m_k_tksa

I can't believe I go on vacation and I come back to Dancing with Galae Stars.

Shock Therapy Daise’Erei’Riovs tr’Valdrin & t’Ksa An hour after her last visitor, the Maenak tr’Paine, Morgana t’Ksa appeared to have na moved a muscle as she still sat silently on the corner cot in her office her arms circling around the knees pressed to her chest, staring sightless at the jaunty holo-picture hanging on the far wall of her office. tr’Paine, having expressed concern about t’Ksa’s non-responsiveness, called the Daise’Erei’Riov for assistance or instructions. What else should he do when the io with all the answers was the io in the most need? Kavek arrived shortly after he'd received the call, somewhat worried after reading the report he'd been given on the incident. No need to ask where t'Ksa was hiding. No less than three medical personnel pointed it out as soon as he entered the infirmary. Frowning, he stepped to the doorway of the Daise'Maenak's office, peering down at the traumatized patient. It was obvious that she was in shock. He turned to tr'Paine beside him. "What have au attempted to bring her out of her lethargy?" tr'Paine frowned, "Everything we could think of. I hesitate using any further medications at this point. The defloxo has finally worked it’s way out of her system," the young maenak held out a ISD for the XO if he cared to review it. "And a sedative was administered during her hysterical state, that itself has weakened considerably and should pass in a short while. Several staff members have attempted to draw her out. Most cases she responds with just a demand that we leave, if io could call it a demand. Although in io incident she took a.." he cleared his voice, "...a...a g'Olf club to the shins of io of our nurses during her manic state." Kavek took the ISD and read through the medical charts before passing it back. "Post traumatic stress is common in these situations. She needs a kheinsa. However, without one aboard, you are going to make do. Leave me with her for a while. I will let you know if there is any progress." tr'Paine, taking the ISD back, responded, "As au wish, rekkhai." He nodded, trying to hide his worry over the situation. If the Daise'Maenak had overheard the conversation or noticed the men darkening the office doorframe, she made na move nor gave any indication she was listening to their conversation. Locking the door behind him, Kavek moved to face t'Ksa, leaning back on the desk directly across from her. He stared at her for several moments, studying the lines of her face and the vacancy in her expression. At length, he spoke, keeping his tone within normal range, neither shouting nor whispering at her. "Morgana t'Ksa," he said. "If au do na respond, I will be forced to take drastic measures to ensure your security." She stayed motionless, staring at io point within the wall. With the same flat emotionless tone she used with her staff who'd looked at her, she uttered the same response "Go away." "I will na," he said harshly. "I am na some young uhlan au may send away as au like. Au are a senior officer on this vessel and are exhibiting behavior unfit for your position. Respond!" He snapped his fingers in front of her face. "And I am na a puppy au call to heal," She answered flatly, drawing her knees tighter to her chest. Only after she'd settled herself again did she draw her eyes from the wall to his face, a delayed flinch in her expression when she recognized the Executive Officer standing before her. "Just leave me alone, fhaen." "Au know that I can na do that." Pushing from the desk, he crouched down to her level and took her chin roughly in his hand, refusing to let her look away. "Au are na the only person feeling what au are feeling. Au are a maenak and have dealt with this in other patients. Au know this is na healthy." After being manhandled by her attackers, t'Ksa had become skittish around any attempts to hold her. With io arm she smacked at his hand holding her chin while simultaneously trying to backpedal further into the corner of the cot. There was na much more room available in which for her to move, with Kavek blocking her path and the corner walls blocking the maenak in. "Leave me. Don't touch me. Just leave me alone!" Frowning, he released her. "Remember, I warned au." Standing over her, he turned and unlocked the office door, closing it behind him. Catching tr'Paine's attention, he waved the maenak over. "Dose her with a mild sedative. Hold her down if au have to. I do na care how much she struggles or fights. Sedate her with just enough to put her out for a few siuren." "What are you going to do, rekkhai?" tr'Paine raised a brow. "I am going to remove her from this office without having to drag her bodily through your patients and the ship. Rest assured, she will be perfectly safe." tr'Paine nodded a little, moving to the dispensary to load up a hypospray with the sedative that the Daise'Erei'Riov had requested. There was more than a small amount of curiosity on the part of the maenak, as he'd never seen the Daise'Maenak forcibly removed from her office, even when she was well. The woman practically lived in that small room, in fact he doubted she knew the way to her personal quarters without the help of the etrehh. So tr’Paine was eager to see what tr’Valdrin had planned. Once the hypospray was loaded, he passed by XO as he entered the Daise'Maenak's office. The sound of a woman's shriek was heard shortly there after. When he returned to the main room, he showed signs of a handslap to the face. It had na gone well. tr'Paine inhaled slowly before speaking. "She is out, rekkhai." Kavek nodded and disappeared inside t'Ksa's office. He reappeared a few moments later carrying the unconscious doctor in his arms with her head cradled against his shoulder. "She will be fine," he assured tr'Paine. Sickbay seemed to quiet as he walked through, all eyes staring at the Daise'Maenak's limp form. Jaw set, Kavek ignored them all and walked into the hallway, heading for the lift. --------- When Morgana awoke, the room was dark save for the bright spotlight that shown down upon her chair. Her seat was comfortably padded and cradled her head and neck so that she could not turn them. Though there were no visible restraints, she could not move.Once the fog of the sedative wore off and she became more aware of the situation, t’Ksa felt the panic rise quickly in her chest. “Wh-wh-where am I? What’s going on.” She struggled ineffectually against whatever force field bound her to the chair. “Fhaen, help me!” From the darkness, somewhere behind her, Kavek spoke quietly. "Welcome back, Daise'Maenak. I am sorry it must come to this, but this is something au must see." “Let me go,” she whispered, her strength waning in her struggles. "Soon,” he said. “But na now. Etrehh, begin program." The light about her dimmed and then extinguished completely, plunging her momentarily into true darkness. Sound reached her first. Her own voice, belligerent but slurred, rang through the empty room. "Let me go!" The apparition of t'Ksa screamed, kicking and struggling to free herself from her two captors. One of them, who she recognized as tr'Radaik, held her tightly by the arm. The other, tr'Usten, waved a bloody knife in her face. "Enough of this! Kelton, move her now or I'm done with her! I'll gut her like the other and they can study her corpse for all I care." tr'Radaik stood frozen behind her, eyes wide in shock as he stared at the blade. He released her arm abruptly, shaking his head. "Na… na! Fvadt, rekkhai!" "Fvadt! I've had it!" The blade flashed toward Morgana, but before it could reach her, Kelton let out a strangled yell and jumped forward to knock it aside. Instead, the blade slammed hilt-deep into his chest, emerald blood trickling down the handle to puddle on the floor. Kelton's forward momentum caused him to stagger into tr'Usten, knocking him off balance. Morgana backpedaled frantically, screaming into her communicator for security while tr'Usten made a grab for her again. Though Kelton was clearly in shock and pain, he clung to tr'Usten's leg in an attempt to stop him. The desperate attempt saved Morgana's life as she managed to slip out of tr'Usten's bloody grip. Giving up as the threat of security became imminent, tr'Usten disappeared from view, fleeing. The picture shifted to her valiantly trying not to cry while cradling Kelton's head, trying to stem the bleeding of his wound. "Why? Why did au do this?" "Forgive me," Kelton whispered, his voice thick with pain and blood loss. "It should na have… come to this." The Daise’Maenak’s body returned to it’s stock stiff posture as tr’Valdrin had first encountered her cloistered in her office. But unlike before, io could just make out the muscles working in the woman’s jaw. And where her eyes had been dull and lifeless before, this time her eyes were fiercely focused on the empty space where that little tableau had played out in front of her. Not only did that scene fill in the muddled scenes playing out in her own brain, but it also ignited her indignation at the attack itself. “He had drugs in his system," Kavek said softly. "Defloxo. We accessed security feeds and screened them and it seems tr'Usten had been keeping him well supplied and addicted in order to control him. They wanted au, na doubt for your nanotech knowledge, and they used him to get close. In the end, his loyalty to au was greater than the hold the drugs had over him." "Where is tr'Usten now?" "Dead. He and his accomplice are both dead. Kelton would have doomed au both to the same fate had he na sacrificed himself on the Talon to keep au from their custody." "I trusted him," She spoke quietly. "I treated him differently than the others, trying to make up for the issues with past dishern and look...look what happened. He's lucky he's all ready dead or else I'd kill him. All three of them." She struggled to keep her voice even, to remain in control of her emotions as she sat restrained in the chair. "Would au?" His disembodied voice sounded skeptical. "Okay, so I would na y'ya them, but I would certainly beat the ever living Elements out of them." She snarled a bit, "Would au fhaen let me out of this fvadt chair now?" Abruptly, the invisible restraints disappeared and she found she could move. A table appeared next to the chair with a shiny blade atop it. Three figures appeared facing t'Ksa. tr'Usten snarled and darted forward, his bloodied blade gripped tightly in his hand as he slashed at her throat. Eyes widened, Morgana stood quickly at the sudden appearance of tr'Usten. With a loud squeak of surprise, she darted quickly out of his blade's reach, knocking the chair out of her way in the process. The table being more of a weapon of her choice than the blade resting in the middle, she endeavored to keep it between her and her attackers. "Au said he was dead!" tr'Usten said nothing, but he continued his attack, slashing and chasing t'Ksa around the table. The rest of the room beyond her chair began to lighten and she found herself surrounded by dozens of such tables with a variety of weaponry displayed. tr'Mikels and tr'Radiak were also displaying blades in their hands and worked to cut t'Ksa off as she scrambled away. Think, Khera, think. The Daise Maenak fought off the panic as much as she tried to keep her distance from tr'Usten, tr'Mikels and tr'Radiak by using the tables while scanning the room for an exit. When na doorway presented itself for a likely escape, t'Ksa grabbed a large pike like weapon and swung it in defense of her attackers while groping for her t'Liss to call for help. "Fvadt," Her fingers felt nothing and she scowled. “Khoi-udt, au faelirh ch’susse-thrai.#" She swung in a wide arch, hoping to skewer the villain. The overhead illumination deactivated suddenly, plunging the room into darkness. Footsteps rang loudly on the floor and seemed to be coming from all directions. In the darkness, someone grabbed her from behind. "I failed to kill au last time," tr'Usten snarled in her ear. "But na again." "Na!" t'Ksa jabbed her elbow into the attacker's stomach, while stomping on the instep of his foot at the same time. She heard the grunt, and felt him double over while still maintaining a hold around her. She threw her head back violently where she thought his might be, in hopes of breaking his nose and loosening his grip. He fell back in a grunt of pain, but other hands came from the darkness to grab her. One gripped one wrist painfully while trying to knock the blade out of her other hand. The yelp of pain was involuntary as she brought the blade down on the arm holding her. "Na!" She kicked out where she thought perhaps io of the attackers might be standing based upon how he was holding her arm. She'd hoped to at least connect with a knee cap at best, if na a shin. Another yell of pain sounded and the grip on her wrist loosened and broke. When the lights came back on, tr'Usten and tr'Mikels were both down and bleeding profusely. Only Kelton remained, standing before her. The knife he had in his hands clattered to the floor. "Do au want to kill me, Daise'Maenak? I would let au." He stepped closer. It was an automatic reaction for her to immediately step back. "Why?" Her face wrinkled up as she tried to keep from crying. "Why did au na come to me? Why did au do this?" She kept the weapon between her and the dishern. "I trusted au. I. Trusted. Au." "I was ashamed. I could na control it. I did na think au would believe me. I cared for au too much." He took another step forward, backing her against the wall. "They made me do it. I had na choice. I did na mean for it to come to this." "Liar. Au had a choice." The damn holding her emotions crumbling. "Au had a choice. I could have helped. I could have stopped this. Stop this." She hit the wall. "Just stop this." She let out a sob and slide to the floor, burying her face in her hands. "Turn it off!" "Etrehh, end program." All at once, everything faded away and Morgana was left in the empty holographic chamber. Kavek lowered himself to the floor beside her, but made no move to touch her. "He did have a choice and he made the wrong one, but I think he made it out of fear for au. Na doubt they threatened him with harming au. He obviously did na know what the outcome of this would be, else he would have come to au despite their threats. In the end, however, he made the honorable decision." It took some time before t'Ksa was able to speak again, before she could trust herself to speak again without erupting into more tears. And she did so only after she wiped her face off with the sleeves of her tunic. "I trusted him. I tried...I tried very hard to put my trust in another dishern. He had so much potential. And they...." She left the thought unfinished as she wiped her face again before turning to Kavek. "What happens now?" "That entirely depends on au," he said flatly. "Au can withdraw in on yourself and never trust another again. I have seen that level of personal destruction before. It is na sustainable." His gaze became slightly distant as he looked across the room. "It will eat au away from the inside until au truly are the cold-hearted being au wish to be." "Or au can mourn him, accept his sacrifice, and understand that he did na mean to betray au. There are others au can put your trust in eventually. It may take time, but au will be able to forget the betrayal and remember only that he cared enough for au to give his own life." "That's na exactly what I meant," She smiled ruefully, laying her head back against the wall. "But I appreciate your advice." She inhaled jaggedly from her crying then exhaled slowly. "Take some time," he suggested. He turned to study her. "Take some time away from medical and relax. Your staff has been handling the wounded competently while au were out of sorts." She nodded just a little, then shook her head. "I'm na sure what to do with myself. I've never *na* been in medical while on this ship." She turned her head to face him. "And are we na in an heightened state of alert?" Morgana looked rather puzzled about this, she could na remember exactly if they were or na, she'd been 'out of sorts' as Kavek put it for a while now, na really tuning into reality until recently. She’d thought she’d heard the klaxons earlier, but perhaps that had been the drugs speaking. She frowned again as she wondered exactly how they were able to drug her so effectively. "The battle is over and the invaders driven off. We are in the first stages of the aftermath now, cleaning up and seeing to repairs and the wounded. The ship is out of danger." Rising from his seat, he offered her his hand to help her to her feet. She hesitated, then took his hand and stood. Her first thought was to comment that then they would need her in medical. But on second thought, she knew that in her current state of disarray she would do more harm than good. "Au will call if au need me, ie?" His grip was strong and he didn't immediately let go as she regained her feet. Instead, he drew her close and placed his other hand on her shoulder in a comforting gesture. "I will. If au need to talk -- about anything -- do na hesitate to contact me." He hesitated a moment, studying her with a curious expression on his face. "I must apologize for my harsh methods. It was all I could think of that might help au to realize what happened was na your fault nor anything au could prevent. Au are a strong woman, t'Ksa. Somehow, I knew au could take it." "Hann'yyo, rekkhai," She looked down at her feet, feeling too wrung out to try to decipher tr’Valdrin’s comments. "I appreciate au's concern. Just...na more sessions like that, fhaen?" She looked up again, "They're rather.....tiring, ie?" She smiled ever so slightly, then nodded as she stepped away. "I'll be in my quarters if I'm needed. Hann'yyo, again." He nodded and let her slip away without attempting to keep her further, walking with her to the door of the imaging chamber and standing aside for her to exit first as it opened. "Tiring, ie. Get some sleep. I'll ensure that na io disturbs your rest."

