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

[Elendil's Heir]

Banks loftily says, "She prefers to be called Miss Aubrey, as I said. Just a moment, please; I will tell her of your request." He closes the door.

Hsu says to Rangin, "All right. Let's go."

Delaney, in the bedroom, shakes his head in frustration. "Still no luck, but I've set up Wilson's communicator to cycle through its subroutines and self-identify any code sequence that might open the safe. It could take awhile, but it'll signal me when it finds the right one." He's ready to go to the CP, too.

[general_urko]

If Graham was surprised by Banks' description of his role and the memory it invoked, he's doubly surprised by Kylah pushing her way past him.

He doesn't have it in him to be annoyed: at least she cares about doing her job, he thinks.

Take a sense of away duty to Starfleet--how well are you doing at that, Booker?

Take away a sense of obligation to be a father--you're doing even better at the one, aren't you?

Take away a sense of responsibility to see there's justice done for what happened--any progress there, Booker?

And take away at least the fact that by being on a team and having no hesitation to put himself in harm's way when necessary he can keep decent people from getting hurt--how's your track record there?

Kylah looks up at him He recalls what he thought last night: either her whole plan was a cock and bull story and she just had a crush on this guy, in which case we should drag her ass back and explain she should play romance novel heroine on her own damn time or the plan for this 'interview subject' was all true, but she's lost control of the situation.

At least she cares about doing her job.

Take all that away and what's left, Booker?


For a split second he lets it all go, and stares back at his young colleague as exactly what he feels like: a dead man walking.

Then he shuts it all down and puts the job on. It's the uniform holding the body up, isn't it? he thinks grimly. You have some decisions to make.

A little bit of him hopes Miss Aubrey comes out shooting.

[CatInASuit]

"Excellent idea sir", Rangin responds and and nods in approval. "If we, or rather you, can open it, it may help us work out why Mr Wilson was killed."

Rangin waits for Mr Hsu to lock the side entrance before everyone leaves and they all head for the Command Post.

[Elendil's Heir]

Hsu locks the suite's service entrance and the front door, and he, Rangin and Delaney go to the CP. Collins is already there. The coffee and donuts are delivered soon after; Collins thumbs the receipt pad.

After about five minutes, Banks returns to the guest house's door and says, "Please come in." He shows Graham, Kylah and Dr. T'Var into a first-floor sitting room decorated in the Second Russian Empire style.

Sylvia Aubrey, a well-preserved and not unattractive woman, about 70, sits on the couch in an opulent dressing gown. "Good morning, everyone," she says regally. "Please do have a seat." Her name had been unfamiliar to Graham before, but seeing her now, he vaguely remembers seeing her in a movie a decade or so earlier. She was once a relatively big star but is now semi-retired and not nearly as famous. She smiles. "It's not every day I have a visit from Starfleet. What can I do for you all on this fine morning?"

[general_urko]

Graham clears his throat.

You have some decisions to make, Booker.


"It's, ah, not every day we're as graciously greeted by someone so accomplished," Graham says, straightening his shirt first, then taking a seat. "Unfortunately," he says, folding his hands on his lap and glancing down at them for just a moment. "the circumstances are less than ideal. A serious crime has occurred, and it would be very helpful to Starfleet if you'd allow us to ask you a few questions." As he says this, he gestures and glances toward Kylah and T'Var.

[Elendil's Heir]

Remember, you should ask all the questions you want in one post, then I'll post all the NPC's answers, and then you can follow up.

"A serious crime?" she repeats. "Dear Lord. Well, whatever I can tell you, I'll be glad to. My brother was in Starfleet and I have a high opinion of the service."

[CatInASuit]

When he gets back to the CP, Rangin sets to work to get all the data down before relaxing.

He starts by upload all the data he has gathered and cross references all the fingerprints in Mr Wilson's apartment with the WR&R database they have been provided along with adding notes about which DNA was found with which fingerprint. Rangin is expecting the remaining results to be for cleaners in the apartment as he can't see Mr Wilson doing it all himself and he leaves it to process away in the background.

Next he uploads the data they found about Mr Wilson's movements from the video and audio for reference.

Finally he starts placing several requests for information with the Yorktown in the hopes they may be able to get some answers. A background check on Mr Wilson, any irregularities in his finances, any personal large payments made at the same time the hotel was finished. Then a request to HoldFast Corp about their safe including type details and a request for any information how to find out who bought and installed it at the resort and if not, the best way to get any kind of serial number so it can be tracked.

