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

[CatInASuit]

Relief. Blessed relief is all Rangin can feel as he rounds the final corner and sees that Kylah is safe. The adrenaline wears off quickly and from being alert and ready, he holsters the phaser-1 and bends over taking deep breaths while listening to Kylah speaking and watching the drips from the end of his nose slowly collate and drop onto the floor.

Once she has finished, he stands back up and looks across at the people in the room. Garcia with an unconscious Mrs Hsu with Kylah behind the console. He would love to reach across and hold her tight, letting her know how much she meant to him...

Standing straight, he nods at Kylah. "Mr Graham sent us back to assist following your call and we came as quickly as we could. Apologies for our appearance, it's still a bit wet out there." His voice may be calm, but his eyes look at her as the only person who matters in the room.

"What can I do for you?" he asks waiting for her.

[general_urko]

Graham ensures the Yorktown knows the coordinates were confirmed as the Trimalchio, then responds to Kylah. He resumes pacing.

"I recommend you consolidate forces around the resort security office and commandeer some nearby offices. For sure, at the moment we need to detain and question Mrs. Hsu. I'd also send Harper to swing by and join Russell in bringing the mister to a separate office nearby. I'm not sure we have against him but--given this development, it's a solid basis to re-interview him."

He pauses a second. "We certainly want to talk to Palver as well, but first things first." He frowns. He'd prefer to continue the search for Hardin with the team he has, but at the same time there is Starfleet protocol to consider. "If Mrs. Hsu needs medical attention I can send the Doc to you."

[choie]

In the brief time while Graham concerns himself with the Trimalchio coordinates, Kylah hears Velir's comments and sees--feels--the intense warmth of his concern for her. When he apologizes for his appearance she nearly cries and laughs. It is not only so very Velir to make such a remark, but the truth is that to her, at this time, his appearance is wonderful. Perfect.

"You are here, and you are safe," she says softly, muting the communicator. "That is the best thing you could have done for me."

She hears Graham speak again and quickly restores the volume. "Yes sir, the security area is ideal--thank you. Regarding Mr. Hsu, all we have against him are my own suspicions and knowledge of the strangeness of his behavior. Since he attempted to corroborate his wife's alibi, his own is just as suspect as hers. And he outright refused to help me secure the transporter when it suddenly sprang into life--this despite being the Security Chief! But I--we--can ask him about all that.

"Mr. Palver is a concern to me. He could beam aboard his ship and we would never get a chance to speak to him. A multi-billionaire with his reputation and resources is even more of a risk than Lord Fastolfe was." Fastolfe. Kylah shakes her head--it seems a long time since she has thought of him. Indeed, it feels as if it has been months and months since he was considered the obvious killer by so many. Yet it has been only a day. Impossible to believe.

She hurries on, focusing now on Palver. "The Trimalchio might contact him once they know we are on alert. This would not matter if he is not involved, but we should plan just in case he is, just to be safe, do you not agree? What if... What if I do as you say and commandeer some rooms, and get Harper, Russell, and Garcia to keep an eye on the Hsus... and then perhaps Velir and I might visit Palver? Haste might be essential as far as he is concerned, given his access to the ship.

"Mrs. Hsu will need some time to recover at any rate, and frankly the longer Mr. Hsu is kept uncertain as to what is happening, the better. He will be even more alarmed and annoyed than he was before. Such a state will make him vulnerable to mistakes. And speaking of Mrs. Hsu..."

Kylah's gaze has fallen on the phaser still lying on the console. She can remain on the hard ground like an abandoned rag doll for all I care. Her voice hardens slightly. "She was only stunned--you and I survived much worse. As far as medical attention is concerned, I would not wish to take Dr. T'Var from your team. I believe Velir is capable of basic first aid to check her vital signs now. Then once she is in a secure area, could we not contact Dr. Halsey, if necessary?" Kylah looks expectantly at Velir, her questions aimed at him as much as Graham. "What do you think?"

[CatInASuit]

Rangin nods her at her though slightly surprised she called him Velir at this point, instead of Ens. Rangin. "Yes. If she has just been stunned I should be able to deal with it. I'll check her over now."

Rangin heads across to the prostrate figure and begins to check her vital signs. Noticing the datapad, while he is checking, he gestures to Garcia, "Sir, if that is Mrs Hsu's datapad, you may wish to examine it. If she was fleeing, so to speak, it may contain valuable information."

[choie]

Kylah turns, overhearing Velir's words. Considering his light chastising her of wishing to search Mr. Hsu back in the transporter room not long ago, she is surprised to hear his suggestion. Privacy and admissibility have always seemed very important to him. "Wait--are you certain we would be permitted to use whatever we found? She was not conscious to give consent, and of course we have no warrants..."

Now she interrupts herself and lifts the communicator again. "Mr. Graham. Can you request search warrants for both Hsus, their suite and their offices? And a material witness arrest for each, using their lies about their alibis and their persistent refusal to answer questions as just cause? For Mrs. Hsu we can add attempt to flee as well."

[Elendil's Heir]

Lt. Thalen on the Yorktown acknowledges Graham's update on the Trimalchio transporter lock.

Delaney tells Harper how to shut down the transporter while Rangin and Kylah are talking. Harper then leaves to assist Russell in keeping Mr. Hsu secure, and to arrange for separate rooms in which to hold the Hsus.

Rangin's biosign scan shows that Mrs. Hsu is in a typical stun state. Her vital signs are stable and normal, under the circumstances, and she does not appear in need of any medical attention. Kylah knows from her training that a Human woman of Mrs. Hsu's age, weight and health will remain unconscious for about ten minutes after being stunned with a phaser-1.

