<html><head></head><body><div class="yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:garamond, new york, times, serif;font-size:13px;"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" id="ydp8761d521docs-internal-guid-63be7b29-7fff-2241-4a0f-c09d6172f05b"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mission: For Honor</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Day: 5</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stardate: 2446.04.29</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(USS Illuminar - Deck 14 - Brig - a1/O CMDR Dieter Gregory, Temas Laredo, SPC Luma’lenai and Ensign Dyson - 1000)</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gregory and Temas headed down to the brig. He could only wonder what was going on in both Luma’s and Dyson’s heads. This Dyson fellow was either really smart or very naive, for a lack of a better term. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their ID was checked at the entrance, and the two waived in. “Dismissed crewman,” Gregory ordered, frowning as he hesitated. “Stay outside the door, if you wish, but this is a private conversation.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once the room was empty, Gregory dimmed the lights, “Luma, if you wish, and Mr. Laredo agrees, you are welcome.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luma materialized using the holoemmiters. She stood next to Temas and was frowning. She was not convinced that Dyson was not a threat.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now, Luma, if you would be so kind as to bring our guest over from the timeout shuttle to brig 1 please.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luma moved Dyson easily from the shuttle to the brig. She had stripped the cell of what few comforts it had. She was not pleased. =^= That Dyson is our Tempest's burden. Should our Tempest be here too or is this like when our Sienna commands things before the Sekal steps in. Luma's brother is likely to be unamused by this nonsense.=^=</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We shall hear him out first, Luma,” Gregory said. “Perhaps it is all a simple misunderstanding.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alex was woken by the sensation of the transporter. He opened his eyes and sat up. A few seconds later, Luma appeared and Commander Gregory and Mister Laredo walked in. ~She is not happy with me.~ He understood her response. ~I was an idiot.~ When he had recorded his messages, he had forgotten about the energy being and her recent injury. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Commander, Mister Laredo, Luma.” Alex said. “Where shall we begin ?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“First off, Ensign. You will stand at attention and wait until I address you. You may not have been in Star Fleet for long, but I would hope some level of basic understanding and decorum had been made clear to you,” Gregory scowled. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alex got to his feet and snapped to attention. ~Get yourself together, Shep. Unless you want to be scrubbing plasma conduits for the rest of your life.~ </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He said nothing, not wanting to anger the Commander again.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You seem to have little respect for Star Fleet protocols, Ensign,” Gregory began. “You are here because a message you attempted to send was flagged for concern and we are here to talk about it,” he said. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“First, by what stretch of imagination do you think you have any right to ask time off for another officer? Not even in your own department? That request is denied, and I strongly recommend you allow the Ensign to follow her own path, and learn from her mistakes. Am I clear?” </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, sir.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temas had stood in the background so that Dieter could have his say about the matter, but he wanted to address this issue before they moved on. He stepped beside the commander. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Alex, I’d like to ask you a question about that request,” he said. “What made you believe that a leave with you would be advantageous for her. In my opinion she is in need of counseling to deal with grief and guilt. How are you qualified to handle that with her?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“To begin with, I feel she is more likely to open up to her boyfriend than to a professional counselor,” Alex said. ~You’re kicking in an open door with that one.~ He figured that his romantic relationship with Kelly was common knowledge by now. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And while I myself am not a counselor, I know one or two people who could help Kelly with her issues. I believe I could convince Kelly to speak with these people.” </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Mrs. N. always knew what to say.~ His old neighbor, Miss Nichols, was one of the people he had in mind. He also wanted Kelly to talk to Yenna. If there was anybody who understood what it was like to be in a dark place, it was his Romulan ex.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temas nodded, “Hmmm..be that as it may, I assure you that I am very capable in my role as a counselor and, believe it or not, I am very good at being able to get people to open up. As far as being her boyfriend, it is great for her to have that support, but it has been my experience, and, of course, a great deal of research that shows, having a counselor that is not directly involved in your life is far more beneficial. It is great that you care, Alex, but you really need to leave the counseling to the counselors.