Just Like That L’loann’na Girl Alice Daise'Maenak t'Ksa Enjoy! There was only a few people who knew that t’Ksa was still smarting over the lack of support on the planet surface and only io that she could think of that would have the gall to do this. Daise’Maenak t’Ksa glared at the box of cookies, annoyed that the Daise’Erei’Riov tr’Valdrin thought her ire could be pacified so easily with sweets. She had half a mind to march up to his office and crumble the lot of them on his desk for being so presumptuous. The problem was he was right in his presumption and t’Ksa na make a spectacle of herself for dishonest reasons. Instead she took her ire out on the cookies by pointedly ignoring them for a full half hour as if punishing inanimate objects was justice enough for the indignity of being called out so easily. Eat me…. Morgana glared again at the cookies, then resumed work on mission reports. She’d managed to tone down her most scathing report, barely, before submitting it to the command staff. While Galae HQ might not pick up on the overtones of seething Maenak Evil within those written documents, those who knew her well would see past the veneer. There was na much she could do about that, the reports were due now and she did na have the luxury of calming down before writing her accounts. Eat me…. t’Ksa flicked the box away from her before beginning the arduous task of verifying written causality reports. It was tedious work and na one of her favorite tasks at Daise’Manaek. She would have liked to have given the responsibility of the initial review to tr’Radiak, but he’d become somewhat out of sorts lately that she dared na press him. Something seemed….off…but she could na put a finger what it was. Eat me… Io hour into her review, t’Ksa absent mindedly reached for a cookie. She realized what was in her hand, she sighed dejectedly and began to munch. The woman was hungry, after all, and she couldn’t stay mad at cookie, could she? She’d deal with tr’Valdrin later. Perhaps it was after the second cookie, or maybe it was the third cookie, but t’Ksa noticed that she was having trouble focusing on the etrehh screen in front of her. It was if the words were quivering on the screen. She yawned, propped her head up with her elbow on the desk and her chin resting in her hand. She stared dazedly at the sentence in front of her, knowing she’d read it repeatedly but couldn’t understand why it wasn’t making sense. She had a niggling feeling that something wasn’t right. But was it exhaustion? Or was it something else? Perhaps she should lay down on the office cot? Or perhaps she shouldn’t have eaten the cookie after all?

Badge of Discouragement Daise'Maenak Morgana t'Ksa Sitting in the rear of corner of the last craft leaving the planet to return to Talon, the Daise’Maenak sat staring silently either at her hands or the floor decking. This was na normally where the department leader sat, nor was removing herself from the leadership role her normal manner of interaction with the crew. But leeway was given by her team, considering that they observed her working the disaster site with little or no break and thus assumed that the woman was bone weary and needed some time to rest. An erroneous assumption made, but not one t’Ksa was willing to correct at the moment. Other erroneous assumptions revolved around how she’d acquired the nasty emerald green bruise circling her eye swung the gambit from an attempted armed assault by the Othan team leader (rumor had it she’d won and cowed the leader into allowing safe passage for the Talon medical crew) to a fight with the locals over the stolen medical supplies (Jury was still determining that outcome – seeing as the stolen medical supplies had yet to be recovered). t’Ksa had thus far made na attempt to dispel any such rumors, nor correct the factual recording of the incident. That alone did damage of another sort to certain reputations and Morgana was undecided herself as to how to handle her current circumstances. She wove her fingers together, watching the deft graceful maenak’s hands before her twist and turn together, dancing slowly before her eyes. Those hands. t’Ksa had always thought they’d been a gift that while those in the Galae may not have completely appreciated, at least her crew did. A rare maenak that cared, took the time, energy and resources to heal those who would have been written off as a waste by the old guard. Io who thought that if she would take the time to protect those around her from that which would harm them medically, they would do the same for her. Apparently the Daise’Maenak’s assumption has been erroneously as well. Pulling out the rest of the crew and leaving medical to their own devices. They’d left her team vulnerable. Oh so vulnerable. For what? Where the rumors coming from the oira true? Why had they put her team into such jeopardy? She did na understand why. In all the years that Morgana t’Ksa had joked about her line of work, that she should soon consider a safer, more consistent line of work, she’d never meant a word because she’d known that the rest of the Talon crew would back her and her team up. She *knew* it in her heart. Now, na more. So many decisions to mull over. So many paths to explore. So much heartbreak and disappointment to sort through. t’Ksa untangled her fingers and brushed one hand’s finger tips carefully across the tender skin, probing the bruise gently. Her badge of discouragement, a physical reminder of just how desolate she felt.

Hope that the Daise'Maenak doesn't catch you? You'll be so y'ya if she does.

The next time they tell me an assignment is ‘simple’ I shall remember that is a euphemism for dull and mindless. Messing with the dishern maenak looks to be far more fun and an easy task to accomplish. I am completely jealous of my ally. But oh na, because of my expertise and experience, I have to babysit the Daise’Maenak, somehow discover the secret to the Khre’Riov’s cloning, obtain the technology the Daise’Maenak utilized or find some sort of leverage to use against the Daise’Maenak to make her more agreeable towards sharing her secret with us. Unfortunately she has purged the vital records we need from the etrehh system, having supposedly downloaded them to Galae Medical. We know these records are incomplete; she’s hidden information somewhere on this blasted ship. There has been na opportunity yet to search her offices since she seems to live within in them. It’s reported that na only is the woman a confidant of the Khre’Riov, but even the Enarrain and Daise’Erei’Riov have been seen conferring with her, yet she does na appear to use it to her advantage so those rumors remain yet unconfirmed. I can na find anything particularly noteworthy or any specific overt ambition to exploit. So I am forced to review her communiqués off ship. Either the woman was *the* most boring ordinary Rihan or Talon’s most cunning and sly senior officers. Her communiqués can be amusing, always self depreciating and extremely light on ammunition to use. It was only after the third re-reading of text documents to family members on ch’Rihan did I realize that the impending bonding ceremony they spoke was actually her own and na some distant relative. I still can na say if this celebration is to take place upon her return or years from now and if this was a House arrangement or something else. And I’m still struggling with several others, looking for just the right leverage. I only find three entries that show promise. All audio, unlike the text base messages she sent to her family members. I am unsure if this is something significant or na. The recordings are to a fellow Galae Medical collogue and apparent friend, his response to her, and then from t’Ksa to the Khre’Riov herself…. To: Daise’Erei’Riov tr’Aieme, Galae Medical, ch’Rihan From: Daise’Erei’Riov t’Ksa, RES Talon Subject: Auspicious Beginnings Begin Audio Transmission: “I must tell au, this is the first time in my career where I have actually become homesick within a few hours of departure. We, and I do count myself in the definition of ‘we’, have made such verruls of ourselves in the past few hours that I wish to crawl into a deep dark hole and hide. Deep, dark, quiet hole with na io to offend, or curse.“ “And I’m sure au wish to have an explanation of my incoherent statement.” “Well, the Daise’Khre’Riov and Khre’Riov announced their plans during a senior staff meeting. Au know what I mean. And instead of responding with appropriate decorum and congratulatory actions, we act like spoiled children. From the facial expressions of our newly appointed Enarrain, to the outburst by a disgraced crewmember, to glued on smiles and weak clapping by others. I must confess, I was too stunned stupid to….I don’t know what…to respond. It did na look good for us as a whole, nor I as her friend. If I am that. Or was. Fvadt.” Incoherent mumbling. “Let me tell au, shoe leather is na an appetizing taste. I should have done something. I know better. She at least *told* me enough for me to suspect what they had planned. And I did nothing. I froze. I made a verrul of myself. And I have na idea how to bridge the gap between the two….the crew and the Khre’Riov. How can I fix this? She’s going to yy’a us when she returns.” “Fhaen, tell me what to say to fix this, Kheinsa. Au know Rihannsu psychology far better than I. I need guidance. Fhaen, help me?” To: Daise’Erei’Riov t’Ksa, RES Talon From: Daise’Erei’Riov tr’Aieme, Galae Medical, ch’Rihan Subject: RE: Auspicious Beginnings Begin Audio Transmission: “I confess. I am conflicted. I am both pleased that are au have chosen me to confide in yet, wish au missed home more. Could au at least demonstrate at least a moderate amount of homesickness in future correspondence?” Snorting noise, chuckle, then a bit of a pause. “Consider that perhaps a simple apology is all that is required? Au have no obligation to placate her feelings or excuse the crew, so do na. Besides, it will only make matters worse. Just speak from au’s heart.” “And I know au, and what au are thinking now. Au are wondering what happens if au make the gesture and it is rejected. Well, then it is the Elements will. Au can na bend another’s personality or will to au’s whim. Well, actually a person can, with the right amount of pressure, perhaps a little torture, a flattering speech or a really good bribe. But I know it is na in *au’s* heart to manipulate other so. So do na worry auself about the outcome. Just make the gesture.” Soft sigh “And in other news, if au have na spoken to au’s rinams lately, perhaps au should. I believe a civil war has broken out between the Ksa women. I’m led to believe that they do na wish to bother au with such issues, but I’m sure au can sense what’s going on, even millions of light years away. Of course, by the time this message reaches au, things may have calmed down to a dull roar.” A muffled scuffling noise. “Or maybe na. By fire, she’s back. Remind me again why I have chosen to associate myself with au?” To: Khre’Riov Lhaiy t’Rexan, RES Teronix From: Daise’Erei’Riov t’Ksa, RES Talon Subject: Data Returned Begin Audio Transmission: “Jolan tru!” Exasperated sigh. “Oh elements that sounded awful. I sound like a fvadt cheerleader. Sorry. I’ve been sitting here for the past twenty suiren trying to get up the courage to start this message, I guess I did na put much thought in how I would start it. Poor planning and I’ve been distracted as of late. I apologize.” “So where to begin? Well, I’m hoping that this message finds you well for io. That au are enjoying au’s time away with au’s new mate. And that…” Long pause accompanied with another soft sigh. “I am trying too hard, am I na? Elements, I am worried. About au, about N’Dak, about this crew, about…well, things I should na bother au on during au’s time away. L’haiy, I’m sorry about what happened on the ship, about the crew’s reaction to au’s announcement, and about my inaction during the incident. I was following the lead of four higher ranking officers, waiting to take direction from them and did na know what else to do but to try to remain calm and….” Inaudible noise. Almost as if it is a growling sound. “Elements, who am I kidding. I sat there like a bump on a log. I was too stunned by what was going on, and with that plastic smile on my face. Somewhere in my twisted brain I thought I was helping minimize the situation by na jumping into the impending fray, but instead…well….I’m sorry. I am so sorry. I need to learn better how to think on my feet. Give me a bleeding patient and I know immediately what to do, but these social interactions with crew members….I don’t know why they confound me the way they do. And it should na matter whether or na au were moving far faster than I was comfortable with, I should na assign my psychosis on au. If au are happy, then I should be happy for au. And I am happy for au, I’m just na good at expressing it without making a verrul out of myself and making au feel bad. I would na blame au if au wanted to have me trussed up and thrown into a den of sseikea. I probably deserve it.” “Which is na going to make what I’m going to say next any easier. Because I did na start this message to just apologize to au. Which is probably going to make au upset with me, I know. But I can na help the ill timing of my apology with the following request. I need au direction lhhei, and I need it rather quickly. And of course it is probably more for selfish reason than for au’s benefit, which means au will probably hate me even more.” “Io of our officers delivered an ISD into my hands. Io that bears au’s seal. She found it in the potted plant just inside the conference room. Why she brought it to me, and na the Enarrain or Daise’Erei’Riov? I think it more so that she trusts me to the right thing with it. Which all ready I feel like I am failing.” “I’m sorry, but I had to verify that the contents of the ISD were indeed au’s and na some trap. I promise I did na mean to invade au’s privacy and yet that is what I feel like I have done. I also feel that, well, that Destorie should hear what au have to say, especially in light of what I’ve seen the past few days. The boy needs to know and I do na want to see him set up for failure.” “This is weighing heavily on my mind. I feel like I’m undergoing some sort of test here and failing miserably. At the moment, the ISD is locked in my desk drawer, haunting me. I need to know what au want me to do here, L’haiy. Do au wish me to keep it until au’s return or should I turn it over to the Enarrain for safe keeping. Fhaen, I need to know what do au want me to do? ” Longer pause, as if this was meant to be the end, but then…. “I’ll hold on to it for a while, but if I do na hear from au soon, I will have to turn it over to him. I don’t think I have the luxury na to. Although I might just throw it at his head in an effort to deflate that ego of his. “ Sigh “I wish this dilemma was easier to solve. Why do I get myself into these messes? First the nanogene debacle. Then there’s tr’Radiak’s issues. Oh and then I let myself become paranoid over a random comment made by that new Daise’Erei’Riov. Add to it the blow up at the staff meeting and the fvadt staff drills. Now this? How did my life become so complicated?” “I’ve kept au long enough. Fhaen let me know what au wish me to do about the ISD as soon as possible. I do na expect a tirade such as this, but I will await au’s direction for as long as I can. Help me?” I’ve learned a few tidbits, but without further information I am afraid it is useless. Did that ISD hold key information pertinent to our mission? What was it that she thought the Enarrain should know? What relationship did the Khiensa have with the Daise’Maenak’s family? How did the Daise’Erei’Riov fit into this puzzle? Perhaps my compatriot will be more successful and will able to get the dishern maenak to shed some light on an advantage or two to use. Until then, or until I can search the Daise’Maenak’s office, all I can do is wait patiently.

Stormfront Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa The oncoming storm. t’Ksa could see it coming. Her little excursion on to the oira had proved to her that the front was upon them. The whole atmosphere was changing rapidly. Were she able, she’d shelter herself from the impending disaster. But the Elements had other things in mind for the maenak. Perhaps she would thank them later. Right now, she cursed them and her faith. She stared at the bio-locked drawer containing the favdt ISD. It had been taunting her silently for the past few hours, testing t’Ksa’s resolve. That imaginary little devil on her shoulder, calling her once again to become what she’d struggled so hard for years against. To let her cynicism and suspicious nature take root again. In other words, trying to convince her to read someone else’s personal property. If only her will power could remain this strong when confronted with a Mhiessan lace cookie. It took a while before she had the presence of mind to figure out what to do. The correspondence she sent was nothing but a hastily scribbled note. A request for direction. Na very eloquent, certainly na very well thought out and probably contained several spelling errors as well. Na her best work. But it did na have to be as she did na expect much of a response in turn. Most likely a request to hold the fvadt thing until the owner reclaimed the item. That would help to alleviate her worry that her will-power would na be strong enough. She could follow an order easily enough. Very easily enough. This is what I get for being the ship’s confidant. Ksa rolled her eyes to the etrehh, hoping to find something there to distract her from the burden she carried. Or maybe she should search for a way to minimize the damage of the impending disaster. Oh fire....

