S2 - M9A - Katra - Snake in the Garden

[Solluk]

Katra - Station Commander's Ready Room

"Lod Qan's Battle Log... Hu'tegh!  ...computer, reset entry."

"Log Entry Reset."

"Station Commander's Personal Log.  Noh'ves HoD... Captain Noh'ves, commanding."

Noh'ves was silent for a moment.

"The regulations for someone of my position indicate that these logs should be recorded, with a recommendation that they be recorded daily.  I do not understand the need.  No glory has been acquired this day.  Quite the opposite.

Almost immediately after taking command, I was confronted with information about a possible cloaked fleet.  I knew this moment would come, but not so soon.  Now here I sit, on the cusp of defecting from my government.  I am honor-bound to continue my duty to them until I announce my resignation.  And so, I am also honor-bound to serve Starfleet in this officer exchange program.

This officer exchange is itself a project of questionable honor, for I feel that Ambassador Kol is using it to maneuver for our independence movement.  He has arranged for the Lod Qan to be tasked to complete a system survey, and doubtless secured diplomatic promises from the Tholians, just as he has from the Ferengi and the Nyberrite Alliance.

Perhaps he is also hoping that I will greet the inbound Klingon fleet favorably.

If so, he is less devoted to the concept of duty than I am.

If our fleet arrives and behaves in a threatening manner, it will be my duty to battle them, regardless of my personal feelings.  I may end up slaughtering those who would soon become my countrymen in a new nation.  If that should happen, I wonder if I shall be able to find a home anywhere.  I have never been in a more uncomfortable position.  The shades of dishonor that accompany this great departure will no doubt haunt me for years to come.

Meanwhile, the Starfleet officers on this station are objecting to my orders at every turn.  Every time I propose a simple, certain solution to the problem of intercepting a cloaked ship, I am confronted with an elaborate web of interconnecting issues balancing civilian comfort with pilot safety.  It is maddening.  How do they defend anything with this mindset?

I wonder if Captain Solluk is as frustrated as I am in his assignment.  If I know that baktag' first officer of mine, he is making things too easy on the Vulcan."

He smiled, thinking of his good friend.

"On a ship of reformists, perhaps I am the least flexible.

...And perhaps that will have to change.

End Log."

Katra Station - Promenade

Ensign Chastain watched the news reporter vanish in a transporter beam, and then snapped her head up at the barked order to report.  She did not trouble herself to check for rank designation.  Any member of security might need a succinct report of these events, regardless of their relative authority.

"I'm with the Diplomatic Team.  I escorted the Meridian president to a public interview, and then the interviewer went spastic.  Our best medical data shows the Meridian problem is not contagious, but this might potentially create a panic.  If your people can handle the crowd on the promenade, I'd like to escort President Tarin back to his embassy."

President Tarin stood, "At a walking pace.  I won't be seen as panicked."

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - evening of day 2]

Lt. Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - evening of day 2]

When Tess commented on his broaching the subject of his past, Rayek gave slight chuckle.  "That was a slip... but once made, I realized it was past time I 'came clean' about everything.

Once in the bedroom, Tess admitted her worry about assigning Benjin to the mission.  Rayek crouched down at the beside and helped Tess out of her boots and began his nightly massage of her feet, as he considered her words.  "I won't lie and say that there isn't the potential for danger.  I've studied the scans of these Gregari from the Healy's last encounter.  One on one a shuttle has the advantage and can easily take a Gregari out, possibly even a handful.  But it's the sheer numbers that make the Gregari a notable threat.  Our advantages will be that we will be going in cloaked and they don't know our target."

He continued his massage up along her calves, as he tried to play up the best case scenario "According to the Karemma, the Gregari territory is vast enough that we could slip in, find and rescue this Crystaline Entity and get out without even encountering one.  But even that would be a valuable learning experience for any cadet."

Tess leaned back a little, bracing herself on her hands on the mattress as Rayek crouched down in front of her to help her take off the boots and then began the message. She wasn't sure if she ever told him enough how much she appreciated his caring for her. She closed her eyes for a moment as Rayek worked on massaging the tension out of her feet while she listened to his assessment of the coming mission.

The Gregari.

Tess had vivid memories of the time they had encountered them for the first time. Rayek had been on the station while she had been out with the Captain on the Healy to investigate when they encountered massive subspace soliton wave emissions, coming from the Gregari as it had turned out. It had been their first hint on the species whatsoever.

Trying to refocus on Rayek Tess opened her eyes just as he stated the Karemman estimation of their mission. Tess smiled with her lips pressed together. She realized she would keep Benjin from collecting valuable experience if she wouldn't allow him to join the mission.

Sighing quietly - both because of Rayek's ministrations to her calves but also because she reluctantly made up her mind - she nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll assign him to join you. I agree it would be great learning experience for him."
Leaning forward, Tess ran her hand through Rayek's her as she regarded him lovingly. "Thank you for the massage", she said with a smile and wanted to give him a kiss but couldn't quite lean forward enough because of her belly to reach him.

After the massage was finished, Tess got up, letting Rayek know she would take a shower. It was a quick one and after that she slipped into comfortable pants and t-shirt, both being wide enough that it fitted loosely over her baby belly.
With her long hair tousled and still a little damp she slid into the bed and continued with her routine of applying moisturizing cream on the stretched skin of her belly. She dealt with dry and itchy skin there and so she tried to get some relief with this. As she sat there leaning against the headboard and did that, she looked over to Rayek, thinking to share something with him that had been on her mind for a while already. Rahul's message back to her had prompted newly thoughts on this.

"You know, I've been thinking about something lately and I wanted your opinion on it." She paused briefly as she closed the lid of the moisturizing lotion. "With my correspondence with Rahul I kept thinking of Ba'ku and my childhood there, playing in the woods and learning about the animals and fishing with my brother. Just growing up with nature all around me. We can't have this here on the station, but we have Meridian below." She paused once more as she looked at Rayek, trying to get a sense of if he had a clue what she was about to ask him. "I thought it would be nice if we could have a 'second home' down there. We could make it a little project of ours." She smiled excitedly now. "Building a house there and we could be there when we're not on duty. Have him grow up there to a certain degree. So? What do you think of it?"

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
+ Ensign Javed Kumar (Medical)

[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - day 4]

About an hour after Javed had informed Tess of their new patient she arrived at the sickbay. Crossing the reception area, Tess asked where Ensign Kumar was and was informed that he was at the hospital, attending a patient named Kit. Making her way to the hospital section of the medbay, she walked down the corridor of separated alcoves and joined Javed as he stood near the bed where Kit lay, seemingly asleep - or sedated, Tess couldn't tell.

Tess smiled at him as he turned and discovered her arrival. "Report?", she said quietly.

"We're running an encephaloraphic profile on her. First EEG didn't reveal anything useful." He glanced to the sleeping Kit. Seizures were physically very exhausting and it was not unusual that patients slept after an episode. Javed handed Tess the electronical file. "She is sleeping now."

Tess skipped through it. "Is there someone who can tell us what exactly had happened? And are there any hints on something that might have triggered the seizure?"

"Ensign Chastain had reported the patient to us. I don't know the full details but Chastain said Ensign Wessex took over the investigation."

Tess frowned a little. Investigation? Why would this require an investigation and involvement of the station's security? Her attention returned to Javed as he continued.

