S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian waited with trepidation for Garshdepuk's response as there was no telling if the Morani had the same values as the Federation. When Ruth opened a channel, it was possible to hear the Overseer huffing as he thought through his options before speaking.

"Captain. I have just heard from the senior Panunionist field commander and he reports you have succeeded in deactivating the Combine's off-world weapons. You have managed to help without actually providing help. I suppose that we were unclear in our original request for assistance, thus I must accept that you have stopped the enemy as we needed. Your crew is therefore free to go.

"However, I must ask, how are we to be certain these Kressari will not return with some other weapons technology in the future once you have gone."

"Thank you Overseer, if you escort Commanders Sigurdsdottir and Briggs to the stairwell, we will return them to the Challenger right away. As to your question regarding further interference from others, now that we are aware of their actions, it is now my primary responsibility to figure the source of these weapons and stop their importation in their entirety."

"Very well Captain, we will monitor our interspatial communication device for your report."

"Very good Overseer, I will contact you once I have answers for you. Galloway out."

Just as with the rest of the away team, they reached the tetryon flooded stairwell and were beamed directly to sickbay.

Ian rubbed his face with both hands as Lahr asked his reasonable question and sighed at the answer he had to give.

"A reasonable supposition Mister ch'Verret, but our job here is ta limit the already existin' contamination as much as possible. In a more perfect universe than the one we live in, you'd be completely correct. However, exactly how are we ta 'collected, documented and either destroyed or stored as evidence' without grossly revealin' our existence and capabilities ta the locals?

"No, our primary task is ta track down these Kressari smugglers and shut them down. Now only if'n we had a lead on them, that would be useful."

[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

Ruth tried not to show surprise on her face.  Her gut had been wrong?  Or maybe there was more to this than met the eye.  Probably it was the latter.  Still she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth, she wasn't qualified in equine dentistry!

She inclined her head at the Overseer and muttered half sarcastically "Thank you so much for your hospitality, Overseer.  I'd say I hoped to meet again under better circumstances but that's decidedly unlikely, so goodbye and have a profitable life."

The CSO tried not to literally bolt for the door to the stairwell but inside her she just wanted to be in the Sickbay of the Challenger first, and in Lahr's arms second.  This away mission had rattled her.

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lisa was just helping one of her patients into a seat when Ruth and Kyle appeared. She had indeed replicated a plate of cookies for the others since she could tell Blackfeather wanted to take her up on the treat offer but was too polite to say so. She wished she could've baked them herself but, well, you couldn't have everything. Seeing the two officers, she did a double-take as she remembered what they looked like with the Morani makeup. Once the split second of confusion ended her eyes lit up with relief. Before she could say anything, Kyle was inquiring her about the rest of the away team.

"Everyone's fine, Commander. It's good to have you all back." Before she could say anything else the XO was already on his way out, saying something about going to the Bridge.

I mean, you look fine. Thankfully. But yeah, I wouldn't have opposed a check up," she thought to herself. And she was going to hold him to that promise. At any rate, he'd have to come back eventually unless he wanted to continue on looking like a Morani. Turning her attention back to everyone else, her smile returned as she addressed Ruth.

"How are you doing, Commander? Just by looking at you, you don't appear to be hurt. Let me know if you need anything of course, but I've gathered that you and the away team got out of there mostly unscathed so I'm forgoing any in-depth check-ups. Take a cookie or two if you would like, I thought they would cheer you all up and I heard that a certain someone promised treats for climbing all those stairs," she winked, figuring Ruth probably hadn't known she'd been on the Bridge.

Turning to address everyone, she absently felt the medical scanner at her hip as she talked. "Alright all, I'm going to go around to each of you to do a general medical scan. No need to get up, just relax. We'll also be taking each of you back to get all that cosmetic makeup off. Then you'll be dismissed unless you want to stick around. We could play cards!" she chuckled. Not expecting anyone to respond to that, she took out her medical tricorder and began the rounds, motioning for Chloe and Nathaniel to follow suit.

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

"I think everything's working right." She gave the doctor a polite smile as the medical examination was soon to begin. As thrilling as an away mission proved to be, she was far to riled to bear a probing and scanning. Still, every corner needed to be covered.

Her instinct told her that the proposition of games was done merely in jest, however T'eala would make the motions of musing over it deeply before speaking. "I'm keen to learn, what is it?" There was a gamble in particular that her fellow cadets participated in during her time at the academy. "Ah. Texas Holding Them?" She felt unsure in her deception of the game.

- She wasn't sure of her next step. Though dismissed, she knew that she needed to be on hand. The removal of the illicit weaponry was just one step in mitigating the crucial situation of Challenger and the Morani, but the gun runners could easily restock their beneficiaries. "In the right time of course doctor." She nodded patiently, awaiting her turn for a scan.

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lisa could see the apprehension on Ren's face when it was her turn to be scanned. She was about to reassure her, but she was surprised to hear the young woman actually accepting her offer with a suggestion for poker, something she didn't actually normally play. She was going to suggest Rummy, or Go Fish.

"Oh! Um..." she stalled for just a few seconds, honestly caught off guard. She took out her medical scanner slowly, turning it on. "I've not really gambled much and was thinking of just playing for fun, but if you would like..." she trailed off as she held up the scanner. "This check will take just two seconds, no need to worry. Also, not to rush you out but if your duty shift is still in effect you can return to your station but if you don't feel up to it I will make arrangements for your shift to be covered." She flashed a smile and conducted the scan, looked it over, then looked at T'eala once more. "All done! When you're ready, head on over to Surgical Suite one where you had your cosmetics done before. Time to get all that makeup off!"

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Ruth, unlike her, burst into happy tears when the Sickbay of the Challenger cleared in her vision.  Dashing them away she was quick to assure everyone she was fine.

"Don't worry, not pain or anything, just more than averagely happy to be back here... even if it is the Sickbay!" she teased, her green eyes dancing despite the tears in them sparkling like diamonds.

