"Aye, sir" Dobson sets her tricorder for detailed scanning and moves slowly around the room, watching her screen for any indication of an inkling of a clue.
Printable View
"Aye, sir" Dobson sets her tricorder for detailed scanning and moves slowly around the room, watching her screen for any indication of an inkling of a clue.
"Nope...nope...nope...afternoon Mr Graham, afternoon Mr Kylah...nope...nope", as Rangin as he spares them the briefest of glances while continuing to go through the pieces of paper.
Rangin's check of Wilson's discarded papers and such reveals nothing of interest.
Dobson's tricorder scan of the transporter room also comes up dry. When she broadens the scan to include the immediate area, however, she detects trace biosigns in the conference room next door. It seems to be on the floor.
Rangin leans back in his chair having neatly piled the remaining pieces of paper. "Ok, Markovich, good work. Take five and we will wait for Mrs Hsu to get in contact. Speaking of which..."
He looks across at the other two who recently returned and appear to have said little and both looking tired. Rangin gets up and heads for the replicator coming back with a set of three coffees and a hot chocolate for Kylah. Having distributed them, Rangin sits next to Kylah and Graham. "Mr Graham, when you are ready, your input into the questions for the staff would welcome." The tone is conversational as Graham looks out of sorts, and could do with a break.
Rangin then turns to Kylah, "So, how did it go with Mrs Hsu?" He smiles with concern for her, hoping she has come through her ploy unscathed.
At first disappointed by Velir's terse greeting, Kylah then realizes he's in the middle of inspecting some old documents and just nods to him, not wanting to interrupt. She does the same to Markovich and takes a seat, folding her hands on her lap in silence, which is probably a mistake because she finds her eyelids harder and harder to keep open--it's as if they have weights attached to them. She struggles against the temptation to nap by pinching her thigh, but even the slight pain is less powerful than her exhaustion.
The cup set before her jolts her back from the half-asleep state. Staring at it, she sees it's hot chocolate, and, turning toward the retreating figure who placed it there, she discovers it's Velir. Of course. He would remember her favorite drink. The resulting glow of affection is as warm as the drink now cradled in her hands.
When he asks her about Mrs. Hsu, she lifts the cup slightly with a quick thanks before responding. "She would not speak until I finally pressed home that her voice and words on the message could not be denied. She is... a stubborn woman, and I believe she is still hiding something." Kylah gives a quick run-down similar to the report she gave Graham. At the end, she adds: "Sad, of course, and nervous, too. I could not tell if she was nervous about having the affair exposed, or... something else. I do find it strange that she never asked me to keep her secret. I did warn her that I would have to speak with Mr. Hsu, and even that did not elicit a request for discretion. She may have trusted me, or she may have thought it useless to ask."
Kylah isn't sure which prospect is preferable--that she successfully fooled a grieving woman, or that she didn't. Taking a quick sip of the delicious drink, she shrugs. "I did stress that I am supposedly the only one who knows about the affair and have locked away the messages under my own password. It could give her a slight temptation to silence me, but I do not think she has that violence in her. We will see how Mr. Hsu reacts to the same inducement. Honestly, if I were taking bets on the situation, I would not place money on the likelihood that the murder is connected to the affair. What do you think? Either way, I shall have to talk to Mr. Hsu." She nods at Rangin's papers. "And how have you been faring? From your question to Mr. Graham I take it you received the legal approval for the depositions. Have you discovered anything else in Mr. Wilson's suite, other than trash?"
"Sir," Dobson says to Delaney, "There appears to be cellular residue on the conference room floor. Shall I investigate further?"
"Yes, let's all take a look," Delaney says. "I think we've learned about as much as we can here."
There is a doorway connecting the two rooms, which Mr. Hsu unlocks. The conference room is about the size of those on the Yorktown, but more plushly furnished. A large, dark wooden table dominates the room, with eight leather chairs gathered around it. A thick carpet is underfoot. Dobson's scan finds very faint traces of biological residue in the carpet fibers not far from the main door, which opens to the corridor outside, in a spot about half a meter across.
Rangin sighs wistfully, "Indeed, we do have the response back from Starbase 27, along with the forms and advice on what to do next. Cmdr Vargas has asked that Mr Graham provides any questions we require before some lucky commissioned officer gets to administer oaths to 27 staff about perjury and self-incrimination before letting them loose. As for the the papers from Mr Wilson's office, well there are a lot of scribbles, but nothing amongst them that might be considered of interest."
Rangin smiles, remembering the elevator ride, "On the other hand, Crewman Markovich and I did check out the passsageway behind Mr Wilson's suite. Lt. Delaney will be pleased, the modifications he made to track a scent worked. Looks like Mr Wilson was the only one who used it and it comes out near an elevator. Only other trace we could find was on the ground floor." Rangin looks piously towards the ceiling, "Unfortunately, we did have to check every floor and so had to stop at every level going up. Such is the requirement for scientific accuracy." He grins back at Kylah, "More interesting was that trace passed by a couple of security cameras, so it looks as though he didn't leave his apartment until after midnight, otherwise he would have been spotted."
Rangin pauses, "Actually, has anyone heard from Lt. Delaney about the transporter?"