"And no, nothing found so far. She is a freelance journalist and arrived on Katra only a couple of months ago. As yet she had not been a patient here so we have no data about her."

Tess nodded at Javed. "Carry on. And keep me posted on your findings.Especially when she wakes."

"Haan, maim", the Indian confirmed before turning back to Kit while Tess tapped her comm badge.  "t'Lhoell to Ensign Wessex. Please report to sickbay. I have questions about the incident on the promenade."

[Paul Wessex]

Ensign Chastain watched the news reporter vanish in a transporter beam, and then snapped her head up at the barked order to report.  She did not trouble herself to check for rank designation.  Any member of security might need a succinct report of these events, regardless of their relative authority.

"I'm with the Diplomatic Team.  I escorted the Meridian president to a public interview, and then the interviewer went spastic.  Our best medical data shows the Meridian problem is not contagious, but this might potentially create a panic.  If your people can handle the crowd on the promenade, I'd like to escort President Tarin back to his embassy."

President Tarin stood, "At a walking pace.  I won't be seen as panicked."[/size]

Wessex nodded, in agreement. "Acknowledged. Report to your Duty Officer and I'll co-ordinate Constabulary response." He looked about, and then back to Chastain and Tarin. "President Tarin" he greeted and took his leave in the same motion, before disappearing into the crowd. "Crewman Parcetti!" he called out to a face he recognised from his first Department briefing, with a tone tailored to be heard above the crowd's cacophony rather than anything sounding more urgent. "Over here!"

an hour later>

It had taken some creative and persistent discussions with various individuals who had reacted in various ways to the collapse of the journalist. But eventually, the crowd had dispersed and the Promenade regained a modicum of its original tranquillity, if not existing beneath a cloud of uncertain expectations.

And among this odd peace, Wessex continued to kneel at the site of the journalist's collapse, rubbing his chin in contemplation with one hand, and the chirping tricorder in the other. The device was very similar to the scanners used in the Naval Patrol, but at the depths the FNP operated, such detailed analyses were conducted by the boat or, if conducted in person - far more often than not considering the oppressive environment that 'in person' seemed to require - using the integrated sensors of the hyper-pressure diving suits; hand devices such as these, despite being far more comprehensive than suit sensors given StarFleet's mission statement, would be crushed into a small pebble.

Nothing relating to his other investigation could be found. From all observations, the collapse of the journalist - Kit Kincaid - had been exactly as been seen; a seizure caused by medical reasons yet unknown: no sign of sinister external action. He signed, not out of disappointment, but more of a release valve to recent events.

Realising now was the time to report back to the current Chief of Security - this Lieutenant M'Kai - and, perhaps-

"=/\= t'Lhoell to Ensign Wessex. Please report to sickbay. I have questions about the incident on the promenade."

Speak of the devil.

Tapping the StarFleet insignia on his chest, still feeling mildly foolish at doing so, he replied almost immediately. " Ensign Wessex here. Yes, ma'am I'm on my way.  "

Standing up, stretching his back, Paul put away the handheld device and pulled out his administrative PADD, updating his notes to both cases as he walked towards the nearest turbolift.

[L'mar Camili Rhade]

[ Ensign L'mar Rhade ] | [ Main Engineering - Katra Station - Day 4 ]

Rhade walked in with Brian and the two had been talking about the various hydrogen processes commonly known as antimatter and deuterium when he noticed all the specialists congregating together. They seemed to have grins on their faces, well except Valak as he is Vulcan. Though there was a softness to his expression that was nice to see but then the question came as to the current situation: why?

The two engineers approached the specialists. "Okay what isss going on?" L'mar asked as he folded his arms.

"Ah very nice Engineering you have here son!" Valerian Magnus Rhade said from somewhere in the room.
"Ah therrre you arrre ssson!" Jem said, the Caitian mother rushed her son and hugged him, her purring could be heard.

Surprise was all over Rhade's face, his mouth slightly open. Though once his mother had him in her embrace he hugged her back fiercely. "Motherrr?" L'mar cooed and after a few moments looked up to see his father with a smile. "Fatherrr? What arrre you two doing herrre?"

"I have been booked by sssome civilian theaterrrs in Dominion ssspace." Jem said as she let Rhade go and had him at arms' length. "You arrre looking well my ssson." She smiled.

"The Dominion?" L'mar asked with surprise again on his face.

"Yes some of the Dominion's members have expressed interest in Federation culture and although the Founders haven't forbidden it, they themselves have not." Valerian explained.

Rhade was concerned. "What about the New Dominion?" L'mar asked.

"I am not the only perrrforrrmerrr, therrre arrre a few. Ssstarrrfleet hasss given usss an essscorrrt." Jem said with a pur.

"I've been assigned as the Chief Engineer of the escort ship, though it isn't here yet, I was on leave and asked to fill in for the former Chief Engineer who will be transferring out when they arrive." Valerian added.

It didn't make him feel any better but Rhade knew better to argue with his parents. "When doesss the essscorrrt arrrive?" L'mar said, his rolling of letter sounds increased with his mother here.

"Unfortunately their current mission hasn't ended yet, so maybe a week or 2." Valerian answered.

"Ssso we decided to come visssit you while we wait." Jem added.

At this point Rhade glanced over at the specialists and Brian, who had joined them, were smirking, again Valak was the same as the last time Rhade had looked at him. There will be hell to pay for not warning him they were here. He grinned back at them then faced his mother. "Well I'm happy you two could ssspend time with me beforrre you go." L'mar said, "though I am still on duty at the moment, ssso I'll take you to yourrr quarrrterrrs and I'll sssee you afterrr my ssshift." L'mar explained apologetically.

"Alrrright Camili," Jem said and glared at her husband. "Come husssband."

Then a cat's meow drew everyone's attention and Rhade laughed. "Hello Max!" L'mar greeted the black cat and went over to Maximillian, whom he had failed to notice, Rhade picked up the cat and held him with his arms under Max's folded legs. Max seemed to be agreeable to be carried as he purred like Jem had been the whole time.

Rhade threw a glare over his shoulder at Brian and the specialists before leaving Main Engineering.

[Solluk]

Katra Station - Officer's Mess - the Evening of the Lod Qan's departure

"Ah, legumes!" Tolec declared, spooning some beans onto his plate.

The officers of Katra station- Klingons and Starfleet alike- had been invited to dine with the Captain.  The invitation had been both in the informal Klingon way of announcing that the meal would take place, and also in the formal Starfleet method of sending electronic messages that instructed officers to be there.  Noh'ves had taken the unusual step of inviting Ensigns Wessex and Rhade, who would not normally have been senior enough to warrant attendance.

The Klingons gathering here did not wait for any formalities to begin, digging in as soon as they arrived.  Some had been early.  Others would be minutes late.  There seemed to be no pattern to it.

"You and your beans," Vilka complained as she used tongs to capture some gagh for her own plate, "You eat them, but we have to pay for them."

Tolec smirked, "As your senior officer, if I gift you with the product of my digestion, it shall be your honor to receive it."

"I can't wait to be promoted," Vilka huffed.

Tolec regarded her.  "No matter what may come," he said, "I will always be your senior."

Noh'ves chuckled as he gnawed on a pipius claw.

