[Crazy Horse] Coil of Darkness - SD 241509.30 - Backlog | Quantum Fury "Unexpected Detour" Pt 1 | Captain Khiy Kanryth

A Mission Post by Captain Khiy Kanryth
Mission: Coil of Darkness
Location: USS Quantum Fury
Timeline: 6 years agi

6 years ago...

[USS Quantum Fury]

"The faint signal detected six hours ago appears to be a distress signal Commander." T'Ern's never changing visage looked at her Captain from the operations station. Her shoulder length raven hair was neatly trimmed but it's shaped reminded Khiy of the old Romulan military unisexual look. Even though he found her appearance rather cumbersome he valued his Operation officer's keen insight. She, like most Vulcans, was prone to unnatural correctness in both calculation and manner.

It took him a moment to digest the depth of the information. So far from Federation space Khiy had to wonder if it was their responsibility to answer this distress signal. The Romulans certainly would have noticed it- but would they care? And if they didn't should he involve the Quantum Fury? "How far away is it and how long will it take us to get there?"

This time, Alia, the fair skinned Deltan helmsman spun her seat around to face Khiy "I have looked at the signal's origin as calculated by Lieutenant T'Ern" she glanced at T'Ern to emphasize the credit "and I believe we can reach the signal's source in less than two days at maximum warp." T'Ern looked at Alia and nodded in confirmation at the final piece of information.

"Will the engines be able to handle it?" Kaen said. The Cardassian was wearing his normal unnaturally dapper expression as he sat next to Khiy. His eyes seemed to glimmer in the bright lighting of the Quantum Fury's bridge. He wants to investigate this. Khiy thought. Even though they had only served together for a few months he had become accustomed to the look in the Cardassians eyes whenever his curiosity was piqued.

"I believe so." Alia said, her neutral expression was almost Vulcan but she was confident. She was a great pilot so Khiy trusted her and the lack of T'Ern interjecting a correction into the Deltan's assessment solidified his opinion. Not that it made things any easier for him.

"What do you think Commander?" Khiy turned his head to look at his Cardassian executive officer. It seemed as though Onarin was expecting the question. His smile shifted into a grin and he leaned forward looking at the view screen. He looked almost smug- and annoyingly like the Cardassian Guls Khiy had encountered- full bluster and little else.

"I think we should go Captain. At worse it's a four day detour and I'm sure Admiral Cerywyn will understand. We are Starfleet vessel. It's not in our nature to ignore a distress signal."

Would she understand? Khiy wondered. He had specific orders. Deliver relief personnel to the USS Charon, make an assessment of the situation, and return with injured personnel and the marooned Marines. The latter of which was impossible since the Marines were missing and probably dead. However, he knew Onarin was right. Starfleet officers didn't just ignore distress signals and shrug them off. Cerywyn might have a fit but they should at least investigate to ensure that help did indeed arrive to those people. He nodded "set a course for the origin of the signal and engage at maximum warp."

Alia spun around to face her console "yes sir!" The entire mood on the bridge seemed to change with the order. Energy. Khiy thought. They are excited to do something other than play chauffeur. Even the normally subdued T'Ern seemed subtly enthusiastic about the change in pace.

Present…

[USS Quantum Fury]

"Arrival in one minute Captain." Alia announced.

Khiy sat up; his eyes focused on the moving star field displayed on the view screen "do scanners detect any Romulan fleet activity in the area?" He asked. T'Ern had discovered six hours previous that the distress signal stopped. All efforts to locate any information about the source of the signal from local comm. traffic proved negligible. Since the source of the signal emanated from a planet located outside of the official boundary of the Star Empire he decided to keep course and see if aid had been rendered but now he felt slightly concerned about the situation.

"Nothing on sensors or scanners Captain." Nik Nok said. The reptilian's long black tongue slipped rapidly in and out of his mouth like that of a serpent. Khiy could see he wasn't the only one with reservations. Either aid had been rendered or something much worse had happened. There were plenty of stories he remembered; all about Romulan commanders simply torching worlds to absolve themselves of irritating issues.

"I don't like this." Khiy said. Onarin nodded slightly in agreement. "Bring us to yellow alert. When we drop from warp keep the cloaking system on-line until we have a chance to assess the situation." His 'gut' was screaming at him that something was not right.

"Ten seconds." Alia said "nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one- arrival now!" The passing stars on the view screen immediately stopped and the long streaks turned into dim specks obscured by a bright glowing nebula. The Quantum Fury twisted and pulled up, from the edge of the view screen moving towards the center was a bright green and blue planet. Slowly it grew from a tiny dot to encompass the entire view screen.

"Detecting a Romulan ship- it's to starboard" Nik Nok's translator whirled the words out violently. A large shadow seemed to encompass the section of cloud cover the Quantum Fury hovered near. The view screen image switched and like a massive beast an old D'Deridex loomed behind them eclipsing the light of the local sun.

"Have they seen us?" Khiy asked. His eyes watch the ship now looming on his view screen with the utmost concern. While the D'Deridex was an old Romulan warhorse it still had more than enough bite to crush the Quantum Fury.

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[Crazy Horse] Coil of Darkness - SD 241509.30 - Backlog | "Quantum Fury" | Captain Khiy Kanryth

A Mission Post by Captain Khiy Kanryth
Mission: Coil of Darkness
Location: Starbase Versailles
Timeline: 6 Years Previous...

Occurs 6 years ago...

[Starbase Versailles]

Khiy had just finished a full checkup by Kelcy, dealt with the commander's normal scolding, and was headed back to his quarters when he was intercepted by the Trill Admiral. He didn't know much about Enor other then the fact that the Vice Admiral was becoming the deputy commander of the fleet, a bit of knowledge which confused him since another small bit of information he did know was that the Trill and Cerywyn did not get along. "Greetings Admiral." Khiy was cordial even though he found Enor to be a bit irritating.

"Ah, I was just looking for you Commander." Jolias studied the young man. It was hard to read his expression which always seemed to be stuck in 'serious' mode. "There is something I wanted to discuss with you. However, I think a more private venue would be better."

Khiy nodded his head and beckoned for the trill to follow him. He led the Admiral down the corridor and into the turbo lift where he set the destination to the bowels of the Starbase. For the most part that section of the station had been deemed off limits but he was certain with a flag officer accompanying him there wouldn't be any serious attempt to stop them. When the lift doors opened he stepped out followed by Enor and immediately a security officer moved to intercept them "I'm sorry Commander and" the man paused and studied Enor "Admiral- This section of the station is currently off limits."

"It's fine." Khiy looked at Enor who was watching quietly "the Admiral is here to inspect this section. It'll be brief and there is no need for an escort." Khiy carefully motioned to his holstered sidearm and the security officer nodded not wanting to seem too intrusive he stepped aside and let them pass. Khiy walked in by followed by the Admiral and he wondered what Commander Cain might say when she found out but he could easily levy blame onto the Admiral.

Jolias first noticed the stench. The area smelled like musty Klingons only amplified "what is this place?" He asked Khiy. The floors were littered with a lot of trash, most of which seemed to be tattered papers, broken bits of crates, and other bits of items he couldn't recognize.

"The bowels of Versailles." Khiy answered and continued to lead him down the corridor "it's where most of the criminal element on the station does their business aside from the toothless targh." And Khiy knew that the only criminal element there were Commodore Fury and his band of goons "although security has started a heavy crackdown of this area they haven't been too forceful. If you have something private you want to discuss or if you have some illegitimate business to conduct. This is the best place to do it."

"I see." Jolias said and he meant it literally. As they walked through the dimly lit corridor they had passed at least three sets of Ferengi conducting business with an assortment of aliens including a band of dingy looking Nausicaans. "Well, this certainly doesn't look like the friendliest place. Where can we talk?"

