Star Trek RPG - Mission #6: "Marala"

[choie]

Kylah has been slightly shaking her head, wearing the same crooked smile, throughout Carlos Alvarez's flattering words. She is ready to respond with an embarrassed, self-deprecating negative. But then he calls her a survivor.

A survivor.

She considers herself a victim. A target. A traitor. A fearful, naive, fragile little girl. No one has ever contradicted these labels, least of all Kylah. On the contrary: circumstances have continued to reinforce them. Certainly no one has called her anything as... as admirable... as a survivor.

The concept is so new that she has to set her fork down and stare at Carlos, her lips still parted in preparation to brush aside his earlier compliments.

"I--I do not--" Kylah forces herself to take a steadying breath. She shakes her head, this time slowly, in wonderment. "No one has ever said that to me. I am not sure..." A trickle of her doubt bleeds through. "After all, I had little choice except to continue. I am on this ship and I have a duty just as everyone else... does...."

Adding to her doubt is the fact that of course, he does not know she was ready to escape, that she very nearly did flee, and would have, if she had not been attacked on Anubis.

But she stops herself. She is still trying to navigate a treacherous path, and has not given up all hope. Allowing two stowaways on board will probably end her career, but that is in the future. She has done her best, given up so much, just to keep her vow to her Guardian. And when possible, she has done the same with her pledge to Starfleet.

"A survivor," she repeats hoarsely, still meeting the gaze of the young man opposite her. "Oh, how I would like to believe that. I will try. You have no idea..." Kylah just shakes her head and blinks away the slight prickle of tears. "Thank you, Carlos."

[Elendil's Heir]

Dr. Bennett takes out his medical tricorder and runs a scan. Onn believes he cannot be seen by the NR people from where he sits in the shuttle. He quietly reports, "There's no one within 200 meters of us other than these four." He adjusts the tricorder and adds, "Both of the two people closest to the shuttle have elevated adrenaline levels and heart rates. Definitely nervous; the man more than the woman." He frowns and looks more closely at the small display screen, and makes another adjustment. "That's odd...."

Alvarez seems embarrassed but also glad to have pleased Kylah. "Oh, sure, you know," he says awkwardly. "You're welcome. I just want you to be happy, Kylah. To know, uh, how glad I am that, you know, you're here on this ship." He looks around. "Do you need anything else? I probably should get back to work now."

[SidonianGal]

Nia takes a reflexive look back at the strangers near the hatch. Why is the museum director more nervous, she wonders. He's one of the chosen, isn't he? That is the right guy, right? Don't get paranoid, Booker's gonna check IDs, I'm sure we'll confirm that.

Her attention snaps back to Bennett. "Odd? What's odd, Doctor?"

[Elendil's Heir]

"Just a moment," Dr. Bennett says absently, fiddling with his tricorder.

[choie]

Empathic abilities or not, Kylah can easily see she has flustered Carlos. She draws back, only now noticing that she has been leaning toward him, so desperate to connect with someone so kind and insightful.

"Of course, no, I must not keep you. You have been..." She searches for a way to describe his effect on her. A glance at the tray supplies it. "You have nourished me more than anything the galley could provide." Kylah looks up. "I am glad you were here, Carlos. I hope we will see each other again. If... if you wish to be friends..."

Tentative--she does not like the human handshake, but she knows its significance--Kylah raises her hand for him to clasp.

[Rangin]

Standing behind Graham, Rangin can feel the tension in the air.

Don’t let them near the shuttle, just pick up the package, shake hands and walk away. he starts subvocalising. He’s not sure if Graham or Garcia can hear him, and he can’t see their faces and the reactions from behind aren’t giving anything away.

Confirm the goods, give the payoff, back away slowly, don’t show fear, don’t do something dumb, get ready for an ambush.

Rangin tries to stop thinking about this as just standard Federation business deal and not some criminal handover about to go wrong.

[Elendil's Heir]

"I would like nothing better, Kylah," Alvarez says. He takes her hand unhesitatingly and gives it a good squeeze. He seems about to say something else, then coughs, lets go of her hand and says, "So... I'll see you around. Be well." He turns to go.

[general_urko]

Graham nods and smiles slightly. "Kind of you to offer, Doctor," he says slowly and good naturedly. "Especially under these difficult conditions. But I have my orders--we'll take it from here."