M'kai came into the room, "I was delayed.  I had to kill a trader."

None of the Klingons blinked an eye at this news except for Noh'ves, who paused his gnawing to look at her.

"He was revived," M'kai added, taking a large turkey leg that was arrayed on a platter, "It was the filing of documents that delayed me."

Noh'ves grunted, in apparent condemnation of the paperwork Starfleet required.

"How do you eat that," Vilka asked, grimacing at M'Kai's choice.

"With my teeth," she replied, and made a demonstration, taking a huge bite from the massive drumstick.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - evening of day 2]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - evening of day 2]

Tess leaned back a little, bracing herself on her hands on the mattress as Rayek crouched down in front of her to help her take off the boots and then began the message. She wasn't sure if she ever told him enough how much she appreciated his caring for her. She closed her eyes for a moment as Rayek worked on massaging the tension out of her feet while she listened to his assessment of the coming mission.

The Gregari.

Tess had vivid memories of the time they had encountered them for the first time. Rayek had been on the station while she had been out with the Captain on the Healy to investigate when they encountered massive subspace soliton wave emissions, coming from the Gregari as it had turned out. It had been their first hint on the species whatsoever.

Trying to refocus on Rayek Tess opened her eyes just as he stated the Karemman estimation of their mission. Tess smiled with her lips pressed together. She realized she would keep Benjin from collecting valuable experience if she wouldn't allow him to join the mission.

Sighing quietly - both because of Rayek's ministrations to her calves but also because she reluctantly made up her mind - she nodded slowly. "Okay, I'll assign him to join you. I agree it would be great learning experience for him."
Leaning forward, Tess ran her hand through Rayek's her as she regarded him lovingly. "Thank you for the massage", she said with a smile and wanted to give him a kiss but couldn't quite lean forward enough because of her belly to reach him.

After the massage was finished, Tess got up, letting Rayek know she would take a shower. It was a quick one and after that she slipped into comfortable pants and t-shirt, both being wide enough that it fitted loosely over her baby belly.
With her long hair tousled and still a little damp she slid into the bed and continued with her routine of applying moisturizing cream on the stretched skin of her belly. She dealt with dry and itchy skin there and so she tried to get some relief with this. As she sat there leaning against the headboard and did that, she looked over to Rayek, thinking to share something with him that had been on her mind for a while already. Rahul's message back to her had prompted newly thoughts on this.

"You know, I've been thinking about something lately and I wanted your opinion on it." She paused briefly as she closed the lid of the moisturizing lotion. "With my correspondence with Rahul I kept thinking of Ba'ku and my childhood there, playing in the woods and learning about the animals and fishing with my brother. Just growing up with nature all around me. We can't have this here on the station, but we have Meridian below." She paused once more as she looked at Rayek, trying to get a sense of if he had a clue what she was about to ask him. "I thought it would be nice if we could have a 'second home' down there. We could make it a little project of ours." She smiled excitedly now. "Building a house there and we could be there when we're not on duty. Have him grow up there to a certain degree. So? What do you think of it?"

Rayek acknowledged her assigning Benjin to the mission was a slight nod.   "He'll be happy to hear that.."  He thought about assuring her that he would keep an eye on Benjin, but he knew that he could never fully follow thru on such a promise, so it was best not to make it.

When Tess left to shower after her long day, Rayek took time to give attention to Thrafv.  He hoped that Tess wouldn't spoil the ferret too much while he was away.  She tended to given in to it's antics for treats far too often, and wasn't always fully committed to the rule of Thrafv not being allowed on the bed or the desk.  And unfortunately Rayek could envision her allowing their pet to sleep on his side of the bed while he was away.

As he scritched the albino Cardassian ferret, it rolled onto it's back and playfully attacked his hand.  Rayek withdrew his hand and responded with a sharp sounding click of his tongue in reprimand. "No.  Gentle."  With the baby's arrival in only a couple months, Rayek was adamant of having the ferret trained to not play rough or to go near the baby's bassinet.  In this effort, Rayek had already ordered and set-up most of the baby's furnishing.  Mainly, the change table and the bassinet in the bedroom.  Rayek hoped would continue with the training efforts but suspected he'd have to start all over again when he returned.

When he heard the shower turn off, Rayek picked up the ferret and carried Thrafv back out into the main room where his kennel was.  Inside the kennel were an assortment of toys and tubes for the ferret to play with while they slept.   It had taken several weeks after they first got Thrafv for Rayek not to lay awake at night listening to the ferret playing worrying that it was okay.   He could only imagine that his concern would be worse with the baby.

Rayek made sure to give Thrafv some fresh water and food, before giving the ferret one last scritch for the night.  By the time he returned to the bedroom, Tess had toweled off and was getting dress for the night in loose fitting clothes.   He too changed out of the clothes he'd  worn that evening - the outfit she'd bought him during their holodeck of Romulus and into his pajamas.

Knowing that Tess would be up for a bit yet applying moisturizing cream to her stretched belly, Rayek took the opportunity to read outloud to the baby.   He'd finished the book recommended by Jada, and had read Tess' book of Ba'ku fairy tales several times.  But for now Rayek was turning to a collection of nursery rhymes to read-aloud to the babe.

By the time Tess was done her beauty routine, Rayek was just finishing up his reading to the baby.   He prepared to settle to bed but Tess' seemed like she had something to discuss.  Curious, he paid closer attention as she spoke about growing up on Ba'ku and being more connected to nature.

Rayek thought he knew where this conversation was going - the notion of family camping trips had crossed his mind a few times as well - but her question about building a 'second' home together on Meridian had the Romulan completely by surprise.  He stared at her a bit dumbfounded as he let her words sink in.

Since learning of Tess' pregnancy, Rayek had only ever envisioned their home being on the station.  He had no homeworld anymore, and Tess' was so distant from where they lived that having a home on either wasn't possible.  But a home on Meridian...  how had he never thought of such before?

The smile that lit Rayek's face ached with how wide it was.  "I love the idea, Tess!"

[Tess tLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - evening of day 2]

Lt. Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - evening of day 2]

Rayek acknowledged her assigning Benjin to the mission was a slight nod.   "He'll be happy to hear that.."  He thought about assuring her that he would keep an eye on Benjin, but he knew that he could never fully follow thru on such a promise, so it was best not to make it.

When Tess left to shower after her long day, Rayek took time to give attention to Thrafv.  He hoped that Tess wouldn't spoil the ferret too much while he was away.  She tended to given in to it's antics for treats far too often, and wasn't always fully committed to the rule of Thrafv not being allowed on the bed or the desk.  And unfortunately Rayek could envision her allowing their pet to sleep on his side of the bed while he was away.

As he scritched the albino Cardassian ferret, it rolled onto it's back and playfully attacked his hand.  Rayek withdrew his hand and responded with a sharp sounding click of his tongue in reprimand. "No.  Gentle."  With the baby's arrival in only a couple months, Rayek was adamant of having the ferret trained to not play rough or to go near the baby's bassinet.  In this effort, Rayek had already ordered and set-up most of the baby's furnishing.  Mainly, the change table and the bassinet in the bedroom.  Rayek hoped would continue with the training efforts but suspected he'd have to start all over again when he returned.

