Star Trek RPG - Mission #4: "Codex Aelyrr"

[anyrose]

"Now," Collins again questions Bob. "where were you this afternoon up until about half an hour ago. Details please."

[Elendil's Heir]

Bob still seems very frightened to have a phaser pointed at him, and says nothing.

[anyrose]

nm

[Elendil's Heir]

nm

[general_urko]

Graham continues onward toward his best understanding of where his quarry has gone. Any scenario is plausible, from a couple random fools who were in the wrong place at the wrong time to the butt end of a gang that wasted Lunnd and his team. First things first: if Yorktown has come through, we contain these two and then figure out what the hell is going on.

[SidonianGal]

Nia keeps the fingers of her left hand tapping out a haphazard rhythm, and those of her right massaging her temple. Her impatience in waiting for news is mounting. She's also confused about the timeline. To occupy herself, she decides to talk it through, according to what she already knew and what Three Crows has just told her.

"Excuse me," Nia says, turning to face her fellow officers. "Can everyone on the Bridge--those who're not immediately occupied with a task--give a listen here? I'm trying to picture what's happening down below and I'm not sure it makes sense to me.

"Starting from the beginning of this latest development: This Thoth detective, Lunnd, and his crew called up here, said they've followed this suspect to an apartment building. Lunnd told Lt. Collins that they'd be going after him in ten minutes and invited us to join the party. Now I'm assuming the Thoth crowd made sure to keep an eye on the building during this time, so the suspect couldn't leave without being seen. Admittedly that might be a big assumption, but let's hope Lunnd's competent.

"So, Collins, Graham, Jones and Doub--uh, Rawlings--beamed down. Then Lunnd and crew went in, leaving our four outside as backup. We know at least ten minutes have passed since Lunnd contacted us, so the possible assailant's been in there for a while, plenty long enough to enter one of the apartments. With me so far?"

She turns to glance at the viewscreen again, as if trying to locate the scene on the planet below.

"After a few minutes, two people left the building. Graham asked them to stop, that only spurred them into a dash. Graham and Jones started a chase. Collins and Rawlings remained behind.

"I contacted Lunnd at some point--not sure of the timing here--and he didn't answer, which is when I was afraid he'd confronted the suspect and had been taken down. But according to Lt. Thalen's contact with Lunnd's headquarters, Lunnd was still busy trying to enter the suspect's apartment." Nia shakes her head and mutters, "Only the Mother Sid'Os only knows why it's taking this guy so long...has the door got protective shields worthy of a Klingon warship?"

Sighing, she stands up, puts her hands on her hips, and turns around. "Okay, here's the thing. Those two men who left the building... they couldn't have been in this suspect's apartment earlier, since Lunnd's been up there for a while. It's also obvious Lunnd didn't pass them in the hall on their way in, since Lunnd would've seen them go, and--if he recognized one of them as the suspect--stopped them."

She flips a hand over, palm outwards. "So is it me, or does it seem pretty likely that Graham and Jones are chasing two utterly random, paranoid baddies? And since we know this Lez guy was seen going into the building, and no one else has come out...I assume... isn't it almost certain that he's barricaded in his apartment?"

She scowls down at her chair. Wait, Collins never got back to me, did she? Or Rawlings? Damn it, what does it take for these people to communicate? Nia twists her mouth in thought. Unless they're dealing with the suspect themselves. But how did he get past Lunnd? Sure as hell isn't a personal cloaking device. Although...

Oh crap.

Nia snaps her head up to sweep a glance at her crewmates. "Ensign Kylah was transported to the warehouse; that's also how the assailants left the scene. What's keeping this suspect from contacting his buddies to get transported out once he heard Lunnd at his door? I mean, I suppose he could've tried and they're just letting him swing on his own. But I'd sure like to know if there are any transporter signals in that building before we keep wasting time.

"Okay," she says, lifting her hand to gesture to the group. "Now it's your turn. Tell me why my thinking's wrong. Because I can't imagine St. Croix, Collins, Graham and the others wouldn't have been wondering about a transporter themselves."

[Elendil's Heir]

Graham has his quarry within sight. He can try to tackle him, or use his phaser. Through the dark drizzle he can just see the redshirted forms of two Yorktown Security personnel ahead.

Collins's communicator beeps again. Bob is still standing there, hands raised.

