m_k_tksa

"He who denies all confesses all" Spanish Proverb Mine name is Morgana Jaeih t'Ksa. I hold the rank of Daise'Erei'Riov, Daise'Manaek and second officer of the RES Talon where I have faithfully served with the finest Galae officers for eight years. This is my Statement of Right. Our last mission, as ordered by Deihu S'Bien, was to retrieve a prototype weapon from a rebel Rihan ship. A successful mission completed, but at a cost. I am Confident that au have reviewed the mission logs and crew reports so I will na bore au with those details. Instead, I attempt explain the unusual events that unraveled while we attempted to return to ch'Rihan. I have na doubt that this explanation will seem to be a fabrication. However, I can provide at least some shred of scientific proof to our claim, which I will elaborate upon later. Several officers were injured during the fight with the rebel ship, including First Officer Daise'Erei'Riov tr'Psichore. I was tending to him, when a strange incident occurred. Io moment I am caring for a badly burned officer, and the next minute I found myself stumbling around medical without any knowledge of who I was, where I was and what I was doing there. I was na the only io experiencing this problem. No io could remember name, family, friends, job functions, access codes, locations of quarters…nothing save that which was instinctually ingrained in our beings. I can na properly describe how disconcerting it was to na know what my own name was but I could somehow understand what each piece of medical equipment was used for. Io of the crew members, I can na properly recall whom, stumbled across a ship's manifest which listed our names and positions. Laehval t'Temarr was listed as the Enarrain, Destorie N'Dak her first officer, poor tr'Psichore was relegated to the position of ship's cook and Khre'Riov t'Rexan a custodial engineer. There were many other miss-positioned officers, but we each assumed our roles in order to maintain order while we tried our best to determine the cause of the amnesia and ways to restore our memories. My duty was to determine if there was a medical reason for our current conditions. Without access to the etrehh and the medical records of the crew, this was a tedious process. In the end, I elected to study the chemical compositions of the brains of the dead Rihans in stasis, and compare those to the amnesiacs. During this investigation, I discover a chemical anomaly with the test subjects' brains that was the possible cause of our memory loss. I devised a serum which I hoped would correct this problem. t'Rexan and tr'Psichore agreed to be my first test subjects. I will admit that, in my desperation to regain my sense of self, at the last moment I chose to take the serum as well. The initial tests were successful. Within a few hours, I had regained enough of my memory to access the etrehh and begin to refine my serum to administer to the rest of the crew. Due to the side effects of the serum, a brief period of unconsciousness while the body returned to 'normal', we could na administer the serum to the crew in mass. Instead, we started administering the medication with small groups of crew members so that we were na left in a vulnerable position. It was at this time that the Aliens made themselves known to us, holding us in a strange restrictive field and boarding our ship. It was na a pleasant experience, that I can assure au. The lead 'scientist' admitted that they were the cause of our memory lost and fabricated ship manifest. They had conducted several sociological experiments on the unwitting Lloann'na, Kll'inghann and several other races to determine the sources of familiar attachments, loyalty, duty, leadership, personal relationships and other such traits within each species. Although those test subjects blindly accepted their situation, we Rihan questioned our fate and resolved to find the truth. Therefore, their tests on us were deemed a failure and they had returned to clean up their mess. They had their own serum in which they began to administer to the crewmembers without our permission. This serum, unlike my own, would restore the memory of the patient back to the point before the Alien's memory game. Against my protestations, io of the Aliens administered their 'cure' to tr'Psichore, the same officer whom I had already given my serum and had already begun to regain his memories. The effect was devastating. We were only just able to get him into stasis in time to prevent any further degradation to his brain and body. I believe that their failure with tr'Psichore and the skirmish that broke out as the crew attempted to defend the ship caused the Aliens abandoned us after that. This left approximately twenty or so crew members untreated. These remaining crew members were given the Rihan-made serum within a few hours of the Alien's departure, thus allowing them to regain their own memories and retain memories of the events preceding the Aliens' test. The decision was made to return to ch'Rihan and attempt to explain our disappearance and return the pieces of the weapon that we still carried. This brings us to the present situation. And back to that scientific proof I offered earlier in my statement. That is the body of Daise'Erei'Riov tr'Psichore which was meant to be returned to Galae Medical in hopes that he can be stabilized, revived and healed. An examination of his body will reveal the presence of an alien chemical substance in his blood stream, na io that any Rihan maenak has ever formulated. It is this chemical substance which interacted with the serum I administered to tr'Psichore earlier and caused his health deterioration. My medical records of my treatment, as well a sample of my serum is still aboard the Talon and can be compared to tr'Psichore's blood samples. I believe this foreign chemical substance will provide some proof of our claim of the aliens' experiment upon the crew and the effects. I am willing to answer any other questions regarding the incident involving the rebel Rihan ship, Diehu S'Bien's weapon, the Alien incursion and other questions to the best of my ability and memory. This concludes my Statement of Right. Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa Daise Maenak RES Talon

"Patience is easy to wish for and difficult to achieve" Chinese Fortune Cookie Morgana’s warning to Destorie N’Dak to ‘be careful’ was na her expressing her concern for his physical safety. Elements knew the man should be able to take care of himself by now. It was more expressing her concern that he should think carefully in his response to the Quartermaster's questions. His brother Issaha had validated Morgana’s concern that Destorie just might do something rash and distort the truth to some degree, making all others interrogated after him suspect of providing false testimony. She just hoped that he would handle this situation with the delicacy it required and na do anything stupid. Now all she could do was to wait. But just how long would her patience hold out? We can get through this, together, in tact, if we remain vigilant and respond with care. Na grandstanding. Na lies. And na elaboration of the truth. Patience, Morgana, patience. Morgana’s thoughts focused on the other crew members as she circulated among them. She smiled encouragingly to those she met and inquired about their needs, as if she was performing rounds in a medical bay. It was probably the first inclination the Maenak true bedside manner that most of the crew had experienced, especially since the Daise’Maenak was known for chasing the “frequent flyers” out of the medical bay with such voracity that she'd been nicknamed Maenak Evil. These rounds served a similar purpose to those made with the sick, to help foster a feeling that perhaps everything would be all right and to ensure every io that they were na alone. And perhaps it made the Daise’Maenak feel as if she was truly helping in some way, even if all she could offer was a word of encouragement and an example of confident determination that they would all be fine. Elements knew that she needed to feel useful and that she wished for someone to tell *her* that all would be fine. If Morgana was feeling this way, she could only speculate what the others feeling. Unlike the families of the N’Daks and S’Bien, most of the crew did na have connections to high places. They did na have any io to bail them out of trouble. Morgana herself had parents that held na high rank within Rihan society, save within the port city of Mhiessan. Even Morgana’s rinam, also a Daise’Erei’Riov in the Galae, could na help. Kalicia t’Ksa had yet to recover from her own fall from grace after the Lloann’na mayhem several years ago and had na influence with Galae command. Any contact with Kalicia could jeopardize her rinam’s career as well as Morgana's own. Nor did she dare to drag any io else she jol into mess. Na even Teelis T’Neya and her bondmate tr’Mallick. Na t’Kotah. Na Mialliw tr’Rike. Na even her dear friend Kheinsa Maec tr’Aieme. There was na reason for them to be dragged down with her, if her ship was truly destined to sink. She cared too deeply about them to sacrifice them to save her own skin. It would y'ya her to put them through this and she would do anything to protect them. Na, all she could do now was to wait, provide what little encouragement to the others that she could, and to think of her own response to the Quartermaster's questions. And pray to the Elements that each io of them would na endanger their fellow crewmates by reacting rashly. Patience, Morgana, patience. Keep your wits about au and think carefully before au act. Morgana sighed softly, glancing about the courtyard. Elements help me. I just hope I have enough patience to last.

Balence Daise'Erei'Riov t'Ksa RES Talon By fire, how did I find myself in this mess? I knew I should have stayed down in medical or escaped while I had the chance. The Daise'Maenak (Chief Doctor) glanced warily at the Galae soldiers who had been posted sentry on Talon. All ready, Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa could predict that filling the role as Talon's temporary Commanding Officer was going to be like trying to juggle weights while standing on one foot atop a very unforgiving pivot point: One mis-step and the lot of them would be thrown into the brig to rot. Or worse yet, killed without a second thought. She sighed heavily. Elements. If I survive this, with or without my career intact, I think I'm going to seriously look into a change of vocation. She began to silently pray for a smooth trip to the repair station. Her duty required that she ensure the Talon and crew arrived safely and without incident. It was the only way she felt that they could win brownie points with Galae Command and prove that the Talon crew had the best of intentions. They were na traitors. If they reacted in a suspicious manner, they surely would be branded as such. So the least amount of trouble they caused, the better. She only hoped the others realized the gravity of the situation and remained level headed while the Galae soldiers were on board. Na that Morgana wouldn't relish the pleasure of seeing Destorie N'Dak tossed in the brig for a minor offense. Maybe for breathing too loudly? Or perhaps blinking too rapidly? A part of her was just begging for him to offend the Dheno officers so that she can watch him hauled off like trash. It would give her such great joy. Such satisfaction. Oh, such sheer glee! Oh, she would surely do a happy dance if he disappeared from her little corner of the universe. The Daise'Maenak allowed herself a minute or two -- or perhaps ten -- to daydream through several satisfying scenarios, all resulting in N'Dak's untimely demise. In fact, the thought had crossed her mind that she could take advantage of her current position and launch N'Dak into space without the benefit of a space suit. It could be easily done. With a flick of her wrist, she could have his life extinguished just like that. She knew there was na love lost between many of the crew and the disgraced former Daise'Dheno (CSEC). She understood now why so many commanders before her became drunk with power -- after tasting it once, they pursued it with reckless and malicious intent. I don't believe this is what Maec had in mind when giving his advice. Morgana t'Ksa scolded herself mentally. If au's thoughts aren't demonstrating his Pickle Theory, I do na know what better example there is. These feels were na ones Morgana could or would have act on. As much as she hated N'Dak at the moment, she would na react in such a barbaric way. It was beneath her. Better to ignore his existence than to react in such away that would overstep her own personal value system and disgrace her own honor. And truly, Morgana's ambitions and aspirations for power did na stray far beyond the Medical bay doors. She preferred the stresses of the surgical bay to the stresses of command.. She had na wish to make this temporary position of command into a permanent one, lest she become victim to the Talon's command curse. She would deal with N'Dak in her own time and on her own terms. Let's just concentrate on getting us back to Galae Command in io piece, and na disgrace the honor of the Talon crew, and the Khre'Riov (Admiral) in the process, ie? Morgana glanced at the oira (bridge) crew, hoping they saw the value in cooperation and diplomacy in dealing with the soldiers. If there was a way to communicate her urging to the group through body language, she hoped she was communicating it well. She could juggle the responsibilities of the command, the crew's safety, as well as her own freedom and honor without tipping the scales to their certain doom - if they cooperated. The thought that some of them may over react and cause problems turned Morgana's inside into a quivering pile of j'Ello. She hoped that if she remained calm, cool and collected, perhaps she would achieve the balance necessary to keep the Talon out of any more trouble. In this way she could provide an example of how a Galae officer should perform their duties in such adversity. Although she did continue to wonder why she had na been quicker to the lift or why had she been tempted to leave the Medical bay in the first place. And did she now bare the mark of the Talon's Command Curse…io that most certainly lead to her own interment in her very own stasis unit? By Fire, maybe it's time to consider a new career. I hear they have an opening in waste management now…

