S1-M8 Crackpot of the Empire

[Ardyn Jaeger]

[Bridge]

T'Ra stood in an Á¢â,¬Ëœat-ease' position with her hands behind her back as the image of the admiral flickered onto the screen. Three square pips lined the man's collar, reminding her of the three pips that Evan had tucked away the day she left the admiralty. Three pips lined her collar as well, but they were round, and that made all the difference. As did the science-blue of her uniform, in stark contrast to the command-red. She could see the discomfort in the admiral's eyes. No doubt he found it odd to be addressing a science officer.

"Na'shaya, Admiral Townsend," T'Ra began, greeting the man by name. She was not one to forget a face. "What can we do for you, sir?"

"Greetings, Shran," Townsend replied. "I was expecting Captain Hawke to answer the call."

"The Captain is in sickbay, waiting to be cleared by the Chief Medical Officer to return to duty after the injuries he sustained in our last mission. I'm T'Ra Jones, his first officer."

"Yes, yes, I've seen the reports," the admiral answered, brushing it off with the wave of a hand. "Well, in that case.... Recently, Starfleet Intelligence has become aware of Romulan Tal-Shiar agents who have been cybernetically enhanced, possibly with reverse-engineered Borg technology. This represents an unexpected cultural shift within the Romulan Empire, as such cybernetic enhancement was previously considered deeply offensive from a cultural standpoint. We have now been contacted by a high-ranking agent in the Tal-Shiar who is involved with their cyber-program and wants to defect. Given your ship's size and current location, we are ordering the Shran to pick up the Á¢â,¬Ëœdefector' and bring him back to Starbase 12 for debriefing."

T'Ra arched a brow, weighing her words before making a response. "I understand that it is logical to send our ship, but is it not also logical that this Romulan may be deceiving us?"

Townsend frowned, grumbling, "That may be the case, but we cannot afford to take chances. You are to apprehend the defector and bring him straight to the starbase." When T'Ra nodded, the admiral seemed to be satisfied. "That will be all for now, Commander." With that, the admiral disappeared from the screen, and they were once again greeted by a view of the passing stars.

As the channel closed, T'Ra finally turned to address the science officer. "That is good to hear," she replied. "Zex, I need you to pull up any and all information we might have on the Afehirr Nebula, what obstacles we could face but more importantly how it might affect our sensors. I don't want to be flying in there blind. Miss Jaeger," she added, "set a new course for the nebula."

Having issued those two commands, she tapped her comm badge. =A=Attention all senior officers, please report to the conference room in fifteen minutes.=A=. She allowed a brief pause before tapping it again. =A=Jones to Hawke, has Doctor Smithe cleared you yet?=A=.

[Bridge]

Ardyn nodded as she began turning the ship. "Alright, setting a course for point three six two." She said, mostly for the benefit of Ensign Murphy. "Christian, take the helm for me, ok?" She said as she finished the maneuver. "Apparently, they need some expertise. Or something." She shrugged with her usual wry grin. Making her way into the conference room, Ardyn moved confidently to her chair, where she sat down by Caelene. "Hey how's everything been? Steve has really been liking the jello." She said, slightly jokingly

[Fala Awen]

[Conference Room]

Once the conference room door slid open, Caelene saw Ardyn enter the room. She offered a small smile and nodded to the newly promoted Chief Flight Control Officer. "Hello, Lieutenant," the Trill greeted her fellow officer. It wasn't particularly surprising that Ardyn had arrived next - the bridge wasn't particularly far away, after all.

Making her way into the conference room, Ardyn moved confidently to her chair, where she sat down by Caelene. "Hey how's everything been? Steve has really been liking the jello." She said, slightly jokingly

Suppressing a sigh, Caelene shook her head slightly, "It'll be better once we have everything straightened out. Nearly everything is back to normal, but I need to have a closer look at the holographic systems and we still have one replicator in the Mess Hall which still wants to produce only orange jell-o."

"Actually that's what I had just gone to help with before getting called her. Petty Officer Lestrade (NPC) has been working on the replicator with no success. He's looking into the actual coding to see if there are any fragments left from our encounter. And I was just looking at it as well while I waited," Caelene said tilting one of her PADDs towards Ardyn to show her what she was talking about. "It did seem a bit odd that Steve would like jell-o, but if it keeps him happy, I suppose it doesn't harm anything."