When he heard the shower turn off, Rayek picked up the ferret and carried Thrafv back out into the main room where his kennel was.  Inside the kennel were an assortment of toys and tubes for the ferret to play with while they slept.   It had taken several weeks after they first got Thrafv for Rayek not to lay awake at night listening to the ferret playing worrying that it was okay.   He could only imagine that his concern would be worse with the baby.

Rayek made sure to give Thrafv some fresh water and food, before giving the ferret one last scritch for the night.  By the time he returned to the bedroom, Tess had toweled off and was getting dress for the night in loose fitting clothes.   He too changed out of the clothes he'd  worn that evening - the outfit she'd bought him during their holodeck of Romulus and into his pajamas.

Knowing that Tess would be up for a bit yet applying moisturizing cream to her stretched belly, Rayek took the opportunity to read outloud to the baby.   He'd finished the book recommended by Jada, and had read Tess' book of Ba'ku fairy tales several times.  But for now Rayek was turning to a collection of nursery rhymes to read-aloud to the babe.

By the time Tess was done her beauty routine, Rayek was just finishing up his reading to the baby.   He prepared to settle to bed but Tess' seemed like she had something to discuss.  Curious, he paid closer attention as she spoke about growing up on Ba'ku and being more connected to nature.

Rayek thought he knew where this conversation was going - the notion of family camping trips had crossed his mind a few times as well - but her question about building a 'second' home together on Meridian had the Romulan completely by surprise.  He stared at her a bit dumbfounded as he let her words sink in.

Since learning of Tess' pregnancy, Rayek had only ever envisioned their home being on the station.  He had no homeworld anymore, and Tess' was so distant from where they lived that having a home on either wasn't possible.  But a home on Meridian...  how had he never thought of such before?

The smile that lit Rayek's face ached with how wide it was.  "I love the idea, Tess!"

Tess enjoyed when Rayek was reading to their baby. He did this for months already almost every single night and she loved his dedication. She on her part loved to sing to her baby when she did some house work or other things that didn't require her full concentration.

Then she finally put forward her suggestion to Rayek and she watched his face with cautious curiostiy. He clearly was surprised by it and at first she wasn't sure if he liked the idea or not. When she then saw the big smile appear on Rayek's face, Tess let out a happy relived chuckle as she beamed at him. "You do?! I'm so glad! This is going to be awesome!"

Tess was happy. "We might have to ask President Tarin's permission first. But I don't think that will be much of a problem." She was an optimist. Turning to Rayek, she smiled as she leaned over - as much as she was able - and kissed her husband. "I love you", she murmured. "And I'm so excited about this."

Eventually she settled for some more cuddle time with Rayek before she eventually would turn to her body pillow that allowed her to sleep comfortly despite the size of her belly and more importantly to protect herself and the baby.

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - Officer's Mess - evening of day 4]

Tess was on her way from her quarters to the officer's mess, her father accompanying her. It had been quite the eventful day.

First the whole thing with the wormhole, silent alert and discussion with Captain Noh'ves.

Then the case of the reporter Kit Kincaid.

Tess have had a talk with Ensign Wessex who had been present when the woman had collapsed during the interview on the promenade. Tess made sure to attended his interviewing the woman - while still in the hospital - where Tess then learned about the interview with President Tarin about the Meridian affliction. Tess was not happy at all to hear this. Of course she couldn't forbid him to attend an interview on the station, but she very much would have preferred and recommended for him to seek a dialogue with the station's command team and her as the Chief Medical Officer first. Tess had feared for a while that the knowledge of the unknown Meridian disease might eventually spread among the station and cause insecurities, though it seemed as long as it only had been Meridians affected, the population's reaction was muted. But now, with a non-Meridian suffering a seizure episode - and to make matters worse with a Meridian nearby - there was reason to believe the reaction would not turn out as muted as before.

Tess then had interviewed Kit herself on medical matters. Since they didn't have a medical record of her, they had to start from scratch. During her talk with Kit she had the feeling the woman was not entirely honest with her; especially regarding her not being on medication at the moment. With many medications it was easy to trace them in the body, but with even more it was very hard, especially when you didn't even know what to look for. There were a variety of factors that made it all the more difficult.

The good thing was so far the encephalographic profile during the seizure didn't show the same patterns as they knew them from the Meridians that had been affected.

But it was possible that more damage had already been done than they were aware of.

Katra Station - Officer's Mess - the Evening of the Lod Qan's departure

"Ah, legumes!" Tolec declared, spooning some beans onto his plate.

The officers of Katra station- Klingons and Starfleet alike- had been invited to dine with the Captain.  The invitation had been both in the informal Klingon way of announcing that the meal would take place, and also in the formal Starfleet method of sending electronic messages that instructed officers to be there.  Noh'ves had taken the unusual step of inviting Ensigns Wessex and Rhade, who would not normally have been senior enough to warrant attendance.

The Klingons gathering here did not wait for any formalities to begin, digging in as soon as they arrived.  Some had been early.  Others would be minutes late.  There seemed to be no pattern to it.

"You and your beans," Vilka complained as she used tongs to capture some gagh for her own plate, "You eat them, but we have to pay for them."

Tolec smirked, "As your senior officer, if I gift you with the product of my digestion, it shall be your honor to receive it."

"I can't wait to be promoted," Vilka huffed.

Tolec regarded her.  "No matter what may come," he said, "I will always be your senior."

Noh'ves chuckled as he gnawed on a pipius claw.

M'kai came into the room, "I was delayed.  I had to kill a trader."

None of the Klingons blinked an eye at this news except for Noh'ves, who paused his gnawing to look at her.

"He was revived," M'kai added, taking a large turkey leg that was arrayed on a platter, "It was the filing of documents that delayed me."

Noh'ves grunted, in apparent condemnation of the paperwork Starfleet required.

"How do you eat that," Vilka asked, grimacing at M'Kai's choice.

"With my teeth," she replied, and made a demonstration, taking a huge bite from the massive drumstick.

Tess finally arrived with her father at the senior's mess - and noticed with some surprise that the Klingons already present had started the feast already. They came just in time to overhear a conversation between Tolec and Vilka about the effect of legumes on the digestive system. How lovely.

"Good evening, Captain", Tess greeted him with a smile while he was gnawing at a pipius claw. This too wasn't the most flattering sight but she was sure Noh'ves cared little about it. Tess then proceeded to greet the other officers gathered there as well, so did Fabiano, before she sat down among the Klingon officers.

Tess was looking over the foods, trying to decide what she wanted to have, when the Klingon security chief entered, announcing that she killed a trader. Tess froze on the spot as she stared at her aghast. M'Kai tried to alleviate the reaction - well, lack of reaction really, save the Captain none of the other Klingons had reacted at all - by saying that he had been revived. But for Tess this didn't make the matter one bit better.

"What did the trader do?", Tess asked M'Kai, doing her best not to sound as concerned as she was while she helped herself to some vegetable and Fabiano putting a piece of turkey meat on ther plate.

[Solluk]

Katra Station - Officer's Mess - the Evening of the Lod Qan's departure

M'Kai gestured with her half-eaten drumstick as she explained, "The trader was smuggling Bentzi Beetles.  A Ferengi delicacy.  They are also endangered due to their weak bodies.  They rely on their poisonous mandibles to protect them.  I knew none of this when I found the beetles.  But a Cadet Rayne approached me when I opened the secret compartment with the insects.  She began crowing about smuggling activity and vomited the rest of the information before I could ask."