[general_urko]

"I agree it makes sense to consolidate your--the--team and interview Palver if the situation is under control," Graham replies to Kylah.

He's almost bemused by the situation and the--efficient, effective--nature of their interactions in the last five or ten minutes. Maybe she focuses better when she's scared shitless, he wonders. Maybe I'm subconsciously convincing myself I'm just giving order to Faisal who's using a falsetto... He takes none of the explanations seriously but does wonder how to keep things running this smoothly...

Maybe we just communicate better when we're not face to face. An image of Kylah pops into his mind. At one angle she is reminding him of Elizabeth. At another he recalls her evening dress. He's not at all sure which one is more uncomfortable...

He clears his throat. "As you know, legal support may take some time, but we'll get on it, as expansive as I can finagle it," he answers. He's not sure how to sign off. "Stay safe, Ensign," he concludes.

Graham hails the Yorktown and makes the best case he can to support a request for: search warrants for Mrs. Hsu's person, office, and quarters; the same for Mr. Hsu; Palver's person and quarters; and the Trimalchio; and the ability to take the Hsu's into custody.*

After a moment, he addresses the team in the colony house. "All right, let's saddle up. St. Croix, Gelil, and I will move house-to-house. Doc, Delaney, you're our scanning team and our backstop to make sure he doesn't slip out behind us. I'd love to hear--well, I'm sure you would too--that tricorders will have enough range and fidelity to enable you to use this house as a home base...but I'm guessing you'll have to trail us and get wet..."


*Not sure if the Federation has MWA's, they are even controversial here/now.

[choie]

Kylah thanks Graham and before he signs off makes sure to ask him to let her know when he is in a secure position himself. "And you keep safe as well, sir," she finishes.

When the rest have gone, suddenly Kylah and Velir are alone with Garcia and the unconscious body of Mrs. Hsu. She glances down at the woman who has caused her such trouble for the past two days. "I have not been stunned by a Federation phaser--although I have come close," she adds with a sidelong look at Velir, remembering Pourtash's aggressive stance on the Sakathian station. "I know that she will be out another ten minutes, but how much longer until she is fully cogent? Given that this was a medium stun at close range? I do not want her to claim later that we questioned her when she was not in full possession of her faculties.

"So... do we move her now or must we wait? I could contact the infirmary and have one of the medical staff assist Lt. Garcia in bringing her to one of the examination units there. It is close by, as is Security, if I am not mistaken. That will be private and, I imagine, there will be a way to keep her in place until we are ready for her." Kylah's eyes narrow slightly. She realizes she would very much like to be the first person Mrs. Hsu sees when she wakes up. That small satisfaction will be denied her if they go to check on Palver first. Still, if the Hsus are secure, it seems logical to make certain of Palver, as Graham suggested. She will rely on Velir's advice to make the final decision. "What do you both think?"

She bites her lip and glances at the console. Then she checks to see if she has any evidence bags left; if not, she will see if Velir has one.

[Elendil's Heir]

Cmdr. Vargas responds to Graham's call about additional search warrants, records the necessary information and says, "We'll submit the requests right away."

Graham's team moves out. The rain is only drizzling now, and there is a definite brightening on the horizon as the storm clouds begin to clear there. Delaney's adjusted tricorders now have slightly better range. Still no sign of Hardin. The next buildings are a pair of smaller farmhouses and a barn.

Garcia says, "It might make sense to have the resort's doc check her out, but she seems to be doing OK. Probably best to wait, I don't know... a full half-hour or so before she's questioned?" Neither he, Rangin nor Kylah have any evidence bags left.

[CatInASuit]

"She should recover, although getting an all-clear from one of the docs here would be sensible," Rangin agrees with Garcia, "also holding her for her own safety in the infirmary sounds like a reasonable idea. I would hazard a guess that anywhere else we could put her, she would be able to get out of with given her access."

Rangin thinks for a moment, ""It's probably easier to get the infirmary staff to transport Mrs Hsu across from here and save any issues about maltreatment. One of us should head back to the OP and grab some evidence bags for the datapad." Sighing sadly and feeling guilty before looking at Kylah, "You are quite right, we can't just appropriate the datapad to see what she was doing. I'm sure whatever data is on it, will stay there until we need it."

"I don't know whether to tackle Mr Hsu first and confront him with his wife's actions to see how he reacts or to track down Fellim Palver." Rangin smiles slightly, "Actually, we shouldn't really have to, did everyone check in?" he asks Kylah, "if so, we can find out where he checked in from and get who ever is in security to make sure he is still there."

Standing up and looking round, Rangin nods noticing that the transporter has been turned off and then notices the phaser. "Where did she get that from, I guess there's is something else we will need an evidence bag for." Whistling in surprise, he suddenly looks round at Kylah, wondering if she had known Mrs Hsu had been armed. "Did you know she had a phaser?"

Rangin looks at the phaser to see what setting it is on.

[choie]

Listening to her colleagues' thoughts on the proper way to deal with Mrs. Hsu, Kylah nods. "Yes, you are both right. It will also look better if the medical staff are accompanying Mrs. Hsu. Although I do think one of us must be with her the whole time. I did not think how easily her administrative access might make her a security risk if she is left on her own anywhere near a computer or even a comm panel. And she has displayed an ability to escape through the walls like a mole," she adds darkly.

