The Perplexity of Pexil's Predicament

[Laehval tTemarr 0]

The Perplexity of Pexil's Predicament

A Duty Log From:

Erei'Riov Lerak tr'Pexil &

Daise'Engineer El'Riov Laehval t'Temarr

 

 

 

Engineering was running smoothly now that the Talon was not on the verge of falling to pieces. Most of the repairs had been completed, leaving only a few minor adjustments to be made as the ship took orbit around Melkos 3. While the rest of the department went quietly about their various duties, Laehval and Lerak were working on something much more interesting.

 

“I cannot let anyone know about this message now. I do na even know how well the comm system is monitored here,” Lerak said, looking about. “If some organization like the Tal Shiar is onboard, nothing can be taken for granted. Do we have a secure room somewhere on this deck?”

 

“Ie,” Laehval replied, indicating the corridor that led to the Engineering laboratories. “We can use io of those and make it secure. The systems there are na connected to the main etrehh and there are na monitoring devices in them. Move aur file there and set it up. I shall make sure we are na disturbed.”

 

Pexil nodded and removed the data chip from the computer, heading down the corridor and picking a room at random. In the lab, he uploaded the program to the isolated computer and activated it. “This should do.”

 

After making certain that her crew had a grasp on their duties, Laehval entered the lab a few moments later. She locked the door behind her, securing it against entry from anyone on the ship - even the Enarrain. As Pexil finished his setup, she grabbed one of the chairs and took a seat, propping her feet up on the desk. “How long do au think it will take to decode the rest of the message?”

 

“I'm na certain, this is way too large for a normal audio visual message. I believe it uses... ah there we go.” Pexil remained standing, a grimace forming on his face as he read the file's header. “Ah, this is a holographic message, possibly interactive.”

 

Her gaze rolled upward to Lerak. “Au do realize that this is highly illegal and, if this message is discovered, we will both likely be arrested, tried, and executed as Federation spies? Are au concerned about the consequences?”

 

“Are au? Do au have trouble with authority?” He asked, glancing at her for a second. “The program is ready; we have a holo emitter in here do we na?”

 

Trouble with authority? Hadn't he noticed how often she seemed to be in trouble with t'Rexan? She hated authority and hated being told what to do. And she especially hated people thinking they could run her department better than she could. However, subterfuge still made her nervous. She knew that she and Pexil were not spies, but no one else would believe that. She nodded in response to his last question, glancing to the node high up on one wall. “Ie. It should na have a problem.”

 

“Here we go.” He took a step back to watch. An outline of a figure flickered rapidly, then solidifying into a complete form. Lerak’s expression changed to surprise. “Oh my... Commander Pixel of the U.S.S. Federation.”

 

The hologram standing before them was of an older male. Neither fully Vulcan nor fully Romulan, he wore characteristics of both. The slight smile on his face also hinted that he did not entirely follow the Vulcan’s path of logic. Tall with short, black hair, he wore the blue uniform of a Starfleet science officer.

 

Lerak’s eyes remained on the hologram as he spoke to Laehval. “We have met a few times at conferences in neutral territories where we discussed engineering and propulsion issues.”

 

“Quite correct Mr. Pexil,” the hologram spoke directly to Lerak, Federation Standard translated by the Talon’s internal program. “I am your half-brother. We have the same father, a fact which I just learned only a few weeks ago.” One could see the resemblance between the two brothers though the man in Starfleet uniform looked to be at least a decade older and several centimeters taller. “And before you ask, I don't know the details of how my parents met, only that I was the outcome.”

 

The hologram paused and looked in Laehval’s direction. “Jolan Tru to you.”

 

Laehval blinked at the holographic program, mouth slightly agape. She dragged her feet off the table and leaned forward to get a better look at the image. “A very intelligently designed program.” She threw Lerak a glance. “Aur half-dianvm? A Lloann'na officer? How could aur di'ranov have bonded with a thaessu… a dead io?”

 

Peering back at the program, she tilted her head slightly, eyes narrowed. “What is the purpose of this message?”

 

“To deliver this news as 'in person' as possible, given the current political reality between the Federation and the Romulan Empire.” The hologram of Commander Pixel continued to peer at Laehval, seeming to appraise her. “I know who you are now... Laehval t'Temarr, the Chief Engineer.”