Transporter Chief Nguyen reports to Onn that, at Graham's request, Security officers Dodson, de la Paz, Fox, Bartlett, Coringu and Smith have been beamed down to Thoth, apparently to assist him in a chase.

Also on the Bridge, Thalen ventures, "Transporters certainly complicate law enforcement, ma'am. I've read that many big-city police forces routinely use t-scramblers to keep the bad guys from getting away. I don't know if the Thoth Constabulary uses them, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they did. Of course, they're common in protected areas to prevent unauthorized entry, too."

Bennett adds, "Just because a suspect wasn't seen coming out of a building doesn't mean he's still there, whether or not a transporter was used. The police or an informant might have missed his movements even on foot."

Thalen nods, then touches his earpiece. "Another call coming in from the surface, ma'am. It's Det. Lunnd."

[anyrose]

Collins lowers her phaser a bit. "Look, I'm sorry," her voice is softer now. "but really, you can't go in the building right now. The local authorities are closing in on a suspect and there may be crossfire. Please come on over here where it's safer. Maybe you know the suspect and can tell us something about him? Maybe you've seen him this afternoon?" Collins guides Bob over to where she'd taken cover earlier, out of the line of fire.

[SidonianGal]

Nia nods at both Thalen and Bennett. Cece sure has a love for repeating the obvious. "Thanks. I hope you're right about the transporter block, Thalen; hopefully the cops will have told our gang down below whether they've made sure transporting's out of the question for this guy." She glances at Bennett. "And you're right, of course. It's absolutely possible the Thoth police missed the suspect skipping out of a building they were supposed to be watching. But as I said, I was assuming at least some base level of competency. Just a cockeyed optimist, that's me..."

Then Thalen informs her of the contact from Lunnd. "Speak of the devil," she murmurs, and gestures with her head to her chair--a silent command to send the detective to her--before parking herself back down. "Lt. Onn here, Detective. What can you tell me?"

[general_urko]

Graham feels certain the fleeing suspect hasn't displayed enough of a threat to justify using a phaser on him--as certain as he felt at the time that using force to release Rangin's slimy little grip on Kylah had been entirely warranted. Instead he does his best to grad--or if necessary tackle--the fleeing man.

[Elendil's Heir]

Det. Lunnd says, "The suspect - or some of his associates, since he's not here - had a very strong door and three big, angry Melnean dogs in his apartment. It took a little while to get in there safely. I've called Lt. Collins but she didn't answer. Has she had any luck out on the street?"

Thalen says quietly, "Mr. Rawlings is now also calling, ma'am."

"What suspect?" Bob asks Collins warily. "Is there a reward offered?"

Graham puts on a burst of speed and tackles the fleeing man just as the two Security officers ahead, Fox and Coringu, are about to do the same. The man struggles furiously, swearing very loudly, but Graham is bigger and stronger, and able to hold him down. In moments, four other Security officers - Dodson, de la Paz, Bartlett and Smith - approach through the rainy dark, drawn by the sounds of the struggle.

[SidonianGal]

Nia nods to Thalen and rolls her finger to tell him to put the call through. "Detective, I'm about to find out--in fact, Lieutenant Thalen, let's open a group channel so Lunnd can hear Rawlings and me." Despite the seriousness of the situation, Nia can't helping the thought: Won't be my first three-way with Double-T.

She shakes her head and remains businesslike. "Rawlings, I'm here. Detective Lunnd's also listening. He and his team had no luck. What's up with you and Collins?"

[anyrose]

"I don't know," Collins answers Bob, "You'll have to talk to the Thoth Police about that." Something about this man has Collins' senses buzzing "If you know anything, you could help us get him off the street. A young woman was robbed and beaten. What if she'd been your sister or your daughter? Please tell us what you know." Her right arm and hand, where she holds her phaser, twitches slightly.

[Elendil's Heir]

Right behind the group of Security officers, out of the gloom, comes Jones, phaser in hand, and a tall, thin civilian who Graham can tell at a glance is almost as unhappy as the man struggling beneath him on the wet pavement. "Looks like we both got our man, Graham," Jones says.

Rawlings gives Onn a complete update. Lunnd, having listened in, says, "All right, thanks."

Bob crossly says to Collins, "I don't know anything about that. And I don't know who you're looking for."