[Elendil's Heir]

Dr. Vasilyev slowly nods, not seeming very surprised by Graham's answer, and turns to the guard. "Give them the box, please, Annette." She doesn't move, and he says, "It's all right. It's what they came for."

She says, "I understand, Doctor, but I think I should go with it. And I think they're going to want to take me." She looks right at Graham.

Dr. Bennett says to Onn, still quietly, "The biosigns of the museum security guard are... weird. I've never seen this before. She has the gross anatomy and hormone profile of a woman, but the genetic markers of a man."

[Rangin]

Uh-oh, here we go, here’s the switch up, the unknown you have to deal with on the fly.

Rangin edges back slightly to give a little more room to Graham and Garcia if they need it, and to keep her more out of sight. He starts scanning the case and the Security guard to see if she is carrying anything out of the ordinary, whether that be more than phaser he knows about, or if she has the keys to the case and it can’t be opened without her as a biolock.

If that is the case, Rangin approves of the clever way of trying to get off colony before it goes wrong.

[SidonianGal]

Nia nearly double-takes at Bennett's remark. Not from its information, but from his apparent surprise. "Okay... she's trans, intersex, mutated gender... so what? Hell, Doc, I evolved from reptiles in a climate crisis. Fetuses sometimes change sex in the womb to favor females. More prolific females. No different from Earth lizards."

For all Nia knows, she might be one of the genetically gender-swapped females; five live births in seven years is pretty productive. But she's not gonna bring that up, so she moves on hurriedly. "So why does it strike you as so strange--"

Mid-whisper, she overhears the guard in question talking to Booker. And her words... sound like a threat.

She swivels to face the hatch again, to see if Booker feels the same way. Should she contact a transporter room to get a lock on this guard? Nikolai's presence is very worrying. So is Cornwall's, for that matter. Either of them would make a good hostage, if that's what this woman is planning. And what about the museum director?

It's Booker's call--his, or one of the other Security officers'. They're the experts.

"Okay, she seems to be a risk. If any of her biology makes a difference, Bennett, tell me fast."

[choie]

Kylah nods to the departing young man's back. "And the same to you," she says, her throat catching.

If her multitude of lies and illicit actions are discovered--or purposely revealed, either by Lt. Ferguson in maliciousness or Velir in righteous anger--she will likely never see Carlos Alvarez's friendly smile or hear his charming words again. She certainly deserves neither. But for now. she will take them and hold them close. Right now they are frankly all she has for comfort.

Sighing, once he leaves, she does her best to choke down more of the fruit and yogurt. They are delicious but her stomach churns in protest. She does not want to be sated; she does not deserve that, either.

[Elendil's Heir]

Graham and Rangin are standing practically shoulder-to-shoulder in the Kaku's doorway, which of course is not very wide. Garcia is just behind Rangin, and Russell not far behind Graham. No one has yet left the shuttle.

Onn can barely see Graham's back from her seat at the shuttle controls.

Dr. Bennett tells her, "This is like no transgender person I've ever seen. The readings are... very odd. Whether or not it makes a difference? I don't know."

Kylah finishes her meal in solitude. She feels a little physically better now.

[choie]

After setting her fork and spoon in a precise X-pattern on her nearly empty plate, Kylah pushes the swinging arm of the bed away and gets to her feet.

She moves to the door, uncertainty plaguing her. Is she locked in here? Does she need Dr. Bucci's permission to leave? Must he examine her again?

If the door does not open when she approaches, she will use whatever Comms device is available (either on the wall or her own communicator) to hail Dr. Bucci and tell him she is finished.

[Elendil's Heir]

The door opens and Kylah sees Crewman Wallach standing at ease outside. Dr. Bucci comes bustling up. "Did you finish your meal? How are you feeling?" he asks her.

[general_urko]

Graham raises an eyebrow, and, at the same time, slowly and subtly shifts toward a posture more conducive to drawing his phaser or striking a blow.

That's fucking weird is what runs through his head, but he's careful to craft his response .

"We'd like to take everyone, Ms. White - ah, Annette." He tries to look as sympathetic as possible. "But despite the work of a lot of smart people..." He cocks his head slightly. "Including Mr. Rangin here, we know that we simply can't."

