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Collins steps over to the big chair a little less enthusiastically now, aware that she is no longer the ranking officer on the bridge, but the captain still picked her. She imagines Onn shooting virtual eye daggers at the back of her head. A small shiver, unnoticeable to others, rides Collins' spine. She does not relax into the chair as she did earlier.
Withe the news received, Rangin heads round and lets the various crew know what is happening, that it is not that serious and they can relax slightly.
After the Yellow Alert ends, Rangin contacts Ens. Delaney and asks if he can meet him in Cargo Bay 4, next to the new sensor to work out the requirements Rangin was suggesting and sort out how it will all be set up. He is also aware that Dr Brold is going to want an explanation of the alert as well.
T'Var heads to Sickbay and contacts each one of the crew members Lt. Cmdr. Roble mentioned to her. The doctor does not give a specific reason, but asks each one to see her in Sickbay when they have a free moment.
Delaney can come by Cargo Bay 4 whenever Rangin wants. Dr. Brold soon returns there with one of his assistants, and Lt. Patel and Ens. Zweller a little after that. Brold grumbles a bit about the alert but doesn't seem too put out.
Roble had suggested that T'Var contact Ens. Rachel Hayes, the Yorktown's xenosociologist, and Lt. JG Collins, Ens. Delaney, Mr. Pourtash the helmsman, and Lt. Joseph Bancroft, the astrophysicist. She does. Delaney says he'll come by later. Bancroft doesn't immediately respond. Hayes and Pourtash arrive in Sickbay almost simultaneously, a few minutes after the Vulcan healer calls them, and they greet each other. "What can we do for you, Doc?" Pourtash asks.
Nia is, to put it mildly, surprised when Singh orders a stand-down of Yellow Alert and then leaves the Bridge. She doesn't contradict Singh aloud, just watches poor Collins take the chair and wonders what Singh and Vargas could be thinking, placing so much of a burden on a young woman who herself only just left Sickbay herself after a pretty serious trauma. Kendin is sure to gripe about being dissed for a junior officer yet again.
And where the hell is Vargas during all this, Nia thinks--not for the first time in two hours. The ship's on Yellow Alert and our Chief of Security doesn't bother showing up or contacting the Captain, much less his ACOS? I swear, that guy should just offload himself onto Anubis now and save us the retirement party, because his mind ain't on board this ship anymore.
Before she leaves her temporary duty, she walks up to Collins. Nia may not have considered this incident an imminently dire situation, but she sure as hell isn't going to just assume everything's hunky-dory without double-checking. "Lt. Collins," she says in an undertone. "With all due respect to the Captain, I think it was precipitate to end Yellow Alert before we made sure that the Chorell did what it said it was gonna do. May I suggest raising the shields until we get a confirmation from the Serapis yard--and I'd recommend contacting the Chorell again as well?"
Even with yellow alert over, Graham decides to visit the Bridge: he recalls that some Security officers don't include the Bridge on routine patrol, on the grounds that they don't want to intrude on the top brass and the it will almost certainly have whatever level of Security whoever's sitting in the big chair feels necessary. Graham disagrees, however: patrol is about showing up, he thinks. It's less about the bad guys and more about reminding everybody that Security's here and available for...well, whatever, from getting the proverbial cat out of the tree to fighting Klingons...
It's a role in which he's both comfortable and practiced. As the door to the Bridge slides open, he instinctively plays what he sees as his part: standing just ever so slightly on the balls of his feet, good posture, right arm just a tiny bit back from where it would otherwise be in order to minimize the time and motion required to reach his phaser. But he's neither belligerent nor edgy: the point is confidence, calm...
He looks straight ahead for a moment, taking in the whole space, scanning for signs of anything amiss, and then looks from left to right. He's a little surprised to see Collins, Nia, and Kylah all on the bridge, and Collins in the big chair--but not unhappily so.
He's intending to go "by the book" and check in with the captain--or, in this case, Collins--but stands by at a respectful distance as Nia is in the middle of telling her something sotto vocce.