In Sickbay, Kylah wakes at the whooshing of her recovery room's door. A Command tech, a young Asian man whom she doesn't recognize, enters and puts a communicator on her bedside table. "The Captain asked me to drop this off. It's been preprogrammed for you. Will there be anything else, ma'am?"

[anyrose]

"If you don't know, you don't know, but you're not going anywhere just yet." Without changing her stance or taking her eyes off Bob, Collins calls to Rawlings "Call Lunnd. Ask him to join us, please."

[general_urko]

Still holding their quarry, Graham gestures with his head toward the nearest Security officers. "Restrain and search this guy."

Assuming the others get control over their detainee, Graham gives Jones a thumbs-up and hails Collins. "Graham to Collins. Jones and I have each detained a runner out the back--we'll head to your location unless you have other orders, L-T."

[anyrose]

Being in charge can really be a headache sometimes, Collins muses to herself when her communicator beeps yet again. "Rawlings, cover this guy," she indicates Bobbins, "I gotta take this call," she tells her crewmate, using an ancient phrase.

Once Rawlings is properly poised, Collins opens her communicator. "Collins here, Graham. Come on 'round front with your prizes. Collins out." She presses a couple of button "Collins to Yorktown. We have two, possibly three, suspects in custody. We will turn them over to Lunnd and company when they join us. Will keep you apprised. Collins out."

She replaces the communicator in its holder and faces Bobbins once again, with her right arm slightly raised.

[Elendil's Heir]

All three prisoners are now under control. A search turns up nothing of interest. Do you arrest them?

Lunnd says to Rawlings, loud enough for Collins to hear, "Are you still outside in the rain? Bring them into the building lobby, please. We'll meet you there."

[anyrose]

"Let's go," Collins takes hold of Bob's arm and nods her head towards the apartment building in front of them. She smiles at Rawlings as they escort their possible suspect inside.

Inside the lobby, as she turns Bob over to Lunnd et al, she tells Lunnd "At this point, your legal system is in charge. Let us know what you need from us." She turns to the other Security officers "I hope this makes Kylah feel better." She takes out her communicator and calls the ship. "Collins to Yorktown, the situation is under control now. Detective Lunnd has the reins. Awaiting orders."

[SidonianGal]

Nia's eyebrows raise and she again stands up to look at the viewscreen, still trying to delude herself that she can see Collins and the crew down there if she just squints hard enough. "That's excellent news, lieutenant. Then Graham and Jones also have their targets? And you've confident that they're Ensign Kylah's assailants?"

[anyrose]

"I'm confident they did something;" Collins tells Onn, "They certainly act like suspects. My gut tells me these are the guys, but I'll let the forensics folks make the final call. What does Captain Singh and Commander Vargas want us to do now, continue helping the local LEOs, or return to the ship?"

[SidonianGal]

They... act like suspects. Okaaaay. Nia swallows back the words and, not wanting to show her feelings to the others on the Bridge, keeps facing forward. "I'll get back to you on that, Lieutenant. Excellent work. Stand by for orders."

Sitting back on her chair, she cuts the communication, then opens a new channel. "Lt. Onn to Captain Singh and Commander Vargas. I've just heard from Collins; she tells me they have a few men in custody. I know one was held by Collins because he acted suspicious; two others were caught by Graham and Jones for running when asked to halt after they left the building in question. No positive IDs as far as that one named suspect whose DNA was found at the crime scene, as far as anyone's told me. Collins wants to know if you wish them to continue helping the local officers, or if their job is done?"

Nia hesitates. "If I may comment, sirs, I'm not hearing anything that indicates they've actually got one or all of the assailants. And there's been no mention of needing Ensign Kylah for a voice ID. How far do you wish to pursue this? Do you wish me to relay your orders or will you contact Collins yourselves?"

[general_urko]

Graham looks at his and Jones' captive to see if he matches the description of Lez. "You refused to obey a lawful order and fled the scene of a law enforcement operation." He looks from one to the other and points in the direction of the building. "We can keep this simple and easy and all take a nice calm walk back to the local police team at the building, or we can make this complicated and unpleasant. I recommend you cooperate with the former."

Ah so no, Graham does not arrest them at least not yet.