Kylah then contacts the infirmary, asking for one or two members of the medical staff to attend the transporter room as soon as possible to assist with a patient. If Halsey (or whoever takes the call) has any questions she deflects them and says he will be briefed when they arrive. Kylah will thank the staffer and then ends the conversation.

She then looks up at Garcia. "Sir, I hate to use a superior officer for such a menial task, but... would you please run to the CP and get a supply of evidence bags? Get enough for all of us to have a small supply on hand. When you return, you can accompany Mrs. Hsu to the infirmary to keep an eye on her. Unfortunately you will have to explain to the good doctor what happened, too, although be careful what you say to him. The less anyone knows what we do, the better. If you can avoid revealing that I stunned her, all the better. Keep things vague. Perhaps you can say that you are guarding her for safety's sake. At least that is the truth."

Holding the communicator in both hands, she continues to ponder Garcia and Velir's suggestions about the Hsu/Palver situation before speaking again. "I suppose... since we have at least a half-hour window before we must deal with Mrs. Hsu, it would be prudent to locate and talk to Mr. Palver." She cannot help giving Velir a little questioning glance, hoping it is the right decision, before continuing. "I believe Mr. Hsu can keep, for now, at least as long as we have him guarded well. Palver's ability to escape to his ship is a concern. And we are so short-staffed that we cannot just send off some security officers to guard him as well as the Hsus."

Kylah tries to get her ducks in a row. All right. First, find Palver. "Kylah to Kjaerstad," she says, looking at Velir in gratitude for his idea. "We need to confirm the location of Fellim Palver without alerting him in advance. Can you please access to the head count data made by the resort security team--either on your own, ideally, or by asking one of the staffers--and find out where he was last seen?" She then explains that the remaining skeleton crew will primarily be based in the security area, including holding Mr. Hsu there.

When through, Kylah realizes that she had better be certain that Mr. Hsu is still being handled. She uses her communicator again, somewhat dryly amused that for one of the first times during this mission she is doing what her job usually entails--ferrying information to and from others.

"Kylah to Russell and Harper. Mr. Russell, you will be joined by Mr. Harper, who is on the way to provide backup. Harper, please fill Mr. Russell in on the latest events, but do so discreetly. His ears only." She does not want Mr. Hsu knowing what has happened to his wife yet. "Russell--status report on Mr. Hsu, please?"

It is while she is waiting that Velir asks her about the phaser. Turning pale, Kylah just shakes her head and waits to hear what Russell has to say about Mr. Hsu.

[Elendil's Heir]

Rangin sees that Mrs. Hsu's phaser was set on heavy stun.

Garcia goes and gets evidence bags and sterile gloves from the CP. Two medics come from the Infirmary and get Mrs. Hsu; Garcia then accompanies them back to the Infirmary.

Russell reports, "Mr. Hsu is still cooling his heels here in his wife's office; I've told him nothing. Harper just arrived."

Kjaerstad says, "Mr. Palver was in the library when the headcount was taken."

Graham, St. Croix and his search party advance through a light rain to the farmhouses and barn.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin takes a deep sigh of relief when he sees that it was only set to a stun setting. But even so, it would not have taken much to set it to something more lethal and given there had been one murder here already...

Taking the evidence bags from Gracia, he carefully bags the datapad and then the phaser for evidence. As he does so he shudders: it could have been Kylah lying there unconscious and alone while Mrs Hsu ran, or worse dragged her along to the Trimalcho and they could have been none the wiser

Once Garcia has left with the medical staff, he turns to Kylah, "I have them bagged, and once they are dropped off, I'm ready to help you any way I can."

Rangin stops, looks at his feet and then back up at her, "It was set to heavy stun, nothing stronger, but even so, I...as I was running across from the colony I kept thinking of all the bad things that might be happening and all I wanted was to find you safe. Thank you."

[general_urko]

"All right people," Graham says as they approach the farmhouses and barn. "Same building enter-and-clear strategy: scan at the door, St. Clair and I enter, Gelil as back-up a little ways back and hopefully out of range of whatever the hell that device is Hardin has up his sleeve."

"Doc, Lieutenant--you'll take position at about the limit of the Delaney Special tricorder, eyes and scans on what's going on around all of us."

If there are no questions, Graham heads for the nearest of the three buildings.

[choie]

Once everything--including Mrs. Hsu--has been attended to, Kylah finds herself alone with Velir. She hears his words as if through a canyon.

All cadets learned about stun settings at the Academy. Now the highest setting is heavy stun, her instructor had said. Useful for silicon-based creatures or anything massive. Too much juice to use on most humanoid life forms. Although it's unlikely to harm with only one shot. But more than one can cause serious damage to the central nervous system. Multiple stuns could lead to death.

Kylah inhales sharply. She already experienced one incredibly powerful stun field less than two hours ago. What if Mrs. Hsu had fired after all?

The intense pressure over the past fifteen minutes seems to collapse in on her. Kylah moves unsteadily toward Velir. "I was worried about you too. While I was here, the whole time I hated the fact that you were in the storm, headed toward Hardin with who knows what weapons he has, and all that lightning and the Berthold Rays and... I felt sick at how cowardly I was, staying behind while the rest of you faced such danger. And then... we learned about the transporter."

She shakes her head. "I had to run here at once, and I ordered Garcia to join me. When I arrived, I was alone. I asked where he was, and apparently Kjaerstad had overridden my order, since he needed assistance with a task. I do not know why Garcia chose to act as he did. All I know is that they left me to stand here, alone."