This little quiz had me humming the Indiana Jones theme all afternoon....

M_K_tKsa -> ::sits down at her desk, staring at the ISD, frowning:: <w>I have a bad feeling about this. t'Rexan> Uttered at least once in every Star Wars movie! I knew someone would spot my Star Wars quote in the middle of a Star Trek sim ;)

In Knots, Part 2 Daise’Maenak t’Ksa & Kheinsa tr’Aieme This is na where I wish to be. Why does she have to torture me so? While he had not expected her to rush into his arms upon his arrival, he had expected an expression of some measure of contentment that he’d arrived safely. Instead, what he was greeted with was an expression of stern unforgiving authority that would make any Klingon turn tail and run. Maec tr’Aieme stepped off the transporter pad, na only was he aboard a vessel that could at any moment make him sick, he was entering a hostile territory by the looks of t’Ksa face. Elements, he did na wish to be here. “Jolan tru, maenak.” He smiled slightly, bowing his head first to her, then to the transporter operator who clearly sensed the tension. “Kheinsa.” She nodded sharply, her voice as sharp, then waved to him to follow her as she turned on her heels and stomped out of the room without so much as a glance back to see if he was following her. He’d have stepped back up on to the pad and left, had the room operator na shook his head at Maec’s attempt to backtrack. He sighed and trudged behind her, watching that same agonizing plait of hair swing back and forth across her back. The last visit to Talon left the Khiensa with mixed memories. He’d enjoyed the time he’d spent talking with t’Ksa, the tour and introductions. Just as he was becoming comfortable with the starship, his body betrayed him. She had rescued him from making a public spectacle by escorting him into her office where he promptly revisited his morning meal in a trash receptacle. She did na chide him for his space sickness, instead she seemed to sympathize with him, explaining that some were just more sensitive to space than others. The re of them talked non-stop for hours while they waited for him to recover his strength – which he’d enjoyed enough to forget to tell her when he was feeling better. It was at her request that he was there. She wanted to talk, she stated, but refused to neither leave the ship, nor speak of it over the comm. Stubborn and uncooperative. She was so adamant about the conditions in which they must meet, that it bordered on issuing an ultimatum. Unfortunately, the embarrassment of being sick still lingered on. If only he wasn’t so apprehensive about his sensitivity to space travel, he’d be more willing to visit. Being forced into it was na help whatsoever, nor did it make him inclined to be civil to her. For while na threat to house agreement was verbally implied, the Kheinsa imagined he would be found wanting if he did na respond to the request. He did na wish to be here. He waited until the two of them entered the empty lift before addressing her rude behavior. “A simple Jolan tru would have been nice, maenak.” “What did the Galae Medical staff give au before au’s arrival?” Morgana turned to face him, scrutinizing his face. “Xanenza,” He answered sourly, as she still had na recognized her rude behavior. “They would na give me gravat because they did na see my case as severe.” “Verruls,” Morgana fished a hypospray out of her tunic pocket. He fully expected her to jab the blasted thing at his skin and stab the medication through his veins. Surprising, she was quite gentle, pushing his earlobe out of the way and carefully placing the hypospray against the vein. It was over and done with before he even knew it had happened. It was the first clue that perhaps whatever was bothering the maenak he was na the cause. That and the curses she muttered about the questionable origins of the Galae medical officers who had treated him before he’s arrival. “Come,” she ordered as the lift doors opened, before escorting him down a corridor he had na seen before. He stayed in step with her this time, keeping pace with her brisk steps as they turned corners and dodged repair crews. She halted at a door, tapped into the door panel a code, then stepped through the doors as soon as they made a large enough opening. Maec followed apprehensively, na sure where she’d dragged him to. It would be just his luck to have marched willingly into another torture chamber on this blasted ship. She ordered the etrehh to increase the amount of ambient lighting, and requested music to played, a popular dance anthem that obviously did nothing to calm the maenak’s nerves. A quick scan of the room alleviated his fears as he realized they had entered someone’s private chambers. What he first noticed was that the room was sparsely decorated, minimalism for the Galae officer, with very few personal touches. He noted that t’Ksa office seemed to have more personality than this room, which made sense considering the amount of time she spent there. This seemed to a place to exist, while the Daise’Maenak’s office was where she lived. Maec turned to t’Ksa to comment on just that thought only to find her pacing agitatedly, her fingers laced between the plaits of hair at her scalp. “What’s wrong?” She sighed, stopping her pacing. Maec could see the wheels of her mind turning rapidly as she tried to formulate an answer to a simple question. Her agitation increased, her hands balling into fists in her hair as she struggled. To prod her along, he asked her again. “What’s wrong?” Instead of answering, Morgana t’Ksa closed the gap between them and pulled him into a tight embrace. With her face buried in his neck, her body pressed tightly against his, Maec felt those same hands which had fisted into her hair now gather the cloth of his uniform in much the same manner. This was na woman just annoyed, agitated or angry. This woman was scared. The kheinsa returned the embrace, feeling his fingers tighten with the soft brush of her braid against his skin. They stood that way for a long time until t’Ksa initiated pulling away. She slid her hands up his back and shoulders to cup his face gently between her palms. Their foreheads pressed together, breathing in slowly. Maec could not help but ask again, “Khera, what’s wrong? Fhaen, talk to me,” only to be rejected an answer yet again as she shook her head slowly, then leaned up and kissed him, searching for comfort that had na words. She was na asleep, who did she think she was fooling? Maec watched Morgana as she lay on her stomach beside him, hugging a pillow. He picked up io of the silky strains of hair and tickled her bare back with it. Morgana opened her eyes and flashed a mischievous smile. His stomach knotted up when he saw her lips curl like that, he’d na realized how much he’d missed it. “Now will au tell me what is wrong?” “I thought I had au sufficiently distracted from that,” she smirked. “I’m na that easily distracted,” he smiled as he watched her languidly roll onto her side to face him. It was her snickering giggle that finally broke his revere and made him realize he’d drifted off his intended train of thought onto more interesting concepts. “Au proved au point. I can be easily distracted.” He pulled the bedsheets up to cover na just their lower bodies, but her upper body as well. “But so can au.” Maec wanted her to issue a challenge for her to prove it. Elements be damned he wanted to prove it to her again. But instead, she just giggled and snuggled in closer to him so that once again just their foreheads touched. “Khera, fhaen.” He whispered, pleading. Morgana was hesitating again. She said nothing, instead reached for his hand, studying it for a moment, before interlacing their fingers together in an embrace. Her thumb drew small circles, caressing the thumb of his hand. She nuzzled his nose as if looking to entice him into a kiss. Still she said nothing. Just at the moment Maec felt he was going to have to break away and demand an answer, she spoke in soft whispered tones. What he expected was the sweet nothings of lovers persuasion, what he got was the tale of troubles that frightened his mate. When she was done, she whispered that she’d told him everything she knew so far. What she told him, alarmed him immediately. When he tried to pull away so that he could pace the room and digest what shared with him, it was those clasped hands that Morgana immediately tightened to keep him from leaving her or her bed. “What do we...does au cre--…are au sure that’s wha--…what about…elements…” Maec was at a loss for words, na sure where to start to formulate a plan. She stopped his stammering by kissing him until he relaxed once more. “The Daise’Dheno is investigating. Those on this ship who need to know have been informed.” She whispered again, her forehead once again pressed to his. “I will na leave this ship unless I am escorted by another crew member or with others,” She sighed softly. “What about…?” She stared into his eyes, unlacing their fingers and pulling her hand away so she could rest it on his cheek. Somehow he knew then what she wanted him to do. tr’Rylov would need to be contacted, but na by the Daise’Maenak. If she was being watched as she suspected, then she could na alert the Galae agent herself without alerting those watching her that she suspected this. It explained why she was so insistent on seeing him. And why two of them whispered their conversation and the music played on to drown out them out. He mouthed Aerv’s name for confirmation of his theory of what she wanted him to do, and she nodded, adding ‘my family, too’ silently. He nodded, but spoke louder with his next question. “We really need to talk about how au summon me here, Morgana. Au were rather….rude.” And while he did na really feel it, he tried to sound as if he was teasing her. “I got au here, didn’t I?” Morgana taunted, then mouthed ‘sorry’ to him. He could see the remorse in her eyes. t'Ksa had na meant to hurt him. “I think au should make it up to me. Au hurt my feelings.” He sounded like he was pouting, but he was caressing her face gently to convey his feelings to her. “What exactly do au have in mind.” She smirked, that devilish glint once again in her eyes. “Oh, let me show au,” He smiled mischievously. It would only be a short period of time before they would both have to return to their respective duty stations, she on Talon and he back on ch’Rihan. But to leave her again, suppressing her fears like this, was tying him up in knots. So much so that he had na yet realized that he’d na had io symptom of space sickness since he’d arrived. Elements he wished he didn’t have to go. But he was going to make the most of the time he had left.