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“That matter settled, let’s delve into the crux of this message. Let's start by you explaining the content and meaning of these messages,” Gregory said. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, sir.” Alex began. “But first…I’m sorry, Luma. I understand why you put me in time out. I didn’t think about your recent injury and how that made you feel. I should not have done that.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luma stared at Dyson. Temas sent her a calming wave towards Luma. He took a deep breath. ::Let’s allow the Gregory to do what he needs first.::</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luma leaned into Temas. Being a hologram, she couldn’t actually touch him, but it was comforting to her anyway.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“First, I need to tell you some things that Luma and Mr. Laredo already know. When I was twenty-one, I mated with a Klingon lady called K’Nera during a one-night stand. At age twenty-seven, I was involved with a Romulan lady called Yenna Valerius and at age thirty I was together with a former Orion slave that I only knew as Claudia.” He paused and looked at Gregory</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I believe I have at least three children, and maybe more. Until recently, I had no confirmation of their existence. And they were living with their mothers.” He looked at Luma and Laredo. “Several years after my liaison. I heard rumors that K’Nera had given birth to a daughter. So I contacted her about it. She denied it and said that if she did have a child, she did not want me to be part of its life.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luma was confused. How could a male small one not know that he had created life? It confused her and she looked over to Temas for clarification. Was this common to small ones not in the Starfleet?</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temas was frowning. ::No, it is </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> common. It is, in fact, concerning, as he appears to be acting on information that he has verified. I’m concerned he’s going through all this trouble for children that may not be his own. Remember that humans do not have the same connection to their young that other species do.::</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Recently, I met K’Nera’s father, a Klingon officer called Rox. He confirmed that K’Nera lied to me. I have a daughter called Mackenzie, who is fifteen years old. Until recently, Mackenzie was living at the Klingon Embassy to Farius Prime. K’Nera is a file clerk there.” ~Which she has been for all that time.~ </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“However, I believe that Mackenzie has been in contact with her younger, half-Romulan sibling on New Romulus. Let’s just call the child….Sprout. Now, some of my previous assignments came with a paycheck, so I opened a bank account on Ferenginar to hold that money.” He paused.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And the only two people who could access said account were me and Yenna Valerius. Recently, somebody on New Romulus accessed the account and transferred money to an account that belongs to the Klingon Embassy on Farius Prime. As for who transferred the money ? Yenna is too responsible to allow a fifteen year old to run away.” He looked at Gregory again.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gregory stared back, face inscrutable. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“But to stop digressing, the money was withdrawn and used to buy a ticket from Farius Prime to New Romulus. Besides confirming that Mac exists, Rox also confirmed that she ran away to New Romulus. He also informed me that K’Nera has given up all her parental rights. I’m Mackenzie’s father. I have to man up and go get her. Which brings us to the messages that landed me here.” </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turned to Luma. “I’m sorry, Luma, I was just trying to keep the little ones safe.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luma simply crossed her arms over her chest and stared. She had kept quiet, but now she spoke. =^= Is not alone. Is part of a whole, the small ones on the Illuminar is Luma’s family. That Dyson acts like is alone. Is not alone.=^= She was so disturbed she had forgotten some of the words. =^= Luma’s brother would help save the young ones. Should -ask- not make -does-. =^= Luma was as stern as she was capable of being.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This whole situation is a powder keg. The daughter of a member of the Klingon Diplomatic Corps has run away to New Romulus. And a Starfleet officer paid for it…” ~It’s my name on the account.~ And the Klingons didn’t know about Sprout. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“...A Starfleet officer on a starship that is sitting in orbit of Qo’nos. It’s a safe bet that somebody at the Embassy wrote a report on this situation. Even buried on the slow, low-priority channels, that report is going to get here. And that is just the Klingon response, what happens when the Romulans find out ? The hardliners in the Republic will have a field day.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You tell a good tale Mr. Dyson, that is for sure. You should have gone into acting, rather than being a pilot. You make an assumption that the crew of the Illuminar is known to the Klingons, as if they would care about an ensign. That would be a huge breach of security, and if so, heads will roll. It still does not make clear any of the messages that you tried to send. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“For example, a message to a Rox, about a try to New Romulus, as well as disclosing classified information about one of the Crew, Mr. Weston. That alone is an actionable offense. Your actions, had they been successful, would have jeopardized Mr. Weston and his former contacts, which is a huge security risk. Did you for one minute consider that?” Gregory replied. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alex decided not to say anything. Gregory was talking now and it was better to let the Commander say his piece before he replied. ~Just like when Joker and I were crossing Lake Crichton.~ Lake Crichton was a lake on the outskirts of Utopia Colony. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When they were twelve, it had frozen over. But the ice had been unstable in places, so they had been forced to cross it very carefully, plotting their moves for each section of the lake. They had made it, but it had taken several hours. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And this message, to Weston about the privateer. Again, you risk Mr. Weston’s life and networks, as well as risk putting the Illuminar in a shooting match. If you are making an assumption that the Klingons know you are on board, is it a stretch to assume they now have your messages bugged. Son, your brain is writing checks your body can’t cash, and worse are going to come back to roost here on the Illuminar.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“To begin with. I’m sorry, Luma, but no. The Captain can’t help.” Alex said. ~Take it slow, Alex.~ “If he gave me permission to use one of your skin’s shuttles, the Admirals would get mad. Using Starfleet stuff for not Starfleet things is against the rules.” He paused. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They would send people to your skin to punish him and anybody who knew about what I was doing. That’s why I wanted as few people as possible to know about this. And Officer Rox made it crystal clear that he was going to New Romulus to look for Mackenzie…”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">=^= Luma’s father, the Vice Admiral Sekal would stop bad small ones from trying to board the skin and hurt Luma’s small ones. Luma is quite capable of taking care of the skin. That Dyson is still being bad though. Does that Dyson not understand? THAT Dyson is not alone. If that Dyson insists on being naughty, Luma is sure that the Dieter will make sure that Dyson can not leave the skin. Our Riven is aboard with Riven’s Michaella. Ambassadors make what would be impossible, capable, and does it with words not actions. =^= Luma was still not amused. She thought that Dyson was using her to divert the heat off himself.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~Well, at least that’s what I read between the lines. Honor demands it.~ “...no matter what we did. And you can bet that he wouldn’t be very careful about it. From what I’ve seen of the man, it would be like flying a shuttle through a room full of porcelain. We would have had to send a team to clean up that situation. A team led by Lieutenant Weston. And while Rox might be far from subtle, he is far from stupid. He would have figured out that Weston is SFI like that.” He snapped his fingers and looked at Gregory.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, I did think about the danger of telling Rox that Lt. Weston was SFI. Telling him that was the only way to get through Rox’s thick Klingon skull that we are taking this situation seriously. Otherwise, he will break contact and go off the reservation. The man is a drunk and a loose cannon.” ~He is now, but if he’s not sober when he meets Mackenzie, I’m going to beat him to a pulp.~ </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And yes, I know that you can take care of the skin, Luma. And I’m not trying to be naughty. The problem is that for the Ambassadors to help, they have to tell the boss Romulans that Mackenzie is on New Romulus. And we can’t do that. Mackenzie is not supposed to be there, so they’d get really, really mad and put her in time-out until she grows old and dies.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temas shook his head, trying to put all the pieces together in his mind. Sometimes he regrets having to not simply invade someone’s mind to make it all make sense. There was so much going on with what he was saying, and so many assumptions, most of which were erroneous. By the time he could wrap his mind around a question Alex had moved on.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“So, I had two options. Find alternate transport or create another reason to go to New Romulus. If you talk to Ensign Vermyx, he will tell you about the alternate transport. A man called Findals Lagan is our Plan B for getting there.” ~Breathe, Shep, breathe.~</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“As for the other reason, that’s where your privateer comes in. With Rox’s help, we could have fabricated a paper trail suggesting that the Klingon Empire *asked* us to impound the Chalche’yon. All Mr. Weston would have needed to do, was delete File Alpha Two and Three and add the requests from the Klingons. Nobody would have known the real reason, except the people actually going to New Romulus. Everybody else would have had plausible deniability.`` </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turned to Luma. “And not everybody in Starfleet works for or listens to Vice Admiral Sekal. They should, but they don’t. The Section 31 ones don’t listen to anybody. I wasn’t going to risk them or any others coming here. I just wanted to keep you out of trouble,” He paused. “Sometimes you have to do things alone to keep your family safe. Even if that makes them mad with you or think you’re naughty.