S3:E6 Eliminating Shadows, Part II

[Richard James Litt]

[USS Challenger - Litt's Quarter]

In the end of the shift, Litt was replaced by Miammaso, which he found nice, because she almost didn't had the chance to take the helm. After left the Bridge, he searched for Lily just to check if she as ok. They chat a little bit and Litt went straight to his quarter, take some rest and maybe sleep a little bit.

When he woke up, he went to the gym, in order to do some exercises and stay in form. He spent a few hours there and after a shower he went to eat something in the mess hall and realized that Mr. ch'Verret and Mr. Briggs were there.

"Hello, gentlemen." He said to them and take a sit a little away to eat some hamburgers.

(OOC Post restored due to server outage - ShranLahr ch'Verret December 2022)

[Sukal]

=/\=Sigurdsdottir to Bridge, soon as I've been released from the care of the medical staff I'll come up but what's the status report?! And unless I'm greatly confused with my injury more than I thought, how are our um... guests faring? 

Bridge

The Captain's voice filtered through the comm, and it almost was enough to make Sukal smile...almost.  Instead, he took the call, and answered her professionally - though with the hint of warmth one might expect from a sibling.  "We are at Yellow Alert, Captain, but all is well.  Repairs went smoothly on the TAL'BATH, and Hecate is coordinating the last of the efforts over there.  As for Amoreen - I haven't spoken to her...yet, but she remains very much confined to where we left her.  I am glad to hear you are awake.  We shall be getting underway again in just under two hours," Sukal reported to his friend.

Perhaps her return to duty soon would put the Bridge back in a better atmosphere.  He could hope so, at least.

That was when the Medical Alert went off next.

"Sir. We have a Comm Alert in Lieutenant Taray's quarters. I've already dispatched a team." Ryan informed the XO.

Medical to Bridge, I'm on my way to the comm alert from Deck 5

The First Officer had been right about Taray.  Something had felt off with her before their encounter with Hecate's ship.  When he had relieved her from the Bridge - he had almost told her to go to Sickbay, but Taray had always known her limits.  So, he had trusted her to go to Sickbay and get checked out.  That, clearly, had not happened, and now she was in trouble.

"Get me an update on her condition as soon as you can," the XO replied to the call, and then took a deep breath.  With the Captain awake, the repairs for the Romulan ship very well done - he almost decided to get underway now.  The longer they waited - the more of a chance the codes sent to them about the mysterious station would be changed.  That was something they could not afford.

With that in mind, he made a judgement call.  "CHALLENGER to TAL'BATH, Captain Hecate - if you are ready to get going; then I would like us to start getting to our little mystery station."

"We are more than capable of keeping up, Commander.  Set your course, and we will fly next to you on your starboard side," came Hecate's voice.

"Excellent!" Sukal turned to Ensign Ozoim, "Helm, your course is already set.  Get us away from here at Warp Eight...proceed."

"Aye, Sir.  Proceeding on course at Warp Eight.  The TAL'BATH is pulling along side at same speed," the Betazoid woman answered, and the starship moved away under her guidance.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[PO3 Larissa Montague - Challenger Sickbay]

The young Petty Officer smiled as the Captain thanked her, appreciating that she hadn't gotten round to speaking to everyone yet or getting to know them, as the Challenger was a large ship and she hadn't expected direct contact until now. Then again that's when she met most people, whenever they visited Sickbay or if she got to speak to her colleagues outside of work, which she was thankful for, although did love her job, so her circle was kept to those she was close too.

" That's okay Captain, its to be expected with a ship this size and not a problem at all, as the klaxon can be distracting at times".

When the Captain then asked if she was good to go as there was things that she needed to do. Larissa consulted her medical records at the foot of the bed. " Everything looks fine, Captain so yes you're good to go, but it has been recommended that you take it as easy as possible".

Replacing the PADD in its usual place, Larissa would then make sure that the Captain was okay on her feet, before returning to her duties.