Personnel and Personal Changes (In 10 Suiren or Less) Khre'Riov t'Rexan & Daise'Maenak t'Ksa t'Rexan turned after watching Kavek re-enter N'Dak's office and the door closing, she didn't have a really good feeling about that, and really hoped that N'Dak would not throw the new promotion into Kavek's face either. Var'lon had not been too enthusiastic about her planning to do so, and she had warmed Kavek as well, but from a negotiations standpoint, she needed someone with an Enarrain's rank at the center. Worse yet, she knew it should be her. The ship's new systems had yet to be tested and this could turn into a very ugly situation on the planet, or if the Klin'hannsu were somehow involved in this..... She shook her head and turned to head down towards the lift, as she needed to go talk to the Daise Maenak. She was uncertain how she would take the news that she had been passed over for the position. She deserved it, Elements she did, and the ceremony just the other day proved it, but L'haiy also knew she was more comfortable in the medical bay. If this turned into something ugly, she would be needed there. Entering the lift, she indicated her deck as the doors closed and momentarily, they reopened, revealing the familiar path towards where the maenak's dwelled. It was na one of her favorite places on the ship to be certain. The last time she had seen Morgana, the woman had looked half ill, and had threatened to have left her in stasis next time for the events of the surprise ceremony. Though, L'haiy had enjoyed speaking with her parents. Much more so than her visit to t'Temarr's home, these were honest well rounded people, very proud of their daughter’s accomplishments. However, Morgana had na been kidding about her rinam's and being a bit on the nosey side. Shaking her head, she decided she had best do this h'nah and get it over with. The woman was either angry with her or na. She stepped through the doors which opened for her and looked around for t'Ksa. t'Culli, returning to her station at the door after performing some duties for the Daise’Maenak as she cared for tr’Radaik, spied the Khre'Riov's entrance into medical. "Jolan tru, Nodding an acknowledgement to the nurse, t’Rexan addressed her, "Jolan tru Dishern t'Culli. Would the Daise Maenak fahd or available?" t'Culli nodded in the direction she left the daise'maenak. "She's in the dispensary. Shall I get her for au?" "Fhaen, but only if she has time to see me. If she is busy, I can schedule another time to speak with her." t'Culli nodded, disappearing from view. After a moment or two, both t'Culli and t'Ksa returned. "Make sure he gets io dose now. And let the two of them know I'll be back in a few suiren." Morgana nodded to t'Culli, who headed back towards the private suites. "t'Rexan," Morgana smiled and nodded. "Come, let's go to my office, ie?" Nodding in return to the Daise Maenak, she turned and followed her to the office, not quite sure how to take that greeting. Normally she would get either her rank, or lhhei from her in public, but na just ‘t'Rexan’. She noted to herself to proceed with caution here. t’Ksa waited for the door to close, and then folded her arms across her chest in a defensive posture, waiting for the next ‘surprise’ t’Rexan would throw her way. "To what do I owe this honor? Are au feeling well?" “Ie, I find myself well. I have come to speak with au on some urgent ships business however," L’haiy was not really sure how to take the Maenak's stance or tone of voice. Having to guess, she was either still unhappy with L’haiy over the ceremony or for speaking to tr'Aieme if he had mentioned any of their conversation to t’Ksa, or both. Relaxing a bit, t’Ksa moved to her desk chair, motioning to the chair across way for t'Rexan. "Menkha. I was afraid au were coming in to tell me someone tried to y'ya au again." Seeing Morgana moving to sit, she herself moved to the chair that was offered and sat as well, "I could only think of about half a dozen who might like to at this time, but only really one that I was a bit worried about coming down here." "Someone in my department?" Frowning, Morgana sat forward. She was going through a mental checklist of all her staff and which ones who'd be shady enough to carry out such an attempt. No io was coming to mind, which was alarming in itself. Crossing her arms as well, t’Rexan slowly motioned towards Morgana with her finger and a wry grin. "Me? What do au mean, me?" "Ah, so au are na longer angry with me over the festivities? Menkha. I had wagered with au parents au would na speak to me for weeks." "Oh, ‘that’. I was na happy I was ambushed by the lot of au." Scowling at t'Rexan, "But I can hardly be angry at au for that. For trying to meddle in my jol life on the other hand...." She let the sentence trail off, giving her the look she favored with misbehaving patients. L'haiy broke into a big grin, "Now, now...au needed Maec at that ceremony. I think au would have passed out had au not had someone to focus upon." t’Rexan stopped short of continuing just yet, unsure of how much of t’Rexan other conversation had been shared, but assuming all of it from the look she had just earned. Leaning back, t'Rexan actually looked pretty pleased with herself. Taking a deep sigh, "What in the Elements am I going to do with au?" She leaned back in her chair. "Au are worse than Lannisal. At least she does na have such a one track mind." "Well, that is partially why I am fahd. I wanted to let au know, that au will be getting a reprieve from na only me, but my 'meddling'. I will be leaving the Talon for some time, and have just notified N'Dak that shortly he will be named acting Enarrain of this vessel. Well, actually I just promoted him to Enarrain as well, but I do plan to one day return." “It is this however that brings me to speak with au. I know that au are the Talon's second officer, and in this instance, should be move up to take the position of First Officer of this vessel for the length of this mission, however; in light that we're expecting to possibly need au more hrrau medical, tr'Vatrix and I thought it better to bring on another First Officer, and allow au to remain as 2XO and hrrau medical. This by all means does na reflect upon au abilities. The awards au were just given show just that, and I would trust au to always take on this responsibility, but there are other issues at hand as well. I wanted to inform au of this decision before we notified the crew of the personnel changes. Au do have the right to file a protest with Galae should au feel the need.” "Wait, au are leaving the ship?" "I am," t’Rexan passed over an ISD with which she had pulled up the information on the new First Officer. "The new First Officer will be coming down to meet with au as well shortly, once he has finished speaking with N'Dak. I will warn au, don't let them use au to play sides. They are old rivals, from houses that are even larger and older rivals. I've warned them both that they 'are' to work it out, end of story." She pushed the ISD across to her with Daise'Erei'Riov Kavek tr'Valdrin, bio on it, still avoiding answering t'Ksa 's question further. “I'm sure if au have na heard of him, au have of his father, Deihu Chavek tr'Valdrin, io of the most powerful men hrrau the government. He has the Fvillah’s ear and is a strong supporter of Galae." "And how confident are au that this new io can handle the job?" She asked, skimming the bio for a moment. Her eyebrows rose when she saw the holopic ID. "tr'Vatrix himself assigned him, that tells me enough." "As au wish, rekkhai." She nodded, setting the ISD down on her desk. "How long can we expect this arrangement to be in place?" Just as quickly as she had put that grin on, it faded, "Unknown, but it will be for at least the length of au upcoming mission." "What's wrong?" Morgana raised a brow. "Nothing, I had just thought I'd be back from my personal business before the ship was assigned a mission. I had assumed it would go through a period of testing first, but there is an urgent matter taking place along the neutral zone, and Talon's being dispatched. Testing will have to take place on the way to Dumok'azen." Having a hard time taking the whole story in, Morgana decided to review what she thought she’d heard so far, "Let me recap here. Au are going to leave the ship, temporarily hopefully. Au promoted N'Dak to Enarrain and have assigned him mission Enarrain. Au are skipping me and appointing a First Officer from outsider our ranks. Ie?" She paused, and if t’Rexan was wondering how the Daise’Maenak would react, now was the time."I do na know if I should badger au about au's personal business like au do me. Or hug au for na making me XO." She held up a hand. "Not that I would na be honored if au did, and I would na mind helping N'Dak but I have my hands full here at the moment." She sat back, rested her elbows on the arms of the chair, steeled her fingers together, and tapped them to her pursed lips a moment before continuing, "As for my leaving the ship, I had told au hrrau the park the other day, when au disapproved of the union. I believe if it were solely up to him, I would na be returning to the ship at all, but he's given me that choice. Well, before this mission suddenly came up that is. We will be off celebrating our So'Rdaz and he felt the crew could handle this minor incident and allow us some time off together." t’Rexan stared right at Morgana, "And ie, I spoke with au tr'Aieme just the other day about doing the right thing and pinning au down as well. He's put au off for much too long. Everyone at the celebration, save for au family that knew otherwise, everyone thought that the two of au were already bonded. It's a natural fit, everyone sees it." Morgana opened her mouth to make a remark, and then shut it again. Giving herself a few seconds to think better of her response she tried again. "It is na that I do na approve, L'haiy. It was that it was sudden and I wanted to make sure au had fully thought about it. If au are happy, then I am happy for au." t’Ksa quite deliberately na speaking of t’Rexan’s other meddling nature. Morgana had always kept her jol life very quiet in light of what had happened in the past to other suitors, she was na inclined to break that silence at the moment. "You were going to say something else there, that was na your first thought. What were you going to say Morgana? I'm na so sure au are as happy for me as au say." "That I'm sorry if I gave au that impression. I did na mean to offend au." She paused, making a face, deciding to be truthful. "That and....trying to figure out a tactful way to tell au to butt out of my jol life." "Na so much offended, but perhaps a little hurt, that the only person I could share my new happiness with, disapproved of it. As for au and Maec, I've said all that I could say to both of au on that point, if au both do na see it, then there is na I can do to help the two of au. " "How many times do I need to tell au I do na disapprove, only that I was worried it was a bit sudden. Elements woman." Being slightly on the dramatic side due to lack of sleep, she laid her head on her desk. "By fire, what would make au happy?" She looked up again. "Tell me what's got au so stressed down here for a start. N'Dak had mentioned something was amiss with one of your dishern. And," her face suddenly became a bit dark and angry remembering Laehval's mother, "We need to discuss the matter of a certain engineer, which I want au to look in on, before the ship is ready to leave on this mission." “It's tr'Radiak." She frowned. "While on shoreleave, he may have engaged in some highly questionable activities. He was found the other day under the influence of a highly addictive and rather expensive designer drug - defloxso. Ever heard of it?" "I've seen reports of it in briefings, popular with those with the latinum to pay for it, and not caring what it does to their minds. We do na need that here, have him transferred off the ship immediately and requisition auself new medical staff before we go. With au commendations, right now au can pretty much get whatever au wish from Galae Medical." "I....I want to keep him here, L'haiy and see if can help him. Galae Medical will na treat him so much as disabuse him for one incident. It will ruin his career. And..." she shook her head. "...there is something about this that seems wrong. It is out of his character and his story...I do na know. There are inconsistencies, ie, but..." she stood, pacing a bit, truly troubled by the incident. "I've come to learn to trust your intuition, well, with the one exception we were discussing a moment ago, I can tell au that au are wrong on that count, but if au wish to look further into it, then so be it. But au will have to also persuade the new first officer. He may have none of it. tr’Radiak is your officer, he's your problem. With regards to our other problem with a certain engineer, that incident, has taught me about jumping to conclusions. If au need me to write orders for au to be the only one making decisions on this one's treatment, I can do that for au now." She picks up her ISD, and quickly starting to tap out the orders. “I can handle it, t'Rexan. But hann'yyo for the offer." t’Rexan paused, "Au are sure?" "Ie," She nodded. "He's my officer. My problem. And I will defend it on my own. Or he'll find the business end of io of my rusty scalpels." She smirked. Shrugging, she tossed the ISD back on the desk, "If that is what au want. As for the other matter I do na know how much tr'N'dak or tr'Aieme has told au about Laehval, but it is na menkha at all. She will have a long hard road back, partially as it seems she has na will to live at the moment, and she lost much blood before she was found. Sound familiar? However, she will na have the benefit of nanogenes to help her with her recovery. I’ve just sent au all the pertinent files on her as well, fhaen brief yourself on them. Should she recover physically, she will have a long way adjusting mentally as well. I've come to understand her now, and know that my previous approach to her was,” Pausing a siuren, “flawed, for lack of a better term. However after dealing with the miserable excuse she has for a family, I'm seeing to her recovery myself. Should she show improvement and stabilizes, I am having her moved to a better facility, but on ch'Havran, where she can get some quiet rest away from prying eyes.” "tr’Aieme has told me nothing. N'Dak just gave me a brief statement. He said we were keeping this quiet, so I have said nothing to the others. I assume au have a maenak or re in mind to help?" "It's been quietly arranged for at Galae, and I've asked tr'Aieme to be involved as well." "I wish au menkha luck. It sounds like au have a lot on au's plate with her." "I still would like au to look in on her before the ship departs hrrau a few days. I would consider it a personal favor." "As au wish," she nodded formally. t'Rexan looked across at t'Ksa, noting her cool reaction and somewhat surprised, she had thought the two of them had been fairly close friends at one point, and wondered what had happened between the two of them. "Do we know when we're to depart?" She paused. "And when will au be making these announcements with the crew." "All I know is 'shortly', Var'lon kept telling me he was planning on surprising me, but with the urgency of the mission, I'd say in the next few days, as soon as we get the rest of the supplies aboard and the preliminary testing of the new systems. I believe he intends on making the announcements here aboard the Talon, to prevent others groundside from trying to 'dissuade' us of our plans. He felt we could trust the crew to support us. Then again, anyone na, may find themselves inspecting the open side of an airlock." "As for my personal matter, we've already prepared and exchanged our paperwork, and they only need to be signed in front of the right officials.” "Congratulations." She smiled. t’Ksa was choosing her words carefully now, na wanting to give t’Rexan the wrong impression. L'haiy only nodded solemnly at t'Ksa, still na convinced that she meant what she said, "As my family will be unable to attend, I had wondered if I could ask au to stand with me, but perhaps we should just forgo that part of the ceremony. I do na wish to bother au." "L'haiy, I'd be happy to, if au wish me there." "I have io other small request of au as well Morgana, something very personal, if I may?" "What is it?" She tilted her head. She reached over and picked up the ISD again, keyed up a request that she was going to send to the maenak, and passed it across the desk to her. "Just would like to take some precaution, as those nanogenes seemed to refresh the rest of me, I'm a bit worried about this as well,” blushing a dark shade of green. "Oh that would be just what we needed, wouldn't it?" She laughed softly. "Come on, let's do a quick scan, then we'll get that taken care of, ie?" Sighing in relief, "Hann'yyo, I appreciate au discretion. It's something I've na had to worry about the last 40 years and well, it seems I've been trying to make up for those 40 years in just the last few weeks alone.” She stood and followed Morgana out to one of the small examination rooms which was a bit more private than the Daise Maenak’s office.

Talon is going from the frying pan, into the fire. Oh my. Nicely written guys.

((The following is more for my amusement as I play with my characters. It really doesn't do much to further any plots, except to keep t'Ksa from y'ya in fvai who gave Kelton his drugs....yet :D)) In Knots, Part 1 Maenak Morgana t'Ksa & Kheinsa Maec tr'Aieme There was that long russet plait again. That austere cord bound by a simple engraved clasp that had vexed him all through the Phi’lasasam. Densely woven strands draping in a thick straight rope down past the nap of the neck to the center of the spine. The tail ends not captured by the clasped curling just so, defying the order imposed by the braid above. Now, as was back then, his fingers itched to unbind those tight knots one by one until he set the strands free, silk, wavy, cool… And this was usually the point where he’d get himself into trouble in the past as his imagination would instigate action and he’d tug on that braid to get t’Ksa’s attention in class. If instructor wouldn’t catch him, t’Ksa would flick her writing stylus against his hand in such a way that it left a bruise that wouldn’t fade for a week. Today, he wisely stayed at the door, watching the Daise’Maenak so engrossed in her work that she was na aware of his presence until he cleared his throat. “Just set it over there, Aife,” She flicked her wrist in the vague direction of her desk, not bothering to turn from the etrehh console to see who had disturbed her. This brought a broad smile to Maec’s face, “Au’s mother is blaming me for au’s hasty departure, Khera. She claims au are hiding from au’s family after the public spectacle yesterday. I’m beginning to think she’s right.” He watched as Morgana’s whole body jerked, jumping up as she recognized his voice, her fingers skittering over the sensor pad. “How did au get here?” She asked bluntly. “Transporter.” Maec answered simply, smirking. Obviously na the answer t’Ksa wished to hear, she narrowed her eyes in an expression that clearly spoke volumes about her mood. He smiled, trying to soften that edge with his voice. “Let’s just say I have friends in high places, ie?” “Is that a polite way of saying a pushy meddling Khre’Riov gave au clearance to be on the ship?” “Ie.” “Favdt.” She sighed heavily. “That was na exactly the reaction I was hoping for.” Maec raised his brows. He’d hoped she’d be happy about his visit. Perhaps he should push for finalization of the agreement, if just to-- His thought derailed as she crossed the room, wrapped her arms around him and embraced him. “I’m sorry, it’s na au,” He could feel tension until the moment she changed positions so she could rest her head on his shoulder. He hoped to linger like this, his cheek pressed against the top of her head. “I am just……” She sighed again as he rubbed her back. “Never mind….I’m surprised to see au here.” Regretfully, she leaned away. Luckily the smile on her face more than made up for it. “I thought au prone to space sickness? Have au been teasing me?” She thwaped his shoulder lightly. Maec shrugged, “Na, just good luck. The ship is docked and my good friends at Galae Medical have good medications.” He was immediately puzzled by her reaction to his statement. She tensed again, and while the smile did na fade from her face, the light did leave her eyes. What was that all about? “It is nice to see au here,” She pulled completely away, motioning to the door. “Would au like a tour?” “Ie, I’d like that.” “Well, then, follow me.” She led him out into main medical, pointing out each individual station. They made the circuit of the other stations with in medical: surgery, recovery, dispensary, therapy, triage, etc. etc. She made a vague motion towards a hallway where the private and isolation suites were before heading down yet another corridor of smaller office suites. The first io holding an electrical chair contraption. “Now this has been here longer than I have. It’s in excellent working condition as well.” Maec examined the antiquated interrogation device, finding a bit of dried blood on the back. Machines like had long since fallen out of fashion with the new maenakenn who favored other less barbaric, less messy and less bulky means to accomplish their goals. In Maec’s assessment, this also seemed a bit too twisted to be in t’Ksa’s nature. Yet, here they stood next to a working torture device. Maybe he was wrong? “Have au used it?” Maec glanced from the chair to the maenak standing by his side. “Ie.” Morgana answered, smirking. Just as Maec opened his mouth to protest the use of such a device, he caught t’Ksa’s slight hand signal, asking him to wait for a moment. Then he heard the foot steps and saw out of the corner of his eye io of t’Ksa’s staff members slink past the door. The satisfied smirk faded into a mischievous grin as she held a finger to her mouth as a signal to remain quiet, then motioned to him to crouch down behind the chair with her. This time, her voice was soft whisper as she shared her secret. “Ie, but na in the traditional sense.” She reached under the frame of the chair, then pulled out a small electrical box. Upon opening it, she continued to explain. “It has been it modified, see?” She showed him the circuit box and the safety measures engaged. “Io would have to re-engage the circuitry manually here before the chair could function again. This here and here control the voltage equipment, au have to know which switch and wires to connect to deliver any shocks. Aside from myself, only T’Neya and tr’Rike know about the safety device. Everyio else thinks it’s a working chair.” She closed the box again. As she reached back up under the frame, she continued her whispered explanation. “I use it more as a veiled threat to those who intend to take of residence in medical for minor ailments. Or misbehaving disherns. The crew has been told that consequences for either offense may be a trip to the ‘chair’. Combined with the occasional false rumor that it’s been used recently, it works brilliantly as a deterrent. Of course I’ll have to start the fear factor all over again with replacement crew members for the next tour,” Morgana grinned wider, a mischievous glint in her eyes. It was then he realized that this device was the maenak’s idea of a practical joke on her crew. Was there something wrong with him if he found it amusing as well? “And how do you au do circulate those rumors?” She stood up, speaking much louder now. “Oh I have a dishern Engineer who maintains it for me.” She winked as she jerked her head back towards the door to indicate he should follow her. Outside, he could see io of her nurses milling about as she led him through more of the office space. “What’s this io?” He looked into the door way of a room in the process of being repaired. “It is supposed to be a kheinsa’s office, but we usually end up using it for storage instead.” “Oh?” “We haven’t had a ship’s kheinsa for eons.” Maec followed t’Ksa, casting one last glance at the room before turning to her. Now that was interesting. “Is that the Khre’Riov’s doing or au’s?” He asked innocently. “More like Galae Medical.” She paused at the intersection of corridors between the private suites, main medical and office space. “I have been requesting io for years. But there are far less in au’s profession than there are of mine in the Galae. I often have to fulfill both roles as best I can. Although my results are na as…” she paused, her eyes drifting towards the private suites, she frowned. “…well, let’s just say I must engage in perpetual on the job training, ie?” “What’s wrong?” He brushed his hand against her arm to focus on him and not the corridor. “A patient.” She shook her head, and then began to lead him back to her office near the center of main medical. “He said some troubling things. I’m just trying to make sense of the situation.” “Do au want me to talk with him?” “Na, he’s sedated right now. He wouldn’t make much sense even if au did speak to him now,” She tried to smile, but it was na reflected in her eyes. What was she hiding? “I will let au know if I need assistance if necessary.” “Are au sure?” “Ie, ie.” She turned towards her office only to see two of her staff members heading in their direction. “If au will excuse me just io moment. Just stay right here.” She indicated her office. Once he nodded his agreement, she went to intercept the nurse and maenak. While Morgana concentrated on consulting with the staff members, Maec stood at the doorway to her office trying na to concentrate on that favdt braid of hers. That, combined with thoughts of flirting during inappropriate situations vexed him. It had na been this bad in the Phi’lasasam. Then he’d wanted to just untangle that hair. Now he wanted to untangle more. Fixate on something else, Rulon. His eyes leisurely skimmed from the bottom of her braid downward to her hip. Favdt. Not helping. He turned look away. It was then he felt a heavy tremble and heard a deep rumble through the bulkhead and floor decking. A generator or machinery of some sort? Repair work nearby? The other three medical staff members did na flinch, so either they did na notice or they were accustomed to the vibrations. When throbbing sensation intensified, so did Maec’s nausea. Suddenly he had more to worry about than controlling his fingers.