"And am I happy to see you lot. You were great down there and you deserve your treats.  I'll answer T'eala if I may, Doc.  Texas Hold'Em Poker... can be fun if you're only playing for fun... some people take it far too seriously and get too deep.  Gambling that is and not just for chips, tokens not monetary chips, although in true casinos they do represent real money.  I can get a game together if you like as a ship activity, maybe deck out a Holodeck as a casino one night... a come if you're free kind of thing if you're interested, but watch out for me... I've bluffed pro players before with not very much!" the CSO added with a wink.  "Be thankful I can't card count!  You'd be safer with 'Happy Families' or 'Snap' if I could!"

Turning to Lisa she smiled.  "So you were on the Bridge or did they have our comms piped here so you could monitor us?  Either way meant what I said and if you want guys you can all come and I'll get you whatever treats you want without making you fat or giving you sugar diabetes that you want, then head up to the Bridge after Commander Briggs to make sure he does as he says!!, and the compliments were heart felt too, doctor but..."

She followed Lisa to the door of the Surgical Suite.

"...let's get these gubbins off, if I go to the Bridge, I think I'd give some people a heartattack and while you have to earn your credits somehow, I don't think Captain Galloway would thank me for trying to kill off his Bridge Crew! I volunteer to go first, unless T'eala wants to, you lot got here before me!"

[Ian Galloway]

Sickbay - USS Challenger

Kyle materialized directly into Sickbay with Ruth and was relieved to see the the rest of the away team had indeed been returned as well.

"How's everyone, Doc?" he immediately asked Lisa, whom he realized that he was also glad to see again.

Once he got a reply from Lisa, he headed for the door while calling over his shoulder.

"I know you want to do a check up but I really need to get to the Bridge. I promise to come back as soon as possible." he called to Lisa.

He made his way to the lift and rode it upward. Once the doors parted, he exited onto the Bridge.

Bridge

He spoke as he made his way to his seat next to the Captain. "Thank you for getting us out of there. I can't put a finger on it, but something about them was giving me a headache." he began. Finally sitting, he turned his attention to Ian.

"Good job with getting those weapons enabled, Sir. Now I think we need to find those smugglers that brought them in. While we were down there, one of them mentioned that the Kressari had approached them first. We need to discover who that contact was by either speaking with Garshdepuk or one of the Combine that did strike a deal with them."

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

Lahr in his joy at hearing that Ruth was going to be released had missed the Overseers reference to the Kressari.   The man was talking to the Captain not him afterall.  Lahr's attention was on eagerly getting the go ahead to beam up the last to members of the Away Team.   Of course he had to wait until, they were in the staircase with the tetryon particles used to knock out the security cameras once.

It was only later when the Captain answered his comment about the weapons with mentioning the Kressari, and the Commanders arrival also pointing out the Kressari, that Lahr put two and two together.  Lahr's antenna perked.

"Kressari?  Oh!  Long range scans noted a Kressari freighter that seemed to change trajectory a while back.  The ship might have been heading here and saw us on their long range sensors so turned back."   Roohz! Why hadn't he realized that before!

Lahr scrolled back through the sensor images until he found the timestamp that showed the Kressari at the edge his sensor range.   "There sir! That's the ship that turned about.  With our long range scans, it identifies as a Kressari freighter - the Kaldrel, sir. "

USS Challenger - Bridge

Mondo was greatly relieved when the plan with the tachyons managed to de-escalate the situation by successfully disabling the many weapons on the surface.  His fears proved to be unfounded when those who held their personnel were willing to release them.  Nothing could have made him happier.  There were few things worse than being right about a worst-case scenario.

However, the Captain understood what they all knew- that they had to stop the influx of weapons or this situation would merely resume in the future.

Fortunately, Lahr had a lead.

"I'll re-task the team from extraction to boarding, Sir, if that's all right with you?"

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian took in the multiple inputs and they fit into his inclinations perfectly, but there was one discordant note and he needed to address that immediately.

"Mister ch'Verret, would you care to explain why I'm just hearin' about this information about that freighter now? If'n your distraction is too much for you ta handle your responsibilities on the bridge, I'm certain I can find another assignment for you."

That unpleasant business handled, Ian began issuing orders.

"Excellent idea Mister Nari. I believe this Kaldrel is overdue for a health and welfare inspection. Helm, lay in a course, maximum warp."

[Vasilisa Belmont]

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Ruth, unlike her, burst into happy tears when the Sickbay of the Challenger cleared in her vision.  Dashing them away she was quick to assure everyone she was fine.

"Don't worry, not pain or anything, just more than averagely happy to be back here... even if it is the Sickbay!" she teased, her green eyes dancing despite the tears in them sparkling like diamonds.

"And am I happy to see you lot. You were great down there and you deserve your treats.  I'll answer T'eala if I may, Doc.  Texas Hold'Em Poker... can be fun if you're only playing for fun... some people take it far too seriously and get too deep.  Gambling that is and not just for chips, tokens not monetary chips, although in true casinos they do represent real money.  I can get a game together if you like as a ship activity, maybe deck out a Holodeck as a casino one night... a come if you're free kind of thing if you're interested, but watch out for me... I've bluffed pro players before with not very much!" the CSO added with a wink.  "Be thankful I can't card count!  You'd be safer with 'Happy Families' or 'Snap' if I could!"

Turning to Lisa she smiled.  "So you were on the Bridge or did they have our comms piped here so you could monitor us?  Either way meant what I said and if you want guys you can all come and I'll get you whatever treats you want without making you fat or giving you sugar diabetes that you want, then head up to the Bridge after Commander Briggs to make sure he does as he says!!, and the compliments were heart felt too, doctor but..."

The scan didn't take as long as T'eala anticipated. The quick handiwork of the doctor would make the entire process much more expedient. "Aren't all card games fun Doctor?" She spoke as she positioned herself close to the Surgical Suite. It was an interesting time posing as a Morani, but she was indeed ready for the extra to be removed from her. "Time to be me again." She gave a resigned smile.