M'kai reached out with her left hand to seize an appetizer of Bregit Lung Squares.  "The trader- an unusually hostile Grazerite named Gnoshin- grabbed Cadet Rayne and a handful of the beetles.  He held them close to the Cadet's face, threatening to let the beetles poison her if I did not let him escape."

M'Kai shrugged, "I suppose Grazerites are immune to the poison.  Well, I was going to stun them both, but then I remembered what the Cadet said about the beetles having a weak biology.  Might a phaser, even one set to stun, harm them?  I did not know.  I did know the Federation feels strongly about endangered animals.

So, I punched the Grazerite in the throat and kicked the Cadet clear of his grasp.  While Gnoshin choked to death on his own blood, and the Cadet tumbled to the deck, I called for an emergency transport of all insects in the cargo bay to a force-field protected Security cell.  They were mid-scurry when the transporter beam caught them and whisked them away.

Then Cadet Rayne called for Gnoshin to be transported to the nearest medical center.  The staff there revived him after he had stopped breathing for nearly three minutes.  A great deal of effort to save a smuggler, but that is not my business.  I saw that he was placed in the brig beside his beetles once he'd recovered sufficiently."

She chuckled, and finished her goblet of wine.  The other Klingons also shared laughter at the tale.

Grom walked into the room.  "I sense I have missed a humorous anecdote,"  he observed, sitting down and spooning himself some gagh.  "I, too, have a funny story about my day.  When I was inspecting the matter-antimatter core controller module, I mistook an optronic fiber for a positronic particle shunt."

He looked around the room.

"Optronic fibers have a two-one-five band identifier.  But Positronic Shunts have a five-one-two band identifier."

There was silence and blank stares from the other Klingons.

"Well," Grom said, "I laughed about it for several seconds."

Vilka stopped mid-chew.  "You laughed?" She asked the question with an expression of astonishment.

All of the other Klingons similarly stared, as though they'd been told that a chicken roared or a cat barked.

Grom nodded solemnly, "It was very funny."

There was a moment of silence.  Then, all at once, the Klingons burst out in a raucous bout of bellylaughs.  Grom looked about, seemingly satisfied.

"As I said."

This only caused everyone to laugh even harder, and Vilka joined them.

[esanc]

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
+ Ensign Javed Kumar (Medical)

[Katra Station - Deck 22 - Sickbay - day 4]

About an hour after Javed had informed Tess of their new patient she arrived at the sickbay. Crossing the reception area, Tess asked where Ensign Kumar was and was informed that he was at the hospital, attending a patient named Kit. Making her way to the hospital section of the medbay, she walked down the corridor of separated alcoves and joined Javed as he stood near the bed where Kit lay, seemingly asleep - or sedated, Tess couldn't tell.

Tess smiled at him as he turned and discovered her arrival. "Report?", she said quietly.

"We're running an encephaloraphic profile on her. First EEG didn't reveal anything useful." He glanced to the sleeping Kit. Seizures were physically very exhausting and it was not unusual that patients slept after an episode. Javed handed Tess the electronical file. "She is sleeping now."

Tess skipped through it. "Is there someone who can tell us what exactly had happened? And are there any hints on something that might have triggered the seizure?"

"Ensign Chastain had reported the patient to us. I don't know the full details but Chastain said Ensign Wessex took over the investigation."

Tess frowned a little. Investigation? Why would this require an investigation and involvement of the station's security? Her attention returned to Javed as he continued.

"And no, nothing found so far. She is a freelance journalist and arrived on Katra only a couple of months ago. As yet she had not been a patient here so we have no data about her."

Tess nodded at Javed. "Carry on. And keep me posted on your findings.Especially when she wakes."

"Haan, maim", the Indian confirmed before turning back to Kit while Tess tapped her comm badge.  "t'Lhoell to Ensign Wessex. Please report to sickbay. I have questions about the incident on the promenade."

[Katra Station - Promenade - Evening of Day 4]

Ensign Sula was ecstatic to have been assigned to Katra, Starfleet's foremost base of exploration and scientific discovery within the Gamma quadrant, and the timing of her arrival couldn't have been better in her mind. For one, the Meridian seizure dilemma was beginning to become more widely reported, and when a journalist covering the issue suffered a seizure the moment the Meridian president claimed it was non-contagious... well, what could have been more exciting for the ambitious medical ensign to walk in on? The station's promenade was still filled with chatter about the event, people worrying about the unknown disease and it's countagiousness. Groundbreaking medical research surely awaited the station's medical personnel, and now the ensign had the possibility of becoming a part of that.

Similarly, the ensign considered it a second stroke of luck to join the station while the officer exchange was underway. In terms of her most admired alien species, as odd as it may sound to some, the Klingon were her favorite in many ways. Their biology, dietary habits, language, and cultural quirks greatly intrigued the ensign during her time studying astroethnology in the academy. The Bajoran looked forward to interacting with the new Klingon officers aboard the ship, and she wondered silently if some of the typical introductory pleasentries would be handled by the temporary Klingon captain.

Sula's imagination swelled with ideations of what was to come, but she returned to reality when she noticed a fellow medical ensign approaching her, the 'welcome wagon' she presumed.

"Ensign Kumar, Ensign Sula" the Bajoran introduced herself, "I was told to expect you, it's a pleasure making your acquaintance."

[Beja]

Katra Station - Officers Mess - Evening of Day 4

Beja hurried down to the officer's mess, she had been worried that she might not make it in time for the dinner. Just the thought of possibly being late made her sad.  Luckily the emergency session that had come up, Beja had been able to resolve. Thanks to Mon's calming effect, her client was able to deal with the sudden overwhelming panic attack. No two people dealt with trauma the same way. And people did not always realize just how deep that darkness could go within them. Beja would have hated to have missed the officer dinner, but she'd have done that in order to help someone through the dark. Fortunately she had been able to have her gagh and eat it too, as the humans said!

Beja took a seat the table, happy to see all of the Klingons laughing loudly. It was not so long ago that there had not been much joy with the Klingon crew, a good sign for good things to come!

"œHave you tried this legume? I am told it is quite delicious," Beja offered some lima beans over to Tolec, knowing how much he enjoyed different legumes.

Then she turned her attention to Tess. Beja smiled brightly at her, "œCommander, how are you doing this evening?" Beja worried about the difficulty Tess must be experiencing, with being apart from her husband, especially so far along in their pregnancy. Beja wanted her friend to know that the counselor could be counted on for anything that Tess needed.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Lt. Cmdr. Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - evening of day 2]

Lt. Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - evening of day 2]

Tess enjoyed when Rayek was reading to their baby. He did this for months already almost every single night and she loved his dedication. She on her part loved to sing to her baby when she did some house work or other things that didn't require her full concentration.

Then she finally put forward her suggestion to Rayek and she watched his face with cautious curiostiy. He clearly was surprised by it and at first she wasn't sure if he liked the idea or not. When she then saw the big smile appear on Rayek's face, Tess let out a happy relived chuckle as she beamed at him. "You do?! I'm so glad! This is going to be awesome!"

Tess was happy. "We might have to ask President Tarin's permission first. But I don't think that will be much of a problem." She was an optimist. Turning to Rayek, she smiled as she leaned over - as much as she was able - and kissed her husband. "I love you", she murmured. "And I'm so excited about this."