"
Kylah gives a sympathetic tilt of her head toward Rangin when he mentions the oaths. It probably should fall to her to do the drudgery administrative tasks, but rather fortunately she knows she needs to be involved with the Fastolfe interview. Soon he finishes relating his findings about Wilson's apparent movements.
She contemplates the facts. They know Wilson arrived at his suite at 23:12. And there was a final message left to him at 23:03*. Who was that from, again? I must be losing my memory, I cannot remember who contacted him so late... While Velir finishes his report, Kylah listens but also decides to double-check her transcript of the messages from Wilson's communicator.
Velir's question about Delaney makes Kylah look up again. "For that matter, where is Dr. T'Var? Mr. Graham, did you give her an assignment while I was with Mrs. Hsu?"
* See posts #1619 and #1620. Although Kylah checked the two messages from Mrs. Hsu and the last message at 23:03, I don't think we ever got the info about that last message.
Dobson adjusts her scan for greater detail, and moves it slowly across the spot. She hopes to find out whose residue it actually is, although she suspects it may be Wilson's.
Graham accepts the coffee with a nod and closes his eyes as he takes a sip. He collects his thoughts for a moment and listens to the others.
"Ah - I left the Doc to her own discretion...Not sure what she chose to do." He shakes his head. "Sloppy, I should check in with her."
He blows a deep breath out. "Anyway, we should start the questions with a veiled threat that any relatives living in Federation space will be the subject of undesired legal attention if the respondent doesn't cooperate..." He shrugs. "Obviously as a Coridanite you'd be highly credibly administering such an oath, Mr. Rangin--any objections?" He rubs his head. "Joking--uh, of course," he adds, not entirely sure if Rangin (or others) would find it obvious that he was.
"Standard demographics - DOB, planet of origin, species, gender. Job title, typical duties and work schedule. Specific time on and off the clock night of the murder." He rubs his chin. "Location between 2300 and 0100, and anyone who could corroborate. Computer should be able to cross-tabulate all that data to look for any funky patterns."
He takes another sip of coffee, which reduces the pain in his head. "Did they know Wilson, see anything unusual that day and night, know of any reason someone would wish him harm."
He purses his lips. "Have the ever been arrested for a crime under Federation law, do they have any weapons of any type on the station, would they voluntarily consent to have their quarters searched. Don't really expect this to generate much but may put people a little off balance. Then, again--and your specific time on and time off the clock the night of the murder was... Wrap it up with is there anything you believe Starfleet security should know about at this time."
"Uh--" he glances around at the others. "Ideas, input? Given how little of this coffee I've had yet I may have missed something." He pauses. "Oh, and really was kidding about the heavy hand--the officers administering the oaths should do everything to encourage cooperation, and watch for anyone who in spite of this adopts an bad attitude."
Crewman Dobson's scan reveals that the carpet spot, which is invisible to the naked eye, contains minute traces of dried human blood. She cross-checks with the murder investigation evidence database accumulated so far, and can plainly see that the blood's DNA is a match for Mr. Wilson.
Dr. T'Var walks into the CP and says, "Ah, you're back. I went to have another word with Dr. Halsey, but he was not in."
Kylah's lungs freeze in mid-inhale when Graham makes a sarcastic reference to the corruption on Coridan--and the notion that such venality comes naturally to all of its people.
She looks across at Velir, her mouth parted and eyes wide in stricken sympathy. Of course Graham claims it was a joke, but... how could he not understand this might be a painful subject? Either he despises Velir or he is utterly tone-deaf, Kylah thinks with a flash of contempt, wishing she were sitting beside Velir right now. It is not her place to defend Velir--he can stand up for himself quite well--but she would dearly love to show him, somehow, that she is outraged on his behalf.
Although she hardly wants to listen to the rest of Graham's words, Kylah pays enough attention to hear some of his suggestions. Her lips tighten. We asked neither Dr. Halsey nor the Hsus about their criminal backgrounds or private weaponry, and certainly never asked to search their quarters. I suppose it is only the 'nobodies' who are fair game. Yet these noble Federation humans cast aspersions on others as being corrupt?
This is not the act of a haphazard geyser. It is callous cruelty. Kylah has lost all confidence in Starfleet security officers.
T'Var enters before anyone can speak--and before Graham can answer Velir's question about Delaney. Kylah does not spare a look for the Vulcan, focusing her compassionate attention on Velir.
"This is likely the murder scene," Dobson blurts out, then adds "Sir." She hands the tricorder to Delaney so that he, too, can see the evidence.
Rangin carefully places his coffee on the table, and slowly clasps his hands together in front of him, looks down at the floor for a moment and then straight at Ens. Graham.
"Mr...Graham. It has been a long day already. Now is not the time for attempts at jocularity, especially when it comes to your implied suggestions towards the staff of this resort. You appear to be missing your sense of judgement and my idea would be for you to take a five minute break to compose yourself, before you commit to text the questions you would like to be asked. That way, there is no uncertainty about precisely what you mean."
Rangin reaches down and takes a sip of the coffee before carefully replacing it on the table. "As for administering the oath, well Cmdr. Vargas did imply that I was best placed to carry that important role. That is all."