[Elendil's Heir]

You take the three captives into the run-down lobby of the apartment complex. Graham's man looks a lot like the picture he's seen of Lez Trovon, although angrier and scruffier. He has settled down, though. Det. Lunnd pulls out a scanner, uses it and says flatly, "It's him." He scans the other two. Jones's captive is Velig Honul, who is a known associate of Trovon and on parole, as is Trovon. The real name of "Bob Bobbins" is Laran Sloon; he has no recent criminal record and isn't wanted for anything. The Thoth detective checks an Anubis court database and says, "Trovon, Honul, you're both under arrest for associating with a known felon in violation of the terms of your parole, and for failure to comply with police orders. Trovon, you're also under arrest on suspicion of felonious assault, kidnapping, unlawful use of a transporter and felony theft." He reads them their rights as the other Thoth cops scan, frisk and cuff them.

Lunnd then takes Collins aside. She tells him what happened outside, and he asks, "Do you want Sloon held for questioning? We don't know of any connection of his to the other two. I can charge him with failure to comply with a police order, but it might not hold up in court."

Capt. Singh tells Onn, "Our people, or at least Mr. Collins and her original landing party, should remain there as long as needed to cooperate with the Thoth authorities. As soon as Mr. Kylah is up to it, she should submit to a police interview or lineup of whatever kind they think best. Please pass this along to Mr. Collins."

[choie]

After blinking a few times to clear her vision, Kylah accepts the communicator and looks down at it briefly before returning to look at her benefactor. "No, thank you, I do not need anything further. I greatly appreciate your bringing this to me."

She waits for the unknown man to leave, belatedly realizing that she should have asked his name. Sighing, she again stares at the device in her hand. She had the original communicator for less than a month--her entire time on the ship--and they all look alike. Yet she knows this is not hers, and it feels somehow unfamiliar and strange.

The various medical technology surrounding her keeps the room from being silent, and the longer she is alone, the more she notices the noises. They disturb her and she wants to leave. Will she be allowed to? She does not know the time. She does not know anything that is going on. Have the police down on the planet--or any security from the ship--found anything? No one has questioned her yet, aside from Graham. They are waiting for me. I cannot hide forever. She closes her eyes with the swell of anxiety at the thought. Of course, she would hate for those animals to walk freely, victimizing others. But... what will they tell the police, if questioned? Hopefully nothing. Smart criminals do not speak, do they?

Responsibility wins out over fear. "Ensign Kylah to Lt. Thalen. I am very sorry to bother you, sir; I did not know whom else to contact. I am feeling stronger now, and I thought... if someone wishes to question me, I am ready."

[SidonianGal]

Nia nods. "Aye aye, Captain. I'll pass your orders along." Once the captain is no longer on the line, Nia inhales and flips the switch again, suddenly feeling more like a Communications officer than anything else. "Onn to Collins. The captain would like you and your original landing party--that's you, Rawlings, Graham and Jones, right? --to stay and assist the locals as long as you're needed to assist."

There's a pause as Nia tries to construct a tactful way to put this. "I think Captain Singh wants to make sure we've done our best to help the local LEOs identify at least one of the assailants, so they have a start on the rest. We all want to nab whoever attacked one of our own so viciously--your team probably more than most, I'm sure," she adds warmly. Then: "In the meantime, the rest of the security crew should return, assuming you don't require the backup anymore. But safety's key, so if you still need them, of course, keep 'em. Any questions or anything else I need to know?"

[anyrose]

"Collins here, okay," she tells Onn. "The four of us will stay and work with Lunnd and the locals. How is Ensign Kylah? Is she up to a voice line up? That would clinch it. Standing by."
Collins replies to Lunnd. "Ensign Kylah had said there were three assailants. You say he has no recent arrests, is there anything at all in his jacket?"

[general_urko]

Graham makes it a point to circulate quietly thank the Security team who apprehended the two for the good work with a quick word, a tap on the shoulder, or a thumbs up.

This is how its supposed to work, we always beat scumbags like this because all they care about is their own ass. We work together as a team and look out for each other... He has to resist frowning. Some of us.

He reminds himself to thank whoever was running the show on Yorktown too... Who was up there during the chase? he tries to remember.

[SidonianGal]

Note that Nia still has no idea that one of the three in custody has actually been identified as the assailant.

