Previous Next

Unexpected Influence

Posted on Thu Oct 31st, 2019 @ 9:47am by Captain Enalia Telvan & Artan Pirate Dana Nyn & Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Sonak & Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant Commander Percival Garney
Edited on on Thu Oct 31st, 2019 @ 10:59am

Mission: Family Detention
Location: Starfleet Intelligence - Earth
Timeline: 2396

The first day at Starfleet Intelligence had been over nine hours of questioning and debriefing by a group of three Admirals. Questions, statements, and provocations designed to test the resolve and, more importantly, the loyalty of Lieutenant Mnhei’sahe Dox. It was exhausting, but when compared to her month-long captivity at the hands of the Tal’Shiar, it had been easy enough to weather for the Rihannsu Starfleet Officer.

At the end of that day, dinner with Commander Rita Paris and Captain Enalia Telvan helped put the entire affair into a better perspective, but to Mnhei’sahe, it all still felt very much like an attack and she was doing her best to muscle through it. It helped at when she returned to the temporary quarters Starfleet had assigned her during the proceedings, that Mona had been there waiting. It turned out that the Captain had used some pull to ensure that would be possible as the couple had been apart for too long.

During the days, Mona had been visiting a district in Japan called Akihabara, studying the latest in cutting edge robotics and Mnhei'sahe was glad she was keeping busy.

After that, the remaining nine Admirals she had been scheduled to see had been spread out over the successive three days. A few had been individual meetings, some groups like her first debriefing. But they all had a similar tone that had begun to wear on the embattled young pilot. It was, however, a storm she knew she had to weather if she wanted to remain a Starfleet pilot, Lieutenant or anything. So she approached each interview with a professional demeanor and a calm countenance. She was a trained officer and had just spent a month straight learning how to control her emotional reactions very well against the demands and temperament of her own people. She could keep her emotions in check through comparably mild debriefings. Even if they did feel more like interrogations.

Through all of the meetings, she had been ghosted by her assigned legal council, Lieutenant Commander Percey Garvey. The fussy, pretentious officer had been given her case by the Starfleet JAG office and clearly resented the duty, but performed it nonetheless. But throughout the proceedings, Mnhei’sahe made sure to give the man next to nothing to do other than take notes. She said nothing that needed defending in a legal sense, because she had done nothing wrong. So she followed Rita Paris’ guiding star, and remained true to herself. She didn’t allow any Rihan curses to slip out. She didn’t roll her eyes at the repetitive questions. She didn’t go on the defensive when the Admirals tried to bait her into reacting with anger or irritation by tinting the word ‘Romulan’, which she hated more than ever since her captivity, like a slur.

The next three days were spent at Starfleet Psychiatric, which was even less fun for the young woman who had to quelch not just her disdain for having her loyalty challenged, but her disdain for people trying to get into her head. She had a long and sordid history with councilors when she was first brought to Earth as an angry, sixteen-year-old Rihannsu girl and it had only mellowed slightly during her time on the Hera. But she did as she was ordered to, and performed the exercises and assignments. Filled out the emotional workshops, and complied with the requests.

Yes, she had anger issues. Yes, she had trust issues. Yes, she had significant emotional baggage that she was still working through, but the three therapists and two group sessions didn’t reveal any significant psychological damage that was indicative of brainwashing or mental conditioning that would be considered a threat to Starfleet security.

As such, the next day, already a full week into her evaluations, she was cleared for the meetings with the brass of Starfleet Intelligence, who wanted to grill her on everything she had learned about the functioning of the Romulan government and military. And that knowledge was considerable. During her time on the Romulan starship, 'The People’s Will', Mnhei’sahe had been given lessons designed to help her integrate into Rihannsu society both by her Grandmother and by Riov Dalia Rendal. In those lessons, she learned about the structure of the Rihannsu Senate. She learned the names of sitting senators and Praetors. She had learned things about their political leaning and voting records. She learned about the schedule and when the Senate was and wasn’t in session. She learned about the role of the Tal’Shiar in manipulating the Senate, and who was in who’s pockets. She had learned a significant amount of very useful information, and Starfleet Intelligence was thrilled to dive into what she knew.