******

[Sickbay]

The Captain allowed the young medic to check her over one more time before she gulped down the rest of the water in one swallow.

"Well, Petty Officer, like I say to any of my crew, my door is open any time.  If you need anything please let Dr. York or myself know and if you see me in the Mess Hall please do come over and say hello.  As you've seen, I'm only human, I trip over dogs like normal mortals!" Ruth chuckled.

Bridge

The Captain's voice filtered through the comm, and it almost was enough to make Sukal smile...almost.  Instead, he took the call, and answered her professionally - though with the hint of warmth one might expect from a sibling.  "We are at Yellow Alert, Captain, but all is well.  Repairs went smoothly on the TAL'BATH, and Hecate is coordinating the last of the efforts over there.  As for Amoreen - I haven't spoken to her...yet, but she remains very much confined to where we left her.  I am glad to hear you are awake.  We shall be getting underway again in just under two hours," Sukal reported to his friend.

Perhaps her return to duty soon would put the Bridge back in a better atmosphere.  He could hope so, at least.

That was when the Medical Alert went off next.

The First Officer had been right about Taray.  Something had felt off with her before their encounter with Hecate's ship.  When he had relieved her from the Bridge - he had almost told her to go to Sickbay, but Taray had always known her limits.  So, he had trusted her to go to Sickbay and get checked out.  That, clearly, had not happened, and now she was in trouble.

"Get me an update on her condition as soon as you can," the XO replied to the call, and then took a deep breath.  With the Captain awake, the repairs for the Romulan ship very well done - he almost decided to get underway now.  The longer they waited - the more of a chance the codes sent to them about the mysterious station would be changed.  That was something they could not afford.

With that in mind, he made a judgement call.  "CHALLENGER to TAL'BATH, Captain Hecate - if you are ready to get going; then I would like us to start getting to our little mystery station."

"We are more than capable of keeping up, Commander.  Set your course, and we will fly next to you on your starboard side," came Hecate's voice.

"Excellent!" Sukal turned to Ensign Ozoim, "Helm, your course is already set.  Get us away from here at Warp Eight...proceed."

"Aye, Sir.  Proceeding on course at Warp Eight.  The TAL'BATH is pulling along side at same speed," the Betazoid woman answered, and the starship moved away under her guidance.

Ruth smiled.  For all she could imagine the staid Vulcanoid look on Sukal's features, she could hear in his voice, she being familiar with his ways and means, that he was happy to hear from her.

"No rest for the wicked.  I shall take it easy I'll be sitting on my ar... posterior mostly, that shouldn't be too strenuous!  I promise if my head hurts or anything I'll let Sickbay know!".  She gave Larissa a warm smile and a short wave.  "Oh would you pass on a message to Doc York and Doc Briggs for me?  Just let them know I said it takes more than a puppy to kill me off!"

Chuckling to herself she headed for the turbolift and up to the Bridge.

[Bridge]

"I figured that not much short of seeing that I was capable of ambulation and in full possession of all my faculties would do, so here I am, it was quicker to come up than just talk.  I have been cleared for duty, but have had to promise to take it easy.  That will depend largely on what we face." she smiled at Sukal, glad to be back to give the Bridge staff some relief and hopefully what they thought was a reliable figurehead.

"So, full speed, or least Warp 8 to our mysterious Science Facility, yes?  I'm still curious however, who sent those codes, if not Hecate.  Petty Officer ch'Verret, did we get anywhere on trying to trace that communication?" the Captain asked, walking over to the command seats.

[Kyle Briggs]

[Mess Hall]

Kyle was just finishing up Perry's extra duties when the doors to the Mess Hall parted. It was still a couple of hours before his shift and the Mess Hall was empty. He had had the entire room to himself save for the attendant. To his surprise, it was ch'Verret that entered. Lahr had his nose stuck into his own PADD so it seemed as if he were unaware of Kyle's presence. He watched as the Andorian got his drink and made his way to the table next to his own. After seeing the note the Ops officer had sent to Doctor York, Kyle had set it up so that he too would get any response sent back. He had read it this morning and was now trying to see if he could spot any subtle hints of brain washing in the other man. He decided that he had been away for too long and if there was a difference, he wouldn't notice it.