"Here." Khiy led the Admiral through a half opened door into a small cargo space that was empty. It was basically Khiy's second office. He used it whenever he was gathering information about the black market "it's secure and no one will overhear you. What is it you need to discuss?"

"Nice decorating." Jolias did his best to ignore the splatter of blood on the wall and began pacing "you rescued the Romulan Praetor, I'm sure they're pretty favorable towards you for that." He stopped and looked at Khiy "are you familiar with the USS Charon?"

Khiy nodded "it is the Luna Class exploration vessel you put under the command of Shiarrael t'Rehu, a former Romulan wing commander who formulated the Romulan plan of attack at Tomika, a plan that resulted in the defeat of Federation forces." He glared at the Admiral "the USS Charon was sent through Romulan space to explore the back end of their territory. Specifically a cluster of stars discovered by the Vulcan science academy and until the USS Charon the Romulan government had refused any Federation vessel passage through their space to reach that stellar cluster."

"Well informed I see." Jolias bit his lip finding the Commander a bit hostile towards him "until recently the mission had been proceeding smoothly. However, there was an attem-"

"Attempted mutiny by the Marines assigned to the Charon." Khiy finished the sentence for him "not meaning to be rude Admiral but I am well aware of that incident. You have decided to send the Quantum Fury to retrieve the Marines and to provide fresh personnel to the Charon."

Jolias winced "can you read minds too Commander?"

"No, but I do have excellent hearing." Khiy continued to hold a glare on the Admiral.

"Ah, so you overheard my conversation with Cerywyn." Jolias smirked "good, then I can just skip summary and get to the point. I need to get the Quantum Fury to them but the hard part is convincing the Romulan government. That's why I want to put you command of it."

"I am not command material and I refused to be used as a political pawn." Khiy frowned. He didn't like the idea of having to supervise an entire ship. His mother was good at that but he didn't feel he inherited her sense of command. Also, the idea of the appointment only being to appease the Romulan government made him feel even more leery of the suggestion "the reason you appointed Shiarrael t'Rehu was to convince the Romulan government to acquiesce to the science mission. We can now see the fruits of that appointment."

Jolias stiffened at the last comment. Normally he was pretty laid back but he wasn't going to let this officer speak to him in such a manner "Commander, let me remind you of your place first and secondly the primary duty of Starfleet is exploration. So far Rehu has proven herself an apt commanding officer." He sighed and stopped pacing "There are a dozen marines who are currently in Romulan custody. I'm sure you know how Romulans treat their prisoners? You may not like the commanding officer of the Charon but you are a Starfleet officer and there are over three hundred Starfleet officers aboard the Charon. They need relief." He stared at Khiy "if you hate command so much after the mission ends you can resign and go back to being one of Cerywyn's lackeys."

Realizing he was being out of line Khiy nodded his head "I apologize for my comments." He sighed and considered the Admiral's proposal over. Enor was right, when he finished he could call it quits and go back to doing his own thing. He was also well aware of how Romulans treated prisoners. He was surprised that Rehu could have handed them over without much protest "very well, I will accept your request." It was true he didn't approve of Rehu's appointment but he couldn't hold that against the Charon's crew.

Jolias grinned "good, Cerywyn is already privy to this detail. The only issue now is how to build a new command crew. Most of the original crew transferred off to other stations. I'll speak to the commanding officers of the ships docked at Versailles and see who they can spare for the mission."

Khiy felt like he was being cornered but he had already accepted Enor's request. Hopefully it didn't turn into a disaster.

[End]

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[Crazy Horse] Coil of Darkness - SD 241509.30 - DL | Joint Log "Ground Zero" | Capt Khiy Kanryth, Col Aria Vesh, Lt Cmdr Jin Rha-Yaleii

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Commander Jin Rha-Yaleii & Captain Khiy Kanryth & Colonel Aria Vesh
Mission: Coil of Darkness
Location: Earth, London
Timeline: Current

Everyone had waited for this moment. The satellite biometric sweeps. The plain-clothed spooks embedded with the protesters. The military presence, both visible and invisible. It had all come down to this moment. Aria watched with bated breath as the shuttle made its final approach. Dempsey rattled off approach data, but she wasn't listening. Her full attention locked on the center screen, the two sides showing the viewpoint from Tower-points 1 and 2. And then it happened. The view cut to static - all three in synchronous failure, then nothing. No, that couldn't be right. The odds of three independent view feeds failing together were-

"What the hell happened?" Aria looked behind her to Dempsey.

"Tower-point 1, this is Trojan. Did you lose visual on the-"

Dempsey cut himself off when he felt it. They all felt it. The shock wave reverberated through the building, even here, two blocks away, and then the view feeds came back.

"Telemetry, uh, telemetry readings coming in. It's gone. The Convention Center...nothing but a flat mass of debris."

He was stating the obvious. Everyone in the room, the Colonel chief among them, could see. The feeds came back, and presented a polar opposite view. Centerpoint was gone. Where the grand building had stood, the convention center now sat in a collapsed heap.

"Bio?" She asked.

"Way too much interference. We'll have to put eyes on the target to be sure. There's just too much crap floating around there."

===

It hadn't taken long for Aria to leave the relative safety of the Trojan command base, but she couldn't stand the idea of handling the situation from flat screens and consoles. Dempsey had been left to run the show. That was fine.

The IFF controlling the transporter dampening field had already switched over to Medical-Emergency protocol, allowing first-responders to appear along with the rapid reaction force of marines stationed in Tower. By the time she arrived on site, marines had already secured a ring around the hole left in the London city block. Picket lines kept non-essentials out, and combat medics worked alongside teal-clad Starfleet doctors to triage and wounded.

She took careful steps through the mess, boots crunching glass and splattered rockcrete with each step. The crimson-emerald mix did something to her stomach she didn't like, a bittersweet unity of their two peoples. As different as they were, they both died just as easily.

Aria dropped to a knee, fatigues smudged against the acrid dust that caked the ground. A man, he'd obviously dragged himself a short ways, lay in front of her. He wasn't moving, but two fingers against his neck, just under the chin, confirmed her suspicions.

"Medic!"

The words hit Khiy and his eyes opened like pits among white desert sand. As he sat up the dirt, grime, and debris cascaded off his uniform and head. He coughed into his shoulder sending a puff of dust into the air around them. "I'm sorry." He muttered tiredly as he ran his hands through dirty hair causing more dust to smoke away "who are you?" Khiy looked at the figure but it was a silhouette masked against the haze. He tried to focus his gaze but only found pain as grains of dirt and debris scratched at his eyes.

"Shut up and do whatever the medic says," she replied, her voice heavy with concern. He might not have gotten his wits back, yet, but Aria knew who he was.

She took a step back, lifting up onto her feet to give the medic room. Once the peeps and blips of the medical tricorder had done their job, and the medic had done his, Aria knelt again, her hand outstretched to help the man up.

"It's a wonder you survived the blast, Captain."

His mind was a daze but the voice seemed familiar. The medic poured over him and Khiy was tempted to shove him away but fought the urge. He knew he was hurt and could at least feel broken rib grinding- maybe two. "Status repor-" The medic poked a tool into a tinder area causing the Captain to wince "careful!" he snapped and before looking at the silhouette. "Status report? Who are you? What's the situation?"

Aria, eyes shut, furrowed her brows as she punched the space between her eyes. She had specifically told him to do whatever the medic said, not give them shit for checking his vitals.

"I've never been told I was the forgettable type, so I'll blame that second question on the blast. It's Aria," she offered a hand to help him up. "Status is still being assessed, but basically, everything's fucked. We're relatively certain the important Romulans are alive, for now, but our people?" She trailed off on purpose.