Over another two days, she helped expand the Federation’s understanding of how the current model of the Rihannsu government functioned. That had earned the young officer more than a few points, it seemed, as suddenly, her overall treatment had begun improving considerably. The attempts at provocation ceased, and some of the six Intelligence heads even tried making offers. One wanted to transfer her away from the Hera to his command, offering promotions and other perks to try and sway her. One suggested training her to return and infiltrate the government if possible, even hinting that there were people already positioned in the government that would help make that possible beyond the influence of her Grandmother. Another offered thinly veiled threats that her career would suffer if she didn’t put in for a transfer to his command, but she simply smiled and maintained her composure. There was no way that Enalia Telvan would let that happen.

Throughout it all, Mnhei’sahe kept her cool and maintained her desire to return to her work on the Hera respectfully. But internally, she couldn’t help but notice how transparent some of their attempts at manipulating her were. The bald ambition that made them look not unlike Riov Rendal, with her attempts at seduction. So she answered the questions put to her, and volunteered what she had learned.

Then came the diplomats. The next three days were a flurry of meals and attempts at currying her favor. She found this even more distasteful than she did the Intelligence operative’s overtures. Suddenly, she wasn’t just a half-Romulan former smuggler who squeezed into Starfleet under the proverbial radar. She was the fully-Romulan granddaughter of a very powerful Senator. She was heir to a great house, who potentially had influence on a world that the Federation's relationship with had been at best contentuous for centuries. And that made her very interesting to more than a few people.

After three days of being courted for favor, she was feeling both emotionally exhausted and decidedly fatter. And considering just how much effort she had put into staying in shape since the Captain’s Tribunal, she knew she was going to need to redouble her efforts once she got back on the Hera. Which, when she thought of that, gave her a smile. She was beginning to think in terms of when, not IF for the first time since these proceedings had begun, and it felt good. But the diplomats weren’t quite finished, and she had one more appointment scheduled at Starfleet Intelligence. Thus she did her best to put herself in a positive frame of mind, not knowing who it would be with.

Preparing, her uniform was freshly pressed. Her shoes, pips, and badge were all polished. Her hair was done and in place and she felt professional and well put together as she made her way to the meeting room at Starfleet Intelligence, flanked as always by two gray-clad Intel Security officers. After a short trip from the quarters she had been assigned to during the last week-plus, she arrived a few minutes early to the modest chamber where her Legal liaison, Garney, was waiting impatiently. And there was someone else already waiting. Lieutenant Commander Sonak from the Hera, which was unexpected, to say the least.

"Lieutenant Commander Garney. Lieutenant Commander Sonak. I trust all is well?" Mnhei'sahe asked with a quizzical expression on her face, arms folded behind her back as usual as her guards flanked the turbolift door.

''That was to be my first question to you, Lieutenant,'' Sonak retorted in greeting.

The irritated Legal Liaison shook his head while kitting his eyebrows in annoyance. "You're here to meet with a representative from the Vulcan Government to express their interests in your... unique case. And against my personal objections due to a conflict of interests due to your being shipmates, Lieutenant Commander Sonak is that very representative."

The chief science officer of the Hera turned his steely gaze to the young man.

''You doubt Vulcan integrity, Sir?''

Garney suddenly swallowed and lowered his eyes, mumbling.

''Of... of course not. I... I'm only, err, only following regulations and voicing standard concern regarding such circumstances, Sir.''

Looking from her fussy legal aide to her superior officer and teacher in the discipline of her own mind, Mnhei'sahe nodded respectfully. "Lieutenant Commander Sonak, I suppose that means my appointment is with you?"