He blanks Ens. Graham and turns to Dr T'Var, "Unless there has been an emergency, I wonder why Dr Halsey is not in the infirmary unless...well of course, it's lunchtime. I wonder if we should eat here or perhaps one of the restaurants.", Rangin turns to Kylah, "Would you care to go for a bit to eat?"
Delaney looks at the tricorder and says, "Could be. I remember what was found in the autopsy and the blood left in the park were less than his body's total blood volume. Obviously Wilson left some of it here." A further scan detects nothing else of interest. "Let's go to the CP and check in with the others," Delaney continues. "Mr. Hsu, would you like to come with us?"
The WR&R security chief says, "Sure. Lead the way."
"On your six, Sir" Dobson also follows Delaney.
Impressed--but not surprised--by Velir's restraint, Kylah shifts her gaze from him to Graham. As dearly as she wants to accept Velir's invitation, she worries about accepting before Graham agrees to allow the break. It does seem important to get the forms to the staff as quickly as possible, and meanwhile an interview with Lord Fastolfe is long overdue.
"Perhaps..." she says tentatively, "...perhaps we can work out the wording of the forms first, so that if we do take a lunch break, at least they may be created by one of the crewmen--someone who has not been on duty for so many hours? If we all work together..." Kylah looks up at T'Var for help in smoothing this awkward situation, then returns to Graham, "it should not be so difficult. For example, I would recommend a less thorough form to begin with. Identification and an account of their schedule, together with asking the last time they saw Mr. Wilson, might be sufficient. With respect, I think the criminal background might be excessive. Regardless of what they tell us, we will have to run background checks on them anyway, to confirm what they say. As for the permission to search--I do not think we should ask for that until we are immediately ready to follow through. Why give someone time to dispose of something incriminating, if it exists?"
Kylah moistens her lips and adds, "Besides, we have not even asked the people who seem to have worked most closely with Mr. Wilson such questions, nor searched their rooms. We should not treat their underlings with greater scrutiny than we show toward the Hsus or Halsey. Do you not agree, Mr. Graham?" After a slight hesitation, she turns back to Velir. "Mr. Rangin?
"You're dismissed," Graham says heavily, closing his eyes. "I mean... you're free to go, get something to eat..."
He opens his eyes and looks toward Kylah, pointing briefly at her. "Of course you're right, Mr. Kylah. There's no good that can come out of tripping up some poor bastard who's shy about a record of jaywalking on Mars with perjury charges..." he shrugs and shakes his head. "Nor do we have the time for it. Once we have names we run priors and we can focus on anyone with a violent past as needed."
He stands and shuffles toward the door. "I don't see that your skills are needed to administer the oath, Mr. Rangin, especially since you've been up as long as the rest of us." He pauses before opening the door. "Everyone take 30 and meet back here--Fastolfe is next on the agenda. Just--before this break, Mr. Rangin, convey the questions, minus criminal record, weapons and search permission--to Mr. Mahmoud and tell him I'd like a couple Security officers to get the process rolling with the staff."
Graham feels slightly ill and is too distracted to register Rangin's rejection of his attempt at humor. Instead he's thinking of desperate people who were backed into a corner--he has no qualms whatsoever about getting leverage over a real suspect through tricky or no-win questions. But the kind of callous behavior that would treat some small-time loser trying to start again and hold a job by hiding some past petty crime from that would probably prevent an employer like WR&R from hiring them as collateral damage just for the sake of sped is something he objects to strongly.
Except you almost just might have done it, he thinks. Tired? Sloppy? Becoming the kind of officer you despise? He wonders, wincing: As you've become the kind of father you'd despise?
He opens the door. "I ah... I'm taking a walk."
Startled, Kylah hesitates for a second or two before rising from her chair to waylay the mission leader. She's about to reach a hand out to stop him but jerks it backward before contact is made. She is too fractious to touch someone else right now.
"Mr. Graham," she says, her voice hurried and more than a little nervous: "You--I mean--I think you've forgotten that we have not heard from Lt. Delaney. I know you are tired and we can all use some time, but... perhaps the whole team should be accounted for prior to the break?"
Graham's shoulders slump a little. Another oversight...at the same time, he feels a glimmer of...pride? He's been trying to help the younger officer overcome whatever's been plaguing her, and her initiative now is gratifying to see.
Of course, it's probably in spite of you rather than because of your efforts, Booker, bear that in mind, he thinks.
Without turning around he woodenly pulls out and opens his communicator. "Graham to Delaney. Status, lieutenant? We're contemplating a short break now."
Rangin stands quietly by Kylah and whispers to her carefully, while Graham is opening his communicator. "Thanks, and you are quite right about the forms. I'll tidy them up and pass them onto Ens. Mahmoud." He steps away wishing he could spend time closer to her, but knowing that won't be possible. Well, he hopes, at least not until later.
He sits down and taps out Graham's suggested questions amending certain details and keeping it specific to the night in question remembering that the people giving statements are witnesses and not suspects. It appeared that Ens. Graham had lost the ability to tell the difference.
"Standard demographics:
Job title?
Typical duties and work schedule?
The specific time on and off the clock night of the murder?