Her List Daise’Maenak t’Ksa &Head Nurse t’Mercu Aife t’Mercu diligently watched the wall chrono for dev suiren after Daise’Erei’Riov N’Dak departed medical before attempting to access the Daise’Maenak’s office. NDak had na looked pleased when he departed, so t’Mercu assumed the same was true for t’Ksa. The nurse felt it was better to let the Daise’Maenak collect herself first before being accosted by io of the staff. She entered the Daise’s office, the woman did na bother to turn away from her etrehh console to see who it was. “Aife, I have a list.” “A list?” “Ie, a list.” She turned, disconnecting the ISD from her main etrehh console. “Here,” she handed the device to her. “I want au to recall the following personnel. Etre tr’Radiak is na to be left alone in medical without supervision. I have set up a schedule that will allow each of us to have at least some measure of leave for the duration of Talon’s repair cycle. Regardless of their shift assignment, I want all staff present and accounted for in io hour for debriefing.” Morgana stood, tugging her tunic down. “You’ll find t’Culli on the list of personnel. Before she returns, have her pick up a stock of medrisi from the Galae dispensary. It should help with the physical withdrawal symptoms of our patient.” “t’Culli?” Aife winced. She did na particularly like the older nurse. “Ie, I trust her,” t’Ksa leveled a look at t’Mercu that clearly told Aife that while t’Culli was trusted, she was na. It took a great deal of self control na to scowl back. “After the briefing, we will have tr’Radiak moved to io of the private suites and set up a containment field until I’m satisfied he will na harm himself or others. Hospital gown with pants, fhaen. This humiliating incident is bad enough, we do na need to damage his dignity any further.” “Maenak, why do we na just send him to Galae Medical for treatment. This is a lot of trouble for io person.” “If au were in his position, would au like me to ship au back to Galae Medical?” “Well na…” t’Ksa seemed to be losing her patience, “The same applies here. We will deal with the situation here. If it escalates, then I will reevaluate and make the determination on what is best for Etre tr’Radiak. Do au understand?” “Ie, maenak.” Aife sighed her compliance. “Menkha. Now go check on the verrul.” t’Ksa ushered the head nurse out of her office before returning to her etrehh console once more. t’Mercu pouted as she stomped back towards Kelton’s room. In Aife’s opinion the dha'rudh deserved to stripped down naked and dropped in the middle of the public market for the embarrassment he’d caused Talon. And here she thought he’d be full of promise and an possible ally. So what does he do on his first shoreleave after receiving his maenak position? He imbibes in illegal drugs. She shouldn’t have wasted her time then, nor now. Why did t’Ksa bother with this trash? When she entered the room, she felt something was amiss. Kelton seemed too………..happy and content. Then she spied the hypospray laying on the tray near his biobed. Picking it up, she pulled the canister out and read the label: Defloxo. Fvadt. How did this get here? Who’d given the dha’rudh the dosage? And exactly how was she going to explain this to the Daise’Maenak without being y’ya’d for being the messenger? If t'Ksa was in a bad mood now, Aife could only imagine what this news would do. Fvadt! She turned on her heels and stomped back to the Daise'Maenak. If the fvai survived this mess, she was going to y’ya him. He was now on her list. Fvadt, fvadt, fvadt!

Conversation Behind Closed Doors DaiseErei'Riovs N'Dak & t'Ksa “The oira reported that a t'Liss was acting up and she took an armed guard down to go look for it? And didn't bother to tell any of this to me?” “I do na know. Au would have to ask her.” N’Dak and t’Ksa continued their conversation in Daise’Maenak’s office. Both of officers were clearly agitated over the present situation, albeit it for two completely different reasons. While Morgana continued to wear a hole in the floor decking with her uneasy pacing, Destorie shook his head and frowned, “Io of these days I will train that woman to proper procedures. Io of these days.” Morgana opened her mouth to comment on that, but at the last moment she thought better of it. Aggravating the Daise’Erei’Riov with snide remarks was not going to solve this newest dilemma. “I apologize rekkhai, but this....this...this...has me more than a bit anxious. This is na like my dishern. Or at least what I know of him.” She paused her pacing. “Perhaps I am na the best judge of character considering the last io I had. But still.” She frowned again. t’Ksa generally did na form judgments against crew members until they did something to warrant negative attention. Even then she usually gave them the benefit of the doubt. Usually. He softened and waved a hand, “Na. I trust au instincts and whatever au decide as his physician and daise I will au support.” “He keeps saying ‘they’ did this to him. And that someone questioned him about the nanogenes.” She frowned. N’Dak lifted an eyebrow, “Perhaps he is confused, na? I have heard the drug can cause well... au know its effects better than me.” t’Ksa hesitated, “True. And we were questioned as a team before being granted leave.” Morgana sat on the edge of her desk, chewing on her thumbnail as she contemplated both the influence the drug had on tr’Radaik’s mind and her own obvious overreaction to what was most likely a hallucination, “By fire this is a mess.” He frowned “I will have to speak with t'Aehjae and get the facts from her, but until such time we are going to do this by the numbers. He was on leave, was he na?” “Ie” She nodded. “Then what he does on his own time is his business. I am not going to start monitoring what quii of au do rhae au time off. I will let au deal with the specific medical ramifications and as his daise au will also be responsible for any professional issues that arise.” “He has na disciplinary actions logged against him, his conduct and work performance has been exemplary until this incident. As long as I find na other evidence of deceit or substance abuse while on duty, then I would like him to remain on the ship. My staff will work with him on detoxifying his shoreleave adventure.” She raised a brow, hoping this would be acceptable. She did na want to destroy the young maenak’s career for a shoreleave indiscretion. Elements, she prayed this was only an isolated incident. “As au wish.” “Hann'yyo. I appreciate the leeway au are giving me. And for getting the verrul's attention there.” t’Ksa felt a bit calmer, although she still had some niggling doubts eating away at her resolve. “Is there anything else au need from me? I know au will wish to have more information from tr'Radiak but that might have to wait until the drug has left his system. But if there is anything further au need?” “I do na believe so.” He smiled and put a hand on her shoulder, “I trust au, t'Ksa.” Morgana gave him a dubious look, “Maybe I need to work on my Maenak Evil persona some more. All this trust is a heavy burden.” Her doubtful expression faded into a smile, sounding quite sincere as she responded to his kindness, “Hann'yyo rekkhai.” He smiled again, “You have always shown me great kindness Morgana, it has na been lost on me.” “Now au are pushing it.” She teased, but did blush at the complement. It took some self control na to look pleased. She started back towards her desk chair, but then paused for a moment as another thought occurred to her. “Io other thing while au are here. Galae Medical has requested t'Temarr's medical file. My nurse has forwarded it down, but I have na yet had a chance to find out what is going on.” She motioned to the other room. “As I currently have my hands full with Etre Verrul out there.” He frowned, “I just got back from her hospital room. She is stable, but they do na know if she will recover.” “What happened?” “She tried to kill herself.” He answered flatly, “Apparently she was performing the ritual to regain her honor, but was found before it could be completed.” She stood frozen by her desk, na saying anything for a moment. She found her voice again, she spoke softly, “I'm na sure what to say. Does any io else know about this?” “Na. We've kept it as quiet as possible.” “ ‘We've’ “ She quoted him. “I assume that means t'Rexan is aware then.” She tiled her head, “I will follow au's lead on this io. If au wish me to keep this quiet, I will do so.” He nodded, “Ie. t'Rexan has been fully briefed.” “As if au do na all ready have au's hands full, now au have me and my department's drama.” She flashed a wry smile. “Keep me posted on t’Temarr. And I will keep au posted on tr’Radaik.” He sighed, despite himself, “I think if everything was na going to hell in the handbasket, I'd be worried.” t’Ksa barked out a laugh. “Welcome to Talon!”

Galae Command Classified Personnel File Name: Morgana Khera Jaeih t'Ksa Rank: Daise erei'Riov Post: Daise Maenak, RES Talon Race: Rihannsu Age: 46 Sex: Female Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Height: 5' 9" Distinguishing Mark: Small birthmark at the back of the neck below hair line. Place of Birth: Mhiessan, ch'Rihan. Marital Status: Bonded - Maec tr'Aieme tr'Ksa Family: Father: Ajmes tr'Ksa, Professor of Pathology (Unknown Status) Mother: Jaeih t'Ksa, Maenak (Unknown Status) Sisters: 1. Lannisal t'Ksa (Professor of Microbiology, Married to Kaol e-Lovok tr'Ksa, Department Head - Chemistry, offspring - Sindari t'Ksa) (Unknown Status) 2. Kalicia t'Ksa (Daise'Erei'Riov, Married to Erei'Riov Delon e-Tei tr'Ksa) (Unknown Status) Promotions: Promoted to Erein on 9801.31 Posted to RES Talon on 9802.2 Promoted to Ne'Arrain on 9803.12 Promoted to Arrain on 9805.21 Promoted to El'Arrain on 9809.10 Promoted to erei'Riov on 9902.25 Promoted to El'Riov on 9910.21 Promoted to Daise'erei'Riov on 0010.12 Promoted to Daise'Maenak on 0102.01 Awards: The Order of the Empire on 1011.06 The Senatorial Medal of Valor on 1011.06 The Imperial Commendation Medal on 1011.06 Personal History: Morgana was born and raised in the port city of Mhiessan on ch'Rihan. Because of Morgana's extraordinary curiosity, she displayed an interested in the sciences and a knack for getting to trouble at an early age. She would often disappear for days on end exploring the land, sea, and caves near her home to satisfy her quest for knowledge. In an effort to steer her young paenhe into an honorable and productive career, Jaeih enrolled Morgana in the Ulois School of Science. After excelling at various scientific studies, Morgana chose medicine as a way to help others and carry on the traditions of her parents of Jaeih and Ajems. At her father's urgings, Morgana completed her medical studies, attended the Phi'lasasam and joined Galae Command. Her studies included physiology, pathology, and micro-viral pathogen studies. In addition, she studied various nonmedical studies such as hand-to-hand combat, weapons, music, art and history. Since her graduation from the Phi'lasasam, Morgana has faithfully and loyally served the Empire on board the RES Talon for over six years. Psychological Profile: During her many years of service within the Galae, this maenak has slowly but surely shown a dark side to her personality complete with a sarcastic sense of humor and overall pessimistic attitude. Whether this is due to her life experiences during the tours of duty, the many crewmembers who have left (or died) during her tenure or that her personality has been warped naturally is a mystery. Although she is na known to disobey higher ranking officers, Galae Kheinsar have determined that she does na take challenges to her own authority lightly and does na trust many, if any of her crewmates. She is slow to trust others her immediate circle of family, yet those who have earned her trust do earn it for life. Her active curiosity still causes problems from time to time, as well as constant competition with her younger rinamas. At times she can seem naive and, at other times, displays a wicked sense of humor. She is known to be a hard worker and to strive to serve the Empire to the best of her abilities.

