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

[choie]

After the discussion with Vargas finished, Kylah told Velir about Graham's suggestion.* She then hurries along to the infirmary, both anticipating the interview, and dreading seeing Mrs. Hsu again in a weak state after recovering from being stunned. Guilt flares up again. The idea of hurting someone is still fresh and shameful.

She had her own phaser; she was probably going to do the same to me, Kylah tells herself when entering the medical facility. But 'probably' does not satisfy her.

Kylah takes deep breaths to clear her thoughts. She will ask whomever she finds about Mrs. Hsu's condition. The woman will probably not be in full mental capacity immediately after waking up--that's what Kylah was told earlier--but she wants a full report on Mrs. Hsu's health and how she is currently feeling. If it is anything like the way she herself felt after Hardin's attack...

Thinking of Hardin reminds her that the Vice Admiral is also likely here, recovering from his own stunning. She feels less concerned about him, considering what he did to her and Graham. At least with the Vice Admiral, they had already been attacked. Mrs. Hsu is a less certain call.

She looks around for Dr. Halsey and, particularly, Garcia.



* Whether Velir accepts Graham's suggestion, or mutters a suggestion of his own, is entirely up to CIAS.

[Elendil's Heir]

Graham hands off the datapad to Garcia, who takes it to the CP to try to crack its encryption.

Dr. Halsey has moved Mrs. Hsu to a private room near the Infirmary, which was otherwise becoming too crowded once Vice Adm. Hardin was brought in under guard. He allows Graham, Kylah and Dr. T'Var to meet privately with her. Mrs. Hsu seems a little disoriented at first, but soon is able to focus. Her expression clouds when she sees Kylah. "I have nothing to discuss with you all," she says faintly.

[choie]

Shaking her head slightly in genuine regret, Kylah backs up slightly. "Mrs. Hsu," she says in a soft voice, "I understand why you would not wish to speak with me, in particular, in light of what has transpired between us. I--I regret causing you pain, and only did so because I felt there was no other choice.

"You were rushing toward the transporter console. I thought you were trying to beam out, or beam someone--perhaps Vice Admiral Hardin--into the resort. It was only after I stunned you that I learned there had been a third possibility: that you had a phaser and planned to use it against me. Except your weapon, unlike mine, was set to heavy stun... the most vicious non-lethal setting."

She looks toward Graham for a moment, then back at Hsu. "My colleagues know all that I do. The affair, your false alibi, the video footage of your conversation with Mr. Wilson at the nightclub... all of it. There is cause enough to arrest you.

"But I will say this before I go. I am... I am not as antagonistic toward you as you probably think. I believe you know what happened that night, how Mr. Wilson died. But I am not convinced that you are the one responsible. All the evidence does point to you, and your attempt to flee while armed does not help matters. As I said, we have the authority to arrest you. And yet..."

Kylah looks deeply into the older woman's eyes, trying her best to read Mrs. Hsu as well as to show her own sincerity. "I think there is more going on. And that you could clarify the truth. For this reason, if only to help yourself, I hope you will speak to us. Or at least, to my colleagues, if you despise me too much to stomach talking further in my presence." Her voice lowers still. "Justice should be done, Mrs. Hsu. If you cared for him and did not commit this crime, please consider your voice his own, and let him speak so that justice may be done."

She takes another step toward the door, but before she leaves she adds, "I will be available if you do wish to talk with me. And again, I am sorry to have harmed you."

Turning, she murmurs to Graham that she will be nearby waiting for Hardin to recover if he needs her. Then Kylah exits the room.

[CatInASuit]

At hearing Graham's suggestion about changing clothes Rangin rolls his eyes. When it was just Rangin, then Graham was totally oblivious. Now all of Security including Graham are wet, no change there then, its a good idea. Nevertheless, Rangin is happy to get out of the mudstained and now only slightly damp uniform he has been traipsing around in for the last hour or so.

"Give your self a pat on the back, Kylah. That was a good stint in charge from what I could see. You've held it together and handed it back in better condition than it was when Graham left. Well done, indeed." Rangin congratulates her. "Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to get changed...at long last."

He looks down at the tatty uniform wishing he could change back into something more relaxing, but he knows he is still on duty and will present a correct and proper face to the world.

"I'm going to check with resort security, find out what the local thoughts are on the Hsu's and then I will meet you across in the Infirmary I guess."

After Rangin has changed, he pays that side visit to the Security Office as he wants to find out what the resort's security team think and then he will tackle Dr Halsey about confirming the current state of Fellim Palver from the last examination Halsey performed.

[Elendil's Heir]

Mrs. Hsu avoids eye contact with Kylah and says, "I have nothing to say; I want to talk to a lawyer," just before the young Elasian woman leaves.

Rangin feels much better after bathing and changing into a clean uniform. WR&R Security Officers Bortne and Hammond, a short Rigellian male and a tall Human female, seem wary of him, however. "What did you want to know?" Bortne asks.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin scratches the side of chin wondering the best way to put it, before leaning back casually. "I'm sure by now, you've heard what's happened. I'm just looking for opinions; free, frank and off the record..."

"...and please don't make me drink the coffee to find out how or why you managed to get two Security officers bundling Mr Hsu out the door?"

[general_urko]

Graham's treated to a little emotional roller coaster just a few minutes after getting back on the clock. He's surprised to see Kylah come to interview Mrs. Hsu--on reflection he's not sure why. He chides himself again on not knowing enough about her (or the rest of the team's) service records: he assumed she's not an old hand at using force, so she might not want to deal with Hsu yet.

