Sakarra had finished her food in short order, and it had turned out quite satisfactory. But when Brent posed his questions, the deeply thoughtful look returned to her dark eyes and she steepled her fingers under her chin, pondering how to best explain the true scope of the issue. But at least in one aspect she should be able to put his mind at ease.
"T'Pelar cannot do a thing to you, and if she tried solely on the grounds of our … association … you may be certain that there will be intervention. However, you know things even she does not. That there is one of the V'Shar on board, and another back home who has sent a message without the agency's knowledge. You know their names, their faces, and … some other things." She could not help but smirk just a tiny bit at the last words, but quickly grew serious again.
"As long as you never give any indication that you know these things, like as not you will be ignored. And for the sake of he who is my friend and mentor, I must ask you to keep it that way."
The other thing… she was not sure she wanted to burden him with it, but it was logical to assume he would find out soon enough, so he might as well hear it from her.
"I'm not certain what you mean by hot water, but if it is a metaphor for dire circumstances, then yes. I may expect to be charged with treason and be declared vre'kasht. Outcast."
"I didn't think she could do much, maybe whisper and more whispers about how I was unfit for command or something," he said as he took another bite. When she mentioned that she would ask of him that he maintain his silence he nodded his head in agreement. "Of course. I know when to maintain silence, even if I talk too much sometimes. I promise I won't say a word to anyone," he said. He wondered if what he knew was even of any relevance to anyone. However he was not a spook and therefore he decided that keeping his information to himself would be easy enough and the right thing to do in these circumstances. Even more so because it would make Sakarra happy.
Brent heard what she had said and nodded a few times as she mentioned that she could be branded an outcast. "Because you exposed an illegal operation that one of the Science Council pushed through Starfleet," Brent said reminding her that what had happened was extremely bad for the Vulcan PR department. "Perhaps you and the Captain could move to keep this under wraps? Perhaps the Captain could threaten to take things before the Federation Council, embarrassing this T'Pelar a great deal to the point where those back on Vulcan would have to take notice? That way if everything is kept under wraps only a few would know that you did what you did."
"Perhaps." She folded her fingers quietly, resting her chin on them.
There was no point in telling him that in the end, none of that would truly matter. Whatever T'Pelar might or might not have done, it did not justify Sakarra's actions, not as far as any other Vulcan was concerned.
And she had no intentions of evading the charges. Keeping things 'under wraps' was what had brought about this predicament. Being charged with treason would mean a public trial. It would also mean every last Vulcan would hear what had happened.
But they were far from home, and no one could say what might still happen.
"Kaiidth, Brent. Right now, we are here, and it is good. Tomorrow …" she waved a small hand over the table, a tiny smile lingering in her eyes "… tomorrow does not exist."
Brent nodded with a smile and raised his glass in a toast. "I can drink to that. To the now. Or as the ancient Greek's would say 'Eat drink and be merry.' One never knows what the following day will bring," he said. "Now eat! We have to get back to the brig soon enough. Remember you're the one who promised me that I would take you back even if it is against my best judgment..."
"I believe under the circumstances I shall draw the line at merriment … at least in public." Giving a small wink, Sakarra nonetheless complied and carried her empty plate to the replicator before returning with a fair sized chocolate sundae.
"In the event we do not get a chance to speak in private again soon, I have one request to make, Brent." She looked at the silvery spoon, tinted a copper hue by the lights he had so thoughtfully adjusted for her, and a flicker of sadness crossed her face again.
"If you do find Temep-Shar and there are survivors … and if the Sundered are indeed already following our trail… will you try and help the crew? And if I may be so selfish, don't get hurt in the process?"
"You ask for a lot don't you," Brent said teasing her as he leaned back in his chair having finished his own meal. "Alright. For you I will try to get the crew back and not get myself hurt in the process. But only for you," he said and reached over with his hand. "So the Romulans know that she exists and are probably following us right now as we speak to find it before us or to take it for themselves. Sweetheart.." he said calling her by a 'pet name' for the first time. "You really need to tell the captain about this right away. Especially if they are following us. Don't just leave it to the evidence."
"I never claimed to be an undemanding companion." Sakarra replied dryly, but there was a warm light in her eyes. She briefly blinked at the term of endearment and smiled almost reflexively before nodding slowly. "Safe to assume the Captain will ask for me if she wishes matters clarified, yes? And by now Commander Marcus will have told her that the Tal'Shiar is aware of our … objective."
Despite the renewed sense of foreboding, the young Vulcan's appetite had not diminished and to her own surprise the desert was gone within minutes, leaving her to look at the empty bowl with mild disappointment.
"As much as I would like to stay … I believe it is time you returned me to my keepers."
Brent folded his arms over his chest in a display that he did not approve of her dodging his trying to put the issue forward to the Captain. "If I thought she'd listen to me I'd go tell her myself but I don't think she will," he said. He let it go at that, having already learned that when she would say such things that it would take a great deal of time to make her change her mind if at all. Time wasn't something that they both had a lot of.
Brent nodded and stood up, waiting for Sakarra to stand up as well before instead of motioning her to go first he wrapped his arms around her and drew her up for one last kiss there in his bedroom. He didn't want to let go, and in fact he held her in the embrace for longer than he had wanted to. Finally he broke it before whispering softly. "We should go..."
Indeed they should, or Security might begin to look for their charge before long and find her severely disheveled and in a compromising … situation.
Breathing deeply, Sakarra realized her hands had dug into the fabric of Brent's uniform and she carefully loosened her grip, still tasting the kiss on her lips.
"Yes."
Denied and pushed from the forefront of her mind, desire still sang in her blood when she firmly strode towards the doors. How he continuously managed to do this to her with a single embrace was yet another mystery she had been unable to solve, but it was one she was content to simply accept for what it was. One could only hope no one they would encounter was skilled enough in reading Vulcans to detect the near feverish glint in her eyes.
Presenting nothing but the front of a dutiful, faithful Marine, Brent escorted her back to the brig and she was as deeply grateful for his composure as she was for him willing to take a chance on this … escapade. Before the turbolift doors opened at their destination, Sakarra was finally able to look up at him again without risking an incident, and held out her paired fingers once more.
"Thank you." She murmured. "For … everything."
Brent was silent during the trip back, unable to bring himself to talk with her. He wanted to continue to speak to her and reassure her that everything would be fine, that he would protect her as much as he possibly could if not more. As they came back into the brig he nodded at the security officer who opened up the cell. Brent saw her extend her fingers and did the same, completing the gesture as their fingers touched again. 'Until you are free or I break you out early, sweetheart,' Brent said as he withdrew his fingers and the forcefield came up.
Before Brent left he turned and looked, no almost glared at the Ambassador inside the cell with Sakarra. He pointed at his eyes then pointed at Lamont, letting him know that the Marine Commander was watching him.
Sakarra nodded, silently, trying not to show even a flicker of humor at his comment and failing by her standards, though hopefully not by those of the guards who were watching them, both relieved and curious. His gesture towards the good ambassador earned Brent a quirked brow, but the young Vulcan managed to keep her face utterly composed when she settled back down in her spot on the carpet, heavy robes rustling about her.
Stomping down on the warmth still coursing through her body, she watched him leave and resolved to put her mind to work. Yes, she had put herself in this situation and would do it again if needed. But now she had a reason to get herself out of it. A good reason.
=/\= End Log =/\=
Brevet 1st Lieutenant Brent Warren
Marine Commander
Lt Cmdr Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm
USS Charon