The nod to Rangin - even if deserved - sticks in his craw a little, but it's a way to keep a discussion going until he - or someone - can figure out what the hell is going on.

[Elendil's Heir]

"My real name isn't Annette White," the museum guard says quietly. "It's Paul Hutchinson."

The doctor stares at her, astonished.

See posts 1428-1433.

[choie]

Kylah freezes when the implication of Mr. Wallach's presence hits home.

"I--Yes, Doctor, I--I am better, thank you," she manages with distracted politeness, before taking a tiny step back. "Mr. Wallach... have you been here the whole time? While I was..." Her hand gestures to the door behind her. "Just for me?"

A sick weight settles in her stomach. She darts a helpless gaze at Dr. Bucci before returning to Mr. Wallach. "I thought you were just meant to escort me here. But you are guarding me. Am I in your custody?"

[Rangin]

As soon as the Security Guard starts speaking, Rangin puts it together, it's not a bio lock for the container, it's the other option.

"...Paul Hutchinson." he completes at the same time as the guard. "I've been wondering if we would find you or if you would need to find another way off planet without using a transporter."

He grins evilly at the guard waiting to see their reaction. "Sorry, the roster is already full. But I'm sure there are plenty of people who would like the closure."

He suddenly realises he is gloating over his cleverness, which is dreadfully inappropriate given the situation. "Sorry Sir, I spoke out of line." he addresses to Graham as he stands more to attention.

[Elendil's Heir]

Wallach says, "Yes, ma'am. Given, uh, what happened before, Cmdr. Vargas wanted to make sure you got where you needed to go."

Dr. Bucci runs a quick followup medscan of her and says, "All right, Ensign, if you're up to it, I'll let you go."

[SidonianGal]

After a tiny nod at Dr. Bennett, Nia moves smoothly but slowly back to her normal seated position, hoping to see or hear more of just what the hell's going on outside the shuttle.

From the attitude she's catching in Rangin's tone--even though the words aren't clear for her to glean their actual meaning--it ain't good. In fact, it sounds damn ugly.

[choie]

Kylah's face flares with heat and she drops her gaze to the floor. Mr. Wallach knows more than she thought he did.

So she is not to be trusted again. While this is not a surprise, it is shameful--and it is a shock that she is so disappointed by the realization. Cmdr. Vargas has anticipated her failure ever since she boarded the ship. Most likely even earlier, once learning of her arrival and the politically accelerated nature of her career.

Forcing her chin up, she nods at Dr. Bucci. Tempting as it is to stay here, procrastination will not help her now. "Thank you for your concern, sir. I am sorry to have wasted your time when all I needed was a replicator." She hesitates before adding, "Please thank Mr. Alvarez for me. He was very considerate, too."

At last, arms hugging her stomach, Kylah walks nearer to the security officer. "Very well, Mr. Wallach," she says, directing the words to an empty space on the nearest wall. "Where, then, does Cmdr. Vargas wish you to take me?"

[Elendil's Heir]

From her seat at the shuttle's control console, Onn can hear tones of voice but very little of the actual content of what is being said between Graham and Rangin and those just outside the shuttle.

Dr. Bucci says, "Of course, Ensign. No apology needed, though; it was still necessary to scan you and make sure you were all right. Please let us know right away if you don't feel well again."

Wallach says, "This way, please, ma'am," and escorts her outside. He almost looks embarrassed. In the corridor he says, "I'm sorry, but my orders are to escort you back to your quarters, where you're to be confined until further notice."

[choie]

Confined. To her quarters.

Kylah stands rooted in place, her mouth agape. "No," she blurts. "No. That--that cannot be right. Why would he--" She drops her arms to her sides, hands curling and uncurling in useless fists. "All I want to do is help. I failed my duty earlier, I know that, but I can make up for it, there is so much to be done... Please, I--"

She cuts off. There is nothing this man can do; she is just wasting time. "Forgive me, Mr. Wallach. I know you have your orders. You did not make this decision, and you cannot unmake it."

Then who can? The captain will not listen: there are infinitely more important things on her plate. Cmdr. Vargas, regardless of that display of sympathy in his office, wants retribution.