Nia thanks Collins and agrees to check on whether Kylah is ready for any ID or questioning. Then she remembers Three Crows and wonders if she's been kept abreast of what's going on planetside. Probably not; they're too busy down there. "While I'm at it, Collins," she adds, "I'll update the duty Security officer for you. I'll get back to you shortly."

She contacts Three Crows with what little she knows thus far: three in custody, four original landing party members are staying on Anubis for now. Once that's done, she moves on. "Lt. Onn to Transporter Chief Nguyen: Heads up, you're about to have a crowd in there. The extra security folks you just beamed down are about to return--probably need two rooms, unless they just--" She suddenly halts. Damn. Is my memory going? "Hold on. I heard Graham ask for three teams of two for him, and then the same for Jones. But you told me we only beamed down six, didn't you? Not twelve?"

Sighing, Nia puts a hand to her forehead, massaging. "We're lucky they didn't need the extras. Look into it for me, will you, Chief? I know things were moving fast and Graham was in motion on foot, hard to hear. But if we left either him or Jones uncovered, that's..." That's exactly what happened on OCIII with Kylah and Kjaerstad, if A.J.'s info is solid...as it usually is. "That's not good. Very not good. We'll have to report this--and thank the stars everyone down there is okay."

Unless Nguyen has something to add (or anyone else interrupts her), she will disconnect and then get in touch with T'Var to find out Kylah's status.

[Elendil's Heir]

All but Collins and her three original landing party members beam back up without incident. They are all business but seem to appreciate Graham's recognition.

Lunnd says to Collins, "He's got some petty thefts and disorderly conducts on his record, none more recent than seven years ago. Two counterfeiting charges farther back - convicted of one, acquitted of the other." He purses his lips and thinks. "OK, I'll have him held, just to be on the safe side." He tells Sloon, "You're under arrest, too, sir, for failure to comply with a police order and for providing a false name to police."

"She's not police," Sloon snaps.

"She was acting in that capacity when you lied to her," Lunnd shoots back. "For now, you'll be held in custody." Sloon is read his rights, too, as he is scanned, frisked and cuffed.

Thalen passes Kylah's offer along to Onn and Lunnd. The Thoth detective says, "All right, my team will get these three booked. I'll talk to her myself." He asks Collins, "When did you want to go back to your ship?"

Rawlings tells Onn everything she needs to know from the surface.

[anyrose]

"We're yours as long as you need us," Collins happily tells Lunnd. "Besides, we should be here for Ensign Kylah, for moral support if she needs it. Just," Collins pauses, "please be very patient with her. If you push her too hard, she'll just close down."

[SidonianGal]

With a satisfied nod, Nia grins as Rawlings finishes his update. "May the rain bless your land, Double-T. Great to hear at least one of the assailants is almost certainly in custody. Please extend my congratulations to Collins, Graham and Jones for their excellent work."

She leans back comfortably in her chair and swivels--almost whirls--around to the rest on the Bridge, sharing her smile with the team. "Good news. They've got a confirmed match on one of the assailants--his DNA was found at the crime scene, so it looks like they've got him dead to rights. Plus, his fellow runner is a known cohort, so that might mean we've got two out of three. They nabbed a third guy there too, but from Rawlings's description of how he acted and his rap sheet, it sounds much less certain. It'll probably be up to Ensign Kylah to drop the hammer on all three if she can ID them, and I guess the Thoth squad will take it from there."

Turning to her normal position, Nia gets back in contact with Lunnd. "Detective, I just wanted to give you my thanks and congratulations. I'm sure our Chief of Security and possibly our Captain herself will want to express their gratitude too. Quick question: I know you said you need to talk to Ensign Kylah. You coming up here for a statement, or will she need to go down there for a line-up or ID? I don't know how much she remembers or saw--or heard--so I guess maybe you just need to talk to her first before you make that decision?"

[Elendil's Heir]

The detective nods in response to Collins's advice. "She's a witness, not a suspect. Don't worry about it."

She and Onn can both hear as Lunnd says in response to the BCDO, "I'd prefer to come up there. My men can handle the arrestees for now. And... I've never been on a starship before."

[anyrose]

Collins smiles. "Collins to Yorktown. Five to beam up." She points to a spot on the ground on which Lunnd should stand, while the others take their places, so that they're all lined up with the transporter pad.