"How are things in Flight Control?" Caelene asked. As Second Officer, it seemed like a good idea to inquire into the other departments to help out T'Ra...especially since they were still waiting for James to get cleared by Medical. Besides, there had been some changes - Ser had left the Shran and with his departure, Ardyn had received her promotion in rank and position.

The conference room doors slid open again; it was, after all, getting closer to the appointed time for the meeting. The others would surely be arriving shortly. Caelene wondered what exactly the meeting was about - presumably something concerning their mission. Maybe T'Ra would also have an update on the Captain.

OFF: Tag Ardyn & others entering the conference room

[T'Ra Jones]

[Bridge]

Ardyn nodded as she began turning the ship. "Alright, setting a course for point three six two." She said, mostly for the benefit of Ensign Murphy. "Christian, take the helm for me, ok?" She said as she finished the maneuver. "Apparently, they need some expertise. Or something." She shrugged with her usual wry grin. Making her way into the conference room, Ardyn moved confidently to her chair, where she sat down by Caelene. "Hey how's everything been? Steve has really been liking the jello." She said, slightly jokingly

[Conference Room]

Once the conference room door slid open, Caelene saw Ardyn enter the room. She offered a small smile and nodded to the newly promoted Chief Flight Control Officer. "Hello, Lieutenant," the Trill greeted her fellow officer. It wasn't particularly surprising that Ardyn had arrived next - the bridge wasn't particularly far away, after all.

Suppressing a sigh, Caelene shook her head slightly, "It'll be better once we have everything straightened out. Nearly everything is back to normal, but I need to have a closer look at the holographic systems and we still have one replicator in the Mess Hall which still wants to produce only orange jell-o."

"Actually that's what I had just gone to help with before getting called her. Petty Officer Lestrade (NPC) has been working on the replicator with no success. He's looking into the actual coding to see if there are any fragments left from our encounter. And I was just looking at it as well while I waited," Caelene said tilting one of her PADDs towards Ardyn to show her what she was talking about. "It did seem a bit odd that Steve would like jell-o, but if it keeps him happy, I suppose it doesn't harm anything."

"How are things in Flight Control?" Caelene asked. As Second Officer, it seemed like a good idea to inquire into the other departments to help out T'Ra...especially since they were still waiting for James to get cleared by Medical. Besides, there had been some changes - Ser had left the Shran and with his departure, Ardyn had received her promotion in rank and position.

The conference room doors slid open again; it was, after all, getting closer to the appointed time for the meeting. The others would surely be arriving shortly. Caelene wondered what exactly the meeting was about - presumably something concerning their mission. Maybe T'Ra would also have an update on the Captain.

OFF: Tag Ardyn & others entering the conference room

[Bridge]

T'Ra lingered a moment after the Chief Flight Officer departed the bridge, collecting her thoughts and mulling over the coming challenges. She suppressed a yawn. It was going to be a long day even if things went smoothly and they were able to pick up the Romulan defector. But getting there would be the easy part. They still had time to prepare, though once they began their journey to the starbase, they would have to constantly be looking over their backs. T'Ra had come to find that it was the suspense and paranoia that was far more exhausting than a full fledged assault.

"If you would, Miss Zex, please send whatever information you find to the conference room," T'Ra requested, giving a brief nod to the Deltan before heading through the doors.

[Conference Room]

Tam and Jaeger were already present and waiting when she strode into the conference room. As was usual, the engineering officer had a tool kit by her side. T'Ra nodded to the two officers, taking a seat as they waited for a few of the others to arrive. "It seems we are about to have our hands full. What is our estimated ETA to the nebula?" she asked.

[Ardyn Jaeger]

[Conference Room]

Once the conference room door slid open, Caelene saw Ardyn enter the room. She offered a small smile and nodded to the newly promoted Chief Flight Control Officer. "Hello, Lieutenant," the Trill greeted her fellow officer. It wasn't particularly surprising that Ardyn had arrived next - the bridge wasn't particularly far away, after all.

Suppressing a sigh, Caelene shook her head slightly, "It'll be better once we have everything straightened out. Nearly everything is back to normal, but I need to have a closer look at the holographic systems and we still have one replicator in the Mess Hall which still wants to produce only orange jell-o."