As the coffee is bought in, the grin nearly splits his face as he looks across. "Sir, that's excellent, great idea", as his fingers continue entering the data.

As he finalises the requests, he jots down some notes on a piece of paper.
Agenda
1. Update from team: Rangin, Graham, T'Var. Kylah, Delaney, Collins
2. Suggestions from team: Rangin, Graham, T'Var. Kylah, Delaney, Collins
3. Suspects - who are they, who should interview them.
4. Interviews and information - people to talk to, things to find out
5. Divison of tasks raised.
6. Relax and drink more coffee.

Once Rangin finishes, he leaves the piece of paper face up on his desk before heading across to enjoy a proper coffee and some pastries. On seeing the selection, he muses aloud, "I hope the others aren't going to be too long or those will to vanish." His eyes twinkle at the selection before carefully taking a couple to enjoy, then Rangin turns to Lt Collins and smiles, "Thank you sir.", before taking a mouthful.

[anyrose]

Collins smiles as she sips her own coffee. "What were you writing over there? I can't remember that last time I saw anyone use pen and paper."

[CatInASuit]

"I like to keep in practice every so often, keeps fingers nimble. One moment, sir, I'll show you."

Rangin wanders across and retrieves the paper before handing it to Lt. Collins. "Just some ideas, you're welcome to add them to all the other ideas, sir."

While Lt. Collins is reading it, Rangin continues, "It seems the only people nowadays who use pen and ink are artists, everyone always uses something electronic for ease of use. Shame really, a little bit of individuality in people's handwriting lost, all for the sake of legibility."

Rangin looks back across at all the note he bought back from Mr Wilson's apartment. "Then again, it can make reading easier. I've a pile of notes of ledges to go through over there after the debrief from Mr Wilson's office."

[anyrose]

Collins reads the list and mutters, almost inaudibly, "You should have been mission leader."

[CatInASuit]

Once he has a sip of coffee, Rangin mutters back quietly at the same pitch, "No sir, you're quite capable. You just need experience and confidence. You'll do fine and trust me it does get easier."

[Elendil's Heir]

Rangin's computer search soon comes back - the fingerprints are Wilson's, Mrs. Hsu's, and various WR&R cleaning staff. WR&R does not maintain employee DNA profiles in its personnel database.

Lt. Thalen, on the Yorktown, refers Rangin's query as to a Wilson background check to Federation Security, the nearest office of which is on Santiago, and Starfleet Security on Starbase 27. It may take a few days for responses. He also sends a subspace message to the Holdfast Corp., which is based on Rigel IV. It might take even longer to hear from them, if they respond at all - as Graham could tell Rangin, they tend to be quite protective of client privacy. Wilson had a standard if somewhat cursory corporate background check when he was first hired by WR&R, and a more thorough one when he was promoted to resort manager on OC3, and nothing out of the ordinary was found either time.

[CatInASuit]

While Mr Hsu is in the room, Rangin has left the computer search to sit in the background and not display any results. It's likely, given the hairs that Lt. Collins showed to him, that Mrs Hsu's fingerprints will be found in the bathroom as well. Although, there are probably plenty of ways they could get there, being found on a cup in the bathroom is a little harder to wish away. It can wait until later, when Mr Hsu is not around.

Rangin continues to drink coffee and attempting to convince Lt Collins she is a capable leader.

[general_urko]

Graham asks Aubrey questions, pausing at times to indicate that Kylah and T'Var need not let him dominate the conversation.

How has your visit been, so far?
Have you come here before?
(If yes - Is this the house you normally stay in?)
Is this the house you reserved, and you've been here your whole stay?
Did you notice anything out of the ordinary last night?
How well did you know Mr. Wilson?
When did you last see Mr. Wilson?

[Elendil's Heir]

Several of Mrs. Hsu's fingerprints were indeed in the bathroom.

Aubrey says, "I've had a marvellous time so far. This is my second visit here, and I find it so relaxing. And yes, I've stayed in this house both times - I liked it so much the first time I insisted on getting it again, if possible, and fortunately, it was available. No, I noticed nothing out of the ordinary last night. I had dinner here, brought to me by Room Service, and then I took a walk for an hour or so, getting back around 10pm. I read for awhile and was in bed by 11:15pm. I slept through the night, waking about half an hour ago. I knew Mr. Wilson only slightly; most of my dealings were with the concierge. I last saw Mr. Wilson three or four days ago. But why do you ask about him? Has something happened to him?"