In a swift movement she grabs her communicator--Lt. Ferguson's communicator--and flips it open. As she types she gives Mr. Wallach a sideways glance, as apologetic as she can make it. "I hope your orders do not forbid me the ability to contact others as we walk."

THALEN, LT. - Sir. You may know that I made a grievous error earlier and shirked my duty, due to a temporary medical infirmity and poor judgment. Please accept my sincere apology. I deserve and expect punishment.

Now that I have been cleared by Dr. Bucci, I hoped to return to service so I may be helpful in this time of need and make some recompense for my earlier irresponsibility. But rather than use me in some capacity where my skills can actually be of value, Cmdr. Vargas is confining me to my quarters.

Even writing the words makes Kylah wince with tears. She blinks hard and continues, thumbs a blur as she keeps her walking pace deliberately, defiantly glacial.

Please, sir, please let me take part during this dire emergency in some manner. I can be punished later. I am not going anywhere. I believe I could be useful to the refugees boarding the ship, who will need compassion as well as guidance to their assigned quarters.

Despite my own deficiencies, I am sympathetic and adept at putting distraught and upset people at ease. Only weeks ago I personally made First Contact with the Aelyrr during their near-catastrophe and engaged with them enough to elicit their trust.

I beg you, sir: could you please ask Cmdr. Vargas to reconsider? I am terribly sorry to have disappointed you, to have taken advantage of your kindness and let you down. Allow me to try to make it up to you, and to start by doing what little I can to be of use to the ship and the colonists in this crisis. -- KYLAH, ENS.

She nearly stabs the button with her thumbnail as she sends the message off.

[Elendil's Heir]

"No, ma'am," Wallach says, answering her question as he walks beside her. He doesn't seem to mind her pace, but soon enough they reach her quarters - through corridors filling up with Novy Rostov evacuees and Yorktown crew, helping them - and he opens the door. No one else is inside. He says, "I'll leave you here, ma'am. I won't be staying outside, but you can reach Security, or Sickbay, if needed."

[general_urko]

You have to be fucking kidding me slips through Graham's focus on the situation at hand.

But he's quick to process that he's probably standing next to an armed--and, presumably, desperate--murder suspect. Or at least a clever and desperate museum guard...

Rangin's outburst barely registers. "Mr. Rangin, I do believe I am obligated to arrest this man - uh, fugitive," he answers calmly while sliding into position to draw his phaser, if needed, and cuff Hutchinson, as he's about to propose. "I suggest you comply, if you are in fact Hutchinson - on your knees, hands on your head."


I'm assuming Security carries some sort of flexible cuff devices; EH feel free to overwrite "disarm" in lieu of cuff.

[Elendil's Heir]

Hutchinson hesitates a moment, then puts down the carrying case, puts her civilian-design phaser-1 on top of it, and then kneels, putting her hands on her head.

"What is... what are you doing?" Dr. Vasilyev sputters. "Who is Paul Hutchinson?"

Starfleet Security personnel do not routinely carry handcuffs or other restraints, and there are none on the Kaku.

[Rangin]

Well if there is one thing you can count on, Rangin thinks to himself, it’s Lt Graham wanting to arrest someone. And the last thing the USS Yorktown needs is yet another person straining the already to-be overloaded Life Support once they flee the system. Perhaps he can be diverted at least.

Once the guard has put the phaser down, Rangin continues. “You are quite right Sir, the fugitive should be arrested and turned over to local law enforcement for due process, as this person has been found in their jurisdiction.”

[Elendil's Heir]

Hutchinson, hands still on her head, says sharply, "No way. It's a Federation warrant. I want out of here."

[SidonianGal]

With the crowd bunched up near the hatch, Nia doesn't think it a good idea to push herself into the mix. But having no clue as to what's going on makes her edgy. She tries to count to ten, only making it halfway before she rises to move nearer to the action.

"What's the status here," she murmurs to Russell and Garcia, the two closest to her, while peering over their shoulders. Hopefully she's able to see and hear whatever's going on a bit better.

[choie]

Inside her cabin, Kylah turns sharply to Mr. Wallach. Though too frustrated and tense for anything gracious to come naturally to her, she makes an effort. "I appreciate your assistance and honesty," she says, her jaw tight. "If you are not guarding me, am I to be locked in, then?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Russell tells Onn over his shoulder, still keeping his eyes on the access tube, "Looks like the guard from the museum is actually the Starfleet fugitive we were told about, the guy - er, I guess he's a woman now - who allegedly killed his family."