"Our people?" Khiy echoed as he futilely tried to dust himself off but only managed to add to the smoky haze. With a sigh he stopped and allowed his eyes to survey the immediate area while his ears picked up muted moans and cries echoing in from all directions. Overhead he could hear the drone of shuttles and other crafts. It quickly became obvious that there was little he could do to help here. "I need to get to my ship." He said and pressed his commbadge only to find static. "Where is the…" He paused "Aria? Aria Falcon?"

"Vesh, but you're half right. Family affair, long story, I'm sure it'd bore you."

She frowned. At least he hadn't lost his entire mind. Aria pressed her palm over her ear, listening to the chatter over her closed comlink. She nodded to the unheard voice and focused her attention back on Khiy.

"Look, there's a lot going on. The IFF is only allowing medical and marine-tagged transporters for security reasons, but I can get you a shuttle. It's safer right now, in any case. The blast left a lot of residual. Come on."

"Vesh?" He blinked but just accepted what was said "yes, get me to a shuttle I need to get back to my ship." Khiy frowned and pressed his hands into his temples as they throbbed. He could now hear the sounds of boots grinding over debris all around him. "Quickly, please."

She grabbed him by the arm, perhaps too roughly, and lead him away. A line of shuttles had begun to land, a backup to the transporter system just in case. The Colonel needn't make too elaborate a demand to make use of one.

"I suppose it'll take a couple of days to perform analysis on the blast, figure out what it was. I don't get it. Any of the usual explosive chemicals would have been caught. A bio-bomb, maybe?" She was talking more to herself than Khiy, but it felt good to get a few suspicions off her chest.

===

"You! Hey! You a pilot?"
Jin bit back an acerbic remark and simply favored the marine navigating through the debris with a wry look. The shuttle parked haphazardly behind her might have seen better days, just as her uniform was missing a jacket and was covered with grime and alien blood, but the question seemed redundant all the same.
"That thing good to fly?" the young human skidded to a halt in front of her and Jin did her best not to sneeze at the foul smelling dust his boots had kicked up.

"Affirmative on both, marine." Glacier blue eyes scanned the vicinity, but the flock of doctors and nurses she had delivered had dispersed and didn't seem likely to come back with injured any time soon. She'd been about to find the person in charge of coordinating the line of shuttles still descending carefully over the debris-strewn area behind them, but it looked like she'd been found instead. "What do you need?"

The marine rapidly relayed their position to someone on the comm and Jin almost managed a small smirk at the non-answer and the rigid tension rolling off the young officer in near palpable waves. She could hardly blame him, what with barely keeping the lid on ice-cold fury and heart-wrenching sorrow herself.
"I'll just fire her back up then, shall –"

She'd been about to turn and climb back into the shuttle, when the tall, striking form of another marine and an oddly familiar, small man in Fleet uniform rounded a chunk of what might well have been a part of the Convention Center. Finely tapered ears. Dark, dark eyes.
"Duck?"
Swearing profusely in her musical native language, Jin strode over to the undersized Captain and gently maneuvered his arm over her shoulder after offering the tall Colonel a brief nod of greeting.
"No fidgeting. You look like shit."

Khiy would have protested- unfortunately he felt as bad as he looked. "I need to get back to my ship in orbit." He turned his eyes towards the Marine "I have a suspicion about the source but I need to get to the Crazy Horse to confirm what I fear. I may also need your assistance Colonel..."

"And you haven't changed a bit." Jin noted wryly, though there was almost a tinge of exasperated affection in her voice. She steered the Captain towards the shuttle, noticing the uneven gait and raspy voice for bad signs. "Orbit it is. Just give me a second to find out where your darling is parked and I'll have you there in a trice."

Aria, for her part, was too focused on the captains broken ramblings to do anything more than greet the other woman with a mirrored gesture. She was just satisfied to have someone looking after the frail man.

"Right, Khiy, you've said that a few times already. Just do what you're told and let me handle the travel. We'll get you to your-" She stopped herself.

"You may need my assistance? Khiy...you don't know what's going on, do you?" She took a step back. The shuttle shuddered, but she didn't seem to notice. She looked down at him with piercing eyes. "What do you know?"

"I..." Khiy paused and looked around "need to get to my ship and then I can explain more." Sitting down in one of the back bench seats be rubbed his palms into his eyes grinding away the frames of dust "it should be in drydock."

Drydock. Jin didn't bother telling Khiy she'd pieced as much together by now. After he'd mentioned the Crazy Horse earlier – difficult *not* to see the pretty girl being patched up and pampered in the massive cradle above Earth every time her squadron had returned to the nest at Tranquility Base – the question had rather been how to get there from here, and quick.
But she gave an affirmative little sound anyways as the shuttle lifted off the ground, its nose turning skyward.

The gorgeous marine had made no motion to disembark, so Jin had simply left her to watch over the Captain's slumped figure. Well, looked like someone had already authorized their little excursion, as confirmation for her flight plan and docking permission flashed readily on her screen.
"Charlie time in four, Colonel. You need a ride somewhere else after, let me know."
It wasn't as if she'd anything else to do right now. Like as not the squadron had already been scrambled and she trusted Tell to keep the kids in line.

Dazed. The term was probably an understatement. Khiy was certain he knew what occurred but a cloud lingered over his head. A concussion? Possibly. The thought of seeing the ship's holodoctor through made him cringe inwardly. "Turn on the local comm traffic." He pointed at the shuttle's circuit panel thinking it was the communication controls.

"Sorry Duck, no joy. This little shoebox has more burnt out circuits than my parent's replicator after she tried to make me a nameday cake." Jin deftly avoided another shuttle streaming past at high speed by nudging their craft into a light upward bounce and was rewarded with another honk of protest from the inertia dampeners "but I've your pretty girl on screen and they're waiting for us."

Aria stood and took a step back, cupping an ear over with her palm and speaking into an unseen mic. She'd run things as best she could, but people with higher pay grades had already taken over. A knot turned in her stomach. She'd been in charge of much of the security measures. The bomb would probably be blamed on her. A moment or two later and looked over to Jin.

"No special destinations," she replied, thumbing over to Khiy. "I'm going where he's going."

"Roger that, Colonel." The little Efrosian coaxed a bit more speed from the straining shuttle, and soon the Crazy Horse's gleaming silver-grey silhouette floated before them. A quick look over her shoulder confirmed that Ducky still seemed to be nursing a headache the size of Jupiter and the gorgeous dark-haired woman wore a scowl that rivaled a firebull's after the melon patch has been struck by lightning.
Not that she was in better shape.

Jin absentmindedly rubbed some dried blood off her wrist as one last gentle turn took them into reach of the Crazy Horse's tractor beams and she was more than content to be brought in for once.
The shuttle settled on the deck with barely a shudder and for a moment Jin felt nearly as disoriented as Khiy looked. The spacious, gleaming shuttlebay with its crew in immaculate uniforms bustling about in eager proficiency seemed such a stark contrast to the battered craft and her own appearance, it would have been comical had it not been so jarring.
Suddenly bone-weary, the small Efrosian leaned her forehead against the console and barely noticed the ramp lowering and deck crew securing the heap of scrap metal that had once been a nice little shuttle.

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[Crazy Horse] Coil of Darkness - SD 241509.24 - DL | "Yalhis" Part II | LtCmdr Jin Rha-Yaleii

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Commander Jin Rha-Yaleii
Mission: Coil of Darkness
Location: Earth, London
Timeline: Current

[London]

She discarded the borrowed hoverbike without a second glance, pushing through the crowd towards the column of acrid smoke. Fine dust and ash swirled in the air, covering faces and clothes as people milled about in confusion, some trying to get away, others staring blankly at the mayhem that had overturned their world in the blink of an eye.
A few uniforms, as dust-caked as everything else, caught the Efrosian's eye but they were swallowed by the throng.
Another attempt to get her commbadge to work only produced more grating static. She won free of the crowd and stepped into a scene right suited to the Efrosian concept of Fourth Hell.
Grey. Grey debris, grey people, grey and sickly yellowish powdery dust covering bodies, mixing with runnels of red, green, blue… the stench was too damn familiar. Reflexively raising an arm to cover her nose, Jin wished she could cover her ears as well to drown out the moans of the injured and dying, the soft whimpers floating over the stunned, heavy silence like the wails of the damned.