Updated 11/14/10...probably needs some tweaking, but it'll do for now :(

“A Hann’yyo gift for the quick rescue earlier,” With a flourish, Morgana t’Ksa presented the Khreinsa with one of the two plates of sweetened bread she carried. “What is this? Au get the larger piece?” Taking the plate, Maec made space on the bench for t’Ksa to join him. “They are the same size!” Morgana laughed. “But if au insist, I will exchange with au.” tr’Aieme chuckled, “Na, this is fine.” “Menkha, because I was lying when I said I’d trade.” She elbowed him gently and giggled softly. Maec watched the maenak picked at her confection instead of greedily devouring it in one bite. This was na like her in the least bit and he worried that perhaps her earlier bout of illness had returned. “Au know, I did na think au were serious earlier.” When Morgana looked up at him questioningly, he continued. “That au were feeling sick. Are au menkha now?” “I’m fine, hann’yyo,” she smiled as she remembered the near disaster. By the end of the award ceremony, Morgana was so anxious and nauseous by the public display that she thought she’d never make it away from the dias before she’d embarrassed herself. Had it na been for the Kheinsa and her father’s quick thinking, she probably would have. As it was now, both the morning and midday meal now sat at the bottom of a trash receptacle in io of the service tents. Bless the Elements, na io but three of them seemed to be aware of the episode. Once void of food stuffs, her stomach settled and she was able to solider on with the rest of the evening’s festivities. Which were actually quite pleasant. During the formal public reception, Morgana had been forced to take several holopics with her family and Galae officials, socialize with several of the Galae staff and allow her parents to display their daughter amongst their friends and associates. Tedious, but it gave her parents joy, therefore t’Ksa obligated them and took some pleasure in their pride. What Morgana took extreme pleasure in was watching Lannisal waylay L’haiy t’Rexan with something (she couldn’t quite tell what it was, but the expression on the woman’s face more than made up for the torture she’d inflicted on the Daise’Maenak). Or mildly jealous look on Maec’s face when tr’Guard, io of the Khre’Riov’s personal guards and present during the siege of medical, drew t’Ksa into a private conversation. And, the delicious shiver that the briefest brush of Maec’s hand on the small of her back caused as he escorted her through the crowd now and then. After the majority of the Galae and local officials left, the celebration carried over to a private affair at the Ksa home where nearly every obscure relative seemed to be in attendance. The evening meal was a spread of traditional provincial dishes of spiced meats, vegetable stews, rich grain breads of varying styles and local fruits, a selection of cheeses, wines from ch’Havran, and plenty local brew house ales. The amount of time it would have taken to organize such a display gave Morgana an indication of just how long everyone had been plotting against her. How in ch’Rihan had so many people kept such a large secret from her? While it had been very flattering, it had also become very wearisome to keep a smile reflected in her eyes that mirrored the io she’d plastered on her lips. Nerves frayed, she needed a break. It was by her suggestion that she and Maec were now as far away from the crowd as she could politely manage, sitting at the far end of the garden, watching the ocean water surge through the boulders to the cliffs below. The sound of guests’ chatter, silverware clinking, and music diminished with distance from the house, giving t’Ksa an opportunity to think. Breathe. Relax. They sat in companionable silence for some time, neither one of them interested in the dessert plates they each picked at. To t’Ksa, after all the commotion earlier, the silence was actually quiet lovely. After some time, Maec gave up on consuming the sweet bread, choosing instead to set the plate down on the ground near his feet. He rested his elbows on his knees and stared intently at the water, and, after a deep breath, he spoke. “I need to ask you something.” Morgana gave up on her own plate, setting it on the other side of her. She turned sideways on the bench to partially face the Kheinsa. Propping her elbow on the back of the bench, she used her hand to brace her head up, “What?” “The House agreement,” He turned his head in time to see Morgana give a simple shrug. “With the difficulties au’ve faced in the past few days, I did na want to press au about it, but….” He let his voice trail off, looking to see if he would get some sort of reaction from her. “I signed it.” “Au did? When were au going to tell me?” “When au asked me.” She smiled coyly. “When?” “A few days ago.” “When, exactly?” Maec raised a brow. And she told him the date, he sat back startled. “That fvadt day? Before or after that public catastrophe Aerv arranged?” “After.” She spoke softly. tr’Aieme’s clearly confused, stared at her in disbelief as if questioning her sanity. “Come now. I told au I knew that scene was a set up,” She smiled, tugging on his tunic sleeve to get him to lean closer. When he did, she paused for a moment, inhaling the air around him. Then she whispered in his ear, “I knew it the moment au used the wrong name.” Among immediate family and intimate friends, they knew there was a difference between the private name her family had given t’Ksa at infancy and the io she took when she was old enough to choose. Jaeih was bestowed to honor her mother and her first born and was used commonly by family members. Khera, however, was hers and only those who she trusted were allowed to let it leave their lips. She leaned back just a fraction to see his eyes, but enough so she could remain close to him. “I have na had some io actually go that far for me before. The others made pretty promises, but when it counted, all of them ran far, far away. In all my years, I doubt that I’d find another io looking out for my best interest. So I’d better hold onto the io who does, do au na think?” “And if I had na asked?” Maec was studying her face in the way that made her skin flush and her blood dance. “Then eventually I would have divulged the news,” She laughed softly. “While I known to have astounding patience,” Maec snorted to the contrary, causing t’Ksa to giggle, “I can only hold out so long. I’m na saint.” He nodded a little, then leaned back as if needed more air circulating between them, “And I suspect au would na have told me at all if things had turned out differently.” “What do au mean?” She frowned, feeling the comment deep in the pit of her stomach. “Au na able to clear au’s name.” He was searching her face again, watching for something. “There is still a danger. Na nearly as great as before. But…if things had taken a turn for the worse, au would na have told me. Would au?” She could na stand the scrutiny and turned away, staring at the ocean ahead of them. She could na lie to him, it would na be fair. But at the same time, honesty hurt. “Na.” She took a deep breath. “Most likely na.” She frowned, na feeling as confident as she had before. “Why na?” He sounded hurt and t’Ksa was afraid to look to see it reflected in his face. It took the maenak a moment put her thoughts and actions to words, “Do au remember the meal we shared with au’s family before I left for our last mission?” She began, speaking softly. “Ie.” She sat examining her fingers, io by io as she spoke. She felt Maec bend closer to hear her speak. “Au’s mother was so proud of au’s accomplishments, Rulon. The first io of au’s family to attend the Academy…..how many generations? To na just to complete the compulsory service, but to become an officer.” She fought the urge to turn and face him. “I could na tie au’s name to mine if I was dishonored. Na matter what the Ksa House reputation was. It would be unfair to au, to au’s family, to au’s House. Association with me could…na….would ruin au’s reputation. I just….could na.” “What if I insisted?” Maec gently wrestled io of Morgana’s hands away from her inspection. “I suppose, eventually, I would relent.” She smiled, starting at the two of the hands clasped together. “If au had been persistent enough, ie, eventually I would relent.” She turned and tried to grin lightheartedly at him. “Au do have a talent for persuasion when au exercise it. But au would have had to do a lot of persuading.” “A bondmate would have to be persistent to claim au, even in the best of circumstances.” Maec teased, grabbing her chin before she could scoot away. “And I’ll show au how persuasive I can be.” He kissed her until her giggles eventually faded away. Eventually, they broke apart, leaving t’Ksa persuaded to scooting closer with tr’Aieme wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “Perhaps it is in my best interest to hold on to io who, though just as misguided, tried to protect me too.” “Just promise me io thing.” “What?” “Can we keep this arrangement quiet. For a while anyway.” She snuggled closer to him, trying to figure out how to coax another kiss from him. “I do need some time to recover from this party before we start another celebration, ie?” “Why? Au do na take joy in people fussing over au? It’s been quite fun to see the panic in au’s eyes today. ‘Oh na! Na another medal!’ Are au sure au don’t want march in there and tell au’s family now and get it over with?” He teased, giving her ribs a tickle. “I’m so going y’ya au.” Morgana jabbed him in the stomach with an elbow, then squirmed away from him and his attempt to wrestle a kiss from her until persistence paid off. She smiled afterwords, accepting his hand as they ducked through the shrubbery, sneaking through the gardens and escaping to a place where the two of them could celebrate without public scrutiny. And perhaps, for a moment, Morgana t'Ksa allowed herself to envision a life without fear of reprisal, intrigues and chaos.

Think of it like the Publishers Clearing House for Romulans. You never know when she's going to show up. I'm really looking forward to the next few sims to see what people are up to :( Muhahahah

A Walk In the Park (Part 2) Joint Log with Khre'Riov t'Rexan and Daise'Maenak t'Ksa Meanwhile, t’Rexan was literally was biting her tongue na to call him a thrai or kllhe. "What is it? Au look........." she raises a brow. "So, have the two of au re-instated au arrangements?" "Na. Na yet." "Why na?" "Until my name is fully cleared, I will na subject any io I jol to this torture, family or otherwise. And........ he hasn't asked me." She gave a little shoulder lift. "I've already told au, we've taken care of au name. In fact, I have a surprise for au shortly with regards to that as well." "I'll believe it when I see it. Au have far reaching powers, but even au have a limit." L'haiy's eyes all but sparkled with the challenge, "I may, as myself, but together with my," she paused again, "Let us just say, with my latest arrangement, I have a bit more sway. Trust me, all is well for au Morgana t'Ksa.” Now Morgana’s radar was at full alert. "What are au up to, L'haiy?" Grinning back at her, t’Rexan continued, "I do na know what au mean, what am I up to. Let us just say, I've looked into making sure au interest have been protected. Au name is clear in this matter. And with our thanks." "Au have had the cat eating the canary look all through our discussion. Fhaen tell me or au know I'll find out some other way." "Morgana, I did na think it ever possible again, but after all these years, I have found jol again." "Oh?" "Ie," L’haiy sighed contentedly. She turned wistfully looking over the view of the city as she continued, "And, I've confessed 'everything' to him. ‘Everything’ Morgana, if au understand me, and he still accepts me!" Raising a brow, t’Ksa cocked her head as she studied t'Rexan. "Everything?" "Ie, every sordid bit of it, though I still have to beg au to keep it in au confidence. I told him au have so far and I know au will continue to do so.” "Of course, I do na break my promises." She tilted her head. "Everything, hmm? I am, well, surprised. Happy for au, certainly, but surprised that au shared that." "I've spent the last few days doing a lot of soul searching, and confessing to him, and it has lifted such a weight off of me. I feel, liberated. Well, I was sort of forced into it as well, he guessed a part of it first, and called me out on it. When I explained to him my reasoning, he told me more that I did na know as well about N’Vrak and evidently his wife. It sort of brought us back together after all these years." "I was terrified; it was during my questioning that it came up. I had to give some information that he knew a little about to prove I was na a clone, and when I brought up one matter, he called me out on Bartram dying, and t'Shaeni. As if he knew, but he only had suspected it turned out, he tricked me into admitting it. I offered to give up my commission, as he knew I could na longer be trusted, but he said that as I was doing it for N'Vrak, he could na totally fault me. But then he added to the story, that he had earlier caught his wife and my husband together. All I had done had been in vain Morgana. But the remembered hurt and his wife just recently being sent away, for doing the same to him again. Well, we've renewed our ties from our youth. I had always thought he would be the one to ask me, but N'Vrak beat him to it. In retrospect, I should have waited a bit more. Var'lon's been here for me every time we've come home and been in trouble, and now, he’s decided to take on the entire problem all at once." More cautious about her words as to na offend, Morgana took a deep breath before speaking. "This is na.....?” She left the Daise’Khre’Riov’s name unsaid, feeling uncomfortable about addressing the man so informally. One look at t’Rexan confirmed it, so Morgana continued to tread lightly, "I can see how au care for him, and I do na wish discourage au, but have au thought about this carefully? His rank and au's...and how this might look?" She winced as she said it, had na meant to be discouraging, but she can na help but make sure the woman is thinking clearly through this. Or letting jol cloud her judgment. L’haiy spoke very quietly to Morgana, "He's even asked me to join him in the union of So'Rdaz, though has na said yet when. I believe some of the pressure he's getting from the council, certain Deihu and even the Fvillah are why he keeps being called away to meetings. I saw one such memo; they were deciding to figure out how they'd know if I were a clone and influencing him.” "Now that's ridiculous. I just spent how many fvadt hours in hearings proving that fact!" The maenak pitched a childlike fit. She was angry; as yet again her work is still getting picked to pieces. “Ie, I brought that up to him as well, as it may na be appropriate as I do report to him, but where is it going to get me? I've nowhere else to progress in rank, so there is na advantage to be gained by it.Can au believe it, after all these years, and he still wants me to be with him?!” t’Rexan’s voice gave away her excitement. "Ie, I can imagine." t’Ksa smiled a little, while she did na share how similar their situations were, considering her history with a young man who had a crush on her from the Academy. "So what now?" “He said he would na force me to give up my command until I am ready, and I should remain on the ship to na only protect his interests, but so I'm out of sight for a while of those na so inclined to be accepting of us. As Var'lon said, there are many instances of those working together being bonded as well, na only in the Deihu, but also Fleet. Only io thing now really stands hrrau the way. Var'lon said I could keep my ship and crew, which is menkha because that brings me to another matter I'll get to hrrau a siuren, but au Kheinsa, is a problem. Var'lon wanted me to see him about the nightmares I've continued to have, but he feels I am unfit for command and should na be removed. Needless to say, where I had once thought to have the two of au over to dinner, I am na so sure anymore. I have to see him again soon as well." Ah, so there it is. Morgana started to pick blades of grass and shred them to keep her hands busy. "Why do au see him as a problem?" And did she want Ksa to do something about it? "Au Maec? Perhaps it’s because he wants to remove me from my ship and my command? But that is na why I asked au fahd. I apologize if that came across that way. I only wanted to share with a friend, that I am hrrau jol." She stood and turned the other way, looking back towards the Galae Retor and Medical Facility, silently cursing herself for turning Morgana away. "But if he does, then he does, and I do na suffer so badly, I will just stay here with Var'lon. It just worries me though, as part of something I asked of him, he gave me as a gift. He intended to yy'a t'Temmar himself for what she did, but I begged him na to, to let me have her on the ship and prove she was the officer I know her to be, the one I believed when she told me she only did it to save the ship. If I am na on the ship, then what becomes of her?” Morgana answered flatly, "Reality check, rekkhai. Had I na known au for as long as I have...and just me au, I would feel the same way. Au are have an intense personality. Do na assume that he wishes to remove au from au's ship. Only that au might need further assistance." A good bit of L'haiys exuberant mood has been quieted at this point. She turned back to Morgana “I take it then, that au have already spoken with him then? So au already knew about all this, and have let me ramble on like a veruul?” A bit gentler than before, the maenak continued, "I did na let au ramble on like a veruul. I let au vent before au stick a kaleh into a Khiensa without knowing his side of the story. As I need to hear au's side as well." She leaned forward, na entirely certain what was possessing her to defend tr’Aieme right now. "Look, he is a menkha man and a more than exceptional Kheinsa. I should know. He and I graduated from the Academy at the same time. If au let him, he can help au. Give him a chance." t’Rexan sighed, "Which is why tr'Vatrix sent me to him in the first place, as he said he trusted him." "It's up to au to tell him about au's relationship with tr'Vatrix. I will na share that." The maenak added quietly, feeling a knife twist in her gut. She would voluntarily be keeping something from the kheinsa and that was making her feel…guilty? "If au wish to share it at all." "Well, he knows I have a 'friend' I've been seeing, and suggested I see more of. Var'lon also spoke to him, I'm na sure how much he told him yet. I do know I will leave it to Var'lon to decide how much he wishes to let out, before we make our So'Draz.” "Again, that is your choice to make." She nodded. "He only consulted with me about au's current medical condition and whether or na the nanogenes were of any danger." She played more with the grass, choosing to omit the apparent flirting or embarrassment she suffered during the conversation. "He's everything I had wished I'd had with N'Vrak. Caring, thoughtful, strong, a great sense of humor, and he makes me feel....I can't even express how alive he makes me feel.” Ksa finally smiled as she turned to see t'Rexan's face. "Menkha. Au deserve to finally feel happy." "To believe I mourned N'Vrak for over 30 years, when he dishonored me by being with another, the things I did, and the person I became because of it. That so much could have been different, if I had na been so rash. But hnah, au have given me a second chance. I am reborn, fahd a new, and can start over. There may even be time left with the rejuvenation, to perhaps one day, try to bear him an heir to his house.” "Fhaen, I am na miracle worker. Do na treat me so." “Morgana, ie, ie au are. How many times have au brought me back? Clearly it was because the Elements still had this waiting for me.” "Or au have a stubborn Daise'Maenak" she answered defiantly. "Ie, that I do, that I do!" if t’Rexan had noticed the maenak’s souring mood, she did na call attention to it. “'Though, I'm na so sure what N’Dak will think of this situation. I'm sure his father and rest of his family will na be pleased to hear of our impending arrangements.” "Do au care what they think?" t’Ksa blinked as that just slipped out. “Na, na in the least, it’s our happiness, na theirs. But, first, I have a surprise for au, other than telling au that Var’lon has asked me to bond with him. Au may na like this, but it needs to be done, for the good of Galae, to show the people we have things under control. We still have much to discuss, but I need au to come with me for a short while. Na arguing, this is mandatory.” Cautiously, "I may na like what, exactly?" t’Ksa raised a brow, wondering what the woman was planning now. "We are returning to the ship momentarily, au are to put on au dress uniform and meet me back hrrau the htiej room in 10 minutes. We have something that needs doing.” Morgana looked in confusion at t’Rexan, “"Why?" t’Rexan reached up and tapped her t'Liss, “+Talon+ Two to beam up. My location h’nah.” Whether or na she agreed, Morgana was in for a ride. She tugged her tunic, feeling the odd sensation of the transporter scrambling her atoms then rearranging them, complete with grass shreds in her lap. "Au still haven't answered my question. Why? What have au done?" She stood, creating a mess for the janitorial staff to clean up. "Do na worry Morgana, this is a menkha thing we are doing. Hnah, go get changed, and I will meet au back here" She reached up another time and called for a few others to meet them as well hrrau the hteij room. "Dev siuren, look sharp, that is an order," t’Rexan said with a wink as she moves off towards her own quarters. “Oh I am so y’ya.” Morgana shook her head and plods towards her own quarters.