"Actually that's what I had just gone to help with before getting called her. Petty Officer Lestrade (NPC) has been working on the replicator with no success. He's looking into the actual coding to see if there are any fragments left from our encounter. And I was just looking at it as well while I waited," Caelene said tilting one of her PADDs towards Ardyn to show her what she was talking about. "It did seem a bit odd that Steve would like jell-o, but if it keeps him happy, I suppose it doesn't harm anything."

"How are things in Flight Control?" Caelene asked. As Second Officer, it seemed like a good idea to inquire into the other departments to help out T'Ra...especially since they were still waiting for James to get cleared by Medical. Besides, there had been some changes - Ser had left the Shran and with his departure, Ardyn had received her promotion in rank and position.

The conference room doors slid open again; it was, after all, getting closer to the appointed time for the meeting. The others would surely be arriving shortly. Caelene wondered what exactly the meeting was about - presumably something concerning their mission. Maybe T'Ra would also have an update on the Captain.

OFF: Tag Ardyn & others entering the conference room

conference room]
"Things are going pretty well. Murphy is a pretty good guy, but that Mallard of his, Dennis, is one heck of a menace. He's scary. Though, it's pretty good, flying again." Ardyn said to Caelene. "I'd rather fly any day of the week. Paperwork is not my thing. Unfortunately, the higher ups think I'm responsible or something ." She shrugged wryly.

Ardyn leaned back in the swivel chair in T'Ra's direction . "Fifteen minutes, give or take. The Afehirr nebula is pretty dense with gas and dust, but it shouldn't mess with picking up this defector guy."

[T'Ra Jones]

[Conference room]
"Things are going pretty well. Murphy is a pretty good guy, but that Mallard of his, Dennis, is one heck of a menace. He's scary. Though, it's pretty good, flying again." Ardyn said to Caelene. "I'd rather fly any day of the week. Paperwork is not my thing. Unfortunately, the higher ups think I'm responsible or something ." She shrugged wryly.

Ardyn leaned back in the swivel chair in T'Ra's direction . "Fifteen minutes, give or take. The Afehirr nebula is pretty dense with gas and dust, but it shouldn't mess with picking up this defector guy."

[Conference Room]

As the last couple stragglers meandered into the conference room, T'Ra took her seat. She quickly keyed a few commands, pulling up an image of the nebula flanked by a list of data that Ensign Zex had dug up. "Ladies and gents," T'Ra began, "we just received orders from Vice Admiral Townsend that the Shran is to pick up a high ranking Romulan agent who wants to defect from a highly controversial and top secret cybernetics program. We're to bring the defector to Starbase 12 to be debriefed"

She paused, allowing those present to process the information before continuing. "The Afehirr nebula borders Romulan space, so I want to be well prepared. I'd like to have a list of suggestions ready by the time the captain finds his way up here." With the Romulans it was like a game of chess, where you couldn't see all the players - let alone the player yet to be... Zuzwang.

[K-5]

[Bridge]

K-5 got to her station, still recovering from her visit o the Captain. She logged into her station and got to work, scanning the ship and making sure all the weapons systems were online and functional, and that the internal security systems were all functioning as expected. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, so she went to work on scanning around the ship, making sure nothing potentially dangerous was approaching.

[James A. Hawke]

[Sickbay]

James heard K-5's answer and responded: "You're no pain in the rear.  You're always welcomed to talk to me."

Hawke remained seated at the end of the table waiting patiently for his turn.  After a couple of minutes waiting a nurse wearing a blue uniform arrived at his bio bed.  The nurse scanned James again and asked: "How are you feeling, Sir?"

James nodded in the affirmative giving a non-verbal that he was alright.  "I feel fine"  James added

As the nurse finished her scan, she then closed her tricorder and looked at James.  "It appears you are cleared to return to duty, Sir."

Hawke then stood up and began walking away from sickbay.

[Conference Room]

After a couple of minutes walking around the ship. James entered the meeting room.  He came in and noticed everyone in the conference room.  James did not want to interrupt or countermand the orders. Instead, he merely said, "Carry on."

There would be time to brief him later.

[Amynta Lianez]

"I do apologize, Doctor, but I need to head for the bridge; I think there's a meeting going on, based on the hail the captain got a moment ago, and I'd like to speak with Commander Jones as well. Thank you again for your help!" Amynta said in a rush as she overheard the hail that had just echoed from two badges at once. She may not be of high rank officially, but as ship's counselor she was hoping she might be able to slip in to the briefing without too much trouble, to make sure she was prepared for whatever chaos fell upon them next.