Boil Over, Part 2 Daise Erei'Riov t'Ksa It sounded as annoying as a band saw, a dentist drill and nails scratching down a chalk board combined and did nothing to relieve Morgana's headache. But it was wonderful medicine for her frustration. Enough that, even though it aggravated her headache, she filled her lungs to capacity and screamed again. And again... And again. Until she was left out of breath and with a monster headache. She felt better and worse at the same time. A surprising effect that surprised Morgana (although as Daise'Maenak, she should have known better - but she hadn't been thinking straight since she left medical in the first place). She sat back on her legs, took ragged angry breathes and shaded the light from her eyes to collect her thoughts. Thoughts of revenge flashed through Morgana's mind. If N'Dak couldn't keep his mouth shut, then perhaps she should na either. Just a short period ago, Morgana had placed a listening device in what she thought was the quarters she shared with N'Dak. It had been done so that she might gain some sort of information that would help unlock her memory (and perhaps protect herself from Issaha, the smarmy Science officer and Destorie's brother.) She'd gained no useful information at that time, proving yet again that they were na bonded like the aliens had tried to make them believe. She had, however, gleamed a certain tirade of N'Dak's off the last night's recording before it stopped transmitting. Io in which, of all things, he had threatened the Khre'Riov's life and career and threatened to make Morgana herself his personal veterinarian. She could easily turn that recording over to the Khre'Riov and then N'Dak's hlaii would be cooked. t'Rexan would most likely impale him with that hook of hers. That image alone made Morgana delightfully giddy. And her headache started to subside. "That would teach him." She grinned, pacing in the lift. "And we'd be rid of the idiot once and for all. It would be brilliant. Then he'd know how I felt." She was practically dancing for a few moments until another thought crossed her mind. "How I'd feel..." She stopped, her thoughts soured. Her possession of that recording was na better than his recordings of her conversation. While her's were innocent ramblings and flirtations, his was a more damaging drunken ramblings of a verrul. An angry ranting drunk verrul who had just been removed from his position and gotten another smack to his career by the Khre'Riov. But that did na justify her invasion of his privacy. She was na better than he was in that effect. "Elements, why do I have to be the io with a conscious?" She sighed, leaning against the turbolift, staring at the ceiling as her headache returned with an alarming intensity. Morgana was na tattle tale. And as much as she wanted to space N'Dak at the moment, using this information just out of revenge for breaching her privacy was na the way to go about it. Drowning him in hot water just for the sake of torturing him. Na. What to do with this information would require additional thought. Perhaps she could still use it to her advantage without some sort of nefarious purpose behind it. To teach N'Dak a lesson, of course - if he had any redeeming qualities at all. She rubbed her temples again. She was still expected to speak to the Khre'Riov. She had requested the conference in the first place, so she couldn't just cancel. But how to explain what had Morgana so upset would be a challenge. Na without revealing how hurt she was about the initial betrayal. And that left Morgana back to where she started... trying na to admit how much those communications had meant to her. Doing so would require careful consideration of words and na more tirades against inanimate objects. She hoped she was up to the task. "Some days I believe I can sympathize with the Dead Ios." She pushed herself away from the wall, "Etrehh, resume path."

Boil Over, Part 1 Daise Erei'Riov t'Ksa "Etrehh, pause lift." In the lift on her way to speak to the Khre'Riov, Morgana felt her tension headache boil over. She had na dignity left. Or privacy for that matter. The last scrap of which had been thrown to the Winds to dissolve before her like a puff of smoke. Morgana estimated that it would only take a matter of minutes for the rumors to start. Once N'Dak had admitted openly that he had 'listened' to her private conversations with Galae Medical just prior to being given the treatment for the memory loss - the buzz around medical had begun. It made her skin crawl. The reality of the situation was that there was nothing in those conversations that could be construed as illicit, inappropriate or controversial. Maec and Morgana chatted like friends, sometimes argued like rivals and may have slipped to flirting towards the end of the discussion. N'Dak himself had said he'd gotten bored after five minutes of listening to the first conversation (Na that Morgana believed him). He had most likely missed any 'juice' bits, if there were any to begin with. But to Morgana it had been an invasion of her most private and coveted thoughts. It was na so much the content of the conversations but with whom she was speaking about and how she felt about *him*. Like some io was eavesdropping on her private life. As if the pressure from her nosey rinams weren't enough, now she had to worry about N'Dak and the entire ship listening in! Her little tantrum in medical after N'Dak had left did nothing to ease her pain. She wanted to break something (in particular, N'Dak's neck) but had to settle with kicking the tray stand and scattering her tools around the medical bay. N'Dak had graduated from a reoccurring boil that Morgana could ignore easily enough to a diseased organ that needed to be chopped out, and now! She never had such a murderous thoughts in her life. It made her head throb painfully to think of it. Morgana clutched at her temples and sank to her knees in the turbolift. She had na security, na safety net, na life-pod. The io person she most wanted to speak to, she could na. Someone might be listening. And then they would be talking. And she would na have any privacy ever again. Na privacy, na dignity, na thing. Morgana's anger boiled over....she screamed!

Of Jol and Hate Daise'Erei'Riov t'Ksa The irony of this conversation with that strange purple alien was not lost on Morgana. As the io woman who was having a difficult time admitting in public that she was infatuated with a certain ch'Rihan male - was now the very same io trying to explain the strong feelings shared when Rihan people loved or hated others and how he could na replicate such emotions in a laboratory. The Elements could be so cruel. When the alien creatures had stormed through her medical bay carrying stunned crewmembers, Morgana's own emotions had swiftly cycled through fear, terror, anger, irritation, annoyance and pity as she conversed with the alien. And then back to annoyance when the verrul had the nerve to ask why she had na been attracted to N'Dak as a bondmate. How could she possibly explain in more alien-appropriate terms that she had always regarded N'Dak to be as attractive as a reoccurring boil. He was something she could na get rid of, but had grown to live with by ignoring his existence in the first place. She suspected that perhaps this is why she felt na connection with him when her memory had been altered. And why she couldn't feel anything stronger than sympathy for him during the course of their predicament. So why did this so-called alien scientists had to put her on the spot like this anyway? Why could he na grill another of the crew members and leave her in peace to put right what they had ruined? What knowledge did he hope to gain by this disturbing experiment in the first place? Even the Galae Scientists she knew would na have set up such a bizarre and fatality flawed experiment and then threatened to destroy the study subjects. Why, they were acting like children torturing their pets. Having temper tantrums because the trial turn out as they wished - Elements, under what rock had they crawled out under? She had sincere doubts that these creatures could restore the crew to their natural state. Especially in light of this io's questionings. If they would only release her from her confinement she could resolve these issues under her own power. She'd already had success with her first three patients (herself included) and now had a half dozen or so new victims….err…..patients she'd successfully treated and were regaining their memory slowly as she had. Had these creatures not invaded, she would have 'fixed' their 'mistake' within a matter of hours. Instead she was forced to play twenty questions until the alien felt satisfied and once again would allow her to treat her crew. Of course, the more questions about jol (love) and emotion he asked, the more her thoughts strayed annoyingly on to a Kheinsa on ch'Rihan. This put Morgana in a less than cooperative mood. She did na want her feelings examined in such a public forum and with an alien creature analyzing them. She only hoped she could either deflect his questioning to io of the other stunned Rihan or could properly explain jol (love) and hate in a way that would satisfy the creature and allow the Daise'Maenak some semblance of dignity.

Revelation, Thy Name is h’Ubert Personal Log of Morgana t'Ksa I have a fish named h’Ubert in that office over there. Yes, that office. The one in the center hallway with a dominating view of main medical and the imposing tinted windows. Yes that’s right. The office with a full set of g’Olf clubs kept in the far corner, partially hidden by a hideous Galae requisitioned imitation potted tree. (Like that’s really suppose to resemble a real tree anyway? Who exactly do the quartermasters at Galae command think they’re fooling anyway?) The Daise'Maenak's office. Do au want to know something else? That office there is mine. I know it is. I remember that too! h’Ubert sits on a corner of the bookshelf in that office in attempt to ‘warm’ up it up. Make it look friendlier. Less…well…I guess the word for it would be …harsh for a maenak’s office. Galae HQ’s concept of interior decorating does na sanction ‘warm’ and ‘friendly’ fixtures, so it is up to the maenaken to incorporate such concepts if they so desire. And in my case, it was io friend who made the decision for me. Kotah gave me h’Ubert as a congratulatory award for a promotion and a ‘remember me’ gift prior to her departure from Talon. Kotah. I haven't thought of her in a long time, she's been gone for what seems to be an eterinty. It is more for Kotah’s sake than for h’Ubert’s sake that I kept that fish. I can say he is much better than the tree frog I had before in another time…and another place. What was his name again? Grrrr…. My most recent ISD entry says we, the crew of the Talon, have suffered some sort of memory lapse. What could make an entire ship of Rihan turn into amnesias victims? My gaps in memory confirm that prognosis. I remember working on a serum to counteract the effects of a chemical imbalance, the chemical formula of which is now stored in my ISD. And I remember the awful taste of it. But I do na remember much more. Or what I do remember of what happened seems to be fading into the background while my thoughts of the past resurface. It’s making it rather confusing to determine what is real and what is na. When I force it, I can na make the memories come. They elude me. Hovering just out of my reach. Taunting me! Faces with no names, names with only shadows associated with them. They only allow me to get so close. So I can brush against their wispy trail as they scatter again. The great fissures of missing memories are only filled when I do na try to remember at all. If only I could….just…. Argh! I am aggravated! Whether my other test subjects, t’Rexan and tr’Psichore, are feeling the same effects, I can na say. I have released them from medical to deal with their own re-surfacing memories and will be checking in with them shortly. Until then, I am following t’Rexan’s advice that we play along with the ISD descriptions that N’Dak had assigned us earlier. Although I must confess, I am having a hard time with these assigned realities. t’Rexan in waste management! Ha! That certainly does na seem right. And I am to be N’Dak’s bondmate? That can’t possibly be true; I can feel it in my heart. And if it is, would someio tell me exactly which deity have I offended that I may make immediate amends? This is almost as bad as being insinuating that I was to be bonded to Dim tr’Whitt, that spotted, spoiled, temperamental, unstable, deranged Lloann’na verrull who……… Ah ha! The frog’s name! Cha Cha! See! When I do na try so hard I can remember. I just need to relax and na try to force it. Then maybe I can remember who belongs to this Rihan male’s voice and face I can na seem to stop thing about…but I can na recall his name….hmmmmm…….

