Suspicions (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on 20 May 2017 @ 4:14pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Medara t'Keras & Commander Aren Ban & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Commander Luke Wyatt & Lieutenant Amaranai Franklin & Commander Marisa Wyatt & Ensign Mimi & Ambassador Soral Varro & Lieutenant JG Eelim Galan & Petty Officer 1st Class Eviess
Edited on on 20 May 2017 @ 4:20pm

3,060 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: IRW Ganelax / USS Chaka - Neutral Zone Border
Timeline: MD -45, 0528 hrs

Previously, on Suspicions (Part 1)...

In open space, the small Saber-class frigate dropped out of warp and slowed as it approached the Romulan warbird. It finally came to a dead stop to the dorsal-starboard quarter, a standard tactical position when facing a superior-armed opponent with heavy forward weaponry.

"Ganelax, you are in violation of numerous Federation treaty accords with the Romulan Republic," Captain Kyjek authoritatively stated. "State your intentions immediately."

It was Saalm's turn to speak to the Starfleet captain, and when she did, she wanted it to be of a personal nature. "Activate the main viewer," she instructed, which Medara approved with another nod to her operations officer.

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

The large viewscreen blinked, and suddenly a young Vulcan (by their standards) captain appeared on the screen wearing the fleet's standard gray Starfleet jacket accompanied by a red collar. Lirha stepped forward towards the screen, silently grateful that her own uniform now matched that of the rest of Starfleet's.

"Captain Kyjek," Saalm began, "I apologize for the circumstances of our arrival." She motioned with her good arm across the entirety of the Romulan warbird's bridge. "I am Rear Admiral Saalm, former captain of USS Galileo which was destroyed almost two months ago in the Paulson Nebula. And these are the survivors of my crew," she explained, stepping to the side to allow him to view all of the officers on the bridge.

Kyjek leaned leaned forward in his command chair. "Just because you have apparent Starfleet personnel on board your ship, doesn't mean that they are in fact...Starfleet Officers. Besides your apparent...word...what evidence can offered that they are who they say they are?" The Vulcan asked, his voice neutral of all emotion, but with barest of hints of curiosity.

Holding her head high, Lirha replied in the best manner she could think of. "Captain, I am Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm, former captain of USS Galileo NCC-80010 and commander of Task Force 21 assigned to 9th Fleet. My serial number is FN-636-1660. My vessel was...destroyed by hostile starships within the Paulson Nebula no more than two months ago. My crew and I were," she paused to look over at Medara while choosing her words carefully, "rescued by political refugees within the nebula not long after the battle. I," she stopped again to correct herself, "we, have all been helping to assist the refugees, and our journey has taken us to this position here, along the border of the Klingon Neutral Zone."

Marisa stepped forward and bowed. "Captain Kyjek, I am Marisa Sandoval, daughter of T'Vala, a Vulcan diplomat assigned to Earth. I am one of only two known survivors of the USS Cartagena. I joined the refugees from the Galileo on a colony named Kreanus. Admiral Saalm speaks the truth."

Allyndra stepped forward and waved to Mimi to join her. "Captain, I am Commander Allyndra. If you wish you can check, Allyndra illm Warraquim, House mother named, of Akkadia. Certainly if you check your sources there are not very many of us and this is Ensign Mimi, a Nekomi again very rare. In fact, I believe Galileo was the only ship with even the two of us on board. That being said, I will vouch that what the admiral has iterated is the full truth. Ensign would you like to add anything?"

Mimi followed Allyndra forward. "Captain Kyjek, Ensign Mimi." She reeled off her serial number for good measure "Our story may seem hard to believe but it is true. The Galileo destroyed, some of the crew killed and many more of us injured." She rubbed her jaw a little. "I will vouch for the Admiral."

The Vulcan captain listened intently, not interrupting the the officers as they spoke. He slowly stood and nodded. "This is quite the unusual situation to be sure." He said, as he ran scenarios through his mind. All these people have said is something that could easily have been gathered through a database, they still could be Romulan spies. He needed to think of something that only one of the crew would know. "Thank you all for speaking up. I just have one question for the Admiral. Who was the speaker for your graduating class at the academy, and what was opening line that they used?" He asked, in typical stoic Vulcan fashion.

Varro had been silent up until now and he stepped out of the shadows. Having met the Vulcan captain before once at a local Kal-toh game. "Captain," Varro started and held up his hand in a Vulcan live long and prosper gesture. "Soral Varro, Ambassador, I will vouch for the Admiral and add my voice to those of my crewmates. Logic has...as the humans say long left the building this situation. May I suggest something rather then all these questions to help you prove we are who we say we are?"

"You speak of logic but you fail to see the logic behind that question. What is something that only someone who was such an event could know? It is not difficult for an impersonation of this level." Kyjek looked to something off screen, and nodded. "Still my question still stands. Please have the Admiral answer my question." The Vulcan's tone indicated he wasn't going to ask again.