 

Laehval looked surprised that the program knew her name. She stared at Lerak. “Au talked about me to him?” That would have logically be the only way the program could have known her name.

 

“He speaks quite highly of you t'Temarr, do not worry.” The hologram paused, glancing from one to the other. “I hope this message was not discovered by other than you two?”

 

“Na, only us.” Pexil laughed suddenly. “Now I know why we got along at those conferences, despite our arguments about quantum theory and such.”

 

Her brow furrowed slightly as she studied the program once again, searching for similarities between the Federation officer and her own loyal Engineer. “Aur sole purpose was to send aur dianvm a message that the two of au are related? Quite a bit of trouble to go through for a singular message.”

 

“It seemed more personal this way and I was able to answer many questions he might have. Also your government makes communication difficult, and a typical message may have been more easily assembled on your end,” Commander Pixel answered. “I take it the Talon is running smoothly under your care t'Temarr?”

 

“Always.” She frowned at the hologram, finding that its life-like quality disturbing. It looked as though a Starfleet officer was standing in the middle of their lab. “Now that the message has been delivered, what have au been programmed to do?”

 

“Hmm,” the hologram looked puzzled. “Nothing really. Thought it would be interesting to try this out. The real Commander Pixel has had some time on his hands, experiments and such. This is a one way message however, so I can't relay anything back.”

 

Lerak spoke up, “So how is aur ri'nanov then?”

 

“She is doing well, on Earth at the time of this message. I do not know if she knows I have contacted you. Thought I should since one does not know the perils of traveling between the stars.” Pixel answered in what they could tell was not a typical Vulcan demeanor. Could he pass as Romulan under the right light? “Do you two have any more questions for this hologram?

 

Laehval shook her head and waited to Lerak to deactivate the program, leaning back in her chair again. Her brow furrowed as she tried to puzzle over the message.

 

“Well then, I hope to meet you at some conference in the future if the opportunity arises. You two are both welcome for a visit if ever 'in the mood' and don't mind your governments 'wrath'. And Pexil… you really should ask her before time passes you by.” The hologram wore a faint smile as he glanced from Lerak to Laehval and back again. And with that, the hologram shut off on its own.

 

Laehval arched one eyebrow, shifting her gaze to stare at Lerak. The lab was small compared to Main Engineering, but they were still several meters apart. “What shall you do now? Compose a return message?”

 

Clearly embarrassed, Pexil finally took his seat. He shook his head at her question. “Nothing yet. Security is so tight that I do na know how we would go undetected.”

 

“Gives me something to think about now. Never thought I'd have a sibling. A shame it is na easier to get in contact.” He met her gaze and held it, watching her.

 

“Amusing,” the intensity of her gaze never wavered. “I spent the majority of my life wishing I had na siblings at all. Still,” she paused, nibbling at her lower lip. “It is interesting to find that au have a dianvm. What do au think of aur di'ranov now that au know?”

 

“I'm na sure. I've na spoken to him for a while now. Ri'nanov would get any message I sent. Wonder if she knows. I can na blame him for na saying anything, I suppose...” He trailed off, thinking.

 

“I'm sorry for his parting comment at the end.” Pexil finally said, blushing again. “I'll have to say something about that to him.” Looking away, he secured the holographic file on a data chip, making sure it was highly compressed and encrypted.

 

“It sounds as if au two had quite a conversation at that conference of aurs… and covered more topics than quantum theories and propulsion,” she said wryly.

 

She stood with a small sigh. “Whatever au decide to do, Lerak, make sure au tell me ahead of time. If something happens and au are caught, I would like to have some sort of bargaining chip prepared.”

 

“It would na be good if t'Rexan accidentally met him in the HIC.” He smiled as he secured the data chip, motioning for the door. “Let us get back to running the ship.”

 

As the two of them exited the lab, Lerak glanced sideways to peer at her. “Hann’yyo again for aur involvement in this, Laehval. Au are taking great personal risk for a cause that is na aur own.”

 

“Ie. I know.” She returned the glance with a slight smile. “Just do na make me regret it, Lerak.”

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Nice log guys, enjoyed it.

 

I new he was a spy, going to conferences, giving away our secrets and propietary information!

 

Just remember, our ship is really heavy on security with Galae and Tal Shiar involvment with several

characters, so with each use, you will have to take a % chance that security could discover this. :)