My Swiss Cheese Memory My memory is the thing I forget with. -- a child’s definition. There are some really large holes in my memory right now. Lots of them. Even if I wanted to, I can’t tell you who I am, where I am, what I’m doing here or how I came to be. I couldn’t even tell you if I have any identifying marks. If you ask, please let me check my reflection before I answer you. My head hurts like someone has smacked me on the back of the head with a blunt object. Maybe I slipped and fell. Or perhaps I have sustained a head injury caused by this crazy man who keeps making demands for answers when all I have are questions myself. If looks could kill, I believe I would be in stasis ten times over by now with the shifty looks he’s been giving me. But I’m not going to draw conclusions just yet. From the dazed and confused looks of those in the room with me, I don’t think I’m the only one with this problem. I find it curious that I can’t remember who I am, or where exactly I am, but that I somehow have a vague recollection as to what each of piece of machinery does. Why is my memory being so selective? What trauma have I endured that cause such a memory loss? I am on the cusp of a panic attack. This seems so unnatural to me, and there is no one here to explain to me what is going on. I’m doing what I can to hold it together but I hope I find answers soon. In the meantime, I think I’m going to steer clear of that shifty looking fellow, unless it he provides some valuable information in my quest to fill the holes of my swiss cheese memory.

Reflections Daise'Erei'Riov t'Ksa "Au realize au probably signed N'Dak's death warrant. Sending him to see the Daise'Erei'Riov like that." "Ie." she answered simply. "But why?" "He would have to get it over with sooner or later. Besides in his condition, perhaps the Daise'Erei'Riov will have pity on him. And if na, then I still have finish work to do to heal his injuries, what is a few more?" She smirked, continuing, "Besides if the Daise'Erei'Riov is smart, he will know to pardon io's enemies is to mess with their heads. Or that is what a certain young Kheinsa once told me." Morgana stared at the reflection of herself in the windows of her office. When she kept the light in her office low, almost dark as she was apt to do, she could observer the staff members without them knowing she was watching. It also gave the window a slightly mirrored effect. She sighed heavily, searching the eyes of the woman staring back at her. "I grow tired of this." Morgana had been speaking to na other but herself. Another comm to Maec would have been a wasteful use of her time, although she had considered it for a brief moment. Besides, she was na in the mood to be teased, taunted or lectured. Or really, to be reasoned with. She already had much to think about. She stared past her reflection towards the staff members going about their business. They seemed carefree, happy and content to be productive. She wished she too could return to that time. She had wanted to change, honestly. But it seemed so difficult. She would take io small step, only to feel as if she would falter and fall re steps back. Perhaps she was destined to remain what she had now become. "Or perhaps na," She squinted at the woman in the reflection once more. What she saw was a woman with dark brown hair, cut the Galae way and tied back in traditional fashion, strong jaw, an aristocratic nose, and brown eyes that seemed to be staring right through herself, right through the Daise'Maenak herself. And what did *that* woman see? A 'pickle', as Maec described? A sour Evil Maenak as the crew had rumored her to be? The pessimistic Ksa that her rinams rolled their eyes to now? Or was there something else to her? Morgana tugged at the clasp that bound her hair tightly until it fell free. She ran her hand through the locks, staring again. Na, she saw some io determined, stubborn, fearless and proud. Some io who was at least trying to change. Even if she had to take baby steps to get there. "Lhhei?" Morgana turned slightly. In her inner reflections, she had apparently failed to see the small contingent of maenakenn and staff assembled in the far corner of bay, debating who would be the brave io to approach the Daise'Maenak's office. The victim...err...volunteer now stood in the doorway of Ksa's office. "Ie? Come in." "I...err...we...are celebrating t'Nona's day of birth. We thought au would like to partake in the celebratory pastry." The woman walked timidly, placing a decorated morsel on Morgana's desk. Morgana nodded her head, but said nothing. She knew not what to say. It had been a long time since she had been included in any celebrations. Instead she smiled slightly at the gesture as the maenak bowed her head once more and then departed. Perhaps the changes within herself were being noticed by her staff. Or perhaps they feared retribution for na including her. She did na know, nor did she care. What she did, she did for herself, na them. Morgana sighed once more and faced her reflection in the window. "Ksa, you have a long way to go before that woman in the window can smile down on au. A long way to go. But do na let those reflections intimate au. Au will get there, sooner or later. Au old Pickle."

Oh What A Pickle I'm In, Part 2 Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa Maec winced as her voice escalated into a shrill tone. "Khera, calm yourself, fhaen." He spoke softly, almost at a whisper as he watched Morgana's face flush green in anger. Just those khi words caused the color in Morgana's face to drain almost immediately. Maec had just uttered Morgana's third name, a private io that was only spoken by family and trusted friends. Although she knew he knew it and he knew she knew he knew it and he knew she knew his own, neither io had uttered those names before in their numerous past conversations. She felt like a school girl as she scrambled to figure out what she should say. In the end, she said nothing about it. She recovered after a moment and nodded. "I'm fine, rekkhai. I just needed a moment to vent. To say that I am frustrated would be an understatement." If he had noticed her stumble, he did na acknowledged it, "I know, I can tell." Maec sat back. "I haven't seen au this upset since au got tr'Miyoga as a laboratory partner and he crushed au's joint project." "He didn't crush it. He dropped it out a window. Or so he said. It was his toe was crushed." "Ah, that's right...after au dropped that table on it." "It was na my fault the table legs were faulty." She answered calmly. "Morgana, au kicked the folding legs out from under the table while he was talking with his friends. I saw au." Maec smirked. That brought a slight smile to Morgana's face. "I acted on impulse." She shrugged. "Which is exactly what I'm trying *na* to do when dealing with tr'Lahir and N'Dak. I've already had io embarrassing tantrum after tr'Lahir left. And I've entertained the thought of letting N'Dak die, although I have yet to act upon it. Although it certainly would improve my reputation of Maenak Evil if I did." "So what will au do, Khera?" Morgana choose again na acknowledge the endearment. Although this time, it caused her to blush instead of lose her palor. "What are my choices?" "Y'ya him?" Maec suggested. "Too messy." She shrugged. "Throw him out an airlock?" "Na, too boring." "Put him in au's electric chair?" "I am na sure it still works. It is an antique after all." She sighed dejectedly. However, she made a mental note to contact Engineering to have an assessment made of the old relic. "Beat him senseless?" "And put myself on the same level as N'Dak? Na hann'yyo." "Alright then. How about making him do lines. 'I will follow the chain of command. I will na anger the Daise'Maenak.' Ten thousand times should do the trick." Maec stared up the ceiling, counting off punishments. "Na. Too easy to replicate the handwriting." "Clean the laboratory with a t'Hoothbrush?" "Already did that with another crewmember, for all the good that did him. They have him piloting this Areinnye ship." Morgana answered flatly. "I'm running out of ideas here, Morgana." "Oh please, au are Kheinsa. Au can play mind games with the best of them." Sound far more bored that he really was, Maec suggested, "Make him finish painting au's office?" "Now there's a thought." "Are au kidding me?" Morgana bit her lip, seriously considering the thought. "Na, na, na. Not if I use some theatrical elements to get my point across. Besides, my standards are very high. He might very well be painting my office for years. And where better for me to keep an eye on him?" "Ah, that Maenak Evil mind is now churning." Maec tried na to laugh. "Ie, indeed." "So who is next on au's list. From au's tone, this seemed to be just a start." "And a menkha start, I think. First I have to solve the problems within my own department, rekkhai. Then I can tackle the rest of the Galae. This will suffice for now. Hann'yyo for au's assistance." "Llienn'yyo. Tell Etre tr'Lahir I wish him all the best of luck. Elements know he is going to need it, if au are planning to teach him a lesson." Maec leaned back in his chair. Morgana steepled her fingers together, turning serious as she considered what must be done. "Elements know *I'm* going to need luck if this is going to work and get it through his thick skull that he can na repeat this behavior again. For if doesn't, the next time his fate will be out of my hands." She exhaled heavily. "And I do na dare imagine what will happen."