[Sickbay - Emergency Entrance - USS Challenger]

Lisa's beaming face matched Ruth's minus the tears as she led the commander further into the gathering. This was a rare time during her job that she wished she could experience more of. Everyone coming back healthy but still showing up to Sickbay so she could share in their company. She knew they all had places to be and would be heading out soon but it was nice for this brief time.

As she was about to answer T'eala, Ruth took the words right out of her mouth. For some reason when Ren had mentioned the game her mind had automatically jumped to gambling, which wasn't even supposed to be done on a Starfleet vessel but could be managed if it was kept on the down low. Obviously Texas Hold 'Em could be played without any money involved, and Ruth did a brilliant job of explaining that while offering an opportunity for Ren to get involved. She nodded in appreciation.

"Yeah, what Commander Ruth said!" she laughed, feeling a bit giddy with all the emotions around her. She wasn't empathic in any way, but it was hard not to join in the relief everyone seemed to be feeling at being released out of an intense situation. She sent T'eala on her way with Chloe to get her makeup off, and she stayed just outside the emergency entrance with Ruth where everyone else could still see them. She grinned as Ruth mentioned the compliments.

"I'm glad I was able to say thank you in person before you got all wrapped up in whatever sciency thing Captain Galloway wants you to do next," she said. "Maybe I missed that handful of shifts I spent working in science with you on the Bridge or maybe I just wanted to be around the action, but it was nice to hear how you were doing instead of receiving a hastily written report. The compliments were a bonus, I really appreciate it." She couldn't help giving the woman's hand a quick squeeze before they headed in to the Suite.

[quote Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

She followed Lisa to the door of the Surgical Suite.

"...let's get these gubbins off, if I go to the Bridge, I think I'd give some people a heartattack and while you have to earn your credits somehow, I don't think Captain Galloway would thank me for trying to kill off his Bridge Crew! I volunteer to go first, unless T'eala wants to, you lot got here before me!"

[Surgical Suite 1 - Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Chloe was just about finished with Ren, and Lisa motioned for Ruth to sit while she gathered her supplies. Most of what she'd applied was water based, so she had essentially some heavy duty towels that she repeatedly washed in a nearby sink as she took the makeup off her skin and removed the earlobes. When it came time for her hair she draped a towel around her shoulders, not that it mattered much since she'd be changing back into uniform anyway, and had her sit with her hair over the sink. Just like in a hair salon except less comfortable. She turned the water on and ran it over her hair, messaging it into the roots and alternating wringing out excess water. When she was halfway through, she noticed something off. The grey was coming off, but she wasn't seeing Ruth's fiery red. Eyes widening, she gently let the strands she was working on drop.

"Erm, Ruth? I'm going to actually switch to cold water so I apologize in advance."

She had no idea if changing the temperature would do anything, figured it would do absolutely nothing in fact, but the truth was she had absolutely no idea why Ruth's hair was turning WHITE. Feeling the water turn ice cold, she resumed her massaging but the snowy colour persisted. Frowning, she began to feel a tightening in her stomach as her head raced through different versions of "What did I do wrong??"

When the last streak of grey disappeared, she swallowed and wrung out Ruth's hair while dabbing it with a towel.

"Okay. So. The dye's all gone, but-" she cringed, "something in your hair must have reacted with the dye in a way I didn't anticipate." Removing the towel, she gently swiveled Ruth around so she faced the mirror. "I'm so sorry!!!" she gushed. "But it shouldn't be permanent since dyes don't work that way. It might be a while before your real hair comes back though. Sorry, again." She bit her lip, honestly feeling nervous even though she knew Ruth would be forgiving about her mistake.

[T'eala]

[Surgical Suite 1 - Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Chloe was just about finished with Ren, and Lisa motioned for Ruth to sit while she gathered her supplies. Most of what she'd applied was water based, so she had essentially some heavy duty towels that she repeatedly washed in a nearby sink as she took the makeup off her skin and removed the earlobes. When it came time for her hair she draped a towel around her shoulders, not that it mattered much since she'd be changing back into uniform anyway, and had her sit with her hair over the sink. Just like in a hair salon except less comfortable. She turned the water on and ran it over her hair, messaging it into the roots and alternating wringing out excess water. When she was halfway through, she noticed something off. The grey was coming off, but she wasn't seeing Ruth's fiery red. Eyes widening, she gently let the strands she was working on drop.

"Erm, Ruth? I'm going to actually switch to cold water so I apologize in advance."

She had no idea if changing the temperature would do anything, figured it would do absolutely nothing in fact, but the truth was she had absolutely no idea why Ruth's hair was turning WHITE. Feeling the water turn ice cold, she resumed her massaging but the snowy colour persisted. Frowning, she began to feel a tightening in her stomach as her head raced through different versions of "What did I do wrong??"

When the last streak of grey disappeared, she swallowed and wrung out Ruth's hair while dabbing it with a towel.

"Okay. So. The dye's all gone, but-" she cringed, "something in your hair must have reacted with the dye in a way I didn't anticipate." Removing the towel, she gently swiveled Ruth around so she faced the mirror. "I'm so sorry!!!" she gushed. "But it shouldn't be permanent since dyes don't work that way. It might be a while before your real hair comes back though. Sorry, again." She bit her lip, honestly feeling nervous even though she knew Ruth would be forgiving about her mistake.

[Surgical Suite 1 - USS Challenger]

'Yikes.' T'eala kept the thought to herself as she peered over the shoulder of Chloe. Apparently Ruth was going to be trying out a new look, and the subtle sense of dread she was picking up spoke volumes for the duration of time Ruth would be frosty up top. The job was enough to give the Betazoid worry towards her own locks.

She combed through her mane as she exited the suite, there wasn't anything wrong with making sure everything was alright. Spending the past deep session of time posing as something else, she figured that there could be some residual leftover. However, T'eala's face proved clean as a whistle, and made sure to send her appreciate towards the medical staff who had even made the away mission capable of happening.

As she left she immediately made haste for the turbolift.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian took in the multiple inputs and they fit into his inclinations perfectly, but there was one discordant note and he needed to address that immediately.