Then he's concerned and has to hold back annoyance as Kylah charges forward to...what the hell is he doing, a therapy session? Asking forgiveness? He gets as far as furrowing his brow, but a moment later is glad he kept his mouth shut.

He almost smiles as Kylah finishes up talking to Hsu. Well that was a pretty good "good cop," performance, he thinks. It's certainly better than anything Hsu would have gotten out of me at this point, as far as I'm concerned she was willing to heavy stun one of my people...

That line of thought obliterates any inclination to smile: he only tangentially hears Kylah apologize to Hsu because by this point he's thinking about Kylah lying in a med lab being treated for the after effects of heavy stun.

That's not pretty, he thinks, remembering incidents over the course of his career he'd like to avoid repeating. It doesn't help Kylah was only put in that position because of me, and...

Kylah murmurs something to him as she moved to leave.

Tiny. Elizabeth's age...

He has an image of his daughter lying in a medical bay suffering the aftereffects of a heavy stun shot.

As he steps toward Hsu he has to make a conscious and deliberate effort to not come across as an immediate physical threat, given how he feels at the moment.

"Mrs. Hsu," Graham says tightly, moving closer to the bed. "As of this moment, you're not only our prime suspect for the crime of murder, but as far as I'm concerned you were ready, willing, and able to put one of my people's lives at risk." His arm is taut as he points toward her in a sharp motion. "You can call in your lawyer if that's how you want to play it, but while you're waiting bear in mind there's a whole team--a whole ship--highly motivated to focus all their attention on proving that you did it."

He peers even more closely at her. "If I were you, I'd want to give us something else to go on real quick. I doubt there are a lot of jobs for resort administrators with an arrest record for murder, even in the absence of a conviction."

He steps back. At this point he'd just as soon arrest her, but he knows it's their point of leverage. Fuck it, she got the good cop already.

"Think about that," he says, turning away. "But not too long."

He gestures over his shoulder. "And let the doc know if you don't feel well," he says with no trace of sympathy, giving Hsu only a moment to say anything before he leaves.

[choie]

Kylah asks Halsey for an estimate on when the Vice Admiral might recover. Afterward, she finds a chair to sit in and slowly massages her temples with her eyes closed. I should not have gone in to Mrs. Hsu, I may have ruined any chance of her communicating with us...

Some moments pass before she senses that someone is near. When she opens her eyes again, she sees that Graham has left Mrs. Hsu's room. His anger is evident and she quickly lowers her hand.

"I apologize, Mr. Graham," Kylah says at once. "We did not have a chance to talk, or I would have given you the full report about what happened in the transporter room. I know I should have told you about her having a phaser once I discovered it, but you were still looking for Hardin and I did not want to waste your time unnecessarily. It was not definite she planned to use it, and besides, you had more important things to think about..."

She swallows and glances toward the private room. "Presumably she did not talk to you either? That does not surprise me, after being confronted by the person who shot her. I hope my presence was not--" Kylah cuts herself off and shakes her head. "I should not have gone in at all. That was poor judgment, I am sorry."

[general_urko]

Graham's taken aback by her apology, but then realizes that she doesn't have to be a mind reader to see that he looks really pissed off, while she would have to be one to know that 0% of his anger is directed at her.

Quite the opposite: he's concerned. The thought of Kylah recovering from a heavy phaser shot--on his orders--is only marginally less disturbing than the image of his daughter.

If push came to shove, if I could, I'd take the shot instead for either of them, he knows, and the fact that he wasn't in this case or might not in any other case there to do it is a failure that frustrates him.

With no avenue to vent his anger, he takes a deep breath and, bending his arms, clenches both fists tightly in front of his chest, tensing, then relaxing his shoulders.

OK, get it together and calm down, Booker, he thinks, tensing again briefly then relaxing as he lowers his arms to his side.

"It's OK," he begins, realizing he's still speaking too quickly and sharply. He takes another breath. "It's--you did just fine." He shakes his head and gestures toward the room. "I didn't have much 'good cop' in me back there." He pauses a moment. "Ah, look..."

He realizes he looming over her, looking down at her as she's sitting. He takes a knee so they are on more of a level plane. He spreads his hands open in front of himself. "Look," he says softer voice, partly so he comes off as less of a madman but also so she doesn't feel it's being overheard by everyone around. "After ah...situations like this," he brings his hands together, steepled, in front of his mouth as he thinks for a moment, then lowers them. "Even veterans who've been in lots of ah, tough spots often need some time, or to talk to somebody."

He pauses, trying to gauge her reaction but realizing he's generally hopeless at it--although he's no longer totally clueless about what might press her buttons.

"I'm giving you same talk I'd give to anybody right now--hell, even a grizzled old bastard like me, or a tank like Rawlings--just, ah... I don't want to put you on the spot here, but just take a few to think about whether you want to talk to someone, or have a little time..."

He is no longer angry, and suddenly feels a little awkward down on a knee. "I'm here if you need me" comes to mind as a thing to say... But grimly he recognizes another likely parallel between the young woman and Elizabeth: There's probably nothing she could give a shit about less.

He clears his throat. "Ah, yeah, OK," he mumbles.

[choie]

Listening to Graham, seeing his expressions and gestures, Kylah is somewhat surprised by his restraint. And, even, his gentleness. He does seem genuinely concerned. He is in many ways an enigma to her, so many dichotomies between his tough, violent and sometimes unpredictable nature, and then moments like this--his need to protect her. He said he has a daughter. Maybe that is why.