Screw it. Might as well get it out of the way. he thought to himself referencing having a talk with Lahr. He turned his head to speak when Lieutenant Litt entered and offered a greeting to the two men.

"Morning, Lieutenant." Kyle replied. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I need to have a talk with Mister ch'Verret." Kyle stood and took the two steps it took to reach Lahr's table.

"Morning." Kyle began. "Mind if I have a seat?" he asked as he placed a hand on the back of a chair across from the other gentleman. He need to broach the subject of Lahr's concern of brainwashing in the Senior Staff.

[Corridor outside Lieutenant Taray's quarters, Deck 5]

Ensigns Donahue and Conner were the two security officers sent to Taray's quarters. Conor had been chosen because Blackfeather felt it appropriate to have a female present just in case. They arrived right at the same time as Ensign Mara Rexan from Sickbay. Donahue keyed in the needed security code to bypass the locks.

"You ready to enter?" he asked Rexan.

(OOC Post restored due to server outage - ShranLahr ch'Verret December 2022)

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Mess Hall - last half of Gamma shift]

When he woke up, he went to the gym, in order to do some exercises and stay in form. He spent a few hours there and after a shower he went to eat something in the mess hall and realized that Mr. ch'Verret and Mr. Briggs were there.

"Hello, gentlemen." He said to them and take a sit a little away to eat some hamburgers.

[Mess Hall]

Kyle was just finishing up Perry's extra duties when the doors to the Mess Hall parted. It was still a couple of hours before his shift and the Mess Hall was empty. He had had the entire room to himself save for the attendant. To his surprise, it was ch'Verret that entered. Lahr had his nose stuck into his own PADD so it seemed as if he were unaware of Kyle's presence. He watched as the Andorian got his drink and made his way to the table next to his own. After seeing the note the Ops officer had sent to Doctor York, Kyle had set it up so that he too would get any response sent back. He had read it this morning and was now trying to see if he could spot any subtle hints of brain washing in the other man. He decided that he had been away for too long and if there was a difference, he wouldn't notice it.

Screw it. Might as well get it out of the way. he thought to himself referencing having a talk with Lahr. He turned his head to speak when Lieutenant Litt entered and offered a greeting to the two men.

"Morning, Lieutenant." Kyle replied. "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I need to have a talk with Mister chVerret." Kyle stood and took the two steps it took to reach Lahr's table.

"Morning." Kyle began. "Mind if I have a seat?" he asked as he placed a hand on the back of a chair across from the other gentleman. He need to broach the subject of Lahr's concern of brainwashing in the Senior Staff.

The unexpected voice offering a greeting had Lahr guiltily glancing up from his PADD.   It was a bit embarrassing.. his love of the reality show - something that Burke loved to rib him with whenever he found out that Lahr had been catching up on the series.  On the Scopulari fansite, Lahr liked to boast that he'd been on the ship that rescued the ship and cast - little over a year and a half ago.  He always kicked himself that he hadn't managed to get an autograph from the Denobulan Captain.

But when he heard Litt, Lahr tried to hide what he'd been doing.  He flicked off his PADD, his antenne twitching in agitation.  "Oh hey Litt. You can't sleep either?  Or do just wake this early for your shift?" he asked noting the other's breakfast tray.

It was only when another acknowledged Litt's greeting, but commented that they needed to speak to him, that Lahr saw the Lieutenant who had been seated at the table next to his. But now the man was getting up and walking to his table.  This made Lahr's antenna twitch more.

When Briggs asked if Lahr minded if he had a seat, for a half second Lahr wondered what the man might say or do if he said 'yes he did'.   But of course the Andorian didn't do that.

Smiling, Lahr nodded towards the chair the man was already half pulling out.  "Go for it.  What did you need to talk to me about, sir?" he asked then took a sip of his vithi tea.