A metallic glint to her left drew the small Efrosian like a beacon, bright sunlight reflecting off an overturned shuttle while the blue sky arched over the desolation as if in mockery.
There. Human. Breathing. She dropped to her knees, feeling for the woman's pulse, and was rewarded with a hearty cough.
"Ensign? Can you move?"
Soulful almond-shaped brown eyes focused on the little pilot, and she let out a breath. The woman's eyes were clear, her motions sluggish but smooth. "Da. I am … what happened?"
"I don't know." Jin's voice was calm, too calm, echoing with the darkness of one too many hells.
Somewhere behind them the hum of transporters announced the arrival of emergency responders, and Jin's head snapped around, ready to call for a medic when the blonde Ensign scrambled to her feet. "It is only my ears. What do we do?"
The pilot looked across the flattened, scorched landscape strewn with debris and gruesome remnants of once living beings.
"What we can, Ensign."

====

"Raz, dvah, tree!" Jekaterina nodded at the small Efrosian to lift the beam and tugged on the unconscious Romulan's uniform. Slowly the man slid out from under the rubble, leaving an emerald streak in the dirt "We did not hurt him more, did we?"
"They're pretty tough, Ensign. And a bit of jostling is likely better than leaving that thing on his chest."
"Da. Likely. You know Romulans?"
"I've patched one up before, once or twice."
When the Commander didn't elaborate but rather examined the man's injuries again, muttering somewhat melodious under her breath that probably wasn't as nice as it sounded, Jekaterina sat down to rub the all permeating grime from her eyes. "Where are the transporters? Why do they not beam people out?"

"I'm guessing interference from the blast. Can't transport what you can't lock on to. Ah, kroiha-u yhfewri you idiot. You've lost enough blood already." The Efrosian swatted away a hand that apparently had tried to go for her throat – from unconscious to wanting to kill your rescuers in no time at all, go figure. Still, Jekaterina was impressed. Almost as much as she was by the rapid Romulan the tiny Commander was unleashing on the frowning male while she was stemming the bleeding and ripping up the dark uniform for makeshift bandages.
"Alright. Better. Let's get him to the shuttle."
"He is tall. You think we can carry him, Jin Maitlinovna?"
"This one's Rei'Krannsu. If we want to carry him, we'll have to hit him over the head first. Ssiun genmibh theah, di'praevusa."
Jekaterina wished her translator were working, because whatever the guy answered in a decidedly deadpan tone prompted an actual brief, husky laugh from the Efrosian.

===

"Whoa there! She's a Betazoid, not a rag doll. A bit more gently if you please!" the harried doctor shot his impromptu Sulamid nurse an aggravated look and saw the two Starfleet women return with another patient. He motioned at them to place the youngster on one of the last few empty spots in the shuttle, medical tricorder already whirring as he switched over to Andorian physiology. "We should depart soon, Commander. The Phlox Hospital is a good four minutes by shuttle and the transporters are still intermittent at best." Not that he'd risk using the transporter with half of the injured in the shuttle in any case if he had a choice. Which, fortunately, he had.
The short Efrosian pilot merely nodded and straightened. And then her face changed from the almost preternatural calm she had displayed throughout, to a commingling of shock, sorrow, joy and a thousand other things flickering across her lovely features, and with a strangled sound she bolted down the shuttle's ramp to meet the man in marine uniform carrying a bleeding Trill towards them.

Rafi.
She hadn't allowed herself to think about him, to wonder where in this hell of shattered bodies and acrid dust he might be, or if he was even still alive. And if her heart had twisted painfully every time she caught a glimpse of lion tawny hair or beautiful spots on bloodied, twisted limbs she had forcefully pushed the feelings back into the river churning beneath the surface.
She hadn't permitted herself to be distracted from what was needful – find help to tend to the injured, locate a doctor, a nurse; people to turn the shuttle back up and get everyone on board who couldn't be transported.
But even if the river roars under a sheet of ice, the sound still travels across the snowy hills.

Rafi.
His finely tailored suit scorched and tattered, the burnished dark gold of his hair matted with blood and dirt, his face covered in soot, she'd still have known him anywhere.
Not moving.
Muttering curses like prayers, Jin guided the staggering marine to the shuttle and helped him to carefully set down his burden.
"Don't you die on me, you hear? I'll haunt your spirit across the stars and into whatever place Trills go to strangle your Gods."
"Commander, I need to…"
Without ever taking her eyes off his face, without even noticing she had taken off her jacket, Jin bundled the fabric to tenderly place it under the Trill's head and moved slightly aside to make room for the doctor. She didn't ask 'how bad?', because it was painfully obvious. She only traced Rafi's features with soothing fingertips, her voice the soft song of a spring breeze and murmuring brooks as she recited his favorite stories, willing him to hear, to find his way back.

"Commander?"
The doctor's voice seemed to come from far away, intruding into the oh so brief moment she had let herself drown. But it jarred her to her senses all the same.
Stares. Some bewildered, some compassionate, some awed at the rare spectacle of an Efrosian singing a haunting, ethereal tune in her native language.

She glanced up and saw the Andorian's antennae quiver, the Betazoid's pain-filled black eyes, and breathed a feather-light kiss on Rafi's lips.
"Yes. Please secure for departure, doctor."

She would not fly the Yalhis. Not today.

===

Four minutes can easily be reduced to two and a bit with an experienced, fiercely determined pilot at the helm. One and a bit when the area is clear of all but emergency traffic. Battered and straining, the shuttle flew over the city like a silver arrow, throttling down only when it had reached the hospital's landing pad. As lightly as a falling leaf it turned and floated down, doctors and nurses rushing towards the lowering ramp even before the struts touched the ground.

"Promise me you'll at least think about it, Jin?"
"One thousand three hundred twelve, three hundred thirteen,…"

"Commander? Commander Rha-Yaleii?"
"Yes, doctor?" Jin didn't even bother to turn around, too focused on keeping the poor shuttle from coughing itself apart after the mad flight. From the sounds behind here there were two, … no, one last patient being carefully moved onto an anti-grav lift. Time to go.
"There are several medical personnel who could use a lift to-"
"Tell them to strap in."
"Yes, Commander. Commander? I'll … I'll keep you informed."
"Thank you, doctor."

"Jin?"
"… seventy eight, nine ..."
"That tickles."

I promise.

~End Log ~


LtCmdr Jin Rha-Yaleii


--------------

Yalhis – Ship of Efrosian legend, carrying slain warriors to the afterlife not unlike Valkyries in Earth's Nordic culture. Polar lights are said to be marking the ship's passage.

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[Crazy Horse] Coil of Darkness - SD 241509.24 - DL | "Yalhis" Part I | LtCmdr Jin Rha-Yaleii

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Commander Jin Rha-Yaleii
Mission: Coil of Darkness
Location: Earth, London
Timeline: Current



Je fais reculer la mort à force de vivre de souffrir de me tromper de risquer de donner et de perdre.
(Anaïs Nin)


[London, Earth]

"Promise me you'll at least think about it, Jin?"
"One thousand three hundred twelve, three hundred thirteen, …what?"
"You know this is the fifth time you've counted my spots?"
"Well you keep throwing me off. Or distracting me every time. So I never get to finish. One thousand three hundred fourteen …"
Rafi sighed. "You haven't heard a word I said, have you? Besides, last time you managed to distract yourself as I recall."
"Twenty one … Think about. Promise. Big space buckets. One thousand three hundred twenty three. Two. Damn it. Where was I … time for new frontiers and career change for the sake of … what again?"