Their location between 2200 and 0200?
Any notable events that occured?
Which people did the see or encounter during that time?
Anything that occurred they might consider out of the ordinary or guests acting unusually?"
Rangin looks over it, it seems simple enough, but its always worth a second check.
"Dr T'Var, Sir, please could you come and check these questions to see if they are suitable." Hopefully the good doctor would be more useful than their current team leader.
Delaney answers at once, "I'm returning with Crewman Dobson and Mr. Hsu." They arrive at the CP shortly, and Delaney asks Dobson to make a full report, which she does. Delaney yawns widely and says, "A break sounds good. I feel like I'm running on fumes."
Dr. T'Var says to Rangin with a kind smile, "Please call me 'Doctor' or 'ma'am,' Ensign, and not 'sir.'" She looks over the questionnaire and suggests adding the questions, "When and where did you last see Resort Director Anthony Wilson alive, and what was he doing?" and "Do you know of any person with a motive to murder Mr. Wilson?" She also thinks you might get better responses if the form says in bold, "All answers will be held in confidence, and those you may designate as suspect(s) will not be told that you were the person who did so."
Kylah tries to listen to both Dobson's report as well as T'Var's suggestions. Her eyes widen at the evidence of blood traces in the conference room. Could that be the real murder scene? But why so little blood? Was he transported the instant the knife entered his body? She says nothing but nods encouragingly at Dobson--for what little her approval is worth.
She catches the very end of T'Var's recommendations to Velir, and moves a little closer to them. She is still feeding off the pleasure of hearing Velir's soft voice in her ear moments earlier. As mild as his statement was, his warm appreciation might as well have been a gentle hug.
"I wonder if asking explicitly about a 'motive to murder' might be narrowing things down too much, Doctor. This might lead people to omit some seemingly minor argument just because he or she did not think it could have led to murder. After all, for most of us, any disagreement would not lead us to kill. But one person's petty argument could be another's rationale to kill. What do you think of changing this to: 'Do you know of any recent personal or professional differences between Mr. Wilson and anyone else?' Perhaps framing it that way that would make a witness less likely to brush aside something that might be important."
Rangin listens to both Dr T'Var and Kylah and nods along to both suggestions.
"Firstly, my apologies Ma'am, I'll be sure to remember that for the future. Second for the questions, I think yes we should add in the one about when did they last see Mr Wilson alive and what he was doing, but I agree with Ens. Kylah that we should amend it to being about personal and professional differences instead of reasons for murder. And yes, adding a large guarantee that the statements and all data held within will be held in strict confidence is a necessity."
Rangin adds the final few pieces to the list and leans back so the others can see. "Thank you very much, here's hoping we get something useful from it."
Rangin packages it up with the forms and staff list and sends the lot to Ens Mahmoud as he was requested, copying in Ens Graham, with all the details about the forms and the questions. He also adds that Mrs Hsu will be providing a room and some extra staff to assist in taking the statements. If there are any problems Ens. Rangin will be happy to help out.
Rangin lets out a sigh of relief, "Ok done. Time for a break, and then frankly I want to take a look at the crime scene Crewman Dobson found. I wonder if there is any security footage of people entering that room before midnight when the cameras got shut off?"
He looks up at Doctor T'var and Kylah, "So, whats next?"
Dr. T'Var nods. "Yes, you're right, that would be an even better question. Thank you, Ens. Kylah."
Kylah nods, glad to have offered something useful. She eyes Graham while answering Velir's question. "I suppose our next move will depend if Mr. Graham wishes to act in light of Lt. Delaney and Crewman Dobson's discovery. I do not know what it could mean--except that if Mr. Wilson was murdered in that conference room, it seems more likely that a staff member was involved. As if the use of the transporter and the manipulation of the security cameras weren't enough proof of that."
Turning back to Velir, she gives him a quick smile. "If we do take a break, then perhaps lunch would be a good idea." Suddenly she realizes it would be awkward to leave Dr. T'Var out--as much as she wishes to be alone with Velir--and so she hastily adds: "What do you think, Doctor? Unless you prefer to keep looking for Dr. Halsey..."
"Either would be fine with me," the Vulcan healer says. "I defer to Ens. Graham's wishes."
On hearing Delaney and Dobson's report, Graham perks up a little. "That's...great. Excellent work, Lieutenant, Mr. Dobson."
Rather than leave as he'd intended Graham paces the CP, speaking to no one and everyone at the same time. "A meeting room...why?" He shrugs. "How about a meeting. Wilson called in someone, or someone--maybe several someones--wanted to meet with Wilson. So it goes bad, or it was a setup--" he shakes his head. "Why the hell beam the knife to the park? Whoever pulled this off had enough tech savvy to beam the murder weapon untraced to the far side of the planet..."