He hoped it wasn't about the drug-ring deal, cause he wasn't supposed to talk about that outside of Briefing Room 1.

(OOC Post restored due to server outage - ShranLahr ch'Verret December 2022)

[Kyle Briggs]

[Mess Hall]

Kyle pulled the chair out and took a seat. He didn't bother trying to keep quiet as there were on a few of them in the room.

"I know you're aware that I was mirroring your station yesterday during the red alert. I saw your message to Doctor York and her reply. Do you really believe some of the Senior Staff could have been brain washed by this Leyton fella?" he asked bluntly. "What makes you think this?"

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A  -Mess Hall[

At the Lieutenant's first statement - that Lahr had been aware of Kyle mirroring his station - Lahr blinked in surprise and confusion.  Actually he HADN'T been aware.  'Roozh!'  Lahr's mind immediately scrambled to recall what sort of things he might of had playing in the background...

But Lt. Briggs' didn't seem concerned with that .. no instead the human pointed out that he'd read Lahr's message to Dr. York.  His shock at being told such caused him to blurt out in annoyance. "What the hell!?  That was as private message.  You're spying on me?"

When the Lieutenant questioned if he really believed that some of the Senior Staff could be brain washed, Lahr snorted, eyeing the man warily.  The fact that the Lieutenant had been spying on him only solidified the Andorian's belief of such, but saying that to the brainwashed man himself was probably not the wisest.  But caught by surprise at the man's questioning, Lahr lacked the subterfuge to hide his wary reaction now.  Roozh! He had to do something to convince the guy that it wasn't him he suspected.

Lahr glanced down to his PADD, thinking of how best to answer.  Eventually he glanced back up and gave a slight shrug. "Well, I had... that's why I asked the Doc... but apparently I'm just spooked by shadows."  He tried playing off that he'd given up.  "It was nothing... I guess having the first Jex being an infiltrator and then Amoreen... it's gotten me to be a bit jumpy when it comes to even the slightest questionable thing...  like claiming the Captain tripped over a dog while in a meeting with a Romulan."

[Olivia Briggs]

[Sickbay]

The Captain allowed the young medic to check her over one more time before she gulped down the rest of the water in one swallow.

"Well, Petty Officer, like I say to any of my crew, my door is open any time.  If you need anything please let Dr. York or myself know and if you see me in the Mess Hall please do come over and say hello.  As you've seen, I'm only human, I trip over dogs like normal mortals!" Ruth chuckled.

Ruth smiled.  For all she could imagine the staid Vulcanoid look on Sukal's features, she could hear in his voice, she being familiar with his ways and means, that he was happy to hear from her.

"No rest for the wicked.  I shall take it easy I'll be sitting on my ar... posterior mostly, that shouldn't be too strenuous!  I promise if my head hurts or anything I'll let Sickbay know!".  She gave Larissa a warm smile and a short wave.  "Oh would you pass on a message to Doc York and Doc Briggs for me?  Just let them know I said it takes more than a puppy to kill me off!"

Chuckling to herself she headed for the turbolift and up to the Bridge.

[PO3 Larissa Montague- Challenger Sickbay]

Unlike some patients, the Captain was certainly one of the more well behaved as Larissa finished up her final scans and the rest of the water was drunk. Offering Ruth a smile as she was spoken too, again appreciating the gesture behind her words and had no doubt that the CO was just like one of them, even if it involved excitable puppies.

" Thank you, Captain, I'll remember that and if I do see you, then yes I will definitely come over and I can relate to that, being a cat owner" Larissa replied, before the Captain then spoke to Commander Sukal, over the comm.

The Petty Officer busied herself with picking up the glass to dispose of, as the Captain then finished her call and promised to take it easy and would call if she needed too. Then Larissa took note of the message, that she wanted to pass onto Maggie and Dr Briggs.

"Certainly, I'll let them know about your message and the promise" she said with a smile, then returned to her other duties as the Captain then exited Sickbay.