A Walk In the Park (Part 1) Joint Log with Khre'Riov t'Rexan and Daise'Maenak t'Ksa “ Jolan Tru Morgana!! What a beautiful day is it na!?” Morgana t’Ksa blinked at such an enthusiastic greeting by the Talon’s Khre’Riov, as well as the bright civilian tunic the woman was wearing. "Jolan tru. I trust au are menkha?" She stood and straightening her own simple garb. "Menkha? Menkha? I am more than Menkha, I am fantastic," L’haiy took a deep breath, looks up at the sky and spun around. "I can't even tell you how fantastic either, there are na words to express my happiness," she grins ear to ear at t’Ksa. “And I have au to thank for so much of it!” She reaches over and pulls Morgana to her, giving the maenak a big hug before releasing her. "Who put the happy pills in au's morning meal?" t’Ksa tilted her head, checking the woman out from head to toe. To the maenak’s knowledge, t'Rexan wasn't known for being so happy, or being the huggy type. For the first time, Morgana was beginning to wonder about L’haiy’s sanity. "Elements Morgana, I can't tell you how relaxed I feel. I feel alive again, and whole," L’haiy held up her hand and wiggling the fingers. "Thank you so very much," She reached over, hugging t’Ksa again, before letting go and looking up at the trees and the sky. "What a beautiful day, is it na? I hope I am finding au on a good day too? You seemed a bit tense the other day. Though I can imagine, who wants to see their commanding officer while on leave?" As she giggles a bit to herself at that, t’Rexan continued, “Ie, Alive is the perfect word for it." "Well, it is been a while since I attempted to socialize with a member of the crew while on leave, but I am menkha." Really confused now, Morgana scratched the back of her head, still trying to recover from being hugged na just once but twice as well as her shock at seeing the woman so..........happy. "I'm glad this break is doing au some menkha. I take it au have found something to entertain au'self?" "Oh, Ie, Ie indeed. But I'm sorry....am I intruding? If au prefer na to have to see a crewmember while au are on leave, I'll understand." "Na, na. It's perfectly fine. I need a diversion for a while. It's the first afternoon I have na been in a hearing or such at Galae Medical and I do na know what do with myself." She motioned to the path. "Shall we walk or would au like to sit somewhere and talk?" "Walking is fine, and we're working on getting au out of so many questions, I believe we've gotten a lot of that taken care of behind the scenes now." "Who's 'we'?" t’Ksa looked at t'Rexan suspiciously. Smiling like nothing could ruin her day, she started to walk up the path, "Oh, I've been in," L’haiy cleared her throat, "uhm,…In conference with Daise'Khre'riov tr'Vatrix. I have it on menkha authority that au have been cleared of any wrong-doing, but au will have to put up with questions probably to the end of au days asking about how au did it, and how to replicate it. Besides, how can it be wrong to save au ship and au Khre’Riov? Na, if anything, I’d say au went above and beyond the call of duty." t'Rexan was about near to bursting wanting to just talk to Morgana about him, but decided to wait until they get to a more secluded area before starting the conversation. Strolling along, t’Ksa exhaled heavily. "I feared that. Especially with all that happens. Perhaps things will quiet down once we're on our way to our next mission." “Perhaps, but au will probably get a few papers written from this to say the least, and will be asked to speak at many conferences for sure. I already know of a few, which want to have au come and speak. Ah," t’Rexan waved her off, "Au will have fun with it na doubt." Morgana did na share in L’haiy’s optimism, certainly na after the battering she continued to endure or because of the danger the nanogenes posed if they were recovered by the wrong hands. The maenak shook her head, looking as if the weight of ch'Rihan was resting on her shoulders. "I'm na sure I want that. Too many want information to further their agendas. I'd rather live quietly and away from any sort of spotlight…….or target on my back." "Ok, we can take care of that for au as well, do na worry. Au actions during the mutiny, have earned au whatever rest au so feel inclined to take." t’Rexan smiled. “There's a quiet spot up ahead there a bit further up the hill. We can stop there and have a seat on those rocks and discuss," she paused "things." t’Ksa shot t'Rexan a speculative look. The woman kept saying 'we' and t’Ksa's na sure if she's meaning "we" as in Galae, or "we" as in Talon crew or "we" as in...........what? "Ie," she nodded, motioning for the Khre'Riov to lead the way. L’haiy finished making her way up the hill to where there is a scenic overlook, and stopped to enjoy the view. "Sometimes, I wonder what it would be like if I were to stay here. Though, there are too many people here for me. My home on ch'Havran was inland, where the plains met the forests, not many people to be seen, mostly farmland, but I've found, I also very much enjoy the ocean, and listening to the tide come in." Hands on her hips, moments later Morgana joined t'Rexan on the hill top. "Then au would like Mhiessan. Although na many appreciate its beauty. Too many cliffs for those beach dwellers. But the waters are.....beautiful. " t’Ksa could na help but smile about her home although she had yet to visit it due to her current situation. "I've na been there, but I'll have to put it on my list of places to visit for sure." "I used to climb those cliffs, up and down to the water, almost daily when I was a child. My mother claimed I did na come from her womb but the sea." t’Ksa laughed. She smiled and laughed a bit at Morgana's expression, "Ok, so I have to ask au, what happened to tr'Aieme? Au two seemed like au were the perfect couple? And where did au find au 'new' find?" Na wanting to say anything poor about him in case Morgana was serious with him, but L’haiy didn’t like the look of that one from the start."Come, sit. We've really na ever had a chance to talk, like this before. If au would that is. I've, considered au na only my most trusted officer, but over the years, a friend. If au do na wish to discuss it, I will respect that." "Au are starting to sound like my rinams now." Morgana’s expression soured as she took a seat, practically plopping on the ground in a pout. "And it is a looooong story. One of deception, betrayal and rebellion." She smirked. "I'm na sure I should bore au with such details." Now Morgana was na completely naive, she knew her utterance would peak L'haiy's attention and she too is dying to confide in some io, but more at annoyance at what had been done to her. Slyly, t’Ksa glances over her shoulder to see if her 'shadow' had disappeared as promised when she was in the company of Galae officers, then turned innocently back to t'Rexan. "Fhaen, I have the entire day to myself, I promise na to be bored. Besides, the way au described that, it's almost like a story hrrau those magazines au get. I just hope that 'sounding like au rinams' isn’t' a bad thing," t’Rexan grinned back at Morgana. She looked around at the view, and wished Var'lon were here to share it with her, but as this was close to his office, she was sure he'd seen it before. Instead, she smiled and sighed contentedly to herself as she is thought of him. Morgana suppressed her giggle by covering her mouth. "My rinams can be quite a handful." She sighed. "The story is na that interesting, but...." Ksa shrugged then resigned herself to telling t’Rexan the shortened version. "Lai serves as a member of the military police here on Galae." She raised her brow, hoping that t'Rexan might draw a further conclusion without t’Ksa actually saying it. When na comment came, t’Ksa continued to briefly fill her in on the facts. "There has been much talk about those who'd like to get their oily hands on technology we discovered that restored au to....well....that..." she waved her hand dismissively at t'Rexan's appearance. "Ah, so au really were na with him, he was just protecting au? My apologies, I should have thought of that myself, but when we were all removed from the ship, we really haven't had the chance to speak with each other since." "In a matter of speaking, ie, but there was more to it than that. I was asked..." she paused. "Na....more like arm twisted into attempting to assist in some sort of operation to ferret out a nefarious io’s in hopes that io or re of the individuals might approach me and attempt to bribe me for the technology. Unfortunately, my reputation being the stellar io it is," t’Ksa rolled her eyes. Who knew her personal integrity would cause this sort of problem. Wasn’t it people without integrity that got into this much trouble? She continued, "The plan was to make me more approachable by causing chaos in my personal life. Lai was supposed give the appearance of being with me as a shady weak link." She frowns, na pleased at the memories she shared with Lai during that phase of the operation. "So, au and the kheinsa, are still together?" "Ie and na. The agent in charged staged a public display of......" she shuddered at the ugly memory. "…well, let’s just say it was a rather public and loud fight with tr'Aieme. Without informing me! So for all intense purposes, our arrangement has been canceled. Hence my rinams harassment," She shrugged a little. "To the public, na we are na together. Privately.........I sort of rebelled and changed the rules. While we have na recommitted to the arrangement, I still…..." she paused trying to formulate the words, na used to speaking of such personal expressions before. “…uh care.” "I see. Then I'm glad I asked au before I said anything ill of him," Finally something she was thinking of made t’Rexan frown. "What did he do to annoy au?" Morgana noticed t’Rexan’s expression. She was curious to hear her side of the story. "It is of na matter at the siuren, fhaen, continue au story if au would." "I told the agents na more messing with my personal life." She smirked. "I make whatever public displays of interest in medical facilities as they need, but na more meddling in my private affairs. So na, if au hear rumors about my departure from the ship, listen as I tell au directly, I am na leaving. Talon is my home, na matter what happens here." She made a slight face, glancing back over the city. Meanwhile, t’Rexan was literally was biting her tongue na to call him a thrai or kllhe.

Unconventional Consultation (Part 3) Daise'Maenak t'Ksa & Kheinsa tr'Aieme Ksa rolled her eyes at the mention of Laehval’s name. “Ie and na. I do na know. The wound suggests that she knew exactly the damage she intended to inflict. Io does na twist the blade like that and na know. However, whether it was premeditated or na, I do na know. She claims it was na premeditated, it was a snap decision to make it look more real. I’m na a kheinsa so I can na say what was going through her mind. Only that, when apologizing to the Khre’Riov she stated she thought at the time that the maenakenn staff, and me specifically, would be able to ‘save’ t’Rexan in time once the mutiny was quashed.” Morgana could na help but snarl as she continued, “She’s an engineer, na a maenak, how would she know? That’s taking a great deal for granted, including my abilities to save anyone. Na to mention blaming me simultaneously for na responding in time because I chose a more humane way to end the conflict. “She altered her voice in a badly performed mimicry, complete with sour facial expression, “‘We did na know she and Koga were going to anesthetize the mutineers. How were we to know that they would put aaaaaaaaalll the crew to sleep? She could have responded in time if she hadn’t put the crew to sleep.’ Well how did I know she were going stab the Khre’Riov and let her bleed to death? I am a maenak, na mind reader. And contrary to what they think, I am certainly na a miracle worker.” “If I want to talk with her, au are na going to growl at me like that, are au?” Maec was trying na to chuckle as he watched Ksa continue to pantomime the conflict with her hands. She had to admit, the added addition of puppetry with her hands did lend an amusing quality. “Menkha luck with that.” “Au feel very passionate about this, ie?” “I feel very passionate about being taken for granted.” She frowned, pick grass leaves off her pants. “Which apparently I am. Perhaps it is time I do retire to civilian life.” Maec tipped her chin up to face him, “Au do na seriously mean that. Do au?” “I want…..” she paused, then pulled her head away from his touch. “I know it is an unintentional result of this verulish ordeal, but I see possibilities outside of Galae life. Io where I don’t miss out on the things that happen here. People I-- “ Feeling painfully shy, she continued to play with a blade of grass. It was a wonder there would be any grass left on this hill when she was done with this conversation. The uncomfortable feeling twisted in her stomach as the silence between them dragged on. Fhaen, say something, Ksa mentally pleaded before finally dragged her eyes up again. Maec sat with his arms loosely draped over his bent knees, waiting. “Say something.” “Somehow I doubt that au really wish to retire.” Was he disappointed? She jerked back and stared at him. “How do au know what I want?” “Au would na be fighting so hard with Galae Medical if au wanted to retire.” The kheinsa gave her what she could only term as ‘the look’. Which was completely unfair as ‘the look’ was supposed to be used by maenakenn only. “Go on, deny it. I dare au.” Morgana sat there, gaping like a fish. What reason could she give? She fought to remain in control. She did jol being a maenak. Elements, she found pleasure in exploring the space and new places. She even jol the fvadt ship, and sort of enjoyed the verulish crew. If she attempted to even deny these facts, he would call her out. Embarrassing propelling her either into another argument to save face, or…..what? By fire she was tired of fighting, least of all with him. What the frell did he have to dare her? Could he na have least left her with some shred of dignity? Just at the point when the maenak had finally decided to tell him this (and get control of her flapping jaw), another’s voice had seemingly materialized from her mouth. “Hey Maenak!” Startled, both of them jumped further apart to see Lai tr’Usthym standing on the foot path behind them. “Nice to see au re are........menkha.” Lai smirked. Morgana glanced as she heard Maec mumble curses under his breath. “I hate to interrupt, but I need to know how much longer we will be here. I’m getting rather chilled in the flitter.” “I’m going to y’ya him,” Morgana grumbled softly, standing up and dusting off the grass clippings. “Na if I get to him first.” Maec’s growl made Ksa smile. “We’ll join au shortly. We’re just finishing our conversation anyway.” She waved the Galae military police officer away, then glanced over to Maec as he too stood.”Let’s go. Before my chaperon comes back.” The re of them studied the hillside for an easy descent. In her youth, Morgana knew exactly how she’d get down. Crouch low to the ground, slide on io’s heels and let gravity do all the work. But she was an adult who cared about the cleanliness of her uniform – especially with a nosy io in the parking lot. She did na need to give Lai, or Aerv for that matter, any more ammunition than necessary. Maec chose a less steep incline, using a tree trunk to tree trunk method with quick shuffling steps to reach the bottom. He glanced up at Ksa “I think if au grab that branch there, and over there, au should have enough support to come down.” He held out his hand for assistance. “I do na know. That io looks dead.” She scowled. Elements, this would be far less embarrassing if she’d been alone. At least then there would be na io to witness her face plant into the trail. “It’s in hibernation. Trust me. I won’t let au fall.” He wiggled the fingers of his outstretched hand as an invitation. Gingerly, she hooked a hand on the branch and brushed her fingers across his palm as she out. Mimicking the quick shuffling steps he took, she moved closer until he could firmly clasp her hand. A few more steps, then another grab for the second branch. He’d been right, the first ‘dead’ branch had held. The second healthier looking io however did na. Caught off balance, the maenak yelped as she started to fall backwards. A quick yank from tr’Aieme changed her momentum so that she was sent crashing into his chest instead. Wind knocked out of her, she gasped and struggled to regain her balance in a most undignified way. “Au did that on purpose again.” He had the audacity to tease her. “Ie, I threw myself down a steep embankment with the express goal of colliding with au, stomping on au’s toes, jabbing io’s elbows into a sensitive area and embarrassing myself in the process.” Morgana tried to adjust her position without looking into Maec’s face. She was confident he was smiling smugly at her anyway. Add io part embarrassment, io part attraction and here comes that traitors blush again. Someone y’ya her now, fhaen! “Too bad my plan was foiled and we remain in an upright position.” She felt, more than heard, his surprised laugh at her taunt. Taking sometime to disentangle himself from her limbs, Maec choked out, “Come. Let’s go. If we procrastinate any further Lai will find that sack of pastries I left in the flitter.” “Au brought treats? Why didn’t au tell me sooner? We could have completed our conversation long before now.” Maec took her hand, swinging their arms lazily as they strolled back to the flitter lot, “Maybe because I knew au would too quickly abandon my interest in favor of a cookie. And I needed something to bribe au with in case the apology did na work.” “Maybe au do know me too well?” Morgana smirked, then slipped out of his reach as he made a grab for her. She distanced herself from the kheinsa, walking backwards for a moment or too. Na words exchanged. Just a waggle of the eyebrows and a few quick steps was the challenge issued to start a race back to see who could get the bakery bag first.