Kylah, who was about to contact the Serapis Freight Yard herself when she heard from Det. Lt. Mara Ruthen, hesitates in alarm. "I--I do not know which is better, ma'am," she stammers. "That is... either way I am glad to assist you, but I will have to clear it with my superior officers. If you will allow me a moment, I will contact you after consulting them."
She disconnects and stares at the console for a moment, then continues what she was doing before she forgets. "Yorktown to Serapis Freight Yards," she hails, not realizing that Lt. Onn is suggesting this even now to Collins. "May I ask if the Chorell has indeed beamed up the cargo as planned?"
While waiting for Collins, Nia hears the turbolift doors opening and she glances casually behind her. A brief smile appears when she sees Graham, and her eyes warm considerably. But she quickly returns to face the junior officer beside her, not wanting to be disrespectful. She does hear Kylah contacting the Serapis, however, and her smile increases. She's not dead to the world after all. Good in a crisis. Just like Collins was, if a bit over-edgy, but who can blame them? Nice to remember that sometimes the juniors outdo their alleged superiors, she thinks, still irked by Vargas and Singh's apparent laissez-faire attitudes.
Before Collins can answer Onn, she hears Kylah's conversation. "Well, there you go then." She smiles at Onn. She says to Kendin "Please keep the shields up, Lieutenant, until we know this matter is under control." Collins feels her communicator vibrate with a message. She reads what T'Var has sent and replies: I am unable to get there just now as the Captain has given me the Bridge. But I will get there as soon as I can.
I'm answering as if Collins has responded as per the Setup thread edit
Nia holds her response until Collins responds to the text communication. She then nods gratefully at the younger woman. "Thank you, Lieutenant. Permission to leave the Bridge? Off-duty calls." The request is purely perfunctory, since she's already been discharged by Singh, but she smiles anyway and, assuming Collins grants her leave, pivots and heads toward Graham on her way to the turbolift.
"Ensign," she says in a soft murmur. "Always a pleasure to see you. Missed some thrills, but hopefully you'll find something else to get your heart racing before the day's through?"
Collins just nods in the affirmative rather than actually say "dismissed" since Onn was halfway to the steps by the time she could respond. She then has an idea. "Are we able to scan the freight yards for any suspicious materials?" she asks of everyone on the bridge "And are we able to scan inside the Chorell to see what else they might have in their hold?"
Graham shifts smoothly into parade rest while Nia and Collins finish their conversation. He departs from his "by the book" demeanor to glance toward Kylah--who seems a little nervous--and give her a reassuring wink.
Or at least, shit...I hope it was reassuring, he thinks after the fact, realizing that he has no idea what if anything winking means on Elas.
He almost breaks form again when Nia offers a few...parting words. He clears his throat. "Uh, yes ma'am," he replies as if her comments were all business, hoping no one overheard--he offers a tiny smile just to ensure he knows he got her meaning.
He waits until there's an opportune moment and also offers Collins a slight smile: "Ensign Graham, assigned to patrol this area of the ship this watch. All's well on the bridge, ma'am?"
A front-office drone at the Serapis yards boredly confirms that the Chorell has beamed up its cargo.
Kendin snaps the proper switches and says, "Shields up, aye."
Lt. Cmdr. Roble, who has taken up his Science station on the Bridge, says, "'Yes' to both questions, Mr. Collins."
Kylah thanks the drone. She is glad to have checked--assuming otherwise would have been foolhardy indeed. She then turns to Lt. Collins, pausing only for a second to register that Lt. Graham has arrived. A flicker of relief runs through her, but she shifts her gaze to her roommate in order to focus on the matter at hand. "Lieutenant, they have beamed up their cargo, but... perhaps we should contact them and ask if they will be leaving soon? Or returning to their original orbit? I suppose it would be just as inconvenient to shift everyone again, but I think considering their erratic behavior, they should be tracked. Regardless of the legitimacy of their need to shift orbit, they do not seem to be very responsible."