"Thank you," she says, each word careful as she continues. "I am not sanguine about hurting people, or any living thing. I cannot be," she adds ruefully, though she knows she cannot reveal how deeply she feels others' pain. "And as I told her, I do regret having to stun Mrs. Hsu. But I know it was necessary. Even without knowing she had a phaser nearby, she had to be stopped from transporting herself or someone else. And, yes, it is easier to justify now that I know she was capable of harming me--in fact, given that I had only recently been badly stunned by Hardin, if she had used that phaser on that particular setting, I believe it might have been lethal. So while I am sorry to have hurt her, I will not let that weigh on my conscience--only the possibility that it may have prevented her from trusting us enough to reveal what she knows."

Kylah ponders whether to continue, and she gives in. "You probably do not know this, Mr. Graham, but my first mission ended only a few weeks ago. I had never fired a phaser except in training. On that mission, there was no expectation of violence. But we were on a research station where people were used in experiments, horrible experiments, that went very wrong while we were there. They turned into... hybrids, cannibals. There were only a few of us left to face them down: Collins, Delaney, Velir, and some others. We were cornered in a transporter room--"

The words suddenly strike her, and she laughs somewhat harshly. "Yes, I have had very poor luck with transporter rooms since joining the Yorktown," she mutters. "Anyway, there were dozens of these altered people, attacking us--waves and waves of them. We had to defend ourselves. I killed multiple times, these--these people who through no fault of their own, were now monsters. I shot from only a meter away, some even closer."

Her eyes close briefly. "That was a nightmare. Is a nightmare. I do not think what happened with Mrs. Hsu will haunt me that way. I gave her two chances to back down, to stop what she was doing. She had a choice where those poor Sakathians did not. It was necessary."

Kylah looks back at Graham. "I meant what I said before, you know. I would not have been prepared to shoot her, if you had not talked me through entering that room, every step of the way. Even earlier, the day before when you taught me how to enter those houses. Having your voice in my head, as I did, grounded me, as much as possible. So I have to thank you again. I was afraid and I was alone--except not entirely alone, thanks to you."

She lifts her chin slightly. "There are things about that incident I need to report to you. I did not get the support I needed, and this time--you may think I am reckless and I understand why, but this time, it was not my fault. I was expecting backup. I ordered backup. But for whatever reason..." She shakes her head. "No, now is not the time," she says with a sigh. "This mission has been one attack or betrayal after another for me, and I have disappointed myself as well. And there was one very pleasant surprise," she murmurs, feeling her cheeks turning pink when she thinks of Velir.

Quickly she goes on. "So yes, I will need to... to process things. But I cannot worry about that until it is over. I hope you will let me see this through, Mr. Graham. I am young and inexperienced but I can do this. I want to do this. So please, do not worry about me. You and I are very different but my goal is the same as yours: I want to help solve this crime."

[Elendil's Heir]

Before Graham leaves, Mrs. Hsu declares, "I didn't kill Tony. That's all I have to say."

Bortne and Hammond look at each other, both clearly reluctant to talk to Rangin. Hammond finally clears his throat and says, "Nothing to report, sir. We just want to do our jobs and protect the guests and staff, you know. That's all."

Dr. Halsey reviews Hardin's biosigns and tells Kylah, "Should be another 20 minutes or so. I can bring him around with a mild stimulant sooner, if necessary, but I wouldn't advise it."

[CatInASuit]

Rangin smiles ruefully and nods his head, "Yes, that's all that can be asked for. I quite understand. I will say that as a group you have been considerate and willing to help out as best you can, which, given the circumstances, is all we could have hoped for. Quite frankly, you all deserve a drink on us for all you have had to put up with, so thank you from myself at least."

Rangin leaves the Security Office and heads quickly across to the Infirmary to confer with Dr Halsey about Fellim Palver's medical checkup as well as catch up with the others to see what steps they are taking next.

[Elendil's Heir]

Dr. Halsey says, "Other than his no longer being under the spores' influence, which I still can't explain, I could find nothing wrong with Mr. Palver." When asked, he says, "No, he said nothing about memory loss."

[general_urko]

"Sanguine about hurting people." The phrase strikes Graham.

Is that what I bring to the team? he muses, thinking about the others--if T'Var was ex-V'Shar, she's probably sanguine about hurting people. But aren't Vulcans sanguine about everything? That may not count...

In a few moments the younger officer has given him a lot to think about, good and bad--little or none of which makes sense to follow up on at the moment.

She ends by asking to see things through. Graham stands and nods. "Of course...." After an awkward pause he adds, "Speaking of which I suppose we should get to interviewing Hardin shortly, as soon as he's able." He rubs his chin. "I'll ask Mr. Rangin to join us--we ought to bring as full a perspective as possible into this."

Graham hails Rangin and asks him to join them in the Infirmary.

[choie]

Given Graham's terse response to her expression of gratitude, right after he told her to speak to someone--which she assumed meant him--Kylah vows not to waste time expressing herself any further. In fact, she does not know why she bothered. Everything she felt from him--the protectiveness, the concern--must have been phantom emotions. Wishful thinking, most likely.

She then glances over to where Velir is standing, talking to the doctor. Apparently Graham thinks so little of Velir he cannot even notice when the other man is in the room.

"Dr. Halsey said it would be twenty minutes until Hardin recovers," she says tersely, getting to her feet. "And Velir is right over there. I am afraid you will actually have to address him personally. Meanwhile, where is Dr. T'Var? Did you leave her in there with Mrs. Hsu?"