"Mister ch'Verret, would you care to explain why I'm just hearin' about this information about that freighter now? If'n your distraction is too much for you ta handle your responsibilities on the bridge, I'm certain I can find another assignment for you."

That unpleasant business handled, Ian began issuing orders.

"Excellent idea Mister Nari. I believe this Kaldrel is overdue for a health and welfare inspection. Helm, lay in a course, maximum warp."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

T'eala arrived from the turbolift fully confident that the surgical suite cleaned her up without a hitch. She didn't waste a second, redirecting herself back towards the bridge. If there was just the off chance she could provide some assistance for the mission once again, she knew she needed to be close and on-hand. She arrived on deck bearing a salute to her captain.

"Sir, surgical suite finished up on improving my gorgeous face," She was making small attempts with off-hand humor. The blatant exaggeration at least brought some inward joy to T'eala as her eyes make darting looks towards the helm conn, her usual spot. "Permission to fly something, sir." Coming in on the tail end of Mondo's tactical suggestion - she didn't even care if he had her flying the boarding shuttle. She was chomping at the bit to further assist the Morani, in the best way she knew how.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian took in the multiple inputs and they fit into his inclinations perfectly, but there was one discordant note and he needed to address that immediately.

"Mister ch'Verret, would you care to explain why I'm just hearin' about this information about that freighter now? If'n your distraction is too much for you ta handle your responsibilities on the bridge, I'm certain I can find another assignment for you."

That unpleasant business handled, Ian began issuing orders.

"Excellent idea Mister Nari. I believe this Kaldrel is overdue for a health and welfare inspection. Helm, lay in a course, maximum warp."

Pointing out the Kressari freighter wasn't something that Lahr had expected accolades for; yet neither had he thought the Captain would threaten task reassignment, just because he hadn't deemed it of note originally.  Lahr's antenna twitched in agitation.  His thoughts were far from accepting of the reprimand.   'Capt'n wants an explanation as to why I didn't point out the single freighter when it briefly came into view on my sensors.'  He snarked in his mind  'It's a roohzing Kressari vessel, well inside the sphere of operation for a legit freighter.  They are primarily known for their commercial trade of botanical DNA - how does that translate to pergium smugglers?  Ain't like the Kressari fit the description of what we had been looking for originally.  But does the Capt'n recall that? Noooo..'

He was still facing back towards the Command seat while his thoughts churned unhappily.  He knew the Captain was expecting an answer - and likely an apology with him stating it wouldn't happen again.  His antenna lowered yet continued their unhappy twitching.

"It hadn't seemed pertinent at the time, Captain.  But if you want me to not filter my reports using my best judgement, and prefer that I can call out every single vessel that's within a 40 lightyear range, I can certainly do that, sir."

He turned back to his console, called up the Kressari homeworld main space traffic control database.  "Currently, in orbit around Kressari alone there are 34 ships... 18 of them being freighters.   Do you want the names and registrations of all of those as well, sir?" 

[Ian Galloway]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

Pointing out the Kressari freighter wasn't something that Lahr had expected accolades for; yet neither had he thought the Captain would threaten task reassignment, just because he hadn't deemed it of note originally.  Lahr's antenna twitched in agitation.  His thoughts were far from accepting of the reprimand.   'Capt'n wants an explanation as to why I didn't point out the single freighter when it briefly came into view on my sensors.'  He snarked in his mind  'It's a roohzing Kressari vessel, well inside the sphere of operation for a legit freighter.  They are primarily known for their commercial trade of botanical DNA - how does that translate to pergium smugglers?  Ain't like the Kressari fit the description of what we had been looking for originally.  But does the Capt'n recall that? Noooo..'

He was still facing back towards the Command seat while his thoughts churned unhappily.  He knew the Captain was expecting an answer - and likely an apology with him stating it wouldn't happen again.  His antenna lowered yet continued their unhappy twitching.

"It hadn't seemed pertinent at the time, Captain.  But if you want me to not filter my reports using my best judgement, and prefer that I can call out every single vessel that's within a 40 lightyear range, I can certainly do that, sir."

He turned back to his console, called up the Kressari homeworld main space traffic control database.  "Currently, in orbit around Kressari alone there are 34 ships... 18 of them being freighters.   Do you want the names and registrations of all of those as well, sir?"

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian's eyes tightened at Lahr's insubordination, but rather than lash out with the first heated words that sprang to mind, he counted to ten alternating between Standard and Gaelic, thinking.

"This is partially my fault, I've spent too much personal time on the holodeck with him and he's taken that ta mean our positions have changed, well this stops now."

After he'd reach ten, Ian replied in an icy tone.

"That will be enough Mister ch'Verret. No, I don't expect ta hear about every random freighter than passes through long range sensors, you ken that as well as I do. However, you yourself said 'The ship might have been heading here and saw us on their long range sensors so turned back'. I would think that would be suspicious enough ta mention that sooner. Given that we know somebody is smugglin' advanced weapons to this planet, that particular freighter's actions were unusual enough ta stand out. Now, I suggest you keep that impertinent tongue of yours still or you will nae be likin' your new assignment on the Challenger."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

T'eala arrived from the turbolift fully confident that the surgical suite cleaned her up without a hitch. She didn't waste a second, redirecting herself back towards the bridge. If there was just the off chance she could provide some assistance for the mission once again, she knew she needed to be close and on-hand. She arrived on deck bearing a salute to her captain.

"Sir, surgical suite finished up on improving my gorgeous face," She was making small attempts with off-hand humor. The blatant exaggeration at least brought some inward joy to T'eala as her eyes make darting looks towards the helm conn, her usual spot. "Permission to fly something, sir." Coming in on the tail end of Mondo's tactical suggestion - she didn't even care if he had her flying the boarding shuttle. She was chomping at the bit to further assist the Morani, in the best way she knew how.

When the ensign made her request, whether she ever knew how close she came to getting a strip of flesh ripped from her hide or not would never be known, but it was obvious by the expression on Ian's face that she'd interrupted something.

"You may take the helm Ensign, we have a pursuit course plotted for a Kressari freighter suspected of bein' involved in the smugglin' operation on Zindi Moran."

