45. #2745
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    Kylah is genuinely surprised at the mention of passwords. She did not think a search would include such data. But her attention returns quickly to Graham when he claims that he is not looking forward to frisking Fastolfe. Somehow that gesture of cracking his knuckles creates an entirely different impression.

    Now she must make a choice. Awkward, uncertain what to do, Kylah looks over to Fastolfe, knowing he will probably not care one way or another. But she promised him that he could trust her. Regardless of her duty, even regardless of this man's guilt, searching through his things feels like a violation of that promise. "I do not think I should..." she says hesitantly before facing Graham again. "That is, I doubt I would be of much assistance in a search."

    She does not turn back to Fastolfe, but she does wonder if his rather outsized pride would find it galling to be forced into such a powerless position. Her pride is only half so big, and she certainly would hate being treated this way. I did not attack anyone with a knife, Kylah reminds herself. Still...

    "As to whether I stay here, perhaps it would be best for a woman to be present while Ms. Adjetey is scanned. But I will remove myself afterward, if--if Lord Fastolfe and the others prefer."

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    Ferguson says over the open channel, "Acknowledged. Yorktown standing by." Kylah recognizes his voice, of course.

    Hotchkiss has a Grayson Arms RL67 phaser, a nasty little black piece of work, in an ankle holster; Dobson relieves him of it. None of the others are armed. Kjaerstad and Rawlings proceed to search the first-floor rooms, visually and by tricorder. There are a sitting room, living room, dining room and study - all quite luxurious and comfortable - and a kitchen and storage rooms. Two WR&R staffers in the kitchen, a gourmet chef and her assistant just beginning to prepare lunch, are surprised to see the redshirts. There are stairs and a dumbwaiter down to the basement.

    Fingerprints are everywhere on the first floor from apparently several dozen people. There are no indications of transporter use on the first floor, but faint readings from upstairs. Adjetey provides passwords for two datapads in the study, and Graham is able to easily access the files.

    Dobson stands by with Graham and Kylah, alert to any signs of trouble.
    Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 13 Aug 2014 at 02:23 PM.

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    Rangin looks askew at Peters when he responds.

    "Wilson's suite? No, I was thinking of Fastolfe's guest quarters through the day. Someone would have to have gone there to fetch the murder weapon at some point. But...but...you have made me think of one thing. We have been assuming that Mr Wilson was killed while he was on a late night round. What if he wasn't, what if he was actually going to meet someone later that night. Someone would have had to drop a message to meet him somehow, otherwise it does just become random chance if they would meet...and given how much preparation went into this, our killer would want to ensure it was going to happen."

    Rangin taps on the desk while looking at the screens, "Go for it, let's see if anyone dropped a note into Mr Wilson's suite during the day, because we haven't found any electronic comms to the like. He was last seen entering his apartment at about 23:15. So, who stopped by from say 10am onwards."

    Rangin has a sudden chill, what if one of the people there was going to be Mrs Hsu, but then she might have good reason for being there anyway. He didn't want to alert anyone to her affair, but, this was something they needed to find out.
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  48. #2748
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    At the sound of Ferguson's voice, Kylah immediately targets her stare at the floor and tries to keep her mind blank and her face, for once, free of a blush. The latter is not entirely successful, although it is helped by knowing that Graham is otherwise occupied. Still, she is not pleased to be reminded of yet another blundered confrontation on her part, much less of the fact that in less than a week, four different men have assumed her easy targets for their sexual, verbal or physical aggression.

    When she hears of the faint transporter traces, she shifts focus back to Fastolfe. Is there any way she can make him see reason? Are her instincts completely wrong--not for the first time nor likely the last?

    "Lord Fastolfe," Kylah says, her tone still reserved. "I am glad that you are represented by an attorney. You should have someone who has your best interests at heart." Which is a big assumption; Kylah has no idea whether Adjetay is trustworthy or not. "And I understand you have no desire to cooperate with us, since you see us all as the enemy. Although earlier, you seemed to feel differently..." She does not bring up his declarations to her. First, she would not embarrass either him or herself in front of the others. And second, it is highly possible he meant none of his honeyed words.

    "But at least you do know, now, that I was telling you the truth. I wanted to prevent this imposition. I hope that shows you... I hope it means something to you." She bites her lip in thought, then takes a seat as far away from them as she can while still able to speak quietly. "If nothing else, could we try to pinpoint what might have happened to the knives? The problem seems to be that one or more of your staff members have been in the house at all times, even when you were gone. But with a transporter, anyone might have beamed in directly to your room, then departed without a trace. Which means it is possible an employee might have unknowingly been present when this occurred. They might have heard something, anything, and not realized what it meant."

    Kylah hesitates. She must ask this carefully. "I remember you mentioned a Mr. Stimmons, your personal assistant. And we know Mr. Hotchkiss. As such close associates, they seem likely to be the employees who would be most loyal, and willing to help end this unfortunate situation. Along with Ms. Adjetey, of course," she adds with an acknowledging nod to the other woman. "Am I correct? Have they been with you a long time? And were either of them here while you were not?"

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    Peters shrugs and says to Rangin, "Sorry, you referred to 'apartments,' and Fastolfe has been in a guest house since he arrived. Now let's see...." He brings up the hallway surveillance vid from outside Wilson's suite from 1000 hours the day of the Yorktown's arrival, as you ask. You both see a member of the cleaning staff ("That's Tim Harris," Peters says) enter with a cart of cleaning supplies at 1017, according to the timecode, and leave at 1055. Wilson enters the suite at 1703, and leaves again just six minutes later. He returns again at 2315 and does not emerge before the screen goes to static at 0000, midnight.

    Miss Adjetey sees Kylah talking to Fastolfe, and says calmly but firmly, "As you and your colleagues are now executing a search warrant here in his lodgings against my client's wishes, and as he is plainly a suspect in your murder investigation, I will ask you to say nothing further to him, and I advise him not to answer you, as is his right under Federation law." Fastolfe seems about to say something, but then nods slightly and does not reply to Kylah.

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    Kylah desperately wants to say that she is not executing anything except the last shreds of her patience. "I have tried more than you know to exonerate him, Ms. Adjetey. I have believed this a set-up since the very moment I learned the details of the crime," she whispers fiercely with only a darting glance at the attorney before she aims a final pleading look at the rock star. "How can you not see...?"

    Her words trail off. There is no point. She cannot convince anyone of anything. She shakes her head and stands. "I understand your legal rights, Lord Fastolfe. I respect that you feel this is the wisest course of action. I will not attempt to speak to you until you wish it--and as long as your attorney gives you permission."

    Turning away, Kylah looks for Graham. "Excuse me, sir," she says a bit hoarsely. "I do not know the law, and I hope you will guide me. Is there any legal reason I would be prohibited from speaking to any of Lord Fastolfe's employees? And I did not hear whether the other security officers found Lord Fastolfe's personal assistant in the residence. If they have, would it be all right if I--or we--interviewed him?"

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