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He turned back to Gregory. “If the brass had found out the truth, Lieutenant Weston would have the paperwork. Kelly could have claimed that I used our relationship to manipulate her and Ensign Vermyx has criminal ties. I would have simply claimed that I blackmailed him into coming along.” He paused. “I have no problem with falling on my sword to keep my daughter and this crew safe. Because that’s part of the oath that comes with uniform.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And that is the reason for my message to Joker. If anybody, Starfleet or not, understands that there are sometimes that you take the punch and bend the rules for the greater good, it’s Emile Schofield. Back in the orphanage we had short-range subspace radios. We called them walkie-talkies. Emile is the only one in the whole galaxy who knows the exact frequency we used. And it only exists inside his head, we never wrote it down. I needed somebody to take care of Mac and Kelly in case things went south for the winter. He’s the only person I trust to do it.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gregory took all it in and shook his head. He had a hard time believing half of what was just said. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Luma, I want you to institute a transmission blackout on the Illuminar. No messages go out without command approval. I also want you to scan any incoming messages and quarantine them unless they are from crew on the ground,” he began. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Luma made a sound of approval and nodded. Maybe she needed to manifest more often, otherwise the small ones seemed to forget about her. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Next, Mr. Laredo, I hate to impose on you, but if you could at least look in on Ensign Long to assess her mental state, I would appreciate it. With respect, a boyfriend and random people are probably not what the Ensign needs to come back from where she probably is. That will be important for Commander T’Mur to understand her state of mind to decide how to help her.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Already in the plans, Commander,” Temas said with a nod. He looked at Alex and said, “I also want to have some time with you, Alex. You’ve made quite a few statements here that I’d like to explore with you.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yes, sir.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alex was still not the biggest fan of counselors, but this was not the time or the place to discuss that. It would be better to do that in private. ~Besides, he probably remembers that.~ Or had it written down in his official notes. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gregory turned his attention to Dyson. “Mr. Dyson, I don’t know whether you are foolhardy or a fool. Your tale and hopes of success are what movies are made of. The number of elements that have to go exactly right for you to not die as a smear on a wall, or in a fiery explosion are too numerous to count. While I am not a Vulcan, I would predict the odds of success being approximately 7,824 to 1 against,” he raised his hand to forestall any response. </span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You forget several fundamental facts that, when considered, change the equation towards success. Any child of yours has a legitimate claim to Federation protection, as you are part of the Federation. And while that may not mean much to Orions and Pirates and such, it does mean a great deal to governments. This is why Diplomacy ultimately works. Especially when the appropriate subterfuge is applied, and a bit of misdirection,” he chuckled. “You going in there, in a stolen ship, with a mix of races including federation officers is the most dangerous thing you can do. All your efforts to leave your breadcrumbs and misdirections are very basic and won’t hold up at all.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Now, you are at a crossroads Mr. Dyson. You can attempt your little escapade, but without any federation officers or support. If that is your choice, you can stay in time out until the Captain gets back and had a chance to review this meeting and weigh in on his thoughts,” he paused. “Or, you can take a step back, sit down and rethink the goals with the might and effort of the Illuminar and it’s crew to develop a successful plan to achieve your goals. A plan, I am sure, will involve diplomacy and a higher chance of walking away from it.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“In that case…” Alex sighed. “...I’m going for the rethinking option, Commander.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There may be hope for you yet Mr. Dyson,” Gregory said. “Are you ok with this Luma?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">=^= After that Weston verifies that Dyson is not a member of the SFI-bad-ones.Then that Dyson may leave the timeout cell. Luma will allow that Dyson to remain on the skin and not in the timeout shuttle. But if that Dyson IS a member of the SFI-bad-ones Luma will banish that Dyson from the skin.=^=</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Temas sighed and looked at Dyson, “I’m afraid she’s adamant, Alex. You’re stuck here until Mr. Weston returns. Perhaps it’s for the best. I’ll come back with lunch and maybe we can have a chat?”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sounds like a plan to me.”</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gregory and Laredo left, while Luma shimmered out of existence. ~Good luck explaining this mess to Kelly.~ Of course, there was a chance that Laredo would see her before he did. Once he was alone again, he sat back down on the floor. Now it was a waiting game.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Reply None)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-style: solid; text-decoration-color: currentcolor; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Posted by Tim, Mel, Al and Ruben)</span></p></div></div></div></body></html>