Ian then turned to Mondo.

"Mister Nari, you may leave the bridge ta prepare your team for boardin' the Kaldrel. Set phasers for heavy stun, I want prisoners not corpses."

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian's eyes tightened at Lahr's insubordination, but rather than lash out with the first heated words that sprang to mind, he counted to ten alternating between Standard and Gaelic, thinking.

"This is partially my fault, I've spent too much personal time on the holodeck with him and he's taken that ta mean our positions have changed, well this stops now."

After he'd reach ten, Ian replied in an icy tone.

"That will be enough Mister ch'Verret. No, I don't expect ta hear about every random freighter than passes through long range sensors, you ken that as well as I do. However, you yourself said 'The ship might have been heading here and saw us on their long range sensors so turned back'. I would think that would be suspicious enough ta mention that sooner. Given that we know somebody is smugglin' advanced weapons to this planet, that particular freighter's actions were unusual enough ta stand out. Now, I suggest you keep that impertinent tongue of yours still or you will nae be likin' your new assignment on the Challenger."

When the ensign made her request, whether she ever knew how close she came to getting a strip of flesh ripped from her hide or not would never be known, but it was obvious by the expression on Ian's face that she'd interrupted something.

"You may take the helm Ensign, we have a pursuit course plotted for a Kressari freighter suspected of bein' involved in the smugglin' operation on Zindi Moran."

Ian then turned to Mondo.

"Mister Nari, you may leave the bridge ta prepare your team for boardin' the Kaldrel. Set phasers for heavy stun, I want prisoners not corpses."

The Captain's frigid tone and the accompanying remark told Lahr that his point had been lost on the Captain.  The Andorian petty officer's antenna continued to twitch as he remained silent following the order of the Captain to 'keep his tongue still'.  At least he didn't have to verbally acknowledge the reprimand this way.

'When Ruth was Captain, she appreciated his efforts and never had cause to complain,' he moped - conveniently forgetting the time that she'd had threatened to assign him to an away team when he'd broken her trust - using Chloe to check medical records back when he  thought Kyle was an imposter or a Leyton spy.   Lahr's antenna began to show signs of drooping.

Focusing his attention back to his console and the long range sensors, Lahr attempted to put aside his extrapolate the intended destination of the Kressari freighter. 

[T'eala]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian's eyes tightened at Lahr's insubordination, but rather than lash out with the first heated words that sprang to mind, he counted to ten alternating between Standard and Gaelic, thinking.

"This is partially my fault, I've spent too much personal time on the holodeck with him and he's taken that ta mean our positions have changed, well this stops now."

After he'd reach ten, Ian replied in an icy tone.

"That will be enough Mister ch'Verret. No, I don't expect ta hear about every random freighter than passes through long range sensors, you ken that as well as I do. However, you yourself said 'The ship might have been heading here and saw us on their long range sensors so turned back'. I would think that would be suspicious enough ta mention that sooner. Given that we know somebody is smugglin' advanced weapons to this planet, that particular freighter's actions were unusual enough ta stand out. Now, I suggest you keep that impertinent tongue of yours still or you will nae be likin' your new assignment on the Challenger."

When the ensign made her request, whether she ever knew how close she came to getting a strip of flesh ripped from her hide or not would never be known, but it was obvious by the expression on Ian's face that she'd interrupted something.

"You may take the helm Ensign, we have a pursuit course plotted for a Kressari freighter suspected of bein' involved in the smugglin' operation on Zindi Moran."

Ian then turned to Mondo.

"Mister Nari, you may leave the bridge ta prepare your team for boardin' the Kaldrel. Set phasers for heavy stun, I want prisoners not corpses."

The Captain's frigid tone and the accompanying remark told Lahr that his point had been lost on the Captain.  The Andorian petty officer's antenna continued to twitch as he remained silent following the order of the Captain to 'keep his tongue still'.  At least he didn't have to verbally acknowledge the reprimand this way.

'When Ruth was Captain, she appreciated his efforts and never had cause to complain,' he moped - conveniently forgetting the time that she'd had threatened to assign him to an away team when he'd broken her trust - using Chloe to check medical records back when he  thought Kyle was an imposter or a Leyton spy.   Lahr's antenna began to show signs of drooping.

Focusing his attention back to his console and the long range sensors, Lahr attempted to put aside his extrapolate the intended destination of the Kressari freighter.

She didn't need her empath-sensitivities to feel her arrival into the thicket of tension on the bridge. Before she was given her order's she made quick glances towards Lahr, and back at Captain Galloway. She wasn't privy to what was spoken between the two prior to her arrival, but she could sense a not-so-subtle wash of present animosity. "Yes, Captain."

She'd arrived light-demeanor in tow, but at the wrong time. Regardless of her sentiments on the thought of inter-personnel orneriness, it wasn't her place to make commentary. Instead, she proceeded - business as usual. Her stride took her too the helm, and she reintroduced her backside with her designated seat. Her eyes began to work over her stationary conn, getting familiar with the objective. She felt the need to always be on top of her work, moving proactively as opposed to reactive measures.

"Maintaining intercept course." T'eala spoke as her fingers made slight alterations to the nav. Her stand-in support had done an decent enough job in keeping the Challenger aligned to cut off the Kaldrel, but decent wasn't a job done well enough. Her inputs for a recalculated approach would seem minuscule in passing observation - but in the reaches of unfriendly space, every parsec of real estate mattered. "Adjusting for optimal parallax distancing."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Sickbay - Emergency Entrance - USS Challenger]

Lisa's beaming face matched Ruth's minus the tears as she led the commander further into the gathering. This was a rare time during her job that she wished she could experience more of. Everyone coming back healthy but still showing up to Sickbay so she could share in their company. She knew they all had places to be and would be heading out soon but it was nice for this brief time.

As she was about to answer T'eala, Ruth took the words right out of her mouth. For some reason when Ren had mentioned the game her mind had automatically jumped to gambling, which wasn't even supposed to be done on a Starfleet vessel but could be managed if it was kept on the down low. Obviously Texas Hold 'Em could be played without any money involved, and Ruth did a brilliant job of explaining that while offering an opportunity for Ren to get involved. She nodded in appreciation.