[Conference Room]

As the last couple stragglers meandered into the conference room, T'Ra took her seat. She quickly keyed a few commands, pulling up an image of the nebula flanked by a list of data that Ensign Zex had dug up. "Ladies and gents," T'Ra began, "we just received orders from Vice Admiral Townsend that the Shran is to pick up a high ranking Romulan agent who wants to defect from a highly controversial and top secret cybernetics program. We're to bring the defector to Starbase 12 to be debriefed"

She paused, allowing those present to process the information before continuing. "The Afehirr nebula borders Romulan space, so I want to be well prepared. I'd like to have a list of suggestions ready by the time the captain finds his way up here." With the Romulans it was like a game of chess, where you couldn't see all the players - let alone the player yet to be... Zuzwang.

Amynta was one of the last stragglers to make it in before Commander Jones began her explanation, and she stood silently in the back to listen as unobtrusively as possible. Despite her best intentions of not getting involved, though, the call for suggestions piqued her interest. Romulans had an intense fixation on purity and were clearly xenophobic--making cybernetics something they had always rejected before. What could have prompted such a drastic change? She pursed her lips, hesitating a moment before she spoke up.

"Not to be cynical, but it may be a good idea to prepare for the worst case scenario. Whatever prompted the Romulans to change their minds about that kind of technology will likely make them...highly motivated to keep it secret. People don't just give up their value systems for no reason."

[Fala Awen]

[Conference Room]

Caelene smiled at Ardyn's response, then glanced over as the door opened again. And again. And again. It seemed that nearly everyone had arrived, other than James and perhaps one or two others. She wasn't sure how much she would have to do on the mission. Although Caelene had not yet heard what their orders were, Ardyn mentioned something about a defector...not really something that Engineering would be overly concerned about. Most likely she'd still be fighting with orange Jell-o and figuring out where the Egyptians had come from.

The Trill turned her attention to the Executive Officer, who was preparing to speak.

[Conference Room]

As the last couple stragglers meandered into the conference room, T'Ra took her seat. She quickly keyed a few commands, pulling up an image of the nebula flanked by a list of data that Ensign Zex had dug up. "Ladies and gents," T'Ra began, "we just received orders from Vice Admiral Townsend that the Shran is to pick up a high ranking Romulan agent who wants to defect from a highly controversial and top secret cybernetics program. We're to bring the defector to Starbase 12 to be debriefed"

She paused, allowing those present to process the information before continuing. "The Afehirr nebula borders Romulan space, so I want to be well prepared. I'd like to have a list of suggestions ready by the time the captain finds his way up here." With the Romulans it was like a game of chess, where you couldn't see all the players - let alone the player yet to be... Zuzwang.

T'Ra's words gave Caelene pause. A Romulan? Top secret cybernetics program? She frowned slightly; it was likely that Engineering and Operations would be looking into whatever information the supposed defector had. Hopefully they would have the last few issues worked out of the system by the end of the day and could concentrate on investigating the information, if that was what they were to do.

"Not to be cynical, but it may be a good idea to prepare for the worst case scenario. Whatever prompted the Romulans to change their minds about that kind of technology will likely make them...highly motivated to keep it secret. People don't just give up their value systems for no reason."

Caelene nodded thoughtfully as she heard the counselor speak. The other Trill did have a point. They would have to be careful, not only with the defector, but with whatever information he or she supplied the Shran with.

"Commander, will we be looking through the information the defector has?  If so, I feel strongly that we should take extra data security precautions before doing so. I could get that setup if you like," she offered. Either StarFleet Command would want to look at it themselves with their own experts, or they might want the Shran to do some initial investigations. Her eyes glanced over at the door where she watched James walk in late. Apparently he had been released from Sickbay after all.

It would likely need to be a collaborative effort, and it certainly wouldn't be ready in the fifteen minutes it would take them to get to their destination, but it could be done. After what had happened with their last mission, Caelene didn't want to take any chances. They were, after all, still recovering from the issues Cara had created...adding new ones was the last thing she wanted.

OFF: Tag T'Ra, others in briefing

[Ardyn Jaeger]

"I do apologize, Doctor, but I need to head for the bridge; I think there's a meeting going on, based on the hail the captain got a moment ago, and I'd like to speak with Commander Jones as well. Thank you again for your help!" Amynta said in a rush as she overheard the hail that had just echoed from two badges at once. She may not be of high rank officially, but as ship's counselor, she was hoping she might be able to slip into the briefing without too much trouble, to make sure she was prepared for whatever chaos fell upon them next.