He pauses and puts his hands on his hips, then picks up on T'Var's comment about deferring to his wishes. "Uh, look, this is important, exciting information. But I, ah, it's still important, I think, that everybody take a short break - to do whatever we each need to do to come back at this fresh. Or as fresh as we can be, under the circumstances." He feels as if he almost pulls a muscle in his neck trying to resist the inclination to glance at Kylah, given his disastrous encounter with her earlier. "If you want to eat, do it. If you want to get together and discuss the case, do that -- if it will help you - but if you need to take a shower or watch your favorite comedy vid for 20 minutes do that instead." He rubs his neck. "All I ask is that we meet back here in 30 ready to quickly update our theory of the case based on all that we've learned, and our interview list - I propose Fastolfe as number one on deck, but after that - fair game for new or re-interviewing based on what we've learned."
"Mr Graham, I've sent those details to Ens. Mahmoud as you requested."Rangin addresses him politely across the room before turning to Dr T'var and Kylah. "Thirty minutes, shower and a bite to eat at the research station out of the resort, something more leisurely here, or perhaps any other ideas?"
"It will take most of the thirty minutes to walk to the station, shower, and walk back," Kylah says, uneasy at the thought of spending that time alone with T'Var. Or perhaps she has forgotten last night, she thinks with dim hope. "I would be content to just... sit somewhere quiet." Her glance toward Velir turns meaningful with the unspoken: With you.
T'Var says, "I will meditate out in the gardens."
Delaney says, "I'm going to get a quick bite from the replicator, and then take a little nap, I think."
"I will be outside in the Sun" Dobson tells the others.
Graham contemplates saying something else and then thinks better of it: Delaney and Dobson's discovery is progress, and it's best to start the break on a high note.
If he takes his own advice seriously, the smartest thing to do would be to go to the gym and clear his head with some exercise.
But why start doing the smart thing now, he thinks, as instead he heads toward the gift shop to find something for Bennett.
Although the others have departed the room one by one, Crewman Markovich is still here, and Kylah is too self-conscious to smile at Velir the way she wants to. Having dodged a phaser blast by T'Var deciding to be alone, Kylah now wonders if it would be just as rude to exclude Markovich. She would have supposed he and Dobson would have teamed up for lunch, but perhaps they are not friends despite working together. Or will he be guarding the CP? she wonders.
She decides to let Rangin choose whether to be polite or not. Keeping her demeanor casual, she gestures airily toward the door. "Would you care to get something to eat, Mr. Rangin? I do not remember seeing an outdoor eating area, or an atrium with a nice view, but perhaps we could find a peaceful place to enjoy some lunch?"
As he watches the others leave, Rangin hears Kylah ask him about lunch with the others already heading out of the door. "Yes, Mr Kylah, that would be a good idea and I think we could both do with some time to unwind given how today started and has continued."
He stands up and looks across at Crewman Markovich, "Thank you for your work, you did well. If you want to take thirty minutes before returning, I would suggest you may prefer enjoying a look around the resort or getting a bite to eat in one of the restaurants, to letting Ensign Mahmoud know you are available given he is now in charge of taking witness statements. Oh and the food is first class, on expenses but don't go overboard, and you may not get another chance for a while. Choice is yours." Rangin smiles at the Crewman before turning back to Kylah.
With his face hidden from Markovich, Rangin's face breaks into a broad smile of happiness as he looks into her eyes, though his voice stays the same "So shall we go, perhaps if we find some snacks from somewhere, we can find somewhere quiet on the grounds to unwind."
The way Velir looks at her... Kylah is warm and pleasantly nervous and embarrassed all at once. How can I feel this way? I do not deserve to be this happy. After her behavior to Collins and now Collins's situation, and the grim sight of Wilson's body, and her lies to Mrs. Hsu, and the frightening confrontation with Graham, and above all last night with Jan... She cannot explain how she can now take such delight in the expression on Velir Rangin's face. Except for the fact that it is so new for her. It is not avarice or lust or manipulation or ambition. He just likes her. This man, this good man, likes her. Wants to be with her.
"If you do leave," she adds to Markovich, shaking her head to clear it somewhat. "Please ensure everything is locked. And perhaps one of the security team members should be asked to stand down here as a guard? Thank you."
She leaves the room with Velir and walks down the corridor with him. Their arms are only inches from each other and while they do not touch, she is very aware of his nearness. Only when they are some yards away from the CP and safely alone does she turn her head up to beam a smile back at him. "I am so grateful that we can spend time together," she says softly. "Only two hours ago I thought I had ruined our friendship, much less... anything else."
Kylah shakes her head, not wanting to talk about anything too serious. The time for that will arrive, will have to arrive, soon enough. "Yet here we are. What do you want to do now, Velir?"
"I don't mind staying here," Markovich says, settling into a chair at the large table. He pulls a monitor towards him. "I think I'll just read a little."
Graham finds the gift shop empty but for the sales clerk, an attractive young Bolian woman. "May I help you, sir?"
Graham clears his throat. Twice. "Ah, I'm looking for a gift for a...a colleague. Human, female."
Shit, Booker, why don't you read a goddamned rap sheet on Bennett to the clerk? he thinks.
He clears his throat again. "I mean, she's a young woman, like you..." He glances and notices various forms of lingerie on racks in the store and feels heat rising in his cheeks and a drop of sweat on his forehead. He adds quickly, "Uh, who just got promoted. I was thinking soap, or something like that. She likes jasmine and roses."