She walks away and looks at Mrs. Hsu's door. "If it is not too presumptuous, may I suggest putting an extra person to guard Mrs. Hsu? Your fellow security officers will be delighted to have one of their own back in charge and no doubt will be here in a trice."

[CatInASuit]

Rangin looks down at his communicator and then across to Ensign Graham from where he is standing with Dr. Halsey. "Mr Graham. What can I do for you?" he asks politely across the room without using his communicator.

[Elendil's Heir]

Dr. T'Var left Mrs. Hsu's room with Graham.

[general_urko]

Well shit, Graham thinks.

His confidence that he and Kylah were on the same page--that, as she had said, "now is not the time" to talk further--is shaken, as she seems curt and perhaps pissed off.

But given how he ended their conversation, the train has left the station on that, he thinks. Likewise, the same phrase occurs to him when Rangin answers his hail verbally, seconds after he'd used his communicator, almost on auto-pilot, without looking around to see if the xenobiologist was already in the Infirmary.

He sighs to himself. I'm sure Rangin thinks I did that on purpose just to be an asshole. Or maybe that I'm just too dumb to process changes in the environment in real time.

He stows his communicator and rubs his head. "The three of us, at minimum, ought to participate in interviewing Hardin." He pauses for a moment.

"We've got twenty minutes of so--I'm going to scare up some food for the group. Probably I'll just step outside and club some sort of herbivore, just to get that out of my system," he adds dryly.

He looks for St. Croix and asks her to assign the Security team on hand to monitoring Hardin--constant direct supervision, in his case--and ensuring Mrs. Hsu doesn't leave. He mentions that he'll find something to tide them over as well.

He contacts the resort's staff to ask how he can get some snacks and drinks sent to the Infirmary.

[choie]

Since no one is guarding Mrs. Hsu at the moment, Kylah nibbles at a thumbnail in thought while staring at the entrance. Deciding, she knocks lightly to let the woman know she is about to be visited, then slips quickly inside as the door whooshes open and shut.

"Do not be distressed," she says quietly, and lifts her palm up in a hushing gesture. "I am not here to ask you anything about the murder, Mrs. Hsu. You said you wish to speak to an attorney, and I respect that choice. So I will ask you nothing about the crime, and do not expect you to speak unless you wish to." Kylah brings her hand down and clasps both in front of her, a guise of serenity.

"I know I am the last person you wish to see. Or..." She searches Mrs. Hsu's eyes, hoping for something, any emotion, to reach her. "Perhaps that is not wholly true. I wonder... I find myself wondering if there is someone else whom you fear, or hate--or both--even more than you do me."

She hesitates, very careful to pay attention to any slight variation in the woman's feelings. Then she continues, her voice still soft. "No, I am not asking you to name anyone. The reason I am here is just that I wanted to let you know that this room will be well-guarded. Not only because you are a suspect and because you are a flight risk. But also--and this is my doing, though you may not believe me--to keep you safe.

"I said before I believe you might not be guilty of Mr. Wilson's death, and I meant it. If I am right, I also believe you know or strongly suspect who the guilty party is. You may have been involved in some plan, some scheme affecting the fate of the WR&R contract. But you might not have guessed the full extent of what this plan entailed. You might not have known what was at stake. Not until Anthony Wilson was killed."

She shakes her head, wishing she could divine precisely what Mrs. Hsu is thinking. "Were I in such a position, I would feel betrayed, guilty, angry... and terrified. That is why I wanted to tell you that you are going to be protected. If I am right about this scheme, and what you are now afraid of, I know why you believe you must remain silent. I understand fearing someone who is both powerful and dangerous." Kylah looks down briefly. "I understand it very, very well."

Swallowing, she glances up at the woman on the bed. "But we will identify the murderer, and he or she will be caught. I wish you would help us do so. But again, I do not expect it. If you change your mind I will listen. I want to listen to whatever you have to say. But until it is your choice, I cannot ask you about this crime.

"That is all. I am sure you want me to go. Before I do, I will ask two questions--no, they will not be objectionable or make a liar of me. I just want to know... first, other than your attorney, is there anything else you need? Food, drink, anything?" She pauses. "And second, we must inform your husband that you are in custody; perhaps you wish him to be the one to contact your attorney for you. Is there... is there anything you want us to say to him?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Mrs. Hsu looks at Kylah suspiciously and finally says, "Some hot coffee would be nice. And yes, please tell my husband I'm here. If I can meet with him, I'd like to."

Officer Peters arranges for snacks and drinks to be sent to the conference room nearest the Infirmary, as there is not enough room for the entire Yorktown landing party to gather there. St. Croix assigns Security guards to Hardin, Mrs. Hsu and Mr. Hsu. She seems a very capable officer.

[CatInASuit]

"That might be tricky Mr Graham, given the lack of animal species on Omicron Ceti III." Rangin says dryly, "however, the offer of food is welcome."

"Once we have eaten, how do you want to tackle Vice Adm. Hardin. I would suggest you do the majority of the talking seeing as your are the Mission Leader. I would recommend starting with questions about the here and now, like why he decided to attack you and where he thought he was going. I would rather find out if there was something else we need to pick up now, rather than later."

[general_urko]

Graham blinks, somewhat entertained by Rangin's use of the word "tackle." I wouldn't have expected a violent metaphor, he thinks.

He shrugs. "Well, I figured you'd hold him down while I beat the old man until he answered Mr. Kylah's questions," Graham replies. He decides not to push the gallows humor too far. "Actually, I agree with you--let's start with what just happened and try to back into what the hell's really going on, as opposed to trying to begin again from the start. Hopefully Garcia will come through before the admiral's awake and we'll go in armed--ah, equipped--with some additional evidence."