Despite himself, Rafi was impressed. She had actually been listening. Even if she had recounted his monologue backwards, which probably meant that less than rapt attention had been paid. Of course, counting a Trill's spots was likely a much more pressing matter than potentially life-altering decisions.
"… hundred forty six… hold still!"
"Gnh."
Warm, nimble and oh so skilled little hands slid upwards along his spots as the little Efrosian's head emerged from under the sheets, beginning with a disheveled mass of milky white hair. Currently sporting some bright magenta streaks, which summoned some wistful memories of a spring in Paris and a boat catching fire after … Rafi still wasn't sure what had happened, but it had somehow involved pancakes.
"Jin?"
"… seventy eight, nine ..."
"That tickles."
The only answer he got this time was a gentle bite to the fingers trying to interrupt the important counting process.


[Later. Somewhat.]

"So. Driving the big girls, you said?"
Rafi blinked and carefully removed the pan from the antique cooking stove, sliding the pancake onto a plate. "So you *were* listening."
"Lot of good it did me. I got distracted at five thousand … something again."
Much as she tried to add a little grumble to her voice, they'd known each other for far too long, and Rafi easily picked up on the merriment in her tone. He wasn't going to tease her about it, though. After all, he'd been only too happy to go along with the distraction part. Again.
"They're short on qualified pilots, Jin. People have either been promoted away, or … well. You know. And what's left in many cases is raw cadets and ensigns trying to fly the most sophisticated technology out there, on actual missions, with next to no experience."
"That's exaggerating it a bit, no?"

"Actually …" he turned around to offer her the plate before she decided to come over and commandeer it, and was struck by the picture of a silvery-haired elf perched on his kitchen table, clutching a cup of coffee. After all those years, she still managed to make his heart do that … that … ka-thunk. There was no other word for it.
As always, she had wrapped herself in one of his shirts, the sleeves pushed up to her elbows. Outlined by the milky fog outside the large glass windows overlooking the river her silhouette seemed to shimmer in the twilight, her warm golden skin tone taking on an almost unearthly glow. And when she caught him staring, that radiant smile started like sunrise over Manev Bay, all bright and warm and making you want to tell the world to go take a hike today because you had better things to do.

"D'skreja ikda'tokar t'am."
"Aldi'detik." He sighed and chuckled at the same time, letting her pull down his face for a soft kiss as quick little fingers pried away the plate.
"You were saying?"
Little Minx.
"I was saying that, if anything, Starfleet is understating the matter. My sources think it's because they don't consider it a big problem – yet- or are unaware how bad it is because they quite understandably have more pressing issues at the moment."
"Mmmh or perhaps they're just being practical and figure that the way to get experienced helmsmen is to put them *at* the helm."
"Perhaps." Rafi smiled and pressed another kiss on the fragrant white-pink strands before returning to his pan. At least she was actually talking about it, which told the Trill the subject wasn't being dismissed out of hand, no matter how reluctant she seemed. And she *was* qualified. How many fighter pilots could claim to have driven a Magellan-class starship through Dominion lines and lived to tell of it?
And maybe he had been exaggerating a little bit. Starfleet had a manpower problem across the board, not just in this one area. The fact remained that if a little pilot with a less than pristine file was ever going to have her pick of postings, it was now. If he'd sleep easier knowing she was no longer barreling full throttle at people trying to kill her every other damn month, or so it felt betimes, … that was just an added bonus.

"You know, I think I wouldn't mind an exploration ship. I had a listen to those early Enterprise-D stories you sent me, and it sounded like they had a grand old time out there."
"Mmmh new life and new civilizations and even the odd skirmish here and there." He was treading gently now, content to let her mull over the matter at her own pace. Of course she wasn't fooled for a second, evident by her low, melodious chuckle, but … he felt her draw closer, the heat emanating from her skin touching his bare back a second before her arms slid around his waist. "Just don't put another spook on my case, please? Not that he wasn't cute."

Rafi flipped over the pancake and laughed softly deep in his chest, enjoying the way she toyed with his hair while keeping an eye on the food "I'm sorry about that, love. But Jaravin's been a reliable source for years, and I didn't think he'd actually be so crazy and try to recruit you."
"I don't think he meant it." Jin sniffed the air happily, trying to decide which smelled more appetizing – Rafi or pancake. "He didn't strike me as that daft. Playful, but not daft. Is he even allowed to be your source?"
The Trill did a little double-take at the rapid change of subject – or maybe it was the slender fingers playfully tracing the scruff on his jaw, and the happy little purr emanating from behind him "If it's mutually beneficial? Sure. He tells me things, I tell him things. Reporters have their own ways of gathering information, and often people will tell us stuff they wouldn't … zis'agri! I almost burned the pancake!"
"Almost." With a quick twist of her hips the tiny Efrosian ducked under Rafi's arm and slid the food onto her plate. "We didn't use up all the maple syrup, did we?"


[A few days later]

Jin stretched lazily under the thick fur covers, blinking at the pale autumn sun struggling to disperse the early morning mist over the river. She wasn't sure she'd ever get used to this city with its strange vibes and seemingly perpetual rain. Not that the rain falling on the broad, lazy river wasn't pretty, or the sound of the ancient trees swaying in the breeze from the sea. But the spacious loft with its dark oak beams and giant windows wasn't the little apartment overlooking Montmartre, and there was none of the lightness that always seemed to permeate the air itself, none of the casual elegance or playful spirit.
With a sigh, the diminutive Efrosian slide her bare legs out of the bed and cast an amused glance at Cat snoring in front of the big fireplace. He at least seemed to find London a fine adventure, judging from the balloons and the giant piece of roast beef he had dragged home last night.

The scent of coffee and French toast tickled her nose – seemed like Rafi had decided to let her sleep in after those damn double and triple shifts doing naught but fly patrols around the Sol system in preparation for a big heap of trouble arriving in pretty ships.
Rihannsu. Complete with Chief Praetor and top brass.
It was just as well this kind of trouble was way above Jin's pay grade, though she idly wondered whether one particularly vexing ship would make an appearance.

Her bare feet moving soundlessly across the chilly floor, the little Efrosian snuggled deeply into the long flannel shirt that smelled delightfully of Trill and some light, woodsy soap.
Kitchen. Coffee.
Eschewing the replicated atrocities he didn't deign to call coffee, Rafi had left some fresh roasted beans in a small saucer, and Jin blinked for a moment at the scribbled instructions on how to operate the antique machine. At least the French toast looked as if it required no more skill than removing a small stasis field … she swatted idly at the vid screen over the counter and as expected the FNS news feed popped up obligingly. A group of politicians droned on about the summit, interrupted only by tidbits of a tribble predator on the loose in Malaysia and a mail strike on one of the aligned worlds.
Jin decided to not try her luck with the silvery concoction and instead dug around for the thing that let you grind the coffee beans manually, and the fancy little pot.

Rihannsu. On Earth. Jin sighed.
Rafi had been excited as only a news reporter on a mission to dig his teeth into a juicy story could be when he'd been assigned to cover the summit. Not that Jin was surprised he'd drawn the lot. Other than many people who only saw the cultivated Trill with fine manners and affable demeanor, she knew exactly how determined, even relentless Rafi could be in pursuit of an objective. Not to mention thorough, quick on the uptake and capable of adapting to changing mission parameters on the fly. Whether that mission involved uncovering conspiracies at the highest levels or handling a lively Efrosian.