"Certainly, sir," the clerk says. "We have a number of Eustace & Nash soaps available, they're very good... let's see... yes, here's a jasmine soap. Nothing rose-scented among our soaps, but we do have rose perfume from Gordon's of Proxima Centauri. Quite popular." She shows both to Graham; either, he thinks, would be a nice gift.
Graham silently curses the the fact that there is no rose-scented soap and that there is a rose scented perfume.
Ah to hell with it, he thinks. Maybe it's too...forward. Romantic. Out of line. But get her the damned perfume.
"Uh, I, ah...I think the perfume would be, ah...nice. Great. Could you put that in a nice box or something....uh, thank you."
As he and Kylah walk side by side, Rangin feels the tension of the day beginning to release. For whatever reason, she makes him feel good. Yes, she is actually quite beautiful, but that isn't it. It's that personality, the way she stands forward that Rangin most appreciates. That and the fact that they just seem to click.
"A few hours ago, I thought I had lost you as a friend. I don't want to happen again. Now, I wasn't joking about the snacks and a quiet place to unwind and it will be even better in your company. We should be able to find somewhere around that is peaceful and undisturbed. What do you say?" Rangin looks across, waiting for an answer. It doesn't matter what they do, just spending some time with her is enough.
* * *
Kylah agrees readily. "Perhaps we can get something at OtherWorldly we may take elsewhere? I must eat something that will bolster my energy. I nearly fell asleep during the last meeting. I envy Lt. Delaney's ability to sleep for a mere half-hour. I cannot nap. I would wake up feeling worse than ever."
She slants a measuring glance at him, taking her usual pleasure from his attractive, good-natured face. "I do not know how you do it, Velir. With so little rest, how can you still manage to be so... so you?"
She cannot articulate what she means, but really, it's all she needs to say. Velir is Velir. He is no emotionless Vulcan, but even when pushed, he remains calm yet forceful, controlled yet never passive. It is one of the traits she most admires in him--probably because she so lacks it herself.
***
Rangin looks back at her with a grin. "Well, who else would I be if not me?" He remains silent as they walk into Otherworldly and looks around until he finds a waiter. While Kylah stays behind, he talks to the restaurant staffer and asks if they can prepare a few small dishes and some water to go. Remembering Kylah's preference for eating without utensils, he specifies a Coridan dish that consists of rolled pockets of lightly fried pastry containing a variety of fillings, both savoury and sweet.
Before the waiter leaves, Rangin also asks him if he knows of a place outside that would be suitable for two people who wish to have a peaceful, private lunch. He might be imagining it, but it seems as if when hearing the word 'private,' the waiter gives a knowing glance back at Kylah and Rangin before responding with directions to a picnic area, then heading to the kitchen.
"I wonder what he is thinking?" Rangin murmurs on his way back to find Kylah. Then, to her, he adds: "I've ordered a variety of stuff, I hope you like it. And I hope he's not too long bringing it out."
***
While waiting for Velir to place the order, Kylah spent some time glancing out of the entrance, a bit uncomfortable. She does not remember how close they are to Giuseppe's, but she has no interest in seeing that restaurant again if she can help it Her attention gladly flicks back to her companion once he returns to her and mentions his impatience for the food to arrive quickly.
Kylah quickly erases her anxious expression and changes to a smile. "I am very hungry, too. And I will not even ask what you ordered. I remember how perfect that hamburger was back on Starbase 27. Your taste in food can clearly be trusted."
After their orders arrive, they leave the restaurant carrying the wrapped dishes in their arms. Kylah follows Rangin's lead, since he seems to have received some advice on where they can eat. The restaurant's back exit takes them to a wide, green area dotted with trees, scattered tables, a bubbling fountain, and best of all, almost complete solitude.
They walk several yards until Rangin gestures toward a tree with a thick trunk and sheltering branches above that dapples the sunlight beneath them. Together they sit and unpack the food. The grass has a freshly mown scent, and the dew from this morning seems to have evaporated. It is the perfect place, Kylah thinks happily.
While her fingers are busy unwrapping the dishes, a slight scowl lowers Kylah's brow. Her expression turns sober. "Velir... you joked when I said that, before--about you being you. I know you are a humble person by nature, but I do want you to know..." She lifts a hand so that her fingers just barely brush the sleeve of his uniform to catch his attention. "You have made this mission as bearable as it can be. Aside from the tragedy of Mr. Wilson, and my own--everything that--" She cuts herself off. Why would she mention that now?
Embarrassed, she looks down at the wrapping and sees the array of savory and sweet pastries, together with some unidentifiable fruits and two carafes of cold water. She picks up a pastry and passes the plate to him, then tears at the food in her hands absently. "But I am so grateful for how you keep us all sane. As sane as this particular team can be, at any rate. And your moral compass is so true. The way you stand up for yourself, for the rest of us on the crew. And even for the suspects and witnesses."
She nibbles at the pastry, which turns out to have spicy meat of some kind mixed with diced root vegetables. "And the way you have been with Mr. Graham. I know it has not been easy, those comments he made about Coridan... If he were not the mission leader, you would have had every right to defend yourself. He is not your superior. And yet I suspect you would still have treated him with dignity. More dignity than he affords you--or even himself. He treats you in public the way Collins treated me in private. It is not right."