''Affirmative. I stated for the record that a full fledged and accredited diplomat should be assigned to this debriefing. However, the Federation Council itself and the Vulcan High Command both requested that I meet with you. It is this very personal connection we have, what Lieutenant Commander Garney here is so concerned about, that is expected to provide deeper understanding and opportunities. I can only bow to the logic of it. Does it agree with you as well, Lieutenant?''

"It does, Lieutenant Commander. Thank you." Mnhei'sahe replied plainly. As always, she enjoyed the straightforward nature of talking with Vulcans, and Sonak in particular. After a month of emotional manipulation and the gauntlet she had been running here at Starfleet, she took great comfort in knowing that this meeting would be free of such concerns.

Annoyed but doing his level best to conceal it, which wasn't well at all, Garney cleared his throat and interjected, gesturing to the mid-sized conference table in the adjacent room. "Very well. Then we can be seated and begin? Apparently, there's a second legal counsel on her way to represent you... Artan family interests, Lieutenant. But she should be along shortly."

And without waiting for approval or any reply, Garney entered the smaller conference room and took a seat, pointing to the seat to his right for Mnhei'sahe to take. To which she simply nodded and sat as instructed then gave her attention to her commander, teacher, and friend. 

Hands behind his back, Sonak entered last, taking the head of the table but ignored the chair, staying up as he spoke.

''Lieutenant, first I would like to hear in your own words and in as concise and precise a manner as possible a summary of your personal experience within the borders of Rihannsu space.''

Before they could get any further, the Artan legal representative rushed in, panting as she tried to catch her breath. She was a younger, short Trill with fine spots and a pixie cut, but the artan badge on her breast was unmistakable. Neither was the Federation Defense Attorney pin on her decidedly Artan-esque lapel. Once she had composed herself, she bowed deeply, holding the small gold datapad in front of her with both hands. "My deepest apologies for my tardiness. Following the Quee... Captain Telvan around to her interviews and then finding out that I'm needed elsewhere yet again... The past few days I have been double booked so many times, I wish I had time to protest being the only Artan legal counsel allowed at these debriefings."

Rolling his eyes, Garvey sighed audibly and gestured to a seat opposite his on the other side of the table. "Well, you're here and we've not yet begun, so if you will take a seat, we can begin... Miss?"

With a hand over her heart, the shorter Trill woman gave her oath as a legal representative to Lieutenant Dox. "Dana Nyn, at your service. I represent the interests of the Artan family at large and answer only to Que... Ahem... Captain Telvan, Captain Magnus, and those I represent so anything you say to me is held in the strictest of confidentiality." With that, she moved to one of the open seats, maintaining her professional attitude.

Sonak lifted an eyebrow.

''This is not a trial, nor even an inquiry. This is but a debriefing to assess diplomatic opportunities from Lieutenant Dox' experience. Would you please explain the reason for your presence here?''

"An excellent question," began Dana as she started in with her usual discourse of justification, then immediately thought better of it. Looking between the other three in the room, it seemed they preferred a succinct answer. "Simply put, I am here to offer any advice Lieutenant Dox may require as a Baroness of the Artan Privateers in regards to the extent of our involvement in reunification and any smuggling activities that may or may not take place in Federation space during those reunification efforts. I am also authorized to provide further contact information and data from within the organization, if she so desires it."

"That might well prove more than useful, and is appreciated. Thank you, Miss Nyn." Mnhei'sahe nodded with a professional but sincere smile. "When my mother and I were ferrying reunificationists from ch'Rihan when I was a child, those efforts were supported strongly by the Artan organization, so there is a long history there to be sure."

Sonak nodded. ''Then, your input on the subject should prove useful, Miss Nyn. Lieutenant Dox, you may proceed with your summary.''

Taking a breath, Mnhei'sahe nodded. "Aye, Lieutenant Commander." It had been days of reciting and repeating the story of her kidnapping and subsequent captivity, but Mnhei'sahe understood the need to do so yet again. So, taking a moment to collect her thoughts, the young red-headed Lieutenant folded her hands on the table in front of her and began.