Great...after all these years, I'm finally accused of being a spy too. Nice log guys!

Unconventional Consultation (Part 2) Daise'Maenak t'Ksa & Kheinsa tr'Aieme Morgana nodded a bit, then took a deep breath, “Then I shall start with the recovery of the latium, as that seemed to be the start of our problems….” As she proceeded to tell her tale, she leaned closer to Maec and kept her voice barely above a whisper to keep their conversation private. Both maenak and kheinsa would scan the area to make sure that na pedestrians could eavesdrop (especially an ever curious Lai), an easy task considering the path was na well traveled to begin with. Unfortunately, she had to remind herself several times to remain professional and na to stray too far afield. At the conclusion of her story, she found herself thankful he let her speak plainly, with little questioning or judgment on his part (unlike their aborted attempt at a conversation earlier that day). It was only at the end of her tale, that he asked her to clarify a few of the events in light of the information he had about the Khre’Riov’s nightmares and physiological responses to situations. “Now these nanogenes,” Maec drew a lazy circle in the dirt in front of him. “Au do na think they pose a threat to her?” “Na, they are na longer within her body or R’Mor’s,” She shook her head. “Yet, au see them as a threat in general. I’m na sure I understand or see the difference.” “There is,” she said gently. “But it is rather complicated to explain in a simplistic manner.” She glanced at him, then shrugged. “I’m sorry, I believe my brain is permanently stuck in medical jargon mode. I’ve spent I do na know how long on reports and hearings and…….what ever tortures the Galae Medical dream up, that I’m na sure I can clarify my opinion any more in simple terms. But I am willing to give it a try.” “These nanogenes – they are similar in composition to the nanites we’ve used with io difference. The nanites can be programmed to repair microscopic tissue as directed by the programmer. The nanogenes, on the other hand, have the ability to scan, evaluate then re-grow tissue on the cellular level without direction from a programmer. Not only are they more intuitive than the nanites, they also carry with them the basic necessities to provide for cellular growth. They deactivate and leave the body naturally once their task is complete, unlike nanites which must be recalled manually. It’s like nanites are adhesive tape and nanogenes are……..”she paused, trying to come up with a suitable descriptive word. “Mold spores?” tr'Aieme shrugged at Morgana’s confused expression. “I’m sorry, I was trying to come up with another self replicating plant life.” “Mold spores,” She grumbled, shaking her head. “But au see my point now, ie? In the hands of the wrong individuals, be it Galae, Tal Shiar or some other private entity, this technology can be very dangerous. Beneficial in some applications, but equally disastrous in others.” “Why did L’haiy’s appearance change so dramatically, but R’Mor did na?” He hesitated before asking, “Au didn’t……do that……did au?” Morgana pulled back, slightly offended by the question, “The nanogenes need a parent organism to compare the damaged cells to. Several of our crew members underwent a screening while we were on the station facility. Most of them now, as I look back, were the younger, more naive members of our crew. Therefore, the assumption can be made on the nanogenes’ part that older cells would have been ‘damaged’ and in need of repair, especially since the directive from the maenakenn was to repair the damage to the eye and hand, both of which were also older wounds. All the scans show she is growing older, again, normally. There is na further damage but what I caused in the first place.” She sighed, “I would have stopped the scans of the crew sooner if I was na preoccupied other ship’s business or if I’d known the implications of my actions. Fvadt. If I hadn’t been so zealous about trying to ‘fix’ things she would na be in this mess. Nor I for that matter. ” She shifted her sitting position to face Maec, “Au have to understand, I was trying to save re people’s lives, L’haiy and R’Mor. It also meant that perhaps I had a chance of keeping N’Dak off the chopping block and I could stay in safely in medical where I belong before some verrul thinks otherwise.” She started to tick off her reasoning with her fingers, her whispered voice almost hissing, “It is clear I do na belong on the oira. It was my indecision that put is into jeopardy in the first place. Had I taken the leadership role with the crew, we would na have gone to the Gamma quadrant in the first place. Then I hesitated again when t’Rexan asked how we should deal with the damaged ship – I wanted to hear opinion of all the senior staff before making a choice. So while I was listening to a staff meeting, fvadt mutineers had time to organize. I wasn’t able to stop them from stabbing her. Then there was the second attempt in my medical bay. To top it off, I didn’t stop the scans of the crew. I’m the io who authorized the those fvadt nanogenes. It’s my fault this is such a mess. My. Fault.” “Stop,” Maec spoke softly, “Stop, stop, stop.” She realized he was trying to get her attention only when he reached out and pulled her against his shoulder. Feeling the hot tears stream down her face onto his jacket, she realized how hysterical she was starting to sounding. How hysterical she was feeling. She took several gasping breaths, trying to calm herself before she pulled back, hastily swiping a hand under each of her eyes to remove the tears. Maec waited a moment before gently pulling a piece of hair that had become plastered to her cheek during the episode, causing Ksa to shudder both in fear that she’d start another hysterical fit and because it was, well, he’d brushed her skin. “Pardon my outburst.” She smiled shakily. “And fhaen do na do that,” she swatted his hand away, staring down at her lap. “Why? I am na au’s Kheinsa.” Maec ducked his head down to meet her eyes. “Ie,” She leaned forward, whispering. “But we’re talking business and it is na proper to flirt with io’s colleague during consultation.” She allowed her smile to grow stronger, letting a teasing tone taint her admonishment. “Ie, well…” he smiled at her, searching her eyes she supposed to make sure she would na grow maudlin again. “So the nanogenes pose na threat to her. But does she pose a threat to au’s crew?” “Na any more than usual.” “Na any more than usual? Khera, she cut out the tongue of io of the mutineers. Do au na think that’s a little………extreme?” He leaned back, eyebrows raised. “I’m surprised she just cut his tongue out.” Morgana answered matter of factly. At the skeptical look she received in response, she continued. “It’s na out of character. Look, she’s an old battle Enarrain. It’s how she was, for lack of a better word, ‘raised’ in the Galae. She’s fought and survived in wartime…and a mutiny is a declaration of war. She’s na the only io of them still out there, either. “ “How can au say th—“ “Rulon, if I thought she was a danger, I would na be campaigning so hard on her behalf in Galae Medical.” She leaned again closer to him. “Nor would I stay in the same room with her. I have a very strong sense of self preservation. I know how to avoid threats if needed.” “Ah…adrenaline.” “What?” Morgana’s eyes shifted from side to side as confusion set in. What did adrenaline have to do with anything? Maec blinked, shifting uncomfortably for some reason, “Io the theories about her behavior and more vivid nightmares was that the nanogenes might have recognized the high levels of adrenaline in her system at the time of ‘death’, which was the result of the mutiny, as ‘normal’ and have elevated it to such a degree that she’s having such issues.” The ‘ah-ha’ moment finally arrived. Morgana tilted her head as she contemplated the question. “It is possible. I’d have to review the tests we took, as well as do some additional testing. In that case, we can do some medical therapies to correct the condition. Or, monitor the situation to see if correct itself naturally. Probably my preference, since I’ve all ready used her as a pin cushion over the last few weeks. But it won’t solve the problems of the nightmares themselves, only the physical reaction to them.” “It’s a start.” Maec leaned in again, “The t’Temarr woman? Do au think she intended to inflict such damage?” Ksa rolled her eyes at the mention of Laehval’s name.

Unconventional Consultation (Part 1) Daise'Maenak t'Ksa & Kheinsa tr'Aieme The daise’maenak had just spent the past four hours fighting for not only her career but for her mnhei’sahe. The last thing she wanted was another interrogation by a friend in his single-minded quest to do…what exactly? Question her motives? Discuss what happened? Console a friend? Treat a patient? Prepare her for another barrage of questions? Keep her on her toes? Or embarrass her? She informed him it was neither to time nor the place to have the discussion, which resulted into an argument and both of them storming off in opposite directions. Oh Fire. Morgana leaned against the stately tree, mindlessly staring the bustling city below her and keeping herself half hidden from the walking trail behind and below. Taking io blade of grass in her hand, she slowly stripped lengthwise into almost microscopic threads, io by io dropping to her lap as she contemplating the mess she was in now with the Khiensa. Or should she be thinking about what was promised as the last hearings? Oh cursed confusion, why could she na just think of something else for a change. Fluffy newborn hlai chicks. Or the taste of a good ch’Havarian wine. A brisk swim in cool Mhiessan waters. Heck, even rainbows or purple e’Lefants would be more agreeable than these dismal thoughts. She exhaled and then pushed off the tree to stand. Better out than in, she thought. We really need to get the conversation over with so I can move on. Just go apologize all ready, maenak. Another thoughtful sigh to bolster herself before she left for the inevitable confrontation where she’d most likely be required to eat some crow. Ksa then turned, only to find the Khiensa standing on the trail below. “How did au find me?” She had to fight the urge to cross her arms across her chest in a defensive manner. tr’Aieme glanced back down the trail from whence he came, looking rather pained as he did so, then back up at her, “Au are wearing a tracking device, remember?” Morgana tilted her head ever so slightly, placing io hand on the tree and crossing her legs at her ankles, “Which I am confident au have na access to.” She was also fairly confident that Lai, having been left back in the flitter parking area, would na have been so helpful as to direct Maec to where she was in the park. “Ie,” He bobbed his head, clearing searching for another excuse for his appearance. ”So au followed me?” She did na mean for it to sound like an accusation, but she was still rather upset with their previous conversation. “Na.” He snapped. Then same expression that Morgana now recognized na of being pained but embarrassment flirted with the lines of his frown as he glanced back down the trail before taking a few steps closer. “I guessed.” He shrugged, seeming to squirm under t’Ksa’s expectant stare. “Au used to come here with study groups during session breaks. Quite regularly, if I recall. I thought if au would go anywhere, au would either come here…or to that bakery near the dorms. I was hoping au’s behavior had na changed that much over the years.” Morgana pressed her lips into a tight lipped smile, trying na to laugh, “But au tried the bakery first, didn’t au?” “Ie,” Maec snorted softly, relaxing a bit. Ksa exhaled softly, letting her tension go. She gripped the trunk of the tree firmly for support and took a few steps down the steep embankment to offer Maec a hand up the hill. “I’m sorry. I should na have snapped at au like I did.” He stared at her hand for a moment, then took it, fingers wrapping around hers firmly na tightly. She was thankful he was watching his footing as she helped him up to join her as she felt her cheeks color at the mere clasping of hands. The last thing she needed was to give him the upper hand by flushing like a school girl. “I apologize as well,” He grunted as he adjusted a foot hold, slipped, then and pulled himself up abruptly. The positioning was na of the best advantage for groveling on either party’s part, as they were much too close to each other. He was stuck looking up her nose with barely a breeze between them. “I…uh…picked the wrong place and….do you think we should carry on the conversation up there?” He nodded to the more even ground above them. “What’s wrong?” She smirked. “This is a little awkward, do au na think?” He grabbed her waist as he started to slip down the hill again, which did little to ease his embarrassment as this caused yet another shift in their position. “Na on very firm footing, are au.” She yanked on the tree trunk and his hand simultaneously to pull him up. She could na help but try to laugh away the uncomfortable feelings of…well…rather nicely sculpted arms wrapped around her at the wrong time and place. Elements if she wasn’t bright green before, she was now from the roots of her hair to her toenails. “In more ways than io.” Maec muttered under his breath, as he struggled with her to climb the rest of the incline. Once on level ground he hesitated before dropping his hold on her hand. “Where was I?” “Groveling with au’s face buried in my chest?” Morgana offered bemusedly. “I was na groveling,” Maec scowled. “But au admit that au—“ “Oh fhaen, just accept my apology and sit down all ready,” Maec plopped down on the hillside beside the tree, patting the ground next to him as an invitation. He waited until she sat before he continued. “As io of my friends pointed out, I tend to be single minded when it comes to my patients. I was na thinking when I started to ask au those questions. I should have watched my tone.” “That’s funny, I’ve been told the same thing,” She murmured. She glanced at Maec through the corner of her eyes, spotting his questioning expression, so she clarified, “Single minded with patients. It’s what has gotten me into so much trouble lately.” They sat in companionable silence for some time, Ksa returning to her grass shredding and Maec pretending to stare at the skyscape until Morgana broke the silence. “Go ahead. Ask me.” “Are au sure?” “Ie. What do au want to know?” “I need to know what’s na in that report of au’s, Khera. What happened on Talon?” “Why?” She glanced over to him. If he had been given clearance to read the report, then she needed to confirm her suspicions about why he needed more information. She needed him to trust her enough to say it aloud. He hesitated, taking several deep breaths before answering as delicately as he could, “My assistance has been requested in a delicate matter.” “L’haiy?” He hesitated again before nodding. Morgana cursed softly under her breath, scrubbing her hands over her face. He waited a few beats before speaking again, “Khera, fhaen?” “Where do au want me to start?” “Preferably at the beginning,” Maec looked simultaneously relieved and worried. Morgana nodded a bit, took a deep breath and launched into her narrative, “Then I shall start with the recovery of the latium, as that seemed to be the start of our problems….”