After another hesitation during which she is all too aware of the hypocrisy of her judging anyone's responsibility, Kylah swallows and gets up, moving with clasped hands toward the captain's chair. "Also," she adds in a near whisper, "I have been contacted by the Thoth police about... everything that happened yesterday. They wish me to look at some photographs to identify someone. I have the choice to go down to them, or to have them beam up here. May I have your permission to consider either one? Do you think I should speak to Cmdr. Vargas? Of course this would be after I have finished my task regarding the Chorell situation, but..." She glances at Graham hopefully before looking back at Collins. "...But before I choose, I would like advice from--from someone experienced."
"Mr Graham. How nice to see you" Collins says unironically. 'You only missed a small kerfuffle, no biggie." She smiles at him.
"Thank you Commander. Do so, please."
To the news of the cargo, she says "Thank you Mr Kylah." Then after Kylah makes her plea "Of course," Collins notices Kylah's glance towards Graham "you have permission. And please talk to whomever you need to to make this easier for you. I'd like to suggest having them come up here, but whatever you decide is good." Collins reaches out a hand to touch Kylah's reassuringly.
Kylah inhales quickly when Collins's fingers make contact with hers, but while there is still a rush of garbled emotions transferring from Collins to Kylah, as well as a painful throb behind Kylah's eyes--fortunately much duller than yesterday--the contact is bearable. Especially because it is well intentioned.
"Thank you, ma'am," Kylah says, and with a rare need to confide in her colleague, adds in a whispered rush, "In truth I would prefer not to return to a place of such shame and fear." Flushing at the admission, she takes a step back and returns to talk of her duty. "Do you... do you wish me to contact the Chorell, Lieutenant?"
"In a moment," Collins tells Kylah. "Let's see what Commander Roble's scans turn up first."
Nodding, Kylah is about to start back, but then hesitates. "Ma'am, excuse me, but--I overheard Lt. Onn's discussion with the Thoth police. They were unwilling to scan the cargo without a warrant. Do we not have such a legal restriction too, performing such a search without permission?"
At once she feels a pang, remembering undertaking the opposite side of this very argument with Velir back on OCIII. Skittish after Hardin's unusually powerful phaser had left her and Graham unconscious and ill, Kylah had wanted to scan the hotel security staffers and especially Mr. Hsu back prior to the hunt for Vice Admiral Hardin; Velir had objected. And he had been right to do so.
Kylah's aching loneliness and desire for his companionship and advice almost makes her cry. Instead she forces herself to continue as professionally as possible: "I understand it would be useful, but would whatever we find, assuming it is contraband, be deemed the product of an illegal search--and thus inadmissible as evidence against them?"
"Yes, but we won't seize. We'll just hand the Anubis authorities their probable cause and they can do the rest."
Roble, overhearing, says, "A Starfleet vessel may lawfully scan any Federation-flagged vessel in space for any purpose. We have greater legal authority over civilian shipping than a planetary police force, in that sense. The Chorell has Spican registry and fits the bill. Shall I proceed, Mr. Collins?"
"By all means, Commander" Collins tells him. "Have at it."
Rangin informs the guests what the Yellow Alert was about if they didn't already know. Then he contacts Ens. Delaney again and asks him to come to the Cargo Bay when he can, in order to get an idea of what Rangin is looking to do.
Kylah walks up to Mr. Graham and looks at him. "I am sorry to be a bother, but may I speak to you in private for a moment, please? I need your advice," she says, her voice low and anxious.
Graham returns Collins' smile with a nod and one of his own. A note of concern intrudes into his otherwise cheery demeanor as Kylah asks to speak with him--clearly upset.
I don't think this was what Nia had in mind about getting my heart racing, he thinks.
"Of course," he answers quietly, matching the volume of Kylah's voice. He turns and extends an arm toward the Turbolift, indicating she can lead the way.
With a tight nod to thank Graham, Kylah enters the Turbolift and waits for him to follow. When he does, for a few frozen seconds she has no idea where they should go; her mind blanks on the location of any private space. Then she blurts "Deck 13," remembering that it has the advantages of being far enough away to allow for some travel distance--assuming there are no stops--and harboring one of the crew lounges.