There. Not quite as amazing as the brew Rafi made, but decidedly coffee. Sipping the hot liquid, Jin padded around the apartment collecting the strewn about pieces of her uniform, occasionally glancing at the screen where massive Warbirds sailed past Mars, the commentator stumbling over the ships' names.
By the time she had struggled into the heavy fabric and confirmed their schedule with the rest of the Fighting Chickens, the sun had climbed high enough to colour the sky a pretty shade of pale blue, dotted with only the occasional wispy clouds.
The deep rumble of all too familiar engines sounded above the tranquil river, drawing her attention to the formation of bombers descending over the city.

"You know I'm right Po. Haven't you had discussions about that very matter with the Praetor herself?"
"You know I can't talk about such-"
"I'm sorry gentlemen." Elan interrupted "but the Praetor is now arriving."
No kidding.
Standing by the large glass door leading out to the deck, Jin tracked the elegant shapes slowly tipping over their wings and gliding downwards like a flock of moonhawks returning to the nest, until they disappeared from view.
"Cat?"
"Mrrrr." One giant paw twitched sleepily, and the little pilot smiled.
"I take it you won't mind playing watchcat again? Or sleepcat. Rafi left you some of that Irish ale you like, and there's ham in your bowl. I should be back around-" she felt the shudder beneath her feet, the sudden overwhelming sense of a shockwave's pressure against the building's stone, even before the terrible rumble registered with her ears.

Rafi.


[to be continued...]


LtCmdr Jin Rha-Yaleii

-------------

D'skreja ikda'tokar t'am – (I) missed you, too

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[Crazy Horse] Coil of Darkness - SD 241509.23 - "Trilithium Trouble - Part 3" - Duty Log - Lt. Cmdr. Alexander Canaris

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Commander Alexander Canaris
Mission: Coil of Darkness
Location: Starbase, Earth Orbit
Timeline: Current

"Trilithium Trouble - Part 3"
===========================

Dark boots splashed through boiling water as rising steam separated on the moving air currents like a curtain parting before an actor on stage. He put his shoulder into twin swinging doors as they flew apart his body moving through without stopping. The doors squeaking from the strain suddenly stopped as several inquisitive heads emerged from the kitchen watching in Canaris's wake as he doggedly pursued his target through the station.

The man running from Canaris was slowly losing his lead. His steps were erratic as were his movements. His pace had slowed, but as they did the wild look in the man's eyes grew stronger. Canaris feared that if the man felt cornered he would resort to violence against others or even himself. It was impossible to predict what this person was capable of. Canaris's training told him that this person running from him now was no professional. If he was he would have had a plan in place for this sort of contingency. Running haphazardly through the station with no clear goal or objective was not the behavior of someone training in covert or clandestine activities. While the facts excluded several possibilities they did not negate the possibility that this man was dangerous. Anyone driven by fear and survival instincts was extremely hazardous and had to be treated as such.

The man disappeared down a flight of stairs as crewman and officers parted ways as the two men raced down the hallway. Canaris pushed his way through various bodies trying to close the distance between himself and the man known as Chellan. There were too many people in his way obstructing his forward progress.

Chellan suddenly stopped in the hallway ahead looked left and then back at Canaris before dashing through a doorway and out of sight. Canaris gave chase scrambling around the corner as he entered a station lounge filled to the brim with people. Canaris stopped at the lounge entrance his chest heaving as he scanned the room. So many people. Why were they all here? He turned and noticed a large video display broadcasting the news feeds of the Romulan's arrival on Earth.

He didn't have time to watch the spectacle. His eyes darted from face to face and person to person. Where was that man? Where had he gone? Coward…ran though his mind as he dismissed his personal feelings. He didn't have time for those at the moment either. He continued to scan the crowd unable to locate the suspect. Where were the station security teams? He couldn't possibly cover both exits.

Left with few choices and the possibility that this suspect could slip away and in doing so harm others, Canaris was forced to take drastic measures. He pulled his phaser and fired twice into the ceiling instantly grabbing everyone's attention.

"I am with Starfleet Intelligence", he shouted to the crowd. "Among you is a wanted suspect who has taken refuge in this room hoping to disguise himself and escape justice for his actions. The man is wearing a blue uniform. Everyone needs to remain calm and drop to the ground now!"

The frightened crowd slowly complied lowering themselves to the floor. Canaris waited as droplets of cold sweat ran down his face his eyes scouring the room. Suddenly they found their mark as his target made his way quickly toward the rear exit.

"HALT", Canaris shouted. "I SAID HALT!"

He didn't have time to curse as the man ignored his instructions. "GET DOWN", he shouted leveling his weapon at the man and taking aim. He took a breath. The world seemed to slow as several people quickly dove out of his line of sight recognizing the danger. The impassioned man dashed for the exit as the doors opened. Canaris exhaled and pulled the trigger on his weapon. A single blue beam raced across the room and struck the man in the leg. He instantly fell to the ground squirming like a fish out of water on the deck.

Canaris quickly approached his weapon at the ready as the man clutched his leg.

"Please don't shoot", the man wailed sobbing as he spoke. He quickly moved and grabbed the man hoisting him into the air and throwing him up fast first against the nearby bulkhead securing his arms behind him. He pushed his weapon into the man's head.

"I suggest you start talking Mr Chellan and quickly."

"Please…", the man sobbed as tears rolled down his face already slick with perspiration. "Please…they have my sister. They have her. They threatened to kill her. Can't you understand? I didn't have any choice! They were going to kill her! I had to do what they wanted."

"What who wanted", Canaris shouted. "Names lieutenant. I want names!"

"I don't have a name", the man shouted back. "They just wanted Trilithium in exchange for my sister!"

"They? What did they look like? When did you last speak with them? How did you make contact?"

The man wasn't able to answer as tears rolled from his eyes. Despite needing answers, Canaris could tell this man needed a moment to collect himself.

"Chellan was it? Lieutenant, pull yourself together! I need you to talk to me. The more you tell me the more I can help you…and your sister."

"What the HELL is going on here", a voice shouted from behind.

Canaris looked over his shoulder. The cavalry had finally arrived.

"This man needs to be taken into custody", Canaris stated. "I'm commander Canaris. Starfleet Intelligence. I called in the intruder alert."

"I know who you are commander. Please unhand the suspect. We'll take it from here."

Canaris stepped back as two security guards took Chellan into custody. He turned to face the officer in charge. "Commander I need a moment with this lieutenant after chasing him halfway across this station."

"Commander Canaris, you can continue your interrogation after we have taken this man into custody and determined the particulars of the situation as well as verified your status and role in all of this."

"Commander, perhaps I am not making myself clear", Canaris stated raising his voice just enough to grab the man's undivided attention. "I am interrogating this man here and now. You can file a protest if you desire however I am asserting my jurisdiction under Intelligence protocol 442.6112."
"You intelligence people just waltz in wherever it suits you and make a mess of things don't you?"

"And you sir fail to appreciate the importance and time sensitive nature of matters. You don't see the big picture here. This man may be part of a conspiracy involving highly toxic and dangerous materials which might be used for destructive purposes. I don't have time to play this by the book commander! I don't have time for the chain of command, red tape, and endless debate. I am taking charge of the situation!"

"Alright commander Canaris", the security officer stated. "Do what you feel you must, but be quick about it. As you can see there's a mess that needs cleaning up. I don't need you standing in it longer than necessary."

Canaris ignored the barbed comment and turned back toward Chellan who had calmed down somewhat in the last few moments.

"Lieutenant, please start talking. I need to know everything about who you have been in contact with, what you have done, and when you did it as quickly as possible."

Canaris didn't get the chance to obtain an answer as someone back in the lounge shouted.

"Look it's the Romulan Praetor."

Suddenly the screen in the lounge flashed bright white before the image was replaced with static and then the logo of the Federation News Service.