Dr. Vasilyev is getting angry. "What's going on here? Who is Paul Hutchinson?" Cromwell and the boy are still standing nearby, watching in fascination.

"Yes, ma'am," Wallach says to Kylah, almost but not quite apologetically. He steps back to the door.

[choie]

Kylah's eyes widen as she takes in Mr. Wallach's confirmation of her guess. It is a strain to breathe. "I do not understand," she whispers. "What did I do to deserve such punishment? To be treated little better than those Klingon murderers we captured? I failed in my duty; he should put me to work! I--"

Her voice cracks and she cuts herself off, hopeless. She knows she is again arguing with someone with no choice in the matter.

Terrified that she will soon have no power to help Mrs. Soeryadjaya and Mr. Yarrow avoid discovery, Kylah presses her fingertips to her forehead, trying to think, desperate to find anything to say that will somehow aid her in this very personal mission.

Suddenly she reaches a hand out, not quite touching Mr. Wallach. "Sir, please, one last thing--can you tell me--do you know when we will be leaving orbit? How much time is left, how long we have until everyone must be aboard so we can escape this disaster?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Wallach glances at her wall chrono. "The last forecast I saw as to the radiation burst meant that we had to break orbit in... about 90 minutes." He holds out his hand. "Which reminds me... I'm sorry, but I have to confiscate your communicator." Kylah has not yet had a response from Lt. Thalen.

[general_urko]

Graham takes the phaser and checks its power level setting (putting it on light stun if it isn't already).

Afterward he returns his hand to his phaser.

"Miss-er, Mr. Hutchinson is a fugitive from murder charges, doctor," Graham speaking louder than he would otherwise so (if possible) the team on the shuttle might hear it. "Please give him plenty of space," he says to the other colonists, gesturing (to Graham's right) for them to move away from him.

If they have he shakes his head. Keeping the volume high, he says "Good point, Mr. Rangin. It's all quite confusing. I'm also obligated to get this painting off the planet, top priority, so once we've gotten that done, time permitting, I'll take a look at the regs and get advice from the JAG and we can sort this out. In the meantime, I suggest you wait right here, Hutchinson."

[SidonianGal]

Nia watches and listens to Booker in growing concern. She opens her mouth to argue, but shuts it again. Not in front of civilians. Probably not in front of the rest of the crew, either, unless he asks for opinions.

After making this decision, she focuses on what's uppermost in her mind. How do we get Nikolai on this shuttle? Truth is, she can't think of a goddamned thing.

One non-Nikolai-related thought springs to mind.

"Sir," she directs at Booker. "May I suggest leaving one or two armed officers to guard Hutchinson while we make the trip back? He's too much of a wildcard on his own."

Either that or heavy-stun the fucker. But that idea's one she'll recommend in private.

[Elendil's Heir]

Graham's phaser-2 was on stun, as is Starfleet standard operating procedure, but is now on light stun. It is fully charged.

Dr. Vasilyev doesn't move. He scoffs, "That's absurd. What are you talking about?" Cromwell leads the boy several steps back, down the access tube, farther away from the shuttle.

Hutchinson looks up sharply. "I want to be on that shuttle. I should be on that shuttle. There's not much time left."

[choie]

Ninety minutes. Kylah hears the answer to her question and shuts her mind to everything but her racing thoughts. So little time left. That is all she needs to keep the stowaways on board without detection. The biggest danger is Lt. Onn returning to her cabin. Somehow that has to be avoided. Perhaps Mr. Johnson... no, not likely. And of course, confined to quarters, Kylah will not be able to--

From somewhere beyond the noise in her head, she digests the last words Mr. Wallach just spoke. Their meaning explodes like a delayed depth charge. She gasps and clutches her communicator close to her chest, stepping farther away from the door.

"What? No! No, that--that makes no sense. It is unreasonable." She shakes her head in tiny, uncomprehending movements. "Why would he-- No, Mr. Wallach. I must be able to reach others if necessary. Or to have them contact me. I cannot..."

Her gaze darts to her computer console. Of course she can probably contact others using the regular Comms system. The realization should calm her. Except...