Once the doors close and the Turbolift is in motion, she continues in a tense rush of words, her eyes never leaving Graham's. "The Thoth police have contacted me. Just moments ago. A new detective, not Detective Lunnd. What happened to him?" The question is more to herself than Graham, and is so unimportant she does not know why she asked it.
"She said they wish me to look at photographs of suspects and asked if I prefer her to beam up here, or if I would go down to the planet. What do you think I should do? If I do recognize someone, and that person is charged, is either method more likely to be challenged by a defense attorney for being less... objective? And what if I am wrong?" Kylah's gaze shifts to the turbolift walls. "I do not want to return to Anubis. In truth... I do not want to be beamed anywhere," she whispers. "I am afraid it will feel like it did when they--when they took me."
Graham's actually relieved to hear that Kylah's concerned about the Thoth investigation: at first he worried Rangin might be up to something, or even that there would be something new and even worse...
"Well, look, ah, the change in detectives could be as simple as a shift change. Or the case got kicked to someone who's been involved in similar cases before." He offers encouragingly, "I'm sure it's no big deal."
He can see she's more concerned about going to the surface--or not. He rubs his chin. "Well..." He shakes his head. "If it's just photos, I don't see much of an issue. In-person, yeah, I've heard about challenges--usually from worlds and folks that don't look much like your typical Federation city or starship, you know, ah, sort of 'you put a two-headed purple guy with three-inch fangs in a lineup in a Starfleet conference room, how could he not look suspicious?'"
He clears his throat, noting her last, barely audible words. "Uh, and--listen, it can take awhile, for anybody--doesn't matter what: a shuttle drop, beaming in, dropping out of warp... Once you experience a real, uh--a real bad scene, believe me, we all--everybody--gets the jitters about what led up to it. I've seen some real badass--- uh, accomplished officers wrestle with those feelings." He gestures--hopefully--reassuringly--and adds "I'm sure you'll get over it."
After a moment's pause, he adds "If you need some company--well, if they come up here, I'm assigned to patrol in the forward primary hull. I'm sure I could just happen to be on hand, if that helps."
Kylah listens intently to every word Graham utters. When he offers to join her, her relief is so great she steps toward him, almost grasping hold of his arms, but then the door opens and she hurriedly changes the motion to walking out of the Turbolift. Searching for some relatively private corner of the corridor, Kylah waits until again Graham is beside her.
"Yes, please, Mr. Graham. I would be so grateful. I do not have an advocate and you are the only person who... knows why I was down there," she continues quietly. "That is what I fear, too. The only one I could recognize would be the man who exchanged my money, but I cannot say with certainty that he was among those who attacked me. And what if he threatens to reveal--"
Kylah does not finish the sentence, afraid someone might overhear. Besides, surely Graham understands just how cowardly she is by now. She shakes her head, hugging herself. "I hope you are right, sir, that I will get over this. Please do not tell anyone, I should not even have told you. I am putting too much of a burden on you, I am sorry. Right now there is no one else... I thought there was, but..."
She holds back from mentioning Velir--she knows what Graham thinks of him. "But despite how different you and I are, I do trust your word. I am not used to trusting others. There is usually a price. I would pay it, but here I do not know what you would want from me." Staring up at him, her gaze vacillating between hopeful and wary, she inhales deeply and asks, uncertain: "You have done me many favors. Is there something you want?" Please say no, she begs silently. Or make it something that will not demean me...
Graham starts to smile reassuringly and nod slightly as Kylah speaks, then freezes and blinks, totally taken aback by her question.
He's not sure how to respond, and several different thoughts run through his mind.
No wonder why a sick bastard like Rangin gravitated toward her...
At least I'm good for something, I'm at least making a difference being here for her now...
What the hell kind of experience did she have on Elas, or for that matter, has she had in Starfleet?
Graham's silent for a moment, then reaches with his left hand to raise his shirt on his right side. He pulls it up to his armpit. The skin from just above his waist, along his ribs, almost to the armpit is a little glossy, smoother than the rest, a little tighter and less flexible than the skin of the back and chest on close observation.