Amynta was one of the last stragglers to make it in before Commander Jones began her explanation, and she stood silently in the back to listen as unobtrusively as possible. Despite her best intentions of not getting involved, though, the call for suggestions piqued her interest. Romulans had an intense fixation on purity and were clearly xenophobic--making cybernetics something they had always rejected before. What could have prompted such a drastic change? She pursed her lips, hesitating a moment before she spoke up.

"Not to be cynical, but it may be a good idea to prepare for the worst case scenario. Whatever prompted the Romulans to change their minds about that kind of technology will likely make them...highly motivated to keep it secret. People don't just give up their value systems for no reason."

[Conference room]
Ardy scowled. "I agree with you, counselor. I've had some dealings with Romulans before, and they're a sneaky lot. This feels awfully like some kind of trap. Why would they be willing to let this guy with these tech implant's out of their sight?

She drummed her fingers on the table impatiently. "And if this guy is legit, how can we be certain that he doesn't have a bomb in those implants that will blow the moment they find out he's gone?  This feels like bait. And, I don't like feeling baited."

[Kira Wyman]

Not too long ago...

"Is this my stop?" A man at the helm of the shuttle nodded. Kira walked up to the helm of the shuttle and smiled at the man, patting him on the shoulder and preparing to get off. "I'll see you soon, Gabriel. If you end up leaving intelligence, let me know and I'll try and get you onto the ship. By the sounds of it, it seems like they could use some backup." Gabriel grinned, nodding in agreement. "Sounds like they've had an interesting few excursions. Nothing an Odyssey class can't handle though. You got lucky, the ship seems top notch." Kira's eyebrow raised in surprise. "You looked up the ship?" Gabriel simply nodded as the ship touched down onto the planet's surface. He pressed a button, the doors begun to open, then he stood up, walking over to Kira and stopping just before the door. "I guess I'll be seeing ya then. Good luck out there, you'll kill it." Kira smiled and hugged him, then leaned onto the wall of the shuttle. "I hope so. It's been a while since I've been on a ship. Oh yeah, and I have something for you." Kira stopped just before the door and pulled one of the golden pips off her uniform. She lowered her hand and then passed it into the man's hand, smiling slightly, she continued. "They said they needed to compensate for the loss of the lead of operations and asked me to recommend someone. I know you have experience in OPS, so I recommended you. If you don't take the job, at least keep the pip for me. I'll see you as soon as the ship docks for a break. Take care." Gabriel smiled in surprise. "No kidding? Thank you, Kira, I'll make sure OPS doesn't change for if you return." Kira nodded. "Until next time, commander."

"I'll see you soon, lieutenant." Gabriel waved one last time before the doors of the shuttle closed, Kira begun to walk towards the shuttle not too far away. She looked back one last time, smiling and thinking about the adventure in front of her.

Present Day...

...I'm gonna miss all of my friends in intelligence. That's for damn sure.

End Log.

Kira turned the screen off her personal padd she was typing on and put it down next to her. she looked at the console and started a diagnostic on the weapons on the ship, she raised her head and smiled, impressed of the ship which she had been placed onto and looked back down as the console made a low humming noise, signalling the completion of the diagnostic. "Everything seems fine here." Kira said to herself picking the small padd up and placing it into her pocket.

[Bridge]

K-5 got to her station, still recovering from her visit o the Captain. She logged into her station and got to work, scanning the ship and making sure all the weapons systems were online and functional, and that the internal security systems were all functioning as expected. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, so she went to work on scanning around the ship, making sure nothing potentially dangerous was approaching.

As Kira sat at one of the tactical consoles, slowly working as she got used to the ship, a woman stopped and begun to work at one of the tactical consoles. Kira walked over to the woman, figuring that it was time for her to meet some people aboard the ship. She stopped before her and smiled. "Hi, I'm Kira, Lieutenant Kira Wyman." Kira finished.

[T'Ra Jones]

[Conference Room]

After a couple of minutes walking around the ship. James entered the meeting room.  He came in and noticed everyone in the conference room.  James did not want to interrupt or countermand the orders. Instead, he merely said, "Carry on."

There would be time to brief him later.

[Conference Room]

Amynta was one of the last stragglers to make it in before Commander Jones began her explanation, and she stood silently in the back to listen as unobtrusively as possible.