********

Bridge

"Get me an update on her condition as soon as you can," the XO replied to the call, and then took a deep breath.

[Corridor outside Lieutenant Taray's quarters, Deck 5]

Ensigns Donahue and Conner were the two security officers sent to Taray's quarters. Conor had been chosen because Blackfeather felt it appropriate to have a female present just in case. They arrived right at the same time as Ensign Mara Rexan from Sickbay. Donahue keyed in the needed security code to bypass the locks.

"You ready to enter?" he asked Rexan.

[Ensign Mara Rexan - Outside Taray's Quarters , Deck 5]

Exiting the turbolift, Mara quickly acknowledged the response from the XO in regards to her picking up the comm alert from the Security Chief's quarters. Acknowledged, Commander

Ending the comm, the Trill medical officer then proceeded along the corridor until she spotted two Security Officer's and quickly made her way over to them. Recognising Donahue immediately and politely acknowledged both him and Conor, before Donahue then asked if she was ready to enter. Taking a deep breath and feeling reassured by the Security presence, Mara then responded.

" Yes, I'm ready" she replied, medkit firmly in hand, ready to help the Security Chief.

[Sukal]

[Bridge]

"I figured that not much short of seeing that I was capable of ambulation and in full possession of all my faculties would do, so here I am, it was quicker to come up than just talk.  I have been cleared for duty, but have had to promise to take it easy.  That will depend largely on what we face." she smiled at Sukal, glad to be back to give the Bridge staff some relief and hopefully what they thought was a reliable figurehead.

"So, full speed, or least Warp 8 to our mysterious Science Facility, yes?  I'm still curious however, who sent those codes, if not Hecate.  Petty Officer ch'Verret, did we get anywhere on trying to trace that communication?" the Captain asked, walking over to the command seats.

Sukal was surprised to see his Captain so soon back on the Bridge, and it did not boost his confidence when she called out for Lahr to report.  He stood up, and went over to her side swiftly before whispering to his friend and superior.

"You might want to look around at the Bridge, Captain.  None of Alpha Shift is on duty.  You have Ryan Blackfeather at Tactical, Lieutenant J.G. Chloe Morgan at Ops, Ensign Miammaso Ozoim at the Helm, and Ensign Alexandria Windsor at Science," he noted to her, and hoped she had only called out for Lahr out of habit and not confusion. "Alpha Shift is due on in about two hours."

The First Officer then decided to answer the Captain's questions personally. "As for the communication, Mr. ch'Verret has not yet reported any new progress made on tracing it.  The Romulan ship is keeping pace with us along our starboard side while we continue on course for the mysterious station at Warp Eight.  We should reach our destination about the same time Alpha Shift begins."

His eyes met her own as he studied to see if his Captain was indeed okay.  "I believe Lieutenant Briggs handled the foolish guard who let the puppy be brought up to the Ready Room during a Red Alert.  Having seen him dress down people in the past - I would not have wanted to be on the other end of that meeting.  Sure you are okay?"

He didn't add to his report that he believed the crew was especially tense since he took command - especially Lahr and Kyle.  Considering all that had happened, the normal peace the First Officer had around him was rather missing for change.  He was on edge, cautious, waiting to be ambushed with another problem or traitor, and he hated it.  He swore once Leyton was found - he was going to make the man pay for all the mistrust he had created...among other things.  But, there was little he could do.  Kyle knew him from before, but Lahr had been cautious about him from the first day - if not downright suspicious.  The feeling on the Bridge left a bad taste in his mouth until they had been relieved of their shifts, but it was still there...still inside Sukal, and he didn't like it.

Not in the slightest.

The list of charges against Admiral James T. Kirk came back to him from his old Academy days when the legendary officer had returned to face the consequences of his actions during the Genesis Incident.  For some reason, he had the distinct feeling such charges would soon be read off against him, but unlike Admiral Kirk...he very much doubted if they would all be dropped - except one.  He felt cornered, in trouble, and he couldn't even explain why he felt that way.  Every fiber of his being said to be careful, but was that from the tension he had felt during Alpha Shift, or was it left over from what D'leha Amoreen had done to him??