Varro kept his gaze fixed on Kyjek. "This is a question she could have found an answer to. The ability to answer this question does not guarantee that we are who we say we are. The only way we can truly prove we are who we say is through medical verification and there is one other way." He stepped up to the screen. "You are Vulcan, as am I, I will submit to a mind meld to show you all that has happened. It takes but a few minutes, is completely verifiable and believable as you can probe the corners of my mind. I am Soral Varro, Federation Ambassador and you may check my record. It will speak for itself, I am a Vulcan whose honour will stand against any of your questions."

This was all logical to him, "I know that even though the Admiral will answer the question there will still be suspicion. Do the meld, I will transfer over under your conditions you can even put me in the brig do the meld. This crew has been through enough, if you'll pardon the Earth saying, they have been through hell and back. We are weary, tired, we need rest, medical attention and to get off this Romulan ship." He turned to the Romulan CO. "No offense meant."

Varro turned back to the screen. "Every second that this Romulan ship is here in Federation space it is a violation a danger and a distraction. Pardon me captain but your logic is flawed. An answer does not constitute as proof. It can be easily obtained by any Romulan tactics. Brain patters and a meld can be verified. Every second you waist here allows for a cloaked ship to pass perhaps unnoticed. Do the meld and get us off this ship and this ship out of our space. It is an Ambassadorial request and order." He said drawing himself up to stand tall.

The Vulcan captain shook his head at Varro. "In most circumstances aboard ship, that would indeed be an option, however no individuals will board this vessel unless confirmation can be gleaned, and I will not conduct a meld while I am in command of this vessel. And since the admiral is unable to answer my question, I must ask for a final time that the Romulan vessel leave Federation space at all due haste." Kybek said, beginning to make close communication motion with his hands.

Varro thought back. "Kyjek if you will search your memory you and I have met before. Kal-toh tournament five years ago. At that time you were willing to go to the commission to have me disqualified from the tournament. Do you recall that?"

Kyjek stopped his hand mid motion, and turned back to the monitor. He studied Varro a long moment, recollection dawning on his face. "I do indeed remember that match, and I did petition the commission to re-review on the grounds of cheating by my opponent, but my request was denied, if I recall correctly you said I was the one who cheated." Kyjek said after a moment consideration. He nodded to someone off screen. "Time is short, and while you have indeed shed a positive light on this, I still would like to hear the admirals answer to my question."

"Well, You said that you had no proof, so you wouldn't not go to the commission. It is only something that the two of us would know about. I am hereby confirming your accusation. I did, in fact, cheat at the Kal-toh tournament that year. You should have won that game and in fact the semi finals." Varro flushed red. He hadn't admitted that to anyone

Saalm stepped forward and put a hand on Varro's chest to indicate he cease speaking. "Enough, please," she said quietly before focusing her attention back to Captain Kyjek. Personal tests of knowledge would only take them so far, Lirha knew, and it would all eventually be settled through official medical examinations at the end of the day. Afterall, with Romulan cloning technology advanced enough to exactly replicate the Federation's most prestigious captain, Jean-Luc Picard -- and with all of his memories transferred -- there was no way to absolutely verify their identities until they were actually aboard USS Chaka and passed stringent medical screening.

"Captain," the Orion began to answer calmly, "please forgive us. We are all under much duress and want nothing more than to return to the Federation aboard your vessel." She would answer his question if it helped, but it was also common knowledge for any infiltrator or diligent intelligence officer. "When my class graduated from the Academy in '82, our speaker was M'Kota R'Cho. As a parrises squares champion -- and Klingon -- he embodied the spirit of hard work and cultural diversity. He was...an example of cooperation, understanding, and acceptance that all Starfleet officers needed to understand."

The Vulcan captain nodded. He had heard enough, while his staff would be sure to run tests, matching records with what they had in Starfleet database, ultimately he was satisfied. "I appreciate your cooperation admiral. If it is acceptable, please give us a few more minutes to prepare for your crew's arrival. We will notify the Romulans when we are ready."

All Saalm could do was return her own thanks and let out a hefty internal sigh of relief. Her crew had been right in that the longer they remained in Federation territory -- along the border of the infamous Klingon Neutral Zone -- the less likely they were to returning to their own people. The lingering suspicion that Councilor Karh was still lurking in the background haunted the Orion.

"I will await your reply, captain. Thank you," she said before the viewscreen blinked and returned to its projection of the small Saber-class starship nearby against the monstrous backdrop of open space.

Turning back to Commander Medara, Saalm began to make preparations for her people. "We will be departing soon. I...thank you for this," she conceded. "We all thank you," she added despite her lingering anger and frustrations at being used as a pawn for Kreanus and Qo'noS' own political gain.

Medara gave a final look to the assembled Starfleet officers. They were the ones who had served her well for her purposes, and in the brief time she'd come to know them, they'd been competent in their duties. But nothing more. "You are free to depart. The transporter rooms are on deck seven." She paused and stood from her chair to place a reassuring hand on the Orion's injured shoulder. "Until we meet again, admiral."