"I, ah--Federation docs are pretty great, but even they couldn't get the skin to be quite right. It was--well, melted, basically, by a disruptor blast." He lowers his shirt and shakes his head. "But I just got winged."
He rubs his chin and adjusts his shirt. "I went to the Academy with this guy, Billy Coogan. He--ah, and well we served together too, and he was kind of a partier, it seemed like all he was in Starfleet to do was get a free ride to a different planet where he could pretend he was three ranks higher than he was to get lai- uh, to meet women."
He looks up at the ceiling for a moment before turning back to Kylah. "Billy stepped in front of me and took the shot. We were flat-footed, ten feet in front of--well, it doesn't matter, but he knew what he was doing. Full on almost point blank shot that was meant for me."
"He, ah--he lived, uh, basically...but never served a day again. He's hooked up to--well, stuff, just to stay alive...even our docs couldn't replace or regrow as many organs as were damaged." He clears his throat. "I asked him...later, he's hooked up to all this shit just so he can breathe and get his bowels evacuated, 'why did you do it?' And I asked: what could I ever do to make it up to you? And he said, 'Booker, despite what you think, I joined Starfleet to do the right thing.'"
He takes hold, very gently, of Kylah's shoulders, remembering Billy Coogan and Fiona as well, and looks down at her face, holding her eyes. "I joined Starfleet to try and do the right thing. I may screw up a lot, but you can count on this: there's a never a price on helping you, or anyone."
The effort is such that he wants: a drink, to lose himself watching Bennett read in the Arboretum, to talk to Nia...
He lets go and clears his throat again, stepping back to give her some space. "Just let me know when you need me for this," he says, quietly. "I'd best get back on patrol till then."
Roble says, "Scanning now... the freight yards are quite large; stand by, please." After several minutes he reports, "I see nothing suspicious, Mr. Collins. Palleted dry goods, foodstuffs, machinery, lumber, various ores, prefab colonial housing and the like." He cross-checks with the Library Computer. "It all seems to match up the yard's public manifest of goods in transit. As for the Chorell... sensors show her hold is full of refined metal, plastic and ceramic components... hmm, yes, consistent with machine parts, as listed. No indications of contraband either in the yards or on the freighter, ma'am."
Delaney replies to Rangin, "I'll be there shortly." Five minutes later, he walks into the cargo bay, a datapad in hand.
At first, when Graham begins to bare himself to her, Kylah inhales sharply as her hopes sink, weighed by heavy disappointment. Dismayed, she does not want to look, but after a few seconds she does--and sees the disfigurement, the shining skin that does not belong on a human body.
The tale of his colleague should not surprise her. One of the greatest womanizers during her Starfleet years proved to Kylah that he was a swine--and yet, he was almost universally admired for being a leader, a man of genuine charm, intelligence, talent and bravery. For all that Kylah despised him, it would not be a shock to learn he later performed such a courageous act after graduation. Perhaps it is the same with this Mr. Coogan.
Then Graham's hands grasp her, lightly, and immediately Kylah's temples burn and she feels the swell of nausea at the inevitable overloading emotions. With Graham they are guilt, protectiveness, concern, anger, and even despair. He is not happy about having to help others like this--it reminds him of something he wants to forget.
When he releases her she stands her ground. "Thank you, Mr. Graham," she says, drained. "I am very sorry. Sorry that you--you were hurt..." Her fingers reach toward his side, not daring to touch him. "Sorry for your friend, who suffers so. And--and I am sorry for insulting you." Kylah looks down when Graham's face turns into a blur. "I am forever misjudging people. I push away those who mean well, and trust others who harm me." What good are my powers if I misapply and misinterpret them?
She lifts her chin and tries a weak smile. "I truly appreciate this, Mr. Graham. Not just that you help me so often, but that you do not bear a grudge against me when I misjudge you the way I have. Throughout my life, people have taught me that one wrong move would make others hate me. And that has proven true, just recently." Kylah almost loses control and sobs at the thought of the ease with which Velir turned against her. But she gathers herself and focuses on Graham. "But you... you forgive. More than that, you protect me, despite my faults, and not because of how I can profit you. I wish there had been someone, when I was young..."