[Elendil's Heir]

Garcia, when asked, says "it could be awhile" before he cracks the code on Vice Adm. Hardin's gadget. It has top-level encryption.

Chief Engineer Cheverez calls from the ship to say that normal transporter operations can be resumed in about ten minutes as the storm passes.

[CatInASuit]

While grabbing a bite to eat Rangin catches up with Kylah, while he is waiting for Vice Adm. Hardin to be ready to answer questions. "How are you doing and how are things going here? I stopped by the Security Office to find out why they shifted Mr Hsu, but the local security team aren't feeling that friendly at the moment. Probably an understandable reaction to their boss being implicated in all of this. However, other than a few unhappy glances, they didn't say anything much. How about Vice Adm. Hardin? Other than trying to find out what he was doing, is there anything else we could be asking him?"

[choie]

Kylah slips out of Mrs. Hsu's room and is grateful that no one seems to have seen her, although she is not entirely sure why. There was no reason to hide her visit, even if she got little from it--as usual, it seems. As frustrated as she is that Mrs. Hsu said nothing to her, right now Kylah is more distressed by her inability to know what the woman is truly feeling.

Kylah is aware of disturbing sense of distance, of emotional disconnect, from the others around her. The empathic powers that have been such a blessing and a curse have waned considerably over the past few hours, despite her having rested somewhat and eaten the soup. She could not even pick up on regular nonverbal signs that anyone else should be able to see: whether Mrs. Hsu blinked or otherwise reacted to Kylah's suspicion that there is someone else she fears. Even those obvious cues seem impossible to read.

Although she always used to dream of being normal, the truth is, without her insight into others' emotions, she feels at a loss to understand what to say or how to react. She feels vulnerable, too. It is like being trapped by a blinding fog. In such unpredictable surroundings, anyone could leap out and shock her. I hate this. Could it be the Berthold Rays? Am I just that tired? I do not understand...

She brushes her hair away from her face and, after looking around, spots Velir talking to Graham. Apparently a supply of food has also been brought in. Kylah realizes she forgot to ask how Mrs. Hsu likes her coffee--before today she probably would have been able to guess--but nevertheless she goes over and starts pouring a cup.

When Velir approaches her she picks up the coffee cup, which warms her hand slightly. "You are right," she says when he finishes. "The hotel staff are probably at a loss and resentful of our presence, even more so than before with Mr. and Mrs. Hsu now in custody. Word has probably reached them about Mrs. Hsu's injuries too." She hesitates. "I am.. not feeling especially well. It is nothing, just a headache," she adds quickly before it sounds as if she is complaining. Velir is likely far more tired than she is, with all the running around he has done today. Besides, she can hardly explain to him exactly what ails her. The headache is enough. "How--how are you feeling? Better, I hope, thanks to your change of uniform."

The impulse to touch him draws her a step closer, to see if her dim empathic sense is improved by touch, as it usually is. But she cannot possibly do so in front of Graham. Velir would think it inappropriate too, even if under the guise of an accidental brush of her hand. At least she assumes he would. Even Velir is an unknown, she thinks miserably.

Although she has never purposely reached out to gauge his emotions, those that radiate off him have usually been enough to give her a general sense of his state of mind. Of course she can see the concern in his eyes and his relatively close stance, but it is not enough. She wants to feel the warmth of his affection that usually bathes her in comfort. But there is nothing there for her. She is alone again. Well, there is still a job to do.

"I have no idea what approach we should take with Hardin. It depends on his mood when he wakes. If he was willing to kill himself he may have reached a point where he is in such despair and fear of revealing his secrets, he could either tell us everything, or nothing at all. Honestly if Mr. and Mrs. Hsu have invoked their right to speak to an attorney, I cannot imagine Hardin will not do the same. In fact it beggars belief that he did not simply do so once Graham started to arrest him, instead of reacting so violently and escaping. A powerful man in such a position? Very strange behavior."

She shrugs and looks down at the cup in her hand. "I am just fetching some coffee for Mrs. Hsu. She has also asked to see Mr. Hsu. I am not sure how much to tell him, or whether allowing a visit is a good idea. Neither is under arrest now, as far as I know, and... I suppose Mr. Graham will know best whether she should be allowed to visit with her husband, or if we do let her see him, whether they may be alone. It does not seem a good idea, considering her strange behavior and without knowing what he knows, or if he is a danger to her--or vice versa.... Someone should be inside to guard. What do you think?"

If Graham comes near, she will ask him as well.

[Elendil's Heir]

St. Croix, overhearing, says to Graham, "I think we have enough to go on, sir. If we want to keep them from just walking away, we ought to go ahead and arrest all three."

The minutes pass and Dr. Halsey finally says, "Vice Adm. Hardin is coming around." He provides you with a private room in which to talk.

[CatInASuit]

Rangin can see that Kylah is tired, the adrenaline of the day looking as though it has worn off. Feeling relaxed and calm within himself, he wonders what he can do to help her. He can't just tell her to take a break, she probably wouldn't listen and she would probably consider it inconsiderate if she was just sent away because she looked unfit after all that had happened.

"Well, if it's just a headache, you're in the right place to get it seen to quickly. There should be enough Doctor's around to assist. I can take a look if they are all busy as well. You probably do not wish to, but I can take that coffee across to Mrs Hsu for you. Myself, I'm doing much better. I have no idea where the uniform came from and I'm too tired to care to ask, but its clean, warm, and above all not damp."