"What happened", someone shouted. "Where's the broadcast?"

Canaris made his way past the guards and back into the lounge as he stared at the large display on the wall. He turned back to the crowd.

"What just happened", he asked.

"They were showing the Romulan Praetor and then the transmission cut out. There was a flash and then nothing."

A bead of icy sweat formed on the commander's brow before slowly running down his face. "What about the other channels?"

"They're all the same", someone at the bar stated. "The signal just cut out."

Canaris stood staring at the screen for several long moments. A tight knot formed in his stomach. He left the lounge and approached the security commander pushing aside his discomfort. "Commander, contact station security. I need to know the status of the Romulan delegation on Earth."

The commander wrinkled his nose but complied. "This is Commander Fulbright to Security."

"Go ahead commander."

"What is the present status of the Romulan delegation on Earth? We just witnessed some unusual activity on the news feeds. They all seems to be offline. Are we experiencing communications difficulties?"

"Sir, I'm…I'm having a hard time reaching security services planetside. There's been an incident. We're being told to go to yellow alert and restrict all transportation until further notice as well as to standby for additional instructions. That's all. The message isn't any more detailed."

"Well that is odd", Fulbright stated.

It wasn't odd. Canaris feared he knew where the trilithium had gone. The picture and the puzzle pieces were coming together and the picture they were forming was horrific.

He turned back toward Chellan his eyes hot with anger as everything suddenly came into focus. "Why? Why didn't you ask for help? Why did you give these madmen the tools they needed to do whatever it is they have done", he asked angrily.

"They…they have my sister", Chellan replied. "If I involve the authorities they'll kill her."

"So you were willing to exchange your sister's life for how many more? One? A dozen? A hundred? Thousands? My god man….they just detonated that Trilithium on the surface near the Romulan delegation! It's the only explanation that fits the facts! You're selfish need to save your sister may have just plunged the Federation into war with the Romulan Empire! How many lives were you willing to trade for your sister's? Answer me that", Canaris shouted his anger growing by the moment. "If you had just asked for help. If you had let us professionals handle matters then this could very well have been averted!"

"She's my sister", the man shouted back as tears once again rolled down his face. "She's the only family I have left. I couldn't let them hurt her. I have to save her!"

Canaris turned away from the lieutenant as rage washed over him intermingled with sympathy, pity, and compassion. Half of him wanted to see the man shot for his crimes and the other half felt nothing but sympathy and pity for him. He too had had family taken from him by criminals. He knew the bitter sting of losing a relative and being powerless to do anything about it. And yet…this man had chosen to give lethal materials to unknown agents for unknown reasons. Nobel perhaps, but so naïve.

"Lieutenant Chellan", Canaris stated turned to look the man in the eyes. "As an intelligence officer with some experience in similar matters I must inform you, as difficult as this is, that despite your good intentions your sister is most likely dead and has been for some period of time. You were used to get to the Trilithium and sadly your sister was as well. I'm sorry."

Canaris turned away as the man again broke into tears and sobs behind him. He couldn't face the man out of fear that he too would lose control of the emotions welling up inside him. His past was mere centimeters from breaking though his emotional shielding. Having lost his family to pirate raiders he knew how the man felt and how the pain could rip a person's insides apart.

"Command Fulbright", Canaris stated his voice cracking slightly. "Please escort the lieutenant to the brig. He is implicated in falsifying records, tampering with computers, and giving controlled materials to unauthorized third parties. I'll provide your office with my investigation data up to this point for your review. I suggest that your people secure the Trilithium storage facilities and detain all personnel in that department for questioning. If there has been an incident on Earth, which appears to be highly likely, then a lot of top brass will quickly be clamoring for answers. The lieutenant there is likely one of them. There could be more. Your actions and professionalism in the next few hours may very well determine whether or not we go to war with the Romulan Empire."

Fulbright appeared stunned by the entire series of events. He looked at Canaris, back the the whimpering lieutenant, and then at the lounge filled with frightened, uncertain, faces.

"We'll handle it commander", he stated firmly.

"Thank you commander", Canaris replied. "I have to report to my superiors. I'll make myself available for questioning if needed."

"I think I have most of the answers commander. Thank you for your assistance."

"Don't thank me", Canaris answered his voice solemn having lost its earlier fire. "I wasn't fast enough. If I had connected the dots sooner then…"

"It's done Commander. All we can do is take the present as it comes. We both have work ahead of us. I suggest we get to it under the circumstances."

Canaris nodded tacitly thanking the commander without words. He left the area as the security guards took charge. A few moments later Commander Agron's voice came from his communicator recalling him to the Crazy Horse on the double no doubt in response to the matters planetside.

His instinct was to head to the scene, but that was impossible. He would again have to suppress his intelligence duties and replace them with the persona of a Starfleet operations officer. Perhaps he could be of some use back aboard the Crazy Horse. After all the captain…THE CAPTAIN!

Canaris had forgotten the captain was on the surface and had been asked to attend the Romulan meetings. He pushed aside his self-doubts and emotions and took off in another sprint for the nearest transporter room. Perhaps he could help even while in orbit far removed from the situation on the ground which was unknown but which had all the hallmarks of a turning point in history. Whether that turning point was for good or ill was yet to be determined.

~ FIN ~

=======================

Lt. Commander Alexander Canaris
Chief Operations Officer
USS Crazy Horse

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[Crazy Horse] Coil of Darkness - SD 241509.23 - Plot Log | Coil of Darkness | "Politics" | Various

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Commander Jin Rha-Yaleii & Captain Khiy Kanryth
Mission: Coil of Darkness
Location: Earth
Timeline: current

[Earth, London]

A dream? A nightmare? It had to be a nightmare. This couldn't be real? No. Not possible. Not at all. But it was. The pain in his chest told him it was real. The blood dribbling down his forehead told him it was real. He didn't want to believe it- but there it was. Reality. Harsh and real. Jolias watched through ringing ears as the Praetor was rushed away by her guards. Dozens of people were staggering around like lost children in some type of foreign war zone- except this carnage was at the heart of the Federation.
"High Commissioner!"
Slowly twisting he found a yellow collared commander shouting at him but the words were absorbed by that incessant ringing. What was he saying? He jerked. Someone was grabbing him, pulling him. He stumbled through the haze being led by this stranger and others joined them- medics. They were scouring over him with scanning devices as he was led away to a waiting shuttlecraft.

[One hour later]

"We have just confirmed through one of our sources in the Federation Council that President Sa'vak died during the blast along with five members of the Federation Council and a dozen other..." The screen switched to blackness.
"It seems Sa'vak has died."
"So it would. You don't seem very affected Councillor."
The Andorian brushed a cobalt finger through her silken hair "a tragedy yes- but there has been so much tragedy the past few years one becomes accustomed to it. I was never a huge fan of Sa'vak but his death is unfortunate. What is more unfortunate is that he had yet to name a Vice President after Dol Zen resigned two months ago. According to the articles the third in line for the President is…" The Andorian looked at Jolias who turned away.
"I don't have any interest…"
"It doesn't matter. The succession is clearly delineated. The High Commissioner of the Federation Council will assume the role of President if both the President and Vice President are incapacitated. Since there is no Vice President that means you will have to assume the office."
"An unelected President? This has never happened in three centuries!"
"I could think of worse outcomes." The Andorian sighed "the Council has been fractured. After what has happened today it will be even more so. Plus we still don't know how the Romulans are going to react. Fortunately the Klingons have their hands full so I doubt it'll be war…"

"Enough." It was inevitable. Jolias felt sick. He could still see Sa'vak's lifeless body halfway crushed beneath concrete as he was led away. Those calm lifeless eyes as if the Vulcan had resigned himself to fate even in such carnage. In seven lives he still didn't feel prepared for the albatross that was about to be wrapped around his neck. President of the Federation? Unelected at that. It would be a difficult if not impossible task.
"The people need someone to blame for what happened. We will need to find a scapegoat." Iyaru sat down across from Jolias "you know the Council has had some reservations about Admiral Hark for quite some time. His relationship with the Klingons- it's too close. We don't trust him."
"You want to use this situation as a means to oust Hark?"
"Oh come on Jolias. Be rational here. You know Hark has been pushing arming the Klingons for quite some time. They're out of control. Once they get what they want from the Romulans do you think they will have a second thought about plundering our space? We have to sever the link between Starfleet and the Klingons. It's too close. Dangerous. If we can move opinion against Hark- lay the blame on him…"
"I don't like it." Jolias frowned. Politics- he hated it. This reeked of everything he was against.
"You are too idealistic." She slammed a palm into the table "we have to oust Hark. The rest of the Council agrees."