Claustrophobia cuts off her air. All conscious thought is swept away by mere flashes of memories.

...Discarded clothes and purse several feet away from a hotel room bed, together with the communicator and knife that might as well be kilometers away for all the defense they provide...

...A cold, dark warehouse, where her bones and flesh are as brutally broken as the smashed device beside her, her only means of calling for help...

...The look on Darren Zweller's face up against hers when he presses something to her spine and sends a shock of electricity that paralyzes her and melts the communicator in her hand just as she is about to contact security...

A slight moan escapes her throat and she shakes her head more emphatically. "I will not give this up. You do not--you may not know what I have been through, Mr. Wallach. Only a few weeks ago I was on a planet, assaulted and beaten and left for dead. I would have died, because they destroyed my communicator too. I had no way to get help, no way to be found.

"The only thing that saved me was..." She looks down, no longer able to prevent her tears. "...was something utterly unique to me, an object that identified me so I could be located and beamed up before I bled out. But I do not have that anymore. And I know you will say the ship is safe, that nothing can happen here, but you are wrong. There are hundreds of strangers coming on board whom we know nothing about except they are desperate. Even without them, there have been incidents, yes, even on Starfleet ships--"

Kylah bites her lip, knowing she sounds irrational but unable to pull herself together. She stares intently at Mr. Wallach, hands clasped prayerfully around the precious device. "Please do not take this from me," she whispers. "Tell him you did. Or tell him I refused and let him write me up or whatever he believes he must do. But please, I... I cannot be without this."

[Elendil's Heir]

Wallach looks very uneasy. "I'm sorry, ma'am. Those are my orders. You can use the Library Computer terminal to call Sickbay or Security, if needed, as I said, but Mr. Vargas said you had to give up your communicator."

[choie]

No, this is not right, it is not fair... Kylah looks down through blurry eyes at the communicator, then wipes her tears. "My superior officer has not returned my message yet," she chokes out. Inside her thoughts spin wildly until they alight on one last chance. "I know you cannot be swayed, Mr. Wallach. But may I--may I at least send one last message? Please? If I am brief?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Wallach purses his lips and says, "OK, go ahead."

[general_urko]

Graham scowls. "Fair point, Lieutenant."

"You've made your feelings clear," he growls to Hutchinson, then he addresses Vasilyey. "Well, whatever it is, it's probably best you clear the area --and we've got to get this painting onboard."

"Rangin, Garcia, make it so, please--Russell, come here after they're onboard."

[SidonianGal]

Nia bites her tongue and moves to allow the others room to bring the box through. She'd like to do so by slipping past the men to get a better look at Cornwall, Nikolai, and the creature kneeling on the ground. But if that's not possible, she'll just step backwards and bide some time before giving Hutchinson a piece of her mind.

[choie]

Kylah does not waste time with anything more than a terse nod of gratitude. She walks away from Mr. Wallach, flips the device open and, thinking so hard her face flushes with effort, fervently dashes off a message.

TO: ALDAAN, PRESIDENT, REGENCY COUNCIL OF ELAS -

Forgive the informality, this is urgent.

As always I have done as you asked; now I must ask a favor of you.

Today I fell behind in my Starfleet duties due to personal conditions of which you are aware.

Although I disobeyed an order to go on a landing party--I was feeling unwell; you know my spells of headaches--I am now being treated as a criminal. The First Officer has confined me to my quarters and is removing my communications privileges for an unknown length of time. After I send this message, I must even surrender my communicator.

I have never called on your considerable influence to assist me before. I beg you do so now. If you know anyone who can exert his or her power to demand the revocation of such punishments, please help me.

Peering at the words on the tiny screen, Kylah feels perspiration beading beneath her hair. Aldaan will easily translate the 'personal conditions' of which she wrote, but now she has a harder task. She searches in vain for words to convey the status of the stowaways without giving away their presence, if the message is read by anyone other than Aldaan. Then her lungs release a sigh of relief.

I do not ask this lightly, Uncle. The situation is dire and lives are at stake. These constraints placed upon me grievously inhibit my ability to assist certain refugees who have boarded the ship in need of urgent escape. And only ninety minutes remain.

I cannot receive or respond to further communications until and unless you are successful. The one job I believe I should be doing--reassuring these escapees and guiding them to safe quarters--is thus beyond my personal capabilities. I hope others may do so in my place.