Eventually she settled for some more cuddle time with Rayek before she eventually would turn to her body pillow that allowed her to sleep comfortably despite the size of her belly and more importantly to protect herself and the baby.

Rayek realized at Tess' relieved chuckle and beaming smile that she'd been concerned that he might not have approved of the suggestion.  How could he not?

Rayek nodded his agreement when she stated that they would need to seek permission from President Tarin.  But the Romulan was less optimistic than than his wife as to the President's willingness to have foreigners make a home on Meridian.   The Meridians were rather protective of their planet.  In fact, the Romulan was still baffled at how easily the President had agree to let the Etrosians settle on their planet.  He'd heard the man remark once that he and his people owed it to the Etrosians at least that much.   It made no sense to Rayek but President Tarin wasn't inclined to answer questions on the subject at the time.

He leaned up to receive the kiss from Tess.  He hated to damped her enthusiasm but he felt he did need to prepare her for a less than favorable response.

"We can approach him together when I return.  Though I suspect he'll want some manner of payment more than Federation credits.  And please be aware he may not agree, if you will recall his platform for being elected was 'Meridian for Meridians'.   He tolerates Starfleet's presence because we provide protection but do not be fooled into thinking he is happy at our involvement in things." Rayek warned.

"However, we will do our utmost to convince him - them.." Since there was the council to likely sway as well,  "...that Meridian would be foolish not to accept us as part-time residents."

When Tess eventually turned over to hug her body pillow, Rayek scooted close behind to 'spoon' her wrapping an arm lightly over her waist to lay his palm again her burgeoning belly.  Their son was always most active at night just as Tess laid down to sleep.  It seemed to recognize that the outside movement had stopped and it was he turn to move about.   Rayek loved to feel the roll of Tess' belly as the fetus seemed to do somersaults.

He kissed at Tess lips awkwardly from his 'spoon' position and murmured an endearment. "I-jol au, e'lev." (*I love you, darling.) then rubbed her belly momentarily "I-jol au, arham faelirh." (*I love you, my son)

[Tess tLhoell]

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - sometime during the exchange mission - evening]

Tess sat on the sofa in the living room area of her home on Katra. Her lower lip was a dark red by now from all the biting and worrying it out of nervousness. Today finally was the day to make contact with the person Karinne had connected her with. With Rayek at home or even on the station Tess had not dared to make the call. Right now her dad was out with some mates from the science department, having a good time at the Wadi gambling hall, so Tess made use of the opportunity.

Tess had opted to wear civilian clothing - a sligtly oversized crochet jumper - because she thought it better to keep things as less complicated as possible. Though right now Tess had the sleeves rolled up since she felt too hot right now due to her nervousness. Taking another deep breath, Tess had prepared herself mentally enough She was prepared. She had gone through the words over and over again. "Computer. Start video recording." Tess would have preferred a live video chat, but due to the remoteness this wasn't possible.
After the computer bleeped in acknowledgement, Tess looked at herself on the computer screen as it recorded her. Her hands rested lightly on her belly as she cleared her throat quietly, her chin lifted up a little, her face friendly. "Jolan-tru Arrai t'Raghaellh." She had practiced the particularly difficult name over and over and over again until she was able to pronounce it flawlessly. "I hope this message finds you save and well. First of all, I want to thank you that you are willing to hear me and offer help in this matter. A matter that is very important to me."

She swallowed dryly as she collected her thoughts. "My intermediary had mentioned to me that you - at least in the past - have been assigned to deal with the penal colony Faicol-lhui. The subject of my interest is a certain person, that had been incarcerated many years ago. Are you able to help me out finding answers in such a matter? If so, I would be grateful to receive that help. If not, are you able to put me in contact with someone who could?"

Tess paused. This was everything she wanted to say ... right? She took another moment to think if she had forgotten something, but no, this was it. Offering the smallest of smiles, Tess inclined her head slightly in respect as she had seen Rayek doing it so many times. "Khlinae arhem u' jolan-tru. I'm looking forward to hear from you." (Thank you and*)

"Computer. End recording."

The computer bleeped and Tess let out a breath. She watched the recording several times until she was convinced this was good enough and then sent it Taheen's way as a secured and encrypted message.

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - Officer's mess - evening of day 4]

Katra Station - Officer's Mess - the Evening of the Lod Qan's departure

M'Kai gestured with her half-eaten drumstick as she explained, "The trader was smuggling Bentzi Beetles.  A Ferengi delicacy.  They are also endangered due to their weak bodies.  They rely on their poisonous mandibles to protect them.  I knew none of this when I found the beetles.  But a Cadet Rayne approached me when I opened the secret compartment with the insects.  She began crowing about smuggling activity and vomited the rest of the information before I could ask."

M'kai reached out with her left hand to seize an appetizer of Bregit Lung Squares.  "The trader- an unusually hostile Grazerite named Gnoshin- grabbed Cadet Rayne and a handful of the beetles.  He held them close to the Cadet's face, threatening to let the beetles poison her if I did not let him escape."

M'Kai shrugged, "I suppose Grazerites are immune to the poison.  Well, I was going to stun them both, but then I remembered what the Cadet said about the beetles having a weak biology.  Might a phaser, even one set to stun, harm them?  I did not know.  I did know the Federation feels strongly about endangered animals.

So, I punched the Grazerite in the throat and kicked the Cadet clear of his grasp.  While Gnoshin choked to death on his own blood, and the Cadet tumbled to the deck, I called for an emergency transport of all insects in the cargo bay to a force-field protected Security cell.  They were mid-scurry when the transporter beam caught them and whisked them away.

Then Cadet Rayne called for Gnoshin to be transported to the nearest medical center.  The staff there revived him after he had stopped breathing for nearly three minutes.  A great deal of effort to save a smuggler, but that is not my business.  I saw that he was placed in the brig beside his beetles once he'd recovered sufficiently."

She chuckled, and finished her goblet of wine.  The other Klingons also shared laughter at the tale.

Grom walked into the room.  "I sense I have missed a humorous anecdote,"  he observed, sitting down and spooning himself some gagh.  "I, too, have a funny story about my day.  When I was inspecting the matter-antimatter core controller module, I mistook an optronic fiber for a positronic particle shunt."

He looked around the room.

"Optronic fibers have a two-one-five band identifier.  But Positronic Shunts have a five-one-two band identifier."

There was silence and blank stares from the other Klingons.

"Well," Grom said, "I laughed about it for several seconds."

Vilka stopped mid-chew.  "You laughed?" She asked the question with an expression of astonishment.

All of the other Klingons similarly stared, as though they'd been told that a chicken roared or a cat barked.

Grom nodded solemnly, "It was very funny."

There was a moment of silence.  Then, all at once, the Klingons burst out in a raucous bout of bellylaughs.  Grom looked about, seemingly satisfied.

"As I said."

This only caused everyone to laugh even harder, and Vilka joined them.