Kylah puts her hand on Velir's forearm, steadying herself, and says in a hurried whisper: "I did not mean to do this by myself, I did not mean to be reckless, just to make up for my own cowardice earlier. But I had to get inside to stop the transporter. Kjaerstad and Graham told me to blast the doors, and so I did. And there she was." She cannot even use Mrs. Hsu's name. Her fingers feel cold, even so close to Velir's warm skin.

"She would not answer my questions. I ordered her to back away, but then she rushed to the console. I thought she was just going to use the transporter, so I stunned her before she got there. It was only after, when I saw the phaser, that I suspected that was what she wanted. She probably intended to attack."

Her fear for him and her own circumstances now make her weak where before she had tried to be so strong. Trembling, Kylah looks into Velir's lovely, concerned eyes. "Please do not be angry that I did this by myself. I swear I had no other option." She swallows and lowers her voice. "You asked what you could do for me. I know time is of the essence and we must carry on, but... will you please hold me? Just for a moment?"

[Elendil's Heir]

With Graham in the lead, the search party approaches the cluster of three buildings. Tricorders pick up nothing, and a careful entry-and-search of the first farmhouse reveals no one. The pattern is repeated in the second house, and then the barn. Searches of the next farmhouse and a toolshed have the same result. Just as the Starfleet personnel are about to go on to the next house, Delaney's tricorder bleeps. "It's a Human male lifesign," he reports, wiping a wet strand of hair from his forehead, "directly ahead of us."

[CatInASuit]

"Of course," Rangin embraces her gently, cradling her head and letting her rest against him. "Kylah, know this, I do not think any less of you and above all, you are not a coward. Scared, nervous and worried, perhaps, but that doesn't make you a coward. When it came down to it, you did what you had to do. You didn't let your fears stop you on the Sakathian station and they didn't stop you here. You are a brave woman who I am very lucky to know."

Hearing what she has said make Rangin feel so lucky to be there holding her. He closes his eyes and squeezes her slightly feeling the heat she radiates under his touch, warming his rain sodden skin.

"As for Kjaerstad and Garcia, I may have to ask, politely of course, what on earth they were thinking removing backup from a colleague heading into danger?" Rangin shakes his head. "But that can wait until later."

"Now, let's go put this evidence into the CP, dry off and then tackle Fellim Palver. See what he has to say for himself." Rangin reluctantly lets Kylah go, but they still have a job to do, "Ready?"

[choie]

Once his arms enfold her, Kylah closes her eyes and lets herself exhale. The words are as much a comfort as the compact but strong body against her. Does he really see me this way? Is it possible that I truly seem brave to him? Such a vision of her is hard to comprehend, knowing how many doubts constantly cloud her mind.

But he is sincere. She knows this without having to read him--their contact enhances her ability to sense his feelings, but she does not need her empathic skills to know Velir means what he says. That is, quite simply, one of the reasons she is allowing herself to feel so much, so soon.

When they part, she realizes just how wet his uniform is, because now her own is clinging to her, and her neck and chest are damp as well. She shivers a bit but hides it by looking around as if to see if they have forgotten anything.

"Yes, I am ready," she says at last, turning her face back up to him with a small, tender smile. "You are so kind Velir. Thank you for that. I hope you know how much more I would say, if time were not so short. But yes, we must hurry to Mr. Palver."

Kylah crosses her arms over her chest, somewhat self-conscious about the wet uniform, and starts to leave. "And he is in the library, of all places. I am impressed the resort offers such intellectual pursuits!"

[general_urko]

"Well there's our guy," Graham says. He gestures to St. Croix and Gellil. "You two approach from the left, Doc, you're with me, we'll approach from the center-to-right. Staggered movement, taking cover, no need to rush--assume he's armed with a distance weapon. Distance, Lieutenant?"*

* Graham's intent is that the 2 pairs approach the person's location from 2 different angles - depending on the layout of the buildings I expect that could mean really wide to one direction and more or less straight, or about equally angled left and right... in sum 2 angles that are intelligent given the actual layout.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin looks at Kylah in her wet uniform and then down at himself. "Ah, my apologies, I appear to have gotten you slightly damp as well. Perhaps we should dry off before we tackle Mr Palver instead."

Rangin holds up the evidence bags, "Not to mention putting these safely away in the CP. Then we get to see what the library looks like. I wonder if they actually have proper books there, given this resort, or if it will be just datapads. Let's go." Rangin heads for the door hopefully with Kylah alongside him.

[Elendil's Heir]

Rangin and Kylah step into the hallway to see resort security Officer Peters approaching. He does a double-take when he sees the blasted-out door to the transporter room. He asks, "Uh... what happened? And have you seen either of the Hsus? I haven't been able to reach either."

The farmhouse in which the lifesign appears is bigger than the first one searched, and has two stories. Delaney says, "It looks like the reading is coming from the first floor of that house. It's about three hundred meters away." Graham and the others can just see the house through the drizzle and slight fog rising. They approach as Graham ordered.

[CatInASuit]

"Ah, Officer Peters," replies Rangin conversationally as if blast holes were an everyday occurrence in Starfleet. "There has been, what one might delicately say, an incident here. Mrs Hsu is currently on her way to the infirmary, but I am assured that she will make a full recovery under the excellent care of your physicians. It would not surprise me if Mr Hsu is also somewhat detained as well, due to this. I do not believe that disturbing them at this time would be a good idea."

He smiles politely at the officer, "Is there anything we can help with? Certainly if there is news for the Hsu's or a status update on the security and safety of the resort we would certainly be interested to hear it." Rangin looks across intently as if awaiting the security officer to report to the two Ensigns.