Oh What A Pickle I'm In, Part 1 Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa "Daise'Erei'Riov t'Ksa, au have a communication from Galae Medical. Shall I put it through to au's office?" Morgana slapped her t'Liss with the back of her hand to respond to the bridge officer on duty. "Ie, fhaen." She stepped down from the ladder, wiping her hands on a rag as she moved to her desktop computer screen. She skipped the traditional greeting and addressed the call with a stern voice. "Au were supposed to comm me thi (three) hours ago, rekkhai." She turned the computer screen to face her then started to clean up the mess scattered across her office floor. "I'm sorry, I was tied up with a patient. This was the first free moment I had." Maec tr'Aieme apologized. Maec was a Kheinsa (Counselor) within Galae Medical, io of Morgana's Academy classmates, and was perhaps becoming more than just a friend to the crusty Daise'Maenak, even if she had yet to recognize him as such in public. "Na matter." Morgana sighed. "It was a bit chaotic here as well. I just finished stabilizing a patient a few siuren ago. I could na talk even if I wanted to." "Stabilizing a patient? That does na look like what au are doing now. What is that? Are au painting au's office wall?" Morgana shot the Kheinsa a sour look. "Na, I just open the containers and hope that the pigment molecules will hop out onto the wall of their own accord." She watched as Maec rolled his eyes, and then shook her own head. She closed the paint container before depositing the brush in the recycler. "It has been a terrible day. And things have only escalated in the past few hours and I needed to put my energies towards something productive so I could think. So..." she glanced at the io finished cream colored wall. "...I thought this might do the trick. Besides, I'm tired of looking at the dark blue walls tr'Rike commissioned. They seem so depressing." "Ah, I see. So au have turned au's manic energy to painting au's office. What is it au do on a good day? Dismantle io of the biobeds?" Maec chuckled, teasing her. "Na, I put troublesome crewmembers in stasis. Au can ask our former Daise'Dheno. I believe he is still at Galae Medical, frozen like an ice cube." Morgana flashed a wicked smile. She was teasing after all, but the sad fact was this had become part of her reputation on Talon. "Interesting hobby. I hope au have bad days more often, they seem less destructive to the crew." "Everyday around here is bad day, so I suppose the crew is lucky." Morgana shrugged, motioning widely with her hands. Maec smirked, as he prepared to take another dig at the Daise'Maenak. "Are au always such a pickle?" "A pickle?" She glared at Maec, not sure where he was going with this discussion. "Ie, I was thinking au's attitude is like that of food preserved in a brine or vinegar solution. Or in specifically, au act all sour and are bottled up in au's medical lab. Na wonder au are so starved for my attention." Maec flashed a toothy grin. "I am na!" Morgana looked horrified. "I may be *in* a pickle here...but I certainly am *na* a pickle!" "Au are too. Were au actually requesting a conference to actually discuss something. Or were you just missing the sound of my voice." He asked innocently. "Only io loves au's voice enough to miss it and that is au, rekkhai." Morgana answered with her nose in the air. "Well, if that is all au called me for was to insult me..." Maec made a move to cancel the connection. Morgana laughed, waving at the screen. "Na...na...na...wait. I need au's help. Au verrul." "Well, when au put it that way, how can I resist? What is the problem?" He leaned casually back. She stared at her paint stained finger nails for a moment before continuing. "Well, I have a problem I would like au's input on. I would have asked the Khre'Riov or the Daise'Erei'Riov. But given the current situation, I believe it would be wiser if I handled it myself." She started wringing the rag in her hands as if she was wringing some io's neck. "If I can keep my own temper in check, that is." "What is it?" Maec leaned forward; intrigued that Morgana would have called to ask him for assistance. She shrugged slightly, then launched into a description of the events taking place with tr'Lahir, t'Aejhea, N'Dak and the Khre'Riov, stressing her issues with tr'Lahir. She spoke in generalities, na specific details, because any more was insignificant to what she needed help with. It occurred to her that the conversation could be monitored, but she had na revealed any confidential information nor had spoken out against the Galae command, so she felt na reason to worry. She paused in her story only long enough for the duty nurse to hand her an ISD with N'Dak's updated medical condition. Maec frowned when Morgana paused to take a breath. "So, what are au going to do?" "I do na know what I can do. I know his reasoning for disobeying the order. What I do na know is his reasoning for disobeying the chain of command. The verrul should have told me." She covered her face with her hands for a moment, speaking through them for io moment. "And it is na like I have na recognized my own fault in this. I should have examined the injured woman myself at the start of this...mess, or as soon as I heard there was trouble with the nurses. I should have told the staff to disregard NDak's order when I heard it, but I did na think he would have beat his diserhn 'dheno so badly. I also had faith that tr'Lahir would have told me if he had a problem with what was occurring. Na place the blame on the nursing staff like he did." Morgana took a deep breath before speaking again, her voice taking on a ringing tone. "The verrul has a duty to call this type of issue to my attention, na act above orders given to him. As a result, I had to side with the idiot N'Dak and better yet, face the wrath of the Khre'Riov because he did na notify me of the problem. What am I supposed to tell the woman, my diserhn 'maenak can't follow orders or the chain of command, did na bring the situation to my full attention and I was unaware that the diserhn 'dheno was in such sorry shape? Now I look like an incompetent verrul! Like I do na know what is going on in my own medical bay. As if I can na control my own people, which apparently I can na!" Maec winced as her voice escalated into a shrill tone. "Khera, calm yourself, fhaen." He spoke softly, almost at a whisper as he watched Morgana's face flush green in anger. Just those khi words caused the color in Morgana's face to drain almost immediately.

Daise'Maenak's Orders to the Head Nurse Daise'Erei'Riov t'Ksa "t'Culli, Aife....my office, fhaen" Morgana spoke softly, her eyes tracking the maenak and his helpmate try to find the missing disheren'dheno. The re nurses had long since slipped up next to the Daise'Maenak, each watching with a mixture of amusement and annoyance at the circus the medical bay had become. Without saying io further word, t'Ksa turned on her heels and strolled to her office. As expected, the other re women followed. Morgana looked up only after she had settled herself at her desk. Then she stared at the re women for a moment as she collected her thoughts. Aife t'Mercu, the Head Nurse, and therefore shared responsibility for undoing what the disheren maenak tr'Lahir had done to influence the nurses. And then there was the woman Morgana simply referred to as t'Culli out of respect, the only io who had been posted to Talon's medical department longer than Morgana herself. She would need both of their opinions to temper her own response to the current staffing issue. A wave of her hand offered the invitation for the re women a chance to sit down. t'Culli sat primly in a chair, hands folded in her lap. Aife out of respect to her elders, did na sit but stood near the corner of Morgana's desk next to t'Culli's chair. Neither spoke, but waited to be addressed by the Daise Maenak. "We have a situation I need the re of au to take care of." Morgana folded her hands on her desk. "I have been told that several of the nurses have been reluctant to follow directions. Specifically, the directions the Daise'Dheno gave the medical staff in regard to care of his disheren'dheno and those which were agreed upon when t'Aehjea was brought here." She sighed, glancing at the door with a look of annoyance. "The orders in which t'Aehjea was to be cared for, but na have the damaged skin regenerated, ie?" Aife answered. "Ie," Morgana answered flatly. She bit back her disgust, it was not something she could share with this re, even if she trusted them. "In any case, I am told by Etre tr'Lahir that he tried to 'reason' with the ios questioning the orders." She pursed her lips together. Again, she had an unspoken comment about tr'Lahir's actions, but it would na be appropriate to share with them, so she swallowed it down the best she could. "In any case, this issue needs to be resolved immediately. I have already addressed the issue with Etre tr'Lahir. Hopefully having to chase down t'Aehjea will teach him a lesson. In the meantime," Morgana glanced at Aife. "...I want au to find out who the ring leader and remove him or her. If there is more than io, I do na care, suspend them all. Then find out how deep the damage is." Aife nodded slowly. "And the rest, lhhei?" "They are to be reassigned to other duty shifts." Morgana glanced at t'Culli. "Which is where I need au's help. We may need to pull some of au's nurses to cover this shift, as well as I want au to be prepared for some who might be pulling a double shift today." "Ie, of course, lhhei." t'Culli nodded. "As au wish." Morgana then stood up, "Aife, report to me when au have finished au's investigation. And I do na want au to have sympathy for these troublemakers. Remember, if they could na follow the simplest of orders during a relatively peaceful time, then I hesitate to think what might happen during a time of crisis. If they need to be removed from this ship, I expect au to tell me. Understood?" "Ie, lhhei." the Head Nurse nodded. "Hann'yyo, both of au. Au are dismissed." She smiled tightly as she motioned to the door. The re women left without further comment. As soon as the doors to her office slid closed, Morgana sighed deeply, sinking back into her chair. It had been the first time since her command of the medical department, aside from the squid incident, that she had ever heard of this issue of refusing orders. Although na a complete surprise to her, as they were individual Rihan people na robots, she was still shocked to a degree. Now she had to resolve the situation. Because just as she told Aife, if io could na follow the simplest of orders, then how could io respond in a crisis. But was she handling it correctly? Clearly, she had a different way of dealing with her subordinates than Daise'Dheno. Whether io method was better than another was surely a matter of opinion. And up until now, she felt her method had suited just fine. However, times seemed to be changing on this ship. A new generation of officers, apparently, who did na seem to think anything of questioning orders, or allowing family members to interfere with their duty or treating each other with disrespect. As she thought more on this issues, she found that she had io question before her. Should she should change her style to fit the new Rihan Galae solider? Or could this Rihan teach the new dogs some old leadership tricks?

Of course if I had really hit him over the head with a rice bowl, the verrul would have been dead and in stasis before any io knew about it. ::evil twisted grin::