Katra Station - Officers Mess - Evening of Day 4

Beja hurried down to the officer's mess, she had been worried that she might not make it in time for the dinner. Just the thought of possibly being late made her sad.  Luckily the emergency session that had come up, Beja had been able to resolve. Thanks to Mon's calming effect, her client was able to deal with the sudden overwhelming panic attack. No two people dealt with trauma the same way. And people did not always realize just how deep that darkness could go within them. Beja would have hated to have missed the officer dinner, but she'd have done that in order to help someone through the dark. Fortunately she had been able to have her gagh and eat it too, as the humans said!

Beja took a seat the table, happy to see all of the Klingons laughing loudly. It was not so long ago that there had not been much joy with the Klingon crew, a good sign for good things to come!

"œHave you tried this legume? I am told it is quite delicious," Beja offered some lima beans over to Tolec, knowing how much he enjoyed different legumes.

Then she turned her attention to Tess. Beja smiled brightly at her, "œCommander, how are you doing this evening?" Beja worried about the difficulty Tess must be experiencing, with being apart from her husband, especially so far along in their pregnancy. Beja wanted her friend to know that the counselor could be counted on for anything that Tess needed.

Unlike this morning at the OCC, Tess had no trouble not to join into the laughter. She tried a small smile though, but she found the M'Kai's story rather gruesome. But Tess tried to focus on the positive. After the laughter had died down a bit she turned to M'Kai. "I'm glad to hear you're trying to get into the mindset of the Federation on how they value the life of animals." And persons, she added in her mind. She made a mental note to herself to check the report about the Grazerite later.

"Now that we're about to tell stories, I believe I have one to tell as well", Tess said. "I'm not sure if you've heard about this already", her glance moved to Noh'ves in particular, "there had been a small incident on the station today. In the past week we've had issues with some kind of Meridian illness. Unfortunately we've not been able to find the cause for this yet, but we pretty much were able to rule out any contagiousness coming from this. It seems to be a problem regarding specifically Meridians."

"As I've learned today, a freelance journlist did a public interview with the Meridian President Tarin about this matter." Tess still was very unhappy about it. "It happened then though that the reporter suffered a seizure - with everyone around witnessing it. I'm concerned it might cause a negative reaction among the station's population."

Her face lighted up when Tess saw Beja joining them. Admittedly, she felt rather uncomfortable among the Klingons - more so than she would have initially thought. So it was good to have the not that 'klingon' Klingon here to help her out. Beja's question about how she was doing earned a smile from Tess and she regarded her. "Oh, right now I'm doing okay. I kinda dread a bit to return to an empty home tonight", she admitted quietly to her. "But luckily my father will keep me company." She smiled at Fabiano who sat next to her.

NPC Ensign Javed Kumar (Medical)
[Katra Station - Promenade - Evening of day 4]

[Katra Station - Promenade - Evening of Day 4

Ensign Sula was ecstatic to have been assigned to Katra, Starfleet's foremost base of exploration and scientific discovery within the Gamma quadrant, and the timing of her arrival couldn't have been better in her mind. For one, the Meridian seizure dilemma was beginning to become more widely reported, and when a journalist covering the issue suffered a seizure the moment the Meridian president claimed it was non-contagious... well, what could have been more exciting for the ambitious medical ensign to walk in on? The station's promenade was still filled with chatter about the event, people worrying about the unknown disease and it's countagiousness. Groundbreaking medical research surely awaited the station's medical personnel, and now the ensign had the possibility of becoming a part of that.

Similarly, the ensign considered it a second stroke of luck to join the station while the officer exchange was underway. In terms of her most admired alien species, as odd as it may sound to some, the Klingon were her favorite in many ways. Their biology, dietary habits, language, and cultural quirks greatly intrigued the ensign during her time studying astroethnology in the academy. The Bajoran looked forward to interacting with the new Klingon officers aboard the ship, and she wondered silently if some of the typical introductory pleasentries would be handled by the temporary Klingon captain.

Sula's imagination swelled with ideations of what was to come, but she returned to reality when she noticed a fellow medical ensign approaching her, the 'welcome wagon' she presumed.

"Ensign Kumar, Ensign Sula" the Bajoran introduced herself, "I was told to expect you, it's a pleasure making your acquaintance."

The moment Javed spotted the newest Ensign on Katra, his face was parted by a big grin. "Welcome on Katra Station, Ensign Sula!", the Indian said. "May the Prophets be with you. And namastee as we use to say." He pressed his palms together and wriggled his head once in greeting.

"I hope your journey here was a plesant one. Unfortunately Dr. t'Lhoell can't welcome you personally. Normally she likes to take over that part, but she is not available right now. It is my pleasure now to show you around a little before I have to return to the sickbay - unless that is what you are most interested in seeing?" He gave her a roguish smile.

[Katra Station - Brauhaus Gamma - evening of day 4]

Stavros Papadopulos picked up the glass of golden shimmering beer and took two long gulps of the cool beverage, the noise of him swallowing down drowned the noise of the discussion that was going on at his table for a moment.

"I told you what I've heard", his mother argued with his father, who were the owners of the local restaurant 'Alpha & Omega'. "That reporter was there with the Meridian President and all of a sudden she started to have a seizure. You don't find that curious?"

Mr. Papadopulos sat there leaned back relaxed against the back of the bench. "There are many reasons for having seizures, Aliki", he said calmly, the black full beard hiding most of the chubbiness of his cheeks so they didn't looks that chubby. "The doctor of the station said it wasn't contagious."

Aliki snorted. "Oh, are you really that naive, husband? Of course they say that because they don't want everyone to worry." The woman sniffed indignantly. "I've been suspicious about the whole thing for a while now and there we have it. I tell you what: I don't want to serve Meridians in our restaurant any more."

Stavros faltered as he looked as his mother. "You can't do that."

Aliki gave her son a challenging glare. "Why can't I do that? Can I risk having my family and staff to catch that strange Meridian disease?" She gestured towards Alev, a petite short arabic woman that worked at the 'Alpha & Omega' and sat there with the Papadopulos family. "And our guests?" The wrought-up woman spoke so loud that guests at the neighbouring tables started to turn their heads.

"Will you speak quiet, wife?", Kostas chastised her, his bushy eyebrows knitting.

Alev cleared her throat quietly, both hands wrapped loosely around a glass of ginger ale. "I don't know", she said hesitantly. "I find all of this very perculiar at least. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, right?"

At a table near the Greek family a Bajoran man turned to the ones who were here with him. "See? What did I tell you? I'm not the only one who thinks that there is something shady about the Meridian illness business?" ...

[esanc]

NPC Ensign Javed Kumar (Medical)
[Katra Station - Promenade - Evening of day 4]

The moment Javed spotted the newest Ensign on Katra, his face was parted by a big grin. "Welcome on Katra Station, Ensign Sula!", the Indian said. "May the Prophets be with you. And namastee as we use to say." He pressed his palms together and wriggled his head once in greeting.

"I hope your journey here was a plesant one. Unfortunately Dr. t'Lhoell can't welcome you personally. Normally she likes to take over that part, but she is not available right now. It is my pleasure now to show you around a little before I have to return to the sickbay - unless that is what you are most interested in seeing?" He gave her a roguish smile.

[Katra Station - Promenade - Evening of Day 4]

"œNamaste" Niri said with a beaming smile in return, miming Javed's pressed palms. She had learned a bit about the old religious beliefs of humans, though there were many, but the Indians in particular held a handful of interesting similarities with Bajorans. She would be sure to talk his ear off about theology and culture later, though it would be an admittedly awful topic during their introduction.