"Yes. Until next time," Saalm replied with a disgruntled mumble. She then turned back to her crew and issued her final order an their official commander. "Prepare yourselves and your personnel for transport. Proceed to deck seven at once. It is time for us to return home."

"Yes Ma'am" Luke nodded and quickly dismissed himself, being on crutches he knew that it would take him longer to get to the transporter room compared to the more mobile officers and he didn't plan on missing the return home because he gt himself injured.

Not for the first time, Marisa felt out of place. In sickbay or counseling, she was fine, but anywhere else she felt decidedly transparent. There was nothing to go back for as she had nothing but the clothes on her back, and no one but herself in counseling. The Klingon clothes she'd worn on the Duja'Q were ruined. They were the only things she might consider taking with her.

Allyndra breathed a deep breath and nodded, "Very good, Commander, thank you for your use of your excellent sickbay. Admiral I have patients to prepare for transfer with your permission."

"Yes of course," replied Saalm to the doctor. "Take Lieutenant Sandoval with you if you need an extra set of hands." With the counseling department depleted and the lack of any holographic doctors to assist, it was up to the few remaining doctors and counselors to tend to the rest of the crew's wounds.

Marisa had already planned on stopping by sickbay to see if Allyndra needed help. "Yes, ma'am," she said as she headed for the door.

"Yes admiral," Allyndra replied. "The lieutenant has been a blessing. Marisa please I could use all the help I can get."

"On my way," Marisa replied.

Mimi ran from the bridge to fetch her belongings, she couldn't wait to get back onto a federation ship.

Aren watched as the Starfleet crew on the bridge departed. Finally, after all they had dealt with, they were going home. He took one final look around the Romulan bridge, nodding to Medara. Aren would leave with the admiral, hopefully showing solidarity to the crew of the Galileo in the days to come.



Deck 7, Transporter Room 3

The Galileo survivors started to arrive at Ganelax's transporter room sooner rather than later. For everyone involved in the Kreanus adventure over the past month, the prospect of returning back to their homes was a much welcome one.

Luke arrived with his stretchers under arm and his medical entourage that continued to monitor him until he entered the transporter room. He waved them away like a swarm of flies and the left. Behind him was Abbey who insisted on being with him while they transported over to the other ship and found him a medical bed.

"Dad stop waving around, you'll open your wound again" She teased in a fresh uniform she had replicated, she was a different person now and was happy to be washed, fed and reclothed.

"I'm supposed to be the one looking after you, I feel useless" He replied with a smile, he was enjoying this new relationship he had with his daughter despite the way it had worked out.

Abbey chuckled "Yes you are and yes you're useless which is why you need to stop moving around so much and you might actually heal!" She kissed his cheek and jumped onto the PADD. Neither of them had any personal belongings so easily fitted next to one another.

Eelim, Varro, and Eviess had all found one another near the transporter room. The three had bonded on Krenus and had made a pact to stick together while they were outside Starfleet. Varro was the last to arrive. He'd had a few belongings that he'd had and carrying his pack he and his companions entered the transporter room. They couldn't get onto the pad fast enough. With a last look around they watched as the Romulan ship shimmered out of existence.

After leaving the bridge, Amaranai made sure that the few security officers that had survived made it to the transporter room to be transferred to the Chaka. With no personal belongings, other than Lirha (and she wasn't a belonging), Amaranai joined the security team and was transported to the Federation starship.

When she arrived, she noted the Chaka security officers waiting. They were armed, but weapons were not drawn - at least the captain was trusting them enough for that. Amaranai nodded to the others and stepped off the pad to await her captain - her lover.

It'd taken Saalm almost five minutes to return to her quarters, retrieve Snuffles, then arrive at the transporter room, and by the time she walked into the operations area, many of her crew had already been transported to USS Chaka. She saw only a handful of her senior staff left, and when she was instructed to take her position on the pad by the Romulan transporter chief, she didn't hesitate to step up with her targ pup in tow.

Her vision soon became whitewashed as the familiar demolecularization process quickly moved her from one point in space to the other, and within a couple seconds, she could see the Saber-class' transporter room through her vision behind a sheen of light blue shimmering particles.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

Commander Aren Ban
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

Ambassador Soral Varro
Diplomat
USS Galileo

Lt. JG Amaranai Franklin
Assistant Chief Tactical / Security
USS Galileo

Ensign Mimi
Operations Officer
USS Galileo

Ensign Miraj Derani
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Second and Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Marisa Sandoval
Counselor
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Paren
Chief of Operations
USS Chaka
[NPC Saalm]

CMDR Medara t'Keras
Commanding Officer
IRW Ganelax
[PNPC Saalm]

LCDR Luke Wyatt
Strategic Operations Officer
USS Galileo

ENS Abbey St. James
Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC Wyatt]

LT Min Zhao
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo

CAPT Kyjek
Commanding Officer
USS Chaka
[NPC Ban]

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