Great Escape

Posted on Fri Jan 24th, 2020 @ 10:18am by Kodria Mizu & Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant JG V'lera
Edited on on Fri Jan 24th, 2020 @ 11:05am

Mission: Neutral Zone Neutrality
Location: USS Hera, V'lera's Quarters (Also Vulcan)
Timeline: 2397

She'd been here but a few days. She'd met the XO, the CO, and the CMO. She'd made a Vulcan friend of sorts and she'd already had a few sessions, one with a young Ensign that...affected her personally more then she'd let on. The young woman had many emotions turning in her and a past that had created within her an insecurity of self but unlike V'lera, the woman had turned her insecurities to objects and had attached her soul to them. It would be an interesting case to take on.

Again she'd thought of Sonak. He was Chief Science and he might be able to help with this young ensign's therapy. She'd figure it all out. She had yet to unpack her quarters and office and she'd use the next day to do it. Her morning was clear so she'd use that for the office and now, this evening, she would start on her quarters. She didn't have a lot to unpack...just a few crates.

She would, however, have a hot chocolate before she started. She walked to the replicator and placed her order. As the device hummed she closed her eyes always finding its hum soothing. She picked up her drink carefully and carried it to the sofa.

Sitting down she placed the clear mug of chocolate on the glass table with a small clink. Sitting back she picked up Surak and pet his soft fur. He was as much a service animal for her as for those she treated. The only difference was she thought of him as her friend...perhaps her only true friend. "Today was long," she began.

It was often a routine for her to sit in the evening and tell Surak of her day. "I met with a few clients this afternoon. This morning the medical was a little ... stressful. You know how I feel about those."

The little animal stayed silent as if it understood all she said. In reality it merely enjoyed spending time with its owner. A ritual that it too had learned. Surak, even though a small creature, knew that soon she would play classical music and the little raccoon could lay for hours listening to it.

V'lera continued, "Ensign...."

Before she could get anything out the chirp of her communicator interrupted. =/\=Communications to Lieutenant V'lera.=/\=

She sighed, "Go ahead."

=/\=Incoming message from Vulcan marked personal and urgent=/\=

"Please put it through to my quarters." As she spoke she rose from the sofa and set Surak down. She walked over to her small computer on the small desk and turned it on. The Starfleet insignia shimmered and then a screen flashed an angry red demanding an access code and baring a symbol of the Vulcan High Council of Elders.

She sighed. She entered the code that she'd memorized well over the last few years and she watched as the IDIC symbol shimmered from symbol to face. The familiar face of T'Mira lit the screen. The old woman's perpetually dour expression filled the screen.

"V'lera, I hope that this message finds you well."

V'lera resisted the urge to roll her eyes. For a Vulcan T'Mira had a way with small talk even in messages.

"V'lera I have two things to speak to you about. I hope that you have some time."

V'lera did sigh this time. She wanted to shake the computer to make the woman get to it. She knew at least one of the things the woman wanted to talk to her about and that was the topic she was most anxious about. Her side trip to Vulcan before coming here was short but productive. Now all that was necessary was waiting to see if T'Mira had done what she'd said.

"The patient you consulted me about. I have the results. You were right."

V'lera let out the breath that she'd been holding. Before any thought could register T'Pera went on, "The other issue has to do with Rura Penthe. They contacted the council. Prisoner seven-alpha-one has escaped."

V'lera stumbled and then pulled out her chair and sat down hard. She stared at the wall above the screen. Escaped? It was Rura Penthe...there had not been an escape since Kirk and McCoy. How would that happen?

T'Mira said some stuff that V'lera missed by the time she was able to refocus on the message.

".......and thus I believe that you have nothing to worry about on the Hera. You are safe there. The Klingons will take care of this and we have dispatched Vulcan security to assist. The council feels that the best thing you can do now is allow us to do our job. Focus on yours." The woman gave a Vulcan salute and the message ended.

V'lera sat there looking at the blank screen for a long time. She hadn't even noticed that the Starfleet insignia had returned. She looked down to see that even though blind, Surak found his way to her. He always seemed to know when she was stressed.

She picked him up and stood starting to pace. T'Pera was right. There was nothing to worry about. What she found troubling was that T'Mira seemed to think that rather then logic V'lera would turn to worry, an emotion.

"I have to think on this." She said to her pet. "I have to take charge of things. Perhaps...." She shook her head. She put Surak down on his little bed, refilled his water and food, and then headed out. She needed a walk. There was only one place where she could think clearly. As she neared the observation deck she decided to change course. She went home and changed and headed to the gym. She had some anger to work out, not that she'd admit it.

-------

T'Mira paced the small space of her office. The young communications officer had confirmed that the message was delivered and she'd left to pace. Vulcans did not do that often. With the escape of Prisoner seven-alpha-one her chance had finally come. She sat back at her desk and turned on her screen. With a few deft motions of her fingers the screen shimmered and changed into the face of a scowling Orion man. An old man with a white beard and bald head. "Hello Malachi."

A clear angry mask formed on the man's face. "What right do you have calling here T'Mira."

She sighed. "We must meet. He's escaped. I also have some information for you. Something I should have shared years ago."

"You have nothing I want to hear."

She paused. "How about a granddaughter."

The man's eyes narrowed. "Five days, meet me in five days. I will send you coordinates."

T'Mira gave a nod. "Five days." She watched the screen go dark. Standing she knew that she could not go in a Vulcan ship. Lucky for her an old friend was stationed on Vulcan and his ship had one of those travel shuttles. She headed to see Thomas now. He'd help her. She had to make sure her meeting with Malachi was hidden even from her Vulcan co-council members.