[SidonianGal]

"Of course, thank you, Detective. Onn out." Nia proceeds to contact Vargas, Singh and Three Crows to make sure they are aware of the latest on the situation, including that the detective will be coming on board.

Finally, she hesitates in thought for a moment. "Lt. Onn to Ensign Kylah. Ensign, I am the BCDO and I've been in touch with the Thoth policeman in charge of your case. Since you're able to make a statement, Detective Lunnd will be beaming up here shortly to speak to you. They have three suspects in custody--I'll let him explain the details. But I wanted to ask, before they all converge on you: is there anyone you wish to have present with you?" Her voice softens. "You've been through a great deal and talking to officials can be intimidating, so I thought you might like a friend, someone familiar, nearby during the process. Perhaps the doctor, or your roommate...?"

[choie]

Kylah sits up carefully, her muscles stiff, and listens to the unknown woman's words. The knowledge that she will soon be facing a stranger fills her with dread, and she bites her lip in consternation when Lt. Onn mentions the possibility of having someone with her.

I want Velir, she thinks, saddened, and brushes her eyes with one hand to get rid of the tears that immediately appear at the knowledge she can not voice the request.

Both T'Var and Collins would be fine. But if she is to deal with the police, only one other name makes sense to her, and she almost blurts it. "Mr. Graham," she says hurriedly, then adds in a more restrained voice. "Please, Lieutenant, if Ensign Graham is free and willing? I would feel most comfortable if he were here."

[SidonianGal]

The ensign sounds so nervous, small and weak, that Nia can't help remembering Kylah's youth again. How would her parents feel if they knew what she's going through, so far from home? But they don't, not yet. They may not ever hear about this, if she doesn't tell them. It's the not knowing...the never knowing She bends her head slightly, closes her eyes, and wipes her mind clear of the painful regrets that serve no purpose.

Then she digests the name Kylah has spoken, and her eyebrows rise up with interest. Graham? Really? What the heck is that about? "Why... sure, of course, Ensign. I'll get in touch with him. He's still on the planet, but probably not for much longer. Even if the team is still needed, there are three other officers down there. I suspect he can be spared for something this important, if... if he's the person you'd feel most comfortable with. I'll do my best to make that happen, okay? Take care and don't be nervous. Everyone is making sure you're safe and those who attacked you are being brought to justice. Onn out."

She sits back and lets her fingers toy with the communication switch before activating it. Are these two... really? Damn, and I thought Bennett was a bit young for him. Nia can't tell whether the thought bothers her more because of her unbidden protective feelings for Kylah, or her only recently formed attraction to Graham. Either way it's ridiculous, none of her bloody business. She barely knows either of them, especially Kylah. Graham's scarred but muscular form in the pool had been belied by his slightly shy, self-deprecating manner. No, he's not a ladykiller type.

Besides, everything she's heard about the little Elasian indicates she's made conquests of all ages, from that Rhaandarite murderer to the nutjob rockstar on down to whatshisname Ferguson. Sounds like Kylah's the one in control in every relationship she has, and Nia's worried about her being taken advantage of by Graham?

With a crooked smile and a mental shrug, Nia again cuts off her emotions and flips the communications switch on her chair. "Lt. Onn to Graham," she says chirpily. "First, congratulations and I'm extremely glad you're safe. Second: if you can be spared, Ensign Kylah is requesting that you be present during her interview with the detective. She sounded... very hopeful that you'd be there. I'd like to accommodate her wishes, if possible. I'm sure Cmdr. Vargas will approve."

Well, she's not sure of anything of the kind, but even Vargas is probably willing to unclench his gluteus maximus muscles long enough to ensure the victim is comfortable while giving what might be a traumatic statement to a strange policeman. "So, join Lunnd if you can, all right, Booker?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Singh, Vargas and Three Crows acknowledge Onn's update and thank her for it.

Chief Nguyen beams up the Yorktown landing party and Det. Lunnd, and reports to the BCDO what he's done.

Graham gets Onn's call there in the Transporter Room.

The four Security personnel are still quite damp from being out in the rain. Collins thinks a change of uniform might be nice.

[anyrose]

"Good job, guys." Collins shakes each crewmates' hands. She pulls at her damp tunic. "I guess we could all do with a change of clothes." She turns to Lunnd and offers her hand, "Detective? Welcome aboard. I'll be happy to show you around, once I've changed. Let's find you somewhere comfortable to wait."