Calmly, she told of the kidnapping of her and her mother by the Tal'Shiar. She had told them of her time on the Warbird called 'The People's Will" in locked chambers for the month that the ship spent returning to ch'Rihan.

Continuing, she told of the first two weeks spent with her grandmother, the Rihannsu Senator Verelan t'Rul, who attempted to teach Mnhei'sahe about her heritage, her family lineage, and the fact that the young officer could eventually inherit her family lands. She told Sonak and the others of how even the seat in the senate could be inherited… were she to defect and turn her back on Starfleet to help Verelan to remove the Tal'Shiar from power on ch'Rihan and restore some measure of freedom to the Rihannsu people. In those first two weeks, she had learned much about the structure and organization of the senate and repeated much of what she had learned once again.

Then she told of the Tal'Shiar Commander, Dalia Rendal, who took over the ship and locked her and her grandmother in the brig where her mother had been kept. The brig where the young pilot had been shackled to a chair for a week and made to watch as Rendal executed her father in an attempt to break her. After that had failed, Mnhei'sahe told them of how Rendal had subjected her grandmother to the infamous device known as the Neural Extraction Converter. The machine that rewrote the senator's mind in order to ensure her loyalty to the Tal'Shiar. Then she told them of her own time in that same device and her intense struggle to eventually defeat it, a feat of mental discipline made possible thanks to Sonak's months of training.

Finishing over an hour later, Mnhei'sahe told them of her mother's escape from her cell, how she contacted the Hera to tell the crew where Rendal was taking them. She told them of Rendal's attempt to continue her grandmother's training as a more twisted, militaristic form of seduction. And she told them of how she had worked to bide her time and wait for the rescue she knew would eventually occur where she was able, with Sonak's help, to eventually break the conditioning on her grandmother's mind before their escape.

"To the best of my ability and recollection, that's everything that happened." Mnhei'sahe said, a bit more tired for having told the story once again.

''Your recollection concurs with what I myself grasped from our mind-meld,'' Sonak stated. ''Lieutenant, in view of this latest interaction, what is your estimate of the situation regarding Reunification?''

Taking a moment to think about it, Mnhei'sahe leaned forward. "Currently, it's still a hot button subject in the senate according to my grandmother. The movement stalled for a while after the Reman uprising during Shinzon's time as Praetor, and that made a lot of Rihannsu move back into the shadows for a bit."

"Excuse me, what is this... Ree Han... whatever it is you both keep saying?" Garvey said, looking at his PaDD with his eyebrow raised.

Sighing almost imperceptibly, Mnhei'sahe replied without turning to address him directly. "Rihannsu. The actual name for the Romulan people. The Rihannsu are the people. Ch'Rihan is Romulus." Then, without waiting for any acknowledgment, she continued answering Sonak's more pressing question.

"Another problem is the Tal'Shiar. Riov Rendal views reunificationists as..." The Rihannsu Lieutenant paused slightly as what she was about to say was based only partly on her own experiences with the woman and largely on the description of horrifying events that had were to occur that been averted by her rescue. The events of a now altered fate that the entity known as Death had told Mnhei'sahe about. "She doesn't view them as Rihannsu people. And she would not hesitate to wipe out entire colonies if she could locate them."

''The No True Scotsman fallacy, '' Sonak summarized. ''Usually the standard argument of those in power fearing to lose some of it. Would that be the case here, Lieutenant?''

"Unfortunately, yes. Xenophobia and tribalism is still a powerful force there. And the Tal'Shiar still exerts too much control over the government, and they consider the movement a threat to the Imperium, rather than it's natural evolution. However, there are some in the senate and the Prateorate that are more moderate and feel that it could only strengthen the Imperium to open up communications." Then Mnhei'sahe looked over to Sonak and nodded. "Among them, my grandmother. Now more than ever after we mind-melded with her. That was a first-hand experience that I felt open up her perspective." In that moment, she sounds less like a pilot and more like a woman invested in a greater cause. One who had clearly paid close attention to what her grandmother had been telling her about the climate of the world she had come from.