"Not to be cynical, but it may be a good idea to prepare for the worst case scenario. Whatever prompted the Romulans to change their minds about that kind of technology will likely make them...highly motivated to keep it secret. People don't just give up their value systems for no reason."

[Conference Room]

T'Ra gave a brief nod by way of greeting to each as they entered and took their places, though she simply arched a brow at Hawke's arrival. "Good to have you back in the land of the living, Captain." She left it at that as he had already motioned for them to carry on.

"I appreciate your skepticism, Miss Lianez," she continued, "and such concern is only natural when dealing with Romulans. Given that such a program goes against longheld values within the empire, it is entirely possible that the defector decided they could no longer live with the work they were being asked to do."

[Conference Room]

"Commander, will we be looking through the information the defector has?  If so, I feel strongly that we should take extra data security precautions before doing so. I could get that setup if you like," she offered. Either StarFleet Command would want to look at it themselves with their own experts, or they might want the Shran to do some initial investigations. Her eyes glanced over at the door where she watched James walk in late. Apparently he had been released from Sickbay after all.

T'Ra nodded in approval. "I want to take any and all precautions that we can in this matter, beginning with the data security measures that you have in mind. Regardless of the sincerity of the defector's offer, there may be some unexpected boobytraps in the information that they wish to pass along."

[Conference room]

Ardy scowled. "I agree with you, counselor. I've had some dealings with Romulans before, and they're a sneaky lot. This feels awfully like some kind of trap. Why would they be willing to let this guy with these tech implant's out of their sight?

She drummed her fingers on the table impatiently. "And if this guy is legit, how can we be certain that he doesn't have a bomb in those implants that will blow the moment they find out he's gone?  This feels like bait. And, I don't like feeling baited."

A memory unexpectedly sprung to mind.

"Evan, you worry too much," she told her fiancé.

"But Schatz, what if this is a trap?" he sputtered, arms folded as he slouched on the couch. "What?" he responded haughtily, in response to a raised brow from T'Ra, though she could see a grin slowly start to creep back across his face. "Á¢â,¬ËœI think everything is a trap,'" he quoted, "Á¢â,¬Ëœand that is why I am still alive.'" T'Ra reached for a pillow to throw at his face, but that did little to stifle his laughter.

But what if this really was a trap? They needed to be prepared. "Starfleet Command isn't taking chances. Even if there is only the slightest chance that what the defector promises is Á¢â,¬Ëœlegit', it's worth the risk. They want us to take the defector straight to starbase 12. What would you recommend, Miss Jaeger? An alternate route?"

[Ardyn Jaeger]

But what if this really was a trap? They needed to be prepared. "Starfleet Command isn't taking chances. Even if there is only the slightest chance that what the defector promises is Á¢â,¬Ëœlegit', it's worth the risk. They want us to take the defector straight to Starbase 12. What would you recommend, Miss Jaeger? An alternate route?"

[Conference room]
Ardyn straightened up in her seat. "Exactly, T'Ra. If we do pick up this defector Romulan, we should take a detour back to the base. As much as I don't like it, if this guy tries to do anything sneaky, it'll be mostly confined to the ship instead of running loose through the base. We can't risk anything until we know where his true alliances lie." She stated to the other officers.

[Kirok]

Not too long ago...

"Is this my stop?" A man at the helm of the shuttle nodded. Kira walked up to the helm of the shuttle and smiled at the man, patting him on the shoulder and preparing to get off. "I'll see you soon, Gabriel. If you end up leaving intelligence, let me know and I'll try and get you onto the ship. By the sounds of it, it seems like they could use some backup." Gabriel grinned, nodding in agreement. "Sounds like they've had an interesting few excursions. Nothing an Odyssey class can't handle though. You got lucky, the ship seems top notch." Kira's eyebrow raised in surprise. "You looked up the ship?" Gabriel simply nodded as the ship touched down onto the planet's surface. He pressed a button, the doors begun to open, then he stood up, walking over to Kira and stopping just before the door. "I guess I'll be seeing ya then. Good luck out there, you'll kill it." Kira smiled and hugged him, then leaned onto the wall of the shuttle. "I hope so. It's been a while since I've been on a ship. Oh yeah, and I have something for you." Kira stopped just before the door and pulled one of the golden pips off her uniform. She lowered her hand and then passed it into the man's hand, smiling slightly, she continued. "They said they needed to compensate for the loss of the lead of operations and asked me to recommend someone. I know you have experience in OPS, so I recommended you. If you don't take the job, at least keep the pip for me. I'll see you as soon as the ship docks for a break. Take care." Gabriel smiled in surprise. "No kidding? Thank you, Kira, I'll make sure OPS doesn't change for if you return." Kira nodded. "Until next time, commander."