"Morgana, I think thou doth protest too much. Au are na 'fine'. And if au can na discuss what is bothering au, then we should end this conversation now before we waste any more time." "Fine, perhaps we will speak another time." "Ie, perhaps." The Rihan male on the other side of the viewscreen paused, na providing any further encouragement but an opening for Morgana t'Ksa to continue to talk to fill the uncomfortable silence. It was a Kheinsa's trick and Morgana fell for it every time she talked with Maec tr'Aieme. Perhaps it was her nervousness in speaking with a Kheinsa (Counselor) from Galae Medical. Or perhaps it was because Maec had managed to leap frog from collegiate rival to something that couldn't be defined more than 'more than a friend' during a dizzying thi days shoreleave just a few short weeks ago. "Au make it sound as if we will na speak again," she glared at him. "I did na say that. What makes au think that was implied?" Maec arched his brows. "Au's tone of voice." Morgana hissed at him. "What do au mean?" She rolled her eyes at him. "Au made it sound as if au won't speak to me unless I initiate the conversation. Like au are bored with me. Au do na exactly thrill me with au's psycho-babble lecture reports. Au could put an insomniac to sleep." "Is it the lack of fresh oxygen or the thin artificial atmosphere that turns Rihans into raving babbling lunatics while engaged in space travel?" Maec asked with a smirk firmly rooted on his face. "Is it that they believe their own bloated rhetoric or are they over compensating for their own neurosis that causes Kheinsas to believe every Rihan has a mental defect?" Morgana shot back in annoyance. Maec's face flushed green in anger for a moment. Then he sighed and rubbed his face. His voice softened as he lowered his hands. "Au know Morgana, things would be so much simpler and would na cause so much heartache if au would stop trying to pick a fight with me and tell me what is bothering au. Friend to friend, let's call a truce. What's wrong?" "Headache, rekkhai. Na heartache," Morgana snapped then sensed the seriousness in his tone. She sighed softly, relenting, "I am disturbed..." "I could have told au that." Maec interrupted. "Maec, if au want me to talk, then au need to stop making fun of me," she scolded him. "My apology, please continue." "I am..." she searched for another word that would na cause another snide comment. "...upset by recent events here. These creatures we have found. Some io was intent on using them as weapon. And when something went wrong, they sent us as bait to see if the creatures survived their planetary exile." "Bait?" Maec seemed to be listening intently. "Ie, they wanted to know if the creatures survived the crash. They decided to use our training mission as a decoy to research those creatures survival. Like dangling a piece of meat in front of a p'Anther. And although I have na been able to pin down exactly who t'Rex has offended to garnish this punishment...and the elements know there are numerous possible candidates, the woman has managed to stomp on some rather large toes...what right has any Rihan to experiment with another Rihan's life like this? It is senseless and cruel." Maec smiled, "The maenak has a heart after all. How wonderful." "Well of course I have a heart." Morgana snapped at him. "Au should show it more often. It suits au." "What are au implying?" Maec sighed again. "It was a compliment, Morgana. Just take it graciously and move on with au's story." She gave Maec a sour look, then continued speaking. "Now knowing what they have done and what nuisance they've become, t'Rex had the gall to ask me if we could somehow manipulate them to benefit our own soldiers. Seriously now, when will this end? Why can we na learn from our past mistakes, instead trying to compound them further? What good would it serve us to experiment with these creatures any further? Besides insuring our immediate deaths. How many Rihans have to die before some io understands, shows some compassion and puts an end to all of this madness?" "I do na know, lhhei." Maec shrugged. He started at her for a moment while she played with something on her desk. He leaned closer to the screen and spoke quietly. "What is it, Morgana?" "It is a very dangerous thought, Maec." She shook her head. "Morgana...?" She could sense the concern in his voice. But to trust him with her thoughts at the moment was a dangerous thing indeed. Na for the content of the thought, for she could carefully word her thoughts so that she would na get into too much trouble. But to trust any io, let along Maec...now that was a far more dangerous thought, considering her history. She lifted her eyes to stare at him. "What is it?" Maec seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say and concerned for her wellbeing. Perhaps it was another Kheinsa trick, but Morgana could na help blurt out what was running through her mind, carefully worded of course. "Since when has the Rihan Star Empire felt so insecure in its own power and might that it has to go and create unnatural abominations to further torment our enemies only to know that in the end these unnecessary experimentations will backfire in our collective faces. We are better than that." Maec shrugged a little. "Au know it is only a few who do so. A very minute minority." "To the determent of the rest of us. When is it enough, Maec?" Although angry in her tone of voice, her anger was na directed at Maec. She instantly regretted snapping at him. "I do na know, lhhei." He offered soothingly, appearing to have ignored her outburst. He tilted his head as he asked the next question. "Au say this now because au were the victim this time, ie?" "Ie, I suppose. I do na play 'damsel in distress' very well, rekkhai." Morgana shrugged this time. "Na, I don't suppose au would. Au are as physically strong as au are strong willed." "So what do we do now?" "Do our jobs competently, show compassion to those who are victimized by such behavior and try to move forward the best we can." "Business as usual then." She answered skeptically. "Ie, I suppose." "What about righting Rihan wrongs? Saving the Empire? Superhero powers and the like?" "Is that part of a maenak's job description?" "Na, but I have na intention of becoming a victim again." "I didn't expect au would." Morgana leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "To be perfectly honest. This conversation did nothing to help me feel better. But I want to thank au just the same." "It made me feel better...I am na so worried about au's sanity." Maec shrugged and smiled reassuringly. "Maec, be thankful that au are not within striking distance right now. Because if au were, I swear I would flatten au." Morgana rolled her eyes. "There's the Ksa. I know. The one who repays concern for another's wellbeing with a threat of physical violence. So much for a truce tonight." He smirked at her. "Is this your demented form courtship or something?" "Perhaps...although au are doing your own fair share of bickering. Perhaps this is another prelude to another late night visit to my home..." He flashed a lopsided grin that gave Morgana a shiver. "As I remember when au were here last we started out much the same way, then..." "And on that note, I believe it is time to end this conversation." Morgana interrupted him quickly, afraid of just exactly where his train of thought was going. "Aw, come on Morgana..." Maec started to laugh. "Am I getting under au's skin yet?" "Ie, like a rash that won't go away. Good night, Maec." Morgana answered in a sugary sweet voice as she cut the communication channel before he could provide further commentary. She stared silent at the viewscreen with the revolving t'Liss for a few moments before muttering to herself, "And that my dear might big a problem bigger than the blobs could ever create."

04:00 in the morning and some verrul was ringing the chime to his retreat house. Perhaps it was a Rihan who confused his address with the another down the road. Normally he would have ignored it and the caller would have walked away. But this io was stubborn enough to continually ring it to a point where he could na longer ignore it. He peered out the window pane to see the shadow of a woman, face turned from him, standing patiently at the door. Peevishly, he yanked the door open to find himself face to face with Morgana t’Ksa. He blinked in surprise, but before he could open his mouth to bellow at her for waking him, she stepped up into the doorway and spoke softly with a calm sort of confidence he had na heard in her before. “I am driving to the capital city this morning,” She motioned to the borrowed flitter behind her. “I was hoping au would accompany me.” She stood expectantly in the lamplight waiting for his answer, with na emotion he could read on her face. “Do au have any idea what time it is?” “Ie, 04:11. I have been standing out here for dev minutes.” “I have half a mind to throw au out. Au are insane.” “Au are a Kheinsa, au should be used to that by now. Use au’s other half and come with me.” Morgana shrugged. Then she took a step closer to him so that they stood eye to eye. “Au said last night...I could take steps to start over. So I am. It is a long drive, and I do na want to go alone. I want au.” “Give me dev minutes to get dressed and get my things.” “I must warn au, the last re men who kissed me ran so fast to transfer to other assignments it made my head spin.” “When did I ever say I was going to kiss au?” Maec raised a brow, slightly confused at the turn of the conversation. “When did I ever say au had a choice?” the Maenak answered with a slightly impish grin before leaning in and tenderly kissing the Kheinsa for the first time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There was a certain aroma that never failed to awake her. A tea with a smell was so inviting it rejuvenated her and awakened all her senses to the dawning of a new day. This morning she could smell it's strong aroma and it made her smile as she woke. Morgana stretched a little, glanced at where the bedside timepiece was usual kept, then panicked when she realized she wasn't in her own room, na in her own bed. It took a few moments to remember where and how she'd gotten to be in the place, into Maec's bedroom, into Maec's bed. Morgana located the time piece and sighed deeply. She crawled off the bed, straightening her rumpled clothing and headed towards the open balcony window. She saw his shadow through the morning fog, standing against the railing. "It's 0700, why did au na wake me? Better yet, why did au let me sleep?" "Au looked so peaceful," Maec chuckled, offering her a mug of steaming liquid. "I did na want to wake au. Besides I did na know au would fall sleep in the dev minutes it took me to pack." "It was the first time all night I slept. I can na believe au just let me fall asleep like that...in au's bed while au were packing. This is embarrassing." Morgana muttered into her mug. When she realized she admitted something she had na intended, she turned her head. The foggy morning made it seem as if they were in a cocoon of their own, and it made Morgana nervous. "I suppose I am on my own this morning...even if we leave now, we will na get to the capital city in time for au's duty shift." "I already contacted the Daise'Kheinsa and told her I had a patient to attend to today and would na be in. I would rather spend au's last day here with au..if au'd like." Maec held open a box of pastries for her. "If I remember correctly, these are the ios au like?" "Ie, they are," She took io and picked at it silently for a few moments. "Something wrong?" "I did na know au remembered these?" Maec supposed that the normal Rihan response to someone remembering au's favorite morning meal would be a smile. But then again Morgana was anything but normal. He stared frown lines in her brow and the pursing of her lips for a moment before he responded. "Au used to get so excited when au's mother would send them in care packages, as if au would na share au's treasure with any io. And yet au always did." He watched her lips curled into the slightest hint of a smile. A smile that for re days he had been trying to coax out of her. Io that had finally made appearances after a great deal of effort, only to be dashed against the cliffs during their last night's meeting. "Why did au ask me to go with au?" She turned away from the gray wall of fog to face him. "I do na know. All I know is that I could na sleep last night. I suppose I am na so good at this 'starting over' business and I wanted some io with me. I need some help, and au seem to be a know-it-all who I'm sure can give me more advice than I would ever want to hear. Besides, where au na the io who told me I needed a friend. And...well...I like...au." Morgana blushed as she continued to ramble on. "This is na behavior of a Daise'Maenak. Certainly na io of the Galae. Just a verrul who is suffering from sleep deprivation, which by the way is au's fault. So au can take it with a grain of salt. Elements...would au stop staring at me like that?" "Like what?" "Like that! Like the p'Anther that ate the hlai. Like au just beat me in another exam. That's the same look...the same gloating look--" "Morgana?" "What, au old verrul?" "I like au too." Maec laughed softly as he quickly gathered her into his arms and kissed her firmly before she could change her mind. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "There is a rumor, lhhei, that au were seen kissing a man near Galae medical offices." Nurse t'Culli looked up from her spiced tea to check the reaction of the Daise'Maenak. The re were meeting at a small cafe just outside of Galae command at Morgana's request, so that na of her medical staff would know the nature of the meeting. Morgana had tired of the prying eyes and with only a few precious hours left in her shoreleave, she had na intention of returning to Talon prematurely just to deal with this simple matter. The Daise'Maenak simply looked up. "I have na returned to ship and already the rumors are flying." "Are they true?" "Does it matter?" Morgana smirked, swirling her tea in her mug. "But between au and me...I found renewal at the end of a very long flitter trip." She blushed. "So, what has come to pass in my absence from the ship?" Morgana attempted to change the subject. "Aife has been pacing like a trapped p'Anther. The new Erien is doing a passable job and the Khre'Riov is back in medical with the new hand being recently removed. I suppose au will have to deal with that when au return...or check the Erien's work on her." "All this in a matter of thi days. Fascinating." "About Aife, lhhei? Au asked me to watch her..." "Ie, and what are au thoughts?" Morgana leaned back in her chair. t'Culli prepared to make a losing case to the Daise'Maenak. "Lhhei. I believe au should be lenient...perhaps." "Why?" "Lhhei, she feels a tremendous amount of guilt for being a victim of the squid's attack. I am na saying that what she did was right. But she did na do anything to harm the ship or the occupants, only act a bit...well..contrary to that of a disciplined nurse by allowing the squids to take control and knock her out of commission. And for that she has felt guilty and felt as if she betrayed na only au, and the Galae but herself as well. All those who were affected where na just affected during the attack, but this will live with them for the rest of their lives and careers. She has suffered more by her own hands, by her own guilt riddled mind, then by any means that au can devise, lhhei." "But I can na let it go unpunished. She was derelict of duty, t'Culli." Morgana leaned forward in her chair. "Au have been on Talon far longer than I have. Knowing what au know about her Enarrains and Daise'Maenakenn...what would they have done?" t'Culli glanced down at the table as she spoke softly. "Rike would have admonished her, but would na have removed her from the ship, lhhei." It was a name that brought out mixed feelings for Morgana. And yet she knew t'Culli was right. "Well, I am na Rike." She grimaced, then sighed softly. "And yet I understand. I will think on it." She set her mug. "I must go, I have an appointment in a few minutes. Keep an eye on the new maenak and make sure the Khre'Riov is na in too much pain. I will return once my time is up here." Morgana brushed the crumbs from her clothing as she stood. "Au sound like au are in a hurry. Hot date?" t'Culli teased, then winced when she realized who she was teasing. The Daise'Maenak would probably take her head off for that comment, the nurse was sure of it. Morgana however simply winked and actually smiled as she walked away, "Let's just say I plan to add a little truth to those rumors."