Sonak kept silent for a moment, obviously processing what the young woman had said. Then he looked at her again. ''Based on your experience and what you have learned, what would be your recommendations?''

Looking first at Sonak, then across at Dana Nyn, then glancing hesitantly at Lieutenant Commander Garvey, Mnhei'sahe took a moment to think. In all of her meetings prior to this, she had done her level best to reinforce that she was Starfleet first and Rinhannsu second. After all, it was her loyalty to the fleet that was being challenged. But not here. Not by Sonak. And she knew that. 

"Right now, especially in the wake of my kidnapping and subsequent rescue which is an incident both governments want to pretend didn't happen, doing much of anything overt might be... incendiary." Mnhei'sahe replied, looking down at her folded hands for a second. Then she straightened up, remembering that she was an officer and needed to project that as she spoke.

"I have no intention of acquiescing to my Grandmother's desires for me anytime soon and returning to ch'Rihan. Not under the existing climate. But I was serious when I debated with Rendal in that brig." Mnhei'sahe said more firmly, reminding them of the details of her story from earlier. "As a Starfleet officer and a Federation citizen, I believe that lasting peace between the Federation and ch'Rihan is both possible and would be immensely beneficial to both. It's been demonstrably proven with the alliance with the Klingon Empire. Their fear that we would... assimilate them like the Borg is unfounded. And the reunification movement is, I believe, a step in making the government understand that."

"Sooner or later, what the people believe and want will become what the government must represent. The Rihannsu people have risen up before to unseat fascist governments, more than once. And each time has lead to long periods of peace." Mnhei'sahe said with a bit more passion in her voice. "Peace eventually undone by the deep-seeded xenophobia ingrained in the Rihannsu people for generations. But reunificationists are, by their very nature, moving away from xenophobia. Those are the people that can learn to see that all the Federation is... is the hand of a friend in need, not a fist to push them down. But there are thousands of years of distrust of outsiders to overcome. LOGIC can overcome that."

"My mother taught me that the only long term hope for..." Mnhei'sahe stopped herself from saying us in the moment and corrected herself as she spoke, at least for a second "...the Rihannsu people was to embrace the culture that was abandoned in the sundering thousands of years ago. To learn to temper passion with reason as... our ancestors did. To at least try. I believe it's in the interest of both the Federation and ch'Rihan to encourage reunification. And..."

Then she paused, nervous about saying anything more. "And... if my connection to the Senate through my grandmother can be... used... to in any way open up better communications between us and the Imperium, then I wouldn't be worthy to wear this uniform if I didn't do whatever I could to help."

Internally, Dana Nyn was beaming with pride. Both the Queen and Baroness Nei'rrh had estimated that Baroness Dox would have the strength of character to say something like what she had. Thus, she was authorized to say what she was about to. "In that regard, as you hold a high position in the Artan organizational structure, Baroness Sienae Nei'rrh has made the Golden Ghost available for your use in relation to future reunification efforts. Furthermore, I am to inform you that Captain Magnus has completed the processing to officially make Free Agent Jaeih Dox a member of your crew. How you decide to list her within the organization should be decided by you at a later date. We also have the location of a reunification colony on the other side of the neutral zone called..." Here is when Dana looked down at her datapad for a moment to confirm the name. "Mol Krun'chi Colony." Mol simply meant 'new', but she went with the Rihannsu name because to her it sounded better politically

Listening, Mnhei'sahe nodded while her face remained neutral and calm, giving no outward indication that her stomach had just tightened into a knot other than the blood rushing from her skin for a moment. "Thank you, Miss Nyn. The Golden Ghost was invaluable in the rescue mission and it is a resource it is good to know will be at our disposal, whatever course is chosen."

