[USS Charon] SD240912.20 || Plot Teaser I || "Lux et Veritas"

have shot mine arrow o'er the house,
And hurt my brother.
--William Shakespeare "Hamlet"

 

 

[Offices of the Science Ministry, Vulcan Council Chambers, Shi'Kahr]
8th Day in the month of Tasmeen, YS 9021

 

"Those delays are unacceptable."
"They were to be expected, t'sai."
Sakov could certainly understand T'Pelar's impatience, however there truly was little one could do. He clutched the data pad in his hands and marginally raised a brow in the Vulcan equivalent of a shrug. The woman seated across the desk from him seemed positively … agitated.
Well, that, too, was in some ways understandable, seeing as this was yet another thing that had gone wrong with what humans would refer to as the lady's 'pet project'.  And to invoke another terran idiom which stated 'it never rains, it pours', T'Pal had returned to Vulcan and obviously taken an interest in the matter. Questions were being asked. Questions, which at the moment those involved in the … project … were not quite prepared to answer yet.
One could only be grateful that at least up until now she who could not only ask for, but demand answers, was still remaining silent. A silence that, if Sakov was perfectly honest, worried him almost more than if she had begun to make at least a few inquiries.

 

"Expected?"
The middle-aged Vulcan in the light, russet-colored tunic was jerked out of his reverie and returned his level, hazel gaze towards T'Pelar. She was still staring at the transparent screen hovering over her desk, and in Nevasa's bright afternoon light the deep red script seemed to float in mid-air, tranquil and silent, belying the near incredible story it told.
The first time Sakov had read those reports, he had been tempted to dismiss them as ridiculous, a tale thought up by over eager Starfleet officers meant to cover up some wrongdoing or other. Especially this last one. A planet propelled by harnessed Omega-molecules, the technology falling apart after centuries of use, and then launched through space and time to be settled into a convenient star system? The only reason Sakov even considered believing a word of this, was that the Commander of the ship in question obviously had no intention of sharing any details of this incredible tale, but insisted they had merely been astonished observers. Were he not a Vulcan, Sakov might have been tempted to comment this with "Pull the other one."

 

T'Pelar pointed a finger at the screen, her features as unmoved as one would expect, but there definitely was a sense of aggravation in her sharp, carefully calculated gestures "I expected" and she put a near sarcastic emphasis on the latter word "that a former Ael'Riov would have the good sense to focus on the task at hand. Without doubt, I expected interference from the Sundered at some point. Even if they do not already suspect, their curiosity is not to be underestimated. What I did not expect, Sakov, is this."
The male nodded thoughtfully in response.

 

Since her launch, Charon had done what exploration ships were bound to do, poke her silver nose into anything that seemed remotely interesting, and cheerfully so. One could debate the question whether it was the ship's spirit that had influenced her Commander in such a way she would behave not only like, but nearly worse than a regular Starfleet s'thora, or whether it was the crew who beleaguered the exiled Ael'Riov to proceed as they felt was right and proper. Personally, Sakov doubted the latter had more than passing merit, but the question was academic in either case. They had come across the strange, the dangerous and the completely astonishing, and wasted precious time sniffing about the galaxy like excited Sehlat cubs, rather than proceed to their destination with all due haste.

 

"It is unfortunate, t'sai." he stated levelly. "However, with the crew unaware of the … urgency … of their mission, one cannot fault them. They are merely proceeding as they deem logical. Perhaps…"
"The crew, Sakov? Or t'Rehu?" T'Pelar gave the man across her desk a long stare "Do you truly suggest we should have shared classified information with not only the Yel-Halitra, but deliver it into the Star Empire's waiting hands as well?"
"There is no sufficient evidence that Shiarrael t'Rehu would have…'
"Hiyet, Sakov. What is done is done."
"Ha, t'sai." he bowed politely, but there was some reluctance in his stance, voicing his misgivings more clearly than any words could ever have.

 

"But you are correct in that we can no longer allow matters to proceed this way. This time, I shall personally see to it that Charon carries out her task."
With a decisive stab, T'Pelar caused the screen to disperse into nothingness and leaned back in her chair.
"You plan to follow them." Sakov looked even more doubtful if such a thing was possible in a man with completely expressionless features "T'Meni will never agree to launch Seleya for this purpose, let alone outfit the ship with…"
At the mention of the Senior Designer and Engineer's name, T'Pelar's eyes flickered for just a split-second, but if there was any emotional reaction she suppressed it immediately. Tapping the desk with one impatient finger, the Vulcan woman interrupted her aide "She will protest as before and be overruled. However, this course of action will cause more delays. I believe it is time to practice the human custom of 'calling in a favor'  Have my staff assembled by mid-day tomorrow. We shall leave for Starbase Versailles without delay."
There was no use in arguing with T'Pelar once she had made up her mind, so Sakov merely nodded and pivoted around to carry out his orders. And he would be a poor aide indeed if he did not anticipate other orders already, which meant he would call Starfleet as soon as Councilwoman T'Pelar's colleagues and staff had been informed of this newest … development.

 

Unfortunately, logic suggested an abnormally high chance that these travel plans would result in more complications.

 

 

[End Log]

 

T'Pelar
Councilor, Vulcan Science Ministry
&
Sakov