"Yeah, what Commander Ruth said!" she laughed, feeling a bit giddy with all the emotions around her. She wasn't empathic in any way, but it was hard not to join in the relief everyone seemed to be feeling at being released out of an intense situation. She sent T'eala on her way with Chloe to get her makeup off, and she stayed just outside the emergency entrance with Ruth where everyone else could still see them. She grinned as Ruth mentioned the compliments.

"I'm glad I was able to say thank you in person before you got all wrapped up in whatever sciency thing Captain Galloway wants you to do next," she said. "Maybe I missed that handful of shifts I spent working in science with you on the Bridge or maybe I just wanted to be around the action, but it was nice to hear how you were doing instead of receiving a hastily written report. The compliments were a bonus, I really appreciate it." She couldn't help giving the woman's hand a quick squeeze before they headed in to the Suite.

[Surgical Suite 1 - Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Chloe was just about finished with Ren, and Lisa motioned for Ruth to sit while she gathered her supplies. Most of what she'd applied was water based, so she had essentially some heavy duty towels that she repeatedly washed in a nearby sink as she took the makeup off her skin and removed the earlobes. When it came time for her hair she draped a towel around her shoulders, not that it mattered much since she'd be changing back into uniform anyway, and had her sit with her hair over the sink. Just like in a hair salon except less comfortable. She turned the water on and ran it over her hair, messaging it into the roots and alternating wringing out excess water. When she was halfway through, she noticed something off. The grey was coming off, but she wasn't seeing Ruth's fiery red. Eyes widening, she gently let the strands she was working on drop.

"Erm, Ruth? I'm going to actually switch to cold water so I apologize in advance."

She had no idea if changing the temperature would do anything, figured it would do absolutely nothing in fact, but the truth was she had absolutely no idea why Ruth's hair was turning WHITE. Feeling the water turn ice cold, she resumed her massaging but the snowy colour persisted. Frowning, she began to feel a tightening in her stomach as her head raced through different versions of "What did I do wrong??"

When the last streak of grey disappeared, she swallowed and wrung out Ruth's hair while dabbing it with a towel.

"Okay. So. The dye's all gone, but-" she cringed, "something in your hair must have reacted with the dye in a way I didn't anticipate." Removing the towel, she gently swiveled Ruth around so she faced the mirror. "I'm so sorry!!!" she gushed. "But it shouldn't be permanent since dyes don't work that way. It might be a while before your real hair comes back though. Sorry, again." She bit her lip, honestly feeling nervous even though she knew Ruth would be forgiving about her mistake.

[Surgical Suite 1 - Sickbay - USS Challenger]

"Aww, Lisa!" Ruth said and gently squeezed back.  "Having caused your department, well, of various ships, not yours personally, enough grief over the years it's not like I'm above giving credit where due.  We all need to be told we're doing a good job occasionally, everyone from our Sanitary Operatives to the Captain.  It's why if I am going to a station and I can get my hands on some single malt for Ian, I do.  He's not a great one for words, but I've never seen him turn his nose up at a decent bottle of Scotch!" she winked.

"You are far easier to compliment, not only are you, like T'eala and myself, a gorgeous woman, so probably appreciate the finer things in life... y'know... Chocolate, perfume, pampering spa days, but you're not a curmudgeonly Scot for all his hearts in the right place and I do have a great deal of respect for our beloved leader, he's still crusty and on the right day would admit it.  But in his job, you need a certain amount of steel in your backbone... figuratively speaking!" Ruth chuckled remembering she was talking to a doctor.

"Let's get this over with!"

When Lisa mentioned switching to cold water she chuckled. "I used to wash my hair in the waterfalls coming down off the mountains in Trondheim, I doubt it's as cold as that, and I still give a final rinse in cold, but I appreciate the warning since when not expecting it...."

[Surgical Suite 1 - USS Challenger]

'Yikes.' T'eala kept the thought to herself as she peered over the shoulder of Chloe. Apparently Ruth was going to be trying out a new look, and the subtle sense of dread she was picking up spoke volumes for the duration of time Ruth would be frosty up top. The job was enough to give the Betazoid worry towards her own locks.

She combed through her mane as she exited the suite, there wasn't anything wrong with making sure everything was alright. Spending the past deep session of time posing as something else, she figured that there could be some residual leftover. However, T'eala's face proved clean as a whistle, and made sure to send her appreciate towards the medical staff who had even made the away mission capable of happening.

As she left she immediately made haste for the turbolift.

Ruth heard T'eala's comment of 'Yikes' and wondered what was wrong, then Lisa started making apologies she wondered if all her hair had fallen out or something.

When she looked at her reflection in the mirror she started laughing.  "Oh Roohz!" she began, "I think the heartattack is still on for certain Bridge crew!  However, not the first time I've seen myself white... long story, possibly classified, might be in my medical notes somewhere... since part of it was connected with when I had my brain tumour removed."  she cryptically left it like that knowing that if Lisa wanted to know more she could read the classified part of her file that Caleb Brighton had added about the alternative dimension version of Ruth... the old one who had been dying of cancer.

"However, I'm not sure that other people will like the fact that I don't have my red.  I'd say dye it with a normal dye but I don't want to cause more potential damage.  I'm sure it's not your fault Lisa, don't distress yourself, and it looks pretty cool in a strange way.  Now should I go to the Bridge like this and get it over with, or wear a wig?"

[Ian Galloway]

[Deep Space near the Zindi Moran system]

The Challenger quickly closed the distance on the Kaldrel. If the crew of the Kressari freighter had contemplated running, they never revealed it as it would have been an exercise in futility had they tried. When hailed and ordered to heave to, the Kaldrel's captain feigned outrage at the 'disruption of his very tightly timed schedule', but deflated when Ian made it clear they could heave to in one piece or in multiple pieces.

Once the freighter came to a halt, the Challenger stopped along side. Mondo had had plenty of time to gear up his boarding party and assemble in the transporter room during the pursuit. As they waited, Ian's voice came over the commsystem.