"For Hardin, I think it best we take it simple. Start with the questions we know the answers to and build up from there. Who knows if he will respond or just clam up or, far more likely, ask for yet another lawyer to attend. For the Hsu's, I think you're right, any visit should be supervised, if only because she is a suspect. Her current condition should not blind us to that fact. But I see no reason, why she should not be allowed to talk to her husband. And being supervised would head off any unpleasantness that could occur. "

If Kylah goes to get checked out, Rangin will take the coffee to Mrs Hsu. He will also say the same thing to Graham about the Hardin and the Hsu's, but it is Graham's call after all.

[choie]

"No, I will be fine, I have had enough examinations on this mission," Kylah says unthinkingly with a wary glance at Halsey's office. She turns back to Velir and hands him the coffee. "But Mrs. Hsu probably would prefer not to see me again, so if you could bring this to her, please, I will ask Graham about Mr. Hsu." She smiles weakly at him and, after a hesitation, walks up to Graham.

"Sir," she says without inflection. "Mrs. Hsu wishes to speak to her husband. I do not know that should be arranged, but I am sure you know best. Velir and I agree that they should not meet alone. In fact I do not think Mrs. Hsu should be left alone at all, given her state. Perhaps Dobson or one of the other female officers could stay in her room whenever one of us is not in there."

[general_urko]

Graham's pleased to see--and hear--that everyone appears to be focused on moving the mission forward as team.

I even made a joke and Rangin didn't freak out, he thinks. He's puzzled as he noticed Kylah appears to have popped back in and out of Mrs. Hsu's room. He debates asking her what she was doing: given that she was just all apologetic and worried about what she'd said, why would she go back in...

On the other hand, he thinks, she's doing fine now and has responded a hell of a lot better to reinforcement than criticism. He decides to let that ride and instead responds to St. Croix's comment on arrest and detention discussion.

"Hell yes, nobody is going anywhere," Graham says to the group. "Of course we're going to arrest Hardin, but we can do that after or during our interview as needed. For the Hsus--let them visit, but under supervision. We don't need to eavesdrop on their conversation, let them whisper or whatever. Maybe they'll talk each other into cooperating--I know that's a slim hope. But let's leave the arrest hanging out there until they want to leave. At which point we'll arrest and detain each separately."

[choie]

Kylah listens without much reaction to Graham. "Perhaps you or Dr. T'Var should contact Mr. Russell to have Hsu brought down, then, sir. I think your officers will react better to you," she adds with a slight edge. "Also, if we knew what Hardin was carrying--that item Lt. Delaney is investigating?--that would be something to add to the interview. I presume it is the weapon with which Hardin stunned us, but that is only a guess."

[general_urko]

Graham nods in response to Kylah's suggestions. He gestures to St. Croix. "Make it so," he says, "and relay the rest of my instructions to Russell and the other Security staff."

He hails Delaney. "Lt. Delaney--any insight into the, ah...thingie...we took off Hardin?"

[Elendil's Heir]

St. Croix nods and steps away, taking out her communicator.

Delaney says, "It's definitely a stun device of some kind. Very sophisticated - I've never seen anything this small but powerful before. The components are by Remington and Chandra, both of which are Starfleet contractors, although they also make weapons and other products for the civilian market."

[CatInASuit]

"Understood", says Rangin as he accepts the coffee from Kylah, "I'll see she gets it."

Rangin walks into Mrs Hsu's room quietly and nods to her. The last time he had seen her she had been unconscious in the transporter room and the experience had not been good to her. But still, he was glad it was Mrs Hsu here and not Kylah.

"Your coffee, Mrs Hsu." Rangin informs her as he places the cup by the side of the bed within reach. "They are contacting your husband now."

He looks at her once again, shakes his head sadly and leaves the room to get ready for the interview with Hardin.

"Ready when you are Mr Graham."

[Elendil's Heir]

Mrs. Hsu politely says "Thank you" as she takes the coffee.

[general_urko]

Graham was at peace with whatever Kylah had in mind popping back into Mrs. Hsu's room, but he can't help a momentary flash of annoyance as he turns around and notices Rangin coming out of it.

What the hell is everybody doing...exchanging recipes? Game of pinochle? he thinks.

As Rangin approaches him and indicates that he's ready to interview Hardin, Graham quashes it, however.

All right, Booker, you certainly gave Hsu 110% 'bad cop,' odds are whatever Kylah and Rangin are doing is at least a little if not a lot nicer...maybe it'll give encourage her to play ball.

He simply exhales and nods to Rangin. "Ah, Doc," he adds to T'Var. "Would you like to join us? Hardin's old and he's just been stunned...if nothing else, it wouldn't hurt to have an expert's eyes on him, if only to provide ammunition if his lawyer accuses us of exploiting a weakened condition..."

[CatInASuit]

While waiting for Mr Graham to decide on the best way to tackle Vice Adm. Hardin. Rangin reminds Dr T'Var about his idea of a small device beamed in and out of the guests houses causing the loss of the effect of the spores and wonders if she would be able to confirm with Lt Delaney as to whether the device in question would be capable of such a feat and, if it was, had it been transported within the narrow timeframe required for it to do so, assuming Lt. Delaney would be able to accurately measure the time and determine that it was carrying out such a nefarious purpose seeing as it would also have been transported down to the planet's surface only a few days ago.

Then Rangin takes a breath and goes back to waiting for Mr Graham.