As she spoke, her mind raced at the words 'Mol Krun'chi Colony'. The name of the Reunification colony that had been fated to die had she not been rescued. And while it's three thousand plus colonists were now fated to live, the simple mention of the name was enough to remind the young Lieutenant of just how close she had come to losing everything to Riov Rendal. But she said nothing more, deferring to Sonak.

The Vulcan again was silent for a moment. Then he nodded.

''Your recommendations are duly noted, Lieutenant; and so is your offer, Miss Nyn.''

He paused again then looked at each person in the room in turn.

''It is logical to assume that, as more and more of the Rihansuu people will be exposed to the possibility of changing their way of life, more and more will choose to try... and at the same time, the faction opposing such endeavor will tighten its grip, or try to. This will undoubtedly reach a breaking point where either a compromise will be found... or one of the two factions will prevail over the other, not obliterating it but sending it into the shadows.''

His gaze ended up on Garney.

''Whatever the outcome, it is imperative that the Prime Directive be upheld. Unless there is a direct request from the Rihannsu people, the Federation must not act in any way to influence the Empire's internal affairs.''

He now looked at Dana Nyn.

''And even then, such a request should be handled with the utmost care and through proper diplomatic channels. Any... so-called cowboy diplomacy or out of official channels initiatives would only serve to alienate those opposed to reunification efforts and endanger those favoring it, both consequences pushing any such reunification possibility further away.''

His eyes finally fell on Dox.

''I will present your report and your recommendations to the Federation Diplomatic Corps and a proposal to have Vulcan fully open itself to cultural exchanges with the Empire. I will also present it all to the Vulcan High Council with the same proposal, citing you, Lieutenant, as the most valuable intermediary for these exchanges. With the autonomous, independent help provided by Miss Nyn's people, this should go a long way in easing the process; that is, if you would be willing to accept such responsibility, Lieutenant.''

In the year since coming aboard the Hera, Mnhei'sahe Dox had gone from a skilled but ignored shuttle pilot to a command officer entrusted with secrets and responsibilities she could never have imagined. But it was a path that she knew she couldn't walk away from any further. That was the burden of responsibility that she was learning too well. And while she was, on many levels, terrified of opening that door to risking losing herself again to the machinations of her own people, she knew she didn't really have a choice. Not if she wanted to remain the woman she had become during that past year. This burden was hers, not only by blood but now by choice.

So, with a clear nod, she replied firmly and simply. "Aye, Lieutenant Commander. I will."

Sonak stood.

''On behalf of all of Vulcan and those who hope for a reunification of both our people, I thank you for your service, Lieutenant Dox. You yourself, a distinguished Starfleet officer of Rihannsu origin, you are the shining example of that possibility. May both our people see that light.''

His grey eyes then swept the others.

''If there is nothing else to discuss, I propose to adjourn this meeting. Thank you all for your presence.''

With what was clearly a near-perpetual expression of irritation, Garney was typing away on his PaDD as Sonak spoke, barely pausing to meet the Vulcan's piercing gaze. It was a level of disrespect that made Mnhei'sahe angrier then any of the legal aide's behavior towards her had elicited. But she quashed that as well as he abruptly stopped and stood up to address the room. "Very well. I have no objections, Lieutenant Commander Sonak."

Turning to Dox, Garvey pursed his lips as he looked her up and down judgmentally. "Miss Dox, when you're done here, the security officers will escort you out of the building for the evening on your own recognizance. I need to file my reports with the judge advocate general's office and the hearing review board on your case for their decisions. You are to meet me tomorrow, oh eight-thirty hours at Command headquarters. Third-floor transport room. Thank you, Lieutenant."  

And Mnhei'sahe nodded her understanding, she replied plainly, "Aye, Mr. Garvey." To which the irritated officer scoffed lightly and left the room. As the door hissed behind him, the embattled but emboldened young officer stood up, adjusted her crimson tunic and turned to address the two left in the room.