"You have your green light Mister Nari. So far the Kaldrel has been cooperative, but who kens when that could change. Be ready for anything and take as many prisoners as you can. Godspeed. Galloway out."

[Mondo'li Nari]

USS Challenger - Bridge

As Mondo got up to prepare for the boarding action, he winced.  Lahr and the Captain had a tense exchange.  At times like this, the Hupyrian wished he had the power to stop time and counsel restraint before a thing was said that could not be un-said.  Lahr and the Captain had enjoyed a warm relationship of late, spending time together off-duty, and it was difficult to see that relationship potentially become damaged by a careless moment.

Responding to his own orders, he hoped to distract from that tension.  "Aye, Sir.  Stun only.  I, too, prefer prisoners to corpses."

USS Challenger - Transporter Room

In the transporter room, Mondo's four-person boarding team was standing by.

Crewman Djeris handed him a spare Type II and Type III phaser, which Mondo accepted, quickly checking the settings and charge levels before strapping them on.  "Thank you, crewman.  Let's see what these Kressari are up to.  I know you are all aware, but I felt I should pass along the Captain's emphasis:  Stun only."

The four-person team all checked their weapons a second time, just to be safe and certain.

Finally, Mondo and the others got onto the transporter platform, and Mondo nodded to the Transporter Chief.   Annular confinement beams seized every molecule in their bodies, holding them perfectly still.  Then, their molecules were torn into constituent atoms, which were in turn ripped into quantum-level particles, before their matter streams were hurled across space to be reassembled elsewhere.

Kressari Freighter - Bridge

The team materialized onto the bridge of the Kressari freighter, and were immediately greeted by her Captain.

"Greetings, officers," the Captain said, "How can we help Starfleet today?"

Mondo regarded the man, "Just a standard Health and Safety check, Sir," Mondo said with a smile, "There's been a rash of Tarkellian Pox in the area, and we're trying to contain the spread.  Since the Pox can be carried on surfaces, its spread is difficult to combat.  Trade goods can easily carry it."

One of the requirements of being a security officer was being familiar with the many, many plausible diseases that could be used to justify an inspection.  The more obscure, the better.

The Captain glanced to the other bridge crew, a questioning look on his face, and then returned his attention to Mondo.  "Well, I'm sure we've had no contact with any Pox.  But you're free to look around.   We recently offloaded our cargo, so there's not much to scan."

Mondo nodded, "Thank you, Captain.  What was your cargo, if you don't mind me asking?"

The Captain hesitated briefly, and then answered, "Self-sealing Stem Bolts."

Mondo nodded appreciatively, "There's a saying in trade cricles: You can't build anything without bolts."

The Captain smiled, "Always in demand.  Always a sound investment as a trade good.  More reliable than botanical DNA, around these parts."

"I can see that," Mondo said, and then nodded to the rest of his team, "All right, fan out.  Scan everything."

The team-members whipped out tricorders and began to move to different areas of the ship, whirring away with technological attentiveness.

Mondo crouched at the rear of the bridge, studying the deck plates.  "Duranium foam plates.  You know, when I worked for the Ferengi, years ago, I learned that there are ways to form Duranium foam that cause particle deflection.  It's all in the molecular shaping of the pockets.  If you know what you're doing, you can create sensor-impervious pockets beneath such plates."

He looked up, "Do you mind if I borrow a span-"

Mondo didn't get to complete his sentence.  The Captain- and the rest of the bridge crew- were suddenly descending upon him like rabid Voles.  He unslung his rifle, and- having no time to aim- used it instead like a club, swinging into the space between him and his attackers while tapping his badge.  The Kressari flinched back to avoid being struck by the buttstock of the phaser rifle, but quickly surged forward again.

Petty Officer Nari to Boarding Team and Challenger-

But once again, he could not finish his statement before rushing bodies and pummeling fists descended upon him.

[Ian Galloway]

Kressari Freighter - Bridge

Petty Officer Nari to Boarding Team and Challenger-

But once again, he could not finish his statement before rushing bodies and pummeling fists descended upon him.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian sat bolt upright at Mondo's interrupted transmission and slapped the commsystem on the command chair.

"Lieutenant T'Kel, Mister Nari is in trouble! I want a dozen security in full battle aboard that freighter yesterday!"

Thinking quickly to ensure the Kaldrel didn't run, Ian spoke to Lahr tersely.

"I want a tractor on that freighter immediately. It looks like we've found our smugglers!"

[Kyle Briggs]

Bridge - USS Challenger

"Red alert!" Kyle called out as he stood to join the second boarding party. He stopped himself short at the lift when he noticed that T'Kel's replacement was an Ensign. He believed in everyone doing their part and learning but not in a possible volatile situation.

"Carry on Lieutenant." he said to the CSTO. "I'll help out at your station."

Kyle made his way back to the Tactical station and the young Ensign looked over at him and begin to step aside. Kyle simply shook his head slightly. "I'm just here to assist if needed, Ensign."

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Bridge]

[Deep Space near the Zindi Moran system]

The Challenger quickly closed the distance on the Kaldrel. If the crew of the Kressari freighter had contemplated running, they never revealed it as it would have been an exercise in futility had they tried. When hailed and ordered to heave to, the Kaldrel's captain feigned outrage at the 'disruption of his very tightly timed schedule', but deflated when Ian made it clear they could heave to in one piece or in multiple pieces.

Once the freighter came to a halt, the Challenger stopped along side. Mondo had had plenty of time to gear up his boarding party and assemble in the transporter room during the pursuit. As they waited, Ian's voice came over the commsystem.

"You have your green light Mister Nari. So far the Kaldrel has been cooperative, but who kens when that could change. Be ready for anything and take as many prisoners as you can. Godspeed. Galloway out."

USS Challenger - Bridge

As Mondo got up to prepare for the boarding action, he winced.  Lahr and the Captain had a tense exchange.  At times like this, the Hupyrian wished he had the power to stop time and counsel restraint before a thing was said that could not be un-said.  Lahr and the Captain had enjoyed a warm relationship of late, spending time together off-duty, and it was difficult to see that relationship potentially become damaged by a careless moment.