His hazel eyes are warm but she cannot read them, and she will not use her abilities to invade his privacy. Still, she presses on. "When I am insulted like that, I take it too much to heart and believe every word--or I get outraged and lash out. But you are so self-possessed. How did you become that way, Velir? How can you take those insults and not react with either anger or self-reproach?"
* * *
Rangin accepts the dish and leans back on one elbow while listening to Kylah. He looks over her as she speaks, seeing how she seems to fret over the question, the way she holds her hands together, her hair, slightly loose, framing her features. Its the first time that Rangin has really looked at Kylah while in a calm and relaxed area and he gazes contentedly as the sun outlines her.
"I'll answer briefly if only because we are here for a break. The answer is a mixture of practice and the realisation that in general, it is not worth it. Graham may make his comments about Coridan, but I know he is wrong and I know that in time he will be shown to be wrong. When it comes to defending others, if I don't, could I be sure that others would in my place? Better it be me stepping forward and perhaps be wrong, get criticised and so on, than for no one step up at all." Rangin reaches over for one of the other dishes and passes some back to Kylah.
"But enough about me, what about you? How did someone from such a notable family wind up in Starfleet? I know so little about you and would love to learn more."
Without realising, Rangin finds himself unconsciously resting his hand on the ground close to Kylah, holding it out in a gesture--as if asking for her to reciprocate.
Kylah's dialogue by choie, Rangin's by CatInASuit.
The sales clerk says to Graham, "Certainly, sir. I have a gift box that will fit it nicely." She quotes a price for the perfume that is the equivalent of two weeks' pay.
Kylah's fingers nearly drop the small, vegetable-filled pastry when Velir asks about her path to Starfleet. She does not wish to prevaricate, but she cannot tell the full story. Not only will Velir despise her, but should the truth come out, it could land her in prison, harm her family, put her planet's alliance with the Federation in jeopardy--it could even, conceivably, begin a war. Really, there is no alternative but to lie. Or at least, omit a great deal of the truth.
And he is holding his hand out to her, he wants to connect. Last night she shrank from touching him. Will she lie now even while taking this offer of affection? Is she that greedy? That hungry for companionship?
Yes.
After a quick glance around, she then stares at his outstretched fingers lying in the warm grass. Slowly she inches her hand forward, letting the pads of her fingertips rest on his, then curls them so their hands are gently clasping one another. It is not like last night. There are no spores to electrify each nerve. As always the physical connection enhances her empathic abilities. She feels a swift rush of gentle pleasure, both her own and his. She also feels his surprise. But unlike last night, there is no burning need, no heady lust. Only warmth.
"I joined Starfleet because there was no better option," she says softly. "When I turned sixteen, my un--the head of the Regency Council gave me three choices for my future. The first two were both marriages. I would either marry a political ally from another planet, or I would have to accept..." She flushes and shakes her head. "It does not matter. They were not palatable. The final option was to join Starfleet."
Kylah casts her gaze across the lush grass. Not even the tiniest insect stirs the blades. "Thus, here I am. I wish I could say my decision sprang from a nobler desire--to educate myself, to explore and discover new worlds, learn new languages. But in the end, it was the only path that did not sicken me." She tosses her head, refusing to let the past ruin this otherwise lovely outing. "Happily my low expectations were greatly surpassed. I have learned so much, and met so many people." She tilts her face forward, letting her hair cascade forward to block her from seeing anyone but Velir. "What about you? Why Starfleet, and why xenobiology?"
* * *
There is a sudden rush of warmth and surprise Kylah takes his hand unexpectedly. He can feel them shiver slightly in his grasp as she mentions why she was in Starfleet, no wonder given the choices she had. The touch is gentle and he lets he hand rest on his, glad to be near her and letting the rest of the world become an abstraction.
"Well, I'm glad you did, otherwise I might never have met you." Rangin sees Kylah shake her hair and watches as the sunlight ripples through the strands casting waves and shadows across her face. A face that still looks so young for someone who has probably been through so much.
When she asks about Coridan, Rangin stops and thinks back to why he left. There are some events that he could not tell Kylah about, not yet, some reasons as to why being off planet is a boon to be suffered through instead of being back on Coridan. But he is not going to let it show, there are enough good reasons as to why he is in Starfleet, enough to mask the others.
"Xenobiology first. I always liked animals and if I wasn't here I'd probably be a vet somewhere on Coridan. I used to go out camping into the woods nearby to go and look at the animals and study them, regardless of how safe it was." Predators, poachers, illegal mining operations... thinks Rangin. "When I grew up I did well enough academically to get into Cordas University studying what I always wanted. Lots of different types of animals and then offworld species. I also met a lot of new races, species, call it what you will, in Cordas and I got interested in trying to go further.
"Given Starfleet involvement, there was a quiet campaign to see if any Coridanites would be interested in joining as a an example. I jumped at the chance. It meant seeing more species than ever before and so here I am. And all the more welcome for it."
It hadn't been quite that simple, given interest from the Orion Syndicate, a couple of incidents with some illegal mines and a small diplomatic incident, it had been decided the Velir Rangin might be better off world in Starfleet.
Rangin looks across into Kylah's eyes meeting her gaze, "I'd just like to say thanks for being here, relaxing in the sunshine. If we get the chance would you like to do the same this evening?"
* * *
It is difficult, with such a tactile connection to Velir, for Kylah to hide her reactions to what she feels occurring inside him. Guilty, she almost wishes she could pull away; he clearly would not want her to know what she can so easily sense: that he's hiding something--for her, the difference between his words and the fluctuating emotions is quite literally palpable.
But she does her best to block out everything else but the sound of his voice, the intent and information in his speech. She appreciates his fondness for animals. She has always loved them as well. They can be chaotic but also calming. So much simpler than most humanoid races.
When he asks about tonight, she smiles. "We may find it difficult to relax in any sunshine during the evening," she says with a teasing lilt in her voice. "But yes. If we are off-duty and still on the planet, I would like it very much. Not that I would wish to delay solving the crime, but spending more time with you..."
She does not bother continuing. He must see her affectionate stare--it would not take an empath to know how she feels.
* * *
Rangin can see the look in her eyes. It's one he has seen before and his heart races slightly as he returns it. It lasts for a few seconds until there is a quiet grumble from his midsection. Rangin blushes and smiles in embarrassment, "I think my stomach is trying to ruin the moment." He looks down trying to stifle a laugh. "We have all this food and we've hardly touched it. Let's eat before its wasted."
He reaches down and picks up another savoury. "Here, try one of these, it's fairly tasty." Rangin parcels the food out to both of them. "We only have a few minutes before we have to return, but I feel so much better for this." He squeezes Kylah's hand that he has still been holding before releasing it. "Thanks once again."
* * *
The physical connection breaks and Kylah feels the familiar tug and release in her brain, as if a thin rope has been slipped from her grasp. Losing an empathic link is usually a relief; right now she feels emptier without Velir's spirit enmeshed with hers. "Thank you," she murmurs, and like Velir returns to finish their eclectic meal.
A comfortable silence--interrupted only by the soft crunch of the pastries--settles around them. Kylah pops the final bite of her fourth vegetable roll into her mouth and leans forward to grasp her water glass. She sips it, smiling, as she looks at Velir enjoying his food so voraciously, and then turns to look back toward the resort grounds. This is probably the most relaxed she's been in three days. With the warm sun and light breeze, Kylah wishes she could lie down and nap. Her head resting against Velir's chest, perhaps, his arm around her...
The thought makes her smile wider and she lifts her glass to drain it. It is almost unseemly to feel this good during a murder investigation. But she cannot help it.
Dobson decides she will go back in early, so she sets her chronometer for 5 minutes before the end of the break. She sits on a bench and tilts her head towards the sky, letting the warmth of the system's star bathe her.
Dobson basks in the warm glow of Omicron Ceti. She knows she has quite awhile to go yet before the Berthold rays kill her.
Kylah sees Jan Švehla at a distance, reading something on a data pad as he slowly walks through the gardens. The Czech businessman does not seem to have noticed her yet.
As the meal comes to an end, Rangin gathers up the litter to make sure the place remains tidy before standing up and stretching. "That was wonderful." he says quietly as he closes his eyes reaching upwards and feeling the suns rays on him.
After he finishes he offers a hand to Kylah to help her up as he squints down at her, the sunlight still affecting his eyes. "Come on, its to go back and start again."
Kylah almost chokes on the water when she recognizes the blonde-haired man in the distance--not nearly distant enough--and automatically takes a sharp inward breath. The delicious meal now churns in her stomach. She sets the glass down, practically dropping it.
Despite the warm air and open, wide grounds surrounding her, she feels ice cold and hemmed in. Trapped. Do not let him see me, please do not let him see me!
Velir Rangin's voice and extended hand startle her. He might as well be using an unknown language, because it takes her mind several seconds before it translates what he says into recognizable words.
For an instant she thinks he heard her silent prayer, as if she had spoken it aloud. It is all she can do just to tear her gaze from Jan, stare up at Velir for a second, and then lower her head again, practically shrinking from him. Slowly she understands that he wants them to leave. To leave now, at the worst possible moment. She is terrified of attracting attention to herself by moving from this spot. Say something, you fool, she commands herself wildly. Say anything--anything to remain here!
She forces words through her clenched jaw. "Not yet. I do not want to go right now. Please, can we just--can we stay a few moments longer?" The attempt at a quiet, casual response fails; even she can hear how intense and strangled she sounds. She realizes her hands have curled around the grass, holding onto it for dear life.
Dobson's chronometer beeps. She stands up, checks herself to make sure her uniform is in order, and heads back in to the CP.
Graham had no idea how much perfume of any sort would cost, but is not surprised by the price, as he assumes most everything at the resort will come at a premium (justified or not). However, he hopes Bennett won't know how expensive it actually is. Explaining I don't really have anything else to spend money on, and that just giving a good person a pleasant surprise is worth a lot given my track record in the last, oh, decade, could be awkward... he thinks.
He pays, thanks the clerk, and once outside contacts the ship to have the package beamed up and stowed in his quarters. Then he takes a deep breath and head back toward the CP.