“I have become a woman I do na even like.” Morgana sighed, toying with the stem of her wine glass and staring out at the waves crashing into the cliffs. "A woman I don't even know." “There is always the opportunity to change, Morgana. If au do na like the woman au have become, start over and rebuild au’s life the way au envision.” Maec leaned back against the rock. The two of them had been sitting on the rocky coast line watching the sun set over the seas. A light picnic was spread between the re of them as they sat on seat cushions and leaned against a large rock outcropping. “I do na need a Kheinsa, Maec.” “Na, au don't. Au need a friend.” Maec playfully tossed a seat cushion at the scowling face. Morgana beamed it back at him, narrowly missing his forehead. “And a better throwing arm.” “Perhaps au can testify to that fact to a certain Praetor. He is still convinced I threw a rice bowl at him, although it was certainly the other way around.” Morgana grinned and tossed another seat cushion at Maec’s head. This one landed against the side of his face with a satisfying thud. Io look on his face and she knew he would retaliated soon. And this caused Morgana t’Ksa, the io known as Maenak Evil, the io known on Talon to have a sour grapes attitude, to laugh uncontrollably as she retreated out of his way. For days two and three of her shore leave, she had found herself in the company of Maec tr’Aieme. At first, the meetings were accidental, then by the designs of others, now these meetings were of her own free will. They walked together along the shoreline, they climbed the cliffs as Morgana had in her childhood, and they dined together at several of her favorite establishments overlooking the sea. Morgana was amazed at how easy it had been to talk to him. The conversations that left her so frustrated and annoyed while they were attending the Academy were now so satisfying and enjoyable. She often lost track of time when she was with him. And she actually found that she actually enjoyed spending that time with the verrul. And they did na just talk about the Galae and the medical community. Nor did they only talk about Morgana’s own issues (and who would na have issues being stationed on Talon?). Morgana actually learned more about Maec as he opened up. She learned that for many generations his ancestors had been artisans in the capital city, their name well known in that community. That Maec’s father continued the tradition, and took on a few apprentices each year. She learned that his father had tried to teach Maec the trade as he had done with his brothers and sister, but had found that Maec had na talent for it. And that it was his mother who recognized his talents in the sciences and for understanding Rihans and had suggested another path. She learned he liked to talk. And when she made this observation, he simply shrugged. “Who councels the Khiensa? A Khiensa needs to talk to some io, do they na?” She nodded in agreement, and was surprised to find that she was happy he was confiding in her. Perhaps it was this realization that made her back away a few moments after discovering it. A compulsion to distance herself from Maec as much as she could. “It’s late, I really must be going,” Morgana stood and dusted the sand off her skirt. “Don't be silly. It is na. Why are au running away this time? “Don't play Kheinsa with me, Maec. It's late and I really must go.” “Au are pulling away again. Like au did at dinner last night when I suggested we take a walk. Or like this afternoon when we were hiking, au suddernly had to return home. And for what? What is it that has au running scared? Why is it the moment the conversations turn serious, au disappear? Are au afraid to get close to any io?” “Maec, stop. Please.” Morgana grabbed her bag. “It’s late and I have to pack to return to my ship tomorrow.” She hid her face by busying herself with the search through her things to make sure she had everything. Perhaps if he did na see her face, he would na see through her lie. “I have to return to the capital city tomorrow for the work week, I could go with au to the transport center.” Maec stood up as well, trying to salvage what was left of their seperation. "Perhaps get have a light morning meal with you?" “Na, that’s quite alright,” She nodded tensely before jumping down off the rock. "I am na sure when I am leaving. I still have many errands to run before I can return." “Morgana, I—“ She clenched her jaw, fighting the instinct to run, “Maec, hann’yyo for the company. Perhaps I will see au the next time I come ch’Rihan.” Maec looked angry, glaring at her as he jumped down beside her. “So, this is au’s goodbye. Au have nothing more to say?” Morgana shook her head no and shrugged. Her heart sank to her stomach at just how cold her reaction was. Perhaps her conscience was awakening, but leaving like this did na feel right, even after only re days. And yet, it is what her mind told her to do. Leave now before…. “Hann’yyo.” She started off across the sand towards the flitter. And her heart rose again to her throat when he did na say or do anything to stop her.

“Well, au did say au would give anything.” Morgana smiled innocently, piloting the car to towards the clubhouse. “Well, I did na think au would try to take me out with a g’Olf club.” Maec laughed as he rubbed the bruise Morgana had caused. Both Rihan seemed to physically relax now that they were na longer subject to Kalicia's nervous chatter. “Au still owe me. That little trip was only a means to an end.” Morgana smirked as she pulled into a parking spot. “How about a drink then?” Maec jumped out of the cart and hopped up and down to prove to himself that he was na damaged in Morgana’s attack. “To numb the pain and suffering our ears have been in today.” “Ie, I would like that,” Morgana responded with a slight nod. She followed him into the clubhouse, then to a table on the outside patio so that they could watch the other g’Olfers go by (and keep watch for Morgana’s rinam). They each ordered a drink, snacks to share and a Morgana ordered a bag of ice to keep up the ruse of Maec’s injury. Much to her surprise, conversation with Maec was friendly and easy. The re of them spoke about life after the Academy. They talked about why Maec did na choose a career at space (“I get space sick…really really space sick. I just look at a scout ship and I throw up.”). They talked about how Morgana liked her assignment (“The Khre’Riov is suspicious of every io. To her every io is a spy. If au had her as a patient, au would make a great deal of credits in billable hours.”). And they talked about what kind of cadets the Galae Academy was turning out these days and every topic in between. “Have dinner with me tonight,” Maec asked during a small lull in the conversation, fiddling with the half-melted bag of ice. “Na, I can’t,” Morgana fidgeted nervously. She did na know why, but her stomach had this unsettled feeling with the invitation. “Why na?” “I just can’t. I have na seen my family in a long time. I'm sure my mother will want us to share a meal tonight.” Morgana fibbed uncomfortably. To her knowledge there was na such meal planned because both her parents and io of her rinam had to work that evening. She played with the napkin resting on the table. “I heard Kalicia telling Delon she was making dinner tonight,” Maec raised a brow. It was a well known fact that Kalicia t’Ksa could burn down a kitchen just by boiling water (It had happened thi times already. Truly!) The meals she prepared were often scorched beyond recognition and tasted like ash. And yet she still continued to try to cook, experimenting often with her own family. Her mother brought home large quantities of anti-acid medications whenever it was Kalicia’s turn to cook, and her father would have a second meal prepared by the Ksas’ household servants so that na one person, guest or family, starved. Morgana rubbed the bridge of her nose. When choosing between an inedible meal prepared by her loving youngest rinam and sharing a meal with an old Academy rival, Morgana decided to choose the lesser of the two evils. “When and where do I meet au?”

This is what happens when you eat too many Thin Mints.

There was io thing that Morgana was absolutely dying to do before returning to the cold darkness of space. g’Olf. Her io vice, her io passion, her io addicting habit. And to play on a real g’Olf course, with real turf, real clubs and real balls. Why that would be heaven! Just io little outing and the Daise Maenak would be refreshed and ready to return to duty. Why her rinam chose to ruin for her by including an unwanted guest, Morgana did na know. When Morgana had suggested the outing to her rinam and her bondmate that morning, the re of them sounded excited. What Morgana did na know is that Kalicia, after attending her meeting at Galae Command, invited some io to join them to become a complete foursome. She had na asked nor said anything to Morgana until they walked through the clubhouse and Morgana saw the male Rihan’s backside as he talked with Delon tr'Ksa. Apparently Maec was put off guard as well. He had never been a very good actor in his Academy days, and Morgana saw that this had na improved with age. He looked startled and fluster to see Morgana had joined them for the g’Olf outing. Apparently Kalicia had na told Maec the eldest t’Ksa rinam would be joining them. Morgana, having the advantage of seeing him first, pretended to be indifferent to the new addition to the group. She would na give any of them the satisfaction that this newest turn of events upset her. Whether they liked it or not, Kalicia immediately too command of the game, pairing Morgana and Maec to ride in a cart together and Kalicia and her bondmate in another cart. As they climbed into a g’Olf cart just as Kalicia and Delon took off in their own, Maec glanced at Morgana “I thought au said au had better things to do today. I did na know you were coming.” “Nor I knew that you were,” Morgana responded as tugged on her gloves and settled in. She was determined to salvage as much of her game as she could. She could easily pretend Maec was a caddy or that he was na there at all. “I believe au’s rinam is trying to set us up.” Maec scowled at the Ksas’ cart hovering towards the first tee. He roughly put the cart in gear and started towards where the Ksas' waited. “Whatever gave au that idea?” Morgana answered dryly. Morgana was pleasantly surprised to find that Maec was an excellent g’Olfer. She actually found herself complementing him on his form and shots during the first nine holes. And she was pleased to see her own game had na suffered to badly from the less than desirable HIC sessions she had practiced in. The only flaw in the game was her rinam. Kalicia was painfully forcing conversation at ever turn. If ever they found themselves in a moment in silence, Kalicia was quick to fill it. She was talking enough for six Rihan and driving all of them to the brink of insanity. The only moments peace they received was when they were traveling as separate couples in the carts. Maec sighed heavily as they prepared to exit the cart at hole thirteen. “Here we go again,” he muttered under his breath to Morgana as he eyed Kalicia and her nervous chatter with her bondmate Delon. “I have never seen her like this,” Morgana loitered around the back of the cart, pretending to pick out a club. “Nervousness. She is na used to playing matchmaker.” Delon also studied his clubs, eyeing Kalicia and Delon carefully. “Matchmaker?” Morgana’s brow rose. The club she was pulling out of her bag froze as she stared at him. She had thought his comment earlier was a joke. Given Kalicia's behavior during the game, she suddenly realized that perhaps it was na. “Ie. I told au, she's trying to set us up,” Maec’s eyes were still on the Ksas. “Perhaps I may have asked her how au were doing io too many times for her to think I was interested in au. She apparently does na want au or I to know what she is trying to do.” Morgana pulled the club out of her bag, all the while she was studying him. He was trying too hard na to look in her direction. Memories of the Academy and his behavior came flooding back. And something else. She held the club more like a bat over her shoulder, ready to swing it at her rinam. “Well, we have several more holes to go. Better put on au’s game face.” “I am so glad she is a far better Daise in Command, than she is in domestic situations. I don’t think I can stand her nervous chatter much longer. I would give anything to get out of this.” Maec pulled his club out of his bag, but seemed to remain unable to face Morgana. “Anything?” Morgana tilted her head, a wicked smile gracing her face that Maec could na see. The smile disappeared as soon as he turned to face her, nose to nose. “Ie, anything,” he whispered so that Kalicia could na hear them. Morgana shrugged innocently and motioned for the Kheinsa to go before her. He took a few steps away from the cart only to trip over Morgana’s extended club. It was a dazzling embarrassing display as he lost his balance and landed awkwardly on the ground, mild expletives being uttered as he hit the ground. Her rinam and bondmate only saw the end result of the fall, na the cause itself, and rushed over to see what had happened. Morgana feigned concern for him as she knelt near the ankle she had caught with the head of her club. She knew full well he could na have injured anything more than his pride in the fall. While Kalicia and Delon were still out of hearing distance, and Maec was still reeling over the presumed malice of his g’Olfing partner, Morgana leaned in and whispered with a wink, “Au remember…au said anything.” “Are au alright?” Her voice returned to a slightly more callous 'annoyed maenak' tone, examining his ‘twisted’ ankle (Au know the tone..the io a maenak gives au when au've had an injury that au should have been able to easily avoid.) She pinched him when he did na seem to na be experiencing as much ‘pain’ as he was suppose to. After explaining what had happened and her diagnosis of the ankle, Morgana vehemently insisted that her sister and her bondmate continue playing while she dragged the crybaby over to the clubhouse for some ice. She was pleased to see the Maec was playing his part nicely, scowling at her and hobbling to the cart. When Kalicia and Delon were out of sight, Maec reached down and rubbed his ankle where Morgana had pinched it. “If that is what au do to friends…remind me na to make au an enemy.” His comment caused Morgana to genuinely laugh for the first time since meeting only io day ago.