[WES]

T'Var checks in on Fujishiro before telling Kylah the good news about her release from Sickbay. The doctor expects no change, but she feels a need to spend time with the young officer, anyway. T'Var plans to continue her research in the hope of finding something to help Fujishiro recover. The thought of giving up on her is quite distasteful.

[choie]

Kylah is glad to hear that she will not be stuck in Sickbay for too long. But her mind is heavily preoccupied with thoughts of what she will tell the Detective. And will Vargas be there? She should have asked the BCDO, that was a stupid omission.

After she hurriedly thanks T'Var for the news, Kylah starts to reach out to T'Var before yanking her hand back--remembering just in time the discomfort she has been feeling on physical contact.

"Doctor, they are coming to take my statement soon." Her words tumble out, whispered and urgent. "A detective from the planet, and I suppose others from security. I have asked if Ensign Graham could be here, but I wonder--would you stay here as well?" Kylah leans forward in agitation. "With everyone else, I feel their emotions and mine, and it makes me so--so on edge. But your presence might obviate that. You calm me."

She glances down, embarrassed at asking for even more of the doctor's time. "I... I would greatly appreciate it, but I fully understand if you have other duties that are likely more important."

[Elendil's Heir]

Collins finds an empty conference room where Lunnd can wait. She and the others may quickly go and change into dry uniforms.

T'Var finds no change in Fujishiro's condition. She is still in a persistent vegetative state, with little to no prospect of ever emerging from it. Sickbay staff keep her clean and nourished day by day.

[general_urko]

Graham receives Onn's hail. At first he's gratified to hear her cheerful congratulations. "Ah, thanks," he starts to answer, relieved to be back on the ship, but then she continues and he doesn't get it out. His jaw clenches and his voice tightens. Kylah's been victimized left and right--on the ship and off, he thinks. "I'll be there," Graham says with a weight he realizes contrast sharply with Onn's cheerful tone. He almost signs off and then after a pause takes a deep breath. "And, ah...thanks, Nia," he adds quietly.

Graham aims to change as quickly as he can and then get to Sickbay.

[SidonianGal]

The intensity in Graham's response when Nia relays Kylah's request is slightly unnerving, but not entirely in a bad way. He sounds grim, yes--a guy Nia wouldn't want to cross if he were defending someone. But the forcefulness, the impassioned commitment, so apparent in those three small words I'm be there, is... well... hot. Or it would be if it were Nia whom he was so determined to protect.

But Nia doesn't need protecting. Maybe that's the issue. Fragile flowers like Bennett; tiny, wide-eyed damsels-in-distress like Kylah... they seem to be what Graham prefers. Of course, Bennett's not nearly as delicate as she seems, and Kylah--other than this awful attack, which Nia has no intention of downplaying--seems to have more than her share of her race's natural control over men, not to mention an obviously strong survival instinct. Still, image is everything. Nia glances down at her own well-toned arms and legs, her utilitarian ponytail holding back her unruly hair, and her confident position even when seated. Nope, not the princess-in-a-tower type.

Oh well. Wouldn't want a guy who requires a weakling anyway. Her disappointment tossed away, Nia flips the communicator switch, playing Communications Officer for what she hopes is the last time.

"Onn to Captain Singh and Commander Vargas. The last members of the landing party have beamed up, along with Detective Lunnd of the Thoth Major Crimes Unit, who's here to interview Ensign Kylah. I took the liberty of letting Kylah know that she can have someone with her during the questioning, and she's picked Ensign Graham. Commander, I thought you in particular might want to talk to Lunnd, since before our guys caught the assailants, his team were responsible for tracking them down in the first place."

Nia pauses and rethinks what she's learned over the course of this investigation. "Although... actually, I should mention that none of that would've been possible without the data gathering efforts of Ensign Rangin. He's the one who picked up the assailant's DNA at the scene of the crime. Just want to make sure you knew that." So you're both aware it wasn't just your redshirts who've earned the kudos here. "I'll make a full report when everything is concluded--and it looks like we're close to it, at least as far as the ship's role is concerned. That's the state of things, Captain; Commander."

[WES]

"Of course," T'Var assures Kylah. "I will stay."

The doctor sits at Kylah's bedside. "You are still recovering from your injuries. If at any time you wish this detective to leave, I will make certain that he does."