[Elendil's Heir]

The buzzcut, barrel-chested guard seems quite taken aback. "Well... no, I was wondering where they are. What happened to Mrs. Hsu? I'd better go see her."

[choie]

"Officer Peters," Kylah says quietly. "I know this is distressing, but I am afraid you may not see her right now. She is being guarded by our crew members, and I assure you her safety is paramount; we believe she knows something that may assist us in solving Mr. Wilson's murder. The truth is, she was stunned by someone who was trying to obtain that information." Kylah hopes Velir does not mind her explanation. It is true, after all, even if not entirely forthcoming.

"Due to this turn of events, Mr. Hsu will also be devoted to assisting us with the investigation for at least the next couple of hours. For now, our Lt. JG Kjaerstad is helping us establish a presence in your security offices, since it is clear we must consolidate our resources."

She hesitates and adds, "We are heading in the general direction of the security office now, if you would join us so we may talk." With a quick glance at Velir, Kylah starts walking, not wanting to lose precious time dealing with anxious staffers.

"Actually I am very glad to have run into you, Officer," she says with an earnest nod. "You see, things happened so quickly we have not had a chance to communicate any of this to the staff yet. Can you tell me if Mr. Hsu has a second-in-command, so to speak? Who is in charge of security when he is not available?"

Her mind races. And I suppose we must find someone to handle the administrative details in Mrs. Hsu's absence as well. It is absurd, we should not be worrying about the running of this resort now! She wonders if someone up on the ship might contact WR&R and let them arrange such things.

[CatInASuit]

At Kylah's glance, Rangin gives a brief nod and marches along side her on their way, gesturing at Officer Peters to join them, while Kylah continues to speak.

He waits to see what answers Officer Peters has although from memory, which admittedly at the moment was running on empty, he wonders if Mr Khosvogel was Mrs Hsu second.

[Elendil's Heir]

Peters looks at the Starfleet pair oddly for a moment and says, "I'm Mr. Hsu's second-in-command, I guess. It's never really come up before, but I have the most seniority on the security staff. I think I'd better go talk to Mr. Brett, the office manager, about all this."

[choie]

Kylah nods. "Oh yes, please do speak with him, that would be a great help. Thank you for telling us about Mr. Brett, as I just wondering who might handle things in Mrs. Hsu's absence. As I am sure you can appreciate, our priority is finding Mr. Wilson's murderer, and by doing so, ensuring the safety of the staff and guests. The rest of the details related to running the resort are none of our business and I am glad to have that taken off my mind."

With a grateful smile, she adds, "I will have someone from my ship contact Mr. Brett to give him a status update. Afterwards, if he has any other questions, please have him contact me--my name is Ensign Kylah, by the way, I do not believe we have met." Kylah extends her hand to shake his. "Mr. Graham, our mission leader, has put me temporarily in charge of the investigation here in the resort while he is out in the field." Assuming he shakes her hand--or even if he doesn't--she then returns her arm to its position folded across her chest, hoping he does not notice the clingy state of her uniform.

"Since you are head of security pro tem," she goes on, "I do hope you will maintain the integrity of the resort's exits and entrances. We have one fugitive who may or may not be dangerous outside, and possibly another criminal inside. Ensuring that no one may leave or enter the buildings other than known personnel will greatly assist us in tracking these people down."

Kylah stares confidently at him. "I know we can count on you. Ensign Rangin and I will be busy interviewing witnesses and potential suspects, but of course, you too should feel free to contact us with any urgent matters. Lt. Kjaerstad will be in the security office, as I mentioned, and he will be best equipped to assist with any security-related issues. Good luck, Officer, and thank you again."

She smiles a second time, warm but professional, and strides a little more quickly down the hall. Ideally he will go scurrying off to this Brett individual, and she and Velir will be rid of this pest.

[Elendil's Heir]

From the flicker of Peters's eyes, she can tell he does notice the clinginess of her wet uniform. But he shakes her hand politely and says, "Yes, we'll keep the outer entries secure until we get the all-clear from you." He leaves.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin nods at Officer Peters. "Thank you," he says as he leaves.

"Shall we continue?" he asks Kylah

[choie]

Kylah agrees and maintains her brisk pace, still heading to the CP so they can drop off the evidence. She then gives a tight shake of her head as she pulls out her communicator. "These staffers try my patience. They seem to think this resort can run normally, as if nothing has happened. Perhaps we should have paraded the lot of them past the bloody corpse of their late supervisor. Then they might have their priorities straight."

With barely a hesitation, she snaps open the device in her hand. "Kylah to Lt. Thalen. Sir, I do not know how up to date you are on the goings-on here." Kylah quickly briefs him on having placed the Hsus under temporary guard. "Ensign Rangin and I will be busy conducting interviews, but we are getting some resistance from the resort staff, who are asking questions and treating us like interlopers, as perhaps we are.

"It might be necessary to WR&R to let them know that they are now without three top employees--at least until we determine what role, if any, the Hsus had to do with all this. Apparently there is an office manager, a Mr. Brett, who might be able to take care of things. But deciding whom to put in charge should be WR&R's decision. I doubt they will be interested in hearing from an Ensign. Besides, we have three murder suspects to deal with, and that should take precedence over pacifying a corporation. What is the proper protocol, sir? Can someone up on the ship communicate with them?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Lt. Thalen replies from the starship high above, "Thank you, Ensign. I'll have the Captain or First Officer contact this Mr. Brett. Doubtless he'll wish to update WR&R as to what's happened."