Obviously the thought of having to string three sentences, let alone three questions was taxing the poor chimp's brain, well gorilla given the size of Mr Graham, but then both those animals had more intelligence than Mr Graham and the effort the causing him to look blank and still attempt to make stupid jokes, sincerely the sign of a man whose total thought process was still firmly fixated on the devouring of some local herbivore, which, given that this was Omicron Ceti III, would indeed take Mr Graham an incredibly long time to find, let alone kill and dismember, but given that it would keep him out of trouble for the foreseeable, and indeed distant, future then such a hope was a worthwhile one to have that Mr Graham could spend many happy hours romping over the local scenery with club in hand and scratching his proverbials while grunting obscenely at anything vaguely female that crossed his path and raising his fist as some dire act of warning towards any male creature who would happen to go near him, threatening his territory and his ability to find food to feed his starving belly, which would still leave Velir and Kylah the onerous task of having to cover up for yet another of the Yorktown's not so finest engaged in an act of wilful stupidity which would again lead to a further breakdown in communication, more trouble and leading to Velir rolling his eyes once again as Mr Graham continued his ego-driven, overbearing and downright idiotic attempts to get a rise out of him which led to the paradox that it was not a worthwhile thought and perhaps just once in all the time they had been on this planet, Mr Graham would actually manage to perform a professional action in Rangin and confirm that he was indeed a fine upstanding citizen and not the buffoon he kept playing.

Rangin thinks to himself that if he is thinking like this then either Graham is getting to him or he is certainly tired from the day's exertions. Regardless the answer to both is simple. Rangin pours another coffee for himself and goes back to waiting for Graham.

And then to Rangin's great surprise, Graham suggests a reasonable course of action. This was a day of surprises after all.

[choie]

Kylah does not fail to notice the stare Graham is giving Velir as he exits Mrs. Hsu's room. She waits for Graham to finish speaking to T'Var, then says calmly, "Thank you for taking her the coffee I offered her, Velir."

With a return of her attention to the mission commander, Kylah continues. "If I may make a further suggestion. I think one of us should be with the Hsus while they meet. Not that I hold the other security officers in anything but the highest regard," she says in a monotone, "but we know the Hsus better than they do. Mrs. Hsu is our prime suspect and there is a significant possibility that her husband is an accomplice, or at least knows something. So perhaps their meeting should wait until we are done with Hardin.

"I wonder if Lt. Delaney could find out what company provides these deadly weapons to Starfleet--who was contracted to create such things? Do any of the suspects, particular Palver, have a connection to this company? And why has none of us ever seen it before, including someone with your long experience, Mr. Graham? What purpose do they have, if they are not being provided to Starship security officers?"

She walks toward the area where Hardin is being kept--since no one else seems to be taking any initiative to get this interview started, she might as well--and gestures toward him. "May we go now, sir?"

[general_urko]

"Whoa, hold on a sec" Graham says as Kylah moves toward the room where Hardin is being held. "Clearly, the two of you have some, ah, ideas about getting Mrs. Hsu to open up." He glances from Kylah to Rangin and back.

He quickly holds up a hand. "I don't have a problem with that." After a second he adds, "I appreciate the initiative."

You could have asked me first, he thinks, but he deliberately let's that go--after all, it's not like they don't have reasons they wouldn't seek your sage advice, Booker.

"But let's make sure we're all pulling together and do it right," he continues. "I take it the two of you have been continuing 'good cop'--so, why don't we stick with it." He gestures toward St. Croix and indicates she should listen in.

"So here's what I propose. When the mister arrives, 'Starfleet Security' won't let him see Mrs. Hsu. Not like a matter of policy or anything--you know, Ens. Graham's orders. And of course you can't do anything without checking with me, and I'm not to be disturbed--while we're with Hardin. So the two Hsu's can get their panties all in a knot and good and pissed at me. Once we're done, one or both of you can prevail on me to let them talk--how about with one of you present," Graham says.

"Thoughts? Other ideas?" he asks the group.

[choie]

Kylah keeps her eyes level with Graham's. "It was not Ensign Rangin's idea, so do not blame him; he had nothing to do with it other than offer to take the coffee in to her for me. I went in myself. I asked her if she needed anything other than her attorney, particularly if she wished to speak to her husband. I also offered her something to eat or drink."

Of course she does not mention that this is not the entirety of the story, but at this point Kylah is not willing to say anything more than necessary. She adds: "I did not think any of these were beyond the scope of detaining her, especially as she has not been arrested yet. My apologies for overstepping myself as usual."

Kylah looks at Velir, wondering what he thinks of Graham's ploy. He is unlikely to approve of listening in on the Hsus' conversation. She is willing to do it, although she wishes it were not necessary. She should be able to identify their emotions without having to intrude on their exact words. Intrude. Is that not what I do every time I exercise this so-called gift? She ignores her guilt, especially since right now she cannot even utilize the talent that makes her a constant spy.

A sudden thought occurs to her. What if she cannot get it back? What use will she be to Aldaan then? He might leave me alone. Or he might throw me to the law. Kylah's chest feels tight and she takes a deep breath.

"Your plan sounds fine to me. I would have thought Mr. Hsu would be aware of such a ploy, but as he reminded me both in word and deed, he is not the sharpest arrow in the quiver. Of course that could be obfuscation, but..." Kylah shrugs. "As long as one of us is in there, I do not care." She turns back to Velir, her voice softening slightly. "What do you think?"

[Elendil's Heir]

Dr. T'Var says to Graham, "I would be glad to take part in the Vice Admiral's questioning. I am very interested to learn what led him to this point."