Please, my esteemed uncle and guardian, do anything you can. I wish only to do my duty to those for whom I have pledged it.

With obedience, honor and love to the Dohlman and all in our House, I am yours,

-- KYLAH

She glances the message over only briefly. Any spelling mistakes or poorly communicated phrases will have to suffice--Kylah is half-convinced Mr. Wallach will grab her shoulder, whirl her around and yank the communicator from her any second.

If possible, she will send this marked with any urgent or emergency protocol to which she can access.

When she is certain the message has been sent, Kylah turns back to the security officer and, sniffing, again wipes her bleary eyes. With reluctance, she offers the communicator to Mr. Wallach.

"Thank you for waiting, sir," she mutters, exhausted. Then, flushing again, she lifts her chin. "For me, that was brief."

[Elendil's Heir]

Garcia can easily bring the painting in its carrying case aboard the shuttle himself, and does. Russell steps up to Graham's side. "Yes, sir?" he asks.

Hutchinson hasn't moved, but is watching Graham closely. Dr. Vasilyev looks unhappy but steps back, almost to where Cornwall and Nikolai are standing in the access tube. Nikolai seems scared.

Wallach shakes his head. "Whatever you say, ma'am," he says as he takes the communicator and closes the door, locking Kylah in her quarters.

[general_urko]

"Russell, keep an eye on this...uh. guy," he says, gesturing toward Hutchinson with his free hand. He grunts. "Any use of force you deem necessary authorized."

"N - Lt. Onn, on me," he says instinctively, before realizing that might be something of a double entendre. He steps forward. "I'd like to talk to Nikolai for a sec."

[Elendil's Heir]

Russell, phaser-2 in hand, covers Hutchinson.

Graham steps down from the shuttle and is now on the same level as the four NR residents in the access tube.

[Rangin]

With the others moving around Rangin conspires to stay out of the way leaving Garcia to move the case. As he passes, Rangin picks up the phaser from the top of the case to check the settings and make sure it is safe.

Last thing we need is to carry an unknown weapon and power source onto the shuttle, even if nothing comes of it. If it is safe, the best thing would be to return it with Dr. Vasilyev.

[SidonianGal]

Nia can't hide the flash of surprise in her glance at Booker--he sure didn't waste time by explaining not just why he'd want to speak with an allegedly random kid, but why Nia would be of use to him in doing so. She recovers and murmurs a "Yes sir" on the way to joining them.

As she nears Rangin, she leans in for a whispered suggestion. "All the work you've been doing on the lottery and population records... Think you can check how long this museum guard's been around? I wonder if Hutchinson might've killed someone to steal her identity."

Bypassing the--alleged--murderer, Nia steps over to Booker and Nikolai.

[choie]

The sound of the lock threatens to send Kylah's meal back up her throat. Swallowing, she hesitates... then flings up both palms to slam them against the door. But before her skin touches the smooth metal, she backs away and cries out in futility.

Outside, the ship is teeming with active, useful crew members and distressed passengers. Kylah cannot tell if the pressure in her mind is the actual empathic recognition of these emotions or simply the ever-tightening noose of her own anxiety.

She turns and practically launches herself at the terminal on her desk. Logging in, she starts to access the Comms screen to see if there is any way to sneak past the restrictions forced on her. Then her fingers freeze and, with a shake of her head, Kylah changes her destination: to check the status of her bleaching program.

It should still be running, if the paths it needed to travel in order to delete every text message or communicator record between her and anyone else that touched on Aldaan's mission were as convoluted and complicated as she thought they might be.

Her concern, of course, is that it might have been discovered by Security. Which would explain Cmdr. Vargas's extraordinary punitive actions against her--but that is the lesser worry. Worse is the possibility that they discovered the program before it had a chance to erase her tracks.

If they know merely about the program without understanding precisely what it deleted, that is the end of her career in Starfleet. But this is what she already expects.

Far, far more frightening is the notion that the program did not complete, and that further investigation of the remaining records were enough to reveal precisely what Kylah has been up to.

For if this is true, Cmdr. Vargas knows--or will, very soon--of the existence of two stowaways in Lt. Onn's quarters. And then they are doomed, and Kylah's entire life destroyed.