"I'll see you soon, lieutenant." Gabriel waved one last time before the doors of the shuttle closed, Kira begun to walk towards the shuttle not too far away. She looked back one last time, smiling and thinking about the adventure in front of her.

Present Day...

...I'm gonna miss all of my friends in intelligence. That's for damn sure.

End Log.

Kira turned the screen off her personal padd she was typing on and put it down next to her. she looked at the console and started a diagnostic on the weapons on the ship, she raised her head and smiled, impressed of the ship which she had been placed onto and looked back down as the console made a low humming noise, signalling the completion of the diagnostic. "Everything seems fine here." Kira said to herself picking the small padd up and placing it into her pocket.

As Kira sat at one of the tactical consoles, slowly working as she got used to the ship, a woman stopped and begun to work at one of the tactical consoles. Kira walked over to the woman, figuring that it was time for her to meet some people aboard the ship. She stopped before her and smiled. "Hi, I'm Kira, Lieutenant Kira Wyman." Kira finished.

[Bridge]

Zex looked up when the new Sec/Tac Officer arrived.  Finally another female to socialize with.  She got up from her station and approached.

"Hi K-5" the Deltan said to the Android.  "Hi.  I'm Zex.  Science Officer here.  Welcome to the Shran" she said politely to the new arrival.

[Amynta Lianez]

[Conference Room]

T'Ra gave a brief nod by way of greeting to each as they entered and took their places, though she simply arched a brow at Hawke's arrival. "Good to have you back in the land of the living, Captain." She left it at that as he had already motioned for them to carry on.

"I appreciate your skepticism, Miss Lianez," she continued, "and such concern is only natural when dealing with Romulans. Given that such a program goes against longheld values within the empire, it is entirely possible that the defector decided they could no longer live with the work they were being asked to do."

T'Ra nodded in approval. "I want to take any and all precautions that we can in this matter, beginning with the data security measures that you have in mind. Regardless of the sincerity of the defector's offer, there may be some unexpected boobytraps in the information that they wish to pass along."

A memory unexpectedly sprung to mind.

"Evan, you worry too much," she told her fiancé.

"But Schatz, what if this is a trap?" he sputtered, arms folded as he slouched on the couch. "What?" he responded haughtily, in response to a raised brow from T'Ra, though she could see a grin slowly start to creep back across his face. "Á¢â,¬ËœI think everything is a trap,'" he quoted, "Á¢â,¬Ëœand that is why I am still alive.'" T'Ra reached for a pillow to throw at his face, but that did little to stifle his laughter.

But what if this really was a trap? They needed to be prepared. "Starfleet Command isn't taking chances. Even if there is only the slightest chance that what the defector promises is Á¢â,¬Ëœlegit', it's worth the risk. They want us to take the defector straight to starbase 12. What would you recommend, Miss Jaeger? An alternate route?"

[Conference room]
Ardyn straightened up in her seat. "Exactly, T'Ra. If we do pick up this defector Romulan, we should take a detour back to the base. As much as I don't like it, if this guy tries to do anything sneaky, it'll be mostly confined to the ship instead of running loose through the base. We can't risk anything until we know where his true alliances lie." She stated to the other officers.

"I agree with all of that. I'd say the more we can keep him in one area, the better. However, I'm not sure we should treat him with hostility--at least not open hostility. If we can make him feel safe, chances are he'll be willing to share more information with us early on. If he lets his guard down, even a little, we'll be more likely to have the upper hand in whatever happens. Perhaps we can have some extremely secure quarters set aside for him, with limited computer access, or even some kind of monitoring system?"

Amynta spoke with an unusual amount of confidence now that she was included and invested in the conversation. Despite her shy nature, when it came to her profession it was easy for her to fall into her counselor's persona. Whether friend or foe, she was interested in the psychology of everyone who came aboard their ship, and a Romulan defector was certainly no exception. Not only that, but to ensure the safety of everyone on board, they'd need to use all the skills and knowledge they had at their disposal, even if it meant being a bit deceptive as well.