With a shake of her head, she blinks away the tears and lifts her chin. "I should let you go. As for when this identification will take place, I think it will likely be soon," she says reluctantly. "I must ask Lt. Thalen for permission to attend to this, and I suppose--since it is a security matter, letting some detective beam up to the ship--Cmdr. Vargas as well. Hopefully he will allow you to be with me during the questioning."
The thought that Vargas might prefer to be there himself sends a chill through her, but she knows she has no control over that. With another attempt at a smile, she thanks Graham again, and--just before returning to the Turbolift--reaches out, her small fingers squeezing his hand in gratitude for a fleeting moment. Kylah than almost darts into the Turbolift to return to the Bridge.
You're still young, Graham thinks as Kylah sprints away.
Oh..and isn't Lizzy till young too, Booker?
"Is there anything dangerous or lethal that can be made from those components, Mister Roble?" Collins still hasn't figured out why the Chorell is gnawing at her memory. She looks over at the communications station - Kylah hasn't yet returned - and wonders if the search of gossip, entertainment, and science pages turned up any references.
T'Var decides that it's best to be blunt.
"Mr. Fujishiro is dying. She does not have long to live. As her friends, I wanted to let you know so that you may spend some time with her. I am sorry. If I can do anything to help, I am always available."
Rangin looks and up and smiles as Ens. Delaney enters the room. "Mr Delaney, good to see you again," Rangin comments with a appreciative nod while still trying to get past the feeling he should be calling him sir.
Introducing them individually, "Mr Delaney, this is Dr Brold, whose new prototype sensor we'll be testing. Lt Patel, Ens Zweller and..." Rangin thinks quickly back to the introduction. "...Yold, I believe."
Rangin brings up his own datapad with his workings. "Let me show you what I had in mind."
Roble says thoughtfully, "I don't think so... but many things can be turned to evil purposes by a determined wrongdoer."
Hayes and Pourtash are both very saddened to hear T'Var's news. Hayes looks like she might cry. "I knew things were bad," Pourtash said, downcast, "but I always hoped she would recover."
Kylah arrives back on the Bridge and resumes her post at the Communications station. Her search for references to the Chorell in the Federation gossip, entertainment and science databases come up empty.
Delaney politely greets the others. "I'm Veled," the younger reptilian says. "Yold is a little taller."
Kylah realizes she has already checked the gossip/entertainment sites back when Collins asked her the first time. She is annoyed at herself that she was so absentminded that she did not report earlier.
When yet again the search yields nothing, she contacts Lt. Thalen and Cmdr. Vargas by text to inform them of the request by the new Thoth detective, and asks for permission and advice on how best to respond. She also asks for permission to have Graham accompany her, whichever way they prefer her to view the photos--on board the ship or down at the Thoth station.
Cmdr. Vargas defers to Kylah's direct superior, Lt. Thalen, who says, "Do whatever you're comfortable with, Kylah, since the detective gave you a choice. And if you'd like Mr. Graham to be present, that's fine. I'll come too, if you like."
Kylah thanks Thalen for his kindness and says that while she appreciates the offer, the fewer people around her, the better. Glad that there is no security objection to having someone beam aboard, she then contacts Det. Lt. Ruthen and explains that her preference is to remain on board the ship, if possible. "If you let me know how much time we will need," she adds nervously, "I can arrange for a conference room. Then once you are ready, I... I suppose you can beam up and I will meet you. Is there anything I have forotten? Will there be anyone else with you?"
Whatever the detective's response, Kylah will make the appropriate arrangements for both a meeting room and Ruthen's transportation (along with any other person who might accompany her).
"Let me ask you all," Collins says conversationally to the bridge crew, "have any of you heard of or about the Chorell before this whole brewhaha? I have this nagging feeling I just read something about them recently."
"I do apologise," Rangin says to Veled, "I hope I will get it right next time."
Following that Rangin points out the equipment that he would like Delaney to set up if he can. Starting with the Mk VI Garudo Sensor System placed at one point alongside Dr Brold's prototype and both hooked into the console that Lt. Cmdr. Cheverez mentioned. Power from the conduits on the one wall, and Rangin will also be taking the sensor apart to add some extra telemetry to see what might be going on when both sensors are run simultaneously.