Rangin and Kylah arrive at the CP. Security Spec/1 Ji Coringu, a Kobliad woman, is there alone, spot-checking the outer doors of the resort complex via the surveillance camera system. She stands as you enter.

Graham leads the Yorktown search party forward. The rain has tapered off a little bit more; there is another roll of thunder off in the distance. The farmhouse is now clearly visible ahead, nestled in a grove of trees. Delaney, checking his tricorder, says, "The lifesign is in the corner of the house farthest from us, inside but along the outer wall."

[CatInASuit]

"At ease, and carry on, Mr Coringu." Rangin nods to standing Security Specialist. "Anything of importance to report," he continues as he puts the evidence safely away and while wondering where the nearest sonic shower is, can't resist getting another coffee from the replicator. He's earned it.

He nods to Kylah enquiringly to see if she wants anything to drink?

[choie]

Kylah greets the security officer, a little startled--she has completely forgotten about Coringu since whenever it was they last saw her--possibly when speaking to Mrs. Calvin, she recalls vaguely. If she had remembered that there were other security officers around she would not have assigned Garcia to watching Mrs. Hsu.

Then her anger over the transporter room mix-up is sparked anew. If Kjaerstad had Coringu on hand, why had he felt it necessary to pull Garcia from acting as Kylah's backup in an emergency? Fortunately things worked out well, but it was no thanks to Security. Which is pretty much the motto of this mission, she thinks darkly. But she is also upset with herself for not being aware of the Starfleet personnel who had been available to her.

She walks to Velir and says, absently, "No, thank you." In an undertone, she adds: "Velir, I am concerned... I did not remember Mr. Coringu at all. If I had I would not have thought Garcia was the only one available to help me investigate the transporter room."

Turning away from him slightly, she pulls the front of her uniform covering her chest and tries to air-dry it by fluttering the material back and forth. She is still deep in thought. "Graham was forced to put me in charge because I was the only one of the original landing party to stay behind from the Hardin mission. He would never have done so if there had been another choice." With a sigh she looks downwards. "You and I both know I am ill-suited for such a role. I am thinking... now that you are here, perhaps you should run things."

[CatInASuit]

Quietly back to Kylah, Rangin responds." I though Mr Graham called in everyone from Security at the resort apart from those guarding Lt. Cmdr Ebling, those in the security office and Garcia, so you can also consider me slightly surprised as well that Mr Coringu is here in the CP."

He looks down at Kylah doing her best to dry off while he himself has been leaving a trail of drips everywhere. "I believe you are doing just fine with being in command of matters here while Mr Graham is doing his best to apprehend Vice Adm. Hardin. Not only do I think that you are quite capable of performing the role, I also think he would prefer you in charge of matters around the resort than I."

[choie]

Kylah casts a grateful but rueful smile at Velir. "I appreciate that, although I wish the latter were not so. Collins would certainly be horrified to find I had been left in charge. I suppose it is some comfort that apparently Lt. Kjaerstad forgot his own team composition as well--unless his leaving me without backup was an attempt to... what is the word my fellow cadets used... frag me."

Her smile fades. "Hopefully this will not last long. At any rate, if I am to be in this unearned position, I should at least know the current complement of Starfleet crew at our disposal." She takes out her communicator. I should just strap this to my ear. Why do we have that capability on ships but not in the field? Something should be done about that, she thinks irritably.

"Kylah to Lt. Kjaerstad. Sir, Ensign Rangin, Mr. Coringu and I are in the CP. Mr. Coringu came as a bit of a surprise to me, albeit a pleasant one," she adds hastily with a nod at the other woman. "But to make sure I am up to date on our personnel, can you confirm exactly which security team members are still at the resort, and their current stations? As far as I know, Lt. Garcia is at the infirmary, Ensigns Russell and Harper are with Mr. Hsu, you are in the Security office, and..." What was the other guard's name? Barker, Barbary...oh yes. "And Ensign Barbour should still be with Ebling. Can you let me know if this is correct, to your knowledge?"

When she gets her response, she will follow it by contacting each of the named officers and asking them to confirm their status--she is especially interested in Garcia and the two in charge of Mr. Hsu. Perhaps I should have Coringu switch with Harper, and put Harper on Mrs. Hsu... She looks at her chronometer to check the time.

[general_urko]

Graham acknowledges Delaney's report. Verbally or by direct line via communicator he directs St. Croix and her partner to check the outside of the house for entrances other than the front door: if there is an entrance, they are to position themselves to cover that exit from the building. If not, they are to position themselves by the windows nearest the life sign (taking care to stay out of sight and line of fire while taking position). Graham and T'Var position themselves at the front door, preparing to enter. He positions Delaney to one side of the front door--whichever side offers the nearest stretch of solid wall, so he's not exposed to fire from inside the building.

Graham asks St. Croix to report where they've taken position, and whether they've found another entrance.

He gestures toward T'Var. "Ah, I realize this is probably outside of a medical officer's job description, Doc...are you OK with making a forced entry here, with an armed suspect?" He pauses, chastising himself for putting her in the position of making the entry versus providing back up when he had two Security officers available.

[Elendil's Heir]

Lt. Kjaerstad says, "Last I heard, Garcia was in the Infirmary with Mrs. Hsu, Russell and Harper were guarding Mr. Hsu, and Barbour was guarding Lt. Cmdr. Ebling. I've sent Rawlings and Nelson to double-check all the resort entrances. Everyone else is with Mr. Graham out in the field, I believe. I'll ask everyone to update their current positions, if you wish."