He simply did not have an answer, and he almost asked his Captain to be relieved of duty to seek out the new Counselor aboard, but Sukal was stubborn and his Captain might not be fully recovered.

So...he said nothing...for now...

[Nathan Ryder]

[Ensign Ryder's Quarters]

"Hmmm... another Beepo?" Kali rubbed her chin and glanced at the device. "Maybe a Boopo? 99% music, 1% weapon of mass destruction." Because every device should at least be lethal in case you were in a jam - that was Kali's personal credo - which was funny since she was now dating someone whose job was to deescalate the situation, not exacerbate it.

She had fished Beepo up and rolled it over the palm over hand like it was a gerbil at the mention of aquariums. "I'm your personal handyman now?" she said with a grin. "It's going to cost you. My rates are pretty pricey, but you already know that, don't you?"

[Ensign Nathan Ryder's Quarters]

"Perhaps with a call sign that doesn't undermine my credibility if I'm heard saying it out loud?" Nathan suggested with an amused grin as she fetched the device from it's sleeping place. With a feigned look of innocence on his face, he replied, "It's a good thing I've got nothing better to spend my credits on because of course you're my personal handyman. What else would I keep you around for?" It was a risky quip in the sense that he knew Kali had a tendency to devalue herself, but Nathan felt fairly sure she knew by now that he cared more about her self than her tinkering.

Just in case her thoughts went that way, Nathan wrapped an arm around Kali's waist and hugged her close for a moment. "Unfortunately, the aquarium idea will have to wait if we plan on eating before our shift begins," he pointed out. After all, Breakfast was the most important meal of the day. Plus he had to check and see if the Captain was up and about yet. "Are you ready to head out?"

[Kali Reyes]

[Ensign Nathan Ryder's Quarters]

"Perhaps with a call sign that doesn't undermine my credibility if I'm heard saying it out loud?" Nathan suggested with an amused grin as she fetched the device from it's sleeping place. With a feigned look of innocence on his face, he replied, "It's a good thing I've got nothing better to spend my credits on because of course you're my personal handyman. What else would I keep you around for?" It was a risky quip in the sense that he knew Kali had a tendency to devalue herself, but Nathan felt fairly sure she knew by now that he cared more about her self than her tinkering.

Just in case her thoughts went that way, Nathan wrapped an arm around Kali's waist and hugged her close for a moment. "Unfortunately, the aquarium idea will have to wait if we plan on eating before our shift begins," he pointed out. After all, Breakfast was the most important meal of the day. Plus he had to check and see if the Captain was up and about yet. "Are you ready to head out?"

[Ensign Nathan Ryder's Quarters]

"Arm candy," she said dryly, even as he pulled her close. With a free hand, she gestured at herself. "You think any of this was an accident?" It was a long road for her still, seeing as her life's purpose was to well - be nothing more than a meatbag for her mentally deranged Vulcan mother. But that was a tale in a half to tell and one that even Ryder was kept well in the dark about.

Also vindication. Ryder had been endgame for T'Veri and now he was Kali's. And yet the only shameful thing she could think of was that she just didn't have the gumption to eat any breakfast.

"Can't I just get some coffee?" she bemoaned as they headed out. "I'm watching my weight here." Hopefully he hadn't got a hold of her diet card, which said otherwise.

[Kyle Briggs]

[Mess Hall]

"Listen. Don't get pissed." Kyle started. "We were at Red Alert at the time and I was just trying to keep track of the other ship so things were all set for our actions. I wasn't trying to pry."

Kyle moved his seat in a close to the table as possible and now lowered his voice. "Look. You've had some experience with this brainwashing thing that was going on. I haven't. Tell me what you've seen. Do you have reason to think someone on the Senior Staff is affected?" Kyle was hoping the man really didn't expect him but he had a sense that Lahr was reluctant to talk. "Do you think I'm affected?" he finally asked.