It will take a little time to get everything set up, but Rangin is sure Delaney will be more than capable.
Thoth Det. Lt. Mara Ruthen tells Kylah, "Fine, I'll come up there, then. I'm ready when you are."
Roble says, "I sort of remember having heard about the Chorell before, but I couldn't say from where." No one else on the Bridge speaks up.
Delaney rubs his chin and says, "Sure, I can do that. Shouldn't be a problem." He gets a toolkit from a bulkhead storage compartment and sets to work.
"I understand," T'Var replies. "This is a most difficult time." The doctor pauses a moment. "Would you like to spend some time with her? You are welcome to do so whenever you'd like."
Kylah acknowledges Ruthen's response and asks for her coordinates so that she can pass them along to one of the transporter engineers.
Assuming Ruthen supplies this information, Kylah will then get up and walk the few feet over to Collins to explain what is happening. "I know we must lower our shields to beam her up," she will add. "Do you think it is safe?"
"Let's find out," Collins replies, "Commander Roble, is the Chorell still in orbit and is it stable? We're expecting a beam up so I want to be sure it's safe to lower the shields now."
Thanking Dr. T'Var, Hayes and Pourtash both decide they will spend some time by Fujishiro's bedside now.
Ruthen says, "I'm at Thoth Constabulary HQ," and reads off the coordinates. "You can lock onto my police communicator whenever you're ready. Just tell me before you do it, please."
Roble nods. "The Chorell has not moved again since taking up her new orbital position. She is unarmed and poses little if any current threat to the Yorktown."
Graham's not sure he's really been worth shit in terms of concentration since his conversation with Kylah--fortunately routine patrol in the heart of the ship is, well, usually pretty routine, he thinks. Rather than hailing her, which he figures might interrupt her duties back on the bridge, he sends Kylah simple text message.
Let me know where and when, I'll be there. BG
It occurs to him out of the blue that it might be nice Nia for advice.
Kylah thanks Collins, still quiet, and returns to her chair to double-check on which conference room is available, and--after confirming her hold on it--which transporter engineers are on duty, hoping that she will not be stuck with Ferguson. Whoever it is, she will ask him or her to please be prepared to beam someone up from the planet, coordinates pending Kylah's arrival at the transporter.
She then feels the alert on her communicator. A little leap of hope makes her heart quicken, but she clamps down on it before checking to see the message. Of course she is grateful to see Graham's note, and replies It should be any moment now, thank you. I am heading to the transporter to beam her up. Then she tells him which conference room they will be using.
As she puts the communicator away, she does her best to force away the inevitable disappointment caused by that fleeting absurd fantasy that Velir will contact her again. Her mind is better used to prepare herself for what might be a disturbing experience.
"Lieutenant Collins," she says, "with your permission, I will meet the Det. Lt. Ruthen at the transporter room."
Hey GM, I clearly need info provided here. What transporter room and which conference room are we using?
"Granted," Collins replies, "Mister Roble, please lower the shields."
Roble nods to Kendin, who says, "Lowering shields, aye."
Having reserved Conference Room 2, Kylah goes to the Yorktown's Transporter Room 2, which is nearby. Chief Nguyen is on duty. "Ready to energize, Ensign," he says.
T'Var allows Pourtash and Hayes some privacy as they spend time with Fujishiro. She heads back to her office. T'Var has been thinking a lot lately about life and death. Death is always a distinct possibility as a member of Starfleet, but to die at such a young age with so much potential lost....
The doctor ponders her own life. What does her future hold? Finding a suitable mate? Having children? Enjoying a long and distinguished career as a Starfleet medical officer or dying well before her time? T'Var thinks of Andrew Johnson. Where will their relationship lead? They are very different from each other in many ways. Can she see herself spending a lifetime with him?
T'Var pushes these thoughts away for now. She is on duty with work to be done. She will definitely meditate more on her life and future when she is off duty and can focus fully on it.