[CatInASuit]

Rangin is about to respond but Kylah starts using her communicator, so he settles for supping on his coffee while listening on Lt. Kjaerstad reporting back.

[choie]

Kylah replies, "Thank you, Lt. Kjaerstad. Yes, if you could ask everyone to check in with me, please do. I would particularly like to hear from those in charge of guarding the witnesses and suspects. Also, can you confirm what time you have, sir? I would like to make sure we are synchronized."

Once Kjaerstad confirms the time, she will disconnect and wait for the others to get in touch with her. She looks back at Velir with a straight expression. "There are more Security officers on the planet than I realized. I thought Mr. Graham left only four behind when you went to look for Hardin. I wish I had known; I would have liked Rawlings by my side when I blasted into that transporter room. Having seen him, he could probably have opened the doors with a tap of his hand."

She lowers her voice. "Velir, I hope you do not mind my waiting until we hear from the others before going to Palver. I just want to make sure those who are being guarded are still in custody and the officers are safe. I also realize I have not caught you up on the evidence I found regarding Hardin, Palver and the Hsus." She quickly explains the video footage she discovered, as well as her interviews with Mr. and Mrs. Hsu prior to the woman's attempted escape and Mr. Hsu's delay, which may or may not have been intentional.

"I am greatly looking forward to interviewing Mr. Hsu," she concludes. "For one thing, I would like to know if he was aware Mrs. Hsu possessed a weapon." With a sigh, she contemplates changing her mind about the replicator. It feels like a very long time since she ate anything. But she would feel guilty about having anything to eat while the rest of the team is out endangering themselves. She looks back up at Velir. "Do you have any recommendations? I am sure I have missed some angle."

[CatInASuit]

"I'm certainly not going to complain about having more Security Officers around," agrees Rangin before listening to Kylah fill him in about the new video footage. He can't help but feel proud of her, doing the best she could alone and responsible for handling everything here.

"It does look as though Vice Adm. Hardin is running for some other reason, but we can leave Mr. Graham to handle that. I think you have covered it all, and I agree we need to talk to Mr Hsu or Fellim Palver next. I'd suggest Mr Hsu, if only to also let him know about his wife at the same time. I still need to dry off first though. Once everyone has reported in, let's go. I'm going to dry off as best I can."

Rangin heads for the dryers in the rest room. "Oh and one other recommendation: take two minutes and grab something to drink or eat, you'll need it, after everything you have just gone through. We can take it with us to the interviews."

[Elendil's Heir]

Kjaerstad asks everyone to check in, and they do, confirming his recollection as to who's where. Russell and Harper have now moved Mr. Hsu to an empty suite in one of the hotel towers.

It is now 1603 hours.

[choie]

Kylah frowns slightly at the news about Mr. Hsu. Why does it seem that the Security crew members are incapable of following her orders? On Mr. Graham's suggestion, she had specifically requested that Hsu should be taken to one of the offices in the Security area. If there was either a practical or strategic reason why this idea proved to be unfeasible, very well, but surely a change in orders should be something they should have asked her about first.

It is not merely a matter of their being unwilling to some nonentity from Communications barely out of the Academy; before he left to search for Hardin, Graham himself told the crew members at the resort that she was temporarily in charge. They are, in effect, disobeying the mission commander's own orders.

When all this is over, she thinks as she orders herself a cup of chicken soup and a large glass of water, I will inform both Graham Vargas of this team's laxity. Not that it will matter. Security stick together like badly cooked rice.

Sighing, Kylah sits at her favorite terminal and, while taking hungry sips of the soup, reads through all the references to Palver from the various interviews and other notes compiled over the past few days. Now that she knows that the Trimalchio is his chartered yacht, she also looks up information about this vessel, if there is any in the evidence. Thinking about this, she somehow drags an interesting item out of her memory: her first day back on duty after the Sakathian mission had been partially spent compiling subspace traffic. One of the items she had noted was that the Trimalchio had also stopped at Starbase 27 not long before the Yorktown. Which means... probably nothing, but on the other hand...

She finishes listing items she wants to include in the Palver interview. By the time she finishes her soup and the water, she is ready to go once Rangin returns.

[Elendil's Heir]

St. Croix and Geilil go and look, and report there is only the single entrance to the farmhouse. Delaney and Friedman take up positions so that the windows are covered. Dr. T'Var says calmly, "I made several forced entries against armed suspects when I served with the V'Shar, the Vulcan security service. I am ready and able, Mr. Graham."

[CatInASuit]

Rangin returns feeling slightly drier than before and notices Kylah at the work station looking intently at him. He is also happy to see the cup and glass on the side behind her,. so at least she has had some nourishment.

"Well, it's not perfect, but I'm drier so it will do for the moment. I'm ready to go for the first interview. Lead on."

[general_urko]

Graham reminds himself not to get on T'Var's bad side and nods. He makes sure his phaser is set at a wide-angle, medium stun setting and asks her to do the same. He checks his own tricorder one last time to get the clearest read on the location of the life-sign he can and ensure it is still stationary. Assuming nothing is concerning, he nods to T'Var. "I lead, on three..."

At two he checks the door handle: if it is unlocked, he opens it on three. If it is not, he kicks it in.

[choie]

Kylah puts the cup and glass away whatever you do with used replicated dishware and, suddenly aware that she has not asked the security officer about what she is doing, says, "Mr. Coringu, have you seen anything unusual you need to report?"

Unless there is nothing new, Kylah will thank Coringu for her continued diligence and then leave with Velir to see Mr. Hsu. Her preference would be to speak to Palver first, but she respects Velir's advice too much to ignore it.