[Outside Taray's Quarters , Deck 5]

Rexan said she was ready and Donahue pressed enter. The doors parted and he entered first with his phaser drawn passing by the Lieutenant's body. They didn't know what had caused the comm alert so he and Connor made their way through the rooms making sure it was clear. It only took a few seconds.

"Clear." he called letting Rexan know it was safe to come in and check on Taray.

[Olivia Briggs]

[Outside Taray's Quarters , Deck 5]

Rexan said she was ready and Donahue pressed enter. The doors parted and he entered first with his phaser drawn passing by the Lieutenant's body. They didn't know what had caused the comm alert so he and Connor made their way through the rooms making sure it was clear. It only took a few seconds.

"Clear." he called letting Rexan know it was safe to come in and check on Taray.

[Ensign Mara Rexan - Outside Lt Taray's Quarters]

Mara kept out of the way as the two security officer's entered the Security Chief's quarters first, the anticipation and slight anxiety over what they would find, firmly in the young Trill's mind. Partly because of what the ship had gone through lately and the uncertainty surrounding it, so the Lieutenant being out of action, could of been caused by anything. Still she to remain professional and objective, her oath and instincts taking over, especially as she was told that it was clear.

" Acknowledged" she called back, before she followed them into Taray's quarters, immediately surveying the area, until she found the Lieutenant prone on the ground. Quickly going over and dropping to her side, checking her over visually before taking out the tricorder. Then using the wandlike device, began scanning her.

The results soon came back, looking over them and knew she would likely need further scans back at Sickbay, but for now, she needed to bring her around. " She's alive, but must of blacked out, I'm going to try and wake her, then we'll need to get her to Sickbay" she said, before placing the neural stimulator on Taray's forehead, then activated it. All she could do now, was wait to see if Taray came round.

[Kyle Briggs]

[Ensign Donahue - Lt Taray's Quarters]

As Connor knelt down beside the Lieutenant to assist Rexan, Donahue continued to scan the room. There was no apparent sign of assault so he was pretty sure the doctor was correct about the Security Chief having a black out. His attention was drawn back to the three women when he heard the hiss of the stimulator. He stepped closer in case his assistance was needed.

"It's your show now, Doc." he said. "Let me know what you need."

[Nathan Ryder]

[Ensign Nathan Ryder's Quarters]

"Arm candy," she said dryly, even as he pulled her close. With a free hand, she gestured at herself. "You think any of this was an accident?" It was a long road for her still, seeing as her life's purpose was to well - be nothing more than a meatbag for her mentally deranged Vulcan mother. But that was a tale in a half to tell and one that even Ryder was kept well in the dark about.

Also vindication. Ryder had been endgame for T'Veri and now he was Kali's. And yet the only shameful thing she could think of was that she just didn't have the gumption to eat any breakfast.

"Can't I just get some coffee?" she bemoaned as they headed out. "I'm watching my weight here." Hopefully he hadn't got a hold of her diet card, which said otherwise.

[En Route: Jr. Officer's Quarters to Mess Hall]

"Ah man, I thought I was the arm candy in this situation. How is it you get the brains and the looks?" He mock sighed in pretend disappointment as he moved to gather what he would need for the day. As they left his quarters, Nathan casually draped his arm around Kali's shoulders. After all, they were not on duty just yet.

"Of course you can have your coffee. You can either use it to wash down your nutrient pack, or some actual food," he offered with a gentle tone of apology. Nathan knew all too well how few replicated food items actually settled with Kali, but at the same time she could not sustain on caffeine alone; no matter how often she claimed otherwise. Even though it may sound to an outsider as if he was bossing her around, Kali would know that he would not force her to eat even out of concern.

"Besides, we have to put in appearances in the Mess Hall and mingle with the rest of the crew." Or at least, he did. Nathan would like a chance to meet at least some of the crew outside of his role as a Counselor; even if the Science Blue of his uniform was already enough to set the most wary of people on edge.