[general_urko]

Graham asks follow ups:

Did Mr. Wilson, or any other staff, speak with you about another guest being interested in this house?
Is there any reason you know of why anyone would have wished Mr. Wilson harm?

[choie]

Kylah remains silent, although she isn't comfortable with not revealing Wilson's death to Miss Aubrey. She's certain Graham probably wants to spring the news on her as some kind of dramatic surprise gesture, but the tenor of his questions has already implied the worst. What is the point of obfuscation?

Meanwhile she looks at Miss Aubrey to take in her physical details and facial reactions. Is she capable of stabbing someone with a knife that somehow matched the one belonging to Lord Fastolfe? The idea of someone using an identical knife without having been present at the time when Wilson was threatened earlier seems to go beyond coincidence into the realm of the fantastic.

Who was the other woman there? That novelist. She should be on our interview list after Lord Fastolfe--and of course, Mrs. Hsu.

[anyrose]

if Delaney and Hsu are also in the CP ...

"Have some coffee, gentlemen, and something to eat." Collins offers as she pulls out her communicator. "Collins to Graham. We're in the CP, waiting on you all."

if Delaney and Hsu are not there, she just calls Graham

[Elendil's Heir]

Delaney and Hsu are indeed also in the CP. See post 1854. They each help themselves to some coffee and a bite to eat, and thank Collins.

Aubrey says, "It was either Mr. Wilson or one of his staff who told me that another recently-arrived guest was very interested in staying in this house, but I was already here, and had my heart set on it, and I just put my foot down. I'd reserved the place, for heaven's sake! Why should I move for someone who just wanted to stay on a whim? And of course I don't know of anyone who would wish any harm to Mr. Wilson. But please, tell me - what's happened to him?"

[general_urko]

Graham nods to acknowledge Aubrey's answers, then briefly lowers his head. Raising it, he watches Aubrey closely to assess her reaction and slowly says "I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, ma'am--but Mr. Wilson is dead."

[Elendil's Heir]

Aubrey seems genuinely horrified. "Oh, no - how terrible! Really? How did it happen?"

[anyrose]

Collins calls Graham again. "Ensign, acknowledge!"

[CatInASuit]

Rangin waits patiently while Lt Collins tries to contact Graham. He wonders what could be going on that Graham doesn't reply and he hopes this is not going to be the same as when Kylah didn't answer, although Rangin is not sure what situation Graham could get into to match that. He puts the thought to one side, but then remembers that Kylah was heading to see Graham and hopes nothing has gone wrong.

[choie]

Kylah glances at Graham and decides to handle this question. "I am afraid he was killed, Miss Aubrey," she says gently, and this time she does press outwards with her empathic sense slightly to see if the actress's feelings match her seemingly genuine shock. "The death occured late last night, early this morning, and not very far from here--in the courtyard just outside. That is why we need you to think carefully, if you might have heard anything at all, even something minor that merely disturbed your sleep... and perhaps you could ask your traveling companion if he would also step inside to answer that question, as well."

The post above where Kylah looks at Aubrey to see her physical description was intended (apparently not very clearly, sorry!) to ask about her appearance. Any chance of details on what she looks like, please? Does she look her age, is she strong/weak, is she more than 'not attractive' as in actually pretty, hair color, etc.?

[general_urko]

Graham takes advantage of Kylah answering Aubrey's question to excuse himself. "I'm sorry," he says quickly and quietly, "Pardon me." He stands and pulls out his communicator, and moves to a corner of the room.

"Graham here," he says as quietly as he can while still remaining audible to Collins. "Sorry L-T, we're in the middle of interviewing a guest."

[Elendil's Heir]

"Oh, how terrible!" Aubrey repeats, shaking her head. "I had no idea. And no, I'm sorry, I saw and heard nothing at all unusual last night. Not in the least." She calls in Banks, who says much the same.

Kylah senses that Aubrey is upset by news of Wilson's murder, but not as much as her demeanor and tone of voice indicate. She is good-looking for her age but not beautiful, Kylah would say. She has a strong chin and her face is slightly lined; her hair is raven black. Even at this hour of the morning, she is perfectly made up and not a hair is out of place. She has a force of personality, a physical presence and an expressiveness that make it clear she is still quite a capable actress.