Her wide smile held during the fellow ensign's offer of a tour, brightening when he suggested they move directly for the sickbay.

"We've just met, and yet you already knew what I was thinking" she joked, "I'd love to get a look at the station's sickbay, the rest of the pleasantries could wait."

The new ensign glowed with enthusiasm, it was probably no secret that the newest medical officer would have a morbid fascination with the situation Katra was facing.

[Solluk]

Katra Station - Officer's Mess - the Evening of the Lod Qan's departure

Tolec grinned as Beja offered him a new variety of legume.  "I have yet to meet a bean I did not like.  Why, I even like the human bean!"  He laughed at his own joke.

"As long as you do not eat them," H'Rel interjected in jest as he entered the room and settled into a chair.

"There is a human saying," M'Kai said after she finished the last of her Turkey leg, "Do not knock it, until you have tried it."

"What does that mean," Vilka asked, confused, "What is being knocked? And... what is being tried?  Human aphorisms are so strange."

Noh'ves set down his barren pipius claw, clearing his throat.  "I am glad you brought up the Meridian problem, Commander," he said, returning the topic to a more useful track, "I had a question about it.  I understand there is no actual contagion.  But if the population thinks there is, and unrest is a concern, would it not make sense to deport the Meridians from the station, and quarantine them on the planet below?"

Tolec spoke up, "I believe this station is only able to operate here at the sufferance of the Meridians, HoD."

Noh'ves glared at Tolec.  "Captain.  Use their words while we are in their service."

Tolec, nodded, "Yes, Ho-eh-ah... Captain."

Noh'ves shook his head, and then returned his attention to Tess.  "Is that true?  Do the Meridians have the power to remove us?  And if so, do you think they would do so over this matter?"

[Rayek trLhoell]

NPC Arrain (Centurion) Taheen t'Raghaellh of the New Romulus Republic
[ChR S'ten (Meret-class warbird) - Chaltok system - orbiting Chaltok IV](1/2 a day later)

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell (7 months pregnant)
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters - sometime during the exchange mission - evening]

Tess sat on the sofa in the living room area of her home on Katra. Her lower lip was a dark red by now from all the biting and worrying it out of nervousness. Today finally was the day to make contact with the person Karinne had connected her with. With Rayek at home or even on the station Tess had not dared to make the call. Right now her dad was out with some mates from the science department, having a good time at the Wadi gambling hall, so Tess made use of the opportunity.

Tess had opted to wear civilian clothing - a slightly oversized crochet jumper - because she thought it better to keep things as less complicated as possible. Though right now Tess had the sleeves rolled up since she felt too hot right now due to her nervousness. Taking another deep breath, Tess had prepared herself mentally enough She was prepared. She had gone through the words over and over again. "Computer. Start video recording." Tess would have preferred a live video chat, but due to the remoteness this wasn't possible.
After the computer bleeped in acknowledgement, Tess looked at herself on the computer screen as it recorded her. Her hands rested lightly on her belly as she cleared her throat quietly, her chin lifted up a little, her face friendly. "Jolan-tru Arrain t'Raghaellh." She had practiced the particularly difficult name over and over and over again until she was able to pronounce it flawlessly. "I hope this message finds you safe and well. First of all, I want to thank you that you are willing to hear me and offer help in this matter. A matter that is very important to me."

She swallowed dryly as she collected her thoughts. "My intermediary had mentioned to me that you - at least in the past - have been assigned to deal with the penal colony Faicol-lhui. The subject of my interest is a certain person, that had been incarcerated many years ago. Are you able to help me out finding answers in such a matter? If so, I would be grateful to receive that help. If not, are you able to put me in contact with someone who could?"

Tess paused. This was everything she wanted to say ... right? She took another moment to think if she had forgotten something, but no, this was it. Offering the smallest of smiles, Tess inclined her head slightly in respect as she had seen Rayek doing it so many times. "Khlinae arhem u' jolan-tru. I'm looking forward to hear from you." (Thank you and*)

"Computer. End recording."

The computer bleeped and Tess let out a breath. She watched the recording several times until she was convinced this was good enough and then sent it Taheen's way as a secured and encrypted message.

Taheen had received a surprising video message a some time back from a former Sub-Commander, making the introduction of a woman that she said would contact Taheen shortly.  Weeks later, when no message arrived Taheen assumed that the woman had changed her mind.   Taheen had put the request from her thoughts and continued on with her day to day routines.

Now as she checked her messages at the end of the day.. there was one with a hidden address and which was encrypted.  The usual Romulan decryption code didn't work on opening it when she remembered suddenly the message from Sub-Commander t'Movel.  Taheen ran the encryption key that she had downloaded from the original message that first day.  Sure enough, the key unlocked the message.  When Taheen had the recording play, she was surprised to see a human female.  She realized belatedly that she shouldn't have been surprised with the very human name like Tess.

She watched the video.  Noting with amusement that the woman hadn't fully introduced herself at all in the message.  Was that accidental due to nervousness speaking to the unfamiliar Romulan, or intentional so that she couldn't be tracked back?

The message gained her full attention when the human woman spoke of Faicol lhui.  Oh! That was interesting.  Taheen recalled the ship she served on back then in the after math of Hobus.  The ship and crew had been assigned to deal with the rioting prisoners on Faicol lhui.

As the woman closed with a respectful nod and well-pronounced 'thank you and goodbye', Taheen considered the request.   She had checked into who t'Movel was (not an easy thing since repository of most records had been on Romulus, but in the intervening years a compilation of several ship databases had begun to piece the main database back together. and Taheen had been pleased see an exemplary service record.  The last report of her had been that she had survived the destruction of her clan home because she had been visiting the outskirts of the Neutral Zone.  Then last year she and the last of the s'Movel family - crossed the Neutral Zone to claim refugee status with the Feds.

Relocated Romulan - ha!  A polite way of saying deserter!  Despite understanding why so many families abandoned the Empire after Hobus, the loss of so many had made an already terrible time - worse.  Taheen was tempted to just delete the video and forget she ever saw it, but t'Movel had claimed it was a matter of mnhei'sahe, and that alone deserved at least making an attempt and hearing the woman out.

Taheen activated her computers video camera and recorded a message back.

"Jolan tru, Tess.  I am Arrain t'Raghaellh.  Centurion t'Raghaellh, to you I would believe. Taheen was speaking in slightly accented Federation Standard.   All senior Romulan officers had to know both Fed Standard and Klingon.

"I hope I have  addressed you correctly. Tess is the name Sub-Commander t'Movel provided in an earlier message." she remarked before addressing the main point of the message "In regards to your request, it may be difficult to track down but if you provide me with name of the individual you are seeking information for, I will do my best to do so.  Though I will forewarn that the result may not be pleasant."

What the human woman likely did not know was that the penal colony was closed within 6 months of Hobus due to repeated rioting.  Some useful and reformed individuals were released to assist in the rebuilding of the Empire, but most were deemed too disruptive and or politically volatile to allow free and so were dealt with accordingly - in a permanent fashion.  In all likelihood the individual the woman was looking for was dead.

Taheen closed her message with a nod of her head "Jolan tru".

She then encrypted the message with the code provided by t'Movel and send off her reply before continuing on to start her day.