She says to Rangin, "Yes, as I've been thinking, it is possible that some sort of aerosolized drug dispenser was beamed overnight in and out of the rooms of those who awoke to find they'd lost the effect of the spores. I will check with Mr. Delaney about that later."

St. Croix looks skeptical as she listens to Graham and the others talk. The redshirt finally clears her throat, puts her hands on her hips and says, "Well, there's nothing wrong with playing good cop/bad cop. But with respect, sir, I think we should arrest both the Hsus, as I said before, and not let them talk to each other. I don't see what good would come of that. It'll only give them a chance to get their stories straight, and to buck up each others' spirits and make our interrogations more difficult."

[general_urko]

"Fair point," Graham replies to St. Croix. "Mitigated if we keep them under direct observation, but you're right the point is to advance the case, not make nicey-nice with them. What do you think, Mr. Rangin--does letting them meet have a shot at helping the investigation, or are we just dancing around the inevitable need to arrest them?"

[CatInASuit]

"They have both asked for lawyers, which probably means that they both have something to hide, or they want to make sure that nothing they say can be used to incriminate the other. Sad state of affairs really. You have enough to arrest her, him I don't think you do. He can plausibly say he slept through the entire lot."

Rangin sighs sadly. "Unfortunately, we need to interview the pair of them again, For Mrs Hsu to find out what she was doing, for Mr Hsu to find out why his story does not match his wife's. I think it would be unwise to let them speak, for even if we were listening in, we may never know what other conversations may pass between them, no matter if we hear every word. Until those interviews have taken place, they should be kept informed of each other's condition, but I don't think they should be meeting. That's my opinion."

[choie]

Kylah shakes her head. "Yes, as you say, they have asked for their lawyers. Unless my knowledge of Federation law is ill-judged, which is possible, we are not allowed to ask them questions without any attorneys present. That will take days, unless some subspace link can be arranged. Besides, their interests may not be entirely mutual, in which case they should have different attorneys."

With a glance at Mrs. Hsu's door, she bites her lip. "I... I wish you would at least let him visit her, even if we do not allow them to interact in private or go close to one another. I would want to see how they react to each other. It might show me--" The words are cut off when she remembers that she will not be able to discern their true emotions. I am useless. I have no experience, I have no instincts, what am I trying to accomplish? Kylah takes a step backwards, almost shrinking into herself. "It does not matter, I should not have said anything. You are probably right. But--but at least can we wait until we interview Hardin before you decide?"

[CatInASuit]

"I concur, we can decide for certain after our interview with Mr Hardin," agrees Rangin.

[Elendil's Heir]

Graham knows from his training in Federation law that Kylah's understanding is correct. Neither Hsu can be further interrogated until they've had the chance to speak with a lawyer. Doing so via subspace communications is somewhat common in serious cases, given the vast scale of the Federation and the fact that many outlying worlds do not have lawyers.

[general_urko]

Graham listens attentively and in the end nods. "All right, St. Croix, politely keep them waiting in separate rooms until after we're done with Hardin. Then we'll see if we can arrange a 'chance' walk by...and figure out how they can access legal counsel."

After a moment's pause he adds "And...thanks everybody. I appreciate the good thinking. Let's get deal with Hardin."

[Elendil's Heir]

St. Croix nods briskly, her communicator still in hand. "Aye, sir. I'll check with the ship if you'd like me to begin arranging for counsel."

A nurse shows you to the room where Hardin is. He is sitting up, in bed, with a dark-red blanket drawn up to his waist. Two chairs are nearby.

Graham remembers the first time he saw the aging flag officer, at Starbase 27 less than a week ago, and the man did not look good then. He looks even worse now: clean and dry thanks to Infirmary staff after he was brought in from the storm, but gray-faced, downcast and... shrunken, somehow. Despite her own fatigue, Kylah has a powerful empathic impression of Hardin's deep sense of shame and despair.

[general_urko]

Graham gives St. Croix a thumbs up to indicate she should proceed before they enter Hardin's room.

As they enter, he's struck by the admiral's appearance. Graham feels sorry for him: it doesn't excuse anything he's done, or change anything, really, but the old guy looks like hell... And to feel...trapped, like there's no way out, like you've ruined everything...

Yeah, been there.

[choie]

When she feels the sudden wave of Hardin's emotion rushing at her, Kylah takes a sharp gasp--his feelings all the more powerful after her having almost no empathic response for longer than she has ever experienced before. She puts a hand to her throat as if to contain her own reaction.

His feelings do not match with the man whom she remembers smiling at her--and Graham too, of course--before attacking with a powerful weapon. The smile had been tinged with a dash of regret, but then it had felt more like a casually tossed-off "Sorry it has come to this" sort of expression. Not genuine reluctance.

But now, combined with the knowledge that he was apparently willing to kill himself, Kylah does not doubt the shame emanating from the Vice Admiral. She is just not certain whether it is shame for what he has done, or shame for having been caught.

She swallows back her instincts to say something. It is not her place to speak and even if it were, she has shown no aptitude for getting anyone to respond usefully. From the Hwuen and Halsey to the Hsus and Fastolfe, all it takes is a few words from her and people either grow angry, fall silent, or literally attack.

[Elendil's Heir]

Kylah takes a deep breath and reminds herself that not everyone has reacted that way to her on OC3 - the staff at the Starfleet research station, Jan (although that leads to other thoughts she quickly pushes aside), the older Frenchman she spoke to, and several others. But murder investigations do not lend themselves to cheerful conversation.

Hardin sees Graham, T'Var, Rangin and Kylah standing there, and his face falls.