[anyrose]

Collins makes a mad dash to her quarters, quickly changes, and double-times it back to the conference room without breaking a sweat or appearing out of breath.
"Okay, then, Detective" she says cheerily, "What would you like to see first?"

[Elendil's Heir]

The Captain and First Officer thank Onn for her report. Vargas says he will meet with the Thoth detective.

Lunnd does not mind the brief wait and replies to Collins, "The witness, if she's up to it." Soon the Security officer and cop are walking down a Deck 7 corridor towards Sickbay when Vargas rounds a corner, coming from the other direction.

Graham dries himself, changes and is just leaving his quarters.

[anyrose]

Collins stops abruptly and stands at attention. "Sir." she declares at Vargas. She then relaxes and introduces him to the detective. "I'm bringing Detective Lunnd to Sick Bay to talk with Ensign Kylah, sir."

[choie]

Kylah thanks T'Var, somewhat distractedly, but appreciates the reminder. Yes, I can use my injuries. If things get too... difficult... She is ashamed that she is already planning on evading questions by pretending to be weaker than she is.

Of course, she is feeling fairly weak, but a proper Elasian woman does not pretend to be frail--unless it has a tactical advantage. This, while it is an advantage, is not a worthy use of such acting skills.

She looks down at herself and pulls the blankets to cover as much of her body as possible. The hospital gown is not immodest--not by Elasian standards--but she feels cold and vulnerable. Her face must look terrible. Even though most of the bruises would have been healed by T'Var and Villa, some are probably still evident. Then there are her eyes, which might well have been rubbed by coarse sandpaper, with all the crying she has done. They must be red and swollen--and her makeup must be gone or turned into black smudges.

Will Graham be here? The other officer--Lt. Onn?--said she would do her best. But is that good enough? Kylah very much needs Graham's presence, as the only person who knows the truth. He might be able to stop her from saying too much, or he could reword a question so it avoids anything too incriminating on her part.

This detective is here to help me, she thinks, trying to remind herself that she is not a suspect, but a victim. She ponders what Onn told her: three suspects already in custody. How could they have been found so soon? It is astonishing. The detective and his team must be very good--or the criminals very foolish and sloppy.

But she remembers the ringleader. If he truly was the man she spoke with in the basement... That man, so calm, businesslike, polite, even as he likely planned to kidnap and rob her. She cannot imagine him being so foolish or sloppy. No. I was the foolish and sloppy one. Not him. Is he in custody? Will I... Kylah gasps when she remembers Onn's words. "...Before they all converge on you..." Does that mean... will the suspects be brought here for her to identify? Will she have to see them again? Of course she will not recognize the men in masks, but if the money exchange man is there, she will have to see him again. And their voices... She heard at least one of them, possibly two.

She turns to T'Var, almost dizzy from the blood draining from her face. "Do you know if they will be there?" she whispers. "The men they caught? Will I have to see them? I do not want to. I... I know I must, at some point, but I--" Kylah swallows and tries to regain her composure. "I will do what is necessary, doctor, but I am afraid. I hate to admit how afraid I am. Even here, on the ship, surrounded by colleagues. My family would be so ashamed."

[SidonianGal]

Once she's finished reporting, Nia rubs a finger across her lips in thought for a moment. Telling Singh and Vargas about the DNA match that was the key to capturing at least one of the assailants... all that's well and good. But what are the odds that anyone's informed the actual crew member who found the DNA of the cops' success?

I'm guessing from zero to none. Security will be patting backs and bumping fists or chests or whatever it is they do. Their adrenaline'll be running too high to remember how they got these guys in the first place.

"Lt. Onn to Ensign Rangin," Nia says after switching sides to be closer to her chair's communications mic. "Sorry to interrupt whatever you're doing. I don't know if you've heard, but if not, I just wanted to let you know that the DNA you found back at the crime scene? The Thoth police matched it to an ex-con and tracked him down. He fled but our security team nabbed him, plus a known colleague who also ran and might've also been involved. There's one more in custody--not sure how he plays into this." She pauses, then adds quietly, "My point is, sometimes the big finale gets all the applause. But that doesn't occur in a vacuum, and as BCDO during all this I was able to see the whole picture. So I made sure the captain and first officer know the part you played. You should be proud, Ensign."