[CatInASuit]

Velir would be interested to hear Mr Coringu report, as he recalls asking her earlier as they walked into the CP but doesn't remember her responding.

Once she has finished, he turns to Kylah, "The reason I want to speak to Mr Hsu first is that I am curious to find out what Mr Hsu's reaction to his wife's actions will be. Also if he can shed any further light on why she would run to the Trimaclhio before tackling Fellim Palver who is likely to deny any knowledge of what she was up to, even though it was his chartered ship. Also, with Mrs Hsu in the infirmary, Mr Hsu should really be notified by them instead of randomly finding out from someone else like Dr Halsey, even despite their actions."

Rangin stops and asks, "However, that is my opinion and its your lead, if you wish to do something different I will back you up."

[choie]

Kylah blinks at Velir in surprise, not only at his sudden and atypical outburst of words, but that he seems to have accurately read her thoughts. She walks with him down the corridor toward the hotel tower where Hsu is being held. "I have been anxious to talk to Palver... you anticipate me rather eerily, Mr. Rangin," she says with a twinkling glance before she sobers again.

"But you are right, of course. As I have mentioned, I still think of Mr. Hsu as a suspect. His account of his actions the night of the murder is just as false as his wife's, and while it seems to be covering her activity, he might well be covering his own. Also, his delay in responding to my numerous urgent requests for a meeting earlier was so egregious that I wonder if he was busy ensuring that we had no way to shut down the transporter."

She shakes her head as they approach the elevator, where she presses the UP button. "Still. I suppose the man has the right to know his wife is in the infirmary. I objected to Graham's treatment of Lord Fastolfe. I should not emulate it once I get a modicum of power of my own." Kylah turns slightly again to Velir. "I admit I resent him for practically shoving me away when I tried to get him to accompany me to the transporter room."

After the elevator doors open, she enters, waits for Velir to join her, and presses the button for the floor where Kjaerstad told her that Russell and Harper had taken Hsu.* "So I do not think he will be well-disposed to me. Then again," she adds dryly, "by now you should take that as a given for everyone we meet."



* Hell if I know what that is! But I assume he told Kylah the room number because why wouldn't he?

[Elendil's Heir]

Coringu says, "No, ma'am, nothing in particular to report. I'm just monitoring the situation here, as I was asked to do by Mr. Kjaerstad."

Graham finds the door is locked. He kicks it down and charges in, with T'Var close behind, both with phaser-1s in hand. The farmhouse is dark and smells musty. Graham knows from tricorder readings that his suspect should be forward and to his left.

The two Security guards, Russell and Harper, admit Rangin and Kylah to the otherwise-empty suite. Mr. Hsu is pacing in the bedroom just beyond the sitting room. "What the hell is going on?" he blurts out.

[choie]

"I would ask you to calm down, Mr. Hsu, but I do not think it likely to gain any result." Kylah walks a little closer to him, watching the man carefully. "Firstly, I need to inform you that your wife is in the infirmary. I assure you that she will be fine; she is just recovering from being stunned not long ago. A necessary act due to her actions, as you will learn."

She takes a deep breath and, throughout the following questions, keeps her voice firm but measured. "Next I need information from you, and I need you to be as honest as you can. I want to know your account of your actions, and Mrs. Hsu's actions, the night of Mr. Wilson's murder. Please be aware that I have witnesses, and indeed my own eyes, that can prove your earlier statement to be false."

"When I contacted you earlier today requesting your presence rather urgently, why did you continually refuse to respond to me? What really caused your delay--nearly fifteen minutes after I first contacted you--in arriving up in the administrative offices? Did you perform any work that might have caused the security department to lose access to the transporter controls?"

If he says no to the above question:"What would be necessary for someone to have shut down the security room's access to the transporter controls? Who would have such technical knowledge apart from yourself?"

"When we were informed that someone had initiated the transporter's warm-up sequence, and you knew a murderer is on the loose and likely trying to escape, why did refuse to assist me in stopping whoever was responsible?"

"What personal weapons do you and your wife possess? Have you ever known Mrs. Hsu to have or use any weapons?"

"When did you last speak with your wife?"

"I spoke with Mrs. Hsu earlier about her own alleged alibi for the night of the murder. I was aware that her account--which matched the version you told me--was a bald lie, and I asked her for the truth. She would not change her story despite being given every opportunity to explain herself. I then left her alone in her office, but remained outside the entire time. As you well know, having been there, once the transporter was activated, I asked Mr. Russell here to check that Mrs. Hsu was still in her office--and, as you also know, she was not. She had escaped through the crawlspace in the bathroom, which I think you will agree was strange behavior indeed. Can you explain why she would have done this?"

"Which leads me to why your wife was stunned, Mr. Hsu. Or, to be more direct--why I was forced to stun her. When I arrived at the transporter room--alone, thanks to you--the door was locked. I could hear that the transporter was beginning its process. With no other choice, I blasted open the doors to find your wife, Mrs. Hsu, near but not at the controls. The transporter was ready to energize. I told her to back away and keep her hands up. She did not. I ordered her again, this time asking her what she was doing with the transporter. Her reaction was to leap for the console--where she had a phaser ready and set for heavy stun. At that point I was left no other choice but to stun her. Do these actions on your wife's part surprise you? Can you explain them?"

"Do you have any idea why she was initiating the transporter and preparing to flee?"

Kylah will wait for his answers before continuing. She will, to the best of her ability, attempt to monitor his emotion throughout.