"Miss Nyn, I thank you for your presence and assistance. If you don't mind waiting a moment, I'd like to talk with you in a moment. However... since you heard the whole story, there's no need for what else I'd like to say to be private." Mnhei'sahe said, nodding her head slightly as she spoke.

Having also stood with the others in the room, Dana Nyn bowed slightly to Lieutenant Dox, one hand over her heart. "Of course. There are a few things I would like to discuss with you as well, if I may." While she knew that she had to treat Lieutenant Dox as a Starfleet Officer, having reviewed the events of the Tribunal, in her mind, there was really no way she could think of her in any other way than as a full fledged Baroness worthy of respect. Around the annoying Mr. Garvey she would be her normal self... But around a Baroness or even the Queen... She had to constantly remind herself to call them by their Starfleet titles.

Turning to look up across the table at the steel-gray eyes Vulcan, Mnhei'sahe stood not quite attention, but respectfully with her arms folded behind her back. And when she spoke, she addressed the superior officer not by his Starfleet rank, but with the Vulcan word for a master teacher. His other relationship with the young Rihannsu. 

"Trensu Sonak, I have not had the opportunity since my recovery from ch'Rihan to speak with you in private. And while it may have no logical requirement, it is however important for me on a personal level to offer you my thanks." It was clear as she spoke that she was doing her level best to contain her emotions, which were notoriously strong, even for a Rihannsu. "Had it not been for you and your diligent training and the many lessons you have imparted to me over these last months on the Hera to help me learn to protect and discipline my mind, I would not be here today. I would have been lost on that Warbird before you and the crew had even had a chance to rescue me. That machine would have broken my mind. I don't even know who I would now be in that event, and I am... extremely grateful for what you have invested in me. Thank you."

"We come to serve,'' Sonak simply said.

The Kolinahr master may have been utterly devoid of emotions, being married to a Human woman had taught him a lot about what they were and what need they fulfilled in other beings. His now growing familiarity with Romulan mind, mostly through his mind-melding with Dox herself, had also contributed to his understanding of it for a people almost his own. And so he knew the need of going beyond the mere acknowledgment of fact.

''Rest assured the enrichment of mind and soul our interactions have brought me is equally valuable to me as my help proved valuable to you. We have both grown through our relationship. With your approval, we shall continue to do so; even if you have now proven yourself quite capable of self-growth. There is no better compliment a student can give its teacher. Your success honors me. Peace and Long Life.''

Nodding with a contented smile, Mnhei'sahe returned the acknowledgment. "Live long and Prosper, Commander. And you have my approval. It would be an honor to continue under your tutelage."

He then faced the Artan woman.

''Thank you for your contribution to this whole effort for galactic peace, Miss Nyn. Peace and Long Life to you as well.''

With a last finger-parted salute of Vulcan, he nodded to the two of them then left the room.

There was a moment of silence as Mnhei'sahe took a breath and let it out. Then she turned back to Dana Nyn as the door hissed shut behind Sonak. "I wanted to thank you for your presence here and your assistance. I'm glad it wasn't... overtly required. However, this information regarding the Mol Krun'chi Colony. Is it secure?"

"It's as secure as we can make it. The actual coordinates are only stored on the two vessels that make runs there," Dana replied, pulling up the data on her datapad. "One of those vessels is the Golden Ghost and the other is Baroness Nei'rrh's flagship. As for their defenses... I've been told they're minimal at best, but they do have a reasonable alert system with a monitoring tap inside an Imperial Navy satellite."

Nodding slightly, Mnhei'sahe replied with a slight smile, concealing her concern as best as possible as there wasn't anything that really needed to be done at this time. "Thank you. I'm hopeful that With Commander Sonak backing it up, we will be able to do something good here. Maybe we can make something positive come from everything that's happened. And if you would, please convey my thanks to Baroness Nei'rrh and Maenek t'Liun of the Ghost whenever possible, and of course, safe. Thank you."