He sighed. "Very well. I will recall the Admiral once I am confirmed. However, only on the condition that his successor is left entirely up to me." He could see the tension in the Andorian's antennae. Obviously she didn't expect that condition. Possibly the Council already had someone mind. They were quick to find opportunities even in the most disgusting of circumstances like any good politician. He was certain that the Romulans in orbit would be proud of such craftiness.
"Honestly, they won't like it. The Council has always had a bit of a rivalry with the Presidency but you are one of us. I will make sure they agree to the condition."
"I'll recall Hark."


[Starfleet Command]

Admiralty lined the meeting table as Nanthrissa stared at the transmission in front of her blinking in red text on the main screen. 'Effective immediately Admiral Alexander Hark has been relieved of command by the Federation Council. Starfleet Chief of Staff Admiral Nanthrissa Raazh will assume the role until a suitable replacement is named.' When did I agree to this? She wondered as irritation smoldered. Not only was her aid missing since the chaos but now everything seemed to be going to hell. What now? The Romulans were quiet. Unusually so. She half expected them to rain fire down on them but…nothing. The Praetor was injured and the Romulan Fleet Admiral was in dire straits at a hospital in London. She had put the entire fleet on alert. They were moving ships closer to the neutral zone as a precaution but intelligence didn't think there was much of a threat considering the Klingon incursions into Romulan space- but then intelligence also didn't foresee what happened in London.

With the sound of champagne glasses crashing into a row of icicles, Commander T'skl'c rushed around the corner, stopping just short of the statuesque Andorian "The list of our current assets in the Sol system and Sector 001, sir," the voder mounted on the glittering glass-spider's back intoned in a musical pitch as the Hamalki produced a PADD "complete with readiness reports on all but two ships which couldn't be reached yet. The full report will be available on your screens within the hour."

"A lot of good they will do if the Rrrrromulans decide to wipe the deck with us afterrrrr all." A tall Caitian with gold and red fur stalked around the table, his ears and tail twitching in agitation. "We should deploy morrrrre ships to the Neutrrrrrral Zone."

"Really, M'Zoor?" casting an apologetic glance at Admiral Raazh, the sole Efrosian in the room leaned back in his chair and sighed "First we make a spirited attempt to send their Praetor to their version of hell, and then we build up forces at their borders? Why not send them a message that this was all a ploy to attack them from the start?" Hu'Yanatreii shook his luxuriant white mane and stabbed a finger at the transparent screen hovering before him "Enor has been confirmed. He's a level head and we shouldn't jump any phasers either. Spirits of the Seas, our own president was killed. If anything, we need to reassure the Romulans we're giving the search for the culprits top priority."

"And then what?" M'Zoor snarled, his massive paw slicing through the air as if he wanted to personally take up the hunt "They'rrrre just going to say 'oh well, since you'rrre being so nice we'll just go away then?'. They won't trrrrust a word we say." He snapped around, fixing the Andorian with a stare out of luminescent green eyes "They alrrrready think we'rrre weak. You want to prrrrove it to them?"

Raazh's eyes narrowed at the Caitian as her antennae twisted inward "enough of the hysterics M'Zoor. If you're just going to sit here and spout nonsense then get out of my sight." She swirled a cobalt digit towards the doorway at the other end of the conference room "the Klingons have the Romulans preoccupied. It doesn't matter if they think we're weak- they won't be able to act on it. I have sent a cursory force to the zone to monitor Romulan movements. We can't spare another ship right now. I would like to appoint someone to lead the investigation into what happened…someone that the Romulans might find palpable."

Ignoring the Caitian's frustrated rumble, Hu'Yanatreii nodded thoughtfully, flowing white moustache bobbing gently with the movement "I agree it doesn't matter, Nanthrissa. But our feline friend has a point in that we shouldn't expect the Romulans to be satisfied with an investigation."
"And what makes you so surrrrre they won't act…"
"M'Zoor." The Efrosian's usually mellifluous, deep baritone suddenly had an almost growling undertone, not a threatening timbre but rather a soothing echo to the Caitian's unhappy snarls – and somewhat to the this far silent Ktarian's amusement, it stopped the overgrown kitten in his tracks. "We can't be sure of anything. We can only proceed with the information we do have." Hu'Yanatreii turned his pale, almost silvery gaze to the Andorian "Did you have someone in mind, Nanthrissa? Under the circumstances, I'd much like a level-headed person, not a space-cowboy shooting up the barn so to speak."

"Too bad we don't have that Rehu woman anymore" the Ktarian Mezine quipped "though I'm sure she would have been happy to provide the shooting part. But she does tend to get results, one way or the other."
"Pointlesssss" M'Zoor hissed "The only ones Rrrrehu will shoot at this time…"
"Will be whomever she chooses to." The Efrosian appeared lost in thought for a moment before favoring Nanthrissa with a small smile "I do seem to remember a bit of excitement about the lady in question paying a holographic visit to one of our ships? Somewhat about a request for a tour for the Praetor?"

"Excitement?" Nan rolled her eyes "more like irritants. There was an argument between the esteemed diplomat Ian Lamont" the sarcasm in her voice was scarcely veiled at the mention of Lamont's name "and her. Two pods in a pea as the humans would say."
"Peas in a pod." Someone at the table corrected.
Nan shrugged "in any case there is history between the Praetor and Captain Kanryth- the Captain previously helped prevent an assassination of the Praetor's mentor and predecessor t'AAnikh four years ago. I believe you already suspect what I am about suggest Hu'Yanatreii. We should have the Captain lead the investigation."

A soft chuckle answered Nanthrissa's eye-roll, but at the mention of AAnikh the Efrosian nodded and folded his hands on the table. "Ah, yes. I recall. Well, if they're going to accept anyone, it may well be the good Captain."
"Are they?"Mezine frowned, looking between the other two admirals "correct me if I'm wrong but Kanryth isn't exactly all charm and goodwill towards his fellow Romulans."

"Of courrrrse he isn't" M'Zoor snorted, giving the impression of an overgrown tiger coughing up a hairball "One of hiss morrrre endearrring qualities." The big Caitian paused in his pacing to lean a paw on the table, narrowing his eyes at one of the screens floating above the surface. "They corrrected the casualty numberrrrs again. Whateverr you do, Rrrrazh, I suggest it be soon. But for what it's worrrth, I'm in agrrrement on the Kanrryth issue."

"Then it's settled." Nan declared although not quite sure how 'settled' this matter would be. It would take awhile and firing Hark was probably only just the beginning "I will inform him of his new role as soon as possible. For the moment this will conclude our meeting. Dismissed."

Sparing another nod and smile for Nanthrissa, the Efrosian rose and made for the door, followed quickly by the musical sound of a Hamalki in his wake.
M'Zoor for his part rumbled deep in his chest, wishing he could see Kanryth's face when he received his orders.

[End log]

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