Can I put in a request for additional stasis units now? The ios we have are getting rather full.

Morgana's Homecoming, Part 4 Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa “Hello again!” She practically jumped out of her skin when she heard that voice. Instead she managed to spill her drink all over the outdoor café table. “Hooya!” she scrambled to sop up the spill before it leaked over the side of the table and spoil her clothing. “Oh Elements. I’m sorry,” Maec grabbed napkins from a nearby table and started to help her clean up the mess. “I didn’t mean to startle you like that. Here, let me get you another one. What was that? Hot ch’Ocolate?” “Na, that is not necessary,” Morgana answered sourly, dropping the dripping paper into a nearby waste bin. “Na, I insist. It was my fault. Hold on a moment.” He left Morgana to clean up the remainder of the mess. She hoped that he would get lost on his way to the counter. Or at the very least, just abandon her to the mess on the table. But he returned through the early morning fog carrying re mugs of steaming liquid. “Here au go.” “Hann’yyo,” Morgana grumbled, taking the mug. As it was only polite, she offered the seat opposite hers at the table. “What are au doing out so early?” “I could ask au the same thing. I have a meeting at Galae command this morning. What is au’s excuse?” He sipped from his mug. “I’m still on spaceship time. This is mid-morning for me.” Morgana lied. In all honesty, she had risen early to be able to exercise in peace before the sunrise, then picked a prize table at an outdoor café to watch to watch the people of Mhiessan begin their day. She missed these days on ch’Rihan, when the sea fog rose like a curtain each morning revealing the wonders of a bright new day. If she stayed where she was into the noon hour and beyond, as she intended to do, the sea breezes would play with her hair, while the dappled sunlight danced through the trees’ leaves. Maec nodded as if her answer was acceptable, “So how do au like au’s assignment? The ship I mean?” “I have na complaints,” She regarded him over her mug, then narrowed her eyes. Mentally she prepared to do battle. “Kheinsa is it now? How do au know my rinam anyway? When did au re become so chummy?” “She and I worked together when she returned to ch’Rihan. I was part of the debriefing team.” Maec shrugged slightly. “How long has it been anyway? Four years?” “Seven,” Morgana answered. “Seven? Seven years? Has it really been that long?” Maec shook his head. Whatever defensive tone Morgana was taking, he wasn’t biting. “I can na believe it has been seven years. It seems like only yesterday…” “…when au gloated over au’s microbiology examination scores. Ie, I know.” Morgana smirked. “Like io are the io to talk,” Maec laughed. “Au practically danced when au beat me in anatomy examinations.” “I did na!” “Au did too!” “Well, we know why au are the Kheinsa and I am the Maenak…au’s scores were abysmal.” She smirked, trying to make a dig at him. But he wasn’t taking the bait and only laughed in defense. “Hey, they were na that bad. I was only two points lower than au’s.” He sipped from his mug. “Seven years. I can na believe it has been seven years.” “Ie,” She sighed, then gave up baiting him into another fight. “What are au doing in Mhiessan? I thought au lived near the capital city?” “I do, but I keep a retreat house here. Kalicia spoke so highly about Mhiessan that I had to come and see for myself and I practically fell in love with it.” Maec spoke easily as he leaned back in his chair. Morgana only nodded in response. “It’s beautiful here, do au na think?” She glanced passed his shoulder to the waves crashing against the cliffs in the distance and answered in an indifferent tone that did na reflect her true feelings. “It’s just Mhiessan.” “Why do I na believe that tone of voice?” He teased her. “Because au are Kheinsa…au are taught to be suspicious of the minds and feelings of Rihan and read more into them that what is really there.” She answered with the same indifferent tone. “It a professional flaw.” “Perhaps au should be the Kheinsa then?” “Na, they are too touchy feely. Maenakenn are feared more,” Morgana flashed a wolfish grin. Maec glanced at his chrono, then smirked at her. “Perhaps we could continue this debate…over the noon-day meal?” Morgana shifted in her chair uncomfortably. “Na…na…I’m sorry. I have other plans this afternoon.” “Like what? Au are on shoreleave?” “Ie, I am on shoreleave and I have a short amount of time here and have to make the most of it.” Morgana stood up, picking up her belongs. “Speaking of which, I must go.” “Then perhaps I will see au again…perhaps in another seven years.” Maec stood out of respect, or something else…Morgana couldn’t tell. All she knew was that she had to make an exit and quickly. “Perhaps,” She nodded slightly then hurried away into the fog, adding under her breath, “…Or perhaps na if I can help it.”

Morgana's Homecoming, Part 3 Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa “So what exactly is it that au do now?” Morgana leaned against the service counter of the confectionary while her youngest rinam Kalicia perused the selections. Lannisal stood by, eating the icy sugary treat she had just purchased. The Ksa rinams had eaten dinner with the rest of the family. Delon, Kalicia’s mate, had prepared the feast especially for Morgana’s return (thankfully, Kalicia was banned from the kitchen – her domestic skills known for being far more destructive than helpful.). Now, without the burden parents and mates, the thi rinam strolled through the Mhiessan boardwalk and talking. “Diplomatic assistant to Khre’Riov Kota in the office of Lloann’na affairs.” Kalicia pointed to her selection which was given to her in a small cup. “Au can’t be serious?” Morgana looked at her rinam with a bit of distrust. “Na, she’s serious. She also got demoted,” Lannisal answered smugly, sauntering out of the confectionary, leaving Kalicia with a distasteful look that was na the result of her dessert. “Demotion?” Morgana raised a brow. Re years ago, Kalicia and her mate had been assigned to a joint diplomatic experiment somewhere near the Cardassian border. Several different factions were involved including the Lloann’na, the Klingons and, of course, the Rihans. The experience had ended badly for the Rihans, much like Morgana had expected it would. And yet, Kalicia seemed undeterred by the catastrophic events. She and her mate seemed to pick up the pieces and move on quickly, now settling into life on ch’Rihan as she waited for her next big assignment. “Ie…a small io.To erei’Riov. But that was to be expected with what happened.” Kalicia shrugged as if it was na big deal. Morgana looked at her sister as if she had suddenly grown two heads. In Morgana’s world, Kalicia's demotion and imprisoned or house arrest on ch’Rihan was certainly a big deal. But Kalicia just waved her off, “I’m only 32, lhhei. I still have well over 200 hundred years to make my mark. My time will come.” “Yeah, to y’ya,” Morgana muttered under her breath. If the re rinam had lately noticed Morgana’s sour attitude, neither commented on it. Instead the thi rinam walked casually down the boardwalk, taking in the sights and watching the people passing by. Several shops later, they heard some io calling out Kalicia’s name. Kalicia wandered off to greet whomever it was, Lannisal followed. Morgana did na. While they carried on a conversation, Morgana concentrated on the new sailing equipment being displaced in io shop window. But when she heard her own name mentioned in the conversation, she quickly turned her head. “Morgana, I would like au to meet Kheinsa tr’A—“ “Aieme.” Now it was Morgana’s turn to look as if she had tasted sour fruit. “Maec tr’Aieme. I know him very menkha.” “Ie, how did—“ Kalicia looked confused. Judging from Morgana's tone of voice, Lannisal decided to pay more attention to her dessert. “Morgana and I were classmates in the Phi'lasasam. I’m surprised au remember me. It’s been a long time, Morgana. How are you doing?” The tall Rihan standing next to her sister smiled and inclinded his head in greeting. “How could I possibly forget. Although I try everyday.” Morgana answered dryly. Oh she remembered him alright. He annoyed Morgana to no end and seemed to enjoy pushing Morgana’s buttons. The re had battled it out all through her years in medical school at the Phi’lasasam. There was something about him that got under Morgana’s skin. Perhaps it was the smug way he used to show her his test scores that had beaten hers, then would looked annoyed when she did the same. Maybe it was the constant debates over ethics or advancements in medical treatments. Or was it that arrogant posturing as if he was better than the rest of the classmates (he wasn’t…he had tied at number dev with Morgana afterall). Whatever it was, he was just lucky it had na ended in fisticuffs. Morgana would have liked to have given him a bloody nose. “Still as charming as ever, Morgana. I see some things never change.” Maec smiled again, but to Morgana it looked like the baring of teeth. “I’ll see you at the meeting tomorrow, Kalicia.” He nodded again and strolled casually down the boardwalk. If looks could kill, Morgana was shooting deadly kaleh’s in his direction as he left. “What was that about,” Kalicia narrowed her eyes at her oldest rinam. “Never mind,” Morgana huffed, turned on her heals and headed down the boardwalk. The part of her that may have sweetened with family contact had once again soured in a blink of an eye. And neither of the other Ksa rinams understood why.

Morgana's Homecoming, Part 2 Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa She was less than forty-five minutes from home before the weather finally cleared. Sun streaked through the windows of the railway car, warming Morgana’s face nicely as she stared at the scenery looking for familiar landmarks. Use of the transporter would have been a quicker way to reach her destination, but this mode of transportation was the maenak’s cure for stress. She could watch the scenery flash past the windows, observe the various Rihan people returning home from long days at work, reflect on the most recent turn of events regarding the squid people, and even just read a good ISD. There was na reason to be in a hurry when io was on shoreleave. Na reason at all. She disembarked at the Mhiessan station, a sea port city known na only for cliffs and caves that surrounded it, but by the local university who employed half of the citizens and quadrupled the city’s population when in session. Even her family was connected to the University to some degree or another. The Ksa’s ancestors had helped to build the university at io time, donating money and serving on the board of trustees. Now, her father was professor of pathology with the medical school, while her mother was a maenak at the university run hospital. Even her younger rinam, Lannisal, was an assistant professor in the Biology department. Around Mhiessan the Ksa name was well known and respected. Only Morgana and her youngest rinam Kalicia (and for that matter, Kalicia’s bondmate Delon) were na connect with the university in anyway, both serving the Galae in their respective positions. Outside of Mhiessan, Morgana’s family name was na as well known on ch’Rihan. And Morgana liked it that way. And now io of the Mhiessan’s prodigal daughters had returned with little or na notice of the general populace. Morgana checked the time piece at the university tower and smiled to herself. If she hurried, she would just make it. She slung her Galae issued traveling bag over her shoulder and hurriedly weaved her way through the maze of university pathways and buildings. She entered the room with under ten minutes left in the class, but had na doubt that class would still be in session. The teaching assistant gave her an odd look, almost shooed her away until she she whispered in his ear who she was and why she was there. He nodded, smiled, silently laughed and handed Morgana a laboratory coat. All this was done in a matter of moments while the professor’s back was turned. She blended easily into the crowd of nervous second year students crowded around the open cadaver of a middle aged rough looking Rihan male. Na of them paid attention to her as they concentrated on the professor’s grilling questions and prayed that they would na be called on. His voice would raise and lower in dramatic effect to not only keep the students' attention, but to display his displeasure when io answered without thinking. “We have been discussing this all morning, yet na io of au will theorize about how this man died? Even without the use of a multicorder, it is perfectly obvious. Au will na always have the use of au's technological devices, especially if they were to malfunction. Au must look carefully at the decedent and the circumstances surrounding his death. Now...is any io brave enough to theorize what has happened to this individual. Did he die of natural causes, or na?” He stared to the right at the students standing closest to him as if it was so obvious. “Na io will answer?” He turned to the left. “Na of au have the courage to hazard even a guess?” He sounded disappointed. Morgana raised her hand, but her face was na visible to the professor in the crowd. He called her forward in an impatient tone. “Ie…au…come here. What is au’s theory.” She smiled impishly as she made her way to the front of the students. If the professor was surprised, he did na show it. Instead he stepped aside, folded his arms across his chest and waited. Morgana examined the fingernails of the cadaver, wafted the air towards her nose at the open cavity, examined the eyes of the dead man, then took what seemed to be casual look towards the man’s innards. “It was na natural cuases. His death was the result of prolonged poisoning.” “Interesting theory. And how did au come to that conclusion?” “The patina of his nails, the distinct smell coming from the gastro-intestinal region…” she paused, watching as several of the students started to follow her description by mimicking what she had just done. “…the slight tinge to the eye, the hair loss, and the enlarged liver and lungs.” “And au came to this conclusion without running blood or tissue sample testing? The symptoms au are describing could be the end result of any number of diseases.” The professor asked, his eyebrows raised, addressing her as if she was a small child na yet learning the way of things. “Ie, true. But I also recognized this man from the news report I saw while on the morning train. His death is suspected to be the result of poisoning by prison officials down in Mhenard. I believe io of them is going to trail today. Am I right?” Morgana smiled impishly. “Now io might consider watching the news reports to be cheating...even if au recognized deceased. Au must make au’s family proud.” “Well, I do my best to bring honor to the Ksa name. However, io must admit...I was being very observant and I did answer au's question, correctly I might add.” Professor tr’Ksa laughed for the first time during the encounter, hugged his daughter, then introduced her to the students, some of whom were already making the connection. “My daughter, Daise’Maenak of a Galae ship has come home finally.” He smiled proudly at her, then turns his attention to his students once more. “For homework…” She listened as her father gave instructions for a full five minutes before dismissing the students. She was pleased to find that he still heaped on homework. His teaching assistant returned the body to stasis as the students started to file out the door. “Why did na tell us au were coming home?” Professor Ajmes tr’Ksa started to collect his PADDs and equipment so that he too could go home for the weekend. “I did na know until last minute,” Morgana neatly stacked multicoders on a tray and handed them to the assistant. “Besides, I wanted to surprise au.” “Ie, ie, ie, au are certainly full of surprises. Na io knows when you’re going to turn up.” he ruffled his daughter’s hair playfully as he gathered his case. “Come now, let us get a bite to eat before au’s mother comes home and spoils everything. I want to hear all au’s adventures.” “Some adventures are best left untold, rekkhai.” Morgana grabbed her own luggage, slinging it once again over her shoulder. “Then au shall tell me the ios fit for telling,” He guided her out of the laboratory class room and back out into the Mhiessan sunlight.

Morgana's Homecoming, Part 1 Daise'Erei'Riov Morgana t'Ksa "Is the patient ready for transport?" Morgana t'Ksa walked over to the stasis unit housing t'Shaeni's body, an ISD with the proper documentation in her hand. It was rather impersonal to refer to t'Shaeni, the former Executive Officer, as 'the patient'. She knew that. But it also made it easier for her staff to separate their professional duty and their feelings by doing so. She glanced to Aife, the Head Nurse, expectantly awaiting confirmation. "Ie, lhhei. Everything is in order." Aife nodded slightly. Morgana could detect a note of nervousness in her head nurse's voice and actions. And she should be very nervous. Aife had been io of the many Talonites who had succumbed to the squid-creature's mind control. Na that she had attempted to do anything as treasonous as some of the others under the same power, but it had put her on just as rocky footing with the Daise'Maenak. Morgana had yet to determine whether or na the woman could be trusted or was just as weak-minded and verrulish as some of the others. Morgana would reach a conclusion of Aife's fate onboard Talon by the end of her shoreleave. "Very well. Let's go. I do na want to keep the maenakenn at Galae command waiting." She motioned sharply at the staff that would accompany t'Ksa and t'Shaeni's stasis unit to ch'Rihan. She allowed the staff to pass, then motioned to Aife to come closer. "Keep an eye on the new Erien while I am gone. I want to know everything. Ssuaj?" "Ie, lhhei." Aife bowed her head respectfully, her eyes lowering. "And I don't mean just casually watching him, Aife. I mean watch him just like I am watching you," Morgana's voice was dangerously low and it had the desired affect. Aife visibly gulped. If there was any question as to whether or na the head nurse's position was in jeopardy, Morgana had just put her on notice. "Ie, lhhei." Aife nodded her head again, her eyes remaining fixed on the floor. "Menkha. I'm glad we understand each other." She nodded to several of the other staff members before departing for the planet. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It took re precious hours to complete the transfer process to release t'Shaeni into the care of the Galae medical officers. Morgana had every confidence they could help the Daise'Erei'Riov, but that road to recovery would be a long, bumpy one. Na matter how much t'Shaeni had annoyed her, she would have never wished this on anyio. She said a brief prayer to the elements before finally entrusting t'Shaeni to the other maenkenn and going on her own way. The day, much like t'Ksa's mood, was cold, damp and dreary. She had four days to do with as she wished, now that her official duty was completed. But it did na take her long to decide what to do. Hurrying to the public transportation station, she booked passage to Mhiessan, a thi hour trip by t'Rain. So there it was. Her choice on where to spend her precious shoreleave. Morgana t'Ksa was going home. Io should fear for her family, should they na?

Under the Looking Glass By El'Riov Mailliw tr'Rike and erie'Riov Morgana t'Ksa Rike and Ksa stood quietly in the Operating theatre as they awaited the arrival of the corpse of tr'Bahdi. The instruments lye glistening on the cart, the room was sterilized and ready. The onlookers made their way into their seats in the gallery above the room, only the forcefield separated them from the Maenaken below. Shifting his glance from the door to the gallery Mailliw felt like he was to teach a class in first year forensics. More often than na Medical was a place that was feared and avoided but now it was a place of great interest and curiosity. Mailliw doubted most of those seated above him even knew that this room existed short of Lerks, Koln, and of course Saar who knew every space on the Talon as if they were parts of her person. After a suiren he looked to Ksa and spoke quietly enough that the observers could na hear. "I have asked au to assist because au are the Bio Hazard specialist onboard and I have found traces of a biotoxin in the system of the deceased. There are also signs of trauma to the head possibly caused by the fall." He paused as another onlooker caught his eye moving to their seat he smiled politely as he looked into the gallery. "Notice how they resemble medical students as they look down here and speak among themselves." He chuckled to himself. Just then the anti grav gurney with the med techs and security escort arrived like a funeral procession. The gurney was guided next to the autopsy table as the security personnel hovered close by. The body was transferred to the table and the med techs turned and guided the gurney out of the room. As he moved around to the other side of the table Mailliw nearly tripped over io of the security detachment. He looked curiously at the guard. "Hann'yyo for bringing us the body...we can handle this from here. Au may go now." The guard only stepped back but did na leave ."I do na believe he is going to get up and leave. If au would please wait outside. My assistant and I would appreciate it. Hann'yyo." With that the guard nodded to the others and they exited the theatre and the maenken proceeded with the task at hand. With the tap of a button on the console to his left the area over the body lit up quite brightly while the rest of the room seemed dark. It was if he and Morgana were players on a stage under the spotlights. As he spoke he was sure to do it loud enough so that those in the gallery could hear. He did na want to have to answer questions from the gallery as he a Morgana worked. "Etrehh Open Medical log under heading autopsy. Patient name Erein tr'Bahdi. Note time of arrival and scan body for any life signs." The Maenaken knew the man was dead but procedure was procedure and with all the onlookers all the t's would be crossed and the i's dotted just as he liked it. Mailliw and Morgana worked as fast as possible so as not to have any of the traces of evidence disappear but not so fast as to overlook any possibilities. Mailliw scanned the area of the skull where the fractures were found. "Scans of the cranial area show fracturing severe enough to cause death but until results of the fluid scans are complete Cause of death can na be accurately determined but we can however determine the time of death." He paused and then looked to Morgana for confirmation before he continued. Morgana nodded in agreement. "Time of death was re hours ago."