"Of course, my lady," Dana replied, bowing respectfully, her right hand over her heart. "If I may, there are some other matters I should brief you on regarding the Ghost as well as your mother's status that you should be aware of. Also, I'm told that Maenek t'Luin has left an encoded message for you on the Hera for when these proceedings have been completed."

For just a moment, Mnhei'sahe felt somewhat self-conscious at having been treated in such a fashion, but she decided to not make an issue of it. After all, her own discomfort over pomp and circumstance was no reason to make Dana Nyn self-conscious. To say nothing of not wanting to be rude to a rare friendly face. 

"Thank you. And please, by all means, proceed. Though I hope you don't mind if I stay standing for this. My butt is numb from having to sit through all of these meetings." Mnhei'sahe said with a more relaxed smile as she ran her fingers through her hair and over her ear.

"Of course. However you are most comfortable," replied Dana, readying her datapad. "First off, your mother and everything aboard the USS Hera went well. The Starfleet liaison was not the most cordial, but we were quite clear and firm with him that as a citizen of the Artans, she will no longer be harassed and is no longer subject to crimes that she has already spent more than her time for."

Relaxing slightly at that news, Mnhei'sahe let out a light sigh. "Thank al'Thindor. I was more worried about her in this than I have been in my own regard. Thank you."

"As for the resources afforded you by the Artan governing body and its subsidiaries, as you are still an active member of Starfleet, in accordance of normal divestment of interest clauses found within the agreements that the Queen has with the Federation, they are also being applied equally to you. Thus, while the Golden Ghost and your mother are technically listed as now being part of your assets as a Baroness, per that agreement, they are officially being managed by Captain Magnus, who has delegated the responsibility to Baroness Nei'rrh, who has then again delegated the responsibility to Agent Dox, who will be informed of this arrangement upon your agreement of said arrangement."

"That makes sense, I..." Mnhei'sahe replied before pausing with a raised eyebrow and a question. "Wait... 'assets'? 'Resources'? What do you mean? The Ghost is listed as my asset?"

"Indeed, Baroness Nei'rrh and Maenek t'Luin both agreed that the services of the Ghost would best be served under your command as Baroness in the coming days so it has been transferred to your Barony." Dana nodded slowly as she spoke, making sure she was clear in what was on her datapad. "Furthermore, Captain Magnus, with your permission, would like to name Agent Dox not as your Second as would be customary of your first crewmember, but as your adjutant, to maintain that divestment of interests. Just as the Queen's adjutant, she would be responsible for monitoring the activity of your assets, briefing you on any crisis that should arise, making most decisions in your place, and ensuring your continued safety."

"Of course. I trust my mother in this regard completely, and I'm glad that she's protected in this capacity. Thank you, I appreciate this." Mnhei'sae replied, nodding and looking a bit more relaxed still. "And if I have further questions about these... clauses and various regulations, would I be able to contact you for any clarification?"

"Of course, my lady. I will be here in the Sol system for the better part of the next... I believe they call it a season? I intend to tour the major cities to see these Christ-mass lights humans speak so fondly off." The short, delicate-seeming Trill woman had a bit of a piratical grin on her face as she spoke of the human holiday - the first real relaxed look she had given since being in the presence of the younger Dox.

Smiling back, Mnhei'sahe was finally feeling the tension of the day let up as she stretched slightly. "Well, hopefully, you will enjoy it. It took me being dragged across the planet last year by Commander Paris on a sightseeing tour for me to finally start appreciating it. That said, I thank you again for your assistance here and moving forward. I'm in your debt, Miss Nyn. And if you would like, I'm meeting my wife and our security retinue for dinner. I have no idea what they've picked out to eat, but you are welcome to join us."

"No, Baroness... After recent events, we are all in your debt," Dana replied with another respectful bow of her head. "As for dinner, it would be an honor and a privilege to share a meal with you. Thank you. I'll try not to be so formal. After all, meal time is where one relaxes."

~Tag-

 

Previous Next

labels_subscribe