Responding to his own orders, he hoped to distract from that tension.  "Aye, Sir.  Stun only.  I, too, prefer prisoners to corpses."

Kressari Freighter - Bridge

...

Petty Officer Nari to Boarding Team and Challenger-

But once again, he could not finish his statement before rushing bodies and pummeling fists descended upon him.

Lahr gave the Hupyrian a nod of goodluck as the other Petty officer walked past to prep his team to board the Kressari freighter.

It didn't take long for the Challenger to catch up, and Lahr still sour at the Captain's earlier reprimand, thought the Scot was a little heavy-handed in his threats.   Yeah, maybe this was the smuggler vessel.. but if not... Lahr was wondering if the freighter Captain had recourse to file a complaint with Starfleet at the blatant threats Captain Galloway was uttering.

Given the Kressari Captain's limited choice, it was no wonder that the Kaldrel presented themselves up for inspection.  Lahr didn't envy the Hupyrian who would have to deal with the grumpy Kressari Captain.   The pouting Andorian hoped that the Kressari freighter was clear - just to prove his point.

As they waited for Nari and his team to do their inspection, Lahr wondered what was keeping Ruth?  Kyle and T'eala had made it back up to the Bridge - why hadn't she?  Lahr wondered if she'd been present whether he might have held in his snarkiness a tad bit more.  Or if she might have spoken up on his behalf.

His musings on this were cut short at a cut off call from Nari.  Roohz! The Hupyrian was in trouble.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian sat bolt upright at Mondo's interrupted transmission and slapped the commsystem on the command chair.

"Lieutenant T'Kel, Mister Nari is in trouble! I want a dozen security in full battle aboard that freighter yesterday!"

Thinking quickly to ensure the Kaldrel didn't run, Ian spoke to Lahr tersely.

"I want a tractor on that freighter immediately. It looks like we've found our smugglers!"

Bridge - USS Challenger

"Red alert!" Kyle called out as he stood to join the second boarding party. He stopped himself short at the lift when he noticed that T'Kel's replacement was an Ensign. He believed in everyone doing their part and learning but not in a possible volatile situation.

"Carry on Lieutenant." he said to the CSTO. "I'll help out at your station."

Kyle made his way back to the Tactical station and the young Ensign looked over at him and begin to step aside. Kyle simply shook his head slightly. "I'm just here to assist if needed, Ensign."

At the terse order from the Captain, Lahr's antenna snapped up. "Aye sir."   Lahr began working his controls setting the appropriate parameters for tractor beam - they didn't want to crush the vessel with too much force, nor hold it too weakly that would run the risk of it escaping.  While he did this, he noted the freighter's nacelles flash with building power.  "Ha. She's gonna try to make a run for it."

With a cocky grin, Lahr activated the controls and the beam lanced out to take hold of the Kressari ship.  But Lahr's grin faded when the outer layer of the ship seemed to come away from Kressari vessel much like a snake shedding it's skin.  The tractor held the outer layer while the main vessel suddenly sprang ahead clearing the Challenger.  "They've slipped out of the tractor beam, sir.  Her warp engines are powering up!"  And there they went!

[Ian Galloway]

Bridge - USS Challenger

"Red alert!" Kyle called out as he stood to join the second boarding party. He stopped himself short at the lift when he noticed that T'Kel's replacement was an Ensign. He believed in everyone doing their part and learning but not in a possible volatile situation.

"Carry on Lieutenant." he said to the CSTO. "I'll help out at your station."

Kyle made his way back to the Tactical station and the young Ensign looked over at him and begin to step aside. Kyle simply shook his head slightly. "I'm just here to assist if needed, Ensign."

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

Lahr gave the Hupyrian a nod of goodluck as the other Petty officer walked past to prep his team to board the Kressari freighter.

It didn't take long for the Challenger to catch up, and Lahr still sour at the Captain's earlier reprimand, thought the Scot was a little heavy-handed in his threats.   Yeah, maybe this was the smuggler vessel.. but if not... Lahr was wondering if the freighter Captain had recourse to file a complaint with Starfleet at the blatant threats Captain Galloway was uttering.

Given the Kressari Captain's limited choice, it was no wonder that the Kaldrel presented themselves up for inspection.  Lahr didn't envy the Hupyrian who would have to deal with the grumpy Kressari Captain.   The pouting Andorian hoped that the Kressari freighter was clear - just to prove his point.

As they waited for Nari and his team to do their inspection, Lahr wondered what was keeping Ruth?  Kyle and T'eala had made it back up to the Bridge - why hadn't she?  Lahr wondered if she'd been present whether he might have held in his snarkiness a tad bit more.  Or if she might have spoken up on his behalf.

His musings on this were cut short at a cut off call from Nari.  Roohz! The Hupyrian was in trouble.

At the terse order from the Captain, Lahr's antenna snapped up. "Aye sir."   Lahr began working his controls setting the appropriate parameters for tractor beam - they didn't want to crush the vessel with too much force, nor hold it too weakly that would run the risk of it escaping.  While he did this, he noted the freighter's nacelles flash with building power.  "Ha. She's gonna try to make a run for it."

With a cocky grin, Lahr activated the controls and the beam lanced out to take hold of the Kressari ship.  But Lahr's grin faded when the outer layer of the ship seemed to come away from Kressari vessel much like a snake shedding it's skin.  The tractor held the outer layer while the main vessel suddenly sprang ahead clearing the Challenger.  "They've slipped out of the tractor beam, sir.  Her warp engines are powering up!"  And there they went!

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian had to admit he was stunned at the smuggler's preparations as the Kaldrel slipped out of the tractor beam.

"Bloody pseudo-platin'! Kyle, target engines. Phasers only. Mister Nari and his team would appreciate precision. Mister T'Kel, we have a runner, double quick on those squads! Helm, be prepared for some unorthodox commands. I'll buggered by the devil himself before I let these gits think they can escape."