[choie]

"Thank you," Kylah says to Banks, and turns to look at the actress. "We do appreciate your help, Miss Aubrey. It is very early yet, and I doubt the resort staff have had time to make any official decisions regarding what to tell the guests. But since you and the others staying in these cottages are so near to the scene of the crime, we must speak with all of you as soon as possible. Not just to determine whether there were any witnesses, but to make certain you are all safe and sound."

Kylah darts her gaze to Graham, who is still on the communicator, before continuing. "Please rest assured that the resort has increased security all around the vicinity, with guards on alert for your protection. In addition, our ship, the Yorktown, is ready to provide additional backup if it is warranted."

She tilts her head. "How long is your vacation here, Miss Aubrey? Oh, and how did you travel here? Forgive me, it just struck me that I do not know how most guests journey to the resort."

[anyrose]

"Alright." says Collins, "Save the rest of the interviews for later and get here as soon as you can."

[Elendil's Heir]

"I plan to be here for a month," Aubrey says. "I've been here for just four days now. I arrived on the liner Ariadne."

[CatInASuit]

"Sir, I take it they are going to be a while? In which case is there anything to prep before the meeting and would you like another coffee?" Rangin asks Collins as she finishes talking to Graham.

[choie]

"I see, thank you," Kylah says. "I assume the resort will do all it can to ensure your stay will not be disturbed. Administrative matters will likely be taken over by Mr. Wilson's close associate, Mrs. Hsu." She tilts her head slightly. "Have you ever met her?" If Miss Aubrey says yes, she will follow up with, "She seems to be pleasant and efficient, and will make a suitable if temporary replacement, do you agree?"

If Miss Aubrey says no, Kylah will say the same thing but without the added question.

[anyrose]

Collins walks with Rangin to the coffee pots. "Of course I would." she tells him. "Let's debrief Hsu, and then he can get back to work. By then Graham and the others should be here."

[Elendil's Heir]

"No, I don't think I've had any dealings with Mrs. Hsu," Aubrey says. She looks at Banks, who shakes his head.

[general_urko]

Graham acknowledges Collins' order and returns to the group.

As best he can tell, he waits for a break in the conversation - it seems like Aubrey and Banks have just dead-ended on a question.

"Well," he says, "we won't take much more of your time. Our mission commander has other orders for us at the moment." He says this with equanimity, aware that yesterday he would have let the combination of Kylah's fall that slowed them down and Collins telling him what to do get to him. Or, more accurately, he thinks, get to you and change your behavior. If you're going to do the job, do the job and don't fly off at the handle.

"Mr. Kylah, Dr. T'Var, did you have any other questions for Miss Aubrey at this time?" he asks, sincerely. As far as he's concerned, Aubrey's either clean or slick enough to jerk them around for awhile.

[choie]

Kylah nods at Miss Aubrey. "Miss Aubrey, you have been most generous with your time at such an early hour. As have you, Mr. Banks. Thank you both very much, I have no more questions I can think of right now. Dr. T'Var?"

[CatInASuit]

Rangin nods at Collins suggestion while he pours two new coffees and hands one across. "Good idea sir, we can confirm our access to Mr Wilson's office and suite ask him to see if any of the staff did see Mr Wilson after 11:15 last night and perhaps most importantly, given that everyone is a suspect, we can tactfully ask for an alibi, purely on the grounds of being able to cross him off the list. I'm sure his wife will be able to provide it, but we would be fools not to ask. I don't consider him a suspect, but better to be safe than sorry..."

Rangin looks across where Delaney and Mr Hsu are talking, before turning back to Collins, "..and I'm sure you have your own points, sir. I'll go and ask him to step across." He hopes that Collins is ready for this, it will be a good test to see how calm and collected she currently is. Rangin has given her a few things to confirm and ask and with any luck it will go well, not to mention getting the practice at this she seems to need. If not, he will be on hand to hopefully smooth things over.

He heads across to the pair and politely intervenes at an appropriate point, "Excuse me for interrupting, sirs. Mr Hsu, would it be possible to run through some details so we don't delay you too much from all the other work that undoubtedly have." Rangin gestures across to where Lt. Collins is waiting

[Elendil's Heir]

Dr. T'Var asks Miss Aubrey, "Do you have any investments in either Wrigley Resorts & Recreation or any of its competitors, ma'am?"

"Yes," Aubrey says, a little reluctantly. "I have some holdings in Gould Travel."

"As a percentage of your portfolio, how much, if I may ask?"

"Uh... about half, maybe a little less. It's a very good company."

"Is Gould one of the companies hoping to secure the resort franchise here on Omicron Ceti III?"

"Yes, I think so, although I don't follow the ins and outs of corporate policy all that closely. I know the CEO of Gould and had suggested that this might be a worthwhile investment."

"I see. And the death of the resort's director - his murder - might not reflect well on WR&R, would you say?"

Aubrey looks startled, but Kylah senses that it's mostly an act. "Uh, perhaps. But I'm sure Starfleet will decide who should run the resort purely on the merits."

"I certainly hope so," Dr. T'Var says calmly. "We thank you both for your time, and now take our leave."

Mr. Hsu says to Rangin, "Sure. Anything I can do to help."

[anyrose]

Before Rangin walks away Collins tells him "Oh, Hsu is a suspect, alright, especially if there was something going on between his wife and Wilson. It's the oldest motive in the book."
She watches as Rangin talks to Hsu and waits until they start moving towards, then meets them halfway. "Let's start with the basics" she says evenly. "What is the standard nightly protocol?"

[Elendil's Heir]

As I've suggested several times before, please ask all the questions you want to in a single post. I'll respond, and then you can follow up.

Hsu says, "We have two officers on a duty at a time, in eight-hour watches. One is in the Security Office, keeping an eye and an ear on the surveillance systems, and the other is on foot patrol. They switch places every two hours to keep alert. If there's an emergency, officers who are off-duty can be brought in, as I did when Mr. Wilson's body was discovered. All of the resort's shops close at 9pm, the restaurants close at midnight, and the nightclub closes at 2am. The officer on foot patrol checks to make sure this happens, and that they're each secure and locked after closing. Before Mr. Wilson's body was found, last night and early this morning were unremarkable from a security perspective."

[general_urko]

"Collins wants everyone to rendezvous at the CP," Graham says once they are out of earshot of Aubrey and Banks.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin waits and stands politely, hands behind his back and coffee placed to one side as Collins asks her questions.

He shouldn't need to say anything at all, but if Collins asks a good question, he'll nod in appreciation. He keeps a mental note of the questions asked, no doubt Collins might like some feedback later on in private.

[choie]

Kylah nods. "Those were excellent questions, Dr. T'Var. I should have thought of them myself, since I was the only one of us in the interview with Mr. Palver--who also has investments in a rival company. And yet it is a different company entirely. It seems... odd. I suppose we will discuss all this in the meeting."

She falls silent as they head to the CP, concerned about having some time alone. She must see a doctor or nurse, preferably someone female, and definitely sooner rather than later.

[general_urko]

As they walk to the CP, Graham grunts and scratches his chin in response to Kylah's comments. "Hmmm...if I had tended to see the worst in people, I'd say our boy Wilson might have been playing different companies against each other...maybe was trying to make bank by promising to throw control of this franchise from WR&W to somebody else, and he got in over his head...or somebody found out he wasn't really on on their side."

[choie]

Playing both sides against each other.

Kylah keeps her gaze straight ahead, but a shiver goes down her spine. The description matches Aldaan perfectly: appeasing the Federation, appeasing the Klingons--and who knows whom he is courting now. All for the benefit of Elas. Or really, for himself. She has no illusions about her Guardian's activities having anything to do with the greater good of their planet or people.

So was Wilson also such an avaricious man, playing the same games on a smaller scale? Did one of his apparent conspirators discover his treachery and repay him in blood?

Might the same thing happen to Aldaan?

As far as Kylah knows, she is the only one in her family who is aware of Aldaan's behavior. She cannot believe her young brother knows what is being done in his name, and her sister has never shown any interest in political machinations. Of course, the most natural person to tell would be a wife, but Aldaan has none. Yet. Which is why he confides in Kylah, because he's always intended...

Kylah shakes her head slightly to get herself away from such thoughts, and thinks back to the picture in the CP in front of the empty chair, the ghost at the table. Like Banquo, the martyred king in the only Shakespeare play that her family could appreciate: Macbeth.

"I wonder if they have informed his family yet," she murmurs slowly. "If there are such aspects to this crime, perhaps getting access to his private financial records might be helpful. To do that we would need his wife's permission. It strikes me that, as far away as she is, Mrs. Wilson might be a valuable source of knowledge."

[general_urko]

Graham's lost in his own thoughts, but turns at Kylah's comments. "His wife?" He shakes his head. "I always hated making calls like that. Best thing you could hope for was that she thought he was a too-timing scumbag and was glad he was dead. Of course," he says, pausing, "that doesn't bode so well for this kids." Various memories come to mind. "What do you say to a distraught wife? 'Hey, it'd not do bad, after all he was cheating on you!'" He shakes his head and is almost about to go on: what do you say to a child when one of their parents isn't coming back? but he stops himself short. I've been there, he thinks. And I still have no damned idea.

"Hm," he says, "I thought Mrs. Hsu might have been upset because of her fling. Maybe somehow she spilled the beans intentionally or accidentally...." He's relieved he didn't let Collins' interruption of what they were doing get to him. "Maybe it's a good time to get the team together and compare notes."

[choie]

"Do you mean Mrs. Hsu might have told Mrs. Wilson about the affair--the alleged affair, I should say?" Kylah asks. "She does not seem that careless. If she told someone it likely would have been purposeful, I think..." Kylah frowns. Something nags at her but she is not sure what it is.

Unable to figure out what is bothering her, Kylah thinks about what Graham said about informing Mrs. Wilson. "Distraught," she says pensively. "Not every spouse is distraught. My f--" Kylah catches herself. "My friend's father died two days before her mother did. They were both in an accident, you see, and he died first while she lingered. When she was told that her husband had died, the wife was glad. Not because she hated him. She did not. She simply knew she could bear his death more easily than he could bear hers, and was glad he was spared that suffering."

Kylah hesitates as they approach the door to the resort. "Also, she knew she was dying, and with her husband dead, she was able to make provisions for their children on her own. Her husband might not have made the same choices. A practical woman to the last." She swallows and glances at the ground for a second before continuing in a firmer tone. "So... one never knows how a spouse may react. Indeed I believe in most murders, it is the wife or husband who is normally the prime suspect, is that not true? Not that it is possible in this case, but still..."

[general_urko]

"She simply knew she could bear his death more easily than he could bear hers, and was glad he was spared that suffering."

Is this whole mission really a psych test? Graham wonders, as he feels like Kylah has taken her Elasian knife and inserted it into the notch between two vertebrae, where she's wiggling it around to find the exact spot at which the point's contact with a nerve will cause him to collapse, screaming.

For a moment he wonders if she's toying with him, but he doesn't see why she would be--and he's sure he hasn't told any of his new crewmates his story, anyway.

It's just a coincidence, Booker--you brought up spouses dying. And you don't need to be a genius to see she's probably talking about her own mother, he thinks.

In the end he's neither angry nor even sad: he's...taken aback. Stunned.

He clears his throat. "Uh, yeah," he rasps. "Marriage can be hazardous to your health."

"She simply knew she could bear his death more easily than he could bear hers, and was glad he was spared that suffering."

Who are you angry at, Booker: yourself...or Jane--because it's you who couldn't bear her death?

Or because of this.

"No child should have to grow up without her--a--mother," he mumbles, feeling awkward about saying nothing but unsure what to say.

Her? Are you speaking in general, about Kylah, or about Elizabeth, he wonders?

Then he quickens his pace little, hoping his shorter colleague won't really notice, but also won't quite be able to keep up so he can avoid further conversation for the moment.

[choie]

"Or without a father," Kylah finishes quietly.

But when she looks up, she sees that Graham has begun moving faster down the corridor, and with her shorter--and wounded--legs, Kylah would have to jog to catch up with him. She supposes she may have said too much. He has even passed T'Var in his rush to get away from her. Not away from me. Likely he is in a hurry to begin the meeting and hear what the others have learned.

He is, after all, a professional.

[Elendil's Heir]

T'Var raises an eyebrow at Graham's increased pace, and instead slows, looking back at Kylah. "Are you feeling better, Ensign?" she asks.

[choie]

Kylah gives T'Var a quick, reassuring nod. "Yes, thank you, doctor. My knee feels much better. The pain medication is working quite well. Otherwise, I am saddened that our mission has turned into an investigation of a crime, especially one so tragic. I know we will do our best to find justice for Mr. Wilson's family--and, I hope, prevent any further acts of violence. I look forward to hearing what you and the other teams have learned once the meeting starts."

She keeps her voice crisp and businesslike--not unlike a Vulcan, in fact. If only I could hide my emotions as they do. Awkward at being by T'Var's side, Kylah is very glad that they are nearing the CP. She will do anything to avoid the doctor's speculative